Enjoy all the quality time with your family ya'll... anyone seen the movie Pieces of April?
No, kidding. Really the hardest part of going home is making sure everyone sees enough of me. Who knew I was so likeable?
A little bird told me that it's snowing in Utah and all the lifts at Powder Mt. are open! So, apparently, I was a good girl this year and Santa brought me some snow (and some really kick ass new bindings for my board).
So, have some eggnog - leaded or not - and I'll be posting my snowboarding pictures soon enough.
P.S. Do something nice for someone else, (someone that you don't know, and will not be giving you anything in return) that is, after all, what Christmas is all about.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Q & A w/ Rep-Elect Keith Ellison
New York Times
December 21, 2006
Lone Muslim Congressman Speaks Out
In an interview late this afternoon in CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, the incoming Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim elected to the House of Representatives, talked about his reaction to the objections by Representative Virgil Goode, Republican of Virginia, to his election and decision to take his oath of office by swearing on the Koran.
Mr. Ellison: Well, what I’d tell him is that, you know, there might be a few things about Muslims that he might want to know. He might want to know that Muslims, there are about five million in the country, that they’re here to support and strengthen America, that they are nurses, doctors, husbands, wives, kids who just want to live and prosper in the American way, and that there’s really nothing to fear, and that all of us are steadfastly opposed to the same people he’s opposed to, which is the terrorists. And so there’s nothing for him to be afraid of, and that what we should do is to tell our constituents that we should reach to each other, not be against each other, and we should find ways for common ground. I would urge Congressman Goode to have his congregation reach out to a synagogue or a mosque and start some interfaith dialogue so that we can increase understanding among each other, as Americans of different faiths. That’s what I’d tell him.
Mr. Blitzer: Do you think he’s a bigot?
Mr. Ellison: You know what? I don’t know the fellow. And, you know, I’d rather just say that he has a lot to learn about Islam. And, you know, we all have a lot to learn. I don’t know him. I look forward to meeting him. I’m not afraid of being frank about my views about him, but I simply haven’t gotten a chance to get to meet him so I don’t want to start any name calling.
Asked by Mr. Blitzer what he thought of the reaction to his election, and to his swearing-in preference,
Mr. Ellison said: Well, Wolf, I’m glad you made that distinction because when I’m officially sworn in, I will do it the same, exact way as every Congressperson-elect who is sworn in. We will all stand up and, in unison, lift our hand and swear to uphold that Constitution. And then later, in a private ceremony, of course, I’ll put my hand on a book that is the basis of my faith, which is Islam... But I think that we need to not focus on what religious text any Congress member might want to use. Let’s focus on the text that binds us together. That’s the Constitution. That’s a great document, and I’m looking forward very much to raising my hand and swear to uphold that Constitution.
Mr. Blitzer: So when you hear comments like Virgil Goode’s, I suppose — you’ve reacted in all of your public statements, as well as here, really taking the high road, but I assume inside, it’s really irritating you.
Mr. Ellison: Well, Wolf, you know, my reaction, externally and internally is the same. I can honestly say that I’m not angered by Representative Goode’s comments. I just think it’s a learning gap we have to close.
And he and Mr. Blitzer reminded everyone that Mr. Ellison was born in Michigan, converted to Islam in the 1970s while in college, and traced his ancestors back to Louisiana, from 1742. “I’m about as American as they come,” Mr. Ellison said.
December 21, 2006
Lone Muslim Congressman Speaks Out
In an interview late this afternoon in CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, the incoming Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim elected to the House of Representatives, talked about his reaction to the objections by Representative Virgil Goode, Republican of Virginia, to his election and decision to take his oath of office by swearing on the Koran.
Mr. Ellison: Well, what I’d tell him is that, you know, there might be a few things about Muslims that he might want to know. He might want to know that Muslims, there are about five million in the country, that they’re here to support and strengthen America, that they are nurses, doctors, husbands, wives, kids who just want to live and prosper in the American way, and that there’s really nothing to fear, and that all of us are steadfastly opposed to the same people he’s opposed to, which is the terrorists. And so there’s nothing for him to be afraid of, and that what we should do is to tell our constituents that we should reach to each other, not be against each other, and we should find ways for common ground. I would urge Congressman Goode to have his congregation reach out to a synagogue or a mosque and start some interfaith dialogue so that we can increase understanding among each other, as Americans of different faiths. That’s what I’d tell him.
Mr. Blitzer: Do you think he’s a bigot?
Mr. Ellison: You know what? I don’t know the fellow. And, you know, I’d rather just say that he has a lot to learn about Islam. And, you know, we all have a lot to learn. I don’t know him. I look forward to meeting him. I’m not afraid of being frank about my views about him, but I simply haven’t gotten a chance to get to meet him so I don’t want to start any name calling.
