“Roll with the punches. Tomorrow is another day.”
the late great Dicky Fox
original sports agent
(from the film Jerry Maguire)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Three Charts to Email to Your Right-Wing Brother-in-Law
Dave Johnson, Campaign for America's Future:
"Problem: Your right-wing brother-in-law is plugged into the FOX-Limbaugh lie machine, and keeps sending you emails about 'Obama spending' and 'Obama deficits' and how the 'Stimulus' just made things worse. Solution: Here are three 'reality-based' charts to send to him. These charts show what actually happened."
Read the Article
"Problem: Your right-wing brother-in-law is plugged into the FOX-Limbaugh lie machine, and keeps sending you emails about 'Obama spending' and 'Obama deficits' and how the 'Stimulus' just made things worse. Solution: Here are three 'reality-based' charts to send to him. These charts show what actually happened."
Read the Article
Which Online Stores Offer Great Customer Service?
Sometimes finding the customer service phone number for an online store is difficult. StellaService has a long list of them. And this company also rates the customer service experience too (although far too many companies earn "excellent" ratings). The "Elite" rating seems to be the one to look for.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Today's Quote
"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."
-Confucius
Whatever you do and whatever you commit to, do it fully, give your all – one hundred percent. It is the essence of Carpe Diem – Seizing the day and it’s surely the best way to be satisfied with what we do and get the best results.
The Wayback Juke Box - Solid- Ashford & Simpson (R.I.P. Nick Ashford May 4, 1942-August 23, 2011)
R&B legend Nick Ashford recently passed away from throat cancer. Ashford and his wife Valerie Simpson were both songwriters and artists whose songs were recorded by the likes of Ronnie Milsap and Ray Charles. R.I.P.
More Rules for Life
1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Memorize your favorite poem.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say "I love you", mean it.
5. When you say "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slow but think quick.
2. Memorize your favorite poem.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say "I love you", mean it.
5. When you say "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slow but think quick.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Today's Quote
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
Maya Angelou
Anita Moorjani's Near Death Experience clears in 4 days, grade 4B lymphoma cancer
Anita was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and doctors told her family she was just hours away from death. It was at this point that she "crossed over" and then returned again into this world with a clearer understanding of her life and purpose on earth. This understanding subsequently led to a total recovery of her health.
Anita was born in Singapore of Indian parents, moved to Hong Kong at the age of two, and has lived in Hong Kong most of her life. Because of her background and British education, she is multi lingual and, from the age of two, grew up speaking English, Cantonese and two Indian dialects simultaneously, and later learned French at school.
She had been working in the corporate field for many years before being diagnosed with cancer in April of 2002. Her fascinating and moving near-death experience in early 2006 has tremendously changed her perspective on life. Her work is now ingrained with the depths and insights she gained while in the other realm. She works on the premise that our inner world (consciousness) is our primary reality, and if our internal state is healthy and strong, then our external world will align itself and fall into place as a result.
She is the embodiment of the truth that we all have the inner power and wisdom to overcome even life's most adverse situations, as she is the living proof of this possibility.
Anita is a compassionate and empathic person who seems to have a gift for articulating and simplifying metaphysical concepts, so that they may be applied in our daily lives.
Anita Moorjani website
http://anitamoorjani.com/
Anita was born in Singapore of Indian parents, moved to Hong Kong at the age of two, and has lived in Hong Kong most of her life. Because of her background and British education, she is multi lingual and, from the age of two, grew up speaking English, Cantonese and two Indian dialects simultaneously, and later learned French at school.
She had been working in the corporate field for many years before being diagnosed with cancer in April of 2002. Her fascinating and moving near-death experience in early 2006 has tremendously changed her perspective on life. Her work is now ingrained with the depths and insights she gained while in the other realm. She works on the premise that our inner world (consciousness) is our primary reality, and if our internal state is healthy and strong, then our external world will align itself and fall into place as a result.
She is the embodiment of the truth that we all have the inner power and wisdom to overcome even life's most adverse situations, as she is the living proof of this possibility.
Anita is a compassionate and empathic person who seems to have a gift for articulating and simplifying metaphysical concepts, so that they may be applied in our daily lives.
Anita Moorjani website
http://anitamoorjani.com/
5 things the media isn’t telling you about human activity and earthquakes
Shortly before midnight Mountain Time on August 23, the largest earthquake in Colorado in more than a century, with a magnitude of 5.3, sent tremors as far away as Kansas. Some twelve hours later, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake centered in Northern Virginia sent shock waves as far away as Toronto. The local damage in each event did not appear extensive, though structural effects, on bridges, tunnels, nuclear power plants and more are yet to be determined.
Through the afternoon and evening of August 23rd, the national media uncovered the big story of the East Coast quake: where their colleagues posted in New York or Washington were and what they thought when they felt a bump, sway, rumble or funny feeling. But with no national correspondents already on site, the Colorado quake was left to the locals. But both quakes were profound, rippling with far-reaching lessons about our outdated and unsafe energy practices that we ignore at great peril.
1. Human activity can cause earthquakes. No less an authority than the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) asserts this. And they offer as an illustration a series of atypical Colorado quakes in the 1960s, resulting from the Army’s injection of waste fluid produced by its Rocky Mountain Arsenal chemical weapons plant northeast of Denver.
Read more
Through the afternoon and evening of August 23rd, the national media uncovered the big story of the East Coast quake: where their colleagues posted in New York or Washington were and what they thought when they felt a bump, sway, rumble or funny feeling. But with no national correspondents already on site, the Colorado quake was left to the locals. But both quakes were profound, rippling with far-reaching lessons about our outdated and unsafe energy practices that we ignore at great peril.
1. Human activity can cause earthquakes. No less an authority than the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) asserts this. And they offer as an illustration a series of atypical Colorado quakes in the 1960s, resulting from the Army’s injection of waste fluid produced by its Rocky Mountain Arsenal chemical weapons plant northeast of Denver.
Read more
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Ron Paul: We Don't Need FEMA
"We put up with hurricanes all the time."
He's out of touch. Katrina long ago proved that we do need a fully funded and functional FEMA and the majority of American's agrees with that.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Today's Quote
"Good enough never is."
— Debbi Fields: Businesswoman, founder of Mrs. Fields Bakeries
Yabbbba Dabbbbba Dooooooo - Boxed Wine
This easy-drinking wine boasts vivid flavors of blackberries and red plums, and a velvety richness that lingers in the mouth. Enjoy it with seared steak from the grill or a big pot of gumbo.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Today's Quote
“I have done my best: that is about all the philosophy of living one needs.”
-Lin-yutang
Peace comes from accepting this moment is good enough exactly as it is– and that you are good enough exactly as you are. There will always be room to grow and improve in life; but if you’re consistently focused on your imperfections you will never enjoy your progress.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Today's Quote
“You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.”
– Jerry Gillies
Monday, August 22, 2011
Alison - Elvis Costello
Alison by Elvis Costello as heard on One Tree Hill Season 6 Episode 5 entitled "You've Dug Your Own Grave, Now Lie In It"
Lyrics:
Oh it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl.
And with the way you look I understand
that you were not impressed.
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
take off your party dress.
I'm not going to get too sentimental
like those other sticky valentines,
'cause I don't know if you are loving some body.
I only know it isn't mine.
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
Well I see you've got a husband now.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying
in the wedding cake?
You used to hold him right in your hand.
Bet he took all he could take.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
when I hear the silly things that you say.
I think somebody better put out the big light,
'cause I can't stand to see you this way.
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true.
Which Saves More: Costco or Sam's?
The website Cheapism just released its study of the pricing differences between the two leading warehouse clubs, Costco and Sam's (sorry BJs). Here is a summary, feature by feature, of the winner in each category. The complete report is indexed here.
Energize Your Fall
This article courtesy of Feed the Pig. Copyright 2011 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Back-to-school supply and end of summer clothing sales are everywhere. But what about household savings? Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of the mild temperatures and cut down your energy costs. Here are some easy ways to save.
Light change. As the days get shorter, and you find yourself turning on lights more frequently, make the switch to energy efficient light bulbs. According to the EPA, if every household in the U.S. switched their conventional bulbs in their five most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR, we would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly ten million cars! Not to mention saving big bucks on your energy bill.
Seal to save. Poor insulation and sealing is a serious energy sucker; it lets out the air you're paying to heat or cool. You can reduce air leakage and weatherproof your house by caulking and weather-stripping around all doors and windows. Attics, basements and outside walls are also common places that people forget to insulate. Adequate insulation helps you keep your home warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save money year round; reducing air leaks could cut ten percent from an average household's monthly energy bill.
