Coming or going? It's getting close to the nuttyness of the season. Anyway remember back in October or something I said, prediction ==SURPRIZE! and I don't mean Obama, although many were surprised. The stock market dipsy doo? Well the year ain't over yet. I stand on my predicts.

Now for the latest. Wow was it cold for a lot of us! We set records here. The lil fuzzy watcher has the best idea. Take naps! Stay warm!

yes, dear. There are really gremlins.

a real animal, but it doesn't turn evil if you feed it after midnight. Love and Santy Claus!

Nettled Glare

Okay, I went commercial. Blame the recession.
Now we will have a short vignette to offset the commercials. Sigh.


Nettled Glare
“I don’t suppose I can talk you out of it.” Janna paced the floor, her long slim legs scissoring long strides, causing her to pivot after a few steps. It was like watching a ball bounce off walls, a ball that never slowed. Or a heated ping pong game with evenly matched professionals whaling away. It made one slightly dizzy.
“My mind is made up. I have to. You know I have to. If I don’t, I may as well pack it in and give it all up, quit breathing and die.”
“Oh come on!” Janna eyed Richard with a nettled glare. Richard was so obtusely stubborn. His outlook and desires were the only ones that existed as far as he was concerned. She was tired of it. “Why is it all about you? You think everything has to be about you and what you think must be. Your reality sucks, Richard.”
“My! Look Janna, if it weren’t for me, the refrigerator doesn’t get stocked. You wouldn’t be dressed and certainly wouldn’t be pacing that lovely Aubusson rug you insisted on having. What you so point out as my concerns keeps us going, dear heart.”
”Richard, you are whining again. Let me go get a job and we’ll see about your reality.”
“You don’t have to work. You know that. You don’t want to work. Your life style doesn’t factor that in, Janna. So don’t tell me I’m whining when you’re just unfurling empty threats in hot breath.”
“Your ego doesn’t want your wifey working,” muttered Janna.
“What was that?”
“This. It’s hardly working,” she said louder. “You go out and risk your neck for big bucks and public attention. I worry that someday your neck will not survive the next stunt.”
. “I’ve jumped 16 cars before.”
“Lightning doesn’t always strike twice.”
“What does that mean?” Richard said, waspishly. “Honestly Janna, you are in a mood this morning. I wonder – ”
“Don’t even go there!” warned Janna. “Don’t pin this whole thing on me. We were discussing what you had to do this weekend and I say ‘don’t’.”
“The bid is a half-million.”
“Richard!”
“Pony that up, and I won’t.”
“Do it then. Do what you have to. Break your neck and everything else in your body. I don’t care. Maybe your reality wants you in a chair with a C5 fracture. Don’t expect me to wait on you, though Richard, That is not one of my talents.”
Richard smiled. “Your talents lies in creatively distributing the half million over my reality.”
“Whatever,” sighed Janna. She wasn’t getting anywhere with Richard. Whenever she tried to divert Richard into the possibility of another venue for a living, he would counter with attack. The painful truth was sharp enough. If money was all she cared about, he was insured for far more that the half million he would earn by his stunt driving. That was even more expensive, and possible only because enough gamblers were betting that Richard would emerge unscathed from these extreme adventures. He always did, with an uncanny regularity that defied all sense. Even the Knevils, father and son, had accidents. Richard didn’t. He earned the name “Superman”, and unlike the predecessors who just took the name and the illusion on film, he really flew. Must have. Otherwise some of the stunts he survived were impossible to walk away from, with equipment intact. No one before ever had such balance and grace with such uncanny accuracy.
Uncanny. Odd, Weird and Eerie. That’s what attracted Janna to him in the first place. How he made her feel when he was performing. That sensation she got watching him was totally unlike anything she felt before. It brought her to a quivering, tearing ecstasy. Better than sex, much better but of course she would never tell him that. Not that he wasn’t good in the sack but come on, let’s be real here. The only unreal thing about Richard was his ability to perform wild, fast aerial feats and come out whole, bike, car, whatever. It didn’t matter. He could take a pogo stick across a rope strung across the Grand Canyon. Better not ever mention that either. Some promoter would catch ahold of that and he’d have to do it. It’s your problem, Janna, she thought. You’re the one who married him, and that because his best friend dared him to do it. Only way, and many say it was the only time Richard ever crashed.
“So my people skills are a bit skewed!” Janna muttered, smothering the thought with a bite into an apple. She glanced over at Richard. He was into the paper, drinking his coffee. Good. Didn’t hear her, or if he did, let it go. He probably agreed with her anyway.