Asked by Mr. Blitzer what he thought of the reaction to his election, and to his swearing-in preference,
Mr. Ellison said: Well, Wolf, I’m glad you made that distinction because when I’m officially sworn in, I will do it the same, exact way as every Congressperson-elect who is sworn in. We will all stand up and, in unison, lift our hand and swear to uphold that Constitution. And then later, in a private ceremony, of course, I’ll put my hand on a book that is the basis of my faith, which is Islam... But I think that we need to not focus on what religious text any Congress member might want to use. Let’s focus on the text that binds us together. That’s the Constitution. That’s a great document, and I’m looking forward very much to raising my hand and swear to uphold that Constitution.
Mr. Blitzer: So when you hear comments like Virgil Goode’s, I suppose — you’ve reacted in all of your public statements, as well as here, really taking the high road, but I assume inside, it’s really irritating you.
Mr. Ellison: Well, Wolf, you know, my reaction, externally and internally is the same. I can honestly say that I’m not angered by Representative Goode’s comments. I just think it’s a learning gap we have to close.
And he and Mr. Blitzer reminded everyone that Mr. Ellison was born in Michigan, converted to Islam in the 1970s while in college, and traced his ancestors back to Louisiana, from 1742. “I’m about as American as they come,” Mr. Ellison said.
Goode Makes Complete Ass of Self
Anti-Muslim letter goes out to hundreds - not all are amused
BY ERIKA HOWSARE
Our congressman, Virgil Goode, stands by his anti-Islamic rhetoric: "...If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran."
Brace yourself for the following letter, shared with C-VILLE by John Cruickshank, chair of the local Sierra Club chapter. Representative Virgil Goode (www.house.gov/goode) told us, through his press secretary, “I wrote the letter. I think it speaks for itself.”
Dear Mr. Cruickshank:
Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country.
I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.”
Thank you again for your email and thoughts.
Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.
70 East Court Street
Suite 215
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
BY ERIKA HOWSARE
Our congressman, Virgil Goode, stands by his anti-Islamic rhetoric: "...If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran."
Brace yourself for the following letter, shared with C-VILLE by John Cruickshank, chair of the local Sierra Club chapter. Representative Virgil Goode (www.house.gov/goode) told us, through his press secretary, “I wrote the letter. I think it speaks for itself.”
Dear Mr. Cruickshank:
Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country.
I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.”
Thank you again for your email and thoughts.
Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.
70 East Court Street
Suite 215
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
America: The Melting Pot - GET USED TO IT!
So... we in Congress, in the 110th Session, will increase our diversity. (Or rather, THEIR diversity as I am clearly NOT a Member of Congress.) Instead of a bunch of white men, a handful of women and a couple of non-Caucasians, Congress will be a bunch of white men, a slightly larger handful of women, a couple of non-Caucasians, a Buddhist and a Muslim. (Note, the use of the singular.)
There has been somewhat of an uproar on what exactly the new Members of Congress will hold as they are sworn in. Virginia Representative Virgil Goode took it upon himself to say some really stupid, and in my opinion, pretty bigoted things. (See post above.) He has said that he stands by his words. We’ll see how long that lasts…
Truthfully, they don’t hold anything; they raise their right hand and pledge to uphold the Constitution. Then in a private, and I believe optional ceremony, they can hold a book – or whatever they want actually – and swear to be clean, truthful, prepared, and help old ladies across the horseshoe.
Truth be told, John Quincy Adams held a law book, Teddy Roosevelt didn’t use any book. In modern days, Ms. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz from Florida held the Torah, and I know that at least one Member held the Book of Mormon. Furthermore… founding father, Thomas Jefferson was a freakin’ DEIST. Now really, Mr. Goode is concerned about some guy who was born in Michigan, converted to Islam after college, whose family tree dates back to pre-Antebellum Louisiana?
There has been somewhat of an uproar on what exactly the new Members of Congress will hold as they are sworn in. Virginia Representative Virgil Goode took it upon himself to say some really stupid, and in my opinion, pretty bigoted things. (See post above.) He has said that he stands by his words. We’ll see how long that lasts…
Truthfully, they don’t hold anything; they raise their right hand and pledge to uphold the Constitution. Then in a private, and I believe optional ceremony, they can hold a book – or whatever they want actually – and swear to be clean, truthful, prepared, and help old ladies across the horseshoe.
