Them!
I was in bed the other night, wide awake, looking up at the ceiling, creating a mental list of what I needed from the store the next day (milk, Diet Pepsi, chicken) when suddenly I saw a large moth fly above me across the ceiling. At least I think it was a moth. It was so big it may have been a Cessna.
It’s spring and the bugs are back (and I don’t mean bunny). They’re number two on my list of “Things I Hate About Warm Weather” (number one: warm weather). And it’s not even the worst bug. Moths are easy to deal with compared to ants.
I don’t get it. Some years I see no ants at all and some years they set up camp here and they’re everywhere. The kitchen island, the coffee table, the floor, the stove, my shoes (I swear just as I typed that sentence an ant crawled next to my laptop on my coffee table.) It’s amazing how something so small can be so irritating and gross.
I added ant traps to my grocery list.
Them! Desert Scene – The Ants Revealed (Uploaded to YouTube by Tralfazimus)
USPS 250th Anniversary Stamps
There’s one truly American institution that’s even older than the Post and that’s the post office. It turns 250 this year.
It’s a year-long celebration, and the USPS not only has a new Eagle in Flight symbol, but also a commemorative stamp that features Benjamin Franklin (the first Postmaster General), a 20-panel stamp sheet drawn by artist Chris Ware with various scenes of a postal carrier delivering mail over the four seasons, and an official coffee table book, as well as podcasts and a special episode of their “Mail with Mr. Zip” YouTube series.
Hey, Let’s All Move to Utah!
Question: What do Louisiana, Alaska, and Mississippi have in common?
That’s right! They’re all states! You win…well, nothing!
Beyond that, they’re the three worst states to live in, according to the annual U.S. News & World Report ranking. It’s based on healthcare, education, fiscal stability, environment, economy, crime, and infrastructure.
The best states? Number one is Utah, number two is New Hampshire, and number three is Idaho. Of course, you probably already love the state you live in regardless of its rank.
AI Agatha Christie Will Teach You How to Write!
Uploaded to YouTube by BBC Maestro
RIP David Souter, Joe Don Baker, Robert Benton, Denise Alexander, James Foley, John Edwards, Chet Lemon, and William Porter
David Souter was a Supreme Court Justice for almost two decades. He was appointed in 1990 and retired in 2009. He died last week at the age of 85.
Joe Don Baker starred in the Walking Tall films as well as Charley Varrick, Junior Bonner, Cool Hand Luke, Mitchell, three James Bond films, and many TV shows in the ’60s and ’70s. He died last week at the age of 89.
Robert Benton wrote and directed Kramer vs. Kramer (for which he won Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars), Places in the Heart (another Oscar for Best Original Screenplay), and The Late Show. He also co-wrote the 1978 version of Superman, Bonnie & Clyde, and What’s Up, Doc? He died Sunday at the age of 92.
Denise Alexander spent a quarter century (in two different stints) playing Dr. Lesley Webber on General Hospital. She was also a regular on Days of Our Lives and Another World and appeared on The Twilight Zone, Father Knows Best, and many other shows. She died in March at the age of 85.
James Foley directed Glengarry Glen Ross, the Fifty Shades sequels, and After Dark, My Sweet, as well as episodes of House of Cards and Twin Peaks and several videos for Madonna. He died last week at the age of 71.
John Edwards was the lead singer on the later hits for The Spinners, including “Working My Way Back to You” and “Cupid.” He died last week at the age of 80.
Chet Lemon helped the Detroit Tigers win the World Series in 1984. He died last week at the age of 70.
William Porter was one of the lead designers of some classic cars, including the Trans Am, the Bonneville, and the Pontiac GTO. He died last month at the age of 93.
This Week in History
Astor Place Riot (May 10, 1889)
Here’s Post archives director Jeff Nilsson on the Manhattan riot over a stage adaptation of Macbeth (of all things) that involved 10,000 people and left 32 dead.
First Dishwasher Patent (May 14, 1850)
It was granted to J. Houghton and was for a hand-operated machine that splashed water on dishes. A more modern machine was designed by Josephine Cochrane in 1886.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Thor Automagic Dishwasher (May 15, 1948)
This looks more like something you’d wash your clothes in.
Saturday Is National Walnut Day
I’m not a big walnut fan. Peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and almonds are great, but walnuts have never appealed to me. Every time someone offers me a brownie with walnuts, I think, why did you ruin that brownie with walnuts?
But if you like them, here’s a recipe for Homemade Chocolate Walnut Brownies from California Walnuts. Or you could try Curtis Stone’s Banana Bread with Lots of Toasted Walnuts, and here’s a Honey Walnut Salad with Feta and Raisins from Mediterranean Living. Meanwhile, Smitten Kitchen has an Asparagus and Egg Salad with Walnuts and Mint.
That works because May is National Asparagus Month.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Victoria Day (May 17)
It’s a federal holiday in Canada and honors Queen Victoria.
National Waiters and Waitresses Day (May 21)
Make sure you tip them more than the minimum. Actually, you should be doing that anyway.
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Comments
Myles, it sounds like you’ve got a good way of dealing with the ants. Mark, you also with the insecticide spraying you do. Your ants are even worse, yikes! Whatever works, I say. The yearly Terminex visit is well worth it. Still, I do keep a can of RAID in the cabinet under the kitchen sink—just in case.
I’m not surprised Utah’s the most desirable state. I had to look at the bottom 10 expecting to see California there, and kind of surprised it wasn’t. Thanks for remembering John Edwards. The Spinners were one of Motown’s premier male singing groups without question. Also William Porter and his beautiful designs for Pontiac in its heyday. Thank you for the link.
You’re right, Bob. That THOR ‘Automagic’ DISHWASHER kind of does look more like a clothes washing machine. I suppose there are enough parallels in principle to both making that the case.
Bob, I’m not going to comment much on ants. We deal with them year round in Texas. In the winter they build giant mounds most everywhere outdoors and survive out short winter seasons. We also have fire ants that really have a stinging bite as opposed to your sugar seeking kitchen ants. I spray insecticide around the foundation and inside the house about twice a year. Really enjoyed the link to the BBC production of Agatha Christie. I learned a great deal about the whole AI production scenario. Never knew so much time and energy went into a production of this scale. Best part of this week’s obits was watching the Spinners video of ” Working My Way Back To You Babe”. It was the extended version and it made me want to get up and dance. By the way, thanks for the way you embed your links that make your articles so much fun to read. I like the way that once you click on a link then arrow back, you never use your place in the column.
I’m already tipping “more than minimum” by using the same percentage on ever rising prices.
I recently pointed out that a tip percentage should be applied to the cost of the food. Not to the bottom line after taxes are added.
I pointed this out as a logical filter, not because it amounts to much in most meals.
It’s just interesting that we are tipping on the sales tax. Why do we do thst? Those automatic tip options use the tax-included total multiple as well.
Believe me, if you tipped car salesmen, you would tip only on items sold, not on the taxes, too.
You would notice.
A waitress in a forum said I should not eat out if I’m unwilling to pay 25% tip on the final total.
You’re all crazy.
The food and service just isn’t that good.
I’ll drive through whataburger and skip the waitress at Dennys.
Oh, and ants think humans are gross blimps, so eye of the beholder applies.
Jf you would research the surprising sentience of insects, perhaps you would be a little more self conscious.
Ant hater.
Whenever I see ants in the house, usually the kitchen, I just throw some empty food containers, or anything with food still on it, outside the kitchen window. Once the ants find it they only send a scout or two into the house. Which I then take back outside. Works for me.
Interesting that Utah is regarded so highly as that’s were the Goldbacks originated. Many, many states have since followed.