History, Plain Speaking, Truth, Uncategorized

William and Kate: Wanna Post Photos of You and Your Kids? Go for it!

I am totally in your ballpark! But, first, you need to decide: Are you after "authorised" long-lasting images that will follow your son (the future king) into eternity?  Or is every photo just a "one-off," the "best amateur sort of shit that could be accomplished at the time by even a person like me with… Continue reading William and Kate: Wanna Post Photos of You and Your Kids? Go for it!

Culture, Family Matters, History, Literature, Medieval, Womanly Feminism

On Household Relations and the Natural Order of Things, 2024 Edition

A lightly-edited post from several years ago, in honor (or despight)  of Jack Kerouac's 101st birthday today. My contempt for the man--and everything he represents--hasn't changed. What a rotten, deranged, misogynistic bastard.  Unfortunately, and increasingly, it seems that--these days--there are those who find such people inspiring and worthy of emulation.  Particularly on social media. But… Continue reading On Household Relations and the Natural Order of Things, 2024 Edition

Entertainment, Music

Ah One, Ana Two: Happy Birthday Lawrence Welk!

American orchestra leader Lawrence Welk was born one hundred twenty-one years ago, on March 11, 1903, the son of German immigrants from Odessa, in what is now Ukraine.  Welk's Wikipedia page tells the story of the family's first winter, living in an overturned wagon buried in earth, and of young Lawrence's leaving school in the… Continue reading Ah One, Ana Two: Happy Birthday Lawrence Welk!

Quote of the Day

“No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”–Ain’t that the Truth? Ask Me How I Know. LOL.

The words "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished." They've become a 21st century meme, one to which--whatever side they're on--people nod their heads, sure that they're in the right of it, whenever a POV appears which supports their own. But their origins are a bit less binary, and a lot more vague.  And their application, in… Continue reading “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”–Ain’t that the Truth? Ask Me How I Know. LOL.

Family, Family Matters, Friendship, Plain Speaking

The Stepmother Diaries, 2024

With very few exceptions over the years, I’ve never minded being defined in terms of my familial relationships. Dad’s daughter. Mr. Right's wife. Peachy’s granny. Sam, Mike and Jenny’s stepmother. I’ve never thought of myself as an appendage or a cipher, nor do I function as anybody’s foil. Although by no means perfect, I’m generally… Continue reading The Stepmother Diaries, 2024

Animals, Home, Literature

Quote of the Day: From Kenneth Grahame

He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before—this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh… Continue reading Quote of the Day: From Kenneth Grahame

Literature, Quote of the Day

Paean To A Plain Woman, And a Few Recollections in Tranquility

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And… Continue reading Paean To A Plain Woman, And a Few Recollections in Tranquility