An open letter to TLC

Dear TLC,

I am hereby boycotting your entire channel. You used to be a quality source of information and entertainment. I used to spend entire nights and weekends solely tuned to your program lineup. (Well, before you fired Paige anyway. Since then it’s been hit or miss.) I would still occasionally stop on by to visit with Stacy and Clinton, the Roloffs, and to see the antics of the various large families. Not anymore.

I am appalled that, despite misgivings last season from one father on a certain show, (you know which one I’m talking about), you have chosen to renew the program. As the events of the summer unfolded, and are still continuing to unfold in the media, I am even more appalled that the program has not been pulled off the air … FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN.

These are impressionable young children, NOT actors, who have been thrust into the limelight. Over the last few seasons, the editing and footage aired has made it clear, to me, at least, that at least the older set of children have issues. The younger set of multiples is approaching the age when they will be entering public school, if they haven’t already. Before the mess that is now embroiling their parents became public, that factor should have been considered as well. Now they all have to deal with fame, paparazzi, stress between their parents, isolation, and an endless time period of speculation from their peers and the public.

For the sake of those children, I have imposed my own blackout of all coverage of this mess. I turn the channel when the “news” brings it up. I don’t read articles about it. This will be my only statement about it. If only I could, I would get others to join me in boycotting the program and watching your channel. Even more importantly, I would start a campaign to boycott the purchasing of products from any and all advertisers on the program and your channel.

When you bring back a real quality Learning Channel, TLC, perhaps I might visit you again.

But until then, Shame on you.

Sincerely,

Auntie Nettie

City Gardener Week 6

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Now we are cooking with canola oil!

Maybe I'll get some pesto out of this cracked pot after all.

Retroblog May 27, 1983

Today is May 27, 1983 Time 5:41 pm


I have had many things happen to me. On the 18th of May we Merrie Miss Girls had our own Merrie's Miss Mom Nite it was fun.

Why is it that I can't remember what happened in 1983, but my mother can remember what happened, who was there, and in the case of the talent shows, can remember what I played?

Maybe if I had spent more time writing things in down in this journal I might be able trigger a memory.

As you can tell, I wasn't much for recording the details. Given the time of day, I was probably supposed to be doing something else ...

More Advice to Tourists

Never Commute When You are Hungry!

Tempations are everywhere. Grand Central Terminal is especially dangerous, what with these types of Zaro's displays to taunt you. Their popcorn is especially delicious at 11:30 p.m. when it serves as dinner for those of us who work too late and don't have a chance to eat (aside from cookies and Dt. Coke).

Can I just have one of everything please?

But Dear Tourists,

Could you do us regular commuters all a flavor? Please!?

During rush hour commutes ... Get out of the traffic patterns!

See us coming (like a stampeding herd of buffaloes)? We have trains to catch. We want to get the heck out of the Big Apple (or our heels, suits, pantyhose, you name it.) Like when you drive, stay to the slow lane (on the sides). Hug the walls. Get out of the middle of passageway.

Once you have your food, do not attempt to walk, talk AND drink/eat. Go downstairs, get some food there, or find a chair. Better yet ... just leave the terminal and head elsewhere. We'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Auntie Nettie and the rest of the regular commuters

P.S. If you buy me a chocolate cake at Zaro's or a piece of Mississippi Mud Pie from the Little Pie Company, I might be more inclined to put up with you. Just saying.

City Gardener Week 5?

Monday, May 18, 2009

Finally! This is starting look like sprouts.

Maybe I'll get something by September after all.

Lost on the Rails

Attention Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.

I have located your shoes.

These silvery stilettos have been seen lying in the middle of the 42nd Street shuttle tracks at Track 1, just beyond the Stairway to Nowhere on the Grand Central Terminal side.

Pray tell Sisters: How have your soles survived the absence of these party shoes? What roads have your heels travelled? How can they stack up to the stories swirling in my imagination? What tales of your night life might these strappy numbers tell?

Alas, my vivid imagining of your revels quickly succumbed to my gag reflex. The sight of a very large rodent lying quite bloodily squished to death by subway car not inches from these accessories brought to an abrupt end my daydreaming.

Too bad.

Quote of the Day

From Auntie Nettie's personal art collection,

needlework done by former colleague Tina.