Look your best – who said love is blind?
— Mae West
Fun & Frivolity
Monday with Mae & Me
“When choosing between two evils,
I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before.“
Mae West
Frankly Freddie, Flash Fiction
Since my human judy fractured her ankle all she does is sit around moaning and nothing I do can get her outside. So I take my Peggy for walks every day where we are inspired by nature which in turn inspires my creative writing endeavors.
P.S. Some of this story is auto-biographical but names have been eliminated so I don’t get sued.
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a tree.(I frequently start my writing with “Once upon a time” as it lends a universal appeal to readers young and old.) Its trunk was crooked and all its bark was peeling. Big roots spread all around the tree, some deep in the earth and some growing above the ground. The Tree lived in a park with other trees of its own kind on the far edge of town. Every day many dogs of differing sizes and persuasions came to claim the tree as their territory.
One day, after years of being claimed,the tree yelled at a big black dog with pointy ears and a black nose sniffing around its roots, “I am NOT your territory!” The big black dog didn’t care what the tree thought, claimed it for its own and walked on looking for more territory.
Within minutes a little white dog with floppy ears and a wet nose sniffed out where the big black dog had been. “I am a tree not a fire hydrant!,” the tree yelled at the little white dog who ignored the tree, claimed it for its own and walked on looking for more territory.
The tree, ever alert for impending indignities, spotted a medium-sized dog with shaggy brown hair and a pink nose approaching. Finally, after many years of being claimed by many dogs, the tree figured out that actions speak louder than words. So it picked up its roots and walked away.
The end of my tail
Freddie Parker Westerfield, CDN Canine Dog Novelist
There’s a new post on Forest Bathing. Please tell judy she won’t need to take off her clothes or use soap or water. She can wear her big boot that protects her ankle and I’ll help her meander.
If you want to know what I’m talking about click here: FOREST BATHING
Update on my fractured ankle
Week 7 – My nudge to budge :
-
Gained 6 pounds from sitting and knitting
-
My belly is swelling while I’m dwelling
-
There’s solace in chewing while I’m stewing
-
Now my left arm is sore. Could there be more?
Fractured Head to Toe
Food for the Heel
In Pain, Need Sympathy
Fractured head to toe, day 10
Judy judy in a chair
TV blaring, messy hair
Foot throbbing, rumbled clothes
bleary eyes, throbbing toes
Judy judy bored bored
slowly going out’a her gourd
Judy by judy
Celebrate!
It’s Cinco de Mayo time
Drink tequila and lime
Eat to the beat
Take a chance and dance
so the chips don’t go to your hips
Brain Dance – Bust a Move and a toe or two
Read: Research findings suggest that combining physical, cognitive, and social engagement like dance can improve cognitive health.
See: Twirl, Whirl & Swirl
Meet My Foot Feat, day 4
It’s only DAY 3 of my “convalescence” and the thought of spending most of my time sitting with my foot up for 3 WEEKS is __________. Fill in the blank and it’s probably close to the mark.
So far I’ve worked on CATNIPblog posts, worked on Peggy & my Happiness project, started reading a new book and watched far too much TV. My “rear-end” is already beginning to hurt as much as my foot.
I have more time on my hands (and feet) than ever yet have less focus than ever. Looking for something creative to add to my sit-down-activities I decided to finish pages (upon pages) I started years ago in my many journals.
judy’s journal, collage, acrylic, marking pens
Today I picked a page that required no thought, just schmearing a bit of paint with my finger and doodling with marking pens. I have no clue why I wrote the fishy-poem I remember from childhood on the page.
Fishy fishy in a brook
Papa catch ’em with a hook
Mama fry ’em in a pan
Baby eat ’em like a man
Need to catch up? Here’s what happened to me:
In pain, Need Sympathy
Food for the HEEL
April 29th – Flashy Fun!!
