Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Wrong address? No forwarding requested.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:30:58 +0000

Was the address written down wrong?

The old neighborhood certainly looked different.

No answer.

The Wanderer (Friedrich 1774-1840/Photo reprod.PD art/Artist life+100/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

A little bleary from the night before.

It had been a long journey.

Finally got here.

Tired. Hungry.

No answer.

They weren’t expecting anyone.

It was a surprise.

End of a long and lonesome road.
(1853-1936.Wellcome Collection/National Archives 297698/US Public Domain. Fed employee/Commons.wikimedia.org)

No answer?

Fancy beveled glass door.

Can’t see anyone moving inside.

It’s early, though.

Well, it’s shady and the porch is clean.

Might as well settle in and wait.

Curl up until they notice.

Ah, a vehicle pulling in the drive.

What’s a few more minutes? (Modigliani 1884-1920/US public domain: reprod.PD art/artist life+90/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Opening mouth in welcome, the gator was shocked at their response. Shocked.

First, a reporter shoving a microphone towards him out the front door.

Wait a minute. Media?

Did Publisher’s Clearinghouse finally come through?

Anyone would shuffle and circle a bit under the circumstances: momentary confusion.

Alligator’s porch interview in Parkland, Florida (Screenshot/www.clickorlando)

Relocation plan? What?

Not ratting on any associates.

Forget that Witness Protection Program.

Although, being new to town, appreciate locating a good dating service.

Always hard to meet and greet the local gals.

Oh, there’s a club? As in sand bar and dancing, right?

No! Let go of the neck.

Not that sort of gator.

No kisses! No means no!

Must object. Not interested in any kinky stuff either.

Please remove the gag

Not the eyes. Strongly object to blindfolds.

Untie the arms. Untie!

What? Levitating? Where now?

What do you mean no purchase is necessary to win? (Screenshot.www.clickorlando)

For gator’s sake, please leave a note on the door explaining the gator repo or gator-napping or something.

Do hope this is the right address.

So much for suburban hospitality,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

“Alligator hangs out on South Florida front porch on Mother’s Day”. VIDEO of gator’s interview and that kiss. The “Gator Boys” from Animal Planet collects him. Have you ever seen a gator sleeping bag before? Looks like a nice one.

Another gator going porch to porch. VIDEO. Sienna Plantation/Houston area, TX. (It’s that time of year.)

Great Gator Tips What to do if you see one. TX Parks and Wildlife.

Other gator posts:

Odd Welcome. Mistaken Identification? Suburban life isn’t for everyone?
Alas, Lady Unwanted Poolside. A beautiful mysterious woman always means trouble.
Crawl over to the sidebar and click “Alligators” for more.

Don’t worry my little one. You won’t be used as gator bait often.
(1889. Borckmann 1827-1890/US public domain:photo reprod PD art/expired copyright/artist life+70/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Fear knocks. (Evil twin at the door.)

philosophermouseofthehedge — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:18:36 +0000

A haunting knock, knock, knock. Who?

Did you hear that? In the bushes…
(Henry Robinson,1830-1901/US public domain: reprod.PD art/expired copyright/artist+70/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

A Big Bad Wolf on the prowl. No joke.

A real predator. Just like in Red Riding Hood.

A hunter stealthily tracking victims.

One with super hearing and sniffing powers.

(All the better to find a tasty morsel.)

Self confident enough to grab a victim larger than itself.

(Expect anything less from a wolf?)

And gobble it down. Rip chunks of flesh right off if it’s bigger than one gulp!

(Hide the children!)

“What? Big teeth? All the better to eat things. Anchovies?”
(1911.Jessie W. Smith.1863-1935/US public domain/expired copyright/artist life+70/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Sounds like a Grimm’s tail, right?

(Or something even more out of this world odd?)

Possible Space Alien traveling on slime? (Giant African Land Snail. Sonei.SA/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Last week news was crawling about an invasion by a Giant African Land Snail

A giant 8 inch eat-everything-green-in-its’-path mollusk. (Menu favorites? Over 500 plants)
A snail carrying the deadly parasitic disease: Rat lungworm, a form of meningitis.
(Don’t touch! Don’t touch! Wash your hands! Yuckie!)
Giant snails that can lay 100 eggs a month – 1,200 or so a year.
Giant rat-size snails that gnaw through stucco and plaster.
(Call the insurance company! Covered for snail invasions and slime removal?)

“Deadly giant snail found in Houston”(See the giant snail! Video. A real horror story!)

Only it wasn’t.

Mistaken identity!

Slimed by Photo ID and fact check.

