Thursday, October 16, 2008

Credit Crunch ~ Timely Quote . . .

Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.
Ellen Goodman American journalist (1941 - )

American Presidential Wrestling 2008 . . .

Heavyweight Championship
The White House ~ November 4, 2008

It has never been more important to vote. See you at the polls.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Gandhi Poverty Quote for Blog Action Day . . .




Free Medical, Dental & Vision to poor in America and third world countries . . .

Today is Blog Action Day and those of us who registered have agreed to blog about one subject POVERTY. I just clicked on the banner at the bottom of this post and saw that 9,376 bloggers had signed up (at 7:45 pm the night before) and their posts will reach 10,430,874 readers. Very impressive numbers that are still growing. I am happy to add my voice. (Update...7pm in New Jersey...10/15...12,205 bloggers participating; reaching 13,079,246 readers.)

I would like to call attention to Remote Area Medical® (RAM) Volunteer Corps. A non-profit, volunteer, airborne relief corps dedicated to serving mankind by providing free clinics for health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world.

Please give their website the attention it deserves. Click on every link and consider making a donation of your money, your services, supplies, or your time. I mailed a large check today...10/16/2008. It felt so good just writing it!!! Plus I know it will be put to such good use.

Founded in 1985, Remote Area Medical® is a publicly supported all-volunteer charitable organization. Volunteer doctors, nurses, pilots, veterinarians and support workers participate in expeditions (at their own expense) in some of the world's most remote and places. Medical supplies, medicines, facilities and vehicles are donated.

I first learned about them on March 20, 2008 when CBS 60 Minutes ran a segment about a weekend in poverty stricken rural Tennessee where huge crowds gathered days before the event to get free medical assistance. Hundreds were turned away at the end due to lack of time.

Luckily, I found a shortened version of the segment on YouTube.
Please watch...it is very inspiring.
You won't be sorry.



RAM FREE CLINICS will be at the following locations between now and Election Day (the next three weeks).

Oct. 18-19
McCreary County, Kentucky & Scott County, Tennessee
at Scott Appalachian Industries (SAI), Huntsville, TN
(Dental, Vision, Medical)

Oct. 25-Nov. 2
Honduras - Seguatepeque (South America)
(Dental, Vision, Medical)

Nov. 1-2
Grundy County, Tennessee
(Dental, Vision, Medical)

See full 2008 schedule. See full 2009 schedule.

Remote Area Medical Foundation
1834 Beech Street
Knoxville, TN 37920
865-579-1530

Thank you for visiting my blog on this important
day.

DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE TONIGHT!





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Monday, October 13, 2008

Brown and White Transferware in the Orchid Pattern . . .

I had a lot of interest in my previous post about this 19th century Staffordshire wash set in the Orchid Pattern so I decided to show another detailed view . I have also included a copy of the mark which is hanging on the wall like a painting. The photo can be enlarged if you want a closer look. Don't you love the strainer that fits inside the covered soap dish?

A old Southern Accents Magazine featured a large collection of brown and white transferware on the cover. It looks so nice with the brown and white checked sofa and chair. I think the date of this magazine is Sepember October 2002 in case you want to look for it.

Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Paper Jam? Call Kitty Tech Support . . .



Why doesn't the paper come out? I will fix it using only one paw!



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Gardening Tools for October . . .

After I finished working on the lower 40 yesterday, I dropped everything in the hall. I am still working on those giant weeds that are blocking my view of the surrounding woods in the way back. For the past week I have been pulling them up by hand and have a HUGE pile. I am using the hand tools for the ones that are too stubborn or too deep rooted.

Maybe you remember a previous post about these insidious weeds called Giant Ragweed. I don't ever remember seeing them until very recently. I think they must have something to do with global warming. I am determined to get rid of them so I am killing myself. Thank goodness for leather work gloves.

I actually don't mind hard outside work. Especially when the end result is so rewarding.

Enjoy yourself whatever you do!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Guinea Pig Olympics . . . Fun Fotos . . .



Go out and have some fun this weekend!

Pop Tarts Recipe for Columbus Day Weekend . . .

Purchase toaster. Bring home and plug it in. Open a box of highly nutritious Pop Tarts and throw wrapper away in an environmentally correct manner. Insert Pop Tart into slot at top of toaster. Turn on toaster according to the manufacturer's instructions. Enjoy the incomparable aroma of a culinary masterpiece as it browns to your exact specifications. When toasting cycle is complete, remove Pop Tart from slot of toaster and insert into your face's bottom slot. Chew thoroughly, swallow, and pat tummy. Repeat until full.

Seems like the perfect breakfast to kick off a long holiday weekend. Enjoy!


Friday, October 10, 2008

This made me smile . . .


