Jan 11th 2013 07:59 am The Little Sleep
Speaking of cell phones, let me tell you a little story. The first time I made it across the pond was in 1998, when I traveled to Paris. On a personal level, it is hard to believe that was 15 years ago, but in the big picture it hasn’t been that long. One of the first things I noticed was that everybody seemed to be talking on a little bitty telephone. Now, we had cell phones in the U.S. then, but the bag phone and the “brick” still were ubiquitous, and there still existed the preconception that those who owned them were pretentious show-offs. I pondered what I saw on the streets of the French capital and finally reached the conclusion, “Of course! They’re not as well off as we Americans! They probably can’t afford to have phones in their homes!” I learned so much on that trip.
Posted by jimmyjohnson / Vintage A&J
193 Responses to “The Little Sleep”
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:11 am #
I have spent the last fifteen minutes looking through old posts, but someone predicted today (1/11/13) strip, by saying that Jimmy was going to use a “peek” cartoon or some other strip that would show how Arlo gets turned on by Janis… I wish that I could find it as I wanted to complement the poster, but with Arlo, those strips are pretty predictable!
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:18 am #
‘Twas Ghost Rider, a couple of weeks after Mr. Johnson submitted today’s offering. Unless, of course, he is able to get the publisher to switch the offering on short notice.
Ghost Rider 6 on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:39 am #
See Mindy’s comment at 09 Jan 2013 at 8:49 am, and my comment at 09 Jan 2013 at 11:11 am.
Thank you, thank you very much.
Symply Fargone on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:45 am #
@Mindy go back to Phoning it in…
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:57 am #
(Some how, I just don’t see Ms. Mindy phoning anything in.)
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:06 am #
Anyone interested in a political discussion about other issues that should be considered before gun control? Or discussing exactly what gun control is so important? Maybe identify what it (whatever “it” is) will actually accomplish? Is anyone willing to support their position without name-calling or a flame war?
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:08 am #
… “exactly what” should read “exactly why”. But even approximately why would still be a good conversation.
Mindy on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:16 am #
What did I do???????
Ghost Rider 6 on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:17 am #
Oh, just the usual.
sandcastler on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:35 am #
Politicians prefer unarmed subjects. David, is that what you mean by discussion?
Mindy, you are just the lightening rod of our lives. Tis a special position in our village that only you can fulfill.
Lindy from Eureka, CA on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:46 am #
As a teacher, I find the NRA’s call for putting a law enforcement officer in every school in the United States to be ludicrous. We keep increasing class sizes and laying people off to cut costs. My school hasn’t been able to afford to purchase a new computer for seven years now. How would we pay for these officers?
Robin in FL on 11 Jan 2013 at 10:20 am #
JJ
Your observation about cell phones in Europe was spot on. I lived in Turkey in the early 1990s and many people had cell phones there even then. I didn’t even consider why until I tried to get phone service in my rental apt. The tech took a pen knife and gouged a groove in the windowsill for a line to come in from the junction box on the building. That was after a 4 month wait because each building or area had only so many lines and I had to wait until someone gave up their phone service.
So yeah, cell phones made sense and I should have gone for one.
Brent from Waterloo, ON on 11 Jan 2013 at 10:35 am #
Well, you were partially right… part of the reason why cell phones exploded in Old World areas was the cost of getting a land line, because putting in the land line infrastructure was expensive in cities that had existed for hundreds of years before invention of the telephone. North American cities were still relatively young when the phone was invented, so it was easy to make room in the infrastructure and make land line connections available to every home. But in areas where you didn’t automatically have a land line already run to your home and would have to pay for it to be laid (which applies to undeveloped countries as well as crowded Old World cities), cell phones are a very attractive alternative.
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 10:41 am #
(Or the mountains of northern Georgia.)
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 11 Jan 2013 at 10:44 am #
Lindy: By increasing the local sales tax, creating a state lottery, or some new ‘fee’, all of them basically regressive.
David: See why we’d best leave that topic alone? I have on disc a years-old long response to a fwd. of one of the many emails blaming all of our ills on ‘pushing God out of our schools’. It contains little on gun control as such, but includes relevant hard data that some of our co-posters might find uncomfortably political, even though they are neutral statistics.
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 11:13 am #
I would be interested in seeing that document, eMb. Do you have a web site you would feel comfortable putting it on?
sandcastler on 11 Jan 2013 at 11:51 am #
Today’s problems were either yesterdays solution or the status quo of a past era. At current, time our neighborhood is struggling with issues that forty to fifty years ago were improvements: flood control and interstate transportation. Today both are impediments to building growth and traffic flows. Moral is: solutions don’t go away, they become the next problem.
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:04 pm #
Traditionally, a ‘crime’ consists of three elements: Means, Motive, and Opportunity. Right now, I’m hearing a lot about “Means” (i.e. ‘gun control’), a little less about “Opportunity” (e.g. “a cop in every classroom”), and almost nothing about “Motive.” Seems to me, that last one is the most important: With motivation, means and opportunity will be found.
I don’t have a solution, though, just an observation.
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:10 pm #
Lost: So far the possibility is moot. I’ve spent the last hour+ searching my cptr files, and cannot find it. I know I’ve read it, I think here at the cptr., some time within the last few yrs. If I come across it, I’ll see what can be done.
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:33 pm #
Thank you, Sir.
Mark in TTown on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:36 pm #
emb and David in Austin, most of the guilty parties in these mass shootings are found to have mental health issues. Maybe we should have better mandatory mental health care rather than even more restrictions on gun ownership. Perhaps a mental health screening should be part of the requirement for gun ownership?
Along the same lines, i think on-the-road driver retests should be mandatory for elderly drivers. How many more mass accidents/deaths do we need to have from elderly drivers who can’t control their cars before we do something concrete about that problem?
Mindy on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:49 pm #
Mark, on the other hand, why not require more stringent testing and screening of YOUNGER drivers? And, while we’re at it, let’s look hard and long at the fact that a license is required to drive a car…but not to have and raise a child. I’m not for more government control — that’s what the Civil War was primarily fought over, after all — but I am for more proper and appropriate use of the controls that Government does have and, if Government can’t handle the job Government should relinquish those controls.
And then the fight started…
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:50 pm #
Define “elderly.”
If we can’t handle “mandatory” physical health care (flu shots, for example), how can we handle “mandatory” mental health? If you think we *can* handle mandatory physical health care, I invite you consider the Affordable Care Act.
JDS on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:52 pm #
I feel that we should limit the debate here to a discussion of bathroom safety . For example, does Arlo’s bathroom safety procedures include a hands-on inspection of flotation devices?
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 11 Jan 2013 at 12:57 pm #
JDS-
I suspect those are already inspected on a regular basis.
nickchick on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:05 pm #
I agree…lets stick to safe subjects like college football! LOL
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:29 pm #
Life is too short to remove a USB safely. Discuss amoung yourselves.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:36 pm #
or among yourselves….
Dave in MA on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:45 pm #
If passing a law banning certain items makes it impossible to get them, then why do people still manage to get Heroin, Cocaine, Ecstasy, etc.
