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March 9, 2015 / philosophermouseofthehedge

Taking the fifth. Appropriate measures

Mary Pickford. Signing door about 1943/ Canada.Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Center/Virtual Museum of Canada/USPD. Pub.date/Canadian PD:prior to 1949/Commons.wikimedia.org)

To whom it may concern: Open for thought. (Mary Pickford.1943/Virtual Museum of Canada/USPD. Pub.date/Commons.wikimedia.org)

It’s done. They have the cold facts.

They always say #5 is the killer.

(Targeted without even a line up? No considering DNA analysis? Now that’s unfair.) 

When watches aren’t worn and calendars not paged, segmented time ceases to exist.

Flow creates its’ own current.

So who’s to say end or begin?

In 2011, Philosopher Mouse hit “publish” and pinned one small note on the door of the Universe.

798 posts later. Pitched like breadcrumbs along the way.

Some soggy. Some resonant.

Some actually lucid thoughts. Assorted quirky facts. With hopefully a few giggles tucked in between.

No real plan. Just write.

(Certainly didn’t expect to be hijacked by assorted critters and creatures. There wasn’t a “No paws” clause in the Word Press options. There wasn’t.)

Surprised to have found a tiny niche with readers who stop by to chat.

(Over 4, 000? OK. Realistically, take out the bogus companies, smile but don’t count those who run by to subscribe but never return, ditch the spam and odd languages, then, do your best to wrangle the ones who occasionally wander off to attend to stuff like novels and real life …)

and still there’s a lovely crowd left.

Now that’s cool. No way to say how much I appreciate all those who choose to slip by and flip over comments.

A community totally unexpected.

You guys are a lot of fun: both here and at your places.

Thanks for crossing the portal to wade among the mumbling, mind-numbing notions.

And for recognizing things here aren’t always what they seem and remembering to always bring a sense of humor.

Always on the edge of laughter.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Seated woman with cat. Fire-fancies by Arthur Hacker.1858-1919/USPD:artist life, pub.date/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Fanning flames or fleeing into fancy? Much the same. Just write. (Hacker/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

 


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68 Comments

  1. Beth / Mar 9 2015 12:30 pm

    Happy Anniversary!! I look forward to the next 798 posts!!

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 1:09 pm

      Here, have some celebratory wine. RC Cat is miffed she didn’t get a chance to prepare a speech which would have been so much more appropriate. But, sigh, staff has to have some perks to keep them content. Thanks partying along

      Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:13 pm

      Always glad to see you. Appreciate the encouragement. Wine and chocolates right over there..just step over the dogs. Thanks for tossing a comment into the basket

      Liked by 1 person

  2. marthaschaefer / Mar 9 2015 12:43 pm

    Happy Anniversary Phil! Love your sense of humor and rather warped way of looking at the world. Write on!!

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:16 pm

      RC Cat is quite miffed that she wasn’t allowed to write a “proper announcement” which would have been more uh, inventive. BUt she’s hibernating in her loft due to lack of sun (rain for the whole week?) and an excessive number of muddy paws. Wine or fancy coffee? It’s still cold up there! Thanks for chilling here at the party

      Liked by 1 person

      • marthaschaefer / Mar 9 2015 7:24 pm

        I will toast RC with a lovely glass of wine! Weather is beginning to improve, 40s predicted for this week, hoping for a slow melt as we head into mud season.

        Like

        • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 10:30 pm

          YEA! At this point mud with sun would be perfectly acceptable. Get out the boots and scrapers.

          Liked by 1 person

          • marthaschaefer / Mar 10 2015 12:57 am

            Oh my poor floors!

            Like

          • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 10 2015 1:55 pm

            Still waiting for the perfect doormat…a really big one.

            Liked by 1 person

          • marthaschaefer / Mar 11 2015 12:02 am

            I roll up the good rugs and pray the hardwood floor can take the grit. My neighbor uses a leaf-blower to clean his house so I feel superior.

            Like

          • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 11 2015 12:14 am

            Ahhhh, (drool) leaf blower. Been raking up piles of dog hair. Someday I’ll get the inherited oriental rugs out…when the dog learns to wear booties and raincoat….

