It just took us multiple leg gashes a long time to get the message.
Marketing is not exclusively for those with fully operational thumbs.
Along with many, RC Cat yawned not so politely during the Super Bowl commercials until she realized what people were paid for those. So she, Queen of the ruff fluff, has confidently put out her resume with a creative sample:
Her sales pitch begins with an off camera commanding, “NOW!” meow.
(At least we think that’s part of the sketch. She could have been yowling at us to hurry up. Afraid to ask.)
The opening features a kitchen with an impatient elegant cat.
(RC graciously broke with traditional Regent behavior and to play with the roll…maybe she’ll return to script shortly…Oh, we are ready to continue…)
There’s the sound of a plastic lid being removed.
As a thin silver tray holding a dab of yogurt is placed in front of THE finicky cat, as human voice asks, “How good is it?”
The camera reveals the answer with an approving cat indicating the cleaned silver dish by her side:
Company using its’ noodles, but not the edible kind. ©
She knew you’d get it. And she’s sure that yogurt will be flying off the grocery shelves.
An aside, she does wish however, they would stop printing those wiggly black lines on her disposable dishes as she keeps thinking those are frozen lizard tails or something.
There have been embarrassing incidents with the thin dish when she tried to stab the lizard tail with her claw.
We shall not discuss it.
Interested companies may contact Staff who will relay Spokescat opportunities.
Be aware that benefits such as catnip bonuses, sunny corner windows, and napping hours must be addressed up front.
She is waving her paw.
We must depart quickly.
And don’t forget to leave an open can of – Oh, yes, yes. Tributes. We shall tell them.
Can cat food accepted from those who must travel some distance, but yummy blueberry, honey vanilla, or coconut Noosa yogurt from local fans would be an acceptable variation.
A small cooler has been placed by the door for your convenience.
I am RC Cat and I approve this message.
Once again they stomped out of the room knowing without looking that their superior was glaring at her through the one way glass.
She sat quite still.
Except there was that quiet little smile again.
Infuriating.
Her interrogators clinched their jaws.
How was she managing it?
Having spent days in the concrete isolation cells.
Blind folded. Bound to a chair.
Without nourishment.
Yet she wouldn’t bend.
What kept her going?
Everything pointed to her. Being one of them.
Clinging to the past. Worse. Talking to others. Spreading nonsense.
“Not trying to recruit. No, just chatting. Forestry stuff.”
Right. They ain’t no landscapers.
Yggdrasil. (USPD. pub.date/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Snort. Foolish women.
They should all be down on their knees that this wasn’t the Salem Witch hunt era.
All these skirts had to face was medication the rest of their lives. So they’d be normal like everyone else. Not delusional.
All but this one. What was sustaining her?
She knew they watched.
Watched every blink. Every heave of her chest.
Looking for weakness. Surrender.
In the quiet of their absence she slowly rebuilt the walls protecting her.
A slow betrayal of mind and body provokes a longing for those sepia toned days when life was still a mystery, before the weather and world affairs conspired repeatedly to wrench the senses. Only now, as memory fails, does the pain relent, a tender mercy.
“Always trust the trees,” her father told her. “They never lie.”
If only I could see some trees.” *
The scarred wooden chair supported her. Gently, but firmly, pressing against her spine. Encouraging.
Despite the splintering of life, the aged oak had a bit of power still engrained – saved for one last effort. For saving one last disciple.
The chair reached deep – forcing every golden, sun-warmed life force remaining deep within his grain into her skin and consciousness .
She must survive. His shattering would mean their survival.
The men behind the glass were startled as the chair, now bleached of color, collapsed in the oddest fashion like a camel carefully lowering to let a Queen disembark.
“Well, that’s that. Who sent that antique up here anyway?”one of the inquisitors grumbled. “Where’s the metal ones like in the other rooms?”
Suddenly a loud groan from the heavy wooden door as if the buckling chair jolted it.
The supervisor crossed over, shouldered the door, and attempted to shut it without complete success.
“Warped,” he grumbled. “just like that dame. Get her up and get her out of here. Tell her how lucky she is we’re letting her go and maybe she won’t sue us for splinters from that chair. Move.”
It was all the stubborn door could do to limit his anger to a low rumble.
Tree killers! The solid plank couldn’t abide the Anti-Naturals…Them and their worship of all things metal.
Wood have bitten them if he’d have been a snake…
But he was under cover and they depended on him to open things up.
