Famous First Words: Hi-Yo, Silver, away ...opening sequence for The Lone Ranger (radio and television)
Dog Jokes – because Puck needs a good laugh. <> Needles, the dog next door, drives a Furrari. <> When they release the all dog cast of The Sorcerer's Stone, Spaniel Radcliffe will play Harry. <> Our yorkie was having puppies. She was fine; I was freaking out. We put her in the car and headed for the vet. A cop pulled us over for speeding and while we were explaining, Yvette gave us three cute little puppies. The cop gave Yvette a ticket for littering.
It's got to do with putting yourself in other people's shoes and seeing how far you can come to truly understand them. --Christian Bale
..........So many reasons why.........Phil Collins …..Against All Odds
If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don't be afraid to speak up. --Fred Korematsu
It is another cold (18°F) Friday morning. The sky is hidden by a thick layer of dull gray clouds as if old Sol refuses to look upon the wintery earth. There is no pattern to the clouds, texture, no discernable movement. Meanwhile, squirrels are gathering on the back patio to paw through sunflower seeds spilled onto the snow, and empty peanut shells in plastic dishes. Birds fly about but they are not singing. Willow branches and small tree limbs are motionless; even the wind is on holiday. Puck went out before the light arrived and is back inside, under the desk, snoring. I am drinking holiday decaf and eating a boiled egg...a cold boiled egg. And before I send this warm-but not quite as joyous as usual-note to you, I'm going out to replenish the sunflower seeds and the peanuts. The snow crackles under the shoe and the squirrels wait in the trees, watching the seeds, watching for the dog or cat, watching for something warm to happen. Hope this warms you, at least a little.
Hope your weekend is warm inside and out!
First Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: We are stardust … that pay taxes and forget passwords. --Submitted by Club42
Not So Funny Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: The correct response to Dachau was not better training for the guards. --Heather Cox Richardson
Church Sign of the Week: Whoever Is Praying For Snow Please Stop. Try World Peace --St James Presbyterian --Submitted by Wittenburg Door
Daphne Dalmation learned a pun. Now her response to everything is “That hit the spot”. <> Someone at the animal shelter is trying to teach the dogs to say “bone appétit” when they're hungry.
I think having a diversity of stories is really important in also spreading empathy and understanding. I think it's a really big part of how we, for better or worse, interact with each other and people we don't know. --Nia DaCosta
..........Your mind's guaranteed, it's all you'll ever need..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..She Has Funny Cars
Trivia Questions: Happy National Big Wigs Day
What is Big Wig Day, anyway?
What organizations partner for Big Wig Day?
How many wigs are donated each year?
How many people donate hair each year?
Where can I donate a wig or hair to help cancer patients?
Big Hello: Tālofa – Tokelauan (Tokelau and New Zealand) https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hello.htm
Second Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: So, do you want to watch coverage of the politicians encouraging fascism or the politicians doing absolutely nothing to stop it? https://www.facebook.com/groups/2217733963
Image of the Week: 1/24: While it was still snowing birds scraped away the snow to find the sunflower seeds buried beneath. Until Puck showed up.
Weather Hack of the Week: I hear the groundhog is taking bribes.
There are two very famous canine magicians: the Abracabradoodle and Houndini. <> The little Shih Tzu watched an entire tv program about hot dogging surfers. It apparently frightened her so much she doesn't want to be a hot dog so she won't go out in the sun at all.
We need to see kindness and we need to see empathy and compassion. That's something we need to see in leadership as well. --Phil Dunster
..........And the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..White Rabbit
Moonbeam: Diplomacy means all the wicked devices of the Old World, spheres of influence, balances of power, secret treaties, trip alliances, and during the interim period, appeasement of Fascism. --Barbara W Tuchman
Blasphemy of the Week: Top 10 reasons to be an Episcopalian: #3 You don't have to check your brains at the door. --Submitted by Wittenburg Door
Coffee Joke of the Week: The barista couldn't bear to throw away the old coffee plunger because it has sedimental value.
Next Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: 75% of librarian cardigans are passed down to future librarians in a secret ceremony held at the end of every library conference. https://www.facebook.com/bookloverfb
Usually my dog is a Jack Russell terrier but when he sneezes he is definitely a choo wawa. <> When Puck ran away to compete in the race around the block he came in last. He was heard to say, “Last but not leashed.”
I really like feeling connected to people and feeling like I have a good, solid sense of empathy. --Aimee Bender
..........Her aluminum finish, slightly diminished..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..Plastic Fantastic Lover
1) National Big Wig Day is observed on the last Friday of January, this event encourages wearing wigs to raise money for cancer research and awareness.
