I no longer subscribe to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. I would like to, but they have priced themselves out of my acceptable bracket. They have sent me some "offers" for a few months, but I do not see the point of subscribing for 3 months at a reasonable price and then being expected to continue at the exorbitant price.
So, I miss out on the news. I forget to check their online website. I try to watch the local news in the morning and evening, and even the "late night" version, which airs at 10 PM, and which I do not consider late night.
I subscribe daily to the headlines from The Austin Statesman and The New York Times. I try to log on regularly to the online version of The Greenfield Recorder, which is the newspaper for the home where I grew up, for the headlines, and to check the obituaries. This keeps me connected to my past.
For years and years, I used to check the obituaries in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. But even before I stopped taking the daily paper, I stopped checking the obituaries, probably in about 2008 or so. It was too depressing
I really enjoy the NPR news shows: "Morning Edition" http://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/ or "All Things Considered" http://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/ I usually listen to these during "drive time" going to and from work. Sometimes, I will turn on the radio at home to listen to something on NPR.
I am amazed about the way the news is presented. Sometimes a story I hear one day that is presented the next day by a different source as "fresh information." And, of course, it makes me less trustful of the source.
I have long said that I get much of my news from The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/. And, I do. If there is a major national or international story breaking, The Weather Channel will air it with a weather angle. And sometimes, that is not much of a stretch.
Sometimes, I feel like I am so on top of the news of the world. Sometimes, I feel that I am very isolated.
I hate that the news is depressing. But I want to keep apprised of what is happening in the world.
Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014
The World Wide Web
March 12, 1989 is celebrated as the birth of the World Wide Web, which makes it 25 years old, this year! Most of us did not realize it, but there was an Internet, and the military and large industries were using it, to share information and communication before this. I realize, for example, airlines were using computers many, many years ago.
But Tim Berners-Lee http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/03/12/inventor-celebrates-reflects-on-world-wide-webs-25th-anniversary/ had the vision, and WWW was born!
This has so changed the world, that someone who was in a coma in 1988, and woke up in 2014, would not recognize the world.
I got on the web in the mid 1990's. I remember watching the Today show in 1994, when the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Winter_Olympics were being played. NBC http://www.nbc.com/ was touting the use of the Internet, specifically Prodigy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodigy_(online_service) to show real time broadcasts of the Olympics. The connections were slow, frequently interrupted, and the quality was not very good, but the concept was so exciting.
I bought my first computer about 1994 or 1995. I did not know what all I could accomplish with it, but I had it. I had a dial up connection with Prodigy that was slow, disconnected frequently and was unstable and unreliable. After a while, I gave up. But then, I used AOL http://www.aol.com/ and although it was dial up, the connections were more stable and reliable.
After that, the Internet and WWW soared!
Now we have access at home, in WIFI hot spots, by cell phone, Tablets, IPods, IPhones, and so many other ways. We can have wireless networks at home. There is Internet access in many public places, many commercial and municipal places, even rest stops on highways, sometimes for free, sometimes for a subscription service.
I feel lost when I do not have regular access to the Internet.
When I was first connected, I liked being able to have email access to so many people who were also on the Internet.
But now, I most appreciate the ready access to information. I grew up perusing the World Book Encyclopedia just because I liked looking at the pictures and reading the information. Well, being an information junkie, you can imagine how I feel about the Internet: I can just look up whatever, whenever.
I do not have a smart phone. I can live without one. But sometimes I think I would so enjoy the use of the smart phone to access information "on the go."
I think eventually I will graduate to a smart phone, because the World Wide Web is so accessible by a smart phone.
What an exciting time we live in!
But Tim Berners-Lee http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/03/12/inventor-celebrates-reflects-on-world-wide-webs-25th-anniversary/ had the vision, and WWW was born!
This has so changed the world, that someone who was in a coma in 1988, and woke up in 2014, would not recognize the world.
I got on the web in the mid 1990's. I remember watching the Today show in 1994, when the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Winter_Olympics were being played. NBC http://www.nbc.com/ was touting the use of the Internet, specifically Prodigy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodigy_(online_service) to show real time broadcasts of the Olympics. The connections were slow, frequently interrupted, and the quality was not very good, but the concept was so exciting.
I bought my first computer about 1994 or 1995. I did not know what all I could accomplish with it, but I had it. I had a dial up connection with Prodigy that was slow, disconnected frequently and was unstable and unreliable. After a while, I gave up. But then, I used AOL http://www.aol.com/ and although it was dial up, the connections were more stable and reliable.
