Tuesday, December 16, 2025

It Must Be Nice to Be a Carl, a Random and Happy Tuesday Post

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It's time once again for a random and happy Tuesday, linking up with Stacy's Random Thoughts at Stacy Uncorked and Sandee at Comedy Plus 


Carl was at church for Pilgrimage Sunday evening, enjoying the music and planning to walk to the next stop, but he first asked me, "Do I need to go to the car and get my gloves and hat?"


I told him it was up to him, but it was going to get very cold, and he departed.  If he did the whole thing, I'm sure he got home late and maybe that's why when i showed up at the house Monday morning he was already in his sleep chair.


With a timer set for, at that point, 77 minutes.


I get there around 6am, and he doesn't have work until 11, and won't get up before 9, preferring 9:30.  Why his timer was set to go off around 7:15 is anyone's guess.





It's freezing winter, his jacket is out, and so is his ice vest.  Why the latter has been dragged out of the closet, well, his explanation is without the ice packs it does insulate him under the coat and keeps him warmer.  Whatever works, i guess.


Ms. V had washed all of her "unmentionables" and had them hanging up to dry in the laundry room.  Carl had still managed a load and it was properly washed.  I got it to the dryer and then saw him heading for his room.


I asked him what was up, and he said, "Gargle!" then grabbed his mouthwash bottle and took a swig.  Oh, well, it's his bottle, i guess he can help himself that way if he wants.





As i was cleaning i noted he was out of throat lozenges.  Then i found them on top of the fridge in a bag.  I guess he'd taken them to work.


Carl next came in while i was cleaning and setting up the bathroom for him to shower.  He was wearing both the apron i'd left in the kitchen for him to use while he ate breakfast and his bathrobe on top of his pajamas.  He grabbed the clean wash cloth and wet it, and i asked what was up.


"I need to wash, I can't sleep because I can smell it!"  He took the cloth as i left the room, but he came out a few minutes later with no apron, just the pjs and the robe, saying, "That's better" and he went back to his chair.


Eventually he got up, showered and dressed, then started saying, "Coffee?  Do I have coffee?"


Your dad has the K-cups, i told him, and i can help you make some.


He went to the kitchen and found coffee concentrate in the fridge, he seemed happy with that.


As i fixed his lunch/dinner, we chatted and he supervised me closely.


"I need a snack and supper," he was saying, dropping another ice pack in his cooler with the food, a frozen dinner, cheese stick, snack bar, fruit cup, peanuts, and more.


One's not enough? i asked and he just looked at me and then bent over at an odd angle, almost right into the fridge, and he, well, let's be polite and say "broke wind."


He stood up and grinned.  "That's better," he said.  


You have to admit, it must be nice to be a Carl, with no idea at all that it might not be considered appropriate to "let 'er rip" right in front of the domestic help.


Then he was looking for his devotional.  He thought it could be in the car, but it wasn't.  I had a spare one from church and gave it to him, not the same as what he had, but it will work.


As i tried to hustle Carl out the door, he stopped to look at his video games.  "I need to go to the game exchange place," he muttered, then turned to me and asked, "do I have water in my box?"


Yes, i told him, and punch.


"Do I need another jacket?"


Up to you, i'd barely said when he walked out the door, leaving it open.  I'd barely gotten to it to close it when he came back in.  "Badge?" he asked, but i had not seen any of his work badges.


Twice more he came in, looked confused, and went back out the door, then finally drove off.  We did get him out in plenty of time, too.


How about some funnies.
















Have a blessed and beautiful Tuesday, everyone!






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Today is:


Barbie and Barney Backlash Day -- if you need an explanation, you don't have kids; sponsored by Wellcat Holidays


Beethoven Day -- celebrate the anniversary of his birth by listening to one of his fine works


Bijoy Dibosh -- Bangladesh (Victory Day)


Day of Reconciliation -- South Africa


Day of the Republic -- Kazakhstan (Independence from the USSR in 1991)


Festival of Sapientia -- Ancient Roman Empire (personification of wisdom and knowledge)


Icelandic Yuletide Lad of the Day, Pottasleiker -- Pot-licker, who tries to snatch unwashed pots and lick them clean


Man Will Never Fly Memorial Society Annual Meeting


National Chocolate Covered Anything Day


National Day/Independence Day -- Bahrain(1971)


Posadas Navidenas (Fiesta of the Virgin of the Lonely) -- Mexico (celebrated through the 24th, "pilgrims" go house to house seeking shelter to commemorate the search of Mary and Joseph for shelter in Bethlehem)


Simbang Gabi -- Philippines (Christmas festivals that last until Three Kings Day)


St. Adelaide's Day (Patron of abuse victims, brides, empresses, exiles, in-law problems, parenthood, parents of large families, princesses, prisoners, second marriages, step-parents, and widows)


