Stepped out this morning to walk the doggie, and stepped into one of those rescue scenes from a movie when hikers are stranded on the summit of a mountain as a blizzard hits.
Good day to be inside.
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Come for the politics, stay for the snark.
Accountability, motherfuckers.
When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.
He really is that stupid.
How can republicans represent us when they don’t trust women?
A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.
An almost top 10,000 blog!
“I never thought they’d lock HIM up,” sobbed a distraught member of the Lock Her Up Party.
Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.
The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.
The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.
We are aware of all internet traditions.
This fight is for everything.
Motown is Joe-Town!
Republicans don’t trust women.
You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.
T R E 4 5 O N
My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.
Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.
Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.
“That’s what the insurrection act is for!”
Somebody needs to explain to DeSantis that nobody needs to do anything to make him look bad.
Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.
Republicans would impeach Biden if he bit into a whole Kit Kat rather than breaking the sections apart.
Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.
Bisquits
When you first brought Lily home she appeared so sad and scared. Now she is your fluffy trusty sidekick. So cute and happy with her curly tail. Does Tunch do snow?
Shibby
Yes it snowed in Pittsburgh. It really came down after we stepped out of Sherlock Holmes last night. However, is snow a relatively rare thing here? The housekeeping lady made both me and my brother go to the window and admire an unremarkable amount of precipitation. At any rate, back to Cleveland today.
Napoleon
My backyard was a winter wonder land with something like 4-6 inches of snow overnight, the kind that clings to the barren trees and turns them and everything else into a picture postcard beautiful scene.
Too bad I had to go to work while my brother is off this week with his 4 yo daughter, both of whom I would guess by now are sled riding.
MikeJ
We’ve had frost on the ground here in the PNW. Not really even ice, just a super thin layer of shmutz that turns the grass, pavement and rooftops white. But now we’re back to the rain the god intended as the signal of winter.
geg6
John, Lily’s tail and her attitude in that pic reminds me so much of my sister’s dog, Cookie! Cookie is a bit larger, whiter, and fluffier than Lily, but I can’t help thinking Lily has a touch of the spitz in her, too. The curly tail and her face are so reminiscent of Cookie to me that it’s weird. Even though, otherwise, they look nothing at all alike. And Shibby, snow is not at all uncommon here in the ‘Burgh. Not the levels you see on the lake, but we get plenty. I can only assume the housekeeper is easily impressed or not from around here. The snow accumulation is truly unremarkable.
Keith G
You need to find some older member of your extended family to knit a Lily sweater complete with her name on the side.
I had an aunt who was the go to person for such things. My sis had matching sweaters for her beautiful Dobermans. It sorta took the edge off their normally intense looks.
The Grand Panjandrum
Lily: Yea, motherfucker, you walk around in the cold and snow, almost naked and barefoot, and see how much fun YOU have.
GReynoldsCT00
Wet snow and gray in CT, no accumulation expected thankfully. Works for me. Is it April yet?
Does Tunch sit in the window and point and laugh at Lily out in the snow?
beltane
Lily still looks much happier there than she did with those stupid Santa’s helper antlers on her head.
burnspbesq
For the first time, Laettner came into the house this morning, and sat down just inside the front door while I was getting food for her.
We haven’t seen Hurley in at least a week, and assume that she has adopted some other household in the neighborhood.
Laettner says hi and Happy Holidays.
Bob In Pacifica
My thoughts exactly, beltane. Next year Cole has to wear the antlers.
Punchy
My Greyhounds have never been in a foot or more of crusty (read: very unstable) snow. All they know what to do is run, so they go gonzo when their legs fall thru and they’re chest-high in god’s dandruff. Comedy gold.
Also, have now lost 3 tennis balls to snow drifts. Dogs too distracted to pay attention to where it falls, then they try to dig it out, but only push it deeper, before they get confused and just eat the snow.
SiubhanDuinne
@burnspbesq: hi and happy holidays back at Laettner (and you, of course)
@John Cole: Lily’s legs are so long and delicate, she looks like a fluff-tailed fawn.
(P.S. Would not say No if you were to give us a picture of the unfawnlike Tunch.)
jeffreyw
Some flurries yesterday, just a light dusting. Cold. Good day to stay inside and experiment with some ancho chilis I got for xmas. Found via the google a very simple recipe that I will start with. Progress so far.
