A new hope for Jericho?

Edna:  Margie, I just found something on the Internet, I think you'd best come over here and listen to this. Do you remember when that film crew was in Jericho a few years back, making that documentary about us townfolk?  I'm sure you do, I definitely remember how much you complained that they focused too much on the Green family (especially that scandalous Jake Green!) and not enough on the rest of us.

Margie: Edna, those folks came here and made a big commotion but did they put you and me on the TV? No, and we've lived here longer than anybody else. We ARE Jericho. Nuts!

Edna:  I think we'd better take some steps to make sure we're included this time.  I don't know about you, but I'm going to go out and buy a new hat. The flashier the better, maybe that will attract some attention during filming.  Plus, I'm going to write a letter to that Mr. Netflix, whoever he is. Plead our case directly, so to speak.

Margie: Great idea! I think I'll wear my new hat that has the big fish on it. Do write him a letter and we'll enclose a picture of me. He won't be able to refuse us then for sure!

+++++++++++++++

News broke last week on various online media outlets (TV Guide and The New York Times, among others) that Netflix may be picking up Jericho in order to resume filming the TV series that originally aired on CBS. We were tickled to hear the news, because Jericho is a show that we both hold near and dear to our hearts.  This is partly because we both participated in the original fight for the second season, but it's also because Jericho is how and why we became friends in the first place.  We would love for Jericho to get another chance, and fans are mobilizing to help Netflix to fully appreciate what a devoted fandom Jericho already has.  If you're interested in becoming involved, we suggest you check out SavingJericho.com for resources and suggestions on how to let your voice be heard.  

The "Guess our Ages" contest!

Dear Readers,

We'd like to announce an exciting contest here at the Basement! As you may have noticed from our profile to the right, Margie and Edna are not real people (no matter how real they may seem at times). The ladies are fictional characters created by two friends and blogging buddies, Jane and Beth. You can read more about M&E's origins here.

Now, it's no secret that Margie and Edna aren't exactly spring chickens. But does art imitate life? For this contest we'd like you, our readers, to guess the actual ages of Jane (aka "Margie") and Beth (aka "Edna"). Please send your guesses via email to margieandedna@yahoo.com (with "AGES" in the subject line). All guesses must be submitted by Monday December 7th at noon EST. (Incidentally, if you know either Jane or Beth in real life, you are not eligible for this contest.)

While there is only one entry allowed per person, you may include two guesses (one each for Jane and Beth's ages) per email entry. Whoever's guess is closest to our actual ages wins the following:

• You get to choose the subject for an upcoming blog post. Whatever you ask us to write about, we'll write about it--the sky's the limit.
• If you're a blogger, we will also run your ad in our sidebar for two weeks!
• Bonus prize: if the winner is also a member of Entrecard, you win 500 credits!

Edna: Margie, I don't know about this...a true lady never talks about something so crass as their age.

Margie: Don't talk about it then, nitwit. Just let people guess.

Celebrate Our 100th Post

Margie: Edna is still on vacation so she's missing our 100th post. Yes, it's hard to believe that we have made 100 blog posts. That's the same number as years our Granny lived. Lordy knows I couldn't stand 100 years of Edna. She's the reason the word crabby was invented.

Being the kind person I am, though, I will extend Edna's thanks along with mine to all of you for making 100 posts possible. We're just delighted that you all have seen fit to visit my Basement and leave us comments from time to time.

Please do continue to drop by and visit us. We really do love all our visitors even though we especially like gentlemen callers. I apologize for Edna's bad behavior here at times but she was just born ornery.

Edna and The Alligator

Margie,

Look here, I actually found somebody in Florida with a bigger mouth than you have! Heh heh heh, Aunt Biddy sure did laugh when I told her that joke. She thinks you have a bigger mouth, though. Margie, these gators here just come up out of the canals and onto your lawn if you’re not careful. Itty-Biddy says that’s why she doesn’t have her toy poodle anymore. She let the poor little thing out to do its business one morning, and she looked away for one minute. When she looked back, all that was left was a hair bow and some ripples in the canal. I’m watching my step, I tell you what.