Against the wind. With the grain. Keeping watch.©
*A collaboration with Honie Briggs and her Dad. Words* used with permission from her 100 word fiction: “A Wallflower’s Window on the World“)
Thanks to Honie and her Dad who also taught her ” …if I give the world my very best I will get kicked in the teeth, but that I should do it anyway.”
Sometimes you do see the trees.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
He felt sick.
The authorities had shown up.
“Ok. Again. Where did you get the fish?”
Not even able to hold his head up, all he could do was moan. No way he was feathering his nest.
Again.
Where did you get the fish?
Very weak, sick Bald Eagle being gently held as anesthesia wears off. (Friends of Texas Wildlife FB)
Lucky he was spotted as his condition was is serious: a Bald Eagle looking like trash alongside a rural dirt road.
Now at the Friends of Texas Wildlife facility, he’s able to stand, keep some solid food down, and is getting treated for lead poison. Extent of the damage to internal organs is still unknown, but he’s improving – although it’s going to be a long rehabilitation.
No signs of bullet lead, so the best guess is that he stopped to pick up a bite at one of those little eateries around the lakes and got some bad food. (You know how that goes).
“We have no way of knowing what caused the lead poisoning, but unfortunately it is an all-too-common problem affecting bald eagles. It is either caused by environmental toxins (lead levels in ponds, streams, etc.), or possibly by the eagle having ingested fish or prey contaminated by lead (fishing sinkers, lead ammunition).” (Statement from Friends of Texas Wildlife told to KPRC)
Keep up with eagle’s recover and other rescue efforts with Friends of Texas Wildlife’s Facebook.
While driving with a lead foot is hazardous, lead in the water is even more dangerous.
You have to stand for something. “Everyone kept saying ‘Fly down to the coast. Fresh ocean air is healthy.’ May be rethinking that with the local chow there being a stinker.”(Friends of Texas Wildlife FB)
You like Gulf Coast seafood?
A Boston-based company, ironically named Clean Harbors, deals in industrial waste. This company, the Nation’s #1 hazardous waste treatment company, has been dumping arsenic, aluminum, lead and other metals into Dickinson Bayou’s waters. Water near that favorite old restaurant Hillman’s Seafood and Fish House, as well as just across the bayou from the water supply for Dickinson, San Leon, Bacliff, and Kemah (You know Kemah – that place with the Boardwalk and all the restaurants.)
Concerns were raised about the hazardous dumping situation by local residents in a Jan. 2016 public meeting.
May, 2016 water samples indicated the elevated levels of aluminum, lead, and arsenic in a Dickinson Bayou tributary.(Article here, pg 31)
The worry is not flighty at all considering what flows into gullies, into bayous, into bays, into the Gulf, then goes into the ocean which wraps around coastlines near and far.
Eventually the food chain is threatened with real concern about what’s at the end of your fishing line, on your dinner plate, or in your beak, so to speak.
Seriously, just because the Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl, that doesn’t mean Boston can run roughshod over every field and stream.
Real patriots play defense as well as offense when the environment is at risk.
High flyin’ time to get the lead out.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
This is how you examine a Bald Eagle under anesthesia. Thought you’d like to see. (Friends of Texas Wildlife FB image)
Reaching. Or got it. Escapes, some.©
There’s owlet for little owls. And piglet for diminutive porkers.
Booklet. Leaflet. Less words the better.
Starlet. Twiglet. Cut down to size?
Winglet. Warthoglet. Never the twain shall greet. Each promising a different sort of drag.
Sets the stage for inlet and outlet: extreme ends of little fashion trends
-lets do pick: affection and endearment or diminishing and condescending.
Tartlet: both tasty and tasteless.
A choice in the droplet of sound.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Each minute that passes causes more concern for the US Fish and Wildlife agency. Is she on the streets?(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
The good news is that they haven’t found the bodies. Yet.
Diabolical considering they were such as risk to start with, being blind.
Little hope they can return home on their own, with sunlight not being their friend. But with the ever-increasing reward ($15,000. as of Jan 29th), maybe something will crawl out.
They were snug, safe, and warm at home in Sam Marcos the day before Thanksgiving, but when their caretakers returned on Friday, they were gone.
Seriously. Who leaves such tiny ones unattended on a family oriented holiday?
Where’s the nanny cam?
Wanting a day off, perhaps their employees dumped out a pile of food in the bathtub like cat owners going on vacation and said “There. Buffet”. That would tempt almost any creature to stage a walkout in protest.
