SONS OF THE DESERT 24th INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

 

The 24th Sons of the Desert International Convention was held from June 2oth to June 25th, 2026 at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California.

It was a memorable experience for me since it had been 44 years since I attended my last SOD Convention which was in 1982 at Detroit MI!

 

With Cassidy Cook, granddaughter of Lois Laurel and Great Granddaughter of Stan Laurel.

Marcia Opal from the Chicago Bacon Grabbers, a dear friend from way back!

Mr. Jamie McKenna and Mr. Bill Leavy, excellent Laurel and Hardy impersonators

 added a fun touch to the proceedings

With Bob Satterfield and Marcia Opal having lunch at San Diego's Rudford's restaurant. 

We hadn't seen each other since 1982!

Gary Cohen caught me doing my editorial cartoon for the day at the Convention Dinner Cruise

 with City Experiences (formerly The Hornblower).

   

 

With Tracy Tolzmann from the Block-Heads Oasis #3 of St. Paul, Minnesota, recreating our pose from the 1980 Hollywood Convention!

The next convention will be held in Minnesota hosted by the Minnesota Block-Heads headed by

 Tracy Tolzmann in 2028.

And hopefully, I'll be able to make it there too!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2026!

Wishing all fathers, cartoon or otherwise, a very happy Father's Day!

ON MY WAY TO THE 2026 SAN DIEGO CONVENTION!

 

The 24th International Sons of the Desert Convention runs from June 21–25, 2026. It is hosted by the Saps at Sea San Diego Tent at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California. The theme for the convention will be the Centennial of Stan and Babe working as a team at Hal Roach Studios (1926–2026).

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Stan Laurel's Birthday Remembered!

Stan Laurel, born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on 16 June 1890, was an English actor, comedian, director and writer who's better known as one half of  the classic comedy team Laurel and Hardy.  He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 short films, feature films and  several cameo roles. He has been my idol since my very early years when I watched the Laurel and Hardy comedies on television and from then on, I've been one his most ardent admirers. He was a genius of visual gags and the art of pantomime. Never forgotten, I tip my hat to Stan on his birthday every June 16 and he will always be my number one comedian.  God Bless Stanley Laurel!

ANTONIO'S MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATION!

On June 13th, 2026, my grandson Antonio Llera graduated from Middle School and started his journey into High School. We celebrated all day long and it was a memorable event for our entire family! Congratulations, Antonio on a great job well done!

TECHNOLOGY IS HERE TO HELP YOU...OR IS IT?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL!

Allana, my daughter by choice is celebrating her birthday today and I couldn't be happier for her! Happy, happy birthday my dear, sweet and lovable girl! I love you with all my heart!!!

WILL A.I. TAKE OVER?

Every day I see Artificially Generated political and editorial cartoons in every web page and social media. The images are strikingly accurate and well rendered but they have no personality. They all look the same and I doubt if any news media outlet would prefer a cartoon that looks exactly like every other one everywhere else on its pages.  Being unique and distinctive is part of the charm and attraction of hand drawn cartoons ...or am I just wish thinking?

MARILYN MONROE'S 100TH YEAR CELEBRATION!

The iconic Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962 at the age of 36, would have turned 100 years old on June 1, 2026. So celebrations have been planned around the world. She was my first crush and has been number one of my Top Ten favorite sexy girls of the Silver Screen list.

But the fact that the Sex Goddess of my youth becomes 100 years old today, makes me realize time has come to start packing my belongings and commence preparing for that long voyage into the afterlife!

THE AI VIDEO I DIDN'T ASK FOR

I received this notification on my cell phone: "You can create a video from your photo. Try it!"  So I did and this is the result:

It's quite impressive although I don't think it looks like me but since today is my Name Day (Saint Fernando), I will celebrate by posting it here.

OLD AGE SYNDROME

WHEN ADVERSITY TAKES OVER...

YOU'RE DOOMED WHEN...

SENIOR STYLE

TODAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY!

LITTLE LULU ONE SHOT

Browsing thru my archives I came up with this cover artwork I did for the LITTLE LULU comic book put out by Editorial VID in 1988. I did the complete 32 pages artwork  and wrote the script only to have all my drawings  redone by somebody else. I just got paid for the script and the explanation I was given was that my line work was not compliant with LITTLE LULU'S style.  However, I kept doing THE PINK PANTHER comics for them until 1992.  Anyway, that's "comics" business!

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS!

MORE GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD MOMENTS IN LIFE!

WATCHING THE ARTEMIS II MISSION!

ME AND THE EASTER BUNNY!

BIRTH CERTIFICATE CHECK

My Grandson Antonio is Celebrating his 14th Birthday today!!

What can you say to a growing boy on his 14th birthday? There are so many things you want to share with him and you seem to be short on words but never on feelings.  All I can say to him is that these fourteen years since he was born have made my life so much brighter and joyful and I thank God for his existence. Please, Antonio, never forget how much I love you. Happy 14th Birthday! Another year older, another reason to be proud of you!

CAR, CAR, WHERE IS MY CAR?

THE MODERN AMERICAN SCHOOL ACCORDION BAND

Rummaging through my ancient dust covered photo albums for whatever reason, I came across this nostalgic picture. This is the Accordion Band that once played at the Manuel M. Ponce Hall of the

 Fine Arts Palace in Mexico City, conducted by Miss Ann Pertack Raush, way back in the early sixties. 

My sister and I are in this photo. Where?  There!

Is there still an accordion band at this school?  As Mick Jagger said about The Rutles, I hope not!

At least sometimes we were out in the sun!

OSCAR NIGHT 2026

This is what happens when old geezers like me watch the Oscars when you haven't seen any of the nominated films and you couldn't care less about the nominees. ( Thank God for Marilyn Monroe!)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES!

My son Ricardo is celebrating two Wedding Anniversaries this month: His Civil Wedding on March 11, 2009, and his Church Wedding on March 13, 2010.    All in all, I'm celebrating his 17h Wedding Anniversary which hopefully will keep repeating every forthcoming year.  Sending a big hug and congratulations to Rich and Gilda!

MORE WORDS TO LIVE BY!

WHEN SHOULD YOU THROW AWAY A PERFECTLY GOOD SUIT?

Even a "perfectly good" suit should be retired or thrown away when it is no longer structurally sound, no longer fits your body, or is severely out of style. A well-maintained, high-quality suit typically lasts between five and fifteen years.