Stupid Toy Day -- make sure you aren't giving a stupid toy to any kids you buy for, if you need to know what those are now, ask the kids, they'll gladly clue you in


Tea Party Day -- Boston, MA, US (anniversary of the 1773 Party)


Vijay Diwas --  India (Victory Day)


Wan Kila Haeng Chat -- Thailand (National Sports Day)



Birthdays Today:


Michael McCary, 1971

Benjamin Bratt, 1963

William "Refrigerator" Perry, 1962

Jon Tenney, 1961

Alison La Placa, 1959

Billy Gibbons, 1949

Benny Andersson, 1946

Steven Bochco, 1943

Lesley Stahl, 1941

Liv Ullmann, 1939

Bruce N Ames, 1928

Arthur C. Clarke, 1917

Margaret Mead, 1901

Noel Coward, 1899

Wassily Kandinsky, 1866

George Santayana, 1863

Jane Austen, 1775

Ludwig von Beethoven, 1770

Catherine of Aragon, 1536



Debuting/Premiering Today:


"One Day At a Time"(TV), 1975

"Dragnet"(TV), 1951

"Me and My Girl"(Musical), 1937

Variety(Magazine, first issue), 1905

"From the New World"(Dvorak Symphony), 1893 (often called "New World Symphony")




Today in History:


An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion during the Tang Dynasty of China, 755

Mount Vesuvius, Italy erupts, destroys 6 villages & kills 4,000, 1631

Oliver Cromwell sworn in as English Lord Protector, 1653

The last recorded eruption of Mount Fuji in Japan, 1707

A big tea party in Boston harbor -- Indians welcome -- is "celebrated" (Boston Tea Party), 1773

Fire burns over 600 buildings in NYC, 1835

In New Zealand, the Charlotte-Jane and the Randolph bring the first of the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton, 1850

The Kingdom of Nepal accepts its constitution, 1862

Antonín Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, From The New World is given its world première performance at Carnegie Hall, 1893

The first submarine with an internal combustion engine is demonstrated, 1897

The "Great White Fleet" sails from Hampton Downs on its round the world tour, 1907

The first credit union in the US is formed, in Manchester, New Hampshire, 1908

The first US postage stamp picturing an airplane, a 20 cent parcel post, is issued, 1912

Albert Einstein publishes his "General Theory of Relativity", 1915

The Haiyuan earthquake, magnitude 8.5, rocks the Gansu province in China, killing an estimated 200,000, 1920

Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe attempt to escape from the American federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay; neither is ever seen again, 1937

Thailand joins the United Nations, 1945

William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain build the first practical point-contact transistor, 1947

Cleveland, Ohio becomes the first post-Depression era US city to default on its loans, owing $14,000,000 to local banks, 1978

An episode of Pokémon, "Denno Senshi Porygon", aired in Japan induces seizures in 685 Japanese children, 1997

George W. Bush signs the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 into law, 2003

The US National Institutes of Health places a moratorium on new studies using chimpanzees as research models when a report comes out showing that most of such research is scientifically unjustified, 2010

After years of receding, the Arctic sea ice is shown to have rebounded in extent and volume, 2013

A five-day pollution red alert is declared in Beijing and 21 other Chinese cities is classified by officials as a “meteorological disaster”, 2016 

A nine-year-old girl who died of an asthma attack in 2013 becomes first person in the world to officially have air pollution listed as her cause of death, 2020


Monday, December 15, 2025

Hopeful Waiting (Awww Monday), Inspiring Quote of the Week, and Poetry Monday, Coconuts

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Awww Monday is hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus.


Join us every Monday for Awww...Mondays.  Post a picture that makes you say Awww... and that's it.


Make sure you get the code from Sandee's site, linked above, and leave a link to your post so we can visit you.  What better way to start the week than with a smile!


Jack is ever hopeful for snacks.  Here, he's waiting for Grandma to drop crackers, which she was eating in bed, and he dives under to get them!









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Sparks is the brainchild of Annie of McGuffy's Reader, who wanted us to post something positive and uplifting at the start of the week.  While she no longer blogs, i like to post an Inspiring Quote of the Week in her honor.     







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Our dear friend Diane is taking a break

accommodations we must make

we miss her poetry and wit

so carry on as Poetry Monday's a hit!


Poetry Monday was started by Diane at On The Alberta/Montana Border Charlotte/Mother Owl and i are keeping it going while she takes a blog break, we hope temporarily.  Anyone else is welcome to join in the fun, just let us know!


This week the theme is Coconuts.                       



It has been noted the British

are coconuts sometimes,

hard outside but once cracked,

are soft and sweet inside betimes.