Wait! Mistaken identity! Escargot ready? I brought pasta.
(1934.Oskar Herrfurth,1862-1934.US public domain: photo reprod of PD art/artist+70/Commons.wikimedia.org)

It was a Big Bad Rosy Wolf Snail. (probably)

A snail species on a mission: tracking destructive snail prey and dispatching them
Smaller: a mere 2-3 inches in diameter.
Terrestrial
(Or so they say. Some believe space life forms walk among us. A Terminator Snail sent to assist?)
(Slime and aliens do go together. Ask the Simpsons.)
A Texas native species (? See above)

Who knows what sort of life is out there?
(NASA Spitzer Space Telescope.Exoplanet UCF-1.01.NASA/Public domain: fed. agency/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Red Riding Hood and veggie gardeners cheer this Rosy Wolf.

If the identification is correct true.

They think it is.

The unidentified snail quickly slid from sight.

(Seriously? Was it turbo charged ? Or something more Sci-Fi perhaps?)

A spaceship escape? OK, maybe not in one made out of LEGOs, but…
(Stefan-Xp/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

No need to panic.

Uh, Florida actually does have a big problem with Giant African Land Snails.

But none confirmed in Texas, yet. Travel has been hampered.

Think dog slobber is hard to clean off leather seats? Try snail slime.

Difficult to put out a single foot to hitchhike.

Air transport? Might get stuck in airport security lines.

Still, notice an unusual rock oddly sliming across the yard?

Notify Stuart Kuehn, USDA in Austin.

(Forget the USDA. Got the number for those Men in Black?)

Preparing for dangerous snail invasion. Got extra Rosy Wolf Snails?
(Lost in Space.1966/US public domain:publication date/lacks copyright/artist life/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Maybe just hot foot it this summer with closed-toed shoes and ray gun?

Stilts anyone?

(Ok, crying wolf. “Here snail. Here’s snail.”)

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Best commander for the Great Snail Wars?
(Bart Simpson on USAF Stratotanker. National Archives.6473248/US public domain: US airforce airman or employee/Fed gov/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Monday morning quacks.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:21 +0000

Do ducks get jet lag?

Suffer time zone changes?

Is that why they quack so loudly overhead?

Not to maintain camaraderie or sort out who’s the leader for a bit?

The first flight out. (Two+two=4/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Complaining through bleary Monday flights just like humans?

Traffic was so bad.

No place to park.

Kept getting bumped into.

A rush at the food court.

Ruffled feathers.

Flight’s never ready.

Sat on gum.

First class. (The All-Story 1908 cover.Harry G.Dart/Library of Congress.ppmsca.13554/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Not bothered with watches or cell phones.

Only the sunrise and sunset marking the day.

Seem more natural. More in tuned.

So why all the quacking?

GPS not working?

Back flock drivers?

Some motivational chant?

High altitude attitudes. (Etan Tal/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Peering through tiny windows that limit the sky and sight, do people compare flights?

Do ducks wonder why?

Fly on, Monday travelers. Sigh on.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Cloudscape (Evan-Amos,Vanamo Media: Released to public domain/Commons.wikimedia.org)

HRH Addresses the Worrisome Matters

philosophermouseofthehedge — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:12:57 +0000

You may be seated.

Eyes open! No playing possum!

You may smile and nod, but please hold hearty cheers of adoration and gratitude until given leave.

As RC Cat of the Realm, We wish to briefly address Our subjects, ~~bumbling~~ loyal staff, and guests ~~fortunate enough to breathe the same air as Our Royal Self.~~

There has been some chatter recently concerning incidents.

As always We discourage gossip and negativity.

It causes Us great distress when We sense some are alarmed.

While no explanation is required, We shall explain – as a kindness.

Woe to those who struggle outside the Realm
(Wanderer in the Storm 1835.von Leypold,1806-1874/Met Museum/US public domain. photo reprod PD art/publication date/artist life+100/Commons.wikimedia.org)

The world outside the Realm is a wrought with complexity – and, yes, sadly, danger.

We are ever vigilant so Our subjects live without fear.

Recently a package arrived and was placed in the Visitors’ Salon.

It is times like these when We wish the Molly had had learned parcel security monitoring from the German before she departed to her new assignment.

The Molly tries valiantly, but We fear she is out of her depth ~~since she immediately grabs any box and dashes wildly around the Realm without a thought that it might contain something dangerous.~~

Staff has been instructed to continue the Molly’s lessons. We believe there is a learn curve ~~but the idiot dog keeps eating the ball~~.

When We happened on the scene, We immediately ~~leaped onto the tallest furniture in the room~~ took charge.

Placing Our Royal Self in the greatest possible danger.

Duty before ~~mousies~~ Self!

Wide tape on the box was no match for Our razor-sharp Paws of Fury.

Once the box was open,We were shocked – stunned.

What kind of creature would send such to Our Realm?

Enough. Turn away. Comfort the children!

This is a disturbing image, but to be ignorant is to be vulnerable.

We apologize for causing discomfort.

Staff was instantly instructed to not only remove this vile object from Our sight, but to dispose of it quickly.

Our staff is quite efficient and We ~~wouldn’t trust them out of our sight~~ know they have complied with Our wishes ~~and did not hide that irritating book in order to giggle over it later.~~

The Realm is safe and secure.

Married to her realm. Elizabeth I of England. We salute your sense of duty.(1595.English School/Ampleforth Abbey/US public domain: reprod PD art/artist life+100/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Now ~~an equally annoying~~ more joyous occasion, We wish to honor the mothers of the Realm.

While We Ourselves follow the role of noble Queen Elizabeth R, We appreciate the sacrifices and efforts ~~to keep their little tail pullers out of Our way~~ of mothers.

Please don’t play with the lace. But there is no room in my lap right now!
(1858.J Kriehuber,1800-1876/ US public domain.photo reprod of PD art/ publication date/artist life+100/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

In the spirit of this official Mother’s Day, We are requesting all – including the Molly – have compassion.

During a recent deluge, We observed a young desperate creature precariously teetering along the top edges of the fence.

Doubtlessly fleeing a flooded home.

~~That foolish Molly thought it was simply a very ugly cat.~~

Upon closer examination, We determined the sad sight was a young possum ~~(with a lovely coat, although wet)~~

A very pregnant mother possum.

Judging from her skills, We assume she must have been a circus performer.

Perhaps fell for the dashing looks of an acrobat or juggler. ~~Foolish girl!~~

She looked just like this. Only it was raining and she was a possum and she was pregnant.
(Popular Science cover.Feb 1917/US Public domain: publication date/expired copyright/Commons.wikimedia.org,)

We ~~flailed wildly and beat upon the windows in outrage of this intrusion without permission~~ kindly waved and offered shelter in Our Outer Realm.

There is that adorable little cabin the German left behind.

Practically new and unused ~~as staff over-indulged that German Shepherd creature terribly~~.

It is Our wish and command that should the possum mother choose to dwell for a bit in the Outer Realm. She should be given sanctuary during her time of need.

That poor creature. We must do something. Her fur reminds me of mousies.

It is Mother’s Day, after all ~~and it would look bad if We tossed a holiday protected individual into the street in front of a car.~~

~~Perhaps We can find use for a possum.~~

~~She shall be grateful and owe us a favor.~~

Now you have permission to go about your duties.

All is well with your RC Cat watching all.

~~There is something about that possum that looks familiar~~

~~Could it be? No. The same possum that showed up last year at this very time?~~

~~We shall not be duped by devious possum.~~

We shall now withdraw to allow all to rest from the intense emotion from being in Our presence.

Our paw is waving!

Cheers of adoration may now be released.

Fini.

And don’t forget to leave open cans of food in the doorway as tribute.

We shall review those in a little while.

Allowing ALL ~~to comply~~ the opportunity to show their gratitude for Our sacrifices and service.

We take notes.

A word to the wise.

Adieu.

I am RC Cat and I approve this message.

Click sidebar tag ”RC Cat” for more of RC Cat’s correspondences and to visit her Realm.

More about last year’s Mother’s Day Possums (not exactly the gift on the list)

Run! Run Far! Not far enough. Mother’s Day Possum Event.(Is this getting to be a regular thing?)
Mother’s Day Possum: Just Practice. The next week, the next episode. Possum alert continues.

What? My mom ran off to join the circus?
(Orphaned Possum. Brisbane City Council/Flickr, 2012/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Simply shrimpy. Confusion to drive by.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:53:06 +0000

Must find some small fry.

Kids will do, I suppose if no ~~short~~ height-challenged individuals are available.

Excuse me is this the place for a little party?
(The Cave of Dwarfs.H.L.M.Asgard Stories,1901.M.H. Foster/US public domain:publication date/expired copyright/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Little Munchkins

That’s OK to say?

Don’t want to offend. Oz is cool.

(But stop humming that Randy Newman “Short People”. Rude.)

No small welcome by Mr Roarke/Montalban and Tattoo/Herve Villechaize
(Return to Fantasy Island,1977.ABC TV/ US public domain:publication date with no copyright notice/Commons.wikimedia.org)

How about planning entertainment as a small honor?

Snow White has a merry little crowd (Makes you want to whistle and Hi-Ho! along.)

Re-runs of the Fantasy Island series? (Loved that weekly: “The plane. The plane!”)

