Architecture Wednesday: Dolly Parton’s Songwriting Retreat

Well, look here … for just $786K you could own a piece of country music history: Dolly Parton’s former Idyllwild retreat! Oh, if walls could sing, this charming three-story, three-bedroom, three-bath 1800 square foot mountain cabin  would be in tune for anyone.

Recently owned by the one and only Dolly, this home is as full of character as the Queen of Country herself. It has a primary suite, a guest bedroom, and a spacious loft that sleeps five—and it was Dolly’s favorite spot to write and play her music.

Nestled along a peaceful seasonal creek and just a short stroll to town, this private escape offers the perfect mix of tranquility and convenience. Designed with chalet-style flair, this home features soaring, wood-beamed ceilings, woodsy details, and a spacious deck where you can soak in the forest views. A brand-new roof ensures it’s ready for its next chapter, while the serene creekside setting adds to its magic. This is more than a home-it’s a piece of music history, a true mountain retreat, and a dream getaway waiting for its next storyteller.

Just don’t try to strum the toilet seat.

As always. Click to BIGGERate …

Dwell

Meme Dump

Ain't That America XXIX ...

I have decided to simplify the “Ain’t That America” posts by giving you what amounts to a headline, along with my personal thoughts about said headline. It’s quicker for me to post a few bullet points and quicker for y’all to read, so let’s go …

What better way to get the media and your enemies to stop talking about you raping girls on a tropical island than by invading another country.

Remember when the GOP went after Putin for invading Ukraine without cause but stayed silent when America raided Venezuela for the same reason last week? It’s not drugs or terrorism; it’s oil and money and greed.

If you needed proof that former news network SeeBS has flipped to the MAGAt side, note that the White House gave them the scoop on the illegal attack on Venezuela.

Candace Owens says it was the Jews who orchestrated the attack on Venezuela because Candace is an anti-Semitic lunatic.

Cankles now says the US will “run” Venezuela. Funny, because he is running America into the ground so I guess we can see the future of Venezuela.

Miss Lindsey Graham pulled her head out of Cankles’ ass long enough to call the attack on Venezuela “amazing”  and says Cuba should be next.

Pammy Jo Bondi praised Cankles for his “courage” in sitting in the White House and ordering American military men and women to put their lives on the line in Venezuela while he stuffed his gullet with McDonalds.

Senator Tim Kaine says he will force a Senate vote on Cankles war powers, though the GOP—still Carrying Cankles’ water—will fight that.

Most of the world has denounced America—and Cankles—for the attack; that ain’t America when most of the world comes for us.

One MAGAt Republican Thomas Massie claims Cankles’ threat to Iran is just like Venezuela: it’s about oil and money. One smart Republican who isn’t afraid to speak the truth.

It seems that both Cankles and the Couchfucker claim the attack on Venezuela was because they had “stolen” our oil with no explanation of how it was done … maybe it was that giant invisible pipeline Venezuela built in Alaska to funnel oil to South America when no one was watching?

The Wall Street Journal poked Cankles for going TACO on another round of tariffs.

The Democrats vow to campaign on the expired Obamacare subsidies and the idea that a great many Americans will see their health care insurance rates triple, but, hey, there’s oil to be had in Venezuela.

Tommy Tuberville, GOP clown, and many in that party, melted down over NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani taking the oath of office on the Quran. Funny they had no trouble with a rapist, pussy grabbing pedophile swearing on the Bible.

Cankles says White House doctors say he’s in “perfect health” which explains the near constant medical procedures, the MRIs and the rotting flesh on both his hands, as well as those elephant ankles.

And Lastly, because this is funny and stupid and scary and all the things, but Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts is now calling for judicial impartiality. It’s kinda late, you traitorous prick.

And now you know, so … 

The Funny Papers

Clay Bennett, RJ Matson, Pedro X Molina, Bill Bramhall, Benjamin Slyngstad, Ed Wexler, John Buss, Max Espinoza, Marc Murphy

Why Is It ...

… that I would like to give up sarcasm, but that would leave interpretative dance as my only means of communication.

… that the older I get the easier it becomes for me to look at a situation and say, “Yeah, I’m out.”

… that after several consultations my dermatologist can provide no treatment for the people getting under my skin.

… that people don’t believe it when I say I just got my Dissociates Degree.

… that so many people take the internet and social media so seriously … most of their “likes” come from  people at home sitting on their toilets.

… that people forget silence is my favorite conversation.

… that people always told me to just be myself and then I did and now everyone’s scared and I need a lawyer.

… that you need to remember I am not bored, I’m just tired of everything.

… that, like most people, I have to work extra hard because the baby is expensive. Oh, and I am the baby.

… that people forget the one thing I am really good at is pretending you never existed.

