Katie and I spent lunch and the afternoon with Pam's parents (Bob and Janet). We went to the "Gas Grill" for lunch. The wait help all know them; Bob and Janet split a meal, and still have food to take home.
I asked Janet if she liked sugar cream pie, and she said as long as it is not pudding pie, yes.
After an hour we drove back to their house, 15 minutes away, where we talked awhile.
The good news is the new medicine Janet is on for her leukemia is working well for her. They have her on a low dose and her numbers are modestly improving. She looked alert, was in her usual good natured mood.
I shared two stories about Pam at Quaker Haven, and her eyes twinkled. She pointed out Pam was never a prankster at home. We know this is not true: Pam got a spanking once for telling her baby sister that as long as she kept moving the turkey vultures wouldn't think she was dead and eat her. Jenni ran for two hours until she collapsed, sobbing she was about to be lunch. Pam winked at me telling me the story, telling me it was "totally worth it".
Back at the house we planned the Easter Lunch. Bob and Janet will host it, and will buy a Wal-Mart ham. One of the daughters will bring cheesy potatoes. I will bring deviled eggs, a sugar cream pie, and tiramisu. Bob texted it out to everyone. Jenni will be fine with it; she knows Bob and Janet love to host, and we steered them to an easy menu.
Katie and Janet played "show 'n tell" for quilt projects, Janet was happy. Katie offered to spend a day with Janet next week working on quilt projects. I'll be back in about a month to rake their yard, but I may offer to take them to lunch before then.
Here we are back at home, where, weirdly, my phone has begun working again. I guess it just took a snit about being in Charleston. It was nice that people couldn't reach me except when I was at the hotel.
There may be some conflict between your Cellular and Wifi settings regarding data or something. You might be able to troubleshoot by calling your Cell service help line.
Good morning on Sunday. 37 degrees when I got up, now 41, with a high reaching 50. It stayed above freezing overnight and started raining, a light drizzle now that will continue until midday.
The mothership faith article headlines "The Good Life in the age of Designer Babies". Looks like Jay has something to say about that. the Sunday morning talk shows are reminding me that we have been in a partial government shutdown since yesterdsay, but one affecting only DHS, over a fight over restricting the conduct of imigration enforcement. (Ironically, immigration enforcement is separately funded, while ht eshutdown affects FEMA and the TSA).
From The Culture Survey in today's Atlantic Daily:
"There is a Hollywood story in David Niven’s autobiography Bring on the Empty Horses, in which the screenwriter Charles MacArthur asks Charlie Chaplin how to make the comic pratfall scene of a person slipping on a banana peel new again. Chaplin suggests that MacArthur start with a lady walking down the street and cut to a shot of the banana peel on the sidewalk, which the lady steps over—right before she falls down a manhole."
Chaplin was a genius in film. He was also a pervert, and a good example of a tortured genius. But on screen he was brilliant.
I studied many of his movies, trying to learn from him. It was often understatement, but damn he was so good!
I once did the "dances with potatoes, from the Gold Rush. Those who hadn't seen it before thought it was charming, and clever. But I could never pull off the facial expressions like he did.
Today's mothership has a religion article on the mother of a child with Downs syndrome. She talks about "the good life", and how she has that as a result of her daughter. But it meant giving up her dreams of an elite life (although she doesn't use that term).
This past weekend was "Night to Shine"; an annual event for people like the daughter with Down's syndrome. It's basically a prom for them, where the volunteers try to lift up the attendees. Tim Tebow organizes this, and the joy on his face is so large; that or he belongs in Hollywood as an actor! I suspect he gets more out of it than do they. A key message of Tim Tebow is that God made those attenders (who look different than us) in his own image. They're not second class by any means. When we talk about seeing dignity in everyone this is it.
I'll close by saying Pope Leo encouraged us this Lenten season to give up words that offend and hurt our neighbors. "In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace".
