Not Exactly

On seeing the Knoxville Opera's billboard for an upcoming version of Romeo and Juliette:

Boy Wonder:  Mom, what's Romeo and Juliet?

Me:  Well, it's a tragic love story about two young people.  They're in love, but their families hate each other, and the young people end up dying because their families can't get along.  Then their families are really torn up.  It's a famous play, by William Shakespeare.

Boy Wonder:  Oh, so exactly like Gnomeo and Juliet then.

Me:  . . . 

Me:  NOT EXACTLY.

Youthquake!

Farm Girls (Christmas 2011)

A picture of Miss M and her besty first cousin, Laura, on a hike this past Christmas at the family farm.

Here they are at the beach several years ago.  The girls are growing up!

On the Fence

A Simple Welcome Would Be So Boring

The 500Jerk front door is in need of a new doormat, having lost the last one to the insatiable coir-loving Posymonster.  We have an opportunity to personalize the mat and I, for one, don't mean to squander that opportunity.  A simple "Welcome" seems a bit sedate.  I offer you the following alternatives for consideration:

A nice regional flair, mais non?  I do so like a down-home touch.  Or perhaps this:

Stilted Spanish is just so winning.  Or perhaps this--my personal favorite:

Which do you prefer?  Leave your vote in the comments below.