I slightly misused it! Old troupers (human) may be spavined in the colloquial sense (worn out), and the lions showed that, but the root of the word is spavin, a joint condition that gives old horses their stiff walk, of which the lions also show possible signs -- but to associate human and animal spavin confuses the two meanings unduly, maybe. But if the spavin fits...
"Stiff walk" could be applied to me, yeah, tho the result is outta-kilter stance in a different direction maybe, and somewhat ameliorated by recent injection of steel reinforcement...
Yeah. Works fine. The TSA guys are discrete when I set things off – pull me aside gently, look me in the eye, and quietly say "Iron?".
Wanted stainless ('cause I have a fondness for stainless from back in my factory days) but the surgeon is hardass – she does carbon steel exclusively. Outpatient surgery in the afternoon. Wheeled outta the hospital, stood up and walked to the car.
The ongoing (and shifting) aches/pains are easily explained away as age-induced (which, to be fair, tracks). My main opinion about the whole process is if you/your doc, etc think it's gonna be necessary eventually, get it sooner than later. Because I think younger patients rehab quicker (and maybe return to higher fitness level than olds).
The word "spavin" was also used by Beatrice Tarleton in the novel "Gone With the Wind." Her use of the term in connection to breeding humans, as opposed to horses, was considered quite scandalous at the time. Nice to see it used again.
They actually held me a minute, then hung up! But my second call only held me about 15 seconds. The dispatcher was calm and talked me through appropriately, and the FD was there in about five minutes. Turned out they had dealt with the guy earlier, in front of the firehouse! They told me he had denied using heroin; shrugs all around. They put something up to his nose -- I assume Narcan but maybe just smelling salts -- and he revived. I didn't stick around, but I imagine they still had no cause to hold him once they got him up.
Well they probably just wanted to see if you were serious. On the other hand it is probably better than in the relatively small town I now live when where the cops come with the EMT and then walk through the house to see if they can charge someone with drugs.
It's marketing ineptitude. I can't believe the number of times I've had to resort to Google to find an address or other pertinent information because someone's "ad" failed to include it.
One local vendor kept posting on Facebook - pictures of product, new items, etc. but only rarely including a link to their online store. I mean, why WOULDN'T you include the link to order every time you post? Isn't the whole point of businesses interacting on social media to SELL STUFF?
After I pointed out that I'd spent several minutes scrolling down their page searching in vain for a link to their store, they now include it in every post. I should charge them a consultation fee.
It’s amazing how much business-related writing never considers the audience for which they’re writing. Like, if I were the average reader, what would I be looking for, what information would I need, and what’s the right tone to use? Such a simple concept, yet so elusive.
Your photos (and text) are splendid, and remind me of places in Brooklyn where people furiously assert their humanity despite the mass of the poverty that tries to crush them, like flowers pushing through cracks in the sidewalk. When it gets really bad, like in East New York (and parts of Baltimore I only drove through), I always have to remind myself that what I'm looking at is a crime scene, the perpetrators being the indifference and downright cruelty of capitalism.
That said, "junkie torpor" should be the name of something.
Is it possible to see a gathering or crows and not think "Hitchcock"? God, I hate that, I wish just ONCE my brain could go, "Oh, what a lot of crows! No cultural references here!" But it's a mental disease and I can't help myself.
I had the crows (or were they ravens?) from Joel Coen's Macbeth in my mind, so that gave Hitchcock a break. But really when you see them all together doing their crow thing like that it obliterates cultural references. Back in DC we had mostly starlings, mourning doves, that sort of thing. It's a change!
Madison's on a flyway, so we get waterfowl, Canada geese, coots, even pelicans! A mass of Canada geese doesn't bring forth any associations for me except "watch where you step."
I had to look up the difference between crows and ravens. Turns out we probably don’t get ravens here in the middle of the country, so what I see is likely crows. I think the birds we saw at the Tower of London were ravens or rooks. Which brings back memories of old relatives playing the card game Rook, which was allowed because it just used numbers—no face cards, so no fortunetelling like with the Tarot, I suppose was the reasoning?
