A selfie at a funeral?

This man is such an embarrassment to our country. We have a first class narcissist as our president. Michelle doesn’t look too happy—probably was taught some manners.

Government workers who are paid less than minimum wage

The 2014 budget requested $1.061 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service, an increase of $12.2 million over the 2012 funding level. This is our tax money used for "unpaid volunteers." That means they work below minimum wage, but all the government workers in the agency above them get paid nice salaries with benefits. In true government double speak it is supposed to expand ...opportunity and embrace competition. ???? This is not to say people haven't had wonderful experiences in AmeriCorp or benefitted from being farmed out to a church organization that helps immigrants, but somewhere we need to let these organizations stand on their own and actually hire people to take their place in the work force.

I was in Brethren Volunteer Service as were my sisters in the 1950s. It can be done without your tax dollars. This is me showing off a pair of shoes after we went shopping in downtown Fresno. The washing machine (wringer) was in the shed. It was a great experience—many churches now offer volunteer opportunities at no cost to the taxpayer, except from her own pocket.

The Job Corps is a “Great Society” program, which offers job-training services to disadvantaged youths age 16–24 in 125 sites across the nation. The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General estimates each Job Corps participant who is successfully placed into any job costs taxpayers $76,574 (I don't know what the unsuccessful cost us). They are less likely to finish high school than those disadvantaged who don't participate, and when employed, make 22 cents more per hour than a control group. I'll bet McDonald's or Wendy's could have trained them and at least taken them to assistant manager, beginning at minimum wage.

I'm fine with internships and volunteerism; I'm fine with the minimum wage for entry level jobs for people who need to learn job skills, team work, and dealing with the public. It's the Democrats who scream about minimum wage not being high enough, and then pay their political lackeys at the Obama campaign (OFA) or fancy non-profits nothing. They have options: full time for nothing, or half time for nothing. I wonder if they get Obamacare?

Three years ago the Labor Department said it was going to do something about this—but in the for-profit sector only. Non-profits like the President's campaign arm is free to abuse employees, I mean interns and unpaid volunteers, any way they choose.

Imus in the Morning

I don't think I've ever watched Imus in the Morning, but I am today. The non-stop Obama coverage (Mandela) is too much. Mandela could have left prison any time in those 27 years if he had renounced terrorism. He was a Communist who soon learned that in order to lead he had to put that aside to lead his country to prosperity. In fact, if you look at the Communist leaders in today's world, only North Korea and Cuba have not cozied up to capitalist investment, so they are totally failing and are violators of human rights. The 20th century Communist/socialist governments killed more of their own citizens (about 100 million) than all the old time cruel monarchs, Kaisers, petty princes, caliphs and czars of the previous centuries. And yet we still have Americans who think MORE government is the answer.

Obama offering below minimum wage—no wage at all

Organizing for Action (Obama's campaign arm which was fast tracked for its non-profit status while Tea Party groups waited years) is advertising for 14 unpaid interns. How's that for below minimum wage, way below? Full time below, and part time below.

"OFA is now accepting applications for full-time and part-time HQ Interns for the Spring 2014 and Summer 2014 HQ Internship Programs in Chicago, IL.... HQ Interns will have the unique opportunity to work closely with staff in advancing the President's agenda. Departmental placements available include Grassroots Organizing, Training, Issue Campaigns, Digital, Press and Finance. Please include your departmental placement preferences in your cover letter. Accepted HQ Interns will be paired with departments based on their stated interest, qualifications and availability. This is a 14-week, unpaid internship program." (from the OFA website)

Farmers line up to pay tribute to one of their own who died of cancer

http://modernfarmer.com/2013/10/breathtaking-tribute-fallen-farmer/

What is the collective noun for crooks and liars?

• squad
• bevy
• clutch
• murder
• team
• association
• stalk
• staff
• band
• crew
• ?? suggestion??

A Californian visits the United States

The nose knows and remembers—Monday Memories

When I walked into Panera’s this morning something smelled like creamed chipped beef. That transported me back about 60 years when Mom used to take about 4 oz. of chipped dried beef, mix it into a white sauce and serve it on toast, usually for lunch, for four hungry children. I made it a few times when I was first married, but I don’t believe it was a hit.  I guess you have to have been there to appreciate how wonderful that tasted. Or Mom’s magic fingers.

