For My Family... Who Love Silly Puns

 ... just not mine.

It Would Have Been Tractors For My Dad...

 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: The Bluuuueeesss Train

      The Brick and I had a sweaty, bumpy and ultimately wonderful experience in Durango this past weekend -- we rode the Blues Train! 

     If you've ever been riding on the Durango-Silverton Railroad, an antique coal-driven train, then you have part of the experience. 

Now add 9 or 10 cars full of people drinking, dancing and grooving to the music in their particular car while the sun goes down. You're seeing Colorado at its best, and listening to some of the best music ever while you do it. 

     There are some weird problems. The groups may be good -- or not. People are constantly walking down the aisles...and since it's bumpy, they may end up in your lap. (Or you will end up in theirs!) And when they pass by, they're going to be staggering (or dancing, as the case may be) in front of the Artist du Jour. If you go see some of the other acts, don't necessarily plan on your seat being there when you get back. Amd by the time the train pulls back into Durango, there are going to be some very 'happy' people on board, if you know what I mean. 

      At least in August, it's hot, even though the windows are open. I suspect September will be better -- but tickets are all sold out for 2026. Next year should be easier.

      We had a wonderful time. P.S. If the Weary Ramblers are playing again, don't hesitate -- they're amazing.

We got back to the hotel about midnight -- sweaty, bemused and our heads full of music. The Brick said, "Boy, that was surreal..." but wonderful!

Back to reality -- and work ahead this week. If you love music too, our band (The Ritardandos) will be singing and playing Thursday night, Aug. 27, at Lue's Diner in Blanca, CO.  The show starts about 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile:

A bear sneaked into a Colorado Springs fire station, grabbed a gear bag -- and took off.  No word on whether this ursine sneak thief has been caught yet. (Ahem.)

A bad coffeeshop review... but the truth is in the photo.

The Noah's Ark speculation continues...

'My apartment gave me something that money can't buy.'  (From Millenial Revolution)

Food gifts for special occasions. And yes, you make them yourself. (From The Frugal Farm Girl)

Unusual ephemera found -- including this piece.

101 odd things found in caves:

The "grifting grandmothers" - who almost got away with millions from farrm aid.

The new homeless shelter on the Aurora regional campus? It's not going so good, even though the directors think they've solved a lot of problems. We'll see...

"What's the best meal you can cook on an extremely tight budget?"  Quora readers hold forth.

An ancient shipwreck in the Mediterranean gives up its treasures. Some of them, at least.

A climber survives a 500 FOOT fall on a Colorado 14er? Amazing.

And finally -- Farm Funnies. 

Have a great week. Fall IS coming... isn't it?

Figures...

 

Here Kitty Kitty...

  This gem is from Bored Panda:

Dolph Volker, a wildlife photographer, woke up from a nap under a tree -- and found a sleeping cheetah snuggled up next to him. 

    "Keep petting me, Buddy...or things could get interesting."

This is billed as a true story! Actually, it is... but Dolph was at a cheetah sanctuary, volunteering at the time. That makes a lot more sense.

Ummm...

 

I guess -- but it's still funny!

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Eensy (Not so Weensy) Spider

       A huge spider builds a web over the back deck steps -- then it mostly disappears every morning. Turns out she's an 'orb-weaver'...and eats her web, including its victims, every night! 

     Daughter #2 named her Charlotte. She's high enough that the dogs won't bother her, but Son #1 and the Brick have to be careful not to bump her web's bottom edge. 

     I hope she stays into the fall. 

Charlotte, in all her glory --  at least half-dollar size.

 She's having a real impact on the pesky moths that have been hanging around. 

You go, Charlotte!

Meanwhile:

More than 270 Mozart statuettes stolen in Salzburg!  You and I both are wondering- why?? (I would guess tourists and locals are picking them up as 'souvenirs.')

The best deer-resistent perennials that thrive in sun. Which we get plenty of around here! (You'll also see a link for deer-resistant perennials that prefer shade. Thanks, Frugal Farm Girl.

Homemade food gifts for Christmas. Who says these can't be used for birthdays and other holidays??  (Thanks, Frugal Farm Girl.)

One woman's (Ruth Rogers) life collection.

Fifteen treasures that tell the story of America.

How this print swept the world -- and changed views on Japanese art forever.  

(This print, "The Great Wave" by Hokusai, sold as part of a 36-piece set for 1,646,000 pounds in June this year at a Christie's auction in Paris. You read that right -- more than $2,225,000 USD.)

Random ways people made a fortune. 

'Hyperbolic fiction' -- or making up your life, in hopes that no one else finds out. (The ex-Cambridge professor is in this category. (Sadly, he committed suicide recently.) He's not the first, nor the last -- novelist H.G. Carillo, also a professor, made a lot of his Cuban roots in his book, Loosing My Espanish. After his death from cancer, it turns out, among other falsities,  he was Herman Glenn Carroll -- born in Detroit. But hey, a good writer!

A fun interview with Dan Ackroyd.  I really admire this guy.

"Top 10 simple financial tips" -- from Quora readers. 

Massachusetts joins the growing list of states that allow you to kill your baby up to the moment of birth. Sadly, Colorado is also on this list.

Dance for a minute or so -- and get a discount on your gas?  I'd do it!

Deepfaking -- happening to influencers and celebrities alike.

Have a great week. Stay authentic!