One down and one to go. The Republicans had their convention in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Democrats will have theirs in Philadelphia, Pa. Being a political junkie, I watch television coverage from beginning to end, and listen to all the speeches. When panels of political experts with opposing views argue the pros and cons, I listen. Aside from the political views, I pay attention to body language and how speakers appear on camera.
There is a marked difference between how men and women give their speeches. Women wear their hair in the latest fashion that often covers their face when turning their head, distracting viewers from the point they are trying to make. They could take a tip from the Queen of England who never lets her hats, or other clothing prevent the public from seeing her face.
As I watch and listen to speakers, I become critical of men and women who constantly wave their hands and bounce their heads in attempt to illustrate their point. Women tend to talk with their hands more than men do. The sound of a speakers voice is also something I note. Some women speakers have a shrill voice which becomes a screech when reinforcing a point of view or when an argument gets hot and heated.
I take notice of the suits and neckties men wear. Tailoring and choice of tie gets my attention. I compare fabric designs as well as color when several men are on camera. I'm less critical of women if they look 'professional' meaning they are appropriately dressed and not looing as if they are dining out on a date.
My critical evaluattions of speakers won't stop me from watching all the political speeches. I'll be sitting thru the Democratic convention just as avidly as I did the Republican one. And when the conventions are over, there will be several months of debates and speeches to listen to. Of course we won't know the outcome until November when a final vote decides who our next president will be.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
E Gads!
Has the country gone to Hell in a hand basket? There's trouble in river city. What to do Percy? What to do?
It seems as if everyone in the country is angry over something. We are in the middle of a presidential election year. The campaigns of the two opposing parties, seeking to win the election, highlight all the social ills of the country, and blame each other for having created them.
As if that rhetoric and emotional turmoil wasn't enough, two separate incidents of police killing a black man, once again brought wide spread protests. Whether or not, the killings were justified, emotions reached a fever pitch when protests against police escalated into ambushed killings of police officers.
This country has faced many challenges and will undoubtedly continue to do so, but this challenge of racial intolerance is going to require a lot of talking and understanding to arrive at a peaceful and respectful relationship.
It seems as if everyone in the country is angry over something. We are in the middle of a presidential election year. The campaigns of the two opposing parties, seeking to win the election, highlight all the social ills of the country, and blame each other for having created them.
As if that rhetoric and emotional turmoil wasn't enough, two separate incidents of police killing a black man, once again brought wide spread protests. Whether or not, the killings were justified, emotions reached a fever pitch when protests against police escalated into ambushed killings of police officers.
This country has faced many challenges and will undoubtedly continue to do so, but this challenge of racial intolerance is going to require a lot of talking and understanding to arrive at a peaceful and respectful relationship.
Saturday, July 09, 2016
Reading upside down update
I've finished Alexander McCall Smith's book, 'In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies'. I still have to spell and sound out some words, but its getting easier. I have trouble deciphering names of people and towns and have to peek at the words to verify the meaning. This has been a 'pick up' task I gave myself, and I did keep a steady move forward.
Although I had read this book in2004, I was surprised to find myself looking forward to the next page. The chapter endings didn't continue in the beginning of the next chapter. In my memory, the story unfolds in a continuous fashion, but in reading it again, I discovered that it took little jigs and jags as details of location, new characters and traditions were added to the story.
I found the book just as charming this time around as it was the first time I read it. It was slow reading,, and I noticed that when I had to peek at a word, I had trouble finding my place again. But constantly finding my place further down the page than I thought, I realized that my reading pace was picking up.
I've chosen a mystery for my second read. 'Hard Christmas' by Barbara D'Amato. There are 30 chapters and 282 pages. It may well be Christmas before I finish. Reading upside down is a brain game and I plan on continuing the game. Incidentally, two acquaintances have started reading upside down since they learned about my project. I'll report my progress and update it from time to time.
Although I had read this book in2004, I was surprised to find myself looking forward to the next page. The chapter endings didn't continue in the beginning of the next chapter. In my memory, the story unfolds in a continuous fashion, but in reading it again, I discovered that it took little jigs and jags as details of location, new characters and traditions were added to the story.
I found the book just as charming this time around as it was the first time I read it. It was slow reading,, and I noticed that when I had to peek at a word, I had trouble finding my place again. But constantly finding my place further down the page than I thought, I realized that my reading pace was picking up.
I've chosen a mystery for my second read. 'Hard Christmas' by Barbara D'Amato. There are 30 chapters and 282 pages. It may well be Christmas before I finish. Reading upside down is a brain game and I plan on continuing the game. Incidentally, two acquaintances have started reading upside down since they learned about my project. I'll report my progress and update it from time to time.
Friday, July 01, 2016
Empires
Empires come and Empires go. I've witnessed the disintegration of one such during my life. At one time, the sun never set on the English Empire, but with the loss of India, the 'Jewell in the Crown' as Queen Victoria called it, the Empire was diminished. Now, since the United Kingdom's Brexit (shorthand for Britain and exit) vote to leave the European Union, its highly likely that Scotland will vote for a second Independent referendum, and Northern Ireland will be able to vote on reunification.
The European Union is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries. It was started after WII on the premise that trading countries would avoid going to war with each other, It has grown to such an extent that it has its own parliament setting rules for environment, transport and consumer rights, including such things as mobile phone charges. No one knows how the vote will affect treaties and trade deals. These agreements are so tangled; merging and re-merging in a way that leaving the EU will affect the rise and fall of global currencies.
When the dust settles, there may be a smaller England, but we have to remember history repeats itself. Empires fall and new ones appear on the scene. When I visited Italy, I had a moment of 'history enlightenment' when I walked among the fallen marble columns where the Roman Forum used to be. I had never cared much for history, thinking it dull and boring, but after seeing the Roman Forum, history has been my favorite reading material.
We may not like the results of the UK vote and the changes it will bring, but there's no denying that we'll be watching history in the making.
The European Union is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries. It was started after WII on the premise that trading countries would avoid going to war with each other, It has grown to such an extent that it has its own parliament setting rules for environment, transport and consumer rights, including such things as mobile phone charges. No one knows how the vote will affect treaties and trade deals. These agreements are so tangled; merging and re-merging in a way that leaving the EU will affect the rise and fall of global currencies.
When the dust settles, there may be a smaller England, but we have to remember history repeats itself. Empires fall and new ones appear on the scene. When I visited Italy, I had a moment of 'history enlightenment' when I walked among the fallen marble columns where the Roman Forum used to be. I had never cared much for history, thinking it dull and boring, but after seeing the Roman Forum, history has been my favorite reading material.
We may not like the results of the UK vote and the changes it will bring, but there's no denying that we'll be watching history in the making.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
My New Favorites
My new favorite hot-weather drink is Jamaica. I first learned about this refreshing drink when I visited Mexico. Jamaica is made with dried Hibiscus flowers, brewed like tea leaves. Its a beautiful ruby red color, sweetened to taste, and often spiced with a cinnamon stick and a few slices of ginger. Sometimes a splash of lime juice is added or a fizzy drink which makes a bubbly version.
As the years passed, I brewed it less and less frequently, but when the daytime temperature reached 100 degrees, and the forecasts of 100 plus degrees days were soon to follow, I began thinking of chilled lemonades and iced teas. Then out of the blue, I remembered Jamaica. Instead of making only a glass at a time like I used to, I now keep a jar of concentrated Jamaica in the fridge and dilute it with chilled water.
Another new favorite is an old favorite once remembered, Key Lime Pie. A restaurant here specializes in Key Lime Pie and a serving lasts me four days! The graham cracker crust is so thick, its a dessert by its self. The pie is served with a huge tea cup size strawberry, with its stem still attached, on the plate. It definitely requires a take out box to bring home.
My new favorite comedian is Kate Mc Kinnon of Saturday Night Live. Her satirical portrait of Hillary Clinton is priceless! I like the other characters that she plays, but her 'Hillary' is worth a 24 carat gold star!
My new favorite book is by Michael Sims. Its a collection of Victorian Detective Stories. The title, The Dead Witness, is taken from the title of a story in the book. The collection depicts the evolving character of a detective from the first detective story published in 1837, the year Victoria became Queen, to the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Sherlock.
As the years passed, I brewed it less and less frequently, but when the daytime temperature reached 100 degrees, and the forecasts of 100 plus degrees days were soon to follow, I began thinking of chilled lemonades and iced teas. Then out of the blue, I remembered Jamaica. Instead of making only a glass at a time like I used to, I now keep a jar of concentrated Jamaica in the fridge and dilute it with chilled water.
Another new favorite is an old favorite once remembered, Key Lime Pie. A restaurant here specializes in Key Lime Pie and a serving lasts me four days! The graham cracker crust is so thick, its a dessert by its self. The pie is served with a huge tea cup size strawberry, with its stem still attached, on the plate. It definitely requires a take out box to bring home.
My new favorite comedian is Kate Mc Kinnon of Saturday Night Live. Her satirical portrait of Hillary Clinton is priceless! I like the other characters that she plays, but her 'Hillary' is worth a 24 carat gold star!
My new favorite book is by Michael Sims. Its a collection of Victorian Detective Stories. The title, The Dead Witness, is taken from the title of a story in the book. The collection depicts the evolving character of a detective from the first detective story published in 1837, the year Victoria became Queen, to the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Sherlock.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Carpet of Flowers
The other day while I was looking at some 'step by step' photos on how to make a Decahedron Himmeli Mobile, I scrolled down the page and became fascinated with a photo that didn't have anything to do with Decahedron mobiles. It was a photo of a flower carpet in Brussels on the Grand-Place. The huge, brilliant colored design was awesome, and seemed to be on a higher level than the ground people walking on. Of course my attention was diverted from mobiles to what and how this display was created.
The photo led me to Brussels official web site where I learned the following about the flower carpet, its history and how its construction. There is also a webcam focused on the Grand-Place which I plan to watch when the 2016 carpet is laid in August.
Every two years the Grand-Place of Brussels is covered with a carpet of begonias for only 1 weekend free to the public.
The first carpet was in 1971 on the Grand-Place. It was the work of landscape architect E. Stautemans who was inspired by other carpets in diverse Flemish cities. The peculiarity of the Brussels flower carpet is its place on the Grand-Place. It measures 77 meters by 24 meters.
The carpet is planned one year in advance. A committee of non-profit illustrators, graphic designers and landscape architects plan each edition around a theme. Scale reproductions of the subject is realized in several project stages. Quantity and number of flowers, and combinations of color are determined. Shapes and colors of cut flowers are calculated in the hundreds and thousands and reserved long in advance. A life size drawing is put on a transparent plastic sheet.
On the day before opening, the spaces between flower motifs are filled in with rolls of sod. When the carpet is laid, 120 volunteers install the million begonias within 4 hours. Each edition has a composed musical theme and concerts are played every evening, accompanied by a light show and fireworks.
The fragrant tuberous begonias used in the display are native from the West Indies and resistant to all weather conditions, intense sun, violent winds, rain, and cold. The colors range from vivid to delicate pastels. When the carpet is made, they are placed close together, (300 per square meter) to prevent then from being blown away. They create their own micro-climate. If there is a heat wave, the sod is watered to prevent wilting. If the weather is too wet, the grass grows 4 to 5 centimeters within 3 days and the flowers remain fresh, preserving their splendor during the 4 days of display.