Turn back your thermostat. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. If you feel chilly, pull out a sweater or blanket instead of immediately cranking up the heat. You may also consider using a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature when you are away. For every degree you lower your thermostat you save about two percent off your heating bill.
Make way for heat. A dirty chimney or vent is like having a stuffed up nose for a heating system. It makes the system work harder, which wastes energy. Help your house's air flow easily by checking your heating system every year. It is recommended that you change or clean furnace filters once a month while in regular use. It's also a good idea to close the vents in rooms that are not used frequently; no need to pay to heat or cool unused space.
QUICK TRICK: Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.
Saving energy is good for your wallet and the environment. To estimate your personal or family's greenhouse gas emissions and explore the impact of taking various actions to reduce your emissions with this Household Emissions Calculator.
Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.
Back-to-school supply and end of summer clothing sales are everywhere. But what about household savings? Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of the mild temperatures and cut down your energy costs. Here are some easy ways to save.
Light change. As the days get shorter, and you find yourself turning on lights more frequently, make the switch to energy efficient light bulbs. According to the EPA, if every household in the U.S. switched their conventional bulbs in their five most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR, we would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly ten million cars! Not to mention saving big bucks on your energy bill.
Seal to save. Poor insulation and sealing is a serious energy sucker; it lets out the air you're paying to heat or cool. You can reduce air leakage and weatherproof your house by caulking and weather-stripping around all doors and windows. Attics, basements and outside walls are also common places that people forget to insulate. Adequate insulation helps you keep your home warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save money year round; reducing air leaks could cut ten percent from an average household's monthly energy bill.
Turn back your thermostat. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. If you feel chilly, pull out a sweater or blanket instead of immediately cranking up the heat. You may also consider using a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature when you are away. For every degree you lower your thermostat you save about two percent off your heating bill.
Make way for heat. A dirty chimney or vent is like having a stuffed up nose for a heating system. It makes the system work harder, which wastes energy. Help your house's air flow easily by checking your heating system every year. It is recommended that you change or clean furnace filters once a month while in regular use. It's also a good idea to close the vents in rooms that are not used frequently; no need to pay to heat or cool unused space.
QUICK TRICK: Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.
Saving energy is good for your wallet and the environment. To estimate your personal or family's greenhouse gas emissions and explore the impact of taking various actions to reduce your emissions with this Household Emissions Calculator.
Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Tenderness of Pain
It is said that in difficult times it is only bodhichitta that heals. When inspiration has become hidden, when we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can be found in the tenderness of pain itself. Based on a deep fear of being hurt, we erect protective walls made out of strategies, opinions, prejudices, and emotions. Yet just as a jewel that has been buried in the earth for a million years is not discolored or harmed, in the same way this noble heart is not affected by all of the ways we try to protect ourselves from it.
-Pema Chodron
-Pema Chodron
Eighteen Surprising Uses for the Dishwasher
Cleaning is a real pain in the neck. It’s a never-ending cycle that dries out my hands and strains my back, and I’m always looking for the latest shortcut to cut down the amount of time I spend scrubbing and sweeping. I was surprised to learn that there’s an overabundance of unconventional items that can be cleaned in the dishwasher. While most people cringe at the thought of washing sweaty shoes with forks, it’s actually extremely hygienic as the heat and soap of the dishwasher kill any lingering bacteria. Though most of us use this appliance solely for washing dishes, that spray of hot water with soap can be used to clean so much more.
Read more
5 Ways Conservatives Attack Sexual Freedom
Conservatives' attacks on sexuality have grown more radical, in the past year alone.
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Healing the Heart after a Stroke/Heart Attack
Suffering through a stroke or heart attack, while definitely survivable, can take a tremendous toll on the overall well-being of the heart. It can cause heart scarring which can lead to the thinning of the heart walls and a lessened ability to pump blood throughout the body. Post-heart attack hearts will never fully return to their previous condition. However, a new treatment developed at Tel Aviv University (TAU) by Professor Uri Oron using stem cells has the ability to restore heart function and health,
Read more
Read more
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Wayback Juke Box - Lee 'Scratch' Perry - City Too Hot
From the Essential Scratch Files.
Perry / Universal - Island Music Ltd 1978.
'Perry's feeling the pressure in a boiling, gun-ridden Kingston.'