That started me down memory lane (which has gotten rather short lately after blogging for 10 years) thinking about other smells/odors that dredge up long forgotten memories in no particular order.

Cigarette smoke mixed with Dad’s Old Spice after shave.  My father stopped smoking in 1949, which enabled him to live to 89, much longer than 2 of his younger brothers who developed cancer, but it was not an unpleasant smell, although hearing him cough in the morning wasn’t nice.

Fresh sheets dried in the open air clothesline in the back yard. No artificial laundry softener can match this.

Wet puppies/dogs.  We didn’t have inside pets, so the dogs needed to be towel dried even to come on to the back porch.  Face licks went along with this as did doggie breath in the face.

Leather saddle being pulled off a sweaty horse. It’s like perfume if you like horses.   Closely related to the manure/fresh straw smell at Ranz’s horse and cattle barn where I played.

New school books, tablets and pencils in the fall.  I’m not sure what happened when all our books started being printed in China, but they just don’t smell like they used to.

Mom canning green beans. I sure didn’t like to pick or snap them, but the cooking and canning and the beautiful arrangement on the shelves are sweet to remember. She was safety conscious and we children did not do the hot, dangerous jobs.  No accidents that way. I was about 18 before I canned anything (watermelon pickles).  Did it once, and decided that was enough.

Fresh lumber from one of Mom’s projects.  My dad didn’t know which end of the hammer to use, but my mother was very handy and did a lot of shelf building and remodeling. We children got the scraps to play with and build things in the basement.

Fuel oil. My father was meticulous about his appearance, and immediately would take off his cover-alls and bathe and shave when he got home from work.  If we said his work clothes smelled bad he would say, “Smells like money to me.”

A new box of crayons.  I don’t know what made them smell so good, perhaps the anticipation of a new art project. Or perhaps something illegal now?

Musty smells of packed away toys (from an earlier generation) at my grandparents’ homes. My mother’s parents had a specially designed window seat for toys from the home Grandma designed around 1910.  According to Mom, she was rather lax about housecleaning and her children were allowed to keep their projects on the floor for weeks. We weren’t.

A room after it was freshly wallpapered by my mother. She was very good at this, and after watching her do it many times I decided I never wanted to work that hard.  Although I did wallpaper my daughter’s bedroom when she was a baby.  I put her in the playpen so she could watch me.

Freshly baked cinnamon bread on Sunday morning. Both my parents grew up with home baked bread and lots of real butter, and thought store bought was better, but occasionally we would be treated with the “real thing.”

Chlorinated water at the swimming pool in Rock Falls.  When we lived in Forreston we were bussed to Rock Falls in our summer recreation program for swimming. We rode home on the bus wrapped in wet, smelly towels.

The space heater warming up the bathroom for bath time. As it heated up, there was always a pleasant burning smell; the bathroom was toasty.

Apple sour cream pie for my birthday.  Actually, it always smelled wonderful, but we children chose what dessert we wanted for birthdays, and this was, and is, my favorite. No one, not even me or my daughter or nieces (who all make fabulous pies) can match my mom’s pies.

Garden soil on freshly pulled carrots or potatoes. Again, my mother was a gardener; I watched and decided it was way too much work, although I did have a small garden one summer when we lived on Abington Road.  My son is a wonderful gardener and even cans salsa, pickles and tomato sauce.

Sweaty football and basketball players as we in the stands rushed to the field/floor after a victory.

Basement with damp laundry hanging to dry.  We children did the hanging, not the laundry. I was about 13 when Mom got a clothes dryer.

Hot sheets from a mangle.  We didn’t have one, but JoElla’s mom did and I used to watch.

S’mores around the Girl Scout campfire.  Possibly the finest tasting dessert for a kid.

Mom’s Cody face powder. When I opened her dresser drawer after her death, there she was.  I asked Dad if I could have it, and he gave it to me.

My trombone.  Closed case odor can get a bit strong.

Turkey/gravy on mashed potatoes in the school cafeteria.  There wasn’t much turkey, and in those days schools used government surplus.

