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:: Friday, November 20th, 2009CapeCodToday Blog Chowder
Welcome to CapeCodToday's Blog Chowder! This page aggregates the most recent postings from all the CapeCodToday bloggers for your convenience. Bookmark this page or see below left for RSS options.Latest comments
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Open Year Round! Open Every Day! Tons of things to do for kids ages 2-12. Air conditioned and great for birthday parties. Snack bar, moonbounce, giant webbed playset and much more! (Yarmouth)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Diabolus Imbibo
In response to: Diabolus Imbibo
Thanks for your comment, Jonathan. Now if you'll excuse me, McSheey needs to go outside and rake some leaves. Happy Halloween.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Chatham, Orleans close beaches - new shark sighting Saturday, 3 spotted, 2 tagged
In response to: Chatham, Orleans close beaches - new shark sighting Saturday, 3 spotted, 2 tagged
I think I found the solution to our shark problem. Let me introduce two local fishermen, Mr. Quint and Capt Ahab.
Quint: "You all know me. You know how I earn a living. I'll catch this bird for you. But it ain't going to be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasing bluegills and Tommy cods. This shark - swallow you whole … I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, Chief. I'll find him for three. But I'll catch him and kill him for ten."
Thank you, Mr. Quint. And now, Capt. Ahab.
Ahab: "Aye, it was Moby Dick that dismantled me; Moby Dick that brought me to this dead stump I stand on now … Aye, aye! And I'll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition's flames before I give him up."
Thank you, gentlemen. We'll be in touch.
(from "Jaws" and "Moby Dick")
Quint: "You all know me. You know how I earn a living. I'll catch this bird for you. But it ain't going to be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasing bluegills and Tommy cods. This shark - swallow you whole … I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, Chief. I'll find him for three. But I'll catch him and kill him for ten."
Thank you, Mr. Quint. And now, Capt. Ahab.
Ahab: "Aye, it was Moby Dick that dismantled me; Moby Dick that brought me to this dead stump I stand on now … Aye, aye! And I'll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition's flames before I give him up."
Thank you, gentlemen. We'll be in touch.
(from "Jaws" and "Moby Dick")
JTS [Member]
In response to: Filling Ted Kennedy's empty seat; Kennedy remembered; Cardinal O'Malley to preside at mass today with Yo Yo Ma, Domingo
In response to: Filling Ted Kennedy's empty seat; Kennedy remembered; Cardinal O'Malley to preside at mass today with Yo Yo Ma, Domingo
"To live in the hearts..." Isn't that what Capt. Kirk says at Spock's funeral in the movie "Star Trek II-The Wrath of Khan"?
Which makes me wonder if Paul Kirk is the interim choice...
"Kha-a-a-a-a-a-an!!!!!!!"
Which makes me wonder if Paul Kirk is the interim choice...
"Kha-a-a-a-a-a-an!!!!!!!"
JTS [Member]
In response to: Knuckleheads of Genesis
In response to: Knuckleheads of Genesis
Actually, during the Vaudeville days of the early 1930's, prior to the Three Stooges movie shorts, Shemp Howard was the original third stooge, along with brother Moe and Larry Fine. By the time they got to the point of making movie shorts, 1934, Shemp had left to try a solo career in Hollywood and was replaced with Curly Howard. And then when Curly had a stroke in 1946, Shemp stepped back in to become the third stooge, until his death in 1955. Throughout 1956, old Shemp footage and another actor filmed only from the back (the famous "Fake Shemp") represented the third stooge. The role of the third stooge was eventually filled with the first Joe - Joe Besser, in 1957, who was later replaced with "Curly Joe" - Joe DeRita - in 1959. As one can see, in the Stooge universe it was important to have a seamless transition of power.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Abel Prescott Rides Again
In response to: Abel Prescott Rides Again
Thanks for the artwork, Rafio! Keep the faith!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Gospel According to...
In response to: The Gospel According to...
Thanks for the comment, Richard. Glad you enjoyed the post. I just applied to get my Passport renewed, and my third planned trip, after Italy, and after Ireland, and after England (okay, so I guess it will be my fourth planned trip on the ol' bucket list) is to the Holy Land sometime in the hopefully not-so-distant future. I have a lot of religious questions written down in my little green notebook and I'm not coming back until I get some answers. But first I need to reread the gospels, and some of the acts of the apostles and the letters of Paul, etc ... and grow a good thick beard so I mix in. Don't want to look too much like a tourist asking for directions in some Middle Eastern place! "Excuse me, would you be so kind as to point me in the general direction of the Sea of Galilee - thank you oh so much! Hey, where's my wallet? And my Passport?!"
Jack the Lesser
Jack the Lesser
JTS [Member]
In response to: Old Dog - New Trick
In response to: Old Dog - New Trick
Oh, she rules, all right. Especially at 4 o'clock in the morning when she gets her second wind!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Old Dog - New Trick
In response to: Old Dog - New Trick
Thanks for the cool graphic, CCToday. Lucy loves it ... although now she wants me to buy her a leather biker cap!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Foolish Times
In response to: Foolish Times
Capemom, I actually wrote four other potential blog entries on different subjects around the same time I was writing this one (which I don't normally do), and as it turns out this entry was the most cheerful. Just kidding, sort of. I'll probably be posting those other entries over the course of the month -- so I'll take a second look at them and see about lightening up the mood a bit. Maybe I'll add a knock-knock joke here and there. Something like this: Knock knock. Who's there. The bank. The bank who? No, really, it's the bank - you defaulted on your mortgage and we're here to begin foreclosure proceedings. After all, what good are bad times if you can't have a good laugh. In fact, I heard the Great Depression was a gas! Back in the 1930's people just laughed and laughed! Then again, they had the Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers. Honestly, though, I am disgusted with the current state of the country, but I haven't given up hope yet. I believe our best days are ahead of us. I am hedging my bets, though, and am storing up water and toilet paper in my basement just in case!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Closing the Book
In response to: Closing the Book
I must admit, McSheey and I have a lot in common. Besides sharing the names of "Thomas" and "John," I was named for saints Thomas and John while McSheey was named for Thomas Miggs and John Cromwell (17th century "warlocks" who dabbled in pagan rituals), we also share confusion over the arrangement of the alphabet. McSheey felt that instead of it being N,O,P,Q,R,S it should be N,O,P,R,Q,S. I, on the other hand, have always felt that a 27th letter should be added between L and M, something that perhaps looks like #. We also both share a sense of confusion over what the hell this life is all about. McSheey felt we were put here completely by accident, the product of random evolution. I, on the other hand, believe we were put here simply to pay our fair share of income tax. We also both share a deep love for dark chocolate, which of course ultimately led to McSheey's untimely death. (Which makes me ponder, Isn't any death "untimely"?). So, to answer your question, yes, McSheey is my alter ego, my second self, my other being, all except the eating squirrel thing - that's just gross!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Wisps of Smoke
In response to: Wisps of Smoke
Thanks for your comment. I'm sure McSheey would be grateful. McSheey, as some of you may have read in my earlier blogs, choked to death in 1935 on a piece of dark chocolate. Because of this, McSheey followers and fanatics refuse to give chocolates as gifts on Valentine's Day. In fact, they refuse to give flowers, too ... probably because McSheey was a pagan and disapproved of disturbing nature in any form. And, they refuse to dine out at expensive restaurants because McSheey lived a simple life and to spend money on such extravagances would go against McSheey's philosophy of living within one's means. As such, McSheey followers are rather lonely on Valentine's Day, prompting them to get together to play Dungeons & Dragons, and to sit around and discuss the existence of UFOs or the Loch Ness Monster, and to debate the origins of a closed or open universe, and to listen to Styx and ELO albums for secret imbedded messages ... not that I did any of these things on the Valentine's Days of my youth during the 1970's...
JTS [Member]
In response to: The North Side - A Seasonal View
In response to: The North Side - A Seasonal View
The Ice on the Marsh photo reminds me of a painting I saw on exhibit at the CMFA some 20+ years ago entitled "Breaking of the Winter Floe" -- I can't remember the artist, but the painting must have made an impression for I remember it still. And Water and Stone recalls Sabbaday Falls in NH --it's amazing what a cascade of water and a couple of million years can do. Thanks for the winter images and words.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Words of Winter
In response to: Words of Winter
And 'tis the higher heating and electric bills of winter that inspire few. Thanks for the comment.
PS: It looks like we're getting some good, old fashioned, Charlie Brown snow flurries out there this morning, conjuring up the melodies of Vince Guaraldi, and reminding us of the wisdom of Linus who points out that he never eats December snowflakes, waiting instead until January when they're "ripe."
PS: It looks like we're getting some good, old fashioned, Charlie Brown snow flurries out there this morning, conjuring up the melodies of Vince Guaraldi, and reminding us of the wisdom of Linus who points out that he never eats December snowflakes, waiting instead until January when they're "ripe."
JTS [Member]
In response to: Epiphany Epode
In response to: Epiphany Epode
Thanks for the comment, Jonathan ... although his landlord would insist that McSheey was truly a "Deadbeat poet"!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Confessions of a 110-Year Old Pilgrim
In response to: Confessions of a 110-Year Old Pilgrim
PS: Speaking of 110-year old women (I believe they're called supercentenarians), I just learned that the oldest person in the world just died yesterday at the age of 115 years! I once knew a 104-year old woman at a nursing home where I worked nearly 30 years ago who used to tell me about her father who fought in the Civil War! (PPS: The oldest person ever was a woman who lived to 122 years. Of course, in the Bible, Noah was said to have lived to something like 900 years, but that was because he ate manna from heaven.)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Confessions of a 110-Year Old Pilgrim
In response to: Confessions of a 110-Year Old Pilgrim
Incidentally, actual history shows that the last living Mayflower Pilgrim was Mary Allerton Cushman, who was born somewhere around 1615/1616/1617 and died on November 28, 1699 in her mid-80's.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Confessions of a 110-Year Old Pilgrim
In response to: Confessions of a 110-Year Old Pilgrim
I understand they dug up another grave, thinking it was Miles Standish's. Instead, it turned out to be the grave of the the bagel shop owner I mention in the blog. They could tell it was his grave because he was buried with a half dozen containers of cream cheese.
