The artist Vermeer skillfully sheds light on his subjects. That all could. (PD/Wikimedia.org)
She knew. Like Cinderella. Destined for a higher place. These backrooms not forever.
Silent, she endured the determined tugs this way and that. The harsh comments and scrutiny. Constant rejection for no logical reason.
She was constant in herself.
Diva reclining on couch. Oh, it is too Vermeer-like. Beauty side lit from window. Squint. ©
Let them try to remake her to suit their purposes.
To restrain her
To keep her intricate beauty hidden under wraps.
Demanding such a price for her.
“She’s touching me. She’s taking up all the room. She’s on my side! Why is SHE getting all the AC ? I’m on the sunny side. If she’s too hot, tell her to take off that cloak ” Undercover fluff makes the rules. Sorry.©
She held together. Stitching in her dreams.
Nourishing her inner diva. Her day would come.
Dreams of being the princess.
Attendants smoothing her.
Moving obstacles out of her way.
Others stepping aside when she walked forth.
And there would be shoes. Sparkly ones. Like Cinderella.
She wasn’t wrong about destiny. A higher place is fitting.©
Goes to show, with the fabric of life, dreams can come true.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
“Thank goodness that’s over and I got my spot in the car back from that puffy tyrant.”©
Not a movie set. Rocky Mountains dressed in summer snow.©
Meetings must have been held.
The mountains went all out.
Even the marmot stood Buckingham Palace guard straight and tall.
His smoke alarm style whistling was a bit much, but it’s the welcoming thought that counts.
Crisp washed air. Clear sight.
Distractions sunk beneath Fall River’s roar and dash.
“I’m not out here whistling for my marmot health. Pay attention”©
Night. Electric with a artist’s lightning touch of a thunderstorm.
Fuzzy socks required for daybreak’s sky dye.
Couldn’t be more perfect.
Flatlander skin slips off easily.
The other side is always a mystery. Dad used to sing that “Bear went over the mountain” tune far too gleefully.We worried as kids when the parks were much more wild and much less traveled. Bears encountered in the campground showers probably fed our anxieties.©
What? Not for me? The Dalai Lama in Boulder?
Of course. The best for such company.
But he graciously never minds sharing.
The mountains went all out.
Setting the place.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Spring flowers still decorating the meadows. Look hard enough for some yellow ones here. Mountains follow their own whims.©
Boulder, CO has a large Tibetan refuge population (Since 1929) and one of the largest Buddhist communities in America. If you’ve been to the Rockies, you understand. It’s the perfect spot.
- “Dalai Lama visits Boulder for the first time in 19 years” (Denver news video about the event) The 80-year-old Tibetan leader was given a souvenir – something common in Boulder: a bike helmet. “These days I’m too old to bike,” he said, using the gift as his first teaching. ‘Can be taken as a symbolism as a spiritual journey and while you are on that path you need kind of a protection and armor as well against these afflictions.'”
- “Boulder, CU-Boulder prepares to welcome Dalai Lama” (VIDEOS of preparations, pictures, interesting article about the Dalai Lama. Boulder Daily Camera.) CU recently launched The Tibet Himalaya Initiative “an interdisciplinary hub for research, teaching, and public engagement on Tibet and the Himalayas. CU Boulder has unique research strengths in the study of contemporary Tibet and the Himalayas with faculty expertise in Anthropology, Art History, Geography, and Religious Studies…”
- “In Boulder, Dalai Lama advocated for a happier, more compassionate world”. Watch VIDEOs to hear what he has to say during his two teaching sessions…like the meaning of life and creating a happier world. The protesters might have done better listening rather than trying to forward their own causes.
- You have to like the guy. He wore a Buff visor and frequently smiles, laughs, and chuckles. He did ride a bike when younger. Unlike other sought after speakers – like Clinton – the Dalai Lama accepts no money for his words. After expenses, remaining money from events goes not into his pocket, but will be donated to Boulder’s Bridge House, Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, and the Tibetan Association of Colorado to build a proposed cultural center. He talks about the meaning of life and says things like “one key to reducing violence and division in the world is an education system that teaches moral ethics.”
