Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for April 19, 2013

Herman did the crossword puzzle before Hilda.Hilda had some cross words for Herman.

I tell you it’s global warming!I tell you it’s not!

That looks to be one very old-fashioned tv set.

Hi Dogsniff!Himashot?Is that a new activity such as Ms. Beviek was speaking of?

Bev…maybe that’s what gets their …you know…juices flowing.Some people (and most cats) seem to need a good argument first.

Well, me too, Bev….but I’ve met ‘em….…. even one whom I always suspected was trying to get MY attention that way….but it doesn’t work.

Didn’t get any time on here most of today….er… I mean yesterday(?)

Before the turn I mean…so I didn’t get a chance to say “nice going” to Red…I bet they look great.

Nor did I get a chance to join the chorus, in offering the Veteran my thanks and appreciation.

Thank you, for the difficult job you do…

Even though I’m not in Texas, it’s people like you upon whom we all depend in times of crisis…and every crisis belongs to us all.We wring our hands and wish we could do more… butwe feel helpless….while you’re out there actually doing “more.”You can call it “just” your duty…but you didn’t start out in life with more of that responsibility than the rest of us…You chose it….and we’re grateful.

huntley! no, brinkley…!

Bev….. are you sill here?

STILL not sill….

Cos… well…I gave you a certificate…a beautiful paper diploma….

StelBel only gave you a stinkin’ glass thing….I mean…. I gave you a beautiful diploma….

Stel merely gave you a …well, OK…it IS gorgeous … crystal…. (wow) vase….with your name engraved on it….and it’s all sparkly and….OK never mind….

I do think we’re ALL certifiable…

The Wurlitzer (Ballard Award for Excellence in Journalism and Music Selection) on the other hand…

Once again, I’m dozing off early….And tomorrow I gotta make a LOT of key lime pies…. and deal with a ton and a half of tomatoes.

I love my birthday presents….but I need another me!

Fireman…. thanks so much for working Tuesday… I hope you can still stay awhile longer tonight….

Little monkeys…. great job….I’m going to the salon to sleep….Remember…. serve ONE drink at a time….and after the fireman leaves, please call and wake me up if there’s a problem…I mean it…. it’s OK.

You don’t need to wake up Big Monkey….he needs his sleep….he’s had a lot of…. um…. bananas.

X … my underground sources have led me to believe that you were intrinsically involved in the planning and early-warning systems leading to the event.

You may decline the diploma if you so desire…I’ll even delete it if you really want me to….but I can assure you that the school officials saw no reason to deny it to you….

Feel free to accept it and impress future clients with such an illustrious credential on your resume….

And in a light oak frame, wouldn’t it make a lovely addition to your back bar?

Goodnight all…..

They haven’t been watching adult videos again, have they?

If they keep that up, they may make the evening news.

Folks it is just a difference of opinion. She says:The “Macho man Randy Travis” is the greatest wrestler ever!!!!!!!!!!!!And he says The “Rock” is the greatest ever!!!!!!!! Macho Man!!!!! The Rock!!!!!!!!!!MACHOMAN!!!!!!!! ROCK!!!!!!!!!CRASH!!! POW!!!!! BANG!!!!!(Oh you remember those from the 60’s Batman)And the dog is cell phone videoing the entire thing.(Personally I think Stone Cold Steve Austin is the best.He kept kicking Sylvester Stallone’s butt in the Expendables. :-))

That is why I never watch the BBC.

So much for last second chances, seems Collin has gone to the well once to often. We all know how it goes. So funny the first time and second time too, to tell the truth. But after time, and too many times, what once was mildly annoying, just on the other side of irritating followed that slow spiral down the ole slippery slope; passing exasperating and finally settling uncomfortably on nauseating. After spending fifteen minutes counting polka dots, Collin casually mentioned that the International Disease and Feminine Hygiene Disorders Council had dubbed the latest Chinese Swine Flu as Polka Dot Pig Syndrome and Shirley simply lost it. Of course Collin thought it was hilarious, Shirley knows its not over, and she’s not done. Tomorrow she is going to starch his underwear and then call the bowling alley during league play to have Collin paged and announce his proctologist wants to see him immediately.

Again if any one was in the military they would get the starched underwear too. Learned only send uniforms not everything else. It all including SOCKS came back rigid as boards.Better than Viagra although I don’t recommend it.

I wasn’t sure just WHAT they were trying to do there, but it does NOT look like much fun. Better to let him take off his own clothes.

