Ace of Spades Pet Thread, July 18

* * *

And what about AI and trust?

* * *

Good afternoon and welcome to the almost world famous Ace of Spades Pet Thread. Thanks for stopping by. Kick back and enjoy the world of animals.

Would you like a treat?

Let's relax a little with the animals and leave the world of politics and current events outside today.

* * *

Scientists studying impact of painting wind turbine blade black to reduce bird collisions

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University researchers are part of a team looking at reducing bird collision risks with wind turbines by painting a single blade of the turbine black.
Wind energy has a significant role during a time of climate change, rising energy demands and a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, but it poses risks to birds and bats due to collision fatalities. Previous studies estimate that hundreds of thousands of birds and bats die each year as a result of collisions with wind turbine blades.
The Oregon State researchers, working with federal, industry and nonprofit partners, and funded in part by the Oregon Legislature, are building on recent research in Norway that found a nearly 72% decline in bird collisions with turbine blades when one blade was painted black.

Well, at least they're trying to help. But what about the bats?

How about just taking down the turbines and trying something else?

* * *

Famous cat employee:

Absolute unit. https://t.co/Z7Ijo628Vg
— Wilfred Reilly (@wil_da_beast630) July 15, 2026

A more modern cat employee:

A company in Mexico rescued an orange stray cat and decided to hire him.

They named him Engineer Miauricio and gave him the title of Emotional Support Director. His responsibilities are smiling at coworkers, gently meowing and walking around the office. pic.twitter.com/fDuJOJmHnX
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 14, 2026

* * *

This is Gemma. She’s a rescue dog from Texas who will only listen to her human if they speak in a southern accent. 13/10 a true southern belle pic.twitter.com/x185tpGqyI
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) July 16, 2026

* * *

It's important to communicate with your animals:

This guy explains to a crowd of cattle how hes not able to get the well going to give them water but fortunately, someone is coming in an hour to give them water pic.twitter.com/UnyYQs7RLP
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 16, 2026

"Thank you for your continued support"

"Have a great day"

Meet The PetMorons

From Piper:

Trying to change the sheets on the bed…. pic.twitter.com/mfAVNDnzUT
— Piper (@piper_moves) July 18, 2026

* * *

Bruno at the creek. He's such a good boy. He just finished his treatment for Lymphoma and is in remission.
- fd

Yay for Bruno! Thanks for the great photo of your good boy.

* * *

Cat and Box
Lirio

Perfect photo of Cat in Box. Endearing.

* * *

Still the cutest
Eris Enthroned

Lily, ready for love!

* * *

&&&

&&&

Hi KT,
I'm sending some of my favorite photos of Bingley in honor of his 8th birthday, which I celebrate on July 18.
In October 2018, I was working in a large Midwestern university library. One day, a kitten found his way into the ceiling of the Main Library basement. Library staff heard his pitiful cries, climbed up and rescued him, and took him to the shelter to treat a tail injury. They circulated his picture around the library. When it got to my department, my coworkers decided I was the chosen one, as everyone else already had multiple cats and I just had one.
After he healed from a partial tail amputation, I brought him home. It took maybe 24 hours for my older cat to decide the new guy was all right, and in another few days the older cat had appointed himself Bingley's mentor in all things, especially the fine art of grooming. Until I lost my older kitty to cancer in 2022, the two of them were inseparable. Bing is the biggest snuggle bug I've ever known, 14 pounds of floof and love. He is a Very Good Kitty.
Thanks for the pet thread!
My nic is "screaming in digital"

Thanks for the great photos of your photogenic guy! Save that last photo for later. It's special, too!

* * *

Thank you for sharing your pets and animal photos and stories with us today. We hit the jackpot with kitties this week, and will have some more photos to show, especially if you send yours, too!

If you would like to send pet and/or animal stories, links, etc. for the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, the address is:

petmorons at protonmail dot com
Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Until next Saturday, have a great week!

* * *

If you start feeling nostalgic, here a link to last week's Pet Thread, the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, July 11

I closed the comments on that post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 03:36 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Nice.

Posted by: Brother Tim, still standing at July 18, 2026 03:40 PM (mQbp+)

2 Oh, and SPONGE!

Posted by: Brother Tim, still standing at July 18, 2026 03:42 PM (mQbp+)

3 screaming in digital

Awwww.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 18, 2026 03:42 PM (u82oZ)

4 What a fab Pet Thread, and hurrah for Bruno!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 18, 2026 03:42 PM (732As)

5 Mideast airports allow feral cats to roam the facility, since they are far better and more effective (and cheaper) rodent control than anything humans come up with.

I don't know if US prisons do that too, but they should.

Posted by: LCMS Rulz! at July 18, 2026 03:43 PM (bufu1)

6

KT,

Comment 19 on the gardening thread should be deleted.

Posted by: four seasons at July 18, 2026 03:44 PM (/QHx4)

7 Whoo Hoo!

Cats and squirrels! Two of my favorite animals!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 03:46 PM (FZ29D)

8 Not looking forward to taking the kittehs for rabies shots on Monday. I don't know why they are necessary if they're indoor cats but it's the 'law'. Also the vet said they can't treat them if they are unvaccinated. It's like a Covid shot and a woke hospital.

Posted by: polynikes at July 18, 2026 03:48 PM (/WQyy)

9 SiD, I love Bingley's classy goatee and pencil mustache. Very suave.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 03:51 PM (kpS4V)

10 Hey KT, can I borrow the Ban Hammer for a moment?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Posted by: Orson at July 18, 2026 03:51 PM (dIske)

11 And there's actual scientific data to back up my assertion that Lily is the cutest cat in the solar system.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 03:53 PM (kpS4V)

12
Best of Breed for The Big Dummy at today's Beaumont KC show. He's Daddy's good dumb dog.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 18, 2026 03:56 PM (3pDH/)

13 Lawn is cut, weed eating is done, cold beer is open, and Bruno is on the Pet Tread. I think I sent that pic to the wrong address but thank you for posting it anyway KT!

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 03:57 PM (MWfyi)

14 My ring camera has now filmed a giant rat snake, a raccoon, an opossum and a rabbit. Country life though I've seen the same when I lived in the city though not at my door.

Posted by: polynikes at July 18, 2026 03:58 PM (/WQyy)

15 Just because you can say something doesn't mean you should.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 03:58 PM (MWfyi)

16
We are making plans to move Puff, Ruth and Dutchess up to the house and shut down the kennel. It will be better for them and save tons on AC costs.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 18, 2026 03:59 PM (3pDH/)

17 Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Posted by: Puff, Ruth and Dutchess at July 18, 2026 03:59 PM (MWfyi)

18 Meow...

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by meow at July 18, 2026 04:03 PM (sAmhv)

19 Hadrian,
I've always meant to ask if there are cash prizes that come with Best in Breed prizes. Do dog shows work that way?

Posted by: Tuna at July 18, 2026 04:03 PM (lJ0H4)

20
A houseful of dogs. I love that.

For many years we had four dogs in the house.

Only two now, house feels empty.

Posted by: four seasons at July 18, 2026 04:03 PM (/QHx4)

21 And there's actual scientific data to back up my assertion that Lily is the cutest cat in the solar system.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 03:53 PM (kpS4V)
----
Hard to argue with that, though Kaylee the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all) provides stiff competition...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 04:03 PM (FZ29D)

22 Bruno lives in my shop and rarely comes in the house, because cats. That's fine with him because it's like a big doghouse for him and I spend most of my time in here too. He has a doggy door on the back so he can come and go as he pleases.

If he did live in the house I don't know what we would do with all the dog hair when he sheds. As it is I use a shop vac almost daily to suck up all the hailballs.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:03 PM (MWfyi)

23 hairballs. A vast amount of hairballs. Everywhere.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:04 PM (MWfyi)

24 It ought to be possible to set a "preferred box size" option on Amazon. My late kitty Opal was a size A7, in boxes. LOOOOVED the boxes ... and the rustly paper they used for packing. So much so I ordered a big roll of it, forever confusing U-Line corporation (whence it came) and I kept getting their catalog for industrial packing needs. Nope, just a cat getting spoiled ...

