What Is That Stench...

...emanating from Chicago?  

Oh, right.

At least it's only once every 4 years.

Odd...every speaker blames Trump for all the problems in America.

the hall of shame

Nothing on policy, no blueprint for fixing anything, just a list of all the problems we have and the firm belief they're all because of Trump, Trump, Trump.

The strange thing is, for 12 of the last 16 years - including the last 4 - Democrats have been in power.

So if they know all the problems and they're in charge, why haven't they fixed them?

Take the economy..."Bidenomics" is their favorite boondoggle, but did you see the latest?

No big deal...they just overstated jobs by close to a million.

Lying is one of the four pillars of the democrats' credo, but that's gotta be a new world record.

They can't govern, the only thing they know about money is how to spend other people's, but they're great at cooking the books.

Considering all the problems they've caused -

* illegal immigration

* out of control crime

* high energy prices

* inflation through the roof

- it's no wonder Americans are unhappy.

But I do know one group that's thrilled with Democrat rule.

In fact, they're so happy they recently held a parade and invited our best friends:

That's just their little way of saying "thank you!" to the Harris / Biden administration for the billion dollars of American military equipment left behind when they turned tail and ran like beaten dogs in Afghanistan.

But not to worry, all those failures are in the past.

We now have a "New Way Forward":

Hold onto your wallets...Komrade Kamala has a 5 trillion dollar tax plan.

Who wouldn't want 4 more years of that kind of leadership?

Recently shelled out a handful of <simoleons> for a refurbed vintage Kodak Cameo 110 camera from <Retrospekt>:

front view, flash closed

rear view, flash open

This is a cool little camera that takes 110 cartridge film:

Had a little trouble with the first cartridge...must have been rolled a little tight, because the film wouldn't auto-advance after clicking the shutter button unless I pressed on the film door.

Shot all 24 pics and loaded a 2nd cartridge, and that one was fine.  Every time I pressed the shutter the film auto-advanced like it was supposed to.

Sending the film off to <The Darkroom> for developing and will post some results here when I have them.

In the meantime, here are some pics taken with my Kodak Brownie Hawkeye...

...using 620 film:

early spring practice

courtyard in bloom

April snow

And a few taken with my Reto ultra wide...

...using 35mm film:

Kitty waiting for spring

I can't explain this

Spring, finally

Gotta love film.

Can't remember the last time I golfed under a full moon...

not a great pic, but that really is a full moon

...but I did on Wednesday.

Sadly no mystical moonbeam magic to improve my play...here's my 1 putt for par on the 2nd hole:

...and this is where I left it:

The entire round was that way, a lot of "close, but not quite" and ended up losing 2 down.

Friday's round felt better - I was hitting well from the tees and fairways - but had the same results.*

My short game consisted mostly of chipping over greens, botching 5 foot putts for par, and settling for bogeys…7 of them, to be precise (and 2 doubles).

Even so, both days were (mostly) enjoyable and were - as I always hope they will be - a little solitude, a little exercise...

...and a delightful stroll through the countryside.

* My old match play scoring system counted bogey or better as a win, double bogey or worse as a loss.

Since I'm hitting a little more consistently lately, I changed that to par or better wins, bogey halves the hole (no score), and double bogey or worse still loses.

Don't know about you, but I say we blow this popsicle stand...

...and 23 skidoo:

pepe le pew is back

cool cloud formation pic, courtesy of Larry

Ryan's corner in bloom from this past spring

courtyard, taken with my Kodak Starflash on 127 film

as Henny Youngman said, I broke 70 today...that's a lotta clubs

Mr. Blue Heron landed in our backyard, looked around and figgered he shoulda taken that left toin at Albakoikee...

(that’s the actual left turn on Route 66 in that famous joke…with apologies to Bugs Bunny)

...and took off again...that's one beautiful bird, but no idea why he landed in our backyard

Next week is the last week of August, so no one can blame you for feeling <melancholy, baby>.

But don't be downhearted:

later, mcm fans...

Our Promise To You:

Politics is such a dirty business; I always feel the need to shower after talking about it.

'Twould be lovely to ignore it; unfortunately, we do so at our peril.

The truth is your freedoms are being abrogated by Washington's Uni-Party...all those <rich men north of Richmond>, regardless of whether they identify as an elephant or a jackass.

So what are you going to do about it?

As our Declaration of Independence states:

1) God gave us rights: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness;

2) We institute Government to secure those rights;

- and -

3) Government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed.

And that, kind reader, is where we come in:  giving our consent via voting in elections.

Our job as responsible citizens is to tune in!

Hold your nose if you have to, but be informed so you can make a good decision.

The quality of your life - and the future of your country - depends on it.

In happier news, it's St. Patrick's Day...

...and we're going to party like it's March 17th!

Because, you know, it is.

A word to the wise:  avoid green beer; your insides will thank you.

Stick to...

-or-

...in moderation, of course.  Slainte!

And whate'er ye do, durst ye not forget to sing <Danny Boy> wi’ your muckers.

In the photography department, I had pictures developed from my Reto 35mm, Brownie/Hawkeye 126 film, and Brownie/Starflash 127 film.

A few of the Reto 35mm pics:

I told him to stay out of the picture, but would he listen?

it's aht...y'know, nature and stuff

cool, serendipitous effect of the camera lens and sun angle

love the <shadow play>

Some from my Hawkeye 620 film camera:

Karen made that wrap for modesty's sake...love the gold belt

all 6'6" of #3 son after breakfast at the Grille

next time I'm going to hold the camera still when I click the shutter

practice makes mediocre in my case

And a few from my Starflash 127 film camera:

1st pic taken with my Starflash

gotta hold it still when pressing the shutter!

a favorite shot with all my cameras...I just like that stuff

my financial advisor reviewing the books

It's official; I need to stop buying vintage cameras.

If you won't 23 skidoo, I guess I'll hafta do it for ya:

hickory golf knows no season

when my drive landed here I said I couldn't do it again if you paid me a million dollars...

...now I'd like my money, please.

I warned you!  didn't I warn you?  you know I warned you.

not sure how, but he actually sleeps like that.

for the first time I can remember, it appears Spring really has sprung early

And speaking of Spring, here's a reminder from God's Word:

"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land..."

  - Song of Solomon 2:11,12

later, mcm fans...