The Best of Times in a Moogie's World

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Carnival, and the Status of the Unionized Speech

2012-01-24T16:11:00.000-06:00

Why, yes, I am still alive, thanks for inquiring! I'm not sure where last week went, but it was probably consumed with the taking down of Christmas finery, the putting out of Mardi Gras excess, and our first ever Endymion Coronation Ball. Pepper will be riding on a brand new super float, throwing trinkets to the masses, and getting properly lubricated for the Extravaganza that follows the parade on February 18th in the Superdome.

The Coronation Ball was pretty impressive -- it staggers the imagination to think of the logistical nightmares that accompany an intimate dinner service for 5,000+, but it was pulled off with style and flair (even though we left before the Second Line parade -- the Second Line parade that kicked off at 2:00 a.m.! Pepper and Bouie had a date to go bird hunting early on a foggy Sunday morning.)

So, it's beginning to look a lot like Mardi Gras here at Moogie's Mansion! We're expecting anywhere from 4 to 9 guests for the big second weekend. I guess folks are finally accepting that this could be our last Carnival season as New Orleans residents (translation: free bed and breakfast a block off the Uptown parade route). Here's a little bit of the finery --

The dining room is my favorite spot to decorate for Mardi Gras because we spend a lot of time at the table -- and you have to go through the dining room to get most anywhere downstairs.

The front parlor is fun, too.

Then, there's the upstairs tribute to my Krewe of Muses, the night-parading, all-woman Krewe. I usually leave this good loot out all year 'round so our houseguests have an adequate opportunity to develop an appropriate appreciation for the Muses. If Pepper wants to erect a shrine to Endymion he'll have to find another spot.

Yep -- shoes play a large role in Muses treasure. (The roll of toilet paper is from the Krewe of Tucks. Their monarch doesn't ride on a throne, he rides on a giant toilet and throws plungers and squirting toilets!).

And, of course, the Sophie Wright marching band is in full practice mode, and they've been practicing outdoors in the unusually-warm weather we've been experiencing. Yep. I had to turn on the AC in the middle of January!

I'm sure I'll feel like this come Ash Wednesday.

Now, changing gears, what Drinking Game trigger words shall we establish for tonight's Status of the Unionized speech? "Fair share?" "Millionaires and billionaires?" "Educational opportunity?" Everyone had better get a designated driver set up -- this could be a tipsy evening!

I Knew It . . .

2012-01-12T14:03:00.000-06:00

We're gearing up for Mardi gras. The wreaths have been taken down.

And, I can indeed see the big ol' brass cup hooks.

*sigh*

Good Medicine

2012-01-07T12:20:00.000-06:00

Pepper and I are in the midst of our annual Christmas Cold and Sinus Infection Extravaganza. I thought we might escape it this year because it didn't strike until New Year's Eve, but, noooo. It was just teasing us and landed on us with all four feet as we headed back home.

I was afraid I'd bleed out through the nose and someone would have to change the icky sheets (I know -- TMI. Sorry, but this is really how I think sometimes), so I broke down and went to the doc yesterday. She armed me with Amoxicillin and nasal spray to supplement the Coricidin HBP.

I always hate the second day of antibiotics. The biotics rise up in self-defense and fight back hard, turning one's body into a sore and battered battlefield for a day or two. Then the meds usually take the high ground, and one begins to feel better on day 4 or 5. So, listen up, microbes -- you stand no chance, so why don't you just give up and surrender peaceably now? You know you can't win -- so, why engage in shock and awe just for effect's sake?

Toward the end of his military career, Pepper traveled quite a bit and came to refer to commercial airplanes as "silver flying pathogen tubes." I think he might have been onto something there, and the same general idea (although an earthbound version) might apply to the homes of friends and family during the holidays.

Oh, well. At least my misery is not compounded by the agony of a Razorback defeat in the Cotton Bowl! Despite what the FOX sportscasters might have preferred, the Hogs whomped up big time on the Kansas State Undomesticated Pussycats!

Now, I think that a Saints victory tonight over the Lion Cubs, followed by an LSU drubbing of St. Nick on Monday might be just the little bit of extra tonic I need to make a full recovery before donning my nurse's cap to take care of Pepper next week after his rather extensive oral surgery.

Perhaps we should start referring to Moogie's Mansion as Mayo South.

Who Dat!!!

COLLEGE GAMEDAY and 17 Candles . . .

2012-01-06T15:18:00.003-06:00

. . . for our little Rosie! Since she can't see them to blow them out, the 17 candles are metaphorical, but we wish her the happiest birthday ever anyway! Here's last year's birthday post:

Happy Belated Birthday . . .

. . . to our Rosie! On January 6th she attained the ancient and revered age of 16. In people years!

These pics were made back when she could still see and get around by herself outdoors. She used to love to sit on the porch in the sun and watch the world go 'round, and yap at me to prepare her supper faster.

She's still a feisty little thing, despite having suffered several strokes that took her voice. She's recovered her hearing now and her sense of smell. She still likes to sniff around the front yard (and our dinner plates!), but I can't leave her unattended outdoors anymore. She walks in circles, and I'm too scared she'd somehow get under the house and I couldn't get to her.

She may not be with us too much longer, but I'm going to treasure each and every day that she walks around in circles on the bed and wipes her face on me after she eats.

Sixteen years is a long time to love someone.

If she could only tell all the stories she must have on my kids!

She has fallen off the bed two nights this week and hit the ground pretty hard. I'm afraid her back legs are getting to be a little more than she can handle -- they aren't working too well lately. I don't want her to suffer, but we're not quite to that rainbow bridge yet. I get to cuddle with her a little bit longer. Because . . .

She certainly wouldn't want to miss hearing the Razorbacks rough up Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl tonight!! WPS!!!

Those Undomesticated Pussycats are gonna find out that they aren't in Kansas any more.

Wake Up! It's 2012!!!

2012-01-01T16:38:00.000-06:00

To one and all (except maybe for a few folks in DC), HAPPY 2012!!

May this new year provide you and yours with twelve flavors of awesome, health, happiness, and prosperity.

And, maybe a Razorback victory in the Cotton Bowl. And another Saints Super Bowl ring.

Maybe a Powerball win or two.

And the safe return of all our military members to the loving arms of their families and loved ones.

Now, go eat that pork roast and those black eyed peas and cabbage! (Moogie is preparing cabbage and Brussels sprouts because we can use every single dollar the Fates can spare!). The Lord helps those who help themselves!

New Year's Eve Eve 2011

2011-12-31T01:01:00.000-06:00

So, last night we had two gatherings.

For the first, we had time only to drop in and run because we had weeks ago accepted a dinner invitation from May guests at Moogie's Mansion. It was good to have one last gathering of The Easter Group for this year (seven families with children of similar ages who have been getting together at Easter, then Christmas, then New Year's, then wedding and baby showers, and birthday parties since the eighties). Three of those families (including Moogie's) have scattered around the globe in the last decade.

Later we joined my junior/high school friend and her husband (who is only a few weeks out of surgery!) at their delightful home in Hillcrest for a new taste experience and companionship.

Shep grilled marinated lamb tenderloin. I've never had lamb tenderloin before. Oh. My. Word. I gotta find me some lamb tenderloins again SOON!!!

It was a delightful, relaxing evening without a food orgy, but food delights. And good company, learning about the sculptures created by our host from raw wood.

Wow.

More food tomorrow -- after scrubbing, dusting, washing, unpacking, and sneezing (a lot!) at the construction project! There's a non-freight-train light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Happy New Year's Eve Eve!!

Moogie's True, Feel-good, Christmas Miracle Story

2011-12-26T10:47:00.001-06:00

On Christmas Eve, I was navigating the aisles at the enormous grocery that I call Krogerville because it deserves its own zip code, intent on grabbing what I needed and getting the heck out of there (along with most of the rest of the population of central Arkansas), when I heard a clattering racket behind me. A young woman had knocked over an entire display of holiday muffin tins and was frantically trying to pick them up, without much success.

"Bless her heart," I thought as I turned to resume pushing my cart.

But then I heard myself talking to me in my head. "It's Christmas Eve. We're all frazzled. Go help her."

So I walked back to her, set my purse down, and we got everything back in place while sharing a good laugh. She went her way and I went mine.

About five minutes later, as I was searching for the good kind of eggnog, a voice over the loudspeaker announced, "MoogieP, please report to Customer Service." Twice! And it dawned on me that my purse was no longer on my arm.

You know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach? I had it in spades. My cell phone. My car keys. My billfold. My chapstick!!

But when I got to Customer Service, as I had dared to hope (since they knew my name, of course), they had my purse! Someone had turned it in! And, here's the miraculous part -- everything was intact! Nothing missing -- not even cash! I smiled and hummed Christmas carols aloud for the duration of that shopping trip, feeling quite peaceful and good-will-toward-men-ish.

So, I guess it truly does pay to do a good deed -- it might come around back to you sooner than you could imagine. Merry Christmas Season to one and all! May the miracles multiply for you and yours.

And, Geaux Saints! Pluck those Dirty Birds!

What? Don't judge me. Beating Atlanta on Monday Night Football feels good, too!

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T01:34:00.000-06:00

So, once again I outsmarted myself. Please go back in time to December 9th where my saved Christmas Post is apparently posted. I composed and saved it, but it obviously doesn't want you to see my Christmas message. So, please go back to December 9 to see our message to you all. Wishing you blessings and peace in this holiest time of that very promise.

Love, Moogie

Pre-Christmas --We're Ignoring Congress

2011-12-22T00:08:00.000-06:00

It's December 21st. Pepper and I successfully shopped and joined several members of the Hall High class of '72 for dinner and catching up. Good to see classmates I haven't seen in years! Social media are miraculous things, truly.

A reasonable number of workers showed up at the addition/remodel site (after, yesterday, we cunningly allowed some of the general contractor's people to overhear our strategy of pursuing action against the contractor, plus concerns about hiring the contractor to do home improvement, not DEMOLITION). We'll be especially prepared to address "explanations" of construction "shortcomings" after proof of theft and engaging in the use of illegal substances on site by some of the previous "workers" was uncovered. What a nightmare.

Still and all -- we're sleeping peacefully at Elder Daughter's house, and looking forward to Christmas! Bouie, too!

Two Christmas Cartoons

2011-12-18T16:12:00.000-06:00

One pretty funny . . .

One kinda sad . . .

One week 'til Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Day!

A Look Back in Time -- Christmas 2005

2011-12-17T14:53:00.001-06:00

We'll see if this works. It's mainly for Lou -- she asked for a picture of Moogie's Mansion because the old girl might become the subject of one of Lou's paintings! (If so, maybe she'll post it!)

Anyway, the best picture I have of the Mansion appeared in the Christmas newsletter I composed in 2005 while we were evacuated after Katrina. I rarely do Christmas newsletters, but 2005 was such an eventful year, I needed to do it so I could remember everything. And seeing as the Christmas season has rolled around again, hence and thusly, I present (hopefully):

Woo hoo! It worked!

(and there is much less of several of us to love these days in the poundage department!)

Merry week before Christmas!

The Young Prince Will Have His Way

2011-12-15T13:23:00.001-06:00

Have you ever met a dog who could hear you stretch in bed from another room? No, you say?

Well, allow me to introduce you to Bouie -- Mr. Perky-ears McPest Pup.

One morning last week, Pepper and I were both down with the crud (or "black damocus," as Pepper says) and had plans to sleep in until we awoke naturally. Bouie had other ideas.

He has this uncanny ability to know when it's the weekend and Pepper won't have to go to the office, so he wants to go on his off-leash romp and/or swim with Pepper before the break of dawn. Pepper usually accommodates him because he pretty much trained Bouie to expect said romp. If Pepper doesn't get up at a time Bouie deems appropriate, Pepper can expect a big ol' paw or two to land on the mattress beside him, if not smack in the middle of his chest.

Bouie tried that trick last Saturday, but Pepper told him, "Not yet. Wait a little bit until I wake up," and Bouie slunk out of the bedroom to pout in the tv room. Typically, when he does that he won't bother Pepper again until he hears sounds of people stirring and walking. But, seriously, last Saturday, while Pepper was still asleep, I simply stretched before shifting position, and Bouie interpreted that miniscule sound as "stirring." Here came the toenails clicking across the floor, followed by 2 big paws flumping on the mattress, followed by a tail wagging so ferociously that the mattress swayed along with it, accompanied by soft whining coming from a face with wrinkled brow and ears that looked so perky you imagined that they hurt from the strain.

We both giggled.

And Pepper got up. [I turned over and went back to sleep. ;) ]

After they had their together-time romp at City Park where Bouie got to run and swim and chase some geese, they shared breakfast, and Bouie promptly curled up for an extended nap which lasted most of the rest of the day.

Pepper couldn't get back to sleep. Sort of.

Do you think we maybe spoil that dog a little too much?

Today's Grasping-at-Straws Post

2011-12-13T15:15:00.000-06:00

Like many blog buddies, I'm kinda in a blog-post desert right about now.

I didn't get a good enough picture of the squirrel sitting in the gutter on the garage munching camphor berries that I watched through the kitchen door today while having my own lunch, so there's one blown idea.

There's not much going on at Sophie Wright Institute for Academic Excellence because they're gearing up for Christmas break (but they do have a lighted and decorated Christmas tree in the second floor landing window!).

I don't have the energy to address the Young President's simple (minded) request that Iran kindly return our downed drone, if you please.

Sooooo, I think I'll go with "odd."

I ran across this video on a local news site, but there was no embed code so I looked it up on YouTube. It is set in Maryland where some clown rented this sign and placed it on the shoulder of a busy road. The city removed it "in the interest of public safety." One wonders what the dude who put it there was thinking.

Seriously? Do you suppose he was older than 12?

Sheesh.

New Orleans' Salute to the North Pole?

2011-12-12T15:29:00.001-06:00

LANGUAGE ALERT!

