laughing out loud in 2021

"There was this guy who was looking for the best hollandaise sauce, and a friend suggested that he look in Nome, Alaska. When questioned why in Nome, the friend replied...

everyone knows there is no place like Nome for the hollandaise."

Hahahaha hahaha!

Thanks again, Mary Prokop, for making me laugh out loud - and singing the song! - as I left fb!

"Sad news! I broke up with my girlfriend Loraine. She found out I was seeing another girl, Claire Lee. Good news though!

I can see Claire Lee now, Loraine is gone!"

Hahahaha hahaha!

Thanks again, Hallie Allgood, for making me laugh out loud -and singing the song! - as I left fb!

Here's another from that woman in Louisiana who's had me leave fb laughing since I started that good habit in May!

A cow, a pig, and a chicken are in the office, with the farmer's head in the computer monitor and the cow on the phone.

"Tech support... I'd like to report a FARMER in the DELL!"

Yes, oh, yes, laughing, and singing, too!

Keep 'em comin', Hallie!

While two camels gaze on, two men in robes, one holding a a shiny block and the other a bottle of perfume, face a third man in robes who is standing next to Frankenstein's monster. The white-bearded man holding the perfume says to the dark-bearded one:

"Right, we've picked up the gold and the myrrh... what on Earth is that?!"

Hahahaha!

Thanks, purple-haired Barbara Gooby, for making sure I left fb in a jovial mood!

And while we have these wise guys, consider this panel, this time with the dark-bearded robed man holding a bottle of perfume, while the white-bearded man in robes has a statue of a mythical ocean creature. Here's their conversation.

"What I said was: 'I'll make the frankincense, you get the myrrh made!' "

Hahahaha!

Thanks, Danny Beam, for making me laugh out loud as I took my departure from fb!

In fact, that former Baptist minister makes me laugh quite a bit!

Here's a more recent one, with a young man in a suit, collar and tie loosened, standing in a a front yard and looking to the right of the person holding the camera.

"After half an hour trying to figure out this crazy haircut, I realized it's a coconut tree behind him."

Hahahaha!

It almost looks like his hair is done with lots of little mohawk ridges!

Okay, away I go!

pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold

How does that nursery rhyme go?

"Pease porridge hot,

pease porridge cold,

shingles shot on the arm

three days old."

Wait just a minute...

that's not quite right, is it?

And just what is pease porridge anyway?

Is it a soup or is it more akin to cream of wheat or oatmeal?

Questions, questions...

but I need to buy groceries, so...

later!

looking at Daddy's Trees

I had the sound off on my phone and had not set an alarm.

I was blowing off church, as I knew Billy would not be preaching.

Even so, I was awakened by something.

And when I checked my phone, my ex had sent the first of three photographs and was in the process of sending the other two to me.

They were shots he took of Daddy's Trees.

When I was talking with him last month, I had made a request that he do so.

I had learned a few years ago where the Arbor Day Foundation had placed the grove of 72 new homes for birds and wildlife.

Then, a couple of months ago when I was locating the town where Jeff and Amy live, I found out they are close to two portions of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

That's when the idea took root to ask for a photo.

I had been concerned about asking for such a favor.

After all, things that look close on a map are not necessarily so in real life.

Plus I didn't want him to think they needed to make a special trip of it.

Fortunately, I needn't have worried about that point.

 

They were having a drive, just to get out of the house and go nowhere in particular, on a blue-sky day this past weekend.

When he saw the sign, that sparked the memory of my request and so they had stopped and he took the three shots of the trees.

Truly beautiful, aren't they?

This is my favorite of the three.

I haven't tried to count them to see how many there are, but I'm sure these are at least some of the trees in Daddy's grove.

I can just feel it.

(smile)

I've shared the photos with my stepmom Bonnie.

I know she will love them, too.

What a lovely way to begin this day!

Thank you so much, Jeff!

another penny from heaven

No, it wasn't outside the cinema.

I was there for a second viewing of "The Croods: A New Age", but this time with my first niece's family.

That's CJ in the foreground, with his Dad at the end of the line.

Beside him is littlest girl, then sister Chlo, and then Christina.

And guess what?

They all laughed and enjoyed the movie, seen for their first time - and I laughed and enjoyed it, too!

Afterward, the Christians, father and son, both ventured off to a meeting about a sports car show.

That left us four girls to rustle up some dinner and pizza at Cici's was our game plan.

I was rather concerned about hitting such a popular place at 6:30 on a Sunday evening.

That concern seemed well-founded when we arrived and had to wait outside until it was safe to come in.

Waiting outside in 40-something chill, at that.

If I had been alone, I would have left... but I waited.

I knew this time together was very important to Christina.

She lost her third, and last, grandpa on Thursday.

Lee McEwen, her stepdad's father, died from COVID.

Now, someone will have to take care of his wife, who is mentally unable to live alone.

The situation has really put a strain on Christina, as the family is acting as if the pandemic is no longer an issue... when that's the very reason he is dead.

