Mary, did you know That your baby boy Would some day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy Has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, Will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know That… Continue reading Glad tidings of great joy!
Phoning it in: Decade in Review
This is the time of the year when journalists the world over phone it in by doing those endless “Year in Review” reports, only this year it’s ten times as bad because the end of the year is also the end of the decade (unless it’s not), and we’re all nutso for round numbers. The… Continue reading Phoning it in: Decade in Review
Paint a fireplace? Sure…why not?
One of the [many] features that attracted us to the house we bought a few years ago was the massive stone wall in the living room/den. The fireplace centered on that wall was well-used, judging by the soot marks on the pale firebrick. It’s a wood-burning fireplace; our house is all-electric except for the cooktop,… Continue reading Paint a fireplace? Sure…why not?
DIY sometimes stands for more than “‘Dangit!’, I Yelled”
Alert Gazette readers are accustomed to reading accounts of tragic outcomes for my DIY projects. Those outcomes aren’t always my fault – anyone can set fire to their own pants while welding – but, I’ll admit that I’m not really the most capable handyman. So, it gives me an inordinate amount of pleasure to report… Continue reading DIY sometimes stands for more than “‘Dangit!’, I Yelled”
Random Thursday: The Friday Edition
That was fun! I had forgotten how enjoyable it is to write about a variety of topics, thereby demonstrating that my shallow and uninformed opinions run not only deep but also extremely wide. So, let’s do it again, shall we, as the topics of the day are compelling. Before we get started on the subjects… Continue reading Random Thursday: The Friday Edition
Random Thursday (No…really!)
I can’t remember the last time I posted something to the Random Thursday category. Fortunately, my archivist is on top of things and tells me that it’s been (a) almost six months since I wrote a Random Thursday article, and (b) more than two years since I actually posted a Random Thursday thing on an… Continue reading Random Thursday (No…really!)
NoMoNaNoWriMo (not that there ever was any)
It’s the first day of November and I’m extending my streak to twenty years of not participating in NaNoWriMo. If that term is unfamiliar and you don’t have the inclination to click on the link that I toiled and sweated over — not that I’m complaining — here’s an abbreviated introduction. NaNoWriMo is twee code… Continue reading NoMoNaNoWriMo (not that there ever was any)
R.I.P. Snake Tree
Alert Gazette readers may recall this post, in which I chronicle one of the most dramatic nature-related encounters we’ve had the privilege to witness since moving to the Texas Hill Country. I think it’s worth your time to check it, but if you have better things to do — Game 1 of the World Series… Continue reading R.I.P. Snake Tree
Spunky Skunk vs Cowed Cougar
In yesterday’s post, I described my uneasy efforts to release a skunk from a trap. During that process, I kept reminding myself to not get complacent; just because I’d never been sprayed, I shouldn’t think it couldn’t happen. It didn’t, and even though I eventually had to agitate the animal a bit to get it… Continue reading Spunky Skunk vs Cowed Cougar
Forget catnaps; it’s skunknaps we really have to worry about
Update (10/11/19): The events described below reminded me that skunks are probably the most confident mammals on the planet. Here’s some visual evidence of that premise. ‘Cause what’cha gonna do with a cowboy When that old rooster crows at dawn When he’s lyin’ there instead of getttin’ out of bed And puttin’ on his boots… Continue reading Forget catnaps; it’s skunknaps we really have to worry about