Sorry to have been gone so long! I have been working on other projects. I guess there’s just no way to avoid the “remember when” factor on this site, try as I might. Today’s classic A&J is yet another example of swift cultural change. First, “casual Friday” was introduced, when white-collar workers were allowed to dress down from coats and ties and the equivalent ladies’ apparel. Today there are coats and ties still out there, but the daily norm for what remains of the white-collar work force is distinctly casual. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Hey, I’m a cartoonist! I can work in my underwear if I want, although I never do. Well, not in just my underwear. You know, I get asked that question a lot, which I think is kind of weird.
Subtle Distinction
By Jimmy Johnson
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233 responses to “Subtle Distinction”
Out on a mid-afternoon errand today, with the temperature somewhere between 55F and 60F and a steady wind of 5-6 mph, I didn’t even bother with a jacket. But I saw numerous people wearing fairly heavy coats, neck scarves, and knit caps. I offer this information in case any of you from other locales are not familiar with the Deep South definition of “bitterly cold”. 🙂
Thought for the Day: “Two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead.” – Karl Von Clausewitz
Stripper weather in Houston. Dress in layers for morning chill, then strip off as day warms up. Start layering on as evening settles in. 63° currently, down in 50’s tonight.
Am familiar with the Deep South definition of “bitterly cold”. Maternal side of family is from there. Struck us off their Christmas list in mid ’70s.
Mid 50s F, wore tee and sweats, + cotton t-neck and light flannel pullover for workout when I walked across Salisbury Plain to the hospital [gym is there]. Light wind. Should have left pullover home, got all sweaty. Put it in tote for walk back.
Peace, emb
Something I learned north of the Arctic Circle: If you are walking less than a mile in -20F temperature and the wind is calm, wearing jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and regular boots is fine. Definitely not recommended when it is 65 below, however.
Grandma update: MRI ruled out a stroke this time, but showed evidence of at least one stroke in the past. The neurologist has requested an MRI of her neck, as he believes the degeneration of her vertebrae in her neck caused the symptoms. However, now she has fluid on her lungs, and they are working to get rid of it. Her speech is still slow and she has little appetite, but she is alert and stable. She spent the afternoon squabbling with Brad, her care guy (who has also cared for two other relatives. We might have to adopt him.) Anyhow, well wishes are welcome.
Everyone:
On occasion, we have talked about the changing times and disappearing jobs.
Here is one that I never imagined.
Enter this into a search engine: Oil change costs could be headed for drop
Good news for consumers and the environment, perhaps.
Bad news for some workers, perhaps.
Rick in Shermantown, OH. Jim Walter Resources, one of Alabama’s largest coal companies had to file for bankruptcy. Going to sell off the assets. Some here are blaming new federal regulations, but they are wrong. It’s the decline in US made steel that is to blame, because the company had chosen to concentrate in coal production for steel-making. No steel-making, no demand for the coal, no coal company. Great Britain’s steel industry is going in the tank, too, according to what I’ve read in the Telegraph.
Why is first-world steel disappearing? Third-world production in non-union countries with little government pollution regulation equals a low cost we can’t beat even with import costs and tariffs figured in. Time to retrain, folks.
GR6/Sideburns, some of our stick training is for fun but self-defense is always part of it. In Canada you can’t be carrying firearms, large knives or other things deemed to be weapons. But nothing stops us from using a walking cane. I take mine everywhere. We can even carry them on airplanes. It just so happens that we also know how to defend ourselves with them if necessary. I have heard that some straight walking sticks (like a shillelagh) are questioned so we tend to go traveling with the curved canes.
By the way, for those not on Book of Faces, as Ghost likes to call it, Anonymous is having gas line problems at her house. It was leaking and had to be shut off. She’s getting along ok, just no gas in the house.
Talk about temperature disparity – about 40ya one of the apple orchards in NE CT hired
Caribbean Islanders to pick apples – they could not get locals to do the job.
They came over to our orchard to pick drops for cider. It was almost 60*F (on the low side) we were in just flannel shirts – they were in 2 coats, hats with ear flaps, and gloves. but boy did they work.
Mindy – still prayers for Grandma
Good for you and your wife, Gary. I had suspected you might live under some governmental system that believes inanimate objects have agency and can therefore cause death and disorder. (In individuals, I’d call such a belief prima facie evidence of a mental disorder.) Hopefully, your government will not someday decide that since they are “walking sticks” they are capable of walking around by themselves and creating mischief, and ban them.
I’m still trying to find a logical reason for the odd (read spooky) shopping suggestions I received from Amazon last night. None such has presented itself, yet. So my provisional explanation is “Skynet”.
Good report under the circumstances, Lady Mindy. Prayers continue. As with my Mom, one never knows what the next day may bring.
Debbe 😉 Not that this has happened here yet; this is more like a reminder to myself. I don’t think I’ve see the sun for more than a week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FscIgtDJFXg
Ghost, on the weird shopping suggestions, do you have a smart TV?
http://consumerist.com/tag/who-watches-the-watcher-watchers/
Actually, Mark, I have a Vizio digital flat-screen TV, but it’s not very smart. I’ve never had its IQ tested, but I feel sure that if I did, it would be well over to the left side of the curve. 🙂
No, no internet connection for my TV, so if it’s spying on me, it must be calling home via Morse code over the electrical system.
I have to admit that I’m lost on the current situation with Janis and her guest. What are they talking about, or is that up to us to guess?
Never mind. I went back and found the answer. I must have slept a week.
Good morning Villagers….
Emb…so they will….good, will try, Thanks.
I do believe there will always be jobs for pulling the dead out of hen house cages…..trust me. Also, GR 😉 . my nitrate gloves are blue, what color are yours?
Sideburns…congratulations…..I go in for blood work today for thyroid….I don’t feel any different than I did three months ago. I take one thyroid pill a day, if anything, about a couple of hours later, I get tired….I will tell this to my Doctor on Thursday. She’s not going to be to happy that I’ve not put on much weight.
Indy Mindy…good to hear your Grandmother is improving. Prayers still being sent your way…….Amen.
GR 😉 forget the Depp look, we ladies here prefer the Connery look….right Ladies???
Miss Charlotte, you’ve been quiet the past couple of days….you OK? And Gal too….
Ya’ll have a blessed day……
GR 😉 may you soon be ……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U
The eternal question…
http://cheezburger.com/8511113984/funny-cats-image-what-am-i-doing-with-my-life
I’m OK Debbe – thanks for caring! I am just very, very busy and have been very, very tired. I keep telling myself that this will settle down, but it hasn’t happened yet. Of course, we had our annual audit it there also. Glad that the past fiscal year did not happen on my watch. I VOW that next year will be much better.
Have been enjoying reading posts… just haven’t had much to offer. But – still saying prayers for Mindy’s grandma!
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