In short, it ain’t no fantasy Island.(1977 Fantasy Island may have had short comings, but Montalban and Herve Villechaize were always welcoming to guests/ABC/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
This is a hard land. No, actually it’s quite mushy.
People talk about “a place grabbing you” – only not exactly meant this way.
Gumbo (not the edible kind, the dirty kind – sans rice) soaked too long gets ornery – easy to lose a shoe with one gooey step.
It’s an honest-to-goodness, authentic, extreme reality show. No backstage assists.
Swimming ability, sunblock, and an assortment of survival skills required
Somehow Houston’s Tourist Bureau will find a way to capitalize on the flooding. Perhaps a new annual Spring Festival? (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
No, mall walking doesn’t count.
Anyone who drops while shops will not have enough endurance – or their purse for long here.
Although any ability to play dodge ball on/in some motorized vehicle might. Or any game changer talents like a poker face in a tightly packed spot or strong “Simon Says” moves in any encounters with authorities or floods.
Short term, there’s much to do now.
Remember that DIY project that started, uh, last Oct? the one that absolutely HAD to be done before Thanksgiving. Yeah, finally. Finished in record time. Now to move all the furniture and stuff back where it belongs. Hey, far too rainy to go anywhere, right?
If it would only stop raining I could find some excuse to go outside and continue to ignore the mess – the indoor mess – not the far too lush landscaping sneering through the window that it’s too wet to stop them now. (Insert dangerously manic plant laughter here).
Would the Houston Chamber of Commerce consider a unique city-wide street aquarium concept? Everyone loves boating for sight-seeing and city commutes. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
And there’s those who are stuck in the mud.
Hard lands tend to make people self-reliant and willing pitch in to help neighbors in need.
Time to harness up the husky and brave the mushy.
(So many wet towels, so long to dry…)
Ready to make short work. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Double tie your laces and get ready for the races between the storms.
Good advice for life offered by Mother Nature in this year’s commencement address. No speakers’ fee demanded.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Meanwhile, consider some face tragedy alone:
- Foster kids “aging out” of the system need transitional support, housing (article). Helping foster kids find their way. (Angel Reach) Mattress Firm’s clothing/fund-raising drive for foster kids – keep them from becoming homeless. With so much flooding, all these kids are at extreme risk.
- Facebookers line up to save animals in flooded shelter in Austin. People, do not chain up animals if you evacuate. There are pet shelters for flood animals…Should be common sense, but maybe you’re just new to the area. Don’t worry, the pup tied to the porch who is now named Archer after her rescuer, and the white dog clinging to top rail of the fence he was tied to are safe and headed to new owners. The Houston area sheriff depts. are bringing out animals as they search for people, too. (Oh, the horses on the porch are all moved and safe on high ground. There are cattle drives ongoing with police closing roads as needed to get them across to safe pastures.)
- The volunteers of the Red Cross are up and running in multiple states. So is the Salvation Army , an organization that utilizes donations with great care.
It’s short – Martin Short. OK, look, this started out as a short post, but you know how it is around here. Possible short break in posting, but hope to read your blogs as time allows. Not selling you short, just leaving you with a Short smile. (Dominick.D/Commons.wikimedia.org)
A lesser study than Aristotle’s “Inquiries on Animals”.
Only humble observations of what was seen stretching and blinking in Tuesday’s rare sunlight.
Keep up now.
In the heart of the Houston Medical Center, a stately crane builds yet another nest of hospital rooms. ©
There. A sighting of the “Official Bird of Houston” high above the buildings: a crane.
Not an endangered Whooping Crane, but a whopper crane.
The whopper cranes seem to call to each other. Years ago one tested the ground, then suddenly there’s a flock of them nesting downtown, the Medical Center, and even starting outlying colonies in the suburbs.
Local residents are a bit wary of the towering creatures who are fond of swinging, swaying, and abruptly jumping up once in a while. As long as the cranes are acting in a constructive fashion, no one’s really going to squawk about it.
They ain’t heavy. They’re my brothers or so The Hollies said.©
Downsizing and out to another source, two champion specimens of their tribes.
There seems to be a territorial truce in order to share in the bug buffet.
An “Ebony and Ivory”moment: Ultra modern emerald smooth and rough prehistoric brown. Unconcerned with the obvious.
Probably influenced by the pink flamingo who is facing extinction, but still shouldering on. An example of knowing what you are made of, and, thus, able to outlive ridicule and scorn knowing your time in the sun will return.
Luckily, no water wings needed today.
(Sorry, Aristotle, you do have some history with those little beasties)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
What’s the plan? Opposites attract dinner? One elegantly ruby-throated velvet and one lumpy with dinosaur-like ridges down his spine. Picture perfect sun bathers©
An uplifting experience (1942.PD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
In this age of extreme sports, there are those desperate to be the first on the chop, but this seems a bit much.
One local neighborhood’s type of exercise motivation is not to be beat. (And you do so at your own risk…)
Joggers find themselves not only running faster, but jumping higher!
A couple watching TV was startled recently by a jogger hurdling over their back fence.
Rumors about the Olympic Games relocating had been mentioned, but they weren’t aware of any high jump competition or cross-country events scheduled for their yard.
The frantic jogger stammered he’d been chased down the jogging trail by a very hefty, but very much in shape, alligator.
Did his lift come from a coach with bite?(1904 Summer Olympics. Harry Hillman.USPD/Common.wikimedia.org)
Gator demonstrating coaching strategies useful for the Olympics?
Athletic types attract the girls, he’s heard.
You know how hard it is for an 80-year-old to break into the party scene. Everyone always said he carried his weight of 750+ pounds well on his 12 foot frame. Made him appear like a gator of means. Now if he could only grab on the team to Rio…
The motivational gator did win his wish to travel. Brazil or El Campo?
Both sound foreign to him, so what’s the difference.
Besides the locals here were presenting him with less than an Olympic body building diet.
He was running on empty. (Quite game about it, though)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Here’s a bit more about other animals dealing with recent storms.
- “High water, cattle slow traffic on Highway 290”
- “Deer runs through floodwaters” VIDEO
- “SPCA rescues horses in NW Harris County” VIDEO
Lured by the “catch me if you can” taunt. (Texas Gator Control FB)
Still. Not the best look.(Publicity still of Sally Field as Sybil/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Rejecting total silence and rudely shoving the others aside, The Season of Still is quicksilver. More moods and faces than Sally Field’s Sybil. Enjoy what seasonal stills you can:
Still stuck:
Half-done humans moaning and restlessly fidgeting, anticipating summer’s unboxing. Their escape delayed by make-up days after the flooding. Still can’t believe that.
Still not there?
Wails of woe from stuffed vehicles hurdling down highways. (“You should have thought of that earlier and gone when we stopped. We did too pack it – keep looking under your feet.”)
Still? Bumper to bumper traffic?
Good grief, it’s 2:30 on a weekday afternoon. Everybody can’t have the day off.
Still, a constant glare.
Not from snow banks, but from endless days of harsh rays reflecting off concrete and glass. For months and months.
Still nothing but old movies and re-runs on TV.
Still reigning. Too hot to trot. Bored beyond belief.©
Still too hot for a walk.
A dog can sprawl on the couch just so long. Still 75 degrees at night? Melting. Melting…
Still sit and stay?
This is a recreational area, but fish and visitors after 3 days: fishy stink. Even relatives.
Still waiting.
The lagging delivery of a perfect pool party swimsuit, a posh resort outfit, or the hiking socks holding up the suitcase’s closing. Like a watched pot never boils. Walk away from the window. Still, was that a truck heard rounding the…? No.
Still.
Homemade and craft beers are all trendy cool, but where or how to? (Why bother with a still when stores have plenty?)
Still. A lost art.
People may be biologically designed for an afternoon nap.
Still searching.
