A Golf Tale

I'm a little idea-deprived in the blog post department.

Sometimes we just need to default to low-hanging fruit. So in the spirit of Pepper's finally convincing me to watch golf on tv, willingly, I forthwith offer this memorialization of the "Day That Phil Mickelson (probably) Lost It."

This is US Open week -- a big tournament, one of "The Majors," one of the four tournaments in Golf's Grand Slam.  A title coveted by anyone who has ever swung a club.  The only one of the four that Ol' Lefty is missing.

He's not likely to win this year's US Open Trophy after today.

It seems that Phil was feeling a little frustrated during today's round (and some commentators speculate that he committed his violation of the rules to protest the placement of the cups on the greens), so when his bogey putt ran past the cup on the 13th, he chased down the ball and putted it back toward the cup while it was still rolling. 

That is apparently a near-hanging-offense in the PGA.

He was assessed an automatic 2-stroke penalty and wound up with a crushing 10 on the par 4 hole.

He explained that he didn't mean any disrespect by committing the offense; that he simply didn't want the ball to roll off the green leaving him with Lord knows how many extra shots to hole it. Of course he also said, “I’ve had multiple times where I’ve wanted to do that, I just finally did.”

I'm afraid the Rules Committee may have gone in search of a rope.

Oh well, the College World Series kicks off tomorrow and my Omahawgs will be there!  Wooo Pig! Tuck Fexas (as we used to cheer back in the day)!!

Happy Fathers Day Eve!

One Family's Meaningful Farewell Tribute

There is a charming obituary in today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette announcing the passing of a delightful lady, Ms. Freeda.

Included in the heartfelt tribute to Ms. Freeda was a treasure trove of information about her well-lived life, such as:

Freeda sledgehammered every rule of eating healthy to obtain a nice long life. She had a passionate love of peanut butter cookies, cornbread and buttermilk, pecan pies, candy bars, and Diet Coke. She lived to be 80.

And then there was:

Freeda disliked very much any Texas or Alabama football team and considered any game those states won as rigged or otherwise not on the up-and-up. She disliked very much the end of football season, her middle name, and McDonald's.

My favorite passage, however, is the opening one:

Freeda . . . passed on August 12. A fact that is not lost on the family is that she died before she could see Hillary Clinton elected, just as she had hoped.

What a delightful, intelligent lady!!! Her family closed with this:

A service will be held . . . where it is asked that you bring your Razorback spirit. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you instead go fishing. Watch a Razorback game. Eat a well-made pecan pie. And love.

I do believe Miss Freeda was a lady whose acquaintance I would have loved to have made. Rest peacefully, Ms. Freeda. And a raucous Wooo Pig Soooieee from Moogie's Manor.

Saturday Goings on and Humor

I don't have much.  I've been out playing with the dogs in this gorgeous weather, and now I'm trying to avoid watching the Arkansas/LSWho game because both teams really need the W if there's to be any post-season play.  My Hogs have had quite a drought in the post-season department for waaaaay too long now.  But, I can hear it in the next room, so I might as well go subject myself to it.

Ran across this on Facebook this morning:

Heh. This is nothing new, though, is it?  I wonder if the "losers" will be paid the new prevailing federal minimum wage.  Hopefully, some of them will be able to spell.

Go Hogs!

It's For the Birds at Moogie's Manor

My father, Boompie (that's his "grandfather" name, after Jimmy Stewart's character in Mister Hobbs Takes a Vacation -- "Boompah?!?!  What kind of a name is Boompah?  You couldn't do any better for your own father?!"), instilled in me at an early age a love of, and fascination for, birds.  Except sparrows.  Don't ask. It's a long strange story.  Anyway, I can just sit and watch birds for hours.

Back at the Mansion in New Orleans, birdwatching was pretty much limited to Mockingbirds, Cardinals, and Doves, with the occasional obnoxious Crow or Pigeon thrown in.  And, Doves are just stoopid birds with very little personality, so they don't really count, and that just left me with Cardinals and Mockingbirds, who are meaner than a snake!  It was hardly worth setting up a feeder because the Mockers wouldn't use it and the Cardinals got bored with it, and it attracted rats.