Truth be told, John Quincy Adams held a law book, Teddy Roosevelt didn’t use any book. In modern days, Ms. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz from Florida held the Torah, and I know that at least one Member held the Book of Mormon. Furthermore… founding father, Thomas Jefferson was a freakin’ DEIST. Now really, Mr. Goode is concerned about some guy who was born in Michigan, converted to Islam after college, whose family tree dates back to pre-Antebellum Louisiana?
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
BirthMass
A word about birthday gifts for people whose birthday falls between December 1st and January 31st. As tempted as you, the gift giver, may be, to give the birthday lad or lassie a gift wrapped in holiday paper (after all, you have SO much of it just lying around the house) here are some suggestions on alternative wrapping options. For all you people who are lucky enough to have been born in the other 10 months (aka: not December or January) you have never received a birthday present wrapped in Santa paper, have you? No, you have not.
So… the top 10 alternatives to Christmas wrap or Christmas themed gifts for December and January birthdays.
10. Newspaper: you can tailor the paper to your giftie - the Washington Post for the D’s and the Washington Times for the R’s, or the USA Today for those folks who aren’t affiliated – see how nicely that works?!
9. Tissue paper: often times there is white [never green or red] tissue paper lying around from the holiday gifts – this is acceptable to use.
8. Pages 62-74 of the Quadrennial Defense Review: No one will miss a few pages.
7. Order online: then presents come in unassuming brown boxes.
6. Blank cards: right next to the expansive Christmas section and just beyond the Hanukkah portion of the card shop is the tasteful ‘blank card’ section. We Holiday birthdays don’t really care what is on the card as long as it isn’t a picture of a cat in a Santa hat.
5. Phone calls: always a good option, quick, easy, and no holly or mistletoe involved.
4. Flowers: I hear they import all sorts of flowers, plants, small shrubbery from exotic places (like Ohio) none of which have needles, sap or berries. I suggest a daisy or tulip.
But back to wrapping…
3. Bows and Ribbons: just tie a bow around whatever it is you are giving. Again, never green or red, but white is a nice option and can generally be found on those holiday ribbon combinations. You know the ones I’m talking about… they come on one roll with green and white and red and you use your scissors to make the ends all curly in Martha Stewart-esque fashion.
2. Cellophane or clear plastic bags: (No, not the zip locks) Simply put the gift in the bag and tie some of that aforementioned white ribbon around the top and wha-la.
1. ACTUAL BIRTHDAY WRAPPING PAPER: novel concept I realize. Try it, you may like it (like green eggs and ham) and it will make your birthday person very happy indeed. Trust me on this one. We have to deal with all of the Birthday/Christmas combined presents (or as I like to call them BirthMass) that a little clear cellophane, news print and a white ribbon or two will go a long, long way.
So… the top 10 alternatives to Christmas wrap or Christmas themed gifts for December and January birthdays.
10. Newspaper: you can tailor the paper to your giftie - the Washington Post for the D’s and the Washington Times for the R’s, or the USA Today for those folks who aren’t affiliated – see how nicely that works?!
9. Tissue paper: often times there is white [never green or red] tissue paper lying around from the holiday gifts – this is acceptable to use.
8. Pages 62-74 of the Quadrennial Defense Review: No one will miss a few pages.
7. Order online: then presents come in unassuming brown boxes.
6. Blank cards: right next to the expansive Christmas section and just beyond the Hanukkah portion of the card shop is the tasteful ‘blank card’ section. We Holiday birthdays don’t really care what is on the card as long as it isn’t a picture of a cat in a Santa hat.
5. Phone calls: always a good option, quick, easy, and no holly or mistletoe involved.
4. Flowers: I hear they import all sorts of flowers, plants, small shrubbery from exotic places (like Ohio) none of which have needles, sap or berries. I suggest a daisy or tulip.
But back to wrapping…
3. Bows and Ribbons: just tie a bow around whatever it is you are giving. Again, never green or red, but white is a nice option and can generally be found on those holiday ribbon combinations. You know the ones I’m talking about… they come on one roll with green and white and red and you use your scissors to make the ends all curly in Martha Stewart-esque fashion.
2. Cellophane or clear plastic bags: (No, not the zip locks) Simply put the gift in the bag and tie some of that aforementioned white ribbon around the top and wha-la.
1. ACTUAL BIRTHDAY WRAPPING PAPER: novel concept I realize. Try it, you may like it (like green eggs and ham) and it will make your birthday person very happy indeed. Trust me on this one. We have to deal with all of the Birthday/Christmas combined presents (or as I like to call them BirthMass) that a little clear cellophane, news print and a white ribbon or two will go a long, long way.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
There is a Santa!!!
