1718 I must have lied somewhere along the way

Or maybe I guessed. This really doesn't sound like the way I cook. I like that funny gal with dark hair who's been on Oprah and the one who starts with all the convenience food and comes up with something terrific. I've never even seen this guy. Tonight we're having pizza from that shop up the street.


Which Food Network chef are you?
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I saw this at Jenna's blog.

1717 Escaping prison in a garbage truck

When an Ohio Penitentiary resident escaped back in the 70s, we got a phone call from the warden. We were on his visitation list--in fact, he was a few weeks from being paroled and had planned to live with us. But cupid struck, and he escaped with the lady from the casket company in the O.P.'s garbage truck.

So as I was watching the news accounts of Jimmy Causey and Johnny Brewer escaping a South Carolina prison today in the garbage truck, I thought about our experience. Our guy was on the lam a bit longer than those two, who apparently were caught when they got hungry and ordered a pizza. The delivery person recognized them and called the police. Our guy (and his lady friend) drove to central Indiana and he got a job in a bar. He was such a good employee and so trusted by the owner, that he made the night bank deposits (he was doing time for breaking and entering, in the night season, with a gun). I think he wasn't caught for nearly a year, and only because he came back to Ohio to visit his mother, and someone recognized him.

Stolen angel

Sometime after 1986, thieves entered this cemetery in Elwood, Indiana, and stole the family angel. A couple of generations of Bruces are buried near by. If you see a marble angel in someone's garden, be suspicious, very suspicious. We're looking for it.



Casselman Bruce family home, Elwood, Indiana

1715 The Bill Gates Malaria Gift

It was sad to see on ABC News two nights ago the news of the Bill and Melinda Gates gift to develop drugs to fight malaria. Yes, thousands of Africans die of malaria every day, but those deaths are unnecessary. Until Americans were duped by Rachel Carson's misinformation, good progress was being made against this terrible disease. Since 1972 when the EPA banned its use, millions have died needlessly. This "do-gooder" impulse we Americans have has killed more Africans than the infamous slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries. Even if this experimental vaccine works, it won't be ready for another five years, which means many more years of death for Africans. ABC never even mentioned there is another option. Malaria was well under control from the 1940s-1970s. And now without the spraying of homes, it has emerged again in the last 30 years as a killer. It was completely unnecessary.

DDT for malaria control

1714 Men drivers--what babies!

The white pick up came from behind and roared around me this morning as I turned right on red, after making sure I had a clear distance--it was dark and foggy. I always immediately get in the left lane, because if I don't, it is impossible to turn left at the next light which actually has two left turn lanes, but a lot of traffic. I've seen many accidents at that intersection. So he was passing me on the right. I looked over (you can always tell a mad driver by their juvenile attention-getting tire-screeching and loud rhumphhh rhumphh) and he gave me the finger. So I figured when I got up to the light, I'd pull right up next to him (knowing we'd get there at the same time) and give him one of my best poached egg looks--I'm good at that--although smiling and waving can be good too. The idiot. He was mad because I was in HIS LANE from which he wanted to make an illegal U-turn. So when he did that, he gave me the finger AGAIN, like I was to blame because he was late for work. Even with a time change and gaining an hour's sleep, he can't get it together. Such a baby.

1713 Do you really mean this?

Today I noticed a letter where the writer was describing the wonderful attributes of Janice Rogers Brown, the black judge many of us would have preferred to Alito:

“When you read her speeches, it becomes crystal clear that she is worth fighting for, to go to the mattresses for, to the very end.”

I think he meant “go to the mat” not mattress.

But upon checking, I learned this mangled cliche is not that uncommon.

1712 Where did the WMD Intel come from?

The Anchoress knows.

“In 1998, the US was certain that Saddam Hussein was acquiring and developing WMD, and that he posed a credible threat. The president said it. His party said it. The opposition party agreed. The press said it. England said it. Israel said it. France said it. China and Russia said it. EVERYONE said it. EVERYONE accepted it. These were the intelligence reports, and everyone found them believable.

No one acted on them, but no one declared they were false, either. While some cynics suggested that the American President’s focus on the WMD was some “dog wagging” to distract attention from an uncomfortable scandal, no one seriously entertained a notion that Saddam Hussein did NOT have WMD. Everyone believed it to be true. Or at least said they believed it. Read her entire rundown of the run up to the war and what the Democrats said before Bush became President and acted on their recommendations and beliefs.”

So why are they so huffy and trying to make the Libby case into something? Why are they acting like they've speeded up the Phase 2 report? It was due already.

