Anti dots, but pro summer
Not pretty in pink. That stinkin’ pink of Calamine Lotion. Summer pink.
(Is it any wonder I cannot bear to wear that color?)
At this point, I probably meet the qualifications for a toxic chemical waste dump from years of futile attempts to prevent being eaten alive by summer bugs.
Nothing ever works.
Needing a positive spin here.
Bug magnets of the world unite!
Demand respect!
We make picnics and outdoor events a joy for others.
(Uh, OK, I see you backing away.
I did warn you about the chemical overdoses…Explains the lapses…)
But, hey. Don’t mind me.
Walk this way – on the pier.
(Image: KTRK)
It’s summer! Get Out there!
Buzz off.
(Sorry. Meant the bugs, not you. Don’t mind me, I’ll just dab a little pink on here and there and catch up with you shortly.)
Uh, the historic thing? Uh, gee. The actual pilings sticking out of the water are really old….(Image from KTRK)
Maybe a sneak peek at the new Pleasure Pier in Galveston?
A welcomed new excitement for Galveston which is still struggling after Hurricane Ike.
More Kemah Boardwalk than historic Balinese Room.
Vintage poster of the Balinese Room
(The famous Balinese Room. Swanky night club. Famous before Vegas. Illegal pleasure was the draw…that and a little moonshine and gambling. The Texas Rangers tried to shut it down, but it took a hurricane to take it down.)
But everyone was sick of seeing the blown-out Flagship hotel on the pier after the storm.
Families will love this. Roller coaster. A Ferris wheel 100 feet tall. Food. Carnival atmosphere. Great views of the waves.
A little pricey to just walk around the pier.
But hey, it’s the beach and vacation. (Marketing moment.) You’re building memories…and quieting the whining.
Get ready to mock rock.
The shuttle replica will be “landing” at the heavy equipment dock on Clear Lake across from NASA.
June 1st, they’ll have to watch the tide to sneak it under the Kemah Bridge. (bridge = 67 feet, shuttle = 54 foot height) The bridge will be closed to traffic prevent gawkers in cars. (Will they chase off the hikers?)
It’ll be great. (Just pretend the water is outer space and floating is flying.) Sea gulls will guide it home.
Party on the pavement once it’s parked on NASA grounds. (Info. here).
You may see stars.(Seriously. There’s some fancy telescopes.)
Replica Shuttle leaving Port Canaveral, Florida.
(Image: Malcolm Denemark)
Men in Black 3: YES! Ultra cool returns.
Third time’s a charmer? Bugged? Read review here. Remember it’s cool inside – the movie theater, too. (Last summer’s heat wave, ugh. Demanding neuralizer. Demanding neuralizer.)
Showing the world how it’s done.
Vintage “Man in Black” poster
(Image: http://www.Amazon.com)
Hound it! Hug a dog.
Dogs of War Memorial
(Image: Feedthedawgs)
Hug your pup and look into their eyes on Memorial Day. Thank them for their cousins’ bravery and service in the military and in law enforcement.
They will relay the message.
Dogs know.
Stubby was the first US war dog. He served 18 months “over there” and participated in 17 battles on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, located and comforted the wounded, and even once caught a German spy by the seat of his pats. For his efforts, he was promoted to Sgt. Stubby.
Cairo was the canine commando who helped Navy SEALs locate and kill Osama bin Laden.
Wouldn’t be bad for things to go to the dogs. (Click link below to see how to help.)
Oh, yeah, Memorial Day
It’s not the Memorial Sales Event Day. It’s not just for shopping.
It’s not just the day the pool opens.
According to a Gallop Poll survey in 2000, only 28% of Americans could explain the true meaning of Memorial Day. (If you need a Cliffnotes review, read Dear Abby - It’s OK. We won’t tell. We all know the schools are busy teaching important things.)
Here’s the plan: Observe the Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, Monday May 28, 2012, 3PM local time. The time was selected because that’s when people are out having fun and enjoying the freedoms and liberties others fought to secure.
