I left work Friday and drove over to Heifers N' Bulls for a drink.  I parked my old Toyota out back, that way the cops don't take note of me leaving and when.  It had been a tough day sacking groceries, and I just couldn't deal with the missus and the kids.  I got my hat off the back seat and went into the bar, Junior Brown was on the jukebox and Larry behind the bar had a beer and a shot waiting for me.  I was in hock up to my ears at the money store and the car needed a new transmission, but that could wait.  It was payday and I needed a little R & R.  I was wearing tennis shoes 'cause my feet hurt and I can't dance nohow.  I talked with the guys I know and a few women I didn't, they were all snooty bitches and just walked away.  Back in high school they would have loved to make it with the second string winning quarterback but now I guess they can smell broke a mile away.  About midnight I called home but whoever answered hung up on me...

When I got up this morning my rabbit Billy was nowhere to be seen.  This bothered me, every time he goes out he gets into trouble or I do.  I could see my car was still in the driveway so that was good, he doesn't have a license but he can drive and he does.  After I checked the hammock out back and his room I made coffee and watched the sun come up over the water.  I would rather watch it go down over the water but this is Texas and most of the Gulf Coast faces east.  I saw a figure with large ears walking the street towards me, and lit another cigarette.  I could hardly wait to hear his story this time.  Billy got to the house and went inside, then came out with coffee and sat in a chair next to me.  'I bet you're mad at me', he said.  'Again'. 'Why?  Should I be'?  I was mad at him but nothing special. 'You never let me go anywhere or have any fun at all'.  He sipped his coffee and scalded his mouth.  'I do...

 A lovely 'roo, unmarked.  Probably 1940 - 60.    Ucagco China, Occupied Japan.   https://francinesfigurines.com/ucagco      Royal Doulton, Top of the Hill figurine.  Post 1936. https://doultoncollectorsclub.com/2015/02/12/a-look-back-at-royal-doultons-iconic-top-o-the-hill/    Unmarked.  I bought this magnificent piece for two bucks in some thrift store.  Keep on smiling!

 Another tremendous piece from Maxwell Ceramics.    Llamazing!

v  This beautiful piece is from my neighbor, Virginia.  The buck has lost his back feet, but this is so well done I'm going to replace those with wax.    While these are made from commercial molds, the painting is extraordinary.  She and her husband sold their ceramics all over the United States.

 The paper got all wet and wrinkled! I could just kill somebody...

      The weekly black powder club meeting.         https://youtu.be/WO23WBji_Z0?list=RDWO23WBji_Z0  

  ’Twas on a lofty vase’s side, Where China’s gayest art had dyed The azure flowers that blow; Demurest of the tabby kind, The pensive Selima, reclined, Gazed on the lake below. Her conscious tail her joy declared; The fair round face, the snowy beard, The velvet of her paws, Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, She saw; and purred applause. Still had she gazed; but ’midst the tide Two angel forms were seen to glide, The genii of the stream; Their scaly armour’s Tyrian hue Through richest purple to the view Betrayed a golden gleam. The hapless nymph with wonder saw; A whisker first and then a claw, With many an ardent wish, She stretched in vain to reach the prize. What female heart can gold despise? What cat’s averse to fish? Presumptuous maid! with looks intent Again she stretch’d, again she bent, Nor knew the gulf between. (Malignant Fate sat by, and smiled) The slippery verge her feet beguiled, She tumbled headlong in...

  Bielsko-Biała, Poland.  1903.  The sculptor is unknown, the architect was either   Albert Pèpe or Emanuel Rost Jr.  Art Nouveau at it's best.     https://misterscribbles.blogspot.com/2020/04/vampire-bunny-of-newcastle-on-tyne.html     We could use some of this here.