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at July 18, 2026 04:05 PM (k+oif)

25 I’m up to 6 horses 2 new rescued dogs and a little tabby kitty appeared out of nowhere by the horse trough last week so I guess we have a barn cat now too

Posted by: Biggest Alfredo at July 18, 2026 04:06 PM (RBsvc)

26 Afternoon all!

Small cat update

https://tinyurl.com/dg65258

I see we have some beautiful pet morons today. I'm so glad Bruno is in remission.

Posted by: Joyenz at July 18, 2026 04:08 PM (2F0/Y)

27 I have reams of data, Perfessor. Reams.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 04:08 PM (kpS4V)

28 I grew up with dogs and cats that were mostly inside but had access to the outside. That means I also grew up with fleas . The 70's weren't great with flea prevention.

Posted by: polynikes at July 18, 2026 04:10 PM (/WQyy)

29 So much so I ordered a big roll of it, forever confusing U-Line corporation (whence it came) and I kept getting their catalog for industrial packing needs. Nope, just a cat getting spoiled ...
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at July 18
---
U-Line needs to circle back and drill down on a cat-centric product line.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 04:12 PM (kpS4V)

30
I've always meant to ask if there are cash prizes that come with Best in Breed prizes. Do dog shows work that way?

Posted by: Tuna at July 18, 2026 04:03 PM (lJ0H4)

___________

Quite infrequently there are cash prizes for Best in Show, but otherwise no.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 18, 2026 04:13 PM (3pDH/)

31 Afternoon, Pet Folken! "Towser" is usually a name given to dogs*, but I don't suppose it disturbed the cat in the least. 29,000 mice in 24 years! Wow!

"Cat in Box" looks a lot like my Dagny Sophia, except this one seems to have more white on her face; and Lily resembles Dagny too, except Lily has a much longer tail.

Bingley would have a super cute face even without the black bits. He looks much like the late Chekov D. Siberian.

* I believe the dog in the Clifford D. Simak short story, one of he "City" cycle, set on one of Jupiter's moons was named "Towser."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:14 PM (wzUl9)

32 Christmas Day was a huge day for our cats. Boxes and wrapping paper. They had more fun than I did.

Posted by: polynikes at July 18, 2026 04:14 PM (/WQyy)

33 BOO!

Posted by: The Mutant Raccoon at July 18, 2026 04:19 PM (MWfyi)

34 Hair balls? Linda combs little puffball Dagny and gets handfuls of the gray stuff, enough to assemble a realistic-looking tribble.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:21 PM (wzUl9)

35 *skitters away*

Posted by: The Mutant Raccoon at July 18, 2026 04:21 PM (MWfyi)

36 The first two pictures were the wrong ones to post today, as I sit here waiting on the guy to come a remove the little buggers from my attic.

Posted by: Bones at July 18, 2026 04:21 PM (pK0gS)

37 Sangria doesn't actually have a preferred size--doesn't even matter if it's still a box. I had one flattened for recycle and made the mistake of putting it down for a minute. She slept on it for an entire afternoon.

Posted by: Lirio100 at July 18, 2026 04:21 PM (ky7/T)

38 And Bingley graciously allowed a visit with me and my critters during the move. He really was not pleased to meet Jake, my springer, and was happy to see him leave.

Patsy has decided she must be in my lap today, so keeps showing up every time I sit down.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 18, 2026 04:22 PM (bkuEU)

39 "Wind energy has a significant role during a time of climate change, rising energy demands and a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, but it poses risks to birds and bats due to collision fatalities. Previous studies estimate that hundreds of thousands of birds and bats die each year as a result of collisions with wind turbine blades.

The Oregon State researchers, working with federal, industry and nonprofit partners, and funded in part by the Oregon Legislature, are building on recent research in Norway that found a nearly 72% decline in bird collisions with turbine blades when one blade was painted black.