After that, the Internet and WWW soared!
Now we have access at home, in WIFI hot spots, by cell phone, Tablets, IPods, IPhones, and so many other ways. We can have wireless networks at home. There is Internet access in many public places, many commercial and municipal places, even rest stops on highways, sometimes for free, sometimes for a subscription service.
I feel lost when I do not have regular access to the Internet.
When I was first connected, I liked being able to have email access to so many people who were also on the Internet.
But now, I most appreciate the ready access to information. I grew up perusing the World Book Encyclopedia just because I liked looking at the pictures and reading the information. Well, being an information junkie, you can imagine how I feel about the Internet: I can just look up whatever, whenever.
I do not have a smart phone. I can live without one. But sometimes I think I would so enjoy the use of the smart phone to access information "on the go."
I think eventually I will graduate to a smart phone, because the World Wide Web is so accessible by a smart phone.
What an exciting time we live in!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Hydration
I have thought to write about this before, but honestly it is one of those things that I think I have done, but cannot find evidence that I have done. If this is a duplication, then please forgive me, especially if I expressed myself better in a previous blog.
Lubbock, Texas is considered a semi-arid region, but when the temperature climbs into the 90's and 100's, who are we kidding: this is the desert, especially in the years when the rains are below 15", our "average rainfall," which happens quite frequently. Of course, I have lived in Lubbock since 1977, and in the early years, the emphasis on human hydration was minimal, but has especially increased in the last 10 or so years. As we learn more and more about bodily functions, we learn more and more about the need for hydration. However, in the nutrition classes I attended in college in the early 1970's, and perhaps, even in junior high and high school, we knew to drink at least 8 8 oz glasses of water a day, minimally. That has been a standard for quite some time.
A few years ago, I visited family in Phoenix, Arizona in June or July. I was impressed that in the downtown area, around commercial buildings where pedestrians are expected, they had "hog misters" or hoses that misted the area to help keep pedestrians cool.
The first time I had experienced "hog misters" in a commercial setting was when I was married to Lisenby, and we made a trip to San Antonio. We went to "El Mercado" and the area was repleat with "hog misters." Of course, as with Phoenix, it was so hot that by the time you walked away from the areas affected by the misters, you were neither cool nor damp.
The other things about hydration in Phoenix that impressed me included that there were street vendors lined up along the pedestrian ways, selling ice cold bottled water, at reasonable prices. We went to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at Chase Field http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/ballpark/index.jsp, and there were all sorts of ice water vendors.
Additionally, we went wandering throught the malls or stores or whatever they call them in Phoenix, downtown, and even the high dollar gift, accessory and clothing stores had small refrigerators near the cash registers. They sold cold drinks, predominately water, but sodas as well. A store of that ilk in Lubbock would have a large, unfriendly sign on the door that said "No food or drink." I did not see that in Phoenix. It may exist, but I did not see that. Human safety prevailed over merchandise security, I hope.
This reflects the awareness of the importance of hydration of humans in the desert. Accomodations such as air conditioning make desert living possible. What is so sad is that in the north and east, so many poor people do not have air conditioning, and surviving a heat waves is not possible.
Partly, that is due to their not knowing how to survive in the heat: increased fluids, moving air, ice buckets in front of fans, decreased activity, and seeking air conditioned buildings when their homes are not air conditioned. But it is also in part due to their bodies not being acclimated to the heat. How can they be? This takes time and patience.
It is also due to their not having the resources to install air conditioning, or to seek an air conditioned venue, including because the heat has so weakened the person, they cannot reach out for help.
But ultimately, I believe hydratrion is the key. I think humans need to consume at least 64 oz.of water a day, more if the temperatures are in the 90s and 100s, and more if they are working physically in heat of 80° or more.
They need to pace themselves, take plenty of breaks that include fluid consumption, and watch for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. I think the reason these are not endemic problems in Phoenix compared to Chicago, is not because the poor in Phoenix necessarily have air conditioning (they may or may not) but because they understand how to survive the desert heat.
Ultimately, utimately, hydration is so important. Seek shade. Seek moving air. And hydrate.
Lubbock, Texas is considered a semi-arid region, but when the temperature climbs into the 90's and 100's, who are we kidding: this is the desert, especially in the years when the rains are below 15", our "average rainfall," which happens quite frequently. Of course, I have lived in Lubbock since 1977, and in the early years, the emphasis on human hydration was minimal, but has especially increased in the last 10 or so years. As we learn more and more about bodily functions, we learn more and more about the need for hydration. However, in the nutrition classes I attended in college in the early 1970's, and perhaps, even in junior high and high school, we knew to drink at least 8 8 oz glasses of water a day, minimally. That has been a standard for quite some time.
