Look In Back, Looking Forward.

Are you wondering where Friday went?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/12470080/friday-disappears-in-samoa-s-great-leap-forward/

An unusual look back at 2011:

http://news.yahoo.com/strictly-unusual-offbeat-stories-2011-200642943.html;_ylt=AsNR2cmo5E3vb4OQxusiEH2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2Y2o2MmNnBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDYzA0NmZmYjgtYmYzNC0zODFhLWFhNzctYTdmNjIzNTgwNzgwBHBvcwM1BHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgM0NzY5MDk4MC0zMzI4LTExZTEtOTZlZi1mOWFhOTM2ZGZmZmE-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

Let's look ahead to what is going to happen in 2012:

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/scott-galupo/2011/12/29/10-predictions-for-2012

I disagree with the Republicans taking control of the house. I think just the opposite. They lose control. They are getting the blame, fair or not, by the independants for the stalemates. Independants rule the elections.

.............................................................................

We interrupt this blog entry to inform you that the rest of the blog will be all about me.

Maybe at some point I will do a personal summary of 2011 but I am looking forward today and here are my personal goals for 2012:

Finding a caregiver for Mom who values their commitment to us instead of just valuing the commitment until something better comes a long.

Increase my productivity at my seasonal job.

More travel.

Less anger.

More dating.

Less alone time.

More writing.

Less procrastination.

Better health.

Less complaining.

More thinking about myself.

Less time at Mom's

That is a start for me. What are your goals?

Comment Away.

Love & Peace

Before starting the blog entry today I wanted to pass on condolences to Pat, a main contributor to the blog. Her mom passed away yesterday. She was 105. What she must have seen during her lifetime. Our hearts go out to Pat.

In a world that is to angry, to busy, and to mean it is just a joy to know Love and Peace survived:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/12/portland_cat_on_second_life_an.html

I for one hope 2011 is better than 2012. I am hoping for more good luck. Now I know what to eat to bring on that good luck:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/new-years-good-luck-foods_n_1167701.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D123844

A couple of days ago was good riddance day. Maybe we shouldn't have been so fast to get rid of the junk:

http://www.stylelist.com/2011/12/15/home-makeover-junk-room-office_n_1150393.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl19%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D123615

Comment Away.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Today let's do the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good:

http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/29/drake-karaoke-performance-with-fan-video/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D123640

I don't even know who Drake is but he gets my vote as the entertainer of the year.
The bad:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57349320/s.c-dems-seek-to-ban-mandated-cheerful-greeting/

I agree with the one comment that said both sides look moronic. The Democrats should have just kept there mouth shuts and worked on something more productive. And I if there weren't better things for the governor to spend her time on than happy greetings.

The ugly:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/kenneth-shaw-benefits-denied-boston-cop_n_1173315.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D123604

Certainly they could have found a solution to benefit the widow.

Comment Away.

Good Riddance Day

Good Riddance. Why did I just type that? Because today is officially good riddance day. Get rid of the old, heck get rid of the new if you don't like it.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/good-riddance-day-say-goodbye-to-your-bad-memories-of-2011

What are you getting rid of today? Gosh I have so many choices!

There actually are a lot of people on the most admired men and women list of 2011 that I would like to get rid of:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-27/most-admired-people-2011/52243574/1Those that I want to get rid will remain nameless. I don't want to get rid of Ellen but tied with Margaret Thatcher?

Enough with admired people lets move on to us guys and our one track minds.

http://www.seventeen.com/health/tips/boys-and-sex

Comment Away.

Venting

Christmas holiday is basically over, Hanukkah has a couple of days left, and the New Year holiday is on the Horizon. Today on the agenda is going to the bank and cash my brother's check so they have money for their trip home. They are leaving today. Then it is to a movie. Then to Mom's for the next three days. I am in the venting mode so here goes.

My brother and his wife keep down playing my time at Mom's. They make it sound like a walk in the park. According to them it is something that I would choose to do because it is so easy. Right, I would chose to give up ten years of my life to watch my Mom and Dad decline then die. Frankly, I am sick of tired of having what I do downplayed. Downplayed especially by the clueless that haven't done a damn thing just so they can smooth over their own guilt feelings.

I love my sister. Without my sister and her husband I would be dead. They have been a huge help. I respect both of them and would do anything for them. However, I get a little annoyed when she says "I am at Mom's all the time." Since the fourteenth of November I have done two to three nights a week. Next week will the first time in seven weeks that I will only be doing one night. So if she is there "all the time" what have I been doing?

Venting over. Now on to today's entry.

A new use for Facebook:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/26/mother-son-facebook-rescue_n_1170317.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D123146

A new use for virtual reality:

http://news.yahoo.com/doctors-look-treat-sick-children-virtual-worlds-055048383.html

With everyone gone it may be a like a ghost town around here:

http://main.aol.com/2011/12/21/ghost-towns-of-the-world-_n_1163227.html?1324496786&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D122705

Comment Away.

