3235 Working for the Fed

"New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis confirm that the average federal civilian worker earns $106,579 a year in total compensation, or twice the $53,289 in wages and benefits for the typical private worker. This federal pay premium costs taxpayers big bucks because Uncle Sam's annual payroll is now $200 billion a year. No wonder that, with a per capita income of $46,782 a year, Washington, D.C. is the fourth richest among the nation's 360 metropolitan areas."

Full story at WSJ Career Journal.

Columbus' per capita income is $35,226. Check out your city here. It would seem to me that the DC area would be a tough place to live and keep up if you're not working for the government. Especially if you are competing with 2 income households where both might be government workers.

Some of these workers spend time doing this, and this, and this, and this.

federal employment
government workers

3234 New art show going up

If you're in central Ohio and enjoy attending art shows, please stop by and see the Winter show of the Pump House Guys, which we're hanging today at The Church at Mill Run, 3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026. The reception will be next Sunday, 2-4 p.m. If you attend church there, I know it is a mob scene on Sunday, especially if you're getting your kids from the 2nd floor classrooms, but stop for a few peaceful moments and enjoy the show.


Upper Arlington Lutheran Church
art shows
Church at Mill Run

3233 Go to Flopping Aces

for the run down on "Who is Jamil Hussein," the AP informant who apparently doesn't exist. Sort of makes you wonder how many other sources our media have been using that are frauds. The links are all listed at his site--so I'll refer you there.

Friday Family Photo

Look at these little sweethearts, all dressed up in their caps and gowns to move up to the primary Sunday School class. I'm not sure of the year--maybe 1944 or 1945. We are standing there on the steps of the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren, squinting into the sun. I'm the one with brown shoes and no curls, sigh. It really stunted my fashion sense. It was probably the only pair of shoes I had, and Deb and Barb and Diane also in the front row, being the only girls in their families, probably had two pair of shoes. All except Dick finished grade school and high school together. His father died and his mother remarried and moved away. My family moved away too in 1946, but came back when I was in 6th grade, and this is where I was baptized when I was 12 years old.

By the mid-1950s the church was bursting; the baby boom and a talented young preacher brought in many new members, especially young families. Our Sunday School class probably tripled. So a decision was made to build a new facility with a large sanctuary and 3 floors of classroom, a chapel, special youth room for the CBYF with a fireplace, a big commercial grade kitchen, fellowship hall, a library, offices for the staff, lots of parking and so forth. My parents were in their early 40s and were involved in every stage of building the new church, from raising money to sewing drapes and picking out paint colors. The building where this photo was taken was sold to a small group just getting started in Mt. Morris, the Evan Free.

Their roles are reversed now. The Evan Free is filling the old church, and the big Church of the Brethren has many empty pews and classrooms and an aging congregation. The young people who built it are now the elderly with special needs. I'm not a member there, so I have nothing to say, but I have heard many good things about their new pastor who just started a few months ago and that is hopeful.

Church of the Brethren
Mt. Morris, Illinois
Sunday School
vintage photographs

3231 An Internet Quiz that is educational

Sure, we all like to take those quizes that say we're fascinating and look like a movie star, but here's one that's educational and fun, and one we sort of play each time we go to the grocery. It's the US FDA Food label quiz. Don't try to answer the questions without reading the labels! The whole point of it is to read the entire label before giving your answer. You might be surprised at what you're getting and why people make such poor choices even though the government has required manufacturers to put it on the label. A lot of us (I raise my hand) don't think about the total day's requirements when we make a food choice.

Thursday Thirteen

Since September 25, I have not eaten the following 13 foods. Most were part of my TT list of triggers that make me hungry. The flat out toughest to resist have been #1, #5, and #9. I think I would mug someone for a bag of Fritos. We were at a buffet luncheon [buffets were on the list, but we were invited] to celebrate a wedding anniversary at the Scioto Country Club Sunday, and there was a table of desserts to die for--which included not only pecan pie (my favorite next to apple sour cream which no one but me makes), but also cheesecake, which I love. I selected instead, the pumpkin cream cheese roll. The point isn't the calories, but the trigger, and pumpkin cake doesn't stick up my tastebuds and kill my resolve, even if it is delicious.