A few years ago, I visited family in Phoenix, Arizona in June or July. I was impressed that in the downtown area, around commercial buildings where pedestrians are expected, they had "hog misters" or hoses that misted the area to help keep pedestrians cool.
The first time I had experienced "hog misters" in a commercial setting was when I was married to Lisenby, and we made a trip to San Antonio. We went to "El Mercado" and the area was repleat with "hog misters." Of course, as with Phoenix, it was so hot that by the time you walked away from the areas affected by the misters, you were neither cool nor damp.
The other things about hydration in Phoenix that impressed me included that there were street vendors lined up along the pedestrian ways, selling ice cold bottled water, at reasonable prices. We went to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at Chase Field http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/ballpark/index.jsp, and there were all sorts of ice water vendors.
Additionally, we went wandering throught the malls or stores or whatever they call them in Phoenix, downtown, and even the high dollar gift, accessory and clothing stores had small refrigerators near the cash registers. They sold cold drinks, predominately water, but sodas as well. A store of that ilk in Lubbock would have a large, unfriendly sign on the door that said "No food or drink." I did not see that in Phoenix. It may exist, but I did not see that. Human safety prevailed over merchandise security, I hope.
This reflects the awareness of the importance of hydration of humans in the desert. Accomodations such as air conditioning make desert living possible. What is so sad is that in the north and east, so many poor people do not have air conditioning, and surviving a heat waves is not possible.
Partly, that is due to their not knowing how to survive in the heat: increased fluids, moving air, ice buckets in front of fans, decreased activity, and seeking air conditioned buildings when their homes are not air conditioned. But it is also in part due to their bodies not being acclimated to the heat. How can they be? This takes time and patience.
It is also due to their not having the resources to install air conditioning, or to seek an air conditioned venue, including because the heat has so weakened the person, they cannot reach out for help.
But ultimately, I believe hydratrion is the key. I think humans need to consume at least 64 oz.of water a day, more if the temperatures are in the 90s and 100s, and more if they are working physically in heat of 80° or more.
They need to pace themselves, take plenty of breaks that include fluid consumption, and watch for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. I think the reason these are not endemic problems in Phoenix compared to Chicago, is not because the poor in Phoenix necessarily have air conditioning (they may or may not) but because they understand how to survive the desert heat.
Ultimately, utimately, hydration is so important. Seek shade. Seek moving air. And hydrate.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The News
Until a few weeks ago, I was a subscriber to the local newspaper, the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. I am not sure when the last avalanche occurred in Lubbock, but the journal makes sense. When I moved to Lubbock in 1977, the Lubbock Avalanche and the Lubbock Journal were a morning and evening newspaper. I can not tell you when they merged into a morning edition only. But I can tell you that for most of the time that I have lived in Lubbock since 1977, I have been a newspaper subscriber.
The cost of the newspaper has skyrocketed. Last year, the cost was $130 or so. I thought it was too much, but I did like having the newspaper hard copy at home, and I used the newspaper for linings under the cat litter pans and food dishes.
This year, the price went up to $180. That was more than I wanted to spend. I will do something else to have underlinings for the cat pans and dishes.
It has felt very uncomfortable not to get the newspaper every day. I did not read it thoroughly, as did Lisenby, but I checked it out. Headlines, stories to my interest, events, sports, entertainment, puzzles and games.
For the last 10 or more years, I have not watched the local news. I have watched the Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/, and that is the site that gave me most of my news. In addition to the local newspaper, I did get headlines, online from The Austin Statesman and The New York Times. I also read the online version of The Recorder the newspaper for my hometown area, published out of Greenfield, Massachusetts.
So, with the end of my hard copy newspaper subscription, I have changed my habits and lifestyle. I watch the morning, evening, and sometimes night time news. I do not listen closely, but pay attention if a story means something to me. I get frustrated that something that I hear during the early evening news is presented not only in the late news, which I understand, but the next day's morning news, as if it is fresh information. But it is not. I think that is shoddy reporting.
During my drive time to and from work, I listen the the local NPR radio station: KTTZ. The Morning Edition and All Things Considered has wonderful news stories, in depth interest stories, and is generally of high quality.