The "climate change" we observe is natural variability. Burning coal in power plants has nothing to do with it. And wind generators are no "solution" since fossil fuel plants have to keep idling to create "spinning reserves" for when the wind stops blowing, or begins to blow too hard.

And if you paint one blade black, you are going to have to paint the other two white. Paint has mass.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 18, 2026 04:22 PM (1z8ji)

40 * I believe the dog in the Clifford D. Simak short story, one of he "City" cycle, set on one of Jupiter's moons was named "Towser."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:14 PM (wzUl9)

Towser is an ancient traditional dog name, same as "Fido".

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 18, 2026 04:24 PM (1z8ji)

41 Paint each blade 1/3 black, in different places on each blade.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:25 PM (MWfyi)

42 My furry thugs are doing well. Stirling, who just slept with me as he usually does in the afternoons, is now sprawled on the floor at the far end of the couch.

Dagny is . . . well, somewhere. Probably in her kitty sauna, the west-facing bedroom window with blackout curtains. Even she gets tired of the sun, though, and I often find her curled in my desk chair. I take hold of the chair to move it out in preparation for my sitting down, find the chair remarkably heavy, look, and see a gray puffball curled on the cushion. I perch myself on the edge of the chair so as not to dispossess her, of course, but she usually leaves soon after.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:25 PM (wzUl9)

43 Towser is an ancient traditional dog name, same as "Fido".
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 18, 2026

***
Along with Rover, King, and I suppose, Chopper.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:27 PM (wzUl9)

44 >>I’m up to 6 horses 2 new rescued dogs and a little tabby kitty appeared out of nowhere by the horse trough last week so I guess we have a barn cat now too

We didn't have cats. Cats had us. If you have a barn full of animals cats appear like magic.

Only had one over the years who decided to venture inside the house. She decided sleeping of top of my dad was her happy place. Literally on top of him. He named her PITA as in Pain In The Ass but he secretly loved that cat.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 04:30 PM (viF8m)

45 Love the guy giving the announcement to the herd. Reminded me of many an office meeting.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 18, 2026 04:30 PM (2Ez/1)

46 Paint each blade 1/3 black, in different places on each blade.
Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:25 PM (MWfyi)

To do that right, you would have to do some math. The mass of each paint band, multiplied by the distance of the center of mass of each paint band from the spin axis, would have to be equal. Given that the blades do not have a uniform surface area per unit of length, it could be tricky. Not impossible, but more work than one might guess.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 18, 2026 04:32 PM (1z8ji)

47 I’m up to 6 horses 2 new rescued dogs and a little tabby kitty appeared out of nowhere by the horse trough last week so I guess we have a barn cat now too

We didn't have cats. Cats had us. If you have a barn full of animals cats appear like magic. . . .

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026

***
Linda persists in saying Stirling began life as a barn cat -- well, kitten -- with other animals at the Vicksburg shelter, including the donkey they had in a corral when we drove up. I suppose his mother might have been a barn cat, but clearly Stirling was raised by people.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:33 PM (wzUl9)

48 >>Linda persists in saying Stirling began life as a barn cat -- well, kitten -- with other animals at the Vicksburg shelter, including the donkey they had in a corral when we drove up. I suppose his mother might have been a barn cat, but clearly Stirling was raised by people.

It really is a fascinating how cats just show up around a barn. It makes sense, lots of food in a relatively open space brings mice and that brings cats, but how do they just appear? Is there an underground network of cats relaying information?

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 04:38 PM (viF8m)

49 "Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon "

Just paint the backsides of the blades at the opposite ends and the blade with the stripe in the center paint the other side just the same. Use the same amount of paint for each segment and don't worry so much about the area.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:40 PM (MWfyi)

50 Bingley is taking a birthday nap, but he says thank you for the compliments.

Eris, Lily is adorable and so floofy! I want to scratch her belly. But not sure that's wise. Bing loves tummy rubs but he might be an outlier.

