STORY OF THE DAY - ENOUGH FLUIDS

I try not to cry about everything I've done wrong 
she said, because I don't get enough fluids as it is already.

From Story People.

OXYMORONS

1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

2. Why is the third hand on a watch called the second hand?

3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?

5. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

6. Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?

7. Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

8. Why do "tug" boats push their barges?

9. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there?

10. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?

11. Why is it called "after dark" when it is really "after light"?

12. Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?

13. Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites?

14. Why do "overlook" and "oversee" mean opposite things?

My friends, I'm giving you only half the list of oxymorons, because I think it's probably all your brains can handle at one time. :-D

Don't blame me.  Blame Doug. 

WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL - YES TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

The Washington National Cathedral had been ready to embrace same-sex marriage for some time, though it took a series of recent events and a new leader for the prominent, 106-year-old church to announce Wednesday that it would begin hosting such nuptials.

The key development came last July when the Episcopal Church approved a ceremony for same-sex unions at its General Convention in Indianapolis, followed by the legalization of gay marriage in Maryland, which joined the District of Columbia. The national church made a special allowance for marriage ceremonies in states where gay marriage is legal.
....

Cathedral officials said the church will be among the first Episcopal congregations to implement a new rite of marriage adapted from the blessing ceremony for gay and lesbian couples that was approved last year by the Episcopal Church's national governing body.

Though I may be the last Episcopal blogger to note the announcement by Washington National Cathedral that it will host same-sex marriages, I am pleased and proud that the Episcopal cathedral, where so many historic events have taken place, will perform same-sex marriages early in the history of the practice of marriage equality in the Episcopal Church.

THE FABULOUS RITA HAYWORTH

Set to the music of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive", here's a wonderful video compilation of clips from her movies to remind us what a fabulous dancer Rita Hayworth was. Rita was drop-dead gorgeous, talented, and sexy, too. And, like Ginger Rogers, she danced with the best male dancers of the time in high heels.

UPDATE: Thanks to Ann Fontaine fore the link.

AND WE ALL PASSED A GOOD TIME

What a fun evening! The films were wonderfully hilarious, and Gene Traas' accompaniment on the organ was excellent and just right.  Buster Keaton was my favorite, but all the comedies provided many laughs.  I am old but not old enough to have seen the silent comedies in the first showings, but, as a child, I spent a good deal of time at the movies, and, from time to time, the silent film comedies were shown as short subjects before the feature movie began.  Thus, I am not altogether unfamiliar with Laurel and Hardy, Chaplin, and Buster Keaton, and it was a very good thing to see them again.  Plus, laughter is good for the soul.



The gathering was a fund raiser to help pay for the restoration of the pipe organ at St John, which, while it still plays, is not in top form and is in need of repair






Pictured above is the organ in the balcony of the church. To the left is the console, which is located in the front right of the nave.

BLESSINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS, ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN!

A medieval ceremony has begun the process of the Rt Revd Justin Welby becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral has unanimously elected Bishop Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The 35-strong College of Canons, made up of senior clergy and lay people from the Diocese of Canterbury, met at Canterbury Cathedral's 14th-century Chapter House to take part in the formality, which dates back more than 1000 years.

Splendid!  And if the new Archbishop of Canterbury succeeds in bringing the Church of England into the 21st century, that would be a remarkable feat of valor, indeed.  Though certain of the membership will resist, and some will insist on staying behind, Justin Welby would be a hero in the eyes of many.

Seriously, the new Archbishop of Canterbury needs our prayers, because he undertakes a very difficult job.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon Archbishop Justin and the bishops, clergy, and congregations committed to his charge in the Church of England, the healthful Spirit of thy grace: and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

H/T to Andrew Gerns at The Lead.

BOBBY JINDAL - MAKE THE POOR PAY MORE

Gov. Bobby Jindal said Thursday that he wants to eliminate the state’s personal and corporate income taxes.

Jindal declined an interview request to discuss the proposal.

“Eliminating personal income taxes will put more money back into the pockets of Louisiana families and will change a complex tax code into a more simple system that will make Louisiana more attractive to companies who want to invest here and create jobs,” Jindal said in a prepared statement.
....

Legislative leaders who attended a briefing with the governor said the lost revenue will be replaced, possibly through sales tax increases.

We'll see if the legislators lie down and allow Jindal to walk over them with this brilliant idea. Jindal says he is concerned about the burden the sales tax will impose on low-income people and the poor, but I don't believe him.  In his policies, Jindal shows clearly that he does not care about the plight of the poor.  He is determined to destroy state government institutions and privatize the functions of government, no matter the negative impact on the poor.  The rich and big business are Jindal's constituency, along with Christian fundamentalists who want schools to teach junk science and all access to abortion banned.

As usual, Jindal declined an interview with the Baton Rouge Advocate.  The governor is inaccessible to the local press, but he gives interviews to certain friendly national media to further his ambition to be president. 

BAD WEATHER

 

The weather here is nasty, with thunderstorms, a tornado watch, and flash flood warnings.  I had an appointment for a check-up with my ophthalmologist in New Orleans, but I cancelled.  The street in front of my house is already flooded, and who knows what the streets would be like in Metairie.  The radar map is from Wunderground and is active and moves without refreshing the page.

Below is a picture from my front porch.  As you can see, it was quite dark.  The spots are rain blowing on the camera lens.  The storm is slow-moving and is likely to be with us for much of the day.  I hope we don't lose power.   

 

SILENT FILM COMEDY TRIFECTA WITH LIVE ORGAN MUSIC

 

If you're in the neighborhood of Thibodaux, LA, the Trifecta should be fun.  I'll be there.

Gene, the accompanist, is staying at our house, and he cooked a delicious meal for us last night.  He saw shrimp in the refrigerator and asked us if we wanted him to prepare supper.  Of course, we said, "Yes."  He gathered up whatever other suitable ingredients he could find and put them all together to make a very tasty dish.

JESUS AND MO - MINDS

 

Click on the strip for the larger view.

From Jesus and Mo.