Ayyyyyyy!

The Kimmijo, she does not remember the how or the when of coming across the shoe blog of the Manolo. All the Kimmijo knows is that the shoe blog of the Manolo is a bright and playful spot on the Internets where her data-entry weary eyes may rest.

Hawks in the Snow

On the long drive over the rivers and through the woods to (and from) grandmother's house, I entertain myself by counting roadside hawks. Michigan and Pennsylvania usually yield more birds than oHIo, since I-80's wide and fast, but a wee detour past K's brought oHIo's count up this time.

I don't record my count, so I've forgotten it already. Most of the hawks present clear field marks as red-tailed hawks, although with a blurry fraction of a second for identification, I probably couldn't pick out a rough-legged unless one shook its feathered shank at me.

Although the hawks are definitely in the rain today, I changed my photo to a wintertime hawk in the snow. Besides, someone told me my other picture looked like Ann Landers peeping through a mail slot.

Snow

Thoughts of you.

The Red-Breasted Nuthatch is Fearless!

The merry little band of freshly black-and-white chickadees hung out in the lilacs while I hung out the window to refill the feeder with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cracked corn, and those oh-so-delectable peanuts. The red-breasted nuthatch, on the other hand, hung off the feeder while I filled it, just to get first dibs.

Last year one landed on my hand. Quite bold little birds.

Update, 4:36 pm: Now the nuthatch is sitting on the windowsill, eep-ing softly, totally unconcerned that there's a cat going ballistic on the other side of the glass.

Image from What Bird

Unbutton Your Pants

Here come the holidays.



Forbes has a visual feast of a slide show on the world's most fattening holiday foods (complete with recipes, so you can totally blow the diet). Despite having just eaten brunch, I'm drooling over the Norwegian Julekake and the roast goose. (But the Austrians can keep their fried carp - ew.)

How Ap-peel-ing (har har)

Okay, so here I am, innocently checking my Yahoo! mail when...when...this thing starts jiggling on the right side of the frame. It's...it's getting bigger...it's jiggling towards me, right at me. It's...it's a banana...with...with fruit on its...head? Does a banana have a head?

And is that a teeny-tiny skirt it's flouncing around in?

I watch in horror as the banana stops vibrating, only to drop its fruit and...strip...to reveal full, firm, succulent...mortgage rates. Gah!

Sadly, I managed to break my trance and take a screen shot only after the banana ceased its obscene dance. Now I keep clicking "Refresh," trying to get it to come back instead of getting back to work.

See what moral corruption stems from dancing phallic-symbol x hoochie-mama bananas?

Freeway Blogger in Ann Arbor

It's about time. I finally saw my first Freeway Blogger sign in Ann Arbor tonight.

Sadly, I'm not sure what it said - I didn't even see it until I was right under it. It's not a huge sign, and it had a lot of words. The first was "Impeach," and "Congress" was on there too. Also, night had fallen, snow flakes were blowing sideways, and I was travelling at 76 mph with a Ford Expulsion on my bumper.

The sign hangs over I=94, between 23 and State Street. Just where all the red-state Buckeyes coming into town for the game will see it...

Compare and Contrast

Today's headlines on Yahoo! News:

Woman Weds Teen, Spends Honeymoon in Jail
Tornadoes Barrel Across Midwest, Southeast
San Francisco Passes Sweeping Dog Laws
Harriet the Tortoise Turns 175

Today's headlines on CNN International:

Sunnis demand Iraq torture probe
Iraq official admits detainees abused
U.S. admits using white phosphorous
Human bird flu in China, one dead

A Wee Question

Is it premarital sex if you never get married?

Only 41 Days 'Til Christmas!

Can't find that perfect gift for a special someone? Check out the fine quality goods available on the Internets!


Incredible detail!

Not available in stores!

No need for watering this desert beauty!