Perry / Universal - Island Music Ltd 1978.
'Perry's feeling the pressure in a boiling, gun-ridden Kingston.'
Sarah Palin's Husband Admits on Video That His Wife Quit Being Governor So She Could Make More Money
The Rachel Maddow Show staff dug up a video yesterday that shows an interesting moment of candor by Sarah Palin's husband Todd. In the video, Palin is arguing with a woman who says she's an Alaska resident and disapproves of how his wife quit the Alaska governorship and "sold out." Palin doesn't disagree with the Alaska woman; he just says, "What would you do" with "thousands and thousands of dollars a day?" The Palins had "all this debt," he says. Well in that case...
Read more/video
Read more/video
The Day the Middle Class Died
By Michael Moore
From time to time, someone under 30 will ask me, "When did this all begin, America's downward slide?" They say they've heard of a time when working people could raise a family and send the kids to college on just one parent's income (and that college in states like California and New York was almost free). That anyone who wanted a decent paying job could get one. That people only worked five days a week, eight hours a day, got the whole weekend off and had a paid vacation every summer. That many jobs were union jobs, from baggers at the grocery store to the guy painting your house, and this meant that no matter how "lowly" your job was you had guarantees of a pension, occasional raises, health insurance and someone to stick up for you if you were unfairly treated.
Young people have heard of this mythical time -- but it was no myth, it was real. And when they ask, "When did this all end?", I say, "It ended on this day: August 5th, 1981."
Beginning on this date, 30 years ago, Big Business and the Right Wing decided to "go for it" -- to see if they could actually destroy the middle class so that they could become richer themselves.
And they've succeeded.
On August 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired every member of the air traffic controllers union (PATCO) who'd defied his order to return to work and declared their union illegal. They had been on strike for just two days.
Read more
From time to time, someone under 30 will ask me, "When did this all begin, America's downward slide?" They say they've heard of a time when working people could raise a family and send the kids to college on just one parent's income (and that college in states like California and New York was almost free). That anyone who wanted a decent paying job could get one. That people only worked five days a week, eight hours a day, got the whole weekend off and had a paid vacation every summer. That many jobs were union jobs, from baggers at the grocery store to the guy painting your house, and this meant that no matter how "lowly" your job was you had guarantees of a pension, occasional raises, health insurance and someone to stick up for you if you were unfairly treated.
Young people have heard of this mythical time -- but it was no myth, it was real. And when they ask, "When did this all end?", I say, "It ended on this day: August 5th, 1981."
Beginning on this date, 30 years ago, Big Business and the Right Wing decided to "go for it" -- to see if they could actually destroy the middle class so that they could become richer themselves.
And they've succeeded.
On August 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired every member of the air traffic controllers union (PATCO) who'd defied his order to return to work and declared their union illegal. They had been on strike for just two days.
Read more
Zucchini Spice Bread
Hands-On Time: 15m
Total Time: 2hr 15m
Ingredients
* 1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for the pan
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* pinch ground cloves
* 1/2 cup light brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces), coarsely grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350° F. Oil an 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, light brown and granulated sugars, eggs, and vanilla; mix in the zucchini. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
3. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
How America Could Collapse
Scarce domestic manufacturing leaves the United States highly vulnerable to accidents and problems abroad.
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Major Backlash at Right-Wing Ohio Governor Has Him Scrambling for 'Compromise' With Progressives
Recall victories in Wisconsin and plummeting approval ratings have John Kasich scared--and now he wants to make a deal with labor and progressive groups.
READ MORE
READ MORE
American Buttermilk Pancakes
There's nothing like a stack of good old American buttermilk pancakes. Try this easy buttermilk pancake recipe and make all your loved ones smile on Saturday morning!
Ingredients
* 1 egg
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 cup flour
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 3 tablespoons melted butter
* pinch salt
* vanilla (optional)
* sugar (optional)
Instructions
1. Beat together egg and buttermilk.
2. Add flour, baking powder, butter and salt.
3. Cook on hot griddle.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Today's Quote
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."
-Confucious
There is no failure, there are only valuable learning experiences. Or as Thomas Edison about inventing the light bulb said: "I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." The important thing is not giving up, but learning and then improving by using this feedback to get better and ultimately succeed.
A quote expressing the same principle is "A man who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it, is committing another mistake."
