Note Arlo’s hands in the last two panels of the 2011 comic above. It is very easy, when drawing hands, to get it all backwards, especially when the hands are in dynamic positions. Because of this, I often sit at my drawing board and flail my arms about my head and back, envisioning where my fingers end up. It’s a very good thing cartooning is a solitary art. Well, spring as arrived, although it might come as a surprise to our friends in the Midwest and the Northeast. Spring arrived in parts of the South in typical fashion: accompanied by hail and tornadoes. I apologize for not posting much lately, but I hope you’ll take my word for it that it was an exceptionally busy winter around here. I’ve been pulled in many directions the past couple of months, and I don’t take that well. I’m a tunnel-vision kind of guy who focuses on one task to the detriment of others. And don’t we all have more than one task? Anyway, we’re not going out of business here, evidence to the contrary.
177 responses to “‘A little bird rolled me.’”
The caption didn’t come with the picture. Here it is: “I don’t know where the eggs come from, and I have no idea why I feel a compulsion to hide them.”
I grew up in Oklahoma, where my father was a physician and assistant county coroner. He was against any of us kids riding on motorcycles, much less owning any. He didn’t give us a big lecture – he just brought home photos of the scenes, making remarks like “We couldn’t finish the report on this kid – they wanted the color of his eyes and they popped out on impact and we couldn’t find them.” It made an impact. I won’t say I’ve never ridden a motorcycle, but I can say I can count the number of times on one hand and have fingers left over.
I bet this is true of most of the Village: https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/28059071_949809141850934_4930070082100031092_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=ec0206d15ad1b2464ea148e563730b40&oe=5B6B7745
Judy in Conroe, I now live in Oklahoma and it is a no-helmet required state. I cringe whenever I see a motorcyclist in heavy traffic without one.
Dear emb, your memories are most interesting. Lamb chops have always been a favorite of mine. Before I even started school, my grandfather would bring some home from the market now and then, for a treat, and my grandmother would pan-fry them, seasoning them first with garlic and curry powder. I loved them, and still do altho I don’t get them very often. Chris disliked the flavor AND the cooking aroma, so we never had them. Now I get them occasionally though they are high priced as you probably know!
Now, why is mutton never eaten, or even mentioned, in this country? Cookbooks don’t list them, and the food writers who are so numerous on the ‘Net ignore it completely. Reading British novels, mysteries etc. on the other hand, are full characters ordering mutton chops and gnawing the bones. If they enjoy them, why don’t we? Any ideas from you or the other foodies in the Village?
Charlotte: Trouble is, mutton has more flavor. Duck, especially wild, has flavor. Goat, about as flavorful as lamb. Goose is more flavorful than turkey. Wild game mammals vary widely, partly depending on their major food sources. Beef is relatively boring, bison is better. I like rare roast beef or steak, but there is so much more.
Some people don’t like fish because it tastes “fishy”! Well? The canned salmon in my mixed veggies + curried chickpea sauce tasted fishy. That, and its low fat content, is why I used it. Four scant pints now in the freezer, along w/ several other concoctions. No beer this time.
Mark: Where can one buy hoodies / sweatshirts like that? Secret of [part of the] success of many academics.
Peace,
Charlotte: I think emb is right about things with “too much” flavor. The quest for lean or healthy (or easier and cheaper to raise) has bred the taste out of a lot of what we eat. Western Kentucky, Owensboro in particular, is known for barbecued mutton. A friend brought some back from a visit there and shared it with us. It was good, interesting but not that exciting.
emb: Search “I read and I know things” – you’ll find a wide variety of artwork and prices.
IMO, one would have to be rather hard-headed to decide to ride a motorcycle without head protection, since car bumpers and curbs are considerably harder than anyone’s head.
Ghost and I are at a Cotten Patch cafe. Being from Texas I love them, old chain. Ghost never heard of them.
He had CFS With two sides. I had 5 VEG plate with rolls cornbread and split fried green tomatoes with him.
Now it’s lea h cobbler with Blue Bell.
Apparently, the State Vegetable of Oklahoma is Chicken Fried Steak.
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29573217_1727731147283135_5215324253807071538_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeHtfqsfesUk6Z4dZXAK8daeKPJoSiDsbNOjLGSg9WOQn0QpFrVOuYp2CrYX__P9B0h2LvZ64yMkFejSjNSRyiH2_aaht3pbYUPiXIrhV4YjeA&oh=a8f81aad8e4767e5116f398ba0395b73&oe=5B3533E5
emb, I went back to FB to look for that post about the shirt. Just as I found it, it disappeared.