Also, crows are freaking smart. That’s probably why I don’t see them often in our rural area: they avoid people who might try to kill them for eating grain crops. (If crows ever get opposable thumbs, we’re all doomed.)
Also, I'm definitely middlebrow in the cultural associations my brain hands me, so Hitchcock and not MacBeth. No need to wonder what I think of when I hear the William Tell Overture.
I'm a Detroiter, and reading today's essay I was thinking, "Roy would really love Detroit." Although downtown has become a playground for suburbanites, the neighborhoods persevere, and there is art and beauty to be found in many obscure corners of the city, even the grimmest.
Us horticulture types have used Cornell University plant ID apps since forever.
A buddy showed me this at the Farm Science Review Field Day a couple years ago. There was a wetland park just across the road from where the event was held. I spent most of the day over there recording birds. It was a great day! I got paid for it too.
I really like these slice of life/Roy wanders around town articles.
My assistant's neighbor went to Michigan over the weekend. Here in Ohio "went to Michigan" has become its own little euphemism because Michigan is where you go to buy weed. I have a standing order with all the people I know who regularly"Go to Michigan". Pick me up a bag of gummies - highest THC you can get. I'll pay you for the Jazz Gumdrops and help generously with gas. So anyway, when I first ran into my assistant this morning he gave me a bag and I put it in my pocket and continued with my rounds.I stopped by to see our head of production. She was in the label printing room trying to change an ink cartridge. It must not have been going well-as I open the door she threw the old cartridge against the wall calling it a "God damn miserable piece of shit"
I didn't say anything. It seemed best. She gave me a rather challenging look. I said "I got a new bag of gummies in my pocket - you want one?" She said "Hell yeah"
I gave her the bag she tore it open, got out a gummy and popped it in her mouth. She handed the bag to me. I put it back in my pocket.
She asked me" Are those 10 or 20 mg? Just want to know what I've got myself into "
Got to say, I really appreciate that" Fuck it, why not?"attitude. Of course I realize it's that
" Fuck it - why not" thing lead Pike Bishop and Dutch Engstrom to The Battle of Bloody Porch so maybe that devil may care insouciance isn't always the best solution.
Again, really like the man on the street stuff. Thanks!
2 marks for spavined – hits me where it hurts, but also supplies the adjective I'll self-apply forevermore...
I slightly misused it! Old troupers (human) may be spavined in the colloquial sense (worn out), and the lions showed that, but the root of the word is spavin, a joint condition that gives old horses their stiff walk, of which the lions also show possible signs -- but to associate human and animal spavin confuses the two meanings unduly, maybe. But if the spavin fits...
"Stiff walk" could be applied to me, yeah, tho the result is outta-kilter stance in a different direction maybe, and somewhat ameliorated by recent injection of steel reinforcement...
You got the steel? Is it good to you? I expect to have the need soon enough.
Yeah. Works fine. The TSA guys are discrete when I set things off – pull me aside gently, look me in the eye, and quietly say "Iron?".
Wanted stainless ('cause I have a fondness for stainless from back in my factory days) but the surgeon is hardass – she does carbon steel exclusively. Outpatient surgery in the afternoon. Wheeled outta the hospital, stood up and walked to the car.
The ongoing (and shifting) aches/pains are easily explained away as age-induced (which, to be fair, tracks). My main opinion about the whole process is if you/your doc, etc think it's gonna be necessary eventually, get it sooner than later. Because I think younger patients rehab quicker (and maybe return to higher fitness level than olds).
"the surgeon is hardass – she does carbon steel exclusively."
Rust isn't a problem? Do you have to carry around an oil can like the Tin Man?
Well, apart from keeping me awake all night, it doesn’t seem to be a problem so far.
Only other use of the word I know of was by Marty Robbins in "The Strawberry Roan."
"His legs were all spavined
He'd got pigeon toes
Little pig eyes
And a big roman nose."
I'd expect to hear "Spavined Joe Biden" if his haters had any class, which they don't.
