OK, so this started out as a family holiday photo, but the cats proved reluctant to accept direction.
“What’s my motivation for this scene?” inquired Turkish, raking my left hand with his claws as I set the camera’s self-timer with my right.
“No paparazzi!” screeched Mia. “I’m in the witness protection program!”
“Why do we have all these cats?” wondered Herself.
“I suppose I can always dick around with this lame-o shot in Photoshop,” I mused. And so I could.
Happy holidays from the O’Gradys: Herself (left); Turkish (a.k.a. Turkenstein, The Turkinator, Mighty Whitey the Blue-eyed Bully of Bibleburg, Big Pussy, et al.); Miss Mia Sopaipilla; and Your Humble Narrator (the fat old bald dude at right).
Mad Blog Media 
Merry Christmas to you and the crew. Siting here in the middle of this blizzard has our 4 cats and Brook-tard the Airdale going nuts, The cats just don’t appreciate the 40+ mph winds and the dog stands in front of the snowblower and gets pelted with rocks. Smart boy. We could never get all 5 to pose for a picture at one time, so you did well. Well, it’s back to work, the plow just went by and deposited another 4 foot snow/ice mix at the end of the driveway. I love winter…..
Hey, Boz,
Likewise to you and yours. It’s a balmy 12 degrees here, windless at present, with snow on the ground and in the forecast — just not nearly enough to ski on.
The Turk’, who ordinarily likes to spend a couple hours inspecting the perimeter every morning, is forced to settle for a half lap around the house before dashing back inside to some sunny spot, on the back of the couch or atop my drawing board. Mia, the smart cat, doesn’t even look out the door — she hops up onto the top of the refrigerator and catches up on her sleep.
Me, I ride in the living room, which has all the appeal of hillbilly dentistry (vise grips and moonshine). And winter’s only just begun. Ay, Chihuahua. . . .
Merry Christmas you guys! I love the family photo. I was able to spy Turk lounging in your front window the other day as I made the trek out on a long needed bike ride. If he keeps growing, you’re gonna have to ask Santa for bigger windows soon.
Merry Christmas to you and Herself.
34 with wind and rain here. Looks like mud month in New England. At least the days are getting longer now.
Winter sanity project is building up a Surly Cross Check into an inexpensive cross bike for a couple of friends to share next season.
Patrick, thanks for the writing, the fun and the blog.
Merry Christmas to you, herself and the furry ones ! About 37, windy and rainy here near Detroit.
Thanks, for another year of laughs, Doug
merry’s to you all.A side note to the bald and fat one on the right,sandbagger I bet you could kick some butt and laugh while you did it.
Merry Christmas all! Thankfully I escaped Colorado for balmier climes just before the snow and cold hit, and thus I am now sitting in sunny, warm Santa Barbara in shorts. I know, I’m a jerk – but it isn’t really my fault that my girlfriend’s family is from here. Think we might go surfing today…
Thanks, O’G, for everything everyone else mentioned above and then some. Going outside now. Cheers!
Merry Christmas from Oregon where it is sunny, but a bit windy and cool, about 40 degrees. Eat your heart out!!! I’d say something about the photo of an old fat guy and his daughter, but I don’t know you well enough to say that …. so I won’t. 🙂
Wow, when you talk about old and bald. I thought you were taking creative license. But, now….
Jeeze, Patrick. We are both so lucky, being increasingly old fat bastards, to have lovely wives stay loyal to us in our dotage. Merry Christmas to all up there from all down here. And thanks once again for the years of merriment, sarcasm, and general foaming rants on your blogs and print stuff that you share with this peanut gallery.
Its up into the 20s now with plenty of sun, so I think I’ll motor up to the 9,000 ft. level and stumble around on my X-C skis. I used to think I was good at that but nowdays all I succeed in doing is being an excellent slalom marker for the young studs on skate skis.
Best wishes to all out there in cyberspace from here in Bombtown,
Khal
Khal, Took my snowshoes up to the trail above LA myself today. Balmy 18 deg when I was there, but nasty wind.
