Dia de los Muertos

 

The Day of the Dead is celebrated not as a period of mourning but as one or two days of joyful celebration, supposedly when the souls of the deceased come back to visit their family and enjoy the food and drink that they loved in life.

Marigolds with their bright color are displayed widely to lighten the path back through the darkness.

These, from our yard, are not the typical flower used in Mexico.

The so-called Aztec Marigold has a round shape like a Chrysanthemum but the same bright color.

These sprang up along the edge of the patio, apparently from seed spilled from our tomato barrel.

Apparently they enjoy the abundant Arizona sunshine.

But getting back to the day(s) of the dead in Mexico, November 1st is traditionally a day to remember children that have died and November 2nd for adults.

Cemeteries are decorated and altars are built at homes.

And everywhere can be seen the bright golden color of the marigolds.

HALLOWE'EN

 

Happy Halloween, everyone!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 T.G.I.F.

It's the end of a week as good as any week can be, nowadays.

My beloved Arizona Cardinals finally lost a game, to the Green Bay Packers, on a mixed play with only 14 seconds left and victory in their grasp.

Gadfrey!

Why does one put oneself through this agony (of defeat), even if it's only experienced through the television tube.

Well, so it goes.

They still have 7 wins against only one defeat this year and are now tied for the best record in the National Football League.

Who'd of ever a-thunk it?

So let us enjoy what might have been and might still be.

And enjoy these simple laughs.

If that didn't leave you laughing/groaning, you haven't been paying attention.

So let me SHOUT at you, HAVE. A. GREAT. WEEKEND!

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

CONTRAST

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

A former mayor of New York City, Fiorello LaGuardia, was known for reading the funny papers on a radio station during a newspaper delivery strike in 1945.

While I have, so far at least, refrained from duplicating his feat I continue to bring you these weekly breaks from monotony in your daily lives.

(Curiously, LaGuardia spent a short part of his youth in nearby Prescott when his father was a bandmaster stationed at Fort Whipple.) 

Now that I've put you nearly to sleep with this historical aside let me get on to the business at hand.

And with special thanks to Laughing Lori from crosstown, who supplied me with a ton of puns this week, here's the one she said was her favorite.

Now I want all of you to have a terrific weekend, free from turmoil and tinkling with tintinnabulation.

And never forget to Always Keep Laughing!!!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Wow, you've grown! Or is that "groan".)

LONG-TIME FRIENDS

 I received a photo in my email yesterday.

It was taken in Paso Robles, California, at a winery introducing a new "bubbly", as my correspondent noted.

The handsome couple enjoying a taste of the new bottling are friends of some 52 years.

I first met them (as newlyweds) in 1969 in Indianapolis when Tom joined me in the newsroom at WIBC Radio.

Lana, at the time, was teaching school.

Now, Tom is the proprietor of the blog Light Breezes and Lana is an accomplished artist, master gardener and ace bread baker from their retirement home on the coast of California.

Though Tom and Lana remained in Indy until retirement beckoned them while Judy and I moved far away to Arizona and multiple other ports over the years, our two couples have managed to maintain our friendship.

It bothers me a bit to say we're "old" friends (though I suppose we all are now) so I'll stick with the words I used to title this post, "long-time friends."

As we say, Salud!  And as Tom says, Slainte!

INQUIRY

 

"Where's Matty?"

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Joy, joy, joy is on the land for it is Friday!

Well that may be putting it a bit too generously.

But it is my favorite day of the week.

For my working friends (as if I still have any) it is the end of another passage of trial and tribulation.

For me it means Friday Night Pizza.

And of course for the many millions who come to this blog for solace and frivolity it's The Friday Funnies.

There you go, Gentle Readers, your day of fun and frolic is well underway.

Now the rest is up to you.

Have yourselves a wonderful weekend and remember the advice from the old Catalyst:  always keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(aw, I'd never do that!)

AGING

 A cousin of mine is marking her 79th birthday today in faraway Montana.

In her defense, I might note that she is just about two and a half years younger than I am.

I know, I know.

Because of my sprightly manner on this silly blog, you thought I was much, much younger, didn't you?

Hello?

Is anyone there?

You are?

And you didn't?

All of this prattle is an introduction to telling you that I sent my *young* cousin a happy birthday email today and since we haven't seen each other in quite awhile I snapped a selfie and sent it along.

As I told the recipient, I just thought you'd enjoy seeing how much damage the years have done to me and how much better you look than I do.

As proof of that, I'll show you Gentle Readers how I looked a mere 55 or so years ago when I was a young and aspiring television anchorman.

In seersucker, no less.

Apparently half a century years of dominant bosses and living with SWMBO at least pinned those ears back.

And no, I was not spawned by hobbits.