No Place Like Home

All the Catholic facilities were full, so they put their Mexican Grandpa in a Jewish home. After a few weeks, they returned to see how he was getting along.

"How do you like it here?" asked the grandson. "Oh, it's wonderful," says Grandpa. "Let me tell you about it.

"We have a musician here -- he's 85. He hasn't played in 20 years, and they still call him Maestro. We have a physician here -- he's 90 years old. He hasn't been practicing for 25 years, and everybody still calls him Doctor. And me -- I haven't had sex for 35 years and they still call me The F**king Mexican."

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Sign in a Plastic Surgeon's office: "Can we pick your nose?"

Sign in a Gynecologist's office: "Dr. Jones at your cervix."

Sign at a Proctologist's office: "Please back in for expedited service."

(All these and more are at Peskie's place.)

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My favorite word today is brilliant. Adj., a regular smart-ass. Def.: Descriptive of a guy who never thinks of the Lone Ranger when "The William Tell Overture" comes on.

Short Shrift Sunday #19

So apologies all around. I have not been able to visit many of you lately because my computer is/was defunct. So I have been going to Dell, MSN, Microsoft, regular daisy chain trying for a fix. I DIDN'T NEED A FIX!! Somebody decided to "upgrade" my system without telling me. I don't hate computers. But that buddy of mine, Little Billy Gates, better watch out...

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So the newspaper guy asks the Spaniard, "Tell me, what is really meant by 'manana'?" The Spaniard says, "Oh, it means many things. It means tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, maybe never."

He turns to the Irishman and says, "Do you have a word like that?"

"No," says the Irishman. "We have no word to describe that degree of urgency." (--Stolen from Mar.)

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My favorite word today is cat (again). N., in a hat. Def.: A puzzle for which there is no solution. (--Hazel Nicholson.)

Short Shrift Saturday #19

Isn't this nice?

I have seen some of these "word cloud" dudes before, but never got mine done until my pal Vicki did one. And the only reason I did it was because she got ALL the members of her family in her "cloud": Bud, snarl (Abby), Rich, Vicki, Mom, Daniel. (I got Feelgood and Vicki in mine; who could want anything more?)

Vicki says she is "well," after the death of her Mother. Probably not, but all of us love her, so we'll give her the benefit of the non-doubt.

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This here is my buddy on Staten Island, Babs (Jen). I am running this picture so you'll know what she looks like, so the next time she refers to herself as a "hag" or a "misfit," you will know she is lying.

But MOSTLY I am running this so you can see her teeth. Babs is, like me, dentureless, and so we got dentures. We both made out real pretty.

Babs also is my epileptic buddy. Scientists call this "too bad." But we love her, anyway.

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My favorite word today is me. N., helluva guy. Def.: Something well worth writing about.

Bathtubs Can Be Appealing, I Guess

This is St. Patrick's Day. Big deal. I'm French.

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Here are things I know a lot about: how to spell "February"; gooseberries; some things that you don't care about. Which takes us right to bathtubs.

When I was a kid (circa 1930s) we didn't know about showers. We also didn't know about bathtubs. Living at 736 Florida St. in Bend, Ore., my brother and I would get a bath in a galvanized tub each Saturday. I don't ever recall fighting over who got to go first. Since it was a bum deal, we probably fought over who got to go last.

So, anyway, we moved to a house that had a bathtub. Do you know you can get just as dirty taking a bath as if you didn't take one? My favorite word today is bathtub. N., strange place to be. Def.: Place to redistribute dirt.

Later, houses had bathtubs with showers in them. Too many people cracked their skulls taking showers in bathtubs, so they put some strips on the tub so your feet could get a grip. But then nobody wanted to sit on these things, so bathtubs became extinguished.

So now houses come with no bathtubs at all. This is probably not the best time to be an expert about bathtubs.

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A dog goes into a hardware store and says, "How about a job?"

The owner says, "Nah, get outta here. Go join the circus."

Dog: "What would the circus want with a plumber?" --(Courtesy of Milt Bogs.)

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My favorite phrase today is in conclusion. Adj., wrapping it up. Def.: The audience stirs.

Way Way Back in the Day

Okay, here's what my late Mom says:

"The Maudlins lived in the Northern District (of France), as the people who live there are predominately of the tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed type..."

All you short, brunette, brown-eyed people are probably from Macedonia or Irkutsk.

