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Bad Acts

6 Ways To Improve Safety Of Sports Officials

In the wake of the tragic death of Ricardo Portillo in Utah, a longtime high school sports administrator suggests at least six ways to make sports safer for game officials.

E-Ugliness A Factor In Youth Sports Brawls, But No Flash Mobs So Far

Trash talking via social media has been a factor in a number of fights at youth sports contests around the country, but, there hasn't been a flash mob incident, at least so far.  But the year isn't even half over.

The Egyptian Soccer Riot: Could One Happen Here?

When fans misbehave at sports contests in the U.S. we tend to blame individuals. When things get out of hand at sports contests in foreign countries, large groups of fans start fighting and, as in Egypt last week, people end up dying. What makes bad sportsmanship in America different?

Best and Worst of Youth Sports: January to June 2011

There were plenty of bad acts to choose from for the first half of 2011, but on the good side of the ledger was a lesson in sportsmanship from a 5th grader at Evansdale Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia, which earned him first place in the National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest, Elementary Division in March.

Best and Worst in Youth Sports: July to December 2010

There were plenty of bad acts to choose from for the second half of 2011, but on the good side of the ledger was Alfreda Harris, who was awarded the Mannie Jackson Award for lifelong accomplishments on behalf of her community by the Basketball Hall of Fame.  A Boston school board member and former JC basketball coach, Harris runs an SAT Prep program, after-school basketball programs, and has worked with Reebok to bring computers and tutors into areas sorely lacking in educational essentials.

Bad Acts In Youth Sports: First Quarter 2010

A Nashville basketball player reacted to a dispute with his coach by threatening to kill the coach … literally! But wait a minute. The player issued the threat on Facebook, writing, "I’ma kill em all." The player was expelled, triggering a debate over whether a threat is really a threat, and whether people who threaten on Facebook are really threatening or just venting

Bad Acts In Youth Sports: Fourth Quarter 2009

Bad acts in women’s soccer gained national notoriety in the fourth quarter of 2009.  An ugly brawl involving players and spectators at the Rhode Island girls’ state high school soccer championship combined with a University of New Mexico college player who was caught on film committing a series of dirty and exceedingly physical plays led the national sports media to reflect on the state of women’s sports.  It was almost as if the national media discovered that women can compete intensely, commit dirty plays and engage in bad acts … kind of like, dare I say, men.

Bad Acts In Youth Sports: Third Quarter 2009

The worst bad act in this quarter was also the most unusual.  A player in a Chicago youth league designed to keep troubled teens off the street shot his coach.  The coach’s sin?  He removed the player from the game.  Playing time disputes have reached depths that none of us could have imagined.  While coaches are not generally shot over their substitution patterns, this is an extreme illustration of the pressures that coaches are under over playing time.

Bad Acts: April to June, 2009

Post-game handshakes are a recurring problem in youth and high school sports.  In New Jersey, the post-game handshake became a post-game headbutt as a Little League coach allegedly headbutted a rival coach after the post-game handshake after a game in June.

Bad Acts in Youth Sports: 1st Quarter 2009 Edition

The Chicago Public Schools experienced a wave of gun violence in 2008-09; indeed, over 30 CPS students were murdered in the 2008-09 school year. Some of this gun violence spilled over to athletic contests. In January, Chicago had two shooting incidents at high school basketball games - bad acts don't get worse than this.
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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Interview with Roo, age 5 yr and 5 months

I actually interviewed them last week, but I'm just now posting them. How is that for slackery? ;o)

1. What is something mom always says to you?
don't do it

2. What makes mom happy?
me cleaning my bed

3. What makes mom sad?
not doing what you want

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
tickling me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
a girl

6. How old is your mom?

7. How tall is your mom?
32 inches

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
watch TV and play on the computer

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
being nice

11. What is your mom really good at?
helping us

12. What is your mom not very good at?
reaching stuff. like if daddy puts something way higher than you can reach

13. What does your mom do for her job?
work by the doctor

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
pasta and meatballs

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
when you help us

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Hannah Montana
-Have you seen Hannah Montana?
-No, we don't like Hannah Montana.
-I would be someone you don't like?
-No, I don't know any other cartoon girls

17. What do you and your mom do together?

18. How are you and your mom the same?
because we both love each other

19. How are you and your mom different?
you're taller and I'm smaller

20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Burger King

21. How do you know your mom loves you?
cause you help us

22. Why did God make moms?
so people can stay nice

23. What ingredients are moms made of?
eyes, noses, ears, mouths skin, oh and hair

24. What did your mom need to know about your dad before she married him?
that he was so nice

25. Why did your mom marry your dad?
because he was handsome

26. Who's the boss at your house?
our parents

27. What makes moms and dads different?
mommy born babies and dads don't

28. What does your mom do in her spare time?
work on the computer

29. How much spare time does she have every day?
7 hours and 59 minutes

30. What would make your mom perfect?
stylish stuff and Gum Gum Duck (one of his Webkinz)

31. If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
you have a big nose

2 chocolate lovers:

elg said...

