Obesity has become a real problem in this country; we all know that. I’ve heard a lot of theories about why that is. Some of them make sense, but I have my own theory that I haven’t heard voiced elsewhere. I believe people began getting fatter in direct proportion to the length of commercial breaks on television. Think about it! We all have to do something to fill the one-third of airtime that is now devoted to advertisements. Makes sense to me.
I didn’t say anything about the passing of Robin Williams yesterday, because it was news to me when I was updating this page. I just didn’t know much. Plus, I knew there’d be a lot said by others, and I was right. There was a third reason, maybe. I didn’t want to make any comment that might be construed as negative at such a time. That comment would have been: I have always thought Robin Williams was best as a dramatic actor. Of course, that isn’t a negative thing to say, but with so many emphasizing his original and frenetic approach to comedy, I just didn’t see going into it. Also, let us remember Betty Bacall, who left us yesterday.
334 responses to “Back after This…”
Steve: Not to belittle the Detroit area’s troubles, but in addition to celebrity suicides there is rioting in Missouri and war in central Asia and the Middle East. I suspect that the news outlets are relatively overwhelmed.
I think I might know “how dressed”, Munchkin. 😉 Good to know she’s looking out for you in that regard, too.
Someone somewhere apparently left their dog in their vehicle recently while running an errand, with a sign taped to the window reading…
Please Do NOT Break Window!!!
1) Car is running
2) A/C is on high
3) Dog is listening to Creedence (She hates the ****ing Eagles!)
Back in a flash!
Dude
Real cute, “Dude”. I wonder if the carjacker that does break your window will get a laugh out of it as he drives off and tosses your small terrier-type dog out the window into traffic. The lesson is still “Don’t leave your dog unattended in your car!”
[Not applicable to everyone, such as Lily, who has a convertible and a dog that no one is likely to be able to get into the car with or to toss anywhere.]
Heh, not that I leave the car with Neeshka in it much. Maybe to run into a Stop-N-Rob and get a bottle of water. But, yeah, she is guard trained and would never let anybody near my car.
Wish I did know the boating/cruising couple. Sound fantastically resourceful. I have been all day writing and asking for product donations to publishers, magazines, authors, artists, boat companies, sail makers, chandlery’s and just about anyone I can think of. When you put on an event like this that is free to attend, you have to beg, we can’t afford trophies nor would want to. We are the antithesis of trophies!
Got some great emails today, starting out with a reader in England who wished he could come and take part in our nonsensical educational efforts, mailed me a used book and a Duck dog toy for my Nautical Flea Market. I was so touched. Heard from my world famous explorer friend from Micronesia who said he thought he’d stop by with his top secret expedition boat enroute to ship it. We think he is going to the South Pole? He won’t say. Both touched me in the same way.
And lots of in-between letters, one of my editors said to forget about “good manners” and ask everyone, we were talking about a cancer fundraiser, not a social event.
Love, Jackie Monies
I know how you feel, Jackie, I am helping with our yearly Church fundraiser auction to be held this October and I am going around to all the stores around these parts in my cutest clothes and my most winsome smile to talk them into donating stuff. So far my biggest scores have been to get a printer to donate a years worth of stationary and a motorcycle shop to donate a set of leathers. The Man In My Life is thinking about donating a catered dinner for twelve (which of course I am to help him with) and I am working on the local Ford dealership to donate full detailing (wash, wax, vacuum, etc.) They are waiting for the Big Boss to make a decision. It certainly is a vexation of spirit, but it is for a worthwhile cause.
Hope you get a big bid on the catered dinner. We used to do that for our little Episcopal church. Mike and I sold one of our catered dinners (not fancy French like everyone expected) but a chili dinner for $1000 back in the 80’s. For 12 people but helped with building fund, so doctor who won could call it a charitable donation. Recipe begins “First you take the hindquarter of a deer and skin it…….” Actually it was “Chop it fine”, venison stew. We used to cook a lot for charity actually, it is something that people will bid high usually and fun.