Did Texans lead the way out the door? (Not the football team. We know they rarely lead)
Texas blind salamanders are pale amphibians with frilly gills that can regenerate lost limbs. Rare cave-dwelling troglobites.
“On November 25, 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement in San Antonio was made aware that 253 Texas Blind Salamanders (Eurycea nana) and 110 San Marcos Salamanders (Eurycea rathbuni) were missing from the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center located at 500 North McCarthy, San Marcos, TX…” (From NFWL SW )
Good grief, The blind leading the vulnerable.
The San Marcos Salamanders are probably wondering what in the world made them listen to those boastful Texas cave dwellers. (Others are bound to feel the same way sometimes…)
No one thinks they got out this way. The salamanders more likely would have seen snacks rather than rescuers.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org.)
What moved them?
- Maybe the little guys were weary of being so closely monitored, and wanted more privileges. Got together with, “Well they can’t put us all detention, so let’s march.”
- Maybe there’s no place like home and they headed back to San Marcos Edwards Aquifer. “Safety in numbers! Especially for runaways.”
- Maybe they want to strut their stuff at Super Bowl. (Hope they’ve been warned about lounge lizards there. Totally different than the Forest and Wildlife agency playing matchmakers.)
- Maybe they got hacked, learned computers, and decided their only escape was to sell themselves on Craig’s List.
- It could have been an inside job. There were no signs of break-ins, but they haven’t changed to locks in 15 years or so and employees come and go…
- Or, as an official quietly said Saturday off the record, maybe another resident ate them.
In any case, if you step across one, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s San Antonio Office of Law Enforcement at (210) 681-8419 or Operation Game Thief at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). Callers may remain anonymous.
They look weird, but are harmless. Tell them their foster parents are very concerned.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
A cold case. (And not one of beer.)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Read more?
- See the salamanders! Alive in this video. $15,000 reward offered for info. leading to Hundreds of missing endangered salamanders.
- Their Missing Persons images are pretty pale, so here’s descriptions:
“The Texas Blind Salamander is approximately 5 inches long and has blood-red external gills for absorbing oxygen from the water. Its diet varies by what flows into its cave and includes blind shrimp, snails, and amphipods.
The San Marcos salamander is a small species of aquatic, lungless salamander native to the United States, endemic to Spring Lake and a small region of the headwaters of the San Marcos River near Aquarena Springs, in Hays County, Texas. It is one to two inches long, with a slender body and external gills, and is reddish-brown in color.” (From USFW SW)
Both are protected endangered species.
Who wouldn’t want one of these little dragons. (They got left behind when Magic vanished.)
Do I look like I mind if you play through? (Everythinglubbock.com)
Certainly a wonky crowd that’s propped up to play.
Golfers are far too serious to give the bird to. And really they don’t want them. Really.
Migrating Canadian geese have ignored the lack of welcome on a Lubbock golf course. (Obviously a luxury resort mislabeled from a goose perspective.)
Being a greens area, the method to dislodge them couldn’t be murderous.
A stake out utilized: fake predators that look real enough to bother neighborhood dogs.
“Lakeridge Country Club uses scare tactics to shoo away Geese” (Video/news)
Our own RC Cat is rather amused by the play.
“It would be far more effective,” she snarks, “to import a few of the excess feral cats and let them take a swipe at it. Toss them a few of those small white balls and plant some catnip around to amuse them. Done and done. Real is always better than plastic – to animals, anyway. Humans? A different story entirely.”
Can’t out think geese? Wouldn’t last a minute without thumbs.©
We were game when the new toaster arrived.
Making toast pretty simple, but a 25 page instruction manual was included – in multiple languages – on glossy paper.
Luckily there were pictures – a total of 23 not counting the 2 showing all the parts and features.
All nicely cross referenced to the pages of Important Safeguards and Do Not’s
Sadly it appears we will not be having toaster duels – Unless underhandedly positioned under the table and target.
“Toaster must always be used in upright position (not on its side or tilted forward).”
They take all the fun out of everything.
No opportunity for lively debates over the proper bread ammo when you knead battle. (Doh!)