I was visiting with co-workers today. I was amazed at their lack of local awareness about the news. So this makes me wonder. If they do not know about the local news, are they also unaware of the national news. Are they unaware of "The Sequester" that will impact all of our lives, mostly negatively. What else do they not known about that is happening in our world?
I thought I was not very aware or informed, but when I compare my awareness to my colleagues, I know A LOT!
The cost of the newspaper has skyrocketed. Last year, the cost was $130 or so. I thought it was too much, but I did like having the newspaper hard copy at home, and I used the newspaper for linings under the cat litter pans and food dishes.
This year, the price went up to $180. That was more than I wanted to spend. I will do something else to have underlinings for the cat pans and dishes.
It has felt very uncomfortable not to get the newspaper every day. I did not read it thoroughly, as did Lisenby, but I checked it out. Headlines, stories to my interest, events, sports, entertainment, puzzles and games.
For the last 10 or more years, I have not watched the local news. I have watched the Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/, and that is the site that gave me most of my news. In addition to the local newspaper, I did get headlines, online from The Austin Statesman and The New York Times. I also read the online version of The Recorder the newspaper for my hometown area, published out of Greenfield, Massachusetts.
So, with the end of my hard copy newspaper subscription, I have changed my habits and lifestyle. I watch the morning, evening, and sometimes night time news. I do not listen closely, but pay attention if a story means something to me. I get frustrated that something that I hear during the early evening news is presented not only in the late news, which I understand, but the next day's morning news, as if it is fresh information. But it is not. I think that is shoddy reporting.
During my drive time to and from work, I listen the the local NPR radio station: KTTZ. The Morning Edition and All Things Considered has wonderful news stories, in depth interest stories, and is generally of high quality.
I was visiting with co-workers today. I was amazed at their lack of local awareness about the news. So this makes me wonder. If they do not know about the local news, are they also unaware of the national news. Are they unaware of "The Sequester" that will impact all of our lives, mostly negatively. What else do they not known about that is happening in our world?
I thought I was not very aware or informed, but when I compare my awareness to my colleagues, I know A LOT!
Monday, December 17, 2012
My Most Important Credit Card
I am probably like many of you and have more than one credit card. I have one that I use the most, and reap the rewards from usage. I have one that I use when my primary card is not accepted.
I was at the library Saturday morning, fishing for my library card, and I realized that that is my most important "credit card." Think about it. A library card opens the world to us. It gives us the opportunity to travel in time and space. To meet new people, and revisit old friends. It gives us the chance to learn all sorts of things. It offers westerns, war stories, romances, mysteries, science fiction, and fantasy, to name a few genre. The Lubbock libraries used to have art work to check out (I do not know if they still do or not.) The Lubbock library has computers for public use and wi-fi is available for your own device. You can get ebooks from the library. You can get sound recordings, books on tape or CD. You can get videos and DVDs. If the Lubbock library system does not have a book, it can generally be found through the inter-library loan system. Until just recently, this was a free service. But, at $2.75, it is a bargain.
Do you have a credit card that provides you as much as my library card provides me?
Saturday, I was looking for a specific book, and could not find it at the Godeke Branch of the library. Tonight, I went to the Mahon branch, and immediately found the book for which I was looking. When I tried to check out, I could not find my library card. That was very disconcerting to me. It was like losing a real credit card. The librarian said they could check out the book using my driver's license. She was training someone, so while they were doing that, I continued to look, and sure enough, the library card was misplaced in my wallet. That was a relief.
But, the librarian also said that if I could not find my library card, they could cancel it and re-issue a new account. Just what a credit card company would do, if I lost my credit card (with a new account number, same as the library.)
Yes, indeed. My library card is my most important credit card.
I was at the library Saturday morning, fishing for my library card, and I realized that that is my most important "credit card." Think about it. A library card opens the world to us. It gives us the opportunity to travel in time and space. To meet new people, and revisit old friends. It gives us the chance to learn all sorts of things. It offers westerns, war stories, romances, mysteries, science fiction, and fantasy, to name a few genre. The Lubbock libraries used to have art work to check out (I do not know if they still do or not.) The Lubbock library has computers for public use and wi-fi is available for your own device. You can get ebooks from the library. You can get sound recordings, books on tape or CD. You can get videos and DVDs. If the Lubbock library system does not have a book, it can generally be found through the inter-library loan system. Until just recently, this was a free service. But, at $2.75, it is a bargain.
Do you have a credit card that provides you as much as my library card provides me?
