Life in the fast lane--where's the on ramp?

By Pat_B - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Journal

Saturday, April 19, 2025

DAYS OF OUR BACKYARD SQUIRRELS, the sequel

As I stood at the kitchen window, taking a cautious sip of a fresh-brewed coffee, I noticed a squirrel munching bread scraps I'd put on the back porch rail. But it wasn't just any random fluff-tail. It was White Ears! White Ears, leader of the Brick Street troop! She'd been absent from the Backyard... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 6:20 AM | add or view comments (6) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Earworm

For the last three days I've been hearing verses of "The Piano Man," Billy Joel's musical portrait of Saturday night at the neighborhood bar. They float across my mind any time I'm not focused on something. "Play us a song, you're the piano man, play us a song tonight. For we're all in the mood for... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 7:55 AM | add or view comments (5) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Old joke:

One day, as I was sitting on the curb, chin in hand and feeling all alone and blue, someone came along and patted me on the shoulder and said "Cheer up. Things could be worse." So, I cheered up. And sure enough, things got worse. -30- Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 12:18 PM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, April 14, 2025

DIDJA KNOW?

You may not be aware that my hometown is the site of Southern Illinois University's northern campus. Or that Laurie Metcalf, who plays Roseanne's sister Jackie on that long-running sitcom, comes from here. You may know that John Goodman (Dan Conner) is from St. Louis. I worked at SIUE's Alton campus... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, April 13, 2025

Groucho Says,

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posted by Pat_B at 5:37 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, April 12, 2025

FAKE NEWS!

Son Rusty told me he thought of an April Fool's joke but decided not to post it because, in light of recent actions by the occupant of the White House, some might have mistaken it for fact. THE JOKE: President Trump just issued an executive order that permits other drivers to pass stopped school... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 9:58 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, April 10, 2025

INKY

We had a little dog in those days, a miniature toy terrier. She was about one foot high and black as coal, with perky ears and a tail that told you what she was thinking. She was very smart, learned a number of tricks: she'd sit up and beg, yap politely at the door if she wanted to go outside, and... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 4:30 AM | add or view comments (1) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, April 7, 2025

VOTING RIGHTS THREAT

I just watched a short vid of a speech made at the Democratic Women's Caucus yesterday, describing an attempt by the GOP House to amend the voting rights for women. The amendment would require women to use the name and gender info from their birth certificate in order to register. Which means the... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 6:17 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Sunday, April 6, 2025

NORM

When I was 15 years old I spent the summer with my older sister, who lived in Oregon. It was only about a hundred miles from home, but there was a world of difference: for one thing she had indoor plumbing, and two little boys. My nephews were Larry (age 9) and Norm (age 4). J.R., my brother-in-law,... Sign in to see full entry.

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Friday, April 4, 2025

EARLY MORNING CUP, cont'd

"You owe me 2 hours' pay for my time here this morning, on top of the hours I've put in this week. And just so you know, my uncle's a lawyer, and I'll be contacting him if you try to short me," Sadie said with a pleasant smile. "You don't have to be that way. I really don't want you to quit. I've... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 1:36 PM | add or view comments (9) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

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Sometimes you have to write it down in order to learn what you really think about life, what it means, how to do what's best. Sometimes you need feedback from someone else to put things in perspective.

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