Cat Truth, #7

Going outside isn't half as interesting as sitting in the open doorway looking outside. Especially if it lets cold air in.

-The Gneech

Happy Birthday to welah!

For your present, here's today's Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk):

mack nor mell

"I'll neither mack nor mell," I'll not interfere. Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida.

—F. T. Dinsdale's Glossary of Provincial Words Used in Teesdale in the County of Durham, 1849

Teachaholic's Wedding

Today marks the wedding day in 1800 of eccentric English surgeon and teacher John Abernaty (1765–1830), who prided himself on allowing nothing to interfere with his instructional duties. He was known derisively as "Doctor My-Book" because he often referred patients to a book he wrote about surgical operations. Years after his nuptials, a friend happened across this smartly dressed medico in the hospital, inquired about his formal attire — which included a white waistcoat — and was told that his daughter had been married that day. "Indeed, sir," ventured the friend, "you should have given yourself a holiday, and not come down to lecture." Abernathy brushed aside the remark gracefully, saying, "Egad, I came down to lecture the day I myself was married!" On another occasion, according to Abernathy's memoirs, he was in the process of making a house call near the hospital when he heard the clock strike two. He stopped in his tracks, saying, "I'll be damned if I do," and returned to the lecture room.

F. T. Dinsdale's Glossary of Provincial Words Used in Teesdale in the County of Durham, while not as specific as Glossary of Inane Drivel the_gneech Spouted at Starbucks Last Wednesday Between 12:00 and 12:15, is still a strong contender in the "Most Pointlessly Specific Book EVAR" competition.

-The Gneech

P.S.: "Dinsdale!" —Spiny Norman

As Sung By Leonard Nimoy...

*cheesy clarinet and guitar riff*

o/`
In the middle of the Earth
in the land of NoVA
lives a brave little kitty
who makes us all ga-ga
with his long wooly coat
and his tiny little nose
he lives in the Hobbit Hole
and everybody knows him!

Bud-dha! Buddha Robey!
Only two foot small
Bud-dha! Buddha Robey!
the bravest little kitty of them all...
o/`

Buddha news in brief: he's home, doing fine, had his regular vet followup to last weekend's traumas and just taken his last bit of medicine. He is recovered and all is well with the world. Thanks for the well-wishes, all!

-The Gneech