Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
-Psalm 133.1
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Worries on the Line
Duck keepers are always concerned about duck safety. Some things you can't control, some you can, some you hope for the best.
Ducks love to thrust their beaks into the dirt and hunt for bugs and worms. I don't worry much about stale worms or even how the ducks are trashing the lawn. I do worry about predators. Fences keep the ducks from wandering into the tall grass or woods to be taken out by a fisher or fox. Locking them in a sturdy house at night keeps the raccoons and other nocturnal riffraff from getting to them.
Sounds good. But what about danger from above? The house keeps owls away at night but what about diurnal birds of prey?
I've tried netting. It's the stuff you use over blue berry bushes to keep the birds from eating all the berries. Trouble is, the netting twisted and tore every time it had to be moved. Then I read (I think in Grit magazine) something that an old chicken farmer has been using for years. He runs a few strands of fishing line from the bird house to the fence in a sort of sliced pie configuration. The theory is that raptors, with their keen eyesight, see the strands and avoid them.
Dipping into my tackle box, I rigged up a multi line gizmo and set it up.
I worry though. How do we know if it works?
Ducks love to thrust their beaks into the dirt and hunt for bugs and worms. I don't worry much about stale worms or even how the ducks are trashing the lawn. I do worry about predators. Fences keep the ducks from wandering into the tall grass or woods to be taken out by a fisher or fox. Locking them in a sturdy house at night keeps the raccoons and other nocturnal riffraff from getting to them.
Sounds good. But what about danger from above? The house keeps owls away at night but what about diurnal birds of prey?
I've tried netting. It's the stuff you use over blue berry bushes to keep the birds from eating all the berries. Trouble is, the netting twisted and tore every time it had to be moved. Then I read (I think in Grit magazine) something that an old chicken farmer has been using for years. He runs a few strands of fishing line from the bird house to the fence in a sort of sliced pie configuration. The theory is that raptors, with their keen eyesight, see the strands and avoid them.
Dipping into my tackle box, I rigged up a multi line gizmo and set it up.
I worry though. How do we know if it works?
Friday, November 10, 2017
Henry vs The Itch
Poor Henry. It's not easy being a small dog in a big dog household. As if that wasn't enough of a load for his scrawny shoulders to bear, a few weeks ago, Henry got itchy.
At first we thought it was seasonal allergies. Alas, his symptoms did not abate when the crud in the air changed from ragweed to leaf mold. Hoping to ease his tender skin, Henry was given organic non soap free range rosemary baths. (The little weirdo is probably allergic to rosemary.) This bath protocol had no effect. Next we tried a soothing oatmeal bath. All that effort gained us nothing more than a clean Pomeranian.
Half of a child's dose of generic benadryl seemed to help a little.
Then, dandruff appeared.
We got serious: coal tar shampoo.
There does seem to be a reduction in both the itching and the dandruff.
In other good news, there is a decidedly positive side effect of coal tar. Henry has never smelled more manly.
At first we thought it was seasonal allergies. Alas, his symptoms did not abate when the crud in the air changed from ragweed to leaf mold. Hoping to ease his tender skin, Henry was given organic non soap free range rosemary baths. (The little weirdo is probably allergic to rosemary.) This bath protocol had no effect. Next we tried a soothing oatmeal bath. All that effort gained us nothing more than a clean Pomeranian.
Half of a child's dose of generic benadryl seemed to help a little.
Then, dandruff appeared.
We got serious: coal tar shampoo.
There does seem to be a reduction in both the itching and the dandruff.
In other good news, there is a decidedly positive side effect of coal tar. Henry has never smelled more manly.
Friday, November 3, 2017
How about a Side of Whooping Cough with That?
It was a brisk fall day. Perfect for a trip to the tractor store, the bank and Menards. Since we went rural, errands require a bit more travel. The Handsome One was at large so he came along for the ride, promising to buy me lunch.
Every item on my to-do list checked off, we headed into town (till we went rural we never used expressions like go "into town") and stopped at one of our favorite restaurants. It's a quaint place with dark paneled walls, a well worn long metal foot rest bolted to the bar, a rough wood floor and behind the bar a large number of hooks holding mugs marked with numbers drawn on the bottom- for the regulars.
There were no other customers in the joint. We sat a table and began to study the craft beer selections written on a chalk board attached to the wall. I picked out an IPA, THO picked out a dark something or other. We ordered some food and settled in for a relaxing lunch.
A couple with two small children appeared. For some unfathomable reason, out of the some ten empty tables available, they chose the one right next to ours. "How are you?" we heard the waitress ask them. "We're having lunch in a bar," said the woman. "That tells you what kind of day we're having."
The younger child was strapped into a high chair. Periodically she would wave at me and squeal, "hi!" My firm policy is that one "hi" is enough. This didn't stop her from continuing to greet me. The other child was a few years older. He fingered an electronic gadget and declared repeatedly that he wanted "a big sandwich".
Both youngsters coughed frequently and at times, violently. The adults ordered drinks containing vodka for them, apple juice for the children. The woman told the waitress that the boy wasn't in school because he has strep throat.
It's hard to enjoy your meal when you are certain that there is bacteria laden spittle floating around. Well. The nachos were good. Heavy on the jalapenos. I hear jalapenos have anti bacterial qualities.
Every item on my to-do list checked off, we headed into town (till we went rural we never used expressions like go "into town") and stopped at one of our favorite restaurants. It's a quaint place with dark paneled walls, a well worn long metal foot rest bolted to the bar, a rough wood floor and behind the bar a large number of hooks holding mugs marked with numbers drawn on the bottom- for the regulars.
There were no other customers in the joint. We sat a table and began to study the craft beer selections written on a chalk board attached to the wall. I picked out an IPA, THO picked out a dark something or other. We ordered some food and settled in for a relaxing lunch.