1. Pizza, I particularly miss pepperoni with extra cheese from Rotolo's.
2. pastaoops--did have spaghetti--but not noodles or macaroni
3. Ritz crackers
4. cheddar cheese
5. pie crust or pastry, whether main dish or dessert
6. sandwich except for Friday night date Rusty Bucket's Philly Cheese, no bread or rolls
7. free sample bread and bagel snacks at Panera's
8. potato chips
9. Fritos
10. carbonated beverages (easy to give up--don't think they were on the list)
11. dip or sauce
12. gravy
13. cheesecake

I haven't had a beer either, but that's not much of a sacrifice. I've never even tasted beer. Imagine the calories I've saved for enjoying something that doesn't smell like rotting grain!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! Leave a comment and I'll add your name and URL. View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Visited and visitors today:Amber, Amy Christopher, AnnaMary, Beth, Bubba, Carol, Caylynn, Celfyddydau Cheryl, Chickadee, Cindi, Dane Bramage, Darla, East of Oregon, JAM, Jane, Janeen, Jen, JMom,John, Katia, Kitty, KT Cat, Lady Bug, LaughingMuse, Leah, Ma, Mar, Pippajo, Skittles, Something Blue, Southern Girl, Smurf, Staci T, Susan, Terrell, Terri,

3229 Smoking bans and children

We're sure to see more laws created to protect children from their parents' smoking, both in the home and in automobiles. USAToday carried the story that a number of states already prohibit foster parents from smoking around their charges. But I'm sure it is only a matter of time before it will be considered a form of child abuse to make children breathe cigarette smoke--from your mouth to their lungs. Although I don't think smoking should be illegal, I do believe children need to be protected, both in the womb and in the room.

"Former smoker Bob Mathis, a Democratic state representative in Arkansas, sponsored a law that bars smoking in a car carrying a child young enough to require a car seat. It took effect in July. A violator can be fined $25 but can get out of it with proof of participation in a smoking-cessation program. A similar law took effect in Louisiana in August.

"We have laws on the books in every state of the union against child abuse," Mathis says. "This is a form of child abuse."

At least six states and some counties prohibit foster parents from smoking when foster children are present, says Kathleen Dachille, director of the Legal Resource Center for Tobacco Regulation, Litigation & Advocacy at the University of Maryland School of Law. "There are times when it's appropriate to regulate what people can do in their home," she says. "The state is responsible for that child."

Some courts are ordering parents in custody and visitation disputes not to smoke around their kids."

I think I noted before at this blog that my husband, who has never smoked, coughed like a smoker every morning for several years into adulthood, after living for 18 years in a home where both his parents smoked, as well as all their friends and relatives.

I had lunch with a friend today, and when I turned down a bite of brownie dessert, I compared it to some people and cigarettes. She nodded and said she had quit smoking 15 years ago, and knew if she smoked even one, she would start again, the addiction was that strong. Her husband also quit 15 years ago, but too late and has COPD.

3228 Pandering to special interests

A medical examiner, Dr. Charles Siebert, in Florida is being maligned because he determined that the cause of death of a young black man, Martin Anderson, in a military style boot camp was "complications of sickle cell trait," and the manner natural. Bill Oliver is a pathologist and writes about the medical literature that has shown for over 20 years that young black men with sickle cell trait collapse and die at a high rate in boot camp and athletic preseason workouts.

"The Attorney General, and soon to be elected Governor, Charlie Crist decided to make an example of Dr. Siebert. After all, who was this little guy who thought that practicing medicine was more important than getting him elected? It was, I suppose, a no-brainer. Pandering to racial special interests is always a win when it can be done at no cost except for ruining the life of some cog in the machine."

Part 1, Part 2.

