Gloria Estefan

Another really terrific CD--this one for $2.00 from the library Friends' sale--Gloria Estefan's "Hold me, thrill me, kiss me," a collection of cover tunes, and all very nice. The title song was a 1952 big hit. If I can just find a boom box that plays cds, I'm getting a nice collection of love songs for our anniversary background music.

Gloria's family fled Fidel Castro's takeover of Cuba in 1959. Her father was imprisoned while taking part in the Bay of Pigs invasion and was not released until President John F. Kennedy arranged a prisoner exchange. She on the other hand, displeased many Cuban Americans by throwing a $30,000 a head fund raiser for President Obama in April, although she claims to be non-partisan. Well, the marxists, socialists and progressives who people his staff are not, so she has chosen a political philosophy that has torn Cuba apart for 50 years. I think many celebrities and entertainers have a huge guilt complex about their wealth, and believe if they swing left they can shake some of it.

Cheese

There are people who think American process cheese (it was actually invented in Switzerland) isn't "real" cheese, but that's what I grew up with--great grilled cheese sandwiches, great for melting over anything. A bit too soft for crackers, but. . it will work. But what is that gunk called "cheese product" or "cheese food?" Or low fat cheese product, or fat free cheese food? Why not just get a little yellow paint and spread it on the bread? If you need low fat cheese, just eat less of real cheese! Low fat (label) anything just means they added water or more whey to increase the volume.

Here's the story. Sometimes it can take a long time of standing in front of the open cooler looking for decent American process cheese:

Pasteurized process cheese - contains 100% cheese. Pasteurized process cheese food - contains at least 51% cheese. Pasteurized process cheese product – contains less than 51% cheese.

Visual Arts Ministry meets, greets and eats at the Bucket

The final meeting of the season was held at the Rusty Bucket. The hanging system has been put away for the summer (VBS starts next week) and the schedule is shaping up for Spring 2011, with the fall shows already in place. A great group of workers and friends. Wedding photos, summer plans, news about other missions, and family stories were shared making it a delightful evening.

Rescue teams reach stranded teen sailor

I've been known to over react where the health and safety of minor children are concerned, but I believe Abby Sunderland's parents/guardians are guilty of neglect and child abuse. Her father compares her adventure and desire to set a world record for "youngest" to teens driving on the interstate. So would he send her cross-country alone driving a semi-truck loaded with explosives? Not a good example, daddy. If as a nation we had the collective balls to raise the legal driving age to 18, we could save 5,000 lives a year. Hard telling how many permanent brain injuries and damaged limbs that would involve. A 16 year old doesn't have a mature brain, and a teen girl, regardless of her athletic ability and sailing experience probably doesn't have the physical strength or body mass to ward off pirates and typhoons.

Rescue teams reach stranded teen sailor - CNN.com

I'm dress shopping

On line. Suggest some brand names, please, or store. It's been awhile. Dressy. Sleeves. Not short. Not straight. Not white or black.  Size 8-10. $50 or under.

 

Thursday Thirteen--13 buttons, pushed, sewn, pressed and unused

1. Buttons on my jeans and slacks don't seem to stay where they should. The thread weakens and they fall off. Do you suppose it's the 10 lbs?

2. Other buttons don't want to meet up with the assigned button hole.

3. I just discovered that if I press the "unlock button" twice on my car key, that the lights stay on instead of just blinking to say "hello, here I am."

4. We have a new garage door and opener. It's super quiet and a perfect match for the paint, although it is metal. The opener is about the size of a fat ballpoint pen and I have difficulty finding and pressing the button.

5. After my mother died 10 years ago, I brought home her button tin. That's a carry over from 19th century and Depression day thrift. They rarely match anything, but I can identify some buttons from items of family clothing 60 years ago. Some could be from my great-grandfather's work shirts.