Love, Edna

Margie: Another postcard? I don't find this at all amusing. Edna best not plan on living here if she wants to come home. Sounds to me like Biddy has rubbed off on her.

People like Itty shouldn't have pets if they can't protect them from alligators. I sure hope Edna isn't watching her step. Old hussy.

Happy July 4th

Margie: Saving Gasoline

Margie: Just wait until Edna hears this story. I've had the most surprising day.

First, two lovely young men arrived at my door and said they needed to sell their car. I took one look and I was in love. With the car, I mean. Here it is.



Margie: As luck would have it, Cousin T arrived right before I could get my money to buy the car. He called it a gas guzzler or some such and said I shouldn't buy it.

I invited the young men to stop back by tomorrow to see if I might have changed my mind. Oh, here's what Cousin T got me to buy. He said it's good on gas.





Margie: Eat your heart out, Edna.

Edna Writes Margie

Dear Margie,

Well, we made it to Miami Beach just fine; the Biddy Bus only broke down twice. Luckily, the last time was two blocks away from Aunt Biddy’s house, so we just hoofed it down the street until we got there. My lands, it surely is hot down here and this place is no better than a swamp. I do not know what all this humidity will do to my hair. I hope I don’t look a fright when we go visiting later. Aunt Biddy promised to introduce me to her gentleman friends and I do so want to look my best.

Love, Edna


Margie: I'll swan. I thought I was rid of my crazy sister for a while and she sends me a blasted postcard. Like I care, Edna.

Her hair? Lawsy me, Edna always looks a fright so I don't think she needs to worry about humidity!

I'd rather try to survive in the swamp as to meet any of Biddy's friends. You can bet there's not a gentleman amongst them. Not that that's ever stopped Edna.

Whew! I hope that's the last I hear from her.

Edna and The Jitterbug

Margie: Well, Edna went off and left her room in a mess. Big surprise. I went in to dust and found this old moving picture of Edna and her beau. Actually, I think he was Betty Lou's beau and Edna stole him away. She's good at that.

Anyway, let's watch Edna make a spectacle of herself.


Jitterbug

Edna's House Rules

Margie: Cousin T, thank you so much for staying with me while Edna is gone. I get a little scared after dark.

Cousin T: (nodding and smiling)

Now, Edna did want me to give you the house rules because you'll be sleeping in her bedroom. I know it's a little fancy for you but just make do. Let me read the rules.

Cousin T: (Still nodding, the smile gives way)

First, Edna writes, "That boy can use my bedroom, but he'd best not leave boot prints all over my chenille bedspread. And you tell him there will be heck to pay if I find he's tracked sawdust into my bedroom."

Cousin T: (Eyes narrowing)

Second, never leave the toilet seat up, since Margie doesn't wear her glasses to go to the bathroom and she might get stuck if she doesn't look before sitting down.

Cousin T: (Eyes widen)



Here are the other rules:

Clean out the tub if you shower.

Cousin T: (Eyebrow goes up)

No leaving empty beer cans on the porch railing.

Cousin T: (Another follows)

No cussin', spittin', scratchin', or belchin'.

Cousin T: (Head tilts forward)

Edna: I don't want to come back and learn that he's been using my garter belts as tool belts. He best stay out of my chifferobe too.

Cousin T: (Audible noise from the throat)

Margie: Never fear, Cousin T. Edna isn't here so make yourself to home. What Edna doesn't know won't hurt us. Want some special tea now?

Cousin T bolts for the kitchen.

Margie: Alone At Last

Margie here. So many people have asked me what Edna, my sister, is really like so I'm here to tell you. I have a pitcher of Special Tea and Edna has gone to old Biddy's so I can do as I please.

The first thing I did was dig the Miami Herald out of the garbage. I saw Edna reading it and marking attractions she'd like to visit. Lord a mercy! I had to cover my eyes several times. Edna is shameless.