Saturday, I was looking for a specific book, and could not find it at the Godeke Branch of the library. Tonight, I went to the Mahon branch, and immediately found the book for which I was looking. When I tried to check out, I could not find my library card. That was very disconcerting to me. It was like losing a real credit card. The librarian said they could check out the book using my driver's license. She was training someone, so while they were doing that, I continued to look, and sure enough, the library card was misplaced in my wallet. That was a relief.
But, the librarian also said that if I could not find my library card, they could cancel it and re-issue a new account. Just what a credit card company would do, if I lost my credit card (with a new account number, same as the library.)
Yes, indeed. My library card is my most important credit card.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Hurricane Isaac
Maybe I am being too picky, maybe I have too much time on my hands because I am on vacation, but not much appealed to me on television today. But, I have spent a lot of time watching The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ coverage of Isaac, which is just a tropical storm, but moving slowly, and causing its own share of havoc because of the wind and deluge of rain.
I think that the pressure is on for The Weather Channel. They missed the storm surge significance of Katrina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina in 2005. They down played the danger from Ike http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike in 2008, and like the Galveston Hurricane in 1900, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Galveston_hurricane, Ike was devastating to Galveston.
Unlike what happened in 2005 with Katrina, instead of waiting for the disaster and request for emergency services, the current plan is to put the emergency services in place ready to respond. Evacuations are being called for early.
The Army Corp of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil/ has re-developed levees and gates and expresses confidence that they will hold. As one of the forecasters has said, no matter how strong the gates and levees are, and no matter how well the pumps are working, if the storm stalls and drops enormous amounts of rain, the pumps will not be able to keep up.
The amount of effort, energy and money it takes to be prepared for a storm like this is unimaginable. But if all that saves one life, it is well worth it.
I think that the pressure is on for The Weather Channel. They missed the storm surge significance of Katrina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina in 2005. They down played the danger from Ike http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike in 2008, and like the Galveston Hurricane in 1900, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900_Galveston_hurricane, Ike was devastating to Galveston.
Unlike what happened in 2005 with Katrina, instead of waiting for the disaster and request for emergency services, the current plan is to put the emergency services in place ready to respond. Evacuations are being called for early.
The Army Corp of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil/ has re-developed levees and gates and expresses confidence that they will hold. As one of the forecasters has said, no matter how strong the gates and levees are, and no matter how well the pumps are working, if the storm stalls and drops enormous amounts of rain, the pumps will not be able to keep up.
The amount of effort, energy and money it takes to be prepared for a storm like this is unimaginable. But if all that saves one life, it is well worth it.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Cat Stories
I was late getting home tonight. Not too late, about 45 minutes. But the cats knew. Haiku and Taki were waiting at the garage door when I entered the house from the garage. I suspect they hear the garage door, so know to be waiting. I brought some items into the house with me, including refrigeratables, so took care of that first. Then I went through the bedroom, to the computer room. Haiku and Taki were waiting at their feeding station in the bedroom, but both dashed into the computer room behind me. Then, returned to the bedroom. So, I fed them quickly, then took care of the other cat chores, including feeding Sake.
Sake is not as anxious to be fed. She frequently checks out the food, then retires from the kitchen, only to return 10 or 20 minutes later to eat.
I have a walk in shower in one of the bathrooms of my house. I keep a bowl of water on the floor of the shower, for the cats. Three times tonight, when I went into that bathroom, Taki was sitting in the shower. I have no idea what that is about. I know she likes to bat the water bowl, moving it around. Is she trying to get cool on the tiles? Does she like being in a "cave?" (This brings to mind a question, how do cats cool themselves. I know that dogs pant, and exchange heat from their ears and the pads of their feet. Hmmm http://www.dwmtech.com/CATS/coolcats.htm or http://www.thecatsite.com/a/keeping-cats-cool.)
Sake is not as anxious to be fed. She frequently checks out the food, then retires from the kitchen, only to return 10 or 20 minutes later to eat.
I have a walk in shower in one of the bathrooms of my house. I keep a bowl of water on the floor of the shower, for the cats. Three times tonight, when I went into that bathroom, Taki was sitting in the shower. I have no idea what that is about. I know she likes to bat the water bowl, moving it around. Is she trying to get cool on the tiles? Does she like being in a "cave?" (This brings to mind a question, how do cats cool themselves. I know that dogs pant, and exchange heat from their ears and the pads of their feet. Hmmm http://www.dwmtech.com/CATS/coolcats.htm or http://www.thecatsite.com/a/keeping-cats-cool.)
Sunday, July 29, 2012
How Did I Know That?
