Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans got rid of McCarthy. Democrats chose not to save him.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

Michigan is a great lesson for Dems everywhere: when you have power…use it!

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

“In this country American means white. everybody else has to hyphenate.”

Too little, too late, ftfnyt. fuck all the way off.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

If you voted for Trump, you don’t get to speak about ethics, morals, or rule of law.

That meeting sounds like a shotgun wedding between a shitshow and a clusterfuck.

Human rights are not a matter of opinion!

Democracy cannot function without a free press.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

75% of people clapping liked the show!

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / It’s the Little Things

It’s the Little Things

by | 187 Comments

This post is in: 

I was showering this morning and thinking how negative the tone of this blog is so much of the time, when really things are pretty damned good. Blogging pushes you to point out everything that irritates you, and you gloss over or forget about all the really good stuff- the hot cup of coffee in the morning, the scalding shower, the clean shave, the freshly laundered sheets, the cold pillow, the purring cat, the really spicy burrito, the phone calls to mom and dad, the Steelers, and the happy dog. With that in mind, this:

thelittlethings

A lazyboy, a dog, a book, a quilt, and the mindless chatter of the food network (and because I know there will be forty people yelling “WHERE IS TUNCH,” he is in his own chair to my right).

It is all pretty good when you think about it.

*** Update ***

I’m thinking we should steal an idea from Sully and have “The View From Your Couch/Lazyboy” series.

Reader Interactions

187Comments

  1. 1.

    gwangung

    (and because I know there will be forty people yelling “WHERE IS TUNCH,”

    Heh. I very much count that as a Good Thing.

  6. 6.

    abscam

    Um…did you fix that or did I read it wrong. In any case, TMI, I think.

    (Slinks from room abashedly…)

    abscam +?

  7. 7.

    Max

    What are you watching on tv? Curling?

    EDIT – Has anyone ordered Sully’s picture book? I’m thinking about giving it as an Xmas gift to someone.

  14. 14.

    pcbedamned

    “WHERE IS TUNCH,”

    Yep, I would be one of them :)
    When I was reading the list of ‘good things’, the first time I missed the part about the ‘purring cat’ and saw only ‘happy dog’, so I had to go back and reread that again to make sure that the kitty was included.
    I love my dogs (4), but nothing compares to my cats (12).
    And my personal baby Kricket has a special purr just for me! (seriously…even my mom doesn’t believe me, but it’s true).

  15. 15.

    freelancer

    FUUUUCKKKKK. I don’t know if there’s anything I hate more right now than iTunes.

    Did the software update, and the iTouch firmware update and now it won’t fucking sync.
    It’ll act like it wants to, but then I get a little error message that says Unknown Error: can’t sync 13019.

    And it’s too far to go to the apple store with the roads being what they are. Goddamnit.

    Sometimes the little things can be the most frustrating. At least I don’t have ass-rabies, how’s that for optimistic?

  18. 18.

    Svensker

    @John Cole:

    I have a thing for clean sheets, too. But I hate washing them. And I hate even more putting the clean suckers on the bed. Where’s the MAID! ? !

  21. 21.

    arguingwithsignposts

    OK, I just finished watching “Deliver us from evil” on netflix streaming, and I now can honestly say I could not hate the catholic church any more than at this very moment.

    I do this to myself. sigh.

  22. 22.

    BB

    the “view from the lazyboy” is genius. You know how Sullivan has that rule that you have to show the frame of the window in the picture? You should make a rule that people have to have their elevated, socked feet in the shot.

  24. 24.

    Debbie(aussie)

    I don’t get a negative vibe from here so much as a frustrated one. Which fits with how I feel about most things politically speaking. Personally, compared to most, I am extraordinarily lucky, thanking the ptb every day.

  25. 25.

    AhabTRuler

    @asiangrrlMN: It’s a good thing you have self-control, or you would be neck deep in a squirming mass of little black KITTEHS!

    ETA: There is nothing that I despise more than a “hidden track” that is really just a long pause in a single track. I want to cockpunch (or kick-in-the-box-and-shove) any artist that resorts to that charming little trick, starting with the corpse of Kurt Cobain.

  27. 27.

    pcbedamned

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Thanx luv. Here is one of our beautiful boy Spider. He has a thing for water – sinks, tubs, pools etc. He will sit in the sink until we put the water on so he can have a ‘fresh, cold drink’. Seriously…
    eta: sorry about the ‘seriously’s’. I have had a house full of 15 year old girls for the last 3 days (snow days), and my grammar and slang are suffering as a result ;)

  33. 33.

    Blue Gal

    Thank you so much for posting this. I was pointing out to a fellow blogger TONIGHT that the exhausting thing about blogging is, when something is 51 percent good, you have to always, always focus on the 49 percent that isn’t… or yikes! …people won’t take you seriously. That may be the curse of the muckraker, but it’s no way to go through actual life.

    Thanks again.

  34. 34.

    Jess

    I had a really nice day with a friend, and just as I clicked the B-Juice button, I thought uh oh, do I really want to do this and harsh my buzz? But you kindly added to the glow, John–thanks!

