2181 Good people, good results

If he wrote the book on hiring, it wouldn't be very long. He tells me the new hires (bakers) start at $12/hour and get 2 raises a year. He just had an awards banquet honoring his bakers for step-up longevity, one year, five years, seven years, etc. He told me the industry turn over is 90%, but for his people it is 35%. They have to be self-starters, able to work without supervision (work at night), and hard workers. Good people. Good results. It's so simple, isn't it?

hiring
human resources

2180 Today's effort

Last week, actually the last two weeks, I was working on a hockey painting in my Friday workshop that really didn't work out. Looked like a paint-by-number by a 5 year old. Today I tried "Duckling," copying an oil painting by Jay Johnson in the book "Keys to painting fur and feathers." This book has many nice animal studies. But I've often wondered when I use these books why so few cats and dogs and so many parrots and deer and grizzlies? I mean, which are we more like to have around us to enjoy and study? I would love to find a really good "How to paint cats" book with studies that didn't look like cartoons or lab specimens.



My husband has done some beautiful watercolors this week. Because he is an architect he's particularly good with barns, but likes to stretch a bit, and did a nice study of our son fishing off the dock at Lakeside.

watercolor
painting animals

2179 Friday Feast

This is a re-run, according to the list owner, but I haven't done one for awhile.

Appetizer
If you were a color, which color would you be, and why?
Alizarin Crimson. It's bright and transparent.

Soup
When was the last time you went to the doctor, and what was your reason for going?
Yesterday. Annual check up. I'm very healthy, but broad band internet is broadening more than just my horizons.

Salad
What do you collect?
I collect premiere issues of magazines, and write about it at In the Beginning. It is very hard for me to pass a magazine stand.

Main Course
What were you like in high school? Name one thing you miss and one thing you don't miss about those days. (If you're still there, imagine how you'll remember it in the future.)
I haven't changed much since kindergarten. Social. Opinionated. Very good student with A grades. Avoided joining lots of activities, but I played 1st chair trombone and sang in various choruses. Worked during afterschool hours. Dated a lot. Active in church. There is nothing I miss about high school, although it was not terrible, I much prefer being an adult.

Dessert
Pretend you're standing in front of your home, with your back towards your home. Describe the view - what can you see? Trees? Cars? A zoo? Wal-Mart?
I see the other units in our condo complex, which in the beginning all looked alike to me, but now I see wide variations. No matter where I've lived in the last 40 years, there are always repair, service or remodeling trucks parked on the streets or in the drive-ways.

Friday Feast

2178 Redevelopment Trifecta

It's tough to bring jobs to a poor neighborhood. Eric Stevenson's new Wendy's on Columbus' east side hasn't opened yet and he has 300 applicants for 45 positions. It has taken three years and $80,000 in legal fees, according to today's Mike Harden column to get to the March 5 opening.

He had to meet the standards of

• The Long Street Business Association
  
• Mount Vernon Business District Association
  
• King-Lincoln Group
  
• Near-East Area Commission
  
• Olde Town East Neighborhood Association

Snobbery because it's fast food?
Prejudice because Stevenson is a black entrepreneur?
Classism because most of his customers and employees will be from households making less than $20,000.

Imagine if someone was trying to bring a Wal-Mart to a poor neighborhood to provide inexpensive, accessible merchandise within walking distance and new jobs.

Thursday Thirteen Posts

Here are links to my Thursday Thirteen posts.

The last 5 days The first Thursday of 2006, and what I’d done since New Year’s Day.
Parenting Hind sight is always 20-20, isn’t it?
National Popcorn Day Thirteen places or events where I’ve eaten popcorn.
Appliances and equipment Thirteen things that will go wrong.
Prayer job jar It’s on the kitchen table.
13 magazine subscriptions It’s not all of them, but most.
13 cookbooks on my shelves There’s more where these came from, but these have family ties.
13 things I blog about
13 illnesses and conditions
Singing in the choir It's so much fun
My date to the St. Pat's Ball
Thirteen Poems on my blog
Thirteen things about librarians
Thirteen things to write for Monday Memories
13 things about my cat
13 things I absolutely know
13 enjoyable things since last week
Exercises and Excuses
13 things about DaVinci Code
13 numbers about illegal immigration
13 things about our cars
13 things for Thursday night dinner
13 things that puzzle me
13 things we did when the budget was tight
13 things to make the world better
13 Medical studies
13 places we visited in July 2006
13 food and health myths
13 food triggers
13 points about women and finances
13 thoughts and proverbs about money and finances
How to become a sweet old lady
May 3rd 13--painting the master bedroom
Thirteen items on the Thanksgiving Menus
13 American attitudes and beliefs
13 discussion starters
13 phrases I could do without
13 ways to save money for gas

Thursday Thirteen

2176 The Left's Love for Islam

It's a puzzle isn't it, considering that if they were in power, their heads would go first. Open minds often have holes you can drive a small hybrid car through.

