GAL PALS

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are my girls, at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix Friday.

The love of my life, Judy, aka SWMBO

And her daughter, Gayle, aka The BRD

They make my life better.

STUPOR SUNDAY

 It was the day when all right-thinking men turn their televisions on to watch hours upon hours of pre-Super Bowl football and then hours upon hours of Super Bowl football.

I am among them, though I watch the Phoenix Open golf tournament final round before I switch over to the battering game.

(Much to Baseball Steve's disdain. He has yet to appreciate golf.)

I had predicted the Los Angeles Rams would win the game, along with about 110 percent of the sports writers.

Steve had predicted the Cincinnati Bengals would surprise us all once again.

In the end, the Rams won, though barely.

And the golf tournament was won by Scottie Scheffler in a three-hole playoff.

It was an exciting win, almost as exciting as the one by the Rams.

But that's not what I came here to write about.

You see, like many women in this world, SWMBO is not a football fan.

On Super Bowl Sunday, knowing that I will commandeer the television set for most of the day and night, she holes up in her room and only comes out when I tell her she has to see this or that commercial.

So this morning, very early (somewhere between 6 and 7 a.m.) I crept out of the house and went to a grocery store where I knew I could probably purchase a New York Times.

And an Arizona Republic.

And a Prescott Daily Courier.

All newspapers she would read.

And then, because it was nearby, a visit to Dunkin', previously known as Dunkin' Donuts.

I happen to know she has an affinity for French Crullers so I purchased a half-dozen.

And then, because I was there, four Boston Kremes and a couple of Glazed Blueberry Donuts.

They were all insanely rich and delicious and way too many and way too much.

So tonight I feel like this.

How was YOUR Super Sunday?

DOWN TO THE VALLEY

 This pandemic struggle has made us a bit stir crazy.

I say a bit because our last road trip was to Cave Creek, a suburb of Phoenix, over a year ago.

Here is a link to my post about that trip in December of 2020.

Since then we've been for the most part cooped up here in our duplex, except for trips to the medicos, the grocery stores, occasional visits to fast food drive-throughs, and the rare visit to the BRD's digs.

So, as we're not getting any younger, yesterday the BRD, SWMBO and I journeyed once again down to The Big Valley.

It's bigger than the last time we were there, the traffic is insane but the views where we went were spectacular.

Those are some of Arizona's famed Saguaro cacti (cactuses) framing a view of the Papago Buttes on the east side of Phoenix.

The view is just one of hundreds in a very special park situated right next to the Phoenix Zoo.

Fellow blogger Sharon, who lives in The Big Valley, is a member and frequently blogs wonderful pictures and prose about her visits to the DBG.

My photographs hold no comparison to hers but they will give you a clue or two to what this wondrous place holds.

The Desert Botanical Garden has become a favored location for exhibits by the blown glass artist Dale Chihuly and his artistic creations appear here and there throughout the park, frequently sharing the colors and the shapes around them.

I took a lot of pictures and in the days ahead I'll show you more of them, both of the natural and the created beauty here.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

(He:)  "Oh, oh, the weather is warming up.  Can Spring be far away?"

(She:) "It's February, you idiot."

(He:)  "Well, it's Friday so can the weekend be far away?"

(She:)  "Sheesh! Talk about a weak end."

And with that we launch the Comedy Cavalcade!

And finally, because this Sunday finally brings the agony of a long and disappointing season to an end, one more.

And that's it, Gentle Readers.

Now no matter who you root for or how you spend your time this Super Sunday, have yourselves an absolutely splendid weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

CLASSIC

It was a sunny day with a high in the mid 60's.

It brought me and a host of others to the car wash.

This was drawing some attention in line.

Why the Flaming Skull, you're wondering?

It might have been the paint job on the front of the car.

Not to be missed in the crowd.

DINNER

 

The beginning.

A couple of soon-to-be grilled cheese sandwiches to accompany a mug of tomato soup and a fruit salad.

A slight variation on the standard bread slathered with mustard and topped with American "Cheese" (cheese food).

We tried some shredded extra sharp Vermont white cheddar on top of the American.

Not bad.

Sorry for the lack of later photos.

Appetites took precedence.

MO SNO

 oh-HO!

So you say you like snow creatures, do you?

Well I've got more!

Okay, okay, that's enough.

And if she gets a ride, that'll be the end of this snowman saga, right kitty?

(oh, man)

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 I was watching the weather channel yesterday with a little bit of suppressed glee.

It was showing snowstorms in Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; Little Rock; Oklahoma City and Dallas.

I sent an email to Easy Ed in Indy, where I once lived for a few years, saying I didn't miss that kind of snow at all.

Or the kind where his wife and I come from, in North Dakota.

But today I'll put my gloating aside and show you snow people how to enjoy the days.

After all, it's time for the weekly cartoons!

Those are the jokes, folks.

And a special thank you to L.L., aka Cross Town Lori, a native Michigander, for all those wonderful snowmen and women.

Now here's the message for this weekend: whether it's building your own snow people or sledding or skiing or snowball fights, get out there and enjoy yourself as best you can.

I'll be down here in Arizona basking in the . . . well, no, I'll be inside by the fire!

But always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .