An "Ask Auntie Lowan" Digression.

I'll exchange Nipissing for Shatin (HK) any day of the week.

I just buy BroadWay and Park Place myself

Mornin BillW, I cannot remember where but I saw that you posted a pic of some coins. I have one just like those two, would you like it, I can mail it to you?

SHUT THE HELL UP...IT'S TOO EARLY!

OK anything you say blatham, running and ducking.

Clary has become an elephant! And a very lovely one, too.

Elephants are a delightful animal - full, it seems, of wisdom and culture - and possessed of delicate sensibilities, great love for their clan, and intense emotionality - much of it expressed through their subsonic communication system and their delightfully dexterous and sensitive trunks.

They have, of course, the sense to be a matriarchy - sending the mins packing, although remaining on friendly terms with them - but mingling in a serious way only when a female elephant wishes to be mated. Sometimes the two have quite an extended honeymoon - shared to some extent in its excitement by the other members of the female's clan.

Children are protected passionately by the group - as are sick and injured members - and they are able to convey news of all too frequent (largely due to poaching) elephant disasters to other groups over long distances.

Elephants are useful friends
Equipped with handles at both ends
With wrinkled, moth-proof hides
Their teeth are upside down--outside
If you think an elephant is preposterous
You've probably never seen a rhinosterous.

And, speaking of the rhinoceros, they are, it seems, once used to a human, quite delightfully sweet-tempered creatures...

But boy, do rhinos stink! I was at a game farm a few years ago and saw this small building sitting at the edge of a fenced area. There was an open window and a concrete block beneath. In my curiosity about the building, I stepped up on the block and stuck my head into the opening. Not more than six inches from my nose (big nose, true) was the metal/leather skin of a rhino. And that visual hit me at the same instant as the smell. Observers present said I exploded backwards.

digression to Burt Rutan...genius
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/science/AP-FAA-Rocket-License.html

Hmmm - territory marking critters, they be - wonder if it was a boy? Boys tend to have extra stink for territory marking in many species...

and...Quote of the Day

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Gay-Marriage-New-Mexico.html

About twenty-five years ago, a young and innocent Mennonite farm boy from my home town bought his first car, a shiny new Triumph TR4. Together with another young Mennonite friend, they put the top down, and headed off for a trip to Mexico. It was the first time either one of them had travelled out of the country, other than a short drive to the US.

Travelling a sunny mountain road in Mexico, they stopped to remove a small tree that had appaently fallen across the road. But it hadn't fallen, it had been put there. The bandits took every penny the boys had. Young Stewart, the car owner, began to cry, not knowing how he would get home to peaceful Chilliwack with its green mountains, plowing competitions, and mom. The bandits were so moved, they gave him some money back. That's a true story.

And here's one a bit like it...
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Australia-Repentant-Car-Thief.html

Cute.....

Cute!? It is life affirming! I can just see you outside of that cave 2000 years ago...the rock is rolled aside, and Jesus, days dead, walks out. You, from the back of the crowd, "Spiffy."

nah, I'd have said - "Ha! Sucked in! He never stopped breathing! Faker!"

Anyway, nobody saw him leave...

A cynical Easter bunny, eh? And you said such lovely things about my elephant... bet you're a real softy really.

Yep - soft but cynical - an enchanting mix, no?

I'm going with hard but naive. Helps me to be free of worldly goods and trite socialization, and be closer to the great kumquat.