New Snow 24hrs 4"
New Snow 48hrs 6"
7 Day Total 9"
Mid-Mtn. Base 34"
Today's Temps 29-33
New Snow 48hrs 6"
7 Day Total 9"
Mid-Mtn. Base 34"
Today's Temps 29-33
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Well, that's a little better... but still not enough to OPEN the freakin mountain!
Powder Report forMonday,December 11, 2006
New Powder: (last 24 hours) 6"
New Powder: (last 48 hours) 6"
Seven day total: 6"
Mid-mountain Base: 29"
Total snowfall this season: 60"
Surface Conditions: Powder/Groomed Powder
Today's Temps 20-24
Weather: Snowing!!!
New Powder: (last 24 hours) 6"
New Powder: (last 48 hours) 6"
Seven day total: 6"
Mid-mountain Base: 29"
Total snowfall this season: 60"
Surface Conditions: Powder/Groomed Powder
Today's Temps 20-24
Weather: Snowing!!!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
SNOW DAMIT!
POWDER MT. SNOW REPORT
New Snow 24hrs
0"
New Snow 48hrs
0"
7 Day Total
0"
Mid-Mtn. Base
29"
Today's Temps
6-33
This is really not enough snow people... let's get on it.
New Snow 24hrs
0"
New Snow 48hrs
0"
7 Day Total
0"
Mid-Mtn. Base
29"
Today's Temps
6-33
This is really not enough snow people... let's get on it.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
WAY TOO FUNNY - This never happened with Super Mario Bros.
December 8, 2006
Wii Have A Problem
By Tom Zeller Jr.
Nintendo is highlighting some tips for using its Wii gaming console and its special remote. One tip for those in the same room as a Wii user: duck. Seems customers are discovering that Nintendo’s new Wii gaming console, which debuted last month and has a signature game controller that responds to users’ body movements, may have an unintended side effect: game controllers flying around living rooms and smashing into lamps, windows, televisions and foreheads.
The wireless controller, called the Wii Remote, is designed to attach to the wrist with a strap, and permits users to emulate the motions of games they are playing — a bowling stroke, say, or a tennis serve. Many users, though, are apparently using the game with more enthusiasm, perhaps, than Nintendo’s testers anticipated, and they are apparently saying the strap breaks a bit too easily.
A user with sweaty palms claims the strap broke on her Wii Remote while playing a game of Tennis. The Remote ended up outdoors. She submitted her story to the Web site WiiHaveAProblem.comA Web site, WiiHaveAProblem.com, has been documenting users’ tragic tales.
In a statement yesterday, Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, said “We are investigating. Some people are getting a lot more excited than we’d expected. We need to better communicate to people how to deal with Wii as a new form of entertainment.”
Toward that end, the company has highlighted some safety warnings on how to use the Wii remote on its Web site — showing the need for plenty of room and, perhaps more importantly, the need to take a break if you find yourself getting a bit too … excited:
Even while wearing the wrist strap, make sure you don’t let go of the Wii Remote during game play and do not use excessive motion. For example, in Wii Sports bowling, the proper way to let go of the ball while bowling is to release the “B” button on the Wii Remote — DO NOT LET GO OF THE Wii REMOTE ITSELF. If you are having so much fun that you start perspiring, take a moment to dry your hands. If you use excessive motion and let go of the Wii Remote, the wrist strap may break and you could lose control of the Wii Remote. This could injure people nearby or cause damage to other objects.
Snow in the City
They tell me it snowed last night. I didn't actually SEE anything resembling snow or frozen particles of ice or water or anything... but APPARENTLY it snowed for about ten minutes between 9:00 and 9:10 last evening. I can't believe that it snowed and I missed it! Grrrr....
With ten minutes of wicked snow like that, it's a wonder they didn't shut the entire city down.
With ten minutes of wicked snow like that, it's a wonder they didn't shut the entire city down.
FUTBOL!!!!!
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/scp_v3/viewer/index.php?pid=16891&rn=458044&ch=458046&lang=enf
Thursday, November 30, 2006
A Little News from Ewe-taah
Mullen: It's meltdown time as readers nuke name of arena
By Holly Mullen
Tribune Columnist
Salt Lake Tribune
We asked Tribune readers Tuesday to help nickname Larry H. Miller's newly re-christened arena, which, as you may have heard, is now named for a nuclear waste-disposal services company. After all, EnergySolutions Arena isn't the sort of name that knocks your Nikes off. (Well, on second thought . . . ). Wow! We're aglow at the explosive level of creative genius out there, as exhibited by the reader who suggested a certain Jazz broadcaster change his name to Fuel Rod Hundley. So we've sorted through nearly 100 reader calls and e-mails. The rest is up to you. Select your favorite from among these finalists and cast your vote.