JTS [Member]
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
Casting back to this blog of mine from June 2007 ... This week Paul McCartney announced that he hoped to release a 14-minute piece of avant-garde "music" recorded by the Beatles back in 1967 entitled "Carnival of Light." Apparently, to release it, he needs to secure the approvals of Ringo and the widows of John and George, which may be tricky as it was reported that George Harrison was not in favor of its release. The piece was experimental, and was greatly influenced by the works of avant-garde musician John Cage, the subject of my June 2007 blog. Just an FYI update to anyone even remotely interested.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Epistles of St. Onehill
In response to: The Epistles of St. Onehill
As Clarice Starling would say in Silence of the Lambs, "Your anagrams are showing, doctor." Well, maybe not an anagram in this case, but the identity of "St. Onehill" does in fact come from the name of a certain small liberal arts college I attended back in the last century. As for "Leave-It," I don't know how much help I can provide. First of all, I am no longer a reference librarian. And second, I was never able to determine the total tonnage of leaf fall in the six New England states, although I did determine that there are some 97 different kinds of leaf bearing trees (oak, hickory, willow, birch, dogwood, etc). I hope this helps somewhat. Best of luck, del'Aqua -- of water?
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Midnight Ride of Abel Prescott
In response to: The Midnight Ride of Abel Prescott
Thanks for your comment. There are a lot of traditions that have fallen away over the years. Poetry, for example. How does poetry fit into this fast-paced 21st century world we have created? For instance, instead of cursing the oaks and maples for the leaves we rake this November, we should be reciting our Joyce Kilmer: "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree ... Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree." Perhaps only God can make a tree, but only this one particular little bakery in the North End can make a cannoli just the way my grandmother used to make them!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Weight of God (and a 1/2 peck of apples)
In response to: Weight of God (and a 1/2 peck of apples)
Thanks for the comments, folks. Dickinson is always a good choice, and she was a local poet -- I always like to support the local folk. As for God's robe, I think it was fleece given all the references to "shepherds tending their flocks" in the Bible, so I'll have to factor that into the equation. Well, off to the grocery store this morning -- I'll watch out for anyone wearing a polo shirt or anyone in horizontal stripes. (I'm a vertical stripe guy myself ... except when I wear flannel, then all bets are off).
JTS [Member]
In response to: Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
In response to: Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Oh great, just what New England needs ... another quarterback controversy. Go Cassel!!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fear of Jane Austen
In response to: Fear of Jane Austen
Yes, my book is available at Bourne Pub Lib ... so are all of Jane Austen's!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Skullduggery
In response to: Skullduggery
Actually, Boskop Man, with their large brain, learned all there was to learn here on the good planet earth and departed just before the last ice age for warmer climes on a planet in the Rigel system (constellation Orion). They quickly took over the planet from the simian race that once inhabited it and eventually became so bored that they blew it up with their out-of-control nuclear technology. Fortunately, the simians learned the secret of space travel just in time to escape the destruction. In fact, they're on their way here to planet earth ... should arrive in the next couple of years ... and boy, are they ticked off!!!
By the way, archeologists have discovered fossils of another early human, known as Bosox Man. According to evidence unearthed at dig sites throughout the northeastern section of the United States, all this creature did was sit on a couch and watch Boston Red Sox games. He eventually went extinct when the beer and potato chips ran out.
JTS
By the way, archeologists have discovered fossils of another early human, known as Bosox Man. According to evidence unearthed at dig sites throughout the northeastern section of the United States, all this creature did was sit on a couch and watch Boston Red Sox games. He eventually went extinct when the beer and potato chips ran out.
JTS
JTS [Member]
In response to: Crumpled Paper
In response to: Crumpled Paper
Actually, I'm currently working on a musical based on the life of Trotsky, it's entitled "Trotsky - The Man, The Myth, The Goatee."
As for Nevsky, I always thought his victory over the Livonians in the famed "Battle of the Ice" in 1242 had something to do with the Stanley Cup hockey finals -- my mistake. Boy, I wish I had lived during the 13th century. It seems that anyone who won a battle in the name of God in those days was made a Saint!
On a different subject, in some places the price of a gallon of gasoline is now eclipsing the price of a gallon of milk. What kind of a world have we created for ourselves where we have to choose between milk and gasoline?! Next we'll be choosing between food and medicine! Or between the electric bill and the heating bill! Or between Red Sox tickets and Celtics tickets! It's insane!!
As for Nevsky, I always thought his victory over the Livonians in the famed "Battle of the Ice" in 1242 had something to do with the Stanley Cup hockey finals -- my mistake. Boy, I wish I had lived during the 13th century. It seems that anyone who won a battle in the name of God in those days was made a Saint!
On a different subject, in some places the price of a gallon of gasoline is now eclipsing the price of a gallon of milk. What kind of a world have we created for ourselves where we have to choose between milk and gasoline?! Next we'll be choosing between food and medicine! Or between the electric bill and the heating bill! Or between Red Sox tickets and Celtics tickets! It's insane!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Homesickness ... and other maladies
In response to: Homesickness ... and other maladies
Thanks for your comment, dollye (a/k/a "D.B"). I do remember Tasty Tower of Pizza in D-port, now sadly finis. The only tower left in Dennis is Scargo Tower, but alas, they don't serve pizza. It's no wonder we never met back at BHS, with your last name starting with "B" and mine with "S," and with a student population of 700 in the 1980 graduating class. All my friends' last names were pretty much from "Q" to "Z," although I did know a "K" ... good old "K," I wonder what he's up to today. Thanks again for your comment. J.T.S. (a/k/a JTS)
JTS [Member]
In response to: "The Palm Reader" - A Lenten Novel
In response to: "The Palm Reader" - A Lenten Novel
Happy Easter to you, too, Monpo. Thanks for your message. Back from the dead.
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Routine Exam (Apologies to Katie Couric)
In response to: A Routine Exam (Apologies to Katie Couric)
You're right, Opinionater, the day-before prep is the worst part. I had the procedure done a couple of years ago (I received it as a 44th birthday present -- a gift card for a free colonoscopy and 20% off on all purchases in the hospital gift shop afterwards!). When it came time for the "big moment," the doctor told me to start counting backwards from 100. I got to about 99 1/2 and don't remember anything else until waking up in the recovery room. I only hope I didn't give away any government secrets while I was under sedation! (Although there was a CIA operative standing by just in case.)
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Case of the Green Monkey
In response to: The Case of the Green Monkey
"And where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns
Don't bother - they're here."
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
(Apologies to Stephen Sondheim)
Quick, send in the clowns
Don't bother - they're here."
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
(Apologies to Stephen Sondheim)
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Case of the Green Monkey
In response to: The Case of the Green Monkey
I find the whole "clown package" creepy. I'm not certain that it's just the nose or the feet or the flower that squirts water ... it's the whole clown thing. Blaaaarrrrggg! They give me the shivers.
An entire school filled with clowns! Actually, it kinda sounds like my old high school.
By the way, the author G. Thomas Butterworth is merely a fig newton of my imagination. Although there was an English composer named George Butterworth who produced some wonderful music (symphonic poems, mainly), but, alas, he died during WWI at the age of 31, killed by a sniper.
So, to answer your question, everything about a clown scares me.
An entire school filled with clowns! Actually, it kinda sounds like my old high school.
By the way, the author G. Thomas Butterworth is merely a fig newton of my imagination. Although there was an English composer named George Butterworth who produced some wonderful music (symphonic poems, mainly), but, alas, he died during WWI at the age of 31, killed by a sniper.
So, to answer your question, everything about a clown scares me.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Case of the Green Monkey
In response to: The Case of the Green Monkey
I take it you mean CLOWNS. Yes, I have a phobia of clowns, but also snakes, eels, many types of fish, tax forms (especially form 4562 - Depreciation & Amortization!), undercooked meat, anything that's left in the refrigerator too long, reality TV shows, any politician who claims he knows God personally, anyone standing nearby with a runny nose, anyone who speaks with me for longer than five minutes on the same subject, anyone who doesn't believe in evolution, carnival folk who attempt to get you to pay $2 to throw three wooden rings in a fruitless attempt to win worthless junk, porta-potties, and clowns. Oh ... I already mentioned clowns. In fact, long ago, at the circus, I saw a clown stepping out of a porta-potty at the Barnstable Fairgrounds and I thought I was going to pass out!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
Thank you for your comment and kudos ... or is it kudoes? Or kudi?
An update: I have since received three more Eddie Bauer emails, my plan of not eating breakfast and lunch to lose weight has derailed, I'm out of Sam Adams stout, and that part on the red wagon - it turns out it was important!
An update: I have since received three more Eddie Bauer emails, my plan of not eating breakfast and lunch to lose weight has derailed, I'm out of Sam Adams stout, and that part on the red wagon - it turns out it was important!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
Thanks for your comment(s). "Sense & Sensibility" and "Jane Eyre" are fine, and I enjoy such writers as Austen and Bronte and Bronte ("Wuthering Heights") and Chopin ("The Awakening"), but sometimes, as a guy, there's nothing like kicking back and watching a good, old hockey game on TV with a brew or two and a bag of roasted peanuts! Go Bruins!! Grunt! Grunt!!
PS: I especially like the 1944 version of "Jane Eyre" with Joan Fontaine as Jane Eyre, Orson Welles as the brooding Rochester, and a young Elizabeth Taylor as Helen. Damn, there I go again!
PS: I especially like the 1944 version of "Jane Eyre" with Joan Fontaine as Jane Eyre, Orson Welles as the brooding Rochester, and a young Elizabeth Taylor as Helen. Damn, there I go again!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
"Cool graphics by CCToday" are in my contract, along with cool lettering and free parking at their worldwide corporate offices.