Hannah Montana! HA

Jill said...

Both your kids know that you like meatballs, eh? ;o)

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Monday, September 2, 2013

Catering by Design cooking up some great new bar snacks.

Something to snack on!
The bar snack is more popular than ever- in restaurants and at special events. At Catering by Design, we love to present innovative bites that highlight a cocktail hour hunger or an after hours craving. Here are a few that we love: CORNED BEEF REUBEN NACHOS

Sunday, June 10, 2012

The Vineyard Martini
I had the honor of creating a lovely event at Malibu's Church Estate and Vineyards for a wedding organization, and their group of 100 wedding industry professionals. We of course wanted to greet these special guests with a new and fabulous specialty beverage worthy of the surroundings. The Vineyard Martini was created to enhance the experience of a cocktail reception surrounded by grapes on the vine and fields of fresh herbs.

After deciding I wanted to create a grape-inspired cocktail, Stockholm Krystal Vodka joined on as the liquor sponsor for this event. I went to our produce refrigerator, snacking on grapes and nibbling fresh herbs until I found my favorite combination: red and green grapes with oregano!

Enjoy some more great photos from this event, and the recipe at the end of the post...
Special thanks to Imagery Immaculate for all of these beautiful photographs.

Everyone enjoyed the cocktail!

The vineyard table was filled with California Artisan Cheeses, tasty tartlets, crisp arancini, herbs, figs, and so much more!

Vineyard Martini, recipe by Dan Smith of By Design Event Decor

2 tablespoons grape base and 1 ounce of its nectar (recipe below)
2 ounces premium vodka
splash of italian sparkling lemon soda
grape skewer and oregano sprig garnish

First, place 1 teaspoon of the diced grape base in the bottom of a martini glass. In a martini shaker, combine ice, vodka, 1 tablespoon grape base and 1 oz nectar. Shake until icy cold and strain into martini glass. Top with a splash of lemon soda and garnish with grape skewer and oregano sprig.

(for about 20 drinks)
2 cups each red and green grapes, diced
1 teaspoon white pepper
3 cups oregano infused simple syrup (1 ½ cup sugar, 1 ½ cup water, 6 sprigs of oregano, heat until sugar is fully dissolved and remove oregano. Chill until cold.)

Stir above ingredients together and let soak at least thirty minutes and up to 2 hours, refrigerated

Monday, February 13, 2012

Spice is Nice!

I am a fan of spicy cocktails! Extra horseradish and pepper infused vodka are a must in my bloody marys! There are so many great ways to combine sweet and spicy together in innovative ways. I will often draw inspiration from one of my favorite salsa recipes that combine the sweetness of fruit amd the spice of chile peppers.

That being said, I browsed the 'net and found a couple of recipes I am looking forward to trying-

Photo: Ariana Lindquist

Julian Cox, a bartender at the Los Angeles restaurant Rivera, gave us the recipe for this colorful cocktail, which takes its smoky flavor from puréed chipotle chiles in adobo and its sweetness from ginger syrup. To make your own ginger syrup, boil 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water with one 2” piece of peeled and smashed ginger for 5 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz. agave nectar
1/4 oz. ginger syrup
1 tsp. puréed canned chipotle in adobe
1/2 lime, quartered lengthwise
2 oz. mezcal or white tequila
1 strip red bell pepper, for garnish
1 small piece beef jerky, for garnish

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine lemon juice, agave nectar, ginger syrup, chipotle purée, and lime wedges. Using a muddler or a wooden spoon, muddle ingredients.

2. Add 1 cup cubed ice and pour in mezcal; stir. Transfer mixture to a cocktail glass and garnish with bell pepper and beef jerky.

