mAterial ePistle

Famous First Words: There was a boy... C S Lewis The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Black Friday: Because only in America people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have. $$$ Materialism: Spending money you don't have on crap you don't want or need to impress people that don't matter.

..........never knew what I was missin'..........John Mayall & the bluesbreakers …..All Your Love

Materialism has never been so ominous as now in North America, as management takes over. --Arthur Erickson

It is a chilly (20°F) Friday morning. The sky is a clear pale blue and a white frost covers much of the yard. Puck's breath makes dragon smoke as he goes about his morning business and I run back to my room to put on stockings because my toes are cold. There is no wind, the chimes outside my window are still and quiet; trees and shrubs and plants are still and brown and offer no warmth to the scene. Now Puck is at my feet, watching the hallway as if he's expecting trouble to rush down and attack us. I have no idea what trouble it could be but I am not worried. Mary and Martha have just awakened and come down the hall but they are not trouble and Puck does not seem concerned about them. I sip my half-caf and stare out the window. The rising sun has stirred up a breeze and the pendulum of the windchimes has begun to sway gently still without sound. A one small leaf on the dried hydrangea plant is fluttering rapidly while the browned flowers do no fluttering at all. A car drives by. It is the first one I've seen all morning. No panic buying nor crowds rushing nor bargains purchased here. It's just a quiet, cold morning in Lawrence, KS.

Have a priceless weekend, ePistiers

First Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: 80% of the ocean has not been explored. There could be a Disney Park down there.

Christmas: Make-Your-Kids-Into-Greedy-Little-Materialistic-Consumption-Addicts Day. $$$ Capitalism: Behind every great fortune is a crime.

..........Wake up in the morning..........John Mayall & the bluesbreakers …..The Stumble

Trivia Questions: It's Square Dancing Day. How many calls do you remember or know?

• ^ Allemande Left
• ^^ Do-Si-Do
• ^^^ Promenade
• ^^^^ Swing
• ^^^^^ Sashay

Big Hello: Dorood - Persian https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hello.htm

Second Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: We believe in the separation of Church and Hate. --Submitted by cc of ks

Image of the Week: Jo's Christmas Cactus blooming for Thanksgiving.

Library Humor of the Week: Abridged Classics: Beowulf – Hero kills monster. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Dragon kills hero.https://www.facebook.com/groups/laughinglibrarian/

Psychiatrist to patient: I'm supposed to tell this, the true secret to happiness is having more stuff than everyone else. $$$ Capitalism: An economic system preferred by rich people.

..........Everybody got a trouble..........John Mayall & the bluesbreakers …..Lonely Years

Moonbeam: I want to do something splendid. --Louisa May Alcott

Blasphemy of the Week: Sex is the mysticism of materialism and the only possible religion in a materialistic society. --Malcolm Muggeridge

Puzzle of the Week: From listener Michael Schwartz, of Florence, OR. Think of a classic American author, whose first and last names are each one syllable. The last name, when said aloud, sounds like part of the body. Insert the letters AS into the first name, and you'll get the location of this body part. Who is the author? NPR Sunday Puzzle 11/24/24

Next Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: I'm not in a bad mood, I'm just smart. --Calvin & Hobbes

I hate materialism. But I hate not having stuff even more. $$$ Capitalism? More like Crapitalism, right ladies.

..........When you think you got good buddies..........John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers …..Double Crossing Time

^ Allemande Left: Dancers face their corner, join left hands, and walk around each other.

Almanac: It is Friday, November 29, 2024. The moon will be new on Sunday (12/1) and is in Sagittarius. Today is Pins and Needles Day, Electronic Greetings Day, Flossing Day, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Maze Day, National Day of Listening, National Native American Heritage Day, Random Acts of Kindness Friday, Sinkie Day or Dine Over Your Kitchen Sink Day, Square Dancing Day, Black Friday, Buy Nothing Day, and Caterine's Day aka Catterntide. Since it is the first weekend after Thanksgiving it is also National Field Hockey Days.

Among those born on this day were Christian Doppler (1803), Wendell Phillips (1811), Louisa May Alcott (1832), Ambrose Fleming (1849), C.S. Lewis (1898), Merle Travis (1907), Herb Shriner (1918), Diane Ladd (1932), and John Mayall (1933).

On November twenty-ninth the monarchy was abolished in Yugoslavia (1945) and Kilauea erupted (1975).

Night Sky 11/29: Sirius in Canis Major. This is the brightest star in the sky and should stand out well, even as it sits just 10° above the horizon at this time. Moving clockwise from this star, next is Procyon in Canis Minor, then Castor and Pollux (the two stars serving as one point) in Gemini. The “top” of the Hexagon is Capella in Auriga; then there’s Aldebaran in Taurus and Rigel in Orion. Finally, you can close the loop back at Sirius. https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sky-this-week-from-november-22-to-29-2024/

Fraternal Picture of the Week: Bus Stop Blues

This Week: Saturday, November 30 – Cities For Life Day & National Mason Jar Day & Native Women's Equal Pay Day

Sunday, December 1 – Antarctica Day & Basketball Day & Rosa Parks Day

Night Sky, : New Moon 6:21 pm and the Phoenicids Meteor Shower

Monday, December 2 – National Mutt Day & Special Education Day & World Day of Futures

Tuesday, December 3 – Be A Blessing Day & Giving Tuesday & International Baboon Day

Wednesday, December 4 – International Cheetah Day & National Cookie Day & World Wildlife Conservation Day

Night Sky, 12/4: At dusk take note of Venus sitting about 3 degrees directly above a lovely waxing crescent Moon, providing a picture perfect evening for skywatchers. The dazzling evening star soars in the southwest at nightfall during the course of December. You will see this bright planet higher in the southwestern sky. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/december-night-sky-guide-december-2024

Thursday, December 5 – AFL-CIO Day & Bathtub Party Day & World Soil Day

My mother made me too materialistic. Every time she tickled me she said, “Gucci, Gucci, Gucci”. $$$ Capitalism is a pyramid scheme. , at least

..........Splinter right through my heart..........John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers …..Sittin' in the Rain

^^ Do-Si-Do: Partners face each other and circle around each other without touching

Preantepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: My shrink told me to write letters to the people I hate, then bury them in the backyard. She didn't tell me what to do with the letters.

Moonbeam: All you need to be a fisherman is patience and a worm. --Herb Shriner

Fun Facts of the Week: Flossing Day! If you don't floss, 30% of the surface of your teeth go uncleaned. There is bacon flavored floss. (There's also mint, cinnamon, and bubblegum – at least)

Video of the Week: 73^rd Annual Square Dance Finals 6/28/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYBsdmPb7zM (7:38)

For greed, the entire world is too little. --Seneca

Elon Musk is getting out of his Lamborghini when another vehicle zooms by and tears the door off at the hinges. A cop sees the whole thing and comes over, “Are you alright, Mr Musk?” Elon responds, “Of course I'm not okay. Did you see what that guy did to my car? The cop just shakes his head, “You rich guys are so materialistic. Did you even notice that your arm is missing?” Elon looks down at his arm and screams, “My Rolex!” $$$ I have a joke about Trickle Down Economics; but 99% would never get it.

..........Tides have been turning..........John Mayall & the bluesbreakers …..Bare Wires

^^^ Promenade: Couples hold hands and walk counterclockwise around the square.

Antepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as important to the caterpillar as it is to the child. -Submitted by ff of ks

Weird Word of the Week: Usufructuary – things held under use and enjoyment but owned by someone else, like the slave owner. For the slave, even the clothes on her back were usufructuary. --http://www.worldwidewords.org/ww-usu1.html

Dragon of the Week:

Wacky Uses for Common Products: Prevent splatters and smears when painting a room. Before painting, rub ChapStick on hinges, doorknobs, and around the edges of the glass next to the trim. Paint smears will wipe off easily with a cloth. https://www.wackyuses.com/wacky/chapstick.html

I bought a book about materialism. It wasn't worth it. $$$ I was inspired because I saw that Jeff Bezos donated $25 million to help the homeless. Which I guess sounds generous, but I did the math. It turns out that $25 million is .028 percent of his net worth. Let me tell you something: donating .028 percent of my net worth is like if I went up to a homeless guy and stole a dollar. --Gianmarco Soresi

...........my life is just a slow train..........John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers …..Crawling Up Hill

^^^^ Swing: Partners hold each other and spin around.

Penultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: There are 21 million penguins in Antarctica and the population of Ireland is 6.6 million. So if all the penguins in Antarctica decided to invade Ireland, each person would have to fight off over 3 million penguins. --Submitted by Neil DeGrass Tyson

Science Fiction Convention of the Week: Chicago TARDIS 2024 (29/1, Lombard, IL) ...Midwest's largest Doctor Who event...https://www.chicagotardis.com/

Actual Science Conference of the Week: ICITAS (International Conference on Information Technology and Science (29, Columbus, OH) ...is a great way to build networking by engaging in discussion relating to Engineering Topics... https://conferenceinusa.com/event_detail/2602228

Answer to Puzzle of the Week: Bret Harte → Breast, Heart

An Amish man, a hippie, and Jesus walk into a bar. An old man at the bar turns to them and surprised, he asks: “Why is it that three men that are so different from each other are travelling together?” The Hippie says “I want to learn the ways of the Amish to be freed from materialism.” The Amish man says: “I’ve lost faith in my people, I want to learn the traditional ways of the Christ.” And Jesus says: “I go where I’m needed.” The old man nods: “Okay that makes sense but how did you come to meet?" The Hippie says: “I was walking along this stretch of road because my van broke down.” The Amish man says: “This was the only road to follow when I left my community.” And Jesus replies: “I go where I’m needed.” The old man nods again and asks: “Well why did you decide to come into this bar?” The Hippie says: “I go where the Amish man goes.” The Amish man says: “I follow Jesus.” And Jesus says “I go where I’m needed.” The old man, still confused, looks to Jesus and asks: “Well why are you needed here?” Jesus sighs: “My shift starts at 5.” $$$ What do ethical capitalism and my boyfriend have in common? Neither of them exist.

..........Gonna teach you love at the midnight hour..........John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers …..I'm Your Witchdoctor

^^^^^ Sashay: Dancers slide-step or glide sideways from one position to the next, without turning to change directions. It could involve individuals or couples.

Conspiracy Theory of the Week: Both Trump fans and Harris supporters baselessly claimed large-scale voter fraud in 2024 election, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9j8r8gg0do

Quote of the Week: My cooking is so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor. --Phyllis Diller

Final Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: While we were studying the rats, they were studying us. And, unlike ours, their study got published. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554895146439

Today's Peace of History: November 29, 1967. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara announced his resignation during the Vietnam War.

Dad, what's capitalism?" "Here, take this £5 note and go and get me a BLT with a large coca cola." The boy left his house and took the only possible route, up a huge hill. He got to the counter and made the order. "That'll be £7.34," said the assistant. "I only have £5, mister," said the boy. The assistant shrugged his shoulders and the boy left. The boy barged in through the front door and shouted, "Dad, I just went all that way for you and you didn't give me enough money." The dad looked him in the eye and said, "Son, that's capitalism." $$$ Don't let Black Friday turn into black and blue Saturday.

..........My rocket's gonna hit the ground..........John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers …..Stand Back Baby

Masthead of the Week: Friday ePistle, November 29, 2024, mAterial ePistle. Online at: http://fridayepistle.blogspot.com/ Exclusive editor: Christine Smith. Lawrence, KS.

Moonbeam: The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts. --C S Lewis

Cost of War:

• As of 11/28/24 State Department Costs: $251,750,073,184
• As of 11/21/24 State Department Costs: $251,168,479,809
• As of 11/28/24 Homeland Security: $1,185,170,478,148
• As of 11/21/24 Homeland Security: $1,184,527,864,812
• As of 11/28/24 Interest on War Debt: $1,262,296,229,523
• As of 11/21/24 Interest on War Debt: $1,260,643,158,397
• As of 11/28/24 Military Costs: $3,118,095,347,154
• As of 11/21/24 Military Costs: $3,116,840,227,467
• As of 11/28/24 Veterans Care: $3,993,789,935,762
• As of 11/21/24 Veterans Care: $3,981,259,082,936
• As of 11/28/24 Total Cost of Wars: $9,811,114,775,010
• As of 11/21/24 Total Cost of Wars: $9,794,439,992,728

https://www.nationalpriorities.org/cost-of/

The best things in life aren't things. --Art Buchwald

Famous Last Words: I'm sorry that I can't go on. --Cary Grant died of a stroke on 11/29/1986.

..........Don't let the rooster crow..........John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton …..Please Don't Tell

Sorry if you were the person I shoved out of the way to get your gift on Black Friday. $$$ If I had a dollar for everything wrong with capitalism...then I probably wouldn't be complaining about capitalism.

May Peace fill your mind
And Joy pack your heart
prairie mama
christine

Last Laugh:

Alexa! Say grace!

eKistic ePistle

 Famous First Words: Having consulted widely among colleagues... Margaret Thatcher's resignation

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week! Plateaus are the highest form of flattery. Geology rocks but geography is where it's at. Are military maps red-light readable so you can consult them at traffic lights?