- Free Tibet…it might save us all.
Slipping away not recommended here. Rockin’ a bolder climb in the Rockies’ Wild Basin area ©
Sooner or later I’ll discover how to insert the videos of Cascade Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Meanwhile sit by the faucet and turn it on really loud and pretend. Rivers are running fast and high this year.Not the one I slipped in.©
It was crowded as it was summer. Oh, lots of people, too. Elk afternoon grazing on historic MacGregor Ranch pastures. Gracious owners still allow hikers on their trails.©
“What are you looking at? Not on duty all the time. Sunbathing time is in our Marmot Union contract.” (Fall River. Estes Park, CO) ©
Not digested yet. Waiting the final tally on the thrill of Catch and Release, Sport. Fish have yet to be polled. (Although spear fishing brings up a whole different point.)
So, you are lassoing fish? (At this age, even waders are trendy)©
Getting outside. Standing in cold rushing water.
Away from any sort of screen, except sun screen (Building dwellers really can’t get away from it all, so that’s a pass.)
Relaxing. Meditating.
Re-entry to nature and the environment. Absorbing the sounds of the natural life.
Exercise most can enjoy.
Fishing is good for you. Don’t need to keep no stinking fish (or risk knife cuts)
Just a quick pix to post is enough.
Humans have evolved! Catch and release: Perfect.
All the challenge and fun
Keeps fish plentiful for swarms of humans in tourist areas.
Splish, splash I was taking a bath. What about fishy rights of privacy?©
Anyone ask for fish input?
(I mean, ask their opinions, not about stocking ponds or barrels. A whole different kettle of fish.)
Is Catch and Release fish bullying or entrapment?
Lured by a delicacy or tidbit, could they sue for broken promises, false advertising, or breach of contract?
(Seriously, were they ever promised a rose garden? No.)
What about fish child abuse? A lot of that seems to happen. What are we teaching those young? (OMG. Someone will take up that cause soon. Just wait.)
Quit fishin? Never!
Besides they are just fish.
No thinking there…except maybe the really big, old ones – but how many of those are there?
Laugh at the thought of fish thinking their small fry are safe in schools.
Small fry better wise up fast or learn to live with “Ragged is beautiful”. Do fish have concerns over body image, too?©
Yep, hook, roughly jerk, watch the tormented gasping – but then , so kindly, release.
Only a sore mouth and tales to tell in fish camp that night.
Win-win!
Good sport.
Difficult to find your footing sometimes.©
Now for dinner. Tuna or salmon?
Those fish long out of water.
Nothing better than fresh fish pan-fried in a cast iron skillet over a camp fire.
Fin for yourself.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Rolling with the river: more fun than rollin’ with city traffic.©
Worked for Goldie locks.©
Bear wearing a Trump wig spotted in Aspen.
Crawling out of the trash.
Garbage.
Don’t know what that means
(A phrase uttered occasionally at the Aspen Ideas Festival: “Engaging ideas that matter”)
It’s summer. Shorts.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
A little bird on the wall to wall signals. (Yes, you have friends in high places.) Your tax dollars at work. Extremely long caravan of shiny black SUVs entering Aspen from the airport. Oh, lookie – a special ambulance following, too! Some Another important government person. Not Biden, he’s been at the Sky all week (5 rooms…more black SUVs…that IN pool bar…Has anyone told poor Hillary yet?). Not Lynch as she’s already here and spoken. Hmmm, there are some lovely golf courses around….©
Sometimes here….or there. ©
Sitting on the dock of Galveston Bay with the Houston ship channel in distance. The tiny white dots on the horizon are big sailboats heading in as lightning is warning of a storm. Nothing like sitting under a giant lightning rod mast. They could dock here, have a drink with dinner and wait it out….Just dock far enough out a strike won’t jump to the restaurant. Not the preferred way to fry shrimp.©
No volley ball or sand castles today. Looking down the ship channel towards Galveston. If you squint really hard you might see the red rectangular container ship headed inbound to Houston’s port or the white sails of those less interested in serious business today. ©
Signs of summer sighs.
