Thursday, December 31, 2020

One LAST Holiday in 2020

If you aren't Scottish you may never have heard of it -  Hogmanay a word that signified to the Vikings the last day of the year.  And the Vikings started celebrating in the middle of December.  It would not be inappropriate to say, "Let's party like the Vikings." 

Fireworks are set off in Edinberg and apparently everyone yells a lot.  

Guests are offered dinners of Neeps (turnips)  steak, whisky, Tatties (potatoes) and ... The dread in many stomachs - haggis where the innards of sheep or calves are stuffed into a tube made of small or large intestine stuffed with oatmeal, spices  and steamed to cook this whole  dish?  

It is generally cold in Scotland at this time of the year, so dress warmly.  Very warmly.  The copious   amounts of whisky offered should keep you toasty warm though.  I gathered from light research that only sissies drink wine at one of these affairs.  

I don't think even Gelson's or Bristol Farms - our local gourmet suppliers have haggis and I advise don't eat it even if they do!  

But certainly lift a shot of whisky to the Vikings and belt down another shot.  Happy Hogmanay Day!

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

The Easter bunny Has Surprise for You - A Book!

It's the Biography of PETER RABBIT!

Read about his daring escape from evil Mr. McGregor and the very helpful birds. 

It's an exciting story and you will thrill  beside Peter during his adventures!  


Parents:  It has a happy ending that has nothing to do with chocolate Easter Eggs.  In fact, it might be fun to eat a carrot or two while you read. 

Monday, December 28, 2020

An Old-fashioned Rain Complete with Lightening!

This was scary!  A flashing light woke me up from sound asleep to sheer terror eerier still because there was no clap of thunder to go with it!  I knew there must be some; that's the way these things work.   But not last night.

I was especially terrified for I sleep on the window side of the bed.  It's gonna git me! I thought to myself.  

Then the flashing lights dwindled away and I still hadn't heard any thunder.  Not that I'm complaining about that ...  I didn't get a chance to count seconds between BOOMS which is what you do out in the country to see how far away the storm is from tiny precious you.  

Richie woke me up getting up himself.  I said,, "Don't go out for the papers!  You could get killed!

As husbands usually do, he went right out the door.  And I went back to sleep.

At 9:25 a.m. (now) the sun is out and it's a lovely sunny day.

Maybe I imagined the whole thing ...  

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Finger's Crossed for 2021

Treat yourself to  champagne and caviar.  Either but both is best.  The Robb Report wrote that the two flavors spark each other with the caviar's high fat, salt and the dry kick of the champagne.

 Gelsons has a variety of prices.  American Pride is $6.71  Feelin flush?  Spring for a tin of pure Russian at $785.  The remainder of choices ranges between these two extremes.  Bristol Farms ups the stakes with Foie Gras.  All three intended to kick off a gala dinner.  

                               And hopefully a much better 2021 than 2020 was.  The fact that we're still alive and well and considering a vertical descent on Gelson's for supplies says a lot.  While you're in there - or just plain  Ralphs don't forget the little Melba toasts, a lemon for a last minute squirt, chopped red onion and  a stick of butter 

I do it like this - butter a melba toast; add chopped red onion. squirt of lemon and lastly the caviar.

I won't caution any of my friends NOT to forget the champagne.  I don't have to.

                                              ONWARD INTO A BETTER 2021

Friday, December 25, 2020

The Virus Killed Christmas this Year - But We Can have Fun Anyhow With Boxing Day

 No, we are not going to slip into satin boxing shorts don a silken robe and go out in our various driveways and beat the shit out of each other.  I guess you could but  seems kind of anti - Christmas, no?

What is this acknowledged holiday in Great Britain?  

Once upon a time it was the day after Christmas when the masters packed boxes with  treats (think whole ham or big turkey), and small change were put in them and then given to the servant who presumably tore home at warp speed to start cooking and/or counting the money found there-in..

Even after extensive digging I never discovered why it's customary to wear pajamas to distribute gifts the day after real Christmas.  Just one of those Brit, Australian, New Zealand things.  It is, of course, a chance to go shopping.

Today merchants fling open their doors as early as 5 a,m,  Think of Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

 But I can't encourage you to go shopping in your jammies. Something about indecent exposure? 

Thursday, December 24, 2020

The Pretty Sounds of Christmas

 "Sleigh bells ring ..." and the muttered curses when you can't open the fruitcake tin - the door bell or the knocking at the front door ... as guests announce themselves.  

The not-so-pretty - TVs blaring either "Miracle on 34th Street" or a sports event. The excited barking of the family dog.

The squeals of little kids delving in the presents under the tree..

I miss them.  But my family is in Chicago or Long Island or San Diego ... just not in Redondo Beach.  Our friends?  One moved to San Diego; two died.

I hope you have all of the family you can stand on Christmas Day!  

And listen for the sleigh bells!

Monday, December 21, 2020

Torn Wrapping Paper under the dining room table - But Wait!

Some of it has writing on it ... what can it be - we better take another look...


The post apocalyptical  fiction section has been moved to Current Affairs - on this one ...

 Adam and Eve were the first to ignore Apple terms and conditions.

"I can get behind this one!  "Stop making stupid people famous - the Kardashion Klan - did I hear someone say Paris Hilton? "

"I wonder if our dog pets see a K9 dog and think, "It's the cops!"

Hospital Delivery Room door - "Push   Push   Push"

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Christmas Laughter

So, everything is in order for the big breakfast and the even bigger dinner.  Ready for a laugh or is that the loaded egg nog kicking in?  Try a few - 

What do you call an elf that sings?  A wrapper!

What do you get if you nibble on tree decorations?  tinsilitiis!