I haven't heard of this event before (unlike the New Orleans Running of the Bulls). It's apparently to take place this Saturday in the Warehouse District: The Running of the Santas --

Somehow, I think this is one we'll skip. The Carols and Candles at Jackson Square will be much more uplifting.

Pepper got a Christmas decorating bug this weekend, so Moogie's Mansion now has wreaths on two of the windows! I fluffed the branches and attached the bows (and recovered the nail from the holly bushes where it landed after escaping from Pepper's hand), and he hung them on big ol' brass cup hooks (that I'll see every time I look at the windows after the wreaths are packed away).

Now the old girl looks pretty festive during the day as well as at night when the lights are shining!

I love Christmas decorating! It both makes -- and recalls -- such good memories.

Bouie agrees.

NOT on Moogie's Wish List

2011-12-10T12:28:00.000-06:00

From today's inbox -- this little gem to brighten up your "holiday" tree, only $19.95 from MyDemocraticStore.com (with free shipping with the code from the email):

Even though I'm an Independent and not a Republican, please don't send me one of these as a "holiday" gift. We have Chrismas Trees at Moogie's Mansion, so we won't be needing a "holiday" ornament. Please don't.

Please!

2011-12-09T17:30:00.001-06:00

MOOGIE'S FAMILY WISHES YOUR FAMILY

A Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

and

a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous 2012!

We grew in 2007 when Lizzy joined Steve, Helen, Will, and John ...

. . . then again in 2010 when Shay married Tim . . .

. . . and again in 2011 when Veronica married Nick!

And, we still have Rosie, soon to turn 17 years young . . .

. . . and, of course, Bouie!

With Lots and Lots of Christmas Love, Moogie and "Pepper"

Your Gift-Giving Guide

2011-12-07T13:47:00.000-06:00

Blog buddy, Andy, occasionally shares "unusual" gift suggestions that he and Mrs. Andy have run across. When I saw this one in a Bed, Bath and Beyond mailer in the "Great Gifts Under $20" section, I thought that I would do the same. It's just what everyone needs!

For entertainment purposes only. Heh. The gift that keeps on giving (by saving the recipient all those attorneys' fees, court costs, and fines?).

This was a very entertaining mailer -- the Breathalyzer was positioned on the page right beside this gift suggestion--

Bed, Bath and Beyond is into irony! Who knew?

Now, go warm up those credit cards!

Rudolph's Going Green . . .

2011-12-06T13:25:00.000-06:00

I suppose an LED bulb would be a little too bright -- might blind oncoming pilots -- so poor ol' Rudolph had to go with this:

(Sorry posting has been a little lagging this week -- I've been under the weather, and the covers, with a foggy brain.)

It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like . . . .

2011-12-03T12:53:00.002-06:00

The Sophie Wright Institute for Academic Excellence marching band has been doing a lot of practicing lately. Yesterday I caught them marching down our side street back toward the schoolyard.

I've been wondering why they're practicing so hard -- it's nowhere near Carnival season and football season is over for them. Then, while waiting on Rosie to do her thing in the front yard this morning, I listened to them playing "Angels We Have Heard on High" (well, they were sorta playing it -- some of them might have been playing something different) and thought maybe they were gearing up for a Christmas Program at school. Then they played it again, a little better. And again, better still.

As I opened the back gate to let in the guy from Entergy so he could change out our meters with new ones that can be read remotely (Entergy has been estimating our bills for years -- the meter readers obviously don't have the breaking-and-entering skillz of thugs who steal lawn mowers and, it turns out, cordless drills and Skil saws) , I discovered the reason for the frantic practicing -- the band was loading onto buses wearing Santa hats! They were on their way to march in today's Krewe of Jingle Christmas Parade downtown! Sorry -- I didn't have a camera with me, so you'll just have to trust me on this one.

I think maybe they should've practiced the Christmas music a little more, but they'll do great.

Don't you wonder why they make the 4 girls who play clarinet march in the very back?

Justice Kagan Sullies the Supreme Court Bench. Badly.

2011-12-02T17:28:00.001-06:00

Article III, sec. 1, of the U.S. Constitution establishes the federal judiciary. The requirements aren't much -- one needn't even be a lawyer to qualify as a federal judge. There are only two simple requirements:

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

So, to become and remain a federal judge (or Justice) for life, one need only (1) behave him/herself and (2) get paid.

In my opinion, if she continues to refuse to recuse herself from the Obamacare case, Justice Elena Kagan will meet only one of those two simple requisites for service in the federal judiciary.

In her role as Solicitor General, Kagan became so inextricably intertwined in efforts to pass the Act that she cannot possibly be able to remain impartial in hearing arguments against, and deciding on, its constitutionality. Because such an appearance of impropriety falls well shy short of "Good Behavior," Justice Kagan should be Impeached, convicted by the Senate, and removed from the bench.

Yes. I contend that such egregious behavior amounts to nothing less than "high crimes and misdemeanors." The woman clearly perjured herself during her confirmation hearings by denying any participation in the Obamacare process, and her threatened participation in the Obamacare case is an oozing blemish on the face of the Supreme Court.

Where's the Clearasil?!?!

From Today's Inbox -- The Obama Lottery!

2011-12-01T13:51:00.001-06:00

I could just swoon! Looky, looky! I'm on a first-name basis with FLOTUS, and I could win!

Moogie--

I'm excited for the chance to meet you and whoever you decide to bring to dinner.

I really hope you give this a shot.

Give $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered for you and a guest to have dinner with Barack and me:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Dinner-With-Us

Hope to see you soon,

Michelle

I'm not liking their relentless fundraising. Or anyone else's either, for that matter.

With Christmas, together with December birthdays and gatherings, coming up, you'd think the pols would back down and leave us alone for just one month! (Or maybe two months since the bills for December arrive in January.) But, noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have to keep on sticking out their money-grubbing hands and grinning with their lying-eyed faces.

Plus, this ruse doesn't even guarantee the contributor a quid pro quo like August's "Election Poetry Refrigerator Magnet" fundraising scam. Heh.

With my luck, if I lost my mind and decided to kick in 3 bucks on a lark, I'd probably win. Then I'd have to hire someone to impersonate Moogie for the gala feast with the Obamas, because I certainly don't think I could eat with them in the same room and keep everything down, and that would be really expensive. Then I'd have to hire someone else to impersonate Pepper because that vein in his temple would start throbbing if he found himself even in the same building as the First Family, and that would be even more expensive! So, I think I'd better decline this invitation to invest in the Obama Lottery.

I have no doubt that I'll be hearing from them again very soon, however, with another opportunity to part with some of my dollars. They can't seem to lose my email address!

It's a Good Thing the Grass is Dormant . . .

2011-11-29T18:36:00.002-06:00

After a long holiday weekend with friends and family, and after dealing with construction management hell, and after successfully avoiding retail establishments on Black Friday -- and after the Hogs gave that little squeaker to the Tiggers -- Pepper and I made it back to New Orleans yesterday afternoon in plenty of time to unpack and thaw something from the freezer before the Saints/Giants kickoff. And, what a lovely victory that was, but I digress.

So, this morning I walked Pepper out to the truck in the cold air, carrying his coffee mug, when he asked, "Why is this open?" pointing to the hasp that keeps our back gate secure. I replied, "And where is the [dog leash] clip?" that we use to keep it locked.

I knew that I double-checked the gate before we left for Little Rock because I went out back to do just that after I had double-checked one of the back doors and found it unlocked.

Pepper stepped out onto the sidewalk and spied the clip in the flowerbed.

Great.

He said, "Can you tell if anything's missing?" And I replied, "You mean like the lawn mower?"

And we just stared, for several moments, at the suddenly very empty spot where the mower used to sit. Then we fanned out to try to discern whether anything else was missing. Generator? Present. Porsche? Present, locked, and intact. Chainsaw? Present and accounted for. It seems that just the lawn mower went on walkabout. Or rollabout.

Crap, nonetheless.

So, Pepper shook his head, climbed into the truck, and headed downtown.

I went inside to file the police report.

Remember when Moogie mounted the Neighborhood Watch sign way back in 2009?

Before our neighborhood was able to call itself officially a Neighborhood Watch area, worthy of displaying the signs, a certain number of residents had to undergo a series of weekly trainings about observation, crime-fighting resources, etc. One little tidbit I found particularly valuable was the training Officer's explanation of the Non-emergency Police number. His admonition to use that number when merely reporting something suspicious or minor, so that we wouldn't tie up the emergency 911 operators, struck me as important enough that I programmed the number into my cell phone (along with the FBI's and the DEA's!) right then and there.

Today, I'm not so sure why they bother to maintain separate numbers.

The same people answer the non-emergency number as the emergency 911 number.

Now I understand why one reads about people getting busy signals, or being put on hold, when calling 911. Even so, the nice Non-Emergency-911 lady said she could take my call and send over some uniformed officers.

Of course, when I asked one of the officers (who responded within 15 minutes, by the way!) why that was the case and explained that I didn't want to tie up the line in case someone had a real emergency, he told me that you wouldn't believe why some people call 911. One of his favorites was the mother who wanted the police summoned to tell her teenage daughter that she couldn't go out dressed "like that." Sheesh.

Anyway, the officers asked me a bunch of questions and talked to one another in code about how they would classify this incident since our garage is open-air on the sides and wouldn't totally support a classification of breaking and entering or burglary. P.S., Crime statistics are very important in Orleans Parish. I told them I'd be happy to settle for a little Criminal Trespass and Theft of Property valued at less than $500.00, because I doubted whether we'd ever see the mower again.

I remarked that whoever did it had to know enough about us to figure out that we were leaving town -- Bouie went with us to Little Rock; his big voice has chased many a miscreant away from the yard. -- and how to reach over the gate to unlatch the clip. He said his best guess was that it was done by some crackhead who regularly strolled the neighborhood looking for jobs cutting grass to support his habit and eat. I'd say that's probably pretty close to hitting it right on the nose. And pretty creepy.

So, after the officers did much talking on the radio (while in possession of my drivers license. ???) and filling out paperwork and consulting with other cops, I now have in my possession an official "NOPD Form 26" telling me that I may acquire an official Police Report in 14 -21 "working days," for a fee.

So, if it's not bad enough that you've been robbed already, the City sticks it to you again if you want to file an insurance claim which, in this case, would just be a worthless effort.

By the way, it must have been a slow crime day in the Crescent City -- they sent 2 squad cars and 4 policemen to investigate a stolen lawn mower.

And that picture at the top? That shiny new padlock is today's MVP -- Most Valuable Purchase! In the sack is a length of chain for the front gate (and another padlock) since it's now cold enough to shrink the metal to where the tongue in the lock won't stay engaged. If the worthless, self-entitled miscreants want to get in again, they're going to have to work for it.

*sigh*

It's Gameday!!! WPS!!!

2011-11-23T10:18:00.001-06:00

We're coming for you. Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Woooooo Pig Soooiiieeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hogs are on fire!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-23T10:15:00.001-06:00

May your day be blessed with good food and good times.

And a little Wooo Pig Soooiieeeee!!!!!!!!!!

SEC, 1-2-3, and More Conflicting Emotions

2011-11-21T15:50:00.001-06:00

Pretty amazing. And all in the SEC West! Countdown has begun to the Decline and Fall of Mike the Tiger -- my Razorbacks will reverse those rankings come Friday. And make a total mess out of the BCS.

On a sad note, I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to the Razorback family at large, and especially to the family of 19 year-old tight end, Garrett Uekman, who passed away yesterday in Fayetteville. There will be a candlelight memorial service this evening at Walton Arena in his honor. And, as a friend noted on Facebook this morning, the Hogs now not only have something to win for, they have someone.

Please remember this family, and remember to cherish every moment with loved ones this holiday season.

Woo Pig Soooieee.

The Shaking-My-Head, Not-a-Christmas-Post, Post

2011-11-20T14:38:00.000-06:00

I understand that it's not past Thanksgiving yet, but this isn't really a Christmas post. It's an "I can't believe the lengths some PC people will go to to pander to the religion of peace" post. Are you ready for this?

The British Red Cross has banned Christmas from its fund-raising shops. All 430 of them. Because any celebration of the Christian holy day could offend Muslims. For real.

This PC nonsense is so dumbfounding that it sucks all the oxygen out of the room.

I mean, seriously, their name is the Red CROSS! You know, like the cross where Christ was crucified.

(The organization's symbol is a red cross on a white field, the inverse of the Swiss flag, where the International Red Cross was formed and is headquartered. The Swiss flag's cross has its roots buried deeply in Christianity. Shoot -- the crescent is used in arabic countries' flags and symbols, not to mention for the Red Crescent, and in arabic countries pretty much everything carries some sort of religious connotation.)

So, the fund-raising stores can't display Christmas trees or creches, but they can certainly sell Christmas cards to make a profit. I wonder if they have to store the Christmas cards behind the counter like porn magazines. Sheesh, give me a break. I guess soon we need to be prepared for this:

Sorry. This whole thing has Moogie feeling rather peckish.

Maxine's Observations About Life in these United States

2011-11-19T11:58:00.000-06:00

It seems that Maxine Waters is awake. I speculate that she's awake because, if she's awake, she's talking. And, as you can see, she's indeed talking.

Well, perhaps "blathering" is a more accurate description of what she's doing. "That's life." Seriously?!?!

With the investigation into her startling lack of ethics ongoing, you'd think she'd lay low instead of stepping into the OWS sewer. I wonder when the outside counsel hired by the House Ethics Committee back in July will issue an opinion? Seeing Maxine get slapped around a little like Charlie Rangel did (or, a lot more than Charlie Rangel did) would make something nice to be thankful for!

(H/t to Chicks on the Right)

Blogger Has Lost its Mind -- or Perhaps It's Occupied. Or Haunted.