Just stop for the Moment on Monday, May 28. At 3 in the afternoon.
Ring a bell. Honk a horn. Shout “Thank you!” Wave a flag.
Too much?
(Don’t want to draw attention in the mall? Or freak out other drivers? Can’t – there’s a text coming in?)
No Problemo.
Just place your hand over your heart, or bow your head. (And tell your kid why.)
If inclined offer a prayer and promise to live a good life in honor of those who gave their lives for our freedom.
And hug that dog.
It’s just a minute.
(You can spare a minute, right? In between Macy’s and grillin’?)
Summer won’t mind. It’ll wait.
(I’ll hold your place. I’m a real pro at summer. Lots of practice.)
Calamine armed. Not so dangerous,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Read more:
- Memorial Day Minute: “No Greater Love” website . Find out what Carmella LaSpada promised that wounded medic in Vietnam.
- Military dogs- and how to help them: (8 related posts under “German Shepherd” in sidebar)
- “Saving Sergeant Rex: Waiting Warrior Status” (LINKS at bottom. How to help military dogs) Oh, Rex is OK and home now.
- Shuttle replicacoming to Houston Space Center (Related posts/links)
- “Gosh Darn! Ya git to name it!”(Suggested names for the mock shuttle. Contest announcement)
- “Mocking turtles. Shuttling” (Pictures of Shuttle on truck. It’s coming! Links to shuttle info)
- Pleasure Pier in Galveston: Official site: Pleasure Pier in Galveston
I wish I had a neuralizer for the second MIB, am I right? Sorry, bad joke…
That suggestion did surface somewhere, but I forget….(They promise it’s all better for MIB3…but keep that handy?) Thanks for putting on the shades and sauntering by
The thing I remember most about my one trip to your area (southbound through Houston to Lake Jackson) is the size and quantity of bugs that hit the screens after dark. Creeped me out.
Thank you for your beautiful and very important Memorial Day reminder. A moment is so small a thing, compared to what those men and women gave.
Truth be told, if it wasn’t for the German needing to watch her waistline, I wouldn’t be venturing outside until after the first frost.
Thanks.
Indeed, let us all remember Memorial Day is to honor those who died serving and protecting our country. It is about those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Sometimes, I think the lines get blurry in the media and it winds up being “about” those in the military who are in current, active duty. We should honor their work daily and ongoing. Memorial Day is set aside to specifically honor those whose lives all came to an end doing such honorable work.
You are right. Thanks for saying it very clearly. It’s more than just a shopping event…Appreciate your help here.Thanks
After paying more attention to the current TV ads, it’s obvious the marketing his once again using the military as a marketing tool. Buy beer to help military families. The message of honoring those who sacrificed their lives is indeed getting lost. Thanks for the heads up
It’s easy in the kickoff for summer to forget the real reason behind the holiday. I have family who are active service members, so I try to take time to remember their service and that of others who came before.
But I also want to thank you for being a bug magnet, helping to keep the rest of us calamine-free in the buggy seasons!
The holiday is eagerly awaited, but some effort should be made to emphasize why the holiday exists. Thanks – I’ll be glad to provide diversionary tactics for your bugs.
Oh Dog! Don’t read my blog Monday, cuz you’ll swear I stole your post. But I promise I’d already wrote it! ROFL
It’s one of those “great dogs run down the same trail” things! Can’t wait! Thanks for trotting this way.
I came up with the bestest idea for a Memorial Day post, but really too late, as it required a little lead time for folks to do something. That’s ok – it’s in the files for next year. I really was getting worried – they were late getting the American flags onto the bridge and I thought they either had forgotten or had been told it wasn’t in the budget. But all’s well, and the flags are flying.
I’ve been thinking about heading down to Galveston to watch the shuttle come in through the jetties. Or, maybe Portofino and the bridge – we’ll see. It’s exciting, no doubt.
