Background

Friday, November 30, 2012

HEART SHOT


I recently read a health website and found some good news about flu shots:

"If you’re tempted to skip your flu shot, consider this: Getting vaccinated cuts risk for a heart attack or stroke by up to 50 percent. Those who got the flu shot were 50 percent less likely to suffer major cardiac events (such as heart attacks or strokes) and 40 percent less likely to die of cardiac causes. Similar trends were found in patients with and without previous heart disease. The findings suggest “that flu vaccine is a heart vaccine.”

Researchers report that up to 91,000 Americans a year die from heart attacks and strokes triggered by flu. This grim statistic prompted the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology to issue guidelines recommending vaccination for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Sadly, fewer than half of Americans with high-risk conditions like heart disease get the shot, leaving themselves dangerously unprotected against both flu complications and cardiovascular events.

Inflammation, which has recently been shown to actually cause heart attacks, is what lights the match, causing plaque to explosively rupture through the arterial wall.

When a plaque rupture tears the blood vessel lining, the body tries to heal the injury by forming a blood clot. If the clot obstructs a coronary artery, it can trigger a heart attack, while a clot that travels to the brain could ignite an ischemic stroke. It’s a myth that plaque buildup alone sparks heart attacks, since numerous studies have shown that what chokes off flow to the heart is a clot.

Another surprising benefit of getting a flu shot is reduced risk for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) and deep vein thrombosis (a clot in the legs)."

I'm sure glad I got my flu and pneumonia shot this year. So many times, a serious case of the flu can escalate into pneumonia. Therefore, I got my "heart shot" and should feel better for it!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

RESCUED


My superman came to the rescue Monday evening. I didn't have to do any ladder climbing afterall. (See my blog from Monday.)

The attic fan got disconnected. The attic space was closed off from the cold air.

The garden hose was disconnected and the reel placed on the porch and covered for winter.

My (blanket) curtain was hung at the back door to stop the cold air draft from the porch.

Finally, my superman is also a plumber of sorts. He installed the new water valve in my toilet tank so the water could be turned back on without spraying all over.

All the last minute items that would prepare me (and my house) for the coming winter weather have now been completed.

The good news is that I didn't fall off any ladder or step stool to get the work done. As predicted, when I woke up Tuesday morning, a light dusting of snow was found on the ground and roof tops in my area. And it was COLD. The nice part of the day was when the sun came out and by noon, all the snow was melted.

I love my son, my superman, and rescuer. Because I really don't like climbing ladders!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE GREAT LINCOLN

If you are thinking about seeing the new movie LINCOLN, I can help you say yes. Here are some scenes that were posted to promote the movie; each is short, but well worth your time. Which one do you like best?

Self-Evident

Madame President

Unite

Lincoln Trailer

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

ABE


I have not been to a movie theater in more than ten years. I'm not a big movie buff. But now and then, a subject will peak my interest. If that happens, I usually just wait a few months and the movie will eventually be on TV.

However, when I heard about the newly released move about Abe Lincoln, I knew I had to see it.

Sunday afternoon my friend Ann and I went to Chillicothe to see LINCOLN. It stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, and Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, and others.

It is a very good movie. It portrays the president during the Civil War era and his fight with the House of Representatives to pass legislation (already passed in the Senate) for the abolition of slavery in this country, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Three men played the parts of lobbyists who promised favors to legislators for votes on the Bill in the House. (Sounds like the tradition has continued from 1865 to today!)

I saw Sally Field on the Jay Leno Show recently and she told how she had to fight to get the part of Mary by steadily lobbying Steven Spielberg, the director. She portrayed the part well.

David Strathairn played Secretary of State William Seward, once a Lincoln rival who later became Lincoln's friend and advisor.

Jared Harris was Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant who was shown meeting with Lincoln right before accepting the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox.

The story was well presented, from the war, through the House vote on the abolition Bill, to the end of the war. It is a movie worth watching. Lincoln was a wise man who knew how to get things done for the times.

