Monthly Archives: July 2016

Friday, July 29, 2016 – Snarky Friday. We, the People… and Dance a Little Side Step.

Friday, July 29, 2016 – Snarky Friday. We, the People… and Dance a Little Side Step.

We, the People of the United States of America… have spoken leaving the nation with a couple of ringtail tooters seeking the highest office – The President of the United States. We have the first woman to run on the ticket of a major party and the first man to run on the ticket of a major party that did not come up through the traditional political rank and file.

Did you know that the framers of the constitution actually disagreed and argued over those first three words of what became The Preamble to The United States Constitution – We, the People? The Southern delegation and others argued it should read “We, the States.” The Federalists (J. Madison, A. Hamilton, et. al.) countered with “the people are the states.”

I suppose We the People will watch this unfold in real time social media from now until November. Watching the news makes me want to wear a hazmat suit and realize being a hermit or recluse is not that bad.

The following song is from one of my favorite musicals, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. It is fitting and appropriate for both candidates. Here is the fabulous Charles Durning’s version of Sidestep from the movie,

“Cut a little swath and lead the people on!….

Enjoy and Happy Friday. God Bless Texas.

Thursday, July 28, 2016 – Henry’s Hideout – Texas

Thursday, July 28, 2016 – Henry’s Hideout – Texas

“I know a place where we can go…” Just off of FM 1774 where Montgomery, Grimes and Waller Counties come together is Henry’s Hideout. I have devised a quiz for you regarding this place. Henry’s definitely deserves a historical marker – even if it a personal, coming of age type marker. Growing up in Magnolia, I was forbidden to even drive by the place.

Henrys (800x450)

 

Give yourself one point for each answer you answer with “YES.”

  1. Have you ever been there?
  2. Have you ever had a cold beer there?
  3. Have you ever had a cold beer AND a barbeque sandwich there?
  4. Do you know what Henry’s last name was?
  5. Have you ever danced a two-step and Cotton Eyed Joe in the dancehall there?
  6. Have you ever participated, witnessed or broken up a fight there?
  7. Have you ever played in a band there?
  8. Have you ever sung on stage with the band there – whether you were supposed to or not?
  9. Have you ever celebrated Genevieve’s birthday there?
  10. Would you like to be there now?

If you said NO to the first question, you should plan a trip. If you answered YES to the first question I would love to hear your stories.

Many of you should not lie and say NO because I was with you when we did numbers two through nine. I wish we could do number 10 together today. Thank goodness there were no digital cameras or phones. Oh, I scored a perfect 10.

 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 – Dog Days of Summer

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 – Dog Days of Summer and Guest Blogger

Hello. My name is Tucker. I am Aunt Delia’s great dog nephew.  She went to hit the little white ball into a hole with a stick so I am taking her place. I take a great selfie, don’t I?.

Me and Tucker (800x800)

When my house family goes out of town, AD comes and stays with me. I like her. We have fun and she takes good care of me. In fact, I think she might change her will and leave all of her money to me! Why? I see more of her than her than she sees of her biped great nieces and nephews.  AD and I have a bet that she will not get single LIKE from any of them on FB.

Here are some pictures of what we do when she visits. We have breakfast and coffee outside. Tucker Breakfast (800x450)

Then we go for a walk.

Tucker Walk (800x450)

When we return I get ice cubes in my water bowl to cool my after walk water.  Isn’t she the best?

Tucker Ice Water (800x450)

Sometimes, if I am persistent, I get a massage.

Tucker Massage (800x450)

Mostly, I sit and watch the front door waiting for my house family.

Tucker profile (648x800)I miss them when they are gone.

Tucker Sad (800x742)I like to sleep a lot too.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 – A Good Night for Simon and Garfunkel – Songs of the Year and a DNC Review

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 – A Good Night for Simon and Garfunkel – Songs of the Year and a DNC Review

I woke up this morning still trying to determine what decade I am in. I think it is still 1968.

When Paul Simon stepped on stage last night at the Democratic National Convention, you just knew he was going to sing Bridge Over Troubled Water. Like the shape many believe America to be in, his voice was raspy and maybe not able to hit to high notes so well, but it was still beautiful. When the song is perfect, it is not the voice that sings it, but the words the voice sings.

Then came The Bern and Senator Sanders’ video featuring America. Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, they’ve all come to look for America. The only thing missing during that concert scene was the Bic lighters.

