Beth's Blog

2012-01-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

Today's Blissful Place

2012-01-29T21:40:00.001-05:00

Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve, Texas

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole - "What A Wonderful World" Video

2012-01-29T21:01:00.000-05:00

2012-01-29T12:26:00.000-05:00

Maddow: PolitiFact is undermining the word ‘fact’

2012-01-29T10:23:00.000-05:00

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow tore into the fact-checking website PolitiFact on Wednesday for confirming that President Barack Obama’s job numbers were correct, but rating his comments only “half true.”

During the State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Obama stated: “In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than 3 million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005.”

PolitiFact confirmed that both statistics were correct, only to rate Obama’s statement as “half true” on their Truth-O-Meter. The site said the statement was only half true because “he implicitly credited his administration.”

“PoiltiFact, what is wrong with you?” Maddow said. “You think the president calls himself ‘businesses?’ Like it is a nickname for himself?”

PolitiFact later revised its Truth-O-Meter rating to “Mostly True.”

“Mostly true? PolitiFact, you are fired,” Maddow said. “You are a mess. You are fired. You are undermining the definition of the word ‘fact’ in the English language by pretending to it in your name.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

2012-01-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

Caramelized Pork and Sweet Potatoes

2012-01-29T09:58:00.000-05:00

Serves 4
Hands-On Time: 20m
Total Time: 40m

Ingredients

* vegetable cooking spray
* 2 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
* 2 pork tenderloins, halved (1 1/2 to 2 pounds total), 4 skinless, boneless chicken-breast halves, or 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet (4 pieces)
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
* freshly ground black pepper
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 3 tablespoons sugar
* juice from 1 orange

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450º F. Lightly coat 2 baking pans with cooking spray. In a bowl, toss the sweet potato slices with oil.

2. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on one baking pan. Sprinkle with half the rosemary. Place in the oven and roast until tender, about 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, season each side of the meat or salmon with salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread with mustard. Sprinkle with sugar and remaining rosemary.

4. Arrange the meat or fish on the second baking pan. Roast, turning once, until cooked through, 20 minutes for pork or chicken, 10 minutes for salmon.

5. Check the potatoes for tenderness; cook longer if necessary. Arrange on 4 plates and top with the meat or fish. Cover to keep warm.

6. Place the baking pan used for the meat or fish over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the orange juice and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour the juice over meat or fish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

What is Rap? - Switchback 1987 Stu Jeffries

2012-01-29T09:51:00.000-05:00

Here's the joke....

2012-01-29T09:42:00.000-05:00

One morning a man comes into the church on crutches. He stops in front of the holy water and splashes some of it on both of his legs, then throws away his crutches.

An altar boy witnessed the scene and runs into the rectory to tell the priest what he'd just seen.

Without batting an eye, the priest says, "Son, you've just witnessed a miracle. Tell me, where is this man?"

"Over by the holy water, Father. Flat on his rear end."

2012-01-29T09:24:00.001-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-28T23:59:00.000-05:00

“ One's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.”

Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)

English pioneer of modern nursing

Dennis Wilson - You and I

2012-01-28T21:51:00.000-05:00

2012-01-28T14:26:00.000-05:00

Great Grey Owl

The Basic Rules for Clotheslines

2012-01-28T11:01:00.000-05:00

If you don't even know what clotheslines are, better skip this.

1. You had to hang the socks by the toes... NOT the top.
2. You hung pants by the BOTTOM/cuffs... NOT the waistbands.
3. You had to WASH the clothesline(s) before hanging any clothes - walk the entire length of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.
4. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first.
5. You NEVER hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbors think?
6. Wash day on a Monday! NEVER hang clothes on the weekend, or on Sunday, for Heaven's sake!
7. Hang the sheets and towels on the OUTSIDE lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!)
8. It didn't matter if it was sub-zero weather... clothes would "freeze-dry."
9. ALWAYS gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky"!
10. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with
the next washed item.
11. Clothes off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.
12. IRONED???!! Well, that's a whole OTHER subject

-Author unknnown

2012-01-28T10:23:00.001-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

“ Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact. ”

George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) (1819–1880)

English writer

The Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go

2012-01-27T22:48:00.000-05:00

2012-01-27T06:27:00.002-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

"What can you do right now to begin to turn your life around? The very first thing is to start making a list of things to be grateful for."

