Mouse Dreams

I read an interesting article on MSN.com today about scientists conducting experiments on mice in an effort to better understand how memory is formed.

According to Reuters, Japanese scientists have implanted a tiny camera inside a mouse’s brain to conduct the research that may someday help prevent diseases like Parkinson’s. In all seriousness, this might cause a big breakthrough someday, but just hearing about a camera inside a mouse’s brain evokes all kinds of silly images in my head. For one thing I was dazed when I begin reading the article, due to the lack of enough sleep lately, and as I read the article I thought about what we might see if we viewed the inside of a mouse's brain?

For instance; what if we could see a mouse’s dreams?



Dream land:

“Hello, Mr. Mouse, and welcome to the cheese factory. We have all kinds here: Swiss, American, Brie, you name it, we got it. What would you like to partake in today?”

“Wow, me? Well, sir, if you don’t mind I’ll have everything on the menu.”

Suddenly, Mr. Mouse’s blissful dream ceases and we’re sent spiraling downward into a nightmare of horrific proportions. . .

Mr. Mouse is lying on a splintered and coarse board, unable to move for some reason. Oh, what dismal fate will the little guy face now? Mr. Mouse looks around, horrified to see his comrades lying all around him in a sea of misery. “My brethren. My valiant soldiers, why must we meet this bleak fortune?” Right then, a severe screeching sound fills Mr. Mouse’s ears. It’s the sound he’s heard for countless hours, that wretched metallic scream that haunts the night, when he and his friends and family are out seeking sustenance. He realizes this sound is not a scream at all, as his eyes come front and center with the gigantic furious metal arm coming downward toward his tired body. “Why?” he thinks, “Why must I come so close to sheer bliss, only to be thrown into the hands of death?” He remembers the wise words his father once told him “To be a mouse is to search, defiantly, for nourishment and comfort. If one day, you meet the end, make sure that it was worth it, for all that matters is reaching that point.” Mr. Mouse bravely faces the sinister arm as it comes violently swinging down. And then nothing. . .

Mr. Mouse wakes up to see his wheel, and his bowls, and his shavings on the floor. He’s alive, and he’s wondering what those giant monsters are still doing outside of his home.

If only we could look into the minds of mice, or any other animal. Maybe we’d stop with the Disneyfied personifications. It’s still fun to think about.

I hope the scientists really do inspect the neurological inner-workings of the mouse brain, so we can someday cure some debilitating diseases. Excuse me for my silly fantasies. I’m just tired and not cut out to be a scientist.

MSN.COM

The Best Bloggers Answers To Tuesdays Question

The best and bravest bloggers answered yesterday's Tuesday's Question What Was The Biggest Lie You Told In Childhood? with an open heart and impressive honestly. The brief and magical moments we spend in childhood pass so quickly, yet we learn so much about the world and ourselves in that short period of time.

Those tender years teach us many of life's most valuable lessons, than we learn at any other period in our lives and we remember them differently than whatever we learn later in life.


I noticed from reading the following comments how much of an impact childhood experiences have on our lives...

For example, I read the following type of sentences, "I'll never forget that one" "this is the one I'll tell you" or "I've never told anyone this, because the world is large when we are children and every lesson learned is a lesson we will not soon forget- through the trial and error of becoming a grown-up. (No doubt still a monumental task for me by any stretch of the imagination)

Some of the comments refer to life as a teenager, that other short decade, that's even harder to endure, because you're close to becoming an adult but still considered a child.

Thank you for sharing a piece of yourselves with the rest of us... And I think all of you turned into fantastic grown-up people-

Alright, I'll stop with all the mushy gobble de goop and let you read these great bloggers comments for yourselves. I have included a link to their blogs, so treat yourself to a visit after reading their comments and you will have a great time reading their blogs ... I promise...



The first comment is from who I consider the Queen of Tuesday's Question
and a dear friend (and genius webmaster) Sandee from Comedy Plus~


Well, when I was little I can't think of any lies. The lies came when I was a teenager. They came in the form of sneaking out of the house to go hang out at the beach and dance. I wasn't allowed to dance (very religious parents), but that didn't stop me from dancing.

I lost count of how many times I'd snuck out to go on a date, hang out with my friends, or just to dance the night away.
Well, all thing must come to an end and I got caught. I was 16 at the time and it wasn't very much longer before I ran away from home. That's another story all together.