Tip,( if you are not already doing it this way), you are organized. Write up a brief statement of event, what it benefits, how it works, what you would appreciate in donations. Leave a copy when the clerk/employee says owner isn’t there and say you’ll call for an appointment or to verify the donation. Get owners business card and call! When you have that donation given by them, give them a receipt for it then, not later.
For gift certificates, which is hard to turn down as a business since you are saying you will send them a customer, have blank ones typed up where you then fill in name of business, amount, limits and have authorizing name signed. It saves a lot of returns to the shop/business to pick one up, which they never have ready.
Good luck, Jackie
Don’t worry, Jackie, I am just a little worker-bee. The woman that is in charge of the event has all that stuff covered. We have already have had a crisis about a bed-and-breakfast that donated a gift certificate for a free day and the people that bought it last year didn’t use it. Of course, we got our money but the B&B didn’t get their paying guest. So she had a brainstorm and got them to donate a half-price weekend, which the buyer would have to pay the whole price and we would give the B&B their cut. I am learning g a lot!
Weirdly, the local lawn supply store donated a used tiller. I have no idea what we are going to do with that
Ladies, if a set of 12 blank cards/envelopes would be helpful for your fundraisers, I’d be glad to send them your way. (3×5-ish size cards in a clear plastic box) Granted, I may not have any designs that you’re interested in, but the offer is there. Hmm, come to think of it, probably the only ‘water’ ones at the moment involve a brown pelican (he was on the Jetties off Port Canaveral, FL) and the Ponce de Leon lighthouse. Lots of other flowers and birds though. Not a match for a set of leathers, but let me know if it would help. 🙂
Thanks, Llee, we are all set. Our church has been in business for a long time and we have boxes of cards printed with our information and a drawing of the church building. Right before we worker bees go out they give us a package of printed materials to hand out wherever and whenever
Jackie, I have heard of authors auctioning off a character in a novel, etc., to the winning bidder. Perhaps that will stir an idea for you. Maybe you should contact the company that makes the tape with the duck mascot. I’m sure lots of boaters use tape for various things. Have a contest for the most creative uses for the tape.
Okay, it’s midnight. Good night to you all. Shhhh…
Lady Mindy, I saw your post at the end of yesterday’s blog about your trip to the vet with two kitties. No, you get a pass on that, as a momentary absence, with the AC on and while still in sight of your car, does not qualify as “unattended”.
BTW, “Cats in a Car” might be a worthy sequel to “Snakes on a Plane.” Of course, by the time Samuel L. Jackson finished swearing at everything in sight, the kitties would probably be really upset.
Found that tall-tale movie yet?
Did I mention that I flunked kindergarten because I couldn’t cut and paste? I’ll slip in a serious note. I had a new cancer scare, but apparently I’m ok. I’m glad I’m not the only one who stopped to reflect on the publicity of one death compared to other events in the world, but, although I never met Robin Williams, I’m probably not the only one who feels like I lost a family member. That’s a tribute to the heart that he put into his roles. I too am horrified at the thousands to people dying with ebola, being blown up, starving or worse. The sad fact is that I know none of their names and, terrible as it is, it’s not the same kind of personal loss. Anyway, that’s my attempt at an explanation. I will be out of town tomorrow, but brace yourselves for a discussion of depression, et al. In the mean, talk amongst yourselves.
Good morning Villagers….
There”s something quite solemn when entering a hen house that is only half full. Even the ones that were due out last night were quiet. Starting cleaning, when I got home at 7:30 pm, I had so much dust on me I looked like Pigpen. Need more dust masks. But I slept like a baby.
Jackie…didn’t you say you decorated a room in all white? https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8285416960/h40FC569F/
As Mr. Williams’ movie, I mentioned “The Fisher King”, but does anyone remember the movie “Birdcage”?
Jerry, glad to hear that it was just a scare….but glad to know you are on the alert.
gotta go….
