PLANNING MY DAY

I found this in one of my Friday Funnies from 5 years ago* and thought it fit well for now.

*My gosh, have I really been doing the Friday Funnies for at least five years?  Time flies when you don't know what you're doin'.

SEEKING AN ANSWER

A SOGGY, FOGGY DAY

I know Julie London never sang about "a foggy day in Prescott Valley town" but she could have today.

As a rain and snow filled second storm moved across Northern Arizona it left fog obscuring our ancient volcano, Glassford Hill, in that top photo.

Earlier this morning, all I could see looking toward the other side of town was fog but it was lifting as I took this photograph.

The cool (not really cold) temperatures and rain on the street created a somewhat drab scene.

The other day I donned my cold weather coat for an excursion into a snowy world after the battery died in my car as it was parked in my garage.

Yes, that is not a happy camper.

But a new battery was purchased and installed and today this is all I can find in my driveway from our snowstorm of New Year's Eve.

Warmer, drier weather and happier days are just around the corner.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

I had planned today's post for some time, just waiting for the holidays to be over.

But when I opened my friend Tom's post this morning I was amazed at what my eyes beheld.

So I swiped this photo of Tom, on the left, with some of his friends recently to lead this off.

And now . . the Friday Funnies!

Okay, I've had my fun.

Now, only a little alliteration, just literally have a lovely weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Ouch!)

AGONY

I wandered past a television set today and heard the President of the United States talking about India giving Afghanistan a library.

He said something along the lines of . . "a library.  That's nice.  I don't know who would use it but that's nice."

It's not the library shown in the picture above but still.

Who would USE it?

I would think that there are some, perhaps quite a few, Afghanis who would love to spend time in a library rather than dodging bullets and car bombs and terrorists of one belief or another.

But then I'm not the president so what do I know?

This evening I was looking back at my blog history again and I ran across this cartoon from early 2009, in the waning days of the second Bush administration.

Hmmmmm.

2019

As we gather around a warm fire, it's time for another new year and contemplation of what 2019 will bring.

But first, let's take a look back at how 2018 ended.

Snow!

It snowed for hours beginning about 9:30 in the morning and covered everything around the Catalyst's lair.

Early on I had taken the bird bath, frozen solid, and placed it against the tree where it and its pedestal were soon buried in soft but heavy snow.

The colorful whirligig was snowed to a stop.

The smiling sun faces began to take on a worried look as the snow kept falling.

And the poor rock turtle eventually was left with only his beak peeking out.

It's a chilly 10 degrees F. as I'm writing this and supposed to top out at only 34 today so much of the snow will remain.

But the Weather Gods tell me the high by Friday will be in the mid to upper 50's.

So this somewhat rare snowfall will soon melt and drain away.

It's pretty while it lasts and fortunately I have a full larder and nowhere to go.

Happy New Year, everyone.

WEATHER UPDATE

This is just to prove that the Weather Gods aren't as smart as they think they are.

Our forecast this morning said we'd have snow this afternoon.

It's 10:20 a.m. here now and this is what I see outside.

The back yard with the mural and the frozen-solid-birdbath leaning against the tree.

Yesterday when I thawed it out and filled it with water I nearly instantly had visits from a Mockingbird, several Collared Doves, a Finch, and a Bluejay.

But they seem to have taken today off or have found water elsewhere.

The patio furniture is also taking the day/season off.

Meanwhile the snow is falling continuously and, at times, the flakes are getting bigger.

My New Year's Eve will be spent in my nice warm home.

THE END OF 2018

The year 2018 is already gone in parts of Australia.

Our turn is in sight.

Here in Arizona the last day of the year has dawned cloudy and dreary with a high temperature expected to be only 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

And snow is predicted to arrive here in the Central Highlands this afternoon.

Probably just a light covering though and it will likely be gone soon as the temperatures warm later in the week.

What can I say about 2018 but "meh".

Perhaps the New Year will be better.

Let's hope for it, Gentle Readers.

Happy New Year!

LIGHT

What was that explosively-bright light I spotted yesterday?

Was it a meteor?

A terrorist attack?

A blown transformer?

No, none of those.

Just a last blast from El Sol for a gloomy, cold winter day in Arizona.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

Good day, Gentle Readers.

Now that I've warmed up your humor senses with that Amazon-chicken-egg post of yesterday, let us get on to the real business of the day.

The Friday Funnies!

Now, Gentle Readers, yes, now . . . hitch up your knickerbockers, kindle your spirits, keep kicking knuckleheaded kindergartners out of your way, prepare yourself for a kaleidoscope of kaffeeklatsches, pound the kettledrums in a kindly and not klutzy way . . . . . and have a great weekend!

And always remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

MY LATEST ATTEMPT AT SOLVING AN OLD PROBLEM

SO LONG, JERRY

I just learned that a Valley of the Sun legend named Jerry Riopelle died in his sleep recently at the age of 77.

He was a guitar player and singer who played with many of the greats.

I first saw him at the Celebrity Theatre as an opening act for David Bromberg and his band.

His New Year's Eve concerts in Tempe became legendary.

Here is a clip that combines both Celebrity Theatre (which featured a revolving stage) and New Year's Eve in 1975.

During a crazy age Jerry was loved by his fans.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

To all of you Gentle Readers, lurkers and contributors of great humor to this blog throughout the many past days, I give you my most grateful thank you and my sincere and enthusiastic wish for a peaceful holiday season and a fulfilling 2019.

CHRISTMAS JOY

I come from a family of stoic males.

This is my father in Mesa, Arizona.

This is his brother in San Francisco.

This is my brother in Minot, North Dakota.

This is one of his sons in Washington state.

This is another of his sons on a visit to us in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

And this is me recently.

See what I mean?

There's a certain kind of "it's me against the world" attitude showing.

But in spite of all that stoicism in the Taylor family I remember Dad introducing our family to this Christmas song and playing it year after year.

It's become my tradition now so brace yourselves.

Dad's been gone a long time, now but I have a feeling he'd still get a kick out of that tune.