Different Strokes or Webster? (No small audiences there.)

That reality show Little People. Big World? (Don’t overlook them.)

Little appreciation always welcomed.

Hug a petite!

Traditionally honored by Royals
(Las Meninas.1656.Velazquez.1599-1660. Prado/ US public domain:reprod of PD art/ artist life+100/Commons.wikimedia)

Friday is National Shrimp Day!

Oh? Are you sure?

Shrimp like fish?

Read the fine print?

Looks like a list of seafood restaurants and recipes for gumbo and scampi.

That’s fishy.

That stinks: Shrimp boil (A13ean/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Shrimp’s been a term of endearment! Forever!

Ask any sibling.

Like “Stop, you little shrimp. Give that back.”

Followed by, “Mom, he’s calling me names.”

Stew on that for a while.

Confusion understandable.

Seriously, it’s National Shrimp-as-in-Seafood Day!

Time to get out the barbie, Doll.

Batter up those shrimpies. Get them ready to fry.

Grillers, grab your skewers.

(Of course french fries are a vegetable. Paper towel for blotting?)

All you can eat shrimp + a view of the bay. Rain or shine.
Bubba’s Shrimp Palace. San Leon, TX (www.bubbasshrimppalace.com)

A different splash of shows required.

Little Mermaid (Seems a bit awkward.)

Finding Nemo (For shrimpy little kids?)

Jaws? (Finally, one with bite that hooks you with thrills)

SNL’s Land Shark skits! Classic! “Knock Knock. Candygram. Land shark!”

Perfectly seasoned opening for spicy weekend activities.

Fine art, but not art cars
(Arlington Park,2009.Paul Kehrer/Flickr.Win,Place,Show/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

It’s also the 26th Annual Art Car Parade!

Over 275 Art Cars will meander down Allan Parkway on Saturday…for hours.

(No rain! No rain! You can hear the chanting?)

Confused?

Drive over for 2012 Art Car Parade pictures and posts here and here.

A different kind of pedigreed thoroughbred on the track.
(2011 Porsche 356 Art Car by R. Sanders/ Alex Brogan/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Looking forward to “Heroicar” by Welsh artist Andy Hazell

It’s built around a 15 year old Honda that appeared last year as a Mayan Temple.

Picture it: a Super Hero Salute

Superman swooping down on top of the car to save the day.

The Man of Aluminum’s right arm reaches into the passenger-side window.

His aluminum cape flapping in flight (helped by a hidden windshield wiper motor.)

The sides of the car are painted to show what’s inside. (instant x-ray vision for parade viewers!)

Rumor is there may be Kryptonite in the glove box.

Keeping eyes on the road (2011 Art Car Parade. Alex Brogan/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Like all Art Cars, Heroicar is street legal.

Driving to another art car parade in Victoria, TX, May 18.

Live in the Baltimore area? Watch for Heroicar in the July Artscape Festival.

Hooked on Art Cars?

Enjoy the shrimp fest while waiting for the tour.

Will try to update 2013 pictures/video (weather permitting camera)

Part of a thundering herd
(2005.Ride to Live Art Car.PD by Montrose Patriot/Commons.wikimedia.org)

A little fun for the weekend,

(Don’t stop short)

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Read more:

History of Houston’s Art Car Parade. CW39 NEWS VIDEO of cars and parade
“Art Car Parade Enjoy the ride”. Houston Press. Article and pictures of cars
www.thehoustonsrtcarparade.com (pictures, history, info)
Facebook Houston Art Car Parade (pictures, join the fun)
“Heroicar Art Car is ready to roll”. Artist’s sketch and photo of work in progress (Hope link works)

After this let’s head to the Art Car Parade. You can sit down so I’ll be the taller one in the pictures.
Mickey Rooney.Judy Garland 1939.(Grauman’s Theater/LA Times/US Public Domain: publication date/copyright not renewed/artist life/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Drafted. Drafting. Oddly considering interviews.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:55:32 +0000

Odd choice.

It’s eccentric – quirky – here, to put it kindly.

(Nervous eye movements. Wringing of hands.)

What? Are you sure?
(Trailer,1953 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes/US public domain: publication date/no copyright notice/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Interview an author?

Don’t like to pry.

If they wanted you to know, they would tell you.

Always up for a challenge, so here’s a ~~sneak peek of the instruments of interrogation~~ draft

Only a test drive.

On a controlled track.

Potential polite inquiries for the first ~~victim~~ writer:

Answer the questions and explain why.