What my Mom was doing was "Researching the Maudlin Family History," which -- as best as she could figure -- started in about 1550, when some bo peep of ours crossed over to England. But we do not know who what when where why or how of anybody else until we see Ezekiel the 1st settling in North Carolina. For the rest of the story, we will pick up from my North Carolina buddy Judy:

"Hoss, I don't know what the hell you're talking about...."

Moving right along, "maudlin" was a girl's name (Little Maud) frequently used in England in the 16th Century. It derives, as does the family name, from the Anglo-French pronunciation of Magdelene as Maudlin. Somehow, some way, the name got associated with drunkenness, which led Caleb Maudlin (8th generation) to change the spelling to Mauldin. So, Bill Mauldin is a drunk, just like the rest of us.

In the early 1800's, some of the Maudlins moved to Indiana. I am pretty sure that Mamacita, who lives in Indiana, has the rest of that story:

"Hoss, you ape."

In February, 1876, Lucinda Maudlin wed Lawson Hollingsworth. One of their sons became the first Postmaster of Pasadena, Calif., and his brother was the second. Raehan, who lives in California, will be filling us in:

"Hoss, scientists call this 'too bad.'"

From 1916 to 1926, one Lloyd Maudlin served as the first Postmaster of Maudlin, Montana. Today there is nothing left of Maudlin, Montana. Not a brick, not a board. And I don't have a single reader from Montana, so you can just forget the rest of the story.

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My favorite word today is tasteless. V., oh so bad. Def.: You discover -- too late -- that someone used your beer for an ashtray.

I Had a Dream, Dear

This is about the fifth weird dream I have had that is worthy of a Freudian post. See, I will tell it, and you will interpret it:

I am part of a two-man team that has been assigned to find a new Admiral for the Oregon Navy. The Governor did not like any of the obvious candidates -- Gordon "Sinksboats" Scullery and Ransom "Heave-Plenty" Capstan.

(Oregon does not have a navy. But neither does Nebraska.)

My superior is upstairs talking to the Governor when in walks this lady wearing jodhpurs, carrying a crop, and with high-top army boots. I say to my secretary, "And prithee, who is THAT?" He says, "THAT is Big Rear Admiral Josephine Navybrat. She is in charge of our wild horses program."

Hoss: "Has she ever been on a boat?"

Secretary: "Why I believe she owns one -- an 8-footer. I believe it's called a 'punt'."

(Now, you see, in real life Hoss would have said, "What the hell are we doing with a wild horses program?" And my secretary would have said something like, "Well, we don't have any boats, so it gives the employees something to do.")

I don't know if this dream means anything, but upon reflection it has the makings of a pretty good movie. Just think of it: Navy guys mounting horses. (Ho ho har de har har. I crack myself up.)

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So, this Avon lady enters the elevator and -- hoo boy -- she passes big gas. She is well-armed for the event: She opens her sample case and tries to spray away the odor.

Two floors up, a gentleman enters the car. She, confident that her spray job has done the trick, says to the guy, "Do you smell anything?" And he says, "Yes, it smells like somebody has crapped in a pine tree."

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My favorite word today is Moses. N., the wilderness guy. Def.: The travel agent who warns you about a foreign city's armpit to show you how valuable he is to have along.

Where Have You Been, Feelgood?

I don't get out much -- but it seems like that damn Feelgood Haines knows just when it will be. I put off going for the mail until 4 p.m., quiet as a mouse, when I hear:

"Hold on there, Hoss."

I told him: "Just goin' for the mail, Feelgood, nice to see you and goodbye."

Of course, by now, Feelgood has blocked the path to the mailboxes because he KNOWS I am underfed, historically. (Mr. Haines is the reigning chieftain when it comes to tales historic.)

Feelgood: "Start chanting 'By the shorts of gitchiegummie' and what's the first thing that comes to mind?"

Ol' Hoss: "Thailand?"

Feelgood: "I didn't slow you down to banter. This is good for you to know in case you ever need to know about American history, which I think you know you do."

Hoss: "Okay, Feelgood, lay it on me."

Feelgood: "What you think of is Pocohontas, a.k.a. Matoaka, which nobody uses on accounta it is a slippery word. And the thing is, Poco didn't have a damn thing to do with it. See, she was a Pontiack, and the gitchigummies lived someplace else and drove Hondas. You probably want to know where, so I'll have to look it up for you." (All of these are paintings of Pocohantas -- or none of them is.)