2011-11-18T17:08:00.000-06:00

Something is amiss with Blogger -- I think it's maybe had a little Occupy Overload. Or a small stroke.

It won't keep me signed in, so I can't edit my posts.

As a consequence, I'm unable to add the video of the Occupants doing their litany for the City Council to the previous post (since it wasn't in the embed code I used there. *Sigh*). So, without further delay, Moogie presents the exciting, the riveting (the confused) Occupy NOLA Snarks:

And, as a little lagniappe, Moogie also presents another lizard pic! I was driving down Tchoupitoulas this afternoon and this little guy started crawling across the hood.

Fortunately, I didn't have a wreck while trying to photograph him. Unfortunately, I don't think the little guy had a happy ending. Last I saw him, he was disappearing over the edge of the hood, and there was a bit of a headwind . . . .

Apparently Moogie Was Preoccupied

2011-11-18T16:49:00.002-06:00

See the follow up posted later for the City Council video. Stupid Blogger.

So, there appears to be a little more to the story that I didn't know about when I did the Occupy NOLA post yesterday. And, it appears that I didn't imagine the swollen ranks of cops in and around City Hall -- they really intended to be prepared for an onslaught of community-organized protesters.

Today's Times-Picayune reports that a dozen or so Occupants did make it into the Council Chamber. I guess they came in behind me and decided not to be rowdy at precisely that moment. Come to think of it, at least one lady in the video below looks familiar -- I remember seeing her enter the room with a rather surprised expression on her face. Perhaps her expression can be attributed to the following from the article:

"About a dozen protesters entered New Orleans City Hall late Thursday morning to find themselves far outnumbered by uniformed and plainclothes police officers on hand to keep an eye on them.

When they got to the City Council chamber, where they had proclaimed they would hold a sit-in, they discovered it was nearly filled with uniformed military personnel on hand for the council's annual salute to the armed forces and the economic importance of local military bases.

The protesters sat quietly for the rest of the 'Military Day' program, including the playing of all five armed services' official hymns or songs . . . ."

Methinks the protesters made the right decision at the time -- there were more than a hundred men and women dressed in the uniforms of all of the services seated in the chamber, plus an armed joint color guard. Except, maybe the Merchant Marine wasn't represented. I'm sure they noticed.

Apparently, however, after all the military-type folk left the building, even though they abandoned the sit-in project, the Occududes found a slot on the consent agenda where one of them could sign up to address the Council. Pretty impressive stuff (says Moogie as she tries to extract her tongue from her cheek).

After the commercial and the Responsive Litany of Occufolk in the Council Chamber, you can see the several hundred who marched from somewhere around the Superdome to Lee Circle, snarling traffic and making at least one good point: the Fed needs to go. Do you suppose they're aware that dissolving the Fed is one of the Tea Party's hot issues? Nah -- I doubt it.

At least they had some pretty good musicians.

I'm ready for them to go home now.

Do You Suppose They Were Preoccupied?

2011-11-17T16:53:00.000-06:00

Weren't the Occupy dudes supposed to have some big, hands-across-America-ish, nationwide demonstrations today?

Apparently, the New Orleans chapter either never received, or ignored, the memo. (Okay, it wasn't a memo, it was an email from MoveOn.org -- yes I'm still undercover!)

I was at City Hall this morning to speak to the Council and Mayor on Military Day about ESGR. City Hall is right across the street from Duncan Plaza where the Occupy folks (and their homeless chums who were run out of Duncan Plaza a few years ago, but seem to have found their way back on the coattails of the Occupy Cognoscenti) have pitched their tents (and the city, being ever-prepared for parades and parties, has set out several PortaPotties). There were a bunch of extra cops both in the entry area of City Hall and the Council Chamber, as if they expected a bunch of Occupiers to storm the seat of city government.

When I arrived and saw all the cops I actually grew a little apprehensive about being able to get out and to my car after the session without encountering a mob of foolish, fragrant people -- our session with the Council began at 9:30 and was supposed to last until about 11:30; the Occupy Show of Force was supposed to crank up at 11:00 near a sign erected on the sidewalk across the street. As I prepared to leave, I could see a sea of television news trucks through the front windows. Hmmmm, I thought.

Then, I walked outside. And saw this:

I think the news folk outnumbered the Occupy folk. Here are the PortaPotties.

This whole Occupy thing is starting to get a little amusing to us irrelevant people who live in flyover country. You know a thing has jumped the shark when The Daily Show starts gigging it:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

But, I think my very favorite jab at the Occupants so far is this:

Go ahead, Occupunks, make his day.

A Heads Up

2011-11-16T17:34:00.000-06:00

Fair Warning -- Andy threw down the gauntlet and Moogie scooped it up.

There is a wager on the table between Andy and Moogie concerning the impending Razorbacks v. Tiggers football game that will rivet every good soul to his or her television on Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving. Who wants to get out amidst the great unwashed at an hour that the good Lord never intended people to be up and about in pursuit of gift-giving treasure anyway? That's waaaaay too rough on the blood pressure. A nice, calm Razorback victory will be ever so much more relaxing.

I plan to have extra blood pressure meds on hand.

My Hogs must first dispense with the Mississippi State Puppies this Saturday before they can concentrate on the Tiggers, but I wanted to give you Fair Warning that the terms of said wager will be forthcoming, so be expecting them. It'll be interesting.

Zeus' Place Does It Again!

2011-11-10T11:52:00.000-06:00

You may recall an earlier post about Zeus' Place, the wonderful New Orleans kennel and rescue operation where Bouie and Rosie go to board and be groomed. Well, they've been at it again.

They rescued a sweet little pup in September and named her Bethany. The big problem with the little cutie -- in addition to the usual issues associated with rescues -- was the devastating injury sustained by her rear leg. And, I mean devastating. Michelle, the owner of Zeus' Place, made the decision to have the leg amputated to save the little bundle of sweetness, not knowing where the money (a rather substantial sum!) to pay for the surgery would come from. New Orleans answered the call, and now Bethany has a long, happy life ahead of her to share with her new forever family, including Quinn, a German Shepherd who is her best buddy and protector. Meet Bethany and Quinn, and enjoy a little feel-good dog story!

A Snark From Today's Inbox

2011-11-09T18:00:00.000-06:00

5 RULES TO REMEMBER IN LIFE:

1. Money cannot buy happiness, but it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy, but remember the bastard's name.

3. Help someone when they are in trouble, and they will remember you when they're in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it's illegal to shoot them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.

Ah. Number 3.

College GAMEDAY, A Follow-up

2011-11-06T17:31:00.000-06:00

By now, you are probably aware that the Clash of the Titans weekend in college football is in the books, with a nice win by the Razorbacks. Some other SEC teams played, too, and one game was pretty important, I suppose. It was important enough for Pepper to fire up his laptop so we didn't have to toggle back and forth between SEC games on the tv. Of course, the more important game played on the bigger screen, but the Tiggers from up I-10 did all right on the laptop, even if the final score in that game more closely resembled a baseball score. (Man, that was some pretty awe-inspiring defense! I think the Hogs had better put in some extra practice time during Thanksgiving week.)

Now, this is the way to watch football!

College GAMEDAY!!!

2011-11-05T15:07:00.000-05:00

Lots of action going on today! I barely found a parking spot at the grocery store. With that many people stocking up on party food and beverages, there must be an awful lot of folks around here who are as excited about the Razorbacks/GamePullets matchup this evening as we are!

There's another SEC game on at about the same time, but I'm sure everyone's just ready to call the Hogs with their friends and family!

Whoo Pig Sooie!!!

Thanksgiving Still Comes First! And, There's Football Tomorrow!

2011-11-04T15:46:00.000-05:00

That having been stolen from Facebook and posted here, I think I'll re-run last year's rant in favor of letting Thanksgiving have its time in the spotlight for a solo act.

"It's Still November -- Give Thanks!

Witness the proof of Moogie's contribution to the "Thanksgiving Comes First" campaign worming its way through cyberspace.

It always irritated my children to no end that we were not among those whose Christmas tree went up the day after Thanksgiving. I was not a particularly hard-ass mom overall, but I did adhere to one hard and fast rule: no Christmas anything until after December 1. No tree. No music. No decorations. No Christmas movies. Not until at least December 1, because Thanksgiving and Christmas both deserve their own month's celebration.

I still abide by that rule.

Some years my kids abide by the rule; others, they get too excited about having their own places to adorn and get ahead of the game.

But never does Christmas appear before Thanksgiving, even at The Son's house where there are 3 young 'uns. Never before Thanksgiving. So, I guess I didn't go totally wrong.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday because it's about family and friends and being together, even if only in thought or memory (JB gave me that crafty turkey when our girls were still in pre-school, and it brings her to mind every time I lay eyes on it). So, I'm totally aboard the "Thanksgiving Comes First" train with a one-way ticket! Come on board!

Thanks to Buck and Suldog, in Autumn colors, for establishing and promoting a burgeoning movement. "

Now, I think I'll go bake some pumpkin oatmeal cookies so we'll have something fall-ish to gnosh onm tomorrow evening whilst the Razorbacks trounce the Old Ball Coach, and some other SEC teams play on another network.

Proof Positive

2011-11-03T15:28:00.001-05:00

There is finally conclusive evidence that Osama bin Laden and Moamar Gaddafi are dead.

Yesterday, they both registered to vote in Chicago .

(Stolen from a Facebook friend)

Oops! Correction!! Where Have You Gone, Emily Post? Our Nation Turns Its Lonely Eyes To You. . .

2011-11-02T17:21:00.002-05:00

Buck advises me that the article referenced below came from the New York Times rather than the WSJ. Oops -- my bad!!

Blog Buddy, Buck, emailed me a link today to an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, "A Last Bastion of Civility, the South, Sees Manners Decline." In addition to me, apparently several scholars of southern tradition and culture have documented a definite erosion in what was once the headquarters of politeness, deference, and making one's guests feel at home.

I believe that erosion has reached a critical stage, where, if we don't build a retaining wall pretty soon, etiquette, common courtesy, and table manners may just crash right onto the highway to hell.

We are living through the Jerry Springer-ization of America. There is not much evidence around these days suggesting that people of different opinions can engage in a reasonable debate without yelling over one another, and/or slinging furniture.

The article explores many possible causes for the death of Manners: parents too busy to teach their children; hyper-sensitive political correctness; feminism. Damn Yankees. I'd like to add the absence of military service as a common practice -- there's a culture of respectful behavior if ever there was one in which one must adhere to The Code to survive, not even mentioning to thrive.

Back in the '90s, when I was teaching in the College of Business Administration at UALR, a male colleague and I wrote a Grant Proposal to fund a team-taught class in Business Etiquette to be presented from both a man's and a woman's perspective. We included not only such obvious things as Interview Protocol, Phone Etiquette, and Correspondence Do's and Don'ts, we also included Table Manners, Cocktail Party Etiquette, and Varieties of Attire. We didn't get the grant, and the idea pretty soon faded. It's a shame that we were ahead of our time (and that the Dean at the time did not have Southern roots!).

At least the article ends on a hopeful note -- it seems that 70-year old Mrs. Dorothy McLeod, who teaches ballroom dance and etiquette to children, has no room in her classes; they're filled to the brim. Let's just hope someone comes along to keep her mission alive.

As an aside -- contemplating a time when good manners were de rigeur -- I'd like to share a little piece of the tour I took last week of the Houmas House Plantation on River Road. The house and grounds have been meticulously and lovingly restored to a period when gentlemen retired to the Drawing Room after dinner for cigars and bourbon while the ladies made do with brandied fruit and embroidery -- and the servants did the dishes. (I think I could get into that "servants doing the dishes" thing!) The Docent, Judy, was among the best I've ever seen -- she was spirited away from another plantation when the current owner of Houmas House (who actually lives there!) saw her perform. She's been with him since 2003 and is raising three children on what she earns there. She's funny and very knowledgeable, being a student of history, the Arts, and human nature. And talk about talented! She not only described the 1813 Steinway grand piano in the front parlor, she played it!

She chose to do "Desperado" instead of a period piece because she really likes The Eagles. And, she thought our group was fun. And, of course, we were.

So, let's all just slow down a little bit and try to engage in a little bit more Golden Rule action. Remember, as I pointed out yesterday, Karma can be a bitch.O

Some People Need to Break Out of Their Own Little Universe

2011-11-01T17:32:00.002-05:00

If I had to choose one thing that makes that big vein in Pepper's temple swell and pulse to beat the band, it's encountering another driver who is talking, or texting, on a cell phone. (Asian women drivers in New Orleans are a close second, but cell phones definitely win).

I can usually tolerate chatting drivers, unless they're totally distracted and approaching me under head-on-collision conditions, but I saw something today that I. Could. Not. Believe.

I was sitting at a red light and heard/saw an ambulance coming down the four-lane cross-street with lights flashing and siren blaring. There were several cars ahead of it, most of which were jockeying for position to get out of its way. Most of them, that is, except for the lady talking on the cell phone and gesticulating wildly as she moseyed on down the road in her silver Altima, totally oblivious to the ambulance on her rear bumper. I mean totally oblivious.

She didn't even react when the driver honked at her as he turned onto the side street where Touro Hospital is located. I suppose Touro was its destination, and that tells me that it was loaded with someone in enough medical distress to summon an ambulance. And with the cost of medical transport these days, there had to be plenty of medical distress involved to make that kind of investment! And, although unlikely, that woman could potentially have cost that patient precious seconds in receiving life-saving treatment!

They say that what goes around, comes around, and that Karma is a bitch. If that's the case -- and I do believe it is -- I'd say that we should all steer clear of the lady in the silver Altima for the near future.

Sheesh. Some people.

Happy Halloween Eve!

2011-10-30T13:53:00.000-05:00

Heh.

I'd never thought of The Wizard of Oz in quite these terms before, but the premise seems to work!

