Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for April 20, 2013

Rosalyn and Todd couldn’t have kids of their own.

Squeaky squeaked by without a net again.

Where is everybody? Did the mother ship come?

Rats make great pets! They are very smart, they love to get ear scritches, they will try to groom you, the have no bad smell, the females sometimes smell live 7up! My 1st rat was called Squeaky too!Always get 2 rats, they are sociable and will invite the neighbors over for loud parties if they don’t have a room-mate.The don’t carry much in diseases, not rabies or the plague. They don’t really walk on ropes much.

And I just got here…..Hi Bev, hi Brian…Bilan too, if you’re still here.

Had a couple of things to do…. didn’t know they’d take over an hour…

Psst…. did I accidentally sit in the B section?

Oh…. Bev… did you go?Seems to happen every night….

Bri — I used to have a yellow coated nylon rain suit… years ago when I was riding a bike everywhere…I called it my duck suit.

It looked really silly…. . but if I didn’t wear it I got drenched.

However, if I DID wear it…. most times the day would turn bright and sunny….It became such a joke that my friends would ask me to wear it to picnics and such, just to make sure the sun would come out.

Hey…. some of my best friends are B-listers…

At some point the rain will let up, and then I’ll go for it.

Rosalyn and Todd are easily amused.

Then again…. so am I.

Too bad you can’t borrow my magic yellow duck suit.

Yes but my old duck suit made the rain stop, and the sun come out.

It got rather hot wearing it at that point….but it was my civic duty to keep the rain at bay.

Hi Dog!

As usual I’m here bright and early, with my morning coffee. Boy, lots happened last night after I wandered off. Sorry I missed the open house at the Royal Cat Chalet. Sounds like quite a party.

It’s squeaky, it’s Squeaky. It’s fun as good as a toy.

HEY, BALLARD ST. RESIDENTS!! LET THE BALLARD RODENT OLYMPICS BEGIN!!

Rosalyn and Todd are terrific coaches! Tightrope walking and gymnastics are only two of the many events that Squeaky qualified for.

Wait a minute! Is SHE eligible????

…and let’s not forget those wacky judges…

The expression on Todd’s face is priceless!

Dirty Water (The Standells)Massachusetts (The Bee Gees) Boston (The Byrds)

StelBel, by your reaction last night, I take it you don’t like The Flintstones.

I grew up with The Flintstones in the 60’s. Mom would always have The Flintstone on the tube at noon when we got home from school for lunch. When the show was over it was time to go back to school. But I’ve seen everything from The Flintstones Flyer to Rocky’s Raiders. I think it’s about time I started collecting that show on DVD. That and The Jetsons.

For now. They are pleased now. However, they are unaware of Squeaky’s dirty little secret. Yes, I am talking wood. What they do not know is that Squeaky comes from a long line of beaver behavior. They are addicted to wood. Squeaky is the worst. He is only inches away from eating through the foundation of the house. It won’t be long before Squeaky becomes..a….very….bad…mouse.

StelBel, I wasn’t much into the Saturday morning spin-offs either

I love the cute hamster pictures! I just lost Marigold, who looks like the golden Syrian in Beviak’s picture. She didn’t suffer, just kind of went into a coma and stopped eating :(

I grew up reading bogus ads touting the spurious “health” benefits of smoking…

This is a bit small but I think you can make out the larger words….

Even so, people called cigarettes “coffin nails” back in the 40’s and 50’s.

My parents quit smoking in the early 60’s because they knew it caused cancer…BEFORE the Surgeon General’s report that said so.

The toabacco companies knew…and still ran those ads….But in spite of lawsuits won against them, their pledges to discourage smoking, warnings on packaging…

I’ve never seen an apology or retraction for this stuff.

I’m glad the Tiki Bar is smoke free.

I think I’ll drop by for a yak sandwich.Anybody?

Whoa… a whole line of rats and mice just ran past and around me on the sidewalk…almost tripped me…OMG they’re in jogging suits!

What’s going on?

Oh… I see a sign…is that it?

Oh…. a security patrol…Bunnies?I suppose you need to be fast to catch up to a running rat…

Rabbit Event Security

Mobile units available upon request.

As long as it’s not that ultra annoying Energiser Bunny. Can’t stand those commercials. Duracell is my battery of choice.