Monday, November 26, 2012

TIME TO DO


Each day has ups and downs, some days are ups, some days are downs. I can have both at the same time.

This morning I had to turn off the water to the hose that feeds the toilet tank in my bathroom. The tank guts decided to go haywire, so now I have a dead water closet in my shower room.

I have added my dead tank to the list of tasks that must be completed by Friday - the end of the month. Four other items are screaming to get done this week, because the weatherman said snow is coming our way soon. For one thing, the fan that cools the attic in the summer is still connected. The hot weather is long gone for this year. So unless superman appears to save the day, I will be up on the ladder in my garage to disconnect the electric cord and make sure the attic is closed for the winter.

I will also attempt to hang the curtain at the back door to keep the heat in and the cold out. The wind can be fierce in the back yard, and the kitchen gets cold. My winter curtain helps stop the breezes, as the temperatures have already hit the low 30s at night.

Looks like my work is cut out for me this week. Time to get 'up in the world' - on my step stool and on my tall ladder, because my 'to do' list won't wait until Saturday. Saturday is a special birthday, but it will pass without me. It is also the date set for the town Christmas parade. Again, the planners scheduled a photographer's nightmare. An afternoon parade makes for great photos of the participants. A night parade makes for bright lights, but no subject material. This year I will not be attending the event.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

J.R. IS GONE


It is with great sadness that today (Saturday) I learned of the death of Larry Hagman, the star of Dallas (series starting in 1978) and I Dream of Jennie (series starting in 1965). I was a big fan of both shows.

I was especially fond of the Dallas series, his most famous role, and watched it for years. I was glad to see the reprisal of the Dallas gang on their new TNT show this year. The show focused on the sons of the Ewing brothers, J.R. and Bobby, with Bobby and Sue Ellen returning to their old Ewing roles.

Larry, born in Texas, was the son of Peter Pan's Mary Martin, and his father was a lawyer. After being diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in 1995, he underwent a liver transplant and quit smoking.

Larry died on Friday at a Dallas, Texas hospital at the age of 81, while battling throat cancer. Larry, you will be missed, R.I.P. J.R.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

SHOP SMALL


Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a day dedicated to all small businesses nationwide. Small Business Saturday promotes shopping local in your town, instead of large national chain stores.

I am not a Black Friday shopper. I stay away from the mad crowds with the pushing and shoving. The only place I went on Black Friday was the dollar store and it was not busier than normal when I was there.

Supporting local businesses helps the economy especially in small towns like mine, according to the reports I read. Fortunately for me, I don't have any shopping to do today. I have over 90% of my shopping done and my next step is wrapping. My gift list is much smaller than it was a few years ago, which for me is a good thing. With finances getting tighter and tighter, there is less $$$ to go around.

Many people wait until Thanksgiving time to start their Christmas shopping. I like to have 90% of my shopping done by Thanksgiving. Therefore, in the next few days, I will start sorting and wrapping the few items I need to get ready for the big day. I have a few items to mail and those come first. I also want to avoid the postal rush. Someone I know, I'm sure, wonders why I save packing boxes so often, but they sure come in handy at this time of year.

So shop till you drop; fight the crowds; while I stay home and wrap my purchases in leisure. What I didn't purchase here in town, I ordered online and has been - or will be - delivered in the next few days. I try to do things the efficient way so I have more time for other things - like keeping warm by staying home.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

MY NEW SHELF


I had one book shelf loaded with Jimmie Johnson items. Then I loaded another book shelf with Dale Jr. and Sr. items. Recently, I have had to remove books from my office bedroom (similar to the other two) book shelf to use it for my NASCAR collection. I have put more Dale Jr/Sr items on the third shelf, along with other driver's items on this additional space.

I am very proud of my large collection and know it will be worth something someday to my heir. It gives me pleasure and that's what counts for now. I am a major NASCAR fan, as sports go, with a minor in professional football, STEELERS AND BENGALS.