Travel tides.
Destinations wide.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
And while packing RC Cat issued veil warnings.
She is insisting we take bricks along in case the wind comes up on the mountain. No need for a Mary Poppins or Flying Nun moment. We would miss Person and that darn German with her new sidekick Bella might end up coming back. Groundhog Day with Fishy Stink!
The German graciously thanked RC for her concern, but quietly told us that she is quite confident that her Person will stay well grounded during both The March of White and The Grand Ta-da Ringing. Of course, The German is quite capable of putting her paw down firmly if necessary in just the right spot.
So with that, we are off to Person’s wedding.
Do not fret. Everything is under control. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Slumbertime and the living is easy.
Bugs are jumping and the Lantana is high.
The mood is rich and the Realm is good lucking.
So hush, silly Staff. Don’t you Dunderheads sigh. (tune here)
With the arrival of the Summer Solstice, life in the Realm is a hazy blizzard of white.
When We paw point out the yard is more of a mismanaged jungle than usual, the staff wails about excessive white-hot heat.
Piffy spit.
Dizziness and light headedness are simply excuses. Cats in fur coats have managed summers forever. We do not wish to hear any nonsense about life threatening.
WE shall show life threatening when We raise The Paw!
We shall supervise from Our window.
One tap means “yes”.
Two or a flurry means “Stop.There is a bug We wish to spar with Stop.”
A fine frangipani, as the marquess might quip. Summer’s parfum. ©
Views and talks of blossoms wafts up such memories:
Of flutter-bys caught and eaten. Of lizard tails and toes.
White has always been a good color. Draws in the victims volunteer entertainment.
Staff is in a tizzy. Much rushing around (Obviously causing the light-headedness).
There is to be a grand event shortly.
We have scheduled it all out, but Staff keeps brushing by without even looking at Our Grand Plan.
Do not blame Us for any unfortunate situations. Hairballs are a signal to be heeded.
We do what We can. Fools rush by as the song goes.
With the frenzy of preparations and expected partying, We must insist that Staff limit their overload by closing the clickety-clack tap dancing stage
Besides the karaoke screen attached to the back appears to need work as there are far too many words and pictures that do not match Our performance songs.
Staff tries to keep Us from seeing that by shoving us off the keyboard encouraging Us to sit elsewhere, but We have noticed. While they are occupied with MTO4D (Mandated Time Offline for Dunderheads), perhaps We can give it a paw whack or two to teach it cooperation and tempo.)
Proactively, We have contracted for additional help as the Staff here is getting so muddle-headed who is pleased to cater to Our whims.
And We shall have such whims it will be legendary.
Perky penta flirts. Yes, yes. Draw those flutter-bys in! ©
So, kind friends of the Realm, We must apologize for a bit of radio silence – that term so tickles Us. So modern-ish.
One must take care of Staff as they have useful thumbs. Besides to replace them would be so tedious.
They would weep trudging out with their possessions.
We would be forced to keep close watch they did not remove any of Our fluff with them.
Ebay, you know.
Oh, yes. yes. It is true We have grown fond of Staff.
So We intend to take full advantage of this Warm Slumbertime while they have their little celebration.
A snowy blizzard of a ruff. We haven’t had the heart to point out it should be around the neck , not the knees. Ask any fluffy cat. Sigh, try as We may, the messages get netted oddly. We shall be kind and say how lovely the fish tail is. Good taste. ©
Besides We are sure We heard the words “little shrimp.”
What? No. We shall not share.
How rude of you to ask.
You probably wouldn’t like them anyway as we hear these are special. Fuzzy. Yes, they said “That fuzzy little shrimp.”