Multi grains loaded with those little hard BB type lumps. Pumpernickel bread for heavy breaded artillery. White bread for a softer, heart healthy friendly fire. Hot bagels shooting out like Japanese throwing stars…
Doesn’t matter if toaster or gun, always keep in vertical position.(USPD/commons.wikimedia.org)
Now we are also worried about needing to buy a companion appliance to keep the toaster company: “Never leave toaster unattended .” (Like it’s the Queen of England or something.)
Means no attending the fun and games the NFL Super Bowl is creating “for all those who can’t afford a ticket to Super Bowl, but don’t want to be left out”. Events like the NFL Players’ Tail Gate Party (ticket: $900.00+) or the Concert for the People (tickets $35-$55.00).
We could board the dog at the kennel, but what about the toaster? (Booklet has notes on shocks, but not shots.)
Pulled the plug on all dreams of becoming a ninja toaster warrior and dashed hopes of hiring out to make geese toast.
(“#9. Do not use outdoors”. “For Household Use Only” in big bold letters. Adding extra long extension cords to the toaster not allowed.)
Oh, well. At least there’s warm company at the table. (Can we count the toaster as a dependent?)
Nicely done.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Figure 21. Does not double as a cook top. Tell your college kid.
She was striking: graceful in her movements, powerful in her demeanor. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org
She was warned – like in “The Ant and the Grasshopper”.
“Hold still. Put on your coat! You cannot go out like that.”
You know the usual phrases in attempts to protect them.
Ignored. All of it.
Her long fingers twirled in the sun like a Spanish dancer. Her backbone straight with youth. So green.
So proud.
Knowing people always turned to look at her.
Exotic.
But as satin slippers stain and ugly goloshes are far more practical, every Beauty must accept reality. Or else.
“Hold still. Stop wiggling. Here, are the arm holes. Put on your coat! And keep it on! No. No playing Batman with swirling cape!”
Sigh.
Pencil plant who refused to behave and get dressed before the freeze. ©
Now she holds a drooping mantilla. Once elegant threads dropping despite her desperate attempts to hold on.
Nothing like a freeze to cut a willful plant back to its’ roots.
Ready to pick up sticks.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Read more of Euphorbia tirucalli’s (Pencil Plant) posts? She does have such a fancy name….
Like most young things, she worries over appearance and bullies. “Stick thin. Hatefully miscast.”
Her years as a beauty spooky: “Dark and stormy night (More than two sentences),
There she is. Sticking around with a vegetable about to go bad.©
On the clock and running. Having little success in meeting squirrels – the furry 4 legged kind – Molly is experimenting with camouflage.©
An old clock
Not that old as it uses batteries just like some people to keep running
Happy with its’ tick tick tick
Which reminds not to just sit sit sit
Timely. Fleet. Beat.
But it’s stopped late ‘mid race
Not sure if that’s intended to be a battery of prophecy, profits, or punch line.
- “Time is the longest distance between two places.” (Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie)
- “Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.” (Lao Tzu)
- “Being with you and not being with you is the only way I have to measure time.” (Jorge Luis Borges)
- “Time is a game played beautifully by children.” (Heraclitus, Fragments)
- “Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity.” (Jean de La Bruyère, Les Caractères)
- “There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
- “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ” (Coco Chanel)
Clocked.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Can you see me now? (Please don’t break her heart. She spent time devising this plan. Of course we’ll be lucky if there’s any squirrels left in the area after the strong winds yesterday. Time to go out and clean the far-flung fronds and branches. It’s like the trees gave up and said “Take them and leaf us alone.)©
Music to the ears: a couple of quirky events that might have even Roy Rogers saying, “Whoa”.
“Watch it cowboy. Looks like you’re all cattle and no hat. That doesn’t play well here.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Someone at Cavender’s must love notes of any kind.
Face it. Lugging a cello, violin, or flute around school can lead to some less than harmonic episodes.
Young musicians have to be tough to deal with the ridicule, lack recognition, and little appreciation. Not many perks compared to the athletically muscled.
The teens of Virtuosi Houston Small Ensemble Orchestra are riding high after being invited to play at three Inauguration events.
Stepping into the role of Cinderella’s Godmother, Cavender’s, a local western store, outfitted entire group with cowboy boots and hats to complete their Black Tie performance attire.
A few TV interviews never hurt anyone’s image either.
No matter your politics, be glad these dedicated young musicians are getting some enviable rewards.
Hats off to Cavender’s for making sure the kids can party with new boots on.
Tune up with their Facebook page.