..........Throw away your troubles, dream a dream with me.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Lazy River

He who allows oppression shares the crime. --Erasmus

It is a gorgeous, if chilly (35°), Friday morning. The sun is bright, the sky is a clear, pale blue, and light breezes sets plants and small tree limbs in motion. Now and then a car rolls down the street and the motor fills the air and soft voices from the radio or computer bleed in from another room; words are undistinguished but a sing-song rhythm finds the ear. Puck has been out enjoying the cool, barking at the squirrels; but now he is asleep on his pillow. I am drinking sweetened, creamed half-caf and munching a red m&m left over from last night. But, of course, mostly I am writing to you. What a fun morning.

Hope your weekend is off the map, ePistliers

First Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Cost to make the film, The Martian: $108 million. Cost of India's Mars Mission: $73 million --Submitted by Neil DeGrass Tyson

Isn't the Grand Canyon just gorges. Atlast, I found my book of maps.

..........Much too much too thrilling.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Heart and Soul

Trivia Questions: The first televised interracial kiss happened 11/22/68

• ^ Who were the two characters and or actors involved?
• ^^ What was the name of the series?
• ^^^ What was the name of the episode?
• ^^^^ Why did they kiss?
• ^^^^^ How did the public react to the kiss?

Big Hello: Gude Daag – Pennsylvania German/Dutch https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hello.htm

Second Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: It's just a book. And Hell is just a sauna

Classic Image of the Week: Puck prepares for the holidays

Library Humor of the Week: Do not mess with librarians. The inner strength required to meticulously care for history's greatest works of literature and then just let total strangers borrow them willy-nilly is Jedi level stuff. --Jonathan Edward Durham

Norway? I'd go Oslo as that. A giant pile of kittens should be called a meowtain.

..........The melody haunts my reverie.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Stardust

Moonbeam: Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. --George Eliot

Blasphemy of the Week: Blessed are those who cannot breath inside a church because of the pain it has caused, for God will meet them elsewhere. --Steve Wiens --Submitted by MMS

Puzzle of the Week: From Steve Baggish, of Arlington, Mass. Using only the letters of PANDERS, and repeating them as often as desired, spell a certain entrée at a seafood restaurant (3-6-3-7). NPR Sunday Puzzle 11/17/24

Next Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: So, which department will Hannibal Lecter be heading up now?

It defies logic, but Little Rock is a bigger city than Boulder. My favorite ocean? Let's just say I don't have a Pacific favorite.

..........Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Georgia On My Mind

^ William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk kissed Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura.

Almanac: It is Friday, November 22, 2024. The moon enters the last quarter today and is in Leo, Today is Start Your Own Country Day and Humane Society Anniversary Day. Because it is the Friday of American Education Week it is also Substitute Educators Day.

Among those born on this day were Erasmus (1511), George Eliot (1819), Andre Gide (1869), Tarzan (1888), Charles de Gaulle (1890), Hoagy Carmichael (1899), Rodney Dangerfield (1921), Geraldine Page (1924), Terry Gilliam (1940), Billie Jean King (1943), Jamie Lee Curtis (1958), and Mariel Hemingway (1951).

On November twenty-second Mount St. Helens erupted (1842), SOS was adopted as the universal help call (1906), Bolero was first performed (1928), Red Grange signed with the Chicago Bears (1925), Wayne Gretzky scored his 500th goal (1986), and Margaret Thatcher announced her resignation (1990).

Night Sky, 11/22: Last quarter moon at 7:28 pm CST. Algol should be at its minimum brightness, magnitude before re-brightening. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/sky-at-a-glance/

Fraternal Picture of the Week: Ollie and Max, Betsy and Babe

This Week: Saturday, November 23 – Dr Who Day & Family Volunteer Day & Fibonacci Day & Wolfenoot

Sunday, November 24 – Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day & Do Dah Day & Mother Goose Day

Night Sky, 11/24: Take advantage of the darkness these moonless evenings! A small to medium telescope is all you need to explore Ken Hewett-White's five Bonus Double Stars near the little Hockey Stick asterism in Andromeda, now high overhead. These are unnamed bonuses to the brighter pair Struve 14, orange and pale bluish, at the tip of the Hockey Stick.