As they said “little”, you can see supply must be limited.
Oh, Myrtle, your frosty blooms are marvelous. Even with that rascal dracaena photobombing.©
Ah, while We appreciate your visit, We must retire to make sure that the Freshening of Mousies is being done.
Audience over.
The Paw is waving!
Adieu, mon chere
Do not neglect to leave the open can of cat food in the doorway as tribute
We are quite clear-headed and not befuddled at all about that.
Why are you snorting?
Experience Our frosty stare….
I am RC Cat and I approve this message.
What? You are confused? Brain freeze, perhaps. Refresh by reading more here or here or click the tags “RC Cat”/”RC Cat and the Realm” in the sidebar.
Practical matters.
Don’t be that idiot. The one sent scrambling by Half Magic or half-truths. The one who thinks anyone speaking Spanish is Mexican.
Broad sweeping generalities are so handy, but for the stupid. And politicians (Their IQ is TBD).
Things aren’t always what they seem. This image flipped with the sky at the bottom. Yes, it’s stupid.©
Before anyone starts yammering about banning Muslims by stopping immigration from the Middle East, a reality check might be in order.
Attention: not every person from Mexico or Latin America is Roman Catholic.
While many realize that Latinos are probably the fastest growing group in the US, most are not aware that Latinos are the fastest growing group of Muslims, too.
Some wonder if it’s a search for a lost heritage since Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years. (Well, the language traveled across, so…I have the image of some Jesuit priest rolling over in his grave.)
While growing up in the Catholic church, some converts said it was too big and impersonal – that no one told them what it was all about, the rituals, the symbolism. Church was all robotically copying parents. With Islam, they say, they sit, discuss, and answer all their questions.
Other feel that Islam more closely aligns with traditional values of Latin America’s patriarchal conservatism. Something that doesn’t always match with modern American culture and the popular feminists ideas.
What ever the reason, the number of Spanish-speaking Muslims is growing rapidly.
- “Houston’s Centro Islamico’s First Cinco de Mayo”. ““We change our religion, but we don’t change our culture,” said Magidel Morris, whose hijab was striped with the colors of Mexico’s flag: red, white and green. “We’re still Mexican.”(The Guardian, May 2016)
- “Spanish-speaking Islamic center opens in Houston“. “We’re creating a whole new identity. It’s a subculture literally, Latino Muslims,” (Jan, 2016. Vivala)
- “Latinas choosing Islam over Catholicism” Women lead men in making this choice despite giving up freedoms. (NPR)
Turbulence intensifies. Light defies fences. ©
Don’t fret. Muslim women are not giving up on fashion. (Pretty obvious locally)
Dolce & Gabbana and Uniqlio’s London stores carry hijabs, headscarves, and abayas. Marks and Spencer offers a “burkini” for swimming. (More here)
“Muslim Lifestyle Expo in London highlights largely untapped market” Some predict the next big focus for major brands/businesses will be the Muslim communities which include both the conservative traditionalists, and the younger trendy crowd who demands style and is brand loyal. (April 2016)
Fashion legend Pierre Bergé of YSL fame is having none of it, though. (His reasons here.)
Realistically, halting the EU relocation of refugees, won’t stop the growing Muslim population in the US.
Especially with some immigrants kidnapping children to appear to be a family to get gain entry and special treatment from INS or with the coyotes/human traffickers using 18 wheelers and rented buses to “sneak” people across the southern border from Mexico.
“Immigrant families surge across border. 2016 already worse than 2015.” (“Some 6,788 people traveling as families were caught on the southwest border in May alone…. “)
A daily surrender to the dark. Summer solstice and Strawberry Moon together so rarely.©
Has anyone asked the EU how many refugees from Latin America they are willing to take in for resettlement?
They just keep coming.
It’s summer. It’s 100 deadly degrees.
(“Increase in border crossings despite extreme heat“)
Some speak Spanish. Some are not Catholic. Some are not as they appear.