    And speaking of adorable kitties, I found my cat on my bed, head on my pillow, wrapped up in her blankie like a little sausage. I don’t know how she managed to get herself so perfectly wrapped, but she sure was cute. Of course, when I said “aw, you’re so cute!” she just gave me the evil eye that said “piss off–I’m sleeping.” All this attitude from the beastie who keeps bringing me her catnip toys in the middle of the night and dropping them on my face…

  35. 35.

    PurpleGirl

    Politics and the economy is pretty frustrating and depressing… but I have yarn and I can crochet so that’s a good thing. I’ve been trying to redirect my attention to craft sites and Ravelry. Stories and pictures of Tunch and Lily are always nice pick-me-ups.

  36. 36.

    freelancer

    @demkat620:

    I got it a couple days ago too. But I think (whispers prayer to Steve Jobs) that I have it figured out. I deselected all my music, got rid of the saved Voice Memos and that apparently completed. Now I have to wait patiently to see if it loads the 15 Gb of audio files back onto it.

    Swear to Allah that iTunes updates are the fucking worst.

  38. 38.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Jess: Aw, I love that look. The, “WTF do you want, human?” look. Any pictures of your adorable sausage cat?

    Comrade Kevin, oh my god! I love the split face. Soooo cute! I’m getting broody (for cats).

  39. 39.

    pcbedamned

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Does he get water in his ears and make them all gooky? Spider does because he sticks his whole head under the water and then hates me for awhile because then I have to clean them.

    @AhabTRuler:

    Only if he moves to Canada where you can marry your hamster!!!!

  40. 40.

    pcbedamned

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Does he get water in his ears and make them all gooky? Spider does because he sticks his whole head under the water and then hates me for awhile because then I have to clean them.

    @AhabTRuler:

    Only if he moves to Canada where you can marry your hamster!!!!

    @Comrade Kevin:

    Beautiful!!!

  42. 42.

    Keith G

    Blogging pushes you to point out everything that irritates you….

    That’s your choice. Though I feel it is an easy rut to get into, there is this thing called free will.

  43. 43.

    The Other Steve

    Little things, smittle things! Did you check out this lovely piece over at msnbc?

    It’s a thoughtful analysis of Obama’s Nobel speech. LOL!

    No matter what you think of Cheney and his beliefs, he knew how to wield power in Washington vis-à-vis ambivalent allies and tough customers around the world. And like it or not, Cheney’s dark reading of human motives and behavior was often helpful when it came to figuring out how to get his way.

    you know, because Cheney was such an effective executive. LOL!

  44. 44.

    Jess

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I did get picture of the sausage, and as soon as I figure out how to download it onto my computer, I’m going to send it to John to post, if he’s still doing that. I never take picts with my phone, but that was just an irresistible kodak moment…

  45. 45.

    eemom

    I love doggies, like kitties (though they trigger my asthma)……love my husband and kids and generally feel quite blessed. This blog is nice, too.

    But OMG, I’m worried about the health care bill. It’s got knives to its throat from all directions, and I believe it is really, really important that it get passed.

  47. 47.

    Breth

    Even politically – when I get hit with the latest fabricated wingnut outrage, or disappointment in Obama, I try to think of all the many many little changes and advancements that have occurred. Court appointments. Reversed EPS rulings, release of information, etc, etc.

    It’s not all bad even in politics.

  48. 48.

    Jean

    @Comrade Kevin: Seamus is beautiful. My other cat is waiting his turn on the rocking chair next to the tree. He’s in no hurry because the chair is next to the fireplace. My dog Simon is on his mat on the screened porch because he loves the cold (it’s about 30 out tonight); he’s double coated. My little dog, Sundae, is on the chair next to me. None of them cares about the public option.

  52. 52.

    Elie

    @John Cole:

    I have seen Litlbit but not A Mom …

    You are so right about the small things…especially when you are smarting…

    Going to draw an nice bath and soaky with some candles and a glass of ice wine …

    goonight!

  55. 55.

    pawtrax

    Long time reader, first time commenter, here.

    I started reading this blog because I always leave with a smile and a hopeful sense of the ultimate rightness with the world.

    So don’t sweat it. It’s all good.

  57. 57.

    tenkindsagrumpy

    Treasure those calls to mom and dad. One day you will be as old as me and there will be no one to call.

  58. 58.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Personally, I would just like a shower. It does not have to be scalding. Not even lukewarm.

    But nonetheless, most everyone in America knows someone with a shower. Or has five bucks and lives near a truck-stop.

    Go Carbon Dioxide, go.

    Tomorrow, I will show up with a light beard.

  60. 60.

    valdivia

    I have been out all day so I missed a lot of the fun in the other threads, but it seems I also stepped into a time-warp because we seem to be voting for Bitsy again? There is an ad on the right exhorting us to vote every day. Not that I mind seeing cute Bitsy and Lily at all, just kind of confusing after a long day.

  63. 63.

    matoko_chan

    tyvm for the Avatar thread…..I think Avatar is A Very Good Thing.
    also, too……check out the bollywood/hiphop dance fusion in this Jay Sean viddie.
    That is how the world be healed….when we can all dance together.
    The “conservatives” can’t win….culture is giving them a beatdown….music and dance and film.
    They have already lost…..they just don’t know it yet.

  64. 64.