Maybe Happy himself could work for the BC Sheriff’s Dept (BCSD) as a rabbit wrangler…I don’t know whether there is such a position….but when the Monkey gets back, we can ask.

StelBel posted such great pictures of the events…Now I know what’s going on…well… as much as I ever know what’s going on….I’ll have to ask her where she got her camera.

My first-thing-this-morning comment – about drinking my coffee here on Ballard St – seems to have gone missing at some point during the day.

I’ve popped back, briefly to see what’s happening. Unfortunately, I can’t stay. Need to get back to the grindstone of altering daughter’s prom dress.Need to shorten the underskirt and lining by 5 inches. The middle organza layer needs to be shortened from the top (so as not to ruin the embroidery). The overskirt will need a portion shortened, but it swoops from the waist, so not all of it needs work. In addition – there are places where the sequins and beads did not survive the transit from China.

I’ll try to figure out how to submit pictures and will show off (cough, cough) my handiwork.

I have to say… bunnies make cute cops.

They can hop to the cop shop…

And I can bring them some of these:

Susan, perhaps it’s that camera from the Twilight Zone that takes pictures of moments in time before they actually happen.

Grog…. there are many things that happen here on Ballard Street that some people think never realy happened…or couldn’t or wouldn’t or maybe even shouldn’t happen…That’s one reason we take so many pictures….

It’s so we’ll remember things that others might try to convince us didn’t occur.

We can say “LOOK. There’s a picture!”

And if you see a picture of it….I mean… how could it not have been there?

Ballard Street is a special place….I won’t say “magical” cos it’s a… OK more or less a regular street…but … well….there’s nowhere else like it.

Do you remember “bug music,” Shika? They must have written that episode after the Beatles made it on the American charts with She Loves You.

I never said those things never happened, Susan. I’m just a little fuzzy on when they happened.

I don’t think I recall seeing the Archie cartoons on TV, but I did buy the comic books way back when. Unfortunately, I no longer have those or the Beetle Bailey comic books I bought in the 60’s.

I’ll be back in a few. Gotta do something. Wash up, etc.

I do recall seeing Casper, Richie Rich and Josey & the Pussycats. Then, of course here was Scooby Doo, which is still going strong.

djc….If you mean your comment that starts “As usual I’m here bright and early, with my morning coffee”….I still see it….I went to bed right before Redkaycei got here…(sorry, Red)…and you showed up a few hours later……but yours is the next post after his.

When you look for something you posted here “this morning” … remember, the strips come out the night before….sometimes people (like me) stay up and post very late…so the sun often rises halfway down the list.

Wow… a lot of people posted while I was typing!

I remember the Flintstones and Jetsons in prime time.

I was…um…. well, when it comes to Scooby Doo …and the Archies…I hate to admit I was a little…um…never mind.Let’s just say my little brother watched them.

Bev….but a side benefit of your own children getting older is MILES!

I loved Caspar… but I mostly saw him in the theater.

I miss cartoons at the movies!

The carrot cake doughnuts weere for the bunnies!

Sigh…. excuse me…gotta go make some more.

It’s OK….I’m glad you all like them.

And I only have to make 372 key lime pies, and a huge award for StelBel….color 43 poodles for an event…and work tonight at the Tiki.

Hope you can all excuse me for a while.

I’ll be back around the turn….sorry to have to go…

But I’ll have pie!

I miss movies at the movies. Now going to the movies is a waste of time and money.

Susan !!!! Who can I trust to safeguard a Key Lime Pie til I get back here tomorrow???? I just don’t know who could be trustworthy enough to withstand the temptation of a Key Lime Pie!

Bev …. when is the Hamster Masquerade Ball? Is is tomorrow? I’ll have to make sure my special camera is in good working order!

GROG! , I see movies at the movies. What do you see?

Garbage, StelBel.

I can resist a Key Lime pie. Just don’t leave a New York-style strawberry cheesecake lying around. It won’t be there very long if I see it.

Good night, everyone!

GROG! will be safeguarding my Key Lime Pie tonight, so I will sleep the good sleep with no worries!

Thanks, GROG!

PS" Bev , I loved your hamster pictures, especially Hortense and Harold Hamster!!! Very Cute!

You heard her, folks. You’ve got to go through me to get at those Key Lime pies. Bribery is not an option, if anyone was thinking of enticing me with a New York-style cheesecake. So just faaaget about it!

Thanks, StelBel Looks awesome!