Practical matters
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Never explored Half Magic? Harry Potter would approve. Generally speaking, who doesn’t wish for a bit of magic these days?
Half time. A small bird on the fence wonders about it all.©
The way life washes out can make anyone a basket case.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Food for thought can be a pretty fine mush. Pureed emotions.
Curious, squirming, then the nervous laugh. Typical of progress
But a new concept is designed to interrupt the progress: Digest that? No, don’t.
- “Extreme weight loss: New personal stomach pump sucks food straight out of stomach” (Illustrations and video with article)
- “FDA approves weight loss stomach pump AspireAssist to combat obesity” (Interesting discussion of obesity and the fight against it.)
That’s right. Eat all you want, then walk into the bathroom, and pump it out your port hole into the toilet.
Those with boats or RVs with holding tanks can easily identify.
Can’t help saying it. (You know you are thinking it – that’s just as bad according to Granny.)
All those bulimics are bound to be livid. All those years of gagging, vomiting causing damage to teeth and esophagus (among other things) could have been avoided?
Oh, Dunderhead. “There is no such thing as medical bulimia or assisted bulimia,” Dr. Sullivan told NBC News.
A bit more of a snort:
The Aspire device was developed by a group of inventors used to getting things moving. They are mostly known for inventing the Segway.
(Humourous, yes? Be kind. I am so easily amused.)
Oh, OK nobody likes to be laughed at.
Go ahead. Laugh. Saaaatan will know. (Screenshot. nbc.com.saturday-night-live/video)
Like with Special Ed’s Beer and Brewery.
Apparently, despite the name being a long used nickname by a wife to poke fun at her husband, an angry mob has their drawers in a knot over it. Even the ones who live no where close.
It’s craft beer and place for sort of grown-ups to swill drink and at times become stupid. (Although using “tard tested” is a bit much. Thought that was passé even for the “Leave it to Beaver” era.)
- “Community accuses Galt Brewery of mocking the developmentally disabled”
- “Name of new Galt brewery creates uproar over insult to disabled” (Sacramento Bee)
Now Bubba has to rename the place, make new t-shirts, create a new Facebook page, and hope that the hate mail stops.
So to quote the lovely SNL Church Lady, “Isn’t that SPECIAL?”
Hope SNL doesn’t have to write her off. She’s so quick to judge. Enid Strict is special like that. (And everyone laughs about it…so far.)
Thou shall be righteously grim. And happy about it, you pill. (1910.USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
There’s a danger in losing a sense of humor.
I think some who did were once called Pilgrims or Puritans or something.
Seen any of those around recently? Extinct.
Makes people constantly waiting to be offended and angry all the time.
Have you ever wished for some special help to avoid angering people you are only trying to help?
With diversity and so much immigration, sooner or later you will be confronted with a long series of names and wondering which to use to be polite.
It’s not always in the familiar pattern: first name (what you are called) , middle name (alternative identifier), and last name (family name).
“Now you tell the teacher your name proper – the name the nice man at Ellis Island wrote down when we got here.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
The Institute of Education Sciences is offering a reference guide to ease the conversations with families and students of non-English names.
Schools want to be polite in welcoming people and they have all those mandatory forms with specific blanks to fill out. (Data collection is a blessing and a curse)
The booklet “Getting it right” is a solid resource for anyone in business, retail, or neighborhood including polite language to correctly address those speak Cantonese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. The illustrations make it all so easy.
People do get tired of “Hey, you.” Tend to get surly about it after a while.
Weigh in and give it a glance. Besides it’s cool.
Enough with the name calling.
Waaay too serious and heavy
Smile. Guaranteed to not weigh you down.
Light delight.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
To grin or not to grin? If you have to wonder what madness is this, there’s always:
“Doomsday coming? Full moon before summer solstice could spark madness”
“Oh, Dunderhead. I get the Bonana fanna fo, but forget where the Fee fy mo goes. That Shirley Ellis makes things so complicated.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Ready to trip you up.
