Body language expert analyzes Oscar joke and slap

 #FB00911

Mystery-man mask

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Sherman's Lagoon is coming to GoComics

Post above via The Daily Cartoonist.

Andrews McMeel Universal (AMU) is an American media corporation based in Kansas City, Missouri. It was founded in 1970 by Jim Andrews (died in 1974) and John McMeel as Universal Press Syndicate and was renamed in 1997 to AMU to reflect the diversification that had taken place since its founding. It now has the following subdivisions:
Andrews McMeel Syndication (formerly Universal Uclick), which includes GoComics
Andrews McMeel Publishing (established 1973)
AMUSE (Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicated Entertainment)

The company headquarters is located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri in the historic Boley Building. The six-story steel frame building was constructed in 1909 and was designed in the Art-Nouveau style by architect Louis Curtiss. The building is notable for being one of the world's first metal-and-glass curtain-wall buildings and the first to use rolled-steel columns. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

__________________

If one is a cartoonist, it's the biggest, best and most prestigious of all the syndicates out there. Sometimes I can't believe that I'm been with this syndication company (at GoComics) since 2001. Shoecabbage was my first feature (now retired). Frog Applause has been on GoComics for over 15+ years. I have no plans to retire Frog Applause. 

 #FB00909

Motorcycle Hand Signals

 

https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/motorcycle-hand-signals-chart/

Gale sent me these other meanings!

#FB00908

Bathmat and ?

I think Bathmat Man’s sidekick would be called Tub Ring, wouldn’t he? That is, unless he was overweight.

--coltish1

Send in your suggestions, too!

#FB00807

A new reader (?)

 

Thank you, crazeekatlady. 

#FB00906

Bathmat Factory Complaint Form

We can't make the Bathmat Factory a pleasant and safe working environment without your feedback. Help us improve by filling out this form like so:

1.

2.

3.

No complaint is too petty or unwelcome.

 #FB00905

Caller Type

I received a spoof call with a Wisconsin area code (city: Stoughton). I entered the number in one of those look-up-this-number sites and this CALLER TYPE chart showed up. While these are pretty good identifiers, I think we can do better. Add your CALLER TYPE to the "Frog Applause" page and I'll include it here.

Confession: Sometimes I pick up scam calls on purpose. I watch a lot of scam baiting youtube sites so I am fluent in obscene Hindi words.

#FB00904

Force of vomit

 Thanks to Luke S.

#FB00903

Animated dogs

 #FB00901

Margaret O'Brien

Child star Margaret O’Brien (10 yrs old at the time) staffs a 29-foot howitzer in Times Square in April, 1947. Apparently she actually shot the thing. We hope no pedestrians or taxis were harmed in the performance of this stunt.--via Luke S.

#FB00900

Thanks, Luke!

Happy birthday to you, too!

I don't want any of my beloved fans feeling left out. Please email me your birth date. If you're on my LittleLameLetter newsletter list, you can contact me via my private email. You don't have to belong to LLL, though. Posting your birthday on FA is good enough. I am not in the business of collecting personal information and sharing it with ANYONE. Above all, do whatever makes you comfortable.

I already know the real names of most of my fans, but I don't want anyone to feel that revealing their real name is a pre-requisite. Your GoComics user name is fine. I also will not reveal your real name, unless you want me to (combined with your user name, if that is your preference.)

If you want a personalized birthday postcard, send me your actual home address. Again, I would never share your personal info with anyone, especially Miss Ninette.

Love, Teresa

#FB00899

Martha Stewart (1960s)

#FB00898 

Dawn Wells

In 1959, Wells was crowned Miss Nevada and represented her state in the Miss America 1960 pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In Hollywood, Wells made her debut on ABC's The Roaring 20s and the movie The New Interns and was cast in episodes of such television series as The Joey Bishop Show, 77 Sunset Strip, Cheyenne, Maverick, and Bonanza.