At some time, I think in high school, I read the play "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett http://samuel-beckett.net/Waiting_for_Godot_Part1.html http://samuel-beckett.net/Waiting_for_Godot_Part2.html. I have certainly heard reference through the years.
In one of my puzzle books, there is a clue asking for the name of a play that a reviewer said "in which nothing happens, twice." I immediately thought of "Waiting for Godot." How did I know that. It has been years since I read the play. Once that also part of the discussion about the play? Have I heard that reference since?
How did I know that?
In one of my puzzle books, there is a clue asking for the name of a play that a reviewer said "in which nothing happens, twice." I immediately thought of "Waiting for Godot." How did I know that. It has been years since I read the play. Once that also part of the discussion about the play? Have I heard that reference since?
How did I know that?
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Purslane
Several years ago, I recognized one of the weeds in my lawn as purslane http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/purslane.htm. I recall reading novels, maybe the China Bayles series, where purslane is mentioned. I am also thinking it is mentioned in some books set in England.
Purslane is a succulent, and it grows very well in the dead lawns around here. As it ages, it turns red.
At dinner Thursday night, one of the gentleman present talked about purslane as an edible plant. Like dandeloins, the greens can be eaten raw or cooked. He mentioned purslane is a good source of Omega - 3 fatty acid.
So, I was curious. I checked several links, including the one above, and discovered he was correct. So Saturday evening, I harvested a bowl of purslane, and sautéd it in some bacon drippings. I have been buying greens at the deli lately, but did not this week. So, I had greens from my yard. I washed it before eating it, but like most greens, unless you wash it two or three times very well, it is a little gritty. That can be resolved. Today, when I ate some, I added some powdered onion. I think the next time I cook purslane, I will add the usual onion and garlic that so many of my recipes start with.
Purslane is a succulent, and it grows very well in the dead lawns around here. As it ages, it turns red.
At dinner Thursday night, one of the gentleman present talked about purslane as an edible plant. Like dandeloins, the greens can be eaten raw or cooked. He mentioned purslane is a good source of Omega - 3 fatty acid.
So, I was curious. I checked several links, including the one above, and discovered he was correct. So Saturday evening, I harvested a bowl of purslane, and sautéd it in some bacon drippings. I have been buying greens at the deli lately, but did not this week. So, I had greens from my yard. I washed it before eating it, but like most greens, unless you wash it two or three times very well, it is a little gritty. That can be resolved. Today, when I ate some, I added some powdered onion. I think the next time I cook purslane, I will add the usual onion and garlic that so many of my recipes start with.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Blogging on Vacation
I actually returned home yesterday after a 6 day vacation. While I was away, I wrote some blogs, and they will eventually by posted, but I chose not to post while I was away, if it had anything to do with being away.
I think we put too much private information on line and people know too much about our lives. I did not want anyone who chose to look on line to know I was away, for the safety of my home.
But, now I am back!
I think we put too much private information on line and people know too much about our lives. I did not want anyone who chose to look on line to know I was away, for the safety of my home.
But, now I am back!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Weather Chasers
There is a winter storm brewing in the North Mid-West, and moving to the East. The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/ storm chasers are out and about. Their verbal reports seem to reflect an excitement that leads me to believe that they relish the opportunity to get out and report on these storms.
I can understand. Storm chasing is an adventure that can be almost or truly risky behavior. Any storm can be dangerous. Add to that, storms contribute to a charged atmosphere, even if an electric storm is not involved. The whipping wind, the heavy fog, the blinding snow can all add to a sense of excitement and/or mystery. Crashing waves, flying debris, slashing rain can create a sense of havoc and danger. These are but some of the weather phenomenon that contribute to the emotional sense of the adventure.
Last winter, there were a LOT of storms. This winter, there have been few, so far. But that could change.
And, there have already been tornadoes this year, although it is early for tornadoes.
I am grateful for the weather predicters. They may not always be accurate, or even correct, but they give us what warnings they can to help us to prepare for severe weather.
I can understand. Storm chasing is an adventure that can be almost or truly risky behavior. Any storm can be dangerous. Add to that, storms contribute to a charged atmosphere, even if an electric storm is not involved. The whipping wind, the heavy fog, the blinding snow can all add to a sense of excitement and/or mystery. Crashing waves, flying debris, slashing rain can create a sense of havoc and danger. These are but some of the weather phenomenon that contribute to the emotional sense of the adventure.
Last winter, there were a LOT of storms. This winter, there have been few, so far. But that could change.
