Hillbilly Prayer Flags

Spring bugs

Saw a couple of swarms of these insects flying upwards from the ground. There were thousands of them. Unfortunately, they are almost certainly Swarming Termites. Chem-Free has been called. They are probably not an immediate threat to the house (especially since they are not IN the house), but call me freaked-out anyway. This is one of those "remain calm" situations. Not gonna happen.

Helloooo Springfield!

This was our view from the place we had lunch last Saturday. MrB looked at this and said it reminded him of the Simpsons' opener. This is what happens when you watch a lot of TV.

We have been cruelly misidentified!

Taken at Austin Zoo (which is a rescue organization), and I'm sure they know what these critters are. ;-)

Chicken Law

Seen at...

Waterloo Records. Plushie hand grenade.

Loco programming

It's hard to find anything good on TV on Sunday morning. On Sunday, I prefer to avoid politics, and seems like the rest is preachers, sports I don't care about, travel shows about places I can't go or cooking shows featuring food I won't eat. Then there's Public Access, where you can often find some wild and crazy stuff. This is a link to the exact show I saw this morning (that goes to a ~30 minute clip, but here are a couple of shorter ones featuring the same *star*)



I can't even tell the purpose of this Public Access show (religious, probably)(?), only that he gets a caller that he can't hang up on because the phone is malfunctioning. Even after he thinks he's finally managed to disconnect the guy, he comes roaring back. It's a hilarious interaction between a couple of idiots.


This caller to a Christian show has been reading the Rick James Version of the Bible.


Happy Sunday.

Caturday: Talk Birdy To Me

This is Martin. He lives next door but spends a lot of time in our yard. It's easy to see one reason for that. We don't approve of bird-traps (like this one that just popped up with the emergence of these tall poppies), and so have since moved the birdbath to another area.

Martin is an absolute sweetie-pie, and greets us almost everyday asking for belly-rubbins. He will do this 'til the cows come home.


He cohabits with another black cat who is very people-shy, and he has not let us pet him yet. Here's a closeup of Martin from the above shot, looking adorable.

The truth shall set you free

The truth shall set you free, but healing the damage caused by the lies is going to take some work.

The "most hated person in America" used to be noted atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair. It's somewhat interesting that now the "most hated person" is Fred Phelps, pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church, and his family and followers. They are hated because they do everything possible to spread a message of hate and fear. Madalyn Murray O'Hair's son became a Christian fundamentalist whose organization does its best to try and turn our government into a theocracy.

Nate Phelps, the son of Fred Phelps, is a freethinker and a non-believer. Read more about how he managed to endure the cruel, harsh conditions dealt out by a patriarch with more openly expressed hate-mongering than any rightwing pundit you can think of.

He escaped becoming one of the "God Hates ____" crowd, but is still dealing with post-traumatic stress and the lingering fears that are hard to purge after they've been pounded into your brain so hard. He was one of the main inspirations for the forming of this support Group, "Life After Christian Fundamentalism" (which I think I may join when I get more time to participate).

Also, check out Nate's website, and blog.

This is a topic that I feel close to, as it's a journey that I have made as well, and want to say more about it but it is just going to have to wait until work eases up on me a bit.

Me Me Meme

I stole this from Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein, who is worth visiting every day without missing any.

Hi, my name is: Blueberry (not my real name though)

Never in my life have I been: a mother.

The one person who can drive me nuts is: [was] my mother.

High school: is something that I cared nothing about, and still don't.

When I’m nervous: I get a red face.

The last song I listened to was: on the new Shearwater album.

If I were to get married right now my best man/maid of honor: I'm not one to respect wedding traditions, and don't need a maid of honor in any case. That's just silly.
My hair is: still brown and not dyed, but always unruly.

When I was 5: I loved mythology, dinosaurs, and Liberace.

Last Christmas: was barely even noticed.

I should be..: retired, but that may never happen.

When I look down I see: a cat who wants something.
The happiest recent event was: SXSW music annual day party crawl.

If I were a character on ‘Friends’ I’d be: oops. I forgot to ever watch "Friends."

By this time next year: I have no idea because I don't plan that far.

My current gripe is: I am underpaid.

I have a hard time understanding: the enjoyment of killing animals.

There’s this girl I know that: doesn't like being called a "girl"

If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: MrB

Take my advice: don't stay in a situation that makes you unhappy or doesn't let you grow as a person.
The thing I want to buy: I'd love an iPhone but can't afford the bill.
If you visited the place I was born: you'd be on an Air Force Base in Arizona. Visit in August for the whole experience. Take a sun hat, and watch out for scorpions.

I plan to visit: someplace when we know longer would need to hire a cat nurse.

If you spent the night at my house: expect to have your sleep disturbed by cats, also the guest bathroom is owned by a cat - expect to play second fiddle to cats, that's what we do.

I’d stop my wedding if: I was asked to promise to "obey" or be Christian.

The world could do without: hateful religious nuts.

I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: vote Republican or TeaBagger.

Most recent thing I’ve bought myself: for ME and not US? Jeans from Goodwill.

Most recent thing someone else bought me: an Xmas "pressie" from the UK.

My favorite blonde (blond) is: Legolas

My favorite brunette is: MrB

My favorite redhead is: my friend Lee who moved from the USA to the UK and ended up married to a Moody Blue.

My middle name is: not going to be revealed here either.

In the morning I: get up way too early.

The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: capybaras, or maybe pigs.

Once, at a bar: I met the love of my life.

Last night I was: at the Nutty Brown Cafe watching Del Castillo.

There’s this guy I know who: plays guitar.

If I was an animal I’d be: a big cat.

A better name for me would be: Rose.

Tomorrow I am: working a long day, repeat that 4 more times and you have described my week.

Tonight I am: finished watching a DVD and hoping to get some sleep.

My birthday is: Aug. 24.

New Maru for Caturday

Maru takes the lazy approach to playing the tambourine.
More Maru.

Not So Good Friday

Filipinos nailed to the cross for Good Friday

Hellish tradition repeated again this year.

::shudder::

Well... they are celebrating a crucifixion by crucifying themselves. There is some very sick and twisted logic in there.

BREAKING NEWS!!

Rush Limbaugh is leaving the country over the Health Care Law! He is keeping his promise! Read more here.