The Pre- Halloween Power of Twelve

2011-10-27T14:51:00.003-05:00

Something just occurred to me that adds up to 2012 being a banner year for Moogie's family. Something big must be coming.

Consider these addresses with connections to us:

#12 Sandstone Court -- where I lived when I met Pep

1912 Arrowhead Drive -- the address of our first house together

2613 Wentwood Valley -- our next house -- 2 + 6 + 1 + 3 = 12

4503 Moogie Lane -- the current site of Moogie's Mansion -- 4 + 5 + 0 + 3 = 12

1912 Landry -- the address of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy where Pep is a new member of the Board of Directors.

ADDITION -- Younger daughter pointed out that her wedding date, 06-04-11, also adds up to 12! Elder daughter's only misses by 1 -- 04-24-10 = 11. Curiouser and curiouser!

Or, if you take the more "typical" numerology route, 1 + 2 = 3; 3 stands for "fulfillment, social gathering, achievement," so, unless we plan to host a big, successful party to explore the mysteries of the Mayan calendar, I doubt that The Apocalypse will come into play. I suppose we need politely to decline any invitation to attend such a party, too, so please don't invite us to one.

Pretty weird, huh? What do you think?

Ya Gotta Love a Principal Who Sticks to her Guns. Um, Principles. She Doesn't Carry, I'm Pretty Sure.

2011-10-26T16:03:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here listening to the intercom (yes, they broadcast over their intercom to the entire neighborhood, but we always know what's going on!) at Sophie B. Wright Institute for Academic Excellence (Whew! That's a mouthful, even when you type it!) down the street, and I've just experienced yet another refreshing note of what's happening in that school.

The Principal's irritated voice (yes, I recognize her voice by now) summoned three students by name and directed them to board the bus at once: "Get on the bus now. You're holding up the entire bus and the entire route. Get aboard your bus immediately, and I mean NOW! Do NOT make me go looking for you!"

How cool is that -- a principal who takes no guff and suffers no fools. Way to walk the walk, Ms. Clark! Happy Homecoming Week!

Occupy Theater of the Absurd

2011-10-25T17:31:00.000-05:00

I don't remember where I stole it, but, Heh. Such a good fit.

From Today's Inbox

2011-10-24T16:38:00.000-05:00

This one's pretty good!

Montana Bear Tragedy
This is a very sad story about a bear... Everybody should heed the warnings not to feed wildlife because they become dependent and don't forage for themselves any longer. It is such a tragedy to see what has been done to our country's wildlife. The photo below captures a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect U.S. wildlife. (Read below photo)

Animals that formerly were self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democrat Party. They have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance. This photo is of a black bear in Montana turned Democrat. He's nicknamed Bearack Obearma. It is believed that he has become a campground organizer.

Now, if we could just get a shot of Bearack with Barack and "Hairy" Reid doing Vegas together . . . .

After This Election Season, Moogie is Soooo Ready for VIDAP!

2011-10-23T13:53:00.002-05:00

So, election day has come and gone in the Pelican State. There are a few runoffs in the making, but nothing that I'm particularly interested in. All the top elected positions in state government will now be held by Republicans, and that makes me happy even though I'm not a Republican. I'm a registered Independent, but Republicans seem to lean closer towards smaller government and fiscal conservatism. At least they tend to talk that talk, even if they don't always walk the walk when they get to Baton Rouge. But, they're politicians, so if their mouths are moving, they're lying, or at least prevaricating. We must always keep that notion in mind when opting to place someone in a position of power.

Three of the five proposed Constitutional Amendments passed by fairly narrow margins. I voted against all of them , even though a few won't do too terribly much harm, because all that nonsense does not belong in a Constitution!!!

Since it was adopted in 1974, the Louisiana Constitution has been subjected to 214 possible Amendments, and amended 151 of those tries. Tack on 3 more in a couple of months. One-hundred fifty-four amendments!! And all those amendments were proposed by the Legislature because there is no provision for amendment by Initiated act of the electorate! That's putting an awful lot of trust in those candidates we elect to represent (purportedly) our interests. Trouble is, there are too many of them who are one-issue do-gooders and look-out-for-number-1ers. And that's not even counting the ones who are career politicians and/or unethical cronyists.

One-hundred fifty-four amendments. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, though -- the body of the Constitution has fourteen substantive articles, twice as many as in the US governing document! Must be the French influence -- they don't exactly fawn all over a "less is more" concept.

I also voted against re-authorizing the proposed Regional Business Park Tax. Why? Because it's a freakin' TAX!!! A tax to "stimulate industrial and commercial development" in New Orleans East. And it doesn't specify who administers the tax, or what those administrators actually do. And this is the first time since its inception in 1982 that the voters have reared up and said No More!

I know. I know. Most of the laws enacted in this once free land don't specify much of anything; they leave the devil and the details to bureaucrats. And that's part of the problem. Ain't much sunshine behind the doors of government bureaucracies, no matter the level.

Back here in Louisiana, Boy Whiz Kid Bobby Jindal amassed some 66% of the vote to remain in the Governor's Mansion, besting his nearest opponent who only garnered 17.80%, and Andy's candidate, the interesting-sounding Greek lady who took 2.12%. That's all well and good, I suppose, even though lame ducks can go rogue if you don't keep a pretty close eye on them. Just look at what Congress tried to do after the 2010 elections.

So, election day is over for another year. Yep, one year. That's something that really sucks about living in a state where the statewide elections are held in non-Congressional election years -- someone's always running for something. Still, there is an upside to the slightest break from hard-hitting election season: the robo calls will stop for a little while!!!

I promise you, if we received one call over the last few weeks, we've received a hundred. And they all call on each other's behalf down here! It got to the point that if I didn't recognize the number on caller ID, I'd hit "answer" followed immediately by "end," so if you tried to call Moogie on the landline and you were hung up upon, sorry about that. No, I'm not sorry at all. We do what we gotta do to save our sanity. I told one poor lady, who cold-called yesterday to talk to Pepper about some investment thing or another, that it was election day and we'd gotten about 92 calls and I could guarantee that she didn't want to talk to him under those circumstances. She agreed. Smart lady.

All the foregoing is designed to explain the need for a new voter policy. Today, I'm announcing Moogie's new "Voters' Initiative to Dissuade Annoying Politicians," or VIDAP. It'll work like this:

In the future, every time a robo call for someone running for office hits the phones at Moogie's Mansion, or anywhere else enrolled in the program, the candidate (and any other "public servant" calling on behalf of the candidate) will receive a demerit, to be tabulated by the Enrollee's telephone service provider (the number of demerits filed against "other public servant callers" will be retained through two more election cycles), and once a pre-determined number of demerits has been amassed, that candidate will forfeit all votes in that household. Each household may set its own number of demerits, and that number may be inscribed on the voter rolls where the candidates acquire the information with which to annoy voters. So, in effect, the candidates will be rolling the dice whenever they opt to engage the robo. Ya pays your money, ya takes your chances.

C'mon! It can work! Let's start lobbying the service providers today!

Perhaps They Should Bring Back the Colonel . . .

2011-10-22T15:37:00.001-05:00

Well, it wasn't exactly the prettiest victory I've ever seen, but it counts. Razorbacks 29 - Ole Miss Something-or-others 24, in Oxford!

(As noted in the Comments on last year's post about this rivalry, Moogie determined that the Politically Correct version of the University of Mississippi's new mascot is Age-indeterminate Ms. Rebellious Metrosexual African-American Ursas. Politically Correct is as Politically Correct does, after all.)

Speaking of last year's post, I think a liuttle re-run is warranted by virtue of today's Razorback victory, to-wit:

Farewell to Colonel Reb, Hello Sissy Bear

Poor Ole Miss. It looks as if they have taken leave of their collective senses. I knew it would happen as soon as I learned they were conducting a "study" and an "election" to replace the venerable "Colonel Reb" mascot -- the very embodiment of landed, Southern gentry who were capable both of great gentility and defending their own. Too many people apparently made a strained connection among the Colonel, Segregation, and Slavery.

So, PC finally won, but in the process, it has raised a couple of unintended consequences: Their new mascot, "The Rebel Black Bear," is overtly racist. I mean, really -- why does it have to be a black bear?!?! Why not a brown bear or a grizzly bear or a Polar Bear?!!? There are statues of snowball-throwing Polar Bears all over northern Mississippi! Remember?:

Even if the Rebel Bear isn't actually racist, it definitely has "issues." It's at best a Metrosexual bear -- I mean, how many college mascots do you know that have a Betsy McCall-ish Paper Doll poster with different outfits for different occasions? The ferocity factor of the Rebs just headed south in a steep dive, in my estimation.

What's next? Will the "Hotty Toddy!" cheer devolve into, "Grrr! Grrr! Hotty Tee-Hee?!?!"

They have a Rebel and now a Bear, two things which have no connectivity that I can discern. I've never read about a pack of rebellious black bears tearing around the countryside on motorcycles or protesting en masse at a government building, have you? Ole Miss is now challenging Auburn for the most confused mascot situation in the SEC.

Ferocious Fightin' Razorbacks v. Haute Couture Rebel Bears, October 23rd at 11:30. At least our girl mascot is supposed to look like a girl. Be there.

Tomorrow: Hogs take on the Auburn Indecisive-Mascots (what do Tigers, Plainsmen, and War Eagle have to do with one another anyway?!?) at 2:30 on CBS. Wooo Pig Soooiiieeee!!!!!!!!!! Hogs have no identity crisis -- a Hog is a Hawg!

I know! The Rebellious Ursas must be in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street!

That explains a lot of things.

Who is the Stranger in this Ever-Growing-Stranger Land?

2011-10-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

Well, isn't this just exactly how the cow eats the cabbage!

I think that's how the cow ate the cabbage. I've never really grokked that phrase. What do cows and cabbage actually have to do with one another?

Anyway, this cartoon is the Fair Witness's truth! Would that there were some Fair Witnesses around in the Media today.

And, where is Heinlein when he could do some good?

Maybe Norman Vincent Peale was Right . . . .

2011-10-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

The power of positive thinking!!

Stolen from Facebook.

Still No Pumpkins

2011-10-09T12:07:00.001-05:00

Just a quick pre-Halloween re-run from 2009 to let everyone know that I'm still among the living. And we still have a porch with no pumpkins.

A Porch Without Pumpkins

I'm back after another round of goofy fun with the gi doc -- and all is well!

One-third of the dogs and I are loading up the car to do a solo road trip to Arkansas for FUN WEDDING STUFF!!!! So, I may be absent for a few days. Don't panic, I'll be back.

As a parting thought, the above photo pictures what greeted me as I pulled up in front of the house on October 16, 2008. It also explains why there are no pumpkins on Moogie's front porch this year.

Ciao for now!

Well, stupid Blogger won't let me block the quote, so I just italicized it. Geez, Blogger gets so vindictive when you don't hang around with it all the time!

Geaux Saints!!

The World Does, Indeed, Change

2011-10-01T11:42:00.001-05:00

There's something about Pepper's high school reunions that is so fascinating. Several of his classmates, particularly a few of the ladies, never seem to age. I've accused them on more than one occasion of possessing portraits of themselves in their attics that are beginning to resemble withered old crones.

Pepper's is the Class of '66 -- Vietnam era, the Beach Blanket Bingo generation. Mine is the Class of '72 -- second year of high school integration, last year of the Draft lottery.

Every single one of Pepper's classmates is white. Every single one. Most of the men served in the military for at least a few years; few in my class either wore, or respected, the uniform. Pepper's class learned of Kennedy's assassination in their high school classrooms where they could grasp some of the more dire consequences of that loss; I heard it over the intercom in my fourth grade room and wasn't quite sure why we would have no school for the remainder of the week.

I never really thought about the considerable differences in our high school experiences until last night while listening to them reminisce. Some of those differences, especially some of the "more innocent days," made me a little envious.

I guess one never really gets over being star-struck by the big kids.

Murphy's Law in Action, and Poop

2011-09-23T15:24:00.000-05:00

So. No roof. Then the rains came. Now there's a visqueen roof. Sorta. And another couple days' delay to dry out the sub-floor. And, one of the guys working to tie-in the new roof gable to existing roof stepped off the rafters and through the ceiling in two different rooms, a la Christmas Vacation. *sigh*

SIL#2 took granddog, Zeus, on a walk Wednesday afternoon. He had a "poop bag" sticking out of his pocket when Zeus decided it was time to "perform" on a neighbor's lawn. Before the first of the "performance" could hit the ground, hyper-zealous property-owner bounded out onto his front porch and asked, in a rather loud and accusatory tone of voice, "Hey! You need a bag for that?" gesturing towards Zeus and his by-product. SIL#2, with a rather puzzled look on his face, replied, as he pulled the bag the rest of the way out of his pocket, "No thanks. I've got it covered." Over-zealous, hyper-vigilant property-owner stood on the porch until SIL#2 was through policing up the by-product and heading back to the house with his feelings a little out-of-whack.

I suggested, "Next time, tell him, 'No, you can keep it, I don't need to take it with me. There's plenty more where that came from.'"

Moogie was feeling a little snippy that day.

Sorta Through the Looking Glass

2011-09-21T15:01:00.001-05:00

Today, they took the back wall down and the closet door in the master bedroom now opens onto the addition. We've decided it's kind of the Razorback version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.. Or, it could be a wormhole to Deep Space 9. I just hope nothing crittery tries to use it as an entrance.

I've not mentioned it here, but my granddog, Zeus, is -- for some unknown reason -- terrified of houseflies. Terrified! He has been known to refuse to come in from the backyard when one got in the house. You can imagine his state today, with the back of the house being al fresco and all.

Zeus is sedated. And I intend to hit the liquor store post haste. Amid the din of buzz saws and nail guns, I hear Happy Hour calling.

Pray that there's a roof (and a door that locks and windows) by nightfall, please! I'll post pics when I get back to New Orleans.

