13 Thursday: What’s it all about, Alfie?
1. I’m an avid follower of world news, but not lately. The Bush presidency is like a bad movie that’s being drawn out even though many of us saw right through the plot from the start. I wish I could hit fast forward or rewind.
2. If your answering machine message says this: "Speak in rhyme if you’re so inclined … leave a clue if you do," and you’re selling your car you might get this: “I’m calling about the CRV, you see. I’ll call back tonight, even if it’s in the moonlight.”
3. Tuesday was stormy. I had to bow (a pun?) out of a Scrabble game to baby sit my dog who’s afraid of the thunder. So I took a crash course on what to do about a dog with a thunder phobia. HERE.
4. Do you know about the Shameless Lions of Lyon France? They’re not afraid to go out in public wearing horse saddles, maps, masks, or words written on their backs. Some are mod and others are classical or whimsical with names like Dandy, Alfie, Leonardo Leola, and Johnny Cash. They come in all shades of blue, some pink, red, polka dots, and patchwork. One named Mr. Mellow Yellow is blue, while another named Blue calls his owner Yellow. A couple are nameless and one is named “Nameless.” They're walking down the runway HERE, and the Shameless Writer's Circle is HERE.
5. Meet some of my artist friends HERE.
6. “What’s it all about Alfie?” has been a longtime theme song of mine that I sometimes spontaneously break out singing. I found myself singing it recently when I passed the home of an elderly man on my way to town. For years I’ve waved to him when he’s out working in his garden. He passed away a couple of weeks ago, and it’s been sad watching his corn grow taller knowing he’s not here to harvest it.
7. I’ve noticed that sparrows and chickadees have little fear of humans. When I’m out in the yard they keep eating at the bird feeder while the more colorful birds – cardinals, golden finches, woodpeckers, and indigo buntings, seem to feel the need to protect themselves and so fly away. Is there a life parallel here, I wonder?
8. Common birds are down to earth, literally.
9. My rugs and my lawn are on alternating schedules. By the time I finish vacuuming, the lawn needs mowing.
10. Is there any other word in the English language that has two consecutive U’s in it besides vacuum?
11. Every time I harvest basil I remember Rick describing how prolific his backyard basil was by saying it grows on the moon. It’s funny what random things stick in our minds.
12. SeeingTHIS was the most fun I had yesterday.
13. The second most fun thing I did yesterday was eat my first ear of garden corn. I also ate garden green beans, tomatoes, and venison. So who says you can’t have a free lunch?
Thursday headquarters is here. My other 13's are here. View more 13 Thursday’s here. This is my 90th TT.
Comments
I agree with your number one. The black bracelet I wear says it all, "I did not vote for Bush." I wish more people hadn't as well.
Unfortunately, we may be living with his legacy for a long time.
As to the Lions of Lyon, I love number 45!
I posted a list of Harry Potter predictions. If you are interested, stop by.
Happy TT!
Posted by: Ms. George | July 19, 2007 9:50 AM
The comment about the elderly man really got to me. It's amazing in a way how life continues on long after we're gone.
Happy TT and thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Christine d'Abo | July 19, 2007 9:57 AM
1.I have to watch the news, just because I may lose my pissed off edge if I dont.
2.The lions are new, Ive seen the horses, the cows and the pigs, I look forward to the lions eventually
3.uterus?
Posted by: Sparky Duck | July 19, 2007 10:07 AM
I live near Virginia Tech and we have Hokie birds here, which are like cartoon turkeys. I do still watch the news to see how the referees are calling it, but not as much as I used to. It's like a soap opera you can get hooked on but then stop watching and tune in a year later and not much has changed. When they start the impeachment trials I'll watch 24 hours a day.
Posted by: colleen | July 19, 2007 10:19 AM
Oh, I like the lions WAAAAAAAAAAY better than the cows!!!
Posted by: Janet | July 19, 2007 10:26 AM
Loved the Butterflies and eating out of the garden is one of my all time favorite things to do. I wish my random thoughts were as delightful as yours (said with a sigh!)
Posted by: Lazy Daisy | July 19, 2007 10:50 AM
We share a common love for Alfie! Great song. I like this 13 Thursday idea. I hope this links correctly now!
Posted by: inlandempiregirl | July 19, 2007 10:53 AM
Interesting read! I know the word "Continuum" from Star Trek, but there must be more than 2.
