just sayin'

Blog Traffic
Back in September I posted an article about Bishop Sprong being honored.  I had someone try to place a comment on it the other day and I rejected the comment because it was disrespectful to a person I admire.  My Blog, my rules.  Then someone else tried the same thing.  And then the counter was almost spinning off the axle. It outperformed my friend John's speech which was the #1 post until yesterday.  I followed the link back to something called Stand For Faith which is an Episcopalian Blog (I think) for people who claim to be Christian.  At least more Christian than the Bishop. (I should have monetized the blog. I would be rich)


They are the type of person that cause me to identify as a "Church Alumni"  In my heart I am a Christian but not the type of Christian who would write some of the comments I read on the blog.  I thought about taking the post down but decided not to.  I will just let them stew in their own juices, hoist their own petards and perhaps it will make them happy to write on their own blog.  The Bishop is more of a Christian than any of them  - and more of a gentleman.  I did not leave a comment on their blog nor did I stay long there.  I just read a few of them and since they made me feel dirty I got out of there and went and took a shower.


Ginny
 Ginny and I went to the Mandarin for lunch today.  We had a good visit. Of course I forgot some things I was going to take her.  But I remembered the others and they were the important things. I got some Hot and Sour Soup, egg rolls and Fried Wonton.  Appetizer lunch but it filled me up and I was able to bring half the soup home.


Staples


 Then I had to run to Staples to get some paper, ink and labels so I headed off to Staples.  I know I shared what Miles had done to my dues cards case.  I had looked all over to find a replacement for it to no avail. The leather place in Valley West Mall had nothing.  Not even a wallet I could use.  but I found this at Staples.

You have to look closely to see it but the Knights Templar Card was "chewed by Miles"

Carol Channing

Today is her 90th Birthday.  I understand that she belongs to the Christian Science Faith. Which is the one I still believe has the best understanding of "what it is all about."  Anyway 90 is a pretty great age.  There is an interview with her here.

Happy Birthday Miss Channing.

Brandon

I am having difficulty getting up and down.  My knees do not have the strength they once had. I cannot get out of my recliner as it is to low.  Have trouble getting up from other chairs also.  I had Brandon come over and he is going to build me a platform to put the chair on to raise it up so I won't have so much trouble getting up to let the dogs out.

Sloppy Joes

I made a batch of Sloppy Joes for supper tonight.  From the Family Cookbook.

1 can     Chicken Gumbo soup 1 lb.      Ground beef 1 tsp     Prepared mustard

¼  cup    Catsup 3  T       Onions, chopped              Buns

Procedure

1   Brown ground beef.

2   Drain.

3   Add onions, soup, mustard and catsup.

4   Simmer until thick.

Serve on buns.

I don't put in the mustard.  I put a bunch of Worcestershire sauce instead.  Then I let it simmer and usually put cheese on it. 

So now we are hunkering down to enjoy the snow and blizzard that are promised for this evening.  A couple of Sloppy Joes and a few chips as soon as I finish my Iowa bourbon.  

Have a great evening. Stay warm and cherish your friends while you still have them. Hugs.

Monday Fun

The weathermen say the temperature is going to drop to extreme levels tonight. And everyone should check on the elderly and senile.    Are you OK???                               Well someone sent it to me!!!!!

And so it begins - again

  Winter weather advisory now in effect until noon cst Tuesday. Winter storm watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through wednesday morning,
The NWS in des moines has issued a winter storm watch, which is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through wednesday morning. The winter weather advisory is now in effect until noon cst Tuesday.

Timing, snow is spread across the area this morning and continue into tonight before tapering off for a period Tuesday morning. The snow is then expected to rapidly intensify across the area Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. The snow is expected to end Wednesday morning.





Storm total snow accumulations, 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected with the first storm today into tonight. Total snow accumulations from both storms of 8 to 14 inches will be possible across the watch area. Some uncertainty still exists with the exact track of the second storm.

Timing, snow is spread across the area this morning and continue into tonight before tapering off for a period Tuesday morning. The snow is then expected to rapidly intensify across the area 

It is so much fun to live in Iowa.  If you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes and it will change.

Miles on Monday

 Miles and Jon went to the River last Monday.  Here are the pictures.  You can embiggen them by clicking on them.

Brother Ernest Borgnine Receives Life Achievement Award

"Know Thyself,  You can be handed the greatest script ever to see your hands but if you don't know what love, life and you are all about its not going to be on the screen."  

Brother Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine honored with Life Achievement award at SAG Awards

Actor Ernest Borgnine  received the Life Achievement award at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday for over 70 years of work on film and television.

Borgnine is known from roles in Hollywood classic films like "From Here to Eternity" and for his Oscar Award-winning role in the 1956 film "Marty." He was recently seen in "Red" opposite Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and Mary-Louise Parker."Whether portraying brutish villains, sympathetic everymen, complex leaders or hapless heroes, Ernest Borgnine has brought a boundless energy which, at 93, is still a hallmark of his remarkably busy life and career," Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard said in a statement. "It is with that same joyous spirit that we salute his impressive body of work and his steadfast generosity."

The actor has also had a slew of television work including starring in "McHale's Navy," which earned him his first Emmy nominations, and guest roles on "ER," "JAG," and "Touched By An Angel."

Go here for an article about his Masonic connection.

Reagan-Bush Legacy of Political Abuse

Reagan-Bush Legacy of Political Abuse

Ronald Reagan's 30-Year Time Bombs

Ronald Reagan's 30-Year Time Bombs

It may take many more years before a mainstream politician or a journalist who cares about future employment dares speak truthfully about Reagan and the grievous harm that his presidency inflicted on the American Republic and the people of the Earth.

Ronald Reagan is responsible for the mess this country is in.

h/t John for finding this.

A Nice and Pious Painting. Fine Art Saturday

h/t John

John found this.  It is one of the best I have seen.

News from the Iowa State Education Association

Governor Branstad cuts education in his Condition of the Budget Governor Branstad is balancing the budget on the backs of our kids. In his Condition of the Budget report released January 27, Governor Branstad recommends $9.2 million in cuts to Iowa's community colleges, 0 percent allowable growth for K-12, an additional $27 million reduction to AEAs, and the elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. All of these cuts are completely unnecessary. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reports a surplus of over $900 million in the state budget projections for this fiscal year.

Branstad recommends $9.2 million in cuts to Iowa's community colleges  Brandstad recommends $9.2 million in cuts to Iowa's community colleges for 2011-2012. This reduction is in addition to the $5.9 million in cuts Governor Branstad refused to reinstate for this fiscal year. This will mean faculty layoffs, larger class sizes, and higher tuition.

Allowable growth down to 0 percent Governor Branstad has recommended 0 percent Allowable Growth for Iowa's public schools.  This means public schools will not see any inflationary adjustments to their budgets for the first time in 30 years. It means fewer course offerings, larger class sizes, fewer supplies, less support services, and our best and brightest teachers will simply move to another profession. Make no doubt about it, this hurts Iowa's kids.

Branstad recommends a $27 million reduction to AEAs  AEAs are the cornerstone to Iowa's schools. They provide services to children with special needs and professional development to educators to enrich the learning experiences of children. Governor Branstad recommends a $27 million reduction to AEAs. Again, these cuts hurt Iowa's most vulnerable children who receive special education services.

Branstad eliminates voluntary preschool; initiates voucher system Governor Branstad recommends the elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program ($69.9 million). He further reduces child development by $4.6 million and early education tuition assistance by $4.5 million. Governor Branstad then creates a $43.3 million needs-based voucher program. Elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP) will dramatically reduce the number of four-year-olds who attend preschool. Before the SVPP, attendance at preschool was at 19 percent; after the SVPP began attendance rose to 60 percent in just four years. With the elimination of the SVPP and initiation of vouchers, attendance at preschools will drop and preschool centers in communities across Iowa will close. This hurts our young children in their formative years.

What can you do? Attend a legislative forum in your area and demand that your legislators put Kids First! Ask legislators to explain how they plan to attract businesses to Iowa to create jobs while diminishing our most attractive recruiting tool - education.

Egypt.

When I was in Egypt in 1976 the Egyptian people were warm, loving and delightful to be with.  They were very pleased to have us there and opened their homes and hearts to us.  This makes me sad that they have to try and change their repressive government this way.  Is this what the Tea Party want in America?  Go here to read the story.  Cairo in Flames


Al Jazerra Livestream - English

Found For Friday

WOMEN'S ASS SIZE STUDY 

There is a new study about women and how they feel about their asses; the results were pretty interesting:

30% of women think their ass is too fat............
10% of women think their ass is too skinny...........

The remaining 60% say they don't care, they love him, he's a good man and they wouldn't trade him for the world.

Sometime this year, we taxpayers may again receive another 'Economic Stimulus' payment.   This is indeed a very exciting program,  and I'll explain it by  using a Q & A format:          Q.  What is an 'Economic Stimulus' payment?      A.  It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.          Q.  Where will the government get this money?      A.  From taxpayers.          Q.  So the government is giving me back my own money?      A.  Only a smidgen of it.          Q.  What is the purpose of this payment?      A.  The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a  high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.          Q.  But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?      A.  Shut up.   Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.S. economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:                              If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China or Sri Lanka ..            If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs.            If you purchase a computer, it will go to India , Taiwan or China ..                    If you purchase fruit and vegetables,  it will go to Mexico ,  Honduras and Guatemala ...                    If you buy an efficient car, it will go to Japan or Korea ..              If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan ..                  If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock,  it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore.       Instead,  keep the money in America by:          1)  Spending it at yard sales,  or          2)  Going to ball games,  or        3)  Spending it on prostitutes,  or          4)  Beer or          5) Tattoos.          (These are the only American businesses still operating in the U.S. )  Conclusion:      Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day!      No need to thank me, I'm just glad I could be of help.   One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn't too luxurious.  When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the president's secret service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private. They obliged and Michelle had a conversation with the owner. Following this conversation President Obama asked Michelle, why he was so interested in talking to her. She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her.  President Obama then said, "so if you had married him, you would now be the owner of this lovely restaurant", to which Michelle responded, "no, if I had married him, he would now be the President".     His request approved, the CNN News photographer  quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport  to charter a flight. He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting  for him at the airport. Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming  up outside a hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door  shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'. The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind  and took off. Once in the air, the photographer instructed the  pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low  passes so I can take pictures of the fires  on the hillsides.' 'Why?' asked the pilot. 'Because I'm a photographer for CNN' ,  he responded, 'and I need to get  some close up shots.' The pilot was strangely silent for a moment.  Finally he stammered, 'So, what you're telling me,  is . . .. You're NOT my flight instructor?'   "Life is short.  Drink the good wine first"  Last night, I kept dreaming that I had written Lord of the Rings. I guess I was tolkien in my sleep. The salt said 'hi' to the pepper. It was seasonings greetings.  Did you here about the pharmaceutical company?  They developed a new drug that, when administered to women, compels them to go join a convent and become a nun. The FDA refused to license it, though. Seems it was habit-forming.  College bred is a four-year loaf made out of the old man's dough. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either. Did you hear about the fire at the circus? The heat was in tents.

The pod vegetables I bought for the gumbo I was making were so-so. They were medi-okra.

I will get my Oatmeal!