This week marks the 160th anniversary of the establishment of the Colorado territory in 1861. Normally on our time travel, we go to the point of the historic anniversary. Since the actual establishment was done in Congress and there is the potential of catching a rash when we go near Washington, we will travel to Colorado. We want to observe how the population is taking the news. Since most of the Colorado people are involved one way or another in gold mining, we will be seeing a lot of miners. We don’t want to cause a tear in the time continuum, so we need to have our list handy.
James Wainwright’s 1956 Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop. You should read this one on Amazon. Just click the car to go there. Hurry back.
10 If you go, do not stand in a minor’s claim on Pike’s Peak. If you do, at best, the miner will be at the saloon. At worst, you’ll be taken for a claim jumper. (You know how it is, Marlin. These guys are jumpy around strangers. That shotgun looks like it’s loaded. might be time to go.)
9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, if he ever played for the Denver Broncos. If you do, at best, he will be busy panning for gold. At worst, he will think you are teasing him. (Tiny has missed that last seven group sessions on positive self-image, Marlyssa. He thinks you are wondering if he ever played with horses and has taken offense. Don’t worry, the way down isn’t very long. Oops didn’t know he was tossing you off of Pike’s Peak.)
8 If you go, do not ask the saloon keep for a Mountain Brewed Coors. If you do, at best, he’ll just wait on someone else. At worst, he’ll deploy the famous mallet that he keeps behind the bar. (You see Marq, Adolf Coors began brewing beer in 1873, so the saloon keeper never heard of it. Like Tiny, he can’t believe he doesn’t know something, so your head being kissed by the mallet explains it all.)
7 If you go, do not ask for a cheeseburger at the local restaurant. If you do, at best, no one will know what you mean. At worst, you’ll be served something you can’t identify. (The reason is, Marquise, although you heard the cheeseburger was invented in Denver, it wasn’t until 1935. Go ahead and eat that ground cheese.)
6 If you go, do not ask for directions to the rodeo. If you do, at best, you’ll get puzzled looks. At worst, those you ask will wonder where you call home. (Although the first rodeo was held in Deer trail, Colorado, in 1869, Marsh, you are a little ahead of your time. A couple of those roughnecks are wondering if you are going to ride that bull. Saying no does not look like an option.)
5 If you go, do not ask if anyone found a gold nugget. If you do, at best, folks will think you are nuts. At worst, they may think you are a con man. (The largest piece of gold found in Colorado was a 156 troy-ounce ( 10.76 pounds) piece of pocket gold found by Tom Groves in 1887 in Breckenridge. Most of the Denver area’s gold was placer gold in small pieces or dust, Mattainn. Looks like the Sherrif wants to talk to you.)
4 If you go, do not mention the total output of all the mines in Colorado. If you do, at best, they won’t believe you. At worst, they will think you are from another planet. (You should have kept your mouth shut, Martinien. Telling everyone that total gold production from the area would be over 1,155 tons made you look like an idiot. Here comes a gang of well-wishers with torches. Hope you like rail riding with tar and feathers.)
3 If you go, do not try to sell Pike’s Peak or Bust t-shirts. If you do, at best, no one will be interested. At worst, you’ll sell hundreds. (You now have a big problem, Marven. The T-shirt was not invented until after 1898, when the Navy issued them as standard underwear. How are you going to find someone to make them? I think you better give refunds pronto.)
2 If you go, do not do any strenuous exercise until you are used to the altitude. If you do, at best, you’ll just faint. At worst, you’ll get a case of altitude sickness. (You don’t want to fall off a mountain, Masoud. That first step can be a long one. Can you scream for 10,000 feet?)
1 If you go, do not argue with anyone about being able to stand where four states come together. If you do, at best, there is no money placed on a bet. At worst, your new BMW is now owned by a grisly miner. (It is possible to be in more than two states at the same time, Matchithew. In Colorado’s southwest corner, the state borders three others, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Four Corners Monument is where to stand in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah at the same time. I wonder how that guy is going to get your BMW. It is sitting back in 2021. No, he’s not coming with us.)
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I pulled a postcard out of the mail today. To my surprise, Linda Hill did not make a trip to deliver the prompt. She sent it on this card instead. After reading the prompt I can see why. This week’s prompt, as written by Linda, is:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flag.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
This one sure didn’t need a box or large envelop for sure. If you would like to participate in the fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how to do that very thing. (Was hard not to end that sentence with a preposition) Here is a link to Linda’s place.
Harvey Wilcox – Registered Hollywood in 1887. Wikipedia image
Today marks the 134th anniversary of Hollywood’s official registration with the Los Angles County recorders office in 1887. I know I would like to go there and see what the beginning looks like. We need to take out the top ten list to avoid any tear in the time continuum. James’s Oldsmobile is ready so let’s get going.
James’s Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop
10 If you go, do not say anything bad about Kansas. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, Harvey Wilcox will be standing right behind you. (For your information, Mahpee, Harvy, the guy who registered Hollywood, came to Southern California from Kansas. I think I would say “go Jayhawkers,” and walk away.)
9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, for directions to the Walk of Fame. If you do, at best, Tiny will be on his lunch break and not hear you for the chewing. At worst, Tiny will realize he has no idea where the Walk of Fame is located since it is not in place yet since it was built in 1953. (you must know what happens when Tiny gets confused, Maichail. I would just lay back and enjoy the pinwheel drop. We have plenty of Ben-Gay.)
8 If you go, do not use any curse words. If you do, at best, Wilcox won’t hear you. At worst, you will look up after hitting your thumb with a hammer, and he’ll be there. (Harvey Wilcox came from Topeka to establish a utopian vice free community. Your blue language has his ears burning, Maitland. Speaking of burning, I wonder how Harvey’s eyes feel boring into yours?)
7 If you go, do not mention alcohol. If you do, at best, Daeida Wilcox will be otherwise distracted. At worst, she and Harvey will think you need saving. (The two of them are prohibitionists, Makaio. You can now look forward to an interdiction and 24 hours’ worth of instruction on the evils of alcohol.)
6 If you go, do not scoff at the name Hollywood. If you do, at best, the Wilcocks will be in the city. At worst, they will overhear you. (Since Daeida came up with the name, Makin, Harvey wants satisfaction. His second just hit you with a glove made of armor. When you wake up the whole thing may have blown over. doubt it.)
5 If you go, do not ask about where the Hollywood sign went. If you do, at best, no one will care. At worst, Wilcox will think it a great idea. (Now you have altered time, Maks. The Hollywood sign was erected in the hills in 1923 and originally advertised a new community called Hollywoodland. The sign originally said Hollywoodland but was shortened in 1943. What are we going to do with this sign in the middle of town?)
4 If you go, do not mention film making. If you do, at best, only the workers will hear you. At worst, Wilcox will want to know what you are talking about. (You better not detail that in 1900 filmmakers fled the State of New Jersey to get away from Thomas Edison’s attempts to monopolize the industry. If you do, Malek old Wilcox will have a heart attack. Works of the devil in his mind.)
3 If you go, do not talk about the Oscars. If you do, at best, people will think you are talking about your uncle. At worst, Wilcox will get wind of your conversation. (Sure enough, Mallory, Wilcox wants you in jail. The idea of promoting film making he believes to be a sin. Since the first Oscars were awarded in 1929, you could have skipped the discussion. I guess it is too late. Here comes two of Hollywood’s finest.)
2 If you go, do not comment on the streets of Hollywood. If you do, at best, you won’t be heard. At worst, Wilcox will be right there when you make your statement. (Wilcox was the guy who laid out the dirt streets lined with pepper trees, Maloney. Although not appealing to everyone, they had a certain sparseness he favored. He is giving you a chance to run. I would take it.)
1 If you go, do not recommend planting English holly to back up the name Hollywood. If you do, at best, the guy planting pepper trees will ignore you. At worst, Wilcox will like the idea. (Unfortunately, Malyn English Holly needs more water than that available in Los Angles’ desert climate. Now that Wilcox planted all that holly, he is looking to you to find a way to irrigate it. Put down that watering can. You are going to need more than that.)
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here comes Linda Hill with a mammoth box.
“Hey, Linda.”
“John.”
“Prompt?”
“Duh. I’ll just leave it here on the porch. I doubt it will fit in the door.”