And, there have already been tornadoes this year, although it is early for tornadoes.
I am grateful for the weather predicters. They may not always be accurate, or even correct, but they give us what warnings they can to help us to prepare for severe weather.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Sound of Music
I love the movie The Sound of Music. It is one of my favorites. When I was in junior high, I remember reading a book about the Von Trappe family singers. I do not recall the name of the book, but it was a great story. I grew up in New England, and wanted to get to Stowe, Vermont to see the Von Trappe family lodge http://www.trappfamily.com/, but it never happened.
Some years ago, I was introduced to the original broadway cast recording of the music of the musical. I actually like it better than the movie sound track. There are several songs on the broadway cast recording that did not appear in the movie, that actually provide strong political and social statements: How Can Love Survive; No Way to Stop It; An Ordinary Couple.
The songs How Can Love Survive and An Ordinary Couple discourse the fact that the Baroness and the Captain are financially wealthy and privileged and expect that their privileged life will give them grace and ease. It gives the listener a larger understanding of why this family's escape from Austria was so imperious.
No Way to Stop It is about the fact that there is a sense of not being able to stop the Nazi regime. It is a very strong contrast between the Captain's desire not to be subjugated to the Nazis and the Baroness' desire to just fit in.
Until I heard the original Broadway cast recording of the music of the musical, I did not understand how strong the political statement of this musical was. It is unfortunate that the move watered this down, but what makes movies commercially successful, especially in 1965 , is what it is.
Some years ago, I was introduced to the original broadway cast recording of the music of the musical. I actually like it better than the movie sound track. There are several songs on the broadway cast recording that did not appear in the movie, that actually provide strong political and social statements: How Can Love Survive; No Way to Stop It; An Ordinary Couple.
The songs How Can Love Survive and An Ordinary Couple discourse the fact that the Baroness and the Captain are financially wealthy and privileged and expect that their privileged life will give them grace and ease. It gives the listener a larger understanding of why this family's escape from Austria was so imperious.
No Way to Stop It is about the fact that there is a sense of not being able to stop the Nazi regime. It is a very strong contrast between the Captain's desire not to be subjugated to the Nazis and the Baroness' desire to just fit in.
Until I heard the original Broadway cast recording of the music of the musical, I did not understand how strong the political statement of this musical was. It is unfortunate that the move watered this down, but what makes movies commercially successful, especially in 1965 , is what it is.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Rumors and Gossip
At work today, some of my coworkers and I were talking, and somehow, my interest in kayaking was addressed. One of my coworkers commented that another coworker (not present) and I enjoy the same interest. The way the comment was made, it almost sounded as if we went kayaking together. I acknowledged the shared interest, but was quick to point out we have never been kayaking together. We got a good laugh, as two of the coworkers present admitted they assumed that I had been kayaking with the kayaking coworker.
We all agreed, laughingly, that this is how rumors get started. And, it is true.
We all agreed, laughingly, that this is how rumors get started. And, it is true.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Disconnected
I watched a 3 hour DVD tonight. I took a break about half way through, to feed cats and do some chores. Sometimes, when I am watching DVDs or videos, I feel disconnected. I guess if I am watching TV, and something serious happens in the world, at the very least, a cable channel will have a scroll on the bottom. That is not true, of course, but I have a sense it might happen.
I do not watch the news, although I get the Lubbock Avalanche Journal and read several newspaper headlines on line. I get most of my news from The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ .
I do not want to watch the news, but I do not want to be isolated or disconnected from the world.
I do not watch the news, although I get the Lubbock Avalanche Journal and read several newspaper headlines on line. I get most of my news from The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ .
I do not want to watch the news, but I do not want to be isolated or disconnected from the world.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Best Deal in Town
Years ago, I remember reading a story in a magazine, I think maybe The Reader's Digest, about someone moving to Alaska from the lower 48 states. This person did some comparison shopping and discovered that mailing household goods by the United States Post Office https://www.usps.com/ was the best deal they could get.
I sometimes use private shipping companies, especially when I am shipping over-sized boxes (which may most frequently occur at Christmas time), but most often, I use the United States Post Office.
I have heard all the derision about the USPS. I have heard the complaints about poor service, lost mail, "going postal", limited access and hours, and the occasional dishonest employee. But really, when you think about the amount of product that this agency handles, daily, the few problems that this agency experiences pale in comparison. Where else can you get regular home delivery? And, the truth be known, sometimes mis-addressed mail actually gets delivered correctly, anyway.