Posted by: screaming in digital at July 18, 2026 04:41 PM (hPLSE)

51 What am I saying. Just tear the damn things down and go nuclear. For the children. And our pets. As the case may be.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:43 PM (MWfyi)

52 "Wind energy has a significant role during a time of climate change..."
**********

No. No, it doesn't.
Don't you love how so many writers just assume we all agree that "climate change" is an accepted fact?

Kinda like evolution.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 18, 2026 04:44 PM (2Ez/1)

53 Eris, Lily is adorable and so floofy! I want to scratch her belly. But not sure that's wise. Bing loves tummy rubs but he might be an outlier.
Posted by: screaming in digital at July 18, 2026 04:41 PM (hPLSE)
---

She will gladly let you rub her tummy. She's the only cat I've had that doesn't have any No Petting Zones.

My big boi Cosmo would offer up his fuzzy belly for rubz and you'd get your hand impaled on fish hooks. Trickery! Trickery!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 04:45 PM (kpS4V)

54 I take hold of the chair to move it out in preparation for my sitting down, find the chair remarkably heavy, look, and see a gray puffball curled on the cushion. I perch myself on the edge of the chair so as not to dispossess her, of course, but she usually leaves soon after.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:25 PM (wzUl9)
---
I keep a "backup folding chair" in my office just for that reason. I'll move my normal office chair to one side and then use the backup chair.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 04:46 PM (FZ29D)

55 It really is a fascinating how cats just show up around a barn. It makes sense, lots of food in a relatively open space brings mice and that brings cats, but how do they just appear? Is there an underground network of cats relaying information?
Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 04:38 PM (viF8m)
----
Yes. I'm convinced cats have a secret communication network. How else can you explain why a new cat will show up in your life shortly after you lose a cat?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 04:48 PM (FZ29D)

56 Cats don't sit in my chair. They know I will sit on them.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:50 PM (MWfyi)

57 What am I saying. Just tear the damn things down and go nuclear. For the children. And our pets. As the case may be.
Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:43 PM (MWfyi)

Now you're talkin'.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 18, 2026 04:51 PM (1z8ji)

58 She will gladly let you rub her tummy. She's the only cat I've had that doesn't have any No Petting Zones.

My big boi Cosmo would offer up his fuzzy belly for rubz and you'd get your hand impaled on fish hooks. Trickery! Trickery!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026

***
Dagny loves it, and Stirling is fine with it. My earlier cats must not have been, because it didn't occur to me to try it on these two until Linda took the chance and found they love belly rubs.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:51 PM (wzUl9)

59 How else can you explain why a new cat will show up in your life shortly after you lose a cat?
--/

Like New Yorkers sensing when somebody dies in a rent controlled apartment.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 04:51 PM (kpS4V)

60 What a great story, SID.
And what beautiful kitties.

So nice to see a photo of Bruno, Fd, thank you for sharing that. Glad to hear he is remission, and may he have many, many years of being a Good Boy.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at July 18, 2026 04:52 PM (4VH0B)

61
I believe the dog in the Clifford D. Simak short story, one of he "City" cycle, set on one of Jupiter's moons was named "Towser."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

He preferred being a creature of Jupiter to being a dog.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 18, 2026 04:53 PM (Cqx++)

62 I missed this for the Garden Thread but Experts are recommending hugging a watermelon to keep cool. I don't know how they feel about cantaloupes.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:53 PM (MWfyi)

63 FYI, the Clifford Simak short story with the dog "Towser" is called "Desertion."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 04:55 PM (wzUl9)

64 "Posted by: TecumsehTea"

Thank you. I know how it goes with big dogs but I think he's got a few more good years ahead.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:55 PM (MWfyi)

65 Just because you can say something doesn't mean you should.
——-

You shouldn’t say things like that

Posted by: Common Tater at July 18, 2026 04:56 PM (xJ+d7)

66 Experts are recommending hugging a watermelon to keep cool.
----

Has that watermelon been enhanced with a bottle of Valu-Rite?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 04:56 PM (kpS4V)

67 Hadrian, does that mean no more breeding, or having puppies? Is Her Majesty slowly ending her career with the dogs?

Posted by: TecumsehTea at July 18, 2026 04:57 PM (4VH0B)

68 Getting a watermelon drunk and taking advantage of it will not keep you cool.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:57 PM (MWfyi)

69 Had an interesting critter show up in my yard this week. And Eastern Milk Snake. I've never seen one before but this guy just appeared on my patio catching some rays. Elvis, being the goofball his is, just walked right over him on his way to scold a disrespectful rabbit that dared to enter his domain. I was a bit more respectful.

