A RAINY DAY

 

Yes, it's a gray, rainy day here in the Central Highlands/Mountain Foothills of Arizona as the first of three consecutive winter storms blows in.

Up at Flagstaff, 80 miles to the north and a couple of thousand feet higher in altitude, it's a winter wonderland as snow fell throughout the night.

We're expecting maybe a dusting from one or more of the future storms but as for today, it's just a drizzling rain.

At this rate it won't do much for our drought but it's a welcome sight anyway.

DUCK!

 I was scanning through some of my fellow bloggers' posts today and saw this one from RedPat up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, being surprised about the absence of ducks in a favorite spot.

Quite by coincidence, Judy and I happened upon this scene at one of our local lakes.

I have been by this lake many, many times and never have I seen this many ducks on it.

The surface was covered with ducks, everywhere we looked.

Judy commented that RedPat's ducks must have all flown south for the winter and landed on our little lake.

Right down in front of us was a small cluster of birds circling over something.

They were drawing quite a bit of attention from other waterfowl that swam over to see what was going on and some even joined the pack and circled with the rest.

Meanwhile, a young lad was being encouraged by his parents to toss some food to a bigger swarm and he was complying.

All in all, a surprising but good day at the park.

(Sorry we stole your ducks, Pat!)

BOXING DAY

 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CATALYST

 I know what you're thinking.

"Sheesh. How much longer can he keep this up?"

But it's not me.

Or anyway it's not only me.

You see, as I have explained before, I am only the curator.

My "staff" supply all or most of the humor on this blog.

I just present it.

So probably for the last time this year here are a few more Christmas presents.

LAST CHANCE

 'Tis Christmas Eve.

If you haven't shopped for gifts and stocked the larder by now, you really may be on Santa's "Bad" list.

So, last chance, get after it.

Or . . .

Even in these days of light and joy, though, there are some who still haven't received the wisdom of the season.

Some who still maintain their cynicism, their lack of belief.

But for those who DO truly believe in Kris Kringle, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas or Père Noël, there's some advice out there on the Interwebs.

Now I know much of the world is enjoying traditional holiday weather this weekend: snow, ice, high winds, sub-zero temperatures, even tornadoes in some areas.

And here in Arizona, where the weather is sunny and warm, we feel for you.

We really do.

After all, it's the season of giving.

So, in parting, here's a little rhyme.

I've had fun this holiday season, trying to pique your humor vein and I appreciate all the ha-ha's and ho-ho's and thank you's.

May you all have a very happy and rewarding holiday.

Merry Christmas!

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Oh, joy to the world, it's a special edition of The Friday Funnies, just because it's (nearly) Christmas.

That time of year when the consumption of alcoholic drinks soars, that time of year when Uncle Ned and Dad nearly come to blows over the groaning table, that time of year when a lot of mothers and wives deem divorce not to be such a bad idea.

Oh you know I'm kidding.

A little bit.

But let's take a look at what my co-conspirators have come up with for this special Friday.

Okay, friends, that's the best we can do.

For now, anyway.

Let's remember, at this blessed time of year, that Christmas is on Sunday so a three-day weekend has been declared.

I think.

Never mind how many days it is, just contrive to have a fabulous time.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(Oh I might have known)

TICK-TOCK

 Time is running short.

I'm heading back in the kitchen today.

The stores are full of Christmas shoppers.

Candles are being lit.

As we saw yesterday, trees are falling and even if no one but the cat was there to hear it, that tree definitely did fall.

So let's get on it procrastinators.

Time is running short.

A LONG DARK NIGHT

 Winter Solstice has arrived!

That means the longest night of darkness in the year.

But there's good news too.

From here on, each day will be light a little bit longer.

Well, at least for the next six months.

Of course if you live south of the Equator the situation is exactly reversed so brace yourselves.

Did you recognize what yesterday was?

12-20-2022.

Try saying that out loud.

Meanwhile, on the Christmas watch . . .

"Hey, it was dark! Very dark! I just stumbled into it!"

SHE HATES THIS!

 SWMBO will come after me for posting this one because she hates the television commercial which is running constantly which echoes this scene.

But it's funny in The Christmas Story movie, isn't it?

Anyway, here goes.

SO THERE!

 

UH-OH

 

JUST A THOUGHT

 

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Oooooohhhhh, it's getting closer.

It's only 9 days away now.

There's a tingling in the air.

(Really! The overnight lows here have been in the teens!!!)

There's a jingling in the ether.

(At least for those who haven't had their radios smashed yet!)

It's beginning to look a lot like . . . .

Well, you know.

So let's put some of that holiday cheer on the old blog, whaddaya say?

Oh, you must remember José For-Lease-iano!

Well, whatever.

Watch out for falling trees, smashed ornaments, candy crushed into the carpet and other joys of the season and have yourselves a very, merry weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Your in-laws will think you're crazy but who cares.

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

THE HOLIDAY EXCESSES

 'tis the season to be jolly!

And to eat and drink like folly.

You may have noticed an upsurge in posts here about Christmas goodies.

It's a season, possibly starting with Thanksgiving and running until after the New Year has been drunk rung in.

Everywhere there are talk and photos and t.v. programs about food and drink of the most extravagant kind.

It may be my favorite time of the year!

So I am indebted to the Mirthful Monk today for providing me with a perfect meme for the occasion.

Enjoy yourselves, everyone, for who knows what the morrow shall bring!

MY STATE

 Whenever I post something about our cooler weather or snow I get the same reaction from folks far and wide along the lines of "I didn't know it ever snowed in Arizona" or "I thought Arizona was hot and dry".

Today I'm offering a short educational post.

Most people who've never been here or have only been to places like Phoenix or Tucson in the summertime have only one impression of the climate here.

It's true.

Much of the southern part of the state is in the Great Sonoran Desert where the mighty Saguaro Cactus thrives.

But as the tv commercials yell "But wait! There's more!"

In northeastern Arizona, one finds Monument Valley as the Hollywood director John Huston did a few years ago.

He used that scenic wonderland to make Western movies that turned John Wayne into a movie star.

Also near that part of the state is a big hole in the ground which gave my state it's nickname: the Grand Canyon State.

But I know you've all seen pictures of it so I won't bother to show it to you again.

Oh, oops, I guess I couldn't sneak that omission by the Canyon's press agent.

But now let me show you some other aspects of Arizona which are NOT copper-colored.

For example the Mogollon Rim, which covers many miles across the mid-section of the state.

See all those green trees?

Over to the east from there, near the border with New Mexico, are the White Mountains, a cool vacationland for Phoenix residents seeking to escape the summer heat and maybe do a little fly fishing.

There's a town over there called Snowflake.

And speaking of snow let me take you to the Flagstaff area and the San Francisco Peaks and Mount Humphreys, which tops out at nearly 13,000 feet.

So you see?

There's a wide diversity in Arizona.

Of terrain, of flora and fauna, and of climate.

I'm not getting paid for this but I'd recommend a subscription to Arizona Highways magazine if you'd like to see and learn more about my adopted state.

Actually I've lived here more than half of my life and that's a lot of years.

And hot or cold, I still love it here.