Many things have to be done to make the world safe for Democracy. Stopping dogs from wagging their tails is one of them.
Boldly the kitten shoulders this mission! This is no job for the faint-hearted!
Historical False Fact: The ancient Persian general Henry Goslin used to stay home whenever his dog wagged its tail.
This morning an insect whose like neither of us had ever seen before landed on Patty’s bare arm and freaked her out. She swatted it and it fell, then crawled into the leaf litter and disappeared.
As near as we can make it, it was some kind of “wasp moth,” normally only found far south of here. Patty said it felt “heavy-footed” when it landed on her. She was also afraid it might have bitten or stung her, although no moth has the equipment to bite or sting. Maybe she scratched herself, swatting it away.
Wasp moths imitate wasps, which discourages predators. Their caterpillars eat oleander leaves, which makes their flesh poisonous.
I’m not 100% sure we’ve identified this bug correctly, and if it was indeed a wasp moth, what business could it have in New Jersey? They normally live far south of here. We really should have captured it, but Patty was sorry she’d injured it and we didn’t think of collecting it until it was gone.
Just what we need–new bugs. Supposedly these guys are harmless. I’ll keep my eye out for its colleagues.
G’day, g’day, and happy weekend! Byron the Quokka here on behalf–where did that word come from?–of Quokka University, where we find the world’s best forgotten TV shows for your weekend viewing orgies.
I’m sorry, there seems to be something wrong with my choice of words today. Here are a few samples from this weekend’s menu.
2 P.M. Ch. 00 ANDY PHNUGLUIH–Variety
The public has always wondered why Andy Phnugluih, with all his talent, never became a major star. A few episodes of this show might suggest an explanation. This week’s guests: Col. Wxha Bochgeshvili, Susan Mfoyay.
Ch. 07 SCHMENDRICK THE MAGICIAN–Western
Travel the Wild West with the only magician in Oklahoma Territory who can make his enemies think they’re axolotls! This episode: When the Tumorville Bank is robbed by real axolotls, Sheriff Witless (Andrew Cuomo) turns to Schmendrick (Andy Devine)… as the fall guy! Ma Bell: Sophia Loren
2:16 P.M. Ch. 12 PEOPLE NAMED AFTER CARTOON CHARACTERS–Morbid Nonsense
Join host Chiang Kai-shek as he journeys all over Cartoon County, Kansas, to interview unfortunate persons actually named Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Sylvester Pussycat, Elmer Fudd, etc. This week’s question: What happens when a cop writes you a speeding ticket and asks your name? Featuring Artie the Hamster and his orchestra.
2:30 P.M. Ch. 22 HAWAIIAN EYEBALL–Mystery
Detective Oswin Prong (Andre the Giant) solves crimes by peering through keyholes! This week: When crime boss Wan Hung Lo (Danny Kaye) threatens to “hang a lulu on Honolulu,” Police Chief Jack Benny (Jack Benny) resigns and Prong has to take his place. This brings on a spell of horrendous weeping. Spectacularly special guest star: Wanda Hershberger.
Ch. 34 PUPPET HOME REPAIRS–Educational
In this new PBS series, the Bil Botch Marionettes demonstrate assorted home repairs: how to clean up bloodstains, how to avoid hanging a door upside-down, the ins and outs of outdoor plumbing, what to do when you’ve been electrocuted… The puppet crew features Footra the Ballarina, Binx the Irascible Centipede, and Bungo the Klutz. Special guests: the June Taylor Dancers.
Well, there you have it! Stock up on tasty leaves and settle in for entertainment like you never believed was possible.
An entry in our hymn contest: Requested by Erlene, Hidden by the Cross, by Carroll Roberson.
I would love to see some requests from readers who have never made any. What holds you back?
I haven’t really fallen down the stairs; it just feels like it. I haven’t been in any collisions, either. Nevertheless, my right leg is all cramps and crimps from hip to ankle and I haven’t been to a doctor because they really can’t do much for soft tissue injuries. And I don’t want to be put on the Enemies Of The People list for not having had the you-know-what.
Anyway, I’m getting tired of this and I’d appreciate your prayers for me. Really I would.
None of that noisy cheering here!
Grandpa, didn’t there used to be this thing called Western civilization?
There sure was, sonny–and it was great! It had air conditioning.
