Egg Line

This past Easter weekend, I re-discovered something I learned a long time ago: when you're in charge of egg hiding for a 5 year old, there's a fine line between eggs that are too easy and too hard to find. The result: there must be at least 25 eggs still in there somewhere. 

I'll keep you posted....

Olives & Doug April Update

I'm happy to report that Olives and Douglas are apparently still best friends. According to her parents, Douglas is Olivia's very favorite stuffed animal "OF ALL-TIME", likely because he'll follow her around and play instead of just sitting there like most of all the other animals. 
In any event, he's a good sport about the whole thing and Olivia doesn't mind the occasional face-lick that goes along with having a Bulldog as a best friend. 

Although big Doug doesn't show an extreme amount of enthusiasm about playing house, he goes along with things in the apparent hope of eventually getting some real food instead of the pretend stuff Olivia typically serves up.

In other news, fishing season should soon be in full swing in Missouri and Arkansas. I think this could be the year that either "Klietus" or "The Duster-Man" sets a new state record in either the flathead or large mouth category. I'm betting at least one of them will. 
Also, cousin Darin is considering moving his entire operation from the wilds of Oklahoma, all the way up north to the last frontier, aka, Alaska. If he does, and providing he keeps the beard, I'm betting at least one lucky native Alaskan gal will soon be saying, "Big 'D', where have you been all my life!" and/or, "You big silly man, oh course I'll marry you!" 
On these and other family matters, I'll do my best to keep you posted...

Beach Platitude?

I wonder if anyone ever actually does this? I'm guessing that sitting on the beach after a big clam dig, drinking a case of beer and singing Jimmy Buffet tunes while watching the sun set, is mostly a cliche someone made up while sitting at the office starring out the window--kind of like "curling up on the couch with a good book in front of the fire". I think this beach platitude is one more thing I need to have Kleitus check into. I'll see what he comes up with and will of course keep you posted with his findings....

Puckering Toddler

This is what happens when a toddler insist on chewing on that "yellow thing" in her mommy's glass of iced tea. Now that's perfect!

Hudson Bay Point Blanket Update

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Hudson Bay point blanket was essentially the primary form of currency between European traders and Canada's First Nations (Native Canadians) and Native Americans (Native Americans). The blankets were used as trade for assorted goods but primarily for beaver pelts, which at the time were highly sought after for use in the European hat making industry.

These blankets from Hudson Bay first appeared in the 1780's and are still available today in various colors and sizes. They aren't cheap and you're not likely to find them anytime soon at Walmart, Canadian Tire, or even Tim Horton's-although you may want to stop by Tim's at your earliest convenience and wash down a maple sugar donut with a piping hot cup of Tim's finest roast bean.
At the time of this post, I'm giving consideration to making it official that every cabin and cottage in North America should not be considered "fully outfitted" until it's home to at least one of these darn blankets. I'll of course let you know if I make that declaration official.

During our recent stay at the Blickstead Cottage in the Highlands of Halliburton, I had the pleasure of reading up on the HBC point blanket, compliments of our good friend "Martimus" who strategically and thoughtfully placed a book about its history on the nightstand beside our most comfortable guest bed. I know it must have been Martimus who put it there because had it been her life partner (husband if you prefer) Major Rick, it would have likely been either a sword, a Cuban cigar or perhaps a nearly consumed bottle of very expensive single malt/single batch Scotch whiskey (not that there would have been anything wrong with that).

In any regard, should you decide to look into purchasing a point blanket for your private use, I recommend you not just grab your mobile device and jump on Amazon.com, hellbent on rushing into a purchase without clearly and soberly thinking it through; that would not be prudent. From what I understand, these blankets are one-of-a-kind and come in many colors, shapes and sizes, like some of the Canadian CEO's I've ran into over the years.

As I conduct further research into Hudson Bay's most famous wool widget "Of All-Time", I'll keep you posted....

Fireplace

 It looks like you won't be needing this much longer unless you live substantially further north than California, Missouri. Spring has apparently arrived in the Ozarks. If you're not sure where the Ozarks are, give my friend Big Bear a call. He can be reached by yelling out your back door, providing you live in Rogersville, Missouri and don't spend most of your time in China looking for a factory guy who can make your widgets for less than the other guys are making their widgets. Which brings me to the point: we need more Chinese made spatulas!
I'll keep you posted....

Walking in Venice

I wonder what the folks in Venice do when they want to go for a walk? I'll ask Klietus to do some leg work on that. I'll keep you posted regarding what he comes up with: I'm sure it will be good.