            Liked by 1 person

  3. easyweimaraner / Mar 9 2015 1:06 pm

    Happy Blogoversary! I hope we can celebrate the next 50 blogoversaries together :o) … or more :o)

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:18 pm

      Paws up. Oh, wait, let me wipe off that flung mud….pretty soggy here – but all the more reason to party! Thanks for trotting in to help with the celebration

      Like

  4. Seumas Gallacher / Mar 9 2015 1:07 pm

    yup, from these tiny wee acorns, do grow the massive oak trees… am still waiting hopefully to have you grace my blog with a Guest Blog :):):) “:):)

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:24 pm

      It’s a Jack-in-the-beanstalk situation – only the gold gathered along the way is much warmer – and far more precious- than coins.(Word to the wise…barricade your blog – RC Cat and the others are picking straws to see who gets to pen a post for you…and we don’t trust the cat…we feel she’s rigging it.) Thanks for joining the party!

      Like

  5. islandeditions / Mar 9 2015 1:09 pm

    Happy anniversary! I may not always pop in and comment or even click like on every post, but I do appreciate all I’ve read since you first commented on my own blog, and all the support you’ve given me, as well!

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:27 pm

      Nothing like having a fun crowd over. Here, try some chilled wine – it’s warm there. Glad you stopped by to help celebrate. Blogging is a great place to meet friends. Cheers!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Paul / Mar 9 2015 1:17 pm

    Oh My! Oh My! You mean I missed 700 posts? Oh No!

    Happy Anniversary Phil! And I’m sure RC and Molly will be helping you celebrate as well. Paw waves to the critters that have populated your posts – and, of course, Bob, perhaps a critter, perhaps an alien avatar run from a like life form on Tau Ceti. Ever think of that??Hummm?? Maybe the startling success of your blog has been due to extraterrestrial forces making themselves known through your pen.

    Personally I think the SETI scientists would gain more by reading your blog. Ha!

    Sorry, wandered off there – Of course it is your consummate skill at spinning a web of words with which to nab the details of our souls, that has created your success. Although I noticed an inordinate number of UFO sightings seem to be centered around your area of Texas. Perhaps they are not being as circumspect as they think in their comings and goings – you should mention it to them (not that there is any “them” – nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Ha!

    Enjoy your anniversary Phil – you deserve at least a cake – oh, oh and cuppycakes – ummmmm, soooo good cuppycakes. May your blogging success grow even greater as you continue to entertain and inform us in your special way. (Are you sharing your cuppycakes?)

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:39 pm

      Cuppycakes for all! And wine. Goes with Chocolate. (No paws in the chocolate! Greenies! Have to have snacks for Easy, Rumpy,Otis, Binky…wait RC, you cannot carry them all off….Share. Guests…oh, hopeless. Luckily hid some back.)
      Bob is not talking…not even a blink over the alien suggestions…but he’s pretty cool about most everything
      Delighted you found your way to the party (all that cold and snow there…you didn’t pitch a ton of it in the air and chunk it this way causing all this rain, did you?….I see that shuffling and lowered gaze. ..It’s OK, may keep the spring breakers a little lower key this week.)
      A lovely wine over there. An assortment of fruit remains…at least the cat won’t grab all that….and Blue Bell Ice cream! Thanks for joining the party and stopping by to chat

      Liked by 1 person

  7. suej / Mar 9 2015 1:57 pm

    Happy Blogoversary…..or is it Blogiversary??

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:48 pm

      It’s a blogconga line! Thanks for joining in. We won’t make you dance on the tables unless you want…although there’s better chance of avoiding dogs standing on your foot up there. They don’t notice couches, much less occupied shoes. Duck! No not the feathered kind…this time…someone’s swinging from the rafters. Glad you stopped by and appreciate the good wishes.

      Liked by 1 person

      • suej / Mar 9 2015 4:56 pm

        Yay! 😀

        Like

  8. shoreacres / Mar 9 2015 2:10 pm

    Congratulations! And here I thought there wasn’t anything around that could brighten up this gloomy day. Me and Miss Dixie Rose send our best to the whole crew over there, and wish you a happy, healthy future of sharing your (occasionally warped) humor and insights with us!

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:52 pm

      Cheers! One day the lake’s surface is like glass and the next, white caps. Water line will be high shortly as it all drains this way. What a year. Is Miss Dixie just zoning out? No birds to watch or sun to soak up. The weather may keep it quieter in the marina during Spring Break – but once the clouds leave, the mobs will arrive…
      So glad y’all waded over. Thanks for the encouragement

      Like

  9. dogear6 / Mar 9 2015 2:36 pm

    Congratulations! That’s a wonderful accomplishment. You started blogging right around the same time I did. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. And yes, it is amusing how assorted critters can hijack our posts. But it’s all fun.