3227 High School science way back when

Although I didn't know it until a few minutes ago, my high school science curriculum was similar to my grandmother's and was established by The Committee of Ten back in 1893. It seems I had a lot more science instruction than many students get today. Freshman: General Science; Sophomore: Biology; Junior: Physics; Senior: Chemistry. Even over 100 years ago, there was a debate on the amount of "hands-on" time and lab work a student needed for a good science education. The authors propose that biology has become so complex that it needs some understanding of physics and chemistry and needs a different spot in the sequence. However, they point out:

"The Committee of Ten report may be considered an "old document" by many contemporary players in education, but it holds an important place in science education history as a reform document that brought science teaching and learning to the forefront of education. More than 100 years after the report was issued, most of our schools still offer high school science courses in the sequence suggested by the Committee of Ten. Science education is still debating what criteria should define the coherence of our science curriculum to lead to scientific literacy for all. If there is one lesson to be learned from my argument, it is that the Committee of Ten did not anticipate that more than 100 years later its recommendations would continue to be a matter of dispute and that one of the subjects proposed to improve the learning experience of our high school students is still a subject of plasticity in the reform efforts during the twenty-first century."

This is a very interesting article in a great on-line journal, CBE Life Sciences Education. Browsing the 2006 issues, I see an article on best web sites for science in each issue, as well as great book reviews.

See the article about the Committee of 10 at High School Biology Today; What the committee of ten did not anticipate

Our Christmas cards are ready!

Now I just have to get the printer fixed so I can run the labels. I pulled on a jammed sheet and apparently ran something off track.

3225 A reminder about colonoscopy

Yes, it's expensive and not pleasant, but it's the only procedure that can actually prevent cancer. Plus, if you go with one of the less intrusive tests, and they find something, you'll have to have the colonoscopy anyway. So start at the top, or the bottom, as it were. Haven't looked at this yet; it's probably at your public library.

Colorectal Cancer Risk Following a Negative Colonoscopy, Robertson and Sirovich, JAMA.2006; 296: 2437

Murray sent me this list, but it also appears on some websites and blogs, include RangelMD.com

Comments heard during a colonoscopy

1. "Take it easy, Doc, you're boldly going where no man has gone before."

2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"

3. "Can you hear me NOW?"

4. "Oh boy, that was sphincterrific!"

5. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

6. "You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married."

7. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"

8. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out. You do the Hokey Pokey...."

9. "Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"

10."If your hand doesn't fit, you must acquit!"

11. "Hey, Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."

12. "You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?"

13. "Could you write me a note for my wife, saying that my head is not, in fact, up there?"

3224 Visit and comment day

Today I visited Heretical librarian, who's writing about censorship in a Muslim country; this librarian recently joined the National Guard and has returned to duty protecting our freedoms at his library. Jack Stevens is writing about conflicting articles on President Bush's presidential library; Jack's always a good read, but because he's a conservative and gets a lot of grief from liberals, he's turned off comments (at least I think that's the reason). Shush is writing about Kinky People's needs; do you know what the QQ in LGBTQQ stands for? I didn't. Florida Cracker continues her fascination with Duane Allman, a hobby I haven't grasped. She also has an item about a cartoonist in trouble.

Blonde Librarian didn't seem to be home, or else is revising her very attractive template again. Christian Librarian ponders why she got an MLS after a conversation with a student who was printing webpages rather than bookmarking them. Several folks, librarian and teachers, put together American Presidents, and today feature advice. Through book club I've read quite a bit now about our presidents, their mothers, their times--always an interesting topic. Jane of Art seems to be working on a novel, as well as her poetry, blog, and job but real life keeps getting in the way. I try to follow along, but get confused when I'm in the novel and when I'm in her life. Tomeboy, one of my favorites ('cause he likes me), sighs that he's getting older--got his degree in the early 90s. Groan. Matthew's asleep at the switch again--hasn't updated since Yom Kippur and Ramadam. My favorite cellist/librarian, Mustang Mama, has jumped into Monday Memories, and has the same problem as my kids--a Thanksgiving birthday. Liberry Juice and his wife just got back from Thanksgiving in Missouri.

Krafty Librarian reports on a study about e-mail overload. E-mail archives have grown 10 fold in 10 years, so I'm not alone. Library Marketing has an interesting item about word-of-mouth. WOM about libraries is usually positive--unless you listen closely. Keptup Librarian seems to be reporting what he reads in USAToday. Not sure the story is researched any further, but maybe that's not the intent--to do the journalist's job, I mean. Annoyed Librarian is really getting a following, liberals and conservatives seem to read her, but says it is hard to find something to satirize because it is all so meaningless to start with. Carlos at Biblioblog actually mentions a Christian review source, Books and Culture; my public library rejected this when I requested it. Feel Good Librarian who always posted happy, interesting stories, must not feel so good--nothing since mid-October, and Paul's last post was about beer, in September! Guide to Etiquette last post was in poor taste, in my opinion. Greg is over my head and techno-level, as usual. And finally, some ideas for your book loving friends at Robin's site.