As for that calamine lotion – well, there’s always this.
OH, it’s really not to late…the flags got out – so could your post!Think I’ll try hiking up the bridge for the Shuttlebration. (Maybe the breeze will keep the bugs off.) It ought to be a sight. Thanks for flying by
Is the bridge going to be open to foot traffic? I know it will be closed to cars, but I had heard they were closing it completely for security reasons. That may be groundless rumor.
Haven’t got a definite answer…looking for alternatives – will let you know
Thanks for reminding us that Monday isn’t just a day off. It’s a day to be thankful for what others sacrificed so we could have the lives we have. And everyone can spare a minute to say thanks for that.
Can’t add anything to this – you said it all perfectly. Thanks
So, after reading your post, I realize one good thing about the desert: there aren’t a ton of bugs. The smart ones have gone to cooler climates. No worries, I’ll still get to visit them, as we have a few camping trips planned for summer
I like the Memorial Day moment of silence idea (I’m not a horn-honking type, myself) – we should take a moment to remember those who’ve paid the price for the freedom (to shop) that we enjoy.
Good plan: no bugs – and a moment of silence. Sounds like a great Memorial Day! Enjoy!
The thing I remember about the bugs in Texas is that they were HUGE! Wearing pink stuff didn’t seem to help. Full body armour is more to the point!
In UK we remember on 11.11, but will spare a minute tomorrow, it is the least one can do.
I thought Texas bugs were big – until we lived in New Orleans: giant and weirder bugs! (Must be the swampy thing)
I knew there was a remembrance day in the UK, but never remember when – Please post a note then to remind me – it was a group effort. Thanks.
Hey! it’s either Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, and as you know I endlessly write about it. I’m sure I’ll remind you!
Is that the red poppies day? We used to sell those when I was little.
That’s the one. Armistice Day used to be on the 11th of Nov and there would be a two minute silence at 11am. But then it got moved to Remembrance Sunday (ie the nearest Sunday I think) – I’m talking UK here. But of course in Gib we happily commemorate both days
Is that the Flanders Field poem? I alway remember that poem.
Couldn’t get past the first sentence about bugs as found a coupla ticks on Pippa today
Need to post on his blog about it – since he had tick disease, we are now freaked about it. And, it affects people too in equally bad ways
Washing-up liquid is a good thing though to get rid of those nasty cling-ons. (Klingons?)
And thanking all those Americans for what they have done, who should be remembered on Memorial Day by all of us. (I did get past the bugs finally).
Just bugged. We normally don’t have ticks in this area – but the wild fires and drought last year sent wild animals out of their normal areas. And the mild winter didn’t chill the fleas and ticks. Ugh. (Some put vaseline on ticks to make them release…but we carefully jerked them of man and beasts. But we don’t have spotted tick disease or lyme disease in this area – usually. UGH)
I do worry about this story from CA. What’s there eventually comes here. Nasty fleas and diseases.
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-flea-season-typhus-alert,0,3747526.story.
Pippa be brave! (Wet doggy nose nudge from the German)
Great wandering through your post with you. Good point – a moment to remember, whatever signficant day it is wherever, and an opportunity to be thankful shouldn’t be missed. I’m one of the lucky ones who the bugs don’t have a taste for but they love the G.O. so from this I know you can get a high pitched whiny key ring holder type device that deters them, and a tiny zapper for any bites that do happen. Enjoy the start of your summer, as we in the Southern Hemisphere get the ugg boots & slow cooker out.
Wow, I haven’t heard about the whiny key ring thingy – will have to look for that.(Wonder if it bothers animals…the German has those ears..)
You probably wouldn’t believe it but some people wear Uggs here in the summer…well, I guess the air conditioned malls are a bit chilly? (Mostly preteens and High school girls). Hey, I saw there are now Uggs for brides. (Comfy is comfy – hard to give it up) Thanks for checking in