But, here at the Manor, we have a wooded green space in back that is home to scads of birds!  Moogie is in hog heaven! (Heh -- get it?  Razorbacks?  Hog Heaven?  I crack me up sometimes.)  We have Cardinals and Mockers and Finches and Titmice and Chickadees and Nuthatches and Hummingbirds!  I have three feeders on the back deck!






(There's Moogie's reflection in the window. Say hi!)

Having three feeders, however, means we also have a herd of greedy, marauding squirrels. 

I originally hung the feeder in the first picture in the spot where the new squirrel-resistant feeder now hangs in the second pic.  Not a good plan.  Acrobatically-gifted squirrels had it emptied in a day.  The new spot is just far enough away from any good launching points to keep them at bay.  Pepper said he'd hang and re-fill it for me (Moogie is height-challenged), but I had to clean up the Kamikaze squirrel carcasses.  So far, no squirrel carcasses!

As for the new feeder, so far, so good.  It works on a weight and spring principle -- it closes the food ports when heavy critters get on it.  The squirrels tried every angle possible for a few days -- you could just see their frustration when they shook their furry little tails and had to give up.  Sometimes they will sit and stare at the feeders, as if willing the feed to hover into their greedy little paws.

But, I think some of the birds must be in cahoots with the little vermin.  Some of the birds appear to prefer a specific type of seed, so they'll sling the other types right out of the feeder!  And the squirrels, being the determined moochers they are, now just kinda hang out on the deck or the rails and scoop up what has fallen, without really even having to work for it.

And that drives Bouie nuts!  I'm just hoping he doesn't go through one of those windows.  Mysti just gets excited because Bouie's excited.  Come to think of it, however, she has started tracking the squirrel scent lately, so I suppose I should start worrying about both of them now.

We have a dominant Hummingbird who has staked out his territory around the hummingbird feeder.  He loves to light on the feeder and drink his fill.  They are such incredible little birds!  And, fearless.

So, it's apparently the best of times for the local bird populations, now that Moogie has become their neighbor.

I wonder what else we'll discover?  Hopefully nothing reptilian.  Ewww.

Good Medicine

Pepper and I are in the midst of our annual Christmas Cold and Sinus Infection Extravaganza.  I thought we might escape it this year because it didn't strike until New Year's Eve, but, noooo.  It was just teasing us and landed on us with all four feet as we headed back home.

I was afraid I'd bleed out through the nose and someone would have to change the icky sheets (I know -- TMI.  Sorry, but this is really how I think sometimes), so I broke down and went to the doc yesterday.  She armed me with Amoxicillin and nasal spray to supplement the Coricidin HBP.

I always hate the second day of antibiotics.  The biotics rise up in self-defense and fight back hard, turning one's body into a sore and battered battlefield for a day or two.  Then the meds usually take the high ground, and one begins to feel better on day 4 or 5.  So, listen up, microbes -- you stand no chance, so why don't you just give up and surrender peaceably now?  You know you can't win -- so, why engage in shock and awe just for effect's sake?

Toward the end of his military career, Pepper traveled quite a bit and came to refer to commercial airplanes as "silver flying pathogen tubes."  I think he might have been onto something there, and the same general idea (although an earthbound version) might apply to the homes of friends and family during the holidays.

Oh, well.  At least my misery is not compounded by the agony of a Razorback defeat in the Cotton Bowl!  Despite what the FOX sportscasters might have preferred, the Hogs whomped up big time on the Kansas State Undomesticated Pussycats! 

Now, I think that a Saints victory tonight over the Lion Cubs, followed by an LSU drubbing of St. Nick on Monday might be just the little bit of extra tonic I need to make a full recovery before donning my nurse's cap to take care of Pepper next week after his rather extensive oral surgery. 

Perhaps we should start referring to Moogie's Mansion as Mayo South.

Who Dat!!!