Alice Waters of Chez Panisse ~ Obama Supporter . . .

Heroes of the Environment by Joel Stein ~ It has been a slow 30 years of progress for all environmentalists, but Alice Waters has more right than most to be frustrated. She wasn't asking anyone to install solar panels or convert their engines to run on biofuels — she just wanted people to eat stuff that tastes better. And it wasn't like she was simply making claims that local, organic food tastes great. She was proving it every day at Chez Panisse, the Berkeley, California, restaurant she opened in 1971 — a restaurant so good (the James Beard Foundation named Waters America's best chef in 1992 and Gourmet named Chez Panisse America's best restaurant in 2001) that it doesn't even have a menu. You eat what Waters found at the markets that day, and you like it. You really like it.

Waters says she's thrilled that her cooking theories — fresh, local ingredients, simply prepared — have gone mainstream, thanks to health studies and the farmers' market movement. It's much easier to grasp this philosophy of food when you're at the farmers' market, she says. "When people become real and you learn about your compost and how easy it is to make, you feel like you're empowered to do an everyday act that's good for your family and friends and the environment."

While Waters' restaurant and cook-books are credited with launching the locavore movement in the U.S., her Edible Schoolyard project goes one step further. Started in 1994, it encourages students in Berkeley to help grow and shop for their lunches, and it has shown results not just in environmental awareness, but in tackling obesity. Now it's being tried in other cities. "Remember when Kennedy put physical fitness in schools?" Waters asks. "We had to exercise four times a week, and we all went for it. We need that kind of passion. Going into public schools and teaching [children] about the consequences of the food that they eat can have remarkable results."

Waters, 64, is generally hopeful, especially about Barack Obama. "We need a President to speak about the issues of food, nourishment and stewardship," she says, "and I have great hope that will happen." She is also optimistic about the Slow Food movement, which she says is banding nations together to find the best heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables to plant for sustainability and nutrition — and, of course, taste. Because that's how Waters wins any debate about the environment.
Source: Time Magazine (article and photograph)



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When is this bailout going to kick in?

OK guys...I am really getting scared now. Ever since this thing was voted in the economy has continued to dive big time. We are going into a long holiday weekend that will further delay any chance for green arrows pointing up. Hopefully things will improve or at least stabilize today (Friday) and there will be an upward swing on Tuesday. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

We all really need some good news! And I need to get back to taking pretty pictures.




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Thursday, October 9, 2008

Illustrated Garden Quote

Poppy or Pansies?


I couldn't decide which one I liked better so I decided to print them both. Which one is your favorite?



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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

John McCain and the making of a financial crisis ~ Keating Economics . . .


"Keating Economics: the Making of a Financial Crisis" is a documentary that shows why John McCain's failed philosophy and poor judgment are a recipe for deepening the economic crisis.


If you are still on the fence, you won't be if you will take 13 minutes to watch this informative documentary.

Please watch and share with your friends. Thanks!

Knowledge is power.

Interesting chart to review while watching the presidential debates tonight . . .


The first image is a very interesting chart that you can enlarge for better viewing with just one click. It shows the winning presidential candidates from the past based on height and weight. It is not at all scientific...just very interesting.

You know I will be watching the debates tonight and hopefully you will be too.

It has never been more important to be informed! Election Day is exactly 4 weeks from today!


Monday, October 6, 2008

Elephant Stew Recipe . . .

ELEPHANT STEW

1 elephant (medium size)
2 rabbits
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Cut the elephant into bite-size pieces. This will take about 2 months. Add enough brown gravy to cover. Cook over an open fire for about 4 weeks at 465 degrees. This will serve about 3,800 people. If more are expected, 2 rabbits may be added, but do this only in an emergency, as some people do not like to find a hare in their stew.



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Henri, the Parisian cat who opposes everything . . .

My thumbs are not opposable, yet I oppose everything! A film by Will Braden. 'A hilarious parody of European existentialism, on a budget probably no pricier than a week's supply of cat food.' LA Weekly 'Will Braden gives voice to Henri pondering the ennui of his pampered life. 'Seattle Times' If you liked the film, you must be a cat lover. Proceed to this post by Will Braden.
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Sunday, October 5, 2008

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Free Download ~ Political Candidates Finger Puppets.




You can make finger puppets for both Presidential Candidates, their wives, and the Vice Presidential candidates too. You will need one sheet of card stock for each puppet. There is a video on the download sheet with instructions...they are really easy to understand without watching it.

Free download from folduscandidate.com




Make all 6 and have some fun. Have your own debates, take some pictures, make a YouTube film, entertain your family and friends. Print lots and share. Have fun.

Enjoy your weekend.