Yes! Siam!

A snake in the grass? No, more likely in your toilet. Heavy rains in Bangkok, Thailand bring a surge in the number of snakes seeking refuge indoors. The fire and rescue department has received over 31,000 calls for help in removing snakes so far this year. This city of 8.2 million has expanded into formerly wild lands and the new housing is encroaching on the creatures' domain. The eight foot python emerging from a resident's toilet was not named Monty. One native wrote "There's an old saying that if you encounter a snake, you will meet your soul mate." The bite victim replied "I'd rather be a widow."
tjs

Don't Build a Wall

Don't build a wall - build a fence - in Northern Norway - where the National Railway freight trains killed 100+ reindeer during a four day period last week. The herders - known as Laplanders - are urging the government to erect more fences in herding areas. They estimate that 200 to 600 reindeer have been in train related accidents each year. With Northern Norway's proximity to the North Pole, it would behoove Santa to plan an alternate route this year, and he may definitely need Rudolph in the lead to light the way.
tjs

Lend Me Your Ears

The upper corners of newspapers are known as "ears" and can convey a brief message. After Pearl Harbor, the Philadelphia Daily News ran the Stars & Stripes in the upper left corner with the phrase "She'll fly over Tokyo" which continued throughout WWII. The NY Times runs their motto in the left corner and a brief weather report on the right side. What I didn't know was that the Times runs 27 different Accuweather reports to coincide with their 27 printing locations. So if your weather app is not at hand and you are reading the Times in Seattle, they will give you the rainy forecast you learn to expect, while it is sunny in Manhattan. Bring the umbrella.
tjs

Dating 101

China is now paying the price for their one child per family policy - since ended. With a preference for boys, many couples aborted female fetuses. Now they find that young marriage age men outnumber women by 33.6 million. With those odds even I couldn't get a date. Enter the dating coach and young men are signing up for lessons in courtship. Even the government is playing matchmaker.  And, of course, this reverses the dowry arrangement. Dolly Levi, where are you?
tjs

Did You Know?

The little blue bird that is Twitter mascot and logo has a name - it is Larry - supposedly after Larry Bird the great Celtics basketball star.

NYT Science section states there are estimated 17 million flies for each person on earth. Quick, Charles, get the swatter!

A.G. Jess Sessions, under oath, admitted that all cabinet members use an alias or pseudonym. His predecessor, Loretta Lynch, of tarmac fame is known as Elizabeth Carlisle on email. I have trouble remembering my sign on moniker.
tjs

On Aging.

The Julian calendar on the wall reminds me that tomorrow 11-11 I will reach my eighty-eighth year or as my golfer son might call it (88) a double-snowman. I try to keep sharp with the blog and the crossword puzzles. An old sea captain once told me he carries an envelope in his jacket and when he feels he is slipping he opens it - the contents read "Port is left - Starboard is right" - and that keeps him on an even keel. My solution would be to play Billy Joel's "Piano Man" - the instrument with 88 keys - (52 white - 36 black) if you're counting.
tjs

Target Audience

Yesterday my land line rang, disturbing my nap.
The (live) female voice began extolling the merits of a Medical Alert system. Before she could query my age  I said "I already have one - my wife." They must think that anyone with an old fashioned land line must be an old codger. They know everything about you except the hours of your nap.
tjs