Key to Proof of Resurrection

Let Given: Probability there is a God =P
C =circumstances of Jesus’s life
H =true witness testimony of His death

Then: E = Event of Resurrection is also a Fact

pretty thought provoking huh. Don't work too hard.

Just what you need, a use for the obnoxious

Pond Scum answer to fuel supply
(I do read the papers. When I do, certain things pique my interest.)
Just what you need, a use for the obnoxious
Washington – It seems that gassy bags of goop have a use. We can round up all the idiots and cretins and let them chatter away and funnel it into useable fuel. “It’s a sort of metabolic switch,” said Mells, a scientist at the University of California at Berkeley. “It’s an alternative way of breathing.” Take away the oxygen and the organism switches to a hydrogen producing life style. That makes gas. Pure pollution-free hydrogen. We can burn that gas for energy. What a magnificent way to recycle human waste!

You know what I mean

“Drop the tinki-winki’s!”
“What?”
“Tinki-winki’s. Those, The thingies you got in your hand.
“Do you mean these doo-hickeys?”
“Yes, those thingamabobs. Where did you get them anyway?”
“In this Jig-a-ma-thing. I didn’t think you wanted them.”
“The Hutch drawer is for all my jiggermadoodles. I keep them so when I need them.”
“You can buy new whatchits anytime. They aren’t expensive. I need these. What are you going to do with those frachits, anyway?”
“Fix my sproket.”
“These are not going to fit your sproket. All sprokets take 7/16 and those tinki-winkies are 9/16.”
“The package says these are 7/16.”
“Wrong package. I had 7/16 but I used ‘em all and put those 9/16 whatchees in there. I’ll get 7/16 tomorrow when I come home and fix your sproket.”
“I need my sproket tonight. I have to tie-dye my smock.” “ Can’t you use your neighbor’s ding-bat?”
“No she’ll never dye in her weegie.”
“So in any case, you don’t want those twiddle twaddles.”
“Wrong size?”
“Yup.”

A short story for you

AFTER FAIR, FAT AND FORTY, FINALLY LOVE?

It was close to five-thirty. The office was a buzz of final clearing, files being put away, desks swept bare. Greta bagged her typewriter, calling Anne to wait. Anne paused by the door, watching her friend grab her coat, muffler, scarf, purse. Then Greta swung open
the counter trap, came out, and hooking Anne's arm in hers, went through the outer door, out into the building's hallway. Dark paneled walls and white tiled floor bordered the elevator. It dinged open, and folded back it's cage door. The women hurried into it and rode it down to the lobby. Quickly they got outside, and Greta stopped.
"Now that cigar-chomping buzzard can't catch us to slap any over-time work on us, listen to me. Remember when you said you were willing to take on a blind date and I told you about this guy my sister knows who works in construction?"