Almanac: It is Friday, January 30, 2026. The moon will be full (Snow Moon) on Sunday (2/1) and is in Cancer. Today is Fred Korematsu Day, Croissant Day, National Inane Answering Message Day, and World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. Because it is the last Friday in January it is also Fun at Work Day, National Big Wig Day, and National Preschool Fitness Day. ~~As I remember, preschoolers move constantly, how could they be out of shape?
Among those born on this day were Alessandro Piccinini (1566), Saul Alinsky (1909), Barbara Tuchman (1912), Dick Martin (1922), Shirley Chisholm (1924), Gene Hackman (1931), Shirley Hazzard (1931), Tammy Grimes (1934), Boris Spassky (1937), Dick Cheney (1941), Marty Balin (1942), and Phil Collins (1951).
On January thirtieth the Articles of Confederation were ratified by the 13th state (MD, 1781), Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco (1847), the pneumatic hammer was patented (1894), the first jazz song was recorded (1917), The Lone Ranger premiered on radio (1933), the Roosevelt dime was issued (1946), and the final episode of Roots aired (1977).
Night Sky, 1/30: The nearly full moon shines near Jupiter with Saturn low in the southwest.
Fraternal Picture of the Week: The all purpose counter
This Week: Saturday, January 31 – Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day & National Seed Swap Day & Street Children Day
Sunday, February 1 – Change Your Password Day & Freedom Day & Robinson Crusoe Day
Night Sky, 2/1: Winter's midpoint arrives with the Full Snow Moon in Leo between Jupiter and Pollux. Mercury returns to the evening sky
Monday, February 2 – Candlemas & Groundhog Day & Imbolc & Marmot Day & Sled Dog Day
Tuesday, February 3 – African American Coaches Day & Feed The Birds Day & Wear Orange Day
Night Sky, 2/3: The Moon drifts smoothly across the night, glowing with a pale silver light against the deep blue sky. With unhurried grace, it moves closer to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo—often called the Heart of the Lion. As the Moon passes in front of Regulus, the star slowly fades from view. There is no sudden change, only a gentle dimming, a reminder that even the brightest lights can rest for a moment.
Wednesday, February 4 – I Heart Horror Day & National Hemp Day & Winter Walk To School Day
Thursday, February 5 – National Sweater Day & Optimist Day & Western Monarch Day
Night Sky, 2/5: Sunrise: 7:20 am Sunset: 5:44 pm (hours of daylight: 10 hours, 23 minutes) Moonrise: 10:09 pm Moonset: 9:14 am
My dog married a cougar. Now the letter carrier won't deliver mail to anyone on the block. <> We are so poor our dog chases his own tail just to make ends meet.
I always think that if you look at anyone in detail, you will have empathy for them because you recognize them as a human being, no matter what they've done. --Andrea Arnold
..........'Specially when it's sold by a kid who's only fifteen..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds
2) We partner with such charities as the American Cancer Society/Look Good Feel Better division. We help raise money for people who may need wigs after an illness. In addition, you may choose to donate to The United Way, Hospitality House, and the Desert Cancer Foundation. We, at Big Wig do not accept donations directly.
Preantepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: It says it's nineteen degrees out, but the general lack of empathy in our current political climate is making it feel colder. --M Reuter
Moonbeam: Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth. --Shirley Chisholm
Fun Fact of the Week: The Original Dixieland Jass Band (ODJB) made the first jazz recording on January 30, 1917. Their "Livery Stable Blues" became the first jazz record ever issued. The group composed and recorded many jazz standards, the most famous being "Tiger Rag". In late 1917, the spelling of the band's name was changed to Original Dixieland Jazz Band.
Video of the Week: Happy Croissant Day! Perfect Croissants in a minute and ten second video.
Foreign Policy Update of the Week: Greenland deploying their weather on us was an unanticipated first strike. https://www.facebook.com/itsmrpopculture
I didn't think that the government would go as far as to include American citizens to be interned without a hearing. --Fred Korematsu
We must broaden the definition of who our neighbors are and extend the boundaries of our interest and empathy. --Wendy Kopp
FYI: Dogs run in circles because running in squares is really hard. <> My brother's dog joined a rock and roll band. Now he thinks he's a su paw star.
..........Time's been good to us, my friend..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..D.C.B.A. -25
3) Ebeauty distribues nearly 10,000 wigs annually.
Antepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: There are people in Greenland wearing red hats that say: Make America Go Away.
Weird Word of the Week: Apricity: The warmth of the sun in winter. https://word-lists.com/word-lists/100-rare-words-with-beautiful-meanings/
Dragon of the Week: Jade Dragon
Wacky Uses for Common Products: Clean rust in a bathtub. Saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca-Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the Coke removes rust. https://www.wackyuses.com/wacky/cocacola.html
Empathy is about two people – two people meeting, getting to know each other, and tuning in to what the other person is thinking and feeling. --Simon Baron-Cohen
I crossed my sheepdog with a vegetable and got a collieflower. <> I crossed my dog with a calculator and got a friend I can count on.
