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Passing Note: One of Nine

We interrupt our regular sequence of columns for a brief personal note. Yesterday marked the passing of Scottie Lampe, a black cat who served as Alpha in his household for seventeen and a half years, teaching bipeds when cats need to be fed (often), when cats need to be brushed (whenever they feel likeContinue reading “Passing Note: One of Nine”

It’s Not About That

Despite what a lot of people say, there has always been a line to cross when it came to comedy. I have heard it said that the twentieth century was a dark age when all things were funny and nothing was too offensive to make a joke about. A lot of evidence for thisContinue reading “It’s Not About That”

Ranunculus to You: It Gets Worse

Any language comes with its punctuation marks, intensifiers, and contractions. These seek to clarify but often confuse a novice in the new lingo. The language of flowers is no different. The easiest modifier is simple numbers. To give “one perfect rose”, for example, indicates that you regard the recipient as your very ideal, oneContinue reading “Ranunculus to You: It Gets Worse”

Volume of Memories II

I have mentioned before that I own a number of books I have no intention of reading, but preserve because they remind me of the person who passed them to me. Among the most readable is Anita Brookner’s Hotel du Lac, which was thrust into my hands by an irritated acquaintance, who said….. Continue reading “Volume of Memories II”

Free Advice Worth Every Penny

I have been getting a lot of advice lately. Fortunately, almost all of it is in the form of old postcards, so there is no need for me to make a personal decision on whether it’s good or not. Some genius whose name I have forgotten once wrote that all advice is bothContinue reading “Free Advice Worth Every Penny”

Ranunculus to You, Yarrow to Zucchini, plus Secret Code

YARROW “War”* No, this is not a joke about bows and yarrows. This plant is also known as Achillea, or Achillea millefolia, or, from that, Common Milfoil. The millefolia is a reference to a plant with many leaves. The other part of the name refers to the hero Achilles, who apparently always carried anContinue reading “Ranunculus to You, Yarrow to Zucchini, plus Secret Code”

Regional Joke Quiz

Not too long ago, we discussed the principle that the Scots are one of the few ethnic groups left which allowed, and sometimes encouraged, ethnic jokes about themselves. The Scottish joke may ot have the currency that once it did, but it is still out there, doing its work with a minimum of fuss.Continue reading “Regional Joke Quiz”

Volume of Memories

I own books I will never read. Part of this is just depressing statistical certainty. I have plans to get around to some, but as I am always being told I am not allowed to live forever, the moment will never. There are others which I keep around as reference volumes: you don’t readContinue reading “Volume of Memories”

Ranunculus to You: Vine to Xeranthemum

VINE “Intoxication”* The floriographers are obviously thinking of grape vines, and, hence, wine. They could have thought of grape jelly, but for some reason, did not think of thinking of it. *VINE, WILD “Poetry and Imagination” VIOLET “Modesty”* The violet is considered a hidden, humble flower. It was also the symbol of Napoleon. Continue reading “Ranunculus to You: Vine to Xeranthemum”

More Kids With Lids

In our last thrilling installment, we were discussing how boys, on postcards but also outside in the world, would pretend to be grown-ups by donning a grown-up hat, most usually a silk topper. Well, girls were liable to the same strategy. Little girls tended to wear bonnets, like the girl at the topContinue reading “More Kids With Lids”