Jane Austen-fest on WGBH - six Sunday nites in a row at 9:00 and repeating at 10:30. "Persuasion," "Pride & Prejudice," "Sense & Sensibility," etc. In case you miss it, here is the typical sequence of events of any Austen novel:
1) Girl loses boy
2) Girl loses boy even further without any hope of ever getting boy, or even talking with boy again, mainly due to their unbalanced social standing and further aided by some confusion over some gossip about the boy planning to marry the girl's cousin or best friend, yet it turns out that the girl is entirely mistaken over the true identity of the groom-to-be(which, instead of it being the boy she loves, it actually turns out to be the boy's brother, or naval buddy, or the owner of the local tavern)
3) Girl gets boy (after boy confesses to the girl his true romantic feelings which have been eating away at him for years and years even though he's been playing it rather nonchalant all this time).
4) The End
Jane Austen-fest on WGBH - six Sunday nites in a row at 9:00 and repeating at 10:30. "Persuasion," "Pride & Prejudice," "Sense & Sensibility," etc. In case you miss it, here is the typical sequence of events of any Austen novel:
1) Girl loses boy
2) Girl loses boy even further without any hope of ever getting boy, or even talking with boy again, mainly due to their unbalanced social standing and further aided by some confusion over some gossip about the boy planning to marry the girl's cousin or best friend, yet it turns out that the girl is entirely mistaken over the true identity of the groom-to-be(which, instead of it being the boy she loves, it actually turns out to be the boy's brother, or naval buddy, or the owner of the local tavern)
3) Girl gets boy (after boy confesses to the girl his true romantic feelings which have been eating away at him for years and years even though he's been playing it rather nonchalant all this time).
4) The End
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's kookaburra!
Just watched Jane Austen's "Persuasion" on WGBH. Boy, that Austen could sure write a TV screenplay! I understand that "Persuasion" was published posthumous, but frankly I didn't find it that funny.
Just watched Jane Austen's "Persuasion" on WGBH. Boy, that Austen could sure write a TV screenplay! I understand that "Persuasion" was published posthumous, but frankly I didn't find it that funny.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
In response to: Twelfth Day - The Lost Christmas Blog
Thanks. I don't know what a kookaburra is either. I just write the words. Cape Cod Today adds the graphics.
By the way, I like fruitcake, too. I don't understand where all the fruitcake jokes come from. Heck, getting a fruitcake is better than getting a stockingful of coal ... unless you have a coal burning stove, I suppose.
By the way, I like fruitcake, too. I don't understand where all the fruitcake jokes come from. Heck, getting a fruitcake is better than getting a stockingful of coal ... unless you have a coal burning stove, I suppose.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Main Street, Dennis, Mass
In response to: Main Street, Dennis, Mass
As a part-time mailman delivering up to three different routes in good ole South Dennis-02660, I am often stopped in the middle of the road (as I'm sitting on the right side of my vehicle with my left leg stretched over as far as it can go to reach the gas and brake pedals!) and asked for directions. How quaint! I think I'll use Solon's response from now on: "Which Mayfair Road are you talking about?"
JTS [Member]
In response to: A (Rather Dark) Yuletide Carol
In response to: A (Rather Dark) Yuletide Carol
Merry Christmas, Monpo et al. Blog explanation ... What if Poe or Lovecraft wrote a Christmas carol? What would be the result? A (Rather Dark) Christmas Carol, I imagine. Merry, merry!
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Cup of Dennis-To-Go
In response to: A Cup of Dennis-To-Go
Good call, Solon, on Seven Beans. Also, since I mentioned Cumby's and Tedeschi's, I should also mention Christy's in Dennisport. Someday I'm going to do a thorough count of all the coffee-to-go joints in town. And then there are all the local breakfast restuarants - Breakfast Room, Grumpy's, Red Cottage, etc. Oh boy, this could be a huge list. I'll have to come up with a coffee-shops-per-capita ratio and then we can compare it to other towns ... Dennis has the lowest taxes per capita and yet the highest coffee shop per capita on Cape.
By the way, whatever coffee I make but don't drink in the morning becomes iced coffee for later that day. Although, with the storm coming I had better stick to hot coffee for today!
By the way, whatever coffee I make but don't drink in the morning becomes iced coffee for later that day. Although, with the storm coming I had better stick to hot coffee for today!
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Canon of Holiday Favorites
In response to: A Canon of Holiday Favorites
That's about as political as I get.
Now back to the Christmas music...
Fa-la-la-la-laaa-la-la-la-laaaaa!
Now back to the Christmas music...
Fa-la-la-la-laaa-la-la-la-laaaaa!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Cape Cod Books That Go Bump in the Night
In response to: Cape Cod Books That Go Bump in the Night
Hi folks. There's "A Book of New England Legends & Folklore in Prose & Poetry" by Samuel Adams Drake (1833-1905). This book combines three of my favorite things: Ghost stories, Samuel Adams beer (I prefer Oktoberfest), and Drakes Cakes (I prefer Yodels). Others include: Jasper's brace of ghost books -"Haunted Cape Cod & the Islands" and "Haunted Inns of New England," Nadler's "Haunted Island" (about Martha's Vineyard), Balliett's "Nantucket Ghosts," Gordon and Joseph's "Cape Encounters," and Reynard's tome "Narrow Land" for local folklore and tales. Stop by the Dennis Public Library or your local library for these titles and others. Now let me get back to raking leaves!!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Extrapolating Nigh Infinity
In response to: Extrapolating Nigh Infinity
Not at all (not sure how to came to that conclusion seeing that I did not mention any of them in the text of my blog). I was simply finding a way to finish out my blog, and my style usually involves taking something mentioned earlier, such as the Big Crunch, and working it into the ending. Big Crunch? Hmmm ... Big Crunch. Hmmmm ... I'm sorry, I'm suddenly hungry for a Nestle Crunch bar. Pardon me while I quickly run out to the grocery store.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Extrapolating Nigh Infinity
In response to: Extrapolating Nigh Infinity
The best thing about the Big Crunch is that all my bills will be gone, crushed out of existence by the infinite gravitational pull of the entire universe reduced down to the size of a single atom. Unless that Nigh Infinity gets in the way!
JTS [Member]
In response to: What Would Jesus Do?
In response to: What Would Jesus Do?
I think Jesus was a tennis player. The Scriptures state that instead of volleying for serve He would say, "Let he who is without sin cast the first serve," which really irked his disciples because that meant He always won the honors. Biblical scholars claim that Jesus had a great serve, but His backhand was weak (according to the recently discovered Gospel of St. James the Lesser, who besides being a disciple was also His doubles partner).
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fatal crash in Yarmouth; State Police, civilian collide in Dennis; Boat vs. power line in Dennis; another boat falls off trailer in traffic
In response to: Fatal crash in Yarmouth; State Police, civilian collide in Dennis; Boat vs. power line in Dennis; another boat falls off trailer in traffic
Thank God the mailbox was spared.
-JTS, Part time USPS Mail Carrier
-JTS, Part time USPS Mail Carrier
JTS [Member]
In response to: What Would Jesus Do?
In response to: What Would Jesus Do?
Tivo wasn't around in 33 AD. Of course, neither were the Bruins. As for the Red Sox ... wasn't that the year Williams batted .406?
JTS [Member]
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
I'll go with the sushi ... and a sake (a/k/a saki) chaser.
(Hangout with Mrs. Howell, of course! I want to be the Skipper.)
(Hangout with Mrs. Howell, of course! I want to be the Skipper.)
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Man Named Apes
In response to: A Man Named Apes
The Irish story is made up -- just for kicks and giggles as the Brits would say. Most of my stuff on this blog is, let's say, off-center (see my last couple of postings as examples). But, this story about Apes, and my story about Dennis seafarers, and other stuff that I recently posted about Cape Cod history is true (as are the tales in my new book "Cape Cod Harvest"). Sorry for the confusion with the Irish bit. Just for laughs ... although I do believe there is a legend that the Irish got here first!
JTS [Member]
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
Joni Mitchell, hmmm, she's cool - I always liked the song "Free Man in Paris" - didn't she also sing "Freeman in Montana"? Let's see, now how does it go:
I was a Freeman in Montana
I felt alone and deprived
Federal Marshalls at my front door
No one's getting inside
Harpo Marx - didn't he write the Communist Manifesto?
Any creature with the ability to grow new body parts really freaks me out!
Gilligan's Island - now there's an inexhaustible topic. Of course there was always the Ginger/Mary Ann debate - you know, if you were stranded on a desert island who would you rather be stranded with, Ginger or Mary Ann? The movie star or the baker of coconut cream pies? (With Mary Ann and her pies, wouldn't it be called a DESSERT island? Hahah) Well, I have to admit, the decision was always clear to me ... it would have to be Mrs. Howell! (She wore such pretty hats)
I was a Freeman in Montana
I felt alone and deprived
Federal Marshalls at my front door
No one's getting inside
Harpo Marx - didn't he write the Communist Manifesto?
Any creature with the ability to grow new body parts really freaks me out!
Gilligan's Island - now there's an inexhaustible topic. Of course there was always the Ginger/Mary Ann debate - you know, if you were stranded on a desert island who would you rather be stranded with, Ginger or Mary Ann? The movie star or the baker of coconut cream pies? (With Mary Ann and her pies, wouldn't it be called a DESSERT island? Hahah) Well, I have to admit, the decision was always clear to me ... it would have to be Mrs. Howell! (She wore such pretty hats)
JTS [Member]
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
As long as you don't turn me into Newt Gingrich. (see www.newt.org) Or a Fig Newton (see www.nabiscoworld.com) Or Tony from "Who's the Boss" (see www.wtbr.com) I think that about covers it.
JTS [Member]
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
Bittersweet, I'm sorry, I meant to include you in my earlier response (see 10/02/07 pm @ 10:30 pm), but I was getting sleepy after a long day of car repair, work, "Who's the Boss" marathon, etc. In response to your earlier comment, isn't there a special offer by the Zodiac these days - Buy 12 moons and get the 13th moon free! But seriously, I agree as you stated above: Pooooof ... gone ... and the world will be a much better place ... with free parking for all!