I so wanted Johnson to win the race last Sunday, and he was in a good position to do so...until ONE pit crew member screwed up his life. One lug nut left off a wheel on his last pit stop was a violation and Johnson had to re-enter pit road to have it replaced. It was then his fate was sealed - he went from leading and winning, to losing the race and the yearly championship. As Johnson said, better luck next year. I wonder if that pit crew member will be chastised and or fired. One lug nut just lost him the #6 Sprint Cup Championship. ONE NUT! I wonder what Johnson is calling that crew member now?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

THE GUEST ROOM


I recently cleaned my 'guest room' to make it available for overnight invited company. There are no more stacks of boxes, and the bed was cleaned off. I also hung the new Dale Jr/Sr. photos I picked up at an auction, and the Jimmie Johnson plaques I've had on hand. The floor is open and I'm no longer using that room to 'store' things out of the way.

My next venture is to once again clean out the closet in that room and donate more items that I no longer wear. Since the weather is turning colder, I have my 'to do' list at the ready. Now to get my tired body to cooperate with my ambition. This recent bout of bronchitis lasting six days so far is slowly easing up and the path to health is getting closer.



Saturday, November 17, 2012

A HUG


1. The little dog I rescued from the roadside was put to sleep yesterday at the vet's office. Due to a broken back, he could not be saved. I'm sad.

2. Sometimes if your feelings are hurt, a hug can help the heart heal, if the hug would come.

3. Even in sickness or in pain, I think about others first. It's a part of love.

4. When I'm sick and in pain, my dog is sensitive enough to know that a kiss (in her case a lick) on my hand or my chin can make me smile. Dogs love unconditionally.

5. When a person is sick or in pain, sometimes just holding their hand can ease the suffering.

Friday, November 16, 2012

I MISS YOU

It was 39 years ago today I lost the best Dad; I was his youngest, and the only girl. I still think of you Dad, and miss you each time this date comes in November.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

RESCUED


A friend and I were driving down U.S. 22 near the fairgrounds this afternoon when we saw this little dog on the side of the roadway, suffering, trying to get up, and bleeding. Since I had already passed the scene with the flow of traffic, I turned around soon and drove back to the area. Another car had already stopped and the lady was sitting on the ground with the dog. She was on the phone with the Fayette County Humane Society.

I asked the lady what they said, and, since it was after noon time, the Humane office was closed. I offered to take the little dog to the vet for immediate care. I grabbed an old sweatshirt that was in my truck to throw away and wrapped the little dog up in it. My friend held the dog and we took off for Dr. Junk's office.

The little dog had a large red collar on, with a large locking mechanism on it. A key access could be seen. The collar was too tight for the little dog's neck.

We went as quickly as possible in heavy traffic. I took the little dog into Dr. Junk and explained that it had been hit by a car and was bleeding, would he please take care of it. (I didn't have time to check to see if it was a male or female.)

Dr. Junk took the little thing and was going to x-ray to see what part of his hind quarters were damaged. I thought maybe a broken leg was possible the way it acted.

I will call Dr. Junk's office tomorrow to find out how the little thing is doing. It acted like it was in some pain, for sure. I sure hope it's ok. I would guess a Cockapoo.

I posted a picture of the little thing on Facebook to see if a Washington Court House owner could be found. So far no response. I'll keep hoping.

Monday, November 12, 2012

SHRED IT


Recently, the Merchants Bank here in town had another SHRED IT day. The last event had me cleaning out old paperwork netting several tote boxes full of papers to be destroyed.

I still had a file cabinet to empty, so I got busy and went through all my files and came up with four full white trash bags of old paperwork. I now have lots of empty file folders to reuse, and a clean cabinet.