Wells appeared as a guest star on Wagon Train, Tales of Wells Fargo, 87th Precinct, Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, Ripcord, The Everglades, The Detectives, Bonanza, It's a Man's World, Channing, Laramie, Burke's Law, The Invaders, The Wild Wild West, The F.B.I., Vega$, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Matt Houston, ALF, Herman's Head, Three Sisters, Pastor Greg, and Roseanne.

In June 2020, Wells' manager revealed in court documents that she was suffering from dementia.

Wells died from COVID-19-related causes at age 82 in Los Angeles on December 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in California. The week prior to her death, she had a Happy New Year video prerecorded to be released on the holiday.

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Ed Sullivan Show and Richard Pryor (1965)

 #FB00896

Audrey Hepburn (1959)

Photo from the set of "Green Mansions." 

Before her breakout role in "Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961, Audrey Hepburn starred alongside Anthony Perkins. The film bombed at the box office and was panned by critics.

To make this movie, Hepburn turned down the title role in the movie, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

#FB00895

Happy Birthday, Rotifer!

Happy birthday to Rotifer. I hope you have a great day. 

#FB00894
 

Reef burials

Baby lobster

Reef burials are a new burial practice gaining a degree of popularity. Rather than being buried in the earth, a person's remains are cremated and the resulting ash is mixed with pH-balanced concrete to create structures which are placed on the seabed to help restore marine habitats similar to a coral reef. The concrete is mixed using fibreglass rather than metal, so that it does not rust and has the same pH balance as the sea. In areas where the seafloor or coral reefs have been destroyed the structures help to renew the sea-life by establishing new habitats for fish and crustaceans. The structures are expected to last for 500 years and are variously perforated domes called "reef balls", pyramids, or similar memorial-style shapes chosen to be appropriate to the location. Reef balls weigh between 800 to 4,000 pounds (360 to 1,810 kg) and their perforations ensure that storm pressure doesn't move them out of place on the sea floor.

Reef burials are popular amongst divers and others who love the sea. Some people feel that such burials offer the deceased a second life as part of a living reef. Loved ones are given the GPS coordinates of the resting place so that they dive to visit the site of the remains.

A memorial plaque is installed with the person's name, date of birth and death. Thousands of reef balls are put into oceans each year. Large reef memorials can accommodate multiple sets of remains, so that families can be included and placed together.

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Saved from the purge

 

As am I, Teto85. Your postcard campaign, your comments to GC's customer service and pleas at The Daily Cartoonist website, turned everything around. In the words of Sally Field:

#FB00892

Panty Hamster

Maybe I'm taking this too literally or this means something I don't know...

via Randy_B

#FB00891

Wearing shoes indoors

It’s customary in many cultures to take your shoes off before entering a home. Some cultures even provide their guests with a pair of slippers to wear during their visit.

While this tradition may have started to help prevent visitors from tracking mud or dirt onto floors and rugs, there’s also plenty of scientific research to support the practice in order to keep invisible germs away, too.

Taking off your shoes as you enter a home helps keep the indoor space clean and could help keep everyone inside healthier.

What are the benefits of taking off my shoes inside?

The most obvious benefit of a “no shoes inside” policy is that dirt, oil, and other contaminants won’t be tracked throughout the home. This can translate to less time spent cleaning and vacuuming floors and could mean a longer life for your carpets.

Removing your shoes inside also cuts down on the possible transmission of disease-carrying bacteria.

Infectious bacteria can attach to shoes when you’ve been walking outdoors, in public restrooms, and other places with high concentrations of pathogens. Pathogens are organisms that cause disease.

The tread and cracks in shoes are ideal places for bacteria to linger. Here are some of the bacteria that can travel on the soles of your shoes and spread indoors.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

In a University of Arizona study, E. coli was one of the most common kinds of bacteria found on shoe bottoms. 

The bacteria can cause intestinal and urinary tract infections. And while E. coli can be found anywhere, it’s most common in rural areas where there are droppings from farm animals and other wildlife where people walk. 