“Thanks, Linda. Would you look at this? I better open it and see what we’ve got. I feel like I’m on Chopped. The prompt.”
Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “close eyes and point.” When you’re ready to write your post, open a book, a newspaper, or whatever is handy and close your eyes, and point. Whatever word or picture your finger lands on, make that the basis of your SoCS/JusJoJan post. Enjoy!
It has been 93 years since Martin Luther King Jr was born. Today we celebrate his birth, although the actual day was January 15th. Today’s Top Ten is a focus on just one thing not to do. Do not hate your neighbor and take a lesson from Dr. King’s non-violent approach to change.
I wish for a day of peace that will become so comfortable that it extends into a week, then a month, then a year. Who knows? It could last a lifetime.
Let’s hope Dr. King’s example serves to guide our behavior going forward.
Yes, we had a blizzard here in Austin. We all managed to survive long enough to clean out the grocery and liquor stores. What was left in the wake of the devastation were several snow people. So what better thing to do than to climb on the bus and go gawk at them. Yay.
We need to have some substance for an appetizer, I’ve cooked up some glazed baby back ribs, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, assorted crudities, cheeses, and stone-ground pepper crackers. There are two choices for the main course. The first is applewood smoked pork tenderloin and course brown mustard. The second is seared Ahi Tuna with lemon aioli. Both are served with oven-roasted red potatoes, broccoli, and glazed baby carrots. For dessert, we have an old-fashioned bread pudding with brandy sauce and Ice cream. Today’s wines are 2017 Cabernet Franc Fulkerson Winery for the red and 2018 Glenelly Chardonnay Stellenbosch Estate Reserve. Our entertainment is none other than Willie Nelson.
So jump on and let’s go.
Our first snow person is obviously a cowpoke from the wild west. Love the pink hat.
Next is one who obviously has someone making sure they are warm enough. The hat blew off, but the scarf is in place.
Here’s a cute one. Can’t tell if it’s tickled or taking a stand-up nap.
We have been by the flamingo house before. Let’s see. A headless snow person and sleeping flamingos. They may be snow eaters.
Ah, Twin snow folks. How romantic, especially since they have no clothes.
Here’s a snow person and their pet snow person. Wait, is that allowed?
A mail topper minature snow thingy.
Here ‘s one that is working on getting over the night before. Everything about the evening is pretty fuzzy.
Here is the last shot that I left uncropped to give you an idea of perspective. These snowpeople are very demuere.
That is our tour today. Have some more food and drink and listen to Willie. I hope you all have a great week.
“Using this photo (below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
“I don’t have a clue. Maybe we can catch another.”
“I thought this was supposed to be a lunch break.”
“Yeah, me too. Looks like it was just a quick stop. I told you we should have gotten a translation book.”
“This rain isn’t going to make it any more comfortable.”
“The fact that I’ve grown webbing between my toes should tell us something.”
“Webbing?”
“Just joking. It’s been raining so much. I think we are going to need to tread water soon.”
“So, back to the bus. What should we do?”
“Hold on, I have the tour operator’s card here. Let me call them.”
“Oh, thank heavens. Yes, call them.”
“Hello. This is McGee calling. Bob McGee. We are stranded at a bus stop. How soon for the next bus? You’re kidding? Yeah, we know that now. Yes, sure, put us on that one. Isn’t there anything sooner? Okay then. Thanks. Bye.”
“So that didn’t sound good.”
“The next bus is tomorrow at this time.”
“Twenty four hours in this jungle outpost? There’s no place to sleep.”
“Well, we will just have to make due. The guy said we should never have gotten off the bus.”
“That makes me feel so much better knowing that. So what do you suggest?”
“What do you have in that bag?”
“My dirty red bandana and my harmonica.”
“Perfect. We are saved.”
“How so?”
“I’ll just thumb a diesel down before the next rain, and we’ll sing songs to the driver. We’ll sing every song the drive knows.”
“You sayin’ the windshield wipers will be slapping time?”
“Now, you’ve got it.”
“Gee, Bobby. It does sound good.”
“We are making memories, kiddo. The kind where you might want to trade all your tomorrows for a single yesterday.”
“You have such a way with words, Bobby. Put out that thumb, and let’s get going.”