The Salt Of The Earth

I have had a nice Christmas holiday. I've enjoyed the dinner outs and the visits from my Wyoming relatives (brother, his wife, niece, her husband and their three kids). I've enjoyed seeing the local relatives more frequently. It has been fun. But now I am ready to get back to normal. Normal schedules, normal life problems, normal life joys.

Sometimes the stress of holiday combined with overeating can result in heart attacks. The combined Christmas-New Year holiday results in more heart attacks than any other time of the year. What are the signs of a heart attack? We should all be familiar with them:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/what-is-a-heart-attack.aspx?xid=aol_eh-cardio_1_20111219_&aolcat=ESR&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D122674

Speaking of eating. Did you eat to much salt? Not enough? If you didn't get enough salt, I know just the place to go:

http://main.aol.com/2011/12/21/salar-de-uyuni-bolivias-s_n_1163363.html?1324496751&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D122703

Now that you know what to do in case of a heart attack we can talk taxes:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/photos/12-money-saving-year-end-tax-tips/4693165/

Comment Away.

Merry Christmas!

I'm Walking Backwards for Christmas

poem by Spike Milligan

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
Across the Irish Sea,
I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
It's the only thing for me.

I've tried walking sideways,
And walking to the front,
But people just look at me,
And say it's a publicity stunt.

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
To prove that I love you.

An immigrant lad, loved an Irish colleen
From Dublin Galway Bay.
He longed for her arms,
But she spurned his charms,
And sailed o'er the foam away

She left the lad by himself, on his own
All alone, a-sorrowing
And sadly he dreamed, or at least that's the
way it seemed, buddy,
That an angel choir did sing -
An angel choir did sing.

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
Across the Irish Sea.
I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
It's the finest thing for me.

And so I've tried walking sideways,
And walking to the front.
But people just laughed, and said,
"It's a publicity stunt".

So I'm walking backwards for Christmas
To prove that I love you.

If I could write words
Like leaves on an autumn forest floor,
What a bonfire my letters would make.
If I could speak words of water,
You would drown when I said
"I love you."


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Angels We Have Heard On High

I often felt I've had at least two angels in heaven watching over me. Of course my dad. Then my cousin Debbie who left the world at the much to young age of fourteen.

Growing up we had a cabin at a resort area near Klamath Falls called Rocky Point. We owned the middle cabin. My Uncle Frank and Aunt Velma (set of parents number two) owned the cabin to the left as you faced the front of the cabins. And my grandmother (Nanny) and her husband Cecil owned the cabin to the right. Every other Christmas all of our families would meet at the cabins for an old fashioned Christmas. Yes we did exchange gifts but the gift exchange was just a small part of the holiday, hidden amongst the skiing, skating, sledding, game playing, cutting and putting up the tree, good conversation, eating some pretty darn good meals. There were always close to thirty of us. At the time I had my going CPA practice with over four hundred clients. There was a lot of preparatory work done each December to get ready for the onslaught of work heading my way in January. The four hundred organizers had to be printed, collated, stuffed in envelopes, stamped, and mailed. Supplies had to be order. The tax program had to be loaded and refined. Because of the volume of work I was always the last one leave Portland and the last one to arrive at the cabin. I with very few exceptions traveled alone.

One Christmas trip to the Cabin I will never forget. The cabins were roughly three miles from Portland. A few mountains along the way and some mountain roads when you got within an hour of the cabin. The cabins were roughly at the elevation of over four thousand feet. I had expertly navigated Interstate 5 and the Willamette pass was going over the mountain near the cabin. I don't if you have ever been in the mountains in Oregon at night but I can tell you that it is pitch black. There are no street lights. On a cloudy night stars don't help. Neither do headlights. They allow you maybe to see five feet. Believe me I am not taking literary license here, five feet is generous. I was the only car on the road. I was the only person in the car. The radio wasn't going (no reception. Then I heard it. Then I hear my Angel. My cousin Debbie's voice very clearly said "slam on your brakes." It scared the holy heck out of me but I listened. I slammed on my brakes. I missed a three hundred pound bear by inches. Had I not listened I would be dead.

I can't say for one hundred percent certainty that I believe in angels. I can't say for one hundred percent certainty that I don't believe in angels. I can say with one percent certainty that I experienced the un-explainable. More than once. Twice actually. The second story will go untold for the time being:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/12/23/national/a010142S14.DTL

Whether I believe or not I love the idea of angels. So pure. So beautiful.

Certainly there are earth angels:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/california-family-answers-balloon-letter-santa-5-year-old-girl-article-1.996392

Speaking of angels here on earth, lets here it for EMTS, First responders, and rescue workers:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/texas-family-rescued-from_0_n_1167788.html?ref=impact&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D122850

Comment Away

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

Only The Good

Today it is only going to be good or fun stories.

First story is one about attack dogs. Hang in there it is a different type of attack.

http://www.pawnation.com/2011/12/21/puppy-swarm/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D122353

Would you want a dog to attack you like the above?

Did you build or have gingerbread houses when you were a youngster? We did.