I saw an editorial cartoon that summed it all up for me.
Someone beats someone to death with a baseball bat in panel one and the liberal says, “You beat him to death, what’s wrong with you?”
Someone uses a garrote to choke someone to death in the next panel and the liberal says, “You strangled him to death, what’s wrong with you?”
Someone uses a knife to stab someone to death in the next panel and the liberal says, “You stabbed him to death, what’s wrong with you?”
Someone uses a gun to shoot someone to death in the next panel and the liberal says, “You shot him to death, WE MUST BAN GUNS!”
Keep in mind that our founding fathers were quite adamant (several of them) that the whole point of the second amendment was to allow citizens to protect themselves from a tyrannical government. These days, I can’t see anyone taking up arms against the government in this country, but that was their whole reason for it as far as the quotes from those particular founding fathers go.
As far as I’m concerned, if you let the government take away your right to the particular guns they don’t want you to have, they’ll come after different ones next time, then the time after that, and the time after that, until there aren’t any more left. Then you’re a sitting duck for a dictatorship, which certain members of our government seem bent on creating anyways.
Anonymous on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:47 pm #
I had a fairly long and detailed message mostly entered, then the iPad crashed…
Summary: I am a gun owner, but no assault rifles. I believe that mental health is the primary issue that should be addressed for public safety. In 2009, about 31,000 deaths were firearm related. Roughly 60% of those deaths were suicides and 37% were homicides. For that same year, drugs (39,000 deaths), motor vehicles (34,500 deaths) and alcohol (24,500 deaths) all exceeded the deaths caused by firearm assault.
I believe that based on the constitution that assault rifles and even automatic weapons should be owned by US citizens. Thomas Jefferson said something to the effect of, An armed citizenry is the last resort against tyrrany. If citizens cannot own weapons or must register all weapons then that last resort is taken away. Remember, the Second Amendment was provided by a group of men that had just completed an armed insurrection. The armed citizen was essential to the success of the American Revolution.
Beyond all that, gun control is a compatively insignificant issue when it comes to lives lost in the US. If one REALLY wants to save lives, then we should have a more frank discussion of abortion. Roughly one million (1,000,000) babies are aborted every year. Sandy Hook Elementary had 20 children (0.002% of the abortion deaths). Those 20 deaths were rightly considered a national tragedy, why don’t all those pre-birth deaths matter?
“It’s my body and my choice” no longer applies when 50% of the baby’s DNA is someone else’s. it’s not just tissue, but a person. A person that can love, play, laugh and cry. Why should convenience cut that sweet life short? In 2009, abortions far outnumbered the official leading cause of death, heart disease (600,000 deaths). Will history see abortion as the second holocaust?
Ready, set, go!
**all statistics from CDC reportable
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:50 pm #
That Anonymous is me… Didn’t notice that I lost the ID info when the browser crashed.
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 1:56 pm #
Oh, and to equally infuriate the other side of the political spectrum, I think that as long as we expect comprehensive government services (like hurricane relief) that EVERYONE should pay more taxes. No one can find anything significant to cut from the federal budget, so we have to pay more to cover the costs of the services we demand.
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 2:00 pm #
If the other participant is anything more than a sperm donor, I would expect them to be included in the discussion. If not, then they aren’t much different from Onan.
minnesotadon on 11 Jan 2013 at 2:30 pm #
Way to go David in Austin…
minnesotadon on 11 Jan 2013 at 2:31 pm #
To David in Austin…if you ever come to the Twin Cities lunch is on me.
sandcastler on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:22 pm #
^^^^^ takes his M203 and M249 and heads to the bunker.
Mindy on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:25 pm #
Mindy grabs the SAWS and follows sandcastler.
John in New Hope on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:25 pm #
Jimmy’s comments today sparked a memory – I want to say that Jimmy wrote about his trip on this blog either during or shortly after his trip. So, that means that I’ve been checking this site longer than CNN!
Congrats Jimmy, on such a long time and successful career, blog, and such.
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:26 pm #
My $0.02 With regard to the 2nd amendment- When it was passed, the US did not have a standing army and depended upon state militias to be called up to defend the country. Jefferson’s tyranny was Great Britain and other foreign powers hoping to regain their lost colonies, hence the reference to “well-regulated militias” in the amendment. The War of 1812 was started in part by Britain in hopes regaining some influence if not territory in the lost colonies. They almost succeeded as New England was seriously considering seceding. The War of 1812 also demonstrated that the USA could not be defended by the militias and steps were taken to establish and maintain a trained, standing army.
That being said, I believe it is constitutional to restrict automatic weapons and other weapons designed to kill a lot of people in a short period of time should be left to state militias and the US military. I can’t think of a good reason why private citizens need these weapons, anyway.
I envision the best way to enforce such a ban is to go after the manufacturers and sellers of these weapons and ban the sale of the associated ammunition.
Hey, only five week until Pitchers and Catchers!
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:28 pm #
David in Austin-
I’m solidly on board with at least your last two points!
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:30 pm #
John in New Hope-
You remember correctly- JJ’s old blog had several entries about his trip to France to visit a European comic convention. Let me see if I can dig up some links.
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:33 pm #
Just realized that this Monday is the 5th anniversary of this version of the blog!
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:37 pm #
I’d like to have the M2, a few LAWs, a couple of manpack TOWs/Saber, and the current generation Stingers. I’ll let the government keep all the heavy weapons vehicle systems. We’ve seen how effective asymmetric warfare can be. (Just kidding… I couldn’t afford to stock the ammunition or replacement missiles.)
sandcastler on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:50 pm #
David, should secession occur, we could ally ourselves with the USA and receive military aid.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:54 pm #
Blinky:
The blog in this format is 5 yrs old. Jimmy had an earlier blog, but there was no chance to comment. I am sure that his inbox was always full at that point as we were always emailing him. I remember he mentioned me in one of the blogs and it happened to be on my birthday in December 2005. It was really a God send as my best friend as a kid had just passed away and him mentioning me in the blog cheered me up.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 11 Jan 2013 at 3:58 pm #
Well I just tried topost a link to the first da of the blog in this format and it did not take. Just scroll down to the bottom, click on January 2008 and then click on January 14th
JDS on 11 Jan 2013 at 4:04 pm #
Dear Blinky the Wonder Wombat;
Okay – I didn’t want to do this, I would much rather discuss bathroom safety:
First, ownership of automatic weapons has been restricted since June 26, 1934.
Second, Washington and Jefferson’s were warning us that government (ours, not England’s), was the single biggest threat to liberty.
“Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” George Washington
“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” George Washington
“The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.” George Washington
“Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.” George Washington
Don’t forget the reasons why the battles of Lexington and Concord were fought by the Minutemen. About 700 British Army regulars, under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, were given secret orders to capture and destroy military supplies that were reportedly stored by the Massachusetts militia at Concord.
Go Cubs.
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 4:21 pm #
JDS–
Your quotes are exactly the reason that I say automatic weapons “should not” be restricted, though they are. It is clear that the founders intended that citizens should be able to protect themselves against their government.