Ahhh, a brand new day is before us. What will we make of it? And will Tony and Angela finally smooch? We'll have to watch "Who's the Boss" to find out!
Ahhh, a brand new day is before us. What will we make of it? And will Tony and Angela finally smooch? We'll have to watch "Who's the Boss" to find out!
JTS [Member]
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
In response to: An Inconvenient Tooth
Dear {Insert Your Name Here}:
Folks, I appreciate your comments, even though I don't quite understand all of them. Let me try to respond -- Deltaman, I have thought of running for office, perhaps even for the office of US President, but I'm about $30 million shy. And besides, it would mean getting a haircut and a shave. Diana, I think the Killer Moon is the full moon in November (or is that the Turkey Moon?). Hey, if you cast spells at that beach bonfire, just don't turn me into a newt ... I hate when that happens. Dagny, a very happy birthday to your daughter on the 25th. And Blogspotter ... I'm not certain how to respond, so I'll just leave it at that. On that note, Goodnight, God Bless, and Amen. (Two minutes allowed for rebuttal)
Folks, I appreciate your comments, even though I don't quite understand all of them. Let me try to respond -- Deltaman, I have thought of running for office, perhaps even for the office of US President, but I'm about $30 million shy. And besides, it would mean getting a haircut and a shave. Diana, I think the Killer Moon is the full moon in November (or is that the Turkey Moon?). Hey, if you cast spells at that beach bonfire, just don't turn me into a newt ... I hate when that happens. Dagny, a very happy birthday to your daughter on the 25th. And Blogspotter ... I'm not certain how to respond, so I'll just leave it at that. On that note, Goodnight, God Bless, and Amen. (Two minutes allowed for rebuttal)
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Ahmadinejad Anagrams
In response to: The Ahmadinejad Anagrams
Way to go, athy! Another revealing anagram added to the Book of Quelps lore: Jane hid Adam. (Or perhaps, Adam hid Jane!)
My question: Does Eve know about Jane and Adam?
Follow up question: Does Dick know?
Follow up question to the follow up question: Does Spot know?
Let's see, we'll have to rewrite the book:
"See Dick run. See Jane run. See Adam run. See Dick run after Jane and Adam. See Spot bite Adam on the shin. See Jane file for divorce to marry Adam. See Adam admit to Jane that he's already married to Eve and is the father of two sons, Cain and Abel. See Jane slap Adam across the face and beg Dick to take her back. See Dick run off to Cancun with his secretary. The End."
My question: Does Eve know about Jane and Adam?
Follow up question: Does Dick know?
Follow up question to the follow up question: Does Spot know?
Let's see, we'll have to rewrite the book:
"See Dick run. See Jane run. See Adam run. See Dick run after Jane and Adam. See Spot bite Adam on the shin. See Jane file for divorce to marry Adam. See Adam admit to Jane that he's already married to Eve and is the father of two sons, Cain and Abel. See Jane slap Adam across the face and beg Dick to take her back. See Dick run off to Cancun with his secretary. The End."
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Ahmadinejad Anagrams
In response to: The Ahmadinejad Anagrams
I have to admit, that bit about "badly in need of a shave" is somewhat autobiographical ... so I don't hold his unshaven look against him. His stance on the Holocaust not happening, and his potential role during the Iran hostage crisis back in 1979/80, and his interest in nuclear power/weapons, and his overall warped world view -- I do hold all that against him! As for him not wearing a tie, heck, you can't get into a decent NYC restaurant without a tie, how did he get into the UN without one! At least he didn't take off his shoe and bang it on the podium! PS: Thanks for the kudos, Opinionater.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Levitating with St. Joseph of Cupertino
In response to: Levitating with St. Joseph of Cupertino
I always liked Father Dowling (sp?) Mysteries, even though Fr. Dowling couldn't levitate. Neither could Bing Crosby in "Going My Way." Nor could Father Mulchahy on M*A*S*H, although he flew in a helicopter in one episode. Nor could Father Mapple in Moby Dick (now that would be something, considering that Orson Welles played the role). I think we need more TV shows featuring levitating clergy. This walking on the earth business is for the birds ... well, actually, not literally for the birds because birds fly ... welll ... you know what I mean!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Levitating with St. Joseph of Cupertino
In response to: Levitating with St. Joseph of Cupertino
See, like I told you, under 100 pounds is the trick. Get down around 95 pounds or so and even Hurricane Bob will get you levitating! One pound per mph of wind is the formula, I think. (In which case, I need a Category 5 hurricane!)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Proven Wrong (by the Soviets)
In response to: Proven Wrong (by the Soviets)
How about this quote: "The only thing I'm certain of is that nothing is for certain." Which is sort of a logic paradox, for if nothing is for certain in the first place then how can one say: "The only thing I'm certain of..." Anyway, I think I made up that quote, but to be honest I'm not absolutely certain. Thanks for the comments, folks. I'll be circulating a petition to have Pluto reinstated as a full-fledged planet -- just a little heads up. Regards, JTS
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Man Named Apes
In response to: A Man Named Apes
Thanks for your comment. There is so much interesting history (and so many crazy factoids)attached to the Cape. For instance, few people realize that Cape Cod was discovered by the Irish back around 950 AD. It turns out that about a dozen of the lads made off with a keg of ale in a small boat just off Galway Bay. A wind came up ... and the next thing you know they awoke, hungover, on Nauset Beach. The leader of the group, a fellow named Finnbarr Son of Finnbarr named the place Niwe Eire (New Ireland) and then uttered these now famous words in his native Gaelic tongue: "Mise ceartas tir i gcomhair Eire, anois direach tabhair mise leann!" which loosely translates as "I claim this land for Ireland, now bring me a beer!" And the rest, as they say, is history.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Mad as Hell at the News
In response to: Mad as Hell at the News
To address your comments: 1) I'm not sure I understand the librarian comment - all I can say in response is that librarians are people, too, just like you and me ... except the folks at the Library of Congress, of course, they're androids; 2) I realize that the evening news is no longer "the news," replaced by the likes of CNN and FOX News, etc, but the people who watch the evening news on ABC, CBS, NBC are a core group of voters who vote based on what they see on the evening news (which is a scary thing) - hey, let's not forget that CNN, FOX News, even the news on PBS and on public radio is not without their individual agendas (or is it agendums?), 3) I miss the old news with the Commies and the bomb - that was news you could really sink your teeth into!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ben Stein
In response to: Ben Stein
Maybe I'm thinking of Pat Buchanan rather than Ben Stein (as a Nixon speech writer). I saw Stein on TV last night on some show. Enjoying Myrbie & Dax -- looking forward to future adventures.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fasting for Pluto
In response to: Fasting for Pluto
I know an older gentleman who can say, "When I was your age, Pluto wasn't even discovered yet!"
I have a soft spot for the former 9th planet. You see, Pluto's plight is much like our own. We drift through the cosmic void of space in search of meaning. Every new day provides new discoveries. We're constantly growing, learning, understanding more and more of the world around us. Then, suddenly, we're "discovered." We achieve some level of "greatness," we're in our prime - we're a planet on an equal footing with the likes of Jupiter and Saturn. After a time, though, we plateau, and then we enter a period of decline. Eventually, we're cast aside as something insignificant - a measly "drawf" world. Yet, throughout all these phases from growth to decline it's our continuing quest for relevance that sustains us, that causes us to continue to push forward toward new horizons. God bless all the Plutos out there who continue to play a vital part in this universe ... despite the odds!
I have a soft spot for the former 9th planet. You see, Pluto's plight is much like our own. We drift through the cosmic void of space in search of meaning. Every new day provides new discoveries. We're constantly growing, learning, understanding more and more of the world around us. Then, suddenly, we're "discovered." We achieve some level of "greatness," we're in our prime - we're a planet on an equal footing with the likes of Jupiter and Saturn. After a time, though, we plateau, and then we enter a period of decline. Eventually, we're cast aside as something insignificant - a measly "drawf" world. Yet, throughout all these phases from growth to decline it's our continuing quest for relevance that sustains us, that causes us to continue to push forward toward new horizons. God bless all the Plutos out there who continue to play a vital part in this universe ... despite the odds!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ben Stein
In response to: Ben Stein
Wasn't Stein a Nixon speech writer? I believe he had something to do with the Nixon administration.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Reluctant Poet
In response to: The Reluctant Poet
Thanks for your comment, Blogfather. I'm experimenting with Off the Shelf (which has seen lots of twists and turns over the past two years) ... seeing where it leads me ... "in search of the lost chord" you might say, to borrow a trippy 1968 Moody Blues album title. Thanks for allowing me the freedom to be creative, and thanks to the readers that have made the journey. I appreciate your interest and your comments as I continue on my "search." By the way, Uncle Edgar was in search of the lost chord as well, and he found it. Unfortunately, it was a cord of wood, which was dumped on top of him! Poor Edgar. RIP. While I have you -- CCToday readers, if you want to read some of my more "down to earth" stuff, check out the August 07 issue of Cape Cod Life magazine for my article on the building of the Pilgrim Monument. Bad poetry not included! JTS
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Flock of Comments - Part 3
In response to: A Flock of Comments - Part 3
Kalmus Beach is in Hyannis, near the mouth of the ha-a-a-hbor, just south of the JFK Memorial. It's named for Herbert Kalmus, the inventor of the Technicolor film process. He had a summer home in Centerville at what is now the Fernbrook Inn on the beautiful main street of that wonderful Cape village. There, he entertained show biz personalities like Walt Disney and C.B. DeMille. It's an impressive building full of interesting rooms ... I think Cardinal Cushing stayed there once or twice, and Jackie-O and JFK (I think). Olmstead designed the gardens (he did Central Park). And the actress that played Diane on Cheers stayed there once, or so said one of the housekeepers. Too much info, huh?
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Story of my love
In response to: The Story of my love
If my math is correct, which it often is not hence the chaotic state of my checkbook, then your wedding date nearly coincides with the date of Hawaii's statehood (08/21/59), given the rotation of the earth, the gravitational pull of the Pleiades, a coefficient to be named later, and the uncertainty principle. By the way, that "coefficient to be named later" comes in quite handy in balancing the ol' checkbook.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Happy Herbert Hoover Day!