My TT is about full moon names.
Posted by: Tink | July 19, 2007 10:54 AM
You and Elliot are invited to visit my lion's den, The Literary Lion of Lyon. My mate Sophia has delivered our first cubs. Yes, twins!
Roary ^..^ we have two ^..^
P.S. Your readers are welcome to come, too. See you there.
Posted by: Roary Lyon | July 19, 2007 7:22 PM
Re #1 - Forget about FF and Rewind, just go straight for Delete.
Posted by: Julie | July 19, 2007 8:16 PM
#7 -- yes, I definitely think there is a life parallel.
Posted by: Ampersand | July 19, 2007 8:42 PM
I noticed the thing with the birds the other day when I was trying to take a picture at my bird feeder. The common birds are friendly. I also noticed that although Robins don't eat seeds, they like to nest near a house and near a bird feeder. I've had several nests near or on my house and love to hear the babies when a parent is trying to feed them. They grow too fast and leave the nest before you think they should.
Posted by: Amy the Black | July 19, 2007 9:29 PM
i like the butterflies in oregano
Posted by: david, high in the mountains | July 19, 2007 10:09 PM
Dang, but I wanted to tell you about the word "continuum". I've always heard that there are exactly the two of them, but whether that is accurate, I don't know.
Michele didn't send me here, she just gave me directions tonight....
N.
Posted by: BreadBox | July 19, 2007 11:03 PM
I love, love, love the Alfie song... I have a nice version of it on my iPod and tonight as I was driving around with my iPod playing the songs in random order, it came on. I sang along very loudly (and probably badly) but I just love that song and have to sing it whenever I hear it or whenever it pops into my head.
Posted by: Jeanne | July 19, 2007 11:18 PM
That's wild synchronicity . The song is like a plea to understand the meaning of life. My first husband's family (English) named their dog Alfie after it.
Posted by: colleen | July 19, 2007 11:23 PM
Hi Colleen. Dropped by from Michele's tonight to see how you're doing. You know, you always have the most fascinating Thursday 13s. They literally drip with meaning.
I may never look at a growing stalk of corn the same way again. That's a very good thing, because thanks to you, I'll be forced to reflect on what matters about life, and what doesn't.
Posted by: Carmi | July 19, 2007 11:59 PM
They have cows in Williamsburg. These are pretty cool.... you do want to adopt the pink one don't you?
Posted by: srp | July 20, 2007 12:20 AM
UVULA..If that is how you spell it...? That little thing at the back of your throat that bo one is quite sure what it is for...LOL!
I realize the two U's are not next to each other but you didn't specify that!
Love that you can eat all these fresh things from your garden, Colleen...you must have a really green thumb...!
As always a fascinating TT, my dear.
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | July 20, 2007 3:48 AM
I love how packed your Thurs. 13 always is!
First corn!! We're a few weeks behind you!
I chuckled at the rugs and lawn schedules!
Did the tips help your dog? Cats are not really afraid, except if a loud clap of thunder surprises them.
Posted by: Ruth | July 20, 2007 8:01 AM
Naomi, I added the word "consecutive" to U, which should have been there all along.
Srp, I did adopt a pink lion. Theres a whole story to that HERE. http://www.looseleafnotes.com/notes/2007/06/will_the_real_elliot_please_st.html
Ruth, The crash course in dogs and thunder says don't comfort them but let them go where they feel safer, so we've been doing that. I had to babysit to make sure she doesn't chew. She has already done that to most of our doors. We thought putting in a doggie door would help but it only has to a degree.
Posted by: colleen | July 20, 2007 8:55 AM
If I called you I could say "I'm just calling to say Hi, since you're not there I'll just say BYE." That is the extent of my rhyming. What a great list. My mom told me Wednesday that she has started reading the Virginian and your blog was mentioned in there.
Posted by: Deana | July 20, 2007 9:00 AM
I've got that rug, lawn schedule. Ditto on the birds. Thanks for turning me on to the lions and all those blogs. I've been eating out of the garden but less since "working" 40 hours a week. Your blog remains by daily favorite. Yr fan, Chris
Posted by: chris yb | July 22, 2007 9:23 AM
Thanks, Chris. It was fun to see you at spoken word last night!
Posted by: colleen | July 22, 2007 9:45 AM