No step on snek.

https://tinyurl.com/4zyx9hjd

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 04:58 PM (viF8m)

70 "You shouldn’t say things like that
Posted by: Common Tater"

You're right. I take it back.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:59 PM (MWfyi)

71 JackStraw, that is an attractive snake.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 05:00 PM (kpS4V)

72 What, no story about Jimothy?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 18, 2026 05:01 PM (Cqx++)

73 " JackStraw, that is an attractive snake."

I bet you say that to all the guys. With snakes, I mean.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 05:03 PM (MWfyi)

74 Nope, just a cat getting spoiled ...
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at July 18, 2026 04:05 PM (k+oif)

I second that emotion. My cat is more of a Lane Bryant cat but thinks she’s Twiggy and will cram herself into a box come hell or high water. If it’s a big box, I’ll make a roof out of the brown paper so she can burrow under it. I think she’s half prairie dog.

Posted by: TxAnn at July 18, 2026 05:03 PM (SjAWL)

75 If you think wind energy is efficient and reliable then there are likely a few other things wrong.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at July 18, 2026 05:04 PM (YlWIZ)

76 Well, just because you shouldn’t say something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Shouldn’t you? Hm, forget it I need to go lay down for a while. For some reason I just noticed “shouldn’t” is a weird looking word.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 18, 2026 05:04 PM (xJ+d7)

77 >>JackStraw, that is an attractive snake.

I thought so too. Not really a fan of snakes but this guy/gal, how can you tell what sex a snake is, was really pretty.

Saw it again a couple days later slithering across the yard. I'll be ok if I don't see it again despite the good look.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 05:05 PM (viF8m)

78 I think she’s half prairie dog.
Posted by: TxAnn at July 18, 2026

***
You can never get between a prairie dog and his burrow -- or a burrow, since a prairie dog town has so many.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 18, 2026 05:05 PM (wzUl9)

79 *sigh*

Time to dole out the tender vittles to the hungry horde...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 05:05 PM (FZ29D)

80 >68 Getting a watermelon drunk and taking advantage of it will not keep you cool.
Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 04:57 PM
+++++

This might:

https://youtu.be/dSNSyioD2Bk

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 18, 2026 05:06 PM (2Ez/1)

81 I read somewhere the wind turbines use an expensive, synthetic gearbox oil, and quite a lot of it, too. It needs replacing after the initial 50 hours or whatever as well. $$$$

Posted by: Common Tater at July 18, 2026 05:06 PM (xJ+d7)

82 "This might:

https://youtu.be/dSNSyioD2Bk
Posted by: Quarter Twenty "

That is one dangerous watermelon.

Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 05:10 PM (MWfyi)

83 When our boys were in early teens they had a couple corn snakes. Raised mice to feed them. I like snakes, prefer them to bugs and rodents, really.
We had a close call with a massasauga snake in MI once. They are mildly venomous, and not aggressive. We were hiking and our son almost stepped on it. We backed away and the snake shook his tail and went the other way.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at July 18, 2026 05:12 PM (4VH0B)

84 >>We were hiking and our son almost stepped on it.

That's probably why snakes are not my thing. Most of my encounters have "almost stepped on it" in the story.

I like animals that announce their presence and intentions at a respectful distance so we can both carry on.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 05:18 PM (viF8m)

85 Sending love to all the pet moronz and hugs to hoomanz that are missing them

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at July 18, 2026 05:21 PM (7gFa4)

86 JackStraw, they do tend to blend in.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at July 18, 2026 05:21 PM (4VH0B)

87 That is one dangerous watermelon.
Posted by: fd at July 18, 2026 05:10 PM
********

MoMe worthy.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 18, 2026 05:23 PM (2Ez/1)

88 >>JackStraw, they do tend to blend in.