Monday, November 25 – International Hat Day & Orange Day & National Play With Dad Day

Tuesday, November 26 – National Milk Day & World Olive Tree Day

Wednesday, November 27 - National Jukebox Day & Slinky Day & Tie One On Day

Thursday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Day & Red Planet Day

Night Sky, 11/28: November Orionids Meteor Shower https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20241128_10_100

I had a geography joke, but I don't know where it is. I'm not an ocean lover. You know, to beach her own.

..........That thrills and delights me, oh no.........Hoagy Carmichael …..The Nearness of You

^^ Star Trek: The Original Series.

Preantepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Alligators can live up to 100 years which is why there is an increased chance that they will see you later. --Friends of Freddy the Pig

Moonbeam: Nothing prevents happiness like the memory of happiness. --André Gide

Fun Fact of the Week: November 22, 19421: Juanita Spellini became the first woman executed in California. Nicknamed The Duchess, she was a gangster and ex-wrestler. https://murderpedia.org/female.S/s/spinelli-juanita.htm

Video of the Week: Terry Gilliam of Monty Python is tired of White Men being blamed for EVERYTHING (2:52)

War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it. --Erasmus

Is Chili the coldest country in the world? There are no kings or queens in the desert because there's no reign.

..........You got no time to work, you got no time to play.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Lazy Bones

^^^ Star Trek season 3, Episode 10: Plato's Stepchildren

Antepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: If I were a bird, I know exactly who I'd shit on.

Weird Word of the Week: Tilly-Vally – hogwash, codswallop, baloney, bosh, cobblers, poppycock, twaddle, tosh, stuff & nonsense. http://www.worldwidewords.org/ww-til1.html

Dragon of the Week:

Wacky Uses for Common Products: Clean a scratch from the glass face of a wristwatch. Rub a little ChapStick lip balm over the mark and buff clean. https://www.wackyuses.com/wacky/chapstick.html

Does Fred Flintstone set his GPS to walking or driving mode? It was a very stylish desert. They called it A Haute Sahara

...........Are you gonna be mellow tonight..........Hoagy Carmichael …..Ole Buttermilk Sky

^^^^ Aliens with telekinetic powers force Kirk and Uhura to kiss.

Penultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: 68 of my books removed from Florida schools. Go me! --Stephen King

Science Fiction Convention of the Week: Philcon 2024 (22/24, Cherry Hill, NJ) ...Please stay home if you are ill. https://philcon.org/

Actual Science Conference of the Week: ICSET (International Conference on Science, Engineering, Technology) (21/22, Istanbul, Turkey) ...showcasing advances in science, engineering, and technology, bridging research with real-world application.

Answer to Puzzle of the Week: Pan Seared Red Snapper

Texas has passed a law that all history and geography textbooks must show maps of the United States as if it is truly shaped … like Texas. The few trees in the desert communicate with palmistry.

..........Now fetch me a little gin, son.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Rockin' Chair

^^^^^ While there was much talk among the production staff about the kiss, it did not garner much reaction from the general public nor the television industry, according to Thompson, who stated, "It neither got the backlash one might have expected nor did it open the doors for lots more shows to do this.

Conspiracy Theory of the Week: Satan set up your thanksgiving so you would pretend that you are of God when you are of the devil. www.hear-the-truth.com

Quote of the Week: The most valuable real estate in the world lies between the president's ears. --Matt Gaetz, nominee for Attorney General of the US

Final Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: If civil war breaks out, meet me at the library. They don't know where it is. --Submitted by sb of ar

Today's Peace of History, November 22, 1909: In New York City, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union went on strike against sweatshop conditions in what became known as the "Uprising of the 20,000" and the "Girls' Revolt."

The map of Alcatraz is an example of a contour map. He: The weather report says it will be cloudy all day. She: I've had it up to here with your discouraging words.

..........Ain't these tears in my eyes telling you.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Am I Blue

Masthead of the Week: Friday ePistle, November 22, 2024, eKistic** ePistle. Online at: http://fridayepistle.blogspot.com/ Exclusive editor: Christine Smith. Lawrence, KS.

