please pass the fragment

I confess I often forget the “please” when asking for a dish to be passed. Did you know Mrs. 4444 has a table setting of fragments for us every Friday? Check it out and mind your manners there.

Fragments fresh off my fingertips

Does blogging seem like a long game of tag at times? Did you ever play flashlight tag?

~%~ look squirrel ~%~

I should start working on my epitaph. With my luck I’ll need to correct typos in it. I can just see it now. “He soured with eagles.” (this fragment was inspired by CiCi’s post)

Writing about typos reminds me of one I made in a comment recently. Typos can alter the meaning in funny ways. Regarding a post about bystanders helping crime victims I wrote:

“...others persuaded the attacker...”

I meant to write:
“...others pursued the attacker...”

~%~ look squirrel ~%~

Being positive is a better approach than being negative. Simple to think but not simple to remember all the time. Have you ever felt thankful and positive for the knowledge you have learned about penguins? Penguins are positive birds.

I know reincarnation can’t be true because everyone would want to come back as a penguin. The Galapagos Penguin lives just north of the equator so coming back as a penguin does not mean ice and snow.

~%~ look penguin ~%~

Like it or not, those around you become familiar with your typical appearance and style. Make a radical change such as hair color, or facial hair and your friends and family might not have positive reactions. But what about just taking your glasses off?

Our youngest granddaughter was over this week (she turned 1 last Nov.). I was down on the floor helping her get the toys out. She found a favorite toy pearl necklace. She has just recently figured out how to put it on and off. At one point she was holding it out with her outstretched arms and I thought she might slip it on me. I quickly took off my glasses. Wow, did her face change. She was about to cry. I slipped my glasses back on and she gave me a lengthy blah blah babble earful.

Source: plus.google.com vialisleman on Pinterest

hawk brought lunch

Today Hawk stopped by for lunch. The weather was so nice, he ate outside.

Good thing Hawk ate outside because the lunch was not cooked. Hawk likes raw fresh meat. I’m terrible with names, but I knew better, not to call him Chicken Hawk. After a little photo matching on the internet, I’ve determined he is a Cooper’s Hawk.

Today he enjoyed fresh chipmunk or maybe small squirrel. Not being the most sociable diner, I could not get close enough to ask the exact type of juicy meal he consumed in our neighbor’s tree.

We do hope he will return for another chipmunk. We have plenty living under our deck.

playful penguins

I posted many pictures from our visit to Grand Rapids ArtPrize recently.  This set of pictures are all from one entry that I found amusing.

The waterfall fountain is outside the Gerald Ford presidential museum.  Real penguins would probably enjoy the place.

You can find more pictures from around blogland at Unknown Mami's SIMC.
 

friday fragments and freebird

As you fly into Friday, don’t flap your yap.

Wishin or bitchin, 

it don’t matter  

post it as Friday Fragments, 

you'll have comment flatter. 

Now after this post get over to Mrs. 4444’s place to check out the fragment chatter. Do you get extra points for rhyming in your FF post?

Now this is unusual for me. In addition to using the word dystopia, I saw a blockbuster movie on its opening weekend. I avoid crowds so I don’t mind waiting a week or two. I was the only one in our group seeing this dystopian thriller, “The Hunger Games” who had not read the book (they couldn’t wait). I enjoyed the movie but consider its level of violence too much for very young viewers. The violence is a main element of the plot so you should expect it.

Having seen the movie and knowing the Katniss character, today’s Chicago Tribune article about the “Katniss factor” made even more sense to me. Introductory archery classes have been packed recently and mostly by young women. I had not thought of the archery connection. Anyone know a good bow company? 

Movies and merchandising of course go together like Katniss’s arrow and squirrel. No surprise then that Mattel is releasing a new Barbie doll based on Katniss. I bet it could kick Ken’s ass.

Wondering about the freebird in the title? Ok, go back take a quick look. Now are you wondering about the “freebird” in the title? 

While down in the basement man cave, I hear my wife calling (note work on soundproofing) to alert me about something the neighbor had discovered in our downspout. What? I step out into the back yard to hear the bird-stuck-in-your-drain tale. As I’m being told the story, I restrain myself from asking why the neighbor is listening to our downspout. “What are you a weirdo downspout listener?” I want to ask but don’t. 

At first I figured it must be a chipmunk but in fact it was a bird. I tried a few different ideas to evacuate him but my bird negotiation knowledge is severely lacking. The sun would set in 30 minutes and the area was very muddy so after those failed attempts I did what I do best - procrastinate and think about it. 

Our daughter had an outside-of-the-box-thinking idea. Her suggestion which I tried was to place a light in the downspout to scare the bird to go out the other end. Sure it was an outside-of-the-box idea but it wasn’t an out of the drain one. I think the bird enjoyed a night light. 

The next morning I disconnected the downspout and drain pipe. I even stepped back and waited. Nothing but a little scratching around. I got a long stick and thought maybe I could push him out. No, but I was able to clean some debris from the pipe. I could see him and he was larger than I expected. I held the pipe down level and just waited. About a minute or so he jumped out. One jump and he was in the air. I don't think he even touched the ground first. Flew to a nearby tree and was gone. Freebird!

thanks Mrs. 4444's mom -  tossing money is fun

My last post offered a puzzle to solve. Here’s the explanation for those of you wanting to know: 

It's not a solution to an algebra type problem. Really it's just accounting confusion. Think politicians running a budget. The 3 guys did pay $9 each for a total of $27 but the store didn't get the whole $27. If you divide the people into two groups - 3 customers make one group (#1) and let the store and waiter make the other group (#2) you'll be able to account for all the money. Just locate the $30 after the money has been distributed - group #1 has $3 and group #2 has $27 - this totals $30. No missing money. 

(proofreading provided by C. F. Eyecare)

Short news you don’t care about

Wayne Newton has penguins

I’m not sure how long his condition has existed. I just learned of his odd situation while listening to “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me”. He was a guest on the show and played their “not my job” game.

During the interview I learned he has a 40 acre menagerie in Las Vegas called Casa de Shenandoah.

I guess (never had them myself) if you have the penguins, you want to share them with others.

Wayne and his wife just obtained approval to turn their Vegas ranch into an entertainment attraction.

It might be a good break from the slots and tables of the strip. The Newtons have more than penguins. Such as: a Frank Sinatra champagne glass, Nat King Cole's watch, Steve McQueen's Rolls-Royce and a Johnny Cash guitar.

He could sell autographed copies of “Danke Schoen”.