The Nominees are…
“Glow in the Dark Park”
“The Tox box”
“Nuclear Winner Stadium”
“Nukeback Mountain”
“Meltdown Manor”
“The Fallout Shelter”
“Plutonium Palace”
“Radium Stadium”
“The Glow Dome”
Runners-up, in no particular order:
"The Dump" (suggested by many readers)
"The Nuke" (suggested by several readers)
"The Hot Box" (suggested by several readers)
"The Jump Dump"
"The Toxy" (short for "ToxiCenter" and a "postmodern tribute to another entertainment icon, The Roxy")
"Larry's Atomic Mutation Eco Center," or "LAME Center" for short
"Dump 'n' Dunk Dome"
"Fission Abandon Palace"
"Half-Life Arena" ("given the Jazz's tendency to fall apart midway through the season")
"The Disposal"
"The Garbage Heap"
"Ground Zero"
"The Geiger Counter"
"The Lair" (in honor of both the Jazz Bear and Larry Miller)
"The Downwinders Dome"
"The Melting Pot"
"The ESA," pronounced "essay" in honor of the gang slang term "ese," which means "dude" or "homie."
One TribTalk message-board reader submitted a "partial list of Larry H. Miller-proposed names that were rejected," including, "The Celestial Kingdom Center," "The Work And The Glory Center" and "The Stockton and Malone Who? Center." And finally, another TribTalk reader offered a half-hearted endorsement of the arena's new name: "Energy Solutions Center beats Jell-O Center any day!"
hmullen@sltrib.com griggs@sltrib.com
If you really want to vote, http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4703248
By Holly Mullen
Tribune Columnist
Salt Lake Tribune
We asked Tribune readers Tuesday to help nickname Larry H. Miller's newly re-christened arena, which, as you may have heard, is now named for a nuclear waste-disposal services company. After all, EnergySolutions Arena isn't the sort of name that knocks your Nikes off. (Well, on second thought . . . ). Wow! We're aglow at the explosive level of creative genius out there, as exhibited by the reader who suggested a certain Jazz broadcaster change his name to Fuel Rod Hundley. So we've sorted through nearly 100 reader calls and e-mails. The rest is up to you. Select your favorite from among these finalists and cast your vote.
The Nominees are…
“Glow in the Dark Park”
“The Tox box”
“Nuclear Winner Stadium”
“Nukeback Mountain”
“Meltdown Manor”
“The Fallout Shelter”
“Plutonium Palace”
“Radium Stadium”
“The Glow Dome”
Runners-up, in no particular order:
"The Dump" (suggested by many readers)
"The Nuke" (suggested by several readers)
"The Hot Box" (suggested by several readers)
"The Jump Dump"
"The Toxy" (short for "ToxiCenter" and a "postmodern tribute to another entertainment icon, The Roxy")
"Larry's Atomic Mutation Eco Center," or "LAME Center" for short
"Dump 'n' Dunk Dome"
"Fission Abandon Palace"
"Half-Life Arena" ("given the Jazz's tendency to fall apart midway through the season")
"The Disposal"
"The Garbage Heap"
"Ground Zero"
"The Geiger Counter"
"The Lair" (in honor of both the Jazz Bear and Larry Miller)
"The Downwinders Dome"
"The Melting Pot"
"The ESA," pronounced "essay" in honor of the gang slang term "ese," which means "dude" or "homie."
One TribTalk message-board reader submitted a "partial list of Larry H. Miller-proposed names that were rejected," including, "The Celestial Kingdom Center," "The Work And The Glory Center" and "The Stockton and Malone Who? Center." And finally, another TribTalk reader offered a half-hearted endorsement of the arena's new name: "Energy Solutions Center beats Jell-O Center any day!"
hmullen@sltrib.com griggs@sltrib.com
If you really want to vote, http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4703248
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Turkey Q&A
Today's Turkey - A Modern Miracle (Care of the University of Maryland)
Turkey will be the centerpiece for many Thanksgiving dinners later this month. But increasingly, turkey is not just for Thanksgiving anymore. 2005 statistics from the National Turkey Federation show that per-capita consumption was 16.7 pounds per person in the U.S. - up 106 percent since 1970. Turkey is available in a wide variety of products these days. But few Americans give any thought about where their turkey really comes from.
Q: Is the turkey we put on the table today at Thanksgiving considerably different than the one the Pilgrims found out in the wild?
Turkeys in the days of the Pilgrims were similar to the wild turkeys that are now abundant in most states of the nation. They have dark plumage and can fly. Modern turkeys have been bred to have large breast muscles, desired by consumers. Modern turkeys also have been bred to have white feathers, so that pigment from dark feathers does not blemish the skin. The selection process has been so successful that modern turkeys are too heavy to fly under most circumstances. That has also reduced their reproductive efficiency.
