That’s the same thought that popped into my head, except mine had the adjective cross-language. Coincidentally, I mentioned to someone yesterday that the word bonfire started out as bonefire but the change in pronunciation of the vowel and the consequent respelling have obscured the original meaning.
I wondered who would burn bones, and in this piece from the Irish Times I found an answer, from someone who remembers participating in one such ritual.
Down here, the decorations rock. The cold weather may put a bit of a crimp in things tonight, but there will be plenty of parties for those who want to forego the parades. Eating King cake inside, in the warmth, makes for a good celebration, too. Happy Mardi Gras to you and Dallas!
The part of your caption that stands out to us in Austin is Temps: we’ve had below-freezing temps two nights in a row. Our dogged persistence has carried us through and the forecast says no more freezes will hound us in the days ahead.
We nearly made it below freezing; the best we could manage was 33F, with wind dropping the chill factor to 24F. There were plenty of people dogging the weatherman for a better forecast, but he felt no need to flesh out his bare-bones prediction: cold, colder, and then not so cold.
Our language isn’t nearly so boring as some people believe; playing with it can be a good bit of fun.
It might interest you to know that the dog was carved from the remnants of an oak that was destroyed during Hurricane Ike. All around Galveston, trees were carved into a variety of creatures, including a pelican, herons, an owl, and a roseate spoonbill.
I wonder if they might have been inundated with proposals at the time. For a while, it seemed as though you couldn’t pick up a magazine or newspaper without seeing another story about the trees. I’d considered doing a follow-up to my own post about them, but when I visited them a few months ago, I was sorry to see that some hadn’t been tended to as they should have been, and weren’t nearly as attractive.
It is one of the carved trees. This is the dog who had his front paw stolen. You can see the repair that was done if you look closely at his right paw. I don’t know if they caught the ne’er do well who damaged him. I hope so.
This is one of the homes in Galveston’s historical east end. It’s an absolute beauty. There’s still a lot of restoration from Hurricane Ike taking place, but the town is reclaiming itself.
Hey now. Just look at that dog on the fence with a “hang dog” expression and saying let the good times roll. Of course, I had to look it up since I don’t speak French even though most of my dad’s side of the family immigrated from France and my maiden name is very French. I always wished that I could speak French and for that matter German as well. But it is a bit late for all of that, so I will merrily enjoy your Louisiana tales and photos. This photo is one of your best.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Yvonne. Cajun French certainly differs from what I learned in school, but it’s a delight to hear. Many of the barge captains along the intracoastal are Cajun, and their accents can be hard to sort out even when they’re speaking English — that was one of the first lessons I learned when I began sailing, and had to be able to communicate with them.
Isn’t it funny? I do believe that if that dog suddenly came alive, he’d enjoy getting out of the yard for a romp in the woods with Buster — but I’ll bet Buster would make him leave the cap at home!
I was thinking of some of your previous posts about every sort of celebration, from Christmas and New Year to Carnival. Sometimes, “under the radar” is just fine, although a lot of people chose “under the blankets” last night, since we got down to freezing. That’ll put a damper on the fun — or at least the skimpy costumes.
I had to get a translation and now I see what you did there. Cute and witty. That dog is a carved tree? Wow. Not many living dogs would allow themselves to be decorated like that. Bentley certainly wouldn’t.
It’s a little horrifying, really, to see the way dogs (and a few cats, and the occasional goat) are dressed for various parades around here: not only at Mardi Gras, but also at Christmas, July 4th, and so on. I suppose as long as pets allow it, it will keep happening.
The dog is one of the Ike survivors. As far as I know, he’s the only one that was painted; most were left to show off their wood. Some are well preserved, others have begun to decay, but seeing so many destroyed trees turned into things of beauty was a real lift for the town.
I’ve never seen a dog acting like it was suffering for its costume, but I do imagine it doesn’t want to be seen like that in a dog park.
Speaking of carvings, I imagine that you may have seen the work of Peter Wolf Toth. It is my understanding that he has created at least one of these in every state and two in some. The second one is in Springfield, MA near us. It is also right next to a main access to Route 91 and a small baseball field. I am always amazed that it has not suffered vandalism. I know that there are at least two in Maine that we have seen, one being close to Acadia. I guess they must possess good juju.
The images of Toth’s work are sort of familiar, but I don’t recall knowing his name. I wondered if we had one of his Avenue of the Giants pieces here in Texas, and the answer is Yes, but….. Maybe I’ll think about reposting my piece about the Galveston carvings, with an update on their condition.
Lagniappe 
What a great bilingual pun!
It made me laugh when I thought of it!
That’s the same thought that popped into my head, except mine had the adjective cross-language. Coincidentally, I mentioned to someone yesterday that the word bonfire started out as bonefire but the change in pronunciation of the vowel and the consequent respelling have obscured the original meaning.
How interesting! I didn’t know that. Thanks!
Well, you know me: always boning up on etymology.
I like that! :)
I wondered who would burn bones, and in this piece from the Irish Times I found an answer, from someone who remembers participating in one such ritual.
Haha! That’s great! And thank you, Pit, I hadn’t even noticed the pun until you mentioned it.
Everybody gets to party — although it’s probably better to throw beads than bones!
Well, if life throws you a bone…make soup! Or make a dog happy.
I like that very much, too!
So on that score you have no bone to pick with Robert.