The next comment is from the coolest cat on the web,(and the king of all poultry) another good buddy Speedy at Speedcat Hollydale Page

Ann, you have me here ... oh ohhh

Not many people have ever heard this, and now I will release this story to everyone.
I was in a christian group called the "Boy's Brigade". I was about 8 years old, and decided that I just didn't want to go anymore. I made up a lie, and told my father that one of the older boys hit me in the parking lot. At 8, this seemed to be a quick and easy plan .... of course it was not!

An investigation ensued, and pressure was put one the rest of the guys to admit who had done this (I claimed it was dark and could not recognize the individual).
This little incident bothers me to this day, and I really think it had a huge impact on decision making later in life.
You can fool a lot of people, but your own heart and the good Lord see everything.

Speedy added another comment that I want to post, plus I want to leave a link to his wonderful
Tuesday's Wordless Chicken post. It is hilarious and so much fun... so stop and check out the chicken links on Speedy's post- it is a hysterical blast! Also check out Wordless Chicken Tuesday with TUTU highlights.

Here's his additional comment, which is so characteristically kind :

ps... this was a really great question - I'm still thinking about it!!!!!!!

Next up, the wonderful and hilarious comment by Jeni at Down River Drivel

Childhood lies, huh? Boy, I must have been really honest because I can only remember one lie I told probably the summer before I started first grade. It definitely is one that some of my friends remember -probably better than I do.

There were at that time, two other girls who lived close to me and we were all the same age. Sometime that summer -don't remember what month it was though -I told these two girls I was having a birthday party at my house on such and such a day and they were invited. (My birthday is in October -not quite a summer month ya know.) Imagine my Mom's surprise when the one little girl showed up at our house on the day I had designated, all ready for my birthday party, complete with a gift too that her Mom had selected and wrapped, just for sweet little old me! My Mom pretty much took it in stride though and set up my little table and chairs out in the backyard, mixed up a pitcher of lemonade and some cookies and we had a "birthday" party or actually a "non-birthday party" I suppose would be more accurate. And she sent the little girl who had brought the gift back home, with the gift too. That girl - and her mother -never EVER let me forget that deal! Her Mom just passed away a year ago this winter and when I went to the viewing, my old friend reminded me about that episode in my life and told me -again, for the umpteenth time -how many times her Mom would talk about the time I invited her daughter to a party for my birthday a few months prior to my actual birthday. Yadda yadda! I have no clue as to whatever possessed me to do that. I seem to recall after the "party" was over that was what my Mom asked me too -"What on earth ever possessed you to do something like this?"
Kids!

Another great blogger and new friend Robert from Observations From The Back 40

Mine was more of a denial..I tried driving Dad's car at 11 and went through the back of the garage part way anyway..I managed to back it into place but I think the gaping hole in the wall gave me away:)))..I completely denied any knowledge of what happened..I later recanted and got grounded for a month...:))))


The hysterical Bud at WTIT Tape Radio- The Blog


Hi Ann-

I was trying to capture what I wanted to say, finally I got it, and then I read Sandee saying about the same thing. But as I type this I do remember my first big lie to my irish catholic mom. I was 14 and had no use for church. Two guys I knew sold newspaers outside the church. I wanted to be their friend. So I joined them but did not ask for money. That's when I stopped going to mass. My mom assumed I went since I was there, and if she asked "which mass?" I always said the first one. My mom only made the 11:30 mass. To this day (at 84) she still awakes around 10:30. And you can't talk to her till noon. She's in need of that caffein. So, my first big lie was I stopped being a Catholic. I never regretted it, and now we laugh about it. My mom stopped church after her divorce with my dad. She was about my age now. I like this featurre. It stirs up thought...


Another queen of Tuesday's Question, and dear friend,

Dawn from Twisted Sister

Ann I don't remember any lies from childhood.. early teens bring back a few :)
Throwing up after smoking a pack of cigarettes with my friend.. caused my mother to ask what I had been eating... the first thing that came to my head was "an apple", to which she replied.. "it must have been a bad apple"!

And Sharon from A Bookworms Journey who has some great book challenges on her blog said;

"My biggest lie as a child? Let's see. This is the one I'll tell. My dad didn't want a cat. I got a kitten from a friend and put it on the porch and pretended that I didn't know anything about it. I got to keep it! One of my favorite lies was "I didn't do it."


And last however certainly not the least, another blogging buddy,
my friend Jackie from The Painted Veil

Hi Ann,
Like Sandee most of my lies revolved around sneaking out of the house. And, also having friends over when my mother was work.

But, the thing that bothers me the most is what I did when I was just shy of 4.

