Where Do Nails Come From? a re-post

I had a lot of fun writing this years ago, in response to a picture prompt.

It all began that night at the Workbench -- yeah, I know, the regulars are a bunch of tools but, hey, it's handy, man.

Me and some of the other fellas were drinking Rusty Nails -- it'd been that kind of a week and I was ready to get hammered.

Nine-Inch Nails was playing and the pounding beat was really getting to me when all of a sudden Brad says, 'Hey, hey, hey, look at that hot-dipped, galvanized little number. How'd you like to nail that one?"

And I see her over there, all shiny-slim and sharp-looking.  She's with a couple of tacky losers, you know, the kind they always say has a terrific personality, but this one, well, she can ride in my nail belt any time!

Me, I'm a big galoot, tough as nails, and I stand out in this crowd of common nails. I can see she's looking me over, but playing it cool, you know what I'm sayin'?

 So I sort of meander on over to where she is and offer her a coffin-nail. We stand there smoking for a while, just kind of getting to know one another. I ask does she come here for the music and she says yeah, I hit the nail on the head -- it sure wasn't for the company.

Turns out her name's Penny and she's got a boyfriend named Spike but I know this Spike --thinks he's a big stud when he's nothing but a common framing nail --I could chew him up and spit out carpet tacks.

One thing leads to another and I ask can I drive her home. She wants to know am I hitting on her but than she says yeah and ditches the girlfriends and once we're at her place, it doesn't take long for us to get to the point, if you know what I mean. 

++++++++++

I didn't see her again - months went by  and one night I'm on the computer, checking out exotic fasteners and then watching a video called 'Nailin' Palin.' when I get a call.

It's the hot number from the bar. She has to remind me and then-- well, not to put too fine a point on it, she tells me I'm a daddy --  says there's all these little nails and they're crowding her out of the house and she wants me to do something.

I think I'll go get hammered.

Doomed?

Yesterday the temperature was in the low eighties. Tomorrow is predicted to be much cooler and there is a likelihood of a freeze in the coming days.

All these lovelies (except the hellebores) may be toast.

March is tricky that way.

There are even a few butterflies out. Fingers crossed that the weatherman is wrong.

Dear Sirs

 

It is time and past time to impeach the incompetent madman who has dragged our country into a costly war of his own provocation, killing soldiers and little girls, sending prices rising and further lowering worldwide trust in and respect for the USA.

His money-mad corruption and self- aggrandizement have befouled the once respected office of the president. His choice of Cabinet and other officials based on loyalty rather than qualifications has weakened our government. His willful ignorance endangers us all. And his constant, costly golf trips as Americans die in his war are a slap in the face of true patriots.

History will remember those who put country above party--and those who didn't.

Forsythia Time!

 

Fresh Paint

The warm weather has inspired John to repaint our dog-scratched and faded front door. The color was originally called Mountain Purple (though it was blue) and it's no longer available. But with a paint chip from an unfaded sample of the original, the store's computer did a pretty good job of matching our color--we call it Wool Branch Blue.

The severely faded door to the greenhouse got a new coat, and the little table on the front porch, whose varnish was cracking, was treated to some Wool Branch Blue.

Lovely warm weather--but snow is predicted for next week. So the plants stay inside.

 

Toad in the Hole

The Brits have some intriguing names for food, which is part of the reason I made Toad in the Hole. It's basically sausage, surrounded by batter (as for popovers or Yorkshire pudding) and served with an excellent onion gravy. I strayed from orthodoxy a bit by using sausage with jalapeno and cheddar and it was delicious.

The recipe I followed is HERE.

What next? Bangers and Mash with Mushy Peas and Spotted Dick for afters? Could be.

 

Yesterday

It was shirtsleeves, porch-sitting weather. The front door stayed open, much to the delight of the five dogs. (Cannoli and Otter were here for lunch.)

The Star Magnolia is in full bloom and the Weeping Willow is misted with green. I'm having to restrain myself from moving plants out of the green house as I know, from bitter experience, that we could, and likely will, have a cold snap.

But for now, it's glorious.

 

Two Mindsets

It seems to me that there are two prevailing mindsets at work in our country today. One is suspicious of anyone who is different--religion, race, sexual orientation, to name some of the biggies, though it can come down to something as ridiculous as which brand of mayo, or whether you like grits. 

This mindset can feel threatened by any lifestyle different than their own. For example, the folks who feel that gay marriage threatens the sanctity of straight marriage (already rather threatened by divorce and infidelity.) Or all the fuss over transgender folks in restrooms. The most dangerous though, in my opinion, are the "Christian" white nationalists who fear being "replaced" by people of color or of different religions.

The other mindset is more open to differences, happy to welcome various ethnicities (and their food!) and religions and even gender diversity. This mindset may not understand or wish to emulate the others--but it's willing at least to live and let live and and, at best, to see an opportunity to learn more about our magnificent, varied humankind.

 

Orchids: An Appreciation

 

Dear Sirs

                                                        

The President's attack on Iran, launched without bothering to seek Congressional approval  should be grounds for impeachment. As should his blatant corruption to enrich himself and his family. 

And there's his obvious mental decline and his all-too-frequent golf trips on the taxpayer's dollar. Not to mention his destruction of part of the People's White House, his ridiculous so-called Board of Peace, his putting his name and images on various Washington landmarks, and his grandiose plans to memorialize himself with a triumphal arch and a monstrous ballroom.

 Where are those brave enough to admit that this gilded emperor has no clothes--and take action?

And the Epstein files aren't going away. Now that Sec. Clinton has been grilled on everything, including her feelings and Pizzagate, it's time for POTUS and FLOTUS to testify. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sometimes I have something nice to say

 Thank you, Senator Tillis, for calling out the despicable and incompetent Kristi Noem. Bravo!

What, More Flowers?

 

Bittersweet

Yes, I'm appalled at the unconstitutional actions in Iran and the loss of life. The Ayatollah was a despicable tyrant and I don't weep for him. But there are so many despicable tyrants in the world, some quite close to home. And I've already let my congressmen know my feelings.

But that's not what this post is about. 

                                                           

I've been using my down time to go through my photo files and get rid of duplicates and sub par or simply confusing (as in, why did I take that ?)pictures.

I came to several conclusions. I take a lot of pictures of critters, Josie, sunrises, trees, flowers, leaves, food, and not that many of other people, except on occasions like Christmas.

These pictures reminded me of how much has changed--and how much hasn't. Christmas looks much the same every year, the house also, though getting shabbier. There are always pets,though the cast changes. And the view and the flowers and trees remain the same.

This below was a wedding. Madelon, who was a part of the writing group that got me started was getting married and a bunch of us made a quilt. 

Alas, Madelon is gone now. And that's the bitter part of sifting through the past--so many folks who were a part of my life are gone.

As are beloved pets, my garden, the chickens . . . so many things that are no longer feasible or sensible for us now.

I'd almost forgotten that I once taught quilting at our local community college branch.

I must have taken thousands of day lily pictures over the years. I can't resist them.

A Thanksgiving meal that couldn't be beat--and another friend who's gone now.

And Dog Club--Maggie, Bear, and Jack, plus Eddie, an honorary member. All sorely missed. 

I deleted well over a thousand pics--my storage was getting full--but I have many left to remind myself of the joys of the past years.
                                                           
                                                             

Rabbit Rabbit