It's also true in another way

as both are often found

rather full of alcohol and

with an umbrella crowned!


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do not buy any

coconut shampoo unless

you have coconuts


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His sweet wife had brought home some kale

because she had found it on sale

her mate said, "Don't boil,

use coconut oil,

makes it slide fast to the garbage pail!"


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Future themes are:


December 15 Coconuts (Today!)

December 22 Fungi

December 29 Sitting on Old Chairs


(All themes are from the 365 Days of Drawing Prompts and Other Arts Facebook group.)


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Today is:


Alcyone -- Ancient Greek Calendar (kingfisher goddess; date approximate, but during the Halcyon Days)


Bill of Rights Day -- US


Cat Herders Day -- for those whose job or life is like trying to herd cats; sponsored by Wellcat Holidays


Consualia -- Ancient Roman Calendar (Festival for Consus, god of graineries, with games and races in the Circus Maximus in his honor)


Coonskin Cap Day -- debut of "Davy Crocket" on TV's "Disneyland" in 1954 (and the original Davy Crockett hated the things, by the way)


Hanukkah -- Judaism (began sundown yesterday; through nightfall Jan. 2)


Homecoming Day -- Alderney, UK


Icelandic Yuletide Lad of the Day, Pvorusleikier -- Spoon-licker, who tries to steal all the wooden spoons he can find


Kasuga Wakamiya on-Matsuri -- Nara Prefecture, Japan (dates to the 12th century, to pray against plague and for a good harvest; through the 18th)


Koninkrijksdag -- Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba; Sint Maarten (Kingdom Day)


National Lemon Cupcake Day


National Regifting Day -- be careful here!


Navidades begin -- Puerto Rico (traditional Christmas celebrations that last through Three Kings Day)


Setagaya no Bori Ichi -- Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (a two day flea market that dates back to 1578)


St. Nino's Day (Patron of Georgia)


Thorn Cutting Ceremony -- Glastonbury, Somerset, England (a sprig from the tree supposedly planted by Joseph of Arimathea is cut, with great ceremony by the eldest child of St John’s Infant School, and sent to the King, to decorate his table on Christmas Day)


Trivial Pursuit Day -- honoring Canadians Chris Haney and Scott Abbott, who created the game on this date in 1979


Zamenhof Day -- International Esperanto Community



Anniversary Today:


Sylvester Stallone marries Brigitte Nielson, 1985



Birthdays Today:


Adam Brody, 1979

Garrett Wang, 1968

Helen Slater, 1963

Nick Beggs, 1961

Don Johnson, 1949

Dave Clark, 1942

Tim Conway, 1933

Edna O'Brien, 1931

Friedensreich Hundertwasser, 1928

Uziel "Uzi" Gal, 1923

Jeff Chandler, 1918

Stan Kenton, 1911

J. Paul Getty, 1892

Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof, 1859

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel,1832



Debuting/Premiering Today:


Gone With the Wind(Film), 1939 (Atlanta only, general release Jan. 1, 1940)

"Song of the Forests"(Shostakovich Op. 81), 1949

"Charlie Girl"(Musical), 1965



Today in History:


Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron, 533

Hulagu Khan captures and destroys the Hashshashin stronghold at Alamut in present-day Iran as part of the Mongol offensive on Islamic southwest Asia, 1265

Bartholomeus Diaz returns to Portugal after sailing round Cape of Good Hope, 1488

The State of Holland grants patent on a windmill with crankshaft, 1593

The first US law school is established at University of Pennsylvania, 1791

The first Irish magazine in US, Shamrock, is published, 1810

The first street-cleaning machine in US is used in Philadelphia, 1854

The King of Hawaii becomes the first reigning king to visit the Us, and is received by President Grant, 1874

The London Underground's Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway opens, 1906

Bandleader, Major Glenn Miller, is lost over English Channel, 1944

Gemini 6A, crewed by Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford, is launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida; four orbits later, it achieves the first space rendezvous, with Gemini 7, 1965

Samoa becomes a member of the United Nations, 1976

U.S. President Jimmy Carter announces that the United States will recognize the People's Republic of China and cut off all relations with Taiwan, 1978

The 3rd reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is shut down, 2000

The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 11 years and $27,000,000 to fortify it, without fixing its famous lean, 2001

Boeing's new Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes its maiden flight from Seattle, Washington, 2009

The Mayor of Flint, Michigan declares state of emergency over contaminated water supplies amid calls for a criminal investigation, 2015

Egyptian Archaeologists announce the discovery of a 4,400-year-old tomb of Fifth Dynasty priest in the Saqqara pyramid complex near Cairo, 2018

Protests erupt across India against the new citizenship law that excludes Muslims, 2019

Tens of thousands of nurses go on strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the largest strike in NHS history, 2022