Pine tree needles and damp earth at Camp Emmaus (Church of the Brethren) and White Pines State Park (both in Ogle County, Illinois)

Wet homemade mittens with wool linings. The outside fabric was a heavy red fabric, like sail cloth.  The inside was my father’s cut up wool Marine uniforms.

Burning leaves at the curb in the fall.  Most communities don’t allow that today, but nothing smells more like fall than burning leaves and everyone did it.

Mom’s coffee breath and wool bathrobe.  This was only on Sunday.  All other days she was up, dressed and buzzing around by the time I got up. Sunday she would be sitting at the table reading the newspaper, drinking coffee, and munching her favorite breakfast—sharp cheese on toast.

Inexpensive and versatile—Epsom salt

I had no idea that Epsom Salt had its own association. Click on the "beauty" link or "health" link for some ideas. I wonder what they do for a Christmas party? http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/about/

Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form that gently exfoliates skin and smooths rough patches. Regularly used by a growing number of models and actresses, it's a popular natural choice for beauty enhancement. Mix it with your favorite deep conditioner to add body to your hair or dissolve in a bath to replenish the body's magnesium levels. A relaxing soak in Epsom salt can help relieve stress and leave you feeling revived.

Doctors and researchers say that soaking in an Epsom salt bath is a safe, easy way to increase the body's levels of both magnesium and sulfate.

Article in Wall Street Journal

Bath soak. The Epsom Salt Council, a trade group of manufacturers, recommends a warm bath with 2 cups of Epsom salt for at least 12 minutes. Dr. Waring says the magnesium ions act as a pain reliever. An Epsom salt bath can also help fade bruises.

Splinter removal. Epsom salt increases osmotic pressure on the skin, which draws foreign bodies toward the surface, Dr. Waring says. Dissolve about 1 cup of Epsom salt in a tub of water and soak the affected area.

Bee stings. Osmotic pressure works here, too, to draw the stinger to the surface of the skin. Lift out using tweezers, then apply a compress of an Epsom salt-water solution to reduce swelling.

Sunburn. A cool bath with 2 cups of Epsom salt reduces pain and has mild anti-inflammatory properties.

Skin exfoliation. Blend Epsom salt with enough baby oil to create a paste. Gently rub it on your face for deep pore cleansing, or use it on heels, elbows and other rough areas. Rinse and pat dry

Almost makes me wish we had a bathtub.

Don’t know the numbers on either one

Muslims slaughter Christians in Central African Republic

450,000 Christians Flee From Muslim Attacks in the Central African Republic

"Unlike Christian communities in Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, and in other nations, whereby various sects are persecuted, it is clear that in the Central African Republic -- just like in South Sudan -- that Christians will not just sit back and wait to be slaughtered or become trapped in ghettoes. It is hoped that the international community will be fair in pointing out the real factors behind communal violence. After all, it is clear that religious tensions erupted after Seleka troops began to ransack Christian areas. However, the same media which always points out the "Buddhist" angle in Myanmar (more Christians have been killed in Myanmar than any other non-Buddhist religion in the last few decades) in relation to the persecution of Muslims in this country; they appear to loathe to point out massacres by Muslims forces in the CAR against Christians; just like the persecution of Buddhists and others in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is barely mentioned in Bangladesh." http://www.aina.org/news/20131127122830.htm

I first read about Seleka at a Human Rights site, which noted that it was a Muslim group, but didn't identify the civilians or villages as Christians.

Something like that

Obamacare supporters are taking the credit for slowing the rate of increase!

Paul Krugman is an embarrassment to his profession.

“Whatever the cause [slowing of the rate] , it started early on George Bush’s watch—not under Barrack Obama.

Moreover, ObamaCare doesn’t really begin until this coming January. All the changes up to now have been cost increasing—providing risk pool insurance to the uninsurable, forcing private plans to cover more benefits, and adding such extras to Medicare as free “wellness exams.”