I'm ashamed to say my sister first went to this section called Voyeur. Heavens above! She has circled where it says, "400+ Nightclubs." I know Edna well enough to know she'll try to visit as many of them as she can. Edna is a hussy.

My stars! Would you look at these shops she's circled? She'll go down there and spend every dime she's got. She doesn't care that her sister is sitting here and can barely afford to cook a pot of beans! Edna is selfish.

Finally, I see Edna has circled all the beaches. I suppose she thinks everybody has a great interest in seeing her old wrinkled tushie spread out all over the place. Edna in a bathing suit is a sight best left unseen. Edna is an idiot!

I can't take anymore. The thought of my sister cavorting in Miami is enough to make me barf. I'm going to Bailey's and get a smooth drink to coat my churning stomach.

Edna is on her own.

Margie and Edna: National Fudge Day

Margie: Edna, do you remember Mama's fudge? Today is National Fudge Day and it sure brings back happy memories. We never could make it the way Mama did.

Edna: Speak for yourself, you’re the one who’s hopeless in the kitchen. Don’t you remember when I made Mama’s fudge and won that blue ribbon at the Jericho county fair back in ‘58?

Margie: Edna, you know the only reason you won was because all the judges got drunk. Mama never put so much bourbon in her fudge. You should be ashamed.

I like this fudge made with Velveeta cheese. It may not sound good but it's angelic. Like me.

Edna: Margie, I will stop making fun of your cooking if you promise never to say the words "Velveeta fudge" to me ever again. Do we have a deal?

Margie: I'll think about it, Edna. Let's share some of these fudge recipes with our readers while you anticipate my answer.


Peanut Butter Fudge


Million Dollar Fudge


More Fudge Recipes

Margie and Edna: Adopt-a-Cat Month

Margie: Edna, drag yourself out of bed and look what Deputy Jimmy just brought us. He's the sweetest man I've ever seen. He brought one for each of us.




Edna: Well, I tell you what, that Deputy Jimmy is mighty sweet but sometimes he's dumber than a stump. Does he really think that two old women are going to be able to take care of those tiny kittens? I don't care how cute they are, they need a lot of attention.

You're in charge of the litter box, Margie.

Margie: See Edna? It's people like you who make it necessary to have an Adopt-A-Cat month. You're just heartless. Did you know that picking up a cat has a nearly instantaneous calming effect on humans, causing blood pressure to drop and the heart rate to slow? I guess you'd have to have a heart first though.

Edna: Oh for the love of Pete! I didn't say we shouldn't keep them, but he really should have asked us first. Think about all the pets who are given as gifts that end up at shelters. If people just thought first, maybe there wouldn't have to be an Adopt-A-Cat month.



According to The Berlin Longevity Institute, cats can add as much as 10 years to their owners' lives.

The estimated population of homeless cats in the United States (70 million) is almost equal to the number of owned cats (75 million).

Happy Mother's Day!

With love,

Margie and Edna: VE Day

It's Margie and Edna at the USO.



Edna: Margie, you always did love hogging the limelight. Look at you, you didn't want to share those soldier boys with anyone, let alone your own sister. What a hussy.

Margie: I didn't share either, did I Edna? I love a man in uniform. Well, I just love men. I did my part for the war effort is all I'm going to say.

Edna: I think that's all you'd better say, this is a family blog.

Margie, take a listen to this, it's the live broadcast of when Edward R. Murrow reported from London when they were celebrating the end of the war. What a happy time that was, remember?


To read more about VE Day, please go here.

Be Kind To Animals Week

Margie: Edna, hold on to your bloomers because I'm going to give you a compliment. You're a mean-spirited, hateful sister but I know you love animals and would never hurt them. For that, I thank you.

Edna: I never thought I'd say this, but you're absolutely right, Margie. I do love animals, they are often kinder and more loving to us than most humans are to each other. That's why they deserve our kindness in return.


The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to celebrate the unique bond between humans and animals. We would like to share a few ways in which you can also be kind to animals.