Sandcastler–
Discussing the issue with my adult daughter. She believes that if the US government becomes oppressive the revolt might be armed by Brazil or South Africa. The EU would probably stick with the government, much like the Russians are still supporting Assad’s government. I think that revolutionaries might seek support from China or Russia– however, that could lead to problems in itself. Brazil, South Africa, or India might be of some use as revolutionary allies.
Blinky–
The last two points of which message? Message 1: Reduce abortion or Message 2: tax so we can spend?
JDS on 11 Jan 2013 at 4:57 pm #
David in Austin – Well that’s all well and good, but I’m still concerned that Janis may need some help getting out of that tub safely.
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 11 Jan 2013 at 5:01 pm #
This site is becoming less attractive.
David in Austin on 11 Jan 2013 at 5:11 pm #
EMB,
Can’t we have one day of semi-serious discussion of a current issue? The topics can return to the normal sex and salaciousness tomorrow.
Dennis Ewing on 11 Jan 2013 at 5:25 pm #
From yesterday’s discussion;
Out idiot governor 2 years ago vetoed a bill that outlawed texting and driving. Had he not I might not have had my life ruined at the end of December 2011. No one exercises common sense. If they did they wouldn’t be putting make up on while driving, or reading newspapers or texting.
The same applies to guns. People with mental health issues should not own guns. We have a lower violent crime per capita than a lot of other countries. I sleep better at night knowing I have a loaded 30-06 near my bed. And I have seen my dad stop thieves on the ranch when I was a boy with a shotgun using rock salt loads. I am a believer in a good guy needs a gun to keep the bad guys who have guns in line.
Anonymous on 11 Jan 2013 at 5:37 pm #
Dave in Austin-
I was referring to both and passing on your opinions on fire arms.
In deference to EMB, I may disagree with your opinions, although I respect them and think I understand them, I think it is best to move on to less contentious topics.
Things don’t look too good for my beloved Phillies this upcoming season.
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 11 Jan 2013 at 5:38 pm #
D’oh! That last anonymous comment was me. (Forgot to sign on from a new computer.)
Jerry in Fl on 11 Jan 2013 at 6:14 pm #
I have the answer. Let me decide who can own guns. Of course I will be keeping mine. I can’t say the same about all of you, but you’ll have to trust me. That’s the problem. We all want to take guns away from the bad guys and the mentally ill, but who’s going to make those decisions? George Carlin liked to say “Have you ever noticed?” Every newsworthy shooting is always a lone nut shooter except Columbine in which we had two lone nut gunmen. There has never ever been a conspiracy, not in Dallas, not in Oklahoma city, never. One exception, Lincoln, in which we aren’t even sure who was involved and we followed a “hang everybody” policy. Dead men tell no tales, you know.
Mark in TTown on 11 Jan 2013 at 6:21 pm #
Time! Those who want to continue this discussion need to find another place for it. If we are turning people away from this site we are doing Jimmy no favors. After all, it is His site and we are guests. I don’t want to find any of us in permanent moderation.
Boy, it is warm for this time of year. Supposed to be in the low 70′s tomorrow.
sandcastler on 11 Jan 2013 at 6:56 pm #
Let us all gather around the village fire pit. Join our hands and sing Kumbaya. Afterwards we shall depart to our cottages and live in harmony in this wonderful valley we fondly call Arlo & Janis.
My peace to each of you, my friends.
TruckerRon on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:19 pm #
We hit 42F yesterday, 25F today, it’s now 22F, going down to 12F tonight, 2F Saturday, -4F on Sunday… you get the picture. Oh, it snowed last night and today (Gandolf according to the WC is dumping on us) and is supposed to do more tonight.
I won’t be singing Kumbaya, I’m going to be finding more blankets!
Too bad flame wars don’t affect the weather.
fan in japan on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:43 pm #
Unfortunately, I am in agreement with emeritus Minnesota biologist regarding the recent trend to this blog. It used to be so comforting to come here.
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 8:53 pm #
I think it still is. Note that the disagreements have not descended to acrimony, nor are they likely to. I take comfort in that.
Looking at the strip above, I’ve had some difficulty determining whether Arlo got back to sleep. I’ve seen comments indicating others think he did not.
BTW, eMb, how’s the squirrel?
curmudgeonly ex-professor on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:16 pm #
A**2: Perchance, was the squirrel question meant for me and my “Redstuff”? If so, (gender-specific pronoun unknown[!]) showed up about 8-9 days ago, but not since. At that viewing, Redstuff gave the appearance of having regained at least some of (gender-specific pronoun unknown) balance, although the left eye was still partially closed. I kinda hope I see (gender-specific pronoun unknown) again soon.
I wondered whether or not I could work in those parenthetical ideas like some of the rest of you!
Agreed, that this blog is really not the place for touchy subjects – even if only as a courtesy to JJ. Yes, I do have an opinion on guns and school safety, but won’t divulge it here for that reason.
It is much, much more pleasant to imagine Arlo’s view of Janis….
Lost in A**2 on 11 Jan 2013 at 9:39 pm #
As soon as I saw your name in the list of recent responses, Professor, I realised my error. Thank you for the update.
Ghost Rider 6 on 11 Jan 2013 at 10:25 pm #
Hey, Mindy, know what the problem with French barbequing is?
Symply Fargone on 11 Jan 2013 at 10:37 pm #
Weird I thought I had posted something and when i went and looked there was nothing there…sorry Mindy guess I am Symply Fargone.
Jean in Dahlonega Ga aka Trapper Jean on 11 Jan 2013 at 11:05 pm #
Seeing as how the temps are going back down next week I will be with Trucker looking for those blankets.
Lost in A**2-that’s exactly why we didn’t have a landline for years after we moved here…it was too bleeping expensive!
As for the other discussion, I’m signing off and going to bed.
Darn it, sandcastler, now I have Kumbaya playing on a loop in my head.
JDS on 11 Jan 2013 at 11:49 pm #
Just returned home from seeing Zero Dark Thirty. Pretty sobering movie. The audience just sat in silence at the end.
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 1:00 am #
Jean, y’all welcome.
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:15 am #
I know, Jean; I was referring to your previous comments on the subject.
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:10 am #
Ghost, when you barbeque a Frenchman [or woman] they tend to catch fire and that’s messy. Is that the problem you were thinking of?
As for so-called gun control, I shall believe as I choose and everyone else is free to believe as they choose. So let’s let that dog go back to sleep and find something else controversial to discuss.
Flotation devices? I’m still trying to figure that one out. I do know that they Navy teaches it’s personnel how to stay afloat indefinitely using only that little Dixie Cup had. Which brings to mind the ultimate survival between Officer and Enlisted. The officer cries out, “Give me your hat, sailor, so I can stay afloat!” The sailor replies with something less than complimentary to which the officer becomes irate at the lack of respect and orders the sailor to surrender his had at which time the sailor shouts something uncomplimentary and insulting about the officer’s parents and the officer…anyway, the verbal abuse esculates and the officer slaps the sailor slapslapslap to which the sailor responds by hitting the officer with his hat whapwhatwhat and the officer kicks the sailor’s shins kickkickkick and the sailor kicks the officer’s…well, so much for that. Then end of the story is that the cap floats away and both officer and sailor discover that they can stand since they drifted to shore during their exchange and the water is only four feet deep. When the officer wades to shore the sailor looks at him and says, “I didn’t know they stacked it that high.” At that time the officer says something nasty about the sailor’s parents…
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:10 am #
What flotation devices??????
