Thoughts from Alison that might at least entertain you!

Subaru Dogs - Ski Trip

Posting these mostly for you, mom - because everyone should see these, especially if they love dogs!  There are many more, but here are three of the most recent that have made me laugh.  (See the following two posts for the other two)

The Beach

And, my favorite: Camping

Because it's funny, and sometimes oh-so-true!

Something making me laugh recently:

This newer commercial from Subaru is one of my favorites lately.  Enough so that I sought it out to share here:

The funniest thing I saw this week

Every day on my drive to and from work (and most days even when I'm not working), I drive past the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) testing facility that is not far from Prune Ridge in Ann Arbor.  I don't know exactly what they do there.  It seems like a mysterious place to me, with an iron fence and guarded gates and such.  I do believe one of the things they do is test cars, having seen car-carrying semis being admitted by the guards on many occasions. 

Today on my drive home, a car pulled out from the EPA drive in front of me.  This was the very last car that should have been on any road, anywhere.  It was an extemely old boat of a sedan.  It was possibly once tan or cream colored, but now a lovely patchwork of many shades of rust.  The wheels were wobbling ominously on both sides.  Broken tail lights were taped over with several tapes of different colors and materials.  The left turn signal appeared to be having a seizure.  The remaining tail lights were flickering on and off with every bump (which are many on these post-winter Michigan roads).  The front windshield was cracked in the most fantastic and complete spiderweb pattern I've ever seen on a car that was still "driveable."  I'm not sure how the driver could see out any window at all, since all the non-windshield windows seemed to have a hazy dusty "been smoked in for 40 years" look to them.  I fully expected this car to simply fall apart in the middle of the road within about a half block of the EPA drive. 

And so I wonder:  What on earth was it doing at the EPA facility in the first place, and WHO said it was ok to send out on the road?!?  I chuckled to myself as I got enough distance away from it because, yes, I was only able to think about the Bluesmobile's final scene in The Blues Brothers movie.  RIP, Bluesmobile!

Dogs Are Funny

Sharing this in honor of Olive joining our family, a new dog joining my Mom and Bernie's family, and any other funny dogs in the world: 

(Aren't they all funny?!?)

3 year old conducts Beethoven

Mom, this one's for you - you need to see this video and this is where I know you'll find it!  I don't know this kid, but his Youtube video link has been traveling around Facebook these last few days.  His name is Jonathan, and he's conducting to recording (reportedly of his favorite conductor) of the 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.  Turn up your sound and enjoy - pure joy and hilarity!

Ahoy and Avast, Mateys! Happy "Talk Like A Pirate Day!"

Presenting the newest Prune Ridge resident:

Camilla!

 

(Named after Camilla, the Muppet Chicken who is the apple of Gonzo's eye.)

Women's Lambing Experience, Part VI - Cow Noses!

Coming tomorrow - pictures of sheep and lambs, and many many many more animals from the Ranch in a couple of posts, and ultimately (this weekend if not tomorrow) a rather large photo album of the whole trip.  In the meantime - Cow Noses!  I love them for some reason.  I think I may have a cow nose collage somewhere in my future.  Ha!

Googly Eyes and Silly Good Fun

So imagine my surprise with this one... 

You may certainly know (or not) that I'm a fan of all things childish, especially books and animated movies.  And very especially Wallace & Gromit, the claymation figures from Nick Parks - as well as many of his other creations.  Today is the 20th anniversary of Wallace & Gromit!  Their first short film - A Grand Day Out - was screened on this date 20 years ago.  I read in my inbox just now that Wallace and Gromit were being honored today on the Google search page.  They are one of only 3 "Google Doodles" ever to be made outside of Google HQ! 

So I went to google.com only to find Big Bird legs there instead.  Today is ALSO the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street!  Coincidence?  I think not.  Everything is connected in the strange and mysterious world of Awesome Things Invented in the Interest of Learning Through Youthful Fun and Whimsy!  Turns out the W&G Doodle is on the google.co.uk search page!

To Be A Child

John gave me a card this morning (yep, it's somebody's birthday).  It's a UNICEF card, and it's beautiful.  The back of the card has a mission statement piece from UNICEF that ends with "...where every child is free... simply to be a child."  Amen.

And, on that note, this child is certainly free to be a child.  If you have time (it's short), watch this 3 year old talking through her version of Star Wars, Episode IV:

Games for Kids!

Hi and happy hot Friday, All!  I heard this story this morning on Michigan Radio and laughed so hard I almost had to pull over from driving.  This is a sports commentator on Michigan Radio, and the lead-in to the story said something like "There are many sports stories he could be reporting on this morning, but instead John Bacon brings you this story..."  Give it a listen if you have time (the mp3 link runs just over 3 minutes, and it includes a bit that's not in the text version if you just read it).  Enjoy Dangerous Games For Kids!

Sans Proboscis

Yesterday after I got in from work, I found myself at the sliding patio door in our living room chatting with and petting the cats.  I glanced outside and saw the scene in the first picture here.  You might be thinking (as I was at the time) "what the hell is that?"  I spent more than a few seconds staring at it and trying to figure out what it could possibly be. A weapon?  A toy abandoned by kid or animal?  A gift from the gods?  Ah, no...  I then looked about two feet to the left and realized one of our lawn residents was missing her rather prominent facial appendage.  Poor Sylvia the Sandpiper.  How ever is she going to eat/smell/breathe?  Never fear.  The best part of having a carved wooden nose on a peg stuck into your face is that it's real easy to fix when you find it's no longer attached.  Sylvia will be fine.