In 1982 the Dance Committee of ITI founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet. The intention of the International Dance Day Message is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and bring people together with a common language – dance.
Take a look at another flash mob, click here: DO RE MI
Monkeying around
As YOU ALL know my favorite things to draw are nudes . . .
Swing from the trees
by your knees
On a whim
go out on a limb
Monkey see, monkey do
I dare you
Easter Pome & “HEALTHY” Chocolate Brownie Recipe
This Easter be a vegetarian
It’s only utilitarian
don’t eat rats
or worms or bats
Celebrate the day
and eat hay
No chocolate covered ants
chow down on plants
No eggs fried
there’s a chick inside
Don’t EAT us few
and we won’t BUG you.
“Be kind to all people, love humanity, consider all mankind as your relations and servants of the most high God.”
Here’s our bribe
It’s hard to describe
Healthy Double Chocolate brownie recipe
Click here to imbibe
Seenagers R Us (Senior Teenagers)
Epiphany! My CATNIPblog co-creator, Peggy, and I are not elderly, we are not senior citizens, we are not wise-women, we are NOT, we are NOT, we are NOT.
We are Seenagers and have everything we wanted as teenagers. It just took us 60 years to get “there”.
Judy & Peggy (Peggy is actually taller than Judy but Judy wears high heels and has to stand up straighter so the birdie doesn’t fall off)
We don’t have to go to school or work.
We get an allowance every month.
We don’t have a curfew.
We have driver’s licenses and our own cars.
We have ID’s that gets us into bars and wine stores. We like the wine store best.
We are not scared of getting pregnant. We aren’t scared of anything because we’ve been blessed to live this long. Why be scared?
We don’t have acne.
Thanks Sharon M.!!!
Check out how Seenagers can improve their BRAINS https://wp.me/p18HbQ-2h4
Celebration, Confession and Happy Anniversary*
Noticed the new header? The critters are creations from CATNIPblog and the magnificently, masterful, murky minds of Peggy & me.
Tweeter, Woofer, Meowie, Squeakie & Grunter the Worm
Prisoner of Love
Here’s whatsup:
After retiring I have more and more time but, as you’ve noticed, there have been fewer and fewer posts on CURIOUS. I have a “tendency” to accomplish things when faced with deadlines and commitments. My other “tendency” is procrastination when left to my own devises.
Peggy, my co-collaborator on CATNIPblog, has provided both – deadlines & commitment. She sets up the posting schedule and my commitment to her provides the impetus.
Because Curious to the Max is my first love – been posting since 2009 – I’ve asked Peggy to help me schedule more CURIOUS posts. She agreed (without completely knowing what she was getting into) to help, although I have not relinquished editorial control. CURIOUS to the Max will stay true to: “Curious STUFF that makes me love, learn and laugh”
CATNIPblog will stay true to:
“Self-care tips, tools, techniques & neuroscience research for MIND, BODY & SOUL – shared with a wink and a smile”
Meowie
*P.S. Peggy and I, grateful for all the support and positive responses we’ve received, are holding a one-year-anniversary drawing from the list of all CATNIP’s subscribers. To get in on the drawing click here:
CATNIPblog.com
Frankly Freddie – Valentine’s Day Pome
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I’m not allowed chocolate
Valentine’s day . . . pooh
The only good thing about Valentine’s day is the candy and I never get any. I sit alone, no valentines, no candy, no romance. The only thing I get is dog food.
If you are sitting home alone on Valentine’s day with dog food you are not alone.
___________________________________________________
Bark! Bark!
Want a deeeeelicious and easy Valentine treat (that I’m not allowed to eat cuz it’s chocolate) click here for the Bark Bark recipe:
and find out how:
Sugar Increases the “happiness” neurotransmitter serotonin.
Freddie Parker Westerfield, Published Poet
When Politicians Laughed
Michael Davis Ford’s Theater part 2
(Watch the secret service behind the President trying not to laugh)
With all the turmoil in the world I appreciate more than ever anything that makes me laugh.