And similar to your last sentence, in today's email from Braver Angels, "The hard truth of our differences does not demand that we hate one another for them. We must still endeavor to reason across them as fellow citizens, to extend goodwill across them as neighbors, even as we make the choices that we make to stand up as activists, as government agents or what have you, to defend the dignity and decency of the United States of America and the people therein." --- much more was said, & as you say, to "give way to words of hope and peace".
Thinking about Braver Angels, which seems to be a fine organization, I have to wonder why we are in a situation where holding a conversation in a controlled setting with someone who disagrees with you requires being "brave."
Looking forward to those! Glad you had a good time in Chas. City. It’s a lovely town, best as I recall from decades ago. It’s gone seriously upscale since the ‘90s.
I was on the road all day yesterday, and am glad to have arrived…
Invasive insects? There are a lot of those, from gypsy moths to the emerald ash borer (which has eviscerated ash trees in my neighborhood) and lantern flies.
I would not have called it a slur, but as designating of wandering persons or people, including but not limited to the people known as the Romani. Who decided that "gypsy" is a slur? And changing the name of a well-known insect is silly. Do gypsy/spongy moths have feelings?
This strikes me as a relatively minor version of how English usage is being changed such that what was once common use now considered bigoted. Trans-ideologues are responsible for many such examples, like "preferred pronouns" and "dead naming".
Sorry about being cranky. Not directed at you, Jay.
I think it is something of a spillover from the discussion in Germany’s post-war reconciliation. That is, the Nazi regime persecuted and attempted to exterminate the Sinti/Romani minority just as heinously as they did the Jews. “Gypsy” is just as pejorative in connotation as “Zigeuner” for the minority in German. The idea is that if you banish a term used by the public that was fundamentally hateful, preferring instead what the minority preferred to call itself, you’ll clean up the discriminatory thoughts as well.
Still, attributing offensive intent to a term where no offense was meant 99% of the time, strikes me as wrong. Apparently the same thing happened to “Eskimo” as well, a word I no longer use but is now so odious as to have affected the venerable “Eskimo pie:” which is now called something else. This is a lot different from questionable stereotypes like “Aunt Jemima”.
I've had my 2 cups of black coffee, hubs will have his 2 cups of black coffee & his breakfast when he gets up (soon?), son will also have plenty of black coffee available when he's up & about, granddaughter has some hot chocolate available if she desires.
I've had my first small breakfast, 1/4 avocado on corn tort, & 2 small mandarins. Plenty of breakfast available once others are hungry... bacon, eggs, toast, mandarins, grapes, apples, King cake looks like a fine breakfast pastry, yes? None for me, thanks. For my 2nd small breakfast, I'll have a bit of oatmeal granola type cereal or maybe a lemon seed oatmeal bar.
Enjoy your coffee & breakfast, whatever the hotel kindly provides.
As usual, I look forward to all the new animal friends you'll share for future reading.
son & granddaughter arrived, storm wasn't much of a problem, but Austin traffic, as usual, was. Brisket, ribs, etc, enjoyed by all. They brought King cake which will be saved 'cause of the peach cobbler last night. Everyone's still sleeping... wish I was...
Reader's Digest, Jan 2025 article:
Masks required in Mardi Gras parades
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is called "The Greatest Free Show on Earth." Here's what to know about its popular symbol: the Mardi Gras masks.
Mardi Gras is bursting with vibrant traditions, and few are as iconic as attending parades, indulging in delicious and colorful king cakes and donning elaborate Mardi Gras masks. But have you ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind these artistic creations?
Mardi Gras masks are more than just festive accessories—they carry a rich history and cultural significance. Every detail, Mardi Gras color and design tells a story, and the artists who craft them pour their heart and soul into the process.
To uncover the fascinating world of Mardi Gras masks, we spoke with third-generation float masker Jonathan Bertucceli and Arthur Hardy, the mastermind behind the award-winning Mardi Gras Guide magazine.
What is the history of Mardi Gras masks?
The origins of Mardi Gras date back even further to medieval Europe and it celebrates the period before Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter when many people fast. Some historians theorize that the roots of the holiday go back even further to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February. The festival celebrated the season of fertility and involved animal sacrifices, feasting and random sexual couplings. The celebration of the holiday may have been incorporated into Lent, as the Catholic Church began converting pagans and figured it would be easier to do so if they let them keep their holiday, or so the thinking goes.