Dance along with their video news: “Local Orchestra receives outfits“
Quit fretting. You say “fiddle”. I say “violin”. We all say “Time to boogie.” (Virtuosi of Houston Facebook)
Next out of the chute is a couple with kids who were stunned upon opening their car’s console after a scheduled maintenance service.
Who knew that the Kia dealership included a free gun as a perk?
“Loaded gun found in car after service appointment” (News video and story)
Briefly, first their concerns were brushed off by the service manager with “Oh, a mechanic took your car home overnight and forgot to remove his gun. Sorry. Mechanics take cars home all the time.” A few hours later the dealership manager refused to talk to anyone about it. The next day the dealership owner gave a statement to the effect of being very concerned and considering what punishment the mechanic should face.
Oh, for all you who never write down your mileage and note the amount of gas in your car when you take it in for service, you might want to reconsider that….seriously. Mechanics love to “test drive” cards after hours…Jalopnik has more than a few stories about mechanics enjoying others’ rides and the results.
Driving things around here is, of course, the Super Bowl.
There’s no escaping the hype – the number of days and hours down to the minute – are plastered everywhere. Pleeeeeease make it stop.
Apparently, the NFL is concerned about the damaging environmental footprint of the event or maybe the NFL thinks there’s a new market of people who live green.
Everyday there’s a feel good story demonstrating how the Super Bowl is saving Mother Nature.
“Yes. I am the Queen Be. You may come closer. Closer, fool. I am chilled.”(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
First buzz was a pollinator garden created at the Houston Zoo which an NFL spokesman said “would give bees migrating south from Canada for the winter a place to rest.”
Wait. Coach, a review flag? (The NFL focusing on educational outreach and all.)
The thing is that I can’t find information about a bee species from Canada that migrates south through here for the winter.
- Honeybees stop flying when temps get in low 50’s. Won’t leave the hive.
- Some bees cluster close around a queen bee to make sure she survives the cold (A really interesting process as the bees rotate positions so none are left on the outside in the cold for too long…and they go outside for potty breaks)
- Carpenter bees drill holes in old wood, find old nests, or tunnel into the ground to stay warm.
- Hornface bees remain in cocoons as larvae until spring.
- And some bees just flat die.
Maybe some expert can fly in with some species information. That would be super sweet. Meanwhile the local bees will be pleased to keep the little garden area buzzing…once it’s warm enough.
Enough flowery talk, right?
Happy trails and boogie on.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
The Smithsonian: it really is history. Have a classic time, kids. Epic even. Be happy! (Virtuosi of Houston Facebook)
You can try mending rocky things, but as with the Frost, well, you can only fence for so long.
Grumbling. Still dealing with dirt.
Clods, those disgruntled insolubles, always seem to remain.
Why is this scary? We caught the cat looking at these on Amazon. She was much too near the credit cards. Luckily she hasn’t completely mastered human speech or else Amazon Echo Alexa would be shipping them already. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Like it or not, eventually you have to replace the stupid, uneven backyard fence and deal with the mess left.
The last excess dirt mound has been reduced enough to allow HRH RC Cat to sit on her sunny indoor window ledge without having her view totally obstructed, but…
Can’t tell you of the grumpy grimaces through the screen that she takes for encouraging more rapid action.
We also suspect she’s been purring subliminal messages into our ears at night to reinforce the guilt of not completing the task.
If it was only useable dirt, but no. A jumbled mix of concrete lumps, clumps of sticky clay-like gumbo, and assorted unidentified objects among the original yard fill.
Worse, some of it stinks horribly and there’s no way that stench getting scattered on lawn or flower beds.
Yep, that’s the picture: me on hands and knees carefully sorting and grouping dirt – with occasional sniffing required. OSHA probably would not approve.
But, hey, saving the cost of expensive mud baths with the daily 70-80% chance of rain.
Oh, yea! A hands-on game of hide and seek. How delightful the fence guys thought to bury concrete scraps in the leftover dirt. A solid treasure hunt! (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Growing weary of the fun, we are getting creative with dirt removal ideas. A few options:
- Sneak small amounts of unwanted dirt into the garbage pick up over time using ice cream cartons, oatmeal containers, or large cereal boxes.
- Wrap it up in leftover Amazon shipping boxes and call FedEx.
- Shape the gumbo into primitive sculptures like the Statue of Liberty, garden gnomes, or bears. Then call them folk art for flea markets or craft shows.