(I saw that my mayor made a fool of himself in Washington yesterday when he jumped on the "Pass the [nonexistent] jobs bill! bandwagon. Sigh.)

Several Days After COLLEGE GAMEDAY, and Construction Briefing

2011-09-19T16:59:00.000-05:00

So, I'm living "Adventures in Construction Management." With the amount of red tape spooling out from the city, the neighborhood, and utilities, plus the vagaries of the weather, it's a literal miracle that anything ever gets built around here.

Trust me on this one.

On Friday, I texted Pepper and asked if we have gas at Moogie's Mansion and he replied, "Yes, there's gas here, and most of it is even in the pipes!"

I think it's getting close to time when I need to go home and get some healthy food into that man.

And, in case someone missed it, both the Hogs and the Saints won this weekend! The Saints probably won more handily (and prettier) than the Hogs, but a W is a W. Plus, I'm hoping that their less-than-stellar performance against Troy State will put a little fear of God (or, at least, fear of Nick Saban) into them.

Stimulus Redux

2011-09-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hittin' the road again. Here's a little something to remember:

It seems to me that the Jobs Bill is the legislative definition of insanity -- keep doing the same ol' thing to see if it'll come out differently this time.

*sigh*

Razorbacks Don't Forget

2011-09-12T17:17:00.000-05:00

For those of you unfortunate enough to have missed the Razorbacks' drubbing of New Mexico's Lobos last Saturday night, let me fill you in on something pretty cool.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock (where the game was played) became Patriot Central. The ordinarily fiery-red running Razorback painted on the center of the field became this:

And looked like this on the field:

And the stands almost became Old Glory as alternating sections wore red or white shirts; the students wore blue:

And people actually did it! It looked very impressive.

There was even a special logo designed for this particular game -- Razorbacks Remember:

I'm told the halftime show was very moving.

I'd say the nation, as a whole, pulled off a fitting tribute to 2001's national nightmare. Let's pray we never have to be quite that creative again.

This day . . .

2011-09-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

. . . is a day of images indelibly burned forever in our memories, obliterating the divine gift of forgiveness. A day born in the commonplace became uncommon in the space of four heartbeats as four aircraft came to an untimely . . . stop. And, for awhile, everything else stopped, too. Even our breathing.

I think this date shall always be thus as long as I tread this Earth. And, perhaps even beyond those days.

The scab is healed, but the scar remains, never to fade.

God bless America.

The Wisdom of Felines

2011-09-09T17:27:00.000-05:00

Man, do I ever know what it feels like to be in this spot. I think I'll have some business cards made up featuring this saucy kitty.

Stolen from Facebook.

Thursday Night's the Night! And the night.

2011-09-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

It's season opener tonight!! Saints v. Cheeseheads, way up nawth. At least there's no snow! It'll be sad when the reigning Champions go down in defeat to their immediate predecessors -- NOT!!!

But first, I need to do my very own coin toss to see whether I'll make the effort to watch the Young President's major, super-important speech du jour. I think I'd rather watch the local pre-game festivities around town, but we'll see what the Fates decide. Drinking game words must include jobs, entitlements, investment, infrastructure, and get the job done. Any other suggestions?

(I hear the White House has already announced that the "details" of how to do what he wants to do won't be revealed tonight -- we'll have to wait a few weeks. Haven't we already been waiting a few weeks to hear this latest oratory from on high?!?! Moogie is not a particularly patient person.) I don't think our president is much of a details-oriented kinda guy.

I guess it would be kinda cool to see Pelosi sitting amongst the peons, though, instead of on her Speaker's springboard perch behind the dais. That's one plus in favor of watching The Most Important Speech Ever. But, only one.

I plan to rant about the sentence handed down to Betty Jefferson soon, but first I need to get my blood pressure under control.

Did anyone else think Michelle Bachmann's hair was a little out of control last night during the debate? I mean, being southern, I like big hair -- it's bred into the genes, after all -- but seriously!

Did anyone else have trouble finding MSNBC? I never watch it and had to do a page-by-page search on the Guide. I'll probably have to do the same search the next time I watch it in a few years. Or decades.

I think it's nearing cocktail hour -- and I hear a Cosmo chilling in the freezer! Who Dat!!! Geaux Saints!!!

Back to School: an Upgrade

2011-09-07T18:21:00.001-05:00

Now that school has been back in session for several weeks, some of you may be puzzled why I haven't posted a rant about the Sophie Wright Academy school buses that served as the bane of my existence for the last couple of years with their vrooming and squealing and beep-beep-backing-upping.

It seems that some changes have been made!

There is a fleet of brand-new buses sporting the Sophie Wright name parked in the lot, and their engines and OSHA-mandated back-up beepers must be a whole lot quieter, cause I hardly notice them at all. There is also apparently a whole fleet of brand new bus drivers who are skilled enough to negotiate the turn onto our side-street without having to do a 2- or 3-point maneuver. Not as many buses are running down our side-street this year either -- they seem to be going down the thoroughfare adjacent to Sophie Wright.

So, YAY!!!!

The most interesting change I've noted, though, is the demise of the name, Sophie B. Wright Academy. All those new buses now announce that they're carrying the students of "Sophie B. Wright Institute for Academic Excellence."

If you call it academic excellence, will academic excellence follow?

Sounds a little too PC to me, but, if it means the buses are better behaved, I'll call the school Massachusetts Institute of Technology if that's what they want.

Go, Warriors!

And, the "Re-posts" Have It

2011-09-06T11:36:00.001-05:00

So. In response to yesterday's burning question, I believe the "re-post" votes have it over the "a link will do" votes. In keeping with the majority rule, and, as Lou points out, sometimes we blog-stalkers tend to be a bit lazy when it comes to clicking on links so we need to be spoon-fed, the following is my soon-to-be-annual post on Labor Day:

What Labor Day Means to Moogie

As I prepare to bake an apple-blueberry pie to take to a potluck this afternoon, my thoughts drift to the true meaning of today's revered holiday observation.

Labor Day -- the day we recognize and acknowledge all those hours spent in a hospital gown that exposes our backside to the world, hee-hee-heeing and blowing, then straining to push a human being out of our bodies and into this world. (Often described by male physicians as "experiencing some discomfort.")

What's that you say? Union labor?!?!

Oh.

In that case, contact your senator and congressperson today -- and tomorrow -- and explain just exactly why the Employee Free Choice Act is no more than a communist mechanism to screw the rank-and-file employee and the employer simultaneously, and a device to take contractual bargaining out of the hands of the real parties in interest and hand it over to not-totally-disinterested third parties, among other unpleasant things.

In the meantime, go have a picnic -- and call your mother.

And that apple-blueberry pie was some kind of good, if memory serves! Happy Day after Labor Day.

Curious Minds Want to Know

2011-09-05T21:03:00.000-05:00

So. Which is better? A link to an old post or re-posting the actual stuff?

Monday's Musical Interlude

2011-09-05T12:01:00.001-05:00

Now, this qualifies for the adjective, "Amazing." Prepare to be amazed.

Was I right, or what!

Stolen from Facebook.

Oh, and it's Labor Day. I still feel pretty much the same way about it today as I did last year.

Heading Back to Normal. Sort of.

2011-09-04T15:53:00.001-05:00

HVAC guys told us on Friday (the Friday preceding a three-day weekend) that the job will take at least one, if not 2, more days. That means no AC downstairs (or cooking, other than in the microwave, because it just get too darned hot in the kitchen) until Tuesday at best. We haven't been able to use the grill because of that little weather incident we've been experiencing. So, we're approaching normal, but still don't have it in sight.

Lee was a respectable tropical storm, but she minded her manners reasonably well, considering. She's moving northeast now, leaving behind a squall or two, lots of wind, tons of leaves and limbs strewn about, and lots of water. I didn't have that gut feeling that she would do a whole lot of damage to Moogie's Mansion because, of course, Moogie's middle name is Lee, and I wouldn't do that to myself. Neither would any of the other 5 generations in my family with the same name, preceding, or following, me. I'd hope.

It's getting to be cabin fever time around here. Bouie hasn't had his typical weekend outings because we're just never quite sure when another band will swing around and zap us with a thunderstorm. With the AC still out downstairs, we've taken to living upstairs, and he's not quite sure about that either. The upstairs couch isn't nearly as comfortable as the one in the downstairs TV room.

I also learned that he doesn't particularly care for sweet potato chips. You should've seen the face he made as he was trying to spit this out!

I always forget how much quieter it is upstairs. Makes for some sweet sleeping. As long as it's dark -- those bedrooms are so bright in the daylight!

Guess I'll go put a cocktail in the freezer and maybe watch a little of the West Virginia game. Sorry for the boring post -- I'm just a little brain-fuzzled. And still a little light-headed over the Hogs' stomping victory last night over Missouri State. We figured out how to get the game on ESPN3 on Pepper's laptop, so we had 3 or 4 TVs around the house set on different games and Hogs + LSU in the upstairs TV room. Wow! Overload! I've waited so very long for it! Wooo Pig Sooooiee!!

Happy Labor Day Eve!

COLLEGE GAMEDAY Humor

2011-09-03T09:18:00.000-05:00

A little COLLEGE GAMEDAY Saturday humor, stolen from Facebook, as TS Lee bears down on Moogie's Mansion. I figured I might as well post something while I still have power!

A guy is driving around the back woods of Arkansas and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house:

'Talking Dog For Sale'

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.
...
The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

'You talk?' he asks.

'Yep,' the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says 'So, what's your story?'

The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA.

In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.'

'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running.

But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down.

I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in.

I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.'

'I got married, had a bunch of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'

The guy is amazed. He goes back In and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

'Ten dollars,' the guy says.

'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?!?'

'Because he's a liar...
He's never been out of the yard'

I don't think Bouie would lie like that.

Woooo Pig Soooiiieee!!!!!!

The Tax Code, by Sunny

2011-09-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

This young lady looks at the world from an interesting perspective, kinda schizo-like as most liberals tend to do. But, at least she appears to be wrestling with it in her own mind. And, she loves her daddy!

Stolen from Buck at Exiled in Portales.

Saving the Economy One Day at a Time

2011-09-02T14:29:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, a crew of two showed up to rip out the old ductwork. Yesterday, three came. Today there are four. One plumber has come to give us an estimate on the gas leak and I'm waiting on another. Several people are working on the foundation in Little Rock and I talked to the electrician today -- after only 4 extra days, he's finally acquired the correct permit to set a temporary meter on a pole charged to the separate account with Entergy that I set up days ago so Younger Daughter and SIL#2 will continue to have power as the addition goes up. In setting up the account, I spoke to countless people over the phone. Several times.

I have, therefore, decided to re-name yesterday's post, "Moogie's Mansion Economic Stimulus Package." It works about as well anything coming out of Washington, and there are people actually getting paid in exchange for "shovel ready" labor.

You're welcome for the salvation of the economy.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

Ductwork. And Gas Pipes.

2011-09-01T17:21:00.001-05:00

It appears that Moogie's Mansion has morphed into "The Money Pit."

Total replacement of all the AC ductwork downstairs, and replacement of the (6 year-old) heating unit needed. While they're removing old ducts, they discover gas leaks.

And, a holiday weekend is coming up. A holiday weekend with a tropical depression dumping 10 to 20 inches of rain on south Louisiana while I have open ducts under the house. And no anti-humidifier. (Hope you get a little bit of it, too, Andy).

::$igh::

How do these things know to happen all at once?!?! These alone would be bad enough, but we've also started the addition to the Little Rock house where younger daughter and SIL#2 live, and I need to be there during the day!

Who's the Bad Luck Coordinator from Hell? He'd better stay out of my way, if he knows what's good for him.

On the Road

2011-08-26T11:12:00.000-05:00

More to say in a bit. Wishing the east coast warm thoughts, an easy evacuation, and as little damage as is possible.

Where oh Where is Rahm Emmanuel?

2011-08-22T16:32:00.000-05:00

Stolen from Facebook:

And you'll notice that "unsolved" pretty much remains unsolved, so I'd say this is a fairly accurate flow chart!

History Repeating . . . ?

2011-08-21T14:23:00.001-05:00

I wish I had received the email earlier this month that today sent me searching for something I found at PatriotThoughts.com.

We commemorated the 66th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the end of WWII earlier this month. August 6th or 10th would probably have been more appropriate dates to ruminate on the decision to use nuclear weapons against a civilian population in order to save that civilian population.

The photographs and narrative on Patriot Thoughts are indeed thought provoking. The Enola Gay, Bockscar, Little Boy and Fat Man; Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Saipan and the Banzai Cliff.

The incomprehensible mindset of the Japanese people of the mid-Twentieth Century.

Tiny Tinian Island, is described as "a flat green dot in the vastness of Pacific blue." The very idea that a place that today looks like this:

was the starting block for this:

and this:

is, in itself, a stunning notion that sends the mind into a self-examining do-loop.

What the science of History has been able to extrapolate from an unbiased, dispassionate distance is this: the utter and total destruction of Japan's major cities led to the metamorphosis of her culture; led to a nation that today is capable of creating this:

We've seen the rise and fall of great peoples -- and great cities -- throughout human recollection. Even recently, and very close to home.

When New Orleans drowned, her rotten-to-the-core, inadequate public education system crumbled along with her. Today, that education system is among the fastest-improving systems in the state. Perhaps, wiping the slate clean and having little to build upon save that which is buried beneath our feet, is what gives rise to legitimate human progress. Civilizations are built upon civilizations.

What does that truth suggest about our Nation during the first term of Barack Hussein Obama? Are we crumbling as a people, looking to rise from our own ashes? Will it take that to get us back on track to being the world's Superpower? Or, are we sliding toward a penniless and wretched decline as just another cog in the global machine? Is that really what the Progressive movement desires? Can it possibly be?