After Mardi Gras made its way to the United States, masked balls flourished under French rule in the late 1700s, but were later banned by the Spanish governors. The prohibition continued when New Orleans became an American city in 1803, but by 1823, the Creole populace prevailed upon the American governor, and balls were again permitted. Four years later street masking was officially made legal, according to Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide.
What is the meaning of Mardi Gras masks today?
Today, masks continue to be at the heart of the spirit of Mardi Gras. “Riding on a float is a privilege and wearing a mask is sacred,” notes Bertucceli. “You’re supposed to cut loose—and with a mask, you can act as foolish as you want and nobody knows who you are.” And that’s exactly what folks do, especially in the French Quarter. “You don’t bring your children down there; every year there’s someone without all their clothes on. It’s X-rated,” he says.
What do the Mardi Gras masks represent?
“Wearing the mask is the custom, part of the mystique of carnival. You’re not supposed to know who is on the float throwing you gifts [beads, cups and other trinkets],” says Hardy. Fun and games aside, wearing a mask is serious business—and it’s required by law if you’re riding on a Mardi Gras float, though at all other times of the year, it’s against the law in Louisiana to wear a mask in public.
It’s not just the law you would be breaking, but krewe (the clubs that put on the various parades and balls) rules, too. “Many organizations film the parade. If you’re caught without your mask, not only are you thrown out of the krewe, you could be fined $500,” says Hardy. You’ll be fined because it’s a major breach of the Krewe code.
Ahhh, the feast of Lupercalia, where men clad in goat hid thongs went around slapping women with leather belts until they were purified and fertile (an unbeatable combination), or at least black and blue.
I wish I can remember the author who wrote that; it was a humorous summary of Shakespeare's "Julius Ceaser". I did it in HS for speech tournaments.
ooops, forgot to write about a day in history for the 14th:
February 14: “The cool thing about these guys is that they have really, really, really long trunks, and that’s cool. And that’s pretty much all there is to say.”—Jawed Karim, in the first video ever posted to YouTube. On this day in 2005, Karim and two colleagues with whom he’d worked at PayPal employees—Chad Hurley and Steve Chen founded the platform, revolutionizing how the world shares and watches video.
Hi from Charleston, SC, home of Southeast Wildlife Expo! All fine here. Teengirl got to pet a lot of dogs. I discussed invasive species with the South Carolina Natural Resources people.
Oh, that's right. I keep forgetting there are Dispatch newsletters I haven't signed up for because it would be too much to keep up with. Thanks for clarifying.
just returned from getting tonight's dinner - sky is getting dark, wind is really picking up, so we timed it just right, but son & granddaughter are still gonna drive in it
and remember how I mentioned just about every time I'm out someone compliments me about my hair - it's really quite amusing, every gender, age, race, etc... Today at the restaurant, a 20 something yo white woman said she loved my hair & my bald hubs immediately said "Thank you"...
I'm good with a TSAF about Rocky the Rock Squirrel, as well as one on Rocky the Flying Squirrel, if you ever decide to explore that particular branch of the Sciuridae family tree, if you haven't done so already.
And I'd probably be OK if you decided to do a TSAF on this guy, since he shares a distinct trait with that last one...
But if this guy's in your TSAF files, I'd be good if you just leave him there. And if not, he's better left out. And he just might be better off if he were to go and try to Rock the Country in some *other* country at the rate he's going...
Happy Valentine's Day to all! Hubby and I are celebrating with a beach walk here in the Texas Gulf...we're here til spring. We drive up to Houston next week to allow our son and his wife a quiet romantic dinner sans two rowdy boys while we babysit the boys and their two new 12 week old rescue puppies. We'll have the help of our dog, Zippy, a well mannered 7 yrd old male Brazilian Caramelo.
Hubby spotted a flock of ravens flying this morning, so we'll report that on the Backyard Bird Watch.
