It was 7 years ago today, that Tasha came to us to play !!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 17th, 1934
Today is my Mom's 77th Birthday ! Happy Birthday Mom !
Her are 6 things you may not know about St. Patrick's Day...
1. St. Patrick's Day is an American holiday--the first St Patrick's Day parade took place in the United States on March 17,1762. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through--where else? New York City.
2. The NYC parade became the "granddaddy" of what it is today in 1848 when several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their smaller parades to become one. Today the parade is the world's oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States.
3. In the mid-19th century, the Irish who lived in America were Protestant and most were middle class and respected. After the Irish Potato Famine (starting in 1845) close to a million Irish people, many of them poor and uneducated Catholics, emigrated to the United States. It was at this time that the disdain for the Irish began, and signs like "No Irish Need Apply" began to proliferate.
4. As the 20th century got underway, the Irish began to realize there was strength in numbers and that politicians needed to care how the Irish felt about various matters. Over time, political hopefuls began appearing at the annual parade festivities. President Truman attended in 1948, and this meant a great deal to the Irish who had for so long felt the pain of racial prejudice.
5. Today there are 36.5 million U.S. residents with Irish roots--this is almost nine times the population of Ireland itself. (U.S. Census Bureau)
6. And finally, why do we wear green if we want to show allegiance to Ireland? Some say the wearing of the green relates to the Celtic practice of wearing green during the vernal equinox. Others say the tradition was begun by school children. Certainly, we can all agree that green is the perfect color for the day. Ireland itself is often called the "Emerald Isle" because of the lushness of its greenery. Green is the color of the shamrock, and it does remind people of the coming of springtime, promising the hope that we will pull out of the gray of winter.
Her are 6 things you may not know about St. Patrick's Day...
1. St. Patrick's Day is an American holiday--the first St Patrick's Day parade took place in the United States on March 17,1762. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through--where else? New York City.
2. The NYC parade became the "granddaddy" of what it is today in 1848 when several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their smaller parades to become one. Today the parade is the world's oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States.
3. In the mid-19th century, the Irish who lived in America were Protestant and most were middle class and respected. After the Irish Potato Famine (starting in 1845) close to a million Irish people, many of them poor and uneducated Catholics, emigrated to the United States. It was at this time that the disdain for the Irish began, and signs like "No Irish Need Apply" began to proliferate.
4. As the 20th century got underway, the Irish began to realize there was strength in numbers and that politicians needed to care how the Irish felt about various matters. Over time, political hopefuls began appearing at the annual parade festivities. President Truman attended in 1948, and this meant a great deal to the Irish who had for so long felt the pain of racial prejudice.
5. Today there are 36.5 million U.S. residents with Irish roots--this is almost nine times the population of Ireland itself. (U.S. Census Bureau)
6. And finally, why do we wear green if we want to show allegiance to Ireland? Some say the wearing of the green relates to the Celtic practice of wearing green during the vernal equinox. Others say the tradition was begun by school children. Certainly, we can all agree that green is the perfect color for the day. Ireland itself is often called the "Emerald Isle" because of the lushness of its greenery. Green is the color of the shamrock, and it does remind people of the coming of springtime, promising the hope that we will pull out of the gray of winter.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Bob Uecker...AKA Harry Doyle
The Value of the Onion
In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people, there was a Doctor who visited many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it, and many died.
The doctor came upon one farmer, and to his surprise, everyone in the household was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one, and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.
Now, I heard this story from a hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work... (And no, she is not in the onion business.)
The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year, and we never got the flu.
If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case....Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!
Now there is a P.S.. to this, for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:
Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but I do know that I contracted pneumonia, and needless to say I was very ill. I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion. Put one end on a fork, and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs. Sure enough, it happened just like that...the onion was a mess, and I began to feel better.
Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.
This is the other note: LEFTOVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS! I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge. Sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so I save the other half for later. Now with this info, I have changed my mind. I will buy smaller onions in the future.
I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, makers of mayonnaise. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist. The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed.. He's one of the brothers. Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's. Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz.
During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe. "It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl ofpotato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.
Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.
He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions.. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.
It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put on your hotdogs at the baseball park!)
Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.
So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.
Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.
Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day. It becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.
The doctor came upon one farmer, and to his surprise, everyone in the household was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one, and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.
Now, I heard this story from a hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work... (And no, she is not in the onion business.)