Yabbbba Dabbbbba Dooooooo - Boxed Wine
A lively freshness and scents of ripe peaches and honey make this inviting wine a foil for spicy Thai curry or chili-spiked Mexican food.
Do You Know You Are Loved?
It has been my good fortune to know Dr. Everett Blanton and to be counted among his friends. Come to think of it, that doesn't make me all that special. His circle of friends is pretty large. And I don't know anyone in his still-larger circle of acquaintances that didn't like him and respect him.
This is how his booming voice greeted those of us fortunate enough to be his friends: "Has anyone told you today that he loves you?"
The first time he posed the question to you, you may have tried to answer it. You would try to remember if your wife or children said "I love you" before they left for school or when you left for work. Or perhaps you would simply be stunned by such a question - and stand a bit wide-eyed and not know how to respond.
His handsome face would break into a broad grin, and he would say something on this order: "Well, I do! And I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you. You are special to me, and I am grateful to have you in my life."
Now that might sound mushy - if not downright suspicious - if Everett's hair had not been completely white and his face marked with the signs of age. Coming from him, both males and females heard the genuine affirmation of a godly man who wanted to tell the people in his life how he valued them.
When a move to another state put distance between us, we would occasionally speak by phone. It was always important for me to begin the conversation. As soon as he picked up, I would say, "Everett, has anybody told you today how loved you are?" He would laugh, call my name, and tell me how special I was to him. There was no way to get ahead of him!
Everett Blanton passed away. Loved and supported by children and grandchildren, he had battled cancer courageously - and tried to keep his family from worrying too much about it. The battle had become hard.
His closest ally, best friend, and devoted wife through all his life adventures, Peggy, mourns his loss - but smiles at the treasure trove of sweet memories they made together. She tells me how fortunate she was to have had all those years with him. He would tell you he was the lucky one.
You don't have to know Everett to learn from him. Learn to affirm the people who are important in your life. Tell them you love them. Then tell them again and once more for good measure. Be remembered for it when it comes your time to go home. As Joe Bain said, Everett was "a man with the kindest heart I've ever known." Wouldn't that be a wonderful way for people to remember you?
Rubel Shelly
Rubel Shelly is a Preacher and Professor of Religion and Philosophy located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. In addition to church and academic responsibilities, he has worked actively with such community projects as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, From Nashville With Love, Metro (Nashville) Public Schools, Faith Family Medical Clinic, and Operation Andrew Ministries.
This is how his booming voice greeted those of us fortunate enough to be his friends: "Has anyone told you today that he loves you?"
The first time he posed the question to you, you may have tried to answer it. You would try to remember if your wife or children said "I love you" before they left for school or when you left for work. Or perhaps you would simply be stunned by such a question - and stand a bit wide-eyed and not know how to respond.
His handsome face would break into a broad grin, and he would say something on this order: "Well, I do! And I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you. You are special to me, and I am grateful to have you in my life."
Now that might sound mushy - if not downright suspicious - if Everett's hair had not been completely white and his face marked with the signs of age. Coming from him, both males and females heard the genuine affirmation of a godly man who wanted to tell the people in his life how he valued them.
When a move to another state put distance between us, we would occasionally speak by phone. It was always important for me to begin the conversation. As soon as he picked up, I would say, "Everett, has anybody told you today how loved you are?" He would laugh, call my name, and tell me how special I was to him. There was no way to get ahead of him!
Everett Blanton passed away. Loved and supported by children and grandchildren, he had battled cancer courageously - and tried to keep his family from worrying too much about it. The battle had become hard.
His closest ally, best friend, and devoted wife through all his life adventures, Peggy, mourns his loss - but smiles at the treasure trove of sweet memories they made together. She tells me how fortunate she was to have had all those years with him. He would tell you he was the lucky one.
You don't have to know Everett to learn from him. Learn to affirm the people who are important in your life. Tell them you love them. Then tell them again and once more for good measure. Be remembered for it when it comes your time to go home. As Joe Bain said, Everett was "a man with the kindest heart I've ever known." Wouldn't that be a wonderful way for people to remember you?
Rubel Shelly
Rubel Shelly is a Preacher and Professor of Religion and Philosophy located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. In addition to church and academic responsibilities, he has worked actively with such community projects as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, From Nashville With Love, Metro (Nashville) Public Schools, Faith Family Medical Clinic, and Operation Andrew Ministries.