Helen wants to watch NBC, Herman wants to watch Fox. The Hemleshots are too cheap to buy a second TV set , so that they could each watch what they want, so… this is an ongoing drama.Sheriff Monkeyblues has been to their house several times.

I’ve already had a Bloody Caesar and now I’m workin’ on a tall boy while waiting for my chile to heat up.

@ Susan

PS: Thank you so much for the certificate! Max is soooo proud of me! I am honored and humbled. Can I have a Wurlitzer and a Crystal vahzz, too?

Prince Mua and Princess SusanSunshine: ProloguePrince Mua suspiciously looked around the new place his hand-maiden Shikamoo insisted that they visit. Prince Mua indulged Shika (as he called her affectionately) by driving her in his pride and joy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang. He would have none of this chauffeuring business. Even royal felines prefer to be able to go where they want. However, such was his affection for Shika that he let her chose many of the places they visited. She had insisted on bringing him to Spain, where the Locos dwell, and to BB (he loves the birds!), then to a ship called O. B., where Shika insisted on addressing everyone there as “Crew!” Horror of horrors, Shikamoo even brought him to C.D., where the dog lovers reside, and to the delightful Village as well, but once he saw all the wonderful people on Ballard Street, he knew he was home. TBC

Good Evening Balladeers! I bring you the story of Prince Mua and Princess Susan.

Prince Mua was cruising in Kitty Kitty Bang Bang recently, when his eye caught a glimpse of hair flowing behind a most beautiful Princess, Princess SusanSunshine. But her carriage appeared to be of the canine variety.

A slight hiss escaped before he could catch himself. This Princess was purrfectly lovely with her shining hair and sunlit smile. Surely her chariot was kind too. And so Prince Mua trained his feline emanations on the Princess and she felt a purr welling up even as Elvis, her chariot, wagged his tail. Prince Mua smiled. This could be the beginning of a truly delightful adventure on Ballard Street: The Adventures of Princess SusanSunshine and Prince Mua, featuring Kitty Kitty Bang Bang and Elvis.

Princess Susan and Elvis

…and then what, Shika??

Prince Mua was quite taken by the beautiful SusanSunshine.

O.K. Kids, I’m slipping in here for a quickie ( drink, silly ! I know what you were thinking ! )Fenton, it’s a warm night but I think a beer will be to heavy. How about a Southern Breeze ?Well, I just made the name up Fenton but I will give you the simple drink recipe. A healthy dose of vodka in a tall glass over ice with equal parts ice tea ( I prefer unsweetened ) and lemonade and garnished with a large slice of lime. …Umm ! Perfecto, amigo ! Anyone else care for one ?

…and Princess Susan …..was taken by Prince Mua….. Up, up and away (5th Dimension)

He shows up here as Sampson (using feline magic I think) because he thinks that Samson looks more regal, but I keep telling him that he is Princely just as himself. He’s quite dashing in his chariot Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, don’t you think?

I hope you will welcome Prince Mua. He has chosen to take up residence in the Royal Cat Chalet, located at the end of Ballard County Rd. on Candi’s Mountain. He tells me that he is tired of driving me around to all the other sites. As his handmaiden, I let him make the decisions, but he indulges me by sometimes travelling to Spain, to O.B., CD, BB etc. He loves it when BB actually has birds for him. Otherwise, he gets bored and tends to sleep. Then I have to take over the wheel (he loves to drive). Believe me, you don’t want to see me driving too often. I take the scenic route.

Royal Cat ChaletBallard County Rd.Candi’s Mountain

Yes StelBel Mua has always wanted to fly- after birds, you know. So here we go, “Up, Up and Away, in our Beautiful Flying Machine.”

That’s why Candi Mountain is the perfect place for Prince Mua and me. (He’s letting me stay in the back quarters- quite spacious actually).

Where is SusanSunshine anyway?

You Are My Sunshine

maybe she’s checking out the chalet interior???

Prince Mua had the flower beds planted with catnip, so he can take a nip from any balcony.

He has invited everyone here to his Chalet Warming party tonight. Cats do love their warmth.

Hi Ling! I’ll join you, but only a small Southern Sunshine please. I was going to have a glass of wine, but djc928 seems to have gone.

StelBel, the music is perfect!

The Royal Gardener in the Royal Catnip Garden, working hard….DAYDREAM (Lovin’ Spoonful)

(The 2nd Boston Marathon Bomb suspect is in custody!!!)

