“He Went That-A-Way”

From Prof. Oddfellow's sketchbook:

Imaginary Underwear

From Prof. Oddfellow's sketchbook:

While visiting Peanut Lake in Wisconsin, I could swear I spotted the elusive Peanut Duck.  According to The New Biology site, "Peanut ducks were first discovered in 1671, when they were proclaimed 'a fear-some mishe-mashe of plante and fowle' by the Church.  However, after two centuries of relentless persecution, it became clear that the creatures were far too clumsy on land to be any threat, and they were left to their own devices.  The peanut duck is also a dance."

Today's question:

Did the Berlin Wall fall on November 9, 1989?*

With "hindpsych," the answer is "yes"!  In our Tarot spread, the first card is "Justice."  Notice that the judge holds a pair of scales.  The scales symbolize the balance of opposing forces (the political ideologies of the "East" and the "West").  The scales are mirrored in the third card, "The Moon."  Here we see two towers (the ruins of former guard towers along the wall) as well as two dogs howling together at the moon.  The light shines through the open space between the towers.  The center card, "The Lovers," promises a glorious new day of reunification.  The bright light of the sun illuminates the joining of East and West (symbolized by a bride and groom).  The cupid and officiator of ceremonies may symbolize Presidents Ronald Regan and Mikhail Gorbachev, though which is which is up for interpretation.  In summary, the cards show justice being served, a formal union taking place, and howls of emotion.  We can say with confidence that the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, and we can now move on.

From Prof. Oddfellow's sketchbook:

Identity Theft

Though King Neptune championed rights, he had one exoskeleton in his closet (that only his doctor knew): he was shellfish intolerant.

Wilfred Funk once collected a list of "the most beautiful words in English." The list includes such words as dawn, tranquil, hush, golden, halcyon, camellia, myrrh, jonquil, lullaby, and melody. Pictured below are four more words from Funk's list. Can you guess them?

The answer: Top left: TENDRIL. Top right: ANEMONE. Bottom left: FAWN. Bottom right: CHALICE. (The answer is in black text on the black background. Highlight it to view.)

There are lots more lists of beautiful (and not so beautiful) English words at A Collection of Word Oddities and Trivia.

While referencing my computer's built in dictionary, I encountered a bit of editorializing that I enjoyed:


A distasteful image was indeed evoked, and it inspired what I believe is my first-ever limerick (unless I wrote any as a child).

Honey Pot Lure

The publicist for that bedsheets firm just got sacked.  Apparently, she had made too many blanket statements.  There are whispers of a king-sized money laundering scheme that would have folded the company and taken everyone to the cleaners.  Police are already on the case, and the details are being ironed out.  (It's a royal case of mistaken identities, because she's a twin, you see.)  Her career shouldn't be affected: she's already turned down one offer. 

From Prof. Oddfellow's sketchbook:

Hiding Vulnerability Under a Mask of Toughness

"Do you think I have all day?"  Yes.  Remember the Latin phrase carpe diem: "seize the day."

When Yul, the fireplace salesman, retired due to burnout, his son assumed the mantle.