Katy once got upset hearing, from the other room, the sounds of a dynamite shoot video.  So when I got this call from her the other day asking how to make a particular type of pyrotechnic device I was just a little bit surprised.  I always figured she just tolerated me because I was married to her husband’s sister.  I keep the guns and explosives away from her and try not to bring the topics up in her presence.  But she called me Tuesday and asked, “How can I make pink smoke?”  Not exactly in my domain of expertise but not all that far out either.  I told her I would research it for her and that I was pretty sure I could help her.  But what did she want it for?  How much smoke did she need?  How soon did she need it, etc.?  She has to have it by Monday because the local television crews were going to be there to film it.  Huh?  She explained–she and others think the Pope should allow women to be priests.  The conclave (did I get that right?) will release smoke to announce a new Pope has been selected.  Katy and friends want to release pink smoke as a form of protest.  Okay, that’s a reasonable enough request.  It’s probably not illegal even inside the city limits of Chicago.  And certainly, if done halfway right, no one will get hurt which is far more important to me that not offending the sensibilities of the city of Chicago.

I did the research and found a safe way for them even with their short time frame–but it will be violet instead of pink.  Pink is doable but they didn’t have the time and expertise to pull it off.  Katy thanked me then sent an update this morning:

Joe,

Just had to tell you the latest before I run off to work!
I said “local”
Well….now it is national, CNN is coming! They want to see pink smoke!
Maybe international-maybe the boys in the Vatican in Rome will see us in Chicago.

WOC national contacted Skylighter and that is what we will use.
It won’t be pink but violet and violet is the color of stoles we wear! 

Thanks for your contact

Let us hope it is bright and shining on Monday.

Katy

So if CNN shows violet smoke on Monday you can thank, or curse, me for enabling them.

A resolution from the Idaho State Legislature has me a bit confused.  I suspect it started out ‘straight’ and amendments got added to make fun of it.  But I just don’t know for certain.  A sample:

  5        WHEREAS,  the  State of Idaho recognizes the vision, talent and creativity
  6    of Jared and Jerusha Hess in the writing and  production  of  "Napoleon  Dyna-
  7    mite"; and
  8        WHEREAS,  the scenic and beautiful City of Preston, County of Franklin and
  9    the State of Idaho are experiencing increased tourism and economic growth; and
 10        WHEREAS, filmmaker Jared Hess is a native Idahoan who was educated in  the
 11    Idaho public school system; and
 12        WHEREAS,  the  Preston  High School administration and staff, particularly
 13    the cafeteria staff, have enjoyed notoriety and worldwide attention; and
 14        WHEREAS, tater tots figure prominently in this film thus promoting Idaho's
 15    most famous export; and
 16        WHEREAS,  the  friendship  between  Napoleon  and  Pedro   has   furthered
 17    multiethnic relationships; and
 18        WHEREAS,  Uncle Rico's football skills are a testament to Idaho athletics;
 19    and
 20        WHEREAS, Napoleon's bicycle and Kip's skateboard promote better air  qual-
 21    ity  and  carpooling  as alternatives to fuel-dependent methods of transporta-
 22    tion; and
 23        WHEREAS, Grandma's trip to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes highlights  a  long-
 24    honored Idaho vacation destination; and
 25        WHEREAS,  Rico  and Kip's Tupperware sales and Deb's keychains and glamour
 26    shots promote entrepreneurism and self-sufficiency in Idaho's small towns; and
 27        WHEREAS, Napoleon's artistic rendition of Trisha  is  an  example  of  the
 28    importance of the visual arts in K-12 education; and
 29        WHEREAS,  the schoolwide Preston High School student body elections foster
 30    an awareness in Idaho's youth of public service and civic duty; and
 31        WHEREAS, the "Happy Hands" club and the requirement  that  candidates  for
 32    school  president  present  a  skit is an example of the importance of theater
 33    arts in K-12 education; and
 34        WHEREAS, Pedro's efforts to bake a cake for Summer illustrate the positive
 35    connection between culinary skills to lifelong relationships; and
 36        WHEREAS, Kip's relationship with LaFawnduh is a tribute to e-commerce  and
 37    Idaho's technology-driven industry; and
 38        WHEREAS,  Kip  and LaFawnduh's wedding shows Idaho's commitment to healthy
 39    marriages; and
 40        WHEREAS, the prevalence of cooked steak as a primary food group pays trib-
 41    ute to Idaho's beef industry; and
 42        WHEREAS, Napoleon's tetherball  dexterity  emphasizes  the  importance  of
 43    physical education in Idaho public schools; and
 44        WHEREAS,  Tina  the  llama,  the  chickens with large talons, the 4-H milk

                                           2

  1    cows, and the Honeymoon Stallion showcase Idaho's animal husbandry; and
  2        WHEREAS, any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of  the
  3    Legislature  of the State of Idaho who choose to vote "Nay" on this concurrent
  4    resolution are "FREAKIN' IDIOTS!" and run the risk of having the "Worst Day of
  5    Their Lives!"

From Periodic Journal of my wandering.

Update: I fixed the link to the bill.

A couple minutes before midnight (Mountain Time) Kim called to ask if Othello was on highway 26 going the right direction.  She didn’t remember it going the other direction.  It was there and she was on the right road going the right direction.  She just needed to stay on 26 until she gets to Colfax.  Colfax is “home territory” and close enough that Barb can rescue her if necessary.

She should be home by now.