Perhaps August 21st is just as good a day as the 6th or 10th to wax philosophical on the destruction of a once great nation -- whether, as Rome, caused by rotting from within like a gangrene, or as Hiroshima and Nagasaki, by nuclear holocaust.

Would that I had some answers.

It's Been Five Years?

2011-08-20T12:46:00.000-05:00

As Innominatus pointed out in the comments to Thursday's post, yesterday was the much vaunted and celebrated fifth birthday of the Young Prince of Moogie's Mansion, Bouligny Voodoo, more commonly known as simply Bouie.

He chose to commemorate the day by roughhousing with his parents, rolling in the grass, barking at passersby, and sharing the pork tenderloin served for dinner. But he wasn't very adept at blowing out candles.

His vet (otherwise known to him as "The Magic Treat Lady") calls him "Amber Eyes."

What a joy is that handsome, 80 pound package of unconditional, people-pleasing love.

Happy belated birthday, Bou!

Breaking News in the Casket Department

2011-08-18T15:28:00.001-05:00

On Monday the Louisiana funeral industry filed Notice of Appeal of Federal Judge Stanwood R. Duval's ruling that an Abbey of Benedictine monks may disregard a Louisiana regulatory scheme designed to protect the industry and resume selling modestly-priced, handcrafted caskets without risking heavy fines or imprisonment. Judge Duval's stunning display of common sense was last reported here in July.

Except, now, it seems that the Times-Picayune has taken to calling the caskets, "funeral boxes."

The Fifth Circuit might have a bit of fun with this one. Heck, the U.S. Supreme Court might even grant cert on it just to hear the oral arguments about plus-size cadavers and leaking products of decomposition that Judge Duval had to sit through. I hope they manage to fast-track the appeal. This is getting good.

But, funeral boxes? Really.

Pretty Shallow Roots

2011-08-17T17:21:00.000-05:00

In this afternoon's in-box, a little love message from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee:

Dear Moogie,

We’re putting together the official DSCC 2012 Election Poetry Magnet, and it just won't be as good if our grassroots supporters don't help us out.

So that’s why we’re asking you: What words are necessary for you to have the most satisfying poetic experience? What words would you include on our new poetry magnet?

Click here to suggest words we should include, and to order your magnet.

We’re still fighting the TEA PARTY, so maybe we’d better include it. Then there’s Dennis Rehberg, who suggested that PELL GRANTS are just welfare. Oh, and Jon Bruning in Nebraska compared people needing a helping hand to scavenging RACCOONS. And who could forget the GOP presidential candidates? Michele Bachmann said we'd get rid of unemployment entirely if we'd just dump that pesky MINIMUM WAGE. Rick Perry thinks MEDICARE and SOCIAL SECURITY are unconstitutional. And then there’s Mitt Romney, who famously said CORPORATIONS are PEOPLE. Say what? Those are some BIZARRE ideas.

Get the idea? What words would you include?
Our poetry magnet should include GRASSROOTS, because you’re such an important part of what we do. Thanks for working so hard to elect DEMOCRATS!

Sincerely,

Jason Rosenbaum
Director of Online Communications

They're "fighting" the Tea Party, whose existence they pooh-poohed a little over 2 years ago. Heh.

I'm such a very important part of what those ever-lovin' liberals do! I'm such a grasssroots supporter! They'll be more than happy to accept my word suggestions (and a little donation or two).

I don't think they really want to hear my word suggestions (like Jackasses, Communists, heretics).

You'll notice that there are no children's drawings or family photos displayed on that Democratic refrigerator. I, myself, think that very void speaks volumes about Democratic family values. Or, maybe they're just demonstrating solidarity with those less fortunate who have no refrigerator upon which to display one's family or its artwork.

Nah -- they're just stick-up-the-rear-end, boring, vanilla people.

Do you have any suggestions for word recommendations?

A Tuesday in The South

2011-08-16T16:41:00.003-05:00

Seen in August's Southern Living article about the horrid spring storm season:

As Southerners, we know that a man with a chain saw is worth 10 with a clipboard, that there is no hurt in this world, even in the storm of the century, that cannot be comforted with a casserole, and that faith, in the hereafter or in neighbors who help you through the here and now, cannot be knocked down.

-- Rick Bragg

I kinda like that.

This is the most recent of the various stinging caterpillars with whom I've crossed paths in the front yard. I don't know what variety he is, but he was very colorful, and chubbier than the Ios and Buckmoths and Tussocks I've seen.

The Louisiana Agricultural Center offers these words of wisdom about stinging caterpillars:

Stinging caterpillars are a nuisance to adults, but can be serious hazards to small children, because the youngsters are attracted to the pests’ bright, unusual colorations. Sprays are not normally applied except for the buck moth, since it occurs in large numbers. Control of the other species is seldom needed except for knocking an occasional specimen to the ground and mashing it.

Not being one to ignore sage advice, and having been on the receiving end of those spines, I can report that this particular caterpillar is no longer among the living.

I spent much of the afternoon spraying mold and trying to avoid the spores that jumped out at me after being doused with bleach. Living in a hundred year old house located in humidity-central has taught me a whole new, and unexpected, skill set. It has also instilled in me a deep and abiding appreciation for duct tape.

And thus it goes on a mid-August Tuesday in the south. Life at Moogie's Mansion, trying to stay one step ahead of the lizards.

A Wee Bit of Overkill in the Law Department & UPDATE

2011-08-15T16:30:00.001-05:00

A headline in today's Times-Picayune screams, "State unfurls 233 new laws today"!

Two hundred thirty-three new laws take effect in Louisiana today.

Earthshaking laws like authorizing a $20 bump in Traffic Court costs, allowing car dealers to sell cars featuring front seat passenger DVD screens, forbidding extra-bright headlights not installed by the car's manufacturer, and prohibiting those convicted of heinous sex crimes from accessing Internet chat rooms and certain websites.

We have a new Official State Gemstone: the Cabachon Cut gemstone, made by Louisiana oysters. See above. (It replaces the Agate, which has been re-categorized as the Official State Mineral. Agate is found in Louisiana gravel. Our former state gemstone was gravel. Really?!?)

We can now kill as many feral hogs as we wish, but we have to let the police know a day in advance before firing off any rounds. Plan accordingly.

Two hundred thirty-three new laws. Two hundred thirty-three new laws which will accompany the 1,063 new laws enacted last year. That's what happens when you have a legislature that meets every year, with a mission.

Extrapolate the above out to Congress and you get an immediate headache. And pain in the wallet.

*sigh*

UPDATE: The ACLU has filed suit seeking to have the sex criminals' access to Facebook and other online fora (or "forums" for those who think using the word, "fora," is snooty) restored, claiming that the free speech rights of sex offenders are violated thereby. Stay tuned.

**double sigh**

Contemplating Change, and Once Again, With Conflicting Emotions

2011-08-13T17:29:00.010-05:00

Yesterday was a day of conflicting emotions.

Yesterday witnessed the carrying out of the death sentence on the 101 year-old New Orleans Naval Support Activity in Algiers, the death sentence first issued in 2005's initial BRAC (Base Re-alignment And Closure) Committee report.

My father trained at Algiers as a young man when the base was named U.S. Naval Station New Orleans. One of our City Councilwomen met her future husband at that base when her future father-in-law served as its Commander in the early 1950s.

Pepper and I have gone to some wonderful parties and ceremonies and meetings over there on the West Bank, and enjoyed many of its amenities, especially the cheaper, tax-free gasoline near the Commissary. Our friend, Gary, who commanded the Base in the 1990s, and who never misses a military gathering, was absent. I suspect he could not bring himself to say goodbye and sit through that meaningful Navy tradition in which the Command's flag is furled, sleeved, and slowly paraded, with carefully measured steps, through two rows of enormous shells, and out of sight, by a Color Guard dressed in stiffly-starched Whites to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," played as a dirge by the local Marine Band New Orleans.

It was very hard to watch, even though the Naval Reserve HQ had already moved to Norfolk several years ago and the Base's function had already been reduced to wrapping up and shutting down. The Commissary has already moved to NAS/JRB Belle Chasse and the gas station and library are shuttered. I suppose the next thing to disappear will be the enormous "NAVY" painted on the Base's water tower.

It's very hard to watch as a once-thriving community devolves into a ghost town.

But. The ghost town won't last for long.

One of the things that many of us fought for during the BRAC hearings -- especially retired Marine Major General David Mize -- was the concept of preserving a military presence at the NSA location in the form of the nation's first "Federal City," a public/private venture that would house multiple entities of the federal government and military in one location. The Committee thought the endeavor worthwhile and gave the City and its proponents a time frame to make the agreements and financing happen. They happened.

The first tenant of Federal City, the Coast Guard's Sector New Orleans HQ, opened its doors in August of 2010. There are plans underway to develop base housing into a neighborhood community -- a Child Development Center already has a pretty hefty waiting list. New Orleans' newest Type 2 charter school, the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy, held its first day of classes on August 9th; it will eventually accept students in grades 9 - 12, and will eventually be housed in renovated, historic NSA buildings. The YMCA is renovating the old gymnasium into a fitness center; retail merchants and restaurants are planning to open shop in the coming months.

(One of the biggest, unheralded perquisites for southeast Louisiana in the NOMMA presence is its newly-named Commandant, COL William Davis. In his last billet before retiring this fall, Bill headed up a number of Marine Corps construction projects across the country, including the brand new Marine Forces Reserve [MARFORRES] and Marine Forces North Headquarters building in Federal City. Bill brought the project in ahead of schedule and under budget -- quite a feat in this day of rampant cost-overruns and congressional gridlock. Through his agreement to accept Command of NOMMA, we now get to keep Bill and his delightful family here for good!)

So, it's not all melancholy.

Yesterday also witnessed the Opening of The Marine Corps Support Facility Base in that beautiful new HQ building shepherded by COL Bill Davis.

As sad as it was to watch the Navy marching away, it was just as energizing to watch the MARFORRES HQ Battalion flag be unfurled and posted. As new MARFORRES Commander Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer remarked, yesterday's ceremonies assured the continuation of a Marine Corps presence in New Orleans dating back to 1778, when the Marines first arrived on a ship named The Rattletrap. For real.

Yesterday was also the first time I was able to see the magnificent palm tree that our Military Officers' Wives' Club purchased for the grounds of the new HQ building. The palms look pretty majestic out there where all those Marines will pass daily on their way to work. Our President has nicknamed the tree our "Recruitment Tree," in hopes that many of those Marines will tell their spouses about our plaque and our organization, and we can up the membership numbers a bit.

We were allowed to place the plaque commemorating our donation wherever we chose. Our clever ladies chose a spot that suggests we donated all of the palm trees instead of just one (and there are 3 more on the other side of the circle)! Plus, the plaque is portable, so it can be re-located if a better spot comes up, or taken along for safekeeping during a hurricane evacuation. Like I said, clever ladies.

So, in this era of "change," at least there is some "hope" connected to this transition.

To the Navy, I bid "Fair winds and following seas." And to the Marine Corps, "Semper Fidelis."

And, because the Army likes to get in the last word, Hooah.

(P.S. -- the Saints won their opening pre-season game last night, sending the 49ers to defeat to the tune of 24-3!! Who Dat!)

Musings About Hatred

2011-08-10T16:31:00.000-05:00

I'm not one to hate easily. But, do you know what I hate?

I hate it when thoughtless, slovenly people throw empty glass bottles into the water at City Park where adorable dogs who are banned from the City Bark Dog Park because they're still in possession of their family jewels must go to swim instead.

Then, I really hate it when one must drop a C-note at the vet to fix the by-product of that thoughtlessness.

At least he didn't have to have stitches. Poor puppy.

A Few of the Things that Michelle Obama Would Prefer We Avoid

2011-08-09T15:31:00.002-05:00

I got nothin'. So, what does one do when struck by writer's block?

Punt to Food Porn, of course!

Here are some of the many, many reasons to visit New Orleans. Just try to do it after you've successfully shed a few pounds, or been subjected to an extended famine.

Bananas Foster (and Abita Amber) at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Schools of Cooking are a very New Orleans kind of thing. My supermarket, Rouse's, just opened an in-store Wine Bar and Cooking School! I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to try it out. I hope one can't get a DWI while pushing a shopping cart.

Lovely little lagniappe Breezer cocktail at Cafe Adelaide. One can experience quite the birthday lunch at Adelaide.

The Original Barbecue Shrimp at Pascal's Manale. Bib provided. And needed.

Some sort of lovely white fish and pasta with carrots and artichokes at Pascal's. I can't remember what the appetizer was -- the stuff in the gratin dish, beside the homemade bread. I think it involved eggplant, garlic, and butter or cheese.

Mussels topped with crispy, garlicky pommes frites at The Flaming Torch.

Pork Two Ways with gratin potato stack at Coquette.

Some lovely filet-ish thing with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes at Commander's Palace. Unfortunately, Pepper got Moogie's portion of filet because the food gods have a very bad sense of humor and rendered Moogie allergic to beef. Don't feel too sorry for me, though -- this was a five-course business meal honoring the retiring EVP of HR. I didn't go hungry.

Individual berry cobbler and chocolate profiteroles at Mr. B's Bistro.

Gazpacho in the making and cocktail hour at Moogie's Mansion, including mint, basil, and jalapeno from the garden.

Perhaps now you understand why there is more of Moogie to love since she moved to New Orleans. You'll have to excuse me now -- I need to go find a little something for a full tummy.

Now Tell Me About That Inheritance Thing Again, Mr. President . . .

2011-08-06T15:36:00.000-05:00

We need to remember this one in 2012:

Stolen from Facebook.

Filing Chapter 11 Before Being Potty-Trained

2011-08-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

I just saw this video on Facebook, and, in light of yesterday's stock-market-down-the-rabbit-hole adventure, it seems timely to share it in the blogoshpere.

Heh.

Sorta.

It's Almost . . .

2011-08-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

FOOTBALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WPS!