So, as I said, I waited, to share a meal with her and offer support.

Finally we made out way into the foyer and ordered, but we still had to wait while the large group in front of us took their turn being served on the pizza line.

Again, if I had been alone, I would have left... but I waited.

And that's when I saw the penny, practically glowing, so shiny and bright!

It must have been recently minted, it was that clean and coppery.

But I left it there by the wall, in the entryway.

I knew if I reached down for it, Chloe would see and might pick up something else from the floor and put it in her mouth.

It's just her nature to do so... so I left the penny where it was.

But I knew why it was there.

Right place, right time.

Message received.

i thank You, God.

penny from heaven

It's been a rough few days.

I have found myself sobbing at least once since midday on Wednesday.

I don't mean crying -

no, sobbing inconsolably, tears streaming, mouth open.

It's been a rough few days.

But at least I was not alone for all of this day.

My first niece had asked me to meet her and littlest girl for lunch.

I was up until 4 AM again, so that didn't happen.

I did make it to the VA in time for the second shot of shingles vaccine.

The nurse and I were talking about the veterans who took part in the attack on The Capitol, betraying the oath they had made to this country.

And I couldn't help it - 

I sobbed right there. 

She stayed with me for another twenty minutes to make sure I would be okay.

Right place, right time.

She agreed that the 68 attackers arrested, especially those associated with injuries to the police, should be charged as terrorists.

She liked that I was going to see a movie about good triumphing over evil.

 

But first I needed to get to Pooler.

It was already after 3:30 and the traffic had picked up.

Still, I was able to catch the USPS truck outside Seasons of Japan - and finally post birthday cards to Christy and Linh.

Then, warm and filling Soba Tempura Shrimp, along with edamame to restore my body.

I was even there in time for "Family Feud" while I leisurely dined.

Right place, right time.

On to the GTC Pooler for "The Dark Crystal" of 1982.

As I left my car, the 1977 penny gleamed to catch my attention -

Right place, right time.
I even had free popcorn as a birthday bonus not yet received, so now I have some at home.

As for the movie...

I was amazed how much of it I remembered.

It's probably been two decades since I've seen it.

I was already a fan of Jim Henson and his Muppets, plus I'd seen Ralph Bakshi's "Wizards" - which came out in 1977 - multiple times while in Panama, so this movie seemed a continuation on a theme and I was all for that.

It was no coincidence that this movie was here for me today.

i thank You, God.

I was even inspired to write a little poem as I watched the puppet actors.

 

"Ten little mystics waiting for a sign, 

one withered and died and then there were nine.
 

Nine little mystics traveling before too late,

one suddenly vanished and then there were eight.

Eight little mystics at their ancestral home,

reunited with their physical selves and then there were none."

Right place, right time.

really, truly, most sincerely - the incumbent is done

It was past 11 PM before the House of Representatives had finished.

Not only had they taken every minute of the two hours allotted, in five-minute chunks, but they had been quite slow to cast their votes on whether the arguments had confirmed or negated the objection voiced almost ten hours earlier.

In the end, as expected, the objection was overturned and Arizona's Electoral College results were accepted.

Forty minutes later, the Joint Session to COunt Electoral College Votes was finally able to reconvene to continue "the people's work".

Vice-President Pence's opening remarks reminded all would-be terrorists in the world that "violence never wins; freedom wins."

Then the roll call of the States' results was resumed, the red boxes containing that information back in place on the desk.

That was very reassuring to me.

The results for Arizona were formally accepted and added to the count.

The next seven sets of results - for Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, and Florida - were read, met with no objection, and the tally continued, with the incumbent's total far behind that of the elected.

Then the results for Georgia were read.

A Representative from Texas raised an objection... but the Georgia Senator had withdrawn her support.

Objection denied!

And so the roll call went.

The results for Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa - all accepted.

The results for Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, and Massachusetts - accepted without quarrel.

Then it was Michigan's turn -

"Objection!", a Representative cried.

"Denied for lack of Senate support", he was told by Mike Pence, as the results were officially accepted.

I almost felt giddy with relief.

My euphoria continued as state after state - Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska - had their results read, with the Vice-President words -

"Hearing no objection" - marking their numbers into the official tallies of the Republican and Democratic candidates.

Then came Nevada.

"Objection!", a different Representative cried.

"Denied for lack of Senate support", he was told by Mr. Pence.

Then the results for that home of Las Vegas were officially accepted.

New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York - all results accepted!

North Carolina, North Dakota - into the tallies with your data!

Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon - yes, yes, yes!

Then it was time for Pennsylvania.

"Objection!", yet another Representative cried... with a Senator in tow.

Damn.

It was almost midnight-thirty.

So much for the proceedings ending in a timely manner so all could return home.

The Senators completed their debate and were done with their vote within an hour.

The Representatives were intent on grandstanding for the folks back home - got to be mindful of the next election, of course. Truly frustrating and time wasting.

No one said anything during their five-minute allotment on the debate about Nevada's results than they'd already said during their allowed five-minute speeches during the debate on Arizona's results.

