Althouse: At the Old Leaf Café...

August 3, 2012

At the Old Leaf Café...

Untitled

... what's new?

62 comments:

Roger J. said...: Great pic--reminds me of Harry Truman's quip about friends in Washington.; 8/3/12, 4:04 PM
traditionalguy said...: Smells like fall is approaching.

The smell of large leaves properly dried and cured was the smell of money in the colonies for the first 150 years.

But nobody ever told a Tobacco grower that he didn't do that...growing it is the definition of labor intensive.; 8/3/12, 4:13 PM
Jose_K said...: In the UK they are proud of their female athletes. The same in Mexico.Why? they won medals unlike their male counterparts. Why? because there is less competion from americans in female sports.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9451121/Team-GBs-fabulous-females-weave-Olympic-spell-that-captivates-the-watching-millions.html; 8/3/12, 4:18 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: One of those cosmic coincidences happened.

I bought two angelfish hoping they would stay small for a long time. I thought they were ordinary standard angelfish but instead they've grown up fast to become some kind long finned decorative species. Fins hanging down all over the place like drapery, not like arrowheads. They've become very large very fast.

They follow me around side to side and stare me down. When I move they go to a corner and demand to be fed. When I'm eating they're swimming there staring at me. They want their flakes and they want their flakes NOW. No other food, just flakes. And the flakes should be in a pile and they gobble the edges of the pile. Like a hay pile. The tiny fish all scatter for the little bits. They demand about four of five piles of flakes a day. They like it best when I stand there and feed them continuously.

If I stick my finger in the water they come right to it and look like they're saying, "and..." and if I jut my whole hand right in front of their face they just sit there, "and ..." They're not scared of me one bit. But I'm not allowed to touch them.

Anyway, I told friends the fish were like Audry II, "FEED ME!" I do a fish imitation with gills and little stabilizing fins spinning around like they're moving a blimp.

I told something like five people that. Then I ran a few errands today and stopped for my mail and now there is a poster there for a nearby theater, "Feed Me Seymour."

A very good tale of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Or taking over the world, depends on which ending they do.; 8/3/12, 4:19 PM
chickelit said...: The smell of large leaves properly dried and cured was the smell of money in the colonies for the first 150 years.

Taxing the sot-weed has been a source of money for the former colonies for the last 50 years or so. Bureaucracy is very labor intensive.; 8/3/12, 4:23 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: I sleep with everything wide open and last night was cold, and you know what that means.

It marks the onset of the Great Hummingbird Migration southward toward warmer climes. I woke up thinking, "Damn, those birds must be cold up there."; 8/3/12, 4:29 PM
BYondPolitics said...: deferred maintenance.; 8/3/12, 4:38 PM
edutcher said...: Usually, when you turn over an old leaf, there's a bug under it.

Still dogsitting?; 8/3/12, 4:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Chip, maybe your fish would like your salmon salad. Or maybe not.; 8/3/12, 4:46 PM
glenn said...: Faster than a speeding bullet.
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Look! Up in the sky!
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a Labrador?

Yes, it's the Labrador - strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal dogs. The Labrador - who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel with his bare paws . And in his spare time curl up right next me on the sofa.; 8/3/12, 4:48 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: ... what's new?

At our house, a larger world map. It's 48" by 78". Yow!; 8/3/12, 4:55 PM
Toad Trend said...: Absolutely loving this summer....best since 2002. No baseball games were rained out this year...

Had a hummingbird trapped in my garage last Sunday...was able to 'coax' the bird out with a big pot of flowers...the thing was so tired from flapping about above my open garage door that one it found the flowers it didn't care how close I was to it.

Check out the video I took with my Droid of the bird refueling and finding its way out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgg9i9Fd2es; 8/3/12, 5:09 PM
jungatheart said...: Freeman Hunt said...
At our house, a larger world map. It's 48" by 78". Yow!
---

I've always wanted to do something like that, but a tad smaller. What'd it set you back, if you don't mind saying.

