I suppose the good news here is, the nuclear-war plan has trended upward since 1997. I’m traveling today. I am in Demopolis, Alabama, “City of the People.” You should Google it. It has a very interesting history. It was founded in the early 19th century by Bonapartists, political exiles from France after the return of Royalist government there. The settlers in west Alabama established what became known as “the vine and olive colony.” They thought they would be able to grow these crops, because the soil and climate reminded them of Bordeaux. They were wrong about that. There was a John Wayne movie supposedly set in French Demopolis that bore no relation whatsoever to anything that ever really happened.
240 responses to “Insect Aside II”
I was doing some nice, light summer reading catching up on a Robert B. Parker novel in his Spencer series that I hadn’t read yet and came across a reference to Jimmy’s A & J strip. On page 133 of the version I have Parker starts Chapter 33 by having Spencer ruminiate saying “I was drinking coffee and eating a corn muffin and reading the paper…I had just finished reading Arlo & Janis when…”
ObviouslyMr. Parker was an A & J fan and I would guess that he was also a JJ fan but I don’t know for a fact that he ever came here. Two thoughts struck me. The first was that now I know why I like Mr. Parker’s books and characters be it Spencer or his Jesse Stone character. Anyone who starts the day as I do reading A & J is someone I will like. My second thought was more a question, has anybody run into an A & J reference like that in any other book? If they have please let me know where as I think I’d like to look up that author and see what he has to say as I suspect I’ll like his writing.
Thanks.
I forgot to mention, the Parker book title is “Hundred Dollar Baby”.
For your listening pleasure
https://www.facebook.com/RubenMandolini/videos/859843210777227/?fref=nf
Debbe:
My sincerest condolences. I have linked this video here at A&J.com, but this time this is specifically for you. Peace be with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEBvbXSff6s
It would help if I attached the video…
Here is a story for you — daughter Marge came over this morning, as she often does on Sundays. (It was she who sky-dived for the first time on her recent June birthday.) She parked the car where the mint grows in the back yard and picked a leaf, chewed it and swallowed it. She greeted me in the kitchen, sat down, then began to cough. She couldn’t stop! Then she began to gasp. She stood and backed up to me, indicating the Heimlich manuver … I tried it as best I could … she whispered “the button” I’m thinking closer to her belly button? but no, she gestured toward the emergency help button I wear around my neck. I pressed it, after a bit the voice came over the speaker, Marge gasped “I’m choking”. The voice said help was on the way … it took a couple of minutes at least, then we heard the siren. I made sure front and back doors were open, Marge seemed no worse, she was able to answer questions … two EMTs came in the front, two in the back. They sat her down, I got her a glass of water … they didn’t really have to do anything, but it was very reassuring to have them there. Apparently the fuzzy leaf went down eventually, she felt pretty shaken up and anxious. They offered to take her to the hospital to be checked, but she began to feel better and declined. She was okay, but it was a very scary experience, for both of us!
Ray, Jimmy addressed the Spencer/A&J connection some years ago. Perhaps he could repeat what he told us about it for your benefit and that of any others here who may have missed it. I believe I remember most of the details, but Jimmy’s would be the comprehensive version.
Charlotte, Marge survived a parachute jump and then got choked on a leaf? Perhaps now that the scary part is over, she can see some humor in that. 🙂
Charlotte: Thankful that Marge is OK. Scary, yes – Treasure all your moments together – DOUBLE yes!
Charlotte,
Never do mint without: bourbon, water, and powered sugar. 😉
Dearest Ghost, and dear Gal and Sand, thanks for your comments … entertaining and meaningful; I will take them to heart.
Here’s a great use for leftover lumber:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2BWrmNhyXU
TR,
That is precision engineering. Thanks for sharing.
Debbe, You don’t have to ask. We would miss you greatly. This morning I not only could not get into the Village, I couldn’t find Arlo and Janis. It was like it didn’t exist. I have no idea why… I read a paperback about one a day or every other day if it’s a thicker one. I think that I remember seeing a reference to A & J recently, but I don’t recall what it was now. None of the local fishwrappers carry A & J or any other decent cartoon so it’s a good thing that I have this place to come to. As the locals know it’s more than a place to visit. Debbe obviously knows what I mean.
Neat. Only the Japanese would think of something like that. Only the Japanese would *do* something like that.
That said, I’m not sure that their ad slogan “Touch Wood” would convey the image they are going for in the US. 😉
Debbe, I didn’t post a song last night, out of consideration for your loss. But you’ve said you enjoy them, so I will resume tonight. Therefore…
Debbe 😉 and Jean dear 😉 Walking Playlist – Song #6…Except I use the 10 minute 29 second version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l0xpkk0yaQ
BTW, a local law enforcement officer I know tells me FBI should stand for “Famous But Ineffective”.
And yes, Lorraine will be coming soon.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4008/5123603456_df4c7712d4_b.jpg
Verily, TR, that was an awesome video; many thanks.
Ghost, I gather that at one time FBI stood for Fumbling Bunch of Idiots, although I may have mistyped the first word.
Good morning Villagers….
Thanks guys…..
Steve, the first link was really cool…but the second one you posted was awesome. I would love to hear that played at the funeral home. Can I? I believe Ian could somehow download it to a cd or something….but the words were very comforting and you voice very soothing. Thanks
Going in to make arrangements at 11 this morning. But I am also going into work, as Mondays I have paperwork to phone in etc. Besides, I’d go nuts sitting around….waiting. Ian wanted to go, but I said ‘no’, it’s just us girls and husbands. I know this isn’t going to fly with my other two sisters, but it did with the baby sister. Instead of those big, tacky, flowers they put on the casket, I had thought of long stem roses…5 white ones for her daughter (I have a step-sister) and 11 blue and pink long stem roses for the grandchildren, softly draped across Mom’ coffin…..
Got to get Ian’s hair cut today…he’s become ‘Sister Golden Hair’ again. Most women would kill to have his hair color and waves.
Oh, and I still need to tell you the ‘real’ story on how Ian lost his glasses…but, I’ve no time right now. It’s funny, but stupid….some 37 and 26 year olds never grow up.
gotta go
Ya’ll have a blessed day.
Miss Charlotte, you must have been pretty anxious too…so glad Marge is fine.
=^..^=
GR 😉 thanks for thinking of me…but I SO look forward to your playlist, and I like to come back with one for you…got one in mind for you, but alas, no time right now…..
…and just where did you find that pic of Lorraine?????
real quick…Gary, you by chance wouldn’t resemble Indiana Jones????
Here’s hoping Lud plays catch and release like Cilla. Debbe, here’s a link for you on a typical morning: _ylt=AjRU99GDIIqU2EhnCVFY_qubvZx4?
Let’s try that again: _ylt=AjRU99GDIIqu2EhnCVFY_aubvZx4?
Ghost, in one of the Nero Wolfe books, Nero says FBI stands for “Foiled by Intelligence”. Of course, that was during the reign of Hoover, when it was a more politically involved agency.