Update on NOTEFLIX’s production of “Troubles in the Garden”: What have we here? Doomscroller, the ballon creature in the center of the photo, is horrified by what he sees. As you know, Doomscroller has super powers: He can see deeply into the past, the future and even the present. What we do not know is what does he see at this moment. Is he disturbed by what is coming up in the Election to run the Land of Stuffed Animals? Will the Hairy Pig Qween Ezmiralda lose power to the idiot Mordumur? Or was Doomscroller just informed he has an infected tooth implant and has to have it removed? Or, is he about to run out of air and shrivel up and fall down? Come back next week for more excitements.
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(A two minute read, if you read half of it)
ALARMING NEWS, NEW STUDIES, AND DETRITUS FROM TOP OF MY DESK: (The reader is to decide which is which.)
- There are more than 19,000 things greater than 5 centimeters in diameter floating in low orbit around the earth, and 500,000 a centimeter or more…”Density of Debris” is what it is called – some of the stuff is traveling as fast as a speeding bullet. So, you have to be careful when you want to go out there. Then there is all the plastic and goo mulching around in the oceans, so, you want to avoid all that, too. So where can you go these days? You certainly can’t go to Texas; but that is a whole ‘nother thing.
- In the waters off Japan, they have found a giant jellyfish …a ‘Nomuras’…6 feet in diameter and 450 pounds. For sure I am not going swimming in the waters off Japan. I have heard there is something in jellyfish that is good for your memory…but I still do not think this is good news. And now you can’t swim off the coast of California because of the sharks. And private pools are going to be discouraged because of water shortages.
- And carbon dioxide is causing acidification of our waters and the corals are dying and the fish are losing their abilities to detect their predators…
- Studies show Americans are more likely to donate money to a homeless dog than to a homeless person. I knew this before they made the study. I think I am going to stop donating money to the people who do Studies.
- Uber is accepting ads that go on top of driver’s cars. Soon you will go where you want with a big plastic wiener or a huge piece of pizza on top of your ride. I wonder if you, as the paying customer, can claim some of those advertising dollars as you rode around promoting hot dogs and such. If you sue for this – and win, I want 7%.
- There are many articles out there which discuss “How to talk to someone who has a different point of view”. One I read said that Abraham Lincoln was good at this. His approach was to begin the conversation by asserting he was a ‘friend’ of the person he was about to talk too…talking to a friend over a fireside chat kind of approach. But what if the person you are talking to is out of his stark raving mad mind, believing that Obama created ISIS, or the Jan 6ers were patriots, or Putin really is a nice guy with the best interests of the Ukrainians at heart? How do you talk to that kind of friend, Abe? You’d have a better chance of success swimming off the coast of California, or squeezing through the “Density of Debris” without getting harmed.
And now a few words from MATHUZALA our Resident Rodent Guest Columnist:
MATHUZALA SPEAKS:
- You might have noticed some of your power plants have had problems producing energy lately. We did that. Nibble by nibble we are trying to help you address your problems with Climate Change by making your fossil fuel industry inoperable. It is time to ask the question: “What are you doing to help?” Join us as a ‘Chumper’ and get involved.
- -ed. Note: Were you to want to know how to become a Chumper, go to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and buy the (non) BEST SELLER “THE RAT PAPERS” and join in on the fun.
Notes from Tuscany
It is getting cool here….can go down to high 30’s at night. Sunset is 5:00…dark early out there….Americans are all going home. European tourists are down to a trickle. One of the three local cafes will close down this winter for a month, maybe two. We are told we should not turn the heat on in our homes until next week. The restaurants do not have the heat on – and they even keep the doors open. Go figure. ….But, life here is good. Simple; but good.
Four quotes:
- “The opposite of talking isn’t listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.” -Fran Liebowitz, Photographer
- “What you said is exactly what you intended to say.” -Dr.Robert Anthony
- “Have I reached the person to whom I am speaking?” -Lily Tomlin as ‘Ernestine’
- “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing” -Attributed to UCLA football coach Red Sanders in the 1930’s
That’s it for this week…and a fond “Hello” to Pam, wherever you are.
It’s about time!
Best, Pam