Mindfulness prodded by free music.
Respite from digital clutter: Still using apps, how apt is that?
Is an “untangled brain” desperate for inner peace even possible for a middle-aged mind?
Still.
You’re still here?
Still’s very cool.
Seasonally adjusting in the still of the write.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
“Still”, a study. (RC Cat doesn’t know why humans struggle so for stillness. It’s easy. All it takes is staring into a corner. Totally free peace.) ©
What? It’s not even half past September. (Christmas Treasures.com)
Santa, please. It’s no pony, but it runs. Fast.
Even if the center console does looks strangely like a giant TV remote, not one complaint. Promise.
Maybe you can strap it on the rungs behind your sleigh? Thought I’d be considerate with an early request so you and the elves will have plenty of time to work out the details. I’ve heard mumbles about this gift isn’t child’s play.
But pleeeease, Santa. It’s so much cooler than last year’s hoverboards.
Pay no attention to the smoke screen about lithium-ion batteries bursting into flame.
I can park it outside. Under a blanket.
I could even sleep in it like Brother did with that little red wagon one year.
“They say the Hoof and Jingle Union won’t allow it. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
It’s got that wheel thingy.
Where the faster you go, the brighter the headlights get so you can see farther down the road – just like those bicycle lights that only worked if you pedaled like crazy – only this time the pedal is to the metal.
Within the speed limit. Always within the speed limit, Santa. Promise.
And it’s got all sorts of weird cool stuff.
Like a tachometer showing zero RPM, yet you’re rolling in traffic. Got it in electric sneak mode.
Also that front electric motor won’t bother contributing any power once the speed’s up to around 120 mph ’cause, well, no need for overkill. There’s a place for the frisky V8 internal combustion engine component…like wide-open West Texas, Wyoming, or Utah.
And that paint, “Liquid Silver”. The perfect name for it. (But any color would be just fine. I know the reflection off that silver on Christmas Eve might draw too much attention to the sleigh by ground radar.)
Don’t even ask. You take those reins and it’ll be all over. (Keene Lib. and Historical Society of Cheshire Co./Commoms.wikimedia.org)
Don’t listen to the stodgy ones who say things like “You’ll shoot your eye out” or “You’ll run into a tree the first time you take it out.”
I’ll dazzle them with the hybrid’s low emissions (Less CO2 emissions than a Toyota Yaris 1.5) and saving the environment while having plenty of zoom capacity.
Listen to Jay Leno! He’s not joking! Car guy and factory race car guy:
More zoom, less gloom. Nothing childish about that. Please, Santa. Tres Leches! Promise!
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
To assist convincing the elves in your house: “The future of supercars. For the first time, the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, and BMW are embracing a new word – hybrid.” (Discoveryuk.com/wheelerdealers)
Not exactly the mustang imagined.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Partly robot crafted, so no wonder it reflects their image. (2015 Porsche 918 Spyder looking forward from rear /caranddriver.com)
Started innocently enough.
Then the steely eyeing.
And they were ready to roll.
A little detailing required. Some are predestined for that.
Artful little things that make it go. (YouTube.YouCar/Porsche in the factory)
The realm of dogs and little kids.
You know how they fly tethered to adults like tails of kites?
Stopping to look at every blade of grass, the tiniest details.
No clue what’s going on in the big one’s minds, but there’s so many little things on their level to explore. Such important stuff and always jerked along before finished.
Such training, that.
Man and machine. The guts of both work better when all the little parts are aligned and operating in unison as intended (Porsche innards/YouCar.You Tube)
Tiniest details make the difference.
Machines and parts. If I owned an old fashion hardware store, the bins and shelves would look like museum displays. Little showcases. They would like that. Tons of tiny sculptures previously considered only as ordinary parts.
The mechanics are mind-boggling.
People can’t seem to keep things in order with their own, so what chance …
A few little things to help you get on their good side. Possible conversation starters. Focused and recalculating.
