MOROSE ON MONDAY

A couple of things are wrong here.

First, the photo was taken on Sunday.

And second, I wasn't feeling morose.

I had dug out one of my black hats and put it on for a photo to compete with a couple of "dime store cowboys", as someone called them.

(Did she really write that?)

At any rate, here they are:

If you look around there are a lot of black hats in that room.

Well, mine needs a bit of a brush-up and some shaping.

Maybe that was why I appeared to be morose.

At any rate, I'm grinning now.

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

Today, November 2nd, is the day when Mexicans remember their relatives and friends who have crossed the line before them.

But it is not a melancholic remembering but rather a time of joy and happiness, thinking of those who've passed as if they were alive.

Markets are full of people buying skulls.

But made of sugar!

Or chocolate!

Small dolls are also sold.

They are probably for the Día de los Inocentes on November 1st, when infants and children who have died are remembered.

(These pictures are from a market in Guadalajara.)

The belief among the celebrants is that the spirits of the departed return to visit.

So cemeteries and gravesites are lavishly decorated and favorite foods and drinks of the spirits are present.

(These two are from a cemetery in Ajijic, on the north shore of Lake Chapala, south of Guadalajara.)

Music is played loudly and the revelers, for that is what they are, enjoy picnics among the graves.

Now, if you will indulge me, some pictures from the Halloween just passed.

First, from Indianapolis, my longtime friend Easy Ed, portraying the angry old man.

(Which, in reality, he isn't.)

And then, from Mount Vernon Street in Prescott, an historical district full of elegant old homes which draws hundreds if not thousands of trick or treaters every year, Cruella Deville.

Portrayed here by the BRD (Beautiful Rich Daughter).

She was accompanied that night by her Beau Jack, passing himself off as a pirate.

Here's hoping your celebrations went just as well.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

It's the First of November!

Can the devouring of turkeys and pumpkin pies be far behind?

Well, Gentle Readers, how did your Halloween night go?

Better than those two, I hope.

But never mind, it's time for The Friday Funnies!

That's all for this week, Humor Lovers.

Now I'm hankering heartily for all of you to have a happy weekend, filled with hijinks, hubbub and high-stepping, while not hoisting the hemlock.

In other words, enjoy yourselves!

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

SPOOK 'EM!

The Walk of Fear.

One Prescott Valley home is ready for trick-or-treaters.

On the other side of their driveway the spooks are seemingly dressed for a party.

While some ghosts are having parental problems.

If you, or your children, are thinking of scaring the neighbors while wearing a bed sheet, here are some suggestions.

Then there's poor Timmy, not to be confused with our friend Timmer.

But getting back to home and yard decorations for a bit . . .

This next one really goes for the Fear Factor.

Finally, since this Halloween falls on a Thursday, I searched the ThrowBack files to find this image of a much younger Catalyst and She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Dressed to Kill.

Or, actually, to go to a party at the BRD's home.

The talented (and beautiful) Judy made both costumes.

Happy Halloween, everybody.

THE LONG VIEW

Sunset Point is a highway rest area roughly 40 miles south of where I live and roughly 40 miles north of Deer Valley in Phoenix.

It is well-used for it's huge parking lot usually occupied by semi trucks on one side and cars and SUV's on the other.

The relatively clean rest rooms are a welcome sight to travelers.

But on the other side from the freeway are some magnificent views of the east side of the rugged Bradshaw Mountains.

It's a wonderful panorama viewed and photographed by tourists and locals alike.

It offers a nice contrast to metropolitan Phoenix, at more than 4.7 million people the 11th largest metro area in the country,  just a short drive away.

LUNCH DATE

All decked out for Halloween.

A smug Houston Astros fan . . . aka Wally.

Two gray-haired old men . . . aka Baseball Steve and Catalyst . . . intent on their "smart" phones.

BRRRRR!!

Another blasted cold front is blowing into my area.

Flags were flying straight out most of the time yesterday.

When I rose from the Arms of Morpheus shortly after 6 o'clock this morning the temperature was 32 degrees (F.)

Later as I was changing the water in the birdbath I had to chip off a light layer of ice.

Just in time for Halloween.

Maybe this will cut down on the trick or treaters and I'll have a lot of candy left over.  (heh-heh)

MARKETING

The Prescott Valley Farmers' Market marked the end of their summer season with a Harvest Fest today.

There were baked goods for sale.

Hot soup.

Who could resist another refrigerator magnet?

Or four?

There were some fluffy birds and their matching chicks.

And baby goats.

And I can never resist photographing a lady wearing a snappy hat.

Everyone has a good time at a Farmers' Market.

CONTROLLED

When the forests call for it, crews perform what is called a "controlled burn".

They deliberately set a fire to burn out brush and trees where the landscape has become too crowded.

The downside of this is that the forest is close to the cities and it can get uncomfortably smoky.

This was from a controlled burn south of Groom Creek a week or so ago.

But we can get smoke from fires far away, too, depending on wind conditions.

Williams is 50 to 60 miles north of us and a burn was being conducted in that area this week.

When strong winds blew from north to south here is what we got.

While the smoke is a nuisance, we can at least be thankful that we don't have the raging fires that are plaguing California at the present.

Our thoughts are with family and friends that live over there.