Commentary on Irish, Scottish, Scots-Irish, and Southern, people, culture, folklore, history, and the Fairy Faith and Second Sight.
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
If By Whiskey
'If you mean whiskey, the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean that evil drink that topples Christian men and women from the pinnacles of righteous and gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, shame, despair, helplessness, and hopelessness, then, my friend, I am opposed to it with every fiber of my being.
However, if by whiskey you mean the lubricant of conversation, the philosophic juice, the elixir of life, the liquid that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer, the stimulating sip that puts a little spring in the step of an elderly gentleman on a frosty morning; if you mean that drink that enables man to magnify his joy, and to forget life's great tragedies and heartbreaks and sorrow; if you mean that drink the sale of which pours into Texas treasuries untold millions of dollars each year, that provides tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitifully aged and infirm, to build the finest highways, hospitals, universities, and community colleges in this nation, then my friend, I am absolutely, unequivocally in favor of it.
This is my position, and as always, I refuse to compromise on matters of principle.'
if-by-whiskey, a 1952 speech by Mississippi politician Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr.
However, if by whiskey you mean the lubricant of conversation, the philosophic juice, the elixir of life, the liquid that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer, the stimulating sip that puts a little spring in the step of an elderly gentleman on a frosty morning; if you mean that drink that enables man to magnify his joy, and to forget life's great tragedies and heartbreaks and sorrow; if you mean that drink the sale of which pours into Texas treasuries untold millions of dollars each year, that provides tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitifully aged and infirm, to build the finest highways, hospitals, universities, and community colleges in this nation, then my friend, I am absolutely, unequivocally in favor of it.
This is my position, and as always, I refuse to compromise on matters of principle.'
if-by-whiskey, a 1952 speech by Mississippi politician Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Rabbit Back On The Menu Boys
I think it was Annie Dillard who described Mother Nature as 'the big chomp.' Her point was Mother Nature is brutal and death is everywhere. It is not a bunch of tree huggers and Indians playing love flutes, with rainbows over head; it is war, creatures trying to eat other creatures. It is Man that brings order and protects beauty. Anyroad, this is not about that, this post is about my cat Piscín, one of my Manx lads. He bagged Big Game today; Rabbit is back on the menu boys. He shared it with his brother too; for a cat, he is a gentleman (when it suits him, i.e. he was full).
Piscín and his kill this morning
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Mississippi Kites
Mississippi Kite
I see a pair Mississippi Kites on my property often this days; amazing birds, very beautiful with incredible flying abilities. I watched one fold his wings and dive for prey yesterday. It was impressive. The kites here in north Mississippi nest in woodland. I often see them flying to wood edges and patrolling my large front lawn.
I am told they eat a lot of large insects, but also take amphibians, reptiles, bats and host of other small mammals. They must take squirrels as I notice the many grey squirrels around my house make themselves very scare when the kites are on the wing.
Last year I had a pair of Peregrine falcons around, have not seen them this year though.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Marmots in Oxford Mississippi
I borrowed this off an educational website. And why you ask? Because Oxford is being overrun with Marmots. I see these creatures everywhere. Sighted one just two houses down a day ago. So.... here they are, Marmots.
Burrow Dwellers: Marmots typically live in burrows, and hibernate there through the winter. Most marmots are highly social, and use loud whistles to communicate with one another, especially when alarmed. Many historians suggest that marmots, rather than rats, were the primary carriers of the Bubonic plague during several historic outbreaks.
Weights and Measures: Groundhogs are typically 40 to 65 cm long (including a 15 cm tail) and weigh 2 to 4 kg. In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, they can grow to 32 inches (80 cm) and 30 lb (14 kg). They can live up to six years in the wild, and ten years in captivity.
Growing Numbers: The groundhog is one of a small number of species that have grown greatly in numbers since the arrival of European settlers in North America, since the clearing of forests provided it with much suitable habitat. It prefers open country and the edges of woodland. As a consequence, it is a familiar animal to many people in the United States and Canada.
Excellent burrowers: Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. The burrows generally have two exits, and the groundhog rarely ventures far from one of them for safety. While preferring to flee from would-be predators, the groundhog is known to viciously defend its burrow when invaded by predators such as skunks, foxes, weasels or domestic dogs. It can inflict quite a bit of damage with its two large incisors and front claws, especially when the predator is at a disadvantage inside the burrow.