Glad to read about the rock squirrel. I love squirrels and I'd been wondering if there were any near the coast here, but it seems they'd need drier territory than a place that floods often...
Of all the things I might miss about not living in TX anymore, the central coast is maybe the most missed. If you are a birder you probably know the wonderful spots. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see the Whooping Cranes. Goose Island State Park too, and to see one of the largest Live Oaks in the country. Quirky Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center has an amazing variety of birds. I still daydream about getting there more often, but with grandkids in other places, we don't make it much.
The Texas gulf about now is beautiful. I did several spring break work camps while in college and one was in San Antonio. We did a day trip to Galveston. Relaxing, beautiful, sunny, fun.
Katie and I spent lunch and the afternoon with Pam's parents (Bob and Janet). We went to the "Gas Grill" for lunch. The wait help all know them; Bob and Janet split a meal, and still have food to take home.
I asked Janet if she liked sugar cream pie, and she said as long as it is not pudding pie, yes.
After an hour we drove back to their house, 15 minutes away, where we talked awhile.
The good news is the new medicine Janet is on for her leukemia is working well for her. They have her on a low dose and her numbers are modestly improving. She looked alert, was in her usual good natured mood.
I shared two stories about Pam at Quaker Haven, and her eyes twinkled. She pointed out Pam was never a prankster at home. We know this is not true: Pam got a spanking once for telling her baby sister that as long as she kept moving the turkey vultures wouldn't think she was dead and eat her. Jenni ran for two hours until she collapsed, sobbing she was about to be lunch. Pam winked at me telling me the story, telling me it was "totally worth it".
Back at the house we planned the Easter Lunch. Bob and Janet will host it, and will buy a Wal-Mart ham. One of the daughters will bring cheesy potatoes. I will bring deviled eggs, a sugar cream pie, and tiramisu. Bob texted it out to everyone. Jenni will be fine with it; she knows Bob and Janet love to host, and we steered them to an easy menu.
Katie and Janet played "show 'n tell" for quilt projects, Janet was happy. Katie offered to spend a day with Janet next week working on quilt projects. I'll be back in about a month to rake their yard, but I may offer to take them to lunch before then.
Here we are back at home, where, weirdly, my phone has begun working again. I guess it just took a snit about being in Charleston. It was nice that people couldn't reach me except when I was at the hotel.
There may be some conflict between your Cellular and Wifi settings regarding data or something. You might be able to troubleshoot by calling your Cell service help line.
You probably don't want to add Starlink to your phone, 'cause then you can no longer use the "out of signal area" excuse for not answering calls!
Good morning on Sunday. 37 degrees when I got up, now 41, with a high reaching 50. It stayed above freezing overnight and started raining, a light drizzle now that will continue until midday.
The mothership faith article headlines "The Good Life in the age of Designer Babies". Looks like Jay has something to say about that. the Sunday morning talk shows are reminding me that we have been in a partial government shutdown since yesterdsay, but one affecting only DHS, over a fight over restricting the conduct of imigration enforcement. (Ironically, immigration enforcement is separately funded, while ht eshutdown affects FEMA and the TSA).
Under the heading Everything Old Is New Again...
From The Culture Survey in today's Atlantic Daily:
"There is a Hollywood story in David Niven’s autobiography Bring on the Empty Horses, in which the screenwriter Charles MacArthur asks Charlie Chaplin how to make the comic pratfall scene of a person slipping on a banana peel new again. Chaplin suggests that MacArthur start with a lady walking down the street and cut to a shot of the banana peel on the sidewalk, which the lady steps over—right before she falls down a manhole."
Chaplin was a genius in film. He was also a pervert, and a good example of a tortured genius. But on screen he was brilliant.
I studied many of his movies, trying to learn from him. It was often understatement, but damn he was so good!
I once did the "dances with potatoes, from the Gold Rush. Those who hadn't seen it before thought it was charming, and clever. But I could never pull off the facial expressions like he did.