The 20th edition in 2016 is scheduled for Friday August 12 to Monday August 15. It will celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations and friendship with Japan. Brussels Grand-Place is considered the most beautiful central square in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction commenced in the 15th century. It was razed after 3 full days of bombardment by the French Army in 1695, but was rebuilt in less than 5 years later.
The photo led me to Brussels official web site where I learned the following about the flower carpet, its history and how its construction. There is also a webcam focused on the Grand-Place which I plan to watch when the 2016 carpet is laid in August.
Every two years the Grand-Place of Brussels is covered with a carpet of begonias for only 1 weekend free to the public.
The first carpet was in 1971 on the Grand-Place. It was the work of landscape architect E. Stautemans who was inspired by other carpets in diverse Flemish cities. The peculiarity of the Brussels flower carpet is its place on the Grand-Place. It measures 77 meters by 24 meters.
The carpet is planned one year in advance. A committee of non-profit illustrators, graphic designers and landscape architects plan each edition around a theme. Scale reproductions of the subject is realized in several project stages. Quantity and number of flowers, and combinations of color are determined. Shapes and colors of cut flowers are calculated in the hundreds and thousands and reserved long in advance. A life size drawing is put on a transparent plastic sheet.
On the day before opening, the spaces between flower motifs are filled in with rolls of sod. When the carpet is laid, 120 volunteers install the million begonias within 4 hours. Each edition has a composed musical theme and concerts are played every evening, accompanied by a light show and fireworks.
The fragrant tuberous begonias used in the display are native from the West Indies and resistant to all weather conditions, intense sun, violent winds, rain, and cold. The colors range from vivid to delicate pastels. When the carpet is made, they are placed close together, (300 per square meter) to prevent then from being blown away. They create their own micro-climate. If there is a heat wave, the sod is watered to prevent wilting. If the weather is too wet, the grass grows 4 to 5 centimeters within 3 days and the flowers remain fresh, preserving their splendor during the 4 days of display.
The 20th edition in 2016 is scheduled for Friday August 12 to Monday August 15. It will celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations and friendship with Japan. Brussels Grand-Place is considered the most beautiful central square in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction commenced in the 15th century. It was razed after 3 full days of bombardment by the French Army in 1695, but was rebuilt in less than 5 years later.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Minding My P's and Q's
I'm making progress in my project of reading a book upside down, but I really have to pay attention to some of the characters. Especially the letters P and Q. They are easily mistaken for B or D. The same goes for A and E, although distinguishing A and E have become easier as I get more practiced. Those letters appear more often.
I still have to spell out some words to understand them. I also tend to anticipate the next word, often incorrectly, consequently not getting the right tense or meaning. Example: detect, detective, detected, detects, detection and detecting. I've also discovered that when I put the book down and pick it up again many hours later, I have to re-orient myself to think upside down, but after reading several words or a sentence, it becomes easy and I can read more quickly.
I remember that names of font designs used to be printed on the fly leaf of books, but as long as the printing was legible, I didn't care what font design was used. They may not even be mentioned in publications any longer, its not listed in the book I'm reading. Whatever the design in my book, the letters f and i join in some words so it looks like an h. I have to back track to decipher the meaning of the word. Examples: 'first' and 'find'.
I am gaining an appreciation of art work in font design! Its amazing the things one notices when trying something new out of the ordinary.
I still have to spell out some words to understand them. I also tend to anticipate the next word, often incorrectly, consequently not getting the right tense or meaning. Example: detect, detective, detected, detects, detection and detecting. I've also discovered that when I put the book down and pick it up again many hours later, I have to re-orient myself to think upside down, but after reading several words or a sentence, it becomes easy and I can read more quickly.
I remember that names of font designs used to be printed on the fly leaf of books, but as long as the printing was legible, I didn't care what font design was used. They may not even be mentioned in publications any longer, its not listed in the book I'm reading. Whatever the design in my book, the letters f and i join in some words so it looks like an h. I have to back track to decipher the meaning of the word. Examples: 'first' and 'find'.
I am gaining an appreciation of art work in font design! Its amazing the things one notices when trying something new out of the ordinary.
Saturday, June 04, 2016
Moving Buildings
I recently watched a television film documenting the relocation of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Because shoreline erosion threatened the lighthouse, it was moved 2,900 feet from its original 1890 location, to a place where it will be safe for a hundred years. When the decision was made to move the lighthouse, a year was spent in planning the move.
I was spellbound as I watched the preparations for the maneuver to take place. When the moving actually began, the lighthouse was pushed along a track system as it rested on horizontally mounted jacks. It only moved in 5 feet increments, then the jacks were reset along the grid beams. The incredulously difficult undertaking took 23 days to finally place the lighthouse in its new location in July 1999. I have tremendous admiration for those who have the knowledge to attempt such a feat, and then actually do it.
I've seen houses being moved and its always an amazing event. Years ago, one of my uncles worked for a company that moved houses, and he often related stories about moves that were particularly difficult. I've even seen houses being moved down the highway with police on motor bikes directing traffic, and I always marveled at the slow but sure progress being made. Several years ago, a neighbor had a house moved from a nearby town to a lot across the street from me. It was to be placed on the slope of a hill, some distance from the street. To my untrained eye, it looked like a ticklish job and I wondered how the men would achieve the move without incident.
The house and workers arrived on my street in the morning, planning to have the house on its final location by the end of the day. The street was blocked off preventing any traffic entering, and also preventing those living on our block from driving their vehicles in or out. Aside from the owner, there was a man in charge with a crew of about 7 or 8 Mexican who spoke only Spanish. It was a very hot day and the work was tedious, exacting and non-stop, but the work progressed smoothly; the men worked carefully and in a choreographed manner. I was one of many onlookers and we all were impressed at how hard the men worked. When the final push came to set the house on the planned spot, the men worked fast and furiously to place the house exactly in the right spot. It was amazing how deftly it was done, And, in one day!
I was spellbound as I watched the preparations for the maneuver to take place. When the moving actually began, the lighthouse was pushed along a track system as it rested on horizontally mounted jacks. It only moved in 5 feet increments, then the jacks were reset along the grid beams. The incredulously difficult undertaking took 23 days to finally place the lighthouse in its new location in July 1999. I have tremendous admiration for those who have the knowledge to attempt such a feat, and then actually do it.
I've seen houses being moved and its always an amazing event. Years ago, one of my uncles worked for a company that moved houses, and he often related stories about moves that were particularly difficult. I've even seen houses being moved down the highway with police on motor bikes directing traffic, and I always marveled at the slow but sure progress being made. Several years ago, a neighbor had a house moved from a nearby town to a lot across the street from me. It was to be placed on the slope of a hill, some distance from the street. To my untrained eye, it looked like a ticklish job and I wondered how the men would achieve the move without incident.
The house and workers arrived on my street in the morning, planning to have the house on its final location by the end of the day. The street was blocked off preventing any traffic entering, and also preventing those living on our block from driving their vehicles in or out. Aside from the owner, there was a man in charge with a crew of about 7 or 8 Mexican who spoke only Spanish. It was a very hot day and the work was tedious, exacting and non-stop, but the work progressed smoothly; the men worked carefully and in a choreographed manner. I was one of many onlookers and we all were impressed at how hard the men worked. When the final push came to set the house on the planned spot, the men worked fast and furiously to place the house exactly in the right spot. It was amazing how deftly it was done, And, in one day!
Saturday, May 28, 2016
My New Project
My new project is one that will take some time to accomplish: I'm reading a book upside down.
I had read that reading a book upside down was a "brain game" so I decided to give it a try. I browsed through my books looking for a font that would be easy to read upside down, but all my books had the same size printing. I selected 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus, a translation from the French by Mathew Ward and began reading, but it wasn't long before I decided it would be better as a beginning upside down reader, to choose something a bit lighter.
After sorting through the books, I picked an Alexander McCall Smith book, 'In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies' which is a charming book with engaging characters, and one of his series about 'The NO. 1 Ladies Detective Agency'. We are so practiced in reading that we intuitively understand meanings of words and sentences without checking the dictionary, but in reading upside down, I often have to spell out a word in order to decipher it and know its pronunciation.. Consequently, I can't anticipate the next word in a sentence. I also have to pay attention to punctuation in order to keep the thread of the story making sense.
Its slow going and it will be some time before I can sail through the pages like I do reading right side up. It will be a while before I actually finish chapter 1... and there are 21 chapters total. I'll update my progress from time to time.
I had read that reading a book upside down was a "brain game" so I decided to give it a try. I browsed through my books looking for a font that would be easy to read upside down, but all my books had the same size printing. I selected 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus, a translation from the French by Mathew Ward and began reading, but it wasn't long before I decided it would be better as a beginning upside down reader, to choose something a bit lighter.
After sorting through the books, I picked an Alexander McCall Smith book, 'In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies' which is a charming book with engaging characters, and one of his series about 'The NO. 1 Ladies Detective Agency'. We are so practiced in reading that we intuitively understand meanings of words and sentences without checking the dictionary, but in reading upside down, I often have to spell out a word in order to decipher it and know its pronunciation.. Consequently, I can't anticipate the next word in a sentence. I also have to pay attention to punctuation in order to keep the thread of the story making sense.
Its slow going and it will be some time before I can sail through the pages like I do reading right side up. It will be a while before I actually finish chapter 1... and there are 21 chapters total. I'll update my progress from time to time.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Neurobics
One of the most fascinating books that I've read lately is Keep Your Brain Alive written by two authors,
Lawrence C Katz and Manning Rubin. They say that when we occasionally change the way we perform daily routines, we create
Neurobics which is an additional way of nourishing the brain. The authors describes in detail how memory cells are created and stored in various area of the brain, and how Neurobics help create memories. Unlike logic puzzles and memory tests, Neurobics uses the senses of touch, smell, hearing, spacial memory and emotional sense.
Representations of events, people and places are associations and are stored in many areas of the brain. Incorporating Neurobics into ones life is not a quick fix, but will give your brain a good workout by making new associations and activating circuits that increase and strengthen associative cells that prevent mental decline.
There are three conditions required for creating Neurobics.
The book includes numerous ways that are easy to practice and that do not entail lots of time.
The following are some of the suggestions.
These ideas sound simplistic, but having had personal experience of being forced to practice several of them due to temporary physical limitations over the last several years, I found them surprisingly difficult.
A year ago I broke my right wrist and had to use my left hand to write letters to my sister, Esther. She had stopped using her computer and due to her profound hearing loss, we exchanged letters 2 or 3 times a week. I actually got very good at writing with my left hand. Presently I'm being forced to NOT use my left thumb due to surgery. The Dr. had zapped a spot of skin cancer on the knuckle just below the thumb nail. Because it became infected, the Dr. removed the nail. It's almost well, but my thumb is extremely sensitive and I've had to use my fingers in a way to hold things. I no longer look like I'm trying to hitch a ride, and my thumb is almost well enough so that I can start knitting again.
Now I practice reading upside down when I'm in a waiting room with magazines. So far I've only read magazine advertisements, but one of these days I'll might try reading a regular book.
Representations of events, people and places are associations and are stored in many areas of the brain. Incorporating Neurobics into ones life is not a quick fix, but will give your brain a good workout by making new associations and activating circuits that increase and strengthen associative cells that prevent mental decline.
There are three conditions required for creating Neurobics.
- involve one or more of the senses in a novel way.
- break routine activity in unexpected and non-trivial ways.