What happened to it, grandpa?
Son, it schooled itself to death…
There’s just no limit to what “educators” can come up with when they’re dreaming up incredibly stupid ideas.
A few years ago a school in Sydney, Australia, came up with “silent cheers.” They kept it going for a while until the whole world wound up laughing at them.
Why any parents would want to subject their children to “school officials” is well beyond me. Could it be nothing more than a really bad habit?
Well, I’m off to a late start today. Cramps up and down my legs.
No hymn contest entries yet, so let me provide a hymn: His Eye Is on the Sparrow, sung by the Mennonite Hour Singers. I think this time the Lord has really outdone Himself in creating gorgeous background sets. Praise Him for the beauty of His creation!
I don’t think Lisa Beth will mind if I link to this post on her blog, theburninglamp.com . It’s been a while since I’ve seen her blog; I’m glad I visited it today.
Yes, “His Eye is on the Sparrow” But…
Lisa’s heart went out to this little bird with a badly broken wing, and she did everything possible to save him if she could. But the injuries were too severe.
We wonder–oh, yes, we wonder: “Why untimely death of His beloved?” Why does God permit the loss of our loved ones? Nothing hurts us worse than that.
Read Lisa Beth’s meditation, as she comes to grips with that question. Yes, God’s eye is on the sparrow–and on each of us, too. Our tribulations in this fallen world are known and felt by Him.
And beyond those tribulations, He has eternal life reserved for us.
Note: If you’re a Christian blogger and would like to have some of your posts displayed here, please just let me know. There is no charge for this service.
Boy did i herd Grate Noose “this” moarning!!!!! I think “it” was on CNN or mayby sombplaice Elsse!!
Get this!!! HILLERY CLINTON AND JOBYDIN THAY are GETTTING MARRYED!!!!!!!!!!
Not ownly “that”!” Oncet thay are Marryed, thay boath “Will” be Pressadint!!!!! Haow grate is that??!!?
Somb Hater Biggit he sayed But “that caint Be,, becose thay” are “boath awlreddy Marryed to somb-one Elsse!!!!” So we got himb kicked Out “of” Collidge!!!!! It “is” Oh K for Hillery “and” Jo to get Marryed becose It Is Foar “The” Goood Of The Contry,, Stoopid!!! It is a Merjincy Marridge!!!!! So putt That! in yore Pupa and Smoak It!!!
I awlyaws Knowed that somb Day Hillery she wood “be” Pressadint!!!!!! Nhow that weave “Got” Co-Vid that stopid Racist Constatittusion it doughnt Mater enny moar!!!! Fromb nhoaw On we whill Do “watt-ever” it taiks to maik Socile Jutstus!!!!!!!!!! And enny boddy thay doughnt lyke it, whell thay Beter “get” reddy for “the” Goo Log!!!!!!!!
And we whil alll Get Freee Tooission!!!!!!!!!!!
((Mayby we “can” Get Pressadint Obomma back tooo!!! Hoap And Chains for evver!!!
Gaulish warriors
A little after 400 B.C., masses of Gauls invaded northern Italy: their own lands couldn’t support them anymore. So they took land belonging to several cities friendly to Rome, but ruled by Etruscans. The Gauls were ready to wage war for these lands, but not yet committed to war.
Responding to appeals from their allies, the Romans sent three Fabian blue-bloods north to broker a peace deal. Those three peace commissioners urged the Italian cities to fight, raised and led an army against the Gauls, attacked them, and killed their king. That was a violation of international law that even the barbarous Gauls couldn’t tolerate. But instead of declaring war, they demanded that Rome turn the peace commissioners over to them for punishment.
The Roman Senate refused even to listen to the Gauls’ demands for justice. The Gauls snatched up their weapons and marched on Rome. Experts in the Roman army decided to ignore it. Then, when the huge Gaulish host actually came within sight of the city, the experts shifted to Plan B–panic.
The Gauls captured the undefended city–no one was left but a small garrison on the Capitoline Hill–and burned it into rubble. Eventually the Romans recaptured their city and had to rebuild it. Rome was a long time recovering from this.
How many easily avoidable errors of judgment led to this catastrophe? The best and the brightest of Rome made them all.
Stupidity, injustice, and arrogance–our own country should take warning from this.