I recently learned that the reason you'll see bison all covered in snow is because they're so well insulated that no waste heat gets to the outside of their coats.
If you don't know the wonderfully witty postwar English song and comedy duo Flanders and Swann, you are in for a treat. Not buffalo, but a somewhat related African critter, the gnu.
I saw the bison herd in Custer State Park (talk about the need for a name change, but puppy murderer probably loves it), but much preferred the prairie dog town in Niobrara Wildlife Refuge (Nebraska). Saw elk at the dude ranch in Montana. When we entered the Gardiner Gate into Yellowstone (original entrance), we drove for a bit to the visitor center. There was a big, beautiful bison right outside the center. The asshole I was with thought it was animatronic.
Growing up in KS, we had privilege to be able to see these majestic animals quite often if we happened to pass by a wildlife preserve (there are several around the state). I never took it for granted because they are quite a thing to see.
True Story ~ Back in 1984, when I was a systems engineer for a computer company that no longer exists, I was installing minicomputers for the US Forest Service offices and one of them was in Deadwood, SD. After the tasks were done, on my way back to the Rapid City airport, I drove through a buffalo reserve. This was in December and it was snowing and seeing the animals hunkered in the drifts with the snowflakes falling was just so picturesque. I also stopped at Mount Rushmore which was a once in a lifetime experience.
Having grown up just 2 states south, I'm embarrassed to admit I have never been to either, but both are on my bucket list. (Our family summer trips were always driving either west or east, but never north.)
I hadn't been in the northern tier until I did a road trip to see an old friend who was living in Missoula for a while and then to see my sister in Portland. I stopped in the Badlands at a motel with a wide veranda from which I watched a gigantic thunderstorm, with a view that made it seem like I was looking at lightning strikes hundreds of miles away. I went and saw Rushmore, and then Crazy Horse, where at that time only the face was done although the arm was being roughed out, and across a native-grass prairie restoration area where there was a sign "Bison are dangerous, do not approach" and I was chuckling "good advice" and went over the rise and there was a herd of hundreds of them moseying along, with some drivers getting a lot closer than I cared to. Went on to Devil's Tower (the Close Encounters site) and Little Bighorn battlefield (very knowledgeable and informative guides) to Missoula. Then through Idaho to see the "Palouse country" where my great-great-grandfather had a pioneer farm, but on the steep road down the Snake River valley a logging truck overturned spilling a load of lumber all over the road, so a bunch of us were just stuck for a couple hours, and some broke out fishing rods and others shared picknicky food and it was an impromptu party. From eastern Washington I came down the Columbia gorge and stopped at the imitation Stonehenge. Just a real excellent trip.
This past fall I went with a buddy out to Yellowstone, then drove him back to O'Hare, and made sure to show him Devil's Tower and Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse now had the hand done, and a museum with lots of artefacts and old photos.
Years ago I volunteered as a tutor on the Yakima Indian Reservation, and part of that incredible experience was spending time around the herd of buffalo the tribe kept and cared for affectionately.
For the record, buffalo STINK to high heaven and have a NASTY disposition. Making an effort to PET one of the horned beasties is NOT advised.
They're magnificent beasts. Since moving to NM, I've been blessed with seeing all kinds of critters, elk, antelope, big horn sheep. wolves and roadrunners! I finally saw a herd of these at a small village up by Taos. No, I did not insist on a selfie.
"Trump’s response, according to Cruz, was “Fuck you, Ted.”"
`
Not to sound like I'm siding with the actual worst person on earth, but I would think that's a response that Ted gets so often that he doesn't even flee to Cancun crying over it any more.
Tim Walz's response to Bondi's demand for MN voter data is why I think he would be the best candidate for President in 2028. Sure he's old but he has a directness and pithiness that is cleansing. And franking we could use some Minnesota Nice about now.
I was thinking the same thing when I read that. Putting anything in someone's mailbox is a crime. Stick the card in their door or leave it on the front porch.
If this is about undocumented migrants, Congressperson Cornhole, then why the fuck isn't ICE focusing on Texas and Florida instead of states with much smaller populations of their supposed target populations? Oh, it's not about that, but about terrorizing everyday U.S. citizens and pressuring states into releasing information that your fascist administrations has no fucking right to? In that case, carry on and hopefully you'll be on the docket for Neuremberg 2.0 as well.
I was wondering where in bloody hell was the NRA. I guess Pretti is a more acceptable person than Philando Castile? At any rate, it is interesting to read that they have reacted.
Last night I got back from visiting my favorite uncle, who is in memory care in Chicago with whatever stage of Alzheimer's lets you remember family members but not what you said ten seconds ago. He was a high school biology teacher who knew every birdcall and wildflower and, more importantly, made so many kids understand they were worthy of being taught and being loved. Now he gets lost halfway through a sentence. He is still himself in many ways, the quick witted humor fully intact, but unable to process basic things like am I inside or outside, so do I need to zip my coat, and why didn't I get lunch (he finished lunch 30 seconds ago)? And halfway through the weekend THAT absolute horror happened in Minneapolis and the world reeled even more off its axis. My immediate world and the greater world imploding all at once.
