Sheep'ish tale from old Smyrna

The last few historical articles I have posted were about the worst of human nature...so let's wet our taste buds with a funny tale from Smyrna and a sheared sheep...no kink involved.

The first article is from the New York Tribune from June 25th 1883. You need to read the story to appreciate this one.


The "Fo' de Lawd's sake" is a bit much, but the tale has a lot to offer those who need a good laugh.

The next article is from the Dodge City Times (Dodge Kansas) dated August 30, 1883. This is pretty much a repeat of the first one. I'm surprised that such a story would get so far afield.


This last one goes into much detail, and avoids the 'colorful' language of the plow boys. This is from the Anderson Intelligencer dated Sept 21 1883.




This sounds like one of those family stories that start with "remember that time Uncle John sheared his sheep and..." and the family laughs over dinner. I know my family has some wild stories we bring up every once in a while for a good laugh.

Smyrna..Where men and men...and sheep wear clothing.

County forum III

Sheriff Jones did not make the forum and while writting my column for next week I found this by accident. I'll let this stand as his public forum.



Note the 'humor' tag before you try to kill me people. This video was put on youtube 4 years ago so even then people did not like the man.

Of course the two sheriff candidates that did show up are here for your viewing needs.



Enjoy

Cooking shows

During the recent holidays I was exposed to a set of words that brings to mind one of the many reasons that I view television as a land of bread and circuses. A relative said “I saw this recipe on a cooking show and I just had to try it”. My disdain for reality show is followed a close second by cooking shows…very close. It all started with a knife.

I accidentally landed on a cook show years ago and this chef was talking about his knives as he was cooking. He commented on how the knife he was holding cost over $800 and was made of German Steel. That was worth more than the car I drove to work, and my discount purchased knives all had “made in China” on their slightly bent blades. Most humans live in a Wal-Mart supplied kitchen…so should they.

He then put his concoction into his handy food forms for this special dish. Forms that in my entire life I have never had a need for. I went and saw that they cost about $10 each due to a clasp on the side to open after the food “chilled to room temperature”. I figure if my “made in China” stainless steel bowls from Asia are not enough to cook an item, then it doesn’t need to be cooked that bad.

Then there are the items themselves, esoteric spice that you purchase whole bottles for and then use once a year…or never again. My bottle of Orange Zest has been in the cupboard so long it has morphed into “Orange Slow”. Why buy a pound of parsnips to get one ounce for the dish. Most of my spices could be carbon dated they’re so old.

I simply have a dislike for cooking shows because they have separated themselves from the reality of the modern American kitchen. I have a one spice rule in my house. If a new recipe calls for more than one new item…it doesn’t get cooked. Boycott the fairy land cooking shows of America until they learn about the regular American kitchen.

Smyrna is so inclusive

that we make sure our signs to warn criminals that the safe is time locked are in two languages. Now that is neighborly.

What are they?

My brother is in basic training in the military and each of his letters have requested us to mail him. A bit lonely I guess. Instead of full letters I was going to get him with a high number of postcards.

We went to(name withheld to protect store)and when my wife asked the teller where the postcards were the lady replied "What are they?" It seems she had never heard of postcards as my wife had to explain them to her.

Am I dang old and postcards are a thing of the pre-email past? grumble.

On patrol

Yesterday I saw that the Police officer cutout had been replaced at it's front street patrol position. I did notice that Officer Miller had been replaced by another officer.

Sadly I was driving to fast to see if I recognized him.

question for all

When you say Smyrna, how do you pronounce it?

Smyrna or Sa-Myrna?

I've noticed a lot of people insert a hidden "a" between the "S" and the "M".

Dear Smyrna Government

Don't look to hard.

The next sections of the city codes that will be looked at includes the alcohol ordinances. I hope they don't do what Danville kentucky did.

No karaoke singing, and no dancing. It sounds like the movie "Footloose," and it could happen in Danville.

City officials are looking at the proposed ordinance, as part of a review of the city's alcohol policies. Some officials say the issue is when there is karaoke and dancing in restaurants, it creates crowds and more of a bar type atmosphere. They say it's not what the city wants.

At this point, it's only a proposal. Many residents say it's too harsh. At the same time, Danville officials are also considering allowing alcohol sales on Sunday.

I was disappointed when package sales were voted down.

With humor, I say I hope the city doesn't look to close to the city alcohol codes.