Quite a busy week

June Bugs on the porch and cicada's buzzing in my ears

On this lovely hot as hell Friday morning, I am on my way to Thatcher, Arizona, accompanied by my beautiful bride, Ellen, the new retiree.

It’s been an amazing week and we can use the break. Ellen is exhausted from lifting the Medicare guide, using it to balance the chaisse lounge and reading hardbacks in the sun.

Last Saturday night we went downtown to see Marc Maron at the Rialto and we had a wonderful time and then we returned home to see the news of the terrible shooting at 2 AM, God Bless America, what stupidity.

After shootings we used to shout “Ban combat weapons!” Now we whimper, ”Who’s next?”

After the Mo Udall Dinner I was invited to Thatcher to emcee their Rose Mofford fundraiser dinner at the local VFW post with the main attraction being our terrific Secretary of State Adrian Fontes cheering us on.

That former Marine gives a hell of a speech. We need patriots like him in Arizona. Mayes. Hobbs. Adelita. Know why it’s impossible to find wingnuts up at the hardware store in Apache Junction? They’re all in our legislature.

Fontes is a true patriot for democracy. And I’m only saying that because he’s twice my size. Tested by the pitchfork posse and proven on the MAGA battlefields of Arizona, a veteran of the cyber ninjas saga, a voice for electoral sanity and free and fair elections over the cacophony of our conspiracy MAGA cattle.

I pity whoever the MAGA Mega nitwit is who is running against democracy’s giant grinning bear in a tie who is our Secretary of State.

We are gonna have a kick ass Friday night with our friends, the rural democrats of Arizona who have been working their tails off to turn our state blue. I may stay up past 8PM.

Me and Lee

The morning after I published my post about Lee publishing and my special collections donation. I got a gracious phone call and an affirmation from on high “we’ll get this done.”

Ever notice how everyone in Tucson looks vaguely familiar? That’s the small town feeling I love. I call it Seis Degrees of Separation.

This week, I rediscovered my sister-in-law’s brother-in-law’s wife, a lovely woman , who also happens to be in charge of collections at the University of Arizona library.

We’re related and she’s gleefully on the case.

And I am optimistic that together. Lee and I and the University will accomplish something positive for Tucson.

Work, work, work

Got the casa painted pink. Thank you, house painter Rodney. Did a great job. Watching you left me too winded to write this week.

Desert Tortoise (L) Rodney Griffin, artisan (R)

Rescued a live dove hatchling from the pool and then spent the next 12 zillion hours studying and answering the flood of encouraging emails and texts I got from folks about donating my stuff. A First Amendment lawyer offered to help me pro bono. My daughter launched a Reddit page on the issue. The National Cartoonists Association and the American Editorial Cartoonists Association have my back. Lots of people offered sound suggestions.

Thank you.

Do not cancel

One thing. Please do not cancel your subscription. Do not punish the folks working hard at the Arizona Daily Star to provide this community with first class journalism in this time when democracy.

Thatcher!

Wish me luck in Thatcher rousing the troops at the front. Tonight I’ll draw a caricature of Rose Mofford and tell a story about her and old Evan Mecham and we’ll auction off the drawing along with a book of my cartoons and some framed prints and a beautiful work of art by southwestern glass artist Jeanne Buell, a woman known for being a maker of good trouble in these parts and then Adrian Fontes will stand to speak and kick ass.

And the best part of this fine day unfolding before me is escaping Tucson with my Ellen and looking forward to making new friends in Thatcher, Arizona, Gateway to Aravaipa Canyon and Mount Graham.

And it’s only expected to be 106°.