We said goodbye yesterday and he walked partway down the hall with us, and then some of his friends called him over to the table where they were sitting. So I walked the rest of the way to the door without him, but accompanied by the familiar sound of his voice and laughter behind me. I am so gratified he is in a place where he is surrounded by people who love him, and I can't stop the tears. Just wanted to share with y'all b/c I am struggling here. Blah.
omg my friend i'm so sorry. just went thru this with my mom (didn't know until she died in mid december what kind of dementia she had but man she had it).
it's been a terrible beautiful year of loss and joy and rediscovery and - memory.
Your hed gif info: https://martiniambassador.substack.com/p/europe-has-bison-too
And meme chat: https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/8f117a81-24d0-43d0-8a3f-2aad8d3cd7c1
The American Bison
also called a Buffalo
lives on the Great Plains
at least he used to I know
I recently learned that the reason you'll see bison all covered in snow is because they're so well insulated that no waste heat gets to the outside of their coats.
If you don't know the wonderfully witty postwar English song and comedy duo Flanders and Swann, you are in for a treat. Not buffalo, but a somewhat related African critter, the gnu.
If this doesn't charm you, you are un-charmable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqgPyqyh4X4
Well, that’s gnus to me!
I saw the bison herd in Custer State Park (talk about the need for a name change, but puppy murderer probably loves it), but much preferred the prairie dog town in Niobrara Wildlife Refuge (Nebraska). Saw elk at the dude ranch in Montana. When we entered the Gardiner Gate into Yellowstone (original entrance), we drove for a bit to the visitor center. There was a big, beautiful bison right outside the center. The asshole I was with thought it was animatronic.
Just because it's named after him doesn't mean it's named in his *honor* ; consider the Alferd Packer Grill at University of Colorado, Boulder: https://www.colorado.edu/resources/alferd-packer-grill
Growing up in KS, we had privilege to be able to see these majestic animals quite often if we happened to pass by a wildlife preserve (there are several around the state). I never took it for granted because they are quite a thing to see.
The buffalo were heavy to the great plains states that now are farms.
True Story ~ Back in 1984, when I was a systems engineer for a computer company that no longer exists, I was installing minicomputers for the US Forest Service offices and one of them was in Deadwood, SD. After the tasks were done, on my way back to the Rapid City airport, I drove through a buffalo reserve. This was in December and it was snowing and seeing the animals hunkered in the drifts with the snowflakes falling was just so picturesque. I also stopped at Mount Rushmore which was a once in a lifetime experience.
Crazy Horse, even in its present far-from-complete state, is more impressive than Rushmore.
Having grown up just 2 states south, I'm embarrassed to admit I have never been to either, but both are on my bucket list. (Our family summer trips were always driving either west or east, but never north.)
I hadn't been in the northern tier until I did a road trip to see an old friend who was living in Missoula for a while and then to see my sister in Portland. I stopped in the Badlands at a motel with a wide veranda from which I watched a gigantic thunderstorm, with a view that made it seem like I was looking at lightning strikes hundreds of miles away. I went and saw Rushmore, and then Crazy Horse, where at that time only the face was done although the arm was being roughed out, and across a native-grass prairie restoration area where there was a sign "Bison are dangerous, do not approach" and I was chuckling "good advice" and went over the rise and there was a herd of hundreds of them moseying along, with some drivers getting a lot closer than I cared to. Went on to Devil's Tower (the Close Encounters site) and Little Bighorn battlefield (very knowledgeable and informative guides) to Missoula. Then through Idaho to see the "Palouse country" where my great-great-grandfather had a pioneer farm, but on the steep road down the Snake River valley a logging truck overturned spilling a load of lumber all over the road, so a bunch of us were just stuck for a couple hours, and some broke out fishing rods and others shared picknicky food and it was an impromptu party. From eastern Washington I came down the Columbia gorge and stopped at the imitation Stonehenge. Just a real excellent trip.
This past fall I went with a buddy out to Yellowstone, then drove him back to O'Hare, and made sure to show him Devil's Tower and Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse now had the hand done, and a museum with lots of artefacts and old photos.
My interest would be risin'
To poemize 'bout snow
But another one on bison
Has got me buffaloed
It isn't that they bore me
Or that they're hard to take
It's just whene'er I see one
My brain starts thinking STEAK!
“You may have heard it before, but here is visual confirmation: A Buffalo buffalo buffaloes a Buffalo buffalo.”
If you understand "buffalo" to be plural, you can make it into
"Buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo"
which is more purer.
