SPEAKING OF GAYLE . . .

. . . oh, I wasn't?

Well I should, more often.

The BRD came over to help her mother out with a little but strenuous project and afterwards the three of us went to lunch.

It was fun.

The lunch, that is.

HOT ENOUGH FOR YA?

Chill, baby.

R.I.P.

John McCain

August 29, 1936 - August 25, 2018

A Public Servant

A NEW TOWN CELEBRATES ITS GROWTH

The town I live in, Prescott Valley, Arizona, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend.

In 1978, the year it was incorporated, around 1,500 people lived here.

Now the population is around 45,000 and it is the 20th largest city in Arizona.

(The much older city of Prescott stands at 23rd.)

All of which is to say that the town is whooping it up this weekend.

The streets that run past the town's civic center have been blocked off and food trucks are in place.

Just a few steps away a classic car show is taking center stage.

A car I longed for before I was old enough to drive, a 1950 MG.

The rear of it sported a classy leather suitcase embossed with labels of where it might have traveled back in the day.

On down the street, cars in a myriad of bright colors.

A row of reds, anchored by a very rare Reatta.

Handmade by the Buick Motor Company, it only lasted a few years, due to vibration problems.

The owner of this one said there are a grand total of six members of the Reatta club in Arizona.

Here's one from my era - a '55 Chevy.

A classic and patriotic T-Bird.

The owner of this old buggy told me he was ordered to shave twice a day when he was in the army because of his quick-growing beard.

He said when he got out in 1957 he said "that's it" and he hadn't shaved since.

His lady told me it had been cut back from time to time because of danger from campfires and he said it had been down to his waist at one time or another.

The owner of this beautiful piece of work obviously has a sense of humor.

Check out the rear window.

There were some other indications of humor on display.

A hood "ornament".

That dog may be down to bones but he's still gripping his bone!

A California visitor showed off a shirt from an earlier car show.

Oh and there were at least a couple of what are known as "rat rods".

Nearby, the Theatre on the Green Main Stage was busily being wired for sound in preparation for two days of events and musical concerts.

The weekend includes an Antiques Roadshow style event, a free ice cream social, tribute bands, the largest fireworks show in Northern Arizona and much more.

This little town has come a long way from its earliest days.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

One more day . . .

one more week . . .

 . . .of BREAKING NEWS!

Well, Gentle Readers, here's the REAL breaking news.

I think this week we will examine the medical profession.

Or, more aptly, medical practice.

I hope none of my doctors see this blog!

Let us all now canter capriciously into the weekend, taking a careful contemplation of the characters in our cacophonous company, avoiding all cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary actions and, above all, catheterizations.

In short, spend your time with comics and cats and more than anything, always remember to keep laughing!

Did I say cats?

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

Now, that cat is relaxed.

BACK HOME AGAIN . . .

All day the clouds have been humongous and wandering all around our area but not, I say NOT, dropping any rain on us.

And then this evening a little light mist began.

And then a bit later, I looked out and, lo and behold, the sidewalk in front was all wet.

And I went out and it WAS wet.

And cool.

And the view over the savannah-meadow-parkland-pasture was green, green, green.

And a small band of big black cattle were grazing just over the fence from the road.

And . . .

. . . the street sign said Roundup Drive.

It was just like being once more "back home again in Indiana."

Or, in my case, North Dakota.

Either one "states" my case.

LOOKING BACK

I thought I'd look back in my blogging history and see what I was doing.

One year ago, August 19th, 2017, I was getting ready to have my Pacemaker/Defibrillator replaced once again.

I got my original pacemaker on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) in 2007.

A few weeks later it was replaced with a pacemaker/defib.

The battery on that one only lasted for 3 years so the device was replaced in 2010.

That one fared better so the one I got last year was actually my fourth and supposed to last 7 to 10 years.

I'm pleased to report that all went well on the 21st and like John Cameron Swayze (now who remembers him) used to say "it takes a licking but keeps on ticking."

He was actually talking about Timex watches but whatever.

A couple of years ago we were in the monsoon season and I was just trying to figure out how we could harness the power of that thunder and lightning when it came to me.

Five years ago, August 19, 2013, I was obsessed with cat pictures on the Internet when I was stopped to find this:

Finally, I went back 10 years ago and found out that in August of 2008 the nation was in election season and we were wondering who would be the new president in 70 days.

Would it be Arizona's own John McCain?

Or a somewhat newcomer with a strange name, Barack Obama of Illinois?

Guess you know how that turned out.

In this year of 2018, all I can say is thank you to medical science for the Pacemaker.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

So, it's Friday, how you feeling about that?

Ah, well, okay.

While she's busy, for the rest of you Gentle Readers I shall present a montage of mirthfulness.

Hopefully.

So there you go.

I hope your funny bones have been titillated.

Now I want you to tear into this weekend with terrific tenacity but if you thirstily tope too much at the tavern, take a taxi home and arrive triumphant.

Oh, and always remember to keep on laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, not again)