A couple with two small children appeared. For some unfathomable reason, out of the some ten empty tables available, they chose the one right next to ours. "How are you?" we heard the waitress ask them. "We're having lunch in a bar," said the woman. "That tells you what kind of day we're having."
The younger child was strapped into a high chair. Periodically she would wave at me and squeal, "hi!" My firm policy is that one "hi" is enough. This didn't stop her from continuing to greet me. The other child was a few years older. He fingered an electronic gadget and declared repeatedly that he wanted "a big sandwich".
Both youngsters coughed frequently and at times, violently. The adults ordered drinks containing vodka for them, apple juice for the children. The woman told the waitress that the boy wasn't in school because he has strep throat.
It's hard to enjoy your meal when you are certain that there is bacteria laden spittle floating around. Well. The nachos were good. Heavy on the jalapenos. I hear jalapenos have anti bacterial qualities.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 23, 2017
Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 63
Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy. Halloween is coming up. Pick a costume for another player. I'll start.
Fluffy as Ann Coulter.
Fluffy's too fat.
Not too fat to observe that Cyndi clings
to the bizarre feminist notion
that it is somehow empowering to make
disparaging remarks about another
women's appearance.
Speaking of make believe feminists.
Didn't Hillary just get some
award?
Hostmaster: First Prize for not knowing when to leave?
The Woman's Media Center gave her
a Wonderwoman Award
for steadfastness and bravery
in public service.
I think we've found Cyndi's costume!
She can dress as Hillary dressed as Wonder Woman.
Hostmaster: OK. Let's do another.
Molly?
Bryan as Grumpy Cat.
Hostmaster: good one.
Bryan?
Hostmaster as Kim Jong-un
Hostmaster: hmmm. I see Bryan as an old style troubled loner killer.
So, more Charles Whitman than
Omar Mateen.
Hostmaster: see? You're a natural.
Cyndi?
Hostmaster as Harvey Weinstein.
Hostmaster: not bad. I see Cyndi as an airhead actress with sudden recovered Harvey Weinstein memory syndrome. Be sure to wear something sexy. We'll stand close for pictures at the Halloween party!
Naturally, Hostmaster will go as Harvey
before the intensive therapy.
Like the therapy, this round is over.
Round 63
Fluffy/Molly 32
Bryan/Cyndi 28
I wanna go as a flying squirrel.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Breed Profile: Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees (AKA Pyrenean Mountain Dog) was originally used as a flock guardian. The breed has been around at least since 3000 B.C. when nomadic shepherds brought their sheep and dogs to the Pyrenees Mountains. Today, many GP's still work as guardians. Many are pets, companions, therapy dogs.
Some Great Pyrenees Facts
- lifespan 10-12 years
- height: 25-32 inches at shoulder
- weight: 85-115 pounds
- double dewclaws on hind legs
- double coat in white or white with some markings. The undercoat is dense and wooly, the outer coat is coarse and straight
- recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933, a member of the Working Group
The Great Pyrenees is often described as majestic. (Strangely, the Fright Wig is rarely mentioned.)
GP's are also described as calm, confident, alert, affectionate, strong willed, gentle with family and animals of the home, suspicious of strangers, fearless and serious.
Great Pyrenees Manifesto
- yes, I do bark a lot. It's because I take my guardian job seriously.
- if you are looking for a dog who loves everything and everybody that wanders by, get a Golden Retriever
- you needn't trouble yourself telling me what to do. I have everything under control. You're welcome.
I don't always sit down on the job. But when I do, it's in a comfortable chair.
Some Great Pyrenees Facts
- lifespan 10-12 years
- height: 25-32 inches at shoulder
- weight: 85-115 pounds
- double dewclaws on hind legs
- double coat in white or white with some markings. The undercoat is dense and wooly, the outer coat is coarse and straight
- recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933, a member of the Working Group
The Great Pyrenees is often described as majestic. (Strangely, the Fright Wig is rarely mentioned.)
GP's are also described as calm, confident, alert, affectionate, strong willed, gentle with family and animals of the home, suspicious of strangers, fearless and serious.
Great Pyrenees Manifesto
- yes, I do bark a lot. It's because I take my guardian job seriously.
- if you are looking for a dog who loves everything and everybody that wanders by, get a Golden Retriever
- you needn't trouble yourself telling me what to do. I have everything under control. You're welcome.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 62
Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy. Most people have heard about Hillary Clinton's latest literary effort entitled, "What Happened". Now there's talk of making a movie based on this book.
Who should star in it?
Cyndi?
Hostmaster: Ashley Judd certainly has a flair for righteous indignation. Good choice.
Fluffy?
Hostmaster: and a similar squirrelly voice.
Bryon?
Who should star in it?
Cyndi?
There was that alt right propaganda movie
last year. They need to get the truth out.
Ashley Judd should play Hillary.
Hostmaster: Ashley Judd certainly has a flair for righteous indignation. Good choice.
Fluffy?
Chelsea Handler would make
a good Hillary. They share a similar
pale faux feminist arrogance.
Hostmaster: and a similar squirrelly voice.
Bryon?
Here's an idea for the Halloween season.
They should do the movie from
Vince Foster's point of view.
Trouble is, the only actors I
can think of to play him are dead.
Hostmaster: Seth Rich isn't available either.
Molly?
You want scary? How about starring
that woman who has her picture taken
while on the toilet. You know,
the one who is mean to her
dog and her little sister?
Good choice. The camera does
love Lena Dunham. Personally,
I think Megan Kelly should play Hillary.
Megan has that slimy former attorney vibe
that could really bring the role to life.
Round 62
Fluffy/Molly 30
Bryon/Cyndi 27
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)