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Public Service Announcement

The Washington Post offers tips on how to keep your EV battery running in frigid temperatures. The link at the end of this graf is supposed to be a "gift link" (from me, Marie Burns, the giftor!), meaning that non-subscribers can read the article. Hope it works: https://wapo.st/3u8Z705

"Countless studies have shown that people who spend less time in nature die younger and suffer higher rates of mental and physical ailments." So this Washington Post page allows you to check your own area to see how good your access to nature is.

Marie: If you don't like birthing stories, don't watch this video. But I thought it was pretty sweet -- and funny:

If you like Larry David, you may find this interview enjoyable:


Tracy Chapman & Luke Combs at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Allison Hope comments in a CNN opinion piece:

~~~ Here's Chapman singing "Fast Car" at the Oakland Coliseum in December 1988. ~~~

~~~ Here's the full 2024 Grammy winner's list, via CBS.

He Shot the Messenger. Washington Post: “The Messenger is shutting down immediately, the news site’s founder told employees in an email Wednesday, marking the abrupt demise of one of the stranger and more expensive recent experiments in digital media. In his email, Jimmy Finkelstein said he was 'personally devastated' to announce that he had failed in a last-ditch effort to raise more money for the site, saying that he had been fundraising as recently as the night before. Finkelstein said the site, which launched last year with outsize ambitions and a mammoth $50 million budget, would close 'effective immediately.' The New York Times first reported the site’s closure late Wednesday afternoon, appearing to catch many staffers off-guard, including editor in chief Dan Wakeford. As employees read the news story, the internal work chat service Slack erupted in what one employee called 'pandemonium.'... Minutes later, as staffers read Finkelstein’s email, its message was underscored as they were forcibly logged out of their Slack accounts. Former Messenger reporter Jim LaPorta posted on social media that employees would not receive health care or severance.”

Washington Post: “The last known location of 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser' by world-renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt was in Vienna in the mid-1920s. The vivid painting featuring a young woman was listed as property of a 'Mrs Lieser' — believed to be Henriette Lieser, who was deported and killed by the Nazis. The only remaining record of the work was a black and white photograph from 1925, around the time it was last exhibited, which was kept in the archives of the Austrian National Library. Now, almost 100 years later, this painting by one of the world’s most famous modernist artists is on display and up for sale — having been rediscovered in what the auction house has hailed as a sensational find.... It is unclear which member of the Lieser family is depicted in the piece[.]”

~~~ Marie: I don't know if this podcast will update automatically, or if I have to do it manually. In any event, both you and I can find the latest update of the published episodes here. The episodes begin with ads, but you can fast-forward through them.

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Wednesday
Mar212018

A Love Letter from S. Pruitt

Dear Marlyn,

You may not remember me ha ha but I am your loving husband. I have been so busy traveling the world – which will be the last time ever because I am doing everything I can to like drown the whole planet. Remember when we were young & you said you wanted to climb the highest mountains in the world?? Well, we can do it now. In fact, we'll have no choice.

Speaking of when we were young, do you remember that time we did it in a phone booth? Those were the days!!! But you should see the phone booth I've got now. It cost $43,000! Don't worry, you don't have to get out the checkbook. Average Americans got together and paid for it. It's right in my office, believe it or not. And the office doors lock! A great place for fun and games, if you know what I mean hint hint. But knowing you, you'll probably want to kick out the security guards who stand around 24-7 to protect me from riff-raff like the office staff.

Anyhow, I'm in a place called Bologna now, but I can't stay long. Can you believe the Italians named a city after baloney? Either they have a great sense of humor or they're a very backward “civilization.” If the narrow streets here are any clue, I'd guess “backward.” But the restaurants are way good if you like Italian. No baloney! ha ha.

I don't know about this government job. I have to take military transports practically every time I go someplace.

Oops! Wrong picture. I mean this one.

Sometimes I take regular planes. I get to ride up front because I'm the boss & my guards and stuff have to ride in the back in these teensy little seats with their knees poking into the seats in front. You should come with me some time. First-class all the way of course. A guy I know named Dave Shulkin who has a job like mine – but not as important – took his wife on holiday to Europe & he said the government paid for their trip, too – no problem! He said he got an award for it.

Well, have to get to an important meeting with the President of the United States.*

Till next time – hopefully in a luxury phone booth,

Your husband,

s/Scotty

Comments Off

Reader Comments (3)

Dearest Scotty,
As much as I harbor fond memories of our little "weenie in the poke" romantic interludes while jammed in a phone booth I'm distressed that you might think I don't remember you. Granted, you have been absent from our home for many a day––oh, let's make that many months–-but your scent lingers on, my love, and try as I may to wipe it away it refuses to disappear. Apparently you are under the impression that I––we–-miss you; nothing could be further from the truth. Since you took on the job to ruin our planet I have lost all the faith I once had that you would save those mountains you say we could climb. I never did cotton to your arrogance, mister, but this takes the cake! So––this missive is just to inform you that you can continue to fly about on the government's dime but know the door to your home is locked for good. I bid you farewell and doubt seriously you will fare well in whatever you pursue and for my money, that ain't no baloney!
Once yours in a phone booth,
Marlyn

March 21, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterPD Pepe

@PD Pepe: Hilarious! I laughed out loud. Would that Mrs. Pruitt really had the guts to tell it like it is, as you did.

March 21, 2018 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns

My thanks, too, PD. You took it and ran with it in a delightful direction.

Glad to see that Marlyn has seen the light, but the same question that I have with any woman who has seen the Pretender naked rises here.

What in the world was the matter with than woman in the first place?

It is to cringe.

March 21, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes
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