uncleblogsy

Oh, a Cowboy Needs a….

The Western’s popularity rises and falls, but has not gone away for at least a century and a half. The last big era for postcards coincided with an era that valued Westerns highly: they were still popular in cheap, kid-friendly movies (“oaters”), proliferated across radio (“Return with us now to the thrilling days ofContinue reading “Oh, a Cowboy Needs a….”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXXVIII

At the height of the high white flight of stairs was a small landing and a tall wooden door. Bott and his crew studied it for a moment without detecting spikes, poisoned nails, or opening for projectiles. It lacked even a knocker with a nasty expression. One hand on a grenade, Bott turned theContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXXVIII”

Comedy Archaeology Quiz

Every now and then, when I feel like living dangerously, I consider writing a series called “Is That Still Funny?”, in which I would examine the comedy that made me laugh when I was growing up. I have it all figured out: how I will guard myself against laughing simply from nostalgia, how weContinue reading “Comedy Archaeology Quiz”

NOTE IN PASSING: Nathalie

It is with shock that I note the death, at 102 oerthereabouts, of another Book Fair buddy, perhaps one of the most significant, Nathalie F. Alberts. I am sorry the obituary did not mention (or I didn’t catch it) who put the H in “Nathalie”, but she probably spent a great deal of timeContinue reading “NOTE IN PASSING: Nathalie”

MIDWEEK FICTION: All Write and No Play

“Now, Mr. Edison, about this latest contraption of yours….” “Yes. I call it the ‘autopen’. You sign your name on this template and load it into the machine, and the stylus follows that signature to sign it as many times as needed. It should be a godsend to the busy executive who mustContinue reading “MIDWEEK FICTION: All Write and No Play”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXVII

Bott hit the floor, and had enough experience by now to scoot out of the way before looking to see where he’d landed. The most immediate threat was coming down the chute. “Wheeee-boomps!” shouted Louba, legs spreading left and wide as she tumbled toward the floor. ”Ah…yoo-hah! Wanna watch where ‘em knee bonesContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXVII”

FICTION FRIDAY: Castoffs

“Good afternoon, Madame. What can I do for you today?” “I’m not sure. I found these things in a ditch but when I took them home, I noticed that this, particularly, seemed to attract small birds.” “Ah yes. I recognize the decoration style. What you very likely have there, Madame, are someContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Castoffs”

Name That Tune

I was leafing through the postcards in my Music and Songs category, reminiscing about the hoops some of these songs made me jump through, sometimes just to find out the line reference WAS from a song. I still have my suspicions about some others, but the research is seldom simple, as this type ofContinue reading “Name That Tune”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXXVI

The door they tumbled through was coated with smiling faces on the inside but sharp orange rock on the outside. Louba’s hips caught in the doorway but Bott was behind her this time. He threw a shoulder against the obstacle and they popped out together. “Ya woon’t have problems like ‘at if ya’dContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXXVI”

Coulda Oughta

It seems like just the other day that I was going through my inventory of postcards showing old cars so that I could illustrate a column filled with fine old jokes. Come to think of it, that WAS just the other day. You can go back and read the last blog any old timeContinue reading “Coulda Oughta”