OK the pies are going under lock and key and the key’s going some place where no one will want to go.

@StelBelOther entries include;Odessa Mykodavia (Tennis) The Ukraine

Kiev “The Muscle Hampster” Kiel (Power Lifter) Tampa Bay, FL, USA

Catalina San Casciano In Vail di Peca (High Speed and Distance Runner) Italy Since Golf is not a sport, Senior Tigray can be found at the Tiki critiquing the real athletes.

Anxiously awaiting the Rodent Olymplics results. . . .

I think I could go for a Buzz Beer.

That’s a wrap. Nytol.

For those of you that miss the movie theater experience I offer…

Sunday Matinee at;

The Ballard Cinema and Live Stock AuctionIf Something Smells Here, It May Not Be The Movie.

Preview of coming attractionsRocket Ship XMThe Scarlet Pimpernel

Cartoon

Special FeatureIntermission

Feature Film

Click a feature and enjoyTwo things;If you don’t like it, feel free to leave and

Good Night Ballardeers.

Back when I was young and stupid I smoked unfiltered Camels (they still make them) because they were biodegradable. One rainstorm, and they’re gone. Those micronite filters take eons to break down.

Yoo hoo?Anybody around?

Oh … hi Red!

A scotch would be lovely.

I’m just unloading Elvis…

Thank you!Cheers!

And thanks Fenton.

Carrot cake doughnut?

Long day at work, Red?

I gotta zip over to the salon and add these pies to the pile.Back in a twinkling….

I’m back….Oh good…. here you go…see what you think.

I made them first for the bunnies but all the people wanted them.

That post wouldn’t show for the longest time…I wonder whether you saw it before I did.

After about 3 or 4 minutes, I was about to re-post it cos I thought it was lost… but then it popped up.

Usually there’s no delay at all…. but tonight that’s happened a few times.

Oh good…. you like them too.

If the Monkey likes them, I’ll make them sometimes for the Tiki….and I’ll have them at the salon…and hopefully it’s OK to sell them at my new Key Lime Pie Shop.

Well, I plan to have all sorts of things..and yes of course, red raspberry for you…

It was so sweet of the Monkey to lease that pie shop for meand set it up…and he knew there was interest in my key lime….But I bake so many things…I hope people expect more than one kind there!

Tomorrow!

I baked a huge load of pies…but…. the first batch I’d left at the salon wasn’t there just now.

OH! Now I know why!Grog said up there he was locking them up to guard them for StelBel!

Thank you, Grog….but ONE pie!ONE pie for Stel….

I hope you can bring the others to my shop in the morning.

I might have a long line and no pie!

Thank you Red!And never fear….there will still be free pie sometimes at the Tiki too.

He says he won’t eat it, Red…Stel asked for somebody to guard the pie I was leaving for her.

Grog said he would cos he doesn’t eat pie…He meant well….it’s just a bit of miscommunication.Stel is a good friend but she doesn’t get 187 key lime pies!

I KNOW, Red! OMG…pie-napping is a serious crime in Ballard County.

People get really attached to their pie!

Good night Red…..and thank you…

Oh… (runs after Redkaycei)

Be sure to take a coupon!

I hope Grog sees my post….he’ll be up long before I will.

Oh!So will Stel!

Stel… when you get your pie from Grog….could you make sure the others get to the new pie shop, please?

There’s an extra pie in it for you if you do…The bunnies I hired will be all a-twitter if they run out of pies on opening morning!Nobody wants to see a pie shop full of bunnies all a-twitter!

See you all at my Key Lime Pie Shop tomorrow!

Right now I have GOT to get some sleep!

And I really want to go see that wonderful matinee x_Tech put together for the The Ballard Cinema and Live Stock Auction…I need a break like that.Thanks, X.

’Night, all!

OK, all pies but one have have been moved over to the shop. That one for StelBel is still under lock and key. I hope she arrives in time to pick up more Key Lime pies if she wants them.

Looks like I missed some pretty good movies last night, but I did get to see King Kong 1933 and Son Of Kong, 1933.

I just bought my second DVD of old 50-70 tv ads. I love them. Makes me feel old but some were before my time. I was born in ’65. Fun to watch. They are the quick picker upper!

…………or maybe the up quicker picker…………I never know….

I’m surprised you didn’t try to snatch up all the remaining pies, StelBel. But I suppose 2 is enough for one day – or is it?