— Dr. Joe Vitale

Mitt Romney's Greatest Hits: Sympathy For The Corporation

2012-01-26T19:44:00.000-05:00

Up until now, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been the presumed frontrunner of the GOP presidential candidates. But the recent focus on Romney's tenure as head of the private equity firm Bain capital — a position which went a long way towards making Romney the approximately $190 to $250 million he's now worth — has created something of a rift in the Republican Party over the merits of free market capitalism, and turned the the GOP presidential field into the equivalent of a circular firing squad.

And along with the Bain story has been a parallel development: The growing library of seemingly phony, tone-deaf, and just plain strange statements — from calling himself "unemployed," to claiming to have worried about losing his job, to asserting membership in the middle class — which suggest Romney is frankly clueless about both the nature of economic life in the Great Recession, as well as what it's like to not occupy the tippy-top fraction of the one percent. The matter is made particularly relevant by the recent spike in Romney's national unfavorable rating, and, of course, by the degree to which his proposed policies would strip the middle class and the poor of needed support while slashing the tax burden on himself and his fellow travelers in the highest echelons of wealth.

vid

2012-01-26T18:51:00.000-05:00

Here's the joke....

2012-01-26T18:39:00.000-05:00

After the eighty-three year old lady finished her annual physical
examination, the doctor said,

"You are in fine shape for your age, Mrs. Mallory, but tell me, do you
still have intercourse?"

"Just a minute, I'll have to ask my husband," she said..

She stepped out into the crowded reception room and yelled out loud:

"Henry, do we still have intercourse?" And there was a hush .

You could hear a pin drop.

Henry answered impatiently, "If I told you once, Irma, I told

you a hundred times...What we have is...

Blue Cross!"

Low IQ & Conservative Beliefs Linked to Prejudice

2012-01-26T18:12:00.000-05:00

Is this really news to anyone?

There's no gentle way to put it: People who give in to racism and prejudice may simply be dumb, according to a new study that is bound to stir public controversy.

The research finds that children with low intelligence are more likely to hold prejudiced attitudes as adults. These findings point to a vicious cycle, according to lead researcher Gordon Hodson, a psychologist at Brock University in Ontario. Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, the study found. Those ideologies, in turn, stress hierarchy and resistance to change, attitudes that can contribute to prejudice, Hodson wrote in an email to LiveScience.

Read more

2012-01-26T18:10:00.001-05:00

Today's Blissful Place

2012-01-26T12:41:00.001-05:00

Purple Lavender Fields of France

Today's Quote

2012-01-25T23:59:00.000-05:00

"What I know for sure is that the only way to endure the quake is to adjust your stance. You can't avoid the daily tremors. They come with being alive. These experiences are really gifts that force us to step to the right or left in search of a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand."

— Oprah

Smothered Pork Chops

2012-01-25T19:52:00.000-05:00

1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 bone-in pork loin chops, 3/4-inch thick (about 2 lb)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can (18.5 oz) French onion soup
2 tablespoons cornstarch

1. Make rice as directed on package.

2. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook garlic and pork chops in oil 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until pork chops are brown. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. In small bowl, mix soup and cornstarch. Pour over pork chops; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until pork is no longer pink and meat thermometer inserted in center reads 160°F.

Makes 4 servings

2012-01-25T19:43:00.001-05:00

2012-01-25T19:25:00.000-05:00

President Obama's REAL record on Jobs

2012-01-25T18:47:00.000-05:00

Republicans are loathe to give credit to the President for his job creation record - but here are the facts…

After taking office, President Obama signed the Recovery Act to help get our economy back on track. As a result:

* The U.S. has seen 22 consecutive months of private-sector job growth.
* The private sector added more than 3.1 million jobs over those 22 months.
* Manufacturing added 334,000 jobs in the last two years, the first time since 1997 that manufacturing employment rose.