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:35 am #
No, Mindy, silly female person, it’s because the snails keep falling through the grill.
Dig out your favorite WWII reference source and look up “Mae West (personal flotation device).”
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:41 am #
Humm. Why do things related to “Mae West” keep coming up here?
Debbe59 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:43 am #
Good morning ya’ll…
Flotation devices…..well, nature plus gravity does take its toll on the human body as it ages. unfortunately, my flotation devices have had the air let out of them.
Got that dog back in the house yet Mindy? While reading the comments, I noticed a lot of $50 dollar words being used
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:49 am #
Perhaps this will help, Mindy…
http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/West,%20Mae/Annex/Annex%20-%20West,%20Mae%20(She%20Done%20Him%20Wrong)_01.jpg
Good morning, Debbe! Wondered where you’ve been hiding out. Junior hasn’t, ah, over-exerted himself to death, has he?
Debbe59 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:59 am #
Good morning GR’ Junior is still crowing…he’s getting to be quite the stud muffin.
Kinda been in a funk this week….but I still check in every morning. Pulled a tendon or something in my left knee….been wearing a brace, but the dang thing has been interfering with my beauty sleep. Thank the pharmaceutic company for pain meds.
Jerry in Fl on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:16 am #
I understand what it is like to have a problem walking. I had surgey on my leg on Wednesday and it is difficult to walk. Doctors orders are to stay off my feet, so, like it or not, I have to read, watch tv and nap. You do what you have to do.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:20 am #
Happy to hear that about Junior, Debbe; not so much about your knee. Take care of it.
Do I get extra credit for not mentioning “re-inflation” in response to your comment about PFD’s?
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:22 am #
Dirty work, but someone has to do it, eh, Jerry?
Debbe59 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:28 am #
GR…yup, that’s one more step up on the ladder to heaven
Debbe59 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:33 am #
Do any of you remember the little old lady cartoon (full page at that!) from Playboy magazine? She looked like she was wearing two bowling pins on her chest!! Don’t ask me why I had access to the magazine..long 14 year story. I did every now and then read the articles.
My old favorite magazine was Mad Magazine. and the Spy vs. Spy cartoons.
Debbe59 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:34 am #
Pray you rehab well, Jerry in FL
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:35 am #
As many of you are aware, I had hip replacement surgery on December 7th. The first week taught me the importance of bed rest, but I was quickly able to get up and moving around. Since I am still young and still in decent shape from 25 yrs+ of running and walking, I have made a remarkable recovery. I went back to work on January 2nd and am walking around without a cane. I walked every day this week and on Friday I did a mile at lunch and a 1/3 mile in the afternoon (with a bit of help of a cane)
I am doing the rehab exercises and feel like I will be more flexible than I ever have been. I am not bragging, but very thankful for modern science, good doctors and the Divine Healer. Debbe and Jerry: hang in there, follow the Doctors orders and hopefully you will be moving well. For everyone else out there, my mantra is Keep moving, both physically and mentally.
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:45 am #
Mae West had lovely hair, Ghost, and a great sort of smile, but what does that link have to do with flotation devices? With air in them or not? In a bathtub? John has a little rubber duckie…except it’s not really a duckie although that’s close that I bought for him in a gift shop of sorts in Nashville but TASFYAD. And what about flotation devices? Hi, Debbe!
Debbe59 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:51 am #
Thank you Steve….unfortunately, I still need to work, and walk the six aisles, six hundred feet each, at least twice at work. I don’t get in a hurry though, and I do baby it.
Gotta get out and do some grocery shopping, the weather is going to get bad here in the next 24 hours. Thunderstorms, flood warnings tonight, and ice and some snow in the morning. Oh, my!
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:56 am #
c xp and Lost: “BTW, eMb, how’s the squirrel?” Thanks for clearing that up. I have enough lapses without thinking that I’ve forgotten something about diverse sciurids, which were a topic of concentration in grad school. I did know one trap-happy fox squirrel that had a diseased, blind eye [I'll spare all of you the description]. Seemed to last as long as most other individually identifiable squirrels that I knew in the ’50s.
Steve: Be happy you had an orthopod who prescribed PT. There are some who think that’s all bunk, that you will recover normal movement just as well without a PT regimen. Only personal experience within my family was wife’s splendid recovery, with PT, after getting a new knee. HIPPA does not allow my going further re experiences outside of my own family.
Anonymous on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:56 am #
What about fog and dark of night, Debbe? And sandstorms?
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:59 am #
Ahh, I see the Kumbayaing around the fire pit last evening has calmed my fellow villagers. Nothing like a rousting rendition of Kumbaya while holding hands to calm the frazzled mind.
Jean, just keep humming the tune, it will become your personnel mantra.
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:00 am #
Grandma in Playboy: She was a riot. Reminds me of a joke wife told about an older woman who answered a question, “36 Long”. One of the advantages of being only slightly endowed to start with, and another quote I think I first heard from wife, “More than a handful is wasteful.” In a quiet way, wife was also a riot.
Jean in Dahlonega Ga aka Trapper Jean on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:01 am #
Lost, I did wonder if you were thinking of me.
I blame the late hour and being sleepy for not being really coherent.
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:10 am #
I remember, sandcastler, when I was a somewhat younger person, a naive, shy and totally unworldly young girl on the threshold of passion, lust, depravity and a few other things of interest. Went to a Vacation Bible School, unwillingly, and that ended up with an extra day thrown in on Saturday for a hayride. [I have yet to figure out the "vacation" part since it actually wasted five vacation days [[plus a Saturday afternoon/evening]] that could have been spent doing other much more interesting things such as catching frogs, building a dam on the creek so it would be easier to skinny dip, and shooting a hornets’ nest with a pellet gun as the neighbor’s dog [it had killed my cat and I was angry] walked beneath it.] Anyhoo, back to the hayride. First I had to fend off the unwanted advances of a goofy boy who looked a lot like Alfred E. Neuman [Debbe might have liked to talk to him, I don't know] who kept wanting to put his hands where they didn’t belong [on me]. It’s odd, now that I think of it, but Little Alfie grew up to resemble Tom Selleck with red hair. Anyway, again, there was an intermission involving a large fire [big mistake] and mashmallows flaming on sticks [and two M-80 things thrown in my some still yet unnamed nefarious person of evil intent] and a hand holding bit around the remains of the fire singing that sill Koom Ba song…and I never did figure out who, exactly, had his or her hand[s] on my butt…never mind.
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:11 am #
silly koom ba….sheesh. My typer is tyred.
Robin in FL on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:20 am #
Mindy
The dorky kid who grew up to be a dorky (and immature) nerd is the kind I attracted most of my life. Fortunately, one day, on a scuba diving trip, this handsome and wonderful man asked me to be his dive buddy, and three years later asked me to be his life buddy.