Hoss: "Oh I would be SO in your debt...."

Feelgood: "So then Pocohontas saved Capt. John Smith from being head-bashed, then she got herself captured, then she got religion, then she married John Rolfe, who developed Virginia tobacco. See how it's goin' here, Hoss? Huh? Thanks a lot, bitch."

Hoss: "I don't get it."

Feelgood: "Sure you do. If Poco hadn't wanted to go to England, John Rolfe wouldn't have needed a lot of dough which he got from developing tobacco, which is what is wrong with your lungs, you dodo. And the worst thing is that Pocohontas means 'playful one.' My ass."

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When Slick Willy and Dubya get together, what happens next? Go here. (Stolen from Miss Cellania.)

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My favorite word today is warmup. Adj., wonder buns. Def.: The odd feeling you get when sitting on a seat still warm from someone else's bottom.

To Soothe the Savage Chicken Breasts

It has now been one year since I quit smoking. I don't feel any better. My doctor says that's because I quit too late. Hah, all he knows. I am 75 and 164/365ths, which is plenty past 70, which is what the Bible says you get. So gimme a butt.

Nah. Maybe later.

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I am pretty good at Memes, except music. So, naturally, Boo has laid on me this one about seven songs I am currently jiving. Hah, fat chance. I don't think I have listened to seven songs in my whole life. Let's see:

1. "Take an Old Cold Tater and Wait." We have heard about this one before. It is a philosophi-
cal recita-
tion on a wasted life in the Idaho free-range potato fields. Strangely, it is mostly about chicken.

2. "Three Little Fishies." This monumental work concerns removal of an earth dam on the lower end of the Colorado River. There is never any water where the dam is. I don't know what this song has to do with fish.

3. "The Star-Spangled Banner." This is a takeoff on a British drinking song. It starts out with much ado about rockets and such, then segues right into a paean about braves and other Indians. People without three octaves in their portfolio probably will want to give this one a miss.

4. "Long Gone With the Wind and the Rain." This is a song yet to be written. It will be the theme for a movie of the same name, which I will have ready for the next Academy Awards. The movie is about Darth Vader trying to get into Demi Moore's pants. In Take 5, he is still too short.

There, that's seven.

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"Why is it when folks talk to God it is praying, but when God talks to you, you're crazy?" --Peskie.

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My favorite word today is smooth. Adj., you sly dog. Def.: Descriptive of young men who stand around smiling as if to suggest they know the bride quite well.

Short Shrift Sunday #18

The old man cuts the hamburger in two and gives one half to his wife. He then counts out the french fries, and gives her exactly half. He puts the soft drink between them, and they each take a sip. Then he begins to eat.

A young man comes over to the table and offers to buy another entree for them. "No thanks," said she. "We are used to sharing everything."

The old man finishes off his meal; his wife had not taken a bite. He wipes his lips with the napkin. The young man comes over again and says to the lady, "Um, what are you waiting for?"

"The teeth."

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For a video explaining what amuses old people, go here.

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My favorite word today is cat. N., an unanswered puzzle. Def.: A thing that teaches us not everything in nature has a purpose. --Garrison Keillor.

Short Shrift Saturday #18

Two women friends had gone for a girls' night out. Later, incredibly drunk and walking home they needed to pee. So they stopped in the cemetery.

One of them had nothing to wipe with, but she thought nothing of using her panties. The second was wearing expensive panties and didn't want to part with them. Luckily, she had crouched next to a grave that had a wreath with a ribbon on it, so she used that.

The next day one of the women's husbands phoned the other and said, "These girls night out have got to stop. I'm starting to suspect the worst -- my wife came home with no panties."

"That's nothing," said the other. "Mine came back with a card stuck to her butt that said....'From all of us at the Fire Station. We'll never forget you.'"

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My favorite phrase today is what the hell? Adj., out damned spot. Def.: After scrubbing and scrubbing, he discovers the smudge on the window is on the other side.

We Shall /Shall Not Overcome

In the late 1960s (before all of you were born), a friend of mine who was a state legislator introduced a bill to repeal a 1917 law creating "Frances E. Willard Day" in Oregon. The "Day" was the 4th Friday of October, when teachers were instructed to set aside time to tell their students about the "life, history and achievements" of Miss Willard.

Willard was a prohibitionist, social reformer and foe of capitalism. But it seemed nobody cared, since the day was never observed. So this legislator, Richard Kennedy, said why not repeal the statute?

Well, that's when the dung beetles hit the fan. The Women's Christian Temper-
ance Union rose up in arms, and the Legislature ran for cover.

Kennedy was not dismayed. He became an advocate for Frances E. Willard Day and, thus, the darling of the WCTU. In the next session of the Legislature (with tongue still firmly in cheek) he introduced a bill setting criminal penalties in the statute for teachers who didn't teach about Frances E. Willard. Needless to say, since teachers and jail space were then in short supply, this did not happen.

Later, though no longer a legislator, Kennedy got a friend to introduce a bill to make Frances E. Willard Day a state holiday. "It would put Oregon on the map -- a psychologically important innovation," he said. "As it is now, the only other calendar date taking notice of women is Mother's Day, which is indicative of the historical treatment of women. It would be a step in the right direction to recognize women as individuals rather than as the party chief in reproduction."

This got the Legislature's attention. Late in the session, the Oregon Legislature repealed Frances E. Willard Day and established "Women in Oregon History Week." During the second week of March, schools are required to commemorate the lives, history and achievements of Oregon Women in History -- including Frances E. Willard.

I wonder if it's too late to nominate my girlie side for a couple days' worth of instruction?*

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My favorite phrase today is fleshing it out. Adj. the talk is getting pretty salty in here. Def.: An argument between the baker and the preacher as to whether the wafers are unleavened.

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(*Are they teaching it this year? You gotta be kidding.)

Remembrances

This cartoon reminds me of Magill's Drug Store in Bend, Oregon. Magill had one of those really tall scales that you could weigh yourself on, and it didn't cost a penny, like lots of other scales did. Magill's is now out of business, probably because they didn't collect a penny per weigh-in.

I weighed myself there pretty often (for free, of course), and every time it was the same: 129 pounds. I was 5'11", and I only weighed 129 pounds. And Magill wouldn't let me go in there dripping wet, so I never weighed as much as you do now.

Which is kinda of surprising, because right next door to Magill's was Kessler's Ice Cream Shop. This was the hangout of choice for my gang in high school. I'm sure Coca Cola existed then, but we studs had milkshakes (chocolate, banana) or "lemon phosphates," whatever they were. After a year of this: 5'11", 129 pounds.

Well, that's enough about olden times. Now let's look to the future. Because the earth's rate of rotation is slowing, the length of each day is increasing by 2 milliseconds per century. So, later on when I get to be 100, I will actually be 100 + 2 milliseconds. You suppose they can get all that on a tombstone?

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From my buddy Peskie, brother of Oz:

On the third day, Jesus rose, rolled back the rock at the door of his tomb, and walked again on earth.

And a passerby, noticing the open doorway, says: "What's the matter with you? Were you born in a barn?"

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My favorite word today is dissemble. Adj., a major fake-out. Def.: A clean joke held in reserve for the time you tell your buddies one about whorehouses and which you tell the wife after she says, "What's so funny?"

Is This Funny Yet?

Marti reminds me that it is difficult to know what's funny, and what ain't. So we are gonna show you:

The new priest is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks the older priest to sit in on his sessions. The new priest hears a couple of confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions. (Nah, not funny yet.)

The old priest suggests, "Cross your arms over your chest, and rub your chin with one hand....and try saying things like: "Yes, I see," and "Yes, go on," and "I understand." The new priest crosses his arms, rubs his chin with one hand and repeats all the suggested remarks to the old priest. (Wait, there's more.)

The old priest says, "Now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, "No shit.....what happened next?" (Minor uproar, followed by two or three chortles.)

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Presidential candidate Maxine:

Maxine on Driver Safety: "I can't use the cell phone in the car. I have to keep my hands free for making gestures..." (Ho ho.)

Maxine on Housework: "I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." (Hmmmmm.)

Maxine on Technology Revolution: "My idea of rebooting is kicking somebody in the butt twice." (Yawn.)

Maxine on Lawn Care: "The key to a nice-looking lawn is a good mower. I recommend one who is muscular and shirtless." (Heh-heh.)

Maxine on The Perfect Man: "All I'm looking for is a guy who'll do what I want, when I want it, for as long as I want, then go away. Or wait nearby, like a Dust Buster, charged up and ready when needed." (Ho ho har de har har.)

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My favorite word today is 1/2 mile. N., or thereabouts. Def.: The closest distance at which sheep remain picturesque. (Cackle.)

Now Look Who's the Girly Man*

I have reported to you from time to time about my girly side -- how I have needle-
pointed, braided and hooked rugs (see left, for my "I am a hooker" entry), and HAVE EVEN DONE THE DISHES. Well, now there is this lady, Betty Bowers, who thinks that Preznut Bush is "a little light in the loafers."

First, she points to Dubya's remark on May 27, 2004: "Karyn (Frist) is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."

There's more. She notes the President's use (overuse) of the word "fabulous" --"three giddy syllables that are tantamount to coyly cooing 'Hello, sailor.'" On her site she gives the links to 36 fabulosities by the Pres.

And then there is this from Geocities:

"I don't give a good goddamn if you want to be a cheerleader. Your father and I have decided you are going to play sports, like all the other little boys, mister sissy britches. Now get your hands off of your damned hips, you little pansy, and fetch me a scotch on the rocks." -- Mrs. George H.W. (Barbara) Bush, 1954.

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Ms. Bowers also has on her site "an interview with God," which includes this exchange about the odds of going to Heaven:

Betty: "Many are called but few are chosen."

God: "It is just like Publishers Clearinghouse."

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My favorite word today is ZZZZZZZ. N., many logs sawn. Def.: In the after-sex entanglement, your leg goes to sleep.

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(*George: If you want to make fun of Ol' Hoss on your b**g, please feel free.)

Random Mutterings

Jan and Bud, the parents of one of my bestest buddies, Vicki, are both hospitalized in Marquette, Michigan. Jan is in poor condition. Please visit Vicki and give her a pat on the back.

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So this guy is out fishing and he catches a mermaid. She says, "Let me go and I will grant you a wish." He says, "Okay, I want you to triple my IQ." She says, "Right." And in a flash, he was a woman.

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Eeeeek!

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O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life, between the legs of me beautiful wife." And, with that, O'Reilly won the pub's prize for best toast of the night.

He goes home and says to his wife, Mary, "I won the prize for Best Toast of the Night." She says, "And what was it?" And he says, "Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife."

The next day, Mary runs into one of O'Reilly's buddies, who tells her about the prize. And she says, "Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised. You know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come."

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Do you remember when we had the pictures entitled "Cloning Gone Wrong"? Here's one I overlooked. Cute, huh? Better than a buttcrack picture, anyway.

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Simple Simon met a Pie Man going to the fair.
Said Simple Simon to the Pie Man,
"What have you got there?"
Said the Pie Man unto Simon,
"Pies, you dumb ass."

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My favorite word today is profound. Adj., a Mensa, no doubt. Def.: Descriptive of how smart you become after having several drinks.

Sunday

I used to not produce much on Saturday and Sunday because people are busy doing other things -- picking up PBJ sandwiches from the floor, finding a less churchy-church, putting their children up for adoption -- so they don't have time to read Ol' Hoss's pieces.

But, you see, somebody said yesterday I should have included a picture of a dung beetle in my piece, and so here it is, one day late. I apologize.

Also, when you run across a gem of a b**g, it is always wise to pass it on. After you steal from it, of course. Here is what I stole from Holtie's House, slightly modified:

A man comes to a dead stop in traffic. He sees a police officer walking down the road and asks, "What's the trouble?"

The cop says, "President Bush has stopped his motorcade, saying he's fed up with the lack of respect he's getting. He says he's going to douse himself with gasoline and end it all. He's even complaining that he doesn't have enough money to pay for renovations on his house. So I guess they're taking up a collection."

"How's it going?"

"Well, so far they've got 100 gallons, but some people are still siphoning."

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I stole something else from Peter (who is Holtie's House, link above). He has a whole raft of one-liners about dogs that is just priceless. Here is one; you click above and go see the rest:

"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3 a can. That's about $21 in dog money."

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My favorite word today is eureka! Adj., how sweet it is. Def.: You found there was ONE MORE roll of toilet paper.

LONG Shrift Saturday

Usually my Saturday posts are pretty brief. So it goes.

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Nick the Dragon Slayer knew that his desire to touch the luscious melons of the Queen of the Realm would probably go unrequited -- to touch was to be put to death. But, he asked the King's physician, can you help me? "She is like the mudhole that has tempted the mosquito," says Nick.

The Physician agrees to help, but demands 1,000 crowns (or florins, or bahts, or kruggerands). Nick agrees. And so the next day the Physician makes up a batch of itching powder and pours it into the Queen's bra while she is bathing. Naturally, itching commences.

Summoned by the King, the Physician opines that only a special saliva would reduce the itch of the Queen's breasts, and tests proved that only the saliva of Nick the Dragon Slayer would produce results. The King summoned Nick, who was slyly slipped the antidote by the Physician. Nick put it in his mouth, and for hours he worked passionately on the Queen's magnificent breasts. The Queen's itching was relieved, and Nick was hailed as a hero.

On returning to his quarters, Nick found the Physician asking for his 1,000 crowns. Nick, being a cheapskate, said: "Forget it, pal."

The next day, the Physician slipped a massive dose of the itching powder into the King's underwear. The King immediately summoned Nick the Dragon Slayer....

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My favorite word today is power. N., do as I say, not as I do. Def.: The maitre d' gets someone else to clean up your child's vomit.

Animals Rule

My buddy Vicki told me about this guy who, every Friday, invites people to glorify or scandalize or poetize animals, including invertebrates such as worms and (my favorite) dung beetles. Then he puts up links to all the folks who tell him about their prize pictures.

Here's my prize picture, which I have titled "Egg Nest Poop." Or, maybe, the pigeon says: "Sorry, kid, you looked like a statue."

Okay, I don't know if you are allowed two entries. But, what the hey, here's my second choice. This one is titled "Dogs Gone Wild."

I don't know if there is any voting involved in this deal. Probably doesn't matter. Winning isn't everything. It's the poke in your eye that I enjoy.

(If you want to see the REAL Animal Ark, punch here.)

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My favorite word today is dot.come. N., this is going to get messy. Def.: The first thing that emerges when you squeeze a blackhead.

There Are a Lot of Holes in Space

I was thinking the other day of all the benefits to be obtained from the Space Shuttle. Well, no I wasn't, because I can't think of any.

Except this: I read a lot of b**gs written by women who think they're overweight. I would put their URLs on here but you don't want to click on 85 sites. (Okay, here's one, just because she's got a weight-loss chart on her b**g: Judy, my pal in Texas.)

The thing is, we could finally put the Shuttle to some decent use. See, up in space, everything is weightless. So, we give these "overweight" ladies a ride on the Shuttle where they become weightless. And they can say: "Hoo boy! I weigh nothing. Gimme a brownie."

Another thing: Give a man a 10-lb. fish and he can eat for (10 lbs., divided by 8 oz. per serving plus condiments, um...) several days. Teach a man to fish in the Shuttle and Whoa Nellie!! How do we know when he's got a bite?

Here's my plan: We send all you "overweight" women on the Shuttle, where you will be weightless and you will eat weightless food. When you come back to earth don't blame me if you look like the circus fat lady. You were light on your feet for awhile, right?

(Naturally, in the interest of Making My Pile, my weightless brownies will cost $1 per each.)

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My favorite word today is Google. N., remembering Smoky Stover and Barney Google. Def.: A device useful for finding all the sexy parts in "Canterbury Tales."

Rabbits and Crackers

The Pez Family of b**ggers always goes RABBIT! RABBIT! at the start of the month because that's supposed to bring good luck. Well, maybe for people, but not so much, I guess, for rabbits, which also may be called "dinner."

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My buddy MommaK and her pal Lucinda have developed a system for recognizing some fellow b**ggers with some "warm fuzzies." Each month, on the 1st, some of us will be linking our favorite post from the preceding month that someone else has written, designating it for a "Perfect Post Award." This is not a closed shop: If you also want to be a presenter, send email to Momma K at petroville@gmail.com.

My first Perfect Post Award goes to Florida Cracker for a breathtaking piece about his daughter and how he feels about her. For a read, go here. Warning: I know your b**groll is full, but you will want to add this guy.

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Ahmed to Mahoud: "Tomorrow it will be your turn to be our suicide bomber."

Mahoud: "I can't. My doctor thinks the stress would bring on an ulcer."

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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

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My favorite phrase today is grin and bear it. Vb., smiling through gritted teeth. Def.: When that "perfect" person you can't stand engages you in conversation and you are forced to be polite.