**ekistics – study of human settlements of all types

Moonbeam: Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first. --Charles de Gaulle

Cost of War:

• As of 11/21/24 State Department Costs: $251,168,479,809
• As of 11/14/24 State Department Costs: $250,613,878,416
• As of 11/21/24 Homeland Security: $1,184,527,864,812
• As of 11/14/24 Homeland Security: $1,183,925,445,174
• As of 11/21/24 Interest on War Debt: $1,260,643,158,397
• As of 11/14/24 Interest on War Debt: $1,259,094,104,670
• As of 11/21/24 Military Costs: $3,116,840,227,467
• As of 11/14/24 Military Costs: $3,115,664,683,797
• As of 11/21/24 Veterans Care: $3,981,259,082,936
• As of 11/14/24 Veterans Care: $3,945,983,427,015
• As of 11/21/24 Total Cost of Wars: $9,794,439,992,728
• As of 11/14/24 Total Cost of Wars: $9,778,832,448,837

https://www.nationalpriorities.org/cost-of/

The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war. --Erasmus

Famous Last Words: Try LSD 100 intramuscular. Yes --Aldous Huxley As Huxley lay dying he requested LSD and when his wife asked if she should take it too he said yes. Aldous died 11/22/1963 https://www.organism.earth/library/document/a-beautiful-death

..........And too much in love to break away.........Hoagy Carmichael …..Two Sleepy People

The queue outside the Hard Rock Cafe that's across the street from the United Nations is the actual International Dateline. A bear, a lion, and a bat meet up. The bear brags, “If I roar in the forests the whole forest shivers with fear.” The lion says, “And if I roar on the great plains of Africa, the entire savannah is afraid of me.” “Big deal”, says the bat, “All I have to do is cough, and the entire planet shuts down.”

May Peace bless your house
And Joy grace your space
prairie mama
christine

Last Laugh:

rEd ePistle

 Famous First Words: Act of Confederation... Articles of Confederation Adopted 11/15/1777

Since we may soon be a Russian Ally, we might as well get a laugh out of it. A Russian agent, a sexual predator, and a billionaire walk into a bar. The bartender says, What'll it be, Mr. President.” + A Listener asked us: “What is the longest joke?” We answer: The speech made by Khrushchev at the Party congress.

..........we think and we act as one.........Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen …..Sisters

Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” --William Pitt the elder

It is a lovely Friday morning. The temperature is cool (48°F) suggesting that fall may finally be here. There is no breeze; not even the smallest leaves are astir. The sky is clear and the rising sun seems to accent the reds and yellows among the greens on the tops of trees. Birds are calling to one another in the backyard and across the street. Rarely seen but heard clearly. The world smells of fall, of dampness and dying foliage, of quiet and stillness. Puck hurried his morning outing and is back to sleep on my pillow. He does not seem to appreciate the autumn temperature in the least. Mary and Martha are still abed wherever they are. I am munching on high fiber cereal and drinking coffee. When I turn to look out the window, I linger, waiting for some movement, some sign of life. Finally, a morning jogger passes to let me know the rest of the world is still there and still chugging along. I trust you too are still there and still chugging along, ePistlier. Big hugs from me.

Privet, poslaiyя (I'm pretending that this means, hello, ePistlie(r)s, in Russian but really, it's a guess)

First Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am awake. Please respect my privacy during this difficult time.

What is the difference between Russia and Reality? Trump has connections to Russia. + A man came home and found his wife in bed with a stranger. Furious, the man shouted, “You, good for nothing, look at what you're spending your time for, while at the corner store they're selling eggs, and they only have three boxes left!”

..........And the load doesn't weigh me down at all.........The Hollies …..He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

Trivia Questions: Happy Birthday to the Articles of Confederation

• ^ In the articles, who had the power to levy taxes?
• ^^ What was needed for the Articles to become law?
• ^^^ What was the first state to ratify the Articles?
• ^^^^ Which state did not ratify the Articles?
• ^^^^^ In the Articles, what methods could Congress use to raise money?

Big Hello: Khe chare – Pashto (Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan) https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hello.htm

Second Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: When the results hit, we didn't panic. We grabbed our towels and sighed. --The 42 Collective https://www.facebook.com/42collective

Image of the Week: Puck's friend, Mary, also chief competition for alphadog ~~The white swirl is her Bonnie Raitt Curl

Library Humor of the Week: Add “ing” to the end of a book title to completely change the meaning: A Man For All Seasonings, Jurassic Parking https://www.facebook.com/groups/347731464692853/

One of the best things about being Russian is voting in American elections. + A man walked into the district committee of The Party and said, “I wish to join the Party. Where should I start?” They told him to visit a psychiatrist.

..........To me he is was so wonderful.........Eddie Fisher …..O, My Papa

Moonbeam: Americans wanted to settle all our difficulties with Russia and then go to the movies and drink coke. --Averell Harriman

Blasphemy of the Week: Inspiring sermon, Rev, I've never heard bigotry sound so virtuous.