COLLEGE GAMEDAY and 17 Candles . . .

. . . for our little Rosie!  Since she can't see them to blow them out, the 17 candles are metaphorical, but we wish her the happiest birthday ever anyway!  Here's last year's birthday post:

Happy Belated Birthday . . .

. . . to our Rosie! On January 6th she attained the ancient and revered age of 16. In people years!

These pics were made back when she could still see and get around by herself outdoors. She used to love to sit on the porch in the sun and watch the world go 'round, and yap at me to prepare her supper faster.

She's still a feisty little thing, despite having suffered several strokes that took her voice. She's recovered her hearing now and her sense of smell. She still likes to sniff around the front yard (and our dinner plates!), but I can't leave her unattended outdoors anymore. She walks in circles, and I'm too scared she'd somehow get under the house and I couldn't get to her.

She may not be with us too much longer, but I'm going to treasure each and every day that she walks around in circles on the bed and wipes her face on me after she eats.

Sixteen years is a long time to love someone.

If she could only tell all the stories she must have on my kids!

She has fallen off the bed two nights this week and hit the ground pretty hard.  I'm afraid her back legs are getting to be a little more than she can handle -- they aren't working too well lately.  I don't want her to suffer, but we're not quite to that rainbow bridge yet.  I get to cuddle with her a little bit longer.  Because . . .

She certainly wouldn't want to miss hearing the Razorbacks rough up Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl tonight!!  WPS!!!

Those Undomesticated Pussycats are gonna find out that they aren't in Kansas any more.

Wake Up! It's 2012!!!

To one and all (except maybe for a few folks in DC), HAPPY 2012!!

May this new year provide you and yours with twelve flavors of awesome, health, happiness, and prosperity.

And, maybe a Razorback victory in the Cotton Bowl. And another Saints Super Bowl ring.

Maybe a Powerball win or two.

And the safe return of all our military members to the loving arms of their families and loved ones.

Now, go eat that pork roast and those black eyed peas and cabbage! (Moogie is preparing cabbage and Brussels sprouts because we can use every single dollar the Fates can spare!). The Lord helps those who help themselves!

It's Gameday!!! WPS!!!

We're coming for you.  Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Woooooo Pig Soooiiieeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hogs are on fire!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

May your day be blessed with good food and good times.

And a little Wooo Pig Soooiieeeee!!!!!!!!!!

SEC, 1-2-3, and More Conflicting Emotions

Pretty amazing.  And all in the SEC West!  Countdown has begun to the Decline and Fall of Mike the Tiger -- my Razorbacks will reverse those rankings come Friday.  And make a total mess out of the BCS.

On a sad note, I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to the Razorback family at large, and especially to the family of 19 year-old tight end, Garrett Uekman, who passed away yesterday in Fayetteville.  There will be a candlelight memorial service this evening at Walton Arena in his honor.  And, as a friend noted on Facebook this morning, the Hogs now not only have something to win for, they have someone.

 Please remember this family, and remember to cherish every moment with loved ones this holiday season. 

Woo Pig Soooieee.

A Heads Up

Fair Warning -- Andy threw down the gauntlet and Moogie scooped it up. 

There is a wager on the table between Andy and Moogie concerning the impending Razorbacks v. Tiggers football game that will rivet every good soul to his or her television on Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving.  Who wants to get out amidst the great unwashed at an hour that the good Lord never intended people to be up and about in pursuit of gift-giving treasure anyway?  That's waaaaay too rough on the blood pressure.  A nice, calm Razorback victory will be ever so much more relaxing.

I plan to have extra blood pressure meds on hand.

My Hogs must first dispense with the Mississippi State Puppies this Saturday before they can concentrate on the Tiggers, but I wanted to give you Fair Warning that the terms of said wager will be forthcoming, so be expecting them.  It'll be interesting.