‘THE JUGGLER‘ is worth another watch – even if you’ve seen it before.
Only those of us over 50 would probably recognize the people in the front row.
Thanks Sharon M.! |
Frankly Freddie – Halloween Orange Alert
To all Human-beings: It’s time for my Halloween ORANGE-ALERT.
This Halloween
Don’t be mean!
Don’t you dare
make others stare
Dressing up
your precious pup
Please be fair!
just let us wear
our own hair.
Example of suspicious clothing
To All my Canine Cousins:
Be on the look-out for your human coming back from the store with suspicious articles of clothing and paraphernalia that is NOT THEIR color, style or size. If they start sweet-talking you or offering you treats RUN for your life & HIDE.
Example of humiliation.
No matter how many times I HAVE TOLD HUMANS not to humiliate us because they want to be amused it happens every year. I prefer to think that Humans just aren’t very smart and have no memory retention beyond a few hours rather than the possibility they are simply insensitive creatures with no regard for our feelings.
Frankly,
Freddie Parker Westerfield, PIC&C
Protector of Innocent Creatures & Critters
Inktober Unmasked
Mardi Gras Meowie
Oct 31 Prompt MASK
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
INKTOBER – THE END!
Inktober – Happy Halloween
Lost and Found
Oct 30 Prompt FOUND
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Squeaky Inky Tober
A Squeaky Mouse Gets the Cheese
Oct 26 prompt SQUEAK
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Ink Dinky Dinghy
I Spy Matey Meowie
Oct 25 Prompt SHIP
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inktober – Tail Trail
Strolling by the Stream
Oct 22 Prompt TRAIL
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inky Dinky Furry Fury
Meower on the Verge
Oct 21 Prompt FURIOUS
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inky Dinky Inktober – Fat
HEALTHY fat is good for your brain*!
The USDA recommends that healthy adults over the age of 19 consume between 20 and 35 percent of their daily calories from fat. Young children (ages 1 to 3 years) need as much as 40 percent of their daily calories to come from fat. If you eat a diet of 2,000 calories per day, ingest between 44 grams and 77 grams of total fat daily.
Oct 16 Prompt FAT – Sugar High
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inktober – Mysterious
This mysterious kitty is featured on Halloween stuff on our ZAZZLE CATNIP Shop.
- Kitchen Towels
- Paper Cups
- Napkins,
- Mugs
- Special Orders on any thing your heat desires (as long as Zazzle makes it we can decorate it!)
Oct 15 Prompt MYSTERIOUS
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inktober – Teeming with Good Witches
Whaahooo! These witches are found on our ZAZZLE CATNIP Shop. They decorate:
- Kitchen Towels
- Paper Cups
- Napkins,
- Mugs
- Special Orders
Can’t get more “teeming” than that!
Oct 13 Prompt TEEMING
Inktober – Cheesy Perspective
Everything is just a matter of perspective!
Oct 10 Prompt GIGANTIC – It’s the Cheesiest
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inktober – Which Way Witchy
Some days are just like this . . .
Oct 8 Prompt CROOKED – Which Way Witchy
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-7 Day Retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
INKTOBER – The Long & Shy of it
We’re almost caught up for the first week of Inktober with a drawing a day!
Oct 5 Prompt LONG – Meowie
Bashful is a mood magnet on our ZAZZLE/catnip shop but it was an ink drawing first so Peggy & I think it qualifies for Inktober!
Oct 6 Prompt SHY – Bashful Meowie
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week Sunday-retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Inky Dinky-Tober – Poison & Under Water
INKTOBER: 31 Days, 31 drawings, based on pre-set prompts.
Oct 3 Prompt POISON, Your Choice
Oct 4 Prompt UNDER WATER, Woofer’s Deep Dive
Posting a drawing a day on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week-retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click-off the dailies!