    Morbo

    This is without a doubt good news. Chafee really got the shaft for being a moderate Republican in a blue state; he might be a halfway reasonable voice today if he were still there. Nonetheless, Sheldon Whitehouse rocks.

  65. 65.

    MaximusNYC

    I was looking back on some of the music I liked this year (compiling my own “Best of 2009” list), and I just took another look at something that really gives a major boost to my faith in humanity:

    http://thru-you.com

    If you haven’t watched these videos and heard these songs, do so. It’s an amazing collection.

  71. 71.

    FlipYrWhig

    John, I haven’t been coming around here all that long, but I just wanted to say that once I started, I realized how horrendous the environment had become, like, _everywhere_ else. I realized that I didn’t have to put up with it because I had somewhere I could go instead. I like that there are other things that happen here besides daring each other to become more and more indignant.

  72. 72.

    bago

    Apple. Sweet hardware, but kind of lost when it comes to software. Way too soft coming from only 3-4 hardware configs.

  73. 73.

    CaseyL

    Thanks for the relaxed posting, John. Much needed and appreciated.

    And I luurve that photo. I get godawful dog joneses when I read the latest Lily news (and, no, dogs are not a possibility, as I live in a townhouse). But one of my new-ish kitties, Jeannie, is more affectionate and playful every day, it seems; possibly going for the “doglike cat” role. Which I wouldn’t mind at all.

    I watched, or tried to watch “The Plan” tonight (on On Demand) and was amazed by how little I liked it, when I adore BSG to pieces. Maybe I was in the wrong mood for it, but it seemed to take forever and made me hate John (One?) even more than I already did without actually adding any insights.

    Or maybe the insights come later: the broadcast was interrupted by a test of the emergency broadcast system about 20 minutes in, did not resume automatically and I didn’t restart it, either.

    I’ll try watching again tomorrow.

  78. 78.

    Anne Laurie

    Why you haven’t heard much from me lately…

    The glass-half-full view: I live in an area where we can get our sewer line routered at one a.m.

    The glass-half-empty view: It’s never a good thing when you need your sewer line routered at one a.m.

    But, hey! We’ve got full plumbing access again, and didn’t lose any books in the backwash this time.

    And I have some new toys to cheer myself up, so hopefully the weekend will be better than the week has been.

  79. 79.

    Martin

    From the sounds of it, Avatar will bring in TARP dollars. I rarely go see films in theaters these days, but I might have to pony up the $20.50 to see it at the 3D IMAX.

    Ebert gave it a glowing review.

  80. 80.

    freelancer (itouch)

    @matoko_chan:

    Oscars are a horse race. Titanic is the rule. How do I know this? Show me Kubrick’s Best Director Oscar, Show me Shawshank’s Best Picture.

    Like I said, I’m gonna see it. But I’m not gonna be a fanboy until I’m a fan of the movie. As for this gen’s Star Wars, too late. They’re called LotR.

  82. 82.

    matoko_chan

    Titanic is the rule.

    Cameron made that one too…..highest grossing movie of all time.

    LotR generation?
    Younger than thou.
    The Gamer generation.

  85. 85.

    burnspbesq

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I brought home something tonight that I am highly confident you would kill for: Leonard Cohen Live at the Isle of Wight on super-deluxe 180-gram VINYL. Not sure I’m going to listen to it tonight, because I also have a bunch of other stuff to listen to.

    I could have gotten Amoeba Records gift certificates for the spouse and kid online, but nooooooooo … I had to go there. I am weak.

  88. 88.

    Calming Influence

    Some people go through life just accepting that they are unable to fix things: the light switch; the flat tire; the asshole boss; the TV remote that worked fine last week but for some reason won’t change channels today; &c. For these people, consequently, life is chock full of problems that they believe they have no control over, and they’re not interested in things like politics because frankly, if you’re unable to suss out that remote controls run on batteries, public policy is no different than quantum physics. These people would find Balloon Juice’s tone ‘negative’.

    There are other people, however, that enjoy solving problems. Life is a puzzle to be picked apart and studied, measured, explained as best you can, and possibly improved. Not knowing the answer is not uncomfortable, it’s invigorating. These are the people who read Balloon Juice.

    Don’t go changin’…

  91. 91.

    Chuck Butcher

    My 7 1/2 month grandson and daughter in law moved in this week. He thinks grandpa is something special, real special. It’s been a very long time since we’ve dealt with such an age. He has nine teeth and is crawling and nearly to standing on his own. That seem precocious to me. It is all very charming and interesting and … those with new babies know, sometimes frustrating as the dickens.

    Right now we are veering between sleep, screaming, and misc activities with no discernible cause…

    Might account for a testy tone to a previous post.

    Gus is working up to moving beyond acceptance. That’s a sight, that little baby and that great vast beast.

  93. 93.

    Sentient Puddle

    I liked the idea of “The View From Your La-Z-Boy” so much that I discovered that I had no idea where my camera was. D’oh. Did eventually find it.

    The view from my couch

    OK, so that’s more my desk, but that’s where I sit most of the day anyway. Who needs a TV when you got all that monitor in your face?

  97. 97.