6. We have a lot of TV sets. Most have buttons for functions I don't understand.

7. The remotes for each TV are different--even more buttons I don't use. Like Zoom and Angle. Input and Sleep.

8. Rosie O'Donnel, that brilliant, wealthy, political strategist, has pushed my buttons with her ignorance. She is demanding that Obama seize the assets of BP and Great Britain. She says she doesn't care if it's communism. Well, no Rosie, that's called National Socialism. Remember Hitler? That was his system. The state steals private wealth. You're next in that system. It's not just for corporations.

9. AP has a story today that the BP reports read like fiction, with deceased experts and environmental plans for animals and plants that aren't in the Gulf of Mexico. Welcome to the research/report world, AP! That's another button for me. I constantly write to government agencies, non-profits, academic and media websites reporting mistakes, bad citations, bad links, non-existent experts and plans designed to only bring in more grant money, never to solve a problem. I rarely get a response. But if I do, I'm usually told it's not their responsibility or that I'm the one who is mistaken.

10. I wore a really bright printed jacket to coffee today. It must have pushed a button for another customer because she complimented me and said my husband should take me out for brunch. She wears more colorful clothes than I do--I don't much care for this garment.

11. I don't know when Mother Nature pushes the button for Mother Duck under the bush at our front door, but she must really be getting tired of sitting on those 9 eggs.

12. My new dryer, bought to replace the Maytag piece of junk that died after 4 years, doesn't have an alarm buttom to tell me "time to walk downstairs and unload."

13. We're having our furnace maintenance done today. We always use this company. There's a $25 off coupon on the web where you'd never see it which expired June 6. That's another button, constantly being pushed. Coupons. I hate them--on-line, in the newspaper, in the door-hanger bag, attached to the product, or in conjunction with another product like breakfast at Denny's combined with an oil change. Makes no difference. Coupons add costs to everyone's purchase just like all marketing and advertising, but they are grossly unfair and expensive to those of us who don't use them.

Come join other bloggers at Thursday Thirteen.

The Trailer For Glenn Beck's New Book Is Just As Nuts As You'd Expect (VIDEO)

Huffington Post writer must have had a red face after learning he/she ridiculed Rudyard Kipling and not Glenn Beck. Had to append an update. These people are so transparent. If it's Beck, it's got to be bad, right? Or have they always thought Kipling was a bad poet? Beck, Stu and Pat were chortling over some of the ignorant comments at the post--probably removed now.

The Trailer For Glenn Beck's New Book Is Just As Nuts As You'd Expect (VIDEO)

Sandals--a poem inspired by looking at feet

Summer time
Break out the sandals
The thongs and the glam.

Show bunions, corns
and calluses--
Summer’s grand slam. 

Elton John CDs

Today at the Discovery Shop (benefits Cancer research) I found two Elton John CDs. "Love Songs," (1996) and "Duets" (1993). If he can sing at Rush Limbaugh's 4th wedding, he can sing in my kitchen (that's where the cd player is).  $1.00 each.  Good buy.

25,000 pieces of hate mail

Mark Levin interviewed the rabbi David Nesanoff (not sure of the spelling) who interviewed Helen Thomas when she proudly demonstrated her hatred for Jews and Israel. (He was interviewing a number of people at the White House Jewish Heritage celebration that day.) She knew she was being interviewed--it was not a secret recording. He is now getting hate mail, and he says the people have no shame in their anti-semitism--they supply their names, e-mail and even addresses. Hatred of Jews and smearing a man who simply asked a question and didn't editorialize while she gave her appaling answers. Keep in mind, that those people who weep for Palestinian Arabs, like Helen Thomas, never decry the way they are treated in Syria, Jordan or Lebanon, where millions lived for generations and will never be allowed citizenship, a home or a job. Palestinian Arabs are better treated in Israel where they are citizens and have rights than they are in Arab countries where they are hated and reviled.

Governor Chris Christie--I hope this guy runs for President some day

"My argument is not with teachers in New Jersey. My argument is with a union who collects $730 a year from every teacher and school employee in the union in mandatory dues. And if you don't want to join the union here's your option: you can be out. You pay 85% of $730 ... to be out. It's like the Hotel California. You can check in anytime you like but you can never leave. That raises for the teachers union, get ready, $130 million a year. What do they spend that money on? ... $6 million in negative advertising against me since March 16th. Think about that. That's a little over two months they have spent $6 million on New York TV and Radio, Philadelphia TV and radio to attack me. That's dues money that is coming from their teachers, mandatory no choice, and from all of you because those salaries come from your property taxes and your state income taxes."

