Gosh, I hope this was his idea of a joke.

Unfortunately, though, as much as I trust politicians, I'm just not sure.

In this Washington Examiner article, Vice President Joe Biden is quoted as saying, "I never had an interest in being a mayor 'cause that's a real job.  You have to produce.  That's why I was able to be a senator for 36 years."

I'm not trying to slam any particular political party here. There are enough sleazy politicians in every party and in every nation to give any citizen of the world the willies, and I have no desire to get into a flame war with people who have differing political opinions. (Note: I won't publish comments that consist of rants and flames. Let the civilians set an example by being civil even when our politicians won't!)

Unfortunately, voting for me has become a situation where I cast my vote for the lesser of two evils. And there have been times when, to my chagrin, I've discovered that there truly was no "lesser of two evils".

I hope that's not the situation again come our next election.

Marks made and forgotten

As I walked through the woods the other day looking for signs of spring (and there were many!), I came across this tree. The name etched here was about 12 feet off the ground in a rather inaccessible location. As I looked at it, it occurred to me that, more than likely, the person who had inscribed this name had forgotten about it altogether. The tree, on the other hand, would bear the memory for many years to come.

This struck me as a great metaphor. As we go through life, we leave a mark of sorts on those we meet. Often things we consider insignificant can leave an impression that lingers long after our physical presence is no longer felt.

I wonder what sort of a "mark" I've left behind as I've traveled through the years. It seems to me this is a line of thinking well worth consideration.

I'm hoping you can explain this to me...

...because I clearly don't understand what this woman was trying to convey.

Pennsylvania State Representative Babette Josephs went on a rant against the bill before the state legislators which, if enacted, would require women to undergo an ultrasound before proceeding with an abortion. The target of her ire was the women sponsoring this bill. Josephs is quoted as saying, "I do not understand how a woman in this Legislature can say to herself: 'I'm not capable of making my own health decisions... but I can get elected and make them for somebody else.' What is wrong with these women? What are they thinking about? Are they women? Or are they men with breasts."

Men with breasts? Huh?

I'm prolife, and that makes me a man? Representative Josephs: What were YOU thinking about?

Maybe you'll be able to explain it to me if you read the full story, which is available here. But in the meantime, let me go on record:

I'm prolife. Always.
I'm undecided as to the issue of mandated ultrasounds prior to abortion.
I have breasts, and I'm not a man. I checked.

WW: hungry chipmunk!

 

 

Challenge and chutzpah

We've all met people who've fallen on hard times. We ourselves likely have done so. The way we respond to such times says a lot about our character. Here's a young man from Korea who has met the challenge of hard times with courage and passion.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to he man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

– Theodore Roosevelt

Avocado and Asparagus Salad

If you like asparagus as much as I do, you love this time of year. And while steamed asparagus with a tad of butter, some lemon pepper, and some freshly ground salt is my favorite way to prepare asparagus, I'm always willing to try something new... including this recipe I found at Asparagus Recipes. So off to the grocery store I go!

Ingredients:
2 pounds asparagus, thick ends removed, cut into 2-inch pieces 2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook until bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove, rinse under cold water, and drain.

Combine asparagus, avocados, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large bowl; toss gently to coat.

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, parsley, cilantro, mint, vinegars, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour over asparagus mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately or chill for 2 hours.

A photo linky for animal lovers

Today as I was driving home from the market, I noticed a man walking along the road. He was stooped a bit under the burden of a large dog draped over his shoulders. The only explanation I could come up with was that he'd found this dog ill or injured and was taking him somewhere for medical assistance.

We were on a lesser-traveled road, and I couldn't help but pull alongside him to see if he needed help. He said they were fine: he was just taking his dog - who was quite old - for a walk. As it happens, his dog has been a loyal friend for 17 years, and so this man was showing love and loyalty in return.

 I've seen many acts of kindness through the years, but this one lit up my heart today. I hope it gives you a warm feeling as well!