Inky Dinky October – Swift & Divided
If you’ve followed Curious to the Max for a long time you know I’ve periodically participated in blog-challenges. Having a chronic condition like fibromyalgia sometimes derails me so I talked Peggy Arndt, my co-blogger from CATNIPblog , into participating with me in Inktober.
INKTOBER: 31 Days, 31 drawings, based on pre-set prompts.
Peggy & I have been doing ink sketches for CATNIPblog so here’s da plan:
I’ll post a drawing a day (we are a few days behind) on Curious to the Max with a once-a-week-retrospective on CATNIPblog for those of you who just want to click- off the dailies!
October 1, SWIFT prompt, Meowie Rides Again
Oct 2, Divided prompt, Woofer & Meowie
Tomorrow, I’ll post more “catch-ups”.
If you want to participate too, send us your ink sketches and we’ll post them with ours! Here’s the information:
Frankly Freddie – My new fan club president
Dear Freddie Fans,
Those of you who follow CURIOUS to the Max do not know about my continuing frustration with Peggy & Judy and CATNIPblog. A case in point:
So it is with delight that my fans are beginning to speak up and let Peggy & Judy know
that without me they and their “cats” would be up a tree.
My # 1 fan (at the present) is JOYCE K.* She alone has deluged CATNIPblog with cries for MORE FREDDIE! As a reward I have made her PRESIDENT.
Lick’n Good
Dear Joyce K., Newly Elected Freddie Fan Club President, Stellar human-being and Sender of treats.
I received your payment of one bag of Doggie Treats to join the Freddie Fan Club. The are quite tasty. Thank you. I have nominated you for president and duly elected you to that coveted office. Your official duties are as follows:
- Increase Freddie Fan Club membership to 100. Prospective members should pay a bag of doggie treats directly to you. You will keep track of the inventory and disburse doggie treats on a regular basis (to be determined based on membership payments) to Freddie Parker Westerfield, object of all fans’ adoration.
- Neatly frame and display my autographed picture for all the world to see.
- Find recipes for doggie treats that are tasty.
- Make the recipes for doggie treats every month and send them to Freddie Parker Westerfield, home-made doggie treat connoisseur.
- Other duties to be determined, as needed, warranted or wanted by Freddie.
Frankly,
Freddie Parker Westerfield, CCT RET.
*Joyce is currently owned by several Canine Dogs. Her newest owner COOKIE Dog is probably my cousin. Joyce, please run DNA test.
Cookie K.
Update on my condition
Papa’s Instructions Pome
Children of ours, it’s your time to play
So listen closely to what I say
To your DNA you must stay true
Here’s exactly what you are to do:
Mama Cold, Papa Cold and their 3 virus babies
Baby 1
Dump buckets of muck
up judy’s nose
Make sure you duck
before she blows
Baby 2
Bang on her brain
whistle in her ears
like a choo choo train
til she bursts into tears.
Baby 3
Pound on her head
jump on her chest
all night long in bed
so she gets no rest
Children, it’s now up to you
judy is yours to do
Cuz Mama is weary
teaching how-to
with no app or Siri.
And your papa is tiring
of non-stop siring
It’s Mom & me off to find a new home
Hallelujah! you’re on your own
Practice what we’ve taught
drive judy crazy, make her lazy
don’t give it an afterthought
Spend all your time
making her go outa her mind
Antidote for Santa – Peace & Good Cheer
My Annual Christmas pome – Sick Ole St Nick undoubtedly struck a chord among my many many followers – well at least one . . .
By Sharon Bonin-Pratt*
Goodness, I feel sorry for the poor man in red his weary reindeer and sled
Don’t blame me cuz I’ve never participated in dragging that man from his bed
The worst you can say is I’ve not enough candles and therefore can’t light
All my eight menorahs, yes, count ’em, eight Hanukkah for eight days of light
Tell Santa to give up the late ride and eat chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil
Safer to spin driedles, tell stories of brave Maccabees and the miracle of oil
And he’ll feel much better when he rises well rested at the end of this year
Not having delivered gifts heavier than a wish for peace and good cheer
Happy Chanukah!!