- “AI will create ‘useless class’ of human, predicts best-selling historian” (So? Horses have adjusted to being lawn ornaments.)
- “Robots learn how to make friends and influence people” (MIT Technology Review)
- “RoboCop is real and could be patrolling a mall near you”..like in Palo Alto, California
Small thoughts.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
You see that little recessed angle shape on the fender behind the front wheel? Designed to scoop air past the mirror stem and direct it into that big vertical slit behind the door to cool the engine which sits behind the seats. A little thing of some thought. Hybrid supercar 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder uses electric motors and a gasoline combustion engine. A little change coming down the road. (caranddriver.com)
It’s the ultimate mantra.
For less stress. Less clutter of mind and garage.
A simple guide best learned early: “Is it most likely to end up in a garage sale?”
Oh, yeah. That dog looks thrilled. Nothing like a shot of water right into the ear canal. Got the vet and ER on speed dial? (screenshot.Woofwasher360)
For your consideration, “The Woof Washer”. (Theme from Twilight Zone eerily plays.)
The idea’s origin probably spilled out of a car wash.
And I have yet to get an acceptable answer why a large muddy pooch carrying half the dirt from the south 40 on its’ coat cannot run through the car wash.
So unrealistic to think that Molly would grab on to a waving strip of cloth and be sent spinning wildly around. She might try to take a piece home, but she isn’t interested in carnival rides.
Maybe if you start at the back bumper. What? Wait. There’s 3 hands. Well, with a helper, anything’s possible. Or a stuffed dog. I think it moves in the instructional video. (Bed,bath,andbeyond.com)
So Woof Washer. What do you think?
Molly loves hula hoops for breakfast and lunch. Almost as much as harnesses and Frisbees. Not exactly the fiber we plan for.
Splashy, but doesn’t pass the pitch for pups. A Most Likely, most likely.
Yet although with a bit of repackaging, mothers of toddlers might consider…
Water seeking it’s level, most likely.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Pony wash! Perfect if your parents got you that horse like they promised. Told you. I ‘m not suffering in silence. If you don’t get that, check the last picture’s caption in the pervious post. (screenshot woofwasher360.com)
Crushed under the ugly political clatter, no wonder people are picking a peace of beauty (which, of course, is in the eye of those holding it.)
Everyone deserves a beauty break. Even if there are costs.
He makes the smiles brighter. (Houstoniamag.com)
If J.J. Smith is coaching, it may cost a pretty penny.
Known as the King of Queens, J.J. has shaped more beauty pageant winners than you can shake a rose at.
Priceless bit of advice from him? “Be a first class version of yourself, not a second class version of someone else.” Wise words for any of life’s contests.
His secret to winning? “Nailing the interview” Answering the hard questions.
Beauty pageant hopefuls aren’t the only ones seeking him out recently. JJ says he’s seeing more job applicants and businessmen seeking advice.
Gee, do ya’ think presidential candidates should sign up for some instruction? After all, it’s so much of a beauty contest.
“Crowned king of beauty queens shares secrets to his success” (VIDEO.abc13)
“King of Queens shows what it takes to be a Pageant Queen” (VIDEO.39.NewsFix)
“The Coaching Kind of Pageant Queens” Houstonia Magazine article. (Lot of beauties and pictures in this behind the scenes look.)
After any interview, JJ says people still to strut their stuff and be real.
Maybe cause a few wolf whistles. (Do they still risk doing that?)
This one does. A real howl or two even.
Husky friends all made up.(Screenshot.ilana’s YouTube)
You can watch makeup artist ilana’s step by step transformation from beauty to beautiful beast now in English.
Or if big cats are more your thing, grab her tiger tale here.
Not to be catty, some claim one must suffer for beauty.
Probably quickly followed by “Suffer in silence, PLEASE.“
You know what they say: “Beauty is as beauty does”.
Face it. Fads are beautiful fun.
For a while everyone pouted for Duck Face selfies only to drop those for the sultry and slimming Fish Gape selfies.
