Tales/Tails of Two Cities.

Two news items from opposite sides of the world:
-Beijing, China - The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, arrived in China bearing gifts. One was a brown horse named Vesuvius, the pride of the French cavalry, except his name is Italian - but he wasn't a Greek Trojan horse - all of which must have confused the Chinese - particularly when he segued into Mandarin saying it was time to "make our planet great again." This guy is a comer.
-Ottawa, Canada - The hottest book selling in Washington is "Fire & Fury" and is flying off the shelves. But the same title was published in Canada ten years ago which applied to the British bombing of German cities. This book is having a renaissance north of the border, but, alas, some of these may be returned.
tjs

On the Block

 Four years ago - Jan. 9, 2014 my blog was titled "Class Distinction" which referred to Downton Abbey with all its kitchen help, etc. Now picture such a manor on the auctioneer's block selling off all its contents. Two scullery maids came to witness the execution and sat in the back row. As the silverware and the clocks went under the hammer, these ladies began to sob and soon a cry went up that sounded like the following:
"Don't sell the biby's chair, the one that we held so dear - you can sell old grandfather's spittle (cuspidor) - but don't sell the chair with the hole in the middle- 'twas knocked down for two shillings and with it went many a tear - til up stepped a Navvy (stevedore) - a stout hearted navvy - and knocked down the auctioneer." If you find me near an open mic I will sing for you the melody.
tjs

Where's the Proof?

A stolen bottle of Vodka made headlines in Copenhagen, Denmark after it disappeared from a cafe after being on loan from a Latvian car manufacturer. The only time I sample this beverage is if/when I am at the Russian Tea Room in midwinter. But this bottle was gold & silver encrusted and the contents were made with melted snow from the French Alps. Stoli & the Goose take notice. The distiller said it was very tasty - smooth & round - not like the wheat based variety.
The bottle was recovered but the contents were gone - probably sampled by an Alpine skier.
tjs

The Plight of the Iguana

A play on the 1964 movie "The Night of the Iguana." During my twenty-two years in Florida we did encounter a few cold periods usually symbolized by ice in the birdbath. But the current freeze with temperatures in the low 20s has had a peculiar effect on the local fauna. Green iguanas -
stunned by the cold - have been dropping out of trees. One seen in Boca Raton was lying with his feet up - and he lived. One has to wonder if these geckos have their Personal Injury insurance with GEICO!
tjs

Buttoned Up.

Word just in from the "Navel" Observatory by way of the school yard that "my belly button is bigger than yours! And you're an outie and I'm an innie!"
And throw in a "your mother wears army shoes!" so the insults are flying. Which recalled that old puzzling fact that Eve in the Garden of Eden was the only woman without a navel. But never mind, I am returning to contemplate my navel as I watch the "liberal" snowflakes fall.
tjs

POTtering Along.

California became the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana. This makes all the blue states on the west coast now under a haze of blue smoke. The early states - i.e. Colorado had a frustrating experience trying to bank all their cash. The Federal regulations forbade the largest banks from accepting this "tainted" money. Unless things have relaxed in recent months, the admonition is to bring "cash" for your brown paper bag of "pot".
tjs

Jimmy Breslin, R.I.P.

This is the time of year when we re-discover the notables and celebrities who have passed on during 2017. One was Jimmy Breslin a newspaper columnist for 50+ years.
-In 1969 he ran for City Council of NYC on a ticket with Norman Mailer. Their pitch was to make New York City the 51st state.
-In 1977 he was instrumental in the arrest of the serial killer "Son of Sam" who lived several blocks from me in Yonkers. (Thanks, Jimmy)
-In between he survived a beating from the Mafia.
He never drove a car but when he heard a siren he wanted to chase after it. One of his deep thoughts was "The test of a good idea is its ability to last thru a hangover." He was a rarity.
tjs