On to the sweeter things in life.
TIRAMISU CAKE
1 box (18.25 oz) devil’s food cake mix, prepared as box directs, substituting coffee for the water
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp freshly made espresso or strong coffee
2 Tbsp coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua, optional)
2 tubs (8 oz) mascarpone cheese
1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/3 cup sugar
Garnish: unsweetened cocoa powder and coffee beans
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13 x 9-in. baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in. above pan at both ends. Coat foil with nonstick spray.
Spread cake batter in prepared pan. Bake as box directs. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift from pan. Trim rounded top off cake with a long serrated knife until flat. Holding foil ends, lift cake and return cake to pan.
Mix 1⁄4 cup espresso and the liqueur in a small bowl; brush over top of cake.
Stir mascarpone and remaining espresso in a large bowl until blended. Beat cream and sugar in a medium bowl on high speed until soft peaks form when beaters are lifted. Fold into cheese mixture until smooth. Spread over cake, adding swirls with back of a spoon.
Lightly dust cake with cocoa stirred through a strainer. Cut in squares; cut squares diagonally in half. Garnish with coffee beans.
Planning Tip: Can be completed up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate covered
YUMMY! YUMMY!
I know that many of you, see things in a different light than I do. I just want to say thanks for hanging around. I will try my hardest NOT to make this A totally Political blog. It's just that some things are so funny to me, that I just have to give mention to it. I do appreciate it for you to hang around and reminisce about the old days. I would like to tell you about some of my trips.
Occasionally, when I find myself, sitting on my deck............day dreaming.....or........night dreaming depending on the time of day, that I'm doing it, arguing a point of the conversation that I'm having with MYSELF.!! Sound familiar? I can no longer hold in my laughter over the days politics or those that profess that they are career politicians. This day and age, in my opinion, have produced the greatest amount of comedians amongst our elected officials. Now.......the reason I had in the past, presently and will continue in the future to call these people, used car salesman, rest totally with the fact that they are unable to answer a yes/no question in less than 250 words or 5 minutes which ever comes first. Perhaps it's the difficulty of the English language, or the misunderstanding of the English language or their incapability to use words people understand or the ego, that they all seem to posses, that they want to show us underachievers (defined by them, as anyone other than a person that agrees with them) that they belong to the "NEW WORD OF THE DAY" group. It was most amusing this past Sunday, on MEET THE PRESS, that house minority leader Boehner was asked IF he was in favor of letting the tax cuts of the Bush administration expire.............the answer...........yes or no. His reply, however was a stand up comics standard of 20 minutes and he based all of his reply on WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANTED. First of all, I wonder if he meant only those American people of republican persuasion, because certainly he did not include the American people of Democratic persuasion. After his 20 minute ........no lets be fair.........his 3 minutes reply he circled the question like a professional group of Indians circling a covered wagon. The interviewer tried, continuously to try and tie down some kind of answer but found himself totally confused at any reply given. The best part was during his reply he brought up the point of turning over the gavel to the house to Pilosi, 18 months ago. I guess time just marches on since in essence, it was 43 months ago. In line with these little mis-givens he also stated that Obama even agreed with Mr. Mark Zandi a republician economist , fact is, that Mr.Zandi is a registered democrat, BUT........has done some work for the republican administration under Bush but Boehner refuses to comment on Mr. Greenspan, who happens to be a republican and has worked for several democratic presidents and urges to let the tax cut expire. Economist are economist, why did he make the (incorrect) point of a republican economist, unless it was strictly to fill in his 3 minutes. If that's the case, TELL IT LIKE IT IS.............not...........AS YOU SEE IT AS IT IS NOT. At the very least, I wish ALL POLITICIANS would learn the words YES.......or.......NO ...........AND THEN they can offer an explanation as to why!!!!!!
So, as it seems that American people are defined as only those people that agree with the persons political agenda that is speaking, I guess we can also be the minority of the overall American people concept. HUH!!!! If I'm not one of their American people, why do I have to pay American taxes??.........good point Vito.........but if you want to continue to drive on your street..........you better pay your republican taxes since the overpayment was laid during a Republican administration............but .............the Republicans want to give me back some of my taxes.................OH!...........that's only for the people making over $250,000/yr.........................SORRY!!!!!!
