Recent Comments

1. about 16 hours ago on That is Priceless

   /// Mix two primary hues. One obtains

   secondary tints, and this explains

   why the orange and green

   colors look best when seen

   with his deep purple varicose veins.

   Red + Yellow = Orange

   Yellow + Blue = Green

   Red + Blue = Purple

2. about 20 hours ago on That is Priceless

   /// These are warriors, ready to die.

   Follow orders and don’t question why.

   At attention they stand,

   waiting for a command

   to attack the old Austrian guy.

   /// They all joined Kaiser Wilhelm the second.

   Came to Schönbrunn at once when he beckoned.

   Might this lead to a war?

   (It had happened before.)

   We’re past due for a battle, some reckoned.

   /// But an order to fight never came.

   Wilhelm read a speech, civil and tame.

   While he peacefully jabbered,

   each sword stayed in its scabbard.

   If the standoff goes on, he’s to blame.

3. about 20 hours ago on That is Priceless

   I read a lengthy analysis of the painting which states that all of the men in military uniforms are from monarchies, while the man in black with a ruff represents one of the three free-city republics: Bremen, Hamburg or Lübeck. His placement among the princes probably shows where republics stood in the pecking order of the time.

4. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

   /// On the wall a huge portrait is seen

   of the Austrian-born, late French Queen.

   For, Franz Joseph’s aware

   of the hatred they share

   for all things French— too lush and obscene.

   /// Using statecraft is fun, he enjoys it.

   Common sense? Strong emotion destroys it.

   Here, in Austria, he

   controls all that they see.

   If advantage exists, he employs it.

5. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

   /// Many manly men met, standing there,

   manifesting “machismo” with care.

   All of them are impressed

   by a guy’s furry chest.

   Some are bald, but each sports facial hair.

6. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

   /// These are Princes in Confederation

   of the Germans who seek one strong nation.

   Here they’ve gathered together.

   Though most show “the white feather,”

   they’re not cowards; War’s their aspiration.

7. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

   /// It’s Franz Joseph’s Diamond Jubilee.

   German Princes have come here to see

   the Emperor, who

   greets Kaiser Wilhelm (Two).

   All respectful, but none bend the knee.

   /// They’re each leaders of people Teutonic,

   but for some, the respect is ironic.

   Each man here thinks he’s best

   and should lead all the rest.

   (In this region of Europe, that’s chronic.)

8. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

   /// These five mermaids just rose from the sea,

   yet their hair seems dry— how can that be?

   Wet hair usually clings

   to the head in long strings;

   but their scalps exude grease. That’s the key!

9. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

   An extremely funny song with an hilarious ending… until you picture it. Because, despite what the protagonist claims, I think that few men would be interested in a reverse mermaid (who was a fish on top and only a woman from the waist down).

10. 1 day ago on That is Priceless

    Although Shel Silverstein wrote and performed that song, I agree with you that Bobby Bare sang it better.