Like a Persistent Little Insect Buzzing Round Your Head . . .

I can't forget the Epstein Files, despite all the Orange Felon's attempt to distract us--bogus summits, the militarization of DC, yet more gold bling in the White House . . .

I just hope he doesn't decide to resort to nuclear war to make us forget.

What is he hiding?

 

The Witch's Orchard

 

As an Appalachian author, I was asked some time ago if I would blurb this book, set in Appalachia and, after reading a digital ARC (advance reading copy,) happily did so. Now the book is published and I was sent a copy--so I read it again.

It's a very good read with an admirably tough female protagonist (former military special investigator turned PI Annie Gore)  and a very twisty plot. And a creepy folk tale that differs from teller to teller. Even though I'd read the book some months ago, I still found surprises.

Is this the beginning of a series? I hope so. There are still some unanswered questions . . .

Hurrah for Gavin Newsom, America's Favorite Governor!

That is all. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Why?

Why did Putin get a red carpet and a flyover while Zelensky and the assorted European heads of state didn't?

What did Putin tell Donnie during their solitary ride?

Why did The Trumpler interrupt his meeting with Zelensky and supporters to have a long phone conversation with Putin?

Why is an American president seemingly taking orders from a brutal dictator?

Why, if he's innocent, doesn't the president release the Epstein Files?

 

First Day of Third Grade!

                              

Ready for the first day of Third Grade. Josie's second grade teacher has moved up too and Josie is happy she'll have Ms. Fox again. And a lot of her friends are in the same room.

                                        

While she was waiting for time to go, Josie drew a really nice macaw--one of her favorite birds.

                                            

After a great first day, it was time for ice cream.

Beware of Flying Sandwiches ( and Release the Epstein Files)

Poke Weed 

                                   Hardy Begonia

                                  Joe Pye Weed

To Trumple aka TACO

                                                         

 After watching the Orange Guy roll out the red carpet and clap like a fan boy at the arrival of another criminal, then deflate like a used condom when he failed to achieve his goal of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine (there goes that Nobel Peace Prize,) I thought of a useful portmanteau word to describe his abject truckling to a brutal dictator and his crumpling under pressure. 

May I present . . . TRUMPLE-- to give in to authority, lick authority's boots, and whimper "Please Sir, may I have some more?"

But, hey, he's got an invite to visit Vlad. Be a shame if the Trumpler fell out of a window . . . that happens a lot over there. 

                                      

                                      

Really Good Fish Tacos--Muy Sabrosos!

I think I've posted about fish tacos before, but those I made last night were extra good--because of the crispy coating on the fish and the tasty sauce.

I used catfish fillets, cut in strips, soaked in buttermilk then rolled in Masa P.A.N. before frying in canola oil. The Masa has been lurking in the back of my refrigerator since I got ambitious and made pupusas a few years back. It's very finely ground and, while ordinary cornmeal works just fine, this was a revelation in crispiness.

The other new and delicious change was a sauce made of equal parts of mayonnaise and sour cream,  with Sriracha, lime juice, and a clove of pressed garlic. (This sauce would be good on many things.)

Warm corn tortillas, some shredded purple cabbage,a squeeze of lime juice, and some pickled red onions topped the fish with some tomato wedges on the side. 

Something to do while I wait for the taco trucks on every corner the GOP "threatened" us with. (Bring them on!)

 

Where Are the Epstein Files?

 

Slightly Off-Color

 

Back in 2008 I got some funny, funny emails as a result of a post asking how a fourteen year old might refer to his manly equipment -- because I was writing about Calven in The Day of Small Things. The answers were too good not to share -- with a little editing. Thanks to all of you who helped out!

N. said: I call it a "trouble-maker" and sometimes the "brain" but that's not what you're after, is it?!!!
I just asked my 29-year-old what he calls his and it embarrassed him - he finally said he calls it a lot of things......
I can tell you that my 3-1/2 year old grandson calls it a "pete" as well as his 9-year-old step-brother. Even if we had a 14-year-old around, I'm not sure they would tell us!

~~~

P. said: My son got quite a kick out of my question to him, and his first response was "Aaaah, like why are you asking me that???", and
when I told him he was like, "Do you think I was walking around the halls, or in the john, at *** High asking such a question!?!?!" HA ... we also don't want a State Trooper making the headlines of the paper either!!! Anyway, he said all he can come up with is some of the younger guys in his SP Basic school using the term 'junk'. I'm like, "ooook .......", and he just laughed and laughed. He never knows what to expect from mom, but think this one really caught him off guard!!! HAHAHA!!!

~~~
L. said: P****r is not a word used today by boys often - although in our day it was popular. They do refer to their b***s as "my boys".

~~~
A. said: Well, with regards to your 14-year-old boy conundrum, I took an impromptu poll in my office the consensus was that he might easily and casually refer to both his junk and his johnson (esp with those Big Johnson T shirts being so popular at one point), but p*****r might make him a little dated. D**k, it seems, will never go out of style but is a little mature for a freshman in high school (if he's even in school? He sounds shady). Hope that helps!

I sincerely wish you could have just heard the lively conversation with everyone shouting out W**g! Sc****g! Prince Evan! Wiener! Much better than the usual water cooler banter.

So Many Things --Here Are Twp

How long before Ghislaine flees the country? Or "commits suicide"? 

The Orange Excrescence is planning to vet all Smithsonian exhibits to make sure they conform to his idea of history. The Sharpie at work again.

Are there no GOP congresspersons willing to stand up and say 'This is wrong'?

May they reap what they have sown.

I'd like to blast the following song throughout all of DC HERE (try to ignore the yucky opening ad.)

 

Release the Epstein Files

 

Madam Josie Will Tell Your Fortune

On Friday I opened a fortune-telling place.

I put a starry piece of fabric over a lamp to make things look mysterious.

                                  And I put a flashlight in a little bottle with a crystal on top. It looked Perfect! I used my cape to make a place for my magic ball. When Meema came to have her fortune told,she found out that she was going to play lots of games with me. She said she thought I should have told her she would meet a handsome stranger.

Silly Meema. Then I told her she needed to pay me and she said she didn't have any money. So I told her that pretend money would work and she gave me a handful.

Then we played games--checkers and Crazy Eights. So the fortune came true!