Paul in KY
Punchy, you need to get your greyhounds-in-snow on video so we can all revel in the comedy.
RedKitten
Awww….sweet Lily.
I was just reading over the post about when you first found her and you were thinking of bringing her home, and it brought tears to my eyes:
Lucky, lucky doggie. And lucky John, too.
bystander
She transforms from Darling Lily to Lily the Intrepid. If she could write she would pen My Adventures With John Cole. Hmm. Alternate title, John Cole Was An Adventure.
This economy is taking a real toll on pet owners and their pets in my area. People are dumping animals around here. We had a kitty show up who is not a typical feral cat. Loves being petted, easy to pick up, and assumes acceptance by our 7 member dog pack (which is a life threatening assumption for her to make). Our local animal shelter currently has over 300 cats awaiting adoption. Simply put, there is no room in the inn. So, we’ve made her a cozy home inside one of the barns, and we’re keeping her fed and warm. Checking with friends who have cat friendly households to see if I can find her a home of her own. It’s profoundly sad. So, good on ya Cole for giving Lily a home of her own, even though she’s humiliated with antlers once every year.
Steeplejack
This is turning out to be a pleasant morning indeed. I have discovered two live Premier League games on FSC, and, just because I can, I made myself a mimosa to go with breakfast. This is the second day of my weekend, so it’s not quite as debauched as it sounds. But, yeah, it is a bit debauched. Mimosas on Monday morning. If only every week could start that way. Yee-haw.
@RedKitten:
[Choking voice] I need a minute . . . It was a very good day when John met Lily.
Okay, back to Blackburn Rovers vs. Sunderland.
geg6
RedKitten @16: Seriously. Of all the horridness (is that a word? Should be) of 2009, the unfolding love story of Lily and John Cole is the good news story standout of the year.
Violet
@RedKitten:
Oh, that was a good day! Thanks for reposting that. Both Lily and John are so lucky.
Poor Lily looks like she just wants to do her business and get back inside. I can see why.
SiubhanDuinne
@bystander: I’m pretty sure Cole promised “never again” to the annual antler humiliation of Lily. If he reneges next year, there are plenty of us to hold his feet to the Yule fire.
Good for you for taking in that kitty. I have a friend who has recently started fostering dogs for a no-kill shelter, and she says it’s just astonishing, and heartbreaking, how many people are tragically forced to take their pets to shelters because of the economy.
General Winfield Stuck
“Lily the Intrepid” I like it. She be sweet as usual.
Cloudy here and expecting more snow. Charlie is monitoring the situation closely with great anticipation.
MikeJ
CFC were supposed to play Fulham today and FSC thinks I’d rather see Blackburn-Sunderland.
R-Jud
Zeno came in this morning and woke us up purring. Then he dropped a headless mouse on the bedspread, sat back on his haunches, and looked very smug.
I gave him and Quinn the neck and heart from our Christmas turkey the other night. I guess the mouse is his way of trying to return the favor.
Steeplejack
@MikeJ:
Well, you have to go with the Premier League game you’ve got, not the one you wish you had.
For some reason I find the live games more compelling than the taped ones, even though I almost never know the outcome of the latter ahead of time. There’s still something mildly exciting about the idea of seeing an event live from a distant part of the world.
SiubhanDuinne
I’m still in bed — just because I can, yes — but think I will get dressed and go see an early showing of Up in the Air. That will still leave most of the afternoon to do errand-y type stuff. Went yesterday to see The Young Victoria, which I thoroughly enjoyed. As an English history buff I had a few minor quibbles, but rigid adherence to historical accuracy doesn’t always translate into good storytelling. It’s gorgeous to look at, anyhow, and Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend were perfectly cast as V&A.
MikeJ
@Steeplejack:
Completely agree, which is why it’s frustrating to know the game I want to see is happening right now. Chelsea 0 – 1 Fulham at 44 minutes into the first half.
GReynoldsCT00
@R-Jud:
The last time my indoor cat bagged a mouse (and left me a killing field) she literally pranced around and chirped at me she was so proud of herself. I told her “next time eat the whole damn thing dammit!”