Dog Days

2011-08-04T15:11:00.001-05:00

Yesterday saw the hottest temperatures in recorded history in Little Rock -- 114 degrees. (It was only 112 in Needles, for crying out loud!) That's pretty darn dog-day-qualifyingly hot.

Because of the heat (although in New Orleans, the heat index was 114, but the air temperature was just a measly 90-something), and because I'm still so sputtering mad at all the *stuff* surfacing in that "stop the sky from falling" debt ceiling bill (and the massive stock market sell-off in its wake), I intend to engage in a little fluff.

Prepare to be subjected to dog pictures. They make me happy.

Click to enlarge.

Is that an adorable face, or what? I snapped this one through the front door a few days ago as I was returning from errands. He was ready to play -- he even had his ratty old rag toy (remnant) in place!

(The flag hasn't been flying for awhile because we've had so many afternoon summer thundershowers. You see its reflection as it's leaning in its spot by the front door, waiting to go back up. Wow! Do you see what I see? Three uses of the letter combination of I and T and S in the same sentence, and all used correctly! How about: They're driving over there to claim their prizes. Or: It's up to you two to win a prize, too. Jackpot!)

I indulged myself in a fancy new Kitchenaid mixer last week, and last night I whipped up a batch of cheese souffle in it. Bouie decided to guard the oven in case there were souffle thieves about. There weren't any, but he got a taste of souffle anyway for his effort. Doesn't it look as if he's exerting a lot of effort?

I don't think you can make the pic big enough to read it, but the shortest kitchen towel on the oven door handle bears a drawing of a feather duster and says, "The house was clean yesterday. Sorry you missed it." That would indeed be the overarching housekeeping philosophy at Moogie's Mansion.

This expression pretty well embodies my disgust at all-things-federal-government these days.

Or, maybe this one.

(Please disregard all the clothes hanging on the door and stacked on the chair. We live in a 105 year old house, and folks didn't believe in closets when it was built.)

This one just seems to capture the essence of "dog days of summer." A large black dog in the hot sun just doesn't want to move around much.

A blind, geriatric shih tzu who has also had several strokes, however, can walk in circles all the live-long day. Until she starts panting too much and I take her in for a drink of water and a nap -- two of her favorite pasttimes these days. Doesn't her new haircut make her look young and spry? (I know -- just humor her.)

Naps are always nicer in the air conditioning. On the parlor couch where one is not really supposed to be napping. Oh, well. Sweet dreams Young Prince.

There. Now I feel much better. Hope you do, too.

Check. Next Crisis, Please.

2011-08-02T12:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry I've been AWOL for awhile. We're getting ready to start a construction project in Little Rock -- adding on to our little rent house there -- and I'm kind of the project manager, travelling back and forth. It should be an "interesting" couple of months, leading up to starting on Moogie's Retirement Villa. I wish I had Lou and Toby around to advise me!

Anyway, I'm choosing to side-step the whole debt ceiling mess for awhile with one small exception --

Although, I'm not so sure the Young President can claim a victory lap on this one. The Conservatives seem to have taken the biggest chunk out of the compromise pie (except for the not really cutting any spending part -- it's really just not spending as much more as the left would like to spend). Kind of refreshing -- And promising. Sort of. Moogie appears to be wearing those rose-colored glasses again.

Well, maybe I made a medium-sized exception. Hey, we all have to take a "balanced approach," right?

P.S. -- the Young President is yammering again, after the vote in the Senate on the Debt Ceiling debacle-bill. Egad, if he doesn't go on a golf trip or junket or climb a mountain sometime soon, and STFU, I may lose it. He needs some new speechwriters -- every time he gets to a microphone lately, what comes out of his mouth turns into a key-word-trigger drinking game opportunity. AA must have seen a big uptick the last few weeks.)

P.P.S. -- I REALLY don't like this "Super Congress" thing.

I COULD Care Less

2011-07-26T17:22:00.000-05:00

A law school buddy found this tee shirt at a yard sale last weekend and posted a pic of it on Facebook this morning. Not unexpectedly, it has generated more comments than I've seen in a long time. Obviously, this is a big "I want!" for Moogie.

And nonplus does mean what I thought it did! Dang -- I'm good. Irregardless. *snicker*

A Day When Guilt is a Good Thing

2011-07-25T16:02:00.000-05:00

This has been a very successful day in the criminal conviction of soulless, waste-of-oxygen-type folk.

#1 -- in Little Rock, convert to Islam, Abdulhakim Muhammad, accused of murdering Army PVT William "Andy" Long and shooting PVT Quinton Ezeagwula outside an Army Recruiting Office in 2009, copped a plea on the eve of trial. Muhammad will serve life in prison, without parole, on the capital murder count, and life on 12 remaining counts, to run consecutively. For good measure, the judge also tacked on another 180 years on firearm enhancement counts, also to run consecutively. I doubt he'll be drawing another breath of open air, and that is fine with me.

In the sentencing phase, PVT Long's father testified, "After 2 years, 1 month and 25 days, I can tell you from my experience and expertise at being a father of a murdered son, there is no closure[.] . . . It is a myth."

Prosecutor Larry Jegley later told reporters, "Ultimately any plea resolution has to be OK with the victim and the victim's family, [t]he Long family is merciful beyond description. And they showed mercy to Muhammad. Muhammad showed no mercy to the victims whatsoever."

It's a shame that Muhammad was tried on state charges instead of federal, meaning that he'll serve his sentence in an Arkansas prison. It would've been pleasant to contemplate him serving time in a nice Army-friendly federal pen. Like Leavenworth, maybe.

#2 -- this afternoon in New Orleans, a unanimous jury found former state legislator and City Council member, Renee Gill-Pratt guilty of Conspiracy to divert public funds and to loot charities for personal gain. The jury is currently deliberating about the amount of restitution Gill-Pratt will be ordered to pay. Prosecutors are asking for the tidy little sum of $1.4 mil. Hopefully, there will also be an orange jumpsuit added to Ms. Gill-Pratt's wardrobe. I'd say she could pull off orange, wouldn't you?

#3 -- with the third thing being the charm -- Bring On Maxine Waters!

Honestly, does she ever shut up?!?! Anyway -- let's keep this roll going!

White House Debt Summit/Showdown

2011-07-23T17:29:00.001-05:00

I missed the news coverage of today's Debt Ceiling Summit at the White House as it happened. Pepper provides this description: the Young President wore a grim expression and had his nostrils pointed toward the sky while chomping on gum. (I'm guessing Nicorette. And I seriously doubt whether he has actually kicked the habit.) He doesn't look very happy in this picture.

You'll be pleased to know that Speaker Boehner is sipping hot tea. Not coffee, hot TEA.

Heh.

Played for effect nicely, Mr. Speaker.

Debt Crisis, Tea Party, and Brinksmanship

2011-07-22T18:35:00.002-05:00

This is kinda interesting.

First, the Young President was not really "aware" of the Tea Party" protests. April 15, 2009.

Then, the Young President referred to a bunch of folks "waving tea bags around." May 2, 2009. So, I guess a voice was sounding through the din.

Next, there were the 2010 mid-term elections.

Today, the mainstream media blames the Tea Party for shutting down negotiations and moving us toward a default on debt.

We've come a long way, Baby.

Don't back down.

Seriously. Don't back down. Cut the spending. Now.

(P.S. -- is our president a petulant schoolboy, or what?!?! Pepper says if he were Boehner, he wouldn't show up tomorrow, and might just send out an email scheduling a bi-partisan/Executive Department meeting at 10:00 at the Capitol building, before the YP's summons for the same thing at 11:00 at the White House. That'd be cool! Then maybe they could have lunch in the West Wing afterwards. I'd serve Chicken salad.)

Common Sense Isn't Dead Yet!

2011-07-21T16:01:00.000-05:00

Photo from Times-Pic

The Benedictine Monks are doing a happy dance -- they'll be able to continue their casket business!

I love it! This afternoon, Federal District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr., (how's that for a southern name!) ruled that the Louisiana embalming and funeral directors statute administered by the State Funeral Board is nothing more than unconstitutional protectionism of the funeral industry!

I mean, seriously -- threatening to jail a bunch of monks for making and selling simple wood caskets?!?! Stevie Wonder, and our little Rosie, could see through that protectionist scheme.

Of course, the Funeral Board plans to appeal, claiming there is an adequate rational basis for the law. Rational from their business perspective, perhaps. But rational in the real world? Not a chance. Let's hope the Fifth Circuit doesn't buy their argument that the law is designed to protect consumers.

It looks like the monks can put that casket for Common Sense (and the Constitution) back into storage -- for awhile, at least. Happy Day!!

No Keymaster, Just a Gatekeeper

2011-07-20T18:04:00.001-05:00

Just so you don't have lizard withdrawal, voila:

The gatekeeper at Moogie's Mansion.

Musings: Legal Education in a Different Vein

2011-07-19T19:19:00.002-05:00

I was watching "Horrible Bosses" on the Jaywalking segment of The Tonight Show last night and it brought a rather unpleasant memory out of hiding. Not as bad as some of those, but unpleasant nonetheless.

There weren't a whole heckuva lot of lady lawyers in Arkansas when I graduated from law school. I was only the second to be hired in my firm (even though most of the new-hire associates and clerks in the next few following years were ladies. Or women, at least.) In those days, the late 70s/early 80s, there was still a "Men's Grill" at the Little Rock Club where a whole lotta gender-segregated business went down during the lunch and cocktail hours -- the Men's Grill was open only to folks with external plumbing.

I had done a lot of grunt work on one case -- research, writing pleadings and motions, tracking things down. I remember, two senior partners (one of which was my cherished mentor -- a friend of my father; the other was Daddy's fraternity brother) and I had been in the large conference room for hours with opposing counsel, working on settlement negotiations, when it got to be about lunchtime.

At a break, just as we were getting really close to a settlement, Fraternity Brother stood up, stretched, and announced, "Let's take this over to the Club." Everyone stood up but me, gathered what they needed, and headed for the door; Mentor was the last in line. I'm certain that my face flashed twelve different shades of red.

As they filed out of the room, I stood, and as I straightened my files and picked up my coffee cup, Mentor turned to see me preparing to head to my office upstairs. He said, "Oh. Moogie. We can go to the regular dining room instead of the Grill." I thought it over for a minute and told him, "No, that won't be necessary; just let me continue to bill over lunch while I get these notes cleaned up."

I'll never forget the expression on his face. He finally got it.

I didn't then, nor do now, object to gender-specific, or race-specific, clubs in general; but I did, and do, object to using them to conduct business to the detriment of a player via exclusion.

That particular scenario didn't play out again, either with me or with any of the other women -- probably because, of course, the "good ol' girls' network" was quickly made privy to that incident. Along with the named and managing partners, I'd bet. Accordingly, I like to think I had something to do with the education of the partners of my old firm.

I also like to think I had something to do with the rather generous maternity policy for lady lawyers at the firm. Since I was the prototype (the first pregnant associate), the senior partners asked me what I needed, so I told them: since I would do a little work at home (which I did, including testifying for one of the partners 1 1/2 weeks after Younger Daughter was born), I expected to be paid, and that I needed at least the standard (at that time) six weeks off, clearance from my OB to return to work, time for doctor appointments, continuation in benefits, and deeming the pregnancy in the same light as they would any other disability. They had no counter. See The Pregnancy Act of 1978.

They also had no ammunition to argue against continuing the paid leave when I needed an extra four weeks with Elder Daughter due to some recovery issues. Or two weeks of bed rest before Younger Daughter was born due to a serious lung infection, complete with at least one visit to the ER before I was scheduled to give a dinner party. But, that's another story.

So, I guess "horrible bosses" don't have to be horrible if they're schooled appropriately, even if one of the senior partners insisted on putting his arm around me when I was great with child and explaining to me how Cherokee women just stepped off the trail, gave birth, and kept right on moving along the Trail of Tears. He was not exactly a sensitive 70s kind of guy. (not like Buck!) Arm-arounder's wife left him and he wound up leaving the firm, living on a boat on the Arkansas River. Literally. (But considerably nicer than a van down by the river!)

I guess they don't have to be totally horrible bosses. It just takes a good teacher. With thick skin. ;-)

Economics and Logic

2011-07-17T17:16:00.000-05:00

This was just too good not to share:

Home: Improvement and Invasion

2011-07-16T16:23:00.002-05:00

As revealed here in an earlier post, we did indeed celebrate Bastille Day at Moogie's Mansion by accepting delivery of a new, fancy mattress. We were way overdue -- both of our backs had been talking to us for quite awhile. As Pepper observed, our old mattress held up really well for 10 years -- too bad it was 11 years old.

So, I was very excited to get the new one set up (the delivery guys left the house just as the rain began to fall), with its high-falutin' bedbug-proof, allergen-free, waterproof cover. Bouie was neither excited nor happy because he had to be locked in the tv room while the delivery guys were here -- he was acting just a little too "interested" (read: he had entered a not hump-free zone) and "helpful" (read: he needed to see every little thing and inspect every little movement). Being all caught up in Bouie and getting the zippered cover fitted correctly, I failed to notice how much higher the surface of the mattress was than our old one's.

The dang bed is now taller than more than half of me!

No way are my feet going to reach the floor when I try to get out of bed. I felt kinda like a 5 year-old sitting on a chair designed for the "big and tall," swinging my legs.

There's not enough room on my side of the bed for me to be able to use one of those pet steps designed to enable older, short critters to get up onto the furniture.

So, I went upstairs and grabbed Elder Daughter's step-stool from college.

So, now, instead of feeling like that 5 year-old, I feel more like a toddler bellying up to the bathroom sink to brush her teeth. Or a sorority girl. On second thought, I don't think I have nearly enough energy to be a toddler. And I certainly don't have enough energy to be a sorority girl; I barely did the first time around. So, I suppose I'll just feel short.

