Category Archives: Uncategorized

Midweek Fiction: Principles of Economy

     “Mighty big nuggets thus time, sir.”      “I know it.  Just weigh ‘em out and give me scrip to take to the bank.”      “Of course, sir.  Your weekly delivery of gold has been the making of our establishment. My wife and I….”      “Dadgum it!”      “I’m sorry, sir.  I keep forgetting.”     Continue reading “Midweek Fiction: Principles of Economy”

Three of the Culprits

     This column frequently touts the work of postcard cartoonists Walter Wellman and Ray Walters, with occasional salutes to other people whose work is now easiest to find on fossilized tweets from the past.  But the collections coming in to inventory over the past month or so have included the work of several artists weContinue reading “Three of the Culprits”

Wonder Winterland

     I resent global warming.  I want the seasons back the way I remember them.  It isn’t a matter of “When I was a kid”.  It’s a matter of “fourteen or fifteen years ago, I could rely on one really good, solid blizzard every winter.”  But noooo, all you people who drive to work andContinue reading “Wonder Winterland”

FICTION…TRUE FACTS WEDNESDAY: Peeping Tom

     Not quite a thousand years ago, there lived in the city of Coventry a tailor known as Tom O’Thneedle, which was neighborhood talk for “Tom of the Needle”.  The O’Thneedles had been tailors for time out of mind.  Tom’s grandfather liked to talk about the days when things were tough for tailors, before theContinue reading “FICTION…TRUE FACTS WEDNESDAY: Peeping Tom”

Delight in de Window

     Now, in pursuing my research on your behalf into the question of peeping Tom postcards (there’s no end to the trouble I go to for your reading enjoyment, but that’s just the kind of blogger I am),  I thought I would consider the question of what is NOT a peeping Tom postcard.      ForContinue reading “Delight in de Window”

Sorry, Tom (or) Not Safe On the Sidelines

     Do you know where we get the phrase “Peeping Tom” for a man who tries to get a look at women in a state of undress?  Well, that’s a pity, because I’m going to tell you the story anyhow.      There are plenty of versions of the story of Lady Godiva.  My favorite isContinue reading “Sorry, Tom (or) Not Safe On the Sidelines”

FICTION FRIDAY: Too Close?

“Now, remember, Forsyth.  You were voted the best man for the job.” “It’s an honor, sir.  Unusual, but quite an honor to be chosen for the first interplanetary blind date.” “Yes, the women of Earth picked you as the best overall…ah, here she comes.  Remember, you’re the hope of an entire planet.” “But, sir!  She’s….”Continue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Too Close?”

Don’t Rock the Postcard

     Now, although this is the Interwebs, we really need to be fair to both sides here.  For every maritime disaster postcard, there are a hundred showing boats and ships going about their business without calamity.  The places which sold postcards sometimes had a vested interest in reminding you of the peaceful, calming effects ofContinue reading “Don’t Rock the Postcard”