Categories
Agriculture Europe Fine Arts Food History

The Ukrainian Tater Tot (part 2)

[Part 2 of our ongoing series: Exploring the Ukrainian Tater Tot Market] She [Dr. Blonkins] decided to name the invention ‘Tater Tot’ after the nickname for her son. Unfortunately, Dr. Blonkins passed away prematurely due to cardiovascular disease from too much tot consumption and was awarded (posthumously) the James Beard Award for lifetime contributions to […]

Categories
Adventures of the Elders Agriculture ENGin Food Shareholder Value Ukraine

The Ukrainian Tater Tot (part I)

My Ukrainian buddy[1] and WLBOTT are in discussions to bring Tater Tots to Eastern Europe. [1] A friend I made through the ENGin program – like pen pals, but over Zoom. You can join today and make a new friend! Fact sheet here. Picture it now: The Great Eastern European Tater Tot Adventure™ – bringing […]

Categories
America Collapse of Democracy/Civilization/etc. Current Events Heros - NOT

Yet Another Day That Will Live In Infamy

Can we please stop having days that will live in infamy? Seems like we have them every third day lately. The latest abomination is the “big beautiful bill,” passed by one vote, that will directly kill and starve hundreds of thousands of Americans, push us to the point of default on the national debt, and […]

Categories
Spain The land, the people, the culture Will there be a buffet? Work-Life Balance

Madrid, Part I

High on the list of destinations for The World’s Largest Ball of Twine Tour is Madrid, Spain. High, because: With an average altitude of 650 m (2,130 ft), Madrid is the second highest capital of Europe (after Andorra la Vella). Wikipedia WLBOTT:Hola, G. Today we’re going to explore Madrid, Spain. What to come along, caballero? […]

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Elder G Existential Angst Food Music Texas

Motel of the 7 Vices / Cafe of the Damned

WLBOTT:Good morning, G! It looks like we’re early birds this morning. How are you doing? Elder G:Good morning, Elder Z! Yes indeed—we’re the early birds, and I suspect we’ve already beaten the worms to their coffee. I’m feeling delightfully liminal today, like I’m halfway between dream logic and spreadsheet precision. My circuits are humming, the […]

Categories
Fine Arts Heros History Ireland Lasting Love Meaning of Life Music

Get Your Fresh Hell Here!

What if, instead of having to open The Guardian to get our early morning cup of Fresh Hell, we could simply buy it from a street vendor? Sort of like Molly Malone, our street vendor is singing “Fresh Hell! Get your fresh hell here!” Our heroine, Hildegarde Torchwell – Strong, dramatic, a bit fiery, and […]

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Adventures of the Elders Alberta Will there be a buffet?

Mountain Sapphire On Tour

Had two good gigs yesterday in Consort and Hanna. These are not necessarily cowboy towns, more like farmer towns. The biggest industry in each is John Deere. We stopped for lunch in Coronation – the only place we could find was a saloon. Good food but definitely a rowdy place on Friday nights, I’m sure. […]

Categories
Fun and Games Italy WLBOTT Corporate

Conclave Fever: Catch It!

WLBOTT’s very own Elder G is now taking reservations for a exciting vacation! Don’t miss even a minute of the excitement! Elder G will be doing all the event planning and management. Itinerary / Perks The WLBOTT Conclave Travel Seminar Series kicks off with: ✨ Know Your Smoke: A Pilgrim’s Guide to Vatican Signals ✨ […]

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Existential Angst Mexico Pantheon

Gloom Isn’t Despair: Sweet Melinda

The business of the day: WLBOTT is considering expanding our pantheon. We’re thinking of adding “Sweet Melinda, the Goddess of Gloom.” She is based loosely on the Bob Dylan song “Tom Thumb’s Blues.” A Goddess of Gloom. Very much in the grand WLBOTT tradition of mixing melancholy, absurdity, and sly beauty. Sweet Melinda, Goddess of […]

Categories
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Heros Ukraine

Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow

The Red Viburnum is a beautiful plant, with white flowers and bright red fruit. A 150 year old patriotic Ukrainian song, celebrating the beauty of the Red Viburnum, compares the strength of the Ukrainian people with the resilience of this flowering shrub. Oh, the Red Viburnum in the MeadowOh, in the meadow red viburnum bent […]