1. Choose to travel in TARDIS or rocket ship?

Universal themes: deep, cool, and splashy. Interviewers? Maybe not so.
(Andysonic777@Eng.lang.Wikipedia/Commons.wikimedia.org)

2. If a lake was the source for all themes and characters, do you

Dog paddle
Swim laps
Scuba dive
Thrash wildly and desperately
Float until help/inspiration arrives
Skim across the surface on a paddle board or boat
Become a mermaid

3. As a writer, are you wear

Tall boots to see better (and to prevent vicious bites by vipers, editors, and such)
Uggs
Flip flops
Well-worn athletic shoes
Red sole shoes by Christian Louboutin (Publish this or I’ll poke out your eye with this heel)
Bare feet
Horse shoes for luck

Writing is like walking on broken glass. So is interviewing.
(Dartington Crystal/Glamhag/Flickr/Commons.wikimedia.org)

4. If life is a journey, you would prefer to travel by

Spaceship
DeLorean
Surf board looking for the ultimate wave to ride
Off-road vehicle
Golf cart
Outrageously expensive car on the German autobahn
Ceremonial carriage pulled by perfectly matched horses
Mule and wagon
Elephant (With bells, drapery, and canopy)
On foot (See question #3 )

Feather? The goose will never miss it. Get to the point.
(A. Stevens 1823-1906/US Public Domain: photo reprod of PD/ art/artist life+100/Commons.wikimedia.org)

5. If computers were unavailable, what would be your instrument for stories?

Pencil (Good eraser or not?)
Real fountain pen with ink
Old fashion black typewriter that dings and has a cylinder to push.
Neurons and brain cells (oral language tradition passes to next generation)
Stick in the sand (Life is so transient. It’s easier to make changes after the beta readers finish.)

6. It’s rainy: a dark and stormy. Where do you choose sit to write?

Upstairs in a Victorian house looking out through tree branches
Porch
In front of tall sleek windows high above the city streets
Dimly lit basement near the running dryer which drowns out the noise upstairs
In the driver’s seat of the car as you are waiting
In a kitchen where the snacks and beer are
In a dirt floored log cabin
In a room with every electronic gadget known to man (with a backup generator)
An elevator stuck between floors

We’ll teach that writer to ignore characters’ feelings. You dance left across the brain. I’ll dance right. Meet up later.
(Annette,1962 Babes in Toyland.Disney/US public domain: publication date/no copyright/expired copyright/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

7. Do your story characters:

Invade your dreams and argue all night about the story?
Sit quietly by your side and let you work?
Get bored and wander off at times?
Threaten to kill off the others in order to get more attention (whether they deserve it or not)?
Bribe other characters to go away – like to another story?
Play nice with others?
Want better clothes or houses?
Want to nag you’ve lost your way and will never make it work? (Why won’t you listen!)
Do you stuff characters in a closet while working because they are so hard to control?
Let characters auto-control your hands while you are in a trance?

8. Would you choose to be:

A dinosaur
A dragon
A space alien
A butterfly
A Cheshire cat
The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon. History written here.
(meckimac.com/Commons.wikimedia.org)

So, what’s the verdict?

Any hope here or back to the primordial creative slop for more interview ideas?

What do you do with an author?

(It’s like that song “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” from the Sound of Music? There. Sing along.)

Who’s the author and what book?

Oh, you’ll have to wait on that.

Gotta mush this around a bit…

Possibly trip that author who may be frantically attempting to flee now.

(Whoops. Didn’t see that ankle restraint?

Here, drink this. It will make everything so much better.

A nap? Sure.)

Oh, it’ll be fun.

(Keep saying that.)

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

It’s the Invisible Published Author appearing soon!
(1959 Classic illustrated. G. Biggs/Gilberton/US public domain. publication date/expired copyright/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Lost as the army approaches

philosophermouseofthehedge — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:59:25 +0000

That haunting sound seeps across the early sky.

You know, that high altitude whoosh that always reminds you of ”Lost”.

Probably the first flight out.

Was it maliciously interrupting the sunrise rituals by lesser creatures?

(Time to be busy, laggards! Losers snoozers.)

Or a sky echoed scream?

(Noooo, I forgot the charger!)

Or simply a group sigh at the hour, lack of coffee, and the hours to go before sleep?

Those left behind looked overhead and wish. It’s got to be better than this.

Even Children of the Corn would be afraid.

They were spotted.

They are on the march again.

Despite the efforts – and promises by those who are supposed to know.

A perpetual battle

One that tests resolve, endurance, and tolerance of pain if defensive measures are unsuccessful.

They are many.

We are few.

The few. Bearing the heavy burden of decision: first strike with weapons of last resort.

Innocents will be harmed – maybe die.

Collateral damage.

Sacrifice a few to save the rest?

