The Best of Silly

The French soldier and his laughing buddies in the castle irritate King Arthur and Sir Galahad.

Princess gave me the DVD of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" for Christmas. Whenever I need a good laugh I go to the castle scene. You have to see it to really appreciate it. From the priceless script:

KING ARTHUR: If you will not show us the Grail, we shall take your castle by force!
FRENCH SOLDIER: You don't frighten us, English pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottom, sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called Arthur King, you and all your silly English k-nnnnniggets. Thppt! Thppt! Thppt!
SIR GALAHAD: What a strange person.
FRENCH SOLDIER: I don't wanna talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

Wrestling and Scrubbing

After watching the National Arm Wrestling Championships on ESPN, I challenged Red Chief to arm wrestling . . . and . . . just whipped him bad. Then later he quietly comes up to me, puts his elbow down, forearm straight up, and shows me an open fist, saying "Lets go." Hah. It was brutal. Punk four-year-old. But he sometimes wins.

I've become addicted to another hospital TV show - Scrubs. Ironically, it is opposite my very favorite show, Grey's Anatomy, but Scrubs is shown on Comedy Central at 6-7 p.m. five nights a week, two episodes back to back. The Scrubs cast and stories are hilarious, downright silly, but I love it. It's been on for a few years, but only recently have I started watching.

Sweet Run

At right is Jeff Riddle (the Riddler), ultra runner, trail afficionado, buffalo, and husband of Debbie, who made 79 cream-filled chocolate cupcakes for participants of last Saturday's Riddle Run. The run is Jeff's annual January No-Matter-What-the-Weather tromp at the Buffalo Trace Trail at Mahomet. The cupcakes are a Riddle Run tradition, having been there on all eight runs.

Can't post photos of Riddle Run as promised because I took only two photos and they're not good. So, suffice it to say that it was much fun in the cold and wind and mud of a January day. Managed to run (and walk) 20 miles at the Buffalo Trace trail at Mahomet with a big group, many my herd homies. Ran 16 with Wonder Calves and Buffalo Dave and then the last 4 with Dave. These two original buffaloes were appropriate running partners at my favorite running place and running event. I guess I should have a cast of characters for this blog since nicknames abound.

The Grapes of Wrath

Ugh. Recovering after too much wine and merriment at a gathering of the herd last night at Marty and Teresa's home. As is customary, we ran a few miles before eating and drinking. Amid the fun was a kitchen caucus of Bush bashers as a few Democrat Buffaloes (me included) discussed presidential candidates.

Tomorrow is my favorite running event, the Riddle Run, a trail run at Mahomet that brings together a lot of fun folks and good food no matter what the weather. This is the 8th year of this event and I've never missed it. A few years ago it dipped to -11 degress at the start of the run, and other years have seen freezing rain, snow, and ice. Portable stoves and generators have allowed us to cook despite some tough conditions. I'll be taking a lot of photos at the Riddle Run and will probably post them Monday.

Yellowstone Dreaming on a Winter's Day

Latest message from the Buffalo Field Campaign: "The mercury hovered around 50 below in West Yellowstone, Montana on January 13th. But, just like any other day, Buffalo Field Campaign staff and volunteers were on the job--monitoring, documenting, educating, and advocating for America's last free-roaming, wild bison. Why do we do it? That's simple: It's the right thing to do for this majestic American icon." What dedication. Wish I could be there.

I think this is going to be the year that I finally travel to Yellowstone to see the big herd and the many other wildlife at the national park. I've been collecting maps, literature and guides for several years. Ideally I would like to pitch a tent in one spot as a base camp and do as many day hikes as I can while I'm there. We'll see what develops.

Hound Dog Hell: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Couldn't resist posting this photo sent to me by fellow buffalo Cousin Don, who has a knack for finding strangeness. Look at the poor animal's face.

Umm . . . More Snow, Please

Nice Shot, Kid. You Just Killed an American Icon

This isn't right. Buffaloes of the large herd at Yellowstone National Park are subject to seasonal hunting once they leave park grounds and wander into Montana. Here a 12-year-old boy and his father focus on a shot, which hits a bull. The boy discharges a closeup shot into the buffalo and then stands with his trophy. Yellowstone buffalo are descendants of a wild herd and represent a valuable wildlife heritage. Although the present-day herd is considered wild, it is restricted in some of its movements. Besides hunting, hazing by snowmobiles and helicopters often steer the bison into capture pens. The State of Montana has been given the power to deal with errant buffalo, whose natural instincts are to migrate to find grass to eat. Details of the plight of the Yellowstone buffalo can be found at the website of the Buffalo Field Campaign.

Rum Runners: Sailing the Trail of the Siberian Sea

After braving a dizzying voyage, Buffaloes unite in a victory pyramid. Bottom row (l-r): Mr. Clean, Wonder Calves, Democrat Tom, and The Cable Guy. Middle: Cousin Don, Devil Dawg, Scarface, and (standing) Agnes Kissalamb. Top: Worm and Wrong Way. Only Buffalo nicknames are given to protect the honor of their families.

Scene: Saturday at the Siberian Express Trail Run at Kickapoo
Crime: Rum somehow got into the water bottles of the Buffaloes
Result: It was a choppy sea of mud on the trail but despite being under the influence of Captain Morgan, the Buffaloes made it to port.
To view the buffalo crew at the Siberian, click on the doggy and scroll through the photos, looking particularly for a large group of runners, and specifically for a pirate in a black buffalo shirt and khaki hat. Photos 23, 24, 25, and 34 are the best.

And speaking of erratic behavior, I have signed up for a 30-mile trail race to be held April 1 at Clinton Lake and a triathlon to be held June 2 near Bloomington. I am not well.

Christmas with Itchy Brother, Red Chief and the Wilmette Women

Darth Red Chief at Christmas.

The Kid's (sister Wendy) dog, Sophie, in a peaceful moment before she was released into the wild to hunt.

My Itchy Brother, Bill, and the Kid, Red Chief, and the Kid's kids Catherine and Rebecca on the golf course during Sophie's squirrel hunt.The Kid and her clan live in Wilmette in the Chi burbs.

Red Chief was aglow in a galaxy far away as he opened Star Wars gifts with the Princess Mother.

Maddie, my cat, wanted only a soft spot and sunlight for Christmas.

Still Waiting for Snow

Yesteryear Fear: Backyard Driver

Big bro Bill turned 60 on Dec. 23. Here he is driving his first car while I (at right) and a neighbor friend smile while hanging on for dear life. Stay tuned for this year's Christmas family photos.