- Mold fist-size nuggets, buy cans of shiny metallic gold paint, and set the painted clods out by the curb. No doubt these will be instantly claimed by small children, landscapers, or interior decorators.
Any suggestions?
If we don’t get rid of the stuff soon, we might as well plan on plowing the kitchen floor for a spring garden with all the tracked in dirt.
Clodhoppers aren’t just kicking’ for farmers anymore.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
And the area’s flooding again. Bayou out of banks. People stuck in cars. (Wonder if I should bother putting recycling bin out?) Waiting to see if it’s just a few hours event or an early Spring flood. Spring usually starts making appearances after Valentines Day though. Just another La niña winter.
Hey, just in time. Yes, it’s garbage – heavy garbage. You’re wearing steel-toed shoes, right? (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
It’s the Queen’s fault.
Why I was forced to wear closed toe shoes in a big crowd.
Why I answered the phone with “To whom do you wish to speak.”
Why I still automatically check to see if there’s anything stuck between front teeth after a meal.
Stupid being proper.
Blame Elizabeth II.
Dress would not meet wardrobe guidelines By either of them.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
You see, HRH and my mom could be mistaken for twins. Seriously.
Same facial expressions – of frowns and grins. Those eyes: bright approval or grim tolerance. The shoulders.. The way that purse is grasp.
I really didn’t notice until an in-law said when watching some interview, “Hey, she looks just like your mom.”
The simple unconscious mannerisms. Some ancient DNA coding making long distance calls.
Uncanny.
As the Queen ages, I see more and more mirror images of Mom who really would have been the older sister.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to call her Liz, though.
Even if cousins – distant cousins, true, as we’re so far apart.
We didn’t expect invitations to the weddings.
We did stop by her house one year, but she was out which was OK as we hadn’t called ahead.
Dropping by unannounced would have frowned on.
By both of them.
I don’t post family pictures, so you can’t see for yourself.
You’ll have to just take my word for the twinsie-ness.
I was there. I know. Stored all the images of both in memory.
“Honey, think hard and concentrate. You will remember. Skunks, prickly pear, and presidential elections leave their marks. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
You know maybe the Facebook and Twitter generation are just looking down the road – for when memories fail – with all their selfies stored in data clouds’ deep freeze memory
Almost every moment and detail of their lives will be ready to stream into their nursing homes.
To refresh their thoughts.
Bet the old folks’ home staff will be busy.
Responding repeatedly to their charges’ questions of “Who are those loud people and why are they in my room?”
And scolding agitated residents who continually throw stuff at the chatty “windows” on the wall. “If you break one more screen, we’ll tie you down. You know your family wants those pictures playing up there for your enjoyment.”
A laugh, a sigh, and a royal imitation of the wave bye-bye.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Mom? Oh, just Queen Elizabeth II. Reasonable facsimile.(Rouse/Ministry of Defense/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Scratching through old stuff can be risky.
Odd unrecognizable things surface. Awkward.
Not “well seasoned”. Only old petrified dumps of ideas buried in blog post drafts.
Play along. You’ll see what the cat’s dragged in.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Simple over looked? A little amusing as so many ideas coming out of the blue.
Of course, it would help if those interpreting the blue were well grounded in reality and how the average person sees things.
Despite the thought that artist are supposed to know the best way to depict things, Cedar Park City Council has waved the flag and is considering a do-over. (Read about the city flag controversy here)
Hope the artist’s feelings aren’t hurt.
Welcoming? Maybe it’s an I chart.
Artist and sports figures breath rarefied air…and maybe from lack of oxygen get a little loopy with decision-making?
Take Johnny Manzel, former lauded football genius and NFL player will be at the Superbowl. Not playing, but selling his script – for a heft price.
Surely his agents will insist on a big sign to prevent the awkward “Who?”.
Wonder if there will be associates with nets – oh, it’s Texas. They might actually use guns instead – to eliminate any of those fancy new drones from the recent Las Vegas tech show from sneaking shots.
These new obedient little drones act a bit like a cat on an owner’s invisible leash. Actually better than a real cat.
It follows you around without tripping you. Can even locate you in a crowd if you wander off. Obediently follows directions. It happily takes videos and images for while the owner mingles and maybe actually interacts with those around him/her. All without that annoying and dangerous selfie stick! And when done, the drone quietly fold up in small places.
Told you it was like a cat.
A cat without the mess or litter.
If you been around a cat, you know how that darn litter gets everywhere. Occasionally in places that make people uncomfortable.
