Seems we’re all still here today, but men, if you show up in the bedroom wearing these, this really could be the end of the world for you.
Yes, they’re real. You can find them at WalMart. If you do go to WalMart just to find these, please do the world a favor and stay there.
Blogs and Articles in No Particular Order
Today, I thank Kristen Lamb, who first gave me the idea of The End is Near (and we deserve it). She compiled a few choice apocalypse predictors of her own this week. The End is Near and We Deserve It – The Top 12 Reasons Earth Deserves Annihilation
Warning to Instagram users: Instagram Says It Now Has the Right to Sell Your Photos.
Twenty-three years ago this month, I lost my first husband to mental illness. There simply was no one with the tools to help him. It was an event that divided the people in my world in no uncertain terms: those who unflinchingly stood by me, and those who suddenly didn’t know my name. I could never have predicted who would fall into which camp. When I read this article by the mother of a mentally ill son, I felt her sense of despair to my core. ‘I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother’: A Mom’s Perspective on the Mental Illness Conversation in America
Via Rachel Funk Heller, we have this gem. 26 Moments That Restored Our Faith In Humanity This Year
Award Winning Author and International Best Seller Vicki Hinze shares 10 Christmas Fun Facts. What was the biggest Christmas present ever? What was used for the first artificial tree? How did Christmas stockings get started? Who’d have thought?
Some frank and encouraging talk from historical fiction author and publishing attorney Susan Spann. Watch for Susan’s debut novel, CLAWS OF THE CAT, due out this July. An Open Letter to Authors Who Hear a “No”
Air Force Pilot Relays Coordinates of Downed Pilot by Senior Airman Scott Saldukas. An excellent example of how being prepared can save lives.
Some great observations from Jenny Hansen. Who doesn’t need more time? Thoughts on Being Busy
Kitt Crescendo dug up a fantastically twisted but hilarious clip with Johnny Carson and Mona Aboud. What Did You Say You Wanted for Christmas?
Considering those boxer shorts, I thought it might be appropriate to bring in some certified HO! Specialists for our video. Anyone remember this guy?
And for our insightful Campaign Style Poll Daddy of the week . . .
Due to the Great Trinity Alignment of the Mayan Calendar Turn, the Holiday Season, and the Flu Season, posts here at Bayard & Holmes will be sporadic until January 2.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Solstice! Cheerful Kwanzaa! Intensely Satisfying Bah Humbug! to all of you from Holmes and I. A big thanks to all of you for your patronage. We appreciate each and every one who gives us the time of day. May your 2013 bring you gentle lessons and abundant blessings.
Piper Bayard–The Pale Writer of the Apocalypse
Piper Bayard 
Thanks for the shout out! Happy Humbug, Everyone. 😉
And a Bah Holiday to you, too. 🙂
Hugs, Piper. Thanks for a wonderful, funny, and thought-provoking year. Stay safe, feel better, and have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!
Thank you, Christine. Happy New Year!
Do you think there is any way to encourage some of those Wal-Mart customers to put on those shorts…they cover more than what is on some of them now (you’ve seen the photos of those shoppers…..)
We too have.had friends and young relative who desperately need/needed mental help – tragic and heart rending. no other words. Always hard at Christmas – especially this year.
May peace warm your heart. (and may all your holiday fleece be soft)
You’ve got a good point. Just getting some of those folks into anything would be an improvement. Peace to you, as well, Phil. 🙂
I wear boxers. I have tried to step away from ten to a pack white military type shorts for patterns. Howdy Ho shorts are definitely a sign of the apocalypse, which by the way is due today. Where is it?
I’m not sure. It wasn’t my day to watch it. . . . Holmes, did you misplace the Apocalypse?
although i did want to awake to find the planet niburu x sitting in a massive crater in my back yard while hordes of zombie neighbors fought over the brains of my wiemeraner (they’d starve because daisy is pretty clueless…but sweet)…i am happy i was able to catch “A Very Brady Christmas”. The Brady clan taught me one thing in the face of trouble. no matter what the situation, singing “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” will produce miracles. A happy holidays to you this fione armageddon morn!
And a very Happy Holidays to you, too. As I recall, “A Very Brady Christmas” is a seriously funny movie. Hubby & I watched it one year while decorating the tree. Thanks for reminding me of the “O Come All Ye Faithful” trick. 🙂
That’s Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo from “South Park.” No way in hell I’m wearing those…
It has a name. . . . *face palm* . . . Happy Hankey-Free Holidays! 🙂
As someone who works in the mental health field with kids who are given the unfortunate label of being “emotionally disturbed”, I, too, felt the raw despair and torment of the mother who wrote the blog post about her child’s issues and the struggle to get services. My heart goes out to you, Piper, for your loss all those years ago. I wish you and Holmes much peace and tons of blessings during this holiday season and throughout 2013.
And mine goes out to you, Tami. I could never do your job. Thank you for your service. I call it service because it is a calling, and no amount of money would be enough. You provide a real service.
I believe we are entirely too quick to label people these days. While there are definitely organic conditions that cause emotional issues, the vast majority of “emotionally disturbed” kids I’ve come across through my kids schools are from broken homes or homes where the parents are self-absorbed and emotionally unavailable. Emotionally disturbed? They seem pretty emotionally normal to me under the circumstances. I’d be pretty flaming disturbed, too, if I had their lives. Have I simply seen a skewed sample?
No, I wouldn’t say you’ve seen a skewed sample, though as I’m sure you know, there are lots of factors that play into a person’s mental health issues. I always laugh a little (to myself, of course) when I hear someone describing a kid as emotionally disturbed. For many of those kids, they are merely reacting to the chaos in their lives and doing the best they can to get their needs met. Do they always find the best, most socially acceptable ways to do that? Not so much. Often the saddest part for me is finding out the parents had a similar childhood with no one there to intervene or help. They are merely repeating what happened to them with their own kids and haven’t been taught the skills to break the cycle. It takes a long time to reach some of those parents, to help them see the dysfunction they are passing on to their kids, but when they do, amazing changes start to happen.
Yeah, that animal and the “red things” on those boxes are pretty disturbing. If I wander into Wally world I’ll make sure I avoid the underwear aisle.
Hope you and Holmes are ready for a good Christmas!
Cheers!
Thanks, Nigel! I’m sure Holmes’ wife is ready for a good Christmas, and he will show up for it. As for me, we’re enjoying the season at our house so far. Knock wood.
A very Happy Christmas to you and yours!
merry Christmas and a very happy new year.
Thank you, Margaret. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too!
Amazingly, I have read all of these pieces. I had no idea that you lost your first husband to mental illness, and that is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I’m going to be writing much more about it in 2013. I think. If I’m brave enough. Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful new year. May 2013 be the best for you and Holmes and all you hold dear.
I admire the people who are able to write about how mental illness has touched their lives. I’m not there yet.
A very Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and yours!
Oh, I want a pair of those boxer shorts, but only to give away as a horribly inappropriate present to some hapless family member at an Xmas gathering.
All the best to you & Holmes for the festive season!
I am so sorry you lost your first husband to mental illness and hope everyone feels better by the new year.