- engage your attention.
The book includes numerous ways that are easy to practice and that do not entail lots of time.
The following are some of the suggestions.
- Change your writing hand
- Change your olfactory association of waking to coffee by keeping a container of favorite aromas bedside for a week such as vanilla, peppermint or rosemary
- Shower with your eyes closed using tactile associations
- Read out loud or listen to someone reading
- Brush your teeth with your non-dominate hand
- Read upside down
- Learn Braille
- Start a new hobby
- Keep a cup of coins in the car cup holder. At stop lights determine denomination by feel alone
- Grow a garden
- With eyes closed using spacial memory, unlock the car door, sit and buckle the seat belt, insert the ignition key and locate the radio and windshield wipers
These ideas sound simplistic, but having had personal experience of being forced to practice several of them due to temporary physical limitations over the last several years, I found them surprisingly difficult.
A year ago I broke my right wrist and had to use my left hand to write letters to my sister, Esther. She had stopped using her computer and due to her profound hearing loss, we exchanged letters 2 or 3 times a week. I actually got very good at writing with my left hand. Presently I'm being forced to NOT use my left thumb due to surgery. The Dr. had zapped a spot of skin cancer on the knuckle just below the thumb nail. Because it became infected, the Dr. removed the nail. It's almost well, but my thumb is extremely sensitive and I've had to use my fingers in a way to hold things. I no longer look like I'm trying to hitch a ride, and my thumb is almost well enough so that I can start knitting again.
Now I practice reading upside down when I'm in a waiting room with magazines. So far I've only read magazine advertisements, but one of these days I'll might try reading a regular book.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
The OH SHYTE Presidential moment by KimB
So... Here we are. On the brink of exercising our US voting rights (ahem, ahem... well, some of us are) and voting in a New President. Prospects are looking pretty grim. The winner of the Kentucky Derby looks to be a better candidate for the Triple Crown than any of the current crop of Presidential Hopefuls are for President. This season's Presidential Post Parade is particularly ugly.
Not that many years ago, I posted about what the election of Barack Obama meant to me. About how he appeared to embody all the best of America: Honesty, Integrity and his sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of the USA. He was portrayed as a constitutional lawyer and professor.
I figured: who better would understand the requirements and the empowerment of that document than a person who has seen both sides of how it CAN be used and how it SHOULD be used. You know, the We the People, sort of thing.
The Change We Can Believe In quickly became the Change I Couldn't Believe Was Happening.
As I've moved into the more mature category of life, I often wondered what actually happens to makes someone do a 180 as soon as they hit public office. Corruption, bribes, PACs, SUPERPACs, sweetheart deals and paybacks are part of the landscape but this particular U-Turn was more hurtful than others.
No one expected Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, to do a 180 on his Trickle Down/Supply Side economics, when Milton Friedman was a regular on the TV talk show circuit describing how all that wealth at the top of the pyramid was going to trickle down to the homeless, poor and hungry at the bottom.
What Milton said was true, in a way. The money did trickle down but not to the bottom of the pyramid.
It over-flowed into fake corporations, tax doge havens and flooded into hidden bank accounts located in places like the Bahamas, Panama, Luxemburg, Jersey (UK). For the stay at home tax avoidance group there is Delaware, Nevada, Wyoming and Oregon and other localities banking on a new growth industry: hiding the wealth of the 1%.
It flowed in and took up permanent residence. A stagnant pool of funds large enough to wipe out world poverty without ever bothering the 1% who can't even remember where they stashed it all.
But the corruption, incompetence and self-serving opportunism doesn't cover the whole ground. People do have some moral compass, although there have been claims that anyone who runs for President with the ability to annihilate the world in 3 seconds, by definition is NOT the person you want to be running the show and having that Red Phone follow them around.
Well, now we know what it is: It's a meeting with:
Because Mr. Hayden told us. He told the world.
Just like he told us that there is never going to be a requirement for a warrant in the US, because warrants are only needed for UNUSUAL searches. If all searches are defined to be "USUAL", then no warrants are needed. (It's easy, when you know how to play the re-definition game.)
So what is the OH SHYTE MOMENT?
That's when Mr. Hayden and his successors, take the candidate into the woodshed and scare the crap out of them for hours and hours. They put 'em on the toilet so they don't have to clean up the mess and tell them enough to keep them compliant and in line with the views of the security services, the military and a lot of other people who would be very very very unhappy if something changed.
Just as they are experts in interrogation, they also are experts in manipulation. No one is going to stand up to the unified onslaught.
So, imagine what you would do?
Not that many years ago, I posted about what the election of Barack Obama meant to me. About how he appeared to embody all the best of America: Honesty, Integrity and his sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of the USA. He was portrayed as a constitutional lawyer and professor.
I figured: who better would understand the requirements and the empowerment of that document than a person who has seen both sides of how it CAN be used and how it SHOULD be used. You know, the We the People, sort of thing.
The Change We Can Believe In quickly became the Change I Couldn't Believe Was Happening.
As I've moved into the more mature category of life, I often wondered what actually happens to makes someone do a 180 as soon as they hit public office. Corruption, bribes, PACs, SUPERPACs, sweetheart deals and paybacks are part of the landscape but this particular U-Turn was more hurtful than others.
No one expected Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, to do a 180 on his Trickle Down/Supply Side economics, when Milton Friedman was a regular on the TV talk show circuit describing how all that wealth at the top of the pyramid was going to trickle down to the homeless, poor and hungry at the bottom.
What Milton said was true, in a way. The money did trickle down but not to the bottom of the pyramid.
It over-flowed into fake corporations, tax doge havens and flooded into hidden bank accounts located in places like the Bahamas, Panama, Luxemburg, Jersey (UK). For the stay at home tax avoidance group there is Delaware, Nevada, Wyoming and Oregon and other localities banking on a new growth industry: hiding the wealth of the 1%.
It flowed in and took up permanent residence. A stagnant pool of funds large enough to wipe out world poverty without ever bothering the 1% who can't even remember where they stashed it all.
But the corruption, incompetence and self-serving opportunism doesn't cover the whole ground. People do have some moral compass, although there have been claims that anyone who runs for President with the ability to annihilate the world in 3 seconds, by definition is NOT the person you want to be running the show and having that Red Phone follow them around.
[aside: I guess by now its a little red iPhone with an NSA tracker in it and the keypad lock code disabled. If they didn't disable the keypad code, the FBI might have to pay another $1,000,000 for the zero-day exploit to unlock the phone.There must be something else that happens shortly after election and becomes evident after the inauguration. Something no one expects. Something so horrible that it cannot be spoken aloud. Something so cataclysmic that people with good sense and judgment go completely ape-shit off the chart.
Imagine: having to push the damn button but the keypad is locked. Then having to pay a 3d party black hat to come unlock it for you...
How Embarrassing!!!
WWWIII postponed while we wait for the All Writs Act to force those Italian Black Hats to come open the phone for free.
No wonder Comey, Burr and Feinstein want to ban encryption. Maybe the President accidently locked the phone while playing Smurfs?]
Well, now we know what it is: It's a meeting with:
Michael Hayden and the OH SHYTE moment.How do we know?
Because Mr. Hayden told us. He told the world.
Just like he told us that there is never going to be a requirement for a warrant in the US, because warrants are only needed for UNUSUAL searches. If all searches are defined to be "USUAL", then no warrants are needed. (It's easy, when you know how to play the re-definition game.)
So what is the OH SHYTE MOMENT?
That's when Mr. Hayden and his successors, take the candidate into the woodshed and scare the crap out of them for hours and hours. They put 'em on the toilet so they don't have to clean up the mess and tell them enough to keep them compliant and in line with the views of the security services, the military and a lot of other people who would be very very very unhappy if something changed.
Just as they are experts in interrogation, they also are experts in manipulation. No one is going to stand up to the unified onslaught.
... the intelligence agencies went one better by drawing Obama in with what Hayden calls the “aw shit moment” – a briefing that so alarmed the president with the enormity of the threats the country faced that he embraced the bulk of the NSA and CIA’s anti-terror programmes.
“National security looks different from the Oval office than it does from a hotel room in Iowa,” Hayden says. “It was the reality. So [Obama] gets rid of the black sites. But he keeps rendition. We still do it. He gets briefed on metadata and he keeps it.”
General Michael Hayden, retired.
Former head of the CIA, NSA and Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence.
9 March 2016
So, imagine what you would do?
- Here's THE Button.
- You have 3 seconds to press it.
- Go ahead. Give it a go. .
- We locked the keypad ....
.
.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Political Correctness
One often hears the term, 'political
correctness' when remarks of politicians are quoted in television
news broadcasts. It's an intuitive phrase so I never bothered
checking a dictionary for a more meaningful explanation, until now.
I'm starting to wonder if the term is being used to hide what a
politician really thinks when he verbalizes the opposite.
According to Wikipedia, political correct language intends not to offend or disadvantage a particular group of people in society. Wikipedia also traces the history of the term from articles by New York Times and the writings of Allan Bloom's book in 1987, Roger Kimball's 1990 book, and the 1991 book by Dinesh D'Souza.
Presently the country is in the middle of a primary election to nominate a person or persons from the Republican and Democratic parties, who will eventually face a general election to decide our next President. As electioneering rallies, town halls, and TV interviews increase in frequency, scornful attitudes and accusative comments of political incorrectness are jabs hurled against rivals, highlighting traits that disqualify opponents from holding the office of President.
This particular election cycle is different in many ways from past elections. Half the Republican party is represented by angry, disillusioned voters, as is the Democratic party. Not only is the Democratic party divided, but for the first time in history, a very savvy political female is trying to win the nomination, and might actually win the general election. She is competing against the only Republican still in the primary, and her rival Democrat, who is leading the angry, disillusioned voters of her party.
The Republican rival happens to be an 'outsider' not a traditional politician, funding his own campaign, and constantly told he's political incorrect. But a lot of his comments mirror the Democrat rival of the woman seeking to become President. Examples: trade policies and acceptance of millions of dollars in contributions from those the public believe can and do buy the best government money can buy.
Obviously, political correctness can direct attention from substantive matters and also fight liberalism
According to Wikipedia, political correct language intends not to offend or disadvantage a particular group of people in society. Wikipedia also traces the history of the term from articles by New York Times and the writings of Allan Bloom's book in 1987, Roger Kimball's 1990 book, and the 1991 book by Dinesh D'Souza.
Presently the country is in the middle of a primary election to nominate a person or persons from the Republican and Democratic parties, who will eventually face a general election to decide our next President. As electioneering rallies, town halls, and TV interviews increase in frequency, scornful attitudes and accusative comments of political incorrectness are jabs hurled against rivals, highlighting traits that disqualify opponents from holding the office of President.
This particular election cycle is different in many ways from past elections. Half the Republican party is represented by angry, disillusioned voters, as is the Democratic party. Not only is the Democratic party divided, but for the first time in history, a very savvy political female is trying to win the nomination, and might actually win the general election. She is competing against the only Republican still in the primary, and her rival Democrat, who is leading the angry, disillusioned voters of her party.
The Republican rival happens to be an 'outsider' not a traditional politician, funding his own campaign, and constantly told he's political incorrect. But a lot of his comments mirror the Democrat rival of the woman seeking to become President. Examples: trade policies and acceptance of millions of dollars in contributions from those the public believe can and do buy the best government money can buy.