Symply Fargone on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:24 am #
Mindy now I ‘member what I said earlier; In the early 1980′s before Al Gore ever heard of the words internet, I was working for Prime Computer in MA on little mini tower UNIX systems(before server/PC). I used to communicate to a young lady named Melonie at Purdue University who claimed to have a 10th degree black belt in Power Flirting, she had powers undreamed of over a pair of 501 jeans(I leave that to those who wear/are familiar with those model Levi’s to figure this out)
Now my question is did you and Ginger attend the same Fargone Dojo as she did.
Or you gonna pull a Mindy on me?
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:28 am #
Robin: Awwww.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:31 am #
Mindy, that was a extremely interesting story you related about…uh…ah…your butt, was it?
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:34 am #
I can relate to your good fortune, Robin. John and I met [for the tenth or eleventh time] at a pistol competition where he won the Men’s competition and I took the Women’s. [Why does speel check reject "men's" and accept "women's" here?] Anyway, someone suggested a shoot-off between the man and woman who won their titles, so it was me and John facing off for one more round. I was sorta attracted to him so I thought I’d let him win by a point or two. Turned out he was sorta attracted to me so he thought he’d let me win by a point or two. It got downright hilarious. Out of a possible 300 score, each of us managed to be in the middle 100s. I shot worse than him by 1 point and that night…well…TASFYAD for sure.
Symply, what a marvelously loaded question! By simply throwing 501 jeans into the formula you leave it wide open for me to accidentally reveal Ginger’s gender! Fantastic! I’m not going to Plead a Mindy on you; I’m simply going to congratulate Symply for a splendid trap even though I sidestepped it and I’m going to…sidestep it! I will admit that I have about a dozen pair of 501 that still fit and which haven’t worn out yet. [I never wear them for very long, but TASFYAD in itself.]
Nice try.
Ginger on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:36 am #
There sure are a lot of SFYAD floating around. Hi, y’all, I are back. Mindy lied about the 501s. She wore those out putting them on and taking them off several years ago…She never could make up her mind. About some things. I think I’m going to leave again.
Goombye.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:42 am #
Fargone: As a graduate of Purdue, I can only say that I never met this gal. The ratio of women to men was so high, that they did not have to have great powers of flirting. All they had to do was blink and 5 guys would be chasing them. I went to a Purdue Michigan game and the guy in front of me was making fun of the Purdue cheerleaders. My wife was concerned that I might say something nasty to him and I told her. “He’s right. Why do you think I moved to Michigan to find a wife?” Of course things were not nearly as bad as I remember.
John in Virginia on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:18 am #
Steve From Royal Oak, I went to Loyola New Orleans. The ratio there was 7 Nuns for each male. That makes Purdue look like a prime hunting reservation.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:39 am #
Giada is doing all veggie recipes on her foodie channel show today, even though I was hoping she’d be doing something with breasts. Although, come to think of it…
Virgin Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:46 am #
Ghost rider 6! How tacky! How chauvinistic! How typical!
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:56 am #
Our Little Mindy is growing up?
John in Virginia on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:07 am #
Alarm! Alarm! The Virgin Mindy is back! Alarm! Alarm! D:
John in Richmond Texas on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:09 am #
Robin in FL, I think we should be clear, (all in fun) a guy can be dorky and immature or just one or the other. I see dorky as fun-loving goofy, not necesarily a “tard”. I feel I could be dorky because I’m a little lacking in engines, motors, sports, etc, but think I’m pretty mature in empathy, sympathy and interpersonal relationships. I know what’s going on, of course, like I know everyone’s gonna be happy when the Texans beat the Patriots tomorrow.
. Is the political stuff over?, cuz JJ specifically said he didn’t want that stuff in here, we need to get a separate site “AJ fans talk serious” or something, besides how would we like it if the strip starting getting political? .. I have a confession to make, after my bunionectomy I’ve been driving with my left foot for over a week, the state/county issues temporary disabled parking tags and they’re good for six months, I’ll only need it for a month or two, but I’m gonna use that thing while I can ! . . after reading everything from the top down, I can only say, they’ll stick that flu shot in me when they pull it out of my cold dead arm, no, wait, what ?
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:10 am #
Welcome back Virgin Mindy.
As to hornets nests, I usually blasted those with a shotgun loaded with number nine shot.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:29 am #
Obviously I meant that there were more Men to Women, but thank you for getting my point.
We have gotten into a few political discussions here and for a day or too I would just skim some of the more flaming comments, but quickly the banter would change to what this blog is about, which is laughing at everyday things that happen to us all. Sometimes it is hard not to laugh at our political system, so I think a few jokes are fine. I have some very strong viewpoints but I try not to post them here. I would rather have people say “Boy that Steve from Royal Oak is strange” rather than “Boy that Steve from Royal Oak is narrow minded”
Peace
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:42 am #
Steve, does “laughing at everyday things” include me laughing at John for stepping in the commode when he was too lazy to use a ladder and the lid and seat were up and…he didn’t think that was funny at all but I thought it was an “everyday thing” that doesn’t happen all that often which made me laugh even more…and…is that one of those things?
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:55 am #
Well, once again I seem to have gotten Virgin Mindy’s panties in a wad. My work is done here.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:00 pm #
Mindy, the humor quotient of John stepping in the toilet probably depends in large measure on what exactly he was attempting to do when he stepped in it, as well as what was in the toilet at the time.
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:03 pm #
Still, the description made me laugh. Thank you, John.
Ursen on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:33 pm #
Random food thought. Do grits go better with ham or bacon or both?
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:36 pm #
Hot, with butter, pepper and a soft egg. However, I don’t get grits very often; any more, I use couscous.
Mark in Boston on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:37 pm #
Ah, Mae West! “I’m the girl who works for Paramount all day and Fox all night!”
Or as she would say it:
I’m the girl who works for Paramount … all … DAY
…
and Fox
…
ALL
…
NIGHT!
Mark in Boston on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:38 pm #
20th Century Fox is still around as a movie studio, right?
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:47 pm #
Breakfast this morning was jalapeño and cheese grits, topped with: Cajun shrimp, bacon, tomatoes and green onions. Served up with a side of Texas toast and black coffee.
Ursen, does that help?
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 12:54 pm #
Grits work best with a garbage can. Yes, Mark, 20th Century Fox is still around and I always wonder why they haven’t updated that marquee. Of course, the best things are often the older ones.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 1:17 pm #
GRITS go great with everything. Oh, you meant “grits.”
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 1:20 pm #
Mindy, I detect a might of grit dislike in your garbage can remark. I thought it was only Yankees who misunderstood grits, not that I am questioning your Southern Maidenhood.
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 2:45 pm #
I don’t know about the maiden part, sandcastler, but I’m definitely Southern.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 12 Jan 2013 at 3:02 pm #
My brother Bill joined the Navy and had not been home for about 8 years. When my Mom was killed in a car accident he returned home and finally met my wife. My wife criticized me, saying that Bill was different, but that he did not seem that odd.