College GAMEDAY, A Follow-up

By now, you are probably aware that the Clash of the Titans weekend in college football is in the books, with a nice win by the Razorbacks.  Some other SEC teams played, too, and one game was pretty important, I suppose.  It was important enough for Pepper to fire up his laptop so we didn't have to toggle back and forth between SEC games on the tv.  Of course, the more important game played on the bigger screen, but the Tiggers from up I-10 did all right on the laptop, even if the final score in that game more closely resembled a baseball score. (Man, that was some pretty awe-inspiring defense!  I think the Hogs had better put in some extra practice time during Thanksgiving week.)

Now, this is the way to watch football!

College GAMEDAY!!!

Lots of action going on today! I barely found a parking spot at the grocery store. With that many people stocking up on party food and beverages, there must be an awful lot of folks around here who are as excited about the Razorbacks/GamePullets matchup this evening as we are!

Saving a little here and there by enrolling in one of the top colleges online is all right, but there is one thing that makes traditional education worth the money: GAMEDAY.  The excitement, camaraderie, and revelry will stick with you even as you work a couple extra hours here an there to pay back the loans you may have incurred.

There's another SEC game on at about the same time, but I'm sure everyone's just ready to call the Hogs with their friends and family!

Whoo Pig Sooie!!!

Thanksgiving Still Comes First! And, There's Football Tomorrow!

That having been stolen from Facebook and posted here, I think I'll re-run last year's rant in favor of letting Thanksgiving have its time in the spotlight for a solo act.

"It's Still November -- Give Thanks!

Witness the proof of Moogie's contribution to the "Thanksgiving Comes First" campaign worming its way through cyberspace.

It always irritated my children to no end that we were not among those whose Christmas tree went up the day after Thanksgiving. I was not a particularly hard-ass mom overall, but I did adhere to one hard and fast rule: no Christmas anything until after December 1. No tree. No music. No decorations. No Christmas movies. Not until at least December 1, because Thanksgiving and Christmas both deserve their own month's celebration.

I still abide by that rule.

Some years my kids abide by the rule; others, they get too excited about having their own places to adorn and get ahead of the game.

But never does Christmas appear before Thanksgiving, even at The Son's house where there are 3 young 'uns. Never before Thanksgiving. So, I guess I didn't go totally wrong.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday because it's about family and friends and being together, even if only in thought or memory (JB gave me that crafty turkey when our girls were still in pre-school, and it brings her to mind every time I lay eyes on it). So, I'm totally aboard the "Thanksgiving Comes First" train with a one-way ticket! Come on board!

Thanks to Buck and Suldog, in Autumn colors, for establishing and promoting a burgeoning movement. "

 

Now, I think I'll go bake some pumpkin  oatmeal cookies so we'll have something fall-ish to gnosh onm tomorrow evening whilst the Razorbacks trounce the Old Ball Coach, and some other SEC teams play on another network.

Perhaps They Should Bring Back the Colonel . . .

Well, it wasn't exactly the prettiest victory I've ever seen, but it counts.  Razorbacks 29 - Ole Miss Something-or-others 24, in Oxford!

(As noted in the Comments on last year's post about this rivalry, Moogie determined that the Politically Correct version of the University of Mississippi's new mascot is Age-indeterminate Ms. Rebellious Metrosexual African-American Ursas.  Politically Correct is as Politically Correct does, after all.)

Speaking of last year's post, I think a liuttle re-run is warranted by virtue of today's Razorback victory, to-wit:

Farewell to Colonel Reb, Hello Sissy Bear

Poor Ole Miss. It looks as if they have taken leave of their collective senses. I knew it would happen as soon as I learned they were conducting a "study" and an "election" to replace the venerable "Colonel Reb" mascot -- the very embodiment of landed, Southern gentry who were capable both of great gentility and defending their own. Too many people apparently made a strained connection among the Colonel, Segregation, and Slavery.

So, PC finally won, but in the process, it has raised a couple of unintended consequences: Their new mascot, "The Rebel Black Bear," is overtly racist. I mean, really -- why does it have to be a black bear?!?! Why not a brown bear or a grizzly bear or a Polar Bear?!!? There are statues of snowball-throwing Polar Bears all over northern Mississippi! Remember?:

Even if the Rebel Bear isn't actually racist, it definitely has "issues." It's at best a Metrosexual bear -- I mean, how many college mascots do you know that have a Betsy McCall-ish Paper Doll poster with different outfits for different occasions? The ferocity factor of the Rebs just headed south in a steep dive, in my estimation.