;)
HaHa, of course, they’d decorate the dog! Why not?!! Happy Mardi Gras, my friend!
Down here, the decorations rock. The cold weather may put a bit of a crimp in things tonight, but there will be plenty of parties for those who want to forego the parades. Eating King cake inside, in the warmth, makes for a good celebration, too. Happy Mardi Gras to you and Dallas!
The part of your caption that stands out to us in Austin is Temps: we’ve had below-freezing temps two nights in a row. Our dogged persistence has carried us through and the forecast says no more freezes will hound us in the days ahead.
We nearly made it below freezing; the best we could manage was 33F, with wind dropping the chill factor to 24F. There were plenty of people dogging the weatherman for a better forecast, but he felt no need to flesh out his bare-bones prediction: cold, colder, and then not so cold.
Clever people can do clever things with the English language.
Our language isn’t nearly so boring as some people believe; playing with it can be a good bit of fun.
It might interest you to know that the dog was carved from the remnants of an oak that was destroyed during Hurricane Ike. All around Galveston, trees were carved into a variety of creatures, including a pelican, herons, an owl, and a roseate spoonbill.
I may have told you that several years ago I tried to interest Texas Highways in a story about those carved tree remains but I got turned down.
I wonder if they might have been inundated with proposals at the time. For a while, it seemed as though you couldn’t pick up a magazine or newspaper without seeing another story about the trees. I’d considered doing a follow-up to my own post about them, but when I visited them a few months ago, I was sorry to see that some hadn’t been tended to as they should have been, and weren’t nearly as attractive.
Outstanding quip. Fun picture!
Isn’t he fine? I haven’t seen him this year, but I’m sure he’s been decked out with some finery.
I was wondering if you had tracked him back down. (Nature today is certainly decked out int finery – so nice to hear birds singing again.)
Is that one of the carved trees or just a statue?
It is one of the carved trees. This is the dog who had his front paw stolen. You can see the repair that was done if you look closely at his right paw. I don’t know if they caught the ne’er do well who damaged him. I hope so.
Oh, be still my heart, what incredible architectural detail!!
This is one of the homes in Galveston’s historical east end. It’s an absolute beauty. There’s still a lot of restoration from Hurricane Ike taking place, but the town is reclaiming itself.
If the dogs like it – it HAS to be good!!
Isn’t that the truth? Dogs know!
They have a better judge of character than humans!!
Love it!xxx
So do we, Dina. I’ve not met anyone yet who doesn’t smile when they see this chap!
Says it all!
Next year, it might be a cat’s turn — you never know.
Hey now. Just look at that dog on the fence with a “hang dog” expression and saying let the good times roll. Of course, I had to look it up since I don’t speak French even though most of my dad’s side of the family immigrated from France and my maiden name is very French. I always wished that I could speak French and for that matter German as well. But it is a bit late for all of that, so I will merrily enjoy your Louisiana tales and photos. This photo is one of your best.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Yvonne. Cajun French certainly differs from what I learned in school, but it’s a delight to hear. Many of the barge captains along the intracoastal are Cajun, and their accents can be hard to sort out even when they’re speaking English — that was one of the first lessons I learned when I began sailing, and had to be able to communicate with them.
I hope that someday you will write about the Cajun sailors. I think that would be very entertaining and interesting. I am fascinated with accents.
That cap is perfect for the expression on the dog’s face!
Isn’t it funny? I do believe that if that dog suddenly came alive, he’d enjoy getting out of the yard for a romp in the woods with Buster — but I’ll bet Buster would make him leave the cap at home!
He does look as though he would love a romp in the woods!
It’s hard, having to stand at a fence and watch the world go by!
Carnival is ‘big’ here, so I stayed home/under the radar! It’s fun to see this image – worth getting out to experience!
I was thinking of some of your previous posts about every sort of celebration, from Christmas and New Year to Carnival. Sometimes, “under the radar” is just fine, although a lot of people chose “under the blankets” last night, since we got down to freezing. That’ll put a damper on the fun — or at least the skimpy costumes.
I had to get a translation and now I see what you did there. Cute and witty. That dog is a carved tree? Wow. Not many living dogs would allow themselves to be decorated like that. Bentley certainly wouldn’t.
It’s a little horrifying, really, to see the way dogs (and a few cats, and the occasional goat) are dressed for various parades around here: not only at Mardi Gras, but also at Christmas, July 4th, and so on. I suppose as long as pets allow it, it will keep happening.
The dog is one of the Ike survivors. As far as I know, he’s the only one that was painted; most were left to show off their wood. Some are well preserved, others have begun to decay, but seeing so many destroyed trees turned into things of beauty was a real lift for the town.
I’ve never seen a dog acting like it was suffering for its costume, but I do imagine it doesn’t want to be seen like that in a dog park.
Speaking of carvings, I imagine that you may have seen the work of Peter Wolf Toth. It is my understanding that he has created at least one of these in every state and two in some. The second one is in Springfield, MA near us. It is also right next to a main access to Route 91 and a small baseball field. I am always amazed that it has not suffered vandalism. I know that there are at least two in Maine that we have seen, one being close to Acadia. I guess they must possess good juju.
The images of Toth’s work are sort of familiar, but I don’t recall knowing his name. I wondered if we had one of his Avenue of the Giants pieces here in Texas, and the answer is Yes, but….. Maybe I’ll think about reposting my piece about the Galveston carvings, with an update on their condition.