1/4 cup peeled and chopped fresh mango
1 to 4 slices jalapeño, to taste
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Handful of ice
1 1/2 ounces vodka
Splash St. Germain (French elderflower liqueur)
Muddle mango, jalapeño and simple syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Add vodka and St. Germain and shake well. Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with jalapeño slice.
*To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Get out of my bar!

by Dan Smith, m!x by Good Gracious!

86'd. Barred. Just plain asked to leave.

There are plenty of ways to lose favour at your local drinking establishment. You can start a fight, have a few too many, or make unwanted advances at a waitress to name a few.

Another way is to become old, boring, outdated, or last year's rage. Well those aren't ways that people get 86'd... but for bar products it's a sure way to end up down the drain!

Thankfully, cocktail culture is at an all time high in terms of sophistication. It's so much easier to find a quality cocktail! If you are in the industry, take a look at your inventory and promise your customers that you will serve them the best ingredients available.

Here is my list of what should be "Barred from the bar."
Any kind of SCHNAPPS. Sweet and artificial. Two words you don't want associated with your drinks!

Unnatural VODKA FLAVORS. Whipped cream, marshmallow, cheesecake. It sounds like vodka is now being marketed in kindergarten, doesn't it?

Bottled and canned JUICES. Everyone knows that fresh tastes best!

And yes, that includes ROSES LIME JUICE. The smell of this makes my think of Kamikazes at the frat house. Squeeze some limes right at the bar for the best flavor! Or if you really need a sweet-tart lime cordial like Roses... I'll send you my recipe!

You don't need COCKTAIL MIXES! Recipes and fresh ingredients are plentiful!

CHEAP WINES can make a special event less than special! Of course people are often looking for the best price... but you don't need to reach all the way down to 2-Buck-Chuck!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

A Bloody Good Battle

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to San Francisco's Scalas Bistro to compete in the search for the best new bloody mary! While I wasn't the winner, it was a great experience and I look forward to competing again soon!!!

Here is what I came up with:

by Dan Smith
2 oz Square One Basil Vodka
4 oz yellow tomato juice
(yellow tomato, onion, celery, spice- recipe below)
Sprinkle of salt, white pepper, horseradish
Dash white worchestershire sauce
Garnish: fresh yellow tomato, pickled quail egg, endive, yellow pepper, old bay seasoning, kosher salt

In a mixing glass, combine vodka, ice, tomato juice, worchestershire sauce, and spices. Shake to chill. Transfer to serving glass rimmed with Old Bay Seasoning and Salt. Garnish with skewer of tomato, yellow pepper and a pickled quail egg, and an endive leaf.

Yellow Tomato Juice
makes 48 ounces
6 pounds ripe yellow tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 cups water
2 cups chopped yellow onion
2 ½ cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons agave nectar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cumin powder
6 drops Sriracha sauce
1 teaspoon ground white pepper

Put all ingredients in a large stainless pot and simmer until soupy, about 40 minutes.

Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender (or in batches in a countertop blender)

Chill for several hours before serving.

Horseradish Pickled Quail Eggs
24 hard-boiled quail eggs, peeled
1 (12 ounce) jar yellow chile peppers
2 tablespoons fresh grated horseradish
1 tablespoon white peppercorns
1 cup white wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tequila and Rosé Champagne...yes, in the same glass!

Always wanting to come up with something new, even I was a little concerned about mixing tequila and rosé champagne in the same cocktail... but the secret sweetness of hibiscus nectar really pulled it together!

Tequila Hibiscus Sparkle
2 oz silver tequila
1 Wild Hibiscus Flower plus 1 teaspoon of its nectar (
2 oz rosé sparkling wine chilled

Place one Wild Hibiscus flower in serving martini glass. In a martini shaker pour Wild Hibiscus nectar and Tequila over ice and shake to chill. Strain into the serving glass and float 2 oz rosé sparkling wine.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Starting at Square One

Hands down, our favorite cocktail of the weekend. This Honeydew and Basil Cocktail is simple as can be. All because we started at Square One.

Square One Organic Spirits truly is an inspiration to me. Their product line features an assortment of QUALITY spirits. They don't rush to fill the shelves of every market in town with 20 flavors of vodka, sacrificing what makes them so special.

The newest member of their small family of spirits is my new summery favorite: Square One Organic Basil Vodka. I have always loved fresh melon and basil together, and this new basil spirit makes concocting this cocktail so easy!