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/22/best-gingerbread-houses-ever/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl18%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D122595

Wow would I ever like to have some of those houses!

Next up is a story of the Christmas Spirit.

http://news.yahoo.com/wash-city-rallies-around-laid-off-diner-workers-183520542.html

Comment Away

Food, Cats, & Cars

Last day at Mom's until Christmas Eve. Looking forward to a salad and a movie with Nancie tonight. Then tomorrow is day of rest.'

Everyone loves food. Everyone loves scandals. Does everyone love food scandals?'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/16/food-scandals-2011_n_1154029.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D122073

Everyone loves babies. Everyone loves pets. Does everyone love pets and babies together?

http://www.pawnation.com/2011/12/20/cat-calms-crying-baby/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl18%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D122012

Not everyone loves insurance companies but thank goodness the man in the following story had insurance:

http://news.yahoo.com/man-crashes-lamborghini-6-hours-winning-153618061.html

Comment Away.

Cash, Fashion, & Memory Pills

Second day at Mom's I am enjoying the gig this week.

Just an update about a previous blog article. So far Secret Santas have paid off seven hundred thousand of lay away debt nationwide for unsuspecting folks in need. Started in Michigan and has spread nationwide. Wow.

Second day in a row I am starting the entry out with a good story.

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/19/home-demolition-reveals-stash-of-cash-and-generous-heart/

Second day in a row is a men's fashion article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/ryan-gosling-fashion-2011_n_1158099.html

I always liked Ryan Gosling now I may have to start dressing like him.

Next up is some good news in the area of health!

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/super-memory-pill-possibly-alzheimer-cure-could-around-162010613.html

I'd certainly take the pill if needed. I hope it is on the market sooner than later.

Comment Away.

Good Stories, Underwear, Quotes, & Hanukkah

First of three days at Mom's today. I have a business meeting at ten this morning, then lunch, then off to Mom's. I finished my Christmas shopping yesterday. I have a very nice young couple that lives next door. I came home a couple of days ago and on my porch was a bunch of homemade goodies. I finished my shopping by buying them a little plant. Now for the rest of the gifts the wrapping starts!

When my neighbor left the goodies it made me feel really good. That made me want to start the day off with a good story:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/19/sara-wood-free-home-operation-finally-home/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D121590

President Bill Clinton was once asked if it was boxers or briefs. He answered boxers. I am not going to really answer the question of boxers or briefs other to say I am presidential at times. Want to know what to buy the men in your life for Christmas:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/21/savings-experiment-mens-basics/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D121497

See if you follow the blog and you will learn more about Men's underwear than you ever wanted to know.

I don't have a quote of the day but I do have an article about quotes. The best movie quotes of 2012.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/12/12/best-movie-quotes-2011?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D121153

Hanukkah starts at sunset tonight and ends at sunset on the 29TH. Happy Hanukkah to those that celebrate it! And if anyone would like to learn about the history of Hanukkah they can read it about it here:

http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/hanukkah.htm

Comment Away and then enjoy the day!

Warnings, Hope, & A Brush With The Sun

Off to shower, then some final touches on Christmas shopping followed by taking Mom to the foot doctor and having minor foot surgery while I am there. Before leaving I thought I would leave you with;

A warning:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/christmas-tree-health-hazards-unwrapped.aspx?xid=aol_eh-news_4_20111212_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D120930

With some hope in the world of medicine:

http://news.yahoo.com/us-breakthrough-live-cancer-cells-061637346.html;_ylt=AgUR51vpUnkxYz6C18MBro.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ2azhqYjR0BG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBIZWFsdGgEcGtnAzU0YjhmY2VhLTRjODUtMzIzMy04YjQ2LTVhMTVkNmY2YWE3NgRwb3MDMwRzZWMDTWVkaWFTZWN0aW9uTGlzdAR2ZXIDMzM0ZmUyNzAtMmEyNy0xMWUxLWFlZjItYzkwNzRkZjM2MDg0;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

With an out of this world surprise:

http://news.yahoo.com/comet-defies-death-brushes-sun-lives-151858543.html

Comment Away.

Holiday Update

am in the start of a busy week with a lot of out of town visitors. The blog may be hit and miss next week with family events and the like. The quote of the day will be on hiatus until the New Year. The blog will just be boring posts about articles or family interactions.

My nephew won his basketball game yesterday. They don't really keep score at that age but both my brother and I mentally kept score. That old competitive genes. My niece won both her basketball games and they do keep score at her age. They play in the championship game today at 4:40.

One the agenda last week. Sunday night and Monday night at Mom's. Tuesday and Wednesday a boring all day seminar. Thursday night was dinner with the family and then staying at Mom's until nine when the caregiver showed up. Friday was taking mom to the eye doctor. Saturday was two basketball games and Christmas shopping I only have one gift left to buy and one Christmas card.