Today's mothership has a religion article on the mother of a child with Downs syndrome. She talks about "the good life", and how she has that as a result of her daughter. But it meant giving up her dreams of an elite life (although she doesn't use that term).
This past weekend was "Night to Shine"; an annual event for people like the daughter with Down's syndrome. It's basically a prom for them, where the volunteers try to lift up the attendees. Tim Tebow organizes this, and the joy on his face is so large; that or he belongs in Hollywood as an actor! I suspect he gets more out of it than do they. A key message of Tim Tebow is that God made those attenders (who look different than us) in his own image. They're not second class by any means. When we talk about seeing dignity in everyone this is it.
I'll close by saying Pope Leo encouraged us this Lenten season to give up words that offend and hurt our neighbors. "In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace".
I read the article "The Good Life" - very good.
And similar to your last sentence, in today's email from Braver Angels, "The hard truth of our differences does not demand that we hate one another for them. We must still endeavor to reason across them as fellow citizens, to extend goodwill across them as neighbors, even as we make the choices that we make to stand up as activists, as government agents or what have you, to defend the dignity and decency of the United States of America and the people therein." --- much more was said, & as you say, to "give way to words of hope and peace".
Thinking about Braver Angels, which seems to be a fine organization, I have to wonder why we are in a situation where holding a conversation in a controlled setting with someone who disagrees with you requires being "brave."
Good question! Perhaps because “our” public (online?) discourse sounds and looks so toxic and enraged.
Because there are dangerous people out there who cannot handle disagreement. Charlie Kirk's assassination suggests that concern.
Plácido Domingo, friends and Friend. In exchange for money, this hotel kindly provides coffee at a reasonably early hour. And eventually breakfast.
I have many new animal friends to share with the readers in the future! New invasive insects! Fish and reptiles! Dogs!
Looking forward to those! Glad you had a good time in Chas. City. It’s a lovely town, best as I recall from decades ago. It’s gone seriously upscale since the ‘90s.
I was on the road all day yesterday, and am glad to have arrived…
Invasive insects? There are a lot of those, from gypsy moths to the emerald ash borer (which has eviscerated ash trees in my neighborhood) and lantern flies.
Now known as the Spongy Moth, the former gypsy moth causes significant economic damage.
all joking aside, knowing it is a slur word, I wondered if that type of moth got renamed and I missed it....I did.
I would not have called it a slur, but as designating of wandering persons or people, including but not limited to the people known as the Romani. Who decided that "gypsy" is a slur? And changing the name of a well-known insect is silly. Do gypsy/spongy moths have feelings?
This strikes me as a relatively minor version of how English usage is being changed such that what was once common use now considered bigoted. Trans-ideologues are responsible for many such examples, like "preferred pronouns" and "dead naming".
Sorry about being cranky. Not directed at you, Jay.
Our forestry manual was changed two years ago, iirc.
I think it is something of a spillover from the discussion in Germany’s post-war reconciliation. That is, the Nazi regime persecuted and attempted to exterminate the Sinti/Romani minority just as heinously as they did the Jews. “Gypsy” is just as pejorative in connotation as “Zigeuner” for the minority in German. The idea is that if you banish a term used by the public that was fundamentally hateful, preferring instead what the minority preferred to call itself, you’ll clean up the discriminatory thoughts as well.
Still, attributing offensive intent to a term where no offense was meant 99% of the time, strikes me as wrong. Apparently the same thing happened to “Eskimo” as well, a word I no longer use but is now so odious as to have affected the venerable “Eskimo pie:” which is now called something else. This is a lot different from questionable stereotypes like “Aunt Jemima”.
invasive insects? Those bug me! 😡
I'm glad you're having fun.
Bad puns (is there any other kind?) bug me -- 🚪
peace be w/ all
I've had my 2 cups of black coffee, hubs will have his 2 cups of black coffee & his breakfast when he gets up (soon?), son will also have plenty of black coffee available when he's up & about, granddaughter has some hot chocolate available if she desires.