DSC_1153 - Copy (800x527)

Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama all spoke at the last night’s convention. Regardless of your candidate, you must admit they were all better speakers that the previous ones from last week who said “Vote for my Daddy.”

Staten Island Ferry (800x500)

Cory Booker – What a Hotty and a Stanford graduate, and played football. Go Cardinal. Now he is the first Black Senator from New Jersey. Wow, those gifted and talented children do come in all colors, shapes and sizes!

Elizabeth Warren – “I come from Oklahoma and went to a commuter college in Texas.” That is definitely a definition of a First Genner – the first of one’s family to attend college. Her undergraduate college would be the University of Houston, once known as Cougar High, once known as home of Phi Slamma Jamma, but still has a beautiful mascot named Shasta. Shasta will look good in The Big 12 Conference.

Anyway, back to Simon and Garfunkel. The year 1968 was a good year for songs. Check out the top 100 songs of 1968. Simon and Garfunkel had two in the top 100. http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1968.htm

I know these tunes blasted from my dorm room and up and down the hall of Dorm 18 from other stationary technology music machines on the lovely campus of Stephen F. Austin in 1968. I know you can sing a few words to all them. All of the songs would be appropriate for either campaign.

And Here’s to You Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you will know…

If you are really bored, check out the video of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. The more things change; the more they stay the same. And We, The People are still here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Iye1NQy1NY

Monday, July 25, 2016 – Notes From the Democratic National Convention

Monday, July 25, 2016 – Notes From the Democratic National Convention

Right off the gavel “Within minutes, CNN was reporting that the DNC Rules Committee had relieved Wasserman Schultz of her role as convention chair and replaced her with Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge. “ Really? The Democratic National Convention RULES Committee is now chaired by a woman whose last name is Fudge? As in Fudge the Rules?

What is on the agenda tonight?

The first guess speaker at tonight’s Democratic National Convention is Charlie Brown’s teacher. Let’s listen to a portion of what she will say.

Wha wha wha; Blah, blah, blah;Wha wha wha wha; Blah.

Can’t wait to hear more of that tonight. There are other big political names scheduled to speak tonight. Michelle Obama also takes the podium this evening. I wonder if she will plagarize Melania Trump’s speech.

One never knows, but it sounds as though the indoors will be boring. It is the outdoors that is going to be interesting. What year is this? 1968 all over again? Where are we? Chicago? Is this one of the flashbacks our parents warned us about? (J. Buffet)  Or am I witnessing history repeat itself? YIPPIE(S)!

According to Yahoo, planned protests include:

Some will call for voters to “deregister” from the major parties. Some are planning to block thoroughfares used to transport delegates to and from the arena. Some will be staging a “Mock Trial of Hillary Clinton.” Some are willing to be arrested.

Some will be marching a 51-foot inflatable marijuana joint from City Hall to the Wells Fargo Center.

That takes some really big Zig Zags! I cannot wait to see that in high definition!

Regardless of how one feels about the soon not to be presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, you must admit you will witness history.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/unconventional-43-dnc-day-one-000000574.html

Ship wreck 2 (800x537)

Friday, July 27, 2015 – A Literary Snark Attack – Jabberwocky

Friday, July 27, 2015 – A Literary Snark Attack – Jabberwocky

In honor of the end of the Republican National Convention and the start of the Democratic National Convention, I present to you for your Snarky Friday – Jabberwocky.

Dragons (800x530)

Jabberwocky is considered one of the greatest nonsense poems written in English. I am guessing there may one or two from the intelligentsia who will make the connection of Jabberwocky to the political landscape of the day. Pick your personal jabberwock, but beware  of “the frumious Bandersnatch!”

JABBERWOCKY

Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves   Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves,  And the mome raths outgrabe.

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!   The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun   The frumious Bandersnatch!”

He took his vorpal sword in hand:   Long time the manxome foe he sought — So rested he by the Tumtum tree,   And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,   The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,   And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through   The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head   He went galumphing back.

“And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?   Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!’   He chortled in his joy.
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves   Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogves,   And the mome raths outgrabe.

 

 

Thursday, July 21, 2016 – It is a Grand Day

Thursday, July 21, 2016 – It is a Grand Day

Actually, it is a Grand Jury Day. Today I begin the first of six days serving on the Brazos County District Court Grant Jury. On the third Thursday of each month from now until December I serve on the jury. Therefore I must save all of my brilliant bursts of thought for today. And yes, BJ, I am sworn to secrecy.