The Honeydew and Basil Cocktail
Pour over ice:
2oz Square One Organic Basil Vodka
3oz Fresh Honeydew Melon Juice*
Splash of Soda Water
Garnish with a Basil Sprig

*Honeydew Juice is as simple as passing cubes of skinned and seeded melon through your juicer! Right now these melons are at the peak of their summery sweetness and don't need to be sweetened. You may need to add some sugar to taste in the off-season.

The cocktail is also delicious with watermelon or cantaloupe!

More about Square One, from their website:

It all began at Square One . . .

. . . with the purest ingredients we could find. Very few vodkas are hand-crafted as meticulously as ours: created in one place, to the exacting standards of our Master Distiller.
We craft our distinctive, limited-production single grain vodka using certified organic American rye. Our water, drawn from deep aquifers, imparts unparalleled smoothness, reflecting its origin in the pristine Teton Range of Wyoming.
Our unique organic fermentation technique combines with a classic four-column distillation and filtration method to create Square One: an incredibly silky, high-quality vodka with a natural richness on the palate.

Eden in a Bottle . . .

Square One Botanical is a bold (90 proof) organic rye spirit infused with the organic essence of eight botanicals: pear, rose, chamomile, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, coriander and citrus peel. This enticing composition of organic fruit, floral and herbs creates a captivating fragrance and offers a seductive taste experience in cocktails.
On tasting Square One Botanical, the floral and fruit aromas immediately capture the senses. On the palate, the supple floral qualities are followed by herbal botanicals that offer backbone, yet stay gently in the background. Square One Botanical is delicate and balanced, and offers the cocktail enthusiast a chance to advance their cocktail repertoire beyond straight vodka or singularly flavored vodka.

Take a Cool Plunge . . .

Square One Cucumber is a deliciously aromatic spirit with the delicate and fresh taste of cucumber.
We crafted Square One Cucumber by combining the essence of organic cucumber with our original certified organic American rye vodka. To keep cucumber's fresh aroma, we applied the same skills used to capture the aromatics of flowers and plants in natural fragrances.
This spirit gives a contemporary spin to familiar cocktails like the Tom Collins or Gimlet and is a natural choice for refreshing new cocktails. For a cool, light yet effortless indulgence, try Square One Cucumber with tonic and a twist of lime.

Sweet and Savory by Nature . . .

Fresh basil has a rich history in folklore (it's sweet and savory qualities given both light a dark powers in mythology) and in cuisine from around the globe. More recently, many mixologists have discovered the flavor range and taste complexity that fresh basil brings to cocktails.
With cocktail creativity in mind, we take the herbal taste experience of basil a step further. Square One Basil is infused with the organic essences of four basil varieties -- Genovese, Thai, Lemon and Sweet -- plus we add a touch of coriander, honeysuckle and lemongrass to round out the spirit and soften the finish. Try Square One Basil in Mediterranean or Asian cuisine inspired elixirs. And in the classic Bloody Mary, replace Square One Basil with vodka and never look back.


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White House predicts 2 million more jobs in 2012

@CNNMoney February 17, 2012: 4:41 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The United States economy is on the road to recovery, the White House said Friday, with stronger job growth expected this year.

But income inequality and Europe's debt crisis could still pose challenges, according to a report released by President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers.

Obama battles job crisis
The U.S. lost 4.3 million jobs in President Obama's first 13 months in office. Track his progress since then.

"While actions taken to prevent a deeper recession and to strengthen the recovery have made a difference, the nation is still recovering from that profound crisis and the problems that led to it," the Economic Report of the President said.

The document, which totals 446 pages, is the administration's blueprint for the economy, which outlines a plan to "recover, rebalance and rebuild." Much like Obama's recent State of the Union address, it focuses heavily on income inequality, and building an America where "everyone gets a fair shot."

One way to do that is job creation. While 1.8 million jobs were created last year, the economy still needs to add about 5.6 million jobs to get back to 2008 employment levels -- and that's without accounting for population growth.

New forecasts from the Council of Economic Advisers estimate 2 million jobs will be added in 2012.

Check the unemployment rate in your state

The report calls attention to a "manufacturing revival," along with a rise in exports. Obama traveled to a Boeing factory in Everett, Wa., Friday to champion his policies of promoting manufacturing and exports.

"Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years," Obama said in a White House press release. "Today, we're on track to meet that goal -- ahead of schedule."