I've had my first small breakfast, 1/4 avocado on corn tort, & 2 small mandarins. Plenty of breakfast available once others are hungry... bacon, eggs, toast, mandarins, grapes, apples, King cake looks like a fine breakfast pastry, yes? None for me, thanks. For my 2nd small breakfast, I'll have a bit of oatmeal granola type cereal or maybe a lemon seed oatmeal bar.
Enjoy your coffee & breakfast, whatever the hotel kindly provides.
As usual, I look forward to all the new animal friends you'll share for future reading.
invasive species, thanks for the link from TFP 😜
https://www.instagram.com/reels/Cf0mJjzjN8g/
son & granddaughter arrived, storm wasn't much of a problem, but Austin traffic, as usual, was. Brisket, ribs, etc, enjoyed by all. They brought King cake which will be saved 'cause of the peach cobbler last night. Everyone's still sleeping... wish I was...
Reader's Digest, Jan 2025 article:
Masks required in Mardi Gras parades
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is called "The Greatest Free Show on Earth." Here's what to know about its popular symbol: the Mardi Gras masks.
Mardi Gras is bursting with vibrant traditions, and few are as iconic as attending parades, indulging in delicious and colorful king cakes and donning elaborate Mardi Gras masks. But have you ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind these artistic creations?
Mardi Gras masks are more than just festive accessories—they carry a rich history and cultural significance. Every detail, Mardi Gras color and design tells a story, and the artists who craft them pour their heart and soul into the process.
To uncover the fascinating world of Mardi Gras masks, we spoke with third-generation float masker Jonathan Bertucceli and Arthur Hardy, the mastermind behind the award-winning Mardi Gras Guide magazine.
What is the history of Mardi Gras masks?
The origins of Mardi Gras date back even further to medieval Europe and it celebrates the period before Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter when many people fast. Some historians theorize that the roots of the holiday go back even further to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February. The festival celebrated the season of fertility and involved animal sacrifices, feasting and random sexual couplings. The celebration of the holiday may have been incorporated into Lent, as the Catholic Church began converting pagans and figured it would be easier to do so if they let them keep their holiday, or so the thinking goes.
After Mardi Gras made its way to the United States, masked balls flourished under French rule in the late 1700s, but were later banned by the Spanish governors. The prohibition continued when New Orleans became an American city in 1803, but by 1823, the Creole populace prevailed upon the American governor, and balls were again permitted. Four years later street masking was officially made legal, according to Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide.
What is the meaning of Mardi Gras masks today?
Today, masks continue to be at the heart of the spirit of Mardi Gras. “Riding on a float is a privilege and wearing a mask is sacred,” notes Bertucceli. “You’re supposed to cut loose—and with a mask, you can act as foolish as you want and nobody knows who you are.” And that’s exactly what folks do, especially in the French Quarter. “You don’t bring your children down there; every year there’s someone without all their clothes on. It’s X-rated,” he says.
What do the Mardi Gras masks represent?
“Wearing the mask is the custom, part of the mystique of carnival. You’re not supposed to know who is on the float throwing you gifts [beads, cups and other trinkets],” says Hardy. Fun and games aside, wearing a mask is serious business—and it’s required by law if you’re riding on a Mardi Gras float, though at all other times of the year, it’s against the law in Louisiana to wear a mask in public.
It’s not just the law you would be breaking, but krewe (the clubs that put on the various parades and balls) rules, too. “Many organizations film the parade. If you’re caught without your mask, not only are you thrown out of the krewe, you could be fined $500,” says Hardy. You’ll be fined because it’s a major breach of the Krewe code.
Ahhh, the feast of Lupercalia, where men clad in goat hid thongs went around slapping women with leather belts until they were purified and fertile (an unbeatable combination), or at least black and blue.
I wish I can remember the author who wrote that; it was a humorous summary of Shakespeare's "Julius Ceaser". I did it in HS for speech tournaments.
ooops, forgot to write about a day in history for the 14th:
February 14: “The cool thing about these guys is that they have really, really, really long trunks, and that’s cool. And that’s pretty much all there is to say.”—Jawed Karim, in the first video ever posted to YouTube. On this day in 2005, Karim and two colleagues with whom he’d worked at PayPal employees—Chad Hurley and Steve Chen founded the platform, revolutionizing how the world shares and watches video.