NewYorkistan?

The new threat to America. Home grown Islamic terrorists. The most recent foiled plot in New York City included a man whose parents are Palestinian, and "Carlos Eduardo Almonte, a naturalized American who came from the Dominican Republic and converted to Islam, highlights another trend among terrorist conspirators that analysts are beginning to study: the disproportionate number, not only of converts to Islam, but converts of Hispanic origin."

New York may be a target, but it's also a breeding ground.

NewYorkistan? by Judith Miller, City Journal 9 June 2010

Gay men thinner than heterosexuals

Some stereotypes are true. Actually, most are based on fact, like the one about librarians not being fashionable and wearing funny shoes.* Seems gay men are skinny and lesbians fat.

"In a study published in American Journal of Public Health, researchers determined that while 21 percent of straight men were classed as obese, only 14 percent of gay men were. The opposite was true of gay women. 26 percent of lesbians were found to be obese, as compared with 17 percent of the straight women."

Study: Gay men thinner than heterosexuals, lesbian heavier (ChicagoPride.com)

Kerith J. Conron, Matthew J. Mimiaga, and Stewart J. Landers, "A Population-Based Study of Sexual Orientation Identity and Gender Differences in Adult Health," June 1, 2010

*When I worked for the State of Ohio in the 80s, I had to dress much nicer than when I worked in a library, and I always wore high heels. But, being me, they were sort of chunky and sensible heels--not over 2". One of my co-workers observed, "So, it's true that librarians wear sensible shoes."

Traveling? Watch out for "tourista"

In 2008 and 2009 I travelled internationally and developed severe diarrhea and vomiting on the return trips to the United States. As a result of the 2008 trip, I spent a few days in the hospital. So, if you're doing any travel this summer (I'm definitely not), here are a few precautions (all of which I followed) from Harvard Men’s Health Watch, April 2010.

Traveler’s diarrhea, or “tourista,” is a well-known hazard for visitors to developing countries where sanitation is flawed. Here are some tips to prevent intestinal infections:

•Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel before you eat.
•Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, and unpasteurized milk and cheese.
•Only eat fruit that you’ve washed in clean water and peeled yourself.
•Do not eat undercooked or rare food. Eat cooked foods while they
are still piping hot. Be especially wary of food from street vendors.
•Avoid the water unless you have boiled it yourself; chemical disinfectants
and water filters are available for use in special circumstances. Don’t use ice made from untreated water. Don’t use untreated water to brush your teeth. In general, unopened bottled or canned beverages are safe, as is coffee or tea made from boiled water.
•Ask your doctor about taking along antibiotics in case prevention fails.
•Above all, suspect everything.

Sarah, Nancy and Hillary

I was surprised that someone in the MSM gave Hillary Clinton the credit for so many women running for office and doing well in the recent primaries--even the conservatives. Huh? Hillary Clinton would not have been a powerful New York Senator if she hadn't been first lady for 8 years, and if she didn't have the backing of all her husband's friends and cronies. Nancy Pelosi and Sarah Palin, although at opposite ends of the political spectrum, did not run on their husbands' coattails or names. In fact, the joke goes, "So you think you've got it bad? Imagine somewhere there's a Mr. Pelosi!" Who even knows his name? But credit should also be given to the various grass roots conservative and constitutional groups. Indirectly, that leads back to Obama--people are outraged by his behavior, character and beliefs and it has been an energizing force, so they are out-running and out-performing the tired old Republican blah, blah, blah, and looking for something different.