As a teen I kept on my wall, a National Geographic map of the north pole, minus ice cap. Still have it folded away somewhere.; 8/3/12, 5:12 PM
chickelit said...: I always wanted one of these: globe. And a dictionary stand for my Webster's 3rd. And a another drum set. They take up precious floor space.; 8/3/12, 5:17 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: What'd it set you back, if you don't mind saying.

Enough that I am embarrassed to post it. I emailed you.; 8/3/12, 5:18 PM
jungatheart said...: It's a bar, right, chip :); 8/3/12, 5:20 PM
Michael K said...: "
Had a hummingbird trapped in my garage last Sunday."

I had one trapped in the condo a couple of weeks ago. Just a baby. I caught him with a towel and set him on a branch on the patio. I gave him some sugar water in a dropper, which he ate. About an hour later, he was gone. I hope he was OK.

"
At our house, a larger world map. It's 48" by 78". Yow!"

I have a world map from 1749 I got in London about 20 years ago. Sadly, it's in storage right now. I gave a lot of my old stuff to my daughter who appreciates it but I'm hanging on to this.

It shows California blank north of Monterrey, No San Francisco Bay. I gave her my other old California maps.

She also wants my Greek coin, a tetradrachma I bought from a worker at Ephesus. I'm sure he dug it up and kept it to sell. Or else faked it. I don't want to know. It's perfect. No clipping or wear.; 8/3/12, 5:22 PM
chickelit said...: It shows California blank north of Monterrey, No San Francisco Bay. I gave her my other old California maps.

The SF Bay was "found" 20 years later in 1769 by the Portola Expedition. I still think it was "rediscovered." link; 8/3/12, 5:27 PM
deborah said...: Pish-posh, Freeman, completely reasonable.

I admire that you are home-schooling. I seriously looked into it, but my personality profile is introvert (needs time alone), and my kids are extraverts. Recipe for unhappiness. Would have gone with Calvert...; 8/3/12, 5:28 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Far out! That was a touching video of the triumph of hummingbird spirit over adversity. Good thing you had that pot of flowers available or it would have been dead.

The pages I read said lot of them die every year. Basically, get over it. They're dying all over the place. But I didn't like that scientific attitude. And other people I talked to said they see a few each year. So they could use a juice up station.

Also, I saw a little broken egg on the sidewalk today. Seemed odd. One web page said red house finches have two nests a year.; 8/3/12, 5:29 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: Pish-posh, Freeman, completely reasonable.

Good. I'm glad you think so too.

I've heard Calvert is solid. No need to do something that would be a misery for everyone though. Different school options for different people.; 8/3/12, 5:33 PM
Michael K said...: "The SF Bay was "found" 20 years later in 1769 by the Portola Expedition. I still think it was "rediscovered." link"

Drake's Bay is just north of the Golden Gate. Hard to believe he missed it but he did.; 8/3/12, 5:37 PM
Toad Trend said...: "Far out! That was a touching video of the triumph of hummingbird spirit over adversity. Good thing you had that pot of flowers available or it would have been dead."

I found out what I should do from a Yahoo search. A nice person wrote a post about how they can tire in an hour or so and, if they don't eat, can die.

I dislike it when animals of any stripe die ('cept maybe for squirrels) so I was happy to get the bugger free. Besides, they are such cool birds.; 8/3/12, 5:53 PM
chickelit said...: The legends and descriptions of Monterrey Bay were so fantastic that when the explorers got there they were disappointed. The SF Bay astounded them.; 8/3/12, 5:56 PM
Penny said...: Decorating with globes.; 8/3/12, 6:30 PM
Michael K said...: "The SF Bay astounded them."