1711 Please don't feed the birds

Scotts Miracle Gro is expanding into the bird seed business. This is bad for the small niche pet food companies, but it's even worse for the birds. Now, if you Google the topic, backyard feeder + disease you'll find a lot of fence sitting, about the importance of keeping the feeders clean, the water fresh, not trying to treat sick birds. But let's use a little common sense. Feeders attract birds of all species who normally wouldn't get together and spread their viruses or parasites. Feeders discourage birds from eating insects, seeds and berries, their natural diet that helps our environment. They attrack skunks and raccoons and squirrels, just so you can sit in your kitchen and watch them squabble over some feed.

If the avian flu does comes around, I'm betting you'll see a change in the advice columns. People are already discouraged from feeding ducks around here. The Canada geese now never go home. Honk. Honk. Why fly south when Columbusites make it so comfortable to stay, or north in the summer. Signs are posted along the river and ponds instructing people not to do this, but many still do. Generations of mallards and geese have forgotten how to forage, plus they leave their feces everywhere in the park you might want to walk.

Be kind; don't feed the birds.

1710 What to do with your rotting pumpkins

Susie Sunshine is blogging at the Underpaid Kept Woman, and wow, did she have a bunch of pumpkins and some great ideas for composting them to get back at a nasty neighbor.

1709 Peter Eisenmen is back

in town to inspect the renovation of the disaster he designed (opened 1989) a little over 15 years ago. The Wexner Center didn't work from the get-go and the $15.8 million upgrade (on our dime) should be laid at the feet of the review committee that selected this design from a competition that would have served our campus better with a far more practical and beautiful building suited for our climate and geography.

The Wexner Center leaked like a sieve from the beginning; art objects had to be protected from the sharply angled glass that let in way too much sunlight; and the wall and halls could induce nausea in the casual visitor causing disorientation from the angles and slopes and dangerous missteps from oddly spaced stair risers.




Eisenmen says he takes full responsibility for its short comings (but not its ugliness). But sir, you left me the bill for your manic phase.

The article in today's Columbus Dispatch doesn't mention that Eiseman also designed our Convention Center on the site of the glorious Union Station. It resembles a bunch of box cars in a train accident.

1708 Worst economy in 70 years

Remember that slogan from October 2004? I think it was the Kerry Kampaign. And here it keeps improving despite the hurricanes and high oil prices (gasoline is about $2.20 here in Columbus).

"U.S. economic growth sped up in the third quarter despite the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with consumer spending remaining strong as inflation pressures appeared to gather some steam.

The Commerce Department said Friday that gross domestic product grew at a seasonally adjusted 3.8% annual rate in July through September. The increase was driven by consumer spending and inventory changes and offset by slower growth in exports, housing investments and local government spending, the report said. GDP grew at a rate of 3.3% in the second quarter." WSJ Oct. 28

The economy will really improve when the current administration starts reining in some spending.

1707 Norma's new blog

It's been awhile since I started a blog. Today I created a new blog called Memory Patterns. I sort of got the idea from looking at scanned sewing patterns on other sites. I decided to try to match the patterns with old photos with old memories floating through my head and see what I came up with. Should be fun. Actually, I think I sold a lot of my patterns at garage sales or traded them, or gave them away. Gosh, wish I hadn't, 'cause this could be fun.

Here's an idea. Match the sewing pattern of a dress I made for my daughter to her school photo. Then tell the story of the fabric which was also used for a king size bedspread I made and my husband's ugly tie contest at the office (I also made the tie). From there I could go into other frugal ideas I had in the 70s. What do you think?


I would have used the fabric requirements for view B size 7, the jeans top, although I made the dress, so would have used 7/8 instead of 3/4 of a yard. Suggested fabrics were lightweight cotton, muslin, seersucker, polished cotton, gingham, challis, surah, and cotton knits. The dress had a back zipper with puffed sleeves with eleastic casings and a front yoke with vent. I think I made several of these, but the bedspread print seems to be the only one that will live in our memories, and albums.

The copyright date on this pattern is 1973, which means I probably made it when my daughter was in second grade. She's probably smiling like that because some teeth are missing.

1706 SCOTUS Blog roundup

SCOTUS blog has a roundup of the blogging going on about Alito. I won't repeat it here. Just go read it.

1705 The world is different now

it's harder. Nonsense! That was a line in a WSJ story today (Nov.1) about the economic woes of a recent college grad who landed his dream job. But he's taken a second job at $9 an hour at the Best Buy so he can save up for a better apartment, pay off some college loans, and add to his DVD collection. I give him credit for paying off loans, and not hitting Dad up for some extra cash, but really, is this the best hard knocks story they can come up with? Try cutting back on your desires and living on your income. That's good advice for the federal government too. The Bush administration has never seen a program it didn't like. They can cut our taxes all they want, and I appreciate that, but the government needs to tighten its belt and stop throwing money at problems the citizens should be solving.

And btw, that $9 an hour job at Best Buy might be someone else's dream job, and if Mr. 60-Hours-a-Week-College-Grad has scarfed it up, he's hurting someone else.