Definitely trouble makers: the helpful household hints blogger and, of course, the cat. (USPD/Commons-wikimedia.org)
Consider the sockie and the cops.
One minute the young guy is pulled over for a simple traffic stop. The next he stunned to be paraded as a major drug kingpin and biggest meth dealer ever arrested.
Smilie drug enforcement professionals holding a sockie. Tested twice! A sockie stuffed with meth! High quality stuff! Biggest bust ever!
Until after three days in jail…until after he finally talked with his dad…… until the big state drug testing lab confirmed….
The internet is not your friend, Dad
Wonder if a sockie full of kitty litter can control mildew in a car trunk..
You can Google it. (Or maybe the story here first.)
Enough scattering from digging through back drafts.
Time for the cat to get my tongue.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Committee formed in protest against free range cats. (Count Franz Graf Von Pocci/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
We have no idea what this mystery box is. It’s been floating in and out with the tides and north winds for weeks. We keep wondering if we’ll see it on the news: human head found floating…millions of dollars worth of cocaine found…Hey, around here, not impossible. Thought about getting a grappling hook to snag it, but, then, how to explain involvement to authorities? Some mysteries should stay mysteries.©
Don’t lie. You know they are there
The things that have dropped off the hanger. (Were they depressed and suicidal from being too long in the dark side? Or was it self-preservation to avoid the donation pile?)
The things that cling. Chocolate too good to share. Cherished clothing with too much emotion buttoned up.
Things that are hopeful. “It’s too good to discard. Besides someday maybe I can fit back into that (uttered each New Year’s Day…).”
The archaic and the forgotten: The inhabitants of the back of the closet.
Heartlessly, the door is closed on them. Lights out.
Soon another guest will check into that Hotel California.
I’ve hidden her successor. In the guest room. To be kind.
Lunar landscape is so fascinating…or maybe it’s Mars. Oh, it could too be. You can see little astronauts.Squint.©
No need to be cruel.
Computers have memories, too, you know. Long ones.
Even if they are wiped with a cloth.
This computer has charged and clicked steady like a Budweiser draft horse. Dependable. Always obliging. No drama. But now no longer able to keep pace or take the updates.
I haven’t told her.
She hasn’t noticed a thing.
A bit like one of the ancient aunts who slipped into dementia cheerfully and gently.
She always smiled. Batty as a loon, but never knew.
We wheeled all difficulties around her. Determined nothing would upset her.
So it’s like that. A new computer ready to take the stage.
Settings to be made. Files and documents to transfer.
Slowly.
All without stripping this lovely old gal of dignity.
While she won’t be the opening act, I’m determined she won’t suffer the long walk to the back of the closet.
She can still be open about things and play – without the pressure of keeping up.
Just been in the thick of things for too long to abandon.
Besides, she has a photo memory and knows where all the satire is kept…
With thought police and social bullies warriors these days…
And she can Google their contact info…
Slipping into the new
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
See. She’s held onto this just in case it fits somewhere. An odd image of bricks lining a sidewalk. Who knows why it’s so fuzzy. Could be dog hair. She always been good about just happily accepting the mystery.©
Get on board. Golden words around the globe. ©
Tracking Awards Shows: a few unhitched thoughts training:
- Best overheard comment on the Houston Texans vs the Oakland Raiders’ game. “Your 72 million dollar quarterback beat our 400 thousand dollar quarterback.”
- Best description of a dachshund: A Doberman after being cut down to size. (and is mad about it)
- Best new snark: WikiLeaks emails/cyber hacking situation is getting to be an awful lot like the global warming/climate change controversy with argumentative people.
Makes you just want to pack a bag and travel. Or the next best thing:
Officials from Houston’s Museum of Natural Science said “the exhibit features several trains crisscrossing the state and passing important and unique places in the state’s geology. Destinations include oil country salt domes, prairies and wetlands of the Texas coast and state and national monuments, such as Enchanted Rock, Pedernales Falls, the Balcones Escarpment and Big Bend. Along the routes to these geologic wonders, the trains also pass through Galveston, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio….”
The company and museum have been working for nine months to complete the exhibit which is open until Feb 20, 2017. Watch some of the exhibit construction process in videos here.
A good bit of math, science, technology, geography, history, and art there with those tracks.
What a schooling creating all that would be.
But you’d have to get rid of desks and textbooks to make room for train and brain.
Worth a choo and a byte
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 