Speaking of mammoths, there's a hypothesis out there that manatees are not related to seals or walruses, but evolved from Caribbean mammoths during the last few Ice Ages.

Ooh, that's fodder for more SyFy movies!

Manasquitotee!!!1!

Honestly, though, the idea of Jamaican mammoths cracks me up.

Mammothtees!

Dungongastadons!

I have now a picture in my head of Wooly mammoth crossed with a Labrador retriever. It has a tail that can wipe out cities: The Mammador!

I once tried to explain to someone that the street I live on - a fairly narrow residential street that crosses a major artery - is one way on both sides, but in opposite directions. On the east side of the major street, it goes east; on the west side, it heads west (so, basically, whenever you're on this street you're headed away from the major artery). They didn't get it.

sumi, thank you for reminding me about tack shops and dressage coats! I knew I was blanking on an obvious source. Now to search eBay for "dressage jacket" ...

ita !, isn't that style of coat just so sharp? They go with damn near everything.

I did discover that the J. Peterman company has made a black cotton velveteen version of my beloved red ringmaster/dressage jacket, so once I call the helpful customer service line and get some info about actual garment measurements, I'm ordering it. Because it is December, and I cannot wear my red ringmaster blazer and a top hat without many people asking where I'm caroling.

At one of the discount stores I frequent I found a jacket (from Talbot's - the local store closed and a lot of their stuff ended up in this store). It was a rust/wine colored corduroy, cut like the ringmaster/shadbelly coat, double-breasted with tails. Of course I had to try it on ... and looked terrible. ah well ....

Of course I had to try it on ... and looked terrible. ah well ....

I hate when that happens. Or finding the perfect garment at a thrift store, but it's two sizes too small.