The President passed legislation to create jobs and support working Americans, including:

* A payroll tax cut for all working families, providing the average working family with a $1,000 tax cut in 2011
* Expansion of small business loan programs to help small businesses access credit and create jobs
* Initiatives to help veterans transition to post-service careers
* Tax incentives for businesses that hire unemployed veterans

The President made the decision to provide emergency loans to the auto industry:

* Saving more than 1.4 million American jobs
* Preventing personal income losses over two years of more than $96 billion
* Helping make the big three (Chrysler, GM, and Ford) all profitable for the first time in years

2012-01-25T18:42:00.000-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

"Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune."

William James

1842-1910, Psychologist and Author

Keep Me Turning - Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane

2012-01-24T21:26:00.002-05:00

2012-01-24T20:56:00.002-05:00

Supreme Court: Warrant needed for GPS tracking

2012-01-24T19:47:00.002-05:00

The United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday for the first time that law enforcement must obtain a warrant before using a global positioning system (GPS) device to track suspects.

The high court said that GPS tracking amounted to a search, and the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects Americans against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Read more

Bad Joke Eel

2012-01-24T19:16:00.001-05:00

Curried Chicken Chowder

2012-01-24T19:13:00.001-05:00

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Condensed Chicken Rice Soup

2 soup cans water

1 teaspoon curry powder

2 medium potatoes (about 10 ounces), cut into cubes (about 2 cups)

1 package (about 9 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables

1/4 cup diced green or red pepper

2 cans (4.5 ounces each) White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

* Heat the soups, water, curry powder, potatoes, vegetables and pepper in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.

* Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the chicken. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

Here's the joke....

2012-01-24T19:12:00.001-05:00

This is for all the germ conscious folks
That worry about using cold water to clean.

John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather
In a very secluded, rural area of Saskatchewan

After spending a great evening chatting the night away,
The next morning John's grandfather prepared
Breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast..

However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate,
And questioned his grandfather asking,

'Are these plates clean?'

His grandfather replied,

'They're as clean as cold water can get em.
Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!'

For lunch the old man made hamburgers.

Again, John was concerned about the plates,
As his appeared to have tiny specks around
The edge that looked like dried egg and asked,

'Are you sure these plates are clean?'

Without looking up the old man said,

'I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as
Clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you
Fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!'

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town
And as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog
Started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass.

John yelled and said,
'Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car'.

Without diverting his attention from the football game
He was watching on TV, the old man shouted!

'Coldwater, go lay down now, yah hear me!'

Meet Coldwater !

Who's Your Favourite?

2012-01-24T19:06:00.000-05:00

2012-01-24T18:51:00.001-05:00

Glasswinged Butterfly

2012-01-24T18:43:00.001-05:00

2012-01-24T05:29:00.004-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-23T23:59:00.000-05:00

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.”

-Basho

The only constant in life is change. Life isn’t on the other side of it; life is the process itself.

Elliott Smith: "Angeles"

2012-01-23T21:38:00.002-05:00

2012-01-23T20:35:00.001-05:00

2012-01-23T20:29:00.001-05:00

Disturbing - A Dollar Makes 'Toddlers & Tiaras' Star Alana Holler Honey Boo-Boo!

2012-01-23T19:09:00.001-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

"Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."

Joseph Sugarman

Marketing Expert

The Wayback Juke Box - Hall and Oates - I Can't Go For That

2012-01-22T21:12:00.002-05:00

Rep. Gabby Giffords will step down from Congress

2012-01-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

Rep. Gabby Giffords will step down from Congress this week to focus on her recovery, she announced in a video message on Sunday afternoon. Giffords, who nearly died from a gunshot wound last year in an attack that killed six people in at a congressional event in Tucson, says she is getting better, "every day." Here's the video announcement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nguu0TkCTd4

Some Americans preparing for ‘civilization’s collapse’

2012-01-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

When Patty Tegeler looks out the window of her home overlooking the Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia, she sees trouble on the horizon.

“In an instant, anything can happen,” she told Reuters. “And I firmly believe that you have to be prepared.”

Tegeler is among a growing subculture of Americans who refer to themselves informally as “preppers.” Some are driven by a fear of imminent societal collapse, others are worried about terrorism, and many have a vague concern that an escalating series of natural disasters is leading to some type of environmental cataclysm.