I pulled into the bank lot and was first in line. The truck had not even arrived when I got there. Soon many others started to get in line, and before long, as I looked in my rear view mirror, there were 15 cars in line as the truck arrived. Many more were arriving as I left. The bank had volunteers to help unload, so it only took me a few minutes to pull up to the truck, the guys got my four bags, and off I drove. The line moved quickly and I'm sure kept the truck busy as I heard the shredder motor grinding away as I drove off.

If the bank has this event twice again next year (like this year), I'll clean out last year's receipts and eventually only have one year of filing at a time. Maybe I won't need that extra filing cabinet now!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

TO ALL VETERANS


Happy Veteran's Day, and thank you all for your service. God Bless America.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

ONE TERM PRESIDENTS


After the election and our President was reelected, I got to thinking about how many one term presidents our country has had in the past. (Mitch McConnell's goal was not reached.)

There have been nearly a dozen one term presidents who ran for second terms but were denied by voters, but only three one term presidents since World War II. The most recent one term president who lost his bid re-election was George H.W. Bush, a Republican who lost to Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992.

1. George H.W. Bush

Republican George H.W. Bush was the 41st president of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1992 to Democrat William Jefferson Clinton, who went on to serve two full terms.

Bush's official White House biography describes his re-election loss this way: "Despite unprecedented popularity from this military and diplomatic triumph, Bush was unable to withstand discontent at home from a faltering economy, rising violence in inner cities, and continued high deficit spending. In 1992 he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat William Clinton."

2. Jimmy Carter

Democrat Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1980 to Republican Ronald Reagan, who went on to serve two full terms.

Carter's White House biography blames several factors for his defeat, not the least of which was the hostage-taking of U. S. embassy staff in Iran, which dominated the news during the last 14 months of Carter's administration. "The consequences of Iran's holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter's defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the difficult negotiations over the hostages."

Iran released the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.

3. Gerald Ford

Republican Gerald R. Ford was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1976 to Democrat Jimmy Carter, who went on to serve one term.

"Ford was confronted with almost insuperable tasks," his White House biography states. "There were the challenges of mastering inflation, reviving a depressed economy, solving chronic energy shortages, and trying to ensure world peace." In the end he could not overcome those challenges.

4. Herbert Hoover

Republican Herbert Hoover was the 31st president of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1932 to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, who went on to serve three full terms.

The stock market crashed within months of Hoover's first election in 1928, and the United States plunged into The Great Depression. Hoover became he scapegoat four years later.

"At the same time he reiterated his view that while people must not suffer from hunger and cold, caring for them must be primarily a local and voluntary responsibility," his biography reads. "His opponents in Congress, who he felt were sabotaging his program for their own political gain, unfairly painted him as a callous and cruel President."

5. William Howard Taft

Republican William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1912 to Democrat Woodrow Wilson, who went on to serve two full terms.

"Taft alienated many liberal Republicans who later formed the Progressive Party, by defending the Payne-Aldrich Act which unexpectedly continued high tariff rates," Taft's White House biography reads. "He further antagonized progressives by upholding his secretary of the interior, accused of failing to carry out [former President Theodore] Roosevelt's conservation policies."

When the Republicans nominated Taft for a second term, Roosevelt left the GOP and lead the Progressives, guaranteeing the election of Woodrow Wilson.

6. Benjamin Harrison

Republican Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1892 to Democrat Grover Cleveland, who went on to serve two full terms, though not consecutively.

Harrison's administration suffered politically after a substantial Treasury surplus evaporated, and prosperity seemed about to disappear as well. The 1890 congressional elections swept in Democrats, and Republican leaders decided to abandon Harrison even though he had cooperated with Congress on party legislation, according to his White House biography. His party renominated him in 1892, but he was defeated by Cleveland.

7. Grover Cleveland

Democrat Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, having served from 1885 to 1889, and 1893 to 1897. So he doesn't technically qualify as a one term president. But because Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive four-year terms, he holds an important place in U.S. history, having lost his initial bid for re-election in 1888 to Republican Benjamin Harrison.

"In December 1887 he called on Congress to reduce high protective tariffs," his bio reads. "Told that he had given Republicans an effective issue for the campaign of 1888, he retorted, 'What is the use of being elected or re-elected unless you stand for something?'"

8. Martin Van Buren

Democrat Martin Van Buren served as the eighth president of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1840 to Whig William Henry Harrison, who died shortly after taking office.

"Van Buren devoted his inaugural address to a discourse upon the American experiment as an example to the rest of the world. The country was prosperous, but less than three months later the panic of 1837 punctured the prosperity," his White House biography reads.

"Declaring that the panic was due to recklessness in business and overexpansion of credit, Van Buren devoted himself to maintaining the solvency of the national Government." Still, he lost re-election.

9. John Quincy Adams

A member of the U.S. Democratic-Republican Party, John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States, serving from 1825 to 1829. He lost a campaign for re-election in 1828 to Andrew Jackson after his Jacksonian opponents accused him of corruption and public plunder - "an ordeal," according to his White House biography, "Adams did not easily bear."

10. John Adams

Federalist John Adams, one of America's Founding Fathers, was the second president of the United States, having served from 1797 to 1801. "In the campaign of 1800 the Republicans were united and effective, the Federalists badly divided," Adams' White House biography reads. Adams lost his re-election campaign in 1800 in to Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson.

5 were Republicans
3 were Democrats
1 was a Federalist
1 was a U.S. Democratic-Republican
This shows us that more Republican Presidents were denied a second term than any other party.

Friday, November 9, 2012

MYTHS


Here are 5 myths that the obstructionist party (the one that starts with an R) tried to make the American public believe. However, the SMART people of this country saw through the lies and knew that myths were being forced upon us, and they needed to be dismissed.

If you believe everything you read in your email inbox, Barack Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya who is ineligible to serve as U.S. president and he even charters private jets at taxpayer expense so the family dog Bo can go on vacation in luxury. And then there is the truth.

No other modern president, it seems, has been the subject of so many outrageous and malicious fabrications.

The myths about Obama live on through the years, mostly in chain emails forwarded endlessly across the Internet, despite being debunked over and over again. Here is a look at five of the silliest myths about Obama:

1. Obama is Muslim.

False. He is a Christian. Obama was baptized at Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ in 1988. And he has spoken and written often about his faith in Christ. "Rich, poor, sinner, saved, you needed to embrace Christ precisely because you had sins to wash away - because you were human," he wrote in his memoir, "The Audacity of Hope."

"... Kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth," Obama wrote.

And yet nearly one in five Americans - 18 percent - believe Obama is a Muslim. The are wrong.

2. Obama Nixes National Day of Prayer

Numerous widely circulated emails claim President Barack Obama refused to recognize the National Day of Prayer after taking office in January of 2009.

"Oh Our wonderful president is at it again .... he has cancelled the national day of prayer that is held at the white house every year .... sure glad I wasn't fooled into voting for him!" one email begins. That's false.

Obama issued proclamations setting the National Day of Prayer in both 2009 and 2010.

3. Obama Uses Taxpayer Money to Fund Abortions

Critics claim that the health care reform law of 2010, or Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, includes provisions that make up the broadest expansion of legalized abortion since Roe v. Wade.

"The Obama Administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million in federal tax funds, which we've discovered will pay for insurance plans that cover any legal abortion," Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, said in a widely circulated statement in July 2010. Wrong again.

In fact, Obama signed an executive order banning the use of federal money to pay for abortion in the health care reform law on March 24, 2010.

4. Obama Was Born in Kenya

Numerous conspiracy theories claim that Obama was born in Kenya and not Hawaii, and that because he was not born here he was not eligible to serve as president. The silly rumors grew so loud, however, that Obama released a copy of his certificate of live birth during the presidential campaign in 2007.

"Smears claiming Barack Obama doesn't have a birth certificate aren't actually about that piece of paper - they're about manipulating people into thinking Barack is not an American citizen," the campaign said.