19 seconds long, a day at the zoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw
Big for a squirrel. Small for a chihuahua!
Hi Cynthia. Gave you a shout out on Rachel’s Saturday edition of the Mothership.
I trust all is well
D
Hi from Charleston, SC, home of Southeast Wildlife Expo! All fine here. Teengirl got to pet a lot of dogs. I discussed invasive species with the South Carolina Natural Resources people.
Great!
It was actually the Culture Newsletter I commented on and cited you. I was responding to something Rachel had written.
I have culture!
You of course, know Dorthy Parker’s quip on culture;
“You can lead a whore to culture, but you can’t make her think.”
I always thought it was "You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her learn"?
No, Jay.
The play is on the horticulture/whore to culture, think/drink
🚪
Luvya
D
Who is Rachel, and what is her Saturday edition of the Mothership?
Hi C C! How’ve you been?
She is an Editor at The Dispatch, and produces the Saturday weekday roundup.
But I was mistaken, I commented on her contribution on the Cultural Newsletter.
Oh, that's right. I keep forgetting there are Dispatch newsletters I haven't signed up for because it would be too much to keep up with. Thanks for clarifying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n9prNixjbg
altho those squirrels don't live in TN, & I'm not going back...
fyi. You're gonna be referenced in my next CSLF, but it isn't meant in a mean nor insulting way. You inspired some humor.
I'm sure I wait w/ bated breath, not baited...
Heywood Banks has a song about that: "Fishin' worms".
had to look that one up - 🪱😝
just returned from getting tonight's dinner - sky is getting dark, wind is really picking up, so we timed it just right, but son & granddaughter are still gonna drive in it
and remember how I mentioned just about every time I'm out someone compliments me about my hair - it's really quite amusing, every gender, age, race, etc... Today at the restaurant, a 20 something yo white woman said she loved my hair & my bald hubs immediately said "Thank you"...
I'm good with a TSAF about Rocky the Rock Squirrel, as well as one on Rocky the Flying Squirrel, if you ever decide to explore that particular branch of the Sciuridae family tree, if you haven't done so already.
And I'd probably be OK if you decided to do a TSAF on this guy, since he shares a distinct trait with that last one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r81AviZECUE&list=RDr81AviZECUE&start_radio=1
But if this guy's in your TSAF files, I'd be good if you just leave him there. And if not, he's better left out. And he just might be better off if he were to go and try to Rock the Country in some *other* country at the rate he's going...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/rock-the-country-festival-artists-dropping-out-amid-kid-rock-controversy/ar-AA1VPAgO?ocid=BingNewsSerp
A personal mention in TSAF! My cup overfloweth!
Customer engagement experience!
Happy Valentine's Day to all! Hubby and I are celebrating with a beach walk here in the Texas Gulf...we're here til spring. We drive up to Houston next week to allow our son and his wife a quiet romantic dinner sans two rowdy boys while we babysit the boys and their two new 12 week old rescue puppies. We'll have the help of our dog, Zippy, a well mannered 7 yrd old male Brazilian Caramelo.
Hubby spotted a flock of ravens flying this morning, so we'll report that on the Backyard Bird Watch.
Glad to read about the rock squirrel. I love squirrels and I'd been wondering if there were any near the coast here, but it seems they'd need drier territory than a place that floods often...
Of all the things I might miss about not living in TX anymore, the central coast is maybe the most missed. If you are a birder you probably know the wonderful spots. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see the Whooping Cranes. Goose Island State Park too, and to see one of the largest Live Oaks in the country. Quirky Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center has an amazing variety of birds. I still daydream about getting there more often, but with grandkids in other places, we don't make it much.
The Texas gulf about now is beautiful. I did several spring break work camps while in college and one was in San Antonio. We did a day trip to Galveston. Relaxing, beautiful, sunny, fun.
So I am jealous of your time there; enjoy it!
That sounds really nice for everyone involved!!