Obviously, political correctness can direct attention from substantive matters and also fight liberalism
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Weather
For as long as I can remember, weather conditions have been an important topic of
conversation in our family. During my childhood years my family
lived in a small farming community in Iowa. It was a river town with
shops catering to the many farms dotting the rolling hills of Iowa.
Corn was the predominate crop and one could drive for miles and miles
and see only rows of corn. During the growing season, the green
stalks would be 'knee high by the 4th of July'. By the
first frosty days of autumn, the stalks would be higher than a mans
head with tops of golden silk glistening in the sun.
My family lived on a small asparagus farm. Besides the 7 acres of asparagus, we had huge beds of black berries, raspberries, strawberries and numerous bee hives. We had farm animals, cows, hogs and chickens, but on a smaller scale than our farming neighbors. You can imagine how important it was to be aware of weather changes. Listening to the noon time radio broadcasts giving weather and stock prices was part of the lunch time ritual.
Exchanged letters with farming relatives in other states always included information about the weather and its' affect on the crops they grew, tobacco in Kentucky, wheat and corn in Kansas. During the years that we lived on the asparagus farm Dad continued his job with the telephone company. The phone company had transferred the family several times during his early years with the company, but we lived in our little river town for a number of years. It looked to be permanent, but when the company asked, and offered, a transfer from Iowa to San Francisco, the family left farming behind.
As my brothers and sisters married and moved to areas where their careers took them, I too found myself far removed from the daily concerns of an agricultural life. But rather than harvesting corn, milking cows and feeding chickens, I indulge in amateur gardening. I like propagating African violets, sprouting avocado seeds, and raising geraniums in hanging baskets. A small container garden is my pretense to owning farming genes passed on to me from parents and grandparents. As far as weather went, I only paid attention, in a hap-hazard way, to reports of weather temperature and rain fall.
Now global warming is forcing us to think about how to deal with climate change. Weather reports are more important than ever, and not just for farmers. The erratic and extreme weather patterns are playing havoc around the globe. Floods and tornadoes are causing destruction matching that of war torn areas where masses of humanity are fleeing war. It may be a dollar late, and a dollar short, but climate change is a crisis we can't afford to ignore. Hopefully our politicians will begin to publicize and plan for ways to help us live with the changes as they happen.
My family lived on a small asparagus farm. Besides the 7 acres of asparagus, we had huge beds of black berries, raspberries, strawberries and numerous bee hives. We had farm animals, cows, hogs and chickens, but on a smaller scale than our farming neighbors. You can imagine how important it was to be aware of weather changes. Listening to the noon time radio broadcasts giving weather and stock prices was part of the lunch time ritual.
Exchanged letters with farming relatives in other states always included information about the weather and its' affect on the crops they grew, tobacco in Kentucky, wheat and corn in Kansas. During the years that we lived on the asparagus farm Dad continued his job with the telephone company. The phone company had transferred the family several times during his early years with the company, but we lived in our little river town for a number of years. It looked to be permanent, but when the company asked, and offered, a transfer from Iowa to San Francisco, the family left farming behind.
As my brothers and sisters married and moved to areas where their careers took them, I too found myself far removed from the daily concerns of an agricultural life. But rather than harvesting corn, milking cows and feeding chickens, I indulge in amateur gardening. I like propagating African violets, sprouting avocado seeds, and raising geraniums in hanging baskets. A small container garden is my pretense to owning farming genes passed on to me from parents and grandparents. As far as weather went, I only paid attention, in a hap-hazard way, to reports of weather temperature and rain fall.
Now global warming is forcing us to think about how to deal with climate change. Weather reports are more important than ever, and not just for farmers. The erratic and extreme weather patterns are playing havoc around the globe. Floods and tornadoes are causing destruction matching that of war torn areas where masses of humanity are fleeing war. It may be a dollar late, and a dollar short, but climate change is a crisis we can't afford to ignore. Hopefully our politicians will begin to publicize and plan for ways to help us live with the changes as they happen.
Saturday, May 07, 2016
Mother's Day Suprise!
Real life has brought a number of changes and another year for the blog.
This year I am learning to post directly to the blog for Mother's Day. I don't think I'm supposed to have to work on Mother's Day but this looks more like fun than work!
Since I'm 94 and learning a lot of new things, please bear with me as I learn the ins and outs of posting!
This year I am learning to post directly to the blog for Mother's Day. I don't think I'm supposed to have to work on Mother's Day but this looks more like fun than work!
Since I'm 94 and learning a lot of new things, please bear with me as I learn the ins and outs of posting!
Saturday, February 06, 2016
A Castle and Family Secrets
The other day, when I was using my computer to browse online eBooks in the categories of history and auto/biographies, the title 'The Secret Rooms' by Catherine Bailey caught my attention. The cover photo of a turreted castle and comments declaring this is a 'true story of a haunted castle, a plotting duchess and family secrets' had me doing a double take of the photo and re-reading the declaration. Being a sucker for 'true stories', especially historic ones, I couldn't resist borrowing the book for 14 days.
The book is extremely well written and researched by Catherine Bailey, who read history at Oxford University, and is an award-winning television producer and director of documentary films.
Bailey, was given permission to write about the life of employees of Belvoir Castle , home of the Manner's family, and seat of the Dukes of Rutland. The castle's name means beautiful view, (pronounced bee-var by Norman invaders, but called Beaver by Anglo-Saxons). It was granted to Robert, 1st baron de Roos in 1257. When that family died out in 1508, the castle passed to George Manners, who inherited both castle and barony through his mother. His son was created Earl of Rutland in 1525. A John Manners was created Duke of Rutland in 1703, and Belvoir has remained home to the Manners family for 500 years, and seat of the Dukes of Rutland for over 3 centuries.
Bailey's gift for suspense in writing an otherwise dry historical record, begins when she encounters an employee who tells her about the five secret rooms. That's when she learns that John, the 9th Duke of Rutland had died in one of them. The fact that no one knew why he had chosen to spend his dying days there, alone, was a mystery not likely to be solved. Her discovery of 3 comprehensive gaps in family records, each occurring at different points of time was another mystery and unknown by the family.
Curious to find out why the correspondence was absent during these periods, the meticulous cross referencing of letters from friends, official records, castle household records and dates of events read like fiction. As one after another elusive clue was found, one mystery would be solved, only to create another.
Secret Rooms is a story full of intrigue, destroyed records and documents, plots thick with deceit, betrayed honor and ancient curses, hypocrisy, eccentricity and cowardly connivance of a decadent aristocracy reading like fiction, but is a shocking, although an enthralling tale of grief, pride and shame.
The book is extremely well written and researched by Catherine Bailey, who read history at Oxford University, and is an award-winning television producer and director of documentary films.
Bailey, was given permission to write about the life of employees of Belvoir Castle , home of the Manner's family, and seat of the Dukes of Rutland. The castle's name means beautiful view, (pronounced bee-var by Norman invaders, but called Beaver by Anglo-Saxons). It was granted to Robert, 1st baron de Roos in 1257. When that family died out in 1508, the castle passed to George Manners, who inherited both castle and barony through his mother. His son was created Earl of Rutland in 1525. A John Manners was created Duke of Rutland in 1703, and Belvoir has remained home to the Manners family for 500 years, and seat of the Dukes of Rutland for over 3 centuries.
Bailey's gift for suspense in writing an otherwise dry historical record, begins when she encounters an employee who tells her about the five secret rooms. That's when she learns that John, the 9th Duke of Rutland had died in one of them. The fact that no one knew why he had chosen to spend his dying days there, alone, was a mystery not likely to be solved. Her discovery of 3 comprehensive gaps in family records, each occurring at different points of time was another mystery and unknown by the family.
Curious to find out why the correspondence was absent during these periods, the meticulous cross referencing of letters from friends, official records, castle household records and dates of events read like fiction. As one after another elusive clue was found, one mystery would be solved, only to create another.
Secret Rooms is a story full of intrigue, destroyed records and documents, plots thick with deceit, betrayed honor and ancient curses, hypocrisy, eccentricity and cowardly connivance of a decadent aristocracy reading like fiction, but is a shocking, although an enthralling tale of grief, pride and shame.
 |
| 'The Secret Rooms' Catherine Bailey |
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Charming Billy
Can she bake a cherry pie, charming Billy?
She can bake a cherry pie, quick as a cat can wink an eye
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother.
How old is she charming Billy?
Three times six and four times seven
Twenty eight and eleven
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother.
She can bake a cherry pie, quick as a cat can wink an eye
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother.
How old is she charming Billy?
Three times six and four times seven
Twenty eight and eleven
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother.
I thought of this old folk tune the other day when I browsed Chef John's recipe files. As I tried to remember some of the verses I began to recall other tunes my brothers and sisters and I sang as children.
Johnson boys eat peas and honey,
They have done it all their life,
It makes the peas taste mighty funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.
They have done it all their life,
It makes the peas taste mighty funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.
And of course there was 'Bile them cabbage down' and Barnacle Bill, the sailor who would black your eyes and eat your pies. On occasion we could coax Dad into singing
Darling Nelly Gray, they have taken her away
And I'll never see my darling anymore.
They have taken her to Georgia,
Just to work her life away,
And I'll never see my darling anymore.
And I'll never see my darling anymore.
They have taken her to Georgia,
Just to work her life away,
And I'll never see my darling anymore.
One of my favorite memories is grandma W singing Jessie James for us.
“It was a dirty coward, that shot Mr Howard,
and laid poor Jessie in his grave”
and laid poor Jessie in his grave”
On warm summer nights after all the small children were asleep in bed, we older ones would join grandma as she sat in a rocking chair on the porch, and we on the steps keeping her company. After we found out that she knew the words to Jessie James, we begged her to sing it for us. It took a bit of coaxing, but when she consented to sing for us, she sang all the verses.
 |
| Dulcimer Player |
Thursday, January 21, 2016
“What to do, Percy? What to do?”
The above refrain is from an old record of Swiss Family Robinson that our family listened to back in the late'50s and early '60s. Since then, when a perplexing problem arose requiring the opinion of an authority figure, (usually Mother), we always asked, “What to do, Percy? What to do?”
We might well ask the question now concerning the drinking water in Flint, Michigan.
Its unconscionable that people in the area have been drinking water polluted with lead, and that their complaints barely made a ripple in the nation's conscious. Have our elected officials, who swore to protect and defend, become so immune to the greedy machinations of those who slyly pollute our environment that nothing is done to correct the situation until the problem becomes a crisis?
"What to do, Percy? What to do?"
We might well ask the question now concerning the drinking water in Flint, Michigan.
Its unconscionable that people in the area have been drinking water polluted with lead, and that their complaints barely made a ripple in the nation's conscious. Have our elected officials, who swore to protect and defend, become so immune to the greedy machinations of those who slyly pollute our environment that nothing is done to correct the situation until the problem becomes a crisis?
"What to do, Percy? What to do?"
 |
| Water? |
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Curling, aka “chess on ice”
When surfing the TV for something interesting to watch the other evening, I came across a broadcast of the winter sport Curling. I always enjoyed watching the Olympic curling teams, so I stopped surfing and watched the game between the U S and Japan. Not really knowing much about the sport, I became aware that pushing stones across the ice toward a point some distance away required some deliberate cogitation rather than a chancy push, with fingers crossed for luck. Consequently, I went to the internet to learn more.