Citrus Chicken
3 mandarines
3 lemons
3 limes
1 tbsp of minced garlic
1/4 yellow onion (Use onion powder if you don’t like the texture of onion)
about 6 Rosemary stems
salt and pepper to taste
1 whole chicken (mine was just under 5lbs)
First throw a few slices of onion, lemon, lime, mandarin, Rosemary and garlic on the bottom of your slow cooker.
Rinse the bird with water, pat dry with a paper towel. Stuff her with onion, garlic, lemon, lime and a mandarine. If you have room, shove in some onion and Rosemary. Place her in your slow cooker. You can’t leave her neeeeked! Sprinkle some salt and pepper on her quick!
Time to really dress her up, after all, she is going to be centerpiece at your dinner table tonight. Add the rest of your lemon, lime, garlic, onion Rosemary and mandarine in the pot all around and some on top of her. You want to encapsulate her with the smells and tastes of citrus goodness.
Once you are satisfied with your arrangement…
Place the lid on, set to low and cook for 8 hours. Even the rinds are cooked so that you can eat them with a bite of chicken!
I served this with corn on the cob sliced potatoes baked with olive oil and salt, and rice. I added rice to my slow cooker about 40 minutes before it was time to eat. Since I wasn’t sure if there was enough liquid, I added 1/2 cup of water as well. The chicken, the taste, the smell… this is just something you have to try. Happy slow cooking!
3 lemons
3 limes
1 tbsp of minced garlic
1/4 yellow onion (Use onion powder if you don’t like the texture of onion)
about 6 Rosemary stems
salt and pepper to taste
1 whole chicken (mine was just under 5lbs)
First throw a few slices of onion, lemon, lime, mandarin, Rosemary and garlic on the bottom of your slow cooker.
Rinse the bird with water, pat dry with a paper towel. Stuff her with onion, garlic, lemon, lime and a mandarine. If you have room, shove in some onion and Rosemary. Place her in your slow cooker. You can’t leave her neeeeked! Sprinkle some salt and pepper on her quick!
Time to really dress her up, after all, she is going to be centerpiece at your dinner table tonight. Add the rest of your lemon, lime, garlic, onion Rosemary and mandarine in the pot all around and some on top of her. You want to encapsulate her with the smells and tastes of citrus goodness.
Once you are satisfied with your arrangement…
Place the lid on, set to low and cook for 8 hours. Even the rinds are cooked so that you can eat them with a bite of chicken!
I served this with corn on the cob sliced potatoes baked with olive oil and salt, and rice. I added rice to my slow cooker about 40 minutes before it was time to eat. Since I wasn’t sure if there was enough liquid, I added 1/2 cup of water as well. The chicken, the taste, the smell… this is just something you have to try. Happy slow cooking!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Lookup Costs of Medical and Dental Procedures
Those with medical insurance usually pay little attention to the cost of procedures. But for those without insurance, or when you use an out of network doctor, you may be hit with a sizeable bill. Here is a tool to look up average costs for medical and dental procedures in your area.
5 Things Airlines Tell You that Might Not be True
There are some questionable practices going on in the airline industry, and this story points out five of them. They include misrepresentations about award and seat availability, abuse of the weather delay excuse, and more.
Keeping Cool
Whether the air conditioner is on or off, keep windows and doors shut if the temperature outside is more than 77 degrees Fahrenheit (most people start to sweat at 78). Whenever the outside air is hotter than the inside air, opening a window invites heat to creep in.
The Blood Test That Could Save Your Life
Some experts are calling C-reactive protein levels the most important cardiovascular risk factor we have for men and women over age 50, but the test is not yet standard procedure at most doctors' offices. Here's everything you need to know about this indicative new test.
Poll: 79 percent of Americans dissatisfied with U.S. political system
Poll after poll has found that Americans are extremely disillusioned with the federal government, regardless of their political affiliation, after the president signed an agreement over the federal debt ceiling and budget deficit.
According to a Washington Post poll released on Wednesday, just 21 percent of Americans are satisfied with the way the country’s political system is working, down 17 points from November 2009. Forty-five percent of Americans now consider themselves "very dissatisfied" and 33 percent consider themselves "mostly dissatisfied."
Additionally, just 26 percent of Americans believe that the federal government can actually solve the country's economic problems, down 21 points from October 2010 and down 37 points from February 2002.