*Disclosure: Printed without permission from the author . .
Annual Christmas Day Pome – Sick Ole St Nick
T’was the Day After Christmas Eve Pome
It’s true so they say that on Christmas day
old St Nick is always sick
from sugar, carbs, inhaling soot
and lunging sacks of children’s loot
Santa has to unbuckle his belt
to make room for cookies, and chocolate gelt
Popping antacids with each milk drink
he’s lactose intolerant, that’s why the wink
Up all night,
by mornings light he’s a fright
The chubby ole fellow, no longer mellow
Back’s in spasm, eyes are red
Climbing to chimney tops, legs like lead
When home he goes, the ho ho hoes
have turned to moans
the silent night filled with grunts and groans
No longer just plump he’s a fat grump
The reindeer too have lost their cheer
for all things festive in the New Year
His packed on pounds during the rounds
create huge drag for even a stag
They huff, puff and wheeze
looking for a stiff breeze
to help carry Santa over roof tops and trees
All the way back the reindeer pray
he’ll loose 50 pounds before next Christmas day
Cuz Rudolph et. al are running out of gas
hauling Santa’s growing ass
* * *
Merry Christmas to all who indulge and bulge!
from judy and Freddie Parker Westerfield
Freddie Parker Westerfield, CDT RET
Why Santa never gets caught
https://doodlewash.com/2016/12/22/how-do-reindeer-fly/
Doodlewash is a blog I follow – both for Charlie O’s great water-colors but even more for his wonderful stories and descriptions about each drawing.
Today’s Doodlewash post inspired my pome.
Pome by judy
No one catches Santa on the roof
or in the snow sees prints
of tiny reindeer hoof
for Santa’s no bigger than a fly
and reindeer all the size of ants
ferry him through the Christmas sky
I don’t think it silly at all
to imagine reindeer quite so small
and know
how Santa slides down chimney flues
with nary much soot on his beard or shoes
So make your cookies the size of peas
and leave the milk in a thimble please
Limit the weight of gifts and such
to crush an ant
it doesn’t take much
* * *
To read Charlie O’s inspiring story click here:
How Do Reindeer Fly?
21 ways to keep your sanity for the holidays
Only 15 days till Chanukah! 15 days till Christmas! 22 days till New Year’s! Time for my yearly reminder on how to keep sane.
Christmas:
- Instead of buying a tree watch your friends decorate (and take down) theirs
- Convert to Judaism
- Sit in the lobby of a 5-star hotel and enjoy EXPENSIVE decorations.
- ADOPT a pig, instead of eating one.
- Make dinner potluck, you supply the paper plates and plastic cutlery
- Christmas dinner – Start with dessert and forget the rest.
- Sit on the beach in Bali
.
8. Go to bed on the 23rd and get up on January 3rd.*
9. Only buy presents for Jesus.
10. Put a cover on the outside chimney opening so you don’t have to put out cookies and milk.
Chanukah:
11. Watch your friends decorate (and take down) their Christmas tree.
12. Convert.
13. Stay in a 5-star hotel for 8 days and nights.
14. Use credit cards instead of gelt
15. Instead of gambling with a dreidle at home go to Vegas
16. Don’t give presents, do good deeds
17. Go to bed on Thanksgiving and wake up on New Years**
18. Bake potatoes instead of grating them to death
19. Eat macaroons with Ben & Jerry
New Years:
20. *Remember! Stay in bed until the 3rd, unless you’re Jewish.
21. **If you are Jewish, go back to bed.
Peace on Earth & Sanity to all my Friends!