Adopt your pet from a shelter or rescue. Approximately 8 to 12 million animals enter shelters every year, and more than half of these pets will have to be euthanized because of a lack of homes. Local shelters are the best place to find companion animals, even purebreds -- one out of every four dogs in a shelter is a purebred.

Teach the people in your life, especially children, about the importance of being kind to animals.

Spay or Neuter your pets -- this is a big step to controlling pet overpopulation

Never tolerate animal cruelty -- report animal abuse to your local humane society or animal control agency.

Be aware of Black Dog Syndrome and educate others. So many black dogs and cats are not adopted because of their color. Why? Go here for information.

It's Cinco de Mayo

Margie: Edna, today is a Mexican holiday. What's it called? Sink something or other.I guess it must be about some war with ships.

Edna: Margie, once again you embarrass me with your idiocy. It's called Cinco de Mayo, you ninny. And you call yourself a woman of the world.

Margie: I sure do like Mexican food. Those chimneychangers are my favorites.

Edna: I'm going to stuff a "chimneychanger" in your mouth if you don't hush up and listen to this.


"Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Althought the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on world conquest."



For fun recipes go here.

Tag: You're It

Rich at Copywrite Ink got tagged to do 7 useless facts about himself then he tagged 12 great blogs to participate if they so chose. He chose us as one of his 12 and why wouldn't he? He loves the basement and Special Tea.

Anyway, we will offer the blogs we tag the option of participating or not. You are certainly under no obligation to do anything two little old ladies request. We hope you enjoy our little tag game.

Our 7 Useless Facts:

1. Margie: This is the most useless fact I have. I have a sister named Edna.

2. Edna: I was a paramour of Minnesota Fats for a time in my youth, and he taught me everything I know about playing pool. This is why the pool players down at Bailey’s turn and run when they see me coming.

3. Margie: I was the librarian for Jericho for more years than I care to mention. This is why I'm smarter than Edna.

4. Edna: As a girl, I spent a year in Paris, France. If you want more details about that, I understand there are quite a few in my FBI file.

5. Margie: I have a weakness for a handsome cowboy. Any handsome cowboy. Well, he doesn't have to be a cowboy.

6. Edna: The name “Edna” is of Hebrew origin and means “pleasure” or “delight”, which is certainly accurate since I’m such a pleasure to be around.

7. Margie: I have a dog named Arabelle. One of my gentlemen friends, Jonah Prowse, gave her to me.



Here are the blogs we'd like to tag:

Turnip Of Power


Pixelated Thoughts


NoFaceBerg


The Sewing Mom


On The Bricks

National Humor Month

Margie: Sakes alive, Edna. Look what I found in the newspaper. It says here that April is National Humor Month. It says here, "It is designed to heighten public awareness on how the joy and therapeutic value of laughter can improve health, boost morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality of one's life."

This is for you, Edna.

Edna: Well my lands, Margie, I wish we'd have known about this sooner, we could have been blogging about it all month! Although, it seems like it's always National Humor Month around here, doesn't it? And Mama always said that laughter is the best medicine.

Margie: Edna, if you're anywhere around, people are bound to be laughing. I've been laughing at your crazy antics for years.

Edna: That makes two of us, then. And you can interpret that however you'd like.

Margie and Edna: Dating

Margie: Edna, I'm hiring a lawyer today. I'm suing the Jericho Messenger then I'm suing Jericho Kindred Spirits dating service. They said "discover our soul mate or life's companion." They lied. You know why I'm suing?

Edna: Because you're a contrary old hag who isn't happy until all those around you are miserable?

Margie: Look at this picture of the man I thought was my soul mate. What did yours look like?



Edna: Well, my gentleman sent me this really lovely picture of himself, so I was very excited.




Edna: Here's who showed up for the date.



Margie: Look at who really showed up for my date.




Margie: We'd better stick to finding our gentlemen at Bailey's.

Outdoor Activity

Margie: Edna, speaking of self-improvement, our Granny sure believed in it just as much as Mama did.

Edna: Mercy, yes, Margie. Remember how Granny talked about her outdoor activity? Wait, here's an old home movie of her; she sure was a pistol.