Breeding: Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small percentage may breed as yearlings. The breeding season extends from early March to middle or late April, following hibernation. A mated pair will remain in the same den throughout the 28-32 day gestation period. As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male will leave the den. One litter is produced annually, usually containing 2-6 blind, naked and helpless young. Young groundhogs are weaned and ready to seek their own dens at five to six weeks of age.
Burrow Dwellers: Marmots typically live in burrows, and hibernate there through the winter. Most marmots are highly social, and use loud whistles to communicate with one another, especially when alarmed. Many historians suggest that marmots, rather than rats, were the primary carriers of the Bubonic plague during several historic outbreaks.
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The Groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the Woodchuck, or the Whistlepig (particularly in the Southern United States), is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the Woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America; for example, it is found in Alaska, Alabama, and Georgia. In the west it is found only in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia and northern Washington. In the United States and Canada, there is a Groundhog Day celebration that gives the groundhog some added popularity.Weights and Measures: Groundhogs are typically 40 to 65 cm long (including a 15 cm tail) and weigh 2 to 4 kg. In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, they can grow to 32 inches (80 cm) and 30 lb (14 kg). They can live up to six years in the wild, and ten years in captivity.
Growing Numbers: The groundhog is one of a small number of species that have grown greatly in numbers since the arrival of European settlers in North America, since the clearing of forests provided it with much suitable habitat. It prefers open country and the edges of woodland. As a consequence, it is a familiar animal to many people in the United States and Canada.
Excellent burrowers: Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. The burrows generally have two exits, and the groundhog rarely ventures far from one of them for safety. While preferring to flee from would-be predators, the groundhog is known to viciously defend its burrow when invaded by predators such as skunks, foxes, weasels or domestic dogs. It can inflict quite a bit of damage with its two large incisors and front claws, especially when the predator is at a disadvantage inside the burrow.
Breeding: Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small percentage may breed as yearlings. The breeding season extends from early March to middle or late April, following hibernation. A mated pair will remain in the same den throughout the 28-32 day gestation period. As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male will leave the den. One litter is produced annually, usually containing 2-6 blind, naked and helpless young. Young groundhogs are weaned and ready to seek their own dens at five to six weeks of age.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Ancestors
The past is never dead. It's not even past.
William Faulkner
As the world swirls around me, the words of William Faulkner come to mind. They are very true yet so few people seem to realise it. Here in my native South I hear conversations going on around me that could have happened 150 years ago. Interesting times and getting more interesting by the moment.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Sky Did Not Fall
I've been news-fasting for the last few days. The annoying hum and din of the talking heads was beginning to irritate in the extreme. A sidebar, but, why are do all the women on Fox News dress like hookers? And could they possibly get their war paint any more garish?
I see the Sky has not fallen. I assume the Republicans caved again, as they always do. Does modern medicine perform testicle transplants? If so the Republican National Committee should investigate as they sorely need some masculinity. Be rough finding donors true, but if enough money changed paws I expect you might find some wino that would sell you one of his.
In the South the Republicans are known as the Stupid Party and the Democrats are known as the Evil Party. Or to paraphrase Huey P Long.... one wants to eat you from the top down and the other from the bottom up.
Think I'll wear a polo shirt to mass this morn. I feel casual.
I see the Sky has not fallen. I assume the Republicans caved again, as they always do. Does modern medicine perform testicle transplants? If so the Republican National Committee should investigate as they sorely need some masculinity. Be rough finding donors true, but if enough money changed paws I expect you might find some wino that would sell you one of his.
In the South the Republicans are known as the Stupid Party and the Democrats are known as the Evil Party. Or to paraphrase Huey P Long.... one wants to eat you from the top down and the other from the bottom up.
Think I'll wear a polo shirt to mass this morn. I feel casual.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Alasdair White Scottish West Highland Fiddle
I'm ask from time to time, 'how's it done son? Well, listen and learn lads and lassie, as our man here will certainly show. Enjoy children.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
10 Inches of Snow In Oxford Mississippi
Thought you all, especially my friends in Ireland, N Ireland, and Scotland, would enjoy this one. Oxford is a special place, please enjoy this video of our recent snow.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Oxford, Mississippi, Snow of 9 & 10 January
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Plumbing With Dynamite
Life in the South; here we have a true story about what happens when dynamite is used to facilitate a plumbing project. By Jimmy Ferris of Spur Texas