I’ll just stick with my tall boy. I’ll be turning in as soon as I’m done watching The Rockford Files. i’m beat…and I have a headache.

That’s great news, StelBel. I’m glad they caught him alive. Now maybe we can find out why they did it. But we’ll never understand.

Mua is very lanient with that help. HE understands. He sleeps most of the day after all…

Has Mrs. Hemelshot lost half her body? Oh, I see her foot. It must be the angle of the shot, er drawing.

@Shika

I believe many Ballard St. seniors are double-jointed.

I’m a little disjointed.

Oh My!

Did you guys see that? We went waaay up in the air…I didn’t know Prince ua’s car could FLY!

Elvis chased us for a little ways… but I called to him to go home, and he’s a good dog … er … car. Dog car.

I told him he could go over to SCHAABS and play with the kitty car.

.

Susan! How do you like the turn of events? Prince Mua has moved into the Royal Cat Chalet on Candi Mountain. Pretty neat, eh?

Susan, Mua always wanted to be a cat bird, lol. But a Prince needs a vehicle worthy of his standing, er, sitting. Kitty Kitty Bang Bang is his pride and joy!

He’ll fly us up to the Chalet for the party, if he stays awake long enough.

Where are you, anyway? I went down a hallway to find a …um… to find some facilities… so I could … powder my nose…

There are really a lot of hallways in this chateau…it’s beautiful….and biiig…..

Prince Mua?IF you can hear me….Please could you meow… loudly….

Where is everybody???

Oh…. maybe he’s upset at my typo up there…I didn’t realise I’d typed “Prince ua”

Please… I didn’t mean to!

Come get me…. please!I’m in a lavender hallway with sconces on the wall…oh…. and a portrait of …um….gosh… a cat ancestor…

I guess that’s no help….(sniffle.)

He took me to the chalet, Shika…just for a few minutes he said…but I’m loooost…..

Stel… no, it’s the chalet….

Huh?Stel?

I could swear I heard her voice….

I’m HERE, Susan. Has anyone else arrived? I’m in the room on the east side. Prince Mua is still on the balcony on the west side, watching the sunset, or sniffing the catnip…. He does like his nip.But he wants us to have fun, so help yourself at the bar and the buffet. Whatever you want- it’s there.

First I have to FIND it, Shika….but I heard your voice…I’m trying to follow it….

It’s very kind of him….

I thought he might be in his big Royal Closet, with all his empty bags and boxes……but, it’s locked up tight! I can’t get in!

(it won’t post)

@imbaldeagle“Oh!!! I thought Helen couldn’t wait to tear Herman’s clothes off and………….. well, never mind!”…………………………………………………..And I must be getting old… I thought the mrs. was trying to get his favorite shirt off so she could wash it! Sometimes I just luvvv a shirt so much that I hate to give it up. No, my name isn’t Linus.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxWell, of course………… certainly……. That’s exactly what I meant.“Oh!!! I thought Helen couldn’t wait to tear Herman’s clothes off and put them in the washer!”What else could I have meant?! lol

Really bev! Don’t be naughty. You shouldn’t lead others astray like that.

And I thought the Mrs. was looking for the remote control! He likes Fox, and she likes CNN.

I’m HERE, here, here……

Oh dear, this IS a big place, isn’t is? Trust Prince Mua to go missing when he has guests. Can you still hear me? I’m banging a pot now.

Whew!

Hi Shika….

Next time I need to …. freshen up….I’ll take somebody along!

What a lovely place, though….great views….

Stel… did you handle this one?

Beviek was naughty??!

I can’t imagine such a thing!

Oh! Prince Mua! Did I wake you up? I’m so sorry. Yes, yes, I know. You hate loud noises. Truly I’m sorry. I won’t bang a pot again.(grumble. You’d think that with a flying machine called Kitty Kitty BANG BANG, he’d be okay with a little pot banging…)Prince Mua? No, no. I wasn’t talking to you. You must be hearing the gardener talking outside.

@Susan

Did I handle what?

Stel, don’t mind Susan. She’s a little kerfuffled by getting lost in the rambling but beautiful chalet.

She’s not the only one that’s kerfuffled!

I have to run out to get some more treats, I mean, canapes. I’ll be right back!

Stel… no, no, I did nothing to earn a beautiful, sparkly…. engraved… (oh my!) crystal vase…..with my name on it? Really? It would have my name on it? ….No, no, I don’t deserve one.

