What is a Smash-mouth ?

On the radio this morning they're interviewing  a lady in New York about  Vice President Vance and his speech to an AI conference in Paris. Despite his cogency she says he gave the impression of being a  'smash-mouth'. This is a word neither of us has ever heard before. A quick Google search shows that it's an American word designating "a style of football characterized by rough, aggressive play and, typically, strong offensive rushing". 

The weather remains 'blustery'. This is another way of saying awful. Our local deer are again nestling in the shelter of the stone walls to avoid the wind ... and the sleet.  The beach rangers are up early. They're expecting high tides and are concerned about the birds nesting in the sand dunes at the start of the mating season.

Here in town Valentines Day beckons. The bakers window displays heart shaped sponges with 'Love' piped in large red letters across them. A restaurant  bill board  promises  ' Magical Valentines Dinner. 3 courses and half bottle of wine ( per table ) for £20. Booking essential '.  Angus wonders what exactly you can get for £20 these days and whether it would justify the term 'magical'. The lady in the florist is cheerful and busy although the students tend to buy their flowers in Sainsbury's.

To get out of the wind I pop into the fancy art gallery. They're setting up a new exhibition. A small oil in a deep, dark, frame is considered.

You know the art gallery is 'fancy' because it has a chair with a cushion. I've never seen anyone sit in an art gallery chair but you can imagine international collectors using it to  ponder the canvases on offer before making a careful and leisurely choice.

There is another dog statue.

After the art gallery there's time to wander down to the book store. The bookstore always has a selection of books that are unmistakably British.

Having lived in France I'd agree with this :https://x.com/AHVanBuskirk/status/1888051029595324859

Aztec death whistles. The things you learn :https://peterfrankopan.substack.com/p/aztec-death-whistles

The miracle of the Gulls:https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/the-miracle-of-the-gulls

Thank you to the BBC for introducing us to todays 'remarkable' person of interest - Buddy Carter - who comes from Georgia and is a Congressman :https://buddycarter.house.gov/uploadedfiles/redwhitebluelandact.pdf