After the funeral, we all gathered at the house. Bill decided to go up into the attic to retrieve some of things that he had in storage. Suddenly in the hallway off of the dining room where we were all gathered, Bill’s right foot broke through the plaster ceiling. I just turned to my wife and said “That’s Bill”.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy. When my wife’s father passed away he was very thoughtful and consoled her with the right words. Then when I got on the other line, he started talking about his bowel movements, cracking my wife up so hard she was rolling on the carpet. Afterwards, through tears, she said “I have not had a good laugh like that in months”
curmudgeonly ex-professor on 12 Jan 2013 at 3:33 pm #
A**2 and anyone else: As it happened, little Redstuff showed up today around noon. The off-balance symptom seems almost gone, and the scampering is almost normal. Left eye seems totally closed, but the critter is otherwise fat & sleek. Mirabile dictu! Maybe winter survival will be possible.
(see? no pronouns)
I am also no fan of grits. They’ve been served to me several times (without my ordering) and I’ve never been known to finish the portion. Guess I didn’t live in the south long enough.
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 3:56 pm #
Cool. Thank you, Sir.
Robin in FL on 12 Jan 2013 at 5:06 pm #
Ursen
Second vote for butter, salt, pepper and a soft egg. And bacon for me. Ignore Mindy.
TruckerRon on 12 Jan 2013 at 5:22 pm #
This is in retaliation (sort of) for the French BBQ joke:
On a trip together, a Hindu, a rabbi and a lawyer stop at a farmhouse and ask to stay the night. There is a space for two, but one will have to sleep in the barn.
“I’ll go” the Hindu volunteers. A few minutes later, the lawyer and the rabbi hear a knock.
“There is a cow in the barn,” the Hindu says. “A cow is sacred, and I can’t sleep with a sacred beast.”
“No problem, I can do it,” the rabbi says, grabbing his pillow. But minutes later, the rabbi knocks.
“There is a pig in the barn. It’s an unclean animal — my belief forbids me to be near such a creature.”
With a tired sigh, the lawyer heads out. Almost immediately, there is a third knock at the door.
It’s the cow and the pig.
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 5:39 pm #
A lawyer and his friend are fishing in shark infested waters when the lawyer falls overboard. The friend watches in horror as the sharks circle and close in on the lawyer. Next thing he knows the sharks have helped the lawyer back aboard. The friend is amazed and asks why the sharks didn’t eat his fishing buddy. To which the lawyer replied’ “Professional courtesy.”
Is it okay to tell lawyer jokes?
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 5:47 pm #
Robin, let us not ignore Mindy. We just need to keep a vigilant eye on her, seems she may have acquired a dab of Yankee blood. Only way to be sure is to check her name on the Daughter’s of the Confederacy roll to see if it contains an asterisk.
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:04 pm #
It’s OK to tell lawyer jokes so long as you remember the context of the quote, “First, kill all of the lawyers.”
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:09 pm #
People can rise above their Yankiness, or other narrow outlook. I have learned to love grits, crawfish etoufee, and gumbo. My mother was Southern, but rarely fixed grits. Her most common MS/LA dish was shrimp creole. I now avoid shrimp because I hate the damage shrimp trawling does to the ocean bottom, but eat them readily if they’re out at a buffet or whatever.
I’ve also learned to eat sushi, loved raw oysters and clams since I was a kid, learned in the UK to eat kippers, sardines, or pilchards on toast for breakfast or whenever, and am now cooking [it's in the 5-hour crockpot LOW phase] my signature West African style chicken/fruit curry for the potluck lunch at this town’s UMC tomorrow. It will be over brown rice, because I prefer that. The fruits are pitted prunes, canned peaches, dried cranberries, chopped dates, and such. In Niger they’d be mangoes, papayas, &c.
Some object to my canned mackerel [rather than salmon] salad because it tastes “fishy”. Well, it’s fish, no?
Yes, it’s ok to tell lawyer jokes. Lawyers do it all the time.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:28 pm #
sandcastler probably knows this, but I didn’t. The French have their version of Google now, called Quaero. But when you type in your subject of interest, Quaero lights a cigarette and ignores you.
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:33 pm #
LMSAO
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:49 pm #
sandcastler, my seconds will call on you before the day is done. The choice of weapons will be yours, of course.Ignore Mindy? Everyone ignores Mindy.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 6:56 pm #
Choice of weapons? Oh, my.
Dan in SWMo on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:03 pm #
I don’t feel up to giving all my thoughts on gun control right now, except to say that it bothers me greatly to see knee jerk reactions from BOTH the pro-gun and pro-control people every time the subject comes up. I will add right now a couple of important thoughts about the second amendment, one for each of the two sides.
First, regardless of whether you think the second amendment is outdated or not, you are not allowed to simply ignore it. The framers of the constitution set up proper procedures for making amendments, including amendments that repeal previous amendments. If you really think any amendment of the constitution is outdated, it behooves you to work towards repeal, and not merely say “Oh, that doesn’t apply any more.”
Second, there is nothing in the constitution to prevent municipalities and states from doing what the federal government is not allowed, constitutionally, to do. If New York City or Chicago want to totally ban private ownership of guns within their cities, that is their right to do, and those who disagree can leave those cities to the good or ill of their own decisions.
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:05 pm #
To quote the President’s mixed metaphor, I don’t have a dog in this hunt, but the end of the mustangs/crows game is exciting.
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:07 pm #
Mindy, kabar knives and a five foot ankle shackle.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:10 pm #
Ankle shackle? Oh, my.
Mindy on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:12 pm #
I figured you for the Jim Bowie style, sandcastler. I shall, of course, ask permission to utilize my Randall. And you may be next, Ghost. After I dispose of sandcastler.
Mark in TTown on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:31 pm #
Mindy, from what you have said about your cooking, I’m sure your seconds would be welcomed anywhere. And your firsts too!
How about sledgehammers in a filled swimming pool?
eMb, our pastor mentioned an Indian restaurant during service last Sunday. I went to the buffet yesterday and remembered what I liked about Indian food. If any of you happen to pass through Tuscaloosa, look up Sitar. The food was very good and nicely spicy. From looking at the menu they have several other restaurants in Birmingham and Tennessee.
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:35 pm #
Mindy, bring your Randall. My swamp. Oh dark thirty. February 7, 2013.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 7:37 pm #
Do I get choice of weapons, Mindy?
TruckerRon on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:00 pm #
Fight? Fight! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY8T1kjk3ms
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:21 pm #
Mindy, you ready?
http://midorieyes.deviantart.com/art/Motivational-Poster-Knife-Cat-87540746
Lost in A**2 on 12 Jan 2013 at 8:36 pm #
(Dan, when you get a chance, take a look at Section 1 of the 14th Amendment.)
Anonymous on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:12 pm #
How many lawyer jokes are there?
Two…… The rest are true stories.
mike in 96 on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:14 pm #
Above anonymous was me. I tossed my cookies earlier.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:22 pm #
“A Frenchman’s home is his castle.” –Henri Estienne
“A Frenchman’s home is where another man’s wife is.” –Mark Twain
sandcastler on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:29 pm #
mike, are you feeling better? Please don’t infect the village, JJ does not pay for our healthcare.