Why is Christmas like a day in the office?  You do all of the work and the fat guy in the suit gets all of the credit

Riddle = what has

34 legs

9 heads

2 arms

Santa and his reindeer!


Thursday, December 17, 2020

Yesterday's Tea Party - December 16, 1773

This tea party was rather more active than most we've attended.  First we had to capture and board a British ship to throw some 300 chests of tea into the harbor.  Damned Brits can just take their tea and the taxes they charge for it right into Davy Jones Locker and begone with them.

Tea is a necessity in British life. - "Come out in the kitchen for a "cuppa."  

They'd have plenty of choices since it is believed in some circles that there are 20,000 varieties in the world.   They are subdivided into - Green - Black - Herbal - Oolong - White - Fermented - Yellow   Green and Black 

Be that as may.  The 300 chests of tea  made a helluva froth in Boston Harbor!   Except for heaving chests of tea around and  the work in the cold, it was a fun event.    

Best of all, we got a refund on taxes previously paid.  


Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Canna-Bees

Ah the elusive Mother Nature has put out something new for us.  Bees are said to love  all 16 different strains of cannabis buds and flowers,  but equally the dope doesn't love it enough to put out an aroma to attract them.    

Take a look, Ma Nature, and go to Plan B.  You're versatile enough.  You've already got a  cutesy name!  

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Book Worms - Attention!

When it was announced that all three of our local libraries will be closed until The Virus is conquered and that might be as early as April 13th.  Personally I think" April 13th" was deliberate  because at the same time our meals were getting harder and harder to get.  Inside - didn't last long - patios were next and meanwhile our stomachs were rumbling louder and louder.

Until the day, paused at a light, eyes rolling idly I spotted an independent book store.  We ankled in and were delighted at their prices.  Sample - "Extreme Prey" by John Sandford (one of my favorites) and "Crazy Rich Asians" by Kevin Kwan - and several of you may be yelling, "I saw that!! "  

"Prey"  (in pristine cover and pages) amazon price $29;  Dave's Olde Book Shop's price, "$7.46.
"Crazy Asians" amazon $16   Dave $4.96
Each book was in gift-to-someone else condition.

Dave's Olde Book Shop
2123 Artesia Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA
Hello@Dave'sbooks.org
(310-793-1300

Moreover it's a pleasure to visit - they have a lot of books.

Get your butt over and buy some!
 

Friday, December 11, 2020

Bernie Got Busted

 Bernie Madoff is today's honoree in the section in the Daily Breeze that lists what happened on this date (today 12-11-2020)  in various years.  Madoff (pronounced) Made Off  has tried repeatedly to be given a compassionate leave as he has kidney failure.  He also has a wife, two sons and six grandchildren. 

If he does in fact die in federal prison, he'll have made this section in the paper again.

Helluva a way to get your name in the paper ....

Thursday, December 10, 2020

To VAX or Wait and See

 I mistrust anything going into my dear little body that hasn't had a sufficient test period.  

Sure enough yesterday's Drudge Report included the wonderful news that it can kill you if you react badly to it.   People with severe allergies to drugs or other ingestibles are at risk. 

Which prompted me to wonder about my friends and family and the resulting poll.  

My sister responded by remarking that she hasn't even been in for her annual flu shot!  A cousin said he'd do whatever his doctor told him to do.  

What would/will you do when it's widely available?  I nearly danced when I read this - I have a severe reaction to members of the cephalosporins.      

Friday, December 4, 2020

Dear Editor

Dear Sir:

It would be nice if the positive side of Corona Viruses could be emphasized:

An example:  There are 100 People known to have been exposed to it.  

Two of of these people have died of it. 

Leaving 98 (98) that recovered. I'd rather hear about happy endings, myself.  I wish the media could, too.  

Sincerely, Nina Murphy

1722 Wollacott St., RB 

Thursday, December 3, 2020

To Shoot or Not

Considering getting the Covid19 shot or --  not.   Here's a cautionary tale

Once upon a time- the days of the 50's and 60's to be exact, a young British woman came to her doctor with a plea for a sleeping potion.  This was her first pregnancy and she was having trouble sleeping.


"Oh," said the kindly old family doctor, "W can't have that.  I think I've I have got just the thing for you.  It's a new drug and it's a sedative.  Are you having morning sickness by any chance?"  She nodded.  The doctor began scribbling on a prescription pad for 30 Thalidomide tablets. 

Nine months, the woman delivered a hideously deformed baby boy.  Thalidomide had only had animal testing.  No British humans were tested at all.

Curious now about testing I visited the FDA site to see  the US Government protocols

PRIORITY - Tested for six to 10 months and released to the public

BREAKTHROUGH similar to Priority 

FAST TRACK

The patient is issued the drug immediately

If you  don't want any part of some slapped together  medicine, borrow a quote from Nancy Reagan and just say No.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

A Discussion About Santa and Fitting Gifts

Mr. and Mrs. Fauntly-Jones were having something of a heated discussion  in their living room.  The Mister, carrying a yardstick, was pacing back and forth in front of the kitchen counter.  She looked quite pouty.

Mister:  "Helen, it will never fit down the fireplace.  Santa is good, but what you want is truly impossible."

Waving a hand, she said,, Didn't you learn back in the day that Santa truly has magical ways of giving one exactly what they wanted.  I don't think new granite counters is all that impossible."

"Let me tell you a little bit about granite which will explain why we really must have it," she said briskly.

Granite is a natural stone.  It's among the most beautiful countertop materials.

It accents the good looks of quality kitchen or bathroom counters

It's a natural stone, has excellent strength and durability - if you take good care with it. 

Properly sealed, it's impervious to stains and resists the heat you might get from a hot pan or hair dryer.

If sealed correctly it's easy to clean, too.

And Santa could be our very first guest!

Courtesy Silva Construction, com   San Pedro, CA