The photograph of the painting has nothing to do with jury duty.  Those not on FB informed me I did not give the name of the artist when writing about her the other day.  The artist is Clementine Hunter – Louisiana folk artist born in Cloutierville[4] in Natchitoches Parish, and grew up along Cane River near Melrose Plantation.  This is the region of Louisiana my parents and sister are from as well as the rest of family members.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clementine_Hunter

Madeline Hunter 2

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 – Pressure! Under Pressure!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 – Pressure! Under Pressure!

I have grave concerns regarding the Trump campaign staff. Based on what I have noticed thus far I believe all of them could get a refund from their respective colleges and universities because minimal intelligence is being shown.

Austin Graffitti Wall 8.24.13 2013-08-24 008

We are NOT the Champions without the proper paperwork and permissions. The Trump Campaign allegedly used Queen and Freddie Mercury’s We Are the Champions without permissions last night at the Republican Convention.

The irony of course resides in the fact that Queen was led by the great Freddie Mercury. Mercury actually wrote the song. He is an antithesis of the political platform of the Republicans – even that fact that Mercury is from Persian descent. FYI to the geographically and historically challenged – today Persia is known as IRAN.

So Republicans you played a background anthem by a lead singer who was Iranian born to Muslim parents who was a homosexual and who died of AIDS.  Not to mention Queen is from England.

If you are going to use their songs without permission here are a couple songs from Queen I thing would be more appropriate for use at the convention that address how the rest of us feel. Don’t forget to ask for permission.

“Under Pressure”

Pressure pushing down on me Pressing down on you, no man ask for Under pressure that burns a building down Splits a family in two Puts people on streets It’s the terror of knowing What this world is about Watching some good friends Screaming, “Let me out!” Tomorrow gets me higher Pressure on people – people on streets

And of course… Bohemian Rhapsody. Let’s get those heads bobbing up and down.

I see a little silhouetto of a man, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango? Thunderbolt and lightning, Very, very frightening me. (Galileo) Galileo. (Galileo) Galileo, Galileo Figaro Magnifico.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-pressure-queen-stop-champions-anthem/story?id=40699127

 

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 – Where Is Pat Nixon’s Good Republican Cloth Coat? Do Any of the Trumps Own a Dog Named Checkers?

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 – Where Is Pat Nixon’s Good Republican Cloth Coat? Do Any of the Trumps Own a Dog Named Checkers?

I tried to watch the Republican National Convention last night. If fact, I made it through 18 minutes. Then I wanted to channel Rosemary Woods and erase it from my tape recorder – aka brain. Please know my inability to watch is not partisan. I feel confident I will make not the Democratic National Convention prime time either. Nine o’clock in the evening? Was this time slot selected to keep from scaring the children? To the Trump campaign: Do you realize your constituency of mad old, white people have been in bed for over an hour?

I am sorry I missed Melania Trump’s speech live. Really. Why? Whatever they are called in her native country she has a pair and we ain’t talkin bosoms. She walked to the podium knowing full well that from the moment the spotlight hit her that she was about to be hammered by the media and the “We, the people.” As Elizabeth Cook sings, “Sometimes it takes balls to be a woman.” Unfortunately Mrs. T., I still think you sound like one of Gabor sisters. But, hey. Not everyone in American has English as their first language.

It is too bad the inept speech writers and campaign staffers back loaded you with more crap that a dump truck can carry. I know supporters are trying to step away from the plagiarism thing and say “anyone could have thought of that, not just Mrs. O.” As someone who has made a living being a wordsmith (aka word nerd) every high school English teacher in the country and I can spot plagiarism within the first paragraph. There is even software that helps one avoid such literary pitfalls and the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune. To be a successful plagiarist it is necessary to actually change the words around and not just copy and paste them from one place to another. Sorry, Mrs. T. Chalk up another ineptness for an inexperienced staff.

In looking at the various opinions on the Internet this morning, I thought your ensemble was very pretty and original. I see where it sold online for $2,200. I am definitely getting me a couple of these for Ms. Navasota and I to wear for tailgating this fall. It is so practical in Texas for women like me and other women who buy their clothing at Wal-Mart and Academy. I think the ensemble will go over well in College Station. Do you know if it comes in maroon and white? Is there a business that makes and sells them in The United States?

