This is how it's done.

Spanking the cat.



HSI does not endorse this kind of behavior, not least because it could be extremely dangerous to the slapper.

Via Dependable Renegade

Thursday Tea: Propitiation...

In light of the recent spate of cow violence, we have decided to attempt to propitiate the cow gods at Tea today.

How?

By going significantly up-market with our cheese selections. Today we'll have cheese of multiple styles and provenances, and will be pairing them (predominantly) with Gins and Tonic. (Try not to let the cow gods notice the sheep cheese)...

See you at 4:00!

Introducing The Bacon Explosion

Introducing The Bacon Explosion. Labor day is coming up!

More Cow Violence

More Cow Violence - this time in the UK.

The Independent, By Michael McCarthy, August 24

Four people have been trampled to death by cows in just over eight weeks this summer, prompting British farmers and the Ramblers Association to warn yesterday of the potential dangers.

The spate of incidents is regarded as highly unusual; in the past eight years there have only been 18 deaths in total caused by cattle of all kinds – including incidents involving bulls, which have always been known to present risks.

Cows have been thought to be generally docile, and this remains true, the National Farmers' Union emphasised yesterday. However, the NFU pointed to the fact that at least two of the four deaths involved walkers with dogs, which may be a factor in turning cows from placid cud-chewing bystanders into potential killers.

"Cows can get aggressive in the presence of dogs, especially if they have their calves with them," Robert Sheasby, the NFU's rural surveyor, said yesterday. "They see the dog as a threat, and take exception to it. Cows are generally placid and docile, but when a mother animal feels the protection of her offspring is at risk, temperaments can change."

AVZ has found a job!

AVZ has found a job! Or, rather, one has found her.

She'll be working in Salzburg, Austria, for a financial software company.

She starts September 14th.

We have attained Ramadan!

Please, enjoy yourselves moderately.

Warning

International Talk Like A Pirate Day is coming, soon.

September 19th, in fact.

A Crocs Reprieve?

A Crocs Reprieve? Analysts think so!

Crocs stumble: anatomy of a fad or a rebound?

Maker of the fluorescent, smurf-like shoes appears to have staved off bankruptcy, but will it regain its former stride?

The Christian Science Monitor, By Nachammai Raman, August 14

Montreal - Crocs, the candy-colored foam clogs, have narrowly avoided going the way of the pet rock or mood rings.

The company, which has teetered on the edge of bankruptcy this year, last week reported a $30 million loss for the second quarter of the year, against a $2 million profit in the same period a year ago. But that result was much better than investors had expected, and the general market view was that the company will now find a way to survive. The company's stock soared on Monday.

Friday Tea

In these waning (not to mention raining) days of summer, it is helpful to have gin and tonic available.

We'll be doing just that this afternoon at 4:00.

Umbrella not required.

Dangerous Cows

Saturday Cat Blogging

Pet cat catches the daily bus for four years

The Telegraph, July 30

Casper, which is 12 years old, boards the No3 service at 10.55am from outside his home in Plymouth, Devon, and travels the entire 11-mile route before returning home about an hour later.

On the route, the cat passes an historic dockyard and naval base, a city centre, several suburbs and the city's red light district.

He has been making the journey for so long that all First Bus drivers have now been told to look out for him to ensure he gets off at the right stop.

Susan Finden, 65, a care worker who is Casper's owner, said: "Casper has always disappeared for hours at a time but I never understood where he was going.