"The one who's staying with them now? Listen, Greta. I plead temporary insanity. I was joking. J-O-K-I-N-G-, understand?" The wind teased at Anne's skirt, and she dropped her hand to pin it down. It had begun to snow, big soft flakes swirling about them. The sky was dark and stark, and the mountain ranges that surrounded the town loomed sharp edged.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know about your jokes. We went over that, remember? Okay, he's staying with them until his loan comes thorough on a trailer he's buying. He told Vi he was interested in meeting you." Greta's grin was unrepentant and gleeful.
Anne squirmed. "Well, how about that. Look this is all very interesting but it's cold and I really have to get
home-" Anne started to leave but Greta grabbed her arm. "He'll call you tonight.
"Tonight!" A yelp of dismay. "Greta--!"
"Tonight." Greta's tone was firm. "Look, this isn't a marriage proposal. It's just a nice guy who wants to meet you. He's lonely." Anne glared at her. "So's a polecat! Greta, you got to admit, this is sudden. After ten plus years of
me, just plucking it alone, you can't just throw a possible man at me without notice! Yeek, I'm scared! Set in my ways! I need- urban renewal! I'm fat!"
"Reap your rewards after years of sin. Look, so you're not a willowy vapid ingenue, and from what I've heard of this specimen, that isn't what he's interested in. The job description he trotted out to my sister reads like this: 'Mature, womanly, sense of humor, intelligent, nice face, personality and a good decent
sport.' You check out. Besides, they told him you were perfect."
"Oh Greta--! If he's so perfect, why don't you go fetch him for yourself! If he's so--, why is he free and lonely, hey?"
"Anne, Anne. Suspicious Anne. Tch. Honey, you've been in la-la land too long. Cosseted, sheltered by your baby.brother. You need a reality check, and I'm offering you a construction engineer!" Greta laughed, her eyes dancing in mischievous joy. "All you have to do is answer the phone, like what you hear, arrange for a nice private little luncheon or something, and if then, you guys think you can stand going the route of dinner, a show, or whatever, go from there! Try it. He's free, white, and way over twenty-one which makes him a match for you. He's had all his shots and as far as I know, has not been around any vampires.
Come on, Anne, you'll never be really ready, anyway. Certain things in life, you just gotta-"
"All right! Alll-right! Lemme go! I'll cooperate!" She tugged at her arm, and Greta released
her sleeve.
"You'd better, because," Greta chuckled evilly, I've invited you both to my New Year's party."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Pleasure's mine."
Anne spent the evening, outwardly going through the motions of routine, but inwardly tense, waiting. He would call. He won't call. She felt as if she were in a dentist's office undergoing a root canal. It was so silly! She was out of practice at forming a relationship that had the possibility of intimacy. The prospect gave her the willies. She had told no one. A teasing brother and a saucy daughter would have been too much. At eight-thirty, the phone rang and she pounced. Switching herself into the unconscious salesman mode she had reserved for social emergencies when she felt awkward, she answered it with a poised calm that belied her nervousness. As Greta had promised, she did like what she heard, and furthermore, he sounded as ill at ease as she! The shock of the discovery disarmed her. obvious in his own discomfort, that she felt compassion. Before she knew it, she had made a He was so apologetic, so luncheon date for Saturday. She had amazed herself. She stood by the phone desk in the hall, bemused, staring at the phone that she just hung up.
"Going somewhere, Sis?" It was twenty-two year old Joey, leaning in the hall doorway. Anne saw his smirk. She speculated at her brother, wondering how muchhe knew. He was affecting an innocence she suspected was a lie.
"Okay, out with it. You were listening in, weren't you."

"Brotherly curiosity and concern, coupled with my usual brilliant deductions," he beamed. "Told Greta she had nothing to worry about. You'd rise to the occasion. I was right, wasn't I?"
She frowned. "Joey, you are an unspeakable beast!"
Anne met Bill at the coffee shop two doors down from the paper. She had hoped Greta wouldn't show and be a nuisance, and she didn't, for which Anne was deeply thankful. Teasing was teasing and Greta had better know when not to push too far .They compared notes over their lunch, a burger and fries for him, a salad with oil and vinegar, and a side order of steamed broccoli for her. She found that 8Bill felt as set up as she did.
"There's something awesome about sisters who feel two people ought to be with one another," he said, his
eyes dancing. "This time, I'll give it to them. I think I'm going to like this."
"This?"
"You. Now what do you want more than anything else in this world?"
"Your burger and fries! His delighted laughter totally charmed her, That was Anne's introduction to Bill, William Allan Cozzing, boy engineer. She mentioned her equine hobby and of her art, her association with the paper, her family,
and again, the horses, the subject visited repeatedly as he encouraged it with questions. Anne quickly became aware of the sparkle in the man's eyes. They spoke of his interest as he fielded what she had to say with an animation and vocabulary that indicated he was knowledgeable. A small, delighted imp within her kicked along her mental shins. He loves the beasts! The childish glee cheered, Wow, girl, Carl never showed that much interest. Likes horses, art, and he likes you!
As it happened, there was to be a winter stock auction Sunday that Anne had wanted to attend, but not alone. When she mentioned it to Bill, he grabbed at the idea. Greta's innocent luncheon date metamorphosed into an afternoon at Pine Grove, poking about and discussing the merits of the yearlings and the two year olds that came under the gavel. The long afternoon flooded into an evening with supper, ending with Anne and Bill closing the small eatery, innumerable cups of tea later.
Early Monday morning, she called Greta "About time I hear from you. Do you know I sat by
the phone all weekend? And now here you are. Hmm, must be interesting if it couldn't wait until the office. Okay, did he call?"

"Yeah. How much time you got?"
"As much as you got. Spill the beans. You know my requirements! When, where, why, how..."
Anne laughed. "When? Friday night like you had suggested, and yes, I've seen him and as for what's he
like, I'm not sure what he's like yet, but he likes things I like--!"
"Anne-"
"Well, you gotta admit, you asked for this."
"PUL-lleze.."
There was a heavy sigh. "Since, you are the yenta who set this thing up, I guess I owe you a few choice facts. One, a very sweet man. Two, not one's image of an Adonis prince, well, I'm not a physical prize either. We cancel each other out on that score. "He'll never have a full head of hair unless he carpets it-and Greta, I am so glad he doesn't! He's got an ample belly that invokes visions of St. Nicholas, but he's not really gross. He's gentle, he's got kind eyes, and he's sensitive."
"Anne, you've been around horses too long!" Greta
was laughing at her.

"Exactly!" muttered Anne, "Beasts, two legged or four, and I'm counting me as an example as well, should be judged as desirable on the basis of disposition, regardless of whether I am speaking of horses, dogs, cats, rats, chickens, or man." Greta was still laughing. "Are you listening?" More laughter. "Listen, you. I-"
"Soft eyes? Santa Claus?" Again, Greta cackled.
"God, you are so cheerful for Monday! It was your idea, Greta, and, by the way, did Joey have anything to do with this?"
"I plead the fifth, Anne!"
"I'll get it out of him, the little twerp-anyhow, how can I help it if I prefer the type you guys sicced on me? Those "GQ" guys in size 26 jeans always seem to have that sulky look about them as if their mommies had just said 'no' to their pleas of candy bars for breakfast."
Greta was still chuckling. "I'm sorry. I really am."
"Don't sound like it ."
"Believe. It's really neat that you two hit it off."
"Well okay. I guess I might forgive you. But, --oh heck, if I don't, then who would I pick on besides family? I suppose I owe you some thanks. It did turn out to more than I expected .Simpatico, you know? I don't feel pressured to have to explain myself. I don't think I've ever felt that way with anybody!"
"Really? How so?"
"Well, we have much in common, there's no trouble with communication. He reminds me of someone I used to know when I was a child, someone I loved very much-but of course, he had hair-"
"Anne-"
It was her turn to laugh. "Well, I was surprised. Two, you were right about how easy it would be. Nervous as I was, he was too, and that did the trick. We just shelved the idea of man-woman and just became two human beings looking for friend. Once that got established, it was easy. And three, why didn't you tell me this boy's hobby was starting colts for the snafflebit futurity?"
"Ohmighod. Never suspected. Honest! He's an engineer. Machines and stuff, computers, who knew? That's great, huh. So where'd you two go?"
"To the auction. We spent a romantic, wet and muddy afternoon with cokes and hot dogs, watching all those gorgeous animals prance by. I think he's into those old Hancock-King crosses."
"Whattt?"

After a few halfhearted attempts at being discreet, Joey and Jonni finally found out enough about Anne's new boyfriend. They lost no time in getting to know him, and even though they tried to keep verbal speculations to a minimum about the progress of the couple, brother and daughter soon gave up, and teased openly, joining in the new relationship. Both liked Bill very much. Bill returned their feelings, finding in Joey a friend and ally, and in Jonni, a something that brought a bemused delight in his eye. That made Anne wonder. His behavior toward Jonni was circumspect, but what was it that she saw, regret? Sadness? She would soon know.
By the middle of November, people started to think of them as a couple.

