Attribution: Kaleiteen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, tries to help the keeper remember how humans in their grand conceit think of themselves as the most advanced species as they devote their greatest energies and resources to killing each other with unimaginable weaponry and viciousness, and have been doing so …
Read
Month:May 2024
Kickass and the “Meme” Rays
Attribution: Brunoresende29, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, allows the keeper this opportunity to warn those who exposed themselves to the current northern lights display that they may have inadvertently absorbed “meme” rays which causes them to boast insufferably about their spectacular view of the aurora borealis while flashing …
Read
The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Review of “Unfrosted”
Illustration by Michael DiMilo Sugarcoated: Review of Unfrosted By Geoff Carter One of my fondest childhood memories as a baby boomer was waking up early on a Saturday morning, going to the kitchen and fixing myself a big bowl of Sugar Frosted Flakes, Sugar Pops, Sugar Smacks, Coco Krispies, or whatever the hot new cereal …
Read
Happy Mother’s Day from The Pen in Hand Blog
Photo by Geoff Carter
Kickass and Mother’s Day Fishing
Attribution: Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris), Skaw by Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, joins the keeper in honoring all mothers on this official day of doing so, and remembers when Mother’s Day and the opening of Wisconsin’s trout fishing season occurred on the same day and it was …
Read
Kickass and Phyllis the Photo Artist
Photo by Phyllis Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, passes along the keeper’s observation that there are both pluses and minuses in sharing life with a “photo-artist,” as Phyllis is so identified. While the keeper gets to enjoy amazing wildflower photos, he is also vulnerable to surprise documentation of some of his unplanned …
Read
Kickass and Brain Worms
Attribution: Photo by Rusty Watson on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper and Phyllis love nurses but cautions that there may be some risk in having dinner with them as the current national conversation so easily spins off JFK Jr.’s brain worm disclosure. So it was with Margaret and Linda, retired veteran …
Read
Kickass at the Preserve
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper thinks he knows the west side of Madison where he has lived most of his life, until friend Donna tells him and Phyllis about a natural treasure in the form of the Oakwood Nature Preserve which turns out to be …
Read
Malpractice
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter A close family member is finishing up her first year of medical residency, and I am simply amazed at the sheer volume of knowledge and skills she has had to absorb in order to complete the process of being a doctor. She had to endure four years of …
Read
Kickass and Stormy Wautoma
Attribution: Umbe11, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper and Phyllis took the keeper’s book show on the road to the Wautoma Public Library for a pleasant evening of book talk with librarian Xanthe and others on “Stormy Daniels” court day that was followed by a “stormy damn” night …
Read
Kickass and Phyllis’ Garden
Attribution: Arizcraf, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, joins the keeper in lauding Phyllis as she prepares her small, raised garden in the Vista West courtyard, and he apologizes for having missed “Official Naked Gardening Day” which is the first Saturday in May. In an effort to catch up, he …
Read
Kickass and Oatmeal
Attribution: Pamela Smith, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper, being a senior member of the Willie Nelson age group—Willie having just celebrated his 91st birthday, found it interesting to learn that Willie prefers oatmeal for breakfast. The keeper does not like oatmeal and he wonders if …
Read