RedKitten
Oh, and to add to the weirdness of your blizzard, John? It’s 5 degrees here (41 degrees Fahrenheit for you folks), and sunny. I had to run to the pharmacy earlier to get some Pedialyte for Sam (poor kid’s got the shittles), and I went out in jeans and a sweater — no jacket.
geg6
Although I am skeptical of Sully’s hysteria when he latches on to some story or cause, I have to say I am intrigued by the news out of Iran. I went and caught up with the stuff coming from Juan Cole and the NYT (more trusted sources than Sully for this story). I just wish our 24 hour cable news channels would remember that this is the type of story which actually justifies the existence of such media outlets. And based on an admittedly quick run through the cable toxic waste, a potentially game changing event is not even on their radar. Much more important to be scraming about Janet Napolitano or HCR is soshulist or about incompetent al Qaeda sympathizers coming to kill us all with their fiery crotches.
RedKitten
Okay, no idea why I’m in moderation, but I’ll try re-posting:
Oh, and to add to the weirdness of your blizzard, John? It’s 5 degrees here (41 degrees Fahrenheit for you folks), and sunny. I had to run to the pharmacy earlier to get some unnamed electrolyte beverage for Sam (poor kid’s got the shittles), and I went out in jeans and a sweater — no jacket.
RedKitten
Ugh — no idea why I got stuck in mod hell, but I’ll try something else:
Oh, and to add to the weirdness of your blizzard, John? It’s 5 degrees here (41 degrees Fahrenheit for you folks), and sunny. I had to run to the place where one would buy these things earlier to get some unnamed electrolyte beverage for babies for Sam (poor kid’s got the shittles), and I went out in jeans and a sweater — no jacket.
Good to know — one of the mod trigger words is “Farmacy” (spelled correctly, of course.)
SiubhanDuinne
Test
Pharmacy
MattR
@Steeplejack:
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
EDIT: Quickly countered with a GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Neutron Flux
After 28 days in the Rio Grande valley in Texas, it is back to Kansas for us Wednesday.
Sigh…………..
Scuffletuffle
@GReynoldsCT00: Among the items my cats have presented me with are a live bat, in the middle of winter for FSM’s sake, and a live bunny, same size as the cat, and a snake, all brought in through a kitchen window to reach which the cats have to jump about two and a half feet to a narrow wood rail, then another foot or so to the window sill. Cats rule!
jeffreyw
@GReynoldsCT00:
Obligatory Smug Toby With A Mouse pic.
And the ancho chicken recipe is complete. The chilis added some heat, but not that much. Gonna be enough to make Mrs J glare at me, though.
Max
It’s been howling wind in Oakland since yesterday afternoon. I hate the wind. I can’t sleep with it rushing outside and it makes me grumpy in the morning.
I think I have wind PTSD from my years living in Florida, especially Jax in 2004 when we had Bonnie, Charlie, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in like a 6-week period.
I hate the wind.
HRA
My eyes keep drifting to the window where we are having intermittent whiteouts. The snow has not stopped since midnight.
Great pic of Lily.
Steeplejack
@MattR:
Yeah, nothing kills the buzz like giving back a goal you just got.
Sunderland is back up now.
Scuffletuffle
@jeffreyw: Ooooo, Toby, good kitteh!
Paul in KY
I wish my cats would present me with some mole carcasses. My side yard looks like Moledor ™. If one of the critters is nice enough to crawl around above ground, they will do their duty.
Unfortunately, they can’t deign to dirty their paws & instead just sit there above them, listening to mole gossip (I guess).
burnspbesq
@MikeJ:
Any idea which FA Cup matches are going to be televised in the US this coming weekend?
Edit to answer my own question: Boro – Man City and Milton Keynes Dons – Burnley on Saturday. ManU – Leeds and Wolves – Tranmere on Sunday. Blecch.
Scuffletuffle
@Paul in KY: I could lease you mine, they love to dig for moles.
OriGuy
About an inch or so of snow in Indy last night. My ten-year-old niece is at the age where scraping ice off a windshield sound like fun, so I let her do it. After all the fuss about security, I got to IND early and there was no line and no patting down at the airport.