The word "spavin" was also used by Beatrice Tarleton in the novel "Gone With the Wind." Her use of the term in connection to breeding humans, as opposed to horses, was considered quite scandalous at the time. Nice to see it used again.
This is the first time a reference to "Gone With the Wind" has commanded my respect.
Whose version is your favorite of ‘streets of Baltimore’?
There's more than one?
Lemonheads did a nice cover
What I want to know is - when is a book coming?
Looking forward to more dispatches...
Roy Upon The Boulevards (Of Baltimore And Others).
Roy Edroso – a flaneur!
That was my dream.
Morgue for Whores was published in like 2011. I guess Roy could do a MfW 2: Streets of Ballmer edition
So for how long did 911 keep you on hold? And how long did it take the EMTs to get there? Did you have a favorable impression of them?
They actually held me a minute, then hung up! But my second call only held me about 15 seconds. The dispatcher was calm and talked me through appropriately, and the FD was there in about five minutes. Turned out they had dealt with the guy earlier, in front of the firehouse! They told me he had denied using heroin; shrugs all around. They put something up to his nose -- I assume Narcan but maybe just smelling salts -- and he revived. I didn't stick around, but I imagine they still had no cause to hold him once they got him up.
Well they probably just wanted to see if you were serious. On the other hand it is probably better than in the relatively small town I now live when where the cops come with the EMT and then walk through the house to see if they can charge someone with drugs.
Hearted for the industriousness of the folx in blue...
It's marketing ineptitude. I can't believe the number of times I've had to resort to Google to find an address or other pertinent information because someone's "ad" failed to include it.
One local vendor kept posting on Facebook - pictures of product, new items, etc. but only rarely including a link to their online store. I mean, why WOULDN'T you include the link to order every time you post? Isn't the whole point of businesses interacting on social media to SELL STUFF?
After I pointed out that I'd spent several minutes scrolling down their page searching in vain for a link to their store, they now include it in every post. I should charge them a consultation fee.
It’s amazing how much business-related writing never considers the audience for which they’re writing. Like, if I were the average reader, what would I be looking for, what information would I need, and what’s the right tone to use? Such a simple concept, yet so elusive.
Many people think that writing is just like talking, an example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
“I speak English, so why do I have to take English?”
Thus, the train wreck that is virtually all intraoffice communication.
Related: do not write business forms in Comic Sans unless you really intend to imply “We’re garnishing your account LOL”
Your photos (and text) are splendid, and remind me of places in Brooklyn where people furiously assert their humanity despite the mass of the poverty that tries to crush them, like flowers pushing through cracks in the sidewalk. When it gets really bad, like in East New York (and parts of Baltimore I only drove through), I always have to remind myself that what I'm looking at is a crime scene, the perpetrators being the indifference and downright cruelty of capitalism.
That said, "junkie torpor" should be the name of something.
Cologne? Bourbon?
JT done adopted the acronym already!
“Junkie torpor” = Federal Reserve policy or, more broadly, capitalism
The Presidential campaign of known dope fiend Asa Hutchinson.
Feel the Assmentum.
Is it possible to see a gathering or crows and not think "Hitchcock"? God, I hate that, I wish just ONCE my brain could go, "Oh, what a lot of crows! No cultural references here!" But it's a mental disease and I can't help myself.
I had the crows (or were they ravens?) from Joel Coen's Macbeth in my mind, so that gave Hitchcock a break. But really when you see them all together doing their crow thing like that it obliterates cultural references. Back in DC we had mostly starlings, mourning doves, that sort of thing. It's a change!
Madison's on a flyway, so we get waterfowl, Canada geese, coots, even pelicans! A mass of Canada geese doesn't bring forth any associations for me except "watch where you step."
I love all corvids (hell, we adapted the colors of the Green Jay to paint our house), but ravens are magnificent.
https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/crows-and-ravens/
I had to look up the difference between crows and ravens. Turns out we probably don’t get ravens here in the middle of the country, so what I see is likely crows. I think the birds we saw at the Tower of London were ravens or rooks. Which brings back memories of old relatives playing the card game Rook, which was allowed because it just used numbers—no face cards, so no fortunetelling like with the Tarot, I suppose was the reasoning?