BTW….just a heads up…

the little monkeys don’t like that “P” word….or to think I’m managing them any differently from how I manage the rest of the night staff…cos… they’re…. um… professional bartenders, you see…just like Fenton.(Cough..)

Stel…. I meant, did you handle the sale of that gorgeous chalet to Prince Mua?

(and…. um… have you told the Monkey yet?)

Kitty Kitty Bang Bang looks so beautiful….I’m SO glad you had your camera, Stel!

And that you got a picture before we flew too high to see.(that part was a bit scary.)

I really think that when Bev says something… I usually know just what she meant.

Thank goodness the Dewars wasn’t locked up in the closet! That’ll be just the ticket to top off the day for me!

Dewars…….~check~Water………~check~Ice…………..~check~Lime Twists……..check

Cuz that’s the way I like it!

Oh…. and when t comes to Ballard St. residents being double jointed…I wish to state for the record that I am single jointed…the Tiki Bar is the only joint for me!

Stel… REFRESH!Can you hear me???LOL

@Susan

Stel…. I meant, did you handle the sale of that gorgeous chalet to Prince Mua?

(and…. um… have you told the Monkey yet?)++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++No, I didn’t, as a matter of fact. It’s been empty for years, and I could never track down who the owner is…. or was ….but, the taxes were always paid on time through a bank in the Cayman Islands.

So, what do I tell the Monkey????

Wow, StelBel that is an oldie von moldy! I think my memory goes as far back as Pebbles Flintstone or Gail Garnett.

SusanSunshine said, 13 minutes agoStel…. I meant, did you handle the sale of that gorgeous chalet to Prince Mua?(and…. um… have you told the Monkey yet?)Is the Monkey going to be angry at Prince Mua? Or StelBel? Gosh, I hope it is alright. I mean, Mua loves this place and he’s quite adamant that he needs a place to stay for his catnaps in between flying me around to the outer-reaches of GoComics.

He’ll pay the taxes if that’s the issue. He’s quite rich, you know. Has stock in litter that is worth quite a lot. And he says he has gold stashed away somewhere. In stuffed mice. But he won’t tell me where he hides anything….

Susan, Prince Mua will be happy to fly you back to the Tiki. Just say when you are ready to go, or rattle a bag of treats. He’ll show up lickety-split!

Hi Grog. How’s the head ache?

I’m afraid I need to leave now. Those who wish to party at the Chalet are welcome to stay, and there’s lots of room to sleep over. Mua will sleep just abut anywhere himself.The bar is open. If you prefer the Tiki, he understands. This is just a house warming after all, and I’m sure he’ll come down to the Tiki when he’s able to.

Better, Shika. I took a couple Advil about an hour ago. I should be able to sleep soon enough.

Good Night Balladeers!

Good Night Susan! I hope you enjoyed your adventure. Prince Mua enjoyed your visit. He’s still purring…Good Night StelBel and bev and all my friendsI do hope that the Monkey is okay with the sale of the Chalet. Oh, I DO hope he is!

Now that I think of it, I think Pebbles did Let the Sun Shine In.

And….Night all!

Good night, Shika.

Good night, Shika! Sweet dreams!

In fact I have her version on a single along with Those Were the Days My Friend.

Pulling a Shika!

“Let the Sun Shine In”. Now that is an oldie. I can hear her singing it now. Sweet.

I’d like to see that Flintstones show again and not at 3 O’clock in the blessed AM.

Oh… good night Shika…please give Prince Mua my thanks.I’d hate to disturb him for a ride…but I do work at the Tiki on the night shift….surely someone can take me…on the ground… please.

No…. there won’t be any trouble…we just might give the Monkey a banana daiquiri before the news….And if Stel had handled it, he might have a few questions…but she didn’t…and we know nothing.

Sheriff MonkeyBlues is very fair…he just gets a wee mite nervous around cats, is all.

Sorry about your headache, Grog…but good to see you.

It’s fading, Susan. And soon I’ll be pulling a fade of my own.

GROG! , do you mean this???

Those Were The Days (Mary Hopkins)

Oh! (Shika here again). Sheriff Monkey likes Mua’s alter ego, Samson. I think that the long ear tufts make him laugh.(I hope)Mua really is sweet and he wouldn’t hurt a fly, or a monkey. And he fell asleep again, so I whistled for Elvis to pick you up…I know that one does get pretty nervous flying so high. I am used to it, but then, I’m not your usual gal. Is anyone here? Ordinary, I mean? Um. I’m not making sense. Pat my bedtime I see….