Read more

Kucinich Announces Constitutional Amendment to Publicly Finance Federal Elections

2012-01-22T13:05:00.000-05:00

Dennis Kucinich, Op-Ed: On the eve of the second anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling known as Citizens United, which opened the floodgate of unlimited, shadowy corporate spending in public elections, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has introduced H. J. Res. 100, a constitutional amendment to rescue American democracy from corporate money’s corrupting influence.

Read more

Paprika-Spiced Pork Chops With Spinach Sauté

2012-01-22T13:02:00.001-05:00

Serves 4
Hands-On Time: 20m
Total Time: 25m

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 4 bone-in pork rib chops (about 1 inch thick; 2 pounds total)
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* kosher salt and black pepper
* 4 scallions, sliced
* 1/4 cup golden raisins
* 1 10-ounce package spinach (about 16 loosely packed cups)
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Season the chops with the paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

3. Transfer the chops to a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, return the skillet to medium heat. Add the scallions and raisins and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.

5. Add the spinach and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, tossing, until just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice. Serve with the chops.

Hello

2012-01-22T12:39:00.001-05:00

Hello from ant1mat3rie on Vimeo.

Here's the joke....

2012-01-22T11:51:00.000-05:00

Since singer Susan Boyle has been on TV there's been a marked drop in suicide bombings.

Apparently, a lot of the terrorists didn't realize what a virgin looks like.

Trampled Under A Long Train Runnin' (Led Zeppelin vs. The Doobie Brothers)

2012-01-22T11:16:00.000-05:00

Never in a million years would have thought a mash of Doobie Bros "Long Train Runnin" and Led Zeppelin would work...but it does!

Trampled Under A Long Train Runnin' (Led Zeppelin vs. The Doobie Brothers) by DJ Dain

Propsal

2012-01-22T10:36:00.001-05:00

When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to
happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers
need to find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job
would be eliminated as well. Wall street, and the media normally
congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his
board of directors gives him a big bonus.

Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
Therefore: Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435
members to 218 members and Senate members from 100 to 50(one per State).
Also reduce remaining staff by 25%.

Accomplish this over the next 8 years. (two steps / two elections) and
of course this would require some redistricting.

Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:
$44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X
$165,200 pay / member / yr.)
$97,175,000 for elimination of the above people's staff. (estimate $1.3
Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff
per each member of the Senate every year)
$240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.
$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those
members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork
earmarks are at$15 Billion / yr)

The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and would need
to improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to
work together for the good of our country?

We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more
efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep
track of what your representative is doing.

Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in
1911 when the current number of representatives was established.
(telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few)

Note:
Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the
nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3
senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on
the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay.
These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress.

Summary of opportunity:
$44,108,400 reduction of congress members.
$282,100, 000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.
$150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.
$59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members.
$37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.
$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of
congress members.
$8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings. (that's 8-BILLION just
to start!)

Big business does these types of cuts all the time.
If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like
everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits there is no
telling how much we would save.Now they get full retirement after
serving only ONE term.

2012-01-22T10:26:00.001-05:00

How Teachers Grade Papers

2012-01-22T10:21:00.000-05:00

2012-01-22T10:17:00.000-05:00

Water bridge in Germany

2012-01-22T09:22:00.000-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-21T23:59:00.000-05:00

"When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no'I'll start tomorrow.' Tomorrow is disease."

— V.L. Allineare

The Wayback Juke Box - Etta James - All I Could do was Cry

2012-01-21T21:04:00.004-05:00

RIP

Newt’s Faulty Food-Stamp Claim

2012-01-21T18:40:00.000-05:00

He says Obama put more people on food stamps than any other president. But more were added under Bush.

Read more

Meanwhile on Facebook…

2012-01-21T13:03:00.001-05:00

2012-01-21T12:51:00.001-05:00

Shit White Girls Say...to Black Girls

2012-01-21T12:49:00.001-05:00

Today's Blissful Place

2012-01-21T12:39:00.000-05:00

The Edge of the World. Bunda cliffs, Nullarbor, Aultralia

2012-01-21T09:51:00.001-05:00

2012-01-21T09:45:00.001-05:00

Good Morning and Welcome to Flight #2012. We are prepared to take off into a new day. Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in, in upright position. All self destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt and discouragement should be put away. Should we lose Altitude under pressure, during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE, allowed on this flight. The Captain has cleared us for takeoff. Destination GREATNESS

Today's Quote

2012-01-20T23:59:00.000-05:00

“I believe in plenty of optimism and white paint.”