Curling is a game of strategy, tactics and skill. Its a sport played by both men and women. It has been an Olympic sport since 1998. There are both men and women tournaments as well as mixed teams with 2 women and 2 men per team. Its a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area of segmented 4 concentric circles. Two teams, each with 4 players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones called rocks, toward the circular target called the house. Each team has 8 stones with points being scored for stones resting closest to the center called the button. It can be played aggressively or defensively. Aggressive play puts a lot of stones in play and can be exciting, but also very risky but with great reward, as opposed to defensive play.
The process of sliding the stone across the ice sheet is called 'delivery' and its trajectory is influenced by two 'sweepers' to make the stone turn or curl. The typical rate of turn is 2 ½ rotations before resting. Sweeping reduces friction underneath the stone and decreases the amount of curl as debris is swept from the stones path.
Curling images also can be found in movies and ads, sometimes without the viewers realizing that they are looking at a bona fide sport.
Curling is a game of strategy, tactics and skill. Its a sport played by both men and women. It has been an Olympic sport since 1998. There are both men and women tournaments as well as mixed teams with 2 women and 2 men per team. Its a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area of segmented 4 concentric circles. Two teams, each with 4 players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones called rocks, toward the circular target called the house. Each team has 8 stones with points being scored for stones resting closest to the center called the button. It can be played aggressively or defensively. Aggressive play puts a lot of stones in play and can be exciting, but also very risky but with great reward, as opposed to defensive play.
The process of sliding the stone across the ice sheet is called 'delivery' and its trajectory is influenced by two 'sweepers' to make the stone turn or curl. The typical rate of turn is 2 ½ rotations before resting. Sweeping reduces friction underneath the stone and decreases the amount of curl as debris is swept from the stones path.
Curling images also can be found in movies and ads, sometimes without the viewers realizing that they are looking at a bona fide sport.
 |
| Old Fashioned Curling Stone |
Monday, January 04, 2016
Hello 2016
The early hours of the new year are still reflecting the high hopes for the usual health, wealth and happiness wished for when ringing bells signaled the new year.
On the personal level, there's the usual resolutions for dieting and exercising, but new concerns paramount in our lives also concern the country.
The spreading popularity of gun legislation, allowing 'open carry' of guns, replicates the old wild west when pistol packing cowboys walked with a chip on their shoulders and dared anyone to out draw them. I am not convinced that more guns in the hands of citizens is the answer to the threat of violence by terrorists or the brazen crimes committed by home grown criminals. There must be a gene in our DNA that triggers violent actions against each other. I just hope I'm not shopping for veggies in a grocery store if a shoot out takes place.
Hiding behind bins of oranges or watermelons just isn't going to work.
On the personal level, there's the usual resolutions for dieting and exercising, but new concerns paramount in our lives also concern the country.
The spreading popularity of gun legislation, allowing 'open carry' of guns, replicates the old wild west when pistol packing cowboys walked with a chip on their shoulders and dared anyone to out draw them. I am not convinced that more guns in the hands of citizens is the answer to the threat of violence by terrorists or the brazen crimes committed by home grown criminals. There must be a gene in our DNA that triggers violent actions against each other. I just hope I'm not shopping for veggies in a grocery store if a shoot out takes place.
Hiding behind bins of oranges or watermelons just isn't going to work.
 |
| Oranges for Body Armor? |
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Winter Holiday 2015
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!!
When the few remaining days of December tell us the old year is passing and a new one beginning, we send traditional wishes of merriment and hopeful anticipation for all good things in the coming year to family and friends. 2015 has been a year of challenges and changes in our personal lives and the country's as well, but I hope 2016 brings good fortune and an optimism that our wishes will come true.
Do we dare wish for a more Peaceful World
 |
| Happy Holiday 2015 Hope for a more peaceful world in 2016 |
Saturday, September 26, 2015
My New Favorites
The other day a friend and I were comparing our food favorites when I realized that I had a lot of new ones. Surprisingly, one is sauerkraut.
Years ago, when I was growing up, home made sauerkraut was on the dinner menu every night. We usually had two huge crocks of kraut stored in the cellar where other canned and preserved foods were kept. During the winter months, at dinner time, Mom would send me to the cellar to get kraut for dinner. As we used up the kraut I'd let her know how much remained, but before the crocks were empty, I got weary of eating kraut every night and complained, “Not again!” Recently I ate a deli sandwich with kraut and rediscovered how tasty kraut could be.
Another new favorite is cucumber-lemon water.
It's served at one of the local restaurants and since I found out how to make it, I keep some in the fridge. Just put large chunks of cucumber and lemon slices in water and chill. Just replace the water after drinking some. As the flavor diminishes, add a fresh cucumber and lemon.
My latest new favorite is an open face cream cheese sandwich, generously covered with raw pecan pieces pressed onto the cheese.
Crystallized ginger, a forgotten favorite, is on my list again. I remembered it when I noticed that a piece of ginger root had sprouted.
Foods are not my only favorites.
My latest TV favorite is America's Got Talent.
If I hadn't seen some of the performances with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe them possible. Some athletic feats are beyond description with phenomenal strength and flexibility. Musical talents of participants are often amazing. Performances of many unusual abilities are shown, and acts combining the latest virtual technology with movement are elegant to watch.
My favorite late night comedian was Jay Leno, but since he retired, I haven't yet decided on one.
My favorite games are chess, mahjong solitaire, and Spite and Malice, a card game.
My sister Adeline had learned the card game many years ago and it became a family favorite. During any lengthy visit of family members, there will always be a Spite and Malice tournament.
I have favorite books but too numerous to mention. History books are top of the list with biography and autobiographical books a close second.
Over the years I've had many pets, favoring dogs over cats, however, Mimi, my cat that ran off with a river boat gambler during the hurricane Ike, was special.
I'll obviously continue choosing favorites as the current ones are replaced. Who knows what the next ones will be.
Years ago, when I was growing up, home made sauerkraut was on the dinner menu every night. We usually had two huge crocks of kraut stored in the cellar where other canned and preserved foods were kept. During the winter months, at dinner time, Mom would send me to the cellar to get kraut for dinner. As we used up the kraut I'd let her know how much remained, but before the crocks were empty, I got weary of eating kraut every night and complained, “Not again!” Recently I ate a deli sandwich with kraut and rediscovered how tasty kraut could be.
Another new favorite is cucumber-lemon water.
It's served at one of the local restaurants and since I found out how to make it, I keep some in the fridge. Just put large chunks of cucumber and lemon slices in water and chill. Just replace the water after drinking some. As the flavor diminishes, add a fresh cucumber and lemon.
My latest new favorite is an open face cream cheese sandwich, generously covered with raw pecan pieces pressed onto the cheese.
Crystallized ginger, a forgotten favorite, is on my list again. I remembered it when I noticed that a piece of ginger root had sprouted.
Foods are not my only favorites.
My latest TV favorite is America's Got Talent.
If I hadn't seen some of the performances with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe them possible. Some athletic feats are beyond description with phenomenal strength and flexibility. Musical talents of participants are often amazing. Performances of many unusual abilities are shown, and acts combining the latest virtual technology with movement are elegant to watch.
My favorite late night comedian was Jay Leno, but since he retired, I haven't yet decided on one.
My favorite games are chess, mahjong solitaire, and Spite and Malice, a card game.
My sister Adeline had learned the card game many years ago and it became a family favorite. During any lengthy visit of family members, there will always be a Spite and Malice tournament.
I have favorite books but too numerous to mention. History books are top of the list with biography and autobiographical books a close second.
Over the years I've had many pets, favoring dogs over cats, however, Mimi, my cat that ran off with a river boat gambler during the hurricane Ike, was special.
I'll obviously continue choosing favorites as the current ones are replaced. Who knows what the next ones will be.
 |
| German Sauerkraut |
Saturday, September 19, 2015
So How Does YOUR Garden Grow?
MrsB
My Water Glass Garden
After cousin Loretta told me about her water glass garden, I graduated from just rooting avocado seeds in glasses of water to growing vegetables that will re-grow themselves. I knew that leaves would grow from the tops of carrots if put in water. Years ago I kept several containers of water growing carrot leaves on a kitchen shelf, but I didn't know that celery, garlic, ginger, basil, onions, pineapple, lettuce, scallions or bok choy and sweet potatoes would re-grow themselves from scraps if put in water.
Immediately after my phone chat with Loretta, I went to the kitchen and cut off the bottom two inches of a bunch of celery and placed it glass with water. I did the same with a garlic clove. I was astonished that within three days, the garlic had sprouted and the center of the celery base was showing green shoots.
I picked several sprigs of basil from the plants growing in out door containers, and following instructions found on the internet, I placed them in a glass of water. I expect them to root soon. I'm debating about growing sweet potato vines in water since I don't plan to grow sweet potatoes in soil, but I may grow the vines just for the beauty of a potted plant. Scallions, pineapple and bok choy are on my 'to do' list. My son gave me some pieces of ginger root from his container garden and I'll see what luck I have with that.
Re-discovering these gardening tips that our ancestors practiced eliminates the need for pesticides besides creating a re-occurring supply of veggies. Its a small effort balanced against the gain to be achieved. The images are from web sites describing how to grow various fruits and vegetables.
My Water Glass Garden
 |
| Water Glass Garlic |
Immediately after my phone chat with Loretta, I went to the kitchen and cut off the bottom two inches of a bunch of celery and placed it glass with water. I did the same with a garlic clove. I was astonished that within three days, the garlic had sprouted and the center of the celery base was showing green shoots.
I picked several sprigs of basil from the plants growing in out door containers, and following instructions found on the internet, I placed them in a glass of water. I expect them to root soon. I'm debating about growing sweet potato vines in water since I don't plan to grow sweet potatoes in soil, but I may grow the vines just for the beauty of a potted plant. Scallions, pineapple and bok choy are on my 'to do' list. My son gave me some pieces of ginger root from his container garden and I'll see what luck I have with that.
Re-discovering these gardening tips that our ancestors practiced eliminates the need for pesticides besides creating a re-occurring supply of veggies. Its a small effort balanced against the gain to be achieved. The images are from web sites describing how to grow various fruits and vegetables.
 |
| Water Glass Celery |
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Stop the World, I Want To Get off
It seems to me that things are moving too fast! I long for quiet hum-drum, monotonous days where daily routines never vary. The same old chores, the same old job, the same old hobbies, the same old meals and the same old friends sharing the same old gossip.
I don't really want to return to the 'old' days, but catastrophes of varying degrees are publicized in all social media outlets 24/7 with non-stop speculation over the least event exaggerating its importance in the public mind.
These occurrences are brought to the public mind so rapidly we hardly have time to digest the meaning of one event before another replaces it. There's a never ending report of wars between countries, climactic devastation, crimes of robbery and murder, corruption and malfeasance of public office and deadly power struggles between religious beliefs.
No wonder we find relief from these harrowing events by watching late night comedians on television. They teach us how to take these events in stride by poking fun at the perpetrators.
I don't really want to return to the 'old' days, but catastrophes of varying degrees are publicized in all social media outlets 24/7 with non-stop speculation over the least event exaggerating its importance in the public mind.
These occurrences are brought to the public mind so rapidly we hardly have time to digest the meaning of one event before another replaces it. There's a never ending report of wars between countries, climactic devastation, crimes of robbery and murder, corruption and malfeasance of public office and deadly power struggles between religious beliefs.