    JohnR

    You know, John, other than your rather ridiculous infatuation with the Steelers, you do a sensible blog. If I had a LaZBoy I would post that pic, but I don’t so I won’t. I’d just like to go on record as saying that medicinal Scotch doesn’t help typing skills and colds bite. More Tunch! @freelancwe: I watched Jonny D once. Once!. Well, actually a lot. Only movie what’s-his-name was actually funny in, but Batman, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Honey From Taxi made up for him.

  98. 98.

    asiangrrlMN

    @burnspbesq: Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. I tried to order the CD, and it was out of stock at my preferred shopping place. Oh my god. I will ____ your ______ for that record. Seriously. I will ____ your _____ until you ____ _____.

    @Yutsano: Heh. You know me too well, hubby, dear. And, that’s a beautiful Sarah McLachlan song, but I am partial to this one.

  101. 101.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: Man I love underrated Canadians. It’s always encouraging to hear someone out there do actual MUSIC these days. I think, however, knowing your familiarity with that song, why I chose it for this season.

  105. 105.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Chuck Butcher: Do you have pictures? Gus is adorable, and I would love to see him with a wee baby.

    burnspbesq, I don’t have an Amazon account, and I don’t have a record player. I have access to a record player, but I don’t actually own one. I was just burning with jealousy that you have it in your greedy little paws.

  106. 106.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I absolutely adore her ASPCA ad. Plus her courage to let her voice carry a song. There aren’t a lot of folks out there who use their voice as an instrument in an ensemble of music. And yeah, from the strictly aesthetic point, she is nice to look at. Did I mention she’s Canadian?

  107. 107.

    JohnR

    “..Cheney’s dark reading of human motives and behavior was often helpful when it came to figuring out how to get his way.”

    You kjnow who else was good at that? Benny Mussolini!

  108. 108.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Yutsano: I can’t watch the ASPCA ads (ASCAP something much different). They make me cry every time.

    Yeah, and plus, she started Lilith Fair (and I went! Indigo Girls! Got hit on by drunk stupid boyz!)

    @JohnR: Pol Pot!

  110. 110.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Yutsano: It seems to happen a lot. Well, it did in my younger hotter days. Now that I’m in my dotage and more the shy and retiring type…OK, I can’t type that without snickering.

  112. 112.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: You’re not alone there darlin’! Took all my self-control to not descend into hearty guffaws.

    I’m gonna hang out for a bit longer. The itis hasn’t quite struck me yet.

  113. 113.

    MelodyMaker

    I was reading this thread earlier. I won’t comment when at work, but now I’m not at work.
    I red all y’all’s comments and I don’t see how John Cole can say “and thinking how negative the tone of this blog is so much of the time,…” So I’m agreeing with many earlier commenters. Maybe John thinks that he’s negative or that the subject matter of the Top Posts is negative. (That’s IT!) no, that’s not it either. Wasn’t it just a week ago that JC gave us a “I love this dog on my chest and I’m the luckiest MF in the world and I have a cat” coo post? That post was cited elsewhere for being just nice. What a dick. :)

    The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.

  114. 114.

    MelodyMaker

    Yes, Jack Handey.

    “To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no
    choreography, and the dancers hit each other.”

  116. 116.

    A Mom Anon

    @John Cole:

    Aww,John that’s just,well,nice. I’m kinda teary here,in a good way. Thanks.

    ’09 has been a crappy year for our little family unit. We’re hanging in there,but it’s really hard some days.

  117. 117.

    RedKitten

    @asiangrrlMN: Yeah, Sarah’s voice is definitely unique. I had a friend who, when stoned, would refuse to listen to anything but Sarah MacLachlan — so now of course every time I hear Sarah, I get the phantom scent of weed.

    And no, John — I don’t find this blog particularly negative. Exasperated, perhaps. And definitely curmudgeonly. But not negative.

    And I thoroughly approve of the idea of “view from my comfy chair/couch”.

  118. 118.

    Gravenstone

    @matoko_chan: Did you happen to catch the holier than thou moralizing from the author of the piece you linked to? His last two paragraphs:

    The US public is frankly tired of the anti-war rhetoric of the Left, which has sounded increasingly hollow since the success of the surge in Iraq.
    __
    James Cameron should leave the political commentary out as he promotes his new film, and acknowledge that the Iraqi people are immensely better off now than they were living under the boot of Saddam Hussein. After all, they are now free to watch Mr. Cameron’s films instead of being forced to view the Nazi-style propaganda of the Baathist regime. He should be celebrating their freedom instead of disparaging the sacrifices made by the US military in ensuring it.

    Allow me to say Fuck You Very Much, Mr. Gardiner, Fuck You, Very Fucking Much you useless waste of flesh.

  119. 119.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    Things just line up in such a way that at times we get to realize just how good we really have it, even with everything else falling apart around us…lol

    The view from my couch? I just finished playing some early AM guitar (RR3 into Roland Cube 30 w/ headphones to be quiet) and I guess I must play stuff our cats like. Tommy jumped up and perched on the back of the couch and Bobbi came in and laid down at my feet. I just kept jamming and they just laid in their places listening to and watching me. Bobbi got up once to sniff the lower bout of the guitar and laid back down. What was really funny was that they were both purring. I am used to Tommy showing up for my loud jams (into my regular gear and speakers) but this is the first time that Bobbi joined in to listen.