Recently, the selfie face has been handed a new accessory: T. REX Hands. (If the Kardashians and other celebs are in, others will follow the trend?)
Kinda reminds me of the desperate to be the first on the block fad variations with Planking, Coning, Leisure Diving, Horsemanning (like headless horseman), Batmanning, and Owling a few years ago. Anyone remember those? (Refresh 2011 fads’ posts here.)
Hey, it is too similar – fads of increasing levels of difficulty presenting more and more dangerous situations: ever spike your eye with a nail? Talk about suffering…
No contest, Beauty. (A winning neigh.)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Listen kiddies do not fall for that “If you make straight A’s in school you can have a horse.” Oh, nay. And I did not suffer in silence. No beauty in that. (1921 Film “Black Beauty”USPD/Wikimedia.org)
The fish mumble and grumble they thought they were well rid of that rude, anti-school bunch when they crawled up on the beach and lost their gills. Counted their lucky starfish. Now not content with displacing bears, wolves, and gators, apparently, here they come again. Boomerang species warnings must be out.
The main complaint about living aboard a boat is the lack of space for storage and entertaining.
Once land gets expensive, floating homes able to move anywhere are the logical next step.
(Although I hear the sea turtles are considering copyright infringement action.)
While design and construction of modern houseboats is interesting, moving a giant eco-friendly, two-story home with an underwater basement and a sod roof from the construction site into the water is really fascinating.
Talk about needing a lift.
Not your ordinary moving, Van. It’s like Uber for giants. High capacity travel lift all dressed up and ready to go. A drive to the water is always energizing. (nauticexpo.com)
Moving a boat into the water is one thing, but a giant house? You have to see it to believe it.
- Episode 3. Innovative eco-home, Seattle, WA. (“My Floating Home.” HGTV.ca)
- Skip the construction part if you want and zoom on to where the house is placed into the water. Then fret as it is towed by a huge tug to the difficult slip with other houseboats on each side. Cringe as the tug stops and the house keeps moving forward – right into the dock.
- All’s well that ends well, though. Gorgeous house with innovations for the eco-friendly owners.
- Pictures of the house: “Floating home inspires smarter building around out waterways”.
Not a homeowners’ dream floating house, but requires similar travel arrangements. A large ocean-going vessel being carried by a marine travel lift to the water. (nauricexpo.com)
The contemporary Seattle floating home has an underwater picture window.
Not sure who’s going to be watching whom – and for what purpose.
Ocean going residents may be floating out a word to the wise and be evaluating their next moves.
You know, once they move in, there goes the neighborhood.
Like SUVs dream of being sports cars, floating homes dream of being swift sailboats. A high-capacity marine travel lift placing boat into water. (nauticexpo.com)
Mechanics and engineering are beautiful things…as long as they remembers to keep the beautiful, beautiful.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Something to ponder: Is it really a good idea to teach what may be the oceans’ advanced scouts about military strategy and how human minds work? After all, if they seize control of all the seas…
- “Bottlenose Dolphins Working for our military” (Dolphin Express. Nov.2015)
- “Hamas captures dolphins ‘spying’ for Israel” (New York Post. Aug.2015)
- “Russia looks to recruit new dolphins brigade” (CNN.March 2016)
- “Navy Dolphins. Historical chronology” (PBS/Frontline)
Word on the waves is that crabs are digging in with patent infringement complaints over leggy appendages and sideways scuttling. (Remotely controlled travel lift with all wheel steering. Capacity up to 130 tons. nauticexpo.com)
Eyeing a tall tail or two. (Houston Zoo/khou.com screenshot)
Nothing like keeping an eye on things.
Lilly was feeling more stuffy, than lithe and fluffy. Nothing lovely about those numbers creeping up on the scale.
What is a skunk to do?
She’s had heard mention of 24 Fitness, personal trainers, and Pilates, but she tended to be tied up at work and unable to get loose for those.