Oh, Ok, you can bring water wings, although the locals prefer a surfboard.
You know how it is, the best spots are always kept secret from tourists. Don’t want to spoil a good thing with an out of town crowd. It’s safe to reveal this one without fear of reprisals as few of you will risk getting seriously tanked.
Got the outfit and lookin’ for action. Parents’ summer nightmare.(Harper’s/MENA/Flickr/Commons.wimimedia.org)
The Texas coastal shelf is long and shallow which means the water heats up quickly, and the waves are fairly modest in size and short-lived.
Easy to learn how to surf. We were called Ripple Riders.
The most exhausting part is muscling the board back out from the beach frequently as the rides are usually short.
Determined Galveston surfers got creative.
Found waves without having to get in the car and travel across country.
OK, you do have to get in a boat or on jet ski – at least it’s not the jammed Gulf Freeway and you can work on your tan while getting there.
Doesn’t take long at all to motor out into the middle of the Galveston Bay Ship Channel.
There you sit until one of the giant cargo ships or tankers ghosts by creating a huge wake creating a surfable wave that can last 15 minutes.
Take a look “Tanker surfing: catching the perfect wave in Galveston Bay” (abc13. news video)
If you’re awash with envy, here’s more videos.
Or surf on over to Tanker Surf Charter Expeditions (video/info)
Waving him on. If you prefer, hang out on the chase boat with the camera and beer cooler. (tanksurfcharters.com)
Get the most out of your vacation and away from most of the crowds.
Just promise you won’t get so into the fun that you get sucked into the channel surfing dangers. And stay a safe distance from the big ship’s props.
You’re just a little flea-sized spec in a very crowded, serious business waterway.
“What? We only promised there wouldn’t be any car traffic. Mind the shrimp nets.” (tankersurfcharters.com/photo)
A tad scary?
Hey, what’s summer for if not to gather something to talk about next fall?
Summer’s for the while and wild.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
HRH RC Cat wishes you to know that despite the extreme heat wave advisory we are now under that she is snoozing away in the AC working diligently in her dreams purrhaps on A Special Proclamation for the realm. She just brushes Staff off when we inquire, but we are puzzled by her odd mutterings of “a snow white blizzard”. Staff is worried the darn cat is considering taking over the freezer as a summer residence.
Planning an old fashion vacation: “Tanker surfing? Sounds great. Sign me up. Here’s daddy’s credit card”. (1965 “Gidget”/ABC/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.com)
Plump figs now steaming to perfection. Easy pickins. Unguarded. Only have to watch out for that one set of jaws.(1913Bransom/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Rats. It’s the fig tree’s fault. And the back fence.
Life is far too easy here. Hawk eyes sleeping at night. Night owls just able to cover so much territory without backup. Effective hunters, those cats, tethered by authorities.
A microcosm.
While not quite ripe, the fig tree next door is being closely monitored – being checked in order to be first on the branch.
Walking the fence is the perfect path. (Not planned as a rat highway, though.)
This morning an alert Molly Malamute spotted the dirty rat.
Which immediately scampered frantically down the fence line desperate to stay ahead of the dog channeling her inner wolf.
Had mixed feelings whether to assist or impede.
Must get over that.
Rats. Darn.
We’d been smug about doing so well.
Changing so many normal routines and pleasant habits. Like having a welcoming well-stocked bird feeder, eliminated.
All due to the lure of the fruitful bounty.
You can clear the underbrush – the obvious hideouts – but if everyone around isn’t on board with the effort, rats.
You wonder how long you can just be nice about it.
Hand wringing over rats being live creatures, too.
They have purpose – unfortunately, it just doesn’t coincide with ours.
Maybe it’s only a parent trying to provide for children.
The Sanctity of Life. Only of interest to rats if they are involved.
Rats to that.
Does FEMA offer mouse house assist? (Bransom/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Worried. About the rat? Oh, not that. It’s his behavior: his running.
Dangerous clouds growing darker and darker.