    If my cats approve I must be good! ;)

  120. 120.

    Tattoosydney

    You guys are all so adorable.

    I’m off on my honeymoon next week, so I may not get the chance to chat with many of you before the end of the year.

    Just in case, I hope that all of you BJ regulars (asiangrrlMN, Yutsano, Laura, Fuckhead, Ahabt, Redkitten, Steep, Stuck, Arguing, and so many others (and even you, BoB, you weird, vaguely psychotic freak)), and the morons of which we are minions, have an amazing Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

    Thanks for being the curmudgeonly centre of normality in my internet.

    Michael (Tattoosydney + 7)

  121. 121.

    HRA

    Tis the season among the other things one has to contend with.
    This need to prepare for whatever day we celebrate is a wearing down of the body along with the mind and more so for those who are juggling with lack of finances these days.
    Add the stupidity of the MSM to the mix and negativism is bound to follow. Personally it makes my head hurt.

    Get through today. Tomorrow will be a better day.

    Good news here. The wind has ceased. The snow has gone to bury another place (2′ + here in as many days)

    Time to mix my cookie doughs and get ready to go get the last of the shopping done.

  123. 123.

    geg6

    John Cole, this is without a doubt the best blog in all the intertrons and it is definitely not negative. The world around is and we come here to express our frustrations with that fact. But we also express our love of food, pets, film, music, and each other. I love this blog. Personally, it is good today. I have the most wonderful man who makes me glow with happiness. The sun is shining. I have a delicious cup of coffee and bowl of hot oatmeal with brown sugar and dried cranberries. I am sitting on my recliner with my brand new deluxe Snuggie and the newest Diana Gabaldon book in the Outlander series. Boys 2 Men are apparently back together and singing on my teevee and sounding beautiful after all these years. Life is good and you add to that for me. So thanks, Cole.

  125. 125.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    Hey, I saw that on C-SPAN that according to Texas Joe Barton, we are in a cooling period for the next 30-50 years! Not only that but when he was asked about what Gore has said about the polar caps Ol’ Joe wryly smiled and said that he is not impressed with Al’s (he’s fat!) scientific credentials and that while the polar caps are shrinking there are more glaciers growing than are shrinking!

    Damn that idiot has a small head. Explains the small reptilian brain though.

    Congrats and party hearty Tattoosydney! :)

  126. 126.

    matoko_chan

    @freelancer (itouch): Transformers 2 WAS the best movie of 2009.
    @Gravenstone: yup.
    I love how pissy it sounds…the wingers totally get the epic danger of Avatar. That is why Allahp and the Butthurt Brigade are having a meltdown.
    Avatar is a daisy cutter full of liberal memetics aimed right at the heart of america’s proto-volunteer soldier generation.

    rated: PG-13

    All your base are belong to us.

  127. 127.

    scav

    I must be such an old fart. I can remember back to the dark times where the joy of the tubez was discovering a group of people (as best you could tell) that complained about the things you wanted to complain about instead of being told off that you hated the XXX in this best of all possible worlds. That their complaints made you fall off your chair laughing and could introduce you to brown butter was simply icing.

  128. 128.

    Demo Woman

    It’s time to get off the couch. I’m replacing a door jamb. I had removed the door and now just want to replace the jamb.
    It’s a hot chocolate day in the south.

  130. 130.

    Fulcanelli

    @Morbo: Agreed on my guy Whitehouse, he’s off to a great start. I call his peeps and give ’em an “attaboy” every so often. Chafee did kind of get the shaft, caught up in the anti-republican fervor of the time. But… on the upside he’s running for Governor as an Independent of my little cobalt blue state which will be a profound improvement over Carcieri, an old-skool republican asshole who’s answer to everything is tax cuts and give your ass away to big business. I feel Chafee’s a done deal around here for governor, especially as an Independent. Very progressive minded, seasoned and a decent guy. Huzzah!

    Green shoots!

  131. 131.

    Cat Lady

    @geg6:

    I said pretty much said the same thing a couple of days ago. This place is a little island of sanity gut check, and along with Wonkette, has the best commenters. DougJ’s title posts are worth the price of admission alone. ; )

    ETA: and speaking of the little things, I love my shiny new edit button.

  132. 132.

    scav

    Morbo and Fulcanelli:

    OK, we’re up to a three point cheer for Whitehouse. CyberS would be grand for him but let’s hope he can seriously multitask and keep on the DOJ. How far has work on cloning gone yet?

  134. 134.

    WereBear

    It would be boring to post the view from our new (just assembled after sitting in boxes for two months) couch, since it is all boxes and stacks of random junk.

    But I did get the old desktop Mac set up. We ditched the TV and will go internet/use it as a DVD player instead.

    With our source of upper body strength (Dear Husband) still trying to kick the flu he picked up, our living room revamp creeps forward quite slowly. But it will get there, and I will enjoy it all the more when it’s done.

    Our kitten is now nine months old, and a cuddly, adorable darling. She’s brought our middle child, deprived Reverend Jim, into more understanding of the world. And our old guy, Mr. Bond, admits having two kittens to run the house gives him more time to nap.

    Things have been challenging lately, enough for me to pull out the “at least I have all my limbs and senses” card.