Let them speak, as long as they aren't Tea Party voters

Nancy Pelosi was heckled and shouted down at a Progressive America's Future Now conference. Her security warned her they were throwing things. This is not right no matter who the politicians, but how this woman can be so terrified and weepy over peaceful Tea Party conservatives and so patient with really dangerous people whose intent is to destroy this country is beyond me. I heard the audio. They want their money--like NOW. After all, they supported Obama and Pelosi and it's payback time. These folks are just mean scavengers.

Pelosi Heckled at Liberal Conference - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

Pelosi heckled at liberal activist conference - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

FOXNews.com - Hecklers Pounce on Pelosi During D.C. Speech

Pelosi delivers speech over screams of health-care activists

Oh, yes, and they were also anti-Israel. Did Pelosis address that? Or is that type of racism OK with the Dems? You can go to their website and download their play book. The campaign certainly has plenty of money from the looks of its sharp web pages.

The alien in the White House

When I commented on my blog some time ago that Obama was not "one of us" I received such vicious, race-baiting comments I think I took that essay down. People Liberals think you're talking about race or ethnicity, not character or patriotism. So I was glad to see Dorothy Rabinowitz's column in today's WSJ, "The alien in the White House" because she covers it all. The man doesn't know or respect our history--not even its failings. Who but the clueless about the spiritual base of the Civil Rights movement would turn Martin Luther King day into a national work day? Who but a man who had no respect for the military would make small talk to his audience before addressing a Muslim terrorist attack on our soil, on our military base? What President ever would jump into a purely local issue--behavior of police observing a break-in and call it racist without knowing the facts--but wait weeks and weeks to rally his subordinates in charge of the regulatory agencies to address an economy killing oil disaster? Who would go on an apology tour while we are still at war--or what commander-in-chief would all but ignore those wars he promised 3 years ago to end? Who but one who is an empty hollow shell, a man without a country, without an inner source, a complete narcissist, a man with no belief system except failed marxism, political grave of the spiritually dead. No, he isn't one of us. Nor is he in any traditional sense of the word, a leader.

Dorothy Rabinowitz: The Alien in the White House - WSJ.com

What about unintentional slip ups of CFAT regulations?

Ohio State’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety has reminded faculty and staff about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). These are comprehensive security regulations intended to prevent the intentional misuse of certain chemicals by sabotage, theft, diversion or direct attack. Homeland Security has authority to impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per day and shut down facilities that fail to comply. Is there a per day fine if it is an accident? Or a watchdog not watching? I mean something like an oil rig explosion where there was no sabotage from environmental anarchists, the left, terrorists or jihadists, just cozy relationships between government agencies and the oil company?

A note to the Helen Thomas and other Jew haters . . .

Saying "I regret . . . " is not the same as saying, "I'm sorry. . . "

When an "apology" is a political statement.

"I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."

Don't blame it on her age. Here's a review of her anti-Israel rants and tantrums. I've read that she is of Christian Lebanese extraction; well, no Arab country has treated Palestinians worse than Lebanon, and unfortunately, that includes its Christians, which are also a minority there.

Obama on BP: I want to know “whose ass to kick”

He might start with the federal agencies, and there's an alphabet soup bowl full of them. I'd start with MMS. Maybe there's been too much ass kissing, and Fox dissing in the White House. Obama's response to everything is always the wagging finger, the angry look, or flashing eyes. He's very unpresidential in that way. It doesn't build any confidence that he knows what he's doing. Call another commission. Threaten to fire someone whose business he doesn't own (yet). Whatever: this shows that big tenacled government doesn't respond well to really big problems. It's snarled in red tape and is preventing clean up and protection of the gulf states. If you've had a car wreck, maybe you need to get the injured to the hospital before you call the CEOs of the auto company to the White House for a tongue lashing. Today it's a mechanical/technology failure, but where will the leadership and coordinated response come from if it were a volcano, or an unidentified bacterial epidemic, or a nuclear plant failure, or collapse of the internet?

Hot Air » Obama on BP: I want to know “whose ass to kick”

Spill reveals Obama's lack of executive experience | Washington Examiner

In Gulf, It Was Unclear Who Was in Charge of Rig - NYTimes.com

Operational mistakes