Today it is breakfast with the boys, grocery shopping, pharmacy pickup and drop, and a basketball game. Monday is minor foot surgery and taking mom to the foot doctor. Tuesday and Wednesday are at Mom's. Thursday is a date with Nancie. Dinner and a movie. Friday I am disappearing. Saturday is overnight at Mom's

That is my update. What is yours?

Comment Away and share anything your little old hearts desire.

Off Today

The author of yesterday's quote was Marliyn Monroe.

No blog entry today due to relatives and basketball. My brother is visiting from Wyoming. Their grandkids are playing in basketball games today. I am between watching the their grandson play and heading to watch their granddaughter play at 2.

Christmas shopping before and after. No time for blogging.

Will return tomorrow with a new entry.

The Season Of Miracles

First up on the to do list is a haircut. Off to the lawnmower shop as soon as I post this. Second on the to do list is taking mom to the eye doctor. Third on the list is cleaning the downstairs bathroom and the kitchen. It really is a miracle for me to have clean bathrooms and kitchens. That is why the call this the season of miracles.

Coming back to life:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/dead-dog-returns-to-life_n_1151981.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D120590

Coming down to earth to help:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/officer-crawls-under-bus-comfort-woman-pinned-under-013738925.html;_ylt=AqGLtQfbXOkO6O1gqfLhTSGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNtajBwbGQ1BG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDMjg4OGEwODAtZTgyZC0zZWRiLThlODAtMDY4YThjZDQ1NDExBHBvcwMyMARzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5BHZlcgM3ZTkwMTZmYy0yN2Y2LTExZTEtYmVlOS1hZmIxY2Y2ODkwMzA-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3


Coming out of nowhere:

http://news.yahoo.com/anonymous-donors-pay-off-kmart-layaway-accounts-221000605.html;_ylt=Aj2cThFMR05UE_ebO1YyCZes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNqcDlrcG1yBGNjb2RlA2N0LmMEcGtnAzgyODFiNmRjLWYyOWEtMzg0YS04NDkxLTJiYmU1ZjMzODkxMQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDbW9zdF9wb3B1bGFyBHZlcgNlOTg4MzA5Mi0yN2U4LTExZTEtOTY1Ni03OGU3ZDE1ZTkxZjI-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=

May your day be filled with miracles. Comment Away.


QUOTE

Aaimee Semple McPherson authored yesterday's quote. "I'm for the individual as opposed to the corporation. The way it is the individual is the underdog, and with all the things a corporation has going for them the individual comes out banged on her head. The artist is nothing. It's really tragic" was authored by an actress who lived from 1926 to 1962. She died of an overdose of barbituates in 1962. Nevertheless, interest in her life and her story continues in popular culture and in feminist studies. She starred in many popular films. She married a playwright and later a baseball player. Have you ever waited at a BUS STOP? If so you can tell me which blonde bombshell authored today's quote.

Waving

I am back from the seminar and waving good-bye to the death of boredom and ready to share some unusual articles and videos.

First up is a new way to treat pain, seemingly very effective:

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2011/12/in_an_imaginary_world_oregon_b.html

As the above article is waving hello to new technology the next article is a wave that lead to a new Internet sensation.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/12/waving-bear-becomes-internet-sensation/

Now I am taking the bear's lead and waving to some local firefighters and their caring hearts:

http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2011/12/forest_grove_and_banks_firefig.html

Animal Magic. Hope you day is full of magic of any kind.

Comment Away.

QUOTE

Maria Goeppert Mayer authored yesterday's quote. "And my task, as I see it, is to interest you folks to help me, to help them, to join the line right around the whole world! Not only to help the heathen abroad, but to help the heathen in Los Angeles. In America, too. By God's grace, if we can see our task and join hands and get together, we can spread the gospel around the world" an evangelist who founded the Foursquare Gospel Church. Though hugely successful through using modern technology (automobile, radio), a kidnapping scandal is what many remember most about her. She lived from 1890 to 1944. Upton Sinclair was fascinated with her history. After writing a poem about her dubious abduction, called "An Evangelist Drowns", he wrote her into his 1927 novel, Oil!, in the character of Eli Watkins, a corrupt small-town minister. That character is called Eli Sunday in the 2007 film, There Will Be Blood. Who authored today's quote?

Boredom Part II

Off to the second day of boredom. Nothing is more boring than accounting seminars. They did provide some new information and that part is good. I did see some old friends and that is good. Some of the speakers were actually friends of mine and that can be good or bad. Nice to see them but it is an ugly reminder of how long I've been doing tax work.

The seminar is at a nice hotel. A clean hotel. Clean is always nice so her is some dirt to watch out for:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45525459/ns/business-going_green/

Sometimes when I am at accounting seminars and the boredom is just to much I just get up and start dancing:

http://news.yahoo.com/dancing-santa-lifts-mood-philippine-traffic-jams-071023408.html;_ylt=Atdx6NF.SBVO.1t.lHwDzuCs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2a2pjNHFuBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDMDZhM2IxZjYtNWY4NC0zOGY0LTg1NjYtZTNiZWViMjY2OWZhBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgM2NzNmYmEwMC0yM2U4LTExZTEtYmRmYi0yNTMyOTM1YTA1ZWI-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

This particular place where the seminar is has great food. Lunch is included in the price of the seminar. It is buffet style and is very good. I really liked the corn. I do kind of wonder where the got it:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/11/9366825-brazil-50-tons-of-corn-stolen-from-moving-train

Comment Away.