    But it’s a good card.

  143. 143.

    HRA

    @MikeJ:

    That was something new for me to see. Interesting I must say. I am more traditional in my baking – snowballs, thumbprints, pizzelles, pineapple filled, kifle, meringues, snickerdoodles, etc.

  144. 144.

    Betsy

    @jeffreyw:
    Those are too cute. You have some lovely creatures there, m’friend.

    And just to say, I totally adore how Cole can alternate between paint-peeling sarcasm and totally earnest sappiness.

    It’s true, though. There are some pretty great things in the world. I have a tea shop near my house that sells incredibly cheap, high-quality tea, which I am currently drinking. A friend of mine is putting together a little do for my upcoming 30th, which makes me feel loved. My cat wakes me up every morning by rubbing her face against mine. (When that doesn’t work, she starts biting my hair, which is less adorable.) I am going to go to a local craft fair today to buy Christmukkah presents. And I made my first-ever big-girl art purchase last week, a series of small prints by a local artist called “places I have never been.” Now I just have to figure out how to hang them.

  145. 145.

    geg6

    I am watching Julia Sweeney’s one woman show “Letting Go of God.” It’s a comic look at how she became an atheist. She’s pretty awesome.

  146. 146.

    Annie

    @jeffreyw:

    Oops. Sorry. She is way tooooo cute. I just went and looked at all the pictures. I love how curious cats are. The ultimate inspectors…

  148. 148.

    South of I-10

    It is the little things that make life worth it. Little South just slept until 9:30, which is unbelievable. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late. I woke up before she did and got her some donuts. Everyone is happy. We are finally going to get a tree today, so I can almost guarantee pics of Katie the Kitty in the tree by this evening.

  149. 149.

    South of I-10

    @jeffreyw: Did all of the sausage you ordered come in? I thought about you the other day, I was wondering if you had tried the gumbo recipe.

  150. 150.

    Toxic Emotional Safety Valve

    Ever since the happy juice that led me to vote for Reagan in his first term wore off, the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot moments have been coming fast and furious. With the advent of political blogging, I get more detailed info than if I only paid attention to MSM. Perhaps someday my brain will be of a nice tapioca consistency where I can stare comfortably numb at Faux news for hours and not feel like throwing something at the screen, but alas not yet. So off to the blogs trying to vent my spleen and spew some snark. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that feels something has gone askew in our founding fathers little democracy experiment. BTW – BJ high in ROTFLMAO – thx. Every now and then we should try a little more wine instead of so much whine.

  151. 151.

    Steeplejack

    @Tattoosydney:

    Back atcha. Coming to Balloon Juice has been one of my greatest pleasures in this vexed year, and I feel myself blessed to be part of “this delightful rabble” (h/t RedKitten).

  152. 152.

    BruceFromOhio

    … when really things are pretty damned good.

    They’re okay, and it pays handsomely to stop and smell the roses, or play with the kittehs, or pop on some Leonard Cohen.

    Implied from the comments, the community here is a pretty fortunate bunch. The one exception is the guy living in the glacier waiting for his well to defrost so he can take a shower.

    Waffles!

  153. 153.

    jeffreyw

    @South of I-10: Yes, I got in some andouille and boudin sausage. Made some jambalya with the andouille, and ate some of the boudin, but no gumbo yet. I liked the service so well that I ordered another batch of sausages from them yesterday, the basic pork breakfast sausage in links. And thanks again for the tip!

  154. 154.

    WaterGirl

    @pcbedamned:
    Your Spider looks just like my boy Quiver. They are both very handsome! Sadly, my sweet boy is dying and I don’t think we have many days left. Kidney failure compounded by severe anemia. It’s breaking my heart.

  155. 155.

    R-Jud

    Today’s recipe for happiness:

    Take equal amounts of tart apples (e.g. Bramley) and onions and chop roughly. Sautee in butter until the apples begin to break down. Puree, add about 1c. stock, season with salt and pepper. Garnish the soup with grated Emmental cheese or crumbled blue cheese; eat with crusty bread.

    ETA: Got on the scale today, had the body fat estimated. 5 lbs lighter than I was before I was pregnant, and 2% less body fat. And yet I still can eat butter. Huzzah.

  157. 157.

    pcbedamned

    @WaterGirl:

    (Tears in my eyes) I am so sorry to hear about your Quiver :( There isn’t anything much more heartbreaking than losing a beloved pet. My heart and prayers (yea, I’m one of those) go out to you. I hope he, and you, don’t suffer for much longer. Remember, there are many of us here who understand. Let us know how you are doing – sometimes even a stranger is best to cry with you ♥

  161. 161.

    WaterGirl

    @pcbedamned:
    You are very kind, and of course now I am sobbing. I love my sweet boy and want him to be with me forever. The last several weeks have been a terrible roller coaster for both of us.

    He is so very tired. He doesn’t want to eat his dry food and I have to feed him browned hamburger by hand. And ham. He loves ham. He does not look happy and he gets really skinny really fast, though he still drinks and uses his litter box and (now quietly) plays with his catnip and sleeps with me at night. We have several days like that and I think I need to have the vet come out and put an end to this for him.