A Frankly Freddie Thanksgiving
Dear Human Beings,
Time for my ANNUAL Thanksgiving ‘Ode To Tom’ and tell you what I’m thankful for:
- I’m thankful that I was not born in a country where they eat dogs.
- I’m thankful you are all my best friends!
- I’m thankful for all the treats I get even if I don’t get as many as I deserve
- I’m thankful I am soft and fluffy so people want to pet me
-
Freddie Parker Westerfield, Poet Laureate
A Turkey’s Tale
by Freddie Parker Westerfield
A turkey named Tom lived on a farm
His story is such, so they say
Waking at dawn
he’d peck at the lawn,
searching for bugs,
nibbling on slugs
of which he was particularly fond.
Then on Thanksgiving day
Gobbledy gobbledy gone!
So if YOU took Tom from off his farm
in the middle of the night
please give him due thanks
for gracing your table. (It’s fitting and only right).
And for all the bugs and many slugs
which make him an organic delight
P.S. I was told to tell you that my Human-being wishes you all things to be grateful for in your life, like she’s grateful for me.
My BEST FRIEND Shari sent me this picture. I think she might be a Turkeytarian . . .
Shower yourself with doodle art
This is one hot shower!
Frankly Freddie (parenthetically speaking)
Dear Human Beings,
Do NOT, I repeat do NOT, believe everything you read. This article is a case in point:
New research shows why dogs don’t like hugs.
“PET owners beware — new research has revealed that dogs don’t like hugs from their owners, which can make them (the owners?) more stressed out.”
“According to new research published in Psychology Today, Stanley Coren from the University of British Columbia, said dogs respond differently to humans who seek comfort from hugging others.”
“Coren, who studies canine behaviour, analysed a random sample of 250 pictures of humans hugging their dogs that he could find online through Flickr and a Google image search.” (skewed data – he left out Pintrest and Instagram where the animal pictures are more photogenic)
“In using photos where the dog’s face was easily seen, he looked whether the dog appeared to be anxious or distressed, relaxed, or showed a neutral response to being hugged.”
“He found that around 82 per cent of the photographs showed “unhappy dogs” receiving hugs from their owners or children.”
Freddie Parker Westerfield, Published Author
He said that dogs show signs of distress when they bare their teeth (called a smile when humans do it), turn their heads away from something ( just being bored and looking around), or they partially close their eyes (doesn’t everyone close their eyes when ecstatic?).
Another sign of anxiety is when a dog’s ears are lowered or “slicked against the side of his head”. (Stanley, it’s just our coiffure)
He also said that licking lips or licking a person’s face can also be a sign of anxiety, like yawning or raising a paw. (I lick when it’s tasty)
Coren said the fact that dogs don’t like being hugged can be explained by their behavioural nature.
As “cursorial animals”, (cursorial? I swear I never curse) they are designed for swift running. When stressed, a dog’s first instinct is to run away.
It is believed that when they are restricted from moving with a hug, it can increase a dog’s stress level and potentially cause them to bite their owners. (or bite researchers)
It’s not the hugs that stressed the dogs out it was having their pictures taken WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT to be displayed for all the world to see.
Freddie Parker Westerfield, Blogger
So hug away you human-beings and always follow-up with a treat for us dogs (you got your treat with the hug)
Frankly yours,
Freddie Parker Westerfield, CDT RET, CDB
Canine Dog Therapist, Retired and Certified Dog Blogger
A Leg Up – The Princess & the Pea
I sent my doodle cartoon to Sketchbook Skool & Doodlers Anonymous
and now I’m sending it to you.
The Princess & the Pea- Dispelling the Myth
The test of a REAL princess is tenacity and ingenuity, not vegetable intolerance.
Happy Easter Klatch Hatch
Better to give life than eat it.
This watercolor by Kathrin Werner made me smile. Happy Easter and beyond!