― Elsie de Wolfe

The Wayback Juke Box - Otis Spann - Spann's Stomp

2012-01-20T20:56:00.001-05:00

How to Put a Touch of Glory in Your Life

2012-01-20T20:17:00.002-05:00

by Alexander Green

There's an old story about a man who walks by a construction site and sees workmen pushing wheelbarrows, each filled with an enormous stone.

He asks one what they're doing.

"What does it look like?" he says with a sneer. "Hauling rocks."

Unsatisfied with that answer, the passerby asks another construction worker the same question.

The workman doesn't bother looking up. "We're putting up a wall."

Frustrated, the man tries one last time. "I say there," he asks the next fellow, "can you tell me what you men are doing here?"

The workman puts down his wheelbarrow, wipes his forehead and says with a broad smile, "We're building a cathedral."

Here are three men, all doing the same job. One is hauling rocks. One is putting up a wall. One is building a cathedral.

This story says a lot about the attitude that each of us brings to our lives... or could if we were willing to change our perspective.

Want to put a touch of glory in your life? Find a way to change your perspective, to understand how what you do - in your home, in the workplace or for a charity - meets someone else's needs or improves their lives.

The choice is yours. You can haul rocks. You can put up walls. Or you can build a cathedral.

Santorum Wrong on Marriage

2012-01-20T18:39:00.000-05:00

He falsely claims the Obama administration told an abstinence education group they couldn't 'promote marriage.'

Read more

Pet Photo's

2012-01-20T18:34:00.001-05:00

Occupy Wall St - The Revolution Is Love

2012-01-20T18:31:00.001-05:00

2012-01-20T18:15:00.001-05:00

Yaba Daba Doooooooooo

2012-01-20T17:00:00.003-05:00

Vodka Cranberry Cooler
Serves 20| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 40m
Ingredients

* 4 12-ounce bags cranberries (fresh or frozen)
* 4 cups sugar
* 3 liters tonic water
* 1 liter vodka
* 1 cup fresh lime juice
* cream soda and ice, for serving

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer 3 cups of the cranberries to a large bowl, then strain the remaining syrup into the bowl; let cool.
2. Add the tonic water, vodka, and lime juice to the cranberry syrup. Serve over ice and top off with a splash of cream soda.

Today's Quote

2012-01-19T23:59:00.000-05:00

“You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you.”

-Eckhart Tolle

John Prine : Some Humans Aint Human

2012-01-19T21:45:00.000-05:00

Occupy protesters kicked off bus on way to Washington

2012-01-19T19:04:00.000-05:00

A group of Occupy protesters from California, who were heading to Washington, DC to participate in the Occupy Congress protest on January 17, were kicked off their Greyhound bus on Saturday night and left stranded in Amarillo, Texas.

The driver, Donald Ainsworth, allegedly called the Occupiers “you people” and told them they were not welcome in Washington or anywhere else. It is not clear whether there had been any precipitating incident.

Read more

How Obama's Long Game Will Outsmart His Critics

2012-01-19T19:00:00.000-05:00

The right calls him a socialist, the left says he sucks up to Wall Street, and independents think he's a wimp. Andrew Sullivan on how the president may just end up outsmarting them all.

12 Small Changes with Big Impact

2012-01-19T18:53:00.000-05:00

By Kathryn Williams

This year, why not take a more measured approach to a happier, healthier you? From your office to your bedroom to your car, these small changes can have a big impact.

Read more

2012-01-19T18:49:00.000-05:00

Mr. W

2012-01-19T18:43:00.000-05:00

Creative commercial. Can you guess what it’s for before it ends?

2012-01-19T18:42:00.000-05:00

Tree with sweater

Here's the joke....

2012-01-19T18:13:00.000-05:00

The high school coaches in St. Landry Parish Louisiana went to a coaches
retreat. To save money they had to room together. No one wanted to room
with coach Boudreaux because he snores so bad. They decide it's not fair
to make one of dem stay wit him the whole time so they vote to take turns.

Coach Fontenot sleeps wit him and he come to breakfast next morning hair
a mess, eyes all blood shot. They say, "Man, what happen to you?"