My Mom was in the hospital and my Aunt was watching over me for the week.

I had just gotten a brand new swing set and I loved it so. And, my mother always let me play on it. But, my aunt kept saying no as she was afraid that I might get hurt while she was taking care of me.

So I told her okay with sly smile. All the while thinking I am smarter than you think. I know how to get that screen door unlatched.

And the first chance i got I went and got a chair from kitchen table, climbed up, unlatched the screen door, and proceeded to go hide in the back seat of the car.

I wanted to get back at her. I stayed there for hours and everyone was ina panic thinking I had been kidnapped or had wandered off.

So I think that sort of counts as a lie. Anyway I got into a lot of trouble.


Astrogalaxy



I can't recall what is the biggest lie I've told in childhood but I do know I always lie about not eating any Junk foods.

Johnny from Past Expiry Cartoon Blog
A great cartoon blog that I just discovered stopped by to thank me for a comment I left on his fantastic blog, you really ought to check it out if you haven't read it before or I suppose even if you have~ Here's Johnny's comment~

Thanks for visiting my cartoon blog! Comments keep me going.


Well...that's all folks, and if you enjoyed these comments, don't forget to visit these wonderful blogs... See you next Tuesday, or hopefully maybe before then? :))

I Can't Get Through To Mrs. Blackmore

I can't get through to Mrs.Blackmore. I have been corresponding with this lady
by the name of Mrs Blackmore for a few weeks now, well I say correspond,
actually she's the only person she's writing- I'm not convinced she cares if anyone writes back.
Well, first let me say, I realize the effects stress can have on a person. In addition, we're all in such a hurry we barely have time to think straight, and simply aren't paying enough attention to what we're doing at times- although, I believe Mrs. Blackmore needs to READ my e-mails, I mean, sometimes someone else might have something important to say.



For example, Mrs. Blackmore believes I am her son Clifford and it really doesn't
matter what I say or do she keeps writing me. Anyway, I think she's harmless,
and I thought I would share it with you because why should anyone have to endure
this alone, and you are my friends, right?


At the bottom of every e-mail she writes, "how do i get out of here???
esamplease putwheres the esape sign?? do i press back button??well i guess i'll
just write because it's required dont want to get on some lis.."

I would be happy to tell her how she could "get out of here" but first she has to read my e-mails, and I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon.

Anyway, now I have a feeling she knows I'm not Clifton but enjoys having someone to e-mail,at least I hope that's the case, because if not, Clifton really needs to talk
to his Mother. Here is the last e-mail I received...





Pay attention to how this e-mail is signed. Always and forever? And Mrs. Blackmore?

By the way I took the liberty of giving her an image...

Here is her e-mail:

Clifton! there is no need to be embarrassed. everyone here has a momma.


You need to listen to James and also call Mi Maw. her cat died today. You remember Nass. hewas 20. she needs to hear that her grandson loves her. itll help console her,
shug. please dont neglect your family.

James, great! You wouldnt know anyone who could bring my friend Cinda would you? her husband Denny is getting his knee surgery that day. its not required that we bring someone but everyone else is so we dont want to be left out. this class is a eye openin experience.we're just two old girls trying to see what we got left in us. turns out we gota lot.

Always and forever,

Mrs. Blackmore


If you enjoyed this e-mail, I have more that I'll be happy to share with you, just say the word, although in the meantime, have a great day.

Oh and remember, because if you're anything like me you will forget- never leave home without your sense of humor!

A Disobedient Chicken With Attitude

This little One On The Egg Carton Is My Chicken Choice




Here is my chicken for Speedcat Hollydale's wordless chicken Tuesday. I found the others too , but I don't like them, they lack character. (Please don't let this be the day when someone I'm trying to impress stops to read my page.) Anyway, I guess most chickens lack character, they're always too chicken to stick up for a friend, or admit when they're wrong, in addition, they're either clucking and ducking an issue or bossing each other around... I suppose that's why we started wringing their necks in the first place. But, I do like chickens with an attitude, and this little chicken on the egg cartoon's display of civil disobedience is my kind of chicken.

Do you think I made the right choice? I mean the little chicken on the egg carton is a rebel, which suggests brains, and well look at the other poultry? One is ignoring her eggs and the other looks as if she is lecturing her little blank faced chick with a two word vocabulary ...

Sort of like Fog Horn Leg Horn's lectures, "I said, I said, I said... Boy?"

His name is Fog Horn Leg Horn isn't it? Because after this post, I may need to look up the creator or producers of the show and see if they need any writers !