Watercolor by Kathrin Werner
Kathi also has the best blog series – She’s created an alligator with attitude named Benni:
“As the landlord had forgotten to tell the other guests that Benni was a vegetarian, hardly anybody did sleep in that night.”
and you can brush up on your German when you read her blog:
“Außer Benni schlief keiner. Der Hüttenwirt hatte vergessen den anderen Gäste zu sagen, dass Benni Vegetarier war.”
Click here: KathrinsWorld
P.S. She even has an ETSY shop
DOODLEWASHing & Hairy Bird pome
Hairy Pome by judy
Have you not heard
of the elusive Kingfisher bird?
When it is hatched
it sports a moustache
Thank goodness there’s no beard
that would be weird
Watercolor by Charlie O’Shields, Moustached Kingfisher Bird
Read more about this birdie at doodlewash
Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder
Now back to washing the dishes and the soapy water that reminded me to water the flowers in the garden which reminded me about this video . . .
Thanks Sharon M.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is it a good thing . . . or a sign . . . I can no longer remember when my attention deficit was activated . . .?
DOODLEWASHing & monkey pome
Want to monkey around?
just blow with your nose
to create a sound
that tingles the toes
However, it’s said
if a monkey you bed
your kids will be hairy
swing from the trees
blowing their noses
and hang by their knees
Whoops, WRONG picture. Sorry Charlie O’ . . .
“Unfortunately, like many of this unusual creatures, this species is classified as endangered. Though an odd face, they’re generally good natured with each other, but due to extensive loss of vegetation, there are only about 1,000 of them left. The government of Borneo has instituted strict penalties for those who kill them in an effort to protect what’s left of the dwindling population.”
If you want to see the PROBOSCIS MONKEY’S picture you will have to click here: DOODLEWASH
DOODLEWASHing & a shrimpy pome
The Peacock mantis shrimp
is no wimp.
Its rear sways
while the front prays
that its glow
doesn’t go.
4 inches is enough
to strut it’s stuff
Watercolor, Peacock Mantis Shrimp by Charlie O’Shields
“Some mantis shrimp species are rather romantic, meeting their dream shrimp and staying together for life, which is up to 20 years. These lovebirds share the same burrow, protect their eggs, and help each other in hunting. When particularly aroused during mating rituals, the mantis shrimp will start to fluoresce. This means, you guessed it, they have glow-in-the-dark sex, which more than qualifies them as an uncommon creature.”
Click here to find out why the shrimp is no wimp: doodlewash
DOODLEWASHing – What’s all the Stink About?
“Along with its spiky reddish-brown hairdo, it’s quite a sight to behold. It’s also a bird that you are better off viewing from a safe distance due to its other key characteristic that has earned it’s rather insulting nickname. But it’s an accurate one, as the stinkbird actually does smell like poop.”
judy’s stink bird pome
The Stink bird, if you will
is a walking, pecking still
Its cow poop smell
is just a cover
for a liquor lover.
Wanna know why it stinks? Ya gotta click here: DOODLEWASH Sinkbird
doodlewashing & wailing (the wailing part is me)
Found a grrrrrrrrreat new blog doodlewash. The artist CHARLIE O’SHIELDS is good AND his subjects are weird and wonderful critters (at least the ones I’ve seen so far) My kinda guy! To make it even better the information he posts about the animals he draws is fascinating.
As those of you who follow my blog know I’ve been in a slump – physically, mentally and creatively. The minute I saw Charlie’s drawings and read about critters . . . well . . . it inspired the poet in me.
judy’s jerboa pome
Long-eared jerboa
picky diet of insects
nibbles on their feet
but spits out their toa
Watercolor, Long Eared Jaboa by Charlie O’Shields
“Caught on video for the first time in 2007, this little creature may look like an odd little rodent, but it’s really quite distinct. There’s no other animal of its exact type on the planet. Looking a bit like a mouse-sized kangaroo, it’s humorously long legs give it the ability to jump over 3 feet (1 meter) high.”