In response to: Happy Herbert Hoover Day!
We could have a whole Cheech & Chong Day sometime in August, perhaps wedged in between Hoover Day and Woodstock Days! I see picnics, kite flying, sing-a-longs, sack races, drug busts -- could be great fun! I remember seeing "Up In Smoke" (or was it "Cheech & Chong's Next Movie"?) at the Dennisport Cinema back in the late-70's. That building is now a church. Makes ya think, doesn't it?
JTS [Member]
In response to: Lost (Pen) Weekend
In response to: Lost (Pen) Weekend
The strange thing is --- I think it was a Cape Cod Bank & Trust pen! (I once worked there in the Marketing Dept before Banknorth came along and gave me the ol' pink slip)
By the way, WB, you're low on eggs and beer. And there's something way in the back of your refrigerator that looks like a science experiment -- you might want to toss that one out.
By the way, WB, you're low on eggs and beer. And there's something way in the back of your refrigerator that looks like a science experiment -- you might want to toss that one out.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Meet the iPhone...maybe
In response to: Meet the iPhone...maybe
I stopped into a Radio Shack today (for gift ideas for my soon-to-be 17-year-old son) and felt as if I had just walked onto the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Nothing made sense to me (despite the more than helpful sales associate). All this technology is way over my head. I don't use an iPod, or an MP3 player, or a PSP, or a flatscreen TV, or a palm pilot (??), or a Blackberry, or a Blueberry, or a Strawberry, or a laptop, or anything wireless, or that GPS stuff, or even a cell phone. Heck, my car doesn't even have air conditioning. Personally, I resist all technology -- after all, they are the tools of SATAN! Just give me a good piece of charcoal and a cave wall to draw upon ... and I'm all set!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Steal This Blog
In response to: Steal This Blog
I'm not kidding when I say, "but boy it was a great time." Today's times are bland by comparison. Back in the 70's things were not so good, but I felt connected to the "not so goodness." Despite the bad times there was something that glued us all together. When Carter came on TV and told us all to snap out of our national feeling of malaise and to turn down our thermostats to save energy (in his much criticized and occasionally praised Malaise Speech ... not to be mistaken with his often misunderstood Mayonnaise Speech) it struck a chord with me - so much so that I still keep the house temp down as if it's the "patriotic" thing to do. Today we get all bent out of shape over $3.oo per gallon gasoline, but no one seems to respond when US servicemen are KIA almost daily over in Iraq. We need to get back to becoming connected. Personally, I try to inject the good parts of the 70's into my daily life here in the 2000's, that being my belief in the overall goodness of mankind.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Steal This Blog
In response to: Steal This Blog
I do miss the period of the 1970's. You knew you were alive back then. We were at war, the economy was terrible, inflation was out of control, the job market was miserable, the future looked downright bleak, our president and vice president resigned in disgrace, Three Mile Island nearly melted down, Iran had taken our embassy staff hostage, we were always on the brink of WWIII with the Soviet Union, and as a country we were in an overall dismal state of malaise ... but boy, it was a great time!
JTS [Member]
In response to: You can take the boy out of the newsroom...
In response to: You can take the boy out of the newsroom...
Howdy Blogfather, I just read the article in the Globe before seeing your blog. Imagine my surprise when I saw you quoted in the article! News just seems to find you! Enjoy the rest of your vacation, if you can. What was that Capt Jack Sparrow says in Pirates 2: "Hide the rum!"
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fear of the Weather
In response to: Fear of the Weather
Thanks for your suggestion, Monponsett. Now, just so I'm clear -- should I be adding any Kahlua to that milk?
PS: Is it jalapeno or jalepeno? I can't find either in my 1965 edition of Webster's Dictionary. (Yes, I am a tad behind the times)
PS: Is it jalapeno or jalepeno? I can't find either in my 1965 edition of Webster's Dictionary. (Yes, I am a tad behind the times)
JTS [Member]
In response to: As Bare As You Dare
In response to: As Bare As You Dare
Ever since we were kindly asked to leave the Garden of Eden (after that whole "apple thing"), clothing while bicycling has become mandatory. Good thing, because if I were ever driving along in my 91 Chevy Lumina and suddenly saw a woman on a bike sans clothing I'd probably end up off the road in a ditch.
JTS [Member]
In response to: I Ain't No Holla' Back Girl
In response to: I Ain't No Holla' Back Girl
Let me try that again: WAIT a minute ... there's a Graffiti Task Force?! How did I not know about this? I have to get out more.
(Too early on a Sunday morning to be literate)
(Too early on a Sunday morning to be literate)
JTS [Member]
In response to: I Ain't No Holla' Back Girl
In response to: I Ain't No Holla' Back Girl
What a minute ... there's a Graffiti Task Force?! How did I not know about this? I have to get out more.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fear of the Weather
In response to: Fear of the Weather
Jalepenos (Jalepenoes?) can be scary, especially if you suddenly find yourself with an empty water glass and your waitress is MIA. Perhaps we should line the borders with jalepeno(e)s -- it might keep the terrorists out of the country ... and provide our homeland security border patrol with something to snack on.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fear of the Weather
In response to: Fear of the Weather
Terrorist puppets!! Just what I need!! Isn't it bad enough that I'm afraid of clowns ... now I have to be fearful of puppets, too!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fear of the Weather
In response to: Fear of the Weather
When I was a kid growing up in Braintree in the late 60's/early 70's, we would listen to WJDA radio out of Quincy on snowy mornings to see if there was school that day. The weatherman would always recite a short weather-related poem - I can only remember one line: "a breeze in the trees." I've put a call in to WJDA this morning to see if anyone there remembers the whole poem. Will update.
JTS [Member]
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
Yes, but you did look at it.
Cage believed that the element of choice should be removed from the composer's/artist's palette. Hence the coin flips to determine the next musical note. What may look very much like a case of the "emperor's new clothes" is actually an interesting experiment in chaotic, random creation - which, by the way, is most likely how this whole universe was created some 15 billion years ago. There certainly couldn't have been an overall plan to the universe -- a quick look at the IRS tax code proves that.
Or perhaps it is a case of the "emperor's new clothes," in which case I'm actually wearing a Nehru jacket, a pair of red-white-and-blue striped pants and a pair of clown shoes.
Cage believed that the element of choice should be removed from the composer's/artist's palette. Hence the coin flips to determine the next musical note. What may look very much like a case of the "emperor's new clothes" is actually an interesting experiment in chaotic, random creation - which, by the way, is most likely how this whole universe was created some 15 billion years ago. There certainly couldn't have been an overall plan to the universe -- a quick look at the IRS tax code proves that.
Or perhaps it is a case of the "emperor's new clothes," in which case I'm actually wearing a Nehru jacket, a pair of red-white-and-blue striped pants and a pair of clown shoes.
JTS [Member]
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
Cage would also compose works based purely on chance --- he would flip a coin to determine the next musical note. I usually flip a coin to determine whether or not to pay the mortgage.
By the way, I played the violin in 3rd grade (poorly, I might add). At the beginning of 4th grade I was kindly asked to take up a sport instead.
Oh, by the way Opinionater, ghuisnu bwihdd slehjfu fofifnigu.
By the way, I played the violin in 3rd grade (poorly, I might add). At the beginning of 4th grade I was kindly asked to take up a sport instead.
Oh, by the way Opinionater, ghuisnu bwihdd slehjfu fofifnigu.
JTS [Member]
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
In response to: 4'33" (revisited)
In 1952, avant-garde composer John Cage created 4'33", a piece of music for piano four minutes and 33 seconds long during which no notes whatsoever are played. The work consists of three movements - all tacet (Latin for "silent"). The pianist sits before the piano and plays nothing, allowing the random noises in the building (perhaps even the coughing and sneezing of the audience) to become the "music."
So, this blog entry is my "written word" tribute to Cage's 4'33". After all, there's too much chatter in the world today ... a little silence once in a while can be a welcome respite.
I'll allow readers' comments (if there are any) fill in the blanks.
JTS
So, this blog entry is my "written word" tribute to Cage's 4'33". After all, there's too much chatter in the world today ... a little silence once in a while can be a welcome respite.
I'll allow readers' comments (if there are any) fill in the blanks.
JTS
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ant Attack!!
In response to: Ant Attack!!
Thanks for the tips "oh the huge manatee!" I just got your handle - "oh the huge manatee!" is from "Oh, the humanity!" when the Hindenburg blew up. Am I right? "Oh, the humanity!!!"
JTS [Member]
In response to: Tourism: We Can Do Better
In response to: Tourism: We Can Do Better
I don't understand why everyone is so mad at the tourists. I love tourists. They are people just like you and me, except they can't find Route 28, and Route 6A, and West Dennis Beach, and Sandy Neck Beach, and Coast Guard Beach, and Marconi Beach, and Kalmus Beach, and the Cape Cod Mall, and Main Street Hyannis, and Main Street Chatham, and any of the lighthouses,and any miniature golf course, and 90% of the restaurants, and Provincetown, and the Cape Cod National Seashore, and Route 6 East, and Route 6 West, and the Bass River Bridge, and the Sagamore Bridge, and the Bourne Bridge, and the Orleans Rotary (which is actually in Eastham, but don't tell them that - it will only add to their confusion), and Routes 137 & 124 & 39 & 130 & 134 & 132 & 151, and ... and ... what was I saying about loving the tourists?
JTS [Member]
In response to: Tourism: We Can Do Better
In response to: Tourism: We Can Do Better
Oh, come on, poor customer service is just part of the whole Yankee experience that the tourists have come to expect from us hard scrabbled New Englanders. It's part of the vacation package they've paid good money to receive. We don't want our Cape tourists to go away upset that they didn't get the whole package - do we? So let's get out there and put on a really good show for the tourists ... and don't forget to say things like "Ya can't get there from here," and "If ya don't like the New England weather, then wait a minute" and "pahked the cahr in Harvard yard" and stuff like that. They eat that stuff up! So get into "growl mode" and don't forget to call anyone who asks you for directions to Route 28 a "Chowderhead"!!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ant Attack!!
