Just Smilin'

We're experiencing a very early spring in Northeast Oh-ten
Today's temp might soar to 80
The bikers are on the roads
The joggers with dogs are on the sidewalks
Their dogs are peeing on my flowers
Crocus and Hyacinth are showing off their colors
OOOYEZ, the shorts are on the Polish kid's legs
The annual, Pre-Easter, Cadbury Rabbit commercials are on the teevee

To quote Chandler from "Friends"...Can it GET any better?

Invest Wisely Every Now and Zen

For many a year, I've not liked carrying change in my pocket. Upon getting home, I always toss the coins into a container of some sort. THIS year, it has been a thick plastic jar, of unknown origin, albeit quite clean, thank you! It no longer makes any sense to roll coins, because, if your bank resembles mine, they open the rolls and and empty them into a coin counter. Not feeling industrious enough to drive to my institute of higher(?) earning, I posted the following on craigslist.


"5-1/2" High X 5" diameter jar, filled with late model nickels, dimes, quarters and some half-dollars. It weighs approximately 10 pounds. Of late, it has become a burden to carry the container from one location to another. Swimming/Diving lessons begin soon and I'd rather not be burdened when that gets going. I am willing to sacrifice this collection for an equal weight of early or late USA Mint paper money. Denomination is not important. Wrinkles and folds are acceptable. Although not formally schooled in gold, I'd entertain trading for the same weight in that commodity and I suppose a mix of both would also be considered. Your offers must contain 100% legal goods. Counterfeit and photo copies not eligible. Phone numbers must be submitted for consideration. Spammers must show certification papers from a local, accredited psychiatric facility with legible signature of the director.

Things you see when you're not looking

Toss aside all panic regarding the Mayan calendar. It was announced several days ago that Levin Furniture is offering a sale, with no interest payment until 2017. (The man must have connections)

What the heck is in Cialis that causes a need to sit in a bath tub, deep in the forest?

If the car company advertises what they call a "Limited Editon," why are there so many of them?

Arrogant condescension: Sherrod Brown, when asked about commercials warning against Obamacare, "Oh, that's all just background noise." And, if memory serves, after the defeat of issue 5 in Ohio, he stated, "The vote doesn't really mean anything."

An anti Rick Santorum campaign ad stated that "He never ran a company, never ran a state..."
So...Rick wants to copy what we have NOW?!?

"I Stand Firmly On" Dept: Regarding Rap, If you can't whistle to, hum along with or line dance to it......IT AIN'T MUSIC!!!

What if? In order to recoup the huge amount of money spent in sex offense payoffs, I heard that the Vatican is considering its own line of cosmetics. Initial offering will be, "Embarass," a deep red shade of the brand to be known as, "Apostlelipstick."

Andy Rooney might have asked: "Why don't we have lower case numbers?"

Daylight Savings time starts tomorrow, the 11th. Remember to change the battery in your sundial. No adjusment necessary on the kitchen timer.

Hell---Was, Is and Always-----War, that is

February 1, 1968..........44 years
South Viet Nam
Tet Offensive begins
Viet Cong, North Vietnamese, Chinese and who knows, lay siege to many USA camps

It was the beginning to the end of the war wherein our soldiers were spat upon. All men and women who gave as volunteers or via the draft.
It could also be looked upon as a time when those, some admittedly, realized that war for profit was at the ebb side of the bell curve.
Enter PTSD...nothing like it since the mental torture of the Korean "Conflict"

Are we again doing this?

As a planet with so much available education, there never should be war.

The above is neither complaint nor tirade...merely an observation.

Have a nice day, while people continue dying for your privilege to "Do Unto Others."

Food for Thought...Venting and Just Sayin'

Oh, the wandering mind! We see so much.

Oh yeah! moment...Separated at birth: David Caruso and Conan O'Brien

Teevee 1: If you watch closely, Nothing is missing from the burger when Ray Ray on the Mickey D commercial, says, "Sorry, double dribble."
Teevee 2: First episode of "Unforgettable," Poppy is seen walking toward her bed while removing her shirt and placing a tank top over her bare back. When we see her reliving a scene in the alley, you can see a bra strap...Just sayin'
Teevee 3: How long before we see the toilet paper bear sitting on the commode? And, do you really buy insurance because a cave man wears a cheerleader dress? Does it cause you to wonder about the IQ of the person who okays the commercials? Does it make you wonder what he actually thinks about YOU?
Teevee 4: I won't EVEN talk about pitches for you to ask about drugs with more side effects than benefits OR ads that portray husbands and fathers as mental midgets.

"No Kidding/DUH Award" radio commercial: "When they're gone, they're gone!"

From Page 279 of, "The Shack"

"Most of us have our own grief, broken dreams, and damaged hearts, each of us our unique losses, our own "shack." I pray you find the same grace there that I did, and that the abiding presence of Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu will fill up your inside emptiness with joy unspeakable and full of glory." (The author's words)

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You needn't be of a particular religion or of any at all to be taken into the experience of one Mackenzie Allen Phillips. You needn't have experienced any trauma at all to be taken on such an emotional trek. You needn't believe in any "supreme being" or "higher power" to be impacted by the tale. Allow yourself a mind-clearing breath or two, prior to stepping aboard. DO read the foreward! It will prepare you for the style, humor and interpretation of the author, Wm. Paul Young.

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Not reading anywhere NEAR as I did previously, this was not easy to put aside. Being that I began after dark, I did finish the following day..........Compelling, to say the least!

What's In A Pan?

2 days ago, I was asked by a friend for a recipe that I make each time I visit Lotts Creek School, in Hazard, Kentucky. After sending it to him, I decided to share it with you readers and it's posted in the preceding entry. It's important to know the history of the dish. After all, each of us has asked about the origin of so many things.
Since childhood, my Mom has always made what she called, "City Chicken." (I never DID learn whence the title). They kind of resemble a chcken leg...maybe.
In our old neighborhood butcher shop, you could get 4-5 inch wood skewers that were pointed at one end. The butcher would sell chunks of pork and veal that measured approximately 1-1/2" cubed and package them all together. Mom would alternately attach the pork and veal onto the skewers, bread them, lightly brown in a black, cast iron frying pan and then bake until tender. She'd normally serve them with mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy and corn. I nearly forgot to mention the homemade bread! If you could walk away from the table, you obviously didn't eat enough.
Nowadays, it's rare to find cubed veal, and sometimes, ANY veal. Some butchers continue to offer cubed pork with skewers, but you won't find that everywhere. That being the case, I've adapted to what's available.
When skewers aren't available, I utilize clean, plastic grocery bags, as explained in the actual recipe. When I'm REELEE pressed for time or just lazy, I buy whole, boneless country/western style pork ribs.
Please try the recipe...you just might like that other white meat.
After all that, we're back to, "How did City Chicken get that name?"
Well, Virginia, I must admit, that I shall go to bed tonight, still not having a clue.