    Then he mysteriously perks up and starts eating his dry food again and he puts on weight he seems to be having a happy life, though much more limited than when he was healthy. He walks with a spring in his step and even met me at the door one night, which he always used to do. The last time that happened we had 7 good days in a row, and I treasure each day.

    Just when I thought maybe we could be together for a few more months he stops being interested in his dry food and the whole thing starts over. His red blood count is only 13%, and even 26% is considered anemic, so his little organs aren’t getting enough oxygen.

    It is so hard watching Quiver when he is not happy. I swore that next time we were in a good patch that the first day he stopped eating his dry food and started going downhill I would call the vet and have him come out so Quiver won’t have to be miserable again. But now we are in day 2 of what I hope is a good patch and now I have doubts about what is the right thing to do. I just don’t want his last days to be miserable.

    I was never a cat person until I met Quiver and I fell for him like a ton of bricks. I have had to go down this road with my dogs before but this seems so much harder and so much less clear. With my dogs I felt like they always told me when it was time, but there was never the confusion of this roller coaster ride.

    Sorry to have rambled on for so long. It’s clear that most everyone here loves their pets as much as I do.Maybe you and others who have more kitty experience will have some advice for me. I really do not know what to do. I don’t want to lose him but I want to do right by my boy.

  164. 164.

    Jill

    There is something eminently pettable about the back of a dog’s head. I think it has something to do with the positioning of the ears.

  165. 165.

    Jess

    @WaterGirl:

    Watergirl, I’ve been there. My heart goes out to you. When my beloved Bela was dying (she was a true soul mate and I loved her like no other), I found I just couldn’t have the vet do it. My vet told me she wasn’t in pain, and it was okay to just let it happen naturally. The night she died, she came and got me, and we spent some time cuddling. We both went back to sleep, but a few hours later, she had a seizure in my arms and was gone. As deaths go, it was a good one. We’re all going to die, and a good death in the arms of someone we love the best we can hope for. But it’s hard. You’ll grieve. That’s your tribute to Quiver.

  166. 166.

    asiangrrlMN

    @WaterGirl: Oh, WaterGirl, my heart is breaking for you. I think Quiver will let you know when it’s his time. Just remember, you love him with all your heart and you provided him with love, security, and a good home. Sending out supportive vibes to you and your family and to Quiver.

  168. 168.

    Shell

    And I hate even more putting the clean suckers on the bed. W

    Hey, you could be living in a time before fittled sheets!

    Is Lily thinking of changing the channel?

    I have a wall heater in my studio. My dog, Katie loves to lay in front of it like a fireplace. Yesterday it was so frigid and she was right up against it, I was afraid her butt was gonna catch fire.

  170. 170.

    pcbedamned

    @WaterGirl:

    Ah sweetie 8::::( Sorry I took so long to get back, but I had to take a smoke break to get control.) I know many here seem to be of the ‘let them naturally’ course, but I am not. I used to be. But 2 years ago we lost our beautiful baby girl Angel to FIP, which is a horrible disease. When she first started showing signs of losing weight and not eating (before we knew what it was), I would force feed her baby food (meat) and formula. We took her to the vet and he kept her for a few days on an IV. After about 4 days, they said we could take her home as she seemed to be doing better. The first day, she seemed to be back to her old self. Then came the next day. (Pause as I recompose). That morning my daughter got up and ran to me that something seemed to be wrong (it was her cat, and her best friend). Sure enough, Angel didn’t look too good. She kept falling over and was drooling quite a bit. My daughter was in her room with her as Angel would not leave her side. It was at this point that my husband and I decided that the end was near and we called the vet to take her in to have her put down (we knew she was suffering). The moment I hung up the phone, there was a sound from my daughter’s room that I NEVER want to hear again. As I ran to her room, I found her holding her baby and screaming. Angel had died in her arms. (I feel like I am having a heart attack!) All she could keep saying was about the sound that Angel made as death finally took her (the death breath). It was agonizing both as a mother, and as a lover of the beautiful Angel. We called the vet back to let them know we wouldn’t be there. A couple of days later when the test results came in, FIP was confirmed.
    Later, another kitten contacted the disease (she was from a rescue as well). This time after a week at the vet’s, when we went back to see her, he confirmed that she too had the disease. This time we didn’t hesitate. We had him put her down right then and there (as we knew what was in store for her in the next week or so). This was much more peaceful, and my daughter got to hold her as she died with dignity. We then brought her home and buried her beside Angel.
    Sorry for rambling. Like I said, there isn’t anything much worse than losing a pet, so I get it. Only you can make the decision as to what is best for your baby. As hard as it is to let them go, I personally will never see one of my babies suffer through anything like that again. I wish you wisdom and strength through this trying time, and again, remember, we are here to listen and cry along ♥
    (I haven’t checked this again for spelling, so if there are mistakes, please excuse…)

  171. 171.

    AngusTheGodOfMeat

    thinking how negative the tone of this blog is so much of the time, when really things are pretty damned good.

    Well, I am just a cow. Shades of grey don’t work for me. Is it the policy of this blog that we are, or are not, doomed?

    These mixed messages are making my ruminations more gassy by the day.

  172. 172.

    AngusTheGodOfMeat

    @WaterGirl:

    I’ve had to put down a lot of pets over the years, it’s never easy.