Q: Are wild turkeys smarter than today's farm-grown turkey?
Wild turkeys grow up in woodlands where only the alert survive. At any moment a fox or a hawk could threaten their life and they must constantly look for food. In comparison, modern turkeys are couch potatoes; food and water are always close and they are safe from predators.
Q: Is artificial insemination the only way farmers can really produce the "modern" turkey of today?
Not entirely. Modern large-breasted turkeys are able to mate in the traditional way. But this is a clumsy act for a large-breasted turkey, and insemination is hit or miss; mostly miss. This results in a high proportion of eggs not being fertile, thus fewer poults are hatched. Artificial insemination ensures that sperm are present to fertilize the hen's egg and increase the number of poults hatched.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
A word about living across the street from your mechanic.
So I got in my car this morning. and, for the record, my car is a 99’ Jeep Cherokee. It’s been a good car, and I like it, and will probably keep it until it stops moving or upon my purchase of a Jeep Wrangler. (But not the new ones with the 4 doors – I would like to know whose idea it was to put FOUR DOORS on a Jeep Wrangler?! I am a purist when it comes to the Jeep Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species…and so forth and what not. My buddy who is also a Jeep purist has seen one of these new “Jeeps” and says the wheel bed is 4” wider than the real Jeep and looks just like a Hummer 3 – now what’s the point of THAT?)
So back to my mechanic.
I turned on my trusty Jeep and it sort of hesitated a bit on the up tic. I figure the poor baby is cold. So my mechanic whose shop is directly across the street from my house, starts walking in my direction. So I just wait for him to cross the street, and I roll my window down. And then he says, “next week it would probably be good if I took a look at the battery”.
Is that not fabulous!? Perhaps I am making a big deal out of this warmth, affection and attention my mechanic feels for me and more importantly, my Jeep. I’m glad he loves my Jeep as much as I do.
I think the last time he was working on it, they must have bonded. You know how you can get after a little washer fluid, eh?
So back to my mechanic.
I turned on my trusty Jeep and it sort of hesitated a bit on the up tic. I figure the poor baby is cold. So my mechanic whose shop is directly across the street from my house, starts walking in my direction. So I just wait for him to cross the street, and I roll my window down. And then he says, “next week it would probably be good if I took a look at the battery”.
Is that not fabulous!? Perhaps I am making a big deal out of this warmth, affection and attention my mechanic feels for me and more importantly, my Jeep. I’m glad he loves my Jeep as much as I do.
I think the last time he was working on it, they must have bonded. You know how you can get after a little washer fluid, eh?
Know your cuts of meat...or something like that.
KNOW YOUR VOTING RIGHTS
1) If you are a registered voter, do not leave your polling place without voting. Every registered voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot.
2) If you are in line before the poll’s closing time, you are entitled to vote.
3) You are entitled to view a sample ballot at the polling place before voting.
4) Voters do not need an excuse to utilize any voting method whether it is in-office absentee voting, regular mail-in absentee voting, permanent mail-in absentee voting (also known as “vote by mail”), or voting at your regular polling place on election day.
1) If you are a registered voter, do not leave your polling place without voting. Every registered voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot.
2) If you are in line before the poll’s closing time, you are entitled to vote.
3) You are entitled to view a sample ballot at the polling place before voting.
4) Voters do not need an excuse to utilize any voting method whether it is in-office absentee voting, regular mail-in absentee voting, permanent mail-in absentee voting (also known as “vote by mail”), or voting at your regular polling place on election day.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Extra Reading...
Chianciano Terme - At the time of the Etruscans, in the 5th century B.C., there was a temple close to the spring named Sillene, where Chianciano Terme is today.
Dedicated to the god of Good Health, it contained larger bronze statues. Abundant archaeological evidence, recently discovered, goes back as far as the 7th century B.C..
In Roman times, the curative power of its waters had spread Chianciano's fame far and wide. In the first century B.C., Antonio Musa the doctor, suggested them to the poet Horace, who went, drank and was cured. Luxurious villas were built in the area, with thermal baths such as those found at Mezzomiglio and Camerelle. There is little archaeological evidence from the Middle Ages.
The fact, however, that the church of Sillene, built near the remains of an ancient castle, is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, a favourite of the Longobards, may signify that it was established by them in the same area as the pagan temple. There is archival evidence of a castrum at Petroio, not far from the Abbey of Saint Peter, no longer extant.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, Chianciano belonged to the Manenti Counts, Lords of Sarteano. Its position close to the Via Francigena (the medieval "highway" to Rome) fostered its development, and Chianciano reached a degree of judicial autonomy when, in 1287, it established it own Statutes. In the 14th century, Orvieto and Siena contended for it, until it was seized by the Siena Republic.
