your attention please

What in the world is going on up there? It looks like a wake in the sky or ripples in the stratosphere from a cosmic concussion.

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Hmmm... could these clouds be mimicking a farmer's plowed field?

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This was one of those times, when there as absolutely no talent or special equipment required. I mean, who needs a trained eye to see that this sunset commands us to take notice. The sky was awesome, and everybody down here was looking up, soaking in the gorgeous sight. I would not be surprised if it contributed to a fender bender or two.

fuzzy face

What a sloppy snout! I was under the impression that bugs were better at grooming than this cricket. His muzzle is messy with lint or something, and it even looks like he's drooling! Maybe they usually are, but when I found it, this one was already dead. I scooped it up from the floor, put it on a paperweight (rock), placed a blue sheet of paper in the copyholder, lowered the desk lamp and snapped the photo from approximately two inches away -- no flash. The filthy face is probably lint from the floor that got there when I scooped it up. I'll see if I can clean them up better next time.

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S2 dressed up as Wolverine for trick-or-treating. Big sister drew the hair on his face, and I constructed the adamantium claws from plasticware and tinfoil. Later, browsing through the pics, I touched up the facial hair for some wicked mutton chops. (I also thickened the brows and lengthened the canine.) What do you think? Pretty tough, eh?

trick or treat

This may come as a surprise to you, but I'm not into Halloween as much as other folks. It used to be so fun to dress up as one of the classic monsters. My favorite costume was a latex face mask for the Wolfman. It had multiple pieces, so that it moved realistically. These days, I am less likely to say an approving "cool," when I see lawn decorations, but instead wonder what is so great about prolific depictions of murder as a reason to celebrate. Yeah, yeah, call me a killjoy... whatever.

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Anyway, I heard that one of the characters from The Office doesn't like to dress up either. He wore a name tag that said, "Dave." When people asked what he was supposed to be, he'd point to the tag and say "Dave." Brilliant!! I dressed warmly, so that I could take the kids door-to-door, and I wore a name tag on my coat that said "Bob." That was especially fun, when we arrived at my neighbor's house, who's name really is "Bob."

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Afterwards, we took the kids to thaw at Brother Greg's house. He had a nice fire going. The doorbell rang, and since it was costumed children, my wife answered it. The conversation went something like this:

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Mrs. Craver: (wry grin) What do YOU want?

Children: Trick or treat!!

Mrs. Craver: Oh, you want candy??

Children: (giggling) Yes!

Mrs. Craver: (grabs big bowl of candy) Got it. Okay kiddos, they're a buck-a-piece...

Kids' Parents: (hearty laughter)

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Aah, I love that woman!