One major challenge the White House points to is Europe's debt crisis. Europe buys about a fifth of U.S. goods that are exported and about 40% of U.S. service exports.

"Global and U.S. economic performance will depend, in part, on the swift resolution of problems in the euro area," the report said.

Payroll tax cut, meet $4 gas

While it's true that manufacturing jobs have been a bright spot in the U.S. recovery and exports have risen rapidly over the last two years, Obama often fails to mention the rise in imports too.

When imports rise faster than exports, it subtracts from U.S. economic growth. Since Obama announced his intention to double exports, they have risen 33.5%, but imports have grown even faster, up 36%.

The report comes just hours after Congress passed a bipartisan bill extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits. Those programs are more likely to soften the blow of rising gas prices, than add to economic growth.

"The payroll tax cut provides some cushion for families in case they see their costs go up, possibly because of gasoline prices or for other reasons over the course of the year," said Alan Krueger, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.  To top of page

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text:
ExxonMobil rejects LGBT discrimination ban

exxonmobil lgbt protest
Protestors rally at a previous ExxonMobil shareholder meeting.

For the 14th year in a row, shareholders at oil giant ExxonMobil overwhelmingly shot down a proposal that would specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The proposal, sponsored by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and brought before shareholders on Wednesday, asked ExxonMobil (XOM) to add wording to its Equal Employment Opportunity policy that would explicitly protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees from discrimination.

Related: Gay marriage's corporate boosters

"Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity can diminish employee morale and productivity," the proposal stated. "ExxonMobil will enhance its competitive edge by joining the growing ranks of companies guaranteeing equal opportunity for all employees."

But opponents said the company already broadly prohibits discrimination of any kind, according to the proxy statement provided to shareholders ahead of the meeting. And shareholders ultimately voted 80% to 20% against the proposal on Wednesday.

"Based on these existing all-inclusive, zero-tolerance policies, the Board believes the proposal is unnecessary," according to comments from board members in the proxy statement. ExxonMobil declined to comment beyond what was said in the proxy statement.

Related: Transgender job seekers face uphill battle

This decision puts ExxonMobil in the small pool of 12% of Fortune 500 companies that don't specifically ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in their Equal Employment Opportunity policies, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Transgender and unemployed for 4 years
Transgender and unemployed for 4 years

And while the average Fortune 500 company received a "corporate equality" score of 54 out of 100 last year -- based on how LGBT-inclusive their policies are -- ExxonMobil received a negative 25, according to HRC's ratings. That's much lower than other major players in the oil industry, like BP (BP) and Chevron (CVX), which each received scores of at least 85.

"No company has proven itself a worse corporate citizen by betraying its LGBT employees time and again than ExxonMobil," HRC president Chad Griffin said in a statement. "By failing once more to do the right thing, ExxonMobil places itself firmly on the wrong side of history. Fair-minded consumers should take their business elsewhere."

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Stocks soar as investors cheer Yellen

Dow 4
Click the chart for more market data.

Stocks got a boost Tuesday as new Fed chairwoman Janet Yellen stressed that monetary policy is unlikely to change much under her leadership. Investors clearly liked what they heard.

The Dow rose over 190 points and briefly crossed the 16,000 mark for the first time since January 24. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced more than 1%. The rally picked up steam during Yellen's question and answer session with lawmakers.

Tuesday marked the Dow's fourth straight up day. The blue chip index has clawed back from a few weeks ago, but is still down 3.5% this year.

But thanks to Tuesday's rally, the S&P 500 is now less than 2% below its all-time high. And the Nasdaq inched into positive territory for 2014.

Yellen testified before the House Financial Services Committee. It was her first appearance since taking the helm of the central bank earlier this month.

Since January, the Fed has gradually been reducing the pace of that stimulus. After buying $85 billion in bonds per month since September 2012, the Fed said in December it would cut its purchases to $75 billion, and then trimmed the size of its quantitative easing program to $65 billion in January.

While the Fed appeared on course last month to taper once again at its next meeting in March, two consecutive months of tepid jobs growth have caused investors to wonder what the Fed will do next.

In prepared remarks, Yellen said the central bank plans to continue easing its stimulus program, a big driver of the 2013 stock market rally. She reiterated several times during the question and answer session that it would take a notable change in economic data for the Fed to change its plans.