Must be coolish for that many hippos to be out on land.
https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera
Peace,
Sorry; all 4 Kenya cams are on “highlights” just now. It’s 1445 there, but I’ve no idea what time of day that video was. No, I do: likely early-mid morning.
Just now, while steeping my EB tea, thought of a woman I knew before I retired, whom I and others found difficult. Not evil or incompetent; in fact, quite competent in her particular role, but definitely not a day-brightener. Thought to myself that she was a pill. Immediately realized that was Mom’s expression, and wondered if it was a Gulfism, or more broadly Southern. Don’t remember hearing it widely, just at home. Anyone?
Looks like no insomniacs last night. Happy Easter!
Peace,
LOL I’d forgotten it was April Fools! And to have the prank pulled by LUDWIG. Super, JJ!
emb, I’ve seen that as shirt, hoodie, and many other ways in multiple catalogues. If you don’t want to search/buy online, check a shopping mall. There is often a store that sells cool tshirts, etc.
Had lamb once, while visiting a friend on Isle of Mann. I enjoyed it. Maybe it is one of those items sold at a ‘real’ butcher shop?
Happy Easter to all in the Village!
Ghost – I thought Chicken Fried Steak was a Texas specialty. There’s something of a rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma (back when I grew up in northern OK, I heard TX referred to a Baja Oklahoma). Who knows where the luscious dish originated, but it is certainly popular in both states!
As for lamb – I only ate lamb once when I was young, at a meal at a friend’s house, and while it was nice, I never tried to cook it at my own home when I grew up. (I’ve enjoyed ethnic dishes such as Gyros, which feature lamb, when eating out, but never made it myself.) Maybe that has something to do with Oklahoma history, with the range wars between the cattlemen and the sheep farmers. The flocks and herds could not use the same range, as the grazing habits of the sheep left the grasses too short to support cattle. Ultimately the sheep were forced out.
Sheep farming in England became more prevalent, because much of the Scottish terrain especially, could not support the grasses that cattle need, and I think that is one reason that lamb and mutton dishes are served much more often there.
emb – My mother used to use that term – “a pill” – to describe someone who was hard to get along with, so you can add Oklahoma to the areas that used that expression. She also frequently used the term “getting nitty” to describe a person who was not tracking well, such as someone displaying symptoms of dementia. She told us girls her older sister (10 years older) was “getting nitty” and to be sure to stop her (my mother) if she started saying things that sounded “nitty”. Of course, by the time she had that problem in the last years of her life, she no longer remembered giving us that instruction or what it was all about. I miss her, even the silly things she said when her mind was no longer working well.
My ex was a big fan of lamb, while I could not remember ever having any. We got both chops and roast in some of the stores around Nashville. Until we got an electric rotisserie we cooked it in the oven. But that rotisserie did the best job on the roast, brown and crispy outside and tender and a little pink on the inside. Served with mint jelly when we could find it.
This platform was built for, and used by ospreys for at least a season or two. Suggest you copy this URL and check it occasionally. Won’t be the first time this sp. has successfully taken over. They can be formidable.
https://explore.org/livecams/birds/charlo-montana-osprey-nest
Peace,
Think that duet translates as, “You and what army?” Peace?
My maternal grandmother, born in Texas and lived as an adult in Missouri and Arkansas, talked of people being pills. Her tone of voice made it clear that I didn’t want to become one!
The sole eaglet at Berry College, GA, is now standing on its feet – first time, to my knowledge.
Decorah had a hatch at 7:25 a.m. and someone got a video and posted it for viewing. It is a very low angle shot so that only the tops of the 3 eggs are showing. However, the middle egg moves about with no parent touching it, and then it cracks/breaks. The eaglet is not seen, but SOMETHING had to come out of that egg!
Our lamb shanks were tasty enough, but not a dish for which I’d fork over $$ at a restaurant. We were 4 folks shy of a table load when one offspring & family could not make it.
I heard “pill” and “real pill” used since childhood. That’s not surprising, given that eMb and I both spent our formative years in New York City.
So my 26 month old dropped his Easter Basket and ran yelling “Fire Truck, Fire Truck!” Kid loves cars, trucks trains and construction equipment.
What’ll they think of next?
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46291771&nid=1017&title=have-you-seen-this-self-flying-mechanical-flying-fox
Lamb was quite easy to get in the markets in LA up until fairly recently. Now, it’s hard to get except on special order. I don’t know why.