I might have gone with something a bit more Pat Nixon though. In 1952 the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Richard Nixon, responded to a claim that an $18,000 campaign contribution was used for personal expenses. He went on all three channels of national TV describing the poor economic status for himself and his family. No insurance, back loans, small salary for his senate job, two small children, etc. FYI – This was all done at a reasonable hour of the evening like 7:30.

As his upper lip sweated, Nixon uttered the following.

“I should say this, that Pat doesn’t have a mink coat. But she does have a respectable Republican cloth coat, and I always tell her she would look good in anything.”  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/nixon-checkers/

VEEP Candidate Nixon would go on to say the only thing his family had received was a small black and white puppy that daughter Tricia named Checkers. I cited the website above that has the full Checker’s Speech so the Trump staffers can plagiarize words and paragraphs. Don’t forget to change the dog’s name.

Brooklyn Bridge (800x534)

New York City. Brooklyn Bridge. 1985. Photo by me.

 

 

 

 

Monday, July 18, 2016 – Multitasking with the IRS or Kiss My Arrears

Monday, July 18, 2016 – Multitasking with the IRS or Kiss My Arrears

The word of the day is – arrears. It is a noun meaning the state of being behind or late, especially in the fulfillment of a duty promise obligation or the like; an unpaid debt.

9:45 AM – Call # 1 to IRS office – disconnected after I pressed ONE for English. Redial

IRS office (800x530)

What I Think the IRS office looks like. Actually Austin Graffiti Wall 2014 – photo by me.

9:49 AM – third attempt at entering my social security number. None of the numbers the automotron repeated were in my SS#. Two messages of: “That is not a valid SS#.” Well, that is the only one I have.

9:52 AM – Finally get in the line for “Please hold. All of our representatives are busy helping other customers, please continue to hold. Or visit our website at www@IRS.gov.” I am not visiting your website. I want to chew an overworked, underpaid federal employee’s ass out. While waiting my estimated 15-30 minutes, I will just tell you.

Dear IRS,

The package you will receive from me is not scary. It is not threatening. It contains turnips and a dented can of turnip greens I bought at the Dollar Store. This is the only type of green I can send you. This is in response to the THREE letters I received from you in the past 10 days requesting payment in full for my federal income tax.

Thank you for the three letters I received telling me I owe you money. I know this every month when you take your payment from my Social Security check.  You do not seem to have difficulty finding that correct social security number. I especially like the fact that each letter has a different amount to be paid.

I especially like the first letter you sent via regular snail mail. This is one that had all nine digits of my SS# as part of the address for everyone to see. The other two letters you sent via certified mail, which I had to go to the post office to obtain, had the first five numbers redacted. That means not able to be seen. This could be a reason your antiquated technology system does not recognize my SS# number as valid.

My favorite part of one of the letters is the “intent to terminate your installment payment agreement, so please pay $XXXX.31.” How in the Hell do you think terminating my installment payments is going to get your money paid in the full amount?” If you could get any more money out of me, please feel free to try – hence the package of turnips and can of greens to be delivered via UPS.

Dragons (800x530)

Dragon – How the IRS Makes Me Feel. Austin Graffiti Wall 2014 – photo by me.

Perhaps you should check the letter I returned to YOU last week like you told me to do in response to Letter # 1 saying I was already in a payment plan and to roll it over to the next year. Did that letter go to another department next door to yours?

10:09 AM – Disconnected again. Start over. Get back in line. Press 1 for English, attempt to enter SS# again. Still not valid. Just start pressing numbers and then hear this message: (I kid you not) “We are unable to answer your request. Call back another time or another day when we are less busy.”

10:30 AM – Screw it. Will go to website. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The website lists telephone numbers to call. There is a different 800 number with an extension to call on the website.

10:31AM – Get in 800 # line again.

10:48 AM – Still on hold.

So in conclusion – To the IRS: You really think my debit of less than $1500 from an old white woman on fixed income is going to solve the National Debit Crisis?

11:00 AM – Bad Musak stops. Message: Please wait.

Then a lovely lady named Michelle comes on line. She and I talk. She gets everything taken care of and at…

11:14 AM – Problem Solved! It took 14 minutes to solve the issue after waiting in cyber hell for 30 minutes. Thank you, Michelle.

To the rest of the IRS and especially those of you in Washington D. C. – You can kiss my arrears!