Sarah Palin vs Joe Biden

Let’s see now.  As recently as 12 hours ago, there was a political ad running “approved by John McCain” that attacked Obama’s experience.  Sarah Palin may be many talented things, but, part-time mayor of a city of roughly 5500 people before becoming governor of Alaska 18 months doens’t strike me as a seasoned veteran, either.  My only [...]

Collecting Quarters

The release of the State Quarters has only a few more to go.  The end of the run is fast approaching.  In 1998, and most of 1999, commercials saturated the airways.  Challenges to “Order your collector’s album now!” were running constantly.  The album I ordered for $19.99 is almost full.  
Truthfully, my interest has waned.  Each already released coin’s slot [...]

Slow Rain is like Slow Dancing

Rainy days are the exact opposite of stormy days.  Rainy days are calming, soothing, relaxing–like a  much anticipated slow dance.  Stormy days are full of angst, tension and worry.  Rainy days are for glancing out the window, watching the shades of green emerge as the dust is washed away.  Stormy days bring branches crashing to the [...]

Trivia Quiz

Which appeared first in American buildings:  elevators or escalators?
Was the first motel built in Florida, California or Michigan?
Will you find sweepers and strikers on a soccer team or a bowling team?
Was the name Xerox derived from the Greek for wet or dry?
Which came first:  the battery or the flashlight?

Check the comment box for the correct answers.

Human Nature

Listening to the radio today while driving home, many of the commentaries about the upcoming Democratic and Republican conventions focused on the battle lines that have been drawn between the various religious factions and whom each type has chosen to support. 
My first problem with all this posturing is, that at my last understanding of the tenents [...]

Love the Google Art

Recently, search engine Google has been decorating its banner page with some really interesting artwork.  This batch has been continuous for the Olympics, changing as the events in Beijing unfold.  Throughout the year, other special occassions such as national and secular holidays like July 4th and Christmas, and, popular fun celebrations such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day have also been duly marked.  
The [...]

Minted Cantaloupe Dessert Soup

Reflecting on the dry heat of this August day, visions of something cool and sweet comes to mind.  A visit to the creamery for an ice cream cone is one possibility, but it’s one more stop, and it’s so out-of-the-way to get to the stand….  Hopefully, your pantry is well-stocked, but if not, a trip to the grocery store was on the [...]

Routine

Having just returned from an annual job-related conference, the weekend has provided the downtime needed to ease back into a routine.  Several days before leaving, the preoccupation of making sure the cat had enough food for the week, the right clothes were clean and pressed, the grass was cut–you get the idea–changed the automatic patterns that are [...]

Potato Primer

The recipe calls for potatoes.  You are standing in the produce aisle looking at all the options.  If only the potato producers would do their customers an additional service by printing what is the recommended use of the variety in hand.  There are many varieties of potatoes, and what is good for your roasted goose might not [...]

Potato Leek Soup

Scrub 3 medium-size russet potatoes.  Peel if desired and cut into 1-inch chunks.  place in a soup pot or dutch oven with 3 cups chopped, cleaned leeks, 1 medium-size rib chopped celery, 1 large chopped carrot, 3 medium-size peeled garlic cloves, 6 cups water and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste.  Bring to a boil, then [...]