3223 A year without pork?

Did you see the editorial in WSJ today? "Will the loss of both houses of Congress be enough to shock Republicans into the Hazelton rehab center for spending addicts."

It goes on to report that if they can hold spending at 2006 levels (which some Republicans are trying to do) instead of passing spending bills with 12,000 earmarks (special interests), the taxpayers will save $17 billion.

It's no wonder these guys lost. They've come a long way since they got mad at Bush I for raising taxes.

3222 Over rated, over hyped snacks

Seen at the ConAgra site, "According to IRI Data, sales of packaged snacks foods in the United States topped $32 billion in 2006, up 3 percent since 2002. Health-oriented items have been experiencing the steepest growth in the category. Given the new portion-controlled, healthier snack trend, food manufacturers are launching 100-calorie packages of popular cookies, crackers and chip products in hopes of answering consumer needs."

However, most of these snacks, with the exception of popcorn, are empty calories. [Popcorn is promoted in this press release.] In my opinion, snacks just make you hungrier. If they're salty, you reach for something for thirst, which probably also has calories, or more sodium. If you have these empty calories right before meals, it might keep you from eating something healthier. Even magazines that promote healthy eating seem to devote a lot of space to snacks.

And over to the side is this snack item.

Be still my heart. Bite into an apple.

3221 Why does Charlie Rangel want to destroy the military?

Because he's a Democrat? Because he hates the United States? Because he's an idiot? Because it gets him a lot of publicity (this one gets my vote)? He's the black congressman who wants to reinstate the draft. When he first started chattering about this a few years ago (I heard him on Fox), he got so much attention that he's kept it up. He even introduced a bill a few years back. Now it is part of his comedy routine, only it isn't funny anymore, Chuck'ems. His thinking, in my opinion, is that this would cause a lot of outrage by young people, who would then become more fodder for anti-war protests, not for a giant war machine. It certainly isn't because the military is relying too heavily on the poor and uneducated, which he claims. A Heritage Foundation study last year found just the opposite. Our recruits are better educated than the general population.

". . . if we consider the education of every recruit, 98% joined with high-school diplomas or better. By comparison, 75% of the general population meets that standard. Among all three-digit ZIP code areas in the USA in 2003 (one can study larger areas by isolating just the first three digits of ZIP codes), not one had a higher graduation rate among civilians than among its recruits."

"Allegations that recruiters are disproportionately targeting blacks also don't hold water. First, whites make up 77.4% of the nation's population and 75.8% of its military volunteers, according to our analysis of Department of Defense data.

Second, we explored the 100 three-digit ZIP code areas with the highest concentration of blacks, which range from 24.1% black up to 68.6%. These areas, which account for 14.6% of the adult population, produced 16.6% of recruits in 1999 and only 14.1% in 2003."

So, the number of black recruits is going down. Just what are you saying Charlie? Not more rural, not more blacks, not more uneducated. Back to the socialist/anarchist playbook.

Charlie Rangel Kerrys the troops on a slow news day.

military recruitment
Charlie Rangel
military draft

3220 Photo of ferried swans

According to a photo in today's paper of a boat pulling two craft filled with swans, they have been ferrying swans since 1674 from a river in Hamburg that freezes to a pond that doesn't. Does this remind you of anything? The thought occurred to me that this effort continues to produce a strain of swans too dumb to get out in bad weather.

3219 Using reverse psychology on teen-age smokers

The Cheerful Oncologist has found some discouraging news about advertisements and slogans telling teens not to smoke--it apparently makes it more appealing, especially if it comes from parents.