And investors seem to be taking comfort in Yellen's comments. CNNMoney's Fear & Greed Index, which tracks various gauges of market sentiment, has been sitting in Extreme Fear mode over the past few weeks. But it moved up to plain old Fear levels thanks to Tuesday's move higher in stocks. That could be a reflection of a new sense of calm in the markets after recent volatility.

Related: Fear & Greed Index out of Extreme Fear mode

On the earnings front, Sprint (S) shares rose after the wireless carrier reported better-than-expected revenue and decent subscriber gains. The company posted a loss, but the losses narrowed from a year earlier. Sprint has reportedly been thinking of making a bid for its rival T-Mobile (TMUS). But there are doubts about whether a deal would pass regulatory muster.

Don't bet on Sprint/T-Mobile deal
Don't bet on Sprint/T-Mobile deal

"Sprint's $S CEO declines specific comment in question about potential Sprint/T-Mobile $TMUS deal," noted StockTwits user FinancialJuice.

CVS Caremark (CVS) shares gained after the drugstore chain reported quarterly increases in sales and profit. The company made waves last week when it announced it would soon stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products. One trader noted that this could be a problem for the company going forward.

"$CVS front-end comps down...cutting tobacco won't help that..." said StockTwits user retail_guru.

Shares of cloud computing firm Rackspace Hosting tanked after CEO Lanham Napier said he would retire.

Still, one trader was bullish given the long-term prospects for cloud technology.

"$RAX...ridiculously inexpensive given that all storage and hosting will be cloud based in the future," said statspro.

ConAgra Foods (CAG)shares plunged after the packaged foods company cut its full year earnings outlook. Another food company, milk producer Dean Foods (DF). also fell on weak guidance.

Groupon (GRPN) shares took a dive on the news that a product management executive is leaving the daily deal site. But StockTwits trader extremelysmartguy didn't think the steep drop-off in share price was warranted.

"$GRPN what an absolutely obvious, non-issue pre-earnings flush based on a nothing news item that will soon be forgotten," he said.

Shares in British bank Barclays (BCS) fell in London after the firm reported a big fall in fourth quarter earnings and said it would cut up to 12,000 jobs. But Barclays also said it would give bigger bonuses to its investment bankers.

Related: CNNMoney's Tech 30

European markets finished higher, while Asian markets closed with sizable gains.

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text:
Should Hurd resign?
HP CEO Mark Hurd is apologetic for approving the strategy of lying to the news media, but unwilling to question what that says about his own moral compass. He regrets not having paid more careful attention to the details of the leak investigation on his board, but says even now that it's simply impossible to catch everything. (Read Adam Lashinsky's Sept. 29 interview with Hurd.)

He says the buck stops with him, yet he isn't considering resigning. Meanwhile, HP's stock remains near the top of its 52-week range, despite the controversy.

Should Mark Hurd resign? Or is he still the right person to lead HP?
Posted by Deirdre Terry 11:58 AM 66 Comments comment | Add a Comment

Or feel free to send a letter to the editor about this story. Top of page


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Platt Ridge Dr. Extension

  • Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)

Coordinating agencies:

  • Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration
  • Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

  • Interim signal at JBR/Spring Valley Road and Barriers to entry points off Connecticut Avenue have been installed.  Traffic study has been conducted.  Montgomery County will constuct Platt Ridge Drive extension.

Scope of Work:

  • This project addresses concerns by Chevy Chase Valley neighborhood residents, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Jones Bridge Road, about the impact of traffic safety and access in their neighborhood resulting from State Highway Administration intersection improvements.

    • Install a traffic signal on Jones Bridge Road at Spring Valley Road by Sept. 2011
    • When the traffic signal is installed on Jones Bridge Road at Spring Valley Road, install temporary physical barriers at the three entrances to the neighborhood on Connecticut Avenue to prohibit southbound right turns into the neighborhood
    • Continue examining feasibility of extending Platt Ridge Drive through parkland to Montrose Drive
    • After the Spring Valley signal and temporary barriers have been installed, conduct a traffic study to determine their impacts on regional mobility and whether the Platt Ridge Drive extension would be a better overall solution
    • If deemed necessary, move forward with construction of the Platt Ridge Drive extension, and make the turn barriers on Connecticut Avenue permanent
    • On completion of the Platt Ridge Drive extension, remove the signal on Jones Bridge Road at Spring Valley Road.

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Mooltan Guest House is a gracious Edwardian Guest House with 8 bedrooms all opening on to wide verandahs, 3 have their own bathrooms with japanese baths and seperate showers.

Mooltan offers the experience of "going home" to a large country house and not having to do the dishes. History sets the style, Mooltan was built in 1924 and was originally known as Spring View before being renamed after a P&O ocean liner-"Mooltan".

129 Main Rd. Hepburn Springs 3461.
Victoria Australia

PH: (03) 53483555

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Posted on Saturday, November 29, 11 , 2014 By admin

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No medicines, no equipments in hospitals, all resources being used for protecting their rule

Donation of costly RO Plant for Ch Zahoor Elahi Block of Aziz Bhatti Hospital, talk after enthusiastic reception in hospital

Lahore (Nov 29, 2014) Pakistan Muslim League (PML) senior leader and Parliamentary Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moonis Elahi has said that the rulers had no concern for the problems of the people, they have got billions of rupees only for dumping in jangla bus but not for repairing dialysis machines and for providing health facilities to the people, there were neither medicines nor equipment in the hospitals, they had reserved all resources for protecting their rule which alone was very dear to them.

Photo Moonis Elahi 01 {Nov29-14} - Copy

He said this while donating costly RO Plant for the Trust Office in the Ch Zahoor Elahi Block in the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital in Gujrat today.

Moonis Elahi said that the rulers were undertaking foreign tours also only for their own interest, if these were for the nation then the energy crisis would have been ended by now, earlier it was only electricity crisis and the rulers on coming into power had also given the gift of gas crisis but the charisma of falsehood was about to end now.

He said further that serving the people was our family tradition, we would Insha-Allah continue providing all possible resources for welfare projects. He said the rulers would not do anything for the welfare of the people nor the well-being of the patients and we would also continue to come out for help and assistance for such projects in future as well.

On being out by Medical Superintendent of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Dr Mian Wajid Hussain, Moonis Elahi also announced that both out of order dialysis machines would be got repaired.

Earlier on arrival at the hospital, Muslim League workers accorded warm and enthusiastic welcome to Moonis Elahi and also presented bouquets to him.

On this occasion, DMS Dr Safdar Malik, Dr Abbas Tahir Gondal and Dr Abid Malik were also present.

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How do you Netflix?

How do you Netflix

November. Where has the year gone? I swear just yesterday we were racing from school pickup to the outdoor spray park and enjoying late night summer-time picnics. Now, somehow it's late fall and equally dark in the morning as it is in the early evening. The weather is cooler, and much rainier in Vancouver which triggers the switch from marathon baseball games outside to … [Read more...]

Trick, Treat, or Binge? 5 flix to watch this Halloween

5 flix to watch this Halloween

Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to... watch? Halloween also happens to be my dads birthday, which means after trick-or-treating is done, and we've finished blowing shit up (fireworks are kind of a big deal in our family), we finish off the night with a good 'ole small screen scare. Much like your annual trick-or-treating route map, Netflix has compiled a … [Read more...]

A Passport to relaxation with Netflix!

Netflix Passport

Rejoice parents everywhere, summer is near! It's been a long school year of packing lunches, extra curricular activities, homework and who knows what else on top of work! At the end of the day, few things are more satisfying than settling in on the couch and binge watching your latest Netflix obsession. Mom's and Dad's out there, you deserve it! But what about the kids? I … [Read more...]

Why I’m not looking forward to Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Ok, before we go any further... I have a confession to make. I have never watched the Gilmore Girls... Nope... Never, not a single episode! And not because I didn't want to, or wasn't interested, I just -- Well... I don't know! I have no good reason as to why I never watched it, especially given that it was totally a show I would have been interested in! Between graduating … [Read more...]

Look out Vancouver! Netflix is bringing Gilmore Girls Luke’s Diner to a café near you!

gilmore girls luke's diner

Gilmore Girls fans, this one's for you! October 5, 2016 marks the 16thanniversary of the original Gilmore Girls airdate -- or the Gilmoreversary [gil-more-uh-vur-suh-ree]: (noun, singluar) The yearly recurrence of a date of an important past event. The yearly celebration or commemoration of the series premiere of Gilmore Girls on October 5, 2000. This … [Read more...]


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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Historical Landmarks Cut-Outs - THE OLD STATE HOUSE, BOSTON

October 20, 1901.  Historical Landmarks cut-out series featured some wonderful old buildings.  I can image children and their parents back in 1901 cutting out this model from the Sunday newspaper and spending the day putting it together.  Does the Old Boston State House have a unicorn statue?  It looks like a unicorn.

