Sunday, January 30, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: KODA CANINE'S OFFICIAL DEBUT!

Hey Everybody! I'M BACK!
You like me! You REALLY like me!
I'd like to thank the Academy and all the Little people, especially Rich and Stuart.

Koda Canine here!
The Sunday Funnies brand new co-host!
It is such a thrill and honor to be here.
I know I have some major paw prints to fill, but remember I am not here to replace Autumn the Puppy, just to carry on in her stead.
So with that in mind, it's joke time! ⌚

Can you believe it's the weekend all ready?
Nothing seems to last the way it used to.
Except maybe weekdays.
One glance at any calendar will show you the weekend is outnumbered 5-2.
Why?
Don't ask me. I'd tell you if I knew.
From my perspective, it all seems the same at times.
Get up in the morning.
Eat.
Nap.
Get up from the nap. Go outside to answer Nature's call.
Have you ever noticed that she is never willing to leave a message or call when it's convenient for you?
Everything has to be on HER schedule.
Anyway, come back in.
Take another nap.
Play some with my people.
They need the exercise. 😉
Eat.
Nap.
Eat.
Nap.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
It gets monotonous after awhile, but it's certainly fun from my perspective! 😀

I can see where it might be boring for humans.
Get up in the morning.
Go to work.
Drag through the long day there and then come home.
Try to relax a little before going to bed, then get up again the next day to do it all over again.
Why?
Didn't Adulthood come with a free trial period?
If it did, would there actually be as many adults as there is now?
Adulthood must be popular because there are so many of you.
I can see the advertising recruitment slogan now...
Become An Adult. The world needs more dults.
Say, what is a dult?
That doesn't make any sense, even to me.
And where's this hood anyway?
Is that some kind of uniform all you adults have to wear?
Does it come in different colors?
More importantly from the canine perspective, is it chewable?

In any event, that's all the time and space I have for today folks.
I've been told Piper D. Katt will be back next week and I'll be joining her on February 13 for a combined "Big Game"🏈/Valentines' Day💕 post.
But I wonder what kind of game it is?
I've been unbeatable at Monopoly ever since I ate the deeds to Park Place and Boardwalk. 😉

Seriously though.
Take care.
STAY SAFE!😷
And please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!KC.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JANUARY 23-29, 2022



FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS 
OR OTHER BAD WEATHER THIS WEEKEND...
STAY IN!




GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

JANUARY 29 IS PUZZLE🧩🧩 DAY.
JANUARY 30 MARKS THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF
ALEX HUXLEY’S BRAVE NEW WORLD.
JANUARY 31 IS NAURU'S INDEPENDENCE DAY.
JANUARY 31 IS NATIONAL GORILLA🦍 SUIT DAY,
ACCORDING TO MAD MAGAZINE.
FEBRUARY 1 STARTS THE CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE TIGER. 🐯
FEBRUARY IS ALSO HEART💓 HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
FEBRUARY 1 MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN.
FEBRUARY 2 IS GROUNDHOG’S DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)
*The state of the world, as of January 29, 2022.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE SITUATION...
*Despite Russia’s “demands”, the US will NOT keep the Ukraine out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

😢PASSING PARADE…
*CONFIRMED: Singer/Actor Meatloaf, AKA Michael/Marvin Lee Aday, (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, numerous hits) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Former professional baseball⚾ player Gene Clines is no longer with us.
*After a long career, actress/comedian Jo Kendall has taken her last bow on life's stage.
*Actor Morgan Stevens (Fame, The Waltons franchise, the original Melrose Place, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Comedian/writer Barry Cryer (a multitude of credits over a decades long career) has passed away.
*Actor Peter Robbins (first performer to voice animated Charlie Brown, other TV roles until graduating high school) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
*Another subpoena and more suspects arrested. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
POLITICALLY…
*The battle over whether or not President Biden gets to appoint a new Supreme Court Judge looms upon the horizon! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
*Opinion: Does Virginia's new "Governor" even know what he's doing??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Fighting Tennessee’s ban of Art Spiegelman’s Maus. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
ELSEWHERE…
*Alas, over at 40. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak: Right or Wrong???
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JANUARY 29, 2022

😎FUN FACT
January 29 is Puzzle🧩🧩 Day!
Let’s celebrate with some enigmas!

TRIVIA TIME⌚
Based solely upon the number of movies made, what is the most successful theatrical film franchise, to date?

NUMBER PLEASE
Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.
How many films are within the correct TRIVIA TIME answer above, to date?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the January 22, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

FAMOUS FIRST🥇
Who was the first lady to win a Daytime Emmy Award?
Many people naturally thought Oprah Winfrey, but it was actually Betty White for her brief (13 week: January-April, 1983) game show Just Men.

TRIVIA TIME⌚
What was the first name of DC Comics’ famous World War 2 hero Sergeant/SGT. Rock?
Frank.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: MEOW ARE FAMILY!

 Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here!
We're still evaluating Koda Canine's audition from last week, but in the meantime it's my turn to entertain you.
Ready?

Today I thought I'd share a few photos from my family tree.
Yes, it IS a tree, not a litter box!
Anyway...