QUOTE

Harriet Martineau authored yesterday's quote. "Mathematics began to seem too much like puzzle solving. Physics is puzzle solving, too, but of puzzles created by nature, not by the mind of man", was authored by A mathematician and physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963 for her work on the nuclear shell structure. She lived from 1906 to 1972. When the United States went to war in 1941, she received a paid teaching appointment -- only part-time, at Sarah Lawrence College. She also began working part-time at Columbia University's Substitute Alloy Metals project -- a highly secret project working on separating uranium-235 to fuel nuclear fission weapons. She went several times to the top-secret Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico, where she worked with Edward Teller, Niels Bohr and Enrico Fermi. After the war, Joseph she was offered a professorship at the University of Chicago, where other major nuclear physicists were also working. Once again, with nepotism rules she could work as a voluntary (unpaid) assistant professor -- which she did, with Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, and Harold Urey, also by that time on the faculty at the U. of C. Have you thought about the ELEMENTARY THEORY OF NUCLEAR SHELL STRUCTURE? Think about it now and you can tell me who authored today's quote.

Boredom Part I

Heading out to attend the first day of a two day accounting seminar on tax changes. My goals during the seminar are to do a little Christmas shopping, a little reading, learn a little, and survive the boredom. I am celebrating the first day of boredom by sharing article that have no common theme other than not to be boring.

Safety tips are the holidays are always a good thing to share with family, friends, relatives, and strangers waiting for the bus with you:

http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/photo-gallery/holiday-safety-guide.aspx?xid=aol_wte-preg_1_20111205_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk2%7C119001n

How about some good old fashioned hot chocolate to zip or gulp while you are reading this? Or maybe some good hot chocolate to share with your guests:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/the-best-hot-chocolate_n_1126386.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117918

Safety and hot chocolate sound pretty healthy to me which leads me to share a good news health article:

http://news.yahoo.com/method-boosts-blood-clotting-hemophiliacs-161548746.html

Comment Away.

QUOTES

Wangari Maathai authored yesterday's quote. "The older I have grown, the more serious and irremediable have seemed to me the evils and disadvantages of married life as it exists among us at this time. " Was authored by a social theorist who lived from 1802 to 1876. She wrote over 50 books from a sociological, holistic, religious, domestic, and, perhaps most controversial, a feminine perspective, as well as translating various works from Auguste Comte. She has said of her approach: “when one studies a society, one must focus on all its aspects, including key political, religious, and social institutions'. She believed a thorough societal analysis was necessary to understand women’s status. Her writing introduced refreshing sociological perspectives on otherwise overlooked issues such as marriage, children, domestic and religious life, and race relations. Have you ever wondered HOW TO OBSERVE MORALS AND MANNERS? Wonder now and you can tell me who authored today's quote.

Transportation

Today we are all about transportation.

First up is a video that some say is funny. I am leaning on the not funny side:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/if-you-seek-humor-tear-down-this-wall-with-an-opel-cors/#continued

Speaking of crashes did you ever wonder how to survive a plane crash?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/how-to-survive-a-plane-cr_n_1130382.html?ref=travel&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118121

Sometimes out of the ashes comes a good story. The following is one of those:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/self-driving-car_n_1130568.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl13%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118205

Comment Away.

QUOTES

"We can work together for a better world with men and women of goodwill, those who radiate the intrinsic goodness of humankind. To do so effectively, the world needs a global ethic with values which give meaning to life experiences and, more than religious institutions and dogmas, sustain the non-material dimension of humanity. Mankind's universal values of love, compassion, solidarity, caring and tolerance should form the basis for this global ethic which should permeate culture, politics, trade, religion and philosophy. It should also permeate the extended family of the United Nations", was authored by a woman of many fields including ecology, sustainable development, self help, planting, environment, member of Parliament, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife. She lived from 1940 to 2011. She was the first woman in central or eastern Africa to hold a Ph.D., first woman head of a university department in Kenya, first African woman to win the Nobel Prize in Peace. She founded the Green Belt movement in Kenya in 1977, which has planted more than 10 million trees to prevent soil erosion and provide firewood for cooking fires. In 1997 she ran for the presidency of Kenya, though the party withdrew her candidacy a few days before the election without letting her know; she was defeated for a seat in Parliament in the same election. In 1991 She was arrested and imprisoned; an Amnesty International letter-writing campaign helped free her. In 1999 she suffered head injuries when attacked while planting trees in the Karura Public Forest in Nairobi, part of a protest against continuing deforestation. She was arrested numerous times by the government of Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi. . Who authored today's quote?

Dilemmas

A brief update.