Drove from Bloomington to Cincinnati on Boxing Day to see the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Recommended.
Back to San Jose today. Hopefully I won’t spend five hours in DFW again.
Edit: Ed at Gin and Tacos had a funny about the Indianapolis airport:
Maude
It’s nice to see Lily without the antlers that made her look like Joan Rivers.
No snow here in NJ, but the temps dropped and it’s windy.
OT Pete King was on local radio having himself a wonderful time using the Obama is no good talking points.
R-Jud
Stephen Colbert in a speedskating outfit.
You’re welcome.
Paul in KY
Scuffletuffle, appreciate the offer. I fear mine (cats, that is) might get yours thinking that all this de-moling is just ‘working for the man’ & the best ‘work’ for a ethically advanced cat is to hold down the bed or sofa ;-)
CaseyL
As MikeJ noted, here in Seattle we’ve only gotten a light dusting of frost so far. The weekend was gloriously sunny (and cold); today is more normal for us, with overcast and low-40s temps.
How much does Lily talk with her tail? Because I haven’t made a thorough study , but it looks likes it’s curled more-tightly-than-usual while she daintily steps through snow. Is she just trying to conserve heat by keeping her tail tight to her body, or is she saying something like “The instant I’m done my business I WANT TO GO BACK INDOORS!”
I had a wonderful morning with Jeannie and Oscar. Cuddled with Jeannie right after I woke up (her longhair fur is very fine and flyaway, and her scent is fresh-washed linen) and then I coaxed Oscar (Jeannie’s son, who defers to his Mom and only comes up on the bed when I insist) into curling up next to me for sleepy scritches. Oscar is a magnificent fellow (think 14 pound long-haired sealpoint, all fur and muscle, though he lacks the Siamese voice) whose fur is thick and cotton-candy soft but, oddly, doesn’t smell of anything at all. They’re both balm for my still-mourning-Ariel heart.
MattR
@CaseyL: If Lily is at all like my dog Ellie she is thinking “Why would I want to go inside when there are all these wonderful smells out here?” When we had all the snow last week, I took her for a 15 minute walk. We came back in, I grabbed warmer gloves and you should have seen her shaking when I asked if she wanted to go back out. She spent the next 45 minutes running, jumping and sniffing through a foot of snow and I pretty much had to drag her back inside.
MattR
@CaseyL: Oh, and if you want to better understand what a dog’s tail wagging means, here is an interesting NY Times article froma couple years ago.
link
Shell
Lily looks a little like, ‘Batten down the hatches and head for port!”
Scuffletuffle
@Paul in KY: Well, they do plenty of that, too, but mole digging has always had cache with them for some reason, as does chipmunk chasing. Nice balance of laid back and active modes, both good things in a cat.
CaseyL
@MattR: Thanks, MattR; what a fascinating article! What it didn’t say outright is that tail wagging is not in and of itself a “happy dog” thing. I didn’t know that; maybe people who don’t have dogs wouldn’t know that.
See, cat behavior has something similar. Most people think cats purr when they’re happy. Nope: they purr when they’re feeling any strong emotion. So you have to be aware of the context, and of other body-language cues, to interpret what the purr really means.
Animal language is so much more subtle and complex than commonly assumed – just like animal emotions are so more subtle and complex than commonly assumed.
There’s not a whole lot going on in our culture these days that strikes me as positive, but I do like the growing awareness of animals as persons, with higher-order language and cognitive abilities worthy of study and respect.
Demo Woman
@RedKitten: That was so sweet of you to post John’s comments about Lily.
John, selected the perfect name also.
BruceJ
Semi-related, this REALLY looks like Lily….
Mnemosyne
Hee. I accidentally clicked on my “Add to Amazon Wish List” button and a picture of Lily popped up so I could add her.
Debbie(aussie)
I so want to see and feel snow. I know it is cold, but the experience. It looks so pretty. Beautiful dog, that Lily.
Yutsano
@Scuffletuffle: My cat Skitz (who is the big mouser) loves catching both mice and birds, but the biggest thing he has ever brought me was a live quail. He let it loose and the poor thing proceeded to run right out the dog door and escape. He just sat there looking proud.