All wound up and nowhere to go until a zoo volunteer gave her the run around.
He put some plans, pipes, and parts from 3D printer together.
No instructions needed. Lilly took a look, then, quickly took a spin. Flat wore out the first model.
Within months Lilly was back to her photo shoot weight without any dietary deprivations. She seems to enjoy the spin class.
Now other skunked zoos are asking for wheel plans with rumors of one mongoose being quite wistful over the round about idea.
Big enough to make her world go round.(Inventor M. Griffiths.Volunteer. Houston Zoo)
Lilly is also happy a new thing is going round with the zoo’s elephants.
EHV, a type of Elephant-only herpes virus, attacks the lining of elephant’s blood vessels and can kill in as quickly as 12 hours.
In the past, elephants have died while the zoo vets and staff waited more than 12 hours for test results to come back or for plasma to be whirled from healthy elephant blood to use as treatment for a sick one.
When the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center recently updated their old equipment, they donated an replaced working centrifuge to the Houston Zoo.
Let the news be trumpeted loudly: Having a centrifuge on site 24-7 will save elephant lives. What used to take 12 hours can now be done in 6-10 minutes.
- “Houston Zoo receives new tool to save elephant lives.” (khou video/article)
- “Saving elephants from deadly herpes virus” (Ch2 video/article about the life saving process and the virus.)
The zoo is stockpiling healthy blood and plasma in case it’s needed here or elsewhere.
Did someone say cantaloupe afterwards? Oh, OK, I’ll donate, but any chance you could put in a cute little earring while you’re pricking my ear? A series of little gold rings, maybe? (Houston Zoo/khou.com)
What goes around comes around.
Aye, aye for that.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Lilly the Skunk isn’t a display zoo resident. This social butterfly is an animal education ambassador who may be seen walking on leash from meetings or, more commonly, in her keeper’s arms greeting children and teaching them about skunks and other wild animals. Then she retires to the privacy of her own backstage suite with exercise room. (YouTube screenshot.Houston.Zoo)
“Well, frankly, you think you can just bat those big blue eyes and walk out of here?”(USPD/Commons.wikimedai.org)
Troubled waters work just fine for some, but he was worried.
He gnashed his teeth. Thought it had all been arrange: transportation and luxury accommodations at a plush resort. Stupid flooding. Would others forced out of their homes get preferential treatment? He’d been promised. He had reservations.
He’d been misunderstood for a long time. People judged him by his color.
Desperate to get past their preconceived ideas, he stared unblinkingly.
Sitting very, very still. To the point people thought he was dead.
Even tilting his head so they could get a good look, but few noticed his eyes were a beautiful blue, not red.
“Mesmerizing, right? Should have copyrighted that “Old Blue Eyes” slogan when there was a chance.”(Houston Zoo)
Blanco is a leucistic by a genetic twist, not an albino.
Pale white with only a few brown beauty spots, the American Alligator came to the Houston zoo seeking protection from the harsh sun about 30 years ago.
One of the older zoo residents, he’s still got a good 20 years ahead of him and he’s always dreamed of seeing the world. ..the real one…outdoors. He had vague memories of his Pre-K years in a Louisiana swamp.
Sigh. No place like home – even if you have a huge fan base and wanted for nothing. Life in a gilded cage.
Elvis and Michael Jackson could identify.
Got chicken? Rats? Cats? The 11 foot Blanco greeted visitors from his indoor habitat. (Houston Zoo)
It didn’t take alligator tears to convince the zoo that Blanco deserved to live as wild as possible, but he sunburned and would not survive in the swamp without help.
And nobody was volunteering to splash around behind him with a large beach umbrella and sunblock.
Not even interns.
Even before the Zika threat. No easy answer.
Could anyone walk away from such a handsome guy? He would sit like that for hours. Hours. Not blinking.(Houston Zoo)
Where there’s a will there’s a way. Gators need to soak and play.