GR 😉 know how to whistle” 🙂
I have my own theory about obesity, other than my own, that is: It’s our televisions. They’re maladjusted. Since we can’t stand unfilled screen, they’re set so that faces and bodies are wide. All the beautiful people we see on the screen are wide. We’re simply trying to live up to our new model of beautiful.
And since I have been an occasional editorial writer in Steve’s waterlogged home town, I once expressed this view in a tongue-in-cheek piece. I didn’t bother to read the comments.
Symply curious about the village’s thoughts on this article in the NY Times….I found it interesting and a bit Fargone frightening about what is happening to our environment and how geography and environment play such a huge part in eco diversity and mutation…did I really just say that?!?
In any case seriously interested in comments…..
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/magazine/should-you-fear-the-pizzly-bear.html
Dunno, SF, I am allergic to the NYT.
Good morning, all. And a fine morning it is. I swear I could smell Fall in the air this morning. I know we’re gonna have some hot ones before it gets here, but it’s coming.
I started to not care anymore when I realized that depending on who you ask, there is either an epidemic of obese children or an epidemic of hungry children. That’s about when you realize that people with pet causes usually make it sound worse than it is.
Llee, thank you so much! All donations, large and small, are a help. As my editor said, “This is cancer we’re working against”, so every thing helps. I think either the pelican or the lighthouse would be wonderful. Put a business card in and a link to your website so people can contact you. We also publish lists of our sponsors/donors and you become one forever!
My email is m_monies@yahoo.com and I do read all my mail. Right now I am back to begging boat designers to donate sets of boat plans or books or DVDs, that sort of thing. Interestingly, our boat designers who come love to take part in our sailing and boating games and win prizes and they keep what they win! Isn’t that sweet?
Who wouldn’t have fun doing a Pirate Poker Run Race while being bombarded by water balloons, water cannons and fake smoke from black powder cannons and guns from shore? No ramming or boarding is allowed, however. Nor potato guns but marshmallows can be used as attack weapons.
Sailors use tape from old cd’s or movies as “tell tales/tails” to see direction of wind. Thus endeth my knowledge of use?
Love, Jackie Monies
Jackie: In my (minimal) exposure to boats, when we were in the Caribbean when I was 14 and went on a day sail on a fairly big boat (32′?). All I remember was them telling me to take off my TopSiders when I got on board, going ashore to a bar and skanky girls coming up to us want in to be “cooks”, and getting into a race on the way back with two other boats so similar that I couldn’t tell them apart. Don’t even remember whether we won or lost. Nobody fired anything at us but insults.
http://gizmodo.com/from-bugs-bunny-to-wile-e-coyote-the-animation-genius-1613973537
Symply read about 1/2 of the NYT article and realized I won’t have time to finish it before my physical therapy appointment. I will read, reflect, and reply later. The information on the “Eastern” coyote hybridization is a good hook.
Debbe – I almost mentioned Birdcage as it is one of my wife’s favorite movies. That and GM,V are, I believe, the only two RW films we have on disc.
Lily and others, Sail OK is the antithesis of fake cruise races and yacht club wannabees. Most of our guys are the real deal. But we do not take ourselves seriously except in the educational programs where we teach for free. We do have some beautiful hand built boats that come and have been featured in serious sailing magazines but we put at least one child and one dog on the Judges Committee and have strange categories like “Looks Most Like A Pirate Boat”, No one has to take off their shoes to board boats, if they happen to be wearing them.
What you went on was probably the extra cost land trip they do on most of the Caribbean ship cruises, they use old retired 12 meter racing yachts for these and put the cruise passengers to “helping” sail them with a fake race to show how it is done.
A lot of our boats are Lilliputian like you but have “big adventures”.
Love, Jackie
I think the epidemic of obesity stems largely from the increased availability of inexpensive, easy-to-prepare foods which are typically high-glycemic and loaded with sodium. High-fiber, nutrition-rich foods don’t cost much more money (and are sometimes cheaper) but require more time and effort to prepare. Then throw in the reduced physical activity of people as they begin to bulk up, and then the problem compounds itself.