 

After dawdling away the first three hours of the new day, and probably taking an extended bathroom break, the House of Representatives was finally ready to join the Senate and allow the Joint Session to reconvene.

I can only imagine how frustrated the Vice President was by the shenanigans of many of his party members there tonight.

It was 3:25 AM - making this event a true feat of endurance for those who rise at 5 AM or earlier for their work day - and this task still needed to be completed for the American people...

for me.

The roll call picked up with Rhode Island after Pennsylvania's results had been officially accepted into the count.

No objections were heard for that tiny state.

Next were South Carolina and South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas, Utah and Vermont - all accepted without a murmur.

Virginia, Washington, West Virginia - their results went straight to the tallies.

Wisconsin followed and was stopped short by a Representative's "Objection!"

 

"Denied for lack of Senate support" was the response from the podium.

i thank You, God.

I'm sure that was the reaction from almost everyone there - it was certainly mine.

I'm a night owl usually, but I was up at 6:30 AM, anxious as I had been to see this.

Now, my energy was flagging and the fade bear was coming with his velvet paws.

Not much longer, though.

Wisconsin's results were accepted, as were those of Wyoming, the final state in the roll call.

With 306 EC votes to the incumbent's 232, Joe Biden was officially certified as the elected President, with incumbent Vice-President Pence making the announcement.

i thank You, God.

I think I'll still refrain from saying the incumbent's name, though.

No need to tempt more evil to befall this country I love.

what. a. day.

I never even made it out of my nightgown and bathrobe.

I had intended to go to the grocery store, as my fridge and pantry are looking a bit bare -

but I didn't.

I've been up since just after 8 AM, about two hours before normal.

Now, it's almost twelve hours later and my day is gone and the night threatens to go on and on.

This was the primary item on my agenda today.

I'd never watched the ceremonial proceedings for the certification of the Electoral College votes by Congress.

Never had I even been interested.

This time, though, I felt the need to be part of it, to experience it.

C-SPAN began coverage at 1 PM and I was right there.

I had even thought ahead about meals for the event.

I saw that the network had blocked out six hours for the political proceedings to be completed, so I knew I wanted sustenance that would be good hot or cold.

This White Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen sounded like a winning proposition - and it has been.

So, at least that worked out.

 

The Joint Session of Congress had been working well, too, until Vice-President Pence got three states in, to Arizona.

A Representative and a Senator objected, in writing, to that state's results, so the Joint Session dissolved to allow the House and the Senate to separately debate, for up to two hours, and then vote on whether to accept Arizona's results.

They were each about an hour into their debates and I decided I had time to take a shower...

but then the world fell apart.

The posturing protesters turned into mindless thugs controlled by the lame-duck, angry bird self-caged in the white House.

The Capitol, the heart of American democracy, was breached by the gun-toting, tear gas throwing, home-grown terrorists.

And who were these terrorists?

White American males aged 30 to 50, primarily, though some middle-aged women were also part of the marauding group.

I was transfixed, sobbing.

The members of Congress, the Vice-President, and the staffers all had to run for cover as the terrorists threw tear gas and fired off shots.

Fortunately, one of the staff had thought to grab those red boxes -

those contained the Electoral College results from all of the states.

As it turns out, each state makes six copies of those results, maybe to safeguard against terrorist takeovers like these.

 

President-Elect Biden went on the air to ask the incumbent to contact his band of terrorists to cease and desist their siege of The Capitol and threats of harm to the members of Congress.

He justifiably referred to this as a day of infamy, akin to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Representative Mike Gallagher of Illinois, politician and former Marine, minced no words when he described the terrorists' actions as those to be found in a 'banana republic', not a first-world power.

He also called for the incumbent to have his henchmen stand down and disperse.

They might as well have saved their breath.

Yes, the incumbent did chirp out a video, one in which he told the terrorists to go, but wrapped it in a message that implied "...but not too far."

The arrival of the DC metropolitan police, in riot gear, assisted by the National Guard, in conjunction with the sundown and the mayor's 6 PM curfew, were the factors that finally drove out the terrorists.

I am thankful The Capitol is not in flames or badly damaged.

I am thankful that the only dead during this hostile take-over was one of the marauders and not a member of Congress.

The Senate resumed its debate at 8 PM on its objection to Arizona's Electoral College results and the House of Representatives are due to resume its debate on that same issue at 9 PM.

The debate time clock seems to have been reset, so that means the Joint Session will not reconvene until after 11 PM.

I'm taking a break from this great sadness of the world.

The universe has graced me with the Elvis episode of "Quantum Leap" and I fully intend to watch it at 9 PM.

I'll return afterward, hopefully with my emotions more in check.

Like the Congressmen, I am in this for the long haul tonight.

I have a responsibility to myself to do so.

As I told my ex a few hours ago, when I'd contacted him about the horrors of this day, I feel compelled to see the proceedings through to the end.

"The Beetlejuice phenomenon" is what I've called it.

I just need to make sure the incumbent is really, truly, most sincerely, gone.