No wonder we find relief from these harrowing events by watching late night comedians on television. They teach us how to take these events in stride by poking fun at the perpetrators.
 |
| Laughing it Up April 18 2014 |
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Google Cookies, Privacy and You...
[note: Editor's Post]
Recently, Google pushed a change to the backend of their blog system requiring a notice to be placed on the blog about the use of cookies. This wasn't some altruistic vision by Google, it was mandated by the EU courts and the statement is visible only if you access the blog from outside of the US.
If you are looking at the blog from outside the USA and want to turn off the notice you have to click: Learn More or Got It.
Ezpz right?
Not so.
The current Internet Business Model is based on advertising revenues. Google sells information to advertisers who are willing to pay a lot to get personalized information about you. Information about your likes and dislikes, your habits, your daily routines and your activates. The more details, the better. No detail is too small. The tiniest details define a lot about you and are worth even more to advertisers.
Internet companies like Google, Facebook make a lot of money off this advertising. Billions and Billions.
Your personal information was worth, $66+ Billion US dollars for Google and Facebook sold you for $12+ Billion US dollars in 2014.
Bet you didn't know you were that valuable.
Feel rich yet?
Didn't think so...
The El Dorado only flows one way and none of it is coming to you.
Our blog Privacy Statement hasn't changed. We don't track you but They do. They will track you and they will continue to sell you even after you are dead.
Years from now, you may be worth more as newer data mining techniques allow better pattern matching and predictive assessments. Patterns of parenting carry on to their children and to grand children. Children learn from their parents and even after a short period of rebellion, end up more like their parents than not. What you like, they like.
This is why internet companies are not going to stop. The biggest of them, are well aware that they are mapping not only your future but that of your children and people around you.
Future advertising will be a lot about what you do or didn't do in your lifetime.
It's Generational Tracking and Pattern Matching.
Our Privacy Policy
Our full privacy policy explanation link. You can also find it listed on the side panel menu under Our Privacy Policy 2015.
Here is Google's Requirement Statement for blogs to post cookie information and demand your acceptance:
To see what the user message looks like from inside the USA you have to link to an EU edition of Google. Here is a link to blog from Google France:
There is some good news, but not a lot of it.
The battle for the public free access to information on the internet has not been lost yet. What has been lost is any possibility that all the minute details about your personal life collected will be secured, safe and used appropriately by corporations or governments.
If it has been harvested, it will be used.
It will be used because you clicked Got It or a similar check box on every site on the internet and you didn't read the EULA (End User License Agreement or the TOS (Terms of Service). Even if you did read them, you wanted the "hook and candy" more than your privacy. Maybe you didn't even understand what it is they were taking or how it was going to be used, now and forever more.
Even sites like this one, where WE DO NOT TRACK YOU, have to tell you, YOU ARE BEING TRACKED.
So, what can you do about this?
For a starter: Turn off JAVASCRIPT
It will break most sites and disable most trackers. It will make web pages ugly. It will block videos and limit what you see or are able to do. It messes up their Happy Harvesters.
It won't stop the harvesting, it just makes it harder for them to do it. It will slow down but will not stop the tracking.
You can turn it back on when you are ready to be tracked and harvested.
Of course, they won't make it easy for you to do this. Not even Open Source browsers want you to turn off JAVASCRIPT. You have to be purposeful in finding out how to click the DISABLE SCRIPTING option in your browser.
Try Googling 1 for the information...
Feeling secure and safe yet?
Didn't think so....
KimB Editor
1. If you use Google to search, they will harvest that you looked up how to disable JAVASCRIPT. It will go in their pile of OH NOES!!! Our Harvesters are being GANKED!
Recently, Google pushed a change to the backend of their blog system requiring a notice to be placed on the blog about the use of cookies. This wasn't some altruistic vision by Google, it was mandated by the EU courts and the statement is visible only if you access the blog from outside of the US.
If you are looking at the blog from outside the USA and want to turn off the notice you have to click: Learn More or Got It.
Ezpz right?
Not so.
The current Internet Business Model is based on advertising revenues. Google sells information to advertisers who are willing to pay a lot to get personalized information about you. Information about your likes and dislikes, your habits, your daily routines and your activates. The more details, the better. No detail is too small. The tiniest details define a lot about you and are worth even more to advertisers.
Internet companies like Google, Facebook make a lot of money off this advertising. Billions and Billions.
Your personal information was worth, $66+ Billion US dollars for Google and Facebook sold you for $12+ Billion US dollars in 2014.
Bet you didn't know you were that valuable.
Feel rich yet?
Didn't think so...
The El Dorado only flows one way and none of it is coming to you.
Our blog Privacy Statement hasn't changed. We don't track you but They do. They will track you and they will continue to sell you even after you are dead.
Years from now, you may be worth more as newer data mining techniques allow better pattern matching and predictive assessments. Patterns of parenting carry on to their children and to grand children. Children learn from their parents and even after a short period of rebellion, end up more like their parents than not. What you like, they like.
This is why internet companies are not going to stop. The biggest of them, are well aware that they are mapping not only your future but that of your children and people around you.
Future advertising will be a lot about what you do or didn't do in your lifetime.
Your Grand Mother liked lavender, shouldn't you use our chemically enhanced lavender garbage smell remover too? On sale at BioChemLifeEnhnacers with improved limited life expectancy from DNA damage included at no extra charge.
Your Great Grand Dad used RToolsRBetter, if it was good enough for Great Grand Dad, it's good enough for you! Honor your Ancestor by buying the complete toolset with a simple lifetime payment plan. Not enough lifetime? Get an extension with our easy on-line application assigning payments to future generations!
Your Great Great Aunt had an affair with SoNSo - find out the details in the Ashley Madison Historical Archives at Rear View Vision Geneology! We got Your Secrets!
Your Second Cousin Twice Removed was a trouble maker with a No Fly SSSS Boarding Pass. Want to remove the stigma? Contact Your helpful National Homeland Security Trouble Maker Removal Service Division at 1-800-WE-R-TORTURE or visit the Quiet Removals website. We Got Eyes! We are WATCHING YOU! We Got You On Track!
It's Generational Tracking and Pattern Matching.
Our Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy in a nutshell: WE DON'T TRACK YOU
Bad News: GOOGLE DOES
The Badder News: SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE
Our full privacy policy explanation link. You can also find it listed on the side panel menu under Our Privacy Policy 2015.
Here is Google's Requirement Statement for blogs to post cookie information and demand your acceptance:
European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.
As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies.
You are responsible for confirming this notice actually works for your blog, and that it displays. If you employ other cookies, for example by adding third party features, this notice may not work for you.
If you have edited your blog in a way that hides this notice, it will be your responsibility to notify your visitors about cookies used on your blog and if necessary, obtain consent. Also, if you have added other blog features that set cookies, including third-party analytics or advertising services, you’ll need to provide additional or a different notice.
To see what the user message looks like from inside the USA you have to link to an EU edition of Google. Here is a link to blog from Google France:
MrsBizzyB from France.
There is some good news, but not a lot of it.
The battle for the public free access to information on the internet has not been lost yet. What has been lost is any possibility that all the minute details about your personal life collected will be secured, safe and used appropriately by corporations or governments.
If it has been harvested, it will be used.
It will be used because you clicked Got It or a similar check box on every site on the internet and you didn't read the EULA (End User License Agreement or the TOS (Terms of Service). Even if you did read them, you wanted the "hook and candy" more than your privacy. Maybe you didn't even understand what it is they were taking or how it was going to be used, now and forever more.
Even sites like this one, where WE DO NOT TRACK YOU, have to tell you, YOU ARE BEING TRACKED.
So, what can you do about this?
For a starter: Turn off JAVASCRIPT
It will break most sites and disable most trackers. It will make web pages ugly. It will block videos and limit what you see or are able to do. It messes up their Happy Harvesters.
It won't stop the harvesting, it just makes it harder for them to do it. It will slow down but will not stop the tracking.
You can turn it back on when you are ready to be tracked and harvested.
Of course, they won't make it easy for you to do this. Not even Open Source browsers want you to turn off JAVASCRIPT. You have to be purposeful in finding out how to click the DISABLE SCRIPTING option in your browser.
Try Googling 1 for the information...
Feeling secure and safe yet?
Didn't think so....
KimB Editor
1. If you use Google to search, they will harvest that you looked up how to disable JAVASCRIPT. It will go in their pile of OH NOES!!! Our Harvesters are being GANKED!
Definition: Gank
To kill, ambush, or defeat with little effort; used in online games.
Saturday, June 06, 2015
Fata Morgana
Researching how weather creates mirror images, I learned how and when the phenomenon occurs. The name comes from Morgan le Fay, (The Fairy Morgana) aka the sorceress in the legend of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere.
A Fata Morgana is actually an unusual and complex superior mirage occurring in a narrow band on the horizon. The term Fata Morgana is often applied to more common types of mirages, but a true Fata Morgana is not the same. One can be seen on land, at sea, in Polar regions or in deserts. It can involve any kind of distant objects such as boats, islands and coast lines. Objects are distorted, inverted and right side up, stacked on top of each other and may change rapidly.
This optical illusion occurs when light rays and radio signals bend passing through layers of different temperatures creating an atmospheric duct that acts as a lens producing inverted and erect images. A true Fata Morgana requires a duct to be present . A thermal inversion is not enough to produce this kind of mirage.
An observer needs to be within or below an atmospheric duct to be able to see a Fata Morgana. They can be seen from any altitude, from sea level to mountain tops, even from airplanes. Because of constantly changing conditions, it can be seen in various ways in only a few seconds then rapidly changed into a simple mirage. They can be seen by the naked eye, but to see detail within them, its best to view them through binoculars or telescope or telephoto lens.
There are many recorded observances and many myths are attributed to them. One of the most famous legends is The Flying Dutchman, the phantom ghost ship that is doomed to sail the oceans forever. Seen at a great distance, it is sometimes seen glowing with a ghostly light . The mirage is a refraction due to the layers of air when a real ship is out of sight because its below the horizon line. If the ship is above the horizon, the image can be duplicated and elaborately distorted.
A remarkable mirage, but not a Fata Morgana, was witnessed by approximately 20,000 spectators at Buffalo, N Y the morning of August 16, 1894. This mirage was the kind where objects loom high into the sky and are not distorted. This looming mirage was a perfect landscape of the city of Toronto, 56 miles from Buffalo, complete with its harbor and small island with its church spires clearly defined. It took in the whole breadth of Lake Ontario. It remained visible until a cloud bank obscured the mirage.
Many observers are still tricked by this phenomenon. Today, no one believes in The Flying Dutchman, but many are mistaken for UFOs. Some UFOs are seen on radar. Conditions for radar mirages are common due to the role of water vapor, which affects atmospheric refraction in relation to radio waves.
Serious Arctic expeditions ensued after misinterpreting displays of a Fata Morgana. Sir John Ross' expeditionary voyage, searching for the long sought after Northwest Passage, saw a land mass he believed would prevent further exploration. He named it Croker Mountain, after the First Secretary to the Admiralty, John Croker. Robt Peary's 1906 Arctic expedition named a land mass Crocker Land honoring a San Francisco banker, one of the financial backers of the expedition.
Beset by trials, tribulations and murder, an Arctic expedition to map and investigate Crocker Land was organized by Donald Baxter Macmillan in 1913 and sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History, American Geographical Society and the University of Illinois' Museum of Natural History.