My Uncle Louie heard he'd be living on "Easy Street" if he was a fat cat.
Unfortunately, he misunderstood the concept... 😕
Don't worry, Louie has thankfully lost all that excess weight, but even he will be the first to admit it was far easier to put on than remove.

My Cousin Carl took the term "3 Blind Mice" a little too literally.

Thankfully they are just TOY mice, but Cousin Carl doesn't know that.

He feels purrsonally responsible for them (how and why is a total mystery to everyone, human and feline) and won't let anyone else get near his adoptive family.

Speaking of mice.. 

This kitten picture of my Aunt Meowrie on the left has been posted on The Sunday Funnies before, making her sort of a minor celebrity in our family.

Below right is my Aunt today, still catching mice in her own unique fashion! 😉





As you can see in the photos below, my brother Larry is great at hiding. He's a champion among cats in this.










In fact, he won the World Wide Feline Hide And Seek Championship last year, but hasn't collected his Gold Cup🏆 yet because no one can find him to announce the contest is over and he won! 🙀

My sister Penelope is with a human who is really into video games so much that it has influenced her own life.
However she would rather be the Heroine In Action than the proverbial "Damsel in Distress".

"It's a Meow!"

I certainly cannot forget my favorite quintet of cousins, the Pussy Willows...







And my mom would never forgive me if I didn't mention her brother Pepe, who the rest of us don't really talk about much for obvious reasons. 😉


So on that note♫ take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
And please be back here again next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!PDK.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JANUARY 16-22, 2022

GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

JANUARY 22 IS ALSO PENGUIN🐧 AWARENESS DAY.
JANUARY 23 IS SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY.
JANUARY 26 IS AUSTRALIA DAY & INDIA'S REPUBLIC DAY.
JANUARY 29 IS PUZZLE DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*Unfortunately the Omicron and other COVID Variants continue to spread across the world. (There are 9/NINE separate links in this item.)
*Thankfully the vaccination battles continue too. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)
*The state of the world, as of January 22, 2022.
*Indonesia is making a capital move. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*A new trick for Rover, but what is INSIDE Mars??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*January 27 sadly marks the 55th anniversary of losing the Apollo 1 crew (Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee) on the launch pad before takeoff.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE SITUATION...


THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*January 22 is Penguin Awareness Day.
*January 23 is Squirrel Appreciation Day.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Actress Yvette Mimieux (1960s version of The Time Machine, The Black Hole, much more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Actor Gaspard Ulliel (Hannibal Rising, Moon Knight, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Fashion legend Andre Leon Talley is no longer with us.
*Actor Hardy Kruger (Hatari!, A Bridge Too Far, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Comedian Louie Anderson (Baskets, Life With Louie, Family Feud, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Professional Hockey🏒 legend Clark Gillies is no longer with us.
*Actor/director Patrick Shai (Red Scorpion, The Sheltering Desert, Generations, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former “President” Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious, ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the “detainees” as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR “detainees” (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.

CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021
>AFTERMATH
*Vice President Mike Pence and January 6. What happened???
POLITICALLY…
*While the US will help the Ukraine, everyone’s hoping to avoid war with Russia. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Yes, President Biden DID say that! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*January 22 marks the 25th anniversary of Madeleine Albright becoming the United States’ first female Secretary of State.
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
*Is it the goal of Florida’s “Governor” to protect the whites??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Is "Senator" Mitch McConnell a racist??? Judge for yourself! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*He’s at it again! Encore??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Still fighting voter suppression in Georgia??? At least against Trump. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Open mouth, insert foot. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*But is "Senator" Mitch McConnell a racist??? Judge for yourself! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…
*New Governor in West Virginia. Same Republican agenda. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Former “President” Donald Trump versus current Florida “Governor” Ron DeSantis. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*January 26 is the 185th anniversary of Michigan becoming the 26th member of the United States.
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: JANUARY 22, 2022

😎FUN FACT
Did you know the Chinese used fingerprints as a method of identification as far back as 700 AD?

FAMOUS FIRST🥇
Who was the first lady to win a Daytime Emmy Award?

TRIVIA TIME
What was the first name of DC Comics’ famous World War 2 hero Sergeant/SGT. Rock?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the January 15, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS
Something familiar is represented in the image on the left. Do you know what it is?
The musical group Three Dog Night. (Three Dogs At Night)

RHYME TIME⌛
The clue to something is below, but no matter how long your answer is, each word within it must rhyme. Ready?
Ambush = Waylay. Although technically one word spelling wise, it’s pronounced like two, so qualifies in this game.

Monday, January 17, 2022

DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR DAY 2022

 The following is an editorial.

Every time I post something commemorating Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior; I stop and wonder if that year is better than the last and if things will have (noticeably) improved by the following year.

In all honesty, I personally don't think they have.

Just here in the United States alone, there are still people trying to spread hatred and lies.


"THE SOFT MINDED MAN ALWAYS FEARS CHANGE. HE HAS AN ALMOST MORBID FEAR OF THE NEW. FOR HIM, THE GREATEST PAIN IS THE PAIN OF A NEW IDEA."