Happy New Year

I love a New Year.

A fresh start, so to speak, and the thought of infinite possibilities, even though there is that darkness of anger and racism and greed all around us. But maybe I am a bit of a Pollyanna, I believe the times are changing; people are growing tired of division and hate, of billionaires complaining, tired of religion as politics, tired of faith being used as a weapon against women, immigrants, people of color and LGBTQ+ people.

Think of what might happen if women and people of color, immigrants and LGBTQ+ Americans, along with our allies, all stood up and voted every single time; think of the changes we could make in this country … equality, fairness, acceptance.

And, while the numbers may be adding up faster than I ever thought possible, I like the idea of being another year older, and another year wiser; okay, maybe not that older shiz. As I once told my sister, who thought I never looked any older, The Gays aren't allowed to age, so I don't mind the extra year under the belt … as long as it doesn’t puddle over my belt.

I look back on the past years, remembering the good times, the tough times, the bad and sad times, because they are all a part of life. I still wake up every morning, look out the window to that spot beneath the trees and say Hello to Tuxedo and then whisper Goodnight at the end of the day; I still miss the Pocket Dog racing through the house like a small black blur; and I miss MaxGoldberg, heavy as a cinderblock, sleeping on me at night. I still wonder every Sunday if my Dad will call for our weekly chats, but when he doesn’t, I just talk to him myself.

And even while looking back, I also look forward to doing more, and learning more, thinking more, reading more, loving more, laughing more. These aren't resolutions, as I don't make resolutions because when I do, they last about as long as it takes me to say ‘resolution.’ These are promises and wishes, hopes and dreams, positive thoughts that 2026 will be a far better year for all of us, around the world, than 2025.

So, I'll leave you all to have a good day, with a repost of some New Year’s Day thoughts:

The more things change :::blibbety blah blay bloo touch me::: the more they remain the same:  I am a believer in happiness. My parents raised their children to believe that happiness is all we really get in life, and that everything else follows. 

Things don't make us happy, at least not for long. And you can't expect people to make you happy either; you either have it to begin with, and others add to it, or you don't. If you don't believe that, just look around at all the sad, angry, lonely faces you pass on the street. Happiness is something you possess, that you give out, and get back. But we are each responsible for our own happiness; responsible to find it, to hold on to it; to nurture it and share it.

Without happiness in ourselves, for being ourselves, how can we expect to live fully and completely? We suffer loss every day; I've had my share and, sad to say, I know there's more to come, but I feel happy in the memories I have of those who've gone on ahead. I still, even as I reread this from years past, mourn the loss of my father; he would have loved the Dodgers winning the World Series and he would have screamed at America once again for believing a liar.

I like to think things will get better, though it might not be the better I was thinking it would be, but I have seen tough times and I have seen them get better, so I will remain hopeful, because of the things I have learned.

I learned, from my Father the Teacher, never to stop learning and reading and speaking and, well, ranting; the more you learn, the more you grow, and understand, the more happiness you can accept. I've also learned that the best thing you can do for the people you love is to be there when they need you.

I learned, from my Mother the Nurturer, to care for things, for people, for animals, for life; to make each day better for those around us, and to make it better for ourselves in the end. I have learned to hold family close; never let them go; whether it's the family you were born into, or the family you created out of necessity; hold on to them, and protect them, and love them. 

I learned, from my Sister the Temper, to speak up; why sit quietly and let things happen to you? Stand up and demand the things you want, the happiness you want. Don't settle. 

I learned, from my Brother … well, let’s just say he taught me that people change dramatically … they ignore science, even after contracting COVID; that people who never voted will support a traitorous rapist racist. He taught me that people change, and not always for the better, but we are all human and perhaps one day he will change again.

I learned from the Blog People that, while we all may have different lives and different backgrounds and different ideas, we can communicate and listen and learn. I thank all of you for your blogs and the things you say that make me laugh and smile, cry and rant, learn, and even sometimes sing and dance.

I learned from the pets we lost in the last few years ... MaxGoldberg, Tuxedo, and Ozzo ... and the others we've lost through the years that sheer, unmitigated joy and pure unconditional love are real things to be accepted and given right back. 

I learned, from my Husband the Optimist, how to actually let go and be in love and damn the torpedoes; how to be open and honest and know that it won't hurt; how to love yourself, and everyone around you; how to take what you’re given, the good and the bad, and live with it, and adapt to it. His eyesight is almost nearly gone and yet he soldiers on, telling people that he may be losing his eyesight, but not his vision.

So, I once again realize that I have learned to be happy; I've earned happiness and I am responsible for keeping it. It is, after all, all you really get in life.

Happy. New Year.

xoxo

Bob, Carlos, Consuelo and Rosita.