San Diego Bay also was not found right away. Both have small mouths although SD Bay is just across a sand spit called Coronado.; 8/3/12, 6:39 PM
Penny said...: Because hanging drum kits from the ceiling is just plain silly, chiclet.; 8/3/12, 6:39 PM
Sorun said...: Alright! Meade's got shorts on. After 3 years, it's time for a guy to finally put his foot down about the always-having-to-wear-long-pants.; 8/3/12, 7:38 PM
garage mahal said...: I know of another real handsome male chocolate lab that would love to go on some playdates with Meadehouse :)

And hey, that old E34 white BMW in the background looks like pure sex!; 8/3/12, 8:08 PM
edutcher said...: Sorun said...

Alright! Meade's got shorts on. After 3 years, it's time for a guy to finally put his foot down about the always-having-to-wear-long-pants.

I guess we know who wears the short pants in the family.; 8/3/12, 8:11 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Meade is in the backyard..

I believe the shorts restriction only covers public areas.

If Meade were to walk thru the front door, he would turn into a pumpkin.. or something.; 8/3/12, 8:13 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: That collar looks tight garage..

Actually, that looks like its not even a collar..

Bad garage.. bad garage.; 8/3/12, 8:18 PM
CWJ said...: Loved the comments. Best of all worlds, hummingbird triumph and cartography. However the anti-squirrel guy can shove it.

BTW, if you lived in MO like us, you would not be so sanguine about the weather. Still waiting for the sub-90 day this summer.; 8/3/12, 8:26 PM
garage mahal said...: Lem
It's Remington slip lead.

Provides quick yet gentle correction. Well, sometimes a bit less than gentle. He is a horse and has selective hearing.; 8/3/12, 8:32 PM
Penny said...: Collar's not too tight, Lem.

Neck's too big!; 8/3/12, 8:55 PM
Penny said...: Forgot to put a funny emote on the end there, Lem. :P; 8/3/12, 8:56 PM
Penny said...: And you know what they say about big necks, don't you?; 8/3/12, 8:59 PM
garage mahal said...: Big neck, block head.; 8/3/12, 9:10 PM
Penny said...: Hey Garage, expected to find "Archie and Blockhead" at that link.

Fortunately, I got your little sweetie again. Awwww

And look at his perfectly placed little pawbies!

He is just WAY TOO CUTE for primetime.; 8/3/12, 9:35 PM
garage mahal said...: Okay, this one is for you, Penny. Click here!; 8/3/12, 9:43 PM
Anonymous said...: I know it's for Penny, but I peeked, oh my gosh, what a sweet little roly poly!; 8/3/12, 9:58 PM
Saint Croix said...: Hey, libs!

Are you sick of how Obama has failed you? Are you ready for some real socialism?

Yes, it's the Roseanne Barr-Cindy Sheehan express train to the White House! Woo-hoo!

And hey, looks like she's running as an Indian. Take that, Warren, you honky!

Eat chicken and die!; 8/3/12, 10:16 PM
wyo sis said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 8/3/12, 10:23 PM
wyo sis said...: Got a new car today. It's a little zippier than the old sedan. Second childhood for us. 17 year old daughter gets the granny car. Win/win.

Roseanne never surprises and always disappoints. I did like the domestic goddess routine. "Like he can't lift up the couch cushion as easy as I can." is a comedy staple at our house.; 8/3/12, 10:33 PM
Penny said...: Will gladly share, Allie, and "Hi"!

Course now I'm sitting here typing and wondering how two perfectly beautiful and mature labs on the Althouse deck could be so easily upstaged by one roly poly, little wittle bundle of blockhead cuteness?; 8/3/12, 10:33 PM
Penny said...: Must be his cutie patootie left paw... BRIDGING that concrete divide!

Yeah! THAT!; 8/3/12, 10:35 PM
Penny said...: Ha ha

Gotta love how we amuse ourselves.

And others!; 8/3/12, 10:36 PM
Penny said...: I see St.Croix brought some "dogs" of his own tonight.

