Dog Week

Welcome to Dog Week here at OPOD. We kick the week off with this picture of a dog pulling a cart. The picture was taken in Belgium in about 1917. I wonder if they have rabbits in Belgium and what happens when a rabbit jumps out in front of the dog. I feat the woman loses all her milk cans.

Geek

Here is another picture of a carnival "Geek" eating a snake. I find it interesting the evolution of the word "Geek" over the last hundred years. Back in the day, Geek referred to someone who would entertain by biting the heads off live chickens or snakes, perhaps drinking the blood, and then eating them raw. Because of this egregious behavior, the word geek had an element of a social outcast, one who did not behave like others and did not fit in with polite society. Nothing criminal, just a misfit. By the 60's and 70's the term was used to describe a high school student who was good in math. It was equivalent to "Nerd" in some ways. In the 60's and 70's the word Geek was definitely intended to be an insult. It was a way to make kids who were good in math feel like outcasts. As computer technology came on the scene, the word Geek was used not just for those good with math, but also good with technology. Then a funny thing happened . . . some of those computer "Geeks" started turning out to be multimillionairs before they finished college and in some cases before they finished high school. All of the sudden "Geek" became a cool thing to be. So, the word went from describing a person who bit the heads off chickens to make a few dollars to a kid living in a mansion and driving a Ferrari around Silicon Valley.

Carnival Side Show

Today's picture shows a performance in a carnival side show. For entertainment, this gentleman would bite the head off a snake and eat it raw. The picture was taken in 1938 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. In the 1970's I can remember seeing a "Freak Show" at the Texas State Fair where there was a similar act. I have to say that for a little kid, it was a pretty amazing thing to watch. I believe carnival sideshows are much more tame now-days. Wonder if anyone has seen a carnival sideshow recently and if they can share with us any acts like this still being done.

Snake Charmers

Today we feature a photograph from the late 1800's. Pictured is a group of snake charmers in Morocco. If I had to work on this team, I would apply for the job of drummer. He is the furthest from the snake, and in a pinch the drum might be able to be used as a shield.

King Cobras

Today's picture is from India around 1900. It shows multi-snake charmers. I believe if I were ever in charge of a roadside snake charmer operation, I would institute a "One Cobra Out of the Basket at a Time" policy. I feel that most snake charming disasters probably occurred from more than one snake out of the basket at a time.

Snake Dance

Today's picture shows a Hopi Snake Dance. The picture was taken in 1899. I am not sure if venomous snakes are used or not in this dance. In either case, I do not think I would want a live snake in my mouth.

OK, I hate to bring up the dreaded "embargo" topic, but I only got two comments on yesterday's post (at the time I went to bed there were only two comments). Hey, I had a cool picture of a cobra and snake charmers, I threw in some information on the Black Mamba, the most deadly of all snakes, and I had a full color picture of Handsome Jack trying to impress Lovie. Now if that does not warrant more than two comments, I am not sure what does. 

Snake Charmers

Snake Week continues with this picture of Snake Charmers in India. The picture was from the 1890's. I really wonder about snake charmers. I understand that they are still popular in India. I wonder if the snakes are de-fanged, or if they are really working with dangerous snakes. I know cobras are one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.

While cobras are ONE of the most dangerous snakes, I understand the Black Mamba to be the MOST dangerous snake in the world. They grow to between 6 and 14 feet, are the fastest snake in the world, deadly venomous, and oh yes, fiercely aggressive. The lovely Ms. EAM told me that one of her missionary friends in Kitale was about to step in his shower, and saw something out of the corner of his eye. He looked down, and sure enough, there was a Black Mamba on the floor of the shower. Apparently it created quiet a bit of excitement in his whole household. So, just one more thing for me to worry about as the lovely Ms. EAM goes about her Africa business.

DOMESTIC UPDATE:

It is only mid-january, but love is already in the air around chickie town. I notice that Handsome Jack is already beginning his flamboyant shows for Lovie. I also notice she just walks over and pecks him on the head. Undeterred, he just keeps on going with the show. She might warm up to him in about April, so he has a lot of work to do between now and then.

Snake Week

Sorry I am late with my post this morning. I did something I have not done in years . . . I slept in. Yes, the drain of years of hard work has finally taken its toll on me, and I decided to sleep in till 9:00. I assure you it will not happen again, but I do feel much better now.

This week is going to be Snake Week. I will tell you up front that I do not like snakes. We have three types of poisonous snakes here; Diamond Back Rattlesnakes, Water Moccasins, and Copperheads. I will be honest with you, if I happen up on a poisonous snake, I kill it. Simple as that. Now I sit back and brace for the angry comments and hateful email.

Anyway the picture above was taken in 1934 in Tel Aviv. I have done extensive research on this photograph and can assure you that the person accidentally dropped the little mouse, and he escaped unharmed.