"The nearest thing I can figure out is that they are BORN pregnant!"

This recent permafreeze we've been in has had some unfortunate side effects beyond just the OMG COLD part. Our furnace has been running near constantly, even with the thermostat set back at night, and that has reduced the relative humidity in this house to a near negative number. Unless the fish are drinking like, um, drinking a LOT, that's the only explanation for why we're having to top off the tank with close to a gallon every day or so. My skin is itching like a sonofagun in places offering no other explanation. Most strikingly, Ebony is shedding fur like there's no tomorrow in the dead of freakin' winter.

She's usually the least sheddy of any of the hairy beings in this house (and I count myself in that). Tasha's the main cause of dog hair; she's a Shepherd mix, with a triple coat and regular outbreaks of what we call "poofies," the spots of white fur which break out from the brown topcoat and make her look like a mutant ninja bunny rabbit from the rear. This time, though, Ebony's getting down to bare skin in spots.

So we combed her out last night. Oh. My. GOD. At the times when she got tired of it and shook herself off, she looked like Pigpen from the old Peanuts cartoons, with a cloud of black fur trailing behind her.

When we were finished, we came up with this:

.

Now c'mon, guys. Wouldn't the little lady want something that furry and purry and adorable for the perfect Valentines gift? Flowers rot, and chocolate is fattening. Pajamagrams are overpriced, and besides, you want to get her OUT of her bedclothes, now don't you? (That, at least, is what all the Valentine ads are coming right out and telling me this week.)

So order now, since we can transport them instantly from orbit to your chosen destination. (Free shipping except for disgraced former congressmen.) Order today! at harry@mudd.com!

Week. End; Up. Date:)

Week.

My workweek ended with the only time all week I had to slap on the monkey suit and genuflect to a guy in a black robe. A client needed me to cover a traffic court appearance for his wife, which made me eight times the pittance that it made the Town of West Seneca but still saved her an endless amount of time and aggravation which would have resulted if I hadn't been there.

Next week will make up for it- at the moment, court appearances Monday (one) and Tuesday (two, one of which will be adjourned, not sure which yet); a seminar on Wednesday, a closing probably Thursday and a first appointment with a proctologist on Friday.

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End.

So thank heaven for the weekend being here:) The temperature is supposed to break freezing, which will help with some needed shoveling outside; my coworker Mary will be sporting the warm fuzzy hat Eleanor made for her to wear to a downtown festival; and Emily will be going to a Residence Hall program to check out what will likely be her new apartment for next year.

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Up.

Loads, as in linkies:

Thanks to katesti for linking to this NPR piece about one of our newest favoritest singers. Or, as the BNLs might have put it to a tune I actually listened to on the elliptical today:

A is for Awesome which is what this singer is;
A's also for Adele, new in the music biz.
A is for Apple which will play it all for you;
A for Anticipation- on 2/22,
Her album will come out- so buy it
...But for now you just can try it:)

Also funnier local news for digitalemur than the far sadder news her brother reported to her this morning: a police call from the Pioneer Valley reported at the beginning of this month- one proving, as a mathematical fact, that 911 is greater than 420:


A Connecticut man has found out the hard way what happens when you call police with a cannabis conundrum.

Farmington Police say that around 8:00 Thursday night, they received a call into their 911 dispatch center from a man asking about how much trouble he could get into for growing marijuana.

Below is a transcription of that 911 call:
Dispatcher: 911, What's the location of your emergency?
Caller: Well, let's not get into that yet. I have a question.

Dispatcher: Is this an emergency sir?
Caller: Depends...um, not really.

Dispatcher: If it's not an emergency, you don't call 911 sir.
Caller: I have a legal question.

Dispatcher: Well, it's not...is this an emergency?
Caller: I don't know what that means.

Dispatcher: Is it life-threatening, or an active crime in progress?
Caller: Crime in progress, possibly.

Dispatcher: What's going on?
Caller: I was just growing some marijuana. I was just wondering what the, how much, you know, trouble you get into for one plant.

Dispatcher: You're growing marijuana and you want to know how...depends on how big the plant is.
Caller: It's only a seedling.

Dispatcher: Well, it's possession.
Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: You can get pinched for a roach in a car.
Caller: Okay. (pause) Alright, thanks for the info.

Dispatcher: You're welcome.
Caller: Goodbye.

...Michelson was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance less than 4 ounces (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia in a drug factory.

He was released on $5,000 non-surety bond, but not before he made two obscene gestures to dispatchers as he left.

Good thing he wasn't charged in West Seneca. He might STILL be waiting to be arraigned.

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Date.

The missus and I are hitting the town tomorrow night. Okay, the village, but still. Lucy Kaplansky, one of our favorite folkies and a onetime coffee house bud of Shawn Colvin, is playing at a small venue across Main Street from our church. Should be A for awesome, etc. etc. etc.