Modern Chianciano Terme developed by exploiting the many springs of therapeutic waters, and by providing visitors with leisure and relaxation in the large Parco Acquasanta.
How to reach Chianciano Terme: From Siena take direction Arezzo on the fast road Siena - Bettolle. At bettolle take the highway A1 and follow direction Rome. Exit Chiusi and Follow indications for Chianciano Terme.
Where is Chianciano Terme: is located in the south of Siena province, in the border with the Umbria region. See the map
Nearby: Chiusi, Montepulciano, Cetona, Sarteano
Distances: Siena 80 Km - Florence 130 Km - Pisa 200 Km - Arezzo 70 Km
Correct name is Chianciano Terme
Common mistakes are Chinciano, Chiangiano, Kianciano, Chiancyano, Term, Termas
Dedicated to the god of Good Health, it contained larger bronze statues. Abundant archaeological evidence, recently discovered, goes back as far as the 7th century B.C..
In Roman times, the curative power of its waters had spread Chianciano's fame far and wide. In the first century B.C., Antonio Musa the doctor, suggested them to the poet Horace, who went, drank and was cured. Luxurious villas were built in the area, with thermal baths such as those found at Mezzomiglio and Camerelle. There is little archaeological evidence from the Middle Ages.
The fact, however, that the church of Sillene, built near the remains of an ancient castle, is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, a favourite of the Longobards, may signify that it was established by them in the same area as the pagan temple. There is archival evidence of a castrum at Petroio, not far from the Abbey of Saint Peter, no longer extant.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, Chianciano belonged to the Manenti Counts, Lords of Sarteano. Its position close to the Via Francigena (the medieval "highway" to Rome) fostered its development, and Chianciano reached a degree of judicial autonomy when, in 1287, it established it own Statutes. In the 14th century, Orvieto and Siena contended for it, until it was seized by the Siena Republic.
Modern Chianciano Terme developed by exploiting the many springs of therapeutic waters, and by providing visitors with leisure and relaxation in the large Parco Acquasanta.
How to reach Chianciano Terme: From Siena take direction Arezzo on the fast road Siena - Bettolle. At bettolle take the highway A1 and follow direction Rome. Exit Chiusi and Follow indications for Chianciano Terme.
Where is Chianciano Terme: is located in the south of Siena province, in the border with the Umbria region. See the map
Nearby: Chiusi, Montepulciano, Cetona, Sarteano
Distances: Siena 80 Km - Florence 130 Km - Pisa 200 Km - Arezzo 70 Km
Correct name is Chianciano Terme
Common mistakes are Chinciano, Chiangiano, Kianciano, Chiancyano, Term, Termas
A word about Italy
If anyone ever says to you 'hey, let's go to Italy and pick grapes', do it.
There is this really fabulous thing in Italy called AgriTourisma. Briefly: renting out a cottage in the countryside in Tuscany and helping with the harvest. Is that a good time or what?! In the mean time, feel free to book your next stay in Italy at the Hotel Milano in Chianciano Terme. Do say hello to Claudio for me. (Claudio is the food pusher in the dining room who, like any good Italian, won't let you leave until you've had dessert.)
Ciao!
Friday, September 22, 2006
A Little Poetry for You... (and if you're not going to read it all, just skip to the last stanza)
Two Tramps In Mudtime
by Robert Frost
Out of the mud two strangers came
And caught me splitting wood in the yard,
And one of them put me off my aim
By hailing cheerily "Hit them hard!"
I knew pretty well why he had dropped behind
And let the other go on a way.
I knew pretty well what he had in mind:
He wanted to take my job for pay.
Good blocks of oak it was I split,
As large around as the chopping block;
And every piece I squarely hit
Fell splinterless as a cloven rock.
The blows that a life of self-control
Spares to strike for the common good,
That day, giving a loose my soul,
I spent on the unimportant wood.
The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.
A bluebird comes tenderly up to alight
And turns to the wind to unruffle a plume,
His song so pitched as not to excite
A single flower as yet to bloom.
It is snowing a flake; and he half knew
Winter was only playing possum.
Except in color he isn't blue,
But he wouldn't advise a thing to blossom.
The water for which we may have to look
In summertime with a witching wand,
In every wheelrut's now a brook,
In every print of a hoof a pond.
Be glad of water, but don't forget
The lurking frost in the earth beneath
That will steal forth after the sun is set
And show on the water its crystal teeth.
The time when most I loved my task
The two must make me love it more
By coming with what they came to ask.