So how does Krugman manage to give ObamaCare any credit for a slowdown in spending? He begins by noting that a 2011 letter signed by hundreds of health and labor economists pointed out that “the Affordable Care Act contains essentially every cost-containment provision policy analysts have considered effective in reducing the rate of medical spending.” “

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=4817

A mother’s advice

A man in his 20s was griping (on Facebook) about needing to live with his parents to make ends meet so he could attend college  (because of minimum wage job, I assume).  His mother (who is still under 40) chimed in:

Spend your money on rent instead of video games and movies and you wouldn't be living with your parents. Just a little advice from your comment. People today seem to think that smartphones, cable and spending money are necessities. They live above their means then ask for a handout when they don't have a Turkey for Thanksgiving or enough high tech toys for the kids for Christmas.

Maybe it’s your (or my) thyroid

“If you're always cold or tired, you can't lose weight, you have brittle hair and fingernails, or you have other unexplained health issues, the answer may be "Yes."

Untreated, a thyroid disease can make you feel lousy. It can also increase your odds of having high cholesterol, developing atherosclerosis, and having a heart attack. “ Harvard Medical School “Healthbeat,” Dec. 7.

When I was in the hospital for heart rate problems (too fast and irregular), the doctor suggested, based on the blood work, that my thyroid was a bit low and that might be part of the problem with the heart.

My new internist agreed and prescribed Synthroid, very low dose.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?

The more commonly known symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, low basal body temperature, brittle fingernails with ridging, cold intolerance and cold extremities, like your hands and/or your feet.

However, the list of symptoms that can be associated with hypothyroidism is actually quite long, varied and can include symptoms that most women might attribute to perimenopause, such as: fatigue, muscle and joint pain, menstrual irregularities, hair loss, loss of libido, infertility, weight gain, decreased mental sharpness (brain fog), fluid retention, depression and/or mood swings. Check the article for 35 symptoms

Crazy, dumb police state

The entertainment industry can continue with violence and mayhem in films, TV and gaming because of their powerful lobby and cozy parties with the Obamas whom they fund, but children can't play with make-believe guns or bows or knives. How dumb. Rona Kaufmann is Superintendent of the South Eastern School District in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania, and she has some explaining to do. http://video.foxnews.com/v/2903095903001/fifth-grader-suspended-for-shooting-imaginary-arrow/?playlist_id=940325739001

The incident took place the week of October 14th, when fifth grader Johnny Jones asked his teacher for a pencil during class. Jones walked to the front of the classroom to retrieve the pencil, and during his walk back to his seat, a classmate and friend of Johnny’s held his folder like an imaginary gun and “shot” at Johnny. Johnny playfully used his hands to draw the bowstrings on a completely imaginary “bow” and “shot” an arrow back. Seeing this, another girl in the class reported to the teacher that the boys were shooting at each other. The teacher took both Johnny and the other boy into the hall and lectured them about disruption. The teacher then contacted Johnny’s mother, Beverly Jones, alerting her to the “seriousness” of the violation because the children were using “firearms” in their horseplay, and informing her that the matter had been referred to the Principal. Principal John Horton contacted Ms. Jones soon thereafter in order to inform her that Johnny’s behavior was a serious offense that could result in expulsion under the school’s weapons policy. Horton characterized Johnny’s transgression as “making a threat” to another student using a “replica or representation of a firearm” through the use of an imaginary bow and arrow. https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/on_the_front_lines/rutherford_institute_defends_10_year_old_suspended_for_shooting_imaginary_a

              

And Ohio is the shape of a hand grenade, and Illinois is an arrowhead. Vermont looks like a knife.

Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett

I used to do something like this when there was no money in the purse, but some food in the cupboard (usually the last 2 or 3 days of the month). Didn't know is had a name.

Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 large onion (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt...
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
a dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (can use 3/4 cheddar and 1/4 mozzarella)
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of Original Bisquick mix
2 eggs

Directions:
Heat oven to 400°F.
Spray a 9 inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray
Cook beef and chopped onion in a skillet over medium about 10 minutes or until beef is brown. Drain excess fat.
Stir in salt, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce and then spread in pie plate
Next, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the beef
In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs and Bisquick. Make sure you try to get as many lumps out as you can. Pour over meat mixture.
Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean

Serves 4-5 people

December 6

Advent is the time when Christians prepare to greet Christ—who came as a babe in a manger, who comes into our lives each day, and who will come again at the end of time. A saint honored on December 6 is St. Nicholas.

