Thought for the day- August 28th

Subject: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 03:33 AM

I have known the thrill of having a rattlesnake cuddle trustfully in my arms, and the soft touch of a gorilla's tongue on my cheek. Hairy, scaly, leather-covered -- they are all mine and I love them, every one.
- Belle Jennings Benchley -
Born on this day in 1882

Divorced, with a young son to support, Belle started working at the San Diego Zoo in 1925, as a bookkeeper. When she would tell her boss about a problem with one of the animals and such, his usual reply would be "Well, do something about it." And, she did.

In 1927, after making many changes and raising funds for various improvements, she was made executive secretary and director of the zoo.

She was the first to use moats to separate animals from viewers and insisted that each animal have a private place, out of view of the public, for a retreat.

She opened the field to women, hiring some of the first female keepers in the nation.

She retired in 1952 and was given a three month round the world tour of the world's zoos as a retirement gift, as it had ever been her goal to visit them all. She died in 1973 at the age of 91.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 03:55 AM

Interesting quote and an interesting woman. Didn't know it was she who started the far better "habitat and privacy" trend which had such a positive impact on zoos everywhere.

On the other hand...................Being me is often an incredible pain to everyone, including myself. And now, I'm stuck with having to give voice to every wiseass comment that runs through what's left of my mind.

Cuddling a rattler? A gorilla's kiss? Hairy, scaly, leather covered? I must say that when I read the quote, it reminded me of my younger days and a lot of girls with whom I shared a bed....and other things. In most cases, I was intoxicated and the thoughts never struck me til morning.

Well.........at least I phrased it nicely!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 11:14 AM

Great quote, Miss Iceland!
yours, Peter T. (not here)

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: emily rain
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 04:01 PM

neato. thanks.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 05:45 PM

Ahem...er....PeterT,who is not really there; NO! REALLY NOT THERE.....if ya get my drift?!**Big Grin**

I think if you check Skarpi's historical accounts you will find, Perfessor, that KATLA is simply the name of the volcano and not the country, though if you wish to bestow such a beauteous title on me, I'll not stop you! I am sure there are some on here who will say the volcanic appendage suits just fine!

'Spaw...ya did good. I knew you'd honour the occasion!

luvyaKat

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 06:12 PM

I used to have a "Volcanic Appendage" but I think those days are behind me, as are the uh, ...let's say "coyote ugly" women.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 12:53 AM

LOL, 'Spaw! You caught me! I wasn't warmed up, yet, or something!!! Okay...I meant appellation! Unlike you, I have NO SUCH appendages!:-)

And...coyote ugly???? Yer sayin' coyotes is ugly!??? NOT when ya step out yer back door, on a dark night when the moon is just a silvery sliver and ya hear a lone voice coyote howling down that moon, mourning his lonesomeness. Then, my dear 'Spaw, they are downright beeeoooootifull!

katlaughing&howlingatthemoon!

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 03:43 AM

Uh yeah.........Well, you see.......yeah.........

Lemme' explain this in the "male" terminology. The term is "Equal Opportunity" and could be used by females or gays. But rather than dance around with Equal Opps terms, let me say it as a "guy" would phrase it complete with locker room chauvinism. Okay? Hoo Boy.........Here you go, apologies in advance. When I explain some of these things to Karen at times, her reaction often is, "The malechild seems to lead a somewhat different life don't you?" So..............

COYOTE UGLY

First, "ugly." Let's say not desirable for any number of reasons. Classically, it's looks, but there are a lot of other qualities that makes a person "ugly." So we now can move on to the real definition which you'll understand after reading this scenario:

You slowly awaken and your groggy-foggy mind begins to stir as your senses adjust to the darkened surroundings. As your taste sense sends a message to your brain, you first assume that a passing dog has shit in your mouth, but slowly you realize it is of your own doing; too many cigarettes and too much booze. Your head is giving off mild pains and the knowledge that these are the prelude to a serious skull blasting hangover confirms what your taste buds are saying. Your eyes only partially adjust to the grayish morning colors that are making strange shadows in the unfamiliar room. It takes another few seconds to come to terms with the room. It's difference from home is obvious, but somehow you know it, like something you've seen before. Yeah, now you have it, it's your motel room, yeah, that's it. You somehow, only now, begin to perceive that you are embracing another naked body. As all of the senses begin to jaggedly connect, memories from the previous evening gel together. Your first really cognizant thought is, "I gotta' get outta' here before this broad wakes up! What the hell was I thinking last night? You weren't thinking dumbass.....well at least your brain wasn't. Jesus." But you've been on the road a long time and you know the drill. Slide into your clothes, grab your bag (you never unpack that 2-suiter), and your attache case and quietly go out the door. You can clean up down the road and put on a fresh shirt and tie, take a handful of mixed painkillers, grab some coffee and make it to your first appointment with time to spare. No problem. But wait a minute; you are embracing this woman that was so much better looking last night! "How the hell am I going to get out of this bed with her lying on my arm?" You remember reading about coyotes caught in a trap that chew off their leg to escape. You look at her. You look at your arm.

That, Katmyluv, is "Coyote Ugly." ........like I said, those days are long past.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: Sourdough
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 03:53 AM

Caspaw49: When I read your "coyote ugly" remark mixed in there with the very expressive "volcanic appendage" of days of yore, I was temted to rise to the defense of coyotes (Ian Tyson even wrote of a "bushy-tailed coyote queen") but as my old Grandaddy used to say as he sat on the rocker on the cabin porch, "De gustibus non disputandum est", so I let it pass. Then I read your explanation of "coyote ugly" and you won me over. That is a wonderful, if rather individual, explanation.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Thought for the day- August 28th
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 08:51 AM

Well done, 'Spaw....I can definitely see it and you did it in such a kindly fashion! jeez! That wasn't you down in Colorado at the Dew Drop Inn back in 1976, was it!??? If it was then you are in BIG trouble, 'cause there weren't nothing coyote ugly anywhere near me back then!**BG**