"If I was in charge I would require all cigarette packs to have the following message printed on them:

I WANT TO TURN UGLY AND DIE A MISERABLE DEATH

Or perhaps teens should be inundated with posters showing some of the consequences of smoking, like this one, or this one.
Then again, since teens are supposedly stubborn and resistant to authority, why don't we yell at them to start smoking and keep smoking? "Goddammit I told you to smoke, now either you get in there and light up or you will lose the car for a week!"

Monday Memories

Celebrating birthdays fifteen years ago
Our children's birthdays are a year apart, and fall during Thanksgiving week. Even in their 20s, we tried to offer each a special day, but eventually getting together 3 times in one week got to be a little too much togetherness. This year we just handed out cards over the Thanksgiving dinner.
1991
Fifteen years ago we went out to eat after church to celebrate their birthdays at "The Cooker," one of our favorites which served attractively prepared, regional American food. As we chatted in the booth, the hostess dropped a jar of catsup which shattered at my feet and I had catsup up to my knees and in my shoes. I was wearing white slacks, something a bit unusual for me. So, after wiping up, I got a free dinner and a ticket for dry cleaning. Then when the waiter found out we were celebrating birthdays (he thought they were twins and guessed their ages as 24) he gave us 2 free desserts. Their desserts were fabulous (like brownie decadence, a meal by itself) and cost about $4.00 (would be much more now). So I think we had at least a $17 credit on the bill.

After dinner our daughter, who wasn’t married at the time, spent the afternoon at our house and did her laundry. About 6 p.m. she was chatting on the phone with her boyfriend and I heard her holler. The neighbor had backed her van out of her driveway into our daughter’s car parked on the street. It had been stolen and vandalized the previous January. The neighbor was very apologetic, standing there in her full length fur coat with her big travel van, but we practically had to restrain our daughter. Her car, so recently restored, was her one nice possession.

After it was stolen in January, she had an alarm installed, so it was shrieking and flashing its lights, sort of like a chicken with its head cut off--but the damage was done. The police came and cited our neighbor and when our daughter calmed down, she drove home. It was driveable, fortunately. So why was it a birthday worth remembering? We had a lot of really good laughs, despite the catsup on the white slacks and the car mishap.

Visited and visitors: Chelle Y., Irish Church Lady, Ma, Melli, Janene, Internal Expert, Susan,

3218 How's your hygiene?

Today Medscape.com and a lot of other sources reported:

Staph Infections Rise Among Athletes

"An alarming rise in cases in the general population and athletic community of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus has led to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue warnings about the dangers of staph infections. Staph has long been a health hazard for athletes who share towels, whirlpools, and common areas like locker rooms. The CDC is working closely with several sports organizations, including the NFL and NCAA, to educate athletes on hygiene and preventive measures to stop the spread of MRSA that has increasingly found its way into locker rooms, weight rooms, and athletic training facilities."

Guess I'll just keep walking around the condo grounds for exercise.

Here's a link to the CDC page on staph infections and MRSA

Tundra Medicine Dreams has a very interesting MRSA story about an Alaskan Native who used an unsanitary steambath.

3217 Catholic radio in central Ohio

I've mentioned St. Gabriel, 1270 a.m. radio before, but I must say it is such a blessing--even for Protestants. I think I'll add them to my Christmas donation list. No loud music, no bombastic shouting, no convoluted theories about end times, just excellent Bible based sermons and stunning interviews. Particularly now during the Christmas season--if they are playing Christmas carols, I haven't heard any. Even if you find a station with good music, a lot of it is secular.

This morning I heard a discussion about Vietnamese Catholics who first fled the communists in the north, then the south, then relocated again either to Canada or the USA and have chosen religious callings. I also heard an interview with a woman who is part of a Christian prayer chain organization in Hollywood, who says there are wonderful changes in the industry and that we need more Christians in the film and entertainment business. She was so hopeful and positive, I just stopped what I was doing to listen to her.

Then there was a sermon on the 5th commandment, I think by a local pastor. We never hear a thing about abortion, euthansia or life issues at our church. He said the unborn is not a potential human, but a human with potential. But he also preached about forgiveness for this heinous sin, that God's mercy is greater than our sin.

Where I change channels is the discussion of Mary. Those of you who say Catholics don't worship Mary, aren't listening to this station. But so far, that's been the only turn off for me. So I do. When it comes to radio, I'm pro-choice.