Hal 0005, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, endorses the keeper’s notification to the Department of Wisconsin Weather: “So, just what the hell was that all about–that mid-October snow for no good reason other than to flex your cold muscles and exercise your contrary nature? “By now you know that …
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Kickass and the Honey Badger
Sumeet Moghe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper is participating in the project to activate Wisconsin’s mascot–the badger, which is related to the African honey badger whose predacious hunting technique is to grab the face of its prey in its jaws and then claw out …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: The Legacy of Robin Williams
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel, Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter Robin Williams first became known to viewing audiences as the mischievous alien Mork in the sitcom Mork and Mindy. His frenetic comic style and snappy dialogue (mostly improvised) hit a chord with the American viewing public and launched a distinguished and diverse …
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Kickass and Wedding Gifts
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, demonstrates for the keeper and Phyllis the best napping technique for recovering from unusual activity such as a granddaughter’s wedding, or chasing something you cannot catch, like being young again. The Dorf House marriage of Sarah and Jessy Noble out under that wind-blown willow …
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Kickass and Burning Piano Wedding
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Racheal Watson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper and Phyllis will be heading off toward Roxbury to participate in the Saturday wedding celebration of granddaughter Sarah and Jessy Noble at the Dorf House. It promises to be a …
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Kickass and Haunted House
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper and Phyllis were thrilled to learn that their former Mazo house–now occupied by grandson Andy, his wife Ari and their three young ones, has been seriously haunted and may have to be condemned until after Halloween. While it is a …
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Autumn Leaves
Gwenllian Rees, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter It’s that time of year. Autumn. I took my dog for a walk along the river trail yesterday. It was about fifty degrees with a cool north wind blowing, but the sun was out, warm and inviting when it was able to peek through the …
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Kickass and Eye Treatment
د.مصطفى الجزار, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper’s treatment at the VA’s eye clinic includes a series of shots–at anywhere from six to ten week intervals, to ward off the effects of macular degeneration. While the procedure sounds intimidating, it is, in fact, not that bad–a …
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Kickass and Bird Migration
Photo by Chris Briggs on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, listens to the keeper as he stands out on the balcony in the dark of night and delivers a message to the millions of birds now flying invisibly through the night to get to more tolerable locations as the planet tips away from the sun: …
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Kickass and Document Boxes
University of Illinois Library, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, agrees with Phyllis that the Justice Department’s help may be needed with the keeper’s boxes of documents that are cluttering up the premises as he paws through them in compiling “Treeson,” his book-length apologia to the trees that were …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: The Legacy of Alan Arkin
Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter He is a comedic genius, an accomplished dramatic actor, and probably one of the most underrated actors of his generation. His deadpan delivery, sublimely expressive silences, and impeccable timing make Alan Arkin one of the most unique screen presences of his time. From the …
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Kickass and Cousin Fest
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, joins the keeper and Phyllis in saluting “cousins,” the occasion being a riotous assembly of great grandkids at a Kim and Dick family dinner in Mazo. Both the keeper and Phyllis have fond memories of their own cousins, most of whom have departed; and …
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