Frog Applause by Teresa Burritt for September 30, 2023

No, because if you shout, you’ll also be left a little hoarse.

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Were you trying to tell me something?

The one I just got said, “Yep”

I don´t think so.

Elon?

No. Where would you like me to deliver this pony?

Only when they’re sent by pony express.

How the heck should I know?

Ask your pony.

Must … buy … pony

…I started singing Like a Virgin and stopped in my tracks…

….I hate that song…

…that’s when I first realized that it was playing over the grocery store speakers…

…I am reading a book about tiny data…

… where in India they made the bottom of the cereal box more colorful…

…to appease the mother-in-law… and the the top of the cereal box’s colors muted…

…because they believed that was what the daughter-in-law’s attention would be drawn to…

…they were right…

…of course…

…more art and/or guess work than science…

…for cereal…

…their motives …

…just to brag they could do it…

…but a pony?…

…no…

…but how about some ice cream?…

Must…buy…him…a…peony.

I don’t care what the message says, I am going to continue reading Frog Applause.

will he settle for a puppy?

Not [often]

All working messages are subliminal.

Sorry kid, I was going to buy you one on Amazon, but they don’t have a drone that can deliver a pony. They can drop you off a floppy-eared bunny instead if you want.

Paul McCartney wasn’t really dead, though …!

( conscious verses [sic] the unconscious )

Some plan is definitely cooking…

Awwww horse pucky!

I don’t know why I said that but something made me do it. ☺️☺️☺️

Yes and no and yes and no and yes and no

Enterprising lad. Although to truly answer your question, you’ll have to collect more data. Plant about 29 more subliminal messages and you might have a representative sample. But only if conditions are controlled.

In other words, you’re going to have to earn the pony.

Only from 9 to 5

No, but they often play.

When I worked in advertising I learned that if you repeat a message often enough and target that message with real or imaginary benefits, some people will be influenced by that message enough to act on it and or be influenced by it. Subliminal messages, can be a part of it but mostly it’s magical thinking promoted by advertising salespeople who wants your money. That said, yes, I will buy you a pony.

There is a special place in Hell for the guy who was our mailman when I was a little kid. Like the little boy above, I really, really, wanted a pony. Our mailman mercilessly teased me by constantly telling me the pony was waiting for me at the railway depot but my old man was too cheap to pick it up. Every day he’d ask, “Did you get your pony, yet?” – which of course dissolved me to tears. I hated that man and my “cheap” father.

Maybe that’s why, years later, at age 14, after busting my butt working on my great-uncle’s ranch in New Mexico all summer, I bought one of his horses and took it back to Connecticut with me.

I don’t have time to answer that. I’m on my way to the Pony Emporium!

That kid should pony up and buy somebody something

I’m happy to be part of the group, I will go to the opening of an envelope.

My limen is too low.

I dunno. Are you receiving what’s being sent?