Sunday, January 24, 2021

IS THIS REALLY ARIZONA?

 The traditional view of Arizona is desert, cacti, rattlesnakes, sand, and the like.

Not this.


But Arizona is a land of many contrasts, from vast cities hovering at 900 feet above sea level where the temperature climbs into the 100's for summer days on end, to the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the United States and mountains topping out at nearly 13,000 feet.

And yes here in the higher parts of the state we do get snow.


Where my neighbor's car sits encrusted with snow there's a nice contrast to his still-hanging Christmas lights.


And across the street is that little pine tree another neighbor planted many years ago, now all grown up.

(And up and up and up.)


The boughs seem to be sagging a bit under the weight of what a disc jockey I once knew used to call "celestial dandruff".

Here's a close-up to show you how wet and thus heavy that snow came to us.


We here in the Central Highlands are predicted to get more snow in the next day or two and then the temperatures will rise and it will begin melting off, gone away once again.

Friday, January 22, 2021

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 It is Friday once again after a somewhat difficult but ultimately satisfying week.

Time once again for the old Catalyst to try to ease your frowns and install smile lines instead.

So here goes.





















So that's all I have today.

Have a fantastic weekend, everybody, and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .



Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

SEASONING

Unaccustomed as I am to political commentary by yours truly . . .

Oh, hell, this is too good not to share.

Turn on your speakers and enjoy!


Sunday, January 17, 2021

SUNDAY VISITOR

 Knowing, as I do, that you like seeing photos of our Renta-a-Cat, who actually lives across the street, here are a couple of shots I took this morning.


Actually it's only one photo.

The second one is just a cropped version of the first.

And I know they're a bit fuzzy since I didn't have the flash engaged on my camera.


I ask you -  who could resist a face like that?

Saturday, January 16, 2021

FUNNY. NOT FUNNY.

 


Some people have no sense of humor.


Friday, January 15, 2021

(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 . . .


Thursday, January 14, 2021

Samitches

 


BLTC's ala Judy

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

TEAM EFFORT

 


"This skating rink is for the birds!"


 (Daily ice removal by Catalyst)

(Blog post idea and caption by SWMBO)

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

 


I live back there.

Somewhere.

Monday, January 11, 2021

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.

Saturday, January 9, 2021

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.

Sunday, January 3, 2021

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!

Friday, January 1, 2021

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 . . .)


Thursday, December 31, 2020

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"