What's next? Will the "Hotty Toddy!" cheer devolve into, "Grrr! Grrr! Hotty Tee-Hee?!?!"

They have a Rebel and now a Bear, two things which have no connectivity that I can discern. I've never read about a pack of rebellious black bears tearing around the countryside on motorcycles or protesting en masse at a government building, have you? Ole Miss is now challenging Auburn for the most confused mascot situation in the SEC.

Ferocious Fightin' Razorbacks v. Haute Couture Rebel Bears, October 23rd at 11:30. At least our girl mascot is supposed to look like a girl. Be there.

Tomorrow: Hogs take on the Auburn Indecisive-Mascots (what do Tigers, Plainsmen, and War Eagle have to do with one another anyway?!?) at 2:30 on CBS. Wooo Pig Soooiiieeee!!!!!!!!!! Hogs have no identity crisis -- a Hog is a Hawg!

 

I know!  The Rebellious Ursas must be in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street! 

 

That explains a lot of things.

Razorbacks Don't Forget

For those of you unfortunate enough to have missed the Razorbacks' drubbing of New Mexico's Lobos last Saturday night, let me fill you in on something pretty cool.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock (where the game was played) became Patriot Central.  The ordinarily fiery-red running Razorback painted on the center of the field became this:

And looked like this on the field:

And the stands almost became Old Glory as alternating sections wore red or white shirts; the students wore blue:

And people actually did it!  It looked very impressive.

There was even a special logo designed for this particular game -- Razorbacks Remember:

I'm told the halftime show was very moving.

I'd say the nation, as a whole, pulled off a fitting tribute to 2001's national nightmare.  Let's pray we never have to be quite that creative again.

Heading Back to Normal. Sort of.

HVAC guys told us on Friday (the Friday preceding a three-day weekend) that the job will take at least one, if not 2, more days.  That means no AC downstairs (or cooking, other than in the microwave, because it just get too darned hot in the kitchen) until Tuesday at best.  We haven't been able to use the grill because of that little weather incident we've been experiencing.  So, we're approaching normal, but still don't have it in sight.

Lee was a respectable tropical storm, but she minded her manners reasonably well, considering.   She's moving northeast now, leaving behind a squall or two, lots of wind, tons of leaves and limbs strewn about, and lots of water.  I didn't have that gut feeling that she would do a whole lot of damage to Moogie's Mansion because, of course, Moogie's middle name is Lee, and I wouldn't do that to myself.  Neither would any of the other 5 generations in my family with the same name, preceding, or following, me.  I'd hope.

It's getting to be cabin fever time around here.  Bouie hasn't had his typical weekend outings because we're just never quite sure when another band will swing around and zap us with a thunderstorm.  With the AC still out downstairs, we've taken to living upstairs, and he's not quite sure about that either.  The upstairs couch isn't nearly as comfortable as the one in the downstairs TV room.

I also learned that he doesn't particularly care for sweet potato chips.  You should've seen the face he made as he was trying to spit this out!

I always forget how much quieter it is upstairs.  Makes for some sweet sleeping.  As long as it's dark --  those bedrooms are so bright in the daylight!

Guess I'll go put a cocktail in the freezer and maybe watch a little of the West Virginia game.  Sorry for the boring post -- I'm just a little brain-fuzzled.  And still a little light-headed over the Hogs' stomping victory last night over Missouri State.  We figured out how to get the game on ESPN3 on Pepper's laptop, so we had 3 or 4 TVs around the house set on different games and Hogs + LSU in the upstairs TV room.  Wow!  Overload!  I've waited so very long for it!  Wooo Pig Sooooiee!!

Happy Labor Day Eve!