In response to: Ant Attack!!
Ant update!...Ant update!...Ant update!... Saw two ants in the bathroom. One alive, the other looking like it was either dead or very, very asleep. That was enough for me. So, I turned on the outside shower for the summer season ... to discover a new pest -- those darn green caterpillars. There's no escape!! We're surrounded!!! Call in the Marines!!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Torch Has Been Passed
In response to: The Torch Has Been Passed
TO: Prof Riley ...Let's just say there has been a shift in the balance of power. My son is perhaps an inch taller than me -- yes, there is a bit of teasing. He's getting stronger by the day...and I'm getting grayer. He doesn't wear my clothes -- I tend to wear plaid shirts, which aren't too cool for a 17 year old. Basically I'm still in charge, but I'm feeling more and more like Darth Vader toward the end of Return of the Jedi to his Luke Skywalker. May the force be with me!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ant Attack!!
In response to: Ant Attack!!
Well, that does it Opinionater, now I'm off popsicles. So much for my popsicle diet. (By the way, they are killer ants - they're about 20 feet long, 10 feet tall, and make a strange buzzing sound ... oh wait, that's my cell phone ... Hello, Hello? Help me, I'm under attack from killer ants! I need a flamethrower! Quick!!)
By the way, I've been informed by some concerned planet earth citizens here at the library that my mention of chemical warfare against the ants goes against the philosophy of Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring and an advocate against the use of chemicals in our environment (she died in 1964 from cancer caused by DDT). This Saturday, at the Dennis Public Library, GreenCAPE is celebrating her 100th birthday at noon with a showing of Carson's 1963 CBS interview with Eric Sevareid. Discussion and cake to follow. People are asked to refrain from using chemicals on their lawns, under their bathroom sinks, etc on Sunday (May 27 - Carson's actual birthday) ... so I better do all my ant killing on Saturday! Now where did I put that Diazinon??!!
By the way, I've been informed by some concerned planet earth citizens here at the library that my mention of chemical warfare against the ants goes against the philosophy of Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring and an advocate against the use of chemicals in our environment (she died in 1964 from cancer caused by DDT). This Saturday, at the Dennis Public Library, GreenCAPE is celebrating her 100th birthday at noon with a showing of Carson's 1963 CBS interview with Eric Sevareid. Discussion and cake to follow. People are asked to refrain from using chemicals on their lawns, under their bathroom sinks, etc on Sunday (May 27 - Carson's actual birthday) ... so I better do all my ant killing on Saturday! Now where did I put that Diazinon??!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ant Attack!!
In response to: Ant Attack!!
That's 'cause they're all over here at my house. I'll tell 'em you said "Hi."
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Lesser Irish Poets, etc.
In response to: The Lesser Irish Poets, etc.
Moreau? As in "The Island of Dr. Moreau"? (HG Wells) ... Spooky stuff!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Occasional Piece of Fiction
In response to: The Occasional Piece of Fiction
Re: Dahl -- I could write a short story in all the dirt on my car, which comes in handy when I'm driving around and come up with a really bright idea. Fortunately, I get my best ideas when I'm fully awake rather than when dozing off. I also do some of my best driving when I'm fully awake. Which brings us back to the issue of the dirty car. I really need to get it cleaned. Which means I need to buy some paper or a notebook if creativity strikes while out driving. Man, this writing business is becoming complicated!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Lesser Irish Poets, etc.
In response to: The Lesser Irish Poets, etc.
In theatrical circles, it's bad luck to refer to the play by its actual name - Macbeth. So, they call it "The Scottish Play." As for me, I've always found it to be back luck when people refer to me by my actual name - John. (For example: "Hello, John, this is the IRS calling. We have discovered a major discrepancy in your last tax return" or "Well, John, as your doctor I recommend we perform a colonoscopy") That's why I go by "Jack."
JTS [Member]
In response to: My Life in Sitcoms
In response to: My Life in Sitcoms
A face only a mother could love. Great show. Every character was perfect. And Silvers was in top form!
JTS [Member]
In response to: My Life in Sitcoms
In response to: My Life in Sitcoms
Great post, Opinionater. Dick Van Dyke show - an absolute classic. The Chuckles the Clown episode of MTM - brilliant. For my taste, episodes of the BBC's Fawlty Towers (with John Cleese of Monty Python fame) are perhaps the funniest things ever done in the English language. But how about the Sgt. Bilko series with Phil Silvers? Absolute comic genius. Perhaps the funniest US TV program of all time. In my humble opinion.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Travel: The Bahamas
In response to: Travel: The Bahamas
I read your comment quickly without my glasses on and thought you wrote "embalming" husband instead of "enabling" husband. Hmmmm. As far as flying goes, I don't mind flying so much, my only problem rests with the nagging notion of the flight suddenly ending well short of its scheduled arrival time (as in slamming into a mountain or splashing down into the sea!). By the way - I haven't been to the Bahamas since 1969 ... is it still an island? Or by now has continental drift connected it to Florida?
JTS [Member]
In response to: Ajgggrjgn hjfhslfjs'l
In response to: Ajgggrjgn hjfhslfjs'l
Glad to see there are others who share my thinking. Which is a scary thing for those folks who don't share my thinking. Either way you slice it, it's as plain as the Gkgrepjogerger on your face that things need to change, and fast. For instance, Milky Way bars - they need to be larger. I think if we begin with candy bars - putting into place federal laws and guidelines governing their size and thus increasing their calorie content - everything else in the world will fall neatly into place. Imagine the ripple effect. After we have the candy bar situation resolved, we can move on to putting into place an asteroid defense system. Because let's face it, why do all this work on candy bars if the candy aisle at the local store is just gonna get snuffed out by a big ol' asteroid anyway ... on second thought, yes, yes I believe I am speaking in tongues.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Eve Diaries
In response to: The Eve Diaries
Was not aware of Twain's Adam & Eve diaries. I'll have to look it up at the library. I'm always afraid when I type the word "diary" that I'm going to type "dairy" instead ... which would be confusing as all heck with thoughts of milk and cheese and cream. What's the rule ... "i" before "a" unless you're making an omelette? (or is it omelet?)
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Eve Diaries
In response to: The Eve Diaries
Thanks for your comments, Kathleen and Capemom. On a personal note, I believe women to be the stronger sex of the species ... and not only because my younger sister used to beat me up when we were kids! But because women do all the heavy lifting in life - physically, mentally, spiritually, grocery shoppingly, etc. Thank God for women! They're the most beautiful thing ever created!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Duct Tape Letters
In response to: The Duct Tape Letters
You may be right, wolfram. But my son's PSP is evil ... pure, concentrated EVIL!!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Flock of Comments - Part 2
In response to: A Flock of Comments - Part 2
Thanks for the comment, wolfram. I can only be pushed so far when it come to my dog. I think we should all write poems of disgust (or disgusting poetry) and send them to all the top dog food producers, with a cc to the People's Republic!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: O, For a Cot in the Wilderness!
In response to: O, For a Cot in the Wilderness!
Thanks, Margot. I always feel it's good to have a plan. My overall goal is to live to 100, thereby providing me the time necessary to achieve the other goals mentioned. Which means I have 55 years, 4 months, 12 days, and about 16 3/4 hours left (not including leap years)!
JTS [Member]
In response to: O, For a Cot in the Wilderness!
In response to: O, For a Cot in the Wilderness!
I'm not proposing that I become an unwashed hairy hermit living in the woods like Jeremiah Johnson...Heavens, no, there would be plenty of intellectual interaction (and regular showers). I'm just saying I'd like to "Simplify, Simplify" like Thoreau proposed, whom you happen to mention. I have read some of his stuff and I agree with a good deal of his philosophy (except for the part about spending a night in jail ... I wouldn't get any sleep wondering if somebody in the cell was going to steal my pillow!)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Remotely Resembling Relevance
In response to: Remotely Resembling Relevance
Thanks, Opinionator. Reading, writing, and conversation sounds good enough for me. As long as I have my wits I can continue to accomplish all of the above. But if I were ever to misplace my brain ... well, then that's a different matter. (Don't worry, I'll go easy on the pipe smoking ... maybe just a couple of times a week ... and like Bill Clinton, I don't inhale.)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Everyone loves Hopper
In response to: Everyone loves Hopper
Hopper - one of my favorites. Years ago I picked up a large framed print of his famous "Lighthouse at Two Lights" (1929) at a yardsale for $2.00. Now, if it had only been the original!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Travel: Montréal, Part Une
In response to: Travel: Montréal, Part Une
I'll have to remember that one - "J'ai mal a la tete" ... "J'ai mal a la tete" ... that might come in handy someday, like when it's my turn to empty the dishwasher. Another one I can use is "Je ne trouve pas a la tete" which I believe means "I can't find my head." More to the point, I think. Voila!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Travel: Montréal, Part Une
In response to: Travel: Montréal, Part Une
Je ne comprend pas ... I think that's what I said most of the time I was in Montreal and Quebec City.(Translation: "I don't understand") Five years of French classes and I could barely order lunch! I almost straved to death! Merci beaucoup, mon ami!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Sabbatum Sanctum - An Ode to Coffee, Toothpaste & Postage Stamps
In response to: Sabbatum Sanctum - An Ode to Coffee, Toothpaste & Postage Stamps
Pipe smoking goes with bass playing, huh? And I had to take up the drums! Actually, I'm taking up the pipe only for the rich tobacco smell on my clothing and in my hair. Kinda like what author / theologian CS Lewis must have smelled like. Now that's the smell of sophistication!
JTS [Member]
In response to: What's the Point?
In response to: What's the Point?
Thanks, txcaper, for your comments. Hope is the one thing no one can take away from you. Ever! Except for Bob Hope, that is ... sadly, he did pass on to the great USO stage in the sky. God bless him!
JTS [Member]
In response to: What's the Point?
In response to: What's the Point?