1704 Tiny transactions for your credit card

On my way to the coffee shop this morning I heard an ad by American Express for using its credit card--saline solution (one cheery voice), pack of gum (another voice), groceries (yet another voice). I was shocked. Couldn't imagine asking people to make such poor credit choices. Then I read in today's Wall Street Journal that credit card companies are in fact going after our loose change. Even parking meters and juke boxes will now accept credit cards. I've never paid a credit card fee--never have had a balance to carry over.

1703 Looking for boomer-bloggers

As you can see from my links, I haven't been terribly successful in linking to the over 50 crowd. I know they are out there--after all, the oldest baby boomer is now 60 and there's a whole bunch more coming up that want to look good for their grandchildren. Some of my over-50 are in other linkages, like Homespun Bloggers, and usually I don't link twice. Some, like Murray, are shy, quiet and soft spoken and rarely post (joke alert). Others, like Eric, are just so busy enjoying retirement/consulting that they only occasionally post. Mr. Cloud, a retired Canadian school teacher, stays very busy and his blog is a popular meeting ground to chat and look at photos, and Bonita always has carefully researched things to offer. Now I've added Randy Kirk, who bless him, has three blogs. He's also a writer and an entrepreneur and a Christian, so he fits well in my links.

1702 Do you buy a book to look good?

Me either. Never do that. I buy so many books I never read, but my intentions are good. The books you see me with in public are the ones I'm actually reading. When I was reading "The purpose driven life" I met many new people. Now, we didn't become fast friends--just conversed awhile in the coffee shop. And when I was reading "Amazing Grace, 366 inspiring hymn stories," people did stop and chat about that one too. When I see people reading books in public I sometimes stand on my head trying to read the spine title.

This is only part of the problem

On the left is religion, theology and Bibles; in the center is family, genealogy, yearbooks, and cookbooks too tall for the kitchen, plus magazines up at the top I want to keep guarded by a little figurine I painted when I was 10 years old; on the right are books about books, about magazines, poetry, literature, reference works and finances. Current fiction is all in another room since I don't read in my office. My antique books (parents' and grandparents' and great grandparents' books) are in the upstairs hall shelves, and my don't-fit anywhere books are in my husband's office because a previous owner built humungous shelves in that room. And then behind those cabinet doors below the shelving are paper supplies and file boxes of old stuff I'll probably never read again but can't give up. I've been writing almost all my life, so you can imagine what came before six blogs.

1701 Ohio's heroine, Erma Bombeck

In case you were hoping to attend the Erma Bombeck Humor Workshop in Dayton next year, sorry, it was sold out after 12 days. In addition to Dave Barry and W. Bruce Cameron, instructors include columnists Mary McCarty of the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, Susan Reinhardt of The Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times, Craig Wilson of USA Today, Dave Lieber of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and self-syndicators Gordon Kirkland and Jodie Lynn, among others. Tim Bete, a humor columnist, is the director of the workshop.

"The 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop sold out in 12 days. Three hundred writers from 43 states and Canadian provinces plan to attend. An additional 60 writers are already on the waiting list. We're investigating the possibility of recording some of the workshop sessions and will let you know if we move ahead with it." Newsletter

I wonder if Jinky signed up. For a dog, he's pretty funny.

1700 The debate about blogs

On Fox News this morning (before 6 a.m. so it may have been from yesterday) they are having a debate about Forbes article on blogs.

Here's the funniest line in the article: " "It's not like journalism, where your reputation is ruined if you get something wrong. In the blogosphere people just move on. It's scurrilous," Grantham says." How often does that happen?

I'm guessing we'll see a full court press from the regular media sources about the pitfalls of reading and writing blogs. Especially if blogs pressure them to be honest and report sources, something that should be learned in journalism school. And especially if they start cutting into profits.

1699 Funnel cakes get fatter as you move westward

Sal took her child to Busch Gardens for the final week-end to ride the roller coasters and on the way out they stopped for funnel cake. Her photo was yummy, so I decided to look it up--just to see how bad fair food can be.

The first site I found said, 250 calories, then the next said 320, then 380, and so forth. Finally, I got to the Iowa State Fair and got this bad news--out there it is 800 calories and 40 grams of fat:

“The numbers were astronomical, high enough to turn the stomach of even the most committed fair diner. Everybody’s traditional Iowa State Fair favorite, the “corn dog” – that delectable treat of a hotdog wrapped in cornbread batter and then deep fat fried and eaten on a stick – 700 calories and 40 grams of fat!

The funnel cake, 800 calories and 70 grams of fat. Candy bar on a stick, 800 calories and 40 grams of fat. Nachos with cheese, 900 calories and 35 grams of fat. And, lest anyone be so foolish as to think he could slide by with a turkey drumstick, oh no! That drumstick was reported to have an entire day’s worth of calories at 1,400, not to mention its 60 grams of fat.” Offenburger.com