One man’s pie is another man’s pizza / flan / quiche / tart / etc. Like the idea of carrot cake doughnuts, though. Found a few recipes, fried and baked.

Hey, StelBel! I did it on my first try!!

Beginner’s luck, I suppose. :-D

This is Mua’s Royal Closet. He has his very own box and bag collection to play in.

briatollah said, about 19 hours agoBack when I was young and stupid I smoked unfiltered Camels (they still make them) because they were biodegradable. One rainstorm, and they’re gone. Those micronite filters take eons to break down

+++++++++++++++++++

It’s funny how we were more thoughtful of the environment than our own bodies. I grew up in the ‘60s when talk about pollution was just hitting it’s stride. And yep. I tried smoking, but quit at age 16 after three years of social smoking. I thought it looked “cool” to smoke. Yech. My sister smoked several years before stopping. Mom and Dad never smoked that I know of.

What’s a “riinger”, Beviek?

Sorry my image is a little large. Mua does things in a big way, lol(That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.)

Sorry, but I don’t see it, Shika.

At least not on my iPad.

Oh dear. Sorry Grog It must be the Canadian/American border thing. Stelbel has it, but says she couldn’t get it to post the other day. I guess no one can see it but me.

@ GrogOh, it’s too big for an iPad, lol

Those rabbits and hamsters in costume are just too cute. :-D

How’s that? it is smaller. It’s funny, the big one I put in the same width (250), but forgot the single quote marks. Yet it posted, or at least, :I can see it.

StelBel I can see both my posts. You gave me the closet too. That’s how I copied the URL.

@ bev

Maybe I could DRAW it? lol

No can see, Shika.

There, Shika!!! The chalet is showing up! YAY!!!

OK, that one I do see.

That was the link you gave me, StelBel. The URL. But I copied the closet URL all by my very own self!It just won’t post for anyone but me.I suppose though, that Mua may have something to do with it. After all, he can be a very private Prince, and he may be upset that I am trying to post HIS Royal Closet.

That’s a very familiar pic. I’ve seen it very recently.

Shika, the closet URL that you got off the email photo that I sent cannot be used here! That’s the problem.

If you want to post another picture, try getting the URL off of one of the birthday pictures on Tuesday. Just right click on the picture and get the properties. Make sure you get all the way to the end where it says JPEG, then add what I told you in between the exclamation points.

Shika, you CANNOT use email photos here. They have to go to an image hosting site like photobucket first, THEN you get their URL for the pic.

GROG! , You are right! That was the Royal Feline Chalet up on Candi’s Mountain at the end of Ballard County Rd. It’s quite famous in these parts!

Check your E StelBel.

Okay, now that I have finished school, I seem to have the brain power left over to post pictures, lol!

If this ballgown looks familiar, it’s because Harriet Hamster loved it so much, her parents bought it for her to wear to tonight’s ball.

Looks like we are all moving here now? Did I miss something?

I’d drop in more, but so many to visit, so much to do. Was that Mua?

That fuzzy photo is Mua in a big closet. I give up for tonight. Too tired to keep trying new ones.Good Night Ballardeers. I peeked in at the Tiki Hut and saw nothing but hamsters in drag. I must be over tired. Little monkeys, could you bring me a wee banana daiquiri? Many thanks.So professional. Your little tux is adorable. Isn’t it a little too much for the Tiki?What? You are coming here from a wedding? Pardon me. Carry on!Good Night all!

Dry, not really, but all the other photos from the Kitty Kitty Bang Bang caper the other day are real photos of Mua. This one is a stand-in. Mua is napping. ;-)

Guess I missed the Kitty Kitty Bang Bang Caper.

beviek said, about 22 hours ago@ShikamooI loved Archie and Betty and Veronica comic books!!!!+++++++++++++++I knew I liked you for a reason bev. A fellow Archie and the gang fan. I actually went to a high school called Riverdale. Our mascot for the football team was….(a) Moose! We are Canadian after all.

Dry you had such a busy week, that’s why. Just check out about three days ago when you have time. It’s all there. Prince Mua and Princess Susan.

Still, I’m guessing Squeaky does at least a handful of things that Ros & Todd would prefer he didn’t.

Time for some opera:

https://cleoandcompany.net/april-20-2023/

Good morning Balladeers and Tigressy!.