We have garter snakes here. Harmless but their camouflage is perfect. Completely blend in.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 18, 2026 05:26 PM (viF8m)

89 I perch myself on the edge of the chair so as not to dispossess her, of course, but she usually leaves soon after.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

Aww...

I'd do the same. But Cat won't!

One day, as I sat in a patio chair, Cat jumped on behind me. (He's not a "lap kitty" at all, and not snuggly although he does enjoy skritches.)

And then he burrowed down. And then he stretched out. And then he extended his legs and pushed me out of the chair!

"Not enough room for BOTH of us, Mom!"

I got up and sat in the other, identical, chair. Rotten brat Cat!

Posted by: JQ at July 18, 2026 05:28 PM (rdVOm)

90 This might:

https://youtu.be/dSNSyioD2Bk
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 18, 2026 05:06 PM (2Ez/1)
----
That's insane that a watermelon can retain four bottles of booze in addition to its normal water content...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 05:31 PM (FZ29D)

91 Reaction to Snakes

• Civilian: Runs away from the snake screaming.
• Paratrooper: Lands on and kills the snake.
• Armor: runs over snake, giggles, and looks for more snakes.
• Infantry: "Look, a putty cat. Come 'ere kitty....Ouch! Hey, that's not a putty tat."
• Army Aviation: Has GPS grid to snake. Can't find snake. Back to base for crew rest and the club and some sort of drink called "The Snake."

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 18, 2026 05:31 PM (zhuhT)

92 • Ranger: Plays with the snake, then eats it.
• 2nd Ranger: Assaults the snake's home and secures it for use by friendly snakes.
• MI: analyzes all available intelligence and national asset input on the reptilian situation; reports sighting of Godzilla to National Command Authority.
• JAG: Advises the snake on the rules of engagement and the law of war as it pertains to the snake and its defensive posture.
• Quartermaster: Captures snake and applies a National Stock Number (NSN) to it. Implements a Found On Installation (FOI) procedure and picks up snake on property book. Has company commander sign hand receipt for "Snake, Green, One Each," as non-expendable unit property.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 18, 2026 05:32 PM (zhuhT)

93 Hobby thread nood

Posted by: Tuna at July 18, 2026 05:33 PM (lJ0H4)

94 • Chemical Corps: Starts to gas the little booger, but then realizes that there is an M-18, A-2 Respirator especially made for snakes, remembers the Chemical Corps Motto, "UTRWBAG" (Up Their Rear With Bugs and Gas), and conducts three experiments on it that have been strictly prohibited by the Clinton Treaty of 1999.
• Navy SEAL: Expends all ammunition, several grenades and calls for naval gunfire in a failed attempt to kill the snake. The snake bites the SEAL then retreats to safety.
• Artillery: Kills snake, but in the process kills several hundred civilians with a massive TOT with three FA BDEs in support. Mission is considered a success and all participants (cooks, mechanics, clerks) are awarded Silver Stars.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 18, 2026 05:33 PM (zhuhT)

95 • Marine Recon: Follows the snake and gets lost.
• Pathfinder: Guides the snake elsewhere.
• AF Fighter Pilot: Mis-identifies the snake as a Russian HIND helicopter and engages it with missiles. Crew chief paints a snake on airplane.
• AF Pararescue: Wounds the snake in first encounter, then feverishly works to save the snake's life.
• Green Beret: Makes contact with the snake, builds rapport, wins its heart and mind, then trains it to kill other snakes.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 18, 2026 05:34 PM (zhuhT)

96 Hobby NOOD

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 18, 2026 05:38 PM (FZ29D)

97 Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 18, 2026 05:32 PM (zhuhT)
----

Brilliance!

"Marine Recon: Follows the snake and gets lost."

*applause*

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 18, 2026 05:57 PM (kpS4V)

Processing 0.02, elapsed 0.0204 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0065 seconds, 106 records returned.
Page size 71 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.