My presumption is that they need some "belly rubs"?; 8/3/12, 10:42 PM
Penny said...: And if so? Someone needs to whip out their wallet...right here. Right now.; 8/3/12, 10:44 PM
Penny said...: Sorry if that sounded like I was going to be the Barr-Sheehan belly rub auctioneer.

Way too busy with the labs right now.; 8/3/12, 10:49 PM
jungatheart said...: lol, excuse me, I meant chicklet, not Chip, when I asked if it was a 'bar.' I was teasing chick and aking if the globe he wanted was one that opened up and contained liquor bottles :); 8/3/12, 10:51 PM
garage mahal said...: Only bad part of owning a lab is they shed like you cannot imagine. Chocolates shed more than yellow or black labs for some reason.; 8/3/12, 11:02 PM
Ralph L said...: map of the north pole, minus ice cap
Why didn't you just paint the wall blue?; 8/3/12, 11:59 PM
Aridog said...: Only bad part of owning a lab is they shed like you cannot imagine...

Oh, I think I can ... we have two German Shepherds who conspire to alternate blowing coat year round. The local birds like it in the spring ... they use the undercoat fur for nest lining.; 8/4/12, 12:11 AM
Saint Croix said...: Most awesome Korean music video ever!

Love it.; 8/4/12, 12:17 AM
KJE said...: I'm leaving for Sturgis in about an hour. It's my first trip out there. I'll be back on 8/12, weather permitting.

I also wanted to say thank you to Althouse and the people that write here. Sometimes the responses are a little predictable, but they do make for interesting reading.; 8/4/12, 5:32 AM
Curious George said...: "garage mahal said...
Only bad part of owning a lab is they shed like you cannot imagine. Chocolates shed more than yellow or black labs for some reason."

I don't know if it's this persistent heat but my cat E has been shedding all summer. I have hardwood floor throughout, and it seems I sweep up enough to make a whole nuther cat every two days.; 8/4/12, 6:05 AM
kentuckyliz said...: I went to Sturgis in 93. Tried to get my besties to get tats with me. They were afraid so we didn't do it. Now they're the tattooed ladies and my skin is still virgin to the ink and will stay that way. I am too matronly to sport ink fashionably.; 8/4/12, 7:48 AM
Rusty said...: Aridog said...
Only bad part of owning a lab is they shed like you cannot imagine...

Oh, I think I can ... we have two German Shepherds who conspire to alternate blowing coat year round. The local birds like it in the spring ... they use the undercoat fur for nest lining.

Siberian husky. Underfur like alpaca..............all over the house. Like snow drifts.

Well. garage can't be a total asshole. He likes dogs. Cool lab. I can tell the little guy isn't going to be one of those whippet thein labs that are so popular in the suburbs. He's built like a working dog.; 8/4/12, 7:49 AM
Michael Haz said...: I went to Sturgis in 93. Tried to get my besties to get tats with me. They were afraid so we didn't do it. Now they're the tattooed ladies and my skin is still virgin to the ink and will stay that way. I am too matronly to sport ink fashionably

Same here. 40+ years of motorcycling and no tats. Although in a few years I may get one that says 'Do Not Resuscitate', depending.

I got it in my head yesterday to try something truly middle-American; something 'normal' people do. So I rode to a Cracker Barrel and had lunch.

Big mistake. Big mistake. Worst. Lunch. Ever. Bleah! I could have had a better lunch at McDonald's, or a much better lunch at Culver's, or a much, much better lunch at any number of mom-and-pop diners.

At least my curiosity about the place is sated. And tonight! A place in Lake Mills called 'Carp's Landing' for dinner with friends. What could go wrong?; 8/4/12, 8:27 AM
lemondog said...: The local birds like it in the spring ... they use the undercoat fur for nest lining

Yes, this spring used a curry brush on the neighbors lab removing tons of undercoat in which the birds scooped up for nesting.

Recycling at its most perfect.; 8/4/12, 10:02 AM
rhhardin said...: Doberman with mourning dove.; 8/4/12, 12:35 PM

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