Read more
According to a Washington Post poll released on Wednesday, just 21 percent of Americans are satisfied with the way the country’s political system is working, down 17 points from November 2009. Forty-five percent of Americans now consider themselves "very dissatisfied" and 33 percent consider themselves "mostly dissatisfied."
Additionally, just 26 percent of Americans believe that the federal government can actually solve the country's economic problems, down 21 points from October 2010 and down 37 points from February 2002.
Read more
Maddow on the Radicalism of Rick Perry: Could He Lead to "Christian Overthrow of US Government?"
There's more than one big reason to be concerned about the potential entrance of Rick Perry into the presidential race, and Rachel Maddow is on the case. She begins her segment by playing yet another round of clips of crazy pastors attending Perry's "Response" (with all their offensive rhetoric towards Jews, gay people, the Statue of Liberty and Oprah), and wondering whether this man's potential success is being viewed by these extremists as a chance to take over the ruling class.
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Was There a CIA 9/11 Cover-up?
In a new documentary, former national-security aide Richard Clarke suggests the CIA tried to recruit 9/11 hijackers as informants—then covered it up when their overtures failed. The Daily Beast on George Tenet's denial.
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Broccoli & Garlic Penne Pasta
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cook Time: 10 min.
1 cup Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups broccoli florets
1/2 of a 1-pound package penne pasta (about 3 cups), cooked and drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1. Heat the broth, basil, black pepper, garlic and broccoli in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
2. Add the penne and lemon juice and toss to coat. Sprinkle the penne mixture with the cheese.
Makes: 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each).
Broccoli isn't the only vegetable that works beautifully in this recipe! Others to try include garden-fresh green beans or a mixture of summer squash and zucchini.
Cook Time: 10 min.
1 cup Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups broccoli florets
1/2 of a 1-pound package penne pasta (about 3 cups), cooked and drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1. Heat the broth, basil, black pepper, garlic and broccoli in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
2. Add the penne and lemon juice and toss to coat. Sprinkle the penne mixture with the cheese.
Makes: 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each).
Broccoli isn't the only vegetable that works beautifully in this recipe! Others to try include garden-fresh green beans or a mixture of summer squash and zucchini.
Websites Using Secret ‘Supercookies’
Major websites have developed a new—and legal—technique to track users’ online activities, known as a “supercookie,” a powerful device that is impossible for computer users to detect, researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, said Wednesday. Supercookies are capable of re-creating user profiles even after people delete the regular cookies, researchers said. While many companies have been criticized for the selling of private data online, some sites that use supercookies said the supercookie tracking was inadvertent and they would cease using it. MSN and Hulu, who were both notified that they had been using supercookies, announced Wednesday they would immediately investigate the technique. Knowing Web-browsing history can provide advertisers with information about people’s interests, locations, and finances—and the federal government has debated ways to protect consumer privacy.
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Watch Christine O'Donnell's Bizarre Walk-Off from Piers Morgan's Show
Everyone's talking this morning about the weird thing that happened when Christine O'Donnell went on Piers Morgan last night. No, not the fact that someone was still interested in interviewing Christine O'Donnell.
The thing that happened afterwards, when she told Morgan he was being "rude" for bringing up gay marriage when she wanted to talk about her "inspirational" book aimed only at the Tea Party.
In response to that he asked her why she was being "weird" and well, the rest is television history. Watch below.
The thing that happened afterwards, when she told Morgan he was being "rude" for bringing up gay marriage when she wanted to talk about her "inspirational" book aimed only at the Tea Party.
In response to that he asked her why she was being "weird" and well, the rest is television history. Watch below.
Study: Dogs Can Smell Lung Cancer
A new study has found that dogs can detect the smell of organic compounds that are linked to the presence of cancer in the human body. Scientists had the dogs sniff test tubes that contained breath samples from patients who had lung cancer and some who did not. The dogs identified lung cancer in 71 out of 100 patients who had the disease. Findings indicate that dogs may be a good “detection device,” say researchers, who caution: "We’ve seen this happen enough to suggest there are compounds in the breath of patients with cancer that could provide an early warning about the presence of cancer in the body, but we still do not know exactly what those compounds are. We can’t pick out what the dogs smell.”
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Today's Quote
“I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense.”