Advent

Jesus, St. Nicholas, and the law of the gift. The law of the gift is this: the more you give, the more you receive. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/neuhaus/

I rarely send an e-card (we design our own Christmas cards), but really like these St. Nicholas cards (feast day Dec. 6). They won't be delivered until tomorrow. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/e-cards/

Cut out, soft sour cream cookies

I usually use Neno’s (my husband’s grandmother) recipe, but thought I’d add this one to the list.

Ingredients

• FOR COOKIE DOUGH:
• 5-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• FOR FROSTING (makes 1 cup of frosting):
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-4 tablespoons canned evaporated milk
• food coloring (optional)

Directions

MAKE COOKIE DOUGH:
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, & salt; set aside. In second large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the sour cream and butter at low speed; add sugar, eggs, and vanilla & mix until combined. (It's okay if it's a little lumpy as long as no butter chunks are visible.) Gradually add the flour mixture to the sour cream mixture, mixing until well combined. Dough will be sticky. (If cookie dough is too thick for your mixture to handle, you can stir it by hand with a wooden spoon.) Divide dough onto two pieces of plastic wrap; flatten dough, wrap tightly, and refrigerate until chilled, 1-2 hours. (Make ahead tip: Dough may be made to this point and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.)
ROLL, CUT, & BAKE COOKIES:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Generously flour your counter or work surface to prevent dough from sticking. Rub flour on the rolling pin. Put one of the chilled pieces of dough on top of the floured surface and sprinkle the top of the dough with more flour. Starting at the center, roll the dough out to one edge; return to the center and roll to the opposite edge. Continue rolling until dough is an even 1/4" thick all over, sprinkling with additional flour, if needed, to avoid sticking. Dip cookie cutter in flour and cut out dough shapes. Transfer dough shapes to baking sheets. Continue rolling dough, cutting shapes, and adding to baking sheets until they are filled. Bake 2 sheets at a time for 8-10 minutes, rotating and switching pans half way through cooking time. Bake them just until they are baked all the way through but haven't started browning on the bottom. If a soft textured cookie is desired, it's very important not to over bake them. Transfer hot cookies to a baking rack to cool completely. (Make-ahead tip: Cooled, unfrosted cookies may be stacked in a sealed container and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 weeks.)
MAKE FROSTING:
Combine powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and half of the evaporated milk in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to combine ingredients on a low speed until its' a thick paste consistency and all of the lumps are gone. Gradually add remaining milk and continue mixing on medium speed until frosting is a smooth, silky, spreadable consistency. If it's still too thick, add more milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time until it's desired consistency. Mix in food coloring, if desired.
FROST & STORE COOKIES:
Frost each cookie and decorate with sprinkles while frosting is still wet. Leave out to dry for several hours until dry to touch before storing in an airtight container. If stacking frosted cookies, put waxed or parchment paper between layers.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION per cookie: 125 calories, 4.5g fat, 70mg sodium, 19.6g carbs, 10.7g sugars, 1.5g protein, 0g fiber; Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 3

http://www.theyummylife.com/Sour_Cream_Sugar_Cookies#EmbedRecipe_294

Three phases of ObamaCare by James Taranto

Phase 1, the technical failure, might have been avoided had the administration had some basic standards of competence. But Phases 2 and 3 are inherent in the law.

Phase 2 was the revelation that the ObamaCare enterprise is the most massive consumer fraud in American history--that the "if you like your plan, you can keep it" sales pitch was not only false but deliberately deceptive, and also that ObamaCare forces insurance companies to engage in dishonest practices such as selling maternity coverage to men and postmenopausal women. "Health care experts say, it's not out of the question that the Obama administration could face the worst-case scenario on Jan. 1: the number of uninsured Americans actually goes up." Politico.

Phase 3 will develop over the coming months. Phase 3 is the demonstration that even if the system is technically functional and the fraud impervious to redress, ObamaCare is economically unviable because of adverse selection: Americans who stand benefit from the law's price controls, the old and the sick, will buy insurance in large numbers, while those who get hit by them, the young and the healthy, will not.

There’s more.