JDS on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:34 pm #
Lost in A**2 I’ve always been a big fan of the 14th amendment.
I’m pretty sure that I’ve never had grits. Not likely to see them on a menu up here in Wisconsin.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:54 pm #
Technically, hominy grits, sicne it’s ground from hominy. Just to complicate things, uncooked grits is sometimes called “grist” and when cooked, “hominy.” But the hominy I ate when growing up was not at all the same as grits.
Ever had polenta, JDS? Somewhat similar, unless it’s baked or fried after being cooked in a pot.
TruckerRon on 12 Jan 2013 at 10:57 pm #
The one time I shared some grits with some Yankees the durn fools added cinnamon and sugar to it and poured milk on it!
Jerry in Fl on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:04 pm #
From the way you guys fix eggs, you are entirely correct to not eat them with grits. Why ruin perfectly good grits. And no sweet tea in restaurants? Didn’t Lewis Grizzard teach you guys anything? BTW, don’t your plumbers know that hot water is on the left and cold water on the right? Now then, there’s some important things that we can argue about.
TruckerRon on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:07 pm #
Jerry, there’s nothing there to argue about. Those are all as obvious as the noonday sun!
Mark in TTown on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:26 pm #
And don’t order sweet iced tea in a Chinese restaurant. Unless the operators are locally born they don’t understand the concept. I’m sure knowing how to make a good sweet is a Southern cultural thing. I just wish my grandmother had taught me how to make it her way.
Ghost Rider 6 on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:27 pm #
Is cold water is on the left and hot water on the right in the Southern Hemisphere?
Mark in TTown on 12 Jan 2013 at 11:27 pm #
“good sweet tea”. Dropped the doggone tea! Clean up on aisle 9.
Jean in Dahlonega Ga aka Trapper Jean on 13 Jan 2013 at 12:13 am #
When I was a little girl living in Augusta Ga we had a neighbor who was a cook at the Army base in town, Fort Gordon. Every once in a while Sarge would go fishing early in the morning, then come home. clean his catch, and fry it up with cheese grits, scrambled eggs, and biscuits. When the biscuits came out of the oven Mrs. Sarge would call my mom and we would go over for breakfast. Unbelievably good. I haven’t had any fried fish for a while, but grits and eggs are still a favorite meal any time.
Or, if you don’t want eggs, cook a beef roast with chili sauce (I prefer Bennetts) and serve cheese grits instead of mashed potatoes. Yum!
Jerry in Fl on 13 Jan 2013 at 1:59 am #
Fried catfish, grits and biscuits, with sweet tea of course. Now you’re talking.
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 3:03 am #
sandcastler, 7 February is a bad day for me. What about 1st of April? I’ll bring buffalo wings. The real things.
Anonymous on 13 Jan 2013 at 4:36 am #
“The real things?” I hate “the real things,” at least when it comes to buffalo wings, but that’s better than being beneath flying buffalo with “the real things,” I would suppose. It gets messy walking beneath “the real things,” don’t you know? But April 1 is right out, Mindy and sandcastler. That’s the day the oven has to be cleaned and the coffee cups given their annual washing.
Chastity and Virtue on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:14 am #
Apparently I’ve done gone and went to the wrong wrong wrong room. Sex, duels and lawyer jokes. I just wanted to go where the girls are nice.
Lost in A**2 on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:23 am #
I’ve been reading some speculation that, in the second panel above, Janis is contemplating a different use for the pillow. I had interpreted the title Mr. Johnson chose for this day as a “nap.” I *just* realised what the opposite of “little” actually is. Well done, Mr. Johnson!
Lost in A**2 on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:27 am #
Chastity, Ghost Rider likes nice girls; I’m sure he will help you.
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:47 am #
I suspect Chastity and Virtue, the person and the philosophy, has fled our Village in terror and revulsion. Or maybe not. The Virgin Mindy keeps coming back. But let’s not have any talk about dragging off into the bushes and all that stuff.
Debbe59 on 13 Jan 2013 at 7:03 am #
Good morning to all…..
Nearly an inch and a half of stinking rain has been reported in our area, no sandstorms, but it was in the dark of the night that it fell….
Anyone remember the mini series ‘Roots’? Grits, dummy…
I must add hominy to my grocery list, been a long time…thanks for bringing that up, GR.
Got free HBO and Showtime this weekend…sounds like a good day for movie watching. Watched the movie “The Help” last night….good movie.
Robin in FL on 13 Jan 2013 at 8:10 am #
Debbe59
Good movie indeed. In the drugstore scene, when they refer to Mr. Roberts, that’s a close relative of mine who co-owned the drugstore. He, of course, refuses to see the movie (and would have known the main characters in real life).
Ghost Rider 6 on 13 Jan 2013 at 8:21 am #
You are very welcome, Debbe. I always enjoy suggesting things women enjoy. So, enjoy.
C&V: “The girls” here are very nice (well, almost all of them, anyway), so you did come to the right place. As for the rare exception, well, as it says on my business card, “Loose women tightened.”
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 8:32 am #
Yeah, Ghost, and you’re just the…oh, heck! Either thing I had in mind to say will just turn around and bite me, so I won’t say it. Run, Chastity and Virtue! Run!
Now I’m going to watch Forrest Gump again.
Debbe59 on 13 Jan 2013 at 8:52 am #
That’s pretty cool, Robin. Don’t think I’ll be eating any chocolate anytime soon
Symply Fargone on 13 Jan 2013 at 1:03 pm #
Wow,
GR6 is still on the edge; expected and I am continuing my tour of geezer rock this year following up the Stones and Johnny Winter most recently with Leon Russell and Little Feat at the Wilbur tonight. Hoping these old dudes can Symply rock me into a Fargone night.
do we ever jump around…..Purdue girls weren’t pretty I am told now that blew a 30 year old fantasy about Melonie…..Mindy met John with guns, not too surprising
Be careful out there….
Ghost Rider 6 on 13 Jan 2013 at 2:25 pm #
The last time I was challenged to a duel (by a male), I chose trebuchets at 250 meters. The seconds are still trying to arrange that, and by the time they do, I’ll probably be dead of old age, anyway.
The last time I was challenged to a duel by a female, I chose French kiss at a distance of 0.00 meters; first one to break the kiss loses. Although, I have to say, in that contest there were no losers.
Sex, Viagra and rock ‘n’ roll, SF!
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 3:17 pm #
Ghost? We built a working Trebuchet. There’s a long, interesting story there but litigation may still be pending.
What say I loan it to you and your duelee and youse guys can take turns throwing your rocks around.
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 3:17 pm #
I do not believe I was careless enough to say that. Strike everything after “take turns.” Please.
Ghost Rider 6 on 13 Jan 2013 at 3:50 pm #
That’s OK, Mindy. I’ll give you a pass on that one. Picking up that particular ball and running with it would have been too much like shooting fish in barrel, anyway.