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………….

Or at least to the one I bought in the late 80’s or early 90’s.

Let The Sun Shine In (orig. Broadway cast)

But I’m here Stel!

Though I do have to leave for a bit….

I much prefer the 5th Dimension version and a few other of their 60’s hits.

And this is what I was thinking about. Sorry I can’t find my link info.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4l3UsOle6k

GROG! , I like the 5th Dimension one too, but I like the orig. Broadway cast recording, the London cast recording, and the Paris cast recording……better. Needless to say, I was really “into” HAIR way back when! I may have to listen to the whole thing tonight! lol

Susan , do you want me to get Elvis for you????

Well I think I’d better turn out the lights so that I might be a little more receptive to letting the sun shine in in the early morning hours. I want to get one of my veeee-hiccles state inspected tomorrow morning.

???

That’s the one, StelBel. Good night.

Good night, GROG!

And now I’m going way outhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&list=PL90BF9081574E70CC&v=BHeoYRXmmlM&NR=1

GROG!’s choice

LOL Thank God that was only 49 seconds long!!!!

Thanks, Bev! Can you tell that the chalet more than doubled in size?

Cat House? Please! Royal Cat Chalet.Prince Mua thanks you for the shrimp. A favorite of his. But his REAL favorite is chicken. (Don’t tell anyone at 2 Cs and a C).+++++@*Ling*, i’m sorry you can’t make it, but El Gato is most welcome. Prince Mua loves feline company and so do I. But….don’t send your parrot here. I mean, I don’t want to have feathers (or anything) on my conscience. Mua after all, is a cat.I really must get to bed. What is wrong with me? Off I go….

Shika , you’re taking “pulling a Shika” to new limits! lol

Bev , I made two, flipped one and fused them. It’s a little trick us realtors know!

Bev , your avatar shows up, but it’s so tiny, I couldn’t see what it was supposed to be without goint to your profile page. They are soooooo cute, though.

They’re piggies!

Well. .. do you think we should post all our pictures together? It’s this a new team sport?

Lol!

Bev posted hers while i was getting it. But i can’t see it. . Can you?

I see Stel’s and mine.

I left the width as is cos I didn’t think the resolution would be good at 350.

Ok I do see the one you just posted, Bev.

You aLways need to use the URL of a page with nothing on it but the picture.

Well, nobody’s picture was there when I posted!! But, since mine’s the biggest picture…I WIN!

I did see it. .. hope you see that post. We just have crossed wires. . One posting while the other types.

Oooops! I meant the FIRST biggest picture….that’s lame, isn’t it?

Isn’t Bev’s the same size, Stel?I know how much you want to win. .. but. ..

Bev ……you mustn’t put it off any longer……… TAKE NOTES!

lol

Susan , that’s why amended my claim to read the FIRST biggest picture.

So…..what’s my prize?

@Bev

“You do WIN!! Give yourself a lovely crystal vase with your initials etched on it! :)”+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Do I have to make it myself, too?

You don’t need to put it anyplace. .. just do it right there in the address bar before you copy it.

Or you can paste it into the comment box and delete that part before you click submit.

This conversation belongs on some crazy old radio show. .. not the subject matter but the crossing parts.

But Stel. .. you’re so good at it. However, I could make you a hot dog with your name in mustard instead. ..

If your desk is anything like mine, then yeah, I’d believe it! Get a spiral notebook and take notes. It’s that, or you’ll continue to flounder.

floundering flounder

Susan , I’d like a crystal vahzz OR a sterling platter. Hot dog is not an option at this time of night! Mustard: even less so.

maybe a Wurlitzer ………………

If I take notes i do it on the computer. .. I have a text file where I paste or type random instructions and hit save. It gets longer but i only have to remember one title…I just scroll to what i want.

Ok ok Stel… I’ll get right on it!

After all. .I owe ya!I’m not at the computer but i will be soon.

Bev , it IS tomorrow! here. now.

Good night, everybody who’s here, now….or will be, later.

Sigh. .. g’night Stel. ..See you in a few, Bev.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_Fdly3rX8&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Back when people believed it enough to fight over it.

Big table, lame jokes…

https://cleoandcompany.net/april-19-2023/

Oh, those indomitable Hemelshots! Neither one of them will give an inch in an argument.

Good morning Balladeers and Tigressy!