Enough politics for now, I'm going back to my kitchen and work on a new receipe for hot dogs, I'm thinking about boiling them, then slicing them down the center........stuffing them with mustard, relish and some onion........tying them with cooking string........whatever that is.........and putting them on the grill........................
8/4/10
MORE THOUGHTS............by..........VITO
Well, let's see now........Mariners just lost their forth straight to the White Sox.....9-5......clicked thought the TV schedule and have found NOTHING!!!! worthwhile to look at. Guess I'll take my wine, snacks, computer and ear set for the TV out to the deck, look up at the stars and the moon, and start another post for the blog. I hope you got a little kick out of the last one. It sure was fun putting it together.
Now, if you were ever........on the road and forgot your wine bottle opener......one's imagination certainly would come into play. I remember watching the old movies, where this would happen and the hero.......or villain........would always .........just whack the bottle across the edge of a table or wall and WALLAH! the top came off clean as a whistle. The one time I tried that, Margot thought I had tied dyed my shirt and pants. Worst part, I wasted a good bottle of TWO BUCK CHUCK.
LOOKING through my archives of things everyone should know, I found something that could help those in need, when trying to open a bottle of wine. Now it is in French...... but no problem........just watch the motions:
http://www.wimp.com/wineshoe
Now, you may not always have a shoe along.......but let's hope so. Also, bring a shoe HORN.....with you, to celebrate your success. At this point, the French would probably come up with:
préférez-vous rouge ou blanc avec vous des frites françaises aromatisées crêpes?
For those of you that do not speak other languages, have fun with this one.
Someone recently asked me if I was enjoying retirement. I really did not know how to answer their question! At the time (1994) it seemed like the thing to do. I had completed my 38th year with SAS, I was feeling a little tired, I had the financial resources and I wanted to play more golf. I had already turned down 5 previously offered packages and could almost feel the anticipation in the Personnal Directors voice when the deal was offered. OH, it was not offered to just me but to about ...........say........100 or so other employees and you could almost see the handwriting on the wall that not many more packages were about to come through. Up to this time, it seemed the company made some kind of offer every 4-5 years. This one, happened to clinch this deal. There was a message from up above...........NO ! NOT FROM GOD! but from our head office in New York. "Vito.........let me just be up front......there are not going to be anymore deals in the near future. Now, I'm taking this one and I urge you to really consider this package." Well.......the way it turned out -------He was right------------this was a deal made in Heaven and one ..........A PERSON COULD NOT REFUSE....... OH, glory be! what to do?? Needless to say............I looked at the offer.........talked it over with Margot...perhaps a hundred times.....and decided that even though, I was still a young 59, let's do it. It was made officially in April 1994 but I was extended with a separate contract until December 1994. Those extra nine months were simply heaven on earth. I had my package, I could almost come and go as I pleased, although I still stayed my usual 9-10 hours a day, I felt no pressures to check myself and make sure that every decision was back up with fact.......in other words, COVER my ass ........and I could go out a play golf anytime I wanted. As a matter of fact........I even took my two days off, per week and did not carry my cell phone with me........WOW!!!! MY kind of job. Only problem is once December arrived and I no longer had to get up at 6AM, shave, shower, get into my pilots uniform (even though my dad use to say I looked like a bus driver)...........and..........by the way, I wasn't a pilot but wore a uniform that looked like one, with stripes and braids and medals, no.......not really I'm making that up, NO MEDALS....head out to work, things begin to change.
(to be continued)
Now, if you were ever........on the road and forgot your wine bottle opener......one's imagination certainly would come into play. I remember watching the old movies, where this would happen and the hero.......or villain........would always .........just whack the bottle across the edge of a table or wall and WALLAH! the top came off clean as a whistle. The one time I tried that, Margot thought I had tied dyed my shirt and pants. Worst part, I wasted a good bottle of TWO BUCK CHUCK.
LOOKING through my archives of things everyone should know, I found something that could help those in need, when trying to open a bottle of wine. Now it is in French...... but no problem........just watch the motions:
http://www.wimp.com/wineshoe
Now, you may not always have a shoe along.......but let's hope so. Also, bring a shoe HORN.....with you, to celebrate your success. At this point, the French would probably come up with:
préférez-vous rouge ou blanc avec vous des frites françaises aromatisées crêpes?
For those of you that do not speak other languages, have fun with this one.
Someone recently asked me if I was enjoying retirement. I really did not know how to answer their question! At the time (1994) it seemed like the thing to do. I had completed my 38th year with SAS, I was feeling a little tired, I had the financial resources and I wanted to play more golf. I had already turned down 5 previously offered packages and could almost feel the anticipation in the Personnal Directors voice when the deal was offered. OH, it was not offered to just me but to about ...........say........100 or so other employees and you could almost see the handwriting on the wall that not many more packages were about to come through. Up to this time, it seemed the company made some kind of offer every 4-5 years. This one, happened to clinch this deal. There was a message from up above...........NO ! NOT FROM GOD! but from our head office in New York. "Vito.........let me just be up front......there are not going to be anymore deals in the near future. Now, I'm taking this one and I urge you to really consider this package." Well.......the way it turned out -------He was right------------this was a deal made in Heaven and one ..........A PERSON COULD NOT REFUSE....... OH, glory be! what to do?? Needless to say............I looked at the offer.........talked it over with Margot...perhaps a hundred times.....and decided that even though, I was still a young 59, let's do it. It was made officially in April 1994 but I was extended with a separate contract until December 1994. Those extra nine months were simply heaven on earth. I had my package, I could almost come and go as I pleased, although I still stayed my usual 9-10 hours a day, I felt no pressures to check myself and make sure that every decision was back up with fact.......in other words, COVER my ass ........and I could go out a play golf anytime I wanted. As a matter of fact........I even took my two days off, per week and did not carry my cell phone with me........WOW!!!! MY kind of job. Only problem is once December arrived and I no longer had to get up at 6AM, shave, shower, get into my pilots uniform (even though my dad use to say I looked like a bus driver)...........and..........by the way, I wasn't a pilot but wore a uniform that looked like one, with stripes and braids and medals, no.......not really I'm making that up, NO MEDALS....head out to work, things begin to change.
(to be continued)
8/3/10
RETIREMENT.......101.........
During the months leading up to that BIG day, Margot and I had spoken, planned and mapped out our way through retirement. It was finally decided that Margot, still having a job, would remain at work, this giving us the sense of independence that we had over the previous years. No change of lifestyle was the thought of the day. Her earnings were hers to use in anyway she desired and of course mine was to be shared equally after all the bills were paid. How did I.......ever get suckered into that!!!!!........well...another thought of the day. WE'LL GIVE IT A TRY!!!. (for 6 months and then re-evaluate). I still wanted to play golf but Margot was desperately trying to talk me into the travel idea. WHAT in the world would I want to travel for. That's what I have been doing for the past 39years? Well, guess you have figured out who won that argument.........I'll never forget those first 6 months of retirement.
The plan was a cut and dry one. TRAVEL.....was the name of the game. Anita's mother was visiting her from Sweden, (Anita, was, at that time, my boss but was also retiring the same time) Margot had gone to visit her sisters in Sweden and it was planned that Anita and I would go to the SAS Christmas party and the very next day Anita, her mom and I would leave Seattle for Miami, FL. meet Margot who would fly in from Sweden via Newark and the four of us would fly off to Aruba to start off our retirement.
DEC 5-------OFFICIALLY retired but also that night was the SAS Christmas party, held at the Swedish Cultural Center in downtown Seattle, with a view overlooking Lake Washington.. Great food, good friends and colleagues, outstanding band (and still one of the best) Bobby Madina (husband of one of our employees) and his red-hot chili peppers or something like that. Anyway, I convinced him, or did he convince me to sing NEW YORK, NEW YORK. and the party began.
If you would like to meet Bobby contact him at http://www.bobbymedina.com/ or get onto his facebook and you can listen to his music. He loves to JUMP AND JIVE.
That night we had a snow storm, left the party a little early with another couple, the lady, Inge was taking Anita's place in Seattle. We dropped Inge and Fred off at their hotel near SeaTac airport and after having a couple of guys, ( I would have loved to give these guys $20 apiece but once I got my wheels moving, I had to keep going) help us get out of a snow drift that we had slid into made our way on the freeway back to Anita's dropped her off and made my way home. During the night, the snow had stopped and come morning I made it back to Anita's house to pick her and her mom up and off to the Airport. Our flight departed on time and went via Houston to Miami. Arrived pretty much on time and we started to search for Margot. We caught up with her and now the four of us were on our way to sunny ARUBA!!!!
That night, we decided to go over to the Hilton Hotel for dinner and a little harmless gambling. After dinner the roulette tables began chanting our names so off we went. I remember leaving about 9PM to head back to our hotel just next door. Anita and her mom left at the same time but Margot decided to spend another hour at the table.
It was 0130, when I suddenly awoke, finding an empty unslept area of bed next to me. OH!! where was Margot, could someone had kidnapped her and killed her, hid her body in the bushes somewhere. I jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed and started to make my way over towards the Hilton. On the way, I visualised all kinds of bad things happening, to the extent I found myself looking into bushes along the sidewalk for her body. The distance was very short but the time seemed to stand still. I entered the Hilton main entrance, perhaps 15 minutes later, walked through the lobby with perhaps as many as 25-30 people mingling around, came to the Casino area, which was very active, .........intensely looked around and my eyes automatically went towards the roulette table area. There she was..........still in her same seat.........why Margot???, was a question I was asking myself as I approached the table. My question was soon answered. There sat Margot, the only person at the table, with stacks of chips (20 to a stack)........of all colors....... in front of her with a grin on her face as if she had just been crowned Queen of Sweden..............But....be strong Vito......don't act like some little puppy dog..........."MARGOT!.........Are you aware of what time it is" said I with a stern voice........."YES, but look at what I'm doing"........with a little touch of a sheepish grin......said she. " I really don't care, I think it's time to cash in and head back to the hotel " said I. as I turned and headed back to the door and towards our hotel, occasionally looking back to see if MY command had been followed. I made my way to our room, got ready for bed ...........and a discussion...........but as I watched the hands of the clock slowly move ahead I kept thinking of all the things I would say. Finally........the sound of the key into the door.......the click of the light switch and the entrance of that grin ........but no crown. " WELL, don't you feel foolish" were the first words I heard from her. "How you embarrassed me in front of the croupe" or whatever that guy is called that spins the wheel . "ME? ME? ME???" said I in reply to her question, as she calmly counted out in hundred dollar bills, enough to pay for this vacation....... and the next one coming up. "Yah, I do honey, but I was worried about you" All that needed to be replied by her .......was............"DON'T do it again.................................. OH!!!! WAS this what retirement was going to be like?????? YYYYYAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!
The plan was a cut and dry one. TRAVEL.....was the name of the game. Anita's mother was visiting her from Sweden, (Anita, was, at that time, my boss but was also retiring the same time) Margot had gone to visit her sisters in Sweden and it was planned that Anita and I would go to the SAS Christmas party and the very next day Anita, her mom and I would leave Seattle for Miami, FL. meet Margot who would fly in from Sweden via Newark and the four of us would fly off to Aruba to start off our retirement.
DEC 5-------OFFICIALLY retired but also that night was the SAS Christmas party, held at the Swedish Cultural Center in downtown Seattle, with a view overlooking Lake Washington.. Great food, good friends and colleagues, outstanding band (and still one of the best) Bobby Madina (husband of one of our employees) and his red-hot chili peppers or something like that. Anyway, I convinced him, or did he convince me to sing NEW YORK, NEW YORK. and the party began.
If you would like to meet Bobby contact him at http://www.bobbymedina.com/ or get onto his facebook and you can listen to his music. He loves to JUMP AND JIVE.
That night we had a snow storm, left the party a little early with another couple, the lady, Inge was taking Anita's place in Seattle. We dropped Inge and Fred off at their hotel near SeaTac airport and after having a couple of guys, ( I would have loved to give these guys $20 apiece but once I got my wheels moving, I had to keep going) help us get out of a snow drift that we had slid into made our way on the freeway back to Anita's dropped her off and made my way home. During the night, the snow had stopped and come morning I made it back to Anita's house to pick her and her mom up and off to the Airport. Our flight departed on time and went via Houston to Miami. Arrived pretty much on time and we started to search for Margot. We caught up with her and now the four of us were on our way to sunny ARUBA!!!!
That night, we decided to go over to the Hilton Hotel for dinner and a little harmless gambling. After dinner the roulette tables began chanting our names so off we went. I remember leaving about 9PM to head back to our hotel just next door. Anita and her mom left at the same time but Margot decided to spend another hour at the table.
It was 0130, when I suddenly awoke, finding an empty unslept area of bed next to me. OH!! where was Margot, could someone had kidnapped her and killed her, hid her body in the bushes somewhere. I jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed and started to make my way over towards the Hilton. On the way, I visualised all kinds of bad things happening, to the extent I found myself looking into bushes along the sidewalk for her body. The distance was very short but the time seemed to stand still. I entered the Hilton main entrance, perhaps 15 minutes later, walked through the lobby with perhaps as many as 25-30 people mingling around, came to the Casino area, which was very active, .........intensely looked around and my eyes automatically went towards the roulette table area. There she was..........still in her same seat.........why Margot???, was a question I was asking myself as I approached the table. My question was soon answered. There sat Margot, the only person at the table, with stacks of chips (20 to a stack)........of all colors....... in front of her with a grin on her face as if she had just been crowned Queen of Sweden..............But....be strong Vito......don't act like some little puppy dog..........."MARGOT!.........Are you aware of what time it is" said I with a stern voice........."YES, but look at what I'm doing"........with a little touch of a sheepish grin......said she. " I really don't care, I think it's time to cash in and head back to the hotel " said I. as I turned and headed back to the door and towards our hotel, occasionally looking back to see if MY command had been followed. I made my way to our room, got ready for bed ...........and a discussion...........but as I watched the hands of the clock slowly move ahead I kept thinking of all the things I would say. Finally........the sound of the key into the door.......the click of the light switch and the entrance of that grin ........but no crown. " WELL, don't you feel foolish" were the first words I heard from her. "How you embarrassed me in front of the croupe" or whatever that guy is called that spins the wheel . "ME? ME? ME???" said I in reply to her question, as she calmly counted out in hundred dollar bills, enough to pay for this vacation....... and the next one coming up. "Yah, I do honey, but I was worried about you" All that needed to be replied by her .......was............"DON'T do it again.................................. OH!!!! WAS this what retirement was going to be like?????? YYYYYAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!
RETIREMENT................102 (PREREQUISITE 101)
I recently received an email from a person, who shall remain, nameless regarding the posting of RETIREMENT 101. It seems the thought of that posting was that I was to harsh with my wife, calling her out .............from a winning streak, and the way that I did it. Apparently, someone, took my situation to heart but softened it slightly showing more consideration.......BUT...............the end was slightly different.
ADVICE FROM A RETIRED HUSBAND
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.
My name is (intentionally left blank). Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, (intentionally left blank). When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for (intentionally left blank) to get a full-time job, along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf club about the same time she gets home from work.
Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club, so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door. She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner.
I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think.For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour.. But, Boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two, or even three days. That way, she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me, too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support (Intentionally left blank). I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, Guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
** It was recently discovered .............in the Obituaries..........the passing of (intentionally left blank) but the only cause of death listed was.............reaction from an over stressful spouse.
Perhaps, one should begin to realize that there are mid points to all situations. When retiring, take into consideration........................THE MIDPOINT........................(somewhere between life and death)
ADVICE FROM A RETIRED HUSBAND
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.
My name is (intentionally left blank). Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, (intentionally left blank). When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for (intentionally left blank) to get a full-time job, along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf club about the same time she gets home from work.
Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club, so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door. She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner.
I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think.For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour.. But, Boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two, or even three days. That way, she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me, too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support (Intentionally left blank). I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, Guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
** It was recently discovered .............in the Obituaries..........the passing of (intentionally left blank) but the only cause of death listed was.............reaction from an over stressful spouse.
Perhaps, one should begin to realize that there are mid points to all situations. When retiring, take into consideration........................THE MIDPOINT........................(somewhere between life and death)
8/1/10
DEMOCRATS ARE NOT PERFECT EITHER.............
Let me put to rest any theory that one may have, that I am TOTALLY against the Republicans and TOTALLY for the Democrats. I, unlike some conservatives and FOX news, am able to think for myself and make judgement for myself. One, which happened the week ending July 31. Some Democrats this week, in my opinion, offended the intelligence of the people of this country by using their position for personal gain. Rep. Rangle- (D) NY and Rep. Waters (D) CA. were brought up on Ethnic charges and without placing judgement on these two people, I for one am totally disappointed in them. They, along with how many other both Dem. and Rep. represent people of their districts but have used this trusted position for personal gain. All the more reason to have term limits. These problems do not occur within the first term or even the second term of service but are established over longer periods. I can not, believe, for any amount of money, that our forefathers meant for the positions of lawmaking, to be for lifetime........but.........we the people are the only ones that can change the system. Unfortunately, we apparently find it very easy just to keep the same old folks around just for the hell of it. We have no one else to blame except ourselves for allowing these people to represent us in making laws that they apparently feel they are not bound by. How stupid do they think I am. I recall several occasions where, I had contact with Senators, not necessarily from my state tell me that they were not bound by a certain requirement since they were a US Senator.............WELL.......A hole...........you are bound by this requirement because you happen to be on a foreign airline.......we are required to present you to the Federal inspection area. We are responsible for you until you are processed and out the door. The ego these people have about themselves and the.......IMPORTANT...........job they have is over the top, and the longer they have the job, the more important they are..........to themselves. With this ego and their IMPORTANCE....comes in both Democrats and Republicans..........who to the largest, I have never really compared. I found out though, just today, that 14 Republican and 4 Democratic house of representatives just in their first term, have had known extramarital affairs.........the 4 Democrats admitted to them..........the 14 Republicans denied these charges..................since they ran on the platform of having very high morals. (all were eventually proven correct). It's never ending .............but I guess it takes a certain type of person to do this job. My dad, was so right to compare politicians with used car salespeople. I would never have raised them to that high of a job.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE............................................(sent by a good friend)
New Direction for any war: Send Service Vets over 60!
I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I'm too old to track down terrorists. You can't be older than 42 to join the military. They've got the whole thing ass-backwards. Instead of sending 18-year olds off to fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn't be able to join a military unit until you're at least 35.
For starters, researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10 seconds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a day, leaving us more than 28,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the enemy.
Young guys haven't lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky soldier is a dangerous soldier. 'My back hurts! I can't sleep, I'm tired and hungry.' We are impatient and maybe letting us kill some asshole that desperately deserves it will make us feel better and shut us up for awhile..
An 18-year-old doesn't even like to get up before 10am. Old guys always get up early to pee, so what the hell. Besides, like I said, I'm tired and can't sleep and since I'm already up, I may as well be up killing some fanatical son-of-a-bitch.
If captured we couldn't spill the beans because we'd forget where we put them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real brainteaser.
Boot camp would be easier for old guys.. We're used to getting screamed and yelled at and we're used to soft food. We've also developed an appreciation for guns. We've been using them for years as an excuse to get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling.
They could lighten up on the obstacle course however... I've been in combat and never saw a single 20-foot wall with rope hanging over the side, nor did I ever do any pushups after completing basic training.
Actually, the running part is kind of a waste of energy, too... I've never seen anyone outrun a bullet.
An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him. He's still learning to shave, to start a conversation with a pretty girl. He still hasn't figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the back of his head.
These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little more about life before sending them off into harm's way.
Let us old guys track down those dirty rotten coward terrorists. The last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple million pissed off old farts with attitudes and automatic weapons, who know that their best years are already behind them.
HEY!! How about recruiting Women over 50...in menopause!!! You think MEN have attitudes??
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh my God!!! If nothing else, put them on border patrol. They'll have it secured the first night!
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE............................................(sent by a good friend)
New Direction for any war: Send Service Vets over 60!
I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I'm too old to track down terrorists. You can't be older than 42 to join the military. They've got the whole thing ass-backwards. Instead of sending 18-year olds off to fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn't be able to join a military unit until you're at least 35.
For starters, researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10 seconds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a day, leaving us more than 28,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the enemy.
Young guys haven't lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky soldier is a dangerous soldier. 'My back hurts! I can't sleep, I'm tired and hungry.' We are impatient and maybe letting us kill some asshole that desperately deserves it will make us feel better and shut us up for awhile..
An 18-year-old doesn't even like to get up before 10am. Old guys always get up early to pee, so what the hell. Besides, like I said, I'm tired and can't sleep and since I'm already up, I may as well be up killing some fanatical son-of-a-bitch.
If captured we couldn't spill the beans because we'd forget where we put them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real brainteaser.
Boot camp would be easier for old guys.. We're used to getting screamed and yelled at and we're used to soft food. We've also developed an appreciation for guns. We've been using them for years as an excuse to get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling.
They could lighten up on the obstacle course however... I've been in combat and never saw a single 20-foot wall with rope hanging over the side, nor did I ever do any pushups after completing basic training.
Actually, the running part is kind of a waste of energy, too... I've never seen anyone outrun a bullet.
An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him. He's still learning to shave, to start a conversation with a pretty girl. He still hasn't figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the back of his head.
These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little more about life before sending them off into harm's way.
Let us old guys track down those dirty rotten coward terrorists. The last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple million pissed off old farts with attitudes and automatic weapons, who know that their best years are already behind them.
HEY!! How about recruiting Women over 50...in menopause!!! You think MEN have attitudes??
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh my God!!! If nothing else, put them on border patrol. They'll have it secured the first night!
7/28/10
LITTLE OF THIS........LITTLE OF THAT !!
Occasionally, I get a little ahead of myself and forget to do things in the natural order. Well, Well ! Anyway, I want to introduce you to my family. These are the people that will end up with this blog .......as reading material.........after I eventually go off to the big Vino Bar. Now, this is my first try at something like this so pay close attention. There is some writing across these photo's but it must go full screen to see what the writing says..........Now. 1- go to the left to start the video and then the lower right to go full screen. or perhaps the other way around. I know you will find out how to do it a lot easier than having me tell you how. Anyway, enjoy this short visit with OUR FAMILY.
NOW!! wasn't that fun?? now you should know, where we live. Well, our daughter Lisa, husband Tim and Maggie are presently living in PaPa, Hungary for the next 3 years. Tim is with Boeing International who has a NATO contract to service the C-17s . Tim along with others are the servicing people. Scott, Traci and the twin boys, Cormick and Bryson live north of Seattle, WA. and Margot and I live south of Seattle. A friend of mine recently put this together to show a little of Seattle. From Mt. Rainier, farmers market at Pike Street Market, to Puget sound, Seahawks (our football team) and the Mariners, (our baseball team). Hope you enjoy the little bit of Seattle. Just click on the youtube below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2yPDci7kWs
After all that why don't we just settle down to some real tasty chicken salad. Here is a great recipe found at one of Seattle's better eatery's. or should that be eateries, anyway take you pick.
(4 servings)
1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans, divided
1/3 cup drained, sliced black olives divided
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
shredded ice berg lettuce
1. Put the chicken into a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce the heat. Simmer, partly covered, about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken tests done. Remove from the water and cool. Then dice and put into a bowl.
2. Add the celery to the chicken. Save about a tablespoon of the pecans and a couple of tablespoons of the olives for garnish, then add the remaining of both to the chicken.
3. Stir together the mayonnaise, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Fold into the salad, cover and refrigerate until read to serve. (If the salad seems too stiff once chilled, loosen with a couple of tablespoons water.)
4. Serve the salad on a bed of iceberg lettuce, garnished with precans and sliced olives, accompanied with toasted (edges trimmed off) bread.
HHHMMMMMMM!!!!!!
NOW!! wasn't that fun?? now you should know, where we live. Well, our daughter Lisa, husband Tim and Maggie are presently living in PaPa, Hungary for the next 3 years. Tim is with Boeing International who has a NATO contract to service the C-17s . Tim along with others are the servicing people. Scott, Traci and the twin boys, Cormick and Bryson live north of Seattle, WA. and Margot and I live south of Seattle. A friend of mine recently put this together to show a little of Seattle. From Mt. Rainier, farmers market at Pike Street Market, to Puget sound, Seahawks (our football team) and the Mariners, (our baseball team). Hope you enjoy the little bit of Seattle. Just click on the youtube below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2yPDci7kWs
After all that why don't we just settle down to some real tasty chicken salad. Here is a great recipe found at one of Seattle's better eatery's. or should that be eateries, anyway take you pick.
(4 servings)
1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans, divided
1/3 cup drained, sliced black olives divided
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
shredded ice berg lettuce
1. Put the chicken into a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce the heat. Simmer, partly covered, about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken tests done. Remove from the water and cool. Then dice and put into a bowl.
2. Add the celery to the chicken. Save about a tablespoon of the pecans and a couple of tablespoons of the olives for garnish, then add the remaining of both to the chicken.
3. Stir together the mayonnaise, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Fold into the salad, cover and refrigerate until read to serve. (If the salad seems too stiff once chilled, loosen with a couple of tablespoons water.)
4. Serve the salad on a bed of iceberg lettuce, garnished with precans and sliced olives, accompanied with toasted (edges trimmed off) bread.
HHHMMMMMMM!!!!!!
7/21/10
MORE REPUBLICAN .............STUFF!!!!
I simply had to hurry and add this to the previous posting since they are so related. I wrote the previous posting about how the Republican party sees the renewal of the unemployment tax and the possible elimination of tax cuts due to expire in December 2010. My initial reaction, came simply from the Senator interviewed in the article and the article itself. Now! comes more revealing news on the same subject.......all I find, very interesting ..................and funny. Apparently Sen. Crapo-(R) Idaho, a member of the finance committee, which writes tax law ( he was basically unknown before this article, except to his constituents) has now got some top heavy guns following him. Sen. Jon Kyl-(R) Arizona the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, was asked the obvious question: If deficits are so worrisome, what about the budgetary cost of extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, which the Obama administration wants to let expire but Republicans want to make PERMANENT? What should replace $650 B or more in lost revenue over the next decade? His answer......needless to say.......was either for the students of the NEW ENGLISH or people totally out of whack with the English language. " You do need to offset the cost of increased spending, and that's what Republicans object to, But you should never have to offset the cost of a deliberate decision to re-duce tax rates on Americans." So, what your saying is $30 Billion in aid to the unemployed is unaffordable, but 20 times that much in tax cuts for the rich doesn't count..............Now the best part..............The very next day Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) and Senate minority Leader, confirmed that Kyl was giving the official party line: There's no evidence whatsoever that the Bush tax cuts actually diminished revenue ( I would say going further in debt would be evidence) . They increased revenue, because of the vibrancy of these tax cuts in the economy, so what I think Sen. Kyl was expressing was a view of virtually EVERY REPUBLICAN on that subject. Now, I know that calling the economy of the Bush years was perhaps a little harsh being noted as "sluggish" and "stagnant" but this simply enforces the Republican commitment to keep things screwed up with their absorbent claim that tax cuts increases revenue......It increases revenue only for the identity that enjoys the tax cut...................then again. THAT'S WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STANDS FOR ..............THEMSELVES. I guess that according to both Kyl and McConnell cutting taxes FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE simply means cut tax for the wealthy and keep the rest of the population so poor that they need not pay taxes. Compare that with the economy class passenger being given an empty bowl during food service and permission to visit the First Class section and beg for extra leftovers.
For 1 and 1/2 years now, I've heard nothing but how we must reduce spending in order to save our children..blah! blah! blah!!. SPENDING AND GIVING AWAY are basically the same thing.......in spending you hope to get something back...........giving away YOU GET NOTHING BACK. I am being selfish though, I'm speaking from the nations view. Congress speaks from their view, I am sure THEY ARE GETTING SOMETHING BACK!!!! My eyes have now been opened to the fact that:
1- Republican lawmakers do not understand economics.........or simple math
2- Republican lawmakers are hypocritical saying things all over the map that make no sense, also known as not answering the question.
3-Republican lawmakers want to intentionally create a fiscal crisis that can be used to push through unpopular policies, like dismantling social security.
Between the Democratic and the Republicans, it is, without doubt, the Republicans that use scare tactics to give the larger false and confusing arguments for all causes. They simply feel that they are the ONLY capable humans to run the government and are not able to admit to anything else. Apparently they are also unable to understand what makes a balanced budget.
For 1 and 1/2 years now, I've heard nothing but how we must reduce spending in order to save our children..blah! blah! blah!!. SPENDING AND GIVING AWAY are basically the same thing.......in spending you hope to get something back...........giving away YOU GET NOTHING BACK. I am being selfish though, I'm speaking from the nations view. Congress speaks from their view, I am sure THEY ARE GETTING SOMETHING BACK!!!! My eyes have now been opened to the fact that:
1- Republican lawmakers do not understand economics.........or simple math
2- Republican lawmakers are hypocritical saying things all over the map that make no sense, also known as not answering the question.
3-Republican lawmakers want to intentionally create a fiscal crisis that can be used to push through unpopular policies, like dismantling social security.
Between the Democratic and the Republicans, it is, without doubt, the Republicans that use scare tactics to give the larger false and confusing arguments for all causes. They simply feel that they are the ONLY capable humans to run the government and are not able to admit to anything else. Apparently they are also unable to understand what makes a balanced budget.
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