I bemoan the rate hikes, as does everyone else. I use electronic funds transfer through my bank to pay many of my bills. I send email greetings instead of snail mail, with maybe the exception of greeting cards for special occasions. But, if the USPS was not there, I would really miss it.
I frequently purchase books, and mail books or media. The rates for this type of mail or phenomenally inexpensive!
For rapid service, priority mail rates are a little high, but insure rapid delivery, if needed.
I appreciate that I have a post office in my neighborhood. I am flattered that the weekday clerks do not ask me for identification, as they all recognize me as a regular customer. The weekday clerks at this post office are very pleasant and friendly. Sometimes, the weekend clerks unwittingly belie the fact that they do not want to be working on Saturday; I can not fault them for that, except that it goes with the territory, and they signed on for the territory.
The regular mail carrier for my neighborhood knows who I am by sight. He frequently exchanges greetings and pleasantries when I am home and he is delivering mail. Although I do not know him personally, I feel he is a very positive, neighborly ambassador for the USPS.
The USPS services have changed over the years: they now offer packing supplies and even sell greeting cards in the lobby locations in Lubbock. They have a kit to help if you move.
On line, you can purchase postage, either stamps, or for packages. You can check zip codes, and get a lot of other services, including tracking mail.
The USPS is where a citizen goes to apply for a passport. My experience with this process was positive.
So, all things considered, I think the USPS is one of the best deals in town.
I sometimes use private shipping companies, especially when I am shipping over-sized boxes (which may most frequently occur at Christmas time), but most often, I use the United States Post Office.
I have heard all the derision about the USPS. I have heard the complaints about poor service, lost mail, "going postal", limited access and hours, and the occasional dishonest employee. But really, when you think about the amount of product that this agency handles, daily, the few problems that this agency experiences pale in comparison. Where else can you get regular home delivery? And, the truth be known, sometimes mis-addressed mail actually gets delivered correctly, anyway.
I bemoan the rate hikes, as does everyone else. I use electronic funds transfer through my bank to pay many of my bills. I send email greetings instead of snail mail, with maybe the exception of greeting cards for special occasions. But, if the USPS was not there, I would really miss it.
I frequently purchase books, and mail books or media. The rates for this type of mail or phenomenally inexpensive!
For rapid service, priority mail rates are a little high, but insure rapid delivery, if needed.
I appreciate that I have a post office in my neighborhood. I am flattered that the weekday clerks do not ask me for identification, as they all recognize me as a regular customer. The weekday clerks at this post office are very pleasant and friendly. Sometimes, the weekend clerks unwittingly belie the fact that they do not want to be working on Saturday; I can not fault them for that, except that it goes with the territory, and they signed on for the territory.
The regular mail carrier for my neighborhood knows who I am by sight. He frequently exchanges greetings and pleasantries when I am home and he is delivering mail. Although I do not know him personally, I feel he is a very positive, neighborly ambassador for the USPS.
The USPS services have changed over the years: they now offer packing supplies and even sell greeting cards in the lobby locations in Lubbock. They have a kit to help if you move.
On line, you can purchase postage, either stamps, or for packages. You can check zip codes, and get a lot of other services, including tracking mail.
The USPS is where a citizen goes to apply for a passport. My experience with this process was positive.
So, all things considered, I think the USPS is one of the best deals in town.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Newspaper Articles
I work in a psychiatric prison, and there are many restrictions placed on the employees. One is that most employees do not have access to the Internet. For various reasons which I will not delve into here, I do. I have always felt this was a responsibility, and before all staff had access to the Texas Tech Announcements sight, I read it daily, and forwarded on anything I thought might be of interest to others with whom I work.
Now, I often print out articles that related to the state budget, how the budget effects state employees, and issues regarding inmates, and working in prisons. I was not sure if anyone cared about these articles.
Recently, I was on vacation, and upon my return, a couple of coworkers told me they missed not having the articles printed and available for staff to read. They said they appreciated them, and felt like other staff also came to read these articles.
We sometimes do not know how our actions effect others. I am always appreciative when someone tells me something I do has a positive impact.
Now, I often print out articles that related to the state budget, how the budget effects state employees, and issues regarding inmates, and working in prisons. I was not sure if anyone cared about these articles.
Recently, I was on vacation, and upon my return, a couple of coworkers told me they missed not having the articles printed and available for staff to read. They said they appreciated them, and felt like other staff also came to read these articles.
We sometimes do not know how our actions effect others. I am always appreciative when someone tells me something I do has a positive impact.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)