COLLEGE GAMEDAY Humor

A little COLLEGE GAMEDAY Saturday humor, stolen from Facebook, as TS Lee bears down on Moogie's Mansion.  I figured I might as well post something while I still have power!

A guy is driving around the back woods of Arkansas and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house:

'Talking Dog For Sale'

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.
...
The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

'You talk?' he asks.

'Yep,' the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says 'So, what's your story?'

The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA.

In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.'

'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running.

But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down.

I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in.

I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.'

'I got married, had a bunch of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'

The guy is amazed. He goes back In and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

'Ten dollars,' the guy says.

'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?!?'

'Because he's a liar...
He's never been out of the yard'

 

I don't think Bouie would lie like that.

 

Woooo Pig Soooiiieee!!!!!!

It's Almost . . .

FOOTBALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WPS!

Just Another Week in New Orleans, With Pictures!

Okay -- I have a semi-serious post rolling around in my head, but first I need to get this one out of there so there's more room for reflection.  Bear with me -- this one's gonna be kinda long, but it's mostly for me so I won't forget all this stuff.  Some is kinda irreverent, but it actually happened, so documentation is appropriate.  Some is just fun memories.

This is Grandson#1, all decked out in his new Razorback gear on Christmas Eve at The Son's house.  Heh.

This is Trevor, The Son's lucky puppy, not in motion.  This needed to be documented because it's a rare occasion when Trevor, the lucky puppy, is not in motion.

This is a group of good friends and family at She-Who-Should've-Been-My-Sister's Little Rock home on New Year's Eve after we devoured all the food brought to the potluck.  SWSBMS's other home is in Hong Kong, so it's wonderful when we can all get together on the same continent in the same hemisphere.  You'll note the conspicuous absence of SIL#1.  He and his college buddies had met in Ft. Worth to watch TCU's first BCS Bowl appearance together, without wives and significant others.  Thus, Elder Daughter and SIL#1 spent their first New Year's Eve as a married couple in different states.  Elder Daughter, being Moogie's progeny, devised a way for SIL#1 to make it up to her, however; she persuaded him to secure 4 tickets to the Sugar Bowl from her FIL and went without him, taking her college friends, now living in Upstate New York, and Younger Daughter instead.  And they were Club Level seats to boot!  Clever Elder Daughter.

Here is what midnight in New York looked like on New Year's Eve at SWSBMS's house, and Pepper.  You can tell it's really Pepper because there's a Blackberry in his hand.  Unlike at most of our recent New Year's Eve celebrations, we actually stayed out past midnight in New York, and beyond when it became midnight in Little Rock.

This is what New Year's Night looked like: a 1-1-11 wedding in the Chapel at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock.  The Son was best man (he's the squared-away, handsome one with raised saber).  I managed to catch the precise moment when the other groomsman lowered his saber to swat the Bride on the rear end and shout, "Welcome to the Army!"  The newly-married couple would leave central Arkansas on January 3rd to honeymoon at Moogie's Mansion where the Bride was lucky enough to share one bathroom with her new husband and 4 of his best friends.  The Bride was a very good sport.

Here we are at the Super Dome, getting ready to head inside to watch the Hogs trounce the Buckeyes.  There were plenty of raucous Razorback fans to add to our Sugary spirit.  And there was apparently at least one young lady (at the far right) who looks like she has not been adequately schooled in just what, exactly, a Hog Hat is.

Here are tens of thousands of Hog-callers and the Razorbacks thundering onto the field before trouncing the Buckeyes.

In cased you missed it, The Hogs failed to trounce the Buckeyes.  And that's enough about that.

Before the Big Game, several happy events, and one rather bizarre event, took place at Moogie's Mansion.  We celebrated the 30th birthday of Elder Daughter's college chum with mimosas, brunch and cake.  Cake, both birthday and wedding.

The wedding cake, and tons of other leftover wedding reception fare, was courtesy of the honeymooners, who got the very best guest room and pink roses.