Merry Xmas to all!!
What should I spy as I read a magazine last night? Instead of sugarplums, a photo of “Merry Christmas” enchiladas New Mexican-style: red and green chile! One sauce made with pork, the other with beef. Who knew? And I thought of yourself,our humble narrator.
Merry Christmas to you and to all!
Ladies and gents,
Thanks for the kind words. A rumormonger without an audience is just another crazy bastard talking to himself, so I’m delighted that so many of you continue to drop by despite the appalling state of the place.
Herself and I did The Big U-turn today, driving to Fort Collins for an early dinner with the Sis and Bro’-in-law. You’ll be happy to hear that our tradition of nontraditional holiday meals continues — Sis made lasagna, salad and some delicious cookies that will require several days of stationary-bike rides to erase from the Large Irish Ass.
The four of us are mostly on the same page politically and financially, doing the best we can, which as another famous Colorado scribe Damon Runyon once noted “is an occupation that is greatly overcrowded at all times.” So it was a no-fuss, no-muss, fun family get-together. Here’s hoping your holiday was equally pleasant.
My nose and ears were numb as I skiied back to the car. It was 8 deg. F at about 4:30 according to the WRX’s outdoor thermometer. Best to stay in the trees, since the wind chill out in Canada Bonita was nasty from a north wind.
But Canada Bonita is a stunning place. In the failing light, the white Quaking Aspen naked of leaves stand in stark contrast to nearly black pine. The sky is a deep, almost cobalt blue. The high meadow lies quiet in its cover of snow. Half a moon directly overhead.
Kinda makes up for the stupidity of civilization. Would be nice to just pitch a tent there and not come back.
“Merry Christmas to all…and to all a good night!” Happy Kwanzaa too for those so inclined. Not to mention Festivus, Hanukkah and Winter Solstice. Happy Holiday, y’all.
Holy Cow! Your wife is awesome looking. Bless you all.
Thanks for the continuing quatlity commentary, Patrick. I look forward to it, and it’s a blessing. As you mentioned, there is a crowd out there trying (poorly) to reach the bar. None match your quality.
Best wishes for the coming new Year.
Oh, and nice pic, but pugs pose better and truly appreciate winter snuggling with their humans.
BL in southern Wi.
Happy Hilidays Pat, et-al! Stay home on amature night , but think about this for the 2nd!
John-Alex Mason at The Modbo!
Catch him here before he leaves town again!
Time:8:00PM Saturday, January 2nd
Location:The Modbo, across from martini bar 15C
Happy Holidays to all from my “sponging off the in-laws” location in sunny Santa Barbara where I must admit we took a 2 hour ride in shorts and short sleeves Christmas Day. The cats remind me of the character in Get Fuzzy from the thoughts O’Grady describes them having. I hear they’re getting snow back in SUX too, here’s hoping my pal will be shoveling around our home so we can get back in come early January. A week later we’ll be saying arrivederci to snow for the rest of the winter and heading off to Italy to (mostly) goof around until our bike tour season starts in May.
What, do you really expect them to submit to direction for a picture? Silly human. It is 40 and raining here on Boxing Day in NYC. Thankfully, it is melting all the damn snow so I can go out for a long ride tomorrow. Merry Christmas and all that to you and Herself and the putty-tats.
Patrick:
You are obviously missing out on a potential literary self-help goldmine here: “Guide for Ordinary Guys to Land a Gorgeous Babe.” Clearly, having married Herself (the aforementioned gorgeous babe), you are imminently qualified to write this how-to manual. And, just to make sure you know it, you are a lucky guy.
As am I. My own Gorgeous Babe (Jo), and the three cats of Hillshire Ct. — Little Red, Frankie, and Ivan — wish you and yours a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Dale
While everyone commends the cats and the beauty of Herself no one has noticed the photo’s nicest element. The beater white Toyota pickup with cap lends just the right socio-economic touch. Try picturing Jan Van Eyck recasting the Arnolfini as a modern American couple.
Happy New Year! Soon.
Nice pic Patrick! Happy Hollardays….