Bruce Littlefield's Life 101 » Life 101

Animal fun – The Zedonk

Bruce Littlefield — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:01:06 +0000

A Zedonk is cuteness defined.

You’re looking at a Zedonk… an adorable cross between a donkey and a zebra. She’s becoming a star attraction at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Dahlonega, Georgia after being born there about a week ago. She has black stripes that she gets from her zebra father and a great ass she gets from her donkey mother. (But that’s just my opinion!)
C.W. Wathen, the preserve’s founder, said the foal has a zebra’s instincts, sitting up to stay alert for predators rather than lying on her side. Awww. I’m in love.

Life 101 – Mailing Veggies

Bruce Littlefield — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:52:00 +0000

Some of my harvest...on the way to Grandma's house.

One of my favorite traditions is my annual overnight delivery of my first batch of veggies to my octogenarian grandparents in South Carolina. Every bit of the process is a delight, from anxiously waiting for the first blush of tomato red, the joy of picking, the wrapping, and the happy heart I get thinking about the smile on my beloved grandparent’s faces when they get their package. Such a small thing can bring such great joy. Here’s a suggestion: do something a little nutty and nice, like handing out bubbles to kids on the train or stopping by a nursing home with a pile of great books. It’ll make you happy. Promise.

Pet fun – Lawnmowing Shepherd

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:27:05 +0000

This dog earns his kibble!

Stop what you’re doing this very minute and take 13 seconds to watch this German shepherd mow the lawn! It’s priceless.

Garage Sale – Find of the week!

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:24:51 +0000

$200 million return on $45 garage sale grab.

Rick Norsigian is my kind of garage sale shopper. He bought a collection of 65 glass negatives at a garage sale for $45. Today, his find–a never before seen collection of photographs by Ansel Adams–will go on display in California. They are estimated to be worth $200 million!!! Pardon me while I run out to follow the arrows. Surely someone has something way underpriced. I’m finding it before someone else does.

History of Fun – Crayola Crayons

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:45:14 +0000

Nothing reminds me more of the carefree days of childhood than the sharp, waxy smell of Crayola crayons. A fun fact I learned this weekend: The art of Crayola crayon color-naming is ridiculously political. In 1962, the “flesh” crayon was changed to “peach” to reflect the Civil Rights Movement. In 2003, the color “inch worm” was added to reflect I have no idea what. And before Isaiah Mustafa took over the airwaves with his hunky self, there were some great Crayola commercials. I think the world would be a happier place if we all kept a box of Crayolas next to our computers.

Garage Sale – Real Housewife foreclosure style

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:30:33 +0000

New Jersey Garage Sale (aka Teresa's foreclosure)

Teresa Giudice, the Real Housewife of NJ foreclosure princess who is $11 million in debt, is selling the overblown monstrosity of a house for a few dollars shy of $4 million. But if that’s out of your budget, can I interest you in her grill, her boat, her tractor, or her wedding ring? Gawker has the photos and is saying all of these items and more (aka, everything the bank now owns) are being sold in a giant foreclosure garage sale. I must remind you: Buyer beware.

Pop Culture Pop-Up – Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:27:11 +0000

Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty from Darragh O'Connell on Vimeo.

Here’s a Monday treat: Nicky Phelan’s Academy Award-nominated animated short Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty… a grim rendition of the classic in which a seemingly sweet old lady terrifies her granddaughter with her tale. The elderly fairy doesn’t get invited to the christening… and let’s just say that’s not good in this Grimm tale. I love this line: “When it comes to the harsh lessons of this life, beauty isn’t going to get you very far.” Happy Monday.

Life 101 – Friday Fun

Bruce Littlefield — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:46:25 +0000

Dance, I say, Dance!

In a recent post, I discussed earworms. Several people wrote to suggest songs that were earworms… And then I found this: A mash-up of all the Top 25 hits of 2009. I have listened to it non-stop since yesterday. If this doesn’t get you happy and excited for the weekend, may I suggest a two martini lunch. Put on your dancing shoes people. It’s the weekend.

Pet Fun – Pug Sings Batman

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:49:55 +0000

To the Batcave!

How exactly does one wake up and decide “I’m going to get my pug to sing the Batman theme?” Oh, who cares. It’s genius. And certainly has become an earworm in my day. Take a pug listen, you’ll thank me.

History of Fun – Legos!

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:58:17 +0000

Legos are internationally beloved by kids of all ages, the perfect plastic medium to build anything your mind can invent. I just visited the Lego store in NYC and was inspired. Did you know Legos began in a small village in 1930s Denmark, a carpenter named Old Kirk Christiansen opened a store to sell the wooden toys he carved in his spare time? He named the shop “leg godt,” which means “have fun!” in Danish. In the 1950s his son took over and switched building materials from wood to plastic. Not long after adopting plastic, he came up with the stud and tube brick system used in modern Legos, and… today nineteen billion bricks are made every year. Have FUN!