On 11th of April, four members of the expedition, McMillan, Navy Ensign Fitzhugh Green, and two Inuit, Piugaattoq, Ittukusuk, set off in the direction of Crocker Land, crossing treacherous sea-ice, avoiding thin ice patches and expanses of open water. On 21st of April they saw what appeared to be a huge island on the horizon. They could see hills, valleys, and snow capped peaks. Piugaattoq, an Inuit hunter with 20 years experience in the area explained that it was just an illusion, calling it “poo-jok” meaning mist.
Ignoring the Inuit, McMillan insisted on pressing on despite the lateness of the season and the sea-ice breaking up. After traveling a further 125 miles, McMillan was forced to admit Piugaattoq was right. Turning back, the group was lucky to regain solid land before the sea-ice broke the next day.
Having reached safety, McMillan sent Green and Piugaattoq to explore a route to the west but worsening weather forced them to shelter in a snow cave. One of the dog teams died in the snow. In a squabble over the remaining team, Green took a rifle from the sled and shot Piugaattoq, killing him.
Rejoining McMillan, Green told what happened. McMillan later informed the European members of the expedition and asked them to keep it quiet. They told the Inuit that Piugaattoq had died in the blizzard. The geologist- ornithologist- botanist, Walter Elmer Ekblaw remarked “...one of the darkest and most deplorable tragedies in the annals of Arctic exploration”. Green was never prosecuted for murder. The Inuit suspected there was more to the story than had been told. Green had a relationship with Aleqasina, wife of Piugaattoq and a striking beauty. She had previously been Peary's mistress and had born him two children.
The expedition ended up stranded in the region for 4 years due to weather. Several ships attempted rescue but they were in turn stranded and forced to turn around. Green and two other members made their way back to the United States by dog sled. The rest of the expedition was rescued in 1917.
A Fata Morgana is actually an unusual and complex superior mirage occurring in a narrow band on the horizon. The term Fata Morgana is often applied to more common types of mirages, but a true Fata Morgana is not the same. One can be seen on land, at sea, in Polar regions or in deserts. It can involve any kind of distant objects such as boats, islands and coast lines. Objects are distorted, inverted and right side up, stacked on top of each other and may change rapidly.
This optical illusion occurs when light rays and radio signals bend passing through layers of different temperatures creating an atmospheric duct that acts as a lens producing inverted and erect images. A true Fata Morgana requires a duct to be present . A thermal inversion is not enough to produce this kind of mirage.
An observer needs to be within or below an atmospheric duct to be able to see a Fata Morgana. They can be seen from any altitude, from sea level to mountain tops, even from airplanes. Because of constantly changing conditions, it can be seen in various ways in only a few seconds then rapidly changed into a simple mirage. They can be seen by the naked eye, but to see detail within them, its best to view them through binoculars or telescope or telephoto lens.
There are many recorded observances and many myths are attributed to them. One of the most famous legends is The Flying Dutchman, the phantom ghost ship that is doomed to sail the oceans forever. Seen at a great distance, it is sometimes seen glowing with a ghostly light . The mirage is a refraction due to the layers of air when a real ship is out of sight because its below the horizon line. If the ship is above the horizon, the image can be duplicated and elaborately distorted.
A remarkable mirage, but not a Fata Morgana, was witnessed by approximately 20,000 spectators at Buffalo, N Y the morning of August 16, 1894. This mirage was the kind where objects loom high into the sky and are not distorted. This looming mirage was a perfect landscape of the city of Toronto, 56 miles from Buffalo, complete with its harbor and small island with its church spires clearly defined. It took in the whole breadth of Lake Ontario. It remained visible until a cloud bank obscured the mirage.
Many observers are still tricked by this phenomenon. Today, no one believes in The Flying Dutchman, but many are mistaken for UFOs. Some UFOs are seen on radar. Conditions for radar mirages are common due to the role of water vapor, which affects atmospheric refraction in relation to radio waves.
Serious Arctic expeditions ensued after misinterpreting displays of a Fata Morgana. Sir John Ross' expeditionary voyage, searching for the long sought after Northwest Passage, saw a land mass he believed would prevent further exploration. He named it Croker Mountain, after the First Secretary to the Admiralty, John Croker. Robt Peary's 1906 Arctic expedition named a land mass Crocker Land honoring a San Francisco banker, one of the financial backers of the expedition.
Beset by trials, tribulations and murder, an Arctic expedition to map and investigate Crocker Land was organized by Donald Baxter Macmillan in 1913 and sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History, American Geographical Society and the University of Illinois' Museum of Natural History.
On 11th of April, four members of the expedition, McMillan, Navy Ensign Fitzhugh Green, and two Inuit, Piugaattoq, Ittukusuk, set off in the direction of Crocker Land, crossing treacherous sea-ice, avoiding thin ice patches and expanses of open water. On 21st of April they saw what appeared to be a huge island on the horizon. They could see hills, valleys, and snow capped peaks. Piugaattoq, an Inuit hunter with 20 years experience in the area explained that it was just an illusion, calling it “poo-jok” meaning mist.
Ignoring the Inuit, McMillan insisted on pressing on despite the lateness of the season and the sea-ice breaking up. After traveling a further 125 miles, McMillan was forced to admit Piugaattoq was right. Turning back, the group was lucky to regain solid land before the sea-ice broke the next day.
Having reached safety, McMillan sent Green and Piugaattoq to explore a route to the west but worsening weather forced them to shelter in a snow cave. One of the dog teams died in the snow. In a squabble over the remaining team, Green took a rifle from the sled and shot Piugaattoq, killing him.
Rejoining McMillan, Green told what happened. McMillan later informed the European members of the expedition and asked them to keep it quiet. They told the Inuit that Piugaattoq had died in the blizzard. The geologist- ornithologist- botanist, Walter Elmer Ekblaw remarked “...one of the darkest and most deplorable tragedies in the annals of Arctic exploration”. Green was never prosecuted for murder. The Inuit suspected there was more to the story than had been told. Green had a relationship with Aleqasina, wife of Piugaattoq and a striking beauty. She had previously been Peary's mistress and had born him two children.
The expedition ended up stranded in the region for 4 years due to weather. Several ships attempted rescue but they were in turn stranded and forced to turn around. Green and two other members made their way back to the United States by dog sled. The rest of the expedition was rescued in 1917.
Fata Morgana
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1873.
O Sweet illusions of song
That tempt me everywhere
In the lonely fields, and the throng
of the crowded thoroughfare!
I approach and yet ye vanish away
I grasp you, and ye are gone
But ever by night and by day
The melody soundeth on.
As the weary traveler sees
In desert or prairie vast
Blue lakes, over hung with trees
That a pleasant shadow cast.
Fair towns with turrets high
And shining roofs of gold
That vanish, as he draws nigh
Like mists together rolled
So I wander and wander along
And before me ever gleams
The shining city of song
In the beautiful land of dreams
But when I would enter the gate
Of that golden atmosphere
It is gone and I wonder and wait
For the vision to reappear.
Wednesday, June 03, 2015
So How Does YOUR Garden Grow?
KimB
First Harvest!
This year is an odd year for my container garden. I didn't plant half the things I wanted to plant and I planted more of others that I didn't intend to plant. Translated that means: I got a lot of odds and ends in the buckets.
I started out to plant the "American Standard Issue" garden: Tomatoes and Zucchini. The tomatoes did great until we got an odd freeze and that ended that. The zucchini didn't sprout so that was another disappointment. I did have carrots that made it over the winter and were very happy about the extra cold temperatures. So that was encouraging.
I had lots of odds and ends of old potatoes in the fridge and out of frustration just tossed those into the empty buckets. I made a second pass for zucchini which finally sprouted into a beautiful plant but I never got back to the garden center to find a good tomato plant. Costco was selling nice ones but like all big box stores, they wanted to sell you a lifetime supply of the plants for half your bank account.
I did make a hard core effort to do some more sweet potatoes and found the one I was rooting had a different leaf shape from the ones last year. I did like last year's beautiful plants so I excavated the bottom of the vegetable drawer and found a small one from last year that had missed the cook pot and I sprouted that one too. I waited a long time to get them in the pots though and they were thoroughly root bound by the time I got them planted. After some transplant shock, they have started to Do The Sweet Potato Thing and look fantastic.
The tater plants have taken over nearly every bucket and I planted about 5 different types of taters. Each tater plant has a different leaf shape, coloration and growth pattern and some of those are strikingly beautiful. The blue potato plants have a deep purple stem with a green leaf. I always plan to write down what I've planted in each bucket but by the time the plants start to sprout I've forgotten where I put my notes so I will just have to wait to see if there's a pony in there at harvest time.
With the drought and odd weather in California, I really didn't think things would do well but SURPRISE! There's some good things popping up in the buckets.
First Harvest!
This year is an odd year for my container garden. I didn't plant half the things I wanted to plant and I planted more of others that I didn't intend to plant. Translated that means: I got a lot of odds and ends in the buckets.
I started out to plant the "American Standard Issue" garden: Tomatoes and Zucchini. The tomatoes did great until we got an odd freeze and that ended that. The zucchini didn't sprout so that was another disappointment. I did have carrots that made it over the winter and were very happy about the extra cold temperatures. So that was encouraging.
I had lots of odds and ends of old potatoes in the fridge and out of frustration just tossed those into the empty buckets. I made a second pass for zucchini which finally sprouted into a beautiful plant but I never got back to the garden center to find a good tomato plant. Costco was selling nice ones but like all big box stores, they wanted to sell you a lifetime supply of the plants for half your bank account.
I did make a hard core effort to do some more sweet potatoes and found the one I was rooting had a different leaf shape from the ones last year. I did like last year's beautiful plants so I excavated the bottom of the vegetable drawer and found a small one from last year that had missed the cook pot and I sprouted that one too. I waited a long time to get them in the pots though and they were thoroughly root bound by the time I got them planted. After some transplant shock, they have started to Do The Sweet Potato Thing and look fantastic.
The tater plants have taken over nearly every bucket and I planted about 5 different types of taters. Each tater plant has a different leaf shape, coloration and growth pattern and some of those are strikingly beautiful. The blue potato plants have a deep purple stem with a green leaf. I always plan to write down what I've planted in each bucket but by the time the plants start to sprout I've forgotten where I put my notes so I will just have to wait to see if there's a pony in there at harvest time.
With the drought and odd weather in California, I really didn't think things would do well but SURPRISE! There's some good things popping up in the buckets.
 |
| First Harvest May 2015 |
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Ride of Silence 05 20 2015 by KimB
May 20, 2015 was the annual global event Ride of Silence. It's a massive bicycle event that aims to improve the awareness of motorists and trucks about sharing the road with cyclists and is also an annual memorial to those killed or injured over the last year. As part of the event “ghost bikes” are created by artists and placed as memorials to those who have died during the year. More than 10,000 cyclists participate every year.
Modern bicycles can easily clip along at 25mph and legally share the road with cars and trucks. Specialty cycles can reach 50mph or more going downhill. In many cities there are special bike trails or multipurpose trails for bikes, runners and walkers that keep bikes and cars separate. In places where there are no special bike trails there are bike lanes. Bike lanes are striped areas on the edges of roadways designated for cyclists. Due to the speed of modern bikes, riding on sidewalks isn't a great option even where permitted; motorists just aren't used to looking down a sidewalk for something moving at 30mph.