"Western journalists and intellectuals' reaction to what the columnist Charles Krauthammer has called the "studied frenzy over the Danish Muhammed cartoons" in the Muslim world is by no means an isolated event, nor should it be a puzzling one. In fact, the Western Left has had a remarkably consistent and predictable set of attitudes toward religion in recent decades. The contrasting treatment of Muslims on the one hand, and of Christians and Jews on the other, reveals the real priorities of the Western Left and their most immediate political concerns." Pieties and Piss Christs

2175 Mashups

It's a good article, well written, beautifully paced, but I still don't get it.

"Indeed, this is one of the paradoxes of the mashup: as the mashup artist busily deconstructs pop’s history, plundering beats and verses from hither and yon, somehow he is putting that history together. After you listen to a few mashups you start to feel not so much that the music has been stolen from its original place as reunited with its story, rescued from the atomized world of pop singles and the segregated landscape of decades-based radio ("Oldies of the ’50s and ’60s!” “Today’s hot hits!”). The Beatles and the Beastie Boys get to play together. How cool is that?"
Culture Makers, "Let's do the mash."

mashups

2174 America's Drug Problem

My husband's high school friend Mickey sent this to us. I think it's going around, but may be worth repeating. He's our age, so your mileage will vary.

"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: "I had a drug problem when I was young":

I was drug to church on Sunday morning.

I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place."
~author unknown~

Our kids (raised in the 70s and 80s) were "drug" to church, family gatherings, community events, concerts and art shows, but I don't recall they were required to do any service projects for others, but they know how to volunteer when needed. When I was a child, if I was at a friend's house when it was time for chores, I had to pitch in or go home. I never did much in Mom's garden, but I sure did in the Masterson's.

Oops. Blogging is fattening

I had my annual physical this morning (actually it was for 2005, but I never made it in), and the doctor says everything looks good (he had to take my blood pressure several times though because we got started our public library that is totally unresponsive to community needs and wishes). I usually have really low blood pressure, so when it's high he knows to either change the topic or do it over. HOWEVER, since 2002 I've gained 14 pounds, and 12 of that is since September 2003. I started blogging in October 2003. But also, I think that's the date the rec center where I walked in the morning closed for early morning walkers. Still, keeping your weight under control isn't rocket science as I've said maybe a hundred times: eat less, move more.

bloggers

2172 Podium as a verb

If you've been watching the Olympics you may have noticed that 'podium' has been used as a verb, and that has some language lovers upset. Benjamin says that using podium to mean making it to the medals podium has been around for about a decade. He has the story here. Actually, I noticed the snowboarders, but missed the verb.

2170 What will you be doing in 4 years?

There is a quiz in the February 15 JAMA based on data from 11,701 Americans, 50 or older who took part in a 1998 national health survey. It determines your death-risk. It's like golf--you want a very LOW score. I think if you're reasonably careful, and have chosen the right grandparents (my paternal: 88 and 92; my maternal: 87 and 94) you're probably in good shape, if that shape isn't an apple, and if you're not a smoker, and if you exercise.

Later, I found the quiz in the Columbus Dispatch, but don't know if it was complete. I scored 2.

Link to quiz which is free on the JAMA site.

2169 Timeline for the Cheney shooting accident

The Wall Street Journal has published a timeline to help you figure out who knew what when and how outraged you should be. I, on the other hand, have already reported on why and how these things happen. Maleness. Not politics.

2168 Australia will be Muslim in 50 years?

"AUSTRALIA could become a Muslim nation within 50 years because "we are aborting ourselves almost out of existence", a Government backbencher says. . . "There are 250,000 children born each year," she said. "There are 100,000 abortions and 70 adoptions. Termination is more acceptable than adoption." " Story here.

2168 Turn down the volume

At my other blog today I write about the noise level in churches. We've got 10 services, so I can pick and choose by noise level that isn't painful, but what about the children? Read it here.

2167 Jesse Jackson's Worst Nightmare--Ohio's Ken Blackwell

"Right now, Ken Blackwell stands at a pivotal point in American politics. He’s taken an early lead in the race for governor of a state that was key to reelecting George W. Bush and that may well be even more crucial in picking the next American president. Moreover, Blackwell has built his early lead not by tacking toward the center of this swing state but by running on an uncompromisingly conservative platform that’s won him grassroots support from both Christian groups and taxpayer organizations—a novel coalition that makes the old-boy network in his own Ohio GOP as uneasy as it makes the state’s Democrats, who have begun a “stop Blackwell” campaign.

Ken Blackwell has so many people worried because he represents a new political calculus with the power to shake up American politics. For Blackwell is a fiscal and cultural conservative, a true heir of the Reagan revolution, who happens to be black, with the proven power to attract votes from across a startlingly wide spectrum of the electorate. Born in the projects of Cincinnati to a meat-packer who preached the work ethic and a nurse who read to him from the Bible every evening, Blackwell has rejected the victimology of many black activists and opted for a different path, championing school choice, opposing abortion, and staunchly advocating low taxes as a road to prosperity. The 57-year-old is equally comfortable preaching that platform to the black urban voters of Cincinnati as to the white German Americans in Ohio’s rural counties or to the state’s business community." City Journal

Thomas Sowell recently wrote about Blackwell in his column which appears in the WSJ and other papers.Read it here.