After the Razorback fans departed to return to a soon-to-be-frozen-over Arkansas and other destinations, and after Moogie quickly changed a few beds and cleaned a few bathrooms, two Mardi Gras revelers arrived to join us at the CAMAN Ball -- our first big celebration of Carnival season.  Reveler#1's daughter was ever-so-slightly embarrassed by #1's gleeful immersion in the Carnival spirit.  Can you tell?  R#1's daughter was also less than pleased when Moogie manipulated several eligible young men to dance with said daughter, but she's young and will get over it.

The Ball's theme was "CAMAN Under the Big Top," and the decor was quite festive.

King CAMAN XXXVII enjoyed his entrance and hammed it up for his subjects, also showering them with doubloons of the realm.  Queen CAMAN XXXVII was regal, radiant, and very, very happy.

Following the Ball, the Revelers were snowed out of Arkansas, so their departure was delayed by three days.  We took that opportunity to turn their extended visit into "The Early Winter Eating Tour of New Orleans."  This was one lunch, at Pascal's Manale, on Tuesday the 11th -- Mushroom Ravioli with Crab Alfredo Sauce and Crabcake.  Oh my freakin' goodness! 

The Revelers got the "all-clear" to return home on the 12th, and it's been kinda quiet around here since then.

Oh yeah.  I mentioned something a few days back about ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

While we were brunching before the Big Game, Honeymoon Man meandered into the dining room from the front porch and said, "There's a Viking in a track suit leaning against your fence."  I peeked out the window, and, sure enough, there was a Viking-ish looking guy (or a lost member of ZZ Top) leaning against the fence.  I asked Honeymoon Man whether the Viking needed to talk to me, and he replied, "I don't think so."  I gave it little more thought, this being New Orleans and all.

Twenty minutes later, Honeymoon Man, having been upstairs and having looked out the window, came back down and announced, "The Viking's down."  I thought it prudent to go check on him; one male Hog Fan accompanied me as my protector, fearing that the wrath of a prematurely-roused Viking might befall me.  He took his camera.

Meet the Viking in a Track Suit.

I called to him in a loud mother-ish voice, "Sir?  Are you all right?  SIR?!?!," while also noting his rather battered and swollen face.  Then I hot-footed it inside to call 911.

Here are a few of the emergency responders.  When they finally got the Viking onto a back board and roused him a bit, they asked him the typical questions -- what's your name, do you know where you are.  To the name question, he responded with a strong display of the one-finger salute from beneath the back board straps.  To the location question, he replied, "Pennsylvania."  We're still not sure what happened to him, or who he is, but if he planned on being in Pennsylvania, he definitely took a wrong turn somewhere.

                                                   

Here are the Honeymooners with emergency responders in the background.  They kept the discarded instructions on "how to apply a neck brace" as a souvenir.

After the excitement quieted down, one police officer noticed all the people wearing Razorback tee shirts and told us he really liked the Razorbacks and wanted us to win the Sugar Bowl.  Then he said he really liked "that cheer," too.  Then he asked us to teach him how to do it.  So, with the Viking strapped to the backboard and being rolled to the ambulance, we all called the Hogs along with New Orleans first responders on the sidewalk.  The cop "woop-wooped" his siren at us and waved as he drove off.

Several of the Hog Fans were smokers.  They did not empty the ash tray provided for them on the front porch.  And you know who you are!

It was a hectic, sleepless, delightful week.  And there's lagniappe!  One pair of Fans brought a bottle of wine, another a lovely piece of Who Dat art, and the group of guys brought this delight for the nose and the palate -- 21 year-old single malt!  Ahhhh.  I didn't realize that Pepper had partaken as much of it as he has until I took this pic today; I've enjoyed one tiny snifter, preferring instead to keep it forever and savor it by occasionally removing the cork and deep-breathing the aroma.

So.  Such is life at Moogie's Mansion.  And Carnival season has just begun.

I'll sign off with this pic snapped before Christmas, en route to Little Rock, in heavy traffic.  It just reminded me of all my wonderful Blog Buddies, and a few in particular.  See if you can read the name and home base of of the trucking company.

Heh.