Alas, it is not just here in "The Land of the Free" where voting rights are being suppressed and racial tensions continue not just on the basis of skin color; but upon religious beliefs, gender preferences, ethnicity, wealth, and any other difference—real or imagined.

"NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE REAL THE PROMISE OF DEMOCRACY AND TRANSFORM OUR PENDING NATIONAL ELEGY INTO A CREATIVE PSALM OF BROTHERHOOD.
NOW IS THE TIME TO LIFT OUR NATIONAL POLICY FROM THE QUICKSAND OF RACIAL INJUSTICE TO THE SOLID ROCK OF HUMAN DIGNITY."

I am not old enough to remember anything of Doctor King's life as he actually lived it, but am wise enough to learn from history.
I honestly think that if Doctor King was able to see the state of our country—let alone the world—today, he would lower his head in shame.

"DARKNESS CANNOT DRIVE OUT DARKNESS. ONLY LIGHT CAN DO THAT.
HATE CANNOT DRIVE OUT HATE. ONLY LOVE CAN DO THAT."

I hope and pray that by this time next year, I have something more positive to write about.


The above was an editorial.

QUOTES—Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior
All 11/ELEVEN links were active at the time this article was posted.
Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief, The Free Choice E-zine.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: KODA'S TRY OUT

Free Choice E-zine Editor In Chief Lee Houston, Junior here with a brief recap for those who came in late.
We lost our beloved friend and hostess Autumn the Puppy last November. Since then the search has been underway to find someone to join Piper D. Katt😺 hosting The Sunday Funnies.
While I was originally considering maybe a bird or even fish to play off the feline dynamic, this young fellow applied for the job and well...
So without further adieu, here's... KODA!

Hello Everyone.
My name is Koda Canine, a recent adoptee and hopeful new Sunday Funnies host.
I'm a boy dog less than a year old at the moment, mostly housebroken and yes, the house is still standing.
If it matters, I'm not entirely sure of my family tree🌲 besides the facts that I'm 100% canine and that no dog has ever managed to successfully climb any tree to date that I'm aware of.
Now then, if I may...

A human was having dinner at a fancy restaurant when the Waiter approached.
“Sir, I see your glass🥛 is empty. Would you like another one?” the Waiter asked.
The Diner replied, “Why would I want another empty glass?"

Another diner told their waitress that the steak was bad.
She picked it up off their plate, slapped it around for a bit and then put it back down on the plate.
“If it gives you any more trouble, let me know,” she said before walking off.

Some Chess players think playing Checkers is dumb.
Personally, I love playing checkers. Plus the red ones are tasty. 
Don't worry, it's a Puppy thing. I'll outgrow it.

Thank you for your time and I hope I pass the audition.—KC.

On that note♫, while we await feedback on Koda's audition, have a great week and please be with us next weekend for Piper's next regularly scheduled turn hosting The Sunday Funnies.—lh,jr.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JANUARY 9-15, 2022



"I TRULY TRY TO BE BETTER TOMORROW THAN I WAS TODAY AND I MEAN BETTER AS SIMPLY A BETTER HUMAN BEING."
—Sidney Poitier, 1927-2022.


GET VACCINATED, WEAR Y😷UR MASK
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

JANUARY 16 IS APPRECIATE A DRAGON🐉 DAY FOR FANTASY FANS.
JANUARY 17 IS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR DAY.
JANUARY 22 IS PENGUIN🐧 AWARENESS DAY.
JANUARY 23 IS SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*Unfortunately the Omicron and other COVID Variants continue to spread across the world. (There are 8/EIGHT separate links in this item.)
*Thankfully the vaccination battles continue too. (There are  4/FOUR separate links in this item.)
*The state of the world, as of January 15, 2022.
*First the Ukraine and now possibly POLAND???

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*January 22 is Penguin🐧 Awareness Day.
*January 23 is Squirrel Appreciation Day.
*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees🎄 to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.
*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Actor/TV executive Dwayne Hickman (Dobie Gillis, How To Stuff A Wild Bikini, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Comedian Bob Saget (Full/Fuller House, original host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Jazz musician/songwriter James “Mtume” Forman (♫Juicy Fruit♫, ♫The Closer I Get To You♫, more) is no longer with us.
*Former Mister Olympia and Mister America Chris Dickerson has passed away.
*Actor Gary Waldhorn (The Vicar of Dibley, Zeppelin, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Former Hall of Fame professional football🏈 player Don Maynard is no longer with us.
*Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes has passed away.
*Author Ron Goulart (multiple titles in different genres) is no longer with us.
*Famed radio/TV host (Walter) Ralph Emery (numerous credits) has passed away.
*Musician/songwriter Dallas Fraiser (♫Alley Oop♫, ♫Elvira♫, more) is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former “President” Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious, ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the “detainees” as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR “detainees” (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
*Not every Republican believes “The Big Lie”. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
POLITICALLY…
*But were there problems with the 2016 Presidential Election??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*January 22 marks the 25th anniversary of Madeleine Albright becoming the United States’ first female Secretary of State.
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
*Republicans are allegedly celebrating the Supreme Court saying no to vaccine mandates. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Doctor Fauci versus the Republican naysayers. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
ELSEWHERE…
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…