You’re built a working trebuchet…really? (Why am I not actually surprised?) “Punkin chunkin” variety, or something more authentic?
Ghost Rider 6 on 13 Jan 2013 at 3:52 pm #
“You built”
Mark in TTown on 13 Jan 2013 at 3:55 pm #
I’m glad to see you’re all back. Or maybe I was the one missing. Either way, I couldn’t get to this site this morning.
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 4:40 pm #
Built, constructed, whatever, it was 1:1 scale, it threw rather large rock rather long distances, and, yes, I HELPED BUILD IT! I also help fire it up and that thing was awesome!I won’t go into any detail on the Greek Fire.
Hi, Mark!
Lost in A**2 on 13 Jan 2013 at 4:52 pm #
LIke the one that done flung a piano, once upon a time, in a land far, far north?
David from Austin on 13 Jan 2013 at 5:34 pm #
My eldest daughter built an onager-type catapult. Her high school physics class had a contest to build any style catapult. The caveat was that the entire apparatus had to fit within a square meter and weigh less than 4 kilos. The devices were to compete for distance and accuracy. Most of the students chose trebuchet as their design. She won both categories easily. The coiled rope torsion provided much more energy than the limited weight trebuchet could provide. Her onager threw golf balls over 75 meters. The other catapults managed 20-25 meters if they worked at all. It was really good to watch a team of 3 teenage girls design, measure, and build using all sorts of power tools. The onager was so successful that it was prohibited in later years as being dangerously powerful even at a 1 meter size.
Mark in Boston on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:52 pm #
I had a thought today regarding the 2nd amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
For me the terms “Liberal” and “Conservative” retain their 18th-century meaning. A Liberal supported the Patriots; a Conservative supported the King.
If you believe that the Government should place heavy restrictions on guns so as to protect itself from the people, then you are a Conservative.
If you believe that the people have the right to dissolve the Government or break ties from a tyrannical Government, and have the right to bear arms if it becomes necessary to use force to do this, then you are a Liberal.
Mark in Boston on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:53 pm #
Mindy, about the story of John and the commode and the ladder, just how tall is John that he needs a ladder to use the commode?
Mark in TTown on 13 Jan 2013 at 6:55 pm #
The catapult building and testing sounds like fun. I’ve seen small kits for sale but nothing about building the larger ones.
The day hasn’t been a total loss without being able to get here. I spent part of it rereading Callahan’s Key by Spider Robinson. And the thought came to me that this site is very much like Callahan’s Bar as described by Mr. Robinson. If you want to know what I mean, read any of the Callahan’s books, and I hope you won’t be disappointed.
Lost in A**2 on 13 Jan 2013 at 7:58 pm #
Callahan’s Key? A new one? I recently read Sherry’s book about Lady Sally’s; I’ve not yet gotten to “Lady Slings the Booze,” though.
Mark in TTown on 13 Jan 2013 at 8:41 pm #
No, I think Callahan’s Key was the last of the series, published in 2000. Spider’s had a rough couple of years lately. His wife died after a prolonged fight with cancer and then his daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although his last post to his own website last spring said she had gone into remission.
Mindy from Indy on 13 Jan 2013 at 8:49 pm #
Just to be completely off topic, there were several comments made about Jimmy’s rendering of winter hats (the snowcat strip being the last example). I have seen several of these extra-wide cuffed hats in the past week or so. Apparently, Arlo, and the neighbor, have family and/or friends in Indiana who sent said hats to them.
Mindy on 13 Jan 2013 at 9:58 pm #
Someone else said it and I’m too lazy to scroll back and see who that was, but I agree — and have since the cartoon was posted — but I can’t help but think Janis was going to smother Arlo and he woke up and her resolve weakened!
Ghost Rider 6 on 13 Jan 2013 at 10:24 pm #
Yes, Mindy, what woman hasn’t at least once found her husband sleeping and had that impulse?
Still not as bad as a friend who once woke from a sound sleep in the middle of the night and found his wife advancing on him, butcher knife in hand. Of course, she was part Cherokee.
Hamid Karzai called, Lady Mindy. He wants his hats back.
Mindy on 14 Jan 2013 at 4:32 am #
Ghostie, you precious thing, you. I would never suffocate you in your sleep, Dear Person. I see you most as the kind of guy who gets hammered.
When we were first married [John and I, not Ghost and I], before I realized just how resistant he is to the very thought of being restrained, deprived of his absolute freedom, I decided to play a prank on him and handcuff him to the bed while he was sleeping. I learned never ever at no time no way no how to do that to him again. When he awakened [is that the proper tense to use?] and found himself so restrained, he literally tore the bed apart getting free, not to mention using language that I only wish I had tape recorded for it’s imaginative symbolism, creative vulgarity and profound profanity, not to mention a gutter obscenity that until then I had no idea could even exist, much less be expressed in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian all at once. In short, John is restraint resistant. I, on the other hand…truly enjoy Belgian Waffles and French Toast [oh, drat, something else French that I like besides ______ and ______!]. If I’m in bed with him and touch him in his sleep, he either grunts and turns away or sighs, grins and comes a little bit closer. If, on the other hand, I am not in bed with him and, for instance, touch him to awaken him [is that the proper tense to use? All the "wakes" and their myriad variations have always confused me!], I’m very careful to say his name clearly, identifying myself, and then touching him no higher than his big toe. Although, come to think of it, there have been times when…TASFYAD.
Mindy on 14 Jan 2013 at 4:36 am #
Mark in Boston, I forgot to note that John definitely does NOT require a ladder to use the commode, except maybe to keep from Ghost I’m sorry if I disturbed you by innocently mentioning bed in the previous post. It was not intended to arouse your purient perversions or anything like that.
Ghost Rider 6 on 14 Jan 2013 at 6:53 am #
That’s OK, Mindy. You know me…my prurient perversions stay aroused pretty much 24/7.
And you are correct…I got hammered just the other night.
Mindy on 14 Jan 2013 at 7:54 am #
I know, Ghost, if you had a hammer, you’d hammer in the morning, you’d hammer…etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Typical male type person.
Ginger on 14 Jan 2013 at 8:24 am #
I’d rather be a hammer than a nail. And that still is not gender specific, Ghost Rider. I just like Simon and Garfunkle. Did you know that they chose their name(s) to symbolize the beauty of a good cigar? The cigar, at the time, was often referred to simply as a Gar. The “Simon” was the end the smoke came out of (the end that got all soggy and mushy) and the ash was called the “Funkle.” Ergo sum, the Simon and Gar Funkle Theory.
Ghost Rider 6 on 14 Jan 2013 at 8:33 am #
Mindy, that is “hammered” in the sense of intoxicated, inebriated, drunk, $#!+ faced…
“Sometimes a cigar is more than just a smoke.” –William Jefferson Clinton
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 14 Jan 2013 at 9:06 am #
Yesterday was the annual “No Pants Subway Ride” in NYC. Sounds like a lot of fun and something I think this community would embrace. I’d suggest a No Pants A&J day, but I usually read this blog during break at work and I don’t think my co-workers would understand.
BTW, Google “No Pants Subway Ride” for the full story.