Next week is just one of those easy weeks with not much going on. Tonight and Tomorrow are at Mom's. Tuesday and Wednesday is a two day accounting seminar on the changes in tax laws and a review of recent tax court rulings. Thursday is a night at Mom's. Friday is taking Mom to the eye doctor. Saturday is Christmas Shopping and house cleaning.

Last week. Sunday was breakfast with the boys and Monday was errand day. Dry cleaners, grocery shopping, etc. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were at Mom's. Saturday was another errand day wavering between business to dos and personal to dos.

I have a dilemma that I would love your opinion on. Background. We have always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. It isn't a secret, it isn't a shot. My sister is planning a dinner Christmas Eve. Mom is going on 96 and at that age their are no guarantees of future Christmases. My brother, his wife, his daughter Kelli and her family are going to be here from Wyoming. Mom was looking forward to having her family together for Christmas Eve.

A couple of days ago I got this email from my brother:

D & K bought tickets for the Seattle-San Francisco game for them, you, K & I. Here is the dilemma. The game is on December 24. It is in Seattle. The game is at 1:15. It is an all day deal. We won't be home until late on Christmas Eve.

If I say yes to the game I upset Mom & Sister. If I say no to the game I upset the other group. I am leaning towards upsetting the latter group because I think it was kind of inconsiderate not to ask the family about Christmas Eve plans before buying the tickets. I also have to be with Sis and Mom all year and the other group hit and miss throughout the year. So I am pretty sure I am going to ask them to give the ticket to my other nephew, Ryan and stay home.

Your input?

I am going to end the post with some great pictures of Christmas Trees from around the world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/christmas-trees-photos_n_1130630.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl19%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118455

Comment or Update Away or Both!!

Discoveries

The author of yesterday's quote was Edna St. Vincent Millay.

The first weekend in a long time that there hasn't been an Oregon Duck football game. What's a man to do? Christmas Shopping or a movie? Probably both.

Since I am trying to discover what to do without football most articles today will be about discoveries:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/kepler-22b-new-planet-discovered-habitable-zone_n_1129591.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117945


Next up is a discovery about the C.I.A.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/romania-cia-prison_n_1135799.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118718

The final article is discovery of stupidity and no heart.

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/07/tennessee-home-burns-as-firefighters-watch/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118179

Comment Away.

Rats & Cats.

always save articles for future blog posts. In an orderly fashion I set them for publication on a certain day. Once in a while an article comes along that is just so doggone interesting that I bump another article. The following article is one of those:

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6061/1427.full

I am still stunned by the findings. Now only if we could get our politicians to act like rats.

Continuing the theme, another bumper article. The is bumping the other articles not because it is interesting but because it is charming:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/pets-save-human-lives_n_976913.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118761

From one bumping charming animal story to another one:

http://news.yahoo.com/cats-26-toes-help-boost-milwaukee-animal-shelter-080754594.html

Comment Away


QUOTE

Yesterday's quote was authored by Denise Levertov. "The soul can split the sky in two, and let the face of God shine through", was authored by a woman who lived from 1892 to 1950. A poet of the first half of the 20th century, wrote of personal freedom including sexual freedom, nature, an unconventional religious mysticism, and death. She was an American lyrical poet, playwright and feminist. She received the Pulitzer Prize for SPoetry, and was known for her activism and her many love affairs. She used the pseudonym Nancy Boyd for her prose work. The poet Richard Wilbur asserted, "She wrote some of the best sonnets of the century. Who authored today's quote?

Oyster Talk, Fried Rice, & Cell Phones.

Last day at Mom's. She is playing bridge this afternoon so I will get a break there. I will take her to bridge at 12:30 and pick her up at 4:30. I plan to have dinner ready for her. The caregiver won't get there until 9:30 so I will stay until close to then. Looking forward doing my own thing tomorrow. I've tried to play bridge before but it is just a different language for me. Speaking of different languages:

http://news.yahoo.com/japan-scientists-study-oyster-language-074401511.html

From language to food:


http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/safety/story/2011-12-05/Researchers-call-for-monitoring-of-arsenic-levels-in-rice/51657062/1

From food to cell phones:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/12/survey-at38t-rates-last-in-customer-satisfaction/1

Comment Away.

QUOTE

Gerda Lerner authored yesterday's quote. "Peace as a positive condition of society, not merely as an interim between wars, is something so unknown that it casts no images on the mind's screen", was authored by a poet who lived from 1923 until 1997. She was raised in Britain, worked and lived in America through most of her career. Her poetry is notable for its social content, particularly feminism and themes of peace. In her later poems, she turned to religious themes. She served in the 1960s as poetry editor of The Nation and in 1975-78 as poetry editor for Mother Jones magazine. Have you ever lived life WITH EYES AT THE BACK OF OUR HEADS? If so you can tell me who authored today's quote.

Reunions & Head Shakers.

The plans are today and tomorrow at Mom's getting home late Thursday night and then Friday morning up early to go start and finish my Christmas shopping.

I just like reunion stories and I like them even more during the holidays:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/irving-roth-holocaust-survivor-rick-carrier-soldier-liberator-reunion_n_1129673.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117901

Not really a reunion story but certainly kind of an amazing one:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/04/judith-bello-missing-woman-found_n_1125849.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117605

Now on to a story that just makes me shake my head:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/02/boy-7-accused-sexual-harassment-after-school-fight/?test=latestnews&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl17%7Csec3_lnk1%7C117207

Comment Away.

QUOTE

Ursula LeGuin authored yesterday's quote. "We can learn from history how past generations thought and acted, how they responded to the demands of their time and how they solved their problems. We can learn by analogy, not by example, for our circumstances will always be different than theirs were. The main thing history can teach us is that human actions have consequences and that certain choices, once made, cannot be undone. They foreclose the possibility of making other choices and thus they determine future events", was authored by a woman born in 1920
who fledin 1939 with her family to escape from the Nazis. As a young mother, she learned English and then became a writer, including the screenplay for Black Like Me. She returned to school in 1959, graduating from Columbia University with a Ph.D. in history in 1966. Her dissertation on the Grimke sisters is an early women's history classic. As a teacher, mentor, and director of the first graduate degree program in women's history, her work has been integral in the field. The idea for Women's History Week -- which evolved into Women's History Month -- began at an institute that was offered through her work at Sarah Lawrence College. Did you ever think about BLACK WOMEN IN WHITE AMERCA: A Documentary History? If so you can tell me who authored today's quote.

Travel, Pennies, & Shoplifting

Heading out to spend the next three days at Mom's as soon as I get this post, posted. Lots of people travel during the holidays. Many questions whether it is cheaper to fly or drive. I now have the answer to that question:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/02/savings-experiment-holiday-travel/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117836

Do you have any pennies handy? I have a bunch that I was going to give to the church but after reading the next article I am reconsidering that.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/laws-change-penny-hoarders-cash-thousands-dollars/story?id=15076522

Do you ever wonder what are the most popular things in stores for the holidays? One way to judge is by what is shoplifted:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/high-risk-merchandise-for-sticky-fingers_n_1121075.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk1%7C116728

Comment Away.

QUOTE

Selma Lagerlof authored yesterday's quote. "The creative adult is the child who has survived", was authored by an American woman writer whose fantasy and science fiction explores ethics and the future. Her most famous work is the Earthsea series. Have you ever seen THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS? If you have then you can tell me who authored today's quote.

Death & Dilemmas

Today's post is about death, but not sad cases it is all about curiosity, dilemmas, and preventing death.

First up is one of those young children knowing what to do in a crisis story. The surprising part of the story is how she learned CPR:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2070063/Madisyn-Kestell-uses-CPR-learned-Greys-Anatomy-save-mother.html

I bet this Mom is going to let any future children she has watch TV.

Did you ever ask yourself where do planes do to die? I mean every day new planes replace old ones. What happens to the old ones?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/abandoned-aircraft-in-airplane-boneyard_n_1120678.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117681

Now don't you just feel better informed?

Next up is a major dilemma. What choice would you make? How many people would you save?

http://news.yahoo.com/kill-one-person-save-five-research-classic-debate-090500884.html;_ylt=AhEpoET3s_WK7iwiGz41o1as0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNtcWgyNnNtBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDZDc4ZDEyZjEtMTQ1Ni0zNzJhLWEyOTYtMGM1YTFjMjc1OWQ4BHBvcwMxMwRzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5BHZlcgM0ZmViZGVmMC0xZjQ4LTExZTEtOTRmMy1hNmI3MDQ3NjJhNjg-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

I don't think I would save any of them because I would just sit down and cry. In all seriousness these are split second decisions and I am not sure what I would do. Hopefully I would save the five.

Comment Away.

QUOTE

"There isn't much that tastes better than praise from those who are wise and capable" was said by a Swedish writer, was the first woman Nobel Laureate in Literature who lived from 1858 to 1940. Her most famous work was GOSTA BERLINGS SAGE. Who authored today's quote?

Football Wins

We interrupt this blog post to bring you an important announcement.

I am following the advise of one my favorite posters and taking a day off to watch football. The blog will return to normal tomorrow.

In the meantime if you would like to post an update by all means please do!!

Books, Houses, & Stupidy

The answer of yesterday's quote was Julie Krone.

I'm in my disappearing mode today. I plan on disappearing right after I take Mom to lunch. Disappearing to take care of some business related tax matters. I have to load the 2012 income tax program on my computer. Then I have to fill out this big IRS form that will allow me to be a certified by the IRS electronic filer. Once I fill out the form I will undergo a background check. I think I am fine there, I did once hold a top secret clearance nd I have a fair to middling reputation. Things are changing at the IRS. I don't really do that many tax returns, mostly relatives, but now if you do twelve returns you have to file all returns by electronic filing. I'm not at twelve yet but with the last year of my sales agreement coming up and with Mark and Paul separating I want to be prepared to help out. Yes you heard that right, the guys that bought my business are separating. It is a friendly split. Mark just wants to dial it down. His prostate cancer is in check and most likely in remission but he has been having heart signs. He did a stress test yesterday and the results will come by Tuesday. Mark wants me to help him. I really like Paul but Mark and I are really a match as accountants. I am keeping my seasonal job with Napier because it is fun, I am good at it, I like the people there, and it is a better income stream than Mark can provide. However, I want to be there for Mark and will help him weekends. When my agreement expires, who knows.