The thundering too loud to ignore.
Stormy.
You know that old saying about rats leaving a sinking ship.
Scrambling to safer ground to wait it out.
Historic flooding recently….what does he know….
Not up for drowning – in any sort of torrential turbulence.
Nor ready to be outsmart by any dirty rat.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Now here’s something useful: “Make a No-kill Mouse trap with a Soda Bottle”. Only two concerns with a big rat: 1) might need to use one of those huge plastic water bottles and 2) catch and release might not be a real solution. Rats don’t rehabilitate or take the hint well. But, hey, the trap is humane.
Wipe that smile off your face. No figgy for puddin’ heads.(1931.Merrie Melodies/ Schlesinger/WB/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
“OK. We’re agreed. No stupid rocks this year. We’re corn or nothing. Or we’ll hold our breath until we turn blue – in traffic.”(1930’s Our Gang.USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
It was a mistake
Taking out all those school stages with dusty velvet curtains and pianos huddled at the side.
And now, vaguely missing something, they are hit the streets.
Desperately improvising. Trying to fill the void.
Those grade school productions – hated by music teachers, dreaded by art teachers – they were society’s salvation and few knew.
Each child given a role: some trees, some sunflowers, ladybugs, the butterflies for the coordinated ones who could wave their arms and not fall down, coveted lines to speak for the golden few.
(Some their rock role seriously and went on to other stages.)
There’s a theory by some in child development that there’s a series of steps that must be taken at the right time in the right sequence or the child will always be missing a key component.
That’s what these are looking for: a key. They certainly don’t have a clue.
So the general public gets stalled by mid-twenty somethings setting up a little kid’s basketball goal and proceed to play a game during rush hour of a busy street intersection. (Until one driver careened by clipping the My Tyke plastic goal post and dragged it a few yards.) Only to dash home and post it all on social media. (Video here and interview here)
It was like this…except in the intersection. Little Tykes company will probably have to start including an instructive video and a warning to not place goal in the street or play in traffic just in case toddlers can read or parents know lawyers. (Littletikes.com/basketball)
Then there’s the daredevil motorcyclists doing high speed wheelies and tricks worthy of Buffalo Bill’s rodeo riders all out there among traffic on major freeways. Their antics recorded by helmet cams to be posted, boasted, and celebrated.
If only these lost little people had been allowed to be vegetables on stage.
To have their mommies and daddies beam as they hopped like frogs or bunnies in front of everyone.
To have experienced the queasy tummies before performances, but to stumble on to the stage anyway.
To know the pride as they ran off amid the happy applause. (And learned that if you tripped and fell, it was fine to just get up and go on – and the audience still love you. Although an unzip pant was a different story…)
“Lines? Of course I got a speaking role. Why would you ask?”
Everyone knew that girl. Her mom was either a teacher or her dad on the school board.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Surely at some point some PhD will conclude that those contrived scripts and plots of elementary school dramas were formative and critical for proper development.
(You heard it here first. A piece of the No Bell Prize money graciously accepted.)
Oh, those wild acrobatic “crotch rocket” riders? Bumblebees. Perfect for bumblebees with their natural erratic moves and love of buzz.. Yep, missed out.
Early performances count. Don’t miss your cue.
All the world’s a stage,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
We never got chairs with our names on them. So unfair. How can we be motivated to achieve the future if not given a taste? Only tape on the cold hallway floor with out names penciled in….and that stupid kid that always smudged the names or moved them out of order so we got yelled at. And you couldn’t slug the kid ’cause you might mess up the show. (1929. Our Gang. USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Green green is green they say, but a good vintage of nip is brown. Everyone knows that. Everyone©
She’d be upset if we compared her to a child. But it’s like that.
You know the old joke about city kids thinking milk comes from the store, not cows.
We have the only cat that thinks catnip comes from the Pet Store.
You try to give them the best – widen their experiences as they are isolated from nature – but no.
Total snub.