Money will buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag it's tail. – Richard Friedman

Teach your children... author unknown

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview; the director did the last interview.The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?"The youth answered "none".

The director asked, "Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.

The director asked, "Where did your mother work?"The youth answered, "My mother worked as laundry woman.The director requested the youth to show his hands.The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, "Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, "I have a request. “When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.”

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands.His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the young man.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother’s hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: "Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, "I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes'

The Director asked, "Please tell me your feelings."

The youth said: 1. I know now what appreciation is. Without my mother, there would not have been the successful me today. 2. By working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. 3. I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationships.

The director said, "This is what I am looking for to be my manager.I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put him self first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of a person, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the children instead?*

You can let your children live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, you want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your children learn how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learn how to work with others to get things done.

WW: Welcome to spring + linky

What the heck?

 
A Colorado man was ticketed by police when he took his leashed cat with him to jog. The cat couldn't keep up, so the man tied the cat to a rock while he completed his run. A passerby called police, who ticketed the cat's owner for "domestic animal cruel treatment".

What was he THINKING????

At any rate, you can "read all about it" here.

Minty Couscous Salad

As warm as it's been here in North Carolina recently, it won't be long before fresh mint springs up in the garden. And here's a recipe that will make good use of this prolific herb!

Ingredients
1 C Israeli couscous
1 medium English cucumber, peeled & diced
1/2 C coarsely chopped mint leaves
1/4 C olive oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 C crumbled feta cheese

In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts well-salted water to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, toast the couscous, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, (about 7 minutes).

Cook couscous in the boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water to cool. Pour couscous into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cucumber and mint.

In a small bowl, mix oil, lemon juice and zest, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Stir in the feta. Add this mixture to the couscous. If desired, add salt, pepper, and/or lemon juice to suit your taste, mixing well.

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the mint sprigs.

Reflecting light

I was a small child during the war. One day, on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror. I kept the largest piece I began to play with it and became fascinated that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine - deep holes, crevices, dark closets. I kept the little mirror, and as I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child's game but a metaphor for what I might do with my life - that I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design I do not know. 

With what I have, I can reflect light - truth, understanding, knowledge - into the black places in the hearts of men and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I do.

- Alexandros Papaderos. 

Morning moon

His anger lasts for only a moment.

 But his favor lasts for a person's whole life. 

Sobbing can remain through the night. 

But joy comes in the morning. 

- Psalm 30:5 

This is really beautiful. Enjoy!

The Life of flowers (Жизнь цветов) from VOROBYOFF PRODUCTION on Vimeo.

How Old is grandma?

Stay with this -- the answer is at the end.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events. The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general...

The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute. I was born before:
' television
' penicillin
' polio shots
' frozen foods
' Xerox
' contact lenses
' Frisbees
' the pill

There were no:
' credit cards
' laser beams
' ball-point pens

Man had not invented:
' pantyhose
' air conditioners
' dishwashers
' clothes dryers
' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air
' man hadn't yet walked on the moon

Your Grandfather and I got married first, .. .... ... And then lived together...
Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir."

We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege...
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks , CD's, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios.
And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk.
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam...

Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.

We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600, . .. . But who could afford one?
Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

In my day:
' "grass" was mowed,
' "coke" was a cold drink,
' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and
' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office,
' "chip" meant a piece of wood,
' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and
' "software" wasn't even a word.

And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap.
How old do you think I am?
I bet you have this old lady in mind....you are in for a shock!
Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
Are you ready ?????

This woman would be only 59 years old.

PASS THIS ON TO THE OLD ONES - THE YOUNG ONES WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT. 

WW: Cats. They really DO get into everything!

Strange bedfellows indeed!

How do you cure a lonely 47-year-old gorilla's loneliness?

A zoo in Erie, Pennsylvania has found a unique solution. According to this article, you provide her with a pet rabbit. At least that's what the Erie Zoo did. And so far, it's working out just fine.