    Nancy

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 4:58 pm

      Actually it RC Cat hid the memo and was sketching out a proclamation herself, but Staff insisted she stay in the audience for a bit – and graciously greet guests…(We took the gag off, but not untying her quite yet..maybe when she’s a sleep and we can make a clean getaway.) You’re right, it doesn’t seem that long. Here, wine. A toast to all of us! Cheers. (there would be fireworks, but the rain…and besides the German who’s visiting hates them) Thanks for stopping by

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Kate Crimmins / Mar 9 2015 3:12 pm

    Congrats and cookies all around! (or maybe a nice ‘nip mousie)

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 5:02 pm

      Party! (No, Molly, the cookies are for guests! Here. Greenie. Oh? The lizard is lovely, but the table is a bit full, so maybe put it back outside…we can enjoy it from in here where it’s not raining. No the lizard will be fine – he can sit on the windowsill) Don’t mind the chaos. There’s plenty of room. I think this barstool is cat hair free. So happy you came over to sit and chat for a bit.

      Like

  11. Carrie Rubin / Mar 9 2015 3:45 pm

    798 posts–that’s impressive! I haven’t even cleared 200 yet, and I’ve been blogging for a few years. Congrats!!

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 5:08 pm

      Hope Mad Magazine and O.Henry approve. You authors who manage to write, blog, and read are pretty inspirational. And organized. Working here on that “organized”: of serious focused thought and time… Always happy to have you stop by and chat. Hope Spring Break will be weather appropriate there!(so rainy here…)

      Like

      • Carrie Rubin / Mar 9 2015 5:18 pm

        We’re finally getting temps in the 40s, and tomorrow even the 50s. So yeah, I’m pretty psyched about it. I’ll even take rain if it means the cold is gone!

        Like

        • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 6:26 pm

          Sun! Daylight Savings time – time for sun, not longer hours awake while raining? Time’s up, winter. (giggles, hope y’all get a break for break)

          Liked by 1 person

  12. Jay E. / Mar 9 2015 4:28 pm

    I’m glad I stumbled on your blog; as in the rest of the world, our favorite places are often discovered by mistake or happenstance.

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 5:10 pm

      What a nice comment to leave. Here, have some wine. Cookies? Pizza? MAybe beer with that – some in that tub over there…yes, the one the dog’s drinking out of..she likes the icy crunchy. ALways glad when you wander in. Thanks for partying along

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Robin / Mar 9 2015 9:12 pm

    Congratulations and happy anniversary! I’m so glad to be part of your community, although I don’t get here as often as I’d like. I’m looking forward to the next 798 posts. 🙂

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 10:39 pm

      While it is rather like thoughts mired in a swamp here sometimes, outdoor sunsets are not to be missed for any reason. We watch the same clouds. Thanks for joining the party!

      Like

  14. JackieP / Mar 9 2015 9:25 pm

    congrats! That’s a whole lot of posts. I need to run faster to catch up! You have been blogging a year longer than I have though and I have short legs. 😉 A bow to RC and a scratch for Molly and a head pat for Bob.

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 9 2015 10:47 pm

      Hmm, been considering one of those desks on a treadmill..running and writing? (RC Cat is laughing and saying that would require more insurance for sure) Might be a better idea just to race Molly to the end of the block….except the rain. We might need floaties. Appreciate you stopping in to join the chaos and laughing along

      Liked by 1 person

  15. aFrankAngle / Mar 10 2015 12:25 am

    Hey hey … a toast to the blogoversary. Awesome … and way to stay with it … plus you seem to be going strong! (Well, at least to me) … Meanwhile, the way I read the info above, it seems the next post is #800 … so a reason for another toast!

    By the way … love the description of the list of followers!

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 10 2015 1:26 pm

      Hey, we saved you a table over here. Planning on clearing the dance floor so you and your wife can step out and dazzle us. Wine? From my cousin’s winery in CA. Today I like the white. The Followers’ count is always best viewed with a sense of humor (Here, try the chocolate?). What counts to me are the dialogues and conversations both here and on other blogs (so little time, so many blogs to visit – but that’s the fun.) Glad you wandered into the neighborhood – thanks for joining the dance!

      Like

      • aFrankAngle / Mar 10 2015 1:58 pm

        Glad to have your cousin’s wine … thanks .. .and I recall you having a cousin in the biz – but I don’t recall the winery. … Oh good chocolate! The source? Then again, is there bad chocolate? BTW … I love this brand, http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ … so see where you can find them in your area. Also, my wife & I don’t dance solo … no performances … just in a crowd or a group. So if others dance, we’ll join in. … hey … was I right on the number?