Ken Blackwell
Blackwell for Governor

Prison sentences

are a mystery to me. Yesterday we attended the funeral of a 47 year old man who had been murdered last week. It's a gut wrenching thing to see the grief of his son and sisters, nieces and nephews. And there are other families somewhere here in town who will soon lose their son or sons to prison. If the perps are all apprehended, they'll probably get a stiff sentence. If they don't get them for 24 years, maybe not.

Today's Dispatch reported on a Columbus woman who in 1982 conspired with her boyfriend to kill her first husband. She was a suspect at the time, but they didn't have proof. In a cold case investigation a year ago she was interviewed and her stories didn't match (it's very hard to remember a lie). After sitting in jail for awhile in Kansas declaring her innocence, she agreed to testify against the co-defendant. I think the reason is pretty limp--her church didn't approve of divorce, so they murdered him. Both of the murderers will face prison terms of 10 to 20 years and could be eligible for parole after 6 years. She didn't do the deed, but let the boyfriend in the house at night when the husband was sleeping so that it looked like a break-in. Story here.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a screwy system? If the body has turned to dust and the family members have died, the seriousness of infidelity and murder just sort of peters out? I feel very sorry for her [current] husband and children, but six years!

2165 A touching Valentine's tribute

The Columbus Dispatch publishes a full page of Valentine's tributes, memorials and dedications. This guy's heart is definitely in the right place, even if his spelling isn't. The photo of the happy couple shows him with a baseball cap and dark glasses, so I don't know what he looks like or how old they are. I would guess 40-50's.

"Happy 16th Valentine's Day together. I thank God the "wish I could-a", "wanna-be" loser chicks that wanted to get their dirty rotten mitts into me didn't git to 'cause I couldn't bear not being available to you when our stars crossed. So thank you Jesus! thank you Lord! thank you for my little Palma & me. I love you, Honey. Your Valentine, Pat-Eye.
P.S. Go ahead and pick out that dream house of your choice, any house not to exceed a fillion dillion dollars and an MP3 Player of your choosing.

2164 In first light

I've suggested before that I just drag the box out from under the bed, and we start reusing old Valentine, St. Patrick's and birthday cards, and after spending a lot of time at the card counter, he's decided it is time. "They are all so huge, or they are terribly mushy," he reported. He commented that he's never seen me "in first light" because I get up so much earlier than he does. We may not see each other until about 11 a.m. some days because I go to the coffee shop early and when I get home, he's off leading an exercise class for 15 sweaty women.



However, the ring is really nice and I love it. Blue sapphires and little diamonds.

2163 Dog and baby pics

Since I'm not a grandmother, I can't bore you with photos of the grandkids, but I can refer you to one of the funniest posts I've read in a long time that includes BOTH a dog and adorable children. Oh sure, your dog is cute and does outrageous things, but Jesse Jane with one eye that looks like a marble used to be top dog and has adjusted to Tired Tunia's two tots nicely. If you thought librarians were--well, like me--you've got to read her. That reminds me, I haven't visited Jinky for awhile, another shelter dog.

2162 The Marriage Gap

What did we get "liberating" all those women from marriage and husbands 30-40 years ago? Poor children, that's what we got. Read the whole story, in City Journal, "Marriage and Caste."

"When Americans began their family revolution four decades ago, they didn’t tend to talk very much about its effect on children. That oversight now haunts the country, as it becomes increasingly clear that the Marriage Gap results in a yawning social divide. If you want to discuss why childhood poverty numbers have remained stubbornly high through the years that the nation was aggressively trying to lower them, begin with the Marriage Gap. Thirty-six percent of female-headed families are below the poverty line. Compare that with the 6 percent of married-couple families in poverty—a good portion of whom are recent, low-skilled immigrants, whose poverty, if history is any guide, is temporary. The same goes if you want to analyze the inequality problem—start with the Marriage Gap. Virtually all—92 percent—of children whose families make over $75,000 are living with both parents. On the other end of the income scale, the situation is reversed: only about 20 percent of kids in families earning under $15,000 live with both parents."

". . . married, low-income, low-educated women enjoyed significantly higher living standards than comparable single mothers. Joe Sixpack may not be Mr. Darcy, but financially, at any rate, he’s a lot better than no husband at all."

"Children of single mothers have lower grades and educational attainment than kids who grow up with married parents, even after controlling for race, family background, and IQ. Children of divorce are also less likely to graduate and attend college, and when they do go for a B.A., they tend to go to less elite schools. . . Children who did not grow up with their two biological parents . . . were only half as likely to go to a selective college. As adults, they also earned less and had lower occupational status."

Two parents are better than one, it seems. But not if they are step parents and not if they are nonmarried cohabiting parents. Read the whole article. Marriage matters. Marriage isn't perfect, but for children, it's better than the alternative.

Much of the data in the City Journal report comes from the US DHHS.

poverty
marriage
women