*Sigh* At least the new mattress is really comfy. Once I manage to get up on it. And I hardly need to bend over at all to change the linens!

One strange thing, though, leads me to believe that the fancy cover wasn't made here in the good ol' U.S. of A. -- this advisory label that lets you know which end goes where:

There's the same label on both ends. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.

And, speaking of lizards -- I went into the kitchen earlier today to put some thing in the sink and this is what I found!

It was a tiny little thing and it didn't seem to be very frightened of me.

It seemed to prefer red wine to coffee, however.

Pepper invited it to go back outdoors. We really don't need any new pets around here right now. I'm too busy adjusting to a new mattress.

First They Came for the Light Bulbs . . . .

2011-07-14T15:40:00.001-05:00

I think it's just a matter of being treated like a child by my very own government, but this light bulb thing is beginning to tick me off.

I didn't pay much attention when the manufacturing ban on incandescent light bulbs was first enacted -- heck, who did? But now real-live shortages are cropping up. I'm sure I'll wind up being "nudged" into buying the new, expensive bulbs that put out crappy light, but I don't have to be happy about it! After all, ladies of a certain age prefer softer light. Just ask Blanche Dubois.

On Tuesday, 228 Republicans voted yes on HR 2417 to repeal the ban; ten Republicans voted no. 183 Democrats voted no, but only five Democrats voted yes, so I'm guessing it will do me absolutely no good to contact my new, uber-Democrat (non)Representative.

This might be what we're really in for in the not-too-distant future:

There's another vote in the House, probably tomorrow, on another Bill (HR 337, energy and water appropriations) to which the Burgess amendment (to repeal the manufacturing ban) was offered today; this bill will take only a simple majority to pass. Maybe it's not too late to wrest business decisions away from Washington and put them back in the hands of consumers.

Then again, maybe it was too late a long time ago.

Run! The Nudge is coming!!

Cancel That Request

2011-07-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

Remember when I mentioned in yesterday's post that it wouldn't be so awful if some terrorist blew up the Golf Channel's transmitter?

Never mind.

It seems that there are several hours of the ladies playing in Colorado Springs recorded on the DVR, so real-time broadcasting isn't necessary to watch a little more golf.

*sigh*. At least the scenery is pretty. We had brunch at the Broadmoor a number of years ago while staying at Ft. Carson. I could do that again, even if there were a bunch of LPGAers out there.

Stuff, and Summer Celebrations -- a Little Late, a Little Early -- Eh, Who Cares, We're in the South

2011-07-09T17:03:00.002-05:00

It's a miserable, beastly hot Saturday afternoon in New Orleans. I just came in from taking Rosie out -- I swear I worked up a sweat just sitting on the steps in the shade, watching her go around and around in circles. It even smells hot.

Nonetheless, this morning some 9,000 crazy folk, dressed in white with red sashes and neckerchiefs, participated in the 2011 Fiesta del San Fermin de Nueva Orleans -- The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans -- just a couple of days after its famous progenitor took place in Pamplona.

Moogie was not among the 9,000 but at least 2 of SIL#1's cousins were. One wore a red tutu instead of a red sash. She looked adorable, at least she did in the picture she posted on Facebook.

(Photos were stolen from the NOLA.com and a Facebook friend.)

As we tend to do down here, we added our very own twist to the festivities. First off, alcohol is de rigueur. Obviously. If one is to get out in the heat very early on a Saturday in July, one should be adequately lubricated. Note that I did not say, "hydrated."

Next, there are no bulls. Or even cows. Instead, the festival-goers are chased and bludgeoned with foam bats by be-horned New Orleans Roller Girls -- members of the local women's roller derby team.

The after-party will take place tonight and is entitled, "La Fiesta de Pantalones" (The Pants Party). Don't ask me, I don't know why there's a pants party with Spanish food and Latin music, but it does kinda sound like fun.

When I mentioned to Pepper that the Running was this morning, he said that while walking Bouie earlier, he saw a bunch of people waiting for the streetcar dressed in white and red, but he thought they must have been going to some new gay event like Southern Decadence. Heh. I guess you can't read a book by its cover.

Also, many of the celebrations of Bastille Day kicked off yesterday. I think my favorite is the Waiters Race, where a whole bunch of waiters compete against one another by running with full trays of cocktails. At Moogie's Mansion, we will be celebrating France's Independence on July 14th by accepting delivery of a new mattress. Excitement abounds around here during the summer.

Finally, here's a re-post of the lizard getting a drink, downloaded from YouTube. The quality is definitely better than the original.

And UPDATE!! The Causeway is still the world's longest bridge over open water, after the Guiness folks added a new category, "Longest Bridge Over Open Water (continuous)!" The Cheating Cheater Chinese now have the "longest bridge over open water (aggregate)." So, I guess sometimes, cheaters do prosper. But record-holding bridges are record-holding bridges, as the article expresses!

About Cheating Cheaters -- it seems that THE Ohio State University "vacated" its wins for the 2010 season, including the Sugar Bowl, which was stolen from the Hogs by various and sundry guys wearing stripes. But, apparently, the Suckeyes don't have to forfeit and they don't have to return the money they got from the good folks at the Sugar Bowl. So, I guess, sometimes, cheaters really prosper.

But, even though it may be hot, life is generally good down here in southeast Louisiana.

It would be even better if some terrorist would blow up the Golf Channel's transmitter. Just sayin'.

We're a Little Out of Control Out There . . .

2011-07-07T18:13:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I think this world has gone completely over the edge. Locally, first there was the discriminatory City permit required to keep an intact animal (renewable annually, but easily "overlooked"); then there was the discriminatory City Bark dog park fiasco that keeps poor Bouie on the outside looking in because he's still attached to his family jewels. Both regulations nominally claim to protect people and other animals by keeping vicious dogs under wraps, but in effect, the regs push the overreaching policy of getting all pets spayed or neutered. The dog park's regs push that policy by excluding intact animals from the yuppie canine haven. Poor Bouie.

Today I read about a new policy in effect at a New Hampshire apartment complex: if you wish to keep a pet there, you must submit a sample of its DNA. Why? To give the complex the basis to utilize "PooPrints" -- a procedure that allows unscooped poop to be tested and matched with the perpetrator who produced said unscooped poop. Then the complex will fine the holy bejeebers out of the perpetrator's owner, with a second offense leading to eviction.

The primary goal of the policy is obviously to encourage pet owners to clean up after their pets and therefore help prevent unpleasant encounters between human shoes and dog poop. That's not necessarily a bad thing (I remember when Pepper asked one irresponsible dog walker whose dog always chose our yard for his comfort station what he would think about Pepper following him home and leaving a few of our baby's used diapers on his lawn). And, PooPrints could help locate lost pets who had been swabbed.

But then one of the entrepreneurs at BioPet Vet Lab (the developer and operator of PooPrints) went a little too far in trying to sell the program -- he brought environmental impact into the mix:

"It's a huge problem with growing environmental impact," Mayer said of the waste. The PooPrints website estimates a single pet creates 276 pounds of waste per year. "We want people to be responsible and not leave things behind. Down the drain means it's going into your lakes, rivers and streams," he added.

That's a little over the top. Where does Mr. Mayer think scooped poop goes? Into the landfill, usually in a non-biodegradable plastic bag!

Why can't these one-issue do-gooders keep it real and not try to fabricate theories to make left-leaning tree-huggers swoon. Sheesh.

Anyway, what do you think? Reasonable policy, or not-so-subtle attempt at behavior modification?

A Jefferson Family Update: Movin' on Out

2011-07-06T17:54:00.001-05:00

There has been a lot of activity going on in New Orleans' once powerful Jefferson clan.

You might recall that William Jefferson is my former congressman who was convicted of bribery after federal investigators found, among other things, $90K in cold hard cash in his freezer. He has remained free, pending appeal, since being sentenced to 13 years in the federal pen in November 2009. Yes, it's been that long. Oral arguments were re-scheduled for May of this year, but they have since been postponed yet again due to his attorney's battle with lymphoma. No date has been set while Dollar Bill cools his heels out in the fresh air.

Brother Mose Jefferson, who was also convicted in 2009 on several counts of bribery and obstruction of justice, had been serving his 10-year sentence when he succumbed to cancer in May of this year. His passing got him excused from another unrelated trial for criminal fraud, not yet set, that involved a scheme to divert monies intended for charitable endeavors, cooked up by Mose and gal-pal, former City Council member and state legislator, Renee Gill-Pratt. Her first trial in February of this year resulted in a hung jury, and re-trial begins this coming Monday.

Testifying in that re-trial against Gill-Pratt will be sister Betty Jefferson and her daughter Wanda Coleman, who pleaded guilty in the scam and took a deal. Betty and Wanda are scheduled to be sentenced on August 31st -- happy birthday to me!

And now, it looks like there might be even a little more action on the Betty front. You might recall that Betty Jefferson had served as the New Orleans Fourth District Assessor for a number of years, and that misappropriation of Parish funds made up the bulk of the charges against her in the bogus charity scheme with Mose, Gill-Pratt, and daughter Wanda.

Get ready for this -- it gets even more convoluted.

It was revealed yesterday that an audit of the last five years of Betty's tenure as Assessor revealed up to $114,000 additional checks in possibly misappropriated funds. It might be simply a matter of sloppy record-keeping, but when you consider that several of the checks drawn on the Assessor's work fund were made payable to an Assessor's office employee whose endorsement was then forged by a Jefferson family member, who subsequently kept the money, something smells stinky in the Crescent City.

Among those invited to respond to the audit, but all of whom declined, were the office employee, Betty, Wanda, and Wanda's daughter Tawanda Coleman. So now we've added another generation to the family business in public corruption.

It seems to me that the Betty clan might be looking at state charges and orange jumpsuits in the near future.

I warned you previously about Bill's daughters -- the highly educated ones -- but his great-nieces and nephews didn't blip on my radar. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this family is nothing more than a band of amoral brigands aiming to "spread the wealth" from the public and the poor by channeling it to themselves.

I'd better get the ol' radar tuned up.

Leapin' Lizards -- Today's Lesson in Herpetology

2011-07-05T16:17:00.002-05:00

Moogie's Mansion is overrun with lizards from early spring until frost (which, sometimes, doesn't arrive until well into winter). Most of the common lizards we see are either brown anoles or green anoles -- the browns tend to stay closer to ground level while the greens typically prefer higher terrain, but both varieties can be found on fences, in bushes, and even up in trees. There's one stretch of sidewalk down the street that I call "Lizard Central" because any time you walk through it, dozens of lizards scurry back and forth from the groundcover near the street to the foliage near the fence.

Both of the guys pictured above are males -- they have this "distensible dewlap" that they use to attract females and challenge other males. It's quite impressive to see them all puffed up and macho, sending signals all around the yard -- they do two or three lizard push-ups and then poof out their dewlap like a balloon.

For several years -- especially after Katrina which pretty much wiped out the lizard and songbird population for awhile -- the brown anoles were winning the lizard territorial war from the green anoles around here and I was afraid we wouldn't see the colorful shows that they produce anymore. The browns are apparently fairly aggressive. But, both varieties seem to be thriving these days and I am very happy about that. Except, they don't eat enough bugs to suit me. And sometimes they jump out at me when I open the mailbox. That's a little disturbing.

Several days ago, two males were doing this "anything you can do I can do better" number on parallel poles on the gate while I was sitting outside waiting for Rosie to do her thing. They leapt and crawled the length on the poles, eyeing each other all the way, then they'd flip around and climb back up. Quite the gymnasts. I really wished I could've recorded that little episode.

I finally had my phone with me yesterday on my way to the car when I spied a green on the fence. I thought he might do some acrobatics for me to record, but he did something even better -- he got a drink of water. He got a drink of water by licking a holly leaf with his tiny pink tongue! I'm not sure how I thought lizards get hydration before seeing this -- maybe I assumed they just absorb it from the atmosphere? -- but I never suspected I'd see a lizard lapping up water like a dog! Look closely at this little guy's tongue -- it's amazing! And he let me get right up next to him!

(I was so excited to watch the video in the car that I left the house keys in the gate lock and didn't realize it until I got to the grocery store. I had to come all the way back home to get them before I did my shopping! I don't think my vicious attack lizards would've done much to discourage a key-thieving thug.).

Today I spotted one slinking across the birdbath to get a drink!

Someday, I'll get a video of two males stalking each other and puffing up and chasing one another. It's quite the B-movie horror film scene when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, in miniature.

What's really unusual about my fascination with lizards is that I can watch them and get close to them without being afraid. Except when they leap out of the mailbox, and that's mostly a startle reaction rather than the full-blown panic attack I suffer when I get anywhere near a snake. I think it's probably because lizards have elbows and shoulders. Joints seem to make a difference. Don't ask me to explain it -- I'm just grateful for those shoulders and elbows, or I don't think I could go outside down here except during the winter!

There are days when Moogie is so very easily entertained.

Desperately Seeking Humorous Distraction

2011-07-04T15:49:00.001-05:00

Considering my great propensity to criticize misplaced apostrophes and grammar errors, this is just hysterical to me -- the best obnoxious responses to misspellings on Facebook. (Not exactly family-friendly, though.) As a blog where I found it commented (all you SEC fans will love this blog -- it's The Blog Hawgs! I'm looking at you, Andy and Paul and Boogie), it's just like a train wreck -- you simply can't make yourself look away.

And, speaking of not exactly family-friendly, but laugh-out-loud-until-your-gut-hurts-from-laughing funny, Check out Damn You Auto Correct.

Happy Independence Day! I'm blowing out the candles and wishing that we can remain free from our own government.

Apparently I needed a good laugh or two today.

And cake.

A Magic Show in the Sky

2011-07-03T14:35:00.000-05:00

Is this a cool picture, or what -- lightning passing through a rainbow! From Wednesday's Times-Picayune: