Our Man "Flynt"

Everyone wants a piece of the bailout pie. The financial institutions, the auto industry, people who over extended themselves in the housing market and those who allowed it to happen. People like us are at the very bottom the barrel because we live within our means and carry no debt. One has a right to be bitter.

A couple of men, however, are looking out for everyman's interest. Larry Flynt of Hustler fame and Joe Francis of Girls Gone Wild have requested $5 billion to bailout the "adult entertainment industry"! The reasoning is that Congress needs to support their enterprise just as it does any other industry "cherished" by the American people. Don't you love it?

These men tell us people are depressed and having to take to bath tubs far too often for release. "It's time for Congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America!" Yeah. What will guys like Eliot Spitzer and John Edwards do?

As I was searching for confirmation of this information another headline caught my eye. Aha! All is not as altruistic is it may appear! It seems Flynt is suing two of his nephews for selling their own line of films that are "inferior products" and knockoffs.

Heaven for fend, one would not like the family name dragged through the mud! The lawsuit to maintain Flynt quality will cost big bucks, but $5 billion worth?

One article on this subject ended with the statement, "Most lawmakers have called the request for bailout money a publicity stunt."

Do you think?

Chicago, Chicago, I Toddled That Town!

I remember Obama making a comment about how he hoped he and his family would be able to return to Chicago often because it's home; where their friends are. Then I reflected on how many times the Chicago Sun Times has picked up one of my posts and thought I might share my own Chicago connection. I was born there. To a mother who I believe was Polish. At least she had a Polish sounding name, you know, one with 10,000 letters!

It was during the war so I'm assuming that may have something to do with why I ended up at the Cradle, an adoption agency in Evanston. The folks first adopted my brother (not my blood brother) from the same agency then a couple of years later, me. We both were so fortunate!

Dad was with Westinghouse. One of those situations common to the times where he went with the company straight from college and spent his entire career with them. Job firmly in hand Dad and Mom married and spent their early years on Fargo.

My first recollections, however, were of Greenview Avenue close to where it intersects with Howard. 7512. I have no idea why that number remains so vivid to me, but 7512 it was!

From there we moved to our very first house, in Barrington. Home of the Jewel Tea Company. You could see it from the neighborhood. There was a pond at the foot of the street and a pasture behind us. I remember when the cows broke through the fence and swarmed through the yard and running into the house because they were so big!

All that in the first four years of my life. Then Dad was transferred to Pittsburgh.

That wasn't the end of my time in Chicago however. Dad often had business there and it was a wonderful train ride away. That really dates me, doesn't it? I learned to love trains. The overnights in the Pullman cars with the beds that pulled down. And dinner in the dining cars! What an adventure. And Chicago. We always managed to visit during the holiday season so we could have lunch at Marshall Fields and look at the magnificent Christmas Tree. It was a magical time for a kid.

The years passed and the family trips came to an end but Chicago remained a part of my life. Hub had lots of business there and I often went along. Refreshing the memories. Funny. I grew up in Pittsburgh, but to this day when asked where I'm from the answer is always "Chicago".

Ah, Chicago. It's wonderful museums and zoos and lake shore. It's architecture and public art. The Lyric and the Symphony. The restaurants. It's politics and personalities from Capone to Daley to Obama. It even has Oprah! You can't get much more colorful than that!

I've had some pretty auspicious company in loving Chicago. It's my home town after all. Sinatra toddled it his way and I - mine!

The Morning After!

If Santa was late to your place on Christmas this may be why. He got stuck in our front yard. He's still there. He's likely to be there in the spring!

Winter in northern Idaho isn't advertised like this in the life style magazines for sure! Last year we had just as much snow but it took all winter to accumulate. This year it has piled up since just after Thanksgiving and isn't over yet. Another winter storm warning looms for tomorrow through Sunday promising another eight or so inches. Then you won't know Santa is stuck in our front yard because you won't be able to see him!

The good thing is Hub finally got out and got extra belts for the snow blower. And gas. The drive is now clear. Almost. The flurries have added a new half inch just this evening.

The bad news is the temperatures are to moderate which will make the snow heavy, wet and extremely hard to move. I predict more broken belts! Plus the temperatures will drop below freezing at night creating a sheet of ice over the hard pack.

It's a shy week to New Years. We've left overs a plenty. We bought New Year's Eve bubbly while we were out today. I've got a new camcorder to play with. Posting to the ole blog will resume. Politics are heating up between the Caroline Kennedy Senate quest and the Blogojevich mess in Illinois. What more could an addicted blogger want?

Looking ahead now; maybe a chance to spend Christmas in the Southwest. I understand the saguaro look spectacular decked out in lights. On second thought, make that winter in the Southwest!

One Man's Pleasure; Another Man's Penalty!

I haven't watched much football this year. The game has become so regulated that the fun and spontaneity has gone out of it. Heaven forbid you rough up the quarterback. Heck, let them wear the necessary padding like the guys who really get beat up! Put some sizzle back into the game!

The Seahawks against the Jets was the exception to this season's viewing habits. I really wanted the Seahawks to give Mike Holmgren a win for his final home game as coach. So did the team and their enthusiasm showed after what has been a dismal season.

Penalties were few but the ones called brought to mind just how ridiculous the league has gotten with the penalties for "excessive" celebration! Jason Wilson's snow angel! What was so egregious about making a snow angel? Because there was snow! Go figure. If there had been no snow and he had made a "grass" angel no problem. But snow is considered a prop. A prop? Props aren't allowed since Terrell Owens hid a Sharpie in his sock, whipped it out after scoring, signed the ball and gave it to a fan.

Oh, I get irritated with the show boaters at times. Especially when their team is down by a gazillion points, someone finally scores and they act as though they've just won the super bowl before they get blindsided. That, however, is just a minor irritation.

But a snow angel? From a member of a team who had few highlights this season? Come on guys.

Sometimes it's not so bad living in a dog's world. Bacchus makes snow angels in the winter and grass angels in the summer with no penalty what so ever!

Home Is Where The Heart Is

I called this house "home" for 24 years. I've not lived in one that long since.

That's why I found an AP headline, Americans less likely to roam: study, of interest. The article states a lot of statistics showing that Americans do not move around as much as they once did.

I guess it's an issue of circumstance. We moved to Pittsburgh from Chicago in 1945. Dad was with Westinghouse and that was where the job was until they moved it to Buffalo in the 60s, told him it was his if he was at his desk the following Monday morning. That was on a Friday. He opted, as they had hoped, for early retirement. That was the end of the era when companies cared for their employees and in turn the employees were faithful to them.

When Hub and I married, in the late 60s, the trend of following the career path no matter where it lead was just beginning. In the first few years we moved from Pittsburgh to Princeton, to Des Moines, Hartford, Denver, San Francisco and Houston. Time between moves lengthened after that. Los Angeles, Seattle, Rochester, NY and now Coeur d'Alene.

Each and every time I considered it a grand adventure. We still have good friends from each and every city. I guess I would have made a good Army "brat".

I find it of interest when a promotion is refused because it would mean a move. Or that kids can't be taken out of one school system for another. I understand wanting to be close to family and the wrench it gives when you leave behind friends, but both will still be there. Family for sure, and if the friends are really good friends. As for how the kids will fare? That depends on the attitude of the parents.

I've asked many people why they've chosen to stay in a particular place. Especially ones that are economically depressed. Places where making a move would improve their lives. It's so beautiful is an answer. Or I've never had any desire to live any place else.

What is lacking? Plain old curiosity. That's what I don't understand. No adventuresome spirit. When Kodak was dieing in Rochester, NY and jobs were available in operations in other cities, people would not move. I would guess it's the same in any company town". Like Detroit with the auto industry. Like northern Idaho with the demise of the timber industry.

The article claims that the trend is due to an aging population. Maybe, but I would question that assumption. We may be gaining in numbers but it's the young who do the majority of the moving - when they do.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to retire in the old home town or state. One day we'd like to get back to Montana. It's in our blood. We have, however, never regretted our nomadic years. The people we've met and what we've learned about them and from them. The places we've seen. The experiences we've had that one can't do on a visit. Like experiencing autumn in New England. Or Texas. You cannot get the full taste of the Texan lifestyle without having lived it!

If Obama's plans for job creation and stimulating the economy require a move, I truly hope the younger generations will jump on the band wagon for a great ride. I cannot believe they'd ever regret it!

"Bushed" Bush

Have you noticed how terribly, terribly tired George Bush looks these days? Like every last ounce of energy has been sapped from his being. I actually feel badly for him.

Here is the man who has held the most powerful position in the world for the past eight years and reduced it to something far less. I wonder what his expectations were when he first took office.

Though President-elect Obama tells us there is only one President at a time, it hardly seems so. He's on television all day every day announcing policy and introducing those who's responsibility it will be to carry it out. Bush has been pretty much relegated to giving exit interviews.

I found his talking points memo, titled "Speech Topper on the Bush Record", a sad commentary for it's brevity. Some of the main points included his keeping us safe after 9/11, the lifting of the economy through tax cuts, curbing AIDS in Africa and maintaining the honor and dignity of his office.

Listening to the media pick this apart has been interesting. It would seem to be moot as to whether his actions as President kept us safe after 9/11 or it was so planned by those who attacked us. The economy is anything but stronger. To his credit he did a great deal to curb AIDS in Africa. There is so much more that needs to be addressed that was not.

Maintaining the honor and dignity of the office. Some speculated that meant the absence of a "Lewinsky" type scandal. That's fair, but when you consider the number of our rights that have been diminished if not obiterated, taking us into a war based on faulty intelligence, his fuzzy logic on what is and is not "torture" and the inept response to tragedies of nature within our own borders, I wonder about that dubious "accomplishment".

I wonder if once he's out of office he'll come to see his tenure more as we see it or if he will live out his days believing that history will vindicate his actions because of his pureness of motive.

As most former Presidents, he plans to write a book. I wonder if it will be introspective or defensive. It may have a great deal to do with whether six months out of office he looks rejuvenated or still an exhausted version of his former self. He should look tired. It might indicate he has actually spent some sleepless nights along with we the people he was elected to lead. Introspection may give him some peace. Defensiveness will confirm what many already believe. He never did quite get it.

Same Song Second Verse

Wow! Yesterday we had luminaria lining the driveway, this is what we have this morning. What driveway? It is 8:35 a.m. Pacific time. The snow is due to continue well into the afternoon.

This is a one day snow accumulation on our roof. The south side. The north side has blown bare.

Not being into skate boarding I'm not sure about this but would a half pipe look like this if made from snow? This is the drift along the side of the shop.

Hub is working valiantly. The drifts on the drive are obscuring the snow blower.

Okay, here's the deal. We are setting record snowfall for a 24 hour period. Seventeen inches at the Spokane airport which is the official measuring point. We have several more inches in our area. Out here on the prairie it looks like sand dunes along the coast. Some drifts five and six feet high and the ground in front of them bare. Wind.

For those of you who aren't familiar with lake effect snow you hear about coming off the Great Lakes, this is as close as you come around here. Light and fluffy, very low moisture content, and it piles up like Topsy! Spokane is literally closed down. I'm sure our area is too but the coverage is out of Spokane and about Spokane.

After I wrote my post yesterday things really began to go downhill. We had decided to let the snow run it's course before starting to clear it. Then an unexpected Fed Ex delivery had the truck barely in the drive while the driver shoveled his way to the door. Hub decided he should at least clear a path.

All went well until the tractor snapped an essential belt. No one in Coeur d'Alene had one. That means a trip to Spokane. He thinks he's going this afternoon. Ha! The bright side is we still have the walk behind blower from the good old days!!

During coffee this morning I thought the den felt unusually cool. Hub checked the thermostat and it read 58 degrees. A malfunctioning furnace. And we just had it serviced! My mood is diminishing. The bright side is we have a duel heating system so the game room is warm. The office and shop are hearted and comfortable. It's the only reason I'm writing this time of day! I'm usually banned until after the market closes at one.

Even Bacchus seemed somewhat surprised. He isn't used to his hind end being buried when he squats. That's cold! He's the only one who can be comfortable in the house today and last time I checked he was sound asleep on the couch.

Oh, I've forgotten to mention the temperatures going along with the snow. Tomorrow is forecast to be -8. Today will be a balmy 17. No melting in sight!

Welcome to winter in the Inland Northwest. Time for another lyric? "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Bah Humbug!

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

Bacchus of course is loving it. And actually so are we. We won't even think about clearing the drive until the snow stops. Maybe sometime tomorrow. In the meantime, I followed Hub as he shoveled a path to the shop so I could get to my computer. Just to let you know I have nothing to post! The tree awaits. My rational is my back needed a rest from all the stretching to hang ornaments this morning. I'll be going back in to resume my part while Hub sets up his train in the game room. I'll have a fire. He'll have a fire. Bacchus will have the couch. Talk about mellowing out!

Tomorrow, however, may be a whole different story. I get cranky when the body tells me it doesn't want to shovel any more snow. In the meantime I'm just going to put on some Christmas music and enjoy!

Those Long Winter Nights Of Times Past

In an attempt to beat the snow, Hub got the outside decorations up in a timely manner. It also gave me a chance to get a jump on the indoor decorating which I usually don't begin until after the tree is up. This year the tree is the last item on the agenda.

It also gave me time to sort through boxes that had been unopened for years and, oh, did the memories come flooding back. Our trees have always been eclectic. We have all the ornaments from Hub's family and mine as well as the ones we have added over our thirty nine Christmases together. We have old clip on candle holders from the days they were actually used and the candles lighted to illuminate the tree and tin reflectors that were used when bulbs came into vogue. Our trees are always wonderful. At least to us.

What really brought back the memories though, were several boxes I had nearly forgotten about. The minerature ornaments Dad made for the miniature trees my brother and I had in our rooms.

Back when we had those trees we didn't have television. Dad spent most of his evenings tucked away in his basement workshop while we kids were doing our homework or being tucked into bed. Wonderful creations would emerge. Most often at Christmas time. The contents of these boxes were part of that treasure. The ornaments he made for those little trees.

I found the perfect tree at Michael's. It has shorter needles than most of the mini trees and was perfect for decorating. As I unpacked those boxes I examined each of the creations within and marveled at the patience he had to have, first of all find such tiny adornments, but to then drill the smallest of holes in what had to be extremely fragile goods and insert the finest of wire to form the hooks. He even took birthday cake candles and cut them down to make the candle clips. It must have taken me a couple of hours to finish the job. I was handling the most precious of treasures. My Dad had made them - for me - and my brother. During those long winter evenings.

Ah, those wonderful memories. The family decorating the tree together on Christmas eve then off to midnight mass. It became tradition. And our trees, our very own, to brighten our rooms.

We weren't able to light those candles, but the folks sure knew how to light up our hearts.

Global Warming Gives Me A Chill!

The temperature was 1 degree F with a -20 wind chill as I dressed to take Bacchus for our morning stroll. He was tucked comfortably under the edge of the bed snoring contentedly as I pulled on long johns, flannel lined jeans, sock liners, winter weight socks then insulated boots. Then a T-shirt under a turtle neck topped with a chamois cloth shirt before the sweater and my beloved -30 degree parka. Next came the neck gaiter, to pull over my chin and mouth, ear muffs tucked under the wool ski cap and the hood of the parka for good measure. Oh yes, the lined and insulated ski gloves. I was ready.

Bacchus rolled over on his back to get his tummy rubbed. I could barely bend over to reach it. Then he was ready and we were off. "Don't come back until he does something!" Hub shouted after me as I opened the door to the howling wind. Right.

Being the paranoid that I am I didn't want to keep Bacchus out too long. His winter coat is still a bit sparse and he refuses to wear his mutt luks but off we went. We stopped a half dozen times between the door and the road so he could check out business that was his own but one can never be sure. The road was a sheet of ice so I made him walk down our side which he didn't want to do because he does his business on the other side. So about halfway past the neighbors we gingerly made the crossing. Nothing.

Not liking the wind in his face he finally agreed to turn around and head back toward home. Just as resolutely he sauntered right past the drive and on north. Still nothing. Okay. That's it dog. We've been at this for 20 minutes. That's the limit for me if not for you!

Into the warm kitchen we went and out the back door he went. He doesn't like the water he has in the laundry room. The ice cold water in his dish, frozen actually, has much more appeal. I topped it off with some fresh and he was happy. Come back in? Not a chance. Note the photo. I gave him another few minutes than made him come into the warmth and he repaid me by taking my place on the couch to watch "Meet the Press." Fine.

I'm out in the office now. He's still on the couch. I scanned the headlines on Yahoo and laughed out loud at the following teasers:

Obama left with little time to curb global warming 41 mins ago
More outages possible in ice-ravaged Northeast 14 mins ago

It occurred to me Obama has little time left because we're about to enter a new era of global cooling! I've always believed in the cyclical nature of these weather phenomenon and never bought into all the arguments regarding global warming because scientists, real scientists, not Al Gore, refute many of the assumptions with fact. Now it would seem NASA is in agreement with the oncoming of global cooling.

It all goes to the old saying "What goes around comes around". You watch. In about the same span of time lyrics from some old standards will be merged. How about "In the good old summer time snow is glistening". And it won't mean summer in the southern hemisphere!

You've got To Wonder About Politicians!

When you come right down to it, our politicians are a pretty tame bunch when it comes to mass public embarrassment. Oh sure, you have those who have affairs, and who chase after pages be they male or female, and those who hide tens of thousands of dollars in their freezers, but they seem to be one off indiscretions. Nothing like the fisticuffs we've seen that occur among some governing bodies.

But, wow! Nothing like Australia! According to Reuters, some of their politicians may have to take breathalyzer tests before they can vote on legislation! It seems that in New South Wales one lawmaker resigned after shoving a female colleague after a Christmas party.

That doesn't seem too bad. I guess it depends on how hard he shoved her. I hate it when details are sketchy!

I guess the final straw was when the police minister did some "dirty dancing" in his underwear over the chest of, again, a female colleague after a drunken post budget office party! Now that must have been something to see! And I wonder what the budget looks like!

We haven't seen the likes of that kind of behavior in this country since Fanne Foxe, the Argentine Firecracker, fled congressman Wilbur Mills' car and jumped into the D.C. Tidal Basin back in 1974!

I try to picture some of our august legislators cavorting in such a manner and find it most unsettling!

I've never thought our legislators needed much more then an I.Q. test! This breathalyzer suggestion has me wondering if the Aussies, too, might benefit from one.

Rather than administering the test before they enter Parliament to cast their votes, how about after the parties that seem to follow the meetings? Or cut down on the parties! Or the meetings!

Maybe there is something to be said for our "two party" system! If you get my drift.

Gas Warfare!

The auto industry is in shambles. The price of gas is like a see saw; up and down, up and down. The green machine is trying to force the car manufacturers to build green cars that will run on battery power for maybe 40 miles at a crack. The tax payer is being asked to fork over billions for this effort. Never mind that no one will buy the cars anyway. At least not here in northern Idaho where pick ups are required equipment. And a forty mile drive may just get you to the grocery store before you'd have to recharge to return home. It needs a tad more study.

On the other hand, as is the way of the government, they are looking at charging farmers fees if they have gas producing animals! Okay, the technology for capturing gas from cows and pigs hasn't been perfected, but is it fair to fine those who raise them for a habit that comes naturally?

Yep. The Environmental Protection Agency officially states that greenhouse gases emitted by belching and flatulence is air pollution!

Here is the fee schedule: more than 25 dairy cows - $175 each; more than 50 beef cattle - $87.50/head; more than 200 hogs - $20 each.

That is estimated to cost a modest sized ranch upwards of $30,000 a year when they can barely buy food for the critters to begin with! Then there is worry that it might extend to chickens and other farm animals leading to our having to import them rather than raising them therefore putting another whole industry into more trouble than it already has and we already subsidize! Whew. That was a tough sentence to get out!

We best keep an eye on this or it could adversely affect we humans too. Not from a consumers point of view but from a consumption point of view. Think about how Uncle Charlie relaxes after too much Thanksgiving dinner? Think about what the boys around the TV emit after consuming too many beers while watching the big game!

It could turn ugly. They could charge me a fee for having Bacchus. He's been known to let loose on occasion. What about my fish? What's in those bubbles they blow?

Where will it stop? Where will it stop? As Kermit the Frog once said, "It isn't easy being green." Indeed. I'm turning green just thinking about it!

Barbara's "View" Vs. Dogwalk's - Fascinating!

Tonight is another night for outstanding television "view"ing. Uh, oh. When I start playing around with words you know serious stuff is probably on the back burner for the day.

Well, yes and no. Basically yes. Tonight Barbara Walter's list of The Ten Most Fascinating People will air. I read the list with eager anticipation. What luminaries would be subjects of her probing interviews this year? What might we learn about them that we didn't already know?

Then I read the names. The only one not revealed, of course, is the number one. But that's okay. I thought there would be enough to whet my appetite. Well, it did. For a glass of wine and a good book!

Okay, here we go. Olympian Michael Phelps. What did we not learn about this young man during the Olympics? This young man who spends his entire life training. Oh well, he did make a splash at the time.

Will Smith. Tom Cruise. That they are both Scientologists is old news. If they departed the cult after all this time; now that would be fascinating.

Tina Fey? As good an actress as she is, there is no way she is more fascinating than the woman she impersonates - Sarah Palin. And Palin, herself. I must admit she fascinates me no end. Is she for real or is she just a bad dream that will be gone when I wake up?

I'll pass on Miley Cyrus. It's a generational thing. I'm still a bit fascinated by her Dad, however. How a mediocre talent built a career out of one hit song and a mullet escapes me!

She may have an attention getter with Thomas Beatie as a representative of the increasing visibility of trans gender couples. I must admit I wasn't aware this was happening, and quite frankly can do without being enlightened.

Frank Langella? The luck of landing a role in the film, Frost/Nixon, seems more a stroke of luck than fascinating. Maybe this is a tip of the hat to Whoopi who at one time had a relationship with him.

Oops! Nearly forgot. Rush Limbaugh. He's fascinating all right. How a man who couldn't cut it as a sportscaster; who used to be funny until he decided to pretend he is an intellect and who got off scott free for Doctor shopping to feed his oxycontin habit continues to rake in multimillion's of dollars for dispersing less than accurate information is indeed fascinating. I'm not sure that's what Barbara has in mind though.

Naturally she's being coy about number one. Speculation is that it's Obama himself. I don't know. With all the really fascinating people that could have been chosen for the other slots, I have a hunch Obama may not have been tapped.

Wow. What a line up. I've read blogs that are written by more fascinating people.

Oh well, what the heck. Walters gave up her claim on professional journalism when she became an entertainer. That's all The View is - entertainment. Such as it is. Why would I expect her list to be anything different?

Ah, let's see. What chapter am I on?

This Would Be A REAL Thanksgiving!

Yesterday while Hub was fixing our more than ample Thanksgiving dinner for our more than ample bodies, I ran my blogs.

One of my favorites, Dog Walk Blog had the most provocative post of all. A proposal for taking the American holiday, Thanksgiving, and making it a worldwide "Eating Day" thus making it a true Thanksgiving.

A similar thought had been running through my mind since the wrap up of "Tom's Turkey Drive", an effort to provide Thanksgiving dinner fixings for thousands of Spokanites sponsored by Tom Sherry, KREM2 weather man. As I read the papers this morning I see the requests for Christmas are already ramping up.

Not to take away from the people who benefit from these food drives, but none of them look like the child in the photo. Nor do the people who benefit from the local food banks year round. That, I think, is something for all of them to be "thankful" for! Not only for the food they receive from the generosity of others, but that there are those in this country willing and able to make the necessary contributions.

Like us. We are no different. We over indulge during the holidays with hardly a thought. Serving holiday meals to the needy at holiday time may take away a degree of guilt. Never-the-less I won't have to cook for nearly a week. It will take that long to finish up the leftovers.

There is, however, the rest of the world. We see glimpses of it in newscasts if we pay attention, but as with most things we'd rather not look straight in the eye, the images soon fade. There are organizations worldwide that try to address this problem. They make a meager impact while lacking in nutritional foodstuffs, facing the realities of drought and nationwide famines coupled with corrupt governments not caring about their people.

What better time of year to bring it to worldwide attention than Thanksgiving? When we are all literally stuffing ourselves, even those among us who have had to ask for help?

My friend Dog Walk has taken it a step further. He has put forth a feeler. I thought I'd help him along. Here is my comment to him and his in return

#1Dogwalk Musings
on Nov 27th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was enough food for the entire world to have an “Eating Day”! No more famine, no more food banks. That would be good cause to change the name to a worldwide “Thanksgiving”!

#2Rufus
on Nov 27th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
It kinda started out as a joke, but it is turning into something like that… The day we start is the day we start making the world a better place. Eating Day - nothing there now, but just wait… care to join in the effort?

.

I think he says it all. My question is can bloggers, just regular bloggers like you and me, become an "A"Team? You know, the one's who love to see a plan come together?

This one's for you Rufus! I'll be waiting for you to get that web site going!

This Goose Isn't Cooked!

Back in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians first celebrated Thanksgiving it isn't know for sure that turkey was even on the menu. More likely there would have been venison, duck and even lobster, cod and eel. Plus the yield from their fields. So just how is it that the poor turkey got pegged for the job of being sacrificed as Sarah Palin touted a pardon?

One story has it that the 16th century version of Queen Elizabeth was feasting on roast goose during harvest time when word came that the Spanish Armada had been sunk thus thwarting an attack on dear old England. The Queen was so pleased she ordered up a second goose and from that time forward it became a favorite during harvest time.

Fast forward to the new world. The Pilgrims, so it goes, wanted to maintain the tradition but found wild turkeys to be abundantly available compared to the goose.

Not to mention that geese can actually fly and can be down right nasty if provoked. Wild turkeys, though they can be intimidating because of their size, aren't built for fast flight. I was witness to this often when we lived in Rochester NY and had a backyard full of them on a daily basis eating the leftovers from the bird feeders. That which the deer would spill after the birds that it was intended for were tucked away for the long cold nights. I can remember them coming onto our deck looking for food and peering into the kitchen if I hadn't filled the feeders on a particular day.

We didn't have a lot of Canadian geese among the foragers. They probably hung out closer to the lake. If the Pilgrims had had more geese, however, would we have ever had Mother Goose? I figure the expression "your goose is cooked" must have British origins. Of course there is also the goose that laid the golden egg. Rich history, those geese! Not to mention as a food stuff they are rife with fat and goose liver foie gras is cholesterol heaven.

So the poor old turkey falls prey every year. Other than the fact Ben Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be our national bird, what do they have to offer? Certainly not goose down comforters or parkas. All that comes to mind is turkey in the straw and what good is that?

Oh, yes, there is also turkey stuffing, turkey gravey, turkey sandwiches and turkey leftovers! It's really a blessing they are not very smart. Hopefully they are dispatched humanely. The one in the Palin video was probably struggling not so much because he realized his time was about up but that he had to listen to her try to put together a cohesive sentence!

Bill And Hill - A "Two For" Again?

I'm beginning to worry about myself. I think I may actually have morphed into a full fledged political junkie. I'm finding the post election intrigue absolutely fascinating.

The Washington Post , among many other sources, has reported that Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State. I doubt that she'd take it if offered because two women have already held the position, but the idea of it is rife with possibilities.

Especially if Bill should become the Special Envoy to the Mid East. Add to the mix Tony Blair who holds the same position for the European Union! What a power play.

Just think, Bill would be able to truthfully say he has the Secretary of State's ear. Hillary would be able to say she has the Special Envoy's ear. They both, of course would have the President's ear. And remember Tony and Bill got along famously before he went on to become Bush's "poodle"! Think of the "bad cop, good cop" scenarios that could play out! If this duo and Blair couldn't bring all those pesky factions into line, they could sure confuse the bejabbers out of them!

It could be economical too. They could share a plane! Ah, the Clintons. The world is their stage. I wonder how many curtain calls they have left!

Henry Alford, Thanks!

This popped up in my e-mail a few minutes ago. I keep telling you guys this blogging business can be fun!

I'm a contributor to the New York Times and Vanity Fair who was asked by Blogs.com to list my favorite ten blogs by or about senior citizens, and I picked you. You can see the list here:

Blogs.com

If you want to be a good egg and humanitarian, maybe mention the article on your blog? (And I can be found at henryalford.com where I blog about seniors.)

Congratulations, and thanks!

Henry Alford

What's In A Name?

Much is being made over what the Obamas should name their new puppy. Two suggestions Nora O'Donnell mentioned yesterday had me chuckling. Bark Obama. If the choice were to be a Pit Bull - Lipstick.

Lipstick. A Pit Bull with Lipstick. If Obama were to carry on the Bush tradition of nicknaming everyone, I'd think Lipstick would be a good name to give Rahm Emanuel! He was chosen for just that trait and if he has a sense of humor I'd guess he'd embrace it.

In thinking back on some of the nicknames Bush bestowed, it's no wonder his relations outside his bubble were sometimes strained. Vladimir Putin - Pootie Poo or Ostrich Legs or former Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien - Dino, short for Dinosaur.

One may have had a sense of ones standing in the inner circle by some of those names. Condoleezza rice as Guru versus Colin Powell as Balloon Foot. Dick Cheney probably demanded his - Big Time. In good times Karen Hughes probably enjoyed High Prophet rather than the alternative Lima Green Bean.

Others were just plain fun and appropriate Hogan (as in Heros) for John McCain while California Senators Boxer and Feinstein shared a theme, Ali and Frazier.

Affection had to be mutual for Karl Rove to have enjoyed being referred to as Turd Blossom while former FEMA Director Michael Brown had to wonder if he was even on the radar with nothing more than Brownie.

Then there was the gamut of the media where Candy Crowley could bask as Dolce, Spanish for candy, while the at other extreme Maureen Dowd was dubbed Cobra.

What will we do without the code? We have the Bushs showing their Texan graciousness to the Obamas during the transition, though Barney has not let the media forget his contempt.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan was gracious during an apology from Obama for an attempt at humor that got it all wrong but was in no way meant to be mean spirited.

Maybe it's best we forget both Pit Bulls and lipstick and let Mr. Emanuel be simply Chief of Staff. A return of graciousness practiced by those in government will serve us all well. Now, can we start on talk radio?

To Malia And Sasha From The Dogwalker - "Get A Mutt From A Shelter!"

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I'd like to offer a suggestion. Forget about the designer breeds and the pure breeds and stick with a mutt. It's the American thing to do. Because it's what we all are! Even your Dad admitted to it in his press conference today.

Yes, I know. We've always been pure breed types, Saint Bernards being our preference, but along the way we had two of the greatest mutts in the world.

One hot, summer Sunday afternoon we had taken a drive to the mountains with Oaf, our Saint at the time. We stopped at a store to get something cool to drink and encountered a girl, about your age, with a box of free puppies. She had two left. My husband told me to take a look. They were so cute. Indeed they were. As are all puppies.

Just about that time her older brother came along to see how things were going. Upon learning there were two left he reminded her what had to be done if they couldn't find them homes. Hub immediately said to me, "Tell them we'll take them."

"Both?" I asked.

"Which would you leave behind? Besides, three aren't any more work than one!" Easy for him to say but take them we did.

The sign on the box indicated they were part American Eskimo and part German Shepard. They looked like neither. Our vet laughed heartily as he checked them over and suggested I return in a few weeks when they began taking on some characteristics. The best we could determine was a hearty mix of Border Collie and Newfoundland.

Louie and Marie, for that fateful Sunday was Bastille Day. We had them for twelve years. The biggest Border Collie (Marie) and the smallest pointy nosed Newf (Louie) you could ever imagine. They were wonderful.

I have loved all our dogs equally because each had their own particular personality that made not doing so impossible. Our Saints were all pure breeds yet that has not kept them from having their problems. Sometimes too much of a good thing can lead to bad. I truly believe a mutt gets the best of both parents. Ours were elderly before they began having, by then, anticipated problems.

I understand, Malia, you have problems with allergies. I'm sure, with all the dog shelters around this country, there is, at the very least, one that has puppies with the qualities you find necessary.

I wish you and Sasha great fun and success in your search. You will be entering a stage of great responsibility and stand to serve as role models for every young pet owner in the country. A responsibility not to be taken lightly. In return you will gain a friend and companion like you have never known or even imagined.

Love your puppy and you will reap rewards that you will treasure a lifetime.

Sincere hugs, tail wags and slurpy kisses,

Mari Meehan and Bacchus
Dogwalk Musings

Halloween Redux

Ah, the good old days. I'm going to lapse into my "I'm turning into my Mother" mode for some nostalgic memories. Halloween. It isn't what it used to be. Last night we had three trick or treaters, none of whom we knew. The first two came by car.

When I was growing up we lived in a neighborhood where everyone knew one another and holidays such as Halloween were embraced by all who called it home. One or two nights before Halloween the older kids were allowed to go "Halloweening". They'd creep through neighborhood yards to soap windows and create other types of harmless mayhem.

It was a time when stores were not filled to the brim with elaborate costumes. We made our own. I can remember my brother getting gussied up as a black faced Aunt Jemima before it was politically incorrect. It was a hoot.

Our house was about the halfway point on our street. We had a game room in the basement so we became the midpoint warming place. Dad and my brother, when he was too old for "trick or treating", would rig our long driveway with eerie lights and fog and weird noises. Finally, into the game room to be greeted with a fireplace to warm by, fresh donuts for a final burst of energy and hot cider to ward off the chill. Mom would be there handing out the goodies, oooing and ahhhing over the cleverness of the costumes and making an elaborate game of guessing who was hiding within.

I took over my brother's spot along side Dad when he moved on to more "adult" activities. We kept it up until I too was "too old" along with the rest of the kids my brother and I grew up with. Years later, when I was working in Pittsburgh, I'd still head for home to help hand out the goodies though by then it was at the front door to unknown youngsters.

I have so many memories of those growing up years and the events that made them special. One can say they were more simple times but on reflection I think not. The folks had the same worries parents have today. How to make the pay check stretch. Was there going to be enough money for college. Were taxes going to go up. The price of groceries. The very same issues we face today.

I yearn for those days though. The folks were resourceful and resilient and not given to complaining. My brother and I were loved and protected and given every opportunity we could have wanted.

That was the American Dream. What many of us have done or not done with it has become the American Nightmare. It is said one can't go home again. That may be true. We can however learn from the past and it doesn't have to be past mistakes. It can well be from wonderful, past memories.