If it ain’t in a plastic package that rustles and rattles when opened, it ain’t catnip.
Not touching that.
Might as well remove it from HRH line of sight and swipe.
Doesn’t matter it grows like crazy under these conditions unlike the Splendor of Cat Grass that’s royally demanded, craved, and cuddled, but rapidly turns brown, falls over, and dies.
Producing such glares by RC cat of the Realm plainly meaning, “Staff, We can’t trust you to you do the simplest thing?”
Apparently not.
(and that mouse-thing: also a reject. For obvious reasons….which we are still trying to understand.)
Good staff is so hard to find (otherwise we’d be escorted to the door)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
“You see what We must put up with? It’s in a package. At the store. And THIS is what they return with and expect Us to be pleased? Really? Do not mention cows. We do not approve of milking situations to avoid disgrace. And why, you ask, have We requested a fresh premium batch of nip? You shall see. We are preparing a warning proclaimation for the Realm to be delivered shortly….apparently faster than the nip.”©
Watchers. Waiting for what? (1913 Italian sci-fi film: Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino/ USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Just ’cause ya’ can, does it mean ya’ should?
Ignore the gorilla in the room, and be a party to this unhinging:
What if there was a dead planet – no matter if it died from natural causes or tragic error by inhabitants,
What if there was an easy way to fix it?
Perhaps seeding clouds or sprinkling the ground with some basic substance once common to the planet Like baking soda, iron, nitrogen, or even sugar.
Should it be done?
Possible to understand the all consequences. Questionable reasons.
Little thought given to natural progression.
A life cycle: beginning, middle and end. For all.
Unpleasant messy truth mostly brushed aside.
“Well, NASA didn’t predict this, pony. How do you feel about developing gills?” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Everything alive destroys something else in the process of living.
Uses environmental resources, water.
Gives off various by-products and gases.
Even plants with their pushy roots and tendency to crowd out other species.
Mending or meddling. Upping the ante.
Ever watched a big ant bed when water is poured on it?
All ants on deck to save the children.
Some ants selflessly sacrificing themselves so others can crawl in top of them and survive.
Uncomfortably like people fleeing floods.
Squirming yet?
“Oh, Honey, look. There’s already a line at the entrance lane. Once school’s out, skies get less friendly and more crowded at the newest exhibits.” Orion Nebula with fledgling star at bottom left. (USPD/NASA/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Wouldn’t it be funny if spaceships of tourists were coming by to gawk at Earth and the inhabitants’ antics?
Observing safely at a distance. Buying t-shirts. Taking selfies.
A transparent “natural habitat barrier”, the atmosphere, keeping the Earth’s creatures back.
Any chance there’s one determined to slip through and get that daring video that might go viral?
Oh, dunderheaded thought.
The road goes on forever and the party never ends
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Squint to read the very very fine paw’s printing at the bottom: “I haz home now. No need to call.” ©
A Spare Troupe has set up a camp here and is unpacking both belly aches and belly dancers. (Blame it on a recent WordPress prompt.)
Weekend Spares, a new series, will appear from time to time.
The cat sign the first to take the stage.
(Screams of “Spare me, please.” Don’t say you weren’t warned.)
These little posts may be characterized as
Spare as in tire. (And who can claim to have never felt tired and flat?)
Spare as in extra. (Something left over. Ideas are little – they stack well.)
Spare as in sparse or basic (Concise and precise can reveal more. Yeah, that’s what teenage girls think about clothing.)
Spare as in to save (What can you do with a half-baked idea, anyway? Give it time to mature like that cheese wheel in the cheese company commercial? Some never amount to anything, but too kind to hit delete.)
Spare as in providing insurance. (A precaution as in “an heir and a spare”. Or in the event of writer’s block… or was that like some event on the writer’s block?)
Spare time, of course, is a total myth. (Like the unicorn: too busy daydreaming and missed the boat.)
Just a little spare change.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Spare. Bob approved. (Nod) ©
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 