...........I follow you wherever time will take me to..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..My Best Friend
4) Hundreds of thousands of people donate hair annually to various organizations for cancer patients. Hair We Share received over 600,000 donations in 2014. Some locations report receiving 75-100 ponytails daily.
Penultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Hard to believe the country founded on genocide and built by slavery is slipping into fascism. --Submitted by ra of ks
Science Fiction Convention of the Week: Farpoint 2026 (1/30-2/1, Towson, MD) ..the fields of science fiction, comics, anime, fantasy, paranormal, and horror. https://farpointcon.com/
Zinger of the Week: Zinger du Jour: “Stop making fun of his spray tan. It's hard to get any sun when you're standing in Obama's shadow.” --Don Stitt
Spark of Joy of the Week: Video: When That Man Is Dead And Gone by Irving Berlin sung by Lizzie and the Triggermen. It is Berlin's anti-Hitler song: (:59) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLRH5xODFVM
Despair is despair, sorrow is sorrow, death is death. It's not about who is experiencing it; it's about building a bridge of empathy across those experiences. --Okieriete Onaodowan
I crossed Ole Yeller with a smart phone and got a golden receiver. <> Should a Cocker Spaniel wear a sweater? Only if she's a chilly dog.
..........Your mind, your mind is so full of red..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..Somebody To Love
5) All you need to know about donations: https://cancercarenews.com/ccn-blog/how-to-donate-hair-or-a-wig/
Protest Sign of the Week: Fight Ignorance Not Immigrants
Quote of the Week: Maybe let's stop calling it supremacy. Call it what it is: white egocentrism – an emotionally stunted belief that the world exists only for you, a worldview so fragile it demands fear and control just to feel valid. There's nothing “supreme” about it. --Relentless Indigenous Woman --Submitted by aakb
Final Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: First Principle of Human Crankiness: If I don't complain about it, is it really happening? --Submitted by Philosophy Matters ~~This is known as Curmudgeonism?
Sports Quote of the Week: I don't think Allen Fieldhouse is that hard of a place to play in. The problem is they make you play Kansas when you come here. --Jay Bilas
Desperation, weakness, vulnerability – these things will always be exploited. You need to protect the weak, ring-fence them, with something far stronger than empathy. --Zadie Smith
That floating dog is such a good buoy. <> Did you hear what happened when the corgi went to the flea circus. She stole the show.
..........One begins to read between the pages of a look..........Marty Balin & Jefferson Airplane …..Comin' Back To Me
Masthead of the Week: Friday ePistle, January 30, 2026: PupPuree ePistle . Online at: http://fridayepistle.blogspot.com/ Exclusive editor: Christine Smith. Lawrence, KS.
Moonbeam: Americans' great and secret fear is that America may turn out to be a phenomenon rather than a civilization. --Shirley Hazzard
Second Spark of Joy / Video of the Week: Bruce Springstein singing Streets of Minneapolis (4:35) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKSoxG1K7w
Cost of War:
As of 01/29/26 State Department Costs: $285,654,196,268
As of 01/22/26 State Department Costs: $285,101,319,083
As of 01/29/26 Homeland Security: $1,221,986,511,431
As of 01/22/26 Homeland Security: $1,221,385,989,744
As of 01/29/26 Interest on War Debt: $1,356,965,402,630
As of 01/22/26 Interest on War Debt: $1,355,421,249,915
As of 01/29/26 Military Costs: $3,189,973,791,547
As of 01/22/26 Military Costs: $3,188,801,426,503
As of 01/29/26 Veterans Care: $4,711,406,122,348
As of 01/22/26 Veterans Care: $4,699,701,435,192
As of 01/29/26 Total Cost of Wars: $10,765,987,555,082
As of 01/22/26 Total Cost of Wars: $10,750,413,743,647
https://www.nationalpriorities.org/cost-of/
All of them turned their backs on me at that time because they thought I was a troublemaker. --Fred Korematsu
Famous Last Words: Hey Ram --Mahatma Gandhi Died of a gunshot wound January 30, 1948
…......But I don't know if you know who I am.........Phil Collins …..In The Air Tonight
The truth is that we should live with less envy and more cordiality and empathy. --Leonardo Bonucci
The neighbor's husky tagged along at a dig of an old pioneer settlement. Now he's in college studying Barkeology. <> Everyone knows the dogwood tree has the best bark.
Sorry I'm not quite as joyous as usual – too many cold days in a row.
May Peace soothe your cares
And Joy quiet your fears
prairie mama
christine
Last Laugh: --Submitted by jd of ks