Quickly. Where you have hidden the juicy morsels, my pretties?
(Copley,1793.US public domain: publication date/ artists life+100 yrs/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Hard to explain that to those resting in pieces.

Some may not be missed.

With so many, what’s the loss of a few?

Still there might be unexpected consequences.

Yes, butterflies are pretty, but there’s always crayons and paper.

There’s the ladybugs and the bees. They will just go elsewhere.

Perhaps better to do as the peasants in the Middle Ages when kings fought for crowns?

Keep the children hidden indoors.

Try a scorched earth no comfort, no shelter policy.

Hope for rain to drown them all.

Packed all worldly belongings in the face of danger.
(C.W.Carter,1879.War Dept/National Archives. US public domain: fed employee/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Yes. Best to set the timer on sprinklers for a predawn event.

Soggy soil is inhospitable.

Tunnels cave in. Children must be carried to safety.

They’ll move on to a dry yard.

They’re not stupid – far from it.

Cutting remarks won’t deter them.

A worry, then. Do fire ants hold a grudge?

Better a mechanical sprinkler instead of recognizable me with a pan of hot water.

Just in case.

A little antsy,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Vibrations by lawn mowers may disturb them, but they are determined and resilient.

Splash. Grab. Get. Roll ‘em. Aim down.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Sat, 04 May 2013 18:32:04 +0000

Stop draggin’.

Plenty of laughs onboard and in stores.

Drink it all in.

(Offer you back straps for those flip flops? May need those to keep up.)

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a style all the Bayou City’s own.

It’s the 13th! (No horror stories – with luck, it will be bloodless).

Paddle down to the park at Allen’s Landing to watch over 30 teams compete.
The 13th Annual Dragon Boat Races and Festival take to the water all day Saturday
Won’t starve: check out the food trucks. (Cinco de mayo. Bound to be beer, imported)
No treading water between races (every 12 minutes? Whew.)
Vietnamese performances and music, too
Info: houstondragonboat.com and pictures of previous festival.
All free, of course.

(Chordboard/US public domain: publication date/ expired copyright/artist life/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Seek “The Walking Dead!” (Waiting for pick up worldwide. How ghoulish?)

Grab your piece (No, not a gun) Pick up some free fun.(That sober you up?)
It’s Free Comic Book Day! (Worldwide. Since 2002)
Local Comic book dealers are inviting you over.
Be a hero and go. (Click here to find participating dealers near you)
Over 4.6 million comics will find new homes. (“Walking Dead” is one.)
USA Today’s Guide to Free Comic Book Day, 2013
Publishers are eager to show off their wide range of titles for all ages and interests.

Yes, I’m walking. And after the International Beer Fest, humans might consider it too? (Mike and Chris/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Nothing better than views with brews?

Oh, it’s not for sloppy beach drunks. That’s a little farther down the road.
Kemah Boardwalk on the bay hosts their International Beer Fest May 4.
Mild weather, sailboats on the bay, and offerings of Asian Pacific, European, and American beers.
Encourage the cute seagulls over head at your own risk. The signs say don’t feed them for a reason.
Might want to ride the whiplash roller coaster before participating in the event? (Yes, festival is while beers last, but really, you want to roller coaster AFTER?)
There’s a nice Starbucks with a patio: a great stop off before driving home. (Yes, under the roller coaster – but there’s big umbrellas!)

I don’t understand. The invitation simply said black tails required. I’m no street walker. (Public domain by L. Stabile/Commons.wikimedia.org)

The Latin Wave is seagull free.

Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts presents the 8th annual Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America
Beyoncé should approve. Cuba finally is allowed.
Broad range of topics in the 9 films: addiction, cyber-bullying, civil war, (Can wars actually be civil? Oh, moving on) and (best yet!) CUBAN ZOMBIES! (now aren’t you glad you brushed up your knowledge from that free comic book?)
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay - and Cuba.
More information: mfah.org/latinwave (Film reviews and info)
Should get you ready to dance through the weekend’s parties.
(Sorry you missed the big opening party. It was classy. No seagulls. Fancy drinks. OK some beers. But people had real shoes on!)

And of course it’s a whole weekend of Cinco de Mayo celebrations

That celebration of a military battle in Mexico. (What’s a better mix than military, guns, and beer?)
It’s hardly celebrated in Mexico, but really big in the US. (Hallmark needed a filler until Mother’s Day? The breweries are in a lull between St Patrick’s Day and Memorial Day? Decorations are a must according to Party stores!)
Grocery stores have the chips, dips, avocados, and beer stacked right by the door. (No wandering around in bright lights mid party because you ran out of supplies)
One thing, though. Please lock up the guns.
It’s tradition in some places: shooting guns into the air to celebrate.
But not here.
Those bullets don’t go to the moon. They fall. And people die. Like that little girl.
(Besides the NRA doesn’t want any “incidents” while they are in town. Guns are only the last defense against an attack.)
Defensive weapons not party favors, right? (It says so somewhere – like in the gun classes legal gun owners must take.)