To read the part that inspired my pome ya gotta click here: DOODLEWASH
Hacker Appreciation pome
In my life time I’ve been whacked
I’ve been blindsided
and been sacked
Now I’m included
in the pantheon of the hacked
So if you are my hacker
please know I AM pleased
you used a younger picture of me
as a tease.
“More proof she’s losing it . . .”
Valentines NOT just from the heart
In case you’ve not gotten a valentine card for your sweetie it’s not too late to get something that’s personal, permanent and not just from your heart but from other parts of you too.
Lovey Dovey, Whenever I think of you I go crazy
Baby Boo, You are the lounge chair of my life. (Eames,no less)
Sweetie Pie, I could just eat you up!
My Love, Count on me to always watch your back.
Sweet Pea, I love you to the tips of my toes.
Baby, Take ALL of ME!
The First day of my Birthday Season – I’m Wrinkling in Strange Places
(Oh yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees – days and days and days and daaaaaaaaaaays of celebration. You can send me gifts in lieu of flowers or cake per my birthday season RULES, #3).
To celebrate I slept-in late . . .
Oh nooooooooooooooooo – I have vertical ridges in my fingernails. So, of course, I googled “fingernail ridges”:
“There are many reasons for ridged nails but the most common is aging,” says Dr. Phoebe Rich, M.D, clinical adjunct professor of dermatology at Oregon Health Science University. “As we age the nail matrix becomes atrophied in areas resulting in longitudinal ridging of nails. I tell people they are like wrinkles in the nails.”
It’s bad enough that my face is wrinkling . . . my neck is wrinkling . . . and now! my fingernails are wrinkling!
The next thing I know I’ll wake up and I will look like a Shar-pei.
Bob Blobfish sez: “I’d be upset too if I woke up looking like a Shar-pei”
My Annual Birthday Season!
After 71 times it’s getting a bit boring . . . another birthday . . . Now don’t get me wrong I’m grateful I’m still around to celebrate but as Groucho Marx said:
“Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.”
The good news is my birthday SEASON** is getting longer . . . and so is YOURS. In case, you’ve forgotten the rules (because you are getting old and forget a lot of things) and want to celebrate your own Birthday Season I’m reposting my repost from my reposted repost that I repost every year.
Birthday Season Rules:
- Beginning on the day of your birth your season lasts the number of days you are old. Consequently, every year your Birthday Season is one day longer. With me so far?
- You are to celebrate your birth the entire season by choosing whatever you wish to do, or NOT do, each day. So far so good!
- People give you presents the entire season. SO GOOD, so far!
- You must be over 50 to qualify for Birthday Season status. (Over 50 you need more time to celebrate because it takes you longer.)
- You may start your Birthday Season before the actual date of your birth. But you cannot exceed the number of days you are old.
- Those who are under the age of 50 can celebrate a Birthday Season as long as they don’t tell anyone or demand presents.(Gargle thoroughly after breakfast to eliminate tell-tale “Birthday Season Breath”.)
- You must eat doughnuts everyday for breakfast during your season. (If you don’t like doughnuts you can choose anything you want as long as it isn’t healthy).
- Every day of your season you must be grateful for being born and still being alive. (After your Birthday Season is over you can revert to moaning about your age).
**In case, you’ve forgotten how the
Birthday Seasons Rules came to be
(because you are getting old and forget a lot of things)
here’s how :
Many years ago my good friend Bernice and I were sitting in a motel room (don’t go THERE – we were at the motel, attending an imagery conference) eating doughnuts for breakfast. We picked this motel because it had FREE doughnuts and coffee every morning. It was just before our birthdays which are a few weeks apart.
A bit giddy from not sleeping well on motel mattresses and slightly inebriated on chocolate covered doughnuts, we decided that if we were going to get older each year we would at least take advantage of our accumulating age. We created OUR BIRTHDAY SEASON.
“Doughnuts . . . . . . .Food for thought . . . “
