Happy birthday to "The Rose Queen"

I forgot to take a pic of Luigi. Give me a minute...

Sharran, maybe you could attach his hat to his hand.

Sofonisba....my dear, I would be happy to try.
I wondered if Luigi survived your most recent bad weather. Naked cowboy was asking about him.

BTW, Artemesia sticks more blatantly in my mind. Could be because of her "Head on a Platter".....and her others of a similar nature.

He survived! He needs a bath, though.

Oh you mean when she's cutting the head off Holofernes?

edited to correct spelling

This message was edited Feb 28, 2008 12:40 PM

Here's good ol' Luigi

That's hilarious ! He reminds me of "Mr. Bill" from SNL.

Oh no!!! Mr. Bill!!!!!!

Where's Mr. Hand??!

Shhhhh!! Don't mention him.

Yuck......give that man a bath!!!!


Yep, or this one....

Yeah, love that one.

I know, poor Luigi could use an overhaul. A bath, some moisturizer, maybe a fresh coat of paint... Okay, okay. You talked me into it. I'm going out in an hour. I'll take him off, feed him some hot chocolate, give him a nice, hot bath in mineral salts... moisturize him, polish him.... and then tie him back to the windshield wiper!

Maybe Luigi needs a squeegee himself.

Yeah! I think I'm gonna get the toothbrush on him.

That picture of Holofernes meeting his maker reminds me of how infatuated I was a kid, looking in our bible at the picture (artwork) of the beheading of John the Baptist. It was very gorey and bloody and I loved it.

My parents finally put two and two together, and took that page OUT.

Uh oh, we'll have to keep on eye on you, JD!

I found an old travel book at the historic house where I worked. It had photographs of Japan and China in the 1830s or so. The author said he loved Japan, but in China they had beheadings every week in the town square. There was a photo of the line up for the week he was there. None with the heads off though.

That's entertainment!!

The hero of the historic house won a scholarship from the Naval Academy at Annapolis to study in Europe. In those days the naval academy did not have a course in naval architecture which this guy wanted to specialize in. So they sent him to study at a technical engineering school in Paris.

He says in his journal (which I got to read) that he spent weekends at the gillotine watching the beheadings. I guess it was quite an entertainment. This would have been in the 1870s.

you guys don't have beheadings where you live?

There were lynchings here in the old days.

Awful. In your immediate area?

Yes. Not recently though. Lots of shootings still.

Now, that's scary. Gloria, I've never been to Alabama. My son is black, I'm white and I'm afraid to go. Please tell me I shouldn't be and I'm just afraid of rumors.

My sister (from Michigan) is afraid to come here also.
I live in a very small historic town, population about 3500. It is now about 60% black, and for the last 2 city elections we have had a black govenment.

The danger is not from the black population, although there are a lot of black on black shootings because of the drugs. The danger is from the people who think they are somehow "bluebloods". They don't like people from the north. People like me. At all. Most folks here - black and white - are just ordinary people. Anyone will stop and help you change a flat tire.

Well, we have a percentage of racists up here too. Nowhere is exclusive, right? Still, I am comforted by your words. Good people are everywhere too.

There is good and bad in every place, group, religion, ethnicity...

Sofonisba: I wouldn't say 'racism' is a problem here. The problem is the 'bluebloods', and I don't what you call that. these are ultraconservative individuals who still think they are living in the old South. They think they are better than everyone else -- there is an endemic arrogance. There are no jobs here because any kind of economic development is banned by the bluebloods -- or blue butts as some of my friends call them. They live by their political power ... and they will do anyone in that resists their demands. They are not in the government ... but they own the government.

Hello. I didn't know where to put this. Its about snow.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87803964

I heard this while driving and listening the NPR - a favorite thing to do.

Researchers recently found that plant bacteria may be involved in the formation of snow.

So the phrase, "Pure as the driven snow" may be misleading. Snow has bacteria in it. You shouldn't eat snow then should you?

Happy birthday, Zuzu!

Not surprised. So much stuff floating around at those altitudes.

Who ever heard of one tiny little woman having so many birthdayssssssss?

Harper has had a birthday thread since last October so add her to the list.

Oh.......how could I miss it.......on my way to check it out.

Birthday threads should last a minimum of a month !
I think Zu has more threads in various forums than anyone ever has.
Does this make her a "living legend"?

Preferable by far to the alternative, JD.

Certainly is, Zu!

I don't know what we call "bluebloods" up here, but I'm sure we have them. Any kind of person who feels so entitled/superior gives me the willies. Thanks for the info about snow Gloria.

Happy Birthday Zuzu!

Harper

Happy B-day again Zu...

Gloria, it still surprises me to hear things like that still happens. When I came to the US 20++ years ago I had no "idea" some of my friends were black! or white! in my head everyone was just people. so pathetic! I had no idea my closest friends suffered any discrimination...

I am so fortunate I am in MA. I am not going to tell you there is no discrimination here, but I think the best situation ever is to work where I work. Oh people of every color, shape and size... I love the diversity... so much to learn... such great food to try!

bacteria in snow??? I am suprised the amount of hair spray people use has not killed all bacteria already!!!!

I was raised in Korea and Japan, so the first Americans my family and I met were soldiers. They came in all colors and we had no idea that some were "inferior" to others until we moved to America. There was nothing to suggest any class conflicts in the soldiers' behavior toward one another. They were all buddies.

I love you guys. : )

Aww.. group hug!
(I like it here too)

Well things are certainly better now than ever, though there is still a way to go. Bigotry, unfortunately, is a flaw that affects all groups. It includes people having those feelings against others in their group as well.