Oh, beans! Law enforcement probably hates this weekend for so many reasons.

Cinco de Mayo with Houston’s own style – Oh! Just celebrate with care, ya’ll hear?

Hasta later,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Wooden. And that’s not nice.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:14:27 +0000

Chainsaws, clippers, ladders dancing out of garages.

Annoying, but due diligence.

Precaution for the coming hurricane season.

Wouldn’t want to be watchin’ a storm and regrettin’.

Measuring the storm
(W. Homer 1836-1910.Addison Gallery of Amer. Art/US public domain: photo reprod of PD art/ publication date/artist life +100/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

The preference to avoid regrets is human?

Or does it have to be taught?

The preschool classroom was typical: Centers for art, music, home, reading, blocks.

Blocks: the pale finely sanded wooden ones.

A huge stock.

Enough to engineer the tallest of towering lumps.

Only one kid repeated took great delight in crashing others’ constructions.

So the teacher closed the block center.

Mine! All mine! Easy to play nice alone.
(Thomas Eakins 1844-1916/US public domain: photo reprod of PD art/ artist life+90. Commons.wikimedia.org)

The rest of the Pre-K mob grumbled.

Got grumpy.

Eventually started punching the kid block destroyer.

Of course they all had to sit in circle and calm down.

The teacher patiently explained.

Once ALL learned to play nicely and respect others, the block center would reopen

Kids won’t sit still.

There were wiggles, and frowns, and eyes glaring at the block destroyer.

Finally on little boy blurted it out.

(They do say the darndest things)

“He’s the one who’s being bad. Why are you mad at us? Why not just make him stay out of the blocks?”

He had a point.

They did tell him not to wave that finger in people’s faces.

Someone might bite it off….at this age, maybe not an idle threat.

As kids get older, behavior management changes.

Such little animals!
(Tissot 1836-1902.US public domain: photo reprod of PD art/publication date/artist life+100/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

No finger-pointing, just alarms – but that’s a good thing?

One local elementary principal has mandated her interpretation of PBIS Stetson

It’s a positive reinforcement management program to improve classroom behaviors which improves learning.

Everyone loves a pat on the head and a gold star!

No frownie faces!

Sending students to the principal’s office for punishment is not allowed. EVER.

Keeps those office discipline records clean.

No noisy kids waiting outside her door.

No squirming unpleasant calls to problem kids’ parents (who are frequently problems themselves)

Smiley faces all around.

Teachers must either ignore problem students or wear a timer that goes off every 2-10 minutes reminding them to praise the troublemaker.

Well, that certainly improves instructional time.

If that doesn’t work, the teacher is to take the problem child to sit in another teacher’s classroom

So now one kid is interrupting 2 teachers in 2 classrooms and interfering with instructional time for 2 sets of students.

Jesse James. Probably kicked blocks.
(US public domain: expired copyright/artist life +70/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Want to take bets?

Other kids become “problem students” in order to get praise and attention.

The praise alarm becomes a game: “Let’s see how many times we can get that alarm to go off in an hour.”

(Who really wants to learn fractions anyway?)

And there’s always the perpetual “Let’s see if we can get the teacher to cry.” (Kids do that. Seriously.)

Positive reinforcement, used appropriately and sparingly, works wonders.

But cheering just for breathing sets the kid up for failure in the future.

It’s sort of like “as a twig is bent, so grows the tree.”

Society can end up with a bunch of people a bit warped ( but full of self-confidence!)

Then what do you do with them?

Hanging out with a bad crowd.
(Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and their Wild Bunch 1892.Gilman Collection/ US public domain: expired copyright/ photo reprod of PD art/ artist life+70/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

That’s the question now.

Carlos Daniel Fernandez, 19, on trial for killing a homeless man in a robbery attempt (over $1.00).

Defense: “Oh, he intentionally shot the man three times – but only because the victim charged him. The victim shouldn’t have tried to fight.”
So, it’s the victim’s fault he’s dead?
It’s just murder – not capital murder.
Dead is dead. Murder is murder?
Sentence for “Regular murder”? 5 years to life. Parole possible.

It gets better. There were 4 “teens” involved.

They had been cruising looking for prostitutes
They were looking for easy targets – and “only became violent when victims resisted”.
Victoria Correa, 16, fired her shotgun at the man, but missed
Michael Alexander, 18, carried a handgun. His wife, Marilyn Villarreal, 18. was also involved.
The couple said they need money for their 1 yr old baby.