Another study found that E. coli was also found in high concentrations on the shoes of people living and working in rural Alaska.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

C. diff bacteria cause especially foul-smelling diarrhea and can trigger colitis, an inflammation of the colon. 

A study in the journal Anaerobe found that the potential for shoe-related home contamination with C. diff is high, particularly in urban settings.

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria are the most dangerous of the several types of Staphylococcus bacteria. 

Studies have found that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria have been most commonly found on the shoes of people working in healthcare facilities and in food service.

Pesticides

Pesticides and herbicides used on crops, parks, golf courses, and other areas can be tracked inside on the soles of your shoes. 

These chemicals are associated with health risks as minor as skin or eye irritation and as serious as cancer.

Are there risks to not wearing shoes inside?

Of course, walking barefoot inside has its share of health risks, too. 

One studyTrusted Source found that bacteria and fungus can be found in house dust, particularly in homes where dampness is a concern and when surfaces aren’t cleaned regularly. 

Having a pet can also contribute to greater bacteria levels in the home.

Being shoeless or wearing smooth-sole slippers inside may also make you more prone to accidents, however. A 27-month studyTrusted Source of older adults found that more than half of the falls happened to individuals who were barefoot or only wearing socks or slippers.

To reduce the risk of falls in the home, older adults should consider sneakers or other sturdy shoes that are only worn indoors.

#FB00890

Poll: Be honest. Do you wear shoes in the house or do you remove them at the door?

When you visit someone else's home, do you ask if they'd prefer you remove your shoes? Do you even think about asking?

Anal gland expression

What are anal glands?

The anal gland sacs are located at “4 o’clock and 8 o’clock”, right at either side of the anus. The sac walls are lined with glands that produce a liquid normally released every time your pooch passes a stool. 

Both male and female dogs have anal glands to express the fluid buildup. But sometimes the fluid is not released naturally when the muscles of the anal sphincter contract during a bowel movement. This is when the vet may need to check and see what’s taking place.

Signs your dog’s anal glands need to be checked:

1. Scooting: Your dog is scooting their bottom along the floor. This is a sure sign that discomfort and irritation are present.

2. Licking and biting: If your pupster keeps licking and biting the hind end or around the tail, there is an issue.

3. Presence of odor: If the glands are really full, there may be an odor that is on the stinky side.

4. Staining: In some cases, there may be staining where your pooch sits or lies down.

Don’t leave symptoms unchecked. Anal gland impaction or rupturing of the anal sac could occur.

In the event your dog has impacted glands or gets an infection, antibiotics may be needed. This is to clear up the problem and to prevent the spread of infection. 

Another reason to get your dog’s anal glands checked if you suspect they are inflamed is to rule out a medical issue like anal gland adenocarcinoma. If your pooch has a health condition like cancer, the sooner the tumor is addressed, the better.

Anal Gland FAQs

What is the function of the anal glands?

The anal glands secrete the fluid that fills the anal sac. In the secretions are chemicals that work like territorial markers, allowing your dog to signal “this is my poop and my spot”, essentially saying “I’ve been here”. Other than that, the function of the anal glands is not clear.

Are certain breeds prone to anal gland issues?

No one breed is prone to anal gland problems, but smaller dogs and toy breeds seem to show up at the veterinarian needing their glands expressed most often. Anal gland impaction, which can occur when the glands are left to their own devices, affects these breeds the most:

• Dachshund

• Miniature Poodle

• Toy Poodle

• Chihuahua

What causes anal glands to become swollen, plugging the ducts?

Your dog’s anal glands problem may be something that will recur or could be a one-time event. A few reasons may be behind the problem.

• Overweight dogs may have anal gland issues.

• The glands could be located in the wrong place.

• Your dog’s stools are too soft. 

• Dog’s with inflammatory issues, such as those that occur with allergies, may have anal glands that are not functioning well.

• There may be a medical reason for the swelling, impaction, or infection.

Can I express my dog’s anal glands myself?

Taking care of your dog’s anal glands on your own is not recommended. It’s a pretty delicate area and an error in movement could cause serious issues. Having the glands expressed regularly at a grooming session is not ideal either. Potential inflammation and anal gland sacculitis can occur with over-expressing when not needed.

What can I do to prevent anal gland problems?

Anal gland problems cannot typically be solved with a simple cure-all, although in some cases, increasing your dog’s fiber content helps. How to increase your dog’s fiber? Add a small amount of the foods listed below. Take a gradual approach and check with your veterinarian if you are unsure.

• Oatmeal

• Rice

• Sweet potatoes

• Pumpkin

  
  

  #FB00889

Ego scams

 I received this ridiculous email (in my spam folder -- where it belonged.)

Only 1.5 million "accomplished individuals"? As with most scams, a wide net is cast in order to snag someone gullible enough to believe that this publication means anything. Compose a professional listing for yourself or write a lame reference for me. (I won't be sending anything in. I do, however, intend to post some listings here. Here's this publication's pathetic presence on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Professional-Whos-Who-768333223207946/about/ 

 

Other info about this scam publication and others like it:

http://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/news/article.host.html/content/shared/www/ubit/news/2019/whos-who-youve-been-nominated-scam.detail.html

#FB00888

Johnny Brown – RIP

John Brown (June 11, 1937 – March 2, 2022) was an American actor and singer. He was most famous for his role as building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the 1970s CBS sitcom, Good Times. Brown portrayed Bookman until the series was cancelled in 1979.

Brown died in Los Angeles on March 2, 2022, at the age of 84. He collapsed shortly after leaving a doctor's appointment for his pacemaker and was pronounced dead when brought to the hospital.

#FB00887
 

Welcome to Frog Applause, Vi.

While I adore my long-time lame readers, I get happy when someone new discovers Frog Applause. I've been told by some readers that they're often intimidated by those who comment daily. You are some of the most clever and in-tune readers on GoComics. Plus, you know things that are "inside jokey" to others, ie. Vlad, The Bathmat Factory, anything nun-related, Grace the Face, etc. Please, take a moment to welcome new readers so they feel a part of things.

#FB00886

The Best: Deadly Poisons, Ingested or Inhaled

1. Botulinum (ingested)
It’s hard to rank the lethality of toxins, but experts agree that botulinum – several orders of magnitude deadlier than sarin – is the gold standard. Your nervous system fails and you die in extreme pain. Works miracles on wrinkles, though. More about Botulinum here.

2. Ricin (ingested or inhaled)
Made from the lowly castor bean, ricin causes respiratory and organ failure, followed by death within hours. Even chewing a few beans can kill you. More about ricin here.

3. Anthrax (inhaled)
Cutaneous exposure can kill, but the most deadly, panic-inspiring form of anthrax is inhaled. It starts with flu that doesn’t get better – then your respiratory system collapses. More about anthrax here.

4. Sarin (inhaled)
Sarin is one of the deadliest nerve gases, hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide. Just one whiff and you’ll foam at the mouth, fall into a coma, and die. Originally synthesized for use as a pesticide, it was outlawed as a warfare agent in 1997. More about sarin here.

5. Tetrodotoxin (ingested)
Found in the organs of puffer fish (the famous Japanese delicacy fugu), tetrodotoxin persists even after the fish is cooked. If the toxin is consumed, paralysis and death can strike within six hours. Up to five Japanese die from badly prepared fugu every year. More about tetrodotoxin here.


6. Cyanide (ingested or inhaled)
Cyanide exists in a number of lethal forms that are present in nature or easily manufactured. Exposure leads to seizures, cardiac arrest, and death within minutes. More about hydrogen cyanide here.

7. Mercury (inhaled)
Low levels of mercury are not especially toxic to adults. However, inhaled mercury vapor (the metal starts turning to a gas at room temp) attacks the brain and lungs, shutting down the central nervous system. More about mercury here.

8. Strychnine (ingested or inhaled)
A common pesticide, strychnine isn’t as toxic as other poisons on our list, but it gets style points for causing one of the most horrific deaths of all: Every muscle in your body spasms violently until you die from exhaustion. More about strychnine here.

9. Amatoxin (ingested)
Derived from the death cap family of mushrooms, amatoxin destroys your liver and kidneys over several days. You remain conscious – and in excruciating pain – until you slip into a coma and expire.

10. Compound 1080 (ingested or inhaled)
As an animal poison, compound 1080 proved a little too effective: The bodies of creatures killed with 1080 remain poisonous for up to a year. Odorless, tasteless, water soluble, and without antidote, 1080 blocks cellular metabolism, leading to a quick yet painful death.

– Christopher Null (via Wired.com) and CDC

#FB00885

Counterfeit bills

Someone I know recently got scammed. He was selling an old van and was given $3,200 in counterfeit $50 bills. He took the money to the bank where he was then told it was counterfeit. The bank also said they were contacting the police, perhaps because they were suspecting HIM of passing counterfeit bills.

I did some research. I already knew (from watching TV!) that the Secret Service is actually where one files a report or complaint. The police may try to recover the van, who knows. I suspect that the scammers plan to gut the car and sell it off in parts. The VIN might be traceable, but if they retitle it in another state, if might be harder to locate.

I also found other info. It is good idea to handle money transactions like this (with strangers) in a bank. Funny money passers would NEVER agree to this idea, which would be a major red flag. In a bank, you can convert the cash to a check or have the money deposited in your account. The bank would, of course, be able to tell if the money is counterfeit.

Here is a video of the features to look for on a $50 bill.

https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/50

I also read that sometimes one's homeowner's insurance might help one to recoup this loss, depending on the policy. Why would they cover the loss of a motor vehicle though?

Other precautions I thought about: asking to see their driver's license. Asking to take their photo. If one has nothing to hide, why would they refuse. These scammers also wouldn't sign the title in his presence.

This person is a magnet for tragedies like this. Before this happened, vandals in the neighborhood randomly slashed the tires of several vehicles in the area. It's considered a nice and safe suburban area, too. Not that that matters much. I can already imagine some self-entitled rich kids getting their kicks by doing this. I've heard of vandals smashing out car windows as well.

#FB00884

Feel free to add any other suggestions or other stories involving you or someone you know regarding counterfeit bills.

You can also share other stories and/or experiences that other readers can benefit from.

Jim Denomie (1955 – March 1, 2022)

Jim Denomie (1955 – March 1, 2022) was an American Ojibwe painter, known for his colorful, at times comical, looks at United States history and Native Americans. 

Denomie described his narrative painting style as "metaphorical surrealism". His paintings frequently examine historical and contemporary events in American and Native American history, as well as aspects of pop-culture, art history and Anglo-Indian relations.

Works such as Attack on Fort Snelling Bar and Grill (2007) are a comical examination of 19th century American events and contemporary culture. Inspired by his wife's participation in the 1862 Commemorative March, which took place in March 2006 to honor Dakota women and children forced to walk 150 miles from the Lower Sioux Agency to Fort Snelling due to the refusal by Indian agent Thomas J. Galbraith to release foodstuffs to the community. Andrew Myrick, a storekeeper from the agency, stated that if the Indians were hungry "let them eat grass or their own dung." Myrick was killed on the second day at the Battle of Lower Sioux Agency and when his body was found he had a mouth stuffed full of grass. Many of these events are shown in the painting: Myrick running away from an Indian on a lawnmower with grass in his mouth, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks inspires the Bar & Grill, a World Wrestling Entertainment flag flies high as a tribute to Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, Edward S. Curtis photographs an Indian couple in their own version of American Gothic, a nude Indian woman riding an appaloosa, and other numerous events and individuals representing Indian Country yesterday and today.

Denomie died of cancer on March 1, 2022.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Denomie

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