I've been doing a bit of reading late. I just finished Janet Evonovich's EXPLOSIVE EIGHTEEN. Here are some suggestions to but on your to be read list:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/fall-books-_n_1125198.html?ref=books&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117320

About the only one on their list that I am interested in is the one by Margaret Atwood so I will add a couple of suggestions. My favorite book that I have read this year is IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS. It is a non-fiction book that reads like a novel, extremely well written, and historically accurate. Pick it up and read it. You won't be disappointed. I bought two books to read during an upcoming two day accounting seminar. LITIGATORS by John Grisham & Michael Connelly's THE DROP. That should keep me awake. What are your suggestions?

Moving on from creative writing to creative housing:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/gallery/trippy-futuristic-homes/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117378

I like the Ensculptic house made of foam. If I run out of shaving cream, I can just use part of the house.

From creativity to stupidity. A dumb criminal story:

http://news.yahoo.com/burger-king-cashier-calls-cops-herb-smoker-212158342.html;_ylt=AqLii4f344B579xAPQieL_Ws0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2M2ZtYzB1BG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDMDA2ZmI3NDgtNGY5MS0zZmY3LWE3MDUtNmVkMDFlOTgxZTRkBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgNkMjMxNmZjMC0xZDJiLTExZTEtYjVmZC05ODA4YTVkNGEyYjc-;_ylg=X3oDMTI1cjk4NXJqBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QDY29udHJvbF9wcm9tbw--;_ylv=3

Comment Away.

The Christmas Spirit

First up today is correcting a serious mistake I have made. With all that was going on with Mom while sister was gone I let DR & Himself's anniversary slip by. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Now I am doing my arm and leg stretches and getting in the right frame of mind to get into the Holiday Spirit. Articles like the following two certainly help get me in my Christmas Shopping game face:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/anonymous-good-samaritan-secret-santa-video_n_1123869.html?ref=impact&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117115

Why am I never where they are handing out money? I'd most likely give it away anyhow. At least that is what Mom says.

http://www.katu.com/living/kids-pets-family/Santa-answers-the-mail-with-help-from-Gresham-postal-worker-134889508.html

Don't you just love Debbie?

Even when I am in the Christmas Spirit I sometimes feel like disappearing:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/wanderlust/top-5-disappearing-places-195437165.html


Comment Away.

The author of yesterday's quote was Jackie Kennedy. "I'm on top, I'm 35 years old, and there are other things I want to do. Physically, there is a lot of pain. I don't want to be hurt again. I have nothing left to prove. " Was authored by the first woman to win a Triple Crown Race who was born in 1963. In 2000 she became the first woman inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the issue of May 22, 1989. She is one of only eight jockeys so recognized (the others are Willie Shoemaker, Bill Hartack, Eddie Arcaro, Johnny Longden, John Sellers, Robyn Smith and Steve Cauthen). She also was the only woman to win riding championships at Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, The Meadowlands and Atlantic City Race Course. Who authored today's quote?

Hunting Dogs

It is has been a peaceful morning. I've been at home and knocking off items on my to do list, fifteen done so far today! My new microwave is up and running. I got it in place, the clock set, and working with the minimum amount of swear words. A lot less swear words then I used Sunday when I tried to fix the flat tire on Mom's mobile wheelchair. We finally took the tire off and went to the nearby Les Schwab tire center who kindly fixed the tire for free. It had two holes in the tube so I never would have gotten the darn thing fixed.

I know it is awful of me but I did laugh at the following story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/dog-shoots-man-brigham-ci_n_1121998.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec3_lnk1%7C116797

Fess up, did you laugh?

Next up is an article that gives a hint on how you can turn a bad situation into a worse one:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/dentist-fines-patient-posting-negative-review-online-could-160012744.html

I am kind of sad that we have lost common senses but I am not sad that neither Portland or Seattle failed to make the following list:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/americas-saddest-cities_n_1120753.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk2%7C116693#s507084&title=St_Petersburg_FL

Comment Away.

Quote

Florynce Kennedy authored yesterday's quote. "When Harvard men say they have graduated from Radcliffe, then we've made it" Was authored by a first lady we all have heard of. Men wanted to date and women wanted to be her. She lived from 1929 to 1994 during which some of it was Camelot. A first lady, she brought a youthful elegance to the White House during her tenure there. Briefly a photographer before her marriage to the President and an editor after she was widowed for the second time. She lost many relatives, some to plane crashes, some to assassinations. I vividly remember her blood strained dress on November 22, 1963. If you do also you can tell me who authored today's quote.