Outside of urban areas bikes just have to ride along the edge of the road, keeping as far to the outer edges as possible. If the outer edge is unsafe or there's no shoulder then cyclists are required to “take the lane” and move into the same traffic lane as cars until the road widens and it's safe to move over again. Many jurisdictions require cars and trucks to stay at least 3 feet away from a cyclist when passing and most big rig truckers will do more than that knowing that the effects of their slip stream can easily topple a cyclist off the roadway.
Even with all the precautions and modern safety technologies, when it comes to a collision between a cyclist and motor vehicle it's the cyclist that loses every time. Sometimes more than one cyclist will fall victim to a single car when the driver is inattentive for just a moment. A tiny lapse in concentration by a driver can wreak havoc among many families forever as their loved ones never return home from a “fun ride”.
This was my first time participating in the Ride of Silence and it was a very moving experience. We gathered at a nearby cycle shop at 6pm for instructions and safety reminders. The Fresno Police provided support from their Cycling Division and about 150 riders started along a route that would take us to Woodward Park and then loop around back to the starting area.
Once the ride started there was no talking. All communication between riders was done by hand signals. We rode at a slow pace thru the streets with our bicycle headlights and taillights set to strobe/flash. It was starting to get dark by the time we got to Woodward Park and the lights of the cyclists were amazing to watch as we wound our way along the outer pathway in near single file. Along the route were 5 ghost bikes, one for each cyclist killed this year, and many riders carried signs with the names of other riders killed or injured in accidents over the years.
It was somber reminder for everyone.
Modern bicycles can easily clip along at 25mph and legally share the road with cars and trucks. Specialty cycles can reach 50mph or more going downhill. In many cities there are special bike trails or multipurpose trails for bikes, runners and walkers that keep bikes and cars separate. In places where there are no special bike trails there are bike lanes. Bike lanes are striped areas on the edges of roadways designated for cyclists. Due to the speed of modern bikes, riding on sidewalks isn't a great option even where permitted; motorists just aren't used to looking down a sidewalk for something moving at 30mph.
Outside of urban areas bikes just have to ride along the edge of the road, keeping as far to the outer edges as possible. If the outer edge is unsafe or there's no shoulder then cyclists are required to “take the lane” and move into the same traffic lane as cars until the road widens and it's safe to move over again. Many jurisdictions require cars and trucks to stay at least 3 feet away from a cyclist when passing and most big rig truckers will do more than that knowing that the effects of their slip stream can easily topple a cyclist off the roadway.
Even with all the precautions and modern safety technologies, when it comes to a collision between a cyclist and motor vehicle it's the cyclist that loses every time. Sometimes more than one cyclist will fall victim to a single car when the driver is inattentive for just a moment. A tiny lapse in concentration by a driver can wreak havoc among many families forever as their loved ones never return home from a “fun ride”.
This was my first time participating in the Ride of Silence and it was a very moving experience. We gathered at a nearby cycle shop at 6pm for instructions and safety reminders. The Fresno Police provided support from their Cycling Division and about 150 riders started along a route that would take us to Woodward Park and then loop around back to the starting area.
Once the ride started there was no talking. All communication between riders was done by hand signals. We rode at a slow pace thru the streets with our bicycle headlights and taillights set to strobe/flash. It was starting to get dark by the time we got to Woodward Park and the lights of the cyclists were amazing to watch as we wound our way along the outer pathway in near single file. Along the route were 5 ghost bikes, one for each cyclist killed this year, and many riders carried signs with the names of other riders killed or injured in accidents over the years.
It was somber reminder for everyone.
Ride of Silence 2015, Fresno California
 |
| Staging |
 |
| Staging |
 |
| Staging |
 |
| Fresno Cycling Officers |
 |
| Fresno Cycling Officers |
 |
| Rollout |
 |
| Rollout |
 |
| En Route |
 |
| Passing Woodward Park |
 |
| End of Ride |
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Will work for chocolate
I like chocolate.
All kinds of chocolate. Chocolate bonbons, chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate pie, chocolate cookies, chocolate pudding, chocolate covered nuts, and chocolate ice cream. I like drinking hot chocolate but I'm not a big fan of cold chocolate milk. In my opinion, chocolate, in all its versatile forms, is a delicious wonder of the world.
One of the first things I learned to cook was chocolate fudge. On winter evenings Mom would let me make a batch of fudge to pass around to my brothers and sisters as they played games, and to Dad as he fooled around with his amateur radio equipment, and to Mom as she read a book.
I also learned how to bake the chocolate cake listed on the label of Hershey's cocoa box. I made it so often when I got home from school in the afternoon to serve as our after dinner dessert, that I never had to use the written recipe, even during later years.
Most holidays are celebrated with sweets of some kind, but two holidays are definitely celebrated with flowers and chocolate: Valentines Day, and Easter.
Lilies and chocolate rabbits herald the beginning of Spring. Baskets filled with jelly beans, chocolate eggs, marshmallow peeps and chocolate bunnies are parallel rites to the religious holiday just like Santa Claus is a parallel tradition to Christmas.
This year, the Easter Bunny has given me enough chocolate, in the shapes of eggs and bunny rabbits, that with prudent rationing, it will last until the middle of June.
All kinds of chocolate. Chocolate bonbons, chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate pie, chocolate cookies, chocolate pudding, chocolate covered nuts, and chocolate ice cream. I like drinking hot chocolate but I'm not a big fan of cold chocolate milk. In my opinion, chocolate, in all its versatile forms, is a delicious wonder of the world.
One of the first things I learned to cook was chocolate fudge. On winter evenings Mom would let me make a batch of fudge to pass around to my brothers and sisters as they played games, and to Dad as he fooled around with his amateur radio equipment, and to Mom as she read a book.
I also learned how to bake the chocolate cake listed on the label of Hershey's cocoa box. I made it so often when I got home from school in the afternoon to serve as our after dinner dessert, that I never had to use the written recipe, even during later years.
Most holidays are celebrated with sweets of some kind, but two holidays are definitely celebrated with flowers and chocolate: Valentines Day, and Easter.
Lilies and chocolate rabbits herald the beginning of Spring. Baskets filled with jelly beans, chocolate eggs, marshmallow peeps and chocolate bunnies are parallel rites to the religious holiday just like Santa Claus is a parallel tradition to Christmas.
This year, the Easter Bunny has given me enough chocolate, in the shapes of eggs and bunny rabbits, that with prudent rationing, it will last until the middle of June.
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| Chocolate Bunny |
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
So How Does YOUR Garden Grow?
MrsB
I've started my spring planting by propagating leaves from my African Violet. It will be several weeks before I know the results. The leaves of the Christmas cactus that I started rooting a few weeks ago are thriving and almost ready to give to family members who want a clone of the plant Mom had enjoyed for so many years.
I can hardly call my efforts to propagate various plants real gardening. Putting an avocado seed in a glass of water until it roots, dipping violet leaves in rooting hormone, then planting it in a pot, or cloning a Christmas cactus is not what I consider gardening.
As the days warm, bedding plants will have priority over avocado seeds. Weather reports will be closely monitored. After all the plants and seeds have been planted, a waiting game commences with fingers crossed for a harvest looking like seed catalog photos.
These world famous gardens are inspiration to achieve the best garden possible.
I've started my spring planting by propagating leaves from my African Violet. It will be several weeks before I know the results. The leaves of the Christmas cactus that I started rooting a few weeks ago are thriving and almost ready to give to family members who want a clone of the plant Mom had enjoyed for so many years.
I can hardly call my efforts to propagate various plants real gardening. Putting an avocado seed in a glass of water until it roots, dipping violet leaves in rooting hormone, then planting it in a pot, or cloning a Christmas cactus is not what I consider gardening.
As the days warm, bedding plants will have priority over avocado seeds. Weather reports will be closely monitored. After all the plants and seeds have been planted, a waiting game commences with fingers crossed for a harvest looking like seed catalog photos.
These world famous gardens are inspiration to achieve the best garden possible.
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Friday, May 15, 2015
Esther Smith - 05/14/2015
[Note: Editor's Post]
Esther Smith passed 05/14/2015
She died peacefully at her home. Her memory remains with all who read her stories on the blog and download her cookbook.
Her contribution to the lives and well being of all around her, those who had the pleasure of meeting her in real life and those that knew her from her writings, cannot be measured except in the vast space of time.
We can morn the loss of her wisdom; just as we can celebrate her life. We have been blessed by her presence and wit.
For those who did not have the pleasure of meeting her, her writings here on the blog remain a gateway to a time that is fading with the passing of her generation. At time when Love was the only thing one needed in Life; when Trust was the only Lock on the Door and a time when Family, Friends and Neighbors were The Entire World.
KimB Editor
note: You can find the link to all her posts on the side bar along with her cookbook which is located in the download section.
Esther Smith passed 05/14/2015
She died peacefully at her home. Her memory remains with all who read her stories on the blog and download her cookbook.
Her contribution to the lives and well being of all around her, those who had the pleasure of meeting her in real life and those that knew her from her writings, cannot be measured except in the vast space of time.
We can morn the loss of her wisdom; just as we can celebrate her life. We have been blessed by her presence and wit.
For those who did not have the pleasure of meeting her, her writings here on the blog remain a gateway to a time that is fading with the passing of her generation. At time when Love was the only thing one needed in Life; when Trust was the only Lock on the Door and a time when Family, Friends and Neighbors were The Entire World.
KimB Editor
note: You can find the link to all her posts on the side bar along with her cookbook which is located in the download section.
Saturday, May 09, 2015
Bio Printers
Virtual devices are exploding into every facet of human endeavor. A few years ago, who would have believed that computers would lead to such profound changes in our lives. They say that anything you can imagine can be achieved. Well.... someone imagined Bio Printers. The development of 3D bio printers has the magical potential of creating human organs.
Motivated by the battlefield injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan where 30% of wounds involve skin. Professor James Yoo and his group, from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, are developing a system that will print skin directly onto burn wounds,
The bio printer laser scanner first determines depth and area, then converts the scan to three dimensional images that calculates how many layers of skin cells are needed to be printed on the wound. The system, so far, has successfully printed skin patches 10cm sq on a pig.
Professor Hod Lipson, director of the Cornell University Computational Synthesis Laboratory, has successfully printed ears. They have been made of silicone gel rather than human ear cells. The Cornell team is also experimenting with bio print repairs to damaged animal bones, but there are technical challenges to overcome. Repairs to cartilage will be more easily achieved.
Bio printers are standard apparatus in bio-medical laboratories and numerous experiments to create arteries, hearts and other body parts can be seen on YouTube.
Motivated by the battlefield injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan where 30% of wounds involve skin. Professor James Yoo and his group, from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, are developing a system that will print skin directly onto burn wounds,
The bio printer laser scanner first determines depth and area, then converts the scan to three dimensional images that calculates how many layers of skin cells are needed to be printed on the wound. The system, so far, has successfully printed skin patches 10cm sq on a pig.
Professor Hod Lipson, director of the Cornell University Computational Synthesis Laboratory, has successfully printed ears. They have been made of silicone gel rather than human ear cells. The Cornell team is also experimenting with bio print repairs to damaged animal bones, but there are technical challenges to overcome. Repairs to cartilage will be more easily achieved.
Bio printers are standard apparatus in bio-medical laboratories and numerous experiments to create arteries, hearts and other body parts can be seen on YouTube.
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