Blanco now rises like a ghost out of the water in his own customize swamp at Crocodile Encounters which provides a special shade cover, deep pool for long swims, mud banks with weeds, and, most important, bullfrogs to chase.
The retiree has settled in and now enjoys early morning sunrises before the serious work of lounging
Without worrying about some little kid tapping on the glass screaming “Why doesn’t he move?”
Hey, like my new crib? Housewarming gifts appreciated. Chicken is always nice. (Crocodile Encounter FB)
Life is good.
Enough to make Old Blue Eyes new.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Go gaga for gators? Here’s more:
- VIDEO from Houston Zoo, 2013. “Meet Blanco, the American Alligator”
Working on sneak attacks. A ghostly sight rising from the depths. Perhaps Hollywood will be calling?(Crocodile encounter FB)
Safely watching from behind branches. Wait for it. Wait…(Vimeo/Ruck/Robertson/City of Houston)
What’s lurking beneath the murky waters? Loud mouthy bass? Gargling gators? Sharknado after a six-pack of Lone Star?
Mystic, myth, or mirth. Hotly debated subject. But only those who dare, know the truth.
Been startling people since 1998. (From ancient times!)
With a little help from: air compressor, electronics, pipes, assorted stuff from Home Depot
And a giant red button on a brick wall.
No instructions. Not one word.
What is happening on Buffalo Bayou under the Preston Street Bridge?
Take a look – and hear from the one who created it:
Burps as art.
“The Big Bubble” installation by Dean Rusk really is a Happening by definition.
- Art that is temporary and can’t be placed in a museum. (√)
- Must involve the viewer (√)
- There was an element of chance with each viewer which means when it happens, it’s never exactly the same as the previous time it happened. (√)
Blurring the lines between art, nature, and ordinary life, this delight was selected from a national competition for Houston’s Sesquicentennial Park. (1986 celebration of the city’s 150 years)
Could it be a remnant from Atlantis bubbling up? (Dean Ruck’s Big Bubble/City of Houston/Robertson Vimeo)
How did the artist come up with the idea of Big Bubble and the bayou burp?
- He studied the Buffalo Bayou Master Plan which called for more aeration of bayou water during sluggish periods to improve water quality.
- So Bingo! The idea bubbled up.
- Schedule burps to occur automatically during the day, but also place a giant red button where anyone might see it, wonder about it, press it, and discover the bayou burps on command!
Artist’s statement:
“So, I liked that idea that it’s not a labeled or plaque piece of art. It’s just something that people discover. Obviously, there’s a certain ephemeral quality to it because it’s not always there to see. It happens occasionally. You have to be here at the right time to see it. It creates a certain mythology of its own by what’s going on there, what it’s for, what its function is, how it’s created. So I like that idea of it not being thought of or seen as a piece of art, but it just something in the bayou.”
Hit the button, then wander a bit along Buffalo Bayou.
It’s a work in progress. Watch your step with all the recent flooding. The bayou is one of the major waterways channeling to the bay. It is some 30 feet from bayou to top of banks…and yes, it does fill up. The park is designed to flood.
So that’s how things are burping around here.
Fun bubbling over
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
That old phrase: “What’s happening/whaz hap’nin’?” started here:
- “Performance Art 101: The Happening, Allan Kaprow”. From the Tate Museum.
- “Happenings Movement, Artists and Major Works”. From The Art Story
- And a bit of bubbly music: 1967 Supremes sing “The Happening” (also that movie’s opening song)
The appropriate frame of mind for racing sailboats. Cover your eyes, Mom. (America’s Cup Facebook/Red Bull)
The candy, the flowers, the cards all a ruse. Must control TV remote.
Oh, yeah, Mother’s Day. Now let’s float out some real entertainment. Water? Yes, please.
With this I might even consider the possibility of “I ♥ NY”: America’s Cup’s Oracle on the Hudson River.
Sunday NBC Sports will broadcast live coverage of the 2015-16 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, New York (2:00 EST)
With technology, drones, and new ways to view, it won’t be sailing coverage like before – which many viewers stuck on the shore likened to watching grass grow.
