Monthly Archives: December 2011

Lap dog’s lament

Posted on December 30, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Peppermint Patti JOTR Columnist I hear them talk about it, Sophie, and there’s only one word for what I feel. Angst. If they go through with this thing, Sophie, I have a big question: Where am I gonna sit? … Continue reading →

Posted in Peppermint Patti | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dog U

Posted on December 28, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Patti, PhD (Philosophocus Dogus) JOTR Columnist You’ve heard it through the grape whine, haven’t you, Sophie? I’m Professor of Canine Studies at the U. Happened at Christmas. A present to me from my two-leggers. They got tired of paying … Continue reading →

Posted in Peppermint Patti | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Out of my mind with cider

Posted on December 27, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell When I posted my plan to cut our booze bill to zero last March, a reader commented, “You’re out of your mind.” I must be nuts, then, because I followed through on my plan. The idea was … Continue reading →

Posted in Cider | Tagged , | 1 Comment

What a Muslim taught them about Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2011 by hro50ta1

By JOTR staff Once upon a time, two Peace Corp volunteers were facing a lonely Christmas in the sub-Sahara. They were thousands of miles from family and friends. They had each other, true. But they would learn that they also … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Hardalee Press | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembering the mole family

Posted on December 17, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Russell Hoban was an amazing writer whose Frances books transfixed adults as well as their target audience, which was kids. His novel, Riddley Walker, could have been classed as sci-fi or fantasy, but for pure inventiveness, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My pal Newt

Posted on December 16, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell I like Newt. I can’t say it too often — Newt Gingrich is the greatest! I owe Newt a big debt of gratitude, because it was Newt who nudged me off the dime and into the race … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad government, Books, Hardalee Press, People | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hope for Delray

Posted on December 15, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Four years ago, I retired from my job as a reporter with the Detroit Free Press. One of the last stories I wrote for the Free Press was about a seemingly hopeless community in Southwest Detroit known … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures in history, Me & Matty | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Tarascans under Spanish rule: How one town stayed Indian while its neighbor became mestizo

Posted on December 15, 2011 by hro50ta1

  By Joel Thurtell Twelve kilometers east-southeast of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, four wooded volcanic peaks roughly bound the east end of a moderately fertile, flat, well-watered valley. On a long slope descending to this plain sits Cuanajo, a large[1] Tarascan town. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures in history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My valvectomy

Posted on December 12, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell I underwent my valvectomy some years ago. The operation went very well. I was on my feet throughout, though there was a point during the procedure when my wind pipe was cut off. But once we spliced … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures in history, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How serious is my bid for President?

Posted on December 11, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell The question has been raised whether I’m truly serious about running for President, given that my name is not on the ballot of a single state. To political strategists, this may seem like a huge liability. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Good government, Hardalee Press | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment