Our Parting Thoughts For 2016...

Needless to say a lot has gone on this year.

It's been rough and bloody.

From massacres of civilians in Syria to terrorist attacks around the globe. Millions of displaced refugees who have fled the terror of their homes, in many cases only to be met with hostility in other countries that once held hope and promise.

Now, add to that the anger and discontentment that permeates our society like a hateful disease that just keeps spreading with no vaccine to stop it.

We are divided and we are in trouble for we can not as a nation or as a world survive, fractured and splintered.

With the added weight of a divisive election we must find a way to lift each other up no matter what our differences.

No matter what our politics, no matter what...

I am optimistic that humanity will win out in the end and we will be better for it.

But until then,
there is this... 





Have a Happy and hopeful New Year...


Noodle and crew

Ho, ho, ho!

                           HO!

                           HO!

                             HO!

Merry Christmas everybody!



Noodle and crew

An explanation...

You hay have noticed that since December 3rd's post we've been pretty quiet on the political front.
Well, that's not an accident.
We decided that we are not talking politics until after Christmas...
There is just too much and it's so constant and it is probably going to be that way for at least the next four years so, we are taking a tiny little breath.
But on December 30th...



This is as close to politics as we will go right now;

                                       ⓒ Victoria Shaw

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Noodle and crew

Santa's Little Helper...

Boy, you knock over one little tree and somehow it's this great big deal...








Have a super weekend!

Noodle and crew

Wordless Wednesday...

    
                             ( baby Noodle archives )





Have a wonderful Wednesday...

Noodle and crew

Almost Wordless Wednesday...

                       
                       " If only I had opposable thumbs..."





Have a wonderful Wednesday...


Noodle and crew

The Truth Is Out There...

                            
                                   looking for the facts...



Do ethics still matter in journalism ?

                                    

“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”

-Aldous Huxley-



In November Donald Trump tweeted that he saved a Ford Motor Company plant in Louisville, Kentucky from moving to Mexico. He didn't because it wasn't.
The plant was never moving to Mexico but that apparently is not important in this world we live in now.
Yesterday Mr. Trump touted that he'd saved a 1000 jobs at a Carrier plant but it's how he saved those jobs that is at issue and brings into question if this is a one time PR stunt or a little bit of the old razzle, dazzle.

Trump also declared that he would extract himself from his business if he won to avoid any   appearance of impropriety  but now, not so much.

It appears that it is now only the mere suggestion of a possibility of anything that is what is held to be, truth.

Which brings me to this;

"Well, I think it's also an idea of an opinion. And that's—on one hand, I hear half the media saying that these are lies. But on the other half, there are many people that go, 'No, it's true.' And so one thing that has been interesting this entire campaign season to watch, is that people that say facts are facts—they're not really facts. Everybody has a way—it's kind of like looking at ratings, or looking at a glass of half-full water. Everybody has a way of interpreting them to be the truth, or not truth. There's no such thing, unfortunately, anymore as facts."

-Scottie Nell Hughes, Trump surrogate-

And this;

"This is the problem with the media. You guys took everything that Donald Trump said so literally. The American people didn’t. They understood it. They understood that sometimes, when you have a conversation with people, whether it’s around the dinner table or at a bar, you’re going to say things, and sometimes you don’t have all the facts to back it up."

-Corey Lewandowski,Trump surrogate-

The truth is that facts are not supposed to be subjective...
Facts are just that, facts!
But it seems as though now we have reached a place where absent any evidence or facts, a mere statement if repeated enough and said loudly enough can be perceived as truth.
Truth that the media in general doesn't waste it's time trying to correct (shame...).

Which brings me back to my original question...
Do ethics still matter in journalism?
We will have to wait and see.

Until then, don't give up on the facts and the truth.

As was told to us on The X Files; the truth is out there... so are the facts.

You just have to look a little harder to find them these days.




Have a fabulously fact filled weekend!


Noodle and crew

This Wednesday We Introduce Noodle Nuggets...

Noodle Nuggets are little nuggets of wisdom brought to you by Noodle and her crew.

                                           Nugget # 27;

         When life gets you down...close your eyes and take a nap.

       

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Noodle and crew

Can you see me now?

For the second year Only Natural Pet is partnering with BlogPaws Be The Change For Pets for the holiday season. Together, they want to make life a little better for the 7.6 million pets who enter shelters across the United States every year.

For every purchase of a toy, treat, bed or accessory, Only Natural Pet will donate 5 percent of the purchase value to pets in need. JOIN them in sharing the #IMAGINE5 Campaign - on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or post to any social media. Then register your local shelter to be one of FIVE grand prize winners!







We are nominating  FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS FOUNDATION  which  just happens to be where I came from!

So please go over to Only Natural Pet and pick out some holiday gifts and when you do you will be helping shelter pets at the same time!




Have a wonderful Sunday!

Noodle and crew

Gobble, gobble, gobble...

It's almost Thanksgiving!

It's that time of year we reflect on our humble little lives and give thanks for all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts.
We eat too much and watch a lot of sporty type games. We argue with Uncle Harold about politics and religion and then we all settle back for a huge dinner topped with a piece or two of Aunt Lucy's yummy pumpkin pie.
Then as we sit around all bloated and asking ourselves why on earth we ate so much...
we talk about why Stewart isn't married yet and why Gwen hasn't gotten that promotion and why Marge is such a bi*ch.

At the end of the evening we go about gathering up our coats and hats as we head for the door on our long way home. We curse the traffic and the weather and swear that next year we will make some excuse not to join in the festivities and vow to join a gym.

But here's the thing...no matter how much we whine and moan about it all, there is something about this time of year that makes us better people. If only for a few weeks.

We smile a little easier, we give a little more to others and for all intents and purposes we are a little happier with the world in general.
For those few weeks we see the better part of people and we are better people and the world is a better place.

Wouldn't it be great if this year we could manage to make it last a little bit longer than for those few weeks in November and December...wouldn't that be something?




Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Noodle and crew

Something different Saturday...

                     

We wanted to step away from politics for a minute.
So here's something completely different.                    
We thought we'd put a little travel montage together for you...

                                   Earth; A trilogy...

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Bangkok, Thailand

New Mexico ( USA ) 



Have a wonderful weekend!


Noodle and crew

It starts with one pin...

In the wake of the BREXIT vote in the United Kingdom, people took to wearing a safety pin to show their solidarity with refugees and immigrants...so that without a word people could see their safety pin and know that you were a friendly face and that they were 'safe' with you.

Now it seems to be time to wear a safety pin here if you would like to show your solidarity with
anyone who feels threatened, scared or uncertain about their place in this country.

Find yourself a safety pin and wear it proudly to let people know that you are a friendly face.

That they are safe with you and you stand by them.




                           It all starts with a single pin...

And then a few more...

                          Pretty soon they start to add up...

Become part of the movement...

Others have...

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Noodle and crew

With Great Power...

In the movie Spiderman, Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker "with great power comes great responsibility".
Then there is the Big Bang version.
Truer words have never been spoken, especially as they pertain to our new President elect.

We can only hope that Donald Trump and those with which he surrounds himself heed these words.





Have a wonderful weekend...

Noodle and crew

Walk On...

There are many who are stunned and shocked today.

As we try to rationalize and understand what our country is going to be in the wake of this election what we know for certain is that we MUST work together to try to heal the deep divisions that exist and to face the coming challenges for the sake of us all.

And with that we give you this 




Noodle and crew

Our last words until after November 8th...

I know.

We said we were done till after the election.

If this weren't so good we wouldn't have bothered but...it's that good!



AND NOW:

We just want to say...

Please vote on November 8th (or before).

Noodle and crew

Wordless Wednesday...

                      

Have a wonderful Wednesday...

Noodle and crew

Sunday Selfie Exchange...

      We know we're supposed to have a picture of me here...

                                     so, here you go.




But  today we wanted to pay tribute to a very special lady who we especially admire.
So, Happy Birthday to Andrea Mitchell of NBC!
A super duper journalist who puts the J in journalism.

Have a super Sunday!


Noodle and crew

Just call me nasty!

That's right...I may not be a nasty woman but I'm a nasty kitty when it comes to this election!
Today in New Hampshire, Senator Elizabeth Warren let loose on Donald Trumps comment from the last debate of calling Hillary Clinton a nasty woman.

Then;

We really should have seem it coming...

"We don't need to elect anyone to think...we just need someone who can use a pen and sign what's put in front of them..."
Grover Norquist - February 11, 2012

Really stop for a minute and think about that statement by Grover Norquist...

Now take a look at what retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter said in a very rare interview in 2014... 

I've included both the long and short version. I think you'll agree, it's pretty prophetic.

Next up...

We salute the heroic attitude of these members of the press.

Earlier this month, the Arizona Republic took the unprecedented stand of endorsing Hillary Clinton.

It is the very first time in the papers history to ever endorse a Democrat...

Contrary to the defiant rhetoric of many, this is what freedom is all about.

Those who scream the loudest about their rights and freedom being stolen away from them ( even though there never appears to be one scintilla of evidence to support their fears) are the ones who have mounted a campaign of terror and hate against the paper and it employees as a result.

This is behavior NOBODY should tolerate! Every time I hear someone chant "U.S.A. U.S.A, U.S.A"

I wonder what it is they are really chanting for because it certainly isn't America.

This country was founded on principals of true freedom. Freedom of speech means even if you disagree you have the right to your opinion, that means everybody not just who you pick and choose.

*see Justice Souter interview.

Next up we wanted to say shame on you to Donald Trump for slamming of all things Saturday Night Live ! I mean really, SNL?
Calling Hillary nasty is one thing but wow, how low can you go...

And just so we end on a funny note...
here is Stephen Colbert helping President Obama with his resume




Have a great week!

Noodle and crew

OMG this is almost over...or is it?

Can you believe it?!
Tonight is the final debate!
I was going to say "and in a few weeks this will all be over", but then I realized that's when the push for the 2018 elections will begin!

(sigh)


Have a happy Wednesday...

Noodle and crew

Just to much...

What with  all of the really nasty, degrading,

vile and hateful speech and behavior going on in the country these days, we'd thrown up our little paws in defeat.

We had a few ideas for posts this weekend but in the end they all felt inadequate when it comes to how the country seems to be doing.

The country seems sick.

Hopefully it's just a little bug that will pass quickly but what if it turns out to be terminal?

These days the mood of the country seems to be looking a little peaked.

We think everybody deserves to be taken care of when they are sick so here you go USA...
a nice big bowl of chicken soup!.

And if that doesn't work...well, there's always this


Here's hoping that collectively we are all on the mend soon.

Have a wonderful weekend...


Noodle and crew

9 Words Wednesday...

        Okay! Where's the rest of my cute little nose?







Have a wonderful Wednesday...

Noodle and crew

The biggest con?

Mark Burnett is a smart business man.

He is best know for the TV reality shows, Survivor and The Apprentice (which coincidentally stared Donald Trump.)

So, has he just pulled off the biggest stunt of his career?

Has the past 17 months been nothing short of a scam, a con, a farce?

Let's face it...take the number one reality show producer, mix in one aging and fading rich guy who's faux famous for being faux famous.

Stir in a disaffected society, add social media and a fractured political system and you'd have the biggest, most popular and most watched reality show EVER!

I started to suspect back in June that something odd was up when Mother Jones ran a piece 
that questioned whether or not Mark Burnett was somehow involved in helping the Trump campaign.

Now with the latest series of disastrous press including reports of Cuban dealings, ties to Russia, the whole Alicia Machado incident and his inappropriate behavior on the set of The Apprentice and now this latest tape , Republicans are again calling for Trump to step down.

They are bailing faster than rats on a sinking ship.

So was this the plan all along?

Was it Burnett that released the tape?

Donald Trump said very early on, that he didn't want to BE president, he just wanted to win.
So, maybe we've all just been played.
Maybe we've all just been unwitting participants in the biggest reality show ever created?

I guess we'll just have to wait until the season finally to find out.

Talk about a cliff hanger!




Have a wonderful weekend,

Noodle and crew

Wordless Wednesday...

                                 ( baby Noodle archives )







Have a wonderful Wednesday!


Noodle and crew

Sunday selfie and SNL...

I'm taking a little nap because I stayed up late to watch Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon
as Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton on the season premier of  SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE,
take a look here.




Have a super Sunday!

Noodle and crew

The wrongness of being right...

So, we went into watching this debate with very low expectations of it being significant in any meaningful way.
We figured both candidates would be on their best behavior each trying to be more likeable and acceptable than the other so that in the end they would cancel each other out and it would be nothing short of boring.

We were wrong.

And that brings me to exactly where I need to be...

Okay. I admit it, I have a problem with Donald Trump.
No, it's not political and it's not his stance on any particular issue nor is it the fact that he's a Republican ( which a lot of Republicans would argue he's not ).
It's not even his hair ( okay that was a cheap shot ).
No, my problem with Donald Trump is something much more basic.
I think I can best explain by telling you a little story about one of the humans fathers...

The man could never be wrong. Period!

About anything, EVER!

He'd sooner chew off his own leg rather than admit he'd made a mistake or was wrong.

It didn't need to be anything important, it could be some little inconsequential thing he'd heard or read
or just thought about.
But if you chose to contradict him he'd fight you to the death, never mind that in doing so he was so vehement that people got hurt, relationships were destroyed and friendships were all but lost in the destruction.
In the end he died alone and with very few tears being shed in his memory.

There is something to be said for being big enough to admit when you are wrong.
After all we all are from time to time usually more times than not.

But there are those individuals who for whatever reason, can't or won't just let it go.

And that is Donald Trumps biggest down fall.

And that is what, if you were watching objectively you witnessed on full display last night.

A man so obsessed with his own perception of himself, so intent on his own " self righteousness "
that he would rather defend the most petty untruth than ever admit he was mistaken no matter what the price he has to pay in the end.

Mrs. Clinton was able to just step back and watch her opponent implode on his own, all the while appearing congenial and presidential and very confident.
She communicated with intelligence and decisiveness and whether you agree with her politics or not
she was the only grownup on that stage.

So, there you have it, that's our humble opinion...and who knows, perhaps we're wrong.



Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Noodle and crew

Sunday Selfies!

I'm no diva, okay Mr. DeMille I'm ready for my close up...



Have a super Sunday!


Noodle and crew

Wordless Wednesday...

Have a wonderful Wednesday...


Noodle and crew

Another Edition of Noodle's Fuzzy Hugs And Sticky Paws...

A big Sticky Paw to redefining the meaning of words and phrases like patriotism and political correctness... 

Seems as though the meaning of these words have been bandied about quite a bit lately.

Take patriotism for example; it seems it is only patriotic if it fits my agenda and terms.
When Colin Kaepernick, a football player expressed his first amendment rights by not standing during the playing of the National Anthem his actions were scrutinized by anyone and everyone.
He was called unpatriotic and told he was disrespecting the troops.
In case anyone forgot that is why the troops are troops.
Yes, they are there to protect us from harm but they are also there to defend this country's right to freedom of speech and the right to protest! Just like this guy who protested Mr. Kaepernick's actions which he found objectionable by burning the player's number 7 football jersey.

Next we come to the definition of politically correct which is now something so subjective that it's lost all meaning completely.

Let me preface this next one with a comment; You will never know how many opportunities we have had to give Sticky Paws and Hairballs to Donald Trump over the last 15 months that we didn't take.
That being said there are times we can't ignore certain things he says and does so a great big Sticky Paw to Donald Trumps attempt to re write history and try to walk back the whole birther movement he's been promoting over the past 5-6 years.

Moving on, a HUGE kitty kiss to Michel Obama!
Years from now she will be the gold standard for what a great first lady should be.

And a great big Kitty Kiss to Reverend Faith Green Timmons of Bethel United Methodist Church in
Flint, Michigan for being gracious and patient while standing her ground!


And lastly, we want to give a shout out and a big Fuzzy Hug to The Greater Good animal rescue site.
They have this super bright and cute apron that would make a great Christmas gift and
every purchase buys 14 bowls of food for rescued animals!

Have a super weekend!


Noodle and crew

Wordless Wednesday...

Have a wonderful Wednesday...


Noodle and crew

Remembrance...

We are re-posting our post from last year. It says pretty much what we feel today...

         
                                    a moment of silence...

While you are out and about today living your life we hope you will take a moment or two to reflect on the things you are grateful for...

Then we ask that you go one step further and preform just one
random act of kindness for someone you know well or someone you do not know at all.

We wish you a day filled with peace and comfort.




Humbly and with affection...


Noodle and crew

Wordy Wednesday...

Well, everyone said the race wouldn't get serious until after Labor Day so...
let's check in on the candidates and see how things are going.

Donald Trump you remind me of the teen age boy who just got a brand new motor scooter, If you had an ounce of discipline you'd just fill it with gas and ride it straight to the steps of the White House.
But no not Donald, you have to pop wheelies and go too fast and not wear a helmet and now no one wants to get on the back and go for a ride...
Because in the end you're just riding around screaming " look at me, look at me!" And when the glitz and grandeur wears off , the people are going to want to see some substance so you better find some.
And for goodness sake PICK A LANE!
Just stick to one thing you say, just one or at least remember to take your Ritalin.
Last, show us your taxes!

Hillary who?
I'm not sure what the plan was here.
To just hang back and stay out of the way for a gazillion days while the other guy rides his motor scooter into a brick wall? So you can calmly walk through the debris and just be the last man ( or woman ) standing?
Oh sweetie! You can't go to the party and sit against the wall and hope that someone will ask you to dance.
You've got to get your butt out of the chair walk out to the middle of the dance floor and show them your moves!
And those e-mails?
Look, by this point they are yours, they aren't going anywhere. Own them, warts and all and move on.
And this bit about " I don't remember because I had a concussion? "
If you think anyone is buying that explanation I've got a slightly used motor scooter to sell you...

Okay, so Hillary's not the most popular girl in the class. We get it. She's a little stand-offish and not who you would pick to be your BFF.
But everyone knows she will get the answers right on the test so it's her notes they will borrow and her paper they will copy.
Let's face it in the end she's the only way we will all pass the class.


PS. Don't forget to watch the  Commander In Chief Forum  tonight on NBC and MSNBC.



Have a wonderful Wednesday!


Noodle and crew

Sunday Selfie with history lesson...

If you were thinking that politics has sunk to a new low lets take a trip back in time and learn all about the know-nothing party spoiler alert this is partially how the Republican Party came about.

Or you can watch this really great piece done by Rachel Maddow  know nothing movement that puts it in current perspective.


Have a super Sunday!

Noodle and crew

Wordless Wednesday in color!

                                                       

                                         
                                       (baby Noodle archives)




Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Noodle and crew

It's Time For The Latest Edition Of Sticky Paws And Fuzzy Hugs...

Hey boys and girls, it's time once again for Noodle's Sticky Paws and Hairballs vs. Fuzzy Hugs and
Kitty Kisses!

First we want to extend lots and lots of Fuzzy Hugs and Kitty Kisses to the people of Italy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

A big Fuzzy Hug to school days. It's that time of year when kids are getting ready to go back to school.
New classes, new friends and new experiences but there are some things you should know before sending your little sweetie out the door Charter schools .

Next, it's a big Sticky Paw to Mylan Pharmaceuticals the makers of EpiPen and their CEO
for jacking up the price of this life saving medication by 500% since 2007!
It's not just Mylan though other drug companies are using the same tactics price hikes .

A big Kitty Kiss to Stubbs the cat who is the mayor of a small town in Alaska.

And on the campaign front a big Sticky Paw to all for letting this presidential election fall to such a disgraceful level nasty campaigns

And a super Sticky Paw to Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, shame, shame, shame .
For lying, for taking away the spotlight from your team mates and all the other athletes who worked so hard and did nothing wrong. You stole their moment in the sun and that is something they can never get back!

And last a big Fuzzy Hug to John Oliver for putting forth the best case for why Trump should and could drop out of the presidential race and still come out the winner!  



Have a wonderful weekend!


Noodle and crew