Uncle Remus And Modern Analogue

One of the most famous of trickster stories in the Uncle Remus collection was written by Joel Chandler Harris and published in 1881, The Wonderful Tar-Baby Story.  

As the story goes, Br'er Fox constructs a sticky doll out of a lump of pine tar and turpentine and dresses it in some clothes.  Along comes Br'er Rabbit who politely addresses the figure but receives no response.  Offended by what he perceives as the tar baby's lack of manners Br'er Rabbit loses his temper and throws a punch resulting in his fist becoming hopelessly stuck in the tar.  Enraged, Br'er Rabbit strikes with his other paw, followed by kicking with both feet and ending with a head butt leaving him completely entangled in the grip of the Tar-Baby.

In a continuation of Harris' tale several stories later there is the ending; How Mr. Rabbit Was Too Sharp For Mr. Fox.   

With his nemesis helplessly stuck, Br'er Fox speculates on how to dispose of Br'er Rabbit.  The powerless, yet cunning rabbit pleads; Do anything you want with me - roast me, hang me, skin me, drown me - but please, Br'er Fox, don't fling me in that briar patch.  The sadistically-inclined Br'er Fox gullibly believes that this will inflict the maximum pain on Br'er Rabbit so he tosses him directly into the briars.

Finding himself in the thorny thicket, the resourceful rabbit easily escapes and taunts the fox with; I was born and raised in the briar patch!  

The roots of this tale likely find their origins in the oral traditions and folklore of enslaved Africans that were collected by Harris during the reconstruction period following the war between the states. 

Br'er Rabbit is the personification of the West-African trickster; a metaphor of a physically weaker individual who relies-upon quick thinking and psychology to outwit the stronger aggressor.  The Tar-Baby is a euphemism for a sticky and complex problem that worsens the more someone struggles against it. 

My introduction to this tale dates to my early childhood and I really haven't thought much about it since.  

Until recently.

Even after six and a half decades and a fable dating back almost 150 years-ago,  I am mindful of a sticky situation half-way around the world complicated by the impulsive actions of one solitary man, seemingly out-witted by a weaker foe.

I sure hope he extricates himself from this to every American's mutual satisfaction as I want policy that improves your and my prosperity and general lot in life.  

Along with making the world a safer place.

Dairy Trivia

The advertisement pictured is a charming piece of 1950s northeast agricultural history.  Sneider's Dairy operated out of Menominee, Michigan immediately adjacent to Marinette, Wisconsin.  And directly across the bay to the north.  The four digit phone number (3533) is the clue that solved the riddle. 

Bashful Bessie was the dairy's answer to Borden's Elsie the Cow.  

Bessie's long eyelashes and the pun - It's In The Bag (udder) was a characteristic of the wholesome imagery of that era.  Same for the doctor recommendation.  With the introduction of rural electrification and expansion of pasteurization and homogenized milk the scientific achievement in food safety was worth crowing-about.

Growing-up we had a milkman who delivered a couple of times a week leaving glass bottles of milk in the box on our doorstep.  Sealtest Dairy if memory serves.

Can you pick me out in the photo?

The packaging in the advertising is a wax-coated paper carton used for grocery store distribution.

Sneider's was a staple in the Upper Peninsula and Northeast Wisconsin for decades.  With the passage of time they were absorbed by larger regional dairy co-ops; yet vintage memorabilia like this shows-up in antique shops and on the interweb from time-to-time and is an interesting walk down memory lane for anyone interested in mid-century marketing and local history.

Friday Music

Composed by Stephen Stills this song was first recorded in 1968 during the first recording session as a group by Crosby, Stills and Nash.  It was subsequently released on the Atlantic Records label by the group in 1969; Crosby, Stills and Nash.

The album was a major hit in the states peaking at Number 6 on the Billboard Album Chart and spinning-off a couple of single hits; Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and Marrakesh Express. The album subsequently earned a triple platinum certification in 1999 and quadruple platinum in 2001.  Neil Young toured with the group as a session musician and later recorded  Déjà Vu  with the group in 1970 making some of the best harmonies on the planet.  Which is why they are a Super Group.

Turn-up the volume for Helplessly Hoping recorded at Woodstock.... 

Rib Fest Reunion - The Water

Since Rib Fest is held at a lake home on Legend Lake there has to be time spent on the water.

Whether you are first cousin, first cousin once removed or a second cousin there is time on the lake boating.

 

 Jet skiing or kayaking.

Swimming or fishing.

Observing the local eagle nest around the corner. 

It is a requirement.  And sort of the reason for being there anyway...

 

Rib Fest Reunion - The Cousins

One of the notable features of Rib Fest is the cousins.  Lots of cousins.  Therefore, a word about the cousins.

Here's your family tree lesson of the day.

And I'm putting it here insofar as I always have difficulty remembering how this works.

Your first cousin is the child of an aunt or uncle.  These are first cousins.

The child of your first cousin is you first cousin - once removed. Removed indicates a difference in generation. 

The child of your first cousin once removed (who is your first cousin's child) is your second cousin.

 

Keep that straight as there will be a test later.

These are first cousins once removed and small second cousins.

 

Meanwhile it's been heartening to see the successive generations grow and prosper.

Oh, and by the way, ribs prepared three ways....

 

Because, you know it's Rib Fest....

The Perfect Metaphor

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia - Jeanine Pirro - stated in a court filing that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool was the "result of flawed installation by the contractor" rather than vandalism, prompting her office to drop charges against a former Olympic athlete and three other individuals.

Prosecutors noted that they received new evidence and information showing that the peeling sealant stemmed from poor contractor work and a rushed installation rather than intentional cutting by individuals.

Pirro isn't stupid and clearly knows if she pursued this nonsense she'd face disbarment. 

Speaking from the Oval Office yesterday Mr. Trump had this to say, "Frankly, I think she choked because the judge was really vicious.  Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her and went after her department, and I guess she choked.  I don't know what the hell happened."

The Reflecting Pool is actually a perfect metaphor for Mr. Trump; and he created it himself. He's gonna drain it, repaint it and start over.   All the while expecting a different result. 

You read it here first. 

Any bets the algae makes a a return appearance? 

Rib Fest Reunion - The Giant Fish Fry

Growing-up the cousins on both sides of the family were pretty close.  My dad's brother and his tribe lived at the opposite end of the block.

 

Anyway, the cousins on my mom's side of the family have been consistent in helping to maintain many of the family traditions; including getting-together over the Christmas holiday and hosting a summer gathering.

 

Sun, surf and cousins reconnected for another Annual Rib Fest celebration on Legend Lake in Keshena, Wisconsin.

 

 

 

I dodge the rib event nowadays and orchestrate the Big Friday Family Fish Fry mostly because it’s so difficult to squeeze a large group into a supper club or local watering hole for Friday fish. And because I like cooking for a group. 

 

 

So I take the fry on the road. 

  

 

I recommend outdoor cooking, sparing the kitchen, and taking it under the upper deck on account of rain.

  

And a frosty Hamm’s.

 

From The Land Of Sky Blue Waters…..