***
Thanks to Chris Christopherson for writing, Janus Joplin, and Johnny Cash among others for singing one of my favorite songs, “Me and Bobby McGee.” Here is Janis
Since it is a slow day here in Lakeway, I decided we would look at some of the locals’ recycling habits. This will be a short trip so we will want to spend a lot of time eating and drinking.
I think most of you are familiar with the tour bus. First impressions can be deceiving, and we try to keep the bus profile very low. We don’t want a lot of people wondering what we are doing in their neighborhood. At the request of Jill Weatherholt, I’m showing the newly refurbished interior of the bus.
As you can see, it is designed for maximum comfort and privacy. Today, we are serving goose liver pate or melted parmesan on a toasted baguette for an appetizer. We are serving standing rib roast or grilled tuna steaks, garlic smashed new potatoes, and roasted baby mixed root vegetables for the main course. Dessert includes molten chocolate cake with freshly churned vanilla bean ice cream or tiramisu. Of course, we have top-shelf liquor, and for the red wine, we have Luna Winemaker’s Reserve 2016 cabernet and for white 2019 Joel Gott California Sauvignon Blanc. Our entertainment is the Corrs.
Let’s get on the bus.
Our first stop is to marvel at the leaning tower of cardboard. This is a masterful use of the recycling container exhibiting just the right amount of overstuffedness to make one wonder if the whole thing continues to stay upright. I notice one piece of cardboard has been jettisoned. Probably to maintain balance.
Who says suburban residents don’t have a heart? Here is a gift being offered to the recycling crew. A small gesture of generosity.
We needed to stop at this one. I love to study people and wish I could meet the person behind this demonstration of a classic Type A personality.
At the opposite end of the personality spectrum is evidenced by this tote. Anyone who can handle at least two 24 bottle allotments of Coors light is my kind of Olympian. Don’t forget recycling pick-up is every week, so this is a real athlete’s sign.
Ah, here is my favorite of all the recycling—a 42 inch TV container announcing to the world that this home would be worth a break-in. A 42 inch is easily fit into a trunk and can be handled by one person.
You have to look close. What looks like a bush on the left of the mailbox is a Christmas tree. It was put out for the recycling crew to pick up. Notice it is still there and probably will be until next Christmas. There are instructions on how to handle trees, and this one did not conform.
Excuse the green tone of this scene, but we need to stay on the bus. None of us want to get close to that thing obviously passed over by the recycling crew. I have to say a Dyson Vac sitting on the side of the road makes a fairly concerning statement. The long cord alone concerns me.
Well, That is the end of a nothingness tour of the neighborhood. I hope you stay for more food and entertainment. I also hope you have a great week and keep smiling.
“Yes,Twiggy it’s Friday.” “Thank heavens. Didn’t think I would make it.” “Why? What do you have to do?” “Wait, Lucy, wait.” “Blessed is he who stands and waits.” “Well, I sat most of the time, and I’m a she.”
Twiggy gets her wish. Friday is here, and we are all glad. Before I forget I am also at Story Empire today. Here’s the link but come back.
This has been one heck of a start to 2021. We all witnessed an insurrection act that we haven’t seen since the British burned the Capital in 1814. The sight of those Proud Boy hooligans desecrating the House Chamber was enough to turn the stomach.
There was no excuse for this to happen. The Capitol Police had enough warning from the Hooligan in Chief that this could be a possibility. There were not enough officers placed at the Capital to maintain law and order. If the Capital Police didn’t think they had the human resources to do the job, then Federal troops were needed. I’m no lover of the conduct of Congress but seeing them having to scurry out of the place was a sick sight.
I’m betting that law enforcement needs the mandate to enforce. The sight of that Capital guard chased up a flight of stairs made me wonder how far we are willing to let unruly mobs go. You can draw comparisons to the BLM protests all day long and criticize the lack of Police action as much as you want. The fact of the matter is these thugs should never have gotten access to the Capital, and somebody better figure out why they did and fix the problem.
I’m hoping someone does an honest evaluation of the security needs for the inauguration and then takes the steps necessary to eliminate any mob rule threat. I would also hope that an exercise of the 25th Amendment will ensure that inside leadership of any seditious behavior will be absent.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our heritage. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
