DAY-DREAMING

 

SECRET GARDEN REVEALED

 It's a close-up photo of my colorful drinking cup.

SECRET GARDEN

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Funny thing, er . . . wait a minute.

LOTS of funny things, right?

Okay, stop laughing, that's it.

Oh, wait a minute.

(again)

Don't stop laughing.

Have yourself a remarkably fine weekend, even if it IS only two days this time.

And always, ALWAYS, remember to keep laughing.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(dratted kitty)

PLATINUM

 The Platinum Jubilee is well underway in England as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 70 years on the throne.

As she posed on the Royal Balcony at Buckingham Palace the 96 year old monarch appeared to be enjoying a flyover by RAF jets.

England's longest-serving queen was joined by her son, Prince Charles, and her grandson, Prince William, as well as other members of the royal family for the celebration.

Long live the Queen!

WELCOME

 

THE JOKER

A friend, let's call him Jocular John, posted this on Facebook recently.

It brought back old memories of days on the road with my good buddy, Baseball Steve, so I copied and sent it to him.

Then I went looking for the song and found it, thanks to the Omniscient Omnipotent Google.

So from back in the 70's, let's hear it, one more time.

MEMORIAL DAY 2022

 Remembering those who died while preserving our freedom.

MY MOVIE CAREER

 Over the years, I have written at various times on this blog about my 30-plus years career in broadcast journalism.

It began as a college radio disc jockey but soon evolved into a news reporter on radio in North Dakota (Minot) after a brief period as a newspaperman there. 

Then a television jack of all trades (sports anchor, weatherman, news anchor, host of various programs) in a small station in Aberdeen, South Dakota,

Later back to North Dakota (Bismarck) as a radio and television news reporter and anchorman on both stations; later still as the news director for both stations.

Then after a lengthy period on to Indiana (Indianapolis) where I was a radio news reporter and broadcaster.

(Met and married SWMBO there!)

My next move was to Phoenix, Arizona where I spent my longest career-posting as a newscast producer, reporter, and field producer for a television station.

A number of years later I returned to broadcasting for several years at a tiny radio station in Prescott, Arizona.

So that's my life in a nutshell (or a nut's hell, as I often thought of it).

What I may NOT have written about is my illustrious film career.

That took place with a fellow who has been in the headlines recently, Mr. Johnny Depp.

He had come to Texas in 1993 to make a movie called "What's Eating Gilbert Grape".

Here's a scene from that picture, featuring the two of us.

Young (25) Johnny, playing the title character, is center-screen, visiting a big modern grocery store to pick up a birthday cake for his about-to-be 18 year old brother.

That character was played by another big-name actor nowadays, Leonardo DiCaprio.

At the start of his Hollywood career he was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for his role in this movie.

Oh, and me?

That's me behind Depp, the shopper leaving the store with a bagful of groceries.

I know what you're thinking.

"Look at that purposeful stride . . what a thespian!"

So I was only an extra, one of those non-speaking background people just hired to fill out the scenery.

And truth be told, I had not realized until I saw the film on television recently, that Depp was even in this scene.

I had walked out another door of the store, past young DiCaprio, directly toward another camera, hoping that my loping walk would launch me to Tinsletown.

But whatever was shot by that camera ended up on "the cutting room floor" as the plot stayed with Depp.

Still, I had my moment.

Depp and DiCaprio have had their ups and downs since then while I have avoided the cacaphony that comes with a career "in the picture business".

Oh, y'know I did have one other "star turn".

That's a (newly shaven) me on the right, playing an aide to the governor (the late Dennis Letts) in "A Perfect World", a movie starring Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood and Laura Dern.

Eastwood also directed it and was standing just a few feet from me behind the camera in my triumphant scene.

By the way, for those of you thinking of following my path to a movie career, this was my only scene in the movie and I later tracked it on a television viewing.

I was on camera for one-quarter of a second!

One other story about this: I mentioned "newly shaven" above.

I had a full beard in those days and when I showed up on set the "lady" casting extras went ballistic!

This film was supposed to originate from "back in the day" and aides to governors didn't have beards then.

I said, "Well, shave it off. I don't care."

And that's exactly what happened.

I'm still waiting for Hollywood to call.

SKY VIEW

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Well H'lo.

Fancy meeting you here.

But let's face it.

I'm a fanciful kinda guy.

So since we're all here, let's take a look past these cobwebs and into the Comedy Vault and see what we can find.

Oh, I think it's the Proverbial Battle of the Sexes.

Well, if you're not laughing by now you may be somebody's significant other.

If you are, you may be as sick as I am!

Now try to put those evil thoughts aside (ladies) and endeavor to get along for a couple of days.

In other words, try to have a spectacularly fine weekend!

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(oh, yeah)

A QUIET DAY AT THE FARM

FOODIE ALERT

 We had a little gathering here last night.

L-o-n-g time friends Tom and Lana Cochrun were visiting from California.

Gayle, aka The BRD, joined us from Prescott.

And where are the pictures of this happy group?

In spite of the presence of two former video journalists and multiple cameras, not a single photo of the people survived.

Instead we have several photos of the food prepared and served by my beloved chef Judy, aka SWMBO, with her customary elan.

A variety of crackers, and salami-and-cream-cheese roll-ups.

Several varieties of olives, and baked bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese.

And the pièce de résistance, a huge platter containing sliced kiwi, watermelon, cantaloupe and red grapes adorned with mint leaves.

Oh, and how did I forget and miss photographing, two chicken liver and mushroom pâtés topped with chopped chives.*

For dessert, homemade lemon shortbread cookies and spiced pecans.

Also served were wines from California, Chili and France.

As Judy put it, "Just some picnic snacks."

As Tom, many years ago, called such a fête, "A Feast Among Friends."

It was all delicious, convivial AND we have left-overs!

(*Just to let you know, I have long resisted pâté or any liver dish. But these were scrumptious and I had three helpings!)

CLOUD CREATURES

 What do you see?

WATCHFUL

 A lookout.

STOICISM

 Sometimes the Catalyst smiles.

Sometimes he doesn't.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Wella, wella, wella, how's your week been so far?

It's been fairly busy here but nothing much to report.

I don't know about you but I'm ready for a weekend.

Not that every day isn't a weekend for someone of my advanced years.

But, you know, you have to keep up the tradition.

Now I know that some of you will groan in agony when I say this but I feel a bit ready for a whole day of pun-ishment.

So here goes.

Gadfrey, I can hear the moaning and groaning from here!

You really must try to be better sports about the whims of your wizard.

I'll leave you to work on that but in the meantime have a wise and weird and wonderful weekend!

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(...yup, like father, like pet...)