    The thing that helps me is the idea that the animal needs me to look after his interests, and put aside my reluctance to let him go.

    You will get through this, and then take some time to mourn for your pet, and eventually you will be okay with it. It just takes time, give yourself the time.

  173. 173.

    joshua

    You’re reading Super System? Brunson is a legend, but that book is to poker what a treatise on the use of leeches and bloodletting is to modern medicine. Get with the times.

  174. 174.

    Jess

    @pcbedamned:

    It sounds like you’re a very responsible cat owner, and I agree with your reasons for intervening at the end. But I think each case is different. In many cases your pet makes it clear when it’s time. In my family, we’ve almost always helped them on their way, but in Bela’s case, she seemed peaceful and really wanted to be with me. I took time off from work and just cuddled her for the last few days, and I think that’s what we both wanted. We all need to make the decision based on our most generous love and understanding.

  176. 176.

    pcbedamned

    @Jess:

    Well said, and I agree; if you are strong enough to handle it. It also depends on the malady of the animal and whether or not they are in pain (and unfortunately, they can’t tell us in words, only in their eyes if we are fortunate enough be that in tune with our babies). I just know that with our case, it was heartwrenching to hear and see the ‘death throes’ of our beloved cat, and it not something I ever want see or hear again if I can help it. But then again, I am a Conservative who believes in human euthanasia. Believe it or not. I think every living being has the right to die with dignity. (I have already made it very clear to my family – hubby, kids and parents – that if I am ever in a state where I am non-functioning, someone had better bring in a hotshot). My comment to Watergirl was because she seems to be suffering with the decision about whether or not to put Quiver down. Sometimes it is comforting to know that others have made the hard choice, and it doesn’t make you a ‘bad parent’ (not that you said I was:) The day I made the decision to put my first Cocker Spaniel down was the hardest day of my life. I spent the whole day with him, gave him a bath, and the hubby cooked up a steak just for him. We video taped him and spoiled him with all the treats we could (now I’m going to cry and that was 8 years ago). My mother came by and took him, because she knew the state I was in, and that I wouldn’t be able to handle it and them come home to 2 small kids. (I love my mommy). We would all like to see our loved ones (people and pets) stay forever.
    Hugs sent out to everyone who has had a pet cross over the Rainbow Bridge…

  178. 178.

    WaterGirl

    I took a break from the computer earlier and was wishing for wisdom and strength and grace, only to return to wishes for just those things from pcbedamned and others. Special thanks to pcbedamned and bess for sharing your stories, and for the exchange at the end.

  179. 179.

    JohnR

    @Fulcanelli:
    eh, I liked his Dad, but I’d left Roe Dieland before Lincoln took his place. He seems OK. Personally, I plan to write in a couple dozen absentee votes for Buddy Cianci when he gets out of the slammer and runs for reinstatement.

  181. 181.

    Anne Laurie

    This is gonna sound morbid, but — many cats, and quite a few small dogs, end up succumbing to kidney failure. My veterinarian told us he’d actually checked into whether humans with similar kidney issues are in pain, and those who’ve been through it say it’s not painful. They just lose their appetites, and want to sleep more and more. So until your animal companion’s decline leads to a serious loss of dignity, or they develop other complications, it’s not “cruel” to baby them along with special treats & extra attention.

  182. 182.

    WaterGirl

    @pcbedamned:
    @Jess:
    Your stories of love and loss touched me deeply. Thank you so much for sharing them with me.

    pcbedamned, your story is so tragic and heartbreaking, but it comforts me to hear your story and understand a bit about how you handled both situations. Jess, your story of such a loving end is so sweet and comforting, I wish a loving end like that for all of us. Sadly, my sweet boy does not want to be held now or snuggle the way he used to. I also find the exchange between you very helpful, and I am sure I will re-read these comments as I face the days ahead.

  184. 184.

    freelancer

    Lots of sad and happy in this thread overnight. This is why I love this place.

    Just decided to do a full restore on my iTouch. Crossing fingers…

    Mother Mary, Pray for us.
    Steve Jobs, Pray for us.
    Neil Peart, Pray for us.
    Tiny Tim, Pray for us.

  186. 186.

    RedKitten

    I’m waiting for Red Kitten to post a picture of the baby in his xmas finest.

    Oh, just you wait, girlie. I’ll definitely be taking some xmas photos of the boy (who rolled over from back to front for the very first time today, thankyouverymuch!) Oh, and Demo Woman, did you see the newest pics of him? I now haz aperture settings!

    And geg6:

    I am sitting on my recliner with my brand new deluxe Snuggie and the newest Diana Gabaldon book in the Outlander series.

    Lovely to meet another fan (of Jamie and Claire, not the Snuggie).

  187. 187.

    mandarama

    @Betsy:

    And just to say, I totally adore how Cole can alternate between paint-peeling sarcasm and totally earnest sappiness.

    Yup. That’s why I’m here every day. I don’t find the blog negative. I like the mixture of snark and sap; it’s the only way to stay sane these days.

    Well, one negative thing: is it just me, or has BJ had several seagull visitors lately? You know, they fly in, they crap all over a thread, they make a lot of noise, they leave?

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