Years ago I volunteered as a tutor on the Yakima Indian Reservation, and part of that incredible experience was spending time around the herd of buffalo the tribe kept and cared for affectionately.
For the record, buffalo STINK to high heaven and have a NASTY disposition. Making an effort to PET one of the horned beasties is NOT advised.
Nudgies!!!
The best of the American Bisons should join up in solidarity withe the best of the European Bisons.
These two are getting ready for the spring battles.
Also tastes great as a burger, but you need to add some fat, very lean!
They're magnificent beasts. Since moving to NM, I've been blessed with seeing all kinds of critters, elk, antelope, big horn sheep. wolves and roadrunners! I finally saw a herd of these at a small village up by Taos. No, I did not insist on a selfie.
Your hed gif sound track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTZYI5NR8wc
Bisons battling but just butting heads.
'round the outside, 'round the outside...
All this scratching is making me itch!
"Two buffalo girls -
Wait, six buffalo girls -
And a boy -
Oops, I gotta get out of this park"
"Now Pam Bondi says ICE will leave MN only if the state will hand over all of its voter registration records"
`
Eat a dick, No Nose.
"Trump’s response, according to Cruz, was “Fuck you, Ted.”"
`
Not to sound like I'm siding with the actual worst person on earth, but I would think that's a response that Ted gets so often that he doesn't even flee to Cancun crying over it any more.
Fuck you I won't do what you tell me
Tim Walz's response to Bondi's demand for MN voter data is why I think he would be the best candidate for President in 2028. Sure he's old but he has a directness and pithiness that is cleansing. And franking we could use some Minnesota Nice about now.
I think he's about 60
Dealing with Donald has aged us all prematurely
"Trump’s response, according to Cruz, was “Fuck you, Ted.”"
Hey, there's one thing Trump agrees with us about after all!
“Fuck you, Ted.”
These moments of bipartisan consensus reaffirm there's still hope for America!
DO NOT LEAVE A CARD IN A US POST OFFICE BOX! It is against the law and we know they will come after you for any penny ante offense.
I was thinking the same thing when I read that. Putting anything in someone's mailbox is a crime. Stick the card in their door or leave it on the front porch.
My Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelharkin/p/executive-branch?r=3j0cc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I am cheering so hard for Minnesotans, that they might even hear me across the 1000 +/- miles between us.
Yes, convince U.S. troops that they are smart enough, good enough, and that people like them, Finns.
It's not just the Finns. Every branch of the Oz military and those others I've heard from have similar stories about Yanks on exercises
they need participation trophies too!!!
T-ball for Troops. Everybody is a winner!
“Okay, guys, go get your juice boxes and orange slices and the coach will hand out your medals after Tuesday’s practice!”
If this is about undocumented migrants, Congressperson Cornhole, then why the fuck isn't ICE focusing on Texas and Florida instead of states with much smaller populations of their supposed target populations? Oh, it's not about that, but about terrorizing everyday U.S. citizens and pressuring states into releasing information that your fascist administrations has no fucking right to? In that case, carry on and hopefully you'll be on the docket for Neuremberg 2.0 as well.
I happened on this pretty funny snark piece about the VIP screening of "Melania" at the WH last evening:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2026/jan/26/melania-amazon-authorised-documentary-white-house-premiere
Commemorative black and white popcorn boxes? OMG, we missed out!!
I was wondering where in bloody hell was the NRA. I guess Pretti is a more acceptable person than Philando Castile? At any rate, it is interesting to read that they have reacted.
Last night I got back from visiting my favorite uncle, who is in memory care in Chicago with whatever stage of Alzheimer's lets you remember family members but not what you said ten seconds ago. He was a high school biology teacher who knew every birdcall and wildflower and, more importantly, made so many kids understand they were worthy of being taught and being loved. Now he gets lost halfway through a sentence. He is still himself in many ways, the quick witted humor fully intact, but unable to process basic things like am I inside or outside, so do I need to zip my coat, and why didn't I get lunch (he finished lunch 30 seconds ago)? And halfway through the weekend THAT absolute horror happened in Minneapolis and the world reeled even more off its axis. My immediate world and the greater world imploding all at once.
We said goodbye yesterday and he walked partway down the hall with us, and then some of his friends called him over to the table where they were sitting. So I walked the rest of the way to the door without him, but accompanied by the familiar sound of his voice and laughter behind me. I am so gratified he is in a place where he is surrounded by people who love him, and I can't stop the tears. Just wanted to share with y'all b/c I am struggling here. Blah.
omg my friend i'm so sorry. just went thru this with my mom (didn't know until she died in mid december what kind of dementia she had but man she had it).
it's been a terrible beautiful year of loss and joy and rediscovery and - memory.
i wish you healing and love
Having a loved one with dementia (in my mom's case) is a long, excruciating goodbye.
A hug if you want it.
Thank you.
"And there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives or whatever."
Or whatever.