        Like

        • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 10 2015 2:14 pm

          The winery is Grace Patriot Wines. Wish we lived closer – always some events going on there….and it’s not flat and hot. Oh, good. Chocolate recommendations. (Should reach that post number by this weekend…gotta pick up after the party and wake up a few of the guests first. How much fun…you don’t remember dancing? Pretty fancy stuff. (might be on the video, but won’t put on YouTube unless it’s competition perfect….sure it’s perfectly wonderful in any case. giggles)

          Like

  16. EllaDee / Mar 10 2015 12:51 am

    You five years, me three… and together most of the latter, meeting at each others and elsewhere too. I think that makes us blogging family! A wonderful reason along with the five + 800 hundred (you) three + 300 hundred (me) coming up soon. Not to mention all the commenting. Who knew we had so much to say 🙂 Congratulations, and wishing you many more. It wouldn’t be the same without you and your assistants…

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 10 2015 1:44 pm

      Who said odd numbers are odd? 5 and 3 have such lovely shapes and those added together form such a well rounded design. Life is art, as they say. So glad you came to the party. Such fun sit on the porch with friends and chat. Cupcake? (Oh, not that one – looks like Molly heard it was carrot cake and thought it would count for a veggie serving. A chocolate one? They are up high on the mantle guarded by Bob. He’s solid. You can count on him.) Thanks for dancing along!

      Like

  17. heretherebespiders / Mar 10 2015 9:12 am

    Happy Fifth! Glad to have you in my line-up of suspects 🙂

    Like

  18. reneejohnsonwrites / Mar 10 2015 8:33 pm

    Wow! Has it been that long? You know, we become so acquainted with our blogging community we feel as if we’re just visiting friends. So here’s my congratulations. You are a real asset to the ‘tribe.’

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 11 2015 12:09 am

      Time does just slip away when you’re having fun. We are one big crazy crowd. Thanks for the kind words and for joining the party.

      Like

  19. Ally Bean / Mar 10 2015 10:53 pm

    Congratulations. You have established yourself in your own niche– and we all love you and your blog for it. Keep up the good work. Why your only halfway to 1,596! There’s more to be said. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 11 2015 12:13 am

      So glad you cooked up a comment and joined the dance. All the snacks are organic…sort of…the cookies maybe not, but yum anyway! Thanks for joining the party

      Like

  20. PiedType / Mar 11 2015 3:09 am

    We’re a lot of fun? You’re the hostess, the one known for throwing great parties and always having great entertainment. Why do you think we keep coming back?

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 11 2015 2:35 pm

      Here we’ll shove Molly off the couch so you can sit down. Wine? Frank brought to great chocolate. The most fun is all the bouncing around of ideas…although you do have to duck once in a while? Thanks for joining the party

      Like

  21. kathryningrid / Mar 13 2015 11:17 pm

    Outstanding! Delighted to have crossed paths out here, though mine is shorter and less trod, to be sure. (3.5 years thus far, and barely past 1K subscribers, I think.) What gives me the greatest pleasure and motivation to continue is apparently not so far different from your reasons. So many interesting people to meet and converse with along the way, so many inspiring and/or perplexing ideas. So much fun. Hope it continues to be fun enough for you to keep wandering down all of the intriguing byways that you find, leading us all astray and/or toward clarity!

    Cheers,
    Kathryn

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 16 2015 3:23 pm

      So glad to have you in the neighborhood. You’re right, there’s always something going on and someone new to discover. Thanks for dancing along.

      Like

  22. jannatwrites / Mar 21 2015 6:49 am

    Happy to have found your blog… I can’t remember exactly when but I know it’s in the ‘years’ by now 🙂 I’m coming up on 5 years blogging this month- it’s amazing how fast it goes by and how much writing accumulates. Your writing style is unique; almost riddle-like… I enjoy the unfolding of what the posts are really about.

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Mar 22 2015 1:56 pm

      It rewarding that people are willing to invest time and effort in reading here. This blog all started as a revolt against the rigid form, academic language, and neutral factual/findings that I had to tread among for so long. (And I love O.Henry, Mad Magazine, Twilight Zone, And Gilda Radner, and other creative writers around WordPress!) Thanks for wandering over here. See ya’ around the neighborhood!

      Like

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