Also, crows are freaking smart. That’s probably why I don’t see them often in our rural area: they avoid people who might try to kill them for eating grain crops. (If crows ever get opposable thumbs, we’re all doomed.)
Crows or Grackle
Crows. We see grackles all the time. They’re awesome. Crows are rarer to see. You might get magpies as far west as you are.
Just back from Cape May last week. Saw the endangered plovers. But 10,000 tree swallows swarming all around us was way more cool.
There’s an endangered plover around here too, on Missouri River sandbars: the piping plover.
Also, I'm definitely middlebrow in the cultural associations my brain hands me, so Hitchcock and not MacBeth. No need to wonder what I think of when I hear the William Tell Overture.
William S Burroughs?
A wonderful collective noun, too: a "murder of crows".
My cultural reference is usually "The Twa Corbies." Look it up, it's more entertaining and ornithologically accurate than Hitchcock.
A beauty, we had it in the Norton Anthology.
Hearted for anything that reminds me of Bert Jansch.
Baltimore sounds (and looks) so much like Detroit. I need to see it before I check out.
It's wild, man. You're welcome anytime.
That goes for both of you Nancys!
I'm a Detroiter, and reading today's essay I was thinking, "Roy would really love Detroit." Although downtown has become a playground for suburbanites, the neighborhoods persevere, and there is art and beauty to be found in many obscure corners of the city, even the grimmest.
Baltimore is so old. I always picture Edgar Allan Poe, jacked on laudinum and absinthe lurching sideways down streets that were ancient 170 years ago.
If you're going to spend any time watching birds or even wandering around town this is the shit.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.labs.merlinbirdid.app
Us horticulture types have used Cornell University plant ID apps since forever.
A buddy showed me this at the Farm Science Review Field Day a couple years ago. There was a wetland park just across the road from where the event was held. I spent most of the day over there recording birds. It was a great day! I got paid for it too.
I really like these slice of life/Roy wanders around town articles.
My assistant's neighbor went to Michigan over the weekend. Here in Ohio "went to Michigan" has become its own little euphemism because Michigan is where you go to buy weed. I have a standing order with all the people I know who regularly"Go to Michigan". Pick me up a bag of gummies - highest THC you can get. I'll pay you for the Jazz Gumdrops and help generously with gas. So anyway, when I first ran into my assistant this morning he gave me a bag and I put it in my pocket and continued with my rounds.I stopped by to see our head of production. She was in the label printing room trying to change an ink cartridge. It must not have been going well-as I open the door she threw the old cartridge against the wall calling it a "God damn miserable piece of shit"
I didn't say anything. It seemed best. She gave me a rather challenging look. I said "I got a new bag of gummies in my pocket - you want one?" She said "Hell yeah"
I gave her the bag she tore it open, got out a gummy and popped it in her mouth. She handed the bag to me. I put it back in my pocket.
She asked me" Are those 10 or 20 mg? Just want to know what I've got myself into "
Got to say, I really appreciate that" Fuck it, why not?"attitude. Of course I realize it's that
" Fuck it - why not" thing lead Pike Bishop and Dutch Engstrom to The Battle of Bloody Porch so maybe that devil may care insouciance isn't always the best solution.
Again, really like the man on the street stuff. Thanks!
"Here in Ohio 'went to Michigan' has become its own little euphemism because Michigan is where you go to buy weed."
That puts somewhat of a different spin on the "Say Yes To Michigan" commercials that used to run in the late '70s and '80s.
FYI: Blogger's putting "content warning" on your posts from this past weekend again. . .
There's a workaround, as explained here -- I'll probably send an email about it later. https://alicublog.blogspot.com/2023/10/any-ideas.html
"There was a bar, which helped". Words I live by.
My problem is the opposite. I don’t write much because I’m always out exploring.