You'd think I never had felt before
The weight of an ax-head poised aloft,
The grip of earth on outspread feet,
The life of muscles rocking soft
And smooth and moist in vernal heat.
Out of the wood two hulking tramps
(From sleeping God knows where last night,
But not long since in the lumber camps).
They thought all chopping was theirs of right.
Men of the woods and lumberjacks,
The judged me by their appropriate tool.
Except as a fellow handled an ax
They had no way of knowing a fool.
Nothing on either side was said.
They knew they had but to stay their stay
And all their logic would fill my head:
As that I had no right to play
With what was another man's work for gain.
My right might be love but theirs was need.
And where the two exist in twain
Theirs was the better right--agreed.
But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future's sakes.
by Robert Frost
Out of the mud two strangers came
And caught me splitting wood in the yard,
And one of them put me off my aim
By hailing cheerily "Hit them hard!"
I knew pretty well why he had dropped behind
And let the other go on a way.
I knew pretty well what he had in mind:
He wanted to take my job for pay.
Good blocks of oak it was I split,
As large around as the chopping block;
And every piece I squarely hit
Fell splinterless as a cloven rock.
The blows that a life of self-control
Spares to strike for the common good,
That day, giving a loose my soul,
I spent on the unimportant wood.
The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.
A bluebird comes tenderly up to alight
And turns to the wind to unruffle a plume,
His song so pitched as not to excite
A single flower as yet to bloom.
It is snowing a flake; and he half knew
Winter was only playing possum.
Except in color he isn't blue,
But he wouldn't advise a thing to blossom.
The water for which we may have to look
In summertime with a witching wand,
In every wheelrut's now a brook,
In every print of a hoof a pond.
Be glad of water, but don't forget
The lurking frost in the earth beneath
That will steal forth after the sun is set
And show on the water its crystal teeth.
The time when most I loved my task
The two must make me love it more
By coming with what they came to ask.
You'd think I never had felt before
The weight of an ax-head poised aloft,
The grip of earth on outspread feet,
The life of muscles rocking soft
And smooth and moist in vernal heat.
Out of the wood two hulking tramps
(From sleeping God knows where last night,
But not long since in the lumber camps).
They thought all chopping was theirs of right.
Men of the woods and lumberjacks,
The judged me by their appropriate tool.
Except as a fellow handled an ax
They had no way of knowing a fool.
Nothing on either side was said.
They knew they had but to stay their stay
And all their logic would fill my head:
As that I had no right to play
With what was another man's work for gain.
My right might be love but theirs was need.
And where the two exist in twain
Theirs was the better right--agreed.
But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future's sakes.
My Blog Crisis - Please Advise
I have a blog. Now what do I do with it. I can't exactly complain about work, because that is a. very boring to read and b. not a very good idea. I can't exactly upload all of my musings from my journals because really, do I want people reading that... not really. So... I will put what in my blog. If only I had something really interesting to say. Social commentary on the situation of things perhaps. If I was really funny, that would be good too. But I'm not all that funny. A little funny, yes. But wake up in the morning and check out Snowbunny in the City blog before you go to work funny, no, probably not. But that again is the thing - you have to write like people will read this stuff. It's a lot of pressure, you know?
And back to the initial question: what to write about?
Perhaps I should have a contest and take submissions for what to write about. Each day I will write about a topic of my readership's choosing. (And it will be really hard to narrow the submissions down I'm sure, based on my expansive fan base.)
It will be kind of like high school debate - Impromptu I think it was - when they give you three topics and you just have to up and give a speech and sound like you know what you are talking about. I think I could fake a blog. Mmmm...fake a blog. I think I'll give it a go.
Ok, submissions for blog topics, 1, 2, 3 go!
And back to the initial question: what to write about?
Perhaps I should have a contest and take submissions for what to write about. Each day I will write about a topic of my readership's choosing. (And it will be really hard to narrow the submissions down I'm sure, based on my expansive fan base.)
It will be kind of like high school debate - Impromptu I think it was - when they give you three topics and you just have to up and give a speech and sound like you know what you are talking about. I think I could fake a blog. Mmmm...fake a blog. I think I'll give it a go.
Ok, submissions for blog topics, 1, 2, 3 go!
Friday, September 08, 2006
To login or not to login...
YEAH! I REMEMBERED MY PASSWORD. Correction, I figured out how to work the login to change my password to another password, which I have written in sharpie on the back of my hand. But really, apparently I am not as technologically advanced as I thought.
So part two of "so I guess I have a blog now" is "so I now can LOGIN to my blog".
So part two of "so I guess I have a blog now" is "so I now can LOGIN to my blog".
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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