Author Archives: Joel

Landlady came by this weekend with gifts! The same guy who earlier sent me $500 for new batteries kindly hit my Amazon wish list! Once I’m sure I know it’s hooked up properly and working, this is going in the … Continue reading →

Those of you who used to hang at the old TCF forum will remember a mercurial soul – and fantastic writer – called George Potter. He was a natural master of the short story form, and we used to have … Continue reading →

The only input I ever get from my daughter is through email notices from Facebook, and I don’t actually have a Facebook account. So when I read “I’m not even sure how Kaelyn got the” The what? The gun? The … Continue reading →

Before the first eye surgery I had to come in for a “physical examination” which turned out to involve a questionnaire (to which all the answers were “no”) and a blood pressure check. I was deeply annoyed at the requirement … Continue reading →

I’m off to an eye appointment preparatory to Monday’s appointment to get the second eyeball sculpted. Back when I’m back. Until then, please remember to never, never do this:

He said it. I believe it. That settles it. All you doubters better shut up now, or don’t blame me when you end up against the wall.

Gun Safety Lesson Ends Tragically When Oakland County Man Shoots Himself in the Head The victim reportedly held three handguns to his head and pulled the trigger, explaining that firearms are safe when they’re not loaded. A fatal bullet was … Continue reading →

Neighbors H and L got together to go riding yesterday, and for some reason it seemed a good idea to ride through the wash past the Lair. Ghost thought this was a good idea, too. Normally he keeps his distance, … Continue reading →

No, seriously. Senators Alarmed by Alleged CIA Spying Senators on Wednesday expressed alarm at explosive allegations that the CIA might have spied on their computers to keep tabs on their controversial review of Bush-era “enhanced interrogation” techniques. — Intelligence Committee … Continue reading →

We’re approaching that blessed time of year when the woodstove becomes just another thing I need to dust. And it occurred to me while I was cleaning up yesterday that I had a whole great box-full of paper and cardboard … Continue reading →

Way to go, Larken. Oh, and Josie.

What Happens If Russia Refuses to Fly U.S. Astronauts? Of the many things I didn’t see coming in the sixties, two items near the top of the list would have been: a) NASA forgets how to build heavy-lift spacecraft, so … Continue reading →

The stupid! It’s gonna blow, Cap’n!

I’m gonna start my own activism group, just so I can call it Dads Demand You Go Away And Leave Them Alone. Has a ring to it, don’t you think? H/T to Miguel. Why would we ever get upset about … Continue reading →

Landlady has one of those dogs with far more energy than sense. Tiring her out so that people can sleep through the night is a definite requirement, but she’s a townie dog without a job to do, y’know? Sometimes when … Continue reading →

Which doesn’t even begin to describe how long this nonsense has been going on. Common Core? Bah. I remember getting propagandized by the government back when I was in public school. What else do you imagine it’s for? After reviewing … Continue reading →

…and reader AS comes through. Putin (and friend) playing make-believe dressup: “What do you want to do when you grow up, Vlady?” “I vant to dress funny, rule world.” “Me, too! We have so much in common, let’s be friends.”

…a Photoshop of Vladimir Putin dressed as Kaiser Wilhelm. What’s wrong with you people?

LA LA LA I DIDN’T SAY NUTTIN’… …Except to say there’s a reason soldiers don’t like to shoot their rifles at night. It directs the incoming fire. But ours would not be the first politicians to learn that what goes … Continue reading →