I thought so

You know you’re getting older when …

 You know all the answers but nobody asks you any questions.
 You need a fire permit to light all your birthday candles and after you blow them out, you need oxygen.
 You order GERITOL on the rocks.
 You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.
 You stop to think and sometimes forget to start again.
 You don’t need an alarm clock to get up with the chickens.
 Your pacemaker opens the garage door when a cute little young member of the opposite sex walks by.
 The only whistles you get are from a tea kettle and the catcalls are from your cat.
 You finally get it all together but can’t remember where you put it.
 Everything hurts and that which doesn’t hurt doesn’t work.
 Your little black book contains names that end in M.D.
 You look forward to a dull evening. Heaven is sacked out on the couch with the television turned to a favorite show and a new season.
 You need glasses to find your glasses.
 You wonder why more people don’t use this size print.
 When you get down on the floor to do something and ask yourself, “what else can I do while I’m down here?”
 When you introduce your children as so and so’s grandparent.

And I add some of my own …
 Your earlobes are beginning to touch your shoulders.
 You clip nosehairs and ear fringes.
 You do a decent cha-cha with a cane and a walker.
 Getting up in the morning to present yourself to the world takes a maneuver drill that rivals a pack trip to the Alps.
 You look great in the mirror because you can’t see the wrinkles.
 Clipping toenails requires a soak in the tub, a mirror, reading glasses and a yoga position. This chore is best done in the morning before the joints and muscles realize what you are doing.
 Your favorite dream is a personal, young and limber life companion. Must know gentle massage and to realize when you need to be left alone.
 Derring-do is a day in front of the slot machines at a gambling resort.
 Half your appliances and personal transportation wheezes as badly as you do.
 You realize that those young whipper-snappers are rude, ignorant, and really don’t matter as much as you thought they did. Exceptions: favorite grandchildren.
 You aren’t as terrified of things that used to spook you when you were younger.
 You realize why they insisted upon you learning math and foreign languages and writing all those essays. It has nothing to do with the subject matter but application process.
 Half of your possessions you don’t know where are.
 Candlelight really becomes you. It helps if your date is nearsighted and needs reading glasses.

Tain't funny McGee??

We started out funny. Life is funny. It’s hilarious and there are many hints in the New Testament that hold that God and sonny Jesus had a sense of humor and a genuine love for all upon this existence. Things work the way they work because it’s turns out, it’s the way it’s supposed to work. If you took a boulder and rolled it down a snowy mountain, you might end up with a gigantic snowball. If you then took another rock of similar size, but of a different type, and packed a bit of snow around it to make a ball and rolled it down, you might end up with another gigantic snowball. Chances are they might look identical. Or not. That’s the way life is. The sound of one hand clapping is two people, each offering his one hand to hit the other’s. A noise is a noise, regardless of ears to hear or not. Ask any deaf person. Sound creates a vibration and shift in matter in space. To my imagination, a bright light is like a loud sound, discordant and brassy. So with this stuff, we enter into Decembers, the big fa, la,la season. Be kind to one another. And love. Please.

night lights

At Bar Harbor, Maine, the area is blessed with a beautiful night sky as there is few artificial lights and surrounding water. They have passed an ordinance limiting lights and redirecting them with shades so that the sky is not flooded with artificial lights, (electricity pollution.) Great!! I remember going down butterfly highway in California at 3 in the morning toward Madera from the coast on a two-lane oldie, and noting the sky so splendid I had to pull over and stop. no artificial lights at all except from my car, and the stars were so brilliant, clear, and I felt I could just reach up and touch them. We should be more mindful of the 'flooding of the sky' with our lights at night. Surely we can have areas that our children and ourselves can again see the wonder of the night sky. Even now living in the Rockies and elevation, the city lights spoil the starshine. I want my stars back! Let's find a way to illuminate what we need to see without just creating an eternal daytime.