"The truth is, Barack Obama was born in the state of Hawaii in 1961, a native citizen of the United States of America." The documents prove he was born in Hawaii. Though some believe the records are phony.

5. Obama Charters Plane for the Family Dog

Uh, no.

PolitiFact.com, a service of the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, managed to track down the source of this ridiculous myth to a vaguely worded newspaper article in Maine about the first family's vacation in the summer of 2010.

The article, about the Obamas visiting Acadia National Park, reported: "Arriving in a small jet before the Obamas was the first dog, Bo, a Portuguese water dog given as a present by the late U.S. Sen Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and the president's personal aide Reggie Love, who chatted with Baldacci.

Some folks, eager to jump on the president, mistakenly believed that meant the dog got its own personal jet. Yeah, really.

"As the rest of us toil on the unemployment line, as millions of Americans find their retirement accounts dwindling, their hours at work cut, and their pay scale trimmed, King Barack and Queen Michelle are flying their little doggie, Bo, on his own special jet airplane for his own little vacation adventure," one blogger wrote.

The truth?

The Obamas and their staffer traveled in two small planes because the runway where they landed was too short to accommodate Air Force One. So one plane carried the family. The other carried the Bo the dog - and lots of other people.

The dog did not have its own private jet.

Don't believe all the lies on Fox News, because they don't believe in truth, or fair and balanced reporting, only spreading lies and rumors.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

AFTERMATH


Today I read a brilliant article by Larry Chapman, who lives near Greenfield, Ohio, who writes a blog called Chapman's General Store. Please read his blog and his bio - it's a good one!

The title is LESSONS OF 2012. Please CLICK HERE to read his article regarding the self-evident facts relevant to yesterday's election results. You will learn something, as I did.

The country is changing and Republicans must learn to change with it. We cannot live a life of the 1930s in the year 2012. They (Republicans) have antiquainted ideals and want to put women down, like back to the barefoot and pregnant days, which no longer exist. More women were elected to Congress than ever before; women have a voice and they are using it to make great strides for equality.

The Republicans can't stand the idea of ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, and LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS for all. The rich wanted to buy the election with their billions sent down the drain, only making television and radio stations rich with the "buys." One smart commentator, NBC's Brian Williams, during the election results show, said (paraphrasing here), 'just think of all the research that could have been done, the diseases we might have conquered, with the billions of dollars that was poured into this election by the big spenders', and he's exactly right. Citizens United was one of the worst decisions ever made by the Supreme Court in the history of this country. Our first priority should now be to repeal it, reverse it, override it, Constitutionally amend it, make it go away!

To my Republican friends, I say this: You will survive, thrive, and endure four more years of President Barack Obama, just like we Democrats survived the worst President in history since World War II, George W. Bush, who exploded the national debt, put us into two wars causing unnecessary military deaths, and a deep recession that we are now coming out of because of the policies of our President now. He created nearly four (4) MILLION jobs in his three and one half years in office, whereas Bush caused us to lose millions of jobs and money, and his policies created the bank/financial crisis.

THINGS WILL GET BETTER - THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

ELECTION RESULTS ARE IN


The election of 2012 is over and the nation rebuilding beings. I am very happy with the election results. Our President has been reelected and we share hope for the future of our nation. Senator Sherrod Brown has been reelected, and Elizabeth Warren has been elected in Massachusetts. The Republicans held the House, and the Democrats held the Senate. Now the real work begins as we build a better future.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

MY TREAT


This afternoon I broke my diet for a treat. As I mentioned in a past blog, I started a diet on September 16th. At my doctor appointment of October 16th, I learned that I had lost 15 pounds in 30 days. I have been keeping up with my diet since then, but the doctor said not to expect to lose the pounds quite as fast the second 30 days as I did the first 30 days. I am prepared for that.

This was a day to celebrate. Today, Saturday, was the semi-annual Shriner's Spaghetti Supper served at the Mahan Building at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. As a family tradition, I have been attending this event for at least ten years (twice a year). It used to be held in the Washington High School cafeteria.