Actually, Monpo, for source material I'll be using the "Little Debbies" presidential facts cards I cut off of snack boxes back in the early 1990's (yes, I was a bookish geek back then, too). I must have gained 10 pounds trying to collect all the presidents from Washington to Bush I. I finally had to send away to the company for Ford! Couldn't find him anywhere ... not even on the Swiss Rolls! (My favorite)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Good Intentions Gone Awry
In response to: Good Intentions Gone Awry
Monpo, try palms a la mode, with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and maybe some almond slices. Mmmmm!(Now I am going to the HOT place! Enough! It's Holy week!)
JTS [Member]
In response to: Good Intentions Gone Awry
In response to: Good Intentions Gone Awry
Opinionator, my family did both. The Italian side (my grandfather) braided the palms into crosses for the grandchildren. The Irish side (my grandmother & great grandmother) simply put the palms behind the crucifix on the wall. Of course, back then every Catholic household had a crucifix or two or three in the house - usually one in the living room and one in each bedroom. Nowadays, we put plasma TVs on the walls. It's a safe bet that we're all going to the HOT place!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Good Intentions Gone Awry
In response to: Good Intentions Gone Awry
Actually, Capemom, I'm not sure what other Catholics do with their palms, but I find the mantle to be as good a spot as any. On the dining room table it might get mistaken for food. Talk about roughage! And Solon - "Nearer My God to Thee"? What are they filming down there in Chatham? A reenactment of the Titanic sinking?
JTS [Member]
In response to: What's the Point?
In response to: What's the Point?
Thanks, Capri. Now let's all get out there and win one for the Gipper!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Star-studded Longfellow concert
In response to: Star-studded Longfellow concert
"Tales of a Wayside Inn" - a wonderful Longfellow tome. How blessed we were (are) to have had so many of our nation's finest classic writers living in this corner of the country - Longfellow, Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, Dickinson, Twain, Irving, Poe (for a time). It's a source of great pride.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Breathe Less ... Smell More!
In response to: Breathe Less ... Smell More!
I always thought it was "Make love, not war" or "Make pizza, not war" or "Make hot fudge sundaes not war" or something like that.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Banknorth closes 2 offices; Barnstable char ter school a model; Barnstable office charged
In response to: Banknorth closes 2 offices; Barnstable char ter school a model; Barnstable office charged
Sorry to hear of further "former CCBT" layoffs. I was given my walking papers back in 2004 along with plenty of other folks when CCBT ceased to be. Strangely, the local press didn't make a big deal of it back then - 150 year old bank laying off pretty much an entire operations center worth of employees - seemed newsworthy to me at the time!
JTS [Member]
In response to: End of the World, etc
In response to: End of the World, etc
Please pardon this brief musical interlude ...
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying,
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying,
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide
JTS [Member]
In response to: End of the World, etc
In response to: End of the World, etc
All I'm saying is that as we go about our daily lives, dealing with all the petty issues that we think are so darn important, let us not forget that young American servicemen are in a foreign land giving the ultimate sacrifice. I've been on this soapbox before - see my blog entry of 1/23/07. Since then, 150 more American servicemen have been killed in action. Listen, I despise terrorists and the whole jihad thing as much as the next guy (they're all wacko extremist nuts!) I just want our nation to do a better job of remembering the sacrifices being made, and a much better job of welcoming servicemen home in whatever physical or mental shape they return.
Last week we buried a dear family member at Bourne National Cemetery with military honors for the role he played at Normandy and Iwo Jima. It was a very proud moment for our family. Let us also remember to honor the sacrifices being made by today's servicemen, regardless of our opinions on the war.
Last week we buried a dear family member at Bourne National Cemetery with military honors for the role he played at Normandy and Iwo Jima. It was a very proud moment for our family. Let us also remember to honor the sacrifices being made by today's servicemen, regardless of our opinions on the war.
JTS [Member]
In response to: End of the World, etc
In response to: End of the World, etc
I need to add one more news item. Today, while we celebrated St. Paddy's Day, and downed corned beef and cabbage and turnips and potatoes and carrots, and drank Guinness and Irish coffee, and sang along to "Danny Boy" and "Galway Bay" and "Four Green Fields" and "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen," six more US servicemen were killed in Iraq. Six more young men who will never again visit "The Town I Loved So Well."
JTS [Member]
In response to: Memo To All Employees
In response to: Memo To All Employees
As far as the sacrament count goes - 5 down, 2 to go. Sacrament #6 - Holy Orders (a/k/a the priesthood) is still not out of the realm ... after all, I'm still young and I do own a pair of black pants and a black collarless shirt. Sacrament # 7 - Last Rites - they can't deny me that one - not after I've been carrying around all this pent up Catholic guilt for the past 44 years! A few Our Fathers and a couple of Hail Marys over my death bed and woosh! Off to heaven I go!!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Begotten & the Forgotten
In response to: The Begotten & the Forgotten
Thanks for the comment, Peter P.
Addendum: As I become older and grayer (and nearer and nearer to ... to you know what) I find myself more and more interested in what comes "afterwards." This earthly life is fine, but I just got my gas bill for the month ($253.28 ... and the house temp rarely gets above 64 degrees) -- and let's face it, the afterlife has got to be better than this! So, I was intrigued when I heard that the tomb of Jesus may have been found. But then I started getting those same feelings I got when the wreck of the Titanic was discovered. I'd rather it remain a mystery. Faith is one thing. Bones in an ossuary are quite another. Whatever the outcome, I'll maintain my believe system - my faith - after all, it's the one thing no one can disprove, regardless of science. Belief is unyielding. One thing is for certain, though. The gas bill must be paid by March 12 (as does the auto excise tax bill). And the water bill on the 26th ... and the credit card bill ... and the telephone bill. Amen.
Addendum: As I become older and grayer (and nearer and nearer to ... to you know what) I find myself more and more interested in what comes "afterwards." This earthly life is fine, but I just got my gas bill for the month ($253.28 ... and the house temp rarely gets above 64 degrees) -- and let's face it, the afterlife has got to be better than this! So, I was intrigued when I heard that the tomb of Jesus may have been found. But then I started getting those same feelings I got when the wreck of the Titanic was discovered. I'd rather it remain a mystery. Faith is one thing. Bones in an ossuary are quite another. Whatever the outcome, I'll maintain my believe system - my faith - after all, it's the one thing no one can disprove, regardless of science. Belief is unyielding. One thing is for certain, though. The gas bill must be paid by March 12 (as does the auto excise tax bill). And the water bill on the 26th ... and the credit card bill ... and the telephone bill. Amen.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Life From A to Z (and sometimes Y)
In response to: Life From A to Z (and sometimes Y)
It's funny you mention the monkeys with the typewriters scenario because in my first draft of the blog I made reference to that exact thing. Only I shortened the example to one monkey with a laptop but with an infinite supply of cigarettes. In the end I edited the monkey reference out of the final blog posting for spacing issues, so I'm glad you made mention of it. As for monkeys in general, I will watch any show or movie or commercial that features a monkey as a character. Not just monkeys, but chimps and apes and orangutans. "Any Which Way But Loose," "Dunstin Checks In," "King Kong," any NOVA program about Koko. I don't know what it is about them that holds my attention. Must be some primitive memory deep in the brain stem ... or that I just find them funny as all heck! (I'm sorry, can I say "heck"? I guess so). Mmmm, I'm hungry. I wonder if we have any bananas?
JTS [Member]
In response to: What Time Is It?
In response to: What Time Is It?
Thanks, Solon. Yes, as a matter of fact I am the one grabbing all the chocolate frosted donuts. What's that old saying? The early sugar junkie catches the chocolate donuts.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The 32 1/2 Hour Stomach Bug
In response to: The 32 1/2 Hour Stomach Bug
Thanks. Actually felt well enough to visit the dump today with about two weeks worth of trash. Boy, does the excitement ever end?
JTS [Member]
In response to: History Twists
In response to: History Twists
I clearly remember a presidential debate back in 2000 during which Bush stated that he was not in favor of "nation building."
JTS [Member]
In response to: Barbies for Cape Cod
In response to: Barbies for Cape Cod
Barbie,
I've left messages on your voice mail. I've emailed you and you don't reply. I understand now that what we once had is over. All I want to know is -- is there another doll? Is it GI Joe? Or Action Jackson? Please tell me it's not one of the Star Trek Next Generation action figures! Is it Captain Picard? Oh God, please me it's not Picard!!
Forever jilted,
Ken
I've left messages on your voice mail. I've emailed you and you don't reply. I understand now that what we once had is over. All I want to know is -- is there another doll? Is it GI Joe? Or Action Jackson? Please tell me it's not one of the Star Trek Next Generation action figures! Is it Captain Picard? Oh God, please me it's not Picard!!
Forever jilted,
Ken
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Flock of Comments
In response to: A Flock of Comments
Thanks for your winter's day comments KMA. Snow changing to sleet changing to rain was quite a challenge for me on the mail route. Instead of a mail truck, at times I thought I was driving a Zamboni at the ol' Boston Ga-a-arden.
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Flock of Comments
In response to: A Flock of Comments
I'm pretty sure it's a "flock." A flock of seagulls ... a flock of comments ... a flock of whales. Or is that a pod of whales? Or a herd? Or a school? Or a middle school? Or a gathering? I know you need at least five whales for a quorum ... six whales for a half dozen ... 13 whales for a baker's dozen ... and 30 whales for a "30-pack," which is always handy around the holidays. Yes, I think the correct term is "flock" in this particular case.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Beanpot !
In response to: Beanpot !