- See your viewing options world-wide here.
- All the news and sailing updates here on America’s Cup Facebook.
- NYC sailing pictures/information about the competition on Sailing World
- She didn’t want to just sit there. Red Bull’s article with skier Lindsey Vonn getting into the sail of things with Oracle’s team on the Hudson River
Should create quite a splash. There will be t-shirts.
(Without a weekend’s worth of boat bites…anyone who ever raced catamarans understands.)
Willing to share a seat on the couch, but not the TV remote.
What? Of course the remote was fixed for Mother’s Day, not for the races.
Moms always prefer a water view.
Racing to watch
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Exceptional mother Morticia Addams.(ABC/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Where are they? The greeting cards for exceptional mothers. Oh, wait, you’re confused.
Not “exceptional” like so amazing there is no hope of ever becoming her equal. Not like the “exceptional” where her children are in her shadow, but happily beam in her reflected glory.
More like the exception to the gag-me sweet messages and flowery images that Hallmark and Mother’s Day merchants promote: The mothers who leave shadows in their kids’ hearts.
“No wire coat hangers, ever!” Mommy was only trying to protect the clothes. And what is wrong with that?(rottentomatoes.com)
Not every mom is a star.
Some “love”, but do not “like” their kid. There are the miserable mommies who take their bitterness out on their families. Don’t forget the ones who never should have had kids at all.
Mother’s Day must be dreaded by some.
A dark situation. One too uncomfortable for society to consider.
Still surprised the greeting card companies haven’t targeted that group . There’s little else they don’t feast on. Can you imagine the creative messages possible?
Something like “Thanks, mom! Life with you was like Halloween everyday!”
Or “Will always be grateful you were my mom. Now I know I can live through anything!”
You are so right. No other choice. Yet another lumpy clay ash tray/candy dish Mother’s Day gift will meet a sad end by slipping and crashing to the floor. When will they discover Starbucks cards? (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Have you noticed how many greeting cards are so mean-spirited now?
Masquerading as witty, modernly sarcastic, or sophisticated fun.
Maybe it’s all in the way you read those cards.
With traditional greeting cards there’s no tone of voice or emoji to clue anyone in. Perhaps it’s planned that way.
You may not remember it, but she sure does. Ah, that joy of the first hour of the first day home with the baby. Then, reality sinks in along with the diapers, spitting up, and crying. You owe her. (Laura and Rob Petrie bringing Richie home from hospital.Dick VanDyke show.CBS/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Oh, well. Back to stalking the card aisle looking for ones not dog-eared and smudged from the frantic last minutes grabs.
Construction paper, glitter, and doilies may be the best option so late.
Caring enough to spend time and effort to make something just for her.
Remember when school art projects were all that any mom got? And they were happy about it. They said so.
“A monkey! Exceptional choice. Finally something useful. Does he do windows?” (Auntie Mame/Rotten Tomatoes)
It’ll be fine.
I know the most wished for Mother’s Day gift:
Technical trouble shooting to figure out what TV remote /receiver box button got accidentally pushed and get that back up and working again.
Game of Thrones and Mr. Selfridge on Masterpiece Classic, you know.
(There’s always a problem child in every family, but do TVs really count as a siblings? Certainly troublesome enough. Chatty and hard to turn them off….)
If Momma’s not happy, nobody’s clicking happy.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Invitation only! Do not show up at someone’s home without an invitation. And I just got them down for a nap! (by Summer’s sister, Stevie b./Twitter/ch13 news)
So much for that storybook friendly Mother Goose…
- “Goose attack on 5-year-old Houston girl” (video/short article)
- “Mother Goose says Don’t Mess with those Goslings!”(Daily Mail pictures/full story)
“Hey, keep your kid away from my kids or she’ll get another real life game of better duck, duck, it’s a goose!”(Summer is saved from Mother Goose/ Stevie B/ ABC13. news)
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 