Christmas, Farming, Humor, Pets and Livestock

Weird Christmas Traditions, Down Here on the Farm

Last week, there was a mouse in the house. I was beginning to fear that might be the case, given the cats’ sudden interest in whatever they thought was going on behind the closet under the stairs (the back of said closet is one of those concertina-type folding vinyl doors which, when slid open, lets… Continue reading Weird Christmas Traditions, Down Here on the Farm

Friendship, Humor, Literature, Music, Plain Speaking, Poetry, Truth

From Andrew Lloyd Webber to Angora Goats

Thirty-six years ago this month, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera opened in New York, and went on to become the longest-running show in Broadway history. I've never seen it. I don't hold much brief for ALW, and I've only seen two of his musicals over the past fifty-three years.  The first was… Continue reading From Andrew Lloyd Webber to Angora Goats

Animals, Love, Pets and Livestock

Happy National Holistic Pet Day!

I have no bloody idea what "National Holistic Pet Day" is.  Wait one, while I investigate. Oh, here: [National] Holistic Pet Day was set up to try and bring more publicity to the idea that holistic treatments, where a pet’s lifestyle, diet and environment are fully considered, are more beneficial for their temporary health and… Continue reading Happy National Holistic Pet Day!

Animals, Britishness, Culture, History, Military, Pets and Livestock, War

The Lady With the–Cats?

If Florence Nightingale were still alive, she’d have been 203 years old in 2023. She was born on May 12th, 1820, just a few short months after Mad King George (of American Revolution fame) breathed his last. By the time she died, 113 years ago this week, on August 13, 1910, George V (the current… Continue reading The Lady With the–Cats?

Friendship

The Gentrified Cats of Istanbul

Cross-posted--for the most part--from Ricochet: So there I was this morning, slurping up my daily “Jolt of Good News” from the Good News Network when I came across this tidbit and was catapulted (you’ll see what I did there in a moment) back several years in my Ricochet life. Normally, I only get this sort of… Continue reading The Gentrified Cats of Istanbul

Humor, Knitting, Miscellaneous

If I’m Ever Arrested, I Hope It’s For Something Like this

I’m 65 years old. I’ve never been much of a drinker, but I’ll cop to having been a bit sloshed a few times in my life, most of them in the distant past. As I get older though, the stuff has more of an effect on me, which is why it’s probably a good thing… Continue reading If I’m Ever Arrested, I Hope It’s For Something Like this