BU-BC in the final. Can't wait till Monday nite. I just handed down to my son my goalie catching glove (looks like something Gump Worsley once used). Over the years I lost the "waffle" (nowadays called a "blocker")so I bought a new one for him a couple of weeks ago at Building 19 for just $19.95 - talk about "good stuff cheap." I'm told there's a big game today on the local kettle pond after school. I'll have to miss it - I've got the library late shift today. Oh well.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Future Shock ... With Pulp
In response to: Future Shock ... With Pulp
Thanks for the comments, folks. By the way, I've taken to squeezing my own orange juice lately ... so I can better manage my pulp intake. Gotta look out for those seeds, though!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Even Football Players Cry
In response to: Even Football Players Cry
Thanks for your comments, Capemom. I think if I continue to let my emotions out, and continue to eat a healthy diet of popsicles, I will achieve my lifelong goal ... that is, to live to age 100. By that time -- the year 2062 -- we will have all evolved into glowing beings of pure light, which will save us quite a bit of money on lightbulbs.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Bus Radio
In response to: Bus Radio
We are becoming a society of walking zombies, plugged into our own little worlds, unaware that the sun rises, the seasons change, or that the person standing next to us may or may not be on fire. Radio on school buses is one more way to further erode society, to turn our children into mindless consumers who salivate whenever they hear a McDonalds or Burger King commercial. Do we always have to take the easy path? Do we always have to cave in to the downward direction our society is so often headed? Do we always have to throw up our hands in disgust and say, "You win, you unruly kids. Just for that we're going to put radio on your school bus to keep you in line. Let's see how you like that?" Next it'll be display monitors like they've got at the CC Mall, where you can't walk 20 feet without being bombarded with yet another sales opportunity. There's a big green world out there beyond all the commotion and noise of Madison Avenue. Perhaps it's time to miss the bus and take a good long walk for a change.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Storeroom
In response to: The Storeroom
Lucy has been a bit "off" lately. I'll keep one eye on her and the other eye on the toilet.
Bradbury ... His story "The Skeleton" I believe it was called always creeped me out, to think there's a skeleton living in each of us. And there are a few chapters in the "Martian Chronicles" that are up there on the creep charts. Bradbury just came out with a follow-up to Dandelion Wine ... the DPL has it, I've forgotten the title, but we have it.
Bradbury ... His story "The Skeleton" I believe it was called always creeped me out, to think there's a skeleton living in each of us. And there are a few chapters in the "Martian Chronicles" that are up there on the creep charts. Bradbury just came out with a follow-up to Dandelion Wine ... the DPL has it, I've forgotten the title, but we have it.
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Storeroom
In response to: The Storeroom
Monponsett, there are three Scarzi titles in the CLAMS systems: The Android's Dream, The Ghost Brigades, and the Old Man's War (isn't that what Bush is waging right now in Iraq?)
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Storeroom
In response to: The Storeroom
Wolfram, that Charleton Heston classic, is available thru the CLAMS system. Simply stop by your local library and order it, or you can do it from home at www.clamsnet.org. (Just don't eat any green cookies) Yeah, that Twilight Zone with Shatner is great, and whenever I'm on a plane I always find myself looking out the window to see if there are any gremlins about.Speaking of creepy. Is it natural for a toilet to flush by itself? It just happened about 20 minutes ago, and I'm all alone here except for my dog Lucy and she hasn't yet developed the opposable thumb necessary to manipulate the handle!
JTS [Member]
In response to: The Torch Has Been Passed
In response to: The Torch Has Been Passed
Thanks, Lightkeeper, for your comments. Will "keep 'em coming"!
Thanks again,
JTS
Thanks again,
JTS
JTS [Member]
In response to: Smoked Beef & Cheese
In response to: Smoked Beef & Cheese
Thanks for the comments, folks.
PS: Send more raisins dipped in white chocolate!
PS: Send more raisins dipped in white chocolate!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Farewell President Ford
In response to: Farewell President Ford
This country has been blessed with the knack of putting forward the right person at the right time as far as the US Presidency goes. Lincoln is probably the prime example of this. Truman is another. In his own way, Ford was the right person at a key moment in American history - a decent, honorable man who brought respect back to the office of president. Others will argue that Nixon should not have been pardoned, but I see the pardon as Ford's first step toward putting a bandage on the nation's collective wound. His two-year presidency was an important period in restoring trust. For that alone I say, thank you President Ford, from a grateful nation.
JTS [Member]
In response to: How Do You Wrap a Hockey Stick?
In response to: How Do You Wrap a Hockey Stick?
Thanks for reading, and for commenting.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Christmas in Space
In response to: Christmas in Space
I was only six at the time, but I have a vague recollection of this. Still gives me goose bumps.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Winter Arrives in the Northern Hemisphere
In response to: Winter Arrives in the Northern Hemisphere
Your place is fine. A little snowed in, but otherwise fine. The moose did have her calf, and in fact, they're staying at your place. They wanted you to know you're out of eggnog, and they could use another bag of potato chips, and perhaps a can of mixed nuts. Best regards from the Great White North, JTS.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Lesser Known Xmas Songs
In response to: Lesser Known Xmas Songs
Let's see what we have in the library lost and found ... hmmm ... a tuba, a set of drums, an upright piano, a cello ... hmmm ... sorry, no clarinets. Can I interest you in a set of bagpipes? (comes with the piper)
Talk about up late. At least I was a snooze by half past midnight!
Talk about up late. At least I was a snooze by half past midnight!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Death of a Pumpkin
In response to: Death of a Pumpkin
Boy, the squirrels are looking rather chubby these days. I think they're eating all the foxes!
Thanks for the comments.
Thanks for the comments.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Mars, St. Paul, and Plasma TVs
In response to: Mars, St. Paul, and Plasma TVs
Actually, NASA does in fact have plans to send Walter to Mars, as soon as they sort out that darn suspended animation issue ... so they don't have to feed him during the four-year round-trip voyage. (Boy, are they cheap!)
Thanks for the comments, folks.
Thanks for the comments, folks.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Dropping Names (and Heights)
In response to: Dropping Names (and Heights)
You gotta have Ice Cubes to make Ice T, so either way it works.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Dropping Names (and Heights)
In response to: Dropping Names (and Heights)
Glad to hear I'm taller than McCullough.
Looking forward to the golf tourney - maybe Kim Jong Il will let me be his caddy.
Looking forward to the golf tourney - maybe Kim Jong Il will let me be his caddy.
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Day in the Life (of the Campaign)
In response to: A Day in the Life (of the Campaign)
Sorry, Fillmore was the obvious choice for my running mate. And besides, he's dead so I don't have to worry about him saying something stupid like JFKerry.
Everything I've written thus far has been clean. I have written some really bad poetry ... but all of it really bad clean poetry.
Everything I've written thus far has been clean. I have written some really bad poetry ... but all of it really bad clean poetry.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Times to endorse Kerry Healey this week
In response to: Times to endorse Kerry Healey this week
It's my understanding that the Times' endorsement is going to the Whig Party!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Cape Cod Vacation Hours
In response to: Cape Cod Vacation Hours
FYI: By "boat" in my earlier comment I meant "big boat," as in yacht. Not those locals who own small boats and certainly I mean no disrespect to the fishermen. What I'm getting at is the impression that we're all living the High Life down here when in fact most are struggling just to make ends meet. I'll shut up now.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Cape Cod Vacation Hours
In response to: Cape Cod Vacation Hours
My remembrances of "old" (1960's) Cape Cod was of a place populated by the working class,like my grandfather. In the 80's/90's the place suddenly exploded with a shift toward second homeowners, and the arrival of the elite who had trophy houses built to their egos and who wouldn't know where the local hardware store was located if their life depended on it. Simply put, the Cape Cod that my grandfather knew no longer exists. It's been gobbled up by big money from off-Cape interests. But consider this. Not all of us live on the ocean. Not all of us own a boat. Not all of us go to cocktail parties and get our picture taken with the local movers and shakers. The rest of us are working class stiffs, putting in our time on the job, paying our bills, and at the end of the day having a stiff belt before hitting the hay and doing it all again the next morning. I have a deep affinity for Cape Cod, or rather, for my memories of "old" Cape Cod. But today, the place seems built around where the money is coming from, and frankly, neglects the needs of us working class stiffs.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Cleaning Windows
In response to: Cleaning Windows
You got it, Mon -- Van Morrison. I lifted the song title. What can I say, "I'm a working man in my prime, cleaning windows."
JTS [Member]
In response to: On the Campaign Trail
In response to: On the Campaign Trail
These are both good, sound points, Opinionator. I'm looking for a Lieutenant Governor if you want to join the Whig Party ticket.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Let's "Take Back Maine!"
In response to: Let's "Take Back Maine!"
It's true, I am soft on enforcing late book fines, especially with our elderly patrons. But I draw the line on late DVD and video fines ... you won't find any waffling there. And don't even try to make a photocopy without paying the 10 cent per page fee. I'll chase you out into the parking lot if need be. Vote Whig! Take Back Maine!
JS
JS
JTS [Member]
In response to: May I help you, Sir?
In response to: May I help you, Sir?
Thank you Stilgar. And Monponsett, you'll always be a "Dear" as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for reading, and commenting.
JS
JS
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twice Bitten
In response to: Twice Bitten
PS: Sorry for the couple of typos in my first draft of this blog ... I was typing quickly in order to get to the D-Y football game against Sandwich and didn't proofread! By the way, Sandwich 34 - DY 21. Better luck next Friday against Plymouth North, boys!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Twice Bitten
In response to: Twice Bitten
Of course, I was just kidding with my earlier comment. I have since had a chance to read the WSJ Opinion Journal and Mrs. Bush's 5-best selections. "Hop on Pop" is one of my favorites as well (and my kids took it literally). And it is interesting to note that another book she selected was "The Adventures of Huck Finn," which is a great seque to the fact that today is the last day of Banned Books Week -- of which Huck Finn is one!
JTS [Member]
In response to: Fortnight fabulous for Beston Society
In response to: Fortnight fabulous for Beston Society
Just wanna let you know I enjoy your blog. Of course, you know I'm a big fan of H. Beston.
Jack S.
Jack S.
JTS [Member]
In response to: Belly Checkin'
In response to: Belly Checkin'
Yes, but how is Stonehill going to do this weekend? (Currently 0-4)
JTS [Member]
In response to: A Tale of Two Worlds
In response to: A Tale of Two Worlds
Yes, Mercury is now the smallest planet ... and it also gets the best gas mileage.
JS - DPL
JS - DPL
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In response to: The Holy Potato Chip