Puzzle of the Week: From listener Mark Maxwell-Smith. Name a place where experiments are done (two words). Drop the last letter of each word. The remaining letters, read from left to right, will name someone famously associated with experiments. Who is it? NPR Sunday Puzzle 11/9/24

Next Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: The Amazon Dating App: You recently got married. Here are some similar people you may be interested in. --Submitted by FNOG

In Capitalist America, citizens have a right to bear arms; in Russia citizens have a right to the whole bear. + Stalin summoned Radek and said, “I know you spread jokes about me. It's impertinent.” “Why” “I am the Great Leader, Teacher, and Friend of the people after all.” “No, I've not told anybody that joke.”

..........And never gets carried away.........Louise and Baby June …..If Momma Was Married

^ The Articles of Confederation allowed the states to levy taxes for funds, Congress was not given that power.

Almanac: It is Friday, November 15, 2025. The moon is full (Beaver) tonight at 21:28 and is in Taurus. Today is America Recycles Day, George Spelvin Day or More Than One Role Day, I Love to Write Day, National Bundt (Pan) Day, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, National Philanthropy Day, Roc Your Mocs Day, and Steve Irwin Day.

Among those born on this day were William Pitt (the elder, 1708), William Herschel (1738), Gerhart Hauptmann (1862), Lewis Stone (1879), Georgia O'Keeffe (1887), Erwin Rommel (1891), Averell Harriman (1891), Mantovani (1905), Edward Asner (1929), Petula Clark (1931), Sam Waterston (1940), and Beverly D'Angelo (1954).

On November fifteenth the Articles of Confederation were adopted by congress (1777), Pike first sighted Pike's Peak** (1806), the League of Nations held its first meeting (1920), NBC broadcast its first show on a radio network (1926), the Cow Palace in San Francisco opened (1941), Gemini XII returned to Earth (1966), and Leonid I Brezhnev was buried (1982).

**Before Pike it was called Sun Mountain Sitting Big.

Night Sky, 11/15: Venus sets around 8 pm. It is finally setting well after the end of twilight so that it becomes very obvious. https://tucsonastronomy.org/planets-of-the-month-november-2024/

Fraternal Picture of the Week: Cowboy Boots Ghost and Redsleeves are still at it...this time with Grandma Kirsten

This Week: Saturday, November 16 – International Day for Tolerance & National Button Day & National Check Your Wipers Day

Night Sky, 11/16: Leonids Meteor Shower peaks tonight. The Planetary Society

Sunday, November 17 – Homemade Bread Day & National Butter Day & Take A Hike Day

Monday, November 18 – Mickey Mouse Day & Married to a Scorpio Support Day

Tuesday, November 19 – Family Day & Have A Bad Day Day & Red Shawl Day & Rocky and Bullwinkle Day & Women's Entrepreneurship Day & World Toilet Day

Wednesday, November 20 – GOHARD (Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day) & National Child's Day

Thursday, November 21 – Use Less Stuff Day & World Hello Day & World Philosophy Day

Night Sky, 11/21: Alpha Monocerotids Meteor Shower Universe Guide

Russian jokes are like Russian soldiers; they never grow old. + A rich Russian consulted an architect about building three swimming pools: one with cold water, one with warm water and one without any water. Because some of his friends can't swim.

..........That's the kind of trouble I need plenty of.........Elvis Presley …..Kissin' Cousins

^^ All colonies needed to ratify the Articles of Confederation in order for them to become law.

Preantepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: We've tried nothing and we're all out of ideas. --Submitted by MMS

Moonbeam: The undevout astronomer must be mad. --William Herschel

Fun Fact of the Week: According to historical records, NBC's first broadcast on their radio network in 1926 was a gala four-hour program originating from the ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City; essentially, it was a special event showcasing various stars from the theater, concert, and radio fields, rather than a single named show.

Video of the Week: An early television commercial teaching children to recycle (:30) https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AgSA/keep-america-beautiful-creative-galaxy-recycling

Where laws end, tyranny begins. --William Pitt the elder

In Capitalist America, you break the law. In Soviet Russia, the law breaks you. + Putin calls the White House: “Hello, Donald? I would like to discuss Ukraine with you.” Trump: “What's Ukraine?” Putin: “Thanks, Donald.”

..........He laughs hard and carries on.........Houndstooth …..My Cousin Greg

^^^ Virginia was the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation. The vote was taken on December 16, 1777.

Antepenultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Here's a joke circulating in Germany: What borders on stupidity? Mexico and Canada

Weird Word of the Week: Scrumping: An early meaning of scrumping referred to taking windfalls or the small apples left on the trees after harvest. This evolved into illicitly taking any sort of apples. It can even more broadly mean theft of any kind, though this is rare. http://www.worldwidewords.org/ww-scr2.html

Dragon of the Week: Origami Dragon

Wacky Uses for Common Products: Fix a leaking shower head. If the shower head is leaking from the connection to the shower arm, unscrew the shower head, apply ChapStick to the threads, and screw the showerhead back in place. https://www.wackyuses.com/wacky/chapstick.html

In Russia the fool pities Mr T. + They caught Bin Laden. Washed him, gave him a haircut, turns out it was Berezovsky.

...........That the old grey goose is dead.........Dany Rosevear …..Go Tell Aunt Rhody

^^^^ Maryland was the last state to approve the Articles of Confederation. They wanted to make sure other states gave up any claims west of the Ohio River.

Penultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Maturing is realizing you don't need to have fun to have alcohol. --Submitted by ar of ks

Science Fiction Convention of the Week: ST-DAL (15-17, Dallas, TX ) Trek to Dallas 2024 https://www.creationent.com/cal/st_dal/index.html

Actual Science Conference of the Week: KubeCon / CloudNativeCon (12-15, Salt Lake City, UT) ...leading open source and cloud native communities... Very Long Address

Answer to Puzzle of the Week: Test Lab → Tesla (Nikola Tesla)

In Capitalist America, bank robs you. + What would you do if they opened the borders? I would climb a tree. Why? So I don't get killed in the stampede.

..........Hands across the water, heads across the sky.........The Beatles …..Uncle Albert

^^^^^ The Articles of Confederation allowed the US Congress to ask states for money, borrow from foreign governments, or selling western (i.e. Indian) lands.

Conspiracy Theory of the Week: “How can we have had record turnout and twenty million fewer votes cast nationally?” author John Pavlovitz wrote in a post viewed 5.3 million times. https://www.wired.com/story/election-denial-conspiracy-theories-x-left-blueanon/

Quote of the Week: How television stages the world becomes the model for how the world is properly to be staged. --Neil Postman

Final Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: I hope we can all still be friends even if we end up in different concentration camps. --Submitted by sb of ar

Today's Peace of History, November 15, 1957: US Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (SANE) was founded.

Putin's plan for a new economy. The goal? Make people rich and happy. List of people attached. + Do you have a hobby, Leonid Llyich? Of course, I collect jokes about myself. Have you got many? Two and a half labor camps already.

..........She had hoof prints on her forehead........Elmo & Patsy …..Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Masthead of the Week: Friday ePistle, November 15, 2024, rEd ePistle. Online at: http://fridayepistle.blogspot.com/ Exclusive editor: Christine Smith. Lawrence, KS.

Moonbeam: My painting is what I have to give back to the world for what the world gives to me. --Georgia O'Keeffe

Observation of the Week: The Supreme Court legalized Execution By Pregnancy.

Cost of War:

• As of 11/14/24 State Department Costs: $250,613,878,416
• As of 11/07/24 State Department Costs: $250,060,504,855
• As of 11/14/24 Homeland Security: $1,183,925,445,174
• As of 11/07/24 Homeland Security: $1,183,324,378,593
• As of 11/14/24 Interest on War Debt: $1,259,094,104,670
• As of 11/07/24 Interest on War Debt: $1,257,548,571,963
• As of 11/14/24 Military Costs: $3,115,664,683,797
• As of 11/07/24 Military Costs: $3,114,490,525,836
• As of 11/14/24 Veterans Care: $3,945,983,427,015
• As of 11/07/24 Veterans Care: $3,969,526,852,485
• As of 11/14/24 Total Cost of Wars: $9,778,832,448,837
• As of 11/07/24 Total Cost of Wars: $9,763,227,848,266

https://www.nationalpriorities.org/cost-of/

Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it. --William Pitt the elder

Famous Last Words: I'm going, but I'm ready. --Tyrone Power died 11/15/58 of a heart attack

..........She was a stairway to heaven, Old Apollo 11.........Jimmy Buffett …..The Rocket That Grandpa Rode ~~Because November is Family Stories Month

What is a Russian string quartet? The members of a Russian orchestra that actually comes back from a US tour. + “Comrade Rabinowitz, why weren't you present at the last meeting of the Communist Party?” “No one told me it was the last one. If I had known that I would have come with my whole family.”

May Peace ground your soul
And Joy lift your heart
prairie mama
christine

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