I suppose Samantha has been somewhat lonely since her male companion, Rudy, died at age 49 back in 2005. She's too old to be introduced to another gorilla, so zookeepers provided her with Panda - a male rabbit. They hit it off immediately. Samantha scratches Panda under the chin, they hang out together, and Samantha even shares her food.

But she won't share Baby, her stuffed toy gorilla.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Uh... Come to think of it....

If these two can get along so well, how come we people - same species and all - can't do a better job of it? Maybe we should take a lesson from the gorilla?

An alien has crawled inside my body.

That's the only explanation I can come up with. Because for well nigh 6 decades, I would sooner have been strung up by the thumbs than eat tofu.

Really.

But for the past few weeks, I've been willing to experiment and found out that I enjoy it. There's really nothing objectionable about the taste... Tofu apparently tastes like whatever you marinate or cook it with. A few coworkers have been curious enough about it to try it, and while some have said they don't much care for the texture, nobody has said anything disparaging about the taste.

I have NOT tried to slide tofu into my husband's chow in any way, shape, or form. If I did, I can almost guarantee that we wouldn't be together on our 40th anniversary this coming June.

So I decided to share a tofu recipe that I'm going to experiment with for my lunch this week. And I'm going to put out a request to readers:

If you enjoy tofu and have a good recipe to share, please link up below. Hopefully some brave souls out there in cyberspace will be tempted to try tofu as I have! And even if nobody else is willing to take the plunge, I'd love to have some new recipes that incorporate tofu!

Brown Bag Pasta and Tofu
Ingredients
8 ounces mezze penne pasta or regular penne
2 cloves pressed garlic
1/3 cup lightly toasted, chopped walnuts
3/4 cup marinated sun-dried tomato strips, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons basil
8 ounces extra-firm tofu
1 teaspoon salt

DirectionsIn a large saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions.

As the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Place the pressed garlic in a large bowl. Add the walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, oil and basil. Mash in the tofu with a fork and mix well.

When the pasta is ready, drain, and add to the mixture. Toss all ingredients until pasta is well-coated. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Serves 4

The Deaf Wife Problem

The other day I was at church sitting beside my husband, who is hard of hearing and unwilling to consider a hearing aid. Sometimes I'm patient with acting as a translator when he's unable to hear the conversation around him and does an Elvis imitation: "Huh Huh Huh?"

Sometimes not.

At any rate, that particular church service was particularly interesting as one of the other folks attending was a nearly-stone-deaf woman with dementia. She's gained a measure of fame in the parish as she speaks - loudly - whatever happens to pop into her mind. Usually it's something rather benign, like, "What did he say?" But another case in point: when the priest was speaking at this service, she burst out with, "I'm having a hell of a time hearing him." The church burst out in chuckles, to which my husband replied, "Huh huh huh?"

Elvis.

In stereo.

At any rate, I so enjoyed receiving this email forwarded from my DH this week:

Tom feared his wife Peg wasn't hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid.

Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family doctor to discuss the problem.

The doctor told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.

"Here's what you do," said the Doctor. "Stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response."

That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, "I'm about 40 feet away, let's see what happens." Then in a normal tone he asks, "Honey, what's for dinner?"

No response...

So the husband moves closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, "Peg, what's for dinner?"

Still no response.

Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, '"Honey, what's for dinner?"

Again he gets no response.

So, he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. "Honey, what's for dinner?"

Again there is no response.

So he walks right up behind her. "Peg, what's for dinner?"

(I just love this)

"For Gods sake, for the FIFTH time, CHICKEN!"

Mint Orangeade Concentrate

GOSH is this good.

2 1/2 Cup Water
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
1 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Cup Mint leaves, crushed
2 Cup Orange Juice
1 Teaspoon Orange zest

Instructions:
Boil sugar & water. Add remaining ingredients. Cover & let stand 1 hour.

Use as a concentrate, diluting with gingerale, soda water, water, or 7-Up. Use 1/2 cup concentrate to 1 C fluid to start, then adjust to taste.