Fridays are not ‘pants optional.’
– Nancy Cartwright

I’m busy, but I’m on track to finish my whole To Do list by the end of the day.  Here, look at the shiny things and let Aunty C. work!

What’s that, minion?  You say you’re feeling a bit down and discouraged?  Allow me to help.

(Dad, skip this one.  In fact, anyone uncomfortable with anything have to do with, ah, conjugal activity, skip this one.  The more prurient of you read on in badly suppressed shame:)  A couple of years ago, J. and I were listening to NPR when a story came on about the Bad Sex Awards, a prize given for the worst depiction of – well, let’s keep it coy here – in a non-erotic work of fiction.  And they are hysterical.  Naturally, this is a British invention.  Seriously, this is too funny to me not to share but this is your last warning: if you plan on clicking through, do so in the privacy of your own home – if for no other reason to keep your friends and associates from hearing you howl in laughter at the awfulness.  (Sorry, Dad.)

A photographer’s fascinating project on the hijab.

Interesting article on the hard knock life of those who don’t make star status in the NFL.

I love puzzles and riddles but I’d have thrown my hands up over this one.  Tangentially, I think we need a secret Small Dog society now, don’t you?

This Etsy shop has been the source of much fun for me (and make wonderful presents, by the way).  This one is my current favorite.

A variation on the weekly sheep for your viewing pleasure.  I want an attack goat.

‘They gave it me,’ Humpty Dumpty continued thoughtfully as he crossed one knee over the other and clasped his hands round it, ‘they gave it me — for an un-birthday present.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Alice said with a puzzled air.
‘I’m not offended,’ said Humpty Dumpty.
‘I mean, what is an un-birthday present?’
‘A present given when it isn’t your birthday, of course.’
– Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll

We just stumbled in the door from J.’s pre-birthday festivities, which involved a lovely dinner, cake at his sister’s, and rather copious amounts of our nieces and nephews beating the tar out of us.  As the resident childless aunt and uncle, our sole purpose in their eyes is to entertain them and we have a lot of fun doing so – although the bruises do accumulate.  We’re stuffed with cake so here are your links and happy weekend to you!

You guys, my childhood!  Did anyone else read and love this book?

Amen, Turkey.

This bird is determined to not be bothered.  He might be my hero after this fraught election week.

I agree wholeheartedly with the title.

Kate Beaton’s history quizzes fill me with nerd joy.

Quirky vegetables produce (pun!) much the same reaction.

And when they were done, they took the best bits with them and put them in museums in London.  For which I am personally grateful, but secretly a bit guilty about.

I’m seriously excited about the new Bond movie.  And honestly the thing that made me wild to see it was the moment on the trailer when he swings into a half exploded train and straightens his cuff.  Class.  Sexy, sexy class.  In honor of the franchise’s 50th anniversary, I give you this to play with.  Submit your best ones in the comments.

In honor of the recent election.

The weekly sheep.

And we’re going to bed.

“There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends.”
– Arnot Sheppard

Life may be dull, but we must press on, darlings.  As hard as Fall makes me want to up sticks and hitchhike to London now, it is still my favorite season and I’m throwing myself into it.  The other day I came home and immediately was seized with the baking frenzy – apple turnovers in cheddar cheese crusts and a spiced apple cake were the result and I’m still smug about them.  Today was also the first morning that required a light coat (specifically my stylish new trench that I bought on sale and in preparation for the London move, a trench being an absolute necessity for British life), which made me a bit giddy to be honest.  Fall has the best fashion, the best food, what else is there?

I’m also getting revved up for the holiday season, which when properly and liturgically observed lasts well into the new year!  Any excuse for good food and good company.  Marie and her husband Janus survived the adopted family trial period of last Christmas and are going to spend Thanksgiving with us in Virginia this year!  Anyone else who shows up will be very welcome, we’ll have pie.

Here are your links, well-beloved minions.  You’ve earned them.

I spend an average of an hour and a half working out, and my salary hasn’t changed one iota.  I call foul.

I cannot begin to express how upset this makes me.  My family is involved in scouting, both my brothers and my husband are Eagle Scouts, my father and grandfather participated in the program, I was a Venture Scout (the co-ed version of Boy Scouts – you should have seen the boys’ faces when our car rolled up with girls in it at camp.  An equally mix of offended, elated, and panicked), my brothers have jamboree-d on Lord Baden-Powell’s estate.  We like scouts.  But this is unacceptable.  BSA has been making a lot of decisions lately that have deeply disappointed me and caused me to rethink my support, which is saddening.

Since various misinformed, misogynistic nincompoops politicians have been throwing out “facts” lately, here’s a good introductory guide as to what birth control is, what it does, and what it doesn’t do.  The more you know, kittens.  Page four is political so be aware.

Social media tells me that another reason to look forward to fall are pumpkin lattes, which are apparently The Best Thing Ever.  I’m a tea over coffee girl, myself, so this rather stumps me.  Latte minded minions weigh in.

I have been to Italy multiple times, but when I was in Venice I was a child.  But I remember it (particularly the pigeons and the rather bad time we had at the glassblowing island, but after that it was lovely).  And this photo makes me want to go back and go to dinner.

The appeal…is utterly lost on me.

You may have watched the debate this week.  Good.  It’s important to take political involvement seriously.

People being decent.

I plan on being the reincarnation of this character when I’m old.  And I plan on enjoying it tremendously.

It’s October and the witching hour is upon us, so in that spirit (see what I did there?), here’s a tale of superstition to whet your appetites.

This excites me to an embarrassing degree, I cannot wait to see how the revamped season will go (and I especially Maeby with Catherine of Braganza hair).

The weekly sheep, a bit more grotesque than usual.

*photo from Glamour.com