He say, "Man, that Boudreaux snore so loud, I watch him all night."

Next night coach Guidrys turn. In the morning, same thing - hair all standing
up, eyes all blood shot. They say, "Man, what happened to you? You look
awful!"

He say, "Man, no, that Boudreaux shake the roof. I watched him all night."

Third night, coach Doucet turn. Next morning he come to breakfast bright
eyed and bushy tailed. "Good morning you all."

They can't believe! They say, "Man, what happened?"

He say, "Well, we get ready for bed. I go and tuck Boudreaux into bed
and kiss him good night. He watch me all night."

2012-01-19T08:07:00.001-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

“I can live for two months on a good compliment.”

― Mark Twain

The Wayback Juke Box - 'The Soul Of A Man' - Blind Willie Johnson (1930) Gospel Blues Guitar Legend

2012-01-18T21:35:00.000-05:00

Johnson died penniless in the remains of a house that had burned down. He was blinded by his mother at the age of 7 when she threw lye in his face. In the face of that adversity he left us with a gorgeous collection of music.

Now one of his songs is hurling through space on Voyager along with other cultural introductions from Earth should it encounter other life forms. The lesson ~ it's always important to remember we never know the extent to which our lives and work effect others. Aim high.

Postage Going Up on Sunday, Jan. 22

2012-01-18T19:54:00.002-05:00

Beginning early next year, it will cost just a penny more to mail letters to any location in the United States, the first price change for First-Class Mail stamps (Forever stamps) in more than two and a half years. The new 45-cent price for Forever stamps is among price changes filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission today.

Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing, effective Jan. 22, 2012, include:

* Letters (1 oz.) – 1-cent increase to 45 cents
* Letters additional ounces – unchanged at 20 cents
* Postcards – 3-cent increase to 32 cents
* Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) – 5-cent increase to 85 cents.
* Letters to other international destinations – 7-cent increase to $1.05

Read more

2012-01-18T19:49:00.000-05:00

2012-01-18T19:48:00.000-05:00

I Am - Trailer

2012-01-18T19:45:00.000-05:00

Today's Blissful Place

2012-01-18T19:40:00.000-05:00

Here's the joke....

2012-01-18T19:34:00.000-05:00

A State Government Employee sits in his office and out of boredom, decides to see what's in his old filing cabinet. He pokes through the contents and comes across an old brass lamp. "This will look nice on my mantelpiece," he decides, and takes it home with him. While polishing the lamp, a genie appears and grants him three wishes. "I wish for an ice cold diet Pepsi right now!" He gets his Pepsi and drinks it. Now that he can think more clearly, he states his second wish. "I wish to be on an island where beautiful nymphomaniacs reside." Suddenly he is on an island with gorgeous females eyeing him lustfully. He tells the genie his third and last wish: "I wish I'd never have to work ever again." POOF! He's back in his government office.

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today's Quote

2012-01-17T23:59:00.000-05:00

“No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”

-Alan Watts

Tomorrow isn’t something you race towards in avoidance of today; it’s something you actively create by engaging in today.

Choose to be where you are. Be part of the group; get in the conversation; find joy where you can; and fully experience your hours. Only by embracing what is can you visualize what could be. Only by learning to value the moment can you appreciate the future when it’s here.

Drawing Tips

2012-01-17T21:00:00.001-05:00

Mediterranean Beef Pita Pizzas

2012-01-17T20:58:00.001-05:00

56% less sat fat • 28% less sodium than the original recipe—see the comparison. Fresh ingredients deliver big flavor in these delicious mini pizzas. The pita round crusts make prep work a snap!

Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:35 min
makes:4 servings

6 ounces lean ground beef or lamb
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
2 6-inch whole wheat pita bread rounds
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)
1/2 cup shredded fresh spinach
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese (1 ounce)
12 pitted kalamata or ripe olives, quartered

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a medium nonstick skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until meat is browned; drain off fat. Stir tomato sauce and rosemary into meat mixture in skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes.

2. Carefully split pita bread rounds in half horizontally; place pita halves, rough sides up, in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly toasted.

3. Top toasted pita bread with meat mixture; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven. Top with spinach, tomato, feta cheese, and olives.

Serve immediately.