― Harold Kushner
The Killing -Trailer
The Killing (1956) is the second feature length film noir directed by Stanley Kubrick, written by Kubrick and Jim Thompson, based on the novel Clean Break by Lionel White. The drama features Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards and Elisha Cook Jr..
Meet the cat with nine lives and two faces
It might not have shocked a dog person, but when this two-faced cat was born its owner almost dropped it in shock.
Vets told the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, that Lil'Bit - as in "A little bit of love" - probably would not survive.
But the 47-year-old from Arizona was determined that the odd arrival, although ill, should not be put to sleep.
"I started feeding him every 15 minutes from an eye-dropper," she said
Read more/video
Vets told the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, that Lil'Bit - as in "A little bit of love" - probably would not survive.
But the 47-year-old from Arizona was determined that the odd arrival, although ill, should not be put to sleep.
"I started feeding him every 15 minutes from an eye-dropper," she said
Read more/video
Website of the Day
Newswordy plucks a word a day out of the news cycle, defines it, and examines its use (and misuse) in the media. Language nuts and news junkies will love it.
Newswordy is especially good at following a single crisis over several days. Links to news stories, wire services, and Twitter feeds provide necessary context. But the site is really geared toward stripping the messiest, most complicated stories of their surrounding hype—and that makes it a welcome counter to a lot of what’s put out by our major media outlets.
The Willful Ignorance That Has Dragged the US to the Brink
The Tea Party version of the American Revolution is not just fundamentalist. It is also Disneyfied, sentimentalized, and whitewashed
Tea Partiers love mentioning Thomas Paine because they think they share his "Common Sense" (otherwise known as a sense held in common) but they haven't bothered to read it, and are clearly unfamiliar with essays such as "Public Good", in which Paine wrote that, especially while at war (as America currently is, of course): "To have a clear idea of taxation is necessary to every country, and the more funds we can discover and organise, the less will be the hope of the enemy."
As Harvard historian Jill Lepore argued last year in her brilliant The Whites of their Eyes: The Tea Party's Revolution and the Battle over American History, none of the people voting for the Tea Party candidates knows any of this because they haven't studied American history since grade school, when all American schoolchildren learn a simplified, cartoon version of the American Revolution (which we would never call the "War of Independence").
It is a Sesame Street version of the American constitution and politics, a myth that is being treated as the alpha and omega of our political and legal reality. This is one reason why it has a quasi-religious aspect: it's a myth of genesis, it's a creation myth about America that is just as simple as the idea that God created man and woman: the Founding Fathers created America.
The Tea Party version of the American Revolution is not just fundamentalist: it is also Disneyfied, sentimentalised, and whitewashed. It rests on a naïve, solipsistic and exceptionalist faith that for America it will all work out in the end, because America is "the greatest nation in the world". They take solace in tautology: America is great – this they know – because Fox News tells them so.
Read more
Tea Partiers love mentioning Thomas Paine because they think they share his "Common Sense" (otherwise known as a sense held in common) but they haven't bothered to read it, and are clearly unfamiliar with essays such as "Public Good", in which Paine wrote that, especially while at war (as America currently is, of course): "To have a clear idea of taxation is necessary to every country, and the more funds we can discover and organise, the less will be the hope of the enemy."
As Harvard historian Jill Lepore argued last year in her brilliant The Whites of their Eyes: The Tea Party's Revolution and the Battle over American History, none of the people voting for the Tea Party candidates knows any of this because they haven't studied American history since grade school, when all American schoolchildren learn a simplified, cartoon version of the American Revolution (which we would never call the "War of Independence").
It is a Sesame Street version of the American constitution and politics, a myth that is being treated as the alpha and omega of our political and legal reality. This is one reason why it has a quasi-religious aspect: it's a myth of genesis, it's a creation myth about America that is just as simple as the idea that God created man and woman: the Founding Fathers created America.
The Tea Party version of the American Revolution is not just fundamentalist: it is also Disneyfied, sentimentalised, and whitewashed. It rests on a naïve, solipsistic and exceptionalist faith that for America it will all work out in the end, because America is "the greatest nation in the world". They take solace in tautology: America is great – this they know – because Fox News tells them so.
Read more
Garden Week #.....I lost count
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| Some stuff I picked this morning |
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| Pepper plants DRIPPING with peppers |
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| Stuff I picked yesterday |
Dogs were out back having a fit....
...because a praying mantis came to visit. I shooed it into the garden so the dogs would not injure it.
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