Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for October 22, 2013

first one today and cannot think of anything clever.

They constantly look down on you.

I guess there is a downside to Ballard street.

Essex…. why do I get the feeling that Lyndon and Betty, as they survey the scene, are making plans for those very chairs?

Looks like a couple of Nosy Neighbor News reporters.

I’ll have you know, Ballard Knoll is the ritziest property in town. Only the richies live there.

Well, Fenton….. Another Monday night….

Looks like Bev and 2Old and Shika and DownUnderGirl all went home to bed.

Right, Essex…. separately….I have to be careful what I say when you might read it.

Glad to see the Linguist back in town, too.

Anybody here for a nightcap?X? Are you anywhere about?

Oh there you are…. I thought I heard your voice….

Yes, I am. Can I buy you a drink?

Chilly night….. would you like a beer or something a bit stronger?

Susan, can you hear me now?

Oh…. gosh ….yes, I can hear you…. thanks.I thought maybe our thoughts were just crossing.

But actually a bit of scotch sounds great….Glenfidditch, neat, if you please…

I didn’t have the big daiquiri grinder going tonight cos Mondays are kinda slow.

Fenton, one for the lady and I’ll have a pint of the Blue Dog Belly Stout.

Thank you X … and gee, what made you think of that stout?

The Richsons always thought they were above the rest of us on Ballard Street. They always had that looking down their nose look. They were not amused when Zeke, my zebra, used their flower bed as his personal privy. Nor were they terribly happy about my parrot, Pierre Le Nez ( aka Pete the Beak ) making that rather unflattering comment about their overweight dog Fluffy ( at least that’s who I think he was talking about ). And they definitely were upset when my cannoneer, Deadeye Dennis Delgado, mistook their flagpole for the mast of a ship and accidentally shot the top and flag off.I can’t understand why they walk on the other side of the street when they see me coming.

I would say “Tis time for a good MOONING.”And yes I would say TIS.The other day we got info that we had to do something different when we fire our pistols to qualify.At the 3 yard line we have to move when shooting.I am going to jump up and down when I do that.They did not specify how to move just bust a move.After my demonstration they decided it had to be a different way like side step to side step. No jumping.So I demonstrated that using the old step and slide routine from the age of disco.That got turned down too. They have no sense of style.

………….Become a nudist. Worked for me……..

I only have 1 neighbor adjoining who also has a 2 story house and our back yards are divided by 6’ walls (we are not allowed to extend them higher; I inquired). I HAVE tried to grow trees when they block certain views but there is always chance of stepladders. LOL!

If they are too nosey, it’s at their own risk. I think I have “a reasonable expectation of privacy”.Seriously, I checked flood plains as well as crime and traffic statistics all around the area back when I was house-hunting. Some others were surprised when the freeway constructions happened. I keep apprised even of future plans at this time, but I chose this house for long term use (lived in the last one for over 30 years). My employments before moving to AZ were mostly long term towards the end (nearly 10 years in each which explains many IRAs).

I like Veterans idea for pistol practice. I was no good with moving targets anymore though I do fine with a stationary target. I don’t even get to archery practice often anymore, but I like to attend the festive events. (Bunny shoots for Eastertime and Holiday Gift exchange where each gift gets a number as it arrives to correspond with a token on the target). I wanted to post some photos yesterday that included one of the latter.

I used to be able to do that, at one time,,,. ( In my dreams !!! ) lol !

I watched Bev’s clip over there, but that reminded me of the Cossacks and I found one that I’d rather do THIS ONE The room I’m IN works better, but the main curtain on their stage looks just like the main panels in my bedroom (apricot tissue lame).

Everything is worthy here, as long as it’s friendly, and meant for fun.

…just because… I found this accidentally.

They must be relatives of Hyacinth’s from “Keeping Up Appearances”. They think they are high class, but they are really low class nosy Parkers standing on High Grass.

Hi BALLARD DEARS. So good to see everyone here.

That is a pretty iris, HAPPY.

Shika…. did you like your nails?That was a tall order, you know…quite a challenge. But those new little nail decals helped…..

VET, if you used to break dance in your dreams, you must have been pretty good.

Yikes! Watch where you aim that satellite, ESS! You are making me nervous.

SUSAN, did I miss my mani appointment? It is hard to tell with us being in different time zones.

Got to go now. I need to get to sleep soon. Good night, BALLARDEERS.

Susan, I’m jealous of Shika’s nails and the lovely work you did animating your cartoon. I started to do something with this closeup of Cuddles in the baseball cap – replaced the kitchen cabinets with a nice bright red (tried to find that cap to see just what the embroidery looks like but it’s stored somewhere in the bird room). I gave a highlight to her eye and a little brighter blue around her eye (as it is) and used some deep cyan on the hat (I know it has more with magenta and gold but this was OK).

Decided the only animation I could do on this is some blinking (may do that later) because feathers moving would totally knock off the hat.Needless to say, also jealous of the vampire nails (that would work with black velvet dress I wore last year). I finished getting toenails really smooth (I think) I’ll know in the morning (if they don’t catch on my sheets at all) I need to finish toes before fingers (or it will mess my polish). I chipped about 1/8" from the tip of one (more brittle w/o polish) and I DO knick the nails on left hand (slicing all those garlic cloves every morning with my big chef’s knife).

night all

Beware!!! – or ~were?

https://cleoandcompany.Net/october-21-2023/

Good morning Balladeers and Tigressy!