It gets better. Only arrested because days later they botched a home invasion.

Victoria was shot in the leg.
Fernandez shot the homeowner 6 times in the side. (He survived.)

Prosecutor: “They did this for the thrill of it. They thought these people wouldn’t fight back, and it was a thrill for them.”

Proud of being an outlaw: Smug Frank Stilwell
(1881 US public domain: expired copyright/ artist life+70/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Even better is the case being tried in Galveston.

Bartholomew Granger,42, “grinned and winked at prosecutors after his guilty verdict.”

He gunned down 79 yr old woman on the Jefferson County Courthouse steps in Beaumont, TX.
He was mad.
He was at the courthouse for his trial involving his rape of his own daughter.
Angry at his daughter and ex-girl friend/”wife” for testifying, he was waiting in his car to shoot them.
As the came out he started firing – and bystanders were wounded and one killed.
His daughter? He ran over her with his pickup truck.

Tuesday, He was convicted of capital murder of an elderly woman in Galveston.

Trial was moved due to TX law that a jury cannot view the crime scene.
Wednesday Granger had a temper tantrum
He believes the justice system has wronged him
He blames his daughter “The bitch got what she deserved! She’s the one that should be dead – not the old lady – her!”
When Judge tells him to calm down: “I can’t, because these people are lying on me! It’s not about me being angry or being out of control…I told you from the very beginning. I didn’t want to come here.”

Didn’t want to come here?

Maybe if you hadn’t raped your daughter, run over her at that trial, and shot those others?

With sentencing on the table, he’s scrapping now.

Even during jury selection, security has been extremely tight.

So not a nice person – and he has friends.

Sometimes best not to put you head in the sand – too many strange birds around.
(1898 Strobridge Lithographic Co/Library of Congress.cph.3g02989/US public domain: publication date/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Nice people don’t want to be around people like these.

Just like Preschoolers don’t want a block tyrant in their playgroup.

Those who have no regrets:

It’s never their fault.

They should have everything they want when they want it.

They want to “splain it to you” – you just don’t understand.

They deserve a do-over.

Are some people just like a tallow tree that naturally grows twisted, brittle, and easy to break?

Could even those be helped along by those who care for them?

Like a gardener who enhances a young oak tree’s natural shape and life with prudent careful pruning?

The end of the day in a different era 1941-1945
(N.Rockwell1894-1978/Office of Emerg. Manage/ National Archives.513538/ US public domain: by fed employee/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

As the twig is bent, so the tree grows, so they say.

Perhaps time to reevaluate. Examine tools. Make plans. Take action.

Wouldn’t want to be havin’ any regrets.

It’s the beginning of a stormy season.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Storm clouds
(NOAA.gov/ US public domain: by federal employee/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Floating. Can’t duck it. Just life.

philosophermouseofthehedge — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:22:34 +0000

A small crowd gathered.

Well, not really gathered. Just paused a second to see what was going on.

And moved on.

That’s life.

At least he got a pause and a few comments.

So many don’t.

He was a stranger. A tourist, perhaps? Not from here.

Still someone should have noticed he didn’t show up.

People kept looking around wondering.

No huddled friends or weeping family members?

Some commented lucky the alligators hadn’t shown up.

Belly up – and not doing the backstroke.

Looked completely unruffled in repose.

Head back. Eyes closed. Toes pointed up.

Leaned over the rail to get a closer look.

Odd. No signs of trauma – no rips, gashes, or blood.

Fell off a chartered party boat? Nobody noticed yet?

Went for a midnight swim and was struck by a speeding motor boat?

Should have made a noise.

Drunk skipper or one trying to pretend it didn’t happen?

Bad storm last night. Struck by lightning?

Most would seek shelter from the driving rain.

Poisoned by some cranky foe over an imaginary wrong?

People do things at the drop of a feather these days.

Depression? Leapt off the bridge after losing out to a rival?

It looked to be in his element – no way this could be suicide.

Had to be foul play.

Molly stuck a leg through the bridge railing – as if stirring the air would waken him.

Tugged at her.

Trying to distract.

Trying move on.

“Make him move. Make him fly. He’s not quacking.”

Molly loves birds.

Seeing them fly early in the morning.

Listening to them call to each other.

Not sure if she sees them as her pets or her neighbors.

The sight of the lifeless mallard drake in the water bothered her.

Nice. Neat. Storybook perfect. If only life was.

It wasn’t as it was supposed to be.

Don’t know what happened to him.

But we did pause. And wondered. And felt a loss.

He got noticed. And a few words.

So many of all sorts don’t.

Life flows on.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Molly keeps an eye on the sky – even in the car.