Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for September 11, 2013

Marcus wants to ’ fly like a eagle"…

It’s flying for the acrophobic.

Wants to fly like an eagle, but thinks like a turkey!

Marcus has his feet on the ground and his head in the clouds (or at least the tree)

His heart wants to take wings and soar but he has a few mental ( actually, concrete ) blocks keeping him from his dream.

Speaking of feet on the ground ( and who was ? ) I’m going to get mine off and put them to bed.The ole Capt. is worn out. I had company for dinner -the first time since I’ve been in my new digs – and between the cooking and cleaning before and after I am ready for some zzzzzzzzzzzz’sSee you all later. Ballardeers !

No, see…. when he pulls on the handles, the ropes will slide through he pulleys, and he’ll be heading…. straight…. er… I figure…. um….wait…. Marcus!!

I hope there’s still an empty bed or two at Ballard General in the um…. ICU wing. LOL… I see you, wing…. OK, yeah, not funny….

I also see some big bills from Ballard Orthopedics and Dry Cleaning.

Big bills… hah hah… OK OK…. no more bird jokes…. Marcus suddenly doesn’t appreciate them the way he used to.

Ling!I was going to buy you a drink.Redbreast in honor of Marcus!

I’m headed off for bed too, big day tomorrow, I’m going to the Mall.

Gosh Bev!

You gave me two whole minutes to find your comment?

You’re a speedy character!

Remind me not to let you drink hard liquor if you’re not wearing a seat belt.

He won’t be able to fly that in the Astrodome.

Well, he’s thinking about it now

One more set of pulleys ought to do it.

She’ll be singing a different tune when he’s carving figure 8’s overhead, swinging those cement blocks as counterweights.

Slip the surly bonds, Marcus!

The eagle hasn’t landed.

If he could just solve the drag coefficient.

The dynamics of that contraption are not conducive to any kind of flight. I used to design all kinds of pulley systems for greenhouses (one of my many employers – the same one I designed the ribbon slotting machine for).

I still plan to do one of the very long high zip lines (and have written my kids suggesting it as part of a family vacation).

My middle son was not impressed by ziplines (but he probably is just speaking of one of those little mall things) and he does things like rappelling down outside of buildings (for charity).

His wife was sick when we just flew over Grand Canyon (which did not bother the rest of us) so not ALL the family are so intrepid.

Does Marcus ever think anything through?

Gertrude is a bit worried that they’re girls might want to get in on the act…

Okay, Ballardeers. Anyone with the technical expertise know why my Comics and comments shrunk ? This started at some point after the turn and I’m not sure why. I can only see out of one eye, and even with glasses, I can hardly make out what I’m typing. Any suggestions ?

Did you do the “control/shift” “minus” thing?I’m not tech savvy, but that’s the first thing that came to mind for me.

….hmmmm…thought……….

Does Marcus want to be one of Victoria’s Secret Angels?or one of Charlies Angel’s?

Hi LINGUIST! Argh Those pirate kitties LINDA posted are purrfect. You and I have the same problem with computers. They do mysterious things for no reason at all, but IT always tries to convince us WE did something to the computer. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you!

Marcus just likes hanging around. He planned this so that he would hover just far enough off the ground to make it look like he didn’t think it out. But I am waiting for LEFTY’s inside story on Marcus’s REAL reason for hoisting himself at half mast, as it were.

@Bev, most of that I agree with too. I will however consume both food AND drink according to guidelines (usually) once I finish this (promised) year of deprivation. I may even decide to find myself a local man (I hate airlines). I could be OK with minimum once a week.

Hi SUSAN, STEL and BEV. Gotta be real quick to have a quick one with BEV, SUSAN. I know. I’ve tried it and wind up drinking alone. And so does she. It is sad, really, how many of us drink alone at the Tiki.

I must check to see if any one had drinks on me last night, so I can pay the tab. Of course, I may have to deduct cleaning charges for the red wine someone spilt on me. Still, a small price to pay for comraderie.

@Shika, I hope Lefty DOES give us a back story. I have an idea that it will have something to do with the desire to appear in Stel’s new Gazette as the New Icarus.

DAZZ, no doubt, you are right. You certainly lead an interesting life. You enjoy all life has to offer.

Looks like no one felt like a drink, so I got off easy. I must have spilled the red wine on myself.

Guess I’ll teeter off to bed. With my new sleeping pattern (thanks to meds), I may see you at the turn. But in case I actually sleep through the night,GOOD NIGHT BALLARDEERS.

Thanks, Shika. I just stopped in for a nightcap to take up and enjoy in my bath.

Fenton, I’d like a double Presidente and Kahlua straight up to go, please. I’ll have my own ice water on the side from the upstairs frig. Keep the change! Good night all!

good night

As long as it isn’t a flying mammal…

https://cleoandcompany DOT net/september-11-2023/

Good morning Balladeers and Tigressy!