(the return of) THE FRIDAY FUNNIES!

 I can hear you.

Yay! Hoorah! Tada!

So let me linger no longer.

Here we go.

And with that we bring this brief joyous spasm to a conclusion.

I know it's difficult to be amused in these dark days but put a little smile on your kisser and work from there.

Have a brighter weekend and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

Samitches

 

BLTC's ala Judy

TEAM EFFORT

 

"This skating rink is for the birds!"

 (Daily ice removal by Catalyst)

(Blog post idea and caption by SWMBO)

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

 

I live back there.

Somewhere.

PEACE AND QUIET

 Don't we all wish for that?

Peace and quiet?

That's how it is around my house today.

I turned the television off after a quick check of the news from Washington so it's quiet once again.

The Visiting Renta-Cat has had his snack and some catnip and is now in his preferred position on the couch.

Out in the back yard, a Phoebe has been making repeated visits to the bird bath for drinks.

I'll have to go out and see if the ice has melted yet.

My thoughts go far back in the past, to when I was a young lad listening on the radio to the adventures of a couple who lived at 79 Wistful Vista.

They were known to their audience as Fibber McGee and Molly.

In real life they were a married couple - Jim and Marion Jordan.

Their popular radio program ran from 1935 to 1959 and it's final cancellation was considered by many to be the end of the Golden Age of radio.

I remember listening all through my childhood.

It was a good time, a peaceful time.

O.K. I'M BACK

 Other than re-living the events of Wednesday, I'm feeling much better.

Refreshed.

And just as an apology for the absence of The Friday Funnies this week here's some Goofy advice.

As for my day it's been busy.

We put a big foam mattress topper on my bed this morning after rotating the mattress, then re-made it with fresh linen.

The old ones were sent to the washing machine along with a ton of clothing from my hamper.

That's all done now.

In the meantime, I made a loaf of whole wheat bread studded with Craisins.

SWMBO pronounced it quite tasty.

Vacuumed the floor where white stuff from the old mattress cover had shed.

Watched the first episode of a Fran Lebowitz Netflix series about New York City after a recommendation from a friend.

He pronounced it hilarious.

I found it "mildly amusing".

Watched Jacques Pepin's cooking show.

Better.

And read a bit of Molly Ball's great biography "Pelosi".

She may get a Pulitzer, in my opinion.

Oh, great news from the BRD.

She has friends who had a painting outside on their deck for so many years it had virtually faded to oblivion.

They asked her if she could restore it.

She could and she did.

Compliments all around.

I enjoy this family with so many talented people.

And that's been my day.

So far.

TIME OUT

 As 2021 has begun, I feel the need for some breathing space.

The preceding year was an ordeal for all of us and I want to spend some time healing from it and resting my mind.

So I'm putting Oddball Observations on hold and stepping back from the keyboard for awhile.

I'll trust you to behave and be good to yourselves while I'm gone but to carry on without me for the time being.

And always remember to keep laughing!

A NEW DAY DAWNS

 

After 2020 it has to be.

At least we'll still have the Friday Funnies.

I trust most of you celebrated the turning of the calendar page as I did - quietly, responsibly, socially distanced in your own homes.

You may now take the rest of the day off.

Rest, watch a football game if you like, take a nap if you like, have a good meal if you like, finish off the Christmas candy if you like.

Whatever you like, pamper yourselves today and brace yourselves for the year ahead.

It's going to be a bumpy ride!

But always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, come on . . .)

QUE SERA, SERA

 It is time once again to change the calendar.

A new year faces us.

Hopefully, it will be better than the dismal 2020.

There is hope but as that old Doris Day song put it:

"The future's not ours to see

Que sera, sera

What will be, will be"

THE GRAY AND THE BLUE

 Earlier this week the skies overhead were a dusky dark gray color as a low front headed our way from dread California.

If you've been keeping up with Oddball you will know they brought us a touch of snow the other day.

But today Old Man Sun is back with us.

Believe what you may, that is not a ship manned by extra-terrestrials from far distant worlds on the left-center.

Just a reflection on the camera lens.

So blue skies are back again.

Except for the white streak of a contrail or two from high-flying jets passing overhead.

As I said to SWMBO the other day, I enjoy a cloudy day from time to time.

But I'm always glad to see the sun come out again.

WINTER

"There'll be a change in the weather . . ."

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas . . ."

Those two old songs had their Great Conjunction a few days late but the weather did change a bit yesterday.

Coming on the 28th day of December made it a little late for those wishing for a traditional holiday and, typical for my part of Arizona, it only left a dusting but it was fun while it lasted.

Fun to watch from inside a warm home, that is.

The snow has moved on now, heading east where it will drop much larger amounts so drive carefully or just remain at home, safe and sound.

MUSIC AMERICANA

 Y'say you need a little somethin' to get your Monday Morning in between holidays off to a good start?

I can't think of anything better than a little bit of music from Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

(thanks to Sam Sifton of the New York Times for the tip.)

LOOKING BACK

 So how was your Yuletide?

Ours went pretty well.

Well, other than my putting a just barely opened bottle of Prosecco into the refrigerator with that red wine bottle stopper plugged into it.

On it's side.

On top of a crate of eggs.

And it blew up.

And SWMBO opened the door to the fridge and most of the bottle of Prosecco shot out onto the kitchen floor.

Well, all except the quantity that had dripped down into the crate of eggs.

And onto the trays below.

And into the trays in the door.

But the inch or less left in the bottle still tasted good.

It helped to wash down the ashes in my mouth.

Now you're not going to believe this.

SWMBO actually suggested we get another bottle for New Year's Eve!

I have a feeling though that she'll insist on opening it and pouring it and corking it and setting it upright in an ice bucket we've got around here somewhere.

Women!

They've always got a better idea.

Right, guys?

THE DAY AFTER

 Just when you thought it would end . . .

CHRISTMAS

 It's finally here - the Big Day.

The Christmas Cartoon Countdown reaches its Climax.

So let us delay no longer as we welcome Kris Kringle's annual arrival and celebrate with THE FRIDAY FUNNIES!

And now that we've got the puns out of the way, here's my favorite of the day.

Caramba!

We have connived in a chorus of chortles in this cheery Christmas celebration, cackling away as we characteristically circumnavigate Camelot among the clouds.

Now let me wish you a candlelit Christmas, a wonderful weekend and a feast-filled Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .