Sunday Funnies

(Cartoon by Lee Judge, published 8/29/14 in the Kansas City Star and featured at McClatchy DC.  Click on image to enlarge)

The Cuckoo's Nest/Bonus Critter Blogging + A Request

(Photo by me! of my "Sleeping Assistants:" Dumbo, BaoWao the Panda, Winnie the Pooh, and Spot the Snow Leopard.  Click on image to enlarge.)

Because today both my internet connection and brain-hand connection are working at the same time, I thought I'd post a little on my life here at the Cuckoo's Nest.  As many of you know, I am now living in an assisted-living facility, placed here by my doctor and my hospice organization.  When a friend finally located me, she asked if there was anything I needed.  I told her I needed a kid's stuffed animal to cuddle with at night.  Within a short period of time, I had three, and the fourth one (Dumbo) was a recent birthday gift.  All four are this week's "Bonus Critter Blogging" subjects.

I tell folks that I need all of them to keep my bad arm elevated due to a shoulder fracture I sustained a couple of years ago, and that's partially true, but I really do sleep better with all three hugging me at night.  I guess I really have turned into a dotty old broad.

Now, for that request mentioned in the heading.  One of my friends here --a woman with whom I've developed a close bond, collects post cards.  I'd really appreciate it if you would send one from your home area to me.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy ... just something that your area is known for, such as the beach, or a special building, or a park.

Just mail it to me at this address:

Diane Trzcinski
5600 Gracewood Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007

That's the OFFICIAL US Post Office address, and cuts as much as 4 days off delivery, something I didn't know until recently.

Well, that's it for today.  Maybe I'll get lucky and actually post a Sunday Funny tomorrow ...

Bonus Critter Blogging: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

(Photo by George Grall and published in National Geographic.  Click on link to learn about this critter's sweet tooth.  Click on image to enlarge.)

Tanks For The Shame

(Cartoon by Jack Ohman published 8/19/14 in the Sacramento Bee and featured at McClatchy DC.)

(Cartoon by Kevin Siers published 8/15/14 in the Charlotte Observer and featured at McClatchy DC.)

I've slipped back into that bad habit of watching the news on television and reading the news on line.  Unfortunately, the news has been more than a little distressing.  The big stories right now are the crazy Islamic terrorists who are into beheading folks who aren't sufficiently Islamic for them and (closer to home) the news out of Ferguson, Missouri of a police shooting of a young black man who turned out to be unarmed.  It was another case of "Walking While Black."

The latter story really depressed me.  Here we are in the 21st Century and this nation just can't get past its racism.  What makes it even worse is that the police are armed to the teeth with military grade weapons.  The excuse is that the "bad guys" have them, so the police should too.  Or something.  The victim in Missouri was shot six times by the automatic weapon the officer was carrying.

Why do police departments have to have tanks, or armed drones, or even the kind of automatic weapons that can fire off six rounds in quick succession.  Wouldn't one shot by a trained officer be enough to bring "the bad guy" down?  Are our police lousy marksmen?  What?

Wouldn't wearing protective body armor be a better choice if a military arsenal is involved?

I know: too many questions from a loony old broad.  It's just that I'd hoped to see some good kind of changes before I died.  I guess I'm asking for too much.

The Cuckoo's Nest: Ain't Dead Yet

So, as I was recently reminded, it's been a while since I've posted something, or even been on line to chat with folks.  Well, I have good excuses, chief of which is that I don't have a reliable on-line system.  One of the other residents has been kind enough to ride on his account, but the signal doesn't always drift down this far.

Still, as noted above, I ain't dead yet.

I had my 68th birthday ten days ago, which kind of surprised me.  I wasn't all that sure I'd be around to celebrate.  I guess whatever's on the other side of this world just isn't ready to cope with yet another weird old broad.

Things haven't changed much, at least my prognosis hasn't.  Oddly enough, I've found some peace in the whole process of living and dying, thanks to this bit of wisdom:

"Listen to your life
See it for the fathomless mystery that it is
In the boredom and pain of it no less than in excitement and gladness.
Touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it
Because in the last analysis, all moments are key moments
And life itself is grace."

(F. Buechner)

That's good enough for me.