I have been taking and treating John to a spaghetti dinner twice a year for at least the last five years, so today was no different. We went out to get our take out dinner right at the 4pm start time of the event. The crowd was just starting to arrive. We got our spaghetti with meatballs, bread, salad with choice of dressing, and a choice of cookie for dessert. It's always good food and I always support the Shriner's events. My father and my brother were both Shriners when they were alive.

I also got a take out order for my neighbor friend. She deserved a break after what she's been through. Her husband is in the hospital again, and is not expected to live much longer. They have called in Hospice Care starting Monday, upon his discharge from the hospital. I have been in close contact with her and helping her whenever and however I can through these difficult times.

I didn't mind breaking my diet tonight, to keep up a tradition of long standing and supporting a good cause. I will make up for it by walking a few more laps on my treadmill this week.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

TGIF

Thank goodness Friday is over for this week! I wore myself out and awoke from a nap about an hour ago. What a busy day!


I started my day with a phone call from the guy who I hired to fix the three-square kitchen roof at my son's house. He was out at Home Depot ready to purchase the materials. I went out to pay for them and he went to the house to begin the project.


I went to the Washington Cemetery office to gather some information for a friend of mine in northern Ohio who writes a blog about cemeteries and gravestones. She also does work with a related website, Find A Grave. She needed to find a few headstones, so I took photos of a few of them and sent them to her via email.


I also went to the St. Coleman of Cloyne Catholic Church office to research two graves that could not be found in St. Coleman's Cemetery. I learned that the two ladies in question were in fact listed in the old church death record book (one from 1939 and one from 1930), but their graves could never be found in the cemetery. The St. Coleman of Cloyne Church began in 1866 on the land where the cemetery is now. The church building was destroyed by the tornado of 1855. Some markers were missing and some of the small corner stones sank into the ground due to the weather, and were later covered over with growing grass. The ladies are listed on the roster of cemetery graves, but the specific locations are unknown.


I took some photos of the front of St. Colemans Cemetery that she wanted and off to the next one. I visited the Old Washington Cemetery behind Dairy Queen and took some photos there for her. So many of the old markers there were unreadable due to being weatherworn since the 1800s, but I did see a few that were visible. She will be able to use my photos on her blog. When I was at the Washington Cemetery office, I obtained a copy of the burial roster for the Old Washington Cemetery and sent it to her also.

The interesting news is that sometime next May, the Washington Cemetery burial records will all be online and accessible by the general public. They are working with a Michigan programmer and I saw the model record item proposed. It will show the deceased's name, location of the grave, and, if available, other information such as relatives, funeral home, and cause of death. The cemetery office is working hard to get all their information online at the City of Washington website. Their records go back to 1854.

After my three cemetery travels, I went to check on the roof job. It did not get finished today - they ran out of daylight. The guy will be back in the morning to finish the job. The good news is no more leaking kitchen and putting buckets around to catch the rain drops.

With several phone calls and three other errands squeezed into my day, it was full and busy indeed! I am looking forward to the weekend and a slight slowdown of activities - especially the Sunday NASCAR race.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

EFFECTIVE


There was this little guy sitting in a bar, drinking his beer, minding his own business when all of a sudden this great big dude comes in and -- WHACK!! -- knocks him off the bar stool and onto the floor.

The big dude says, "That was a karate chop from Korea." The little guy thinks "GEEZ," but he gets back up on the stool and starts drinking again when all of a sudden -- WHACK!! -- the big dude knocks him down AGAIN and says, "That was a judo chop from Japan."

So the little guy has had enough of this... He gets up, brushes himself off and quietly leaves. The little guy is gone for an hour or so when he returned. Without saying a word, he walks up behind the big dude and -- WHAM!!!" -- knocks the big dude off his stool, knocking him out cold!!!

The little guy looks at the bartender and says, "When he gets up, tell him that's a crowbar from Sears.