The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year, and we never got the flu.
If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case....Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!
Now there is a P.S.. to this, for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:
Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but I do know that I contracted pneumonia, and needless to say I was very ill. I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion. Put one end on a fork, and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs. Sure enough, it happened just like that...the onion was a mess, and I began to feel better.
Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.
This is the other note: LEFTOVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS! I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge. Sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so I save the other half for later. Now with this info, I have changed my mind. I will buy smaller onions in the future.
I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, makers of mayonnaise. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist. The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed.. He's one of the brothers. Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's. Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz.
During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe. "It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl ofpotato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.
Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.
He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions.. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.
It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put on your hotdogs at the baseball park!)
Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.
So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.
Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.
Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day. It becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It Finally Happened...
March is the month that we have to register our 1996 Nissan Sentra. Because it is so old, we never renew it for more than one year at a time, because it would be a bad omen to renew it for two. This year, it required the emissions test. No worries, it passed with flying colors. I am not sure how they measure the emissions, they never even started the engine. Anyway, it passed. But, here is the funny part:
Emissions Test: $27.75
Renewal Fee: $27.64
Yes, that's right. the so called emissions test was more expensive that the renewal fee !
Gotta love it !
Emissions Test: $27.75
Renewal Fee: $27.64
Yes, that's right. the so called emissions test was more expensive that the renewal fee !
Gotta love it !
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Great Albert Pujols
This is a contract year for him. He is in the last year of his contract, so after the World Series, he will become a free agent. The goal of the team, and Albert, was to sign him to a new contract, before he ever hits the open market. Both wanted to get it done. So it seemed. Both agreed on a deadline (yesterday) to get it done. Neither side wanted to let this situation become a distraction to the team or their season.
The deadline came and went. No deal. Surprised? No, not really. Until you hear of what actually went down.
Everyone who claims they are experts, claimed to have an idea of the money that was to be. Albert was going to be a $200 million man. That is to say, the total value of the contract would have to be worth $200 million over the life of the contract. Don't be fooled. This IS a lot of money. Some people have speculated that the hold up in the negotiations between the two sides was the amount of years of the contract. Albert wanted more years, the Cardinals didn't want to commit to the 10 years Albert was asking for. But Pujlos himself had come out to say that is not the issue. So, is it the money?
Here is the word on the street: The Cardinals offered $200 million for eight years, possibly with an opportunity for Pujols to obtain an ownership stake in the franchise once his playing days are complete. There is is. The offer. $200 million. Sounds good, right? This offer was rejected. REJECTED ! Really? Are you kidding? The team ponied up the money, and Albert himself said the issue was not the years, so what is the problem?
This is where we, the fan, gets SCREWED ! Why don't more of us have season tickets? Better yet, why don't more of us go to a game that we don't receive free tickets too? Because of the price of the ticket. Tickets are sooo expensive because the best players, always want more. Because $200 million isn't enough for Albert.
I actually read (yes, I do read) in an article by ESPN that Pujols was receiving pressure by the players union not to sign the $200 million offer. Why? And this is mind blowing...because of the implications this one contract will have on future contracts. The union wants him to get more, so it will raise the bar for the future. More...more...more...it begs the question, how much is too much?
I was hoping that Albert was going to be different. It wasn't going to be about the money. It was about the love of the game. It was about playing for HIS team, HIS town. Remember who gave you the chance to be great? Who made you who you are (were)?
By the way...his current salary? He will make $16 million this season in his contract's final year, with $4 million of the money deferred with no interest. Chump change. To paraphrase a basketball player once about a time..."How can I feed my children on that?
Pujols is the only player in major league history to hit 30 or more home runs each of his first 10 seasons -- all with the Cardinals, the franchise he's often said he wants to remain with for the rest of his career. This doesn't seem to be true anymore, even if he still says it is.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...Money has corrupted and ruined professional sports. The NFL is currently about to shut its doors for next year because owners and player cannot agree on the billions of dollars to be paid to both sides. Yes, BILLIONS !
Albert, I love your game and what you brought to the ballpark everyday. Players like you brought joy to the fans. But now, you are just another greedy player, and what is worse, you broke the hearts of your fans.
So, the next time you want to go to a game and can't, think of the likes of Albert Pujols, arguably one of the best players ever to play the game of baseball. He turned us away.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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