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Day 18 - Visit to Longford

Breda, JJ, Donna and Jack Moughty

   Today I’m on my own.  I had an early breakfast and headed to Connolly Station for the 9 am train to Mullingar to visit our Moughty cousins.  The trip is just a little over an hour and JJ Moughty picked me up at the station and took me to their home in Ballymahon, Longford to visit with his parents, Jack and Breda.  I’ve written in the past on how we met Jack, Breda and JJ back in the early 1990 when JJ was about four years old.  He is now living in Galway, having received his Master’s Degree from Trinity College.

   I don’t get to see them every year, but it’s always a treat.  I had planned to take them out to lunch, but Breda insisted on cooking and we had a wonderful meal of roast lamb, roast potatoes and veg.  Brought back memories of Sunday dinner with my grandmother!

   I had another reason for my visit.  I have traced Jack’s ancestry back to his great grandfather Michael, born about 1816.  I’ve also traced my husband, Brian’s ancestry back to his great grandfather Bernard born about 1814, but the records don’t exist to take me back another generation.  I have two other Moughty families back to the same general time frame, a Thomas and a Bryan.  Could these individuals be brothers or are they cousins?  So I arrived with a Y-37 DNA kit which Jack had agreed to take (purchased at Back To Our Past).   Once I arrived home, (with a second kit) my husband Brian was tested and off went the kits to FamilyTree DNA.  It will be about six weeks before I get the results…keeping my fingers crossed.

   Tomorrow I head back to the US.  I have a 10:45 flight connecting in NY.  Long day, but now I’m anxious to get home.

© Donna M. Moughty 2007- 2017


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Beyonce first launched her career in 1998 with Destiny’s Child, but in 2003 her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, rocketed Beyonce Knowles to stardom. The album eventually went quadruple platinum after debuting at number one on the charts. Eventually, the album would bring Beyonce four Grammy awards. Am… Sasha Fierce followed, launching the singles “Diva” and “Halos,” both of which began chart-topping hits. “Ego,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Video Phone,” and “Broken-Hearted Girl” followed, and in 2009 Beyonce Knowles launched a worldwide tour. The 52nd Grammy Awards brought Beyonce Knowles ten nominations for I Am… Sasha Fierce, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. By the end of the night, Beyonce Knowles had set the record for the most Grammies won by a single female in one night, taking home the Grammies for Song of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Ultimately, Beyonce Knowles has earned sixteen Grammmies, twelve MTV Video Music Awards, a Billboard Millennium Award, and three American Music Awards. Billboard recognized her as the Top Radio Songs Artist of the decade, and she is ranked as the number four Artist of the Decade overall.

Beyonce Song List

  • “Crazy In Love”
  • “Halo”
  • “Baby Boy”
  • “Irreplaceable”
  • “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
  • “Me, Myself and I”
  • “Naughty Girl”
  • “Check on It”
  • “Déjà Vu”
  • “Beautiful Liar”
  • “If I Were a Boy”
  • “Run the World (Girls)”
  • “Best Thing I Never Had”
  • “Love on Top”
  • “Drunk in Love”
  • “XO”

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PostSubject: Leonardo DiCaprio - Great Actor   Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:33 am

Leonardo was born in Hollywood, California on November 11, 1974. He attended Seeds University Elementary School at UCLA where he also took summer courses in performance art before moving on to the Center for Enriched Studies in Los Angeles. After CES, the next step was to enroll at John Marshall High School in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. Having been exposed to the world of underground art from an early age, Leonardo was instilled with a sense that creativity was a hugely important thing. Early on, he thought of becoming an actor.

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Download Jeepers Creepers

Jeepers Creepers

What’s eating you?
Jeepers Creepers
A college-age brother and sister get more than they bargained for on their road trip home from spring break. When the bickering siblings witness a creepy truck driver tossing body bags into a sewer near an abandoned church, they investigate. Bad move! Opening a Pandora's Box of unspeakable evil, the pair must flee for their lives -- with a monstrous "shape" in hot pursuit.

I loved this movie.For it's budget & little CGI used.It was a great thriller.I don't consider it as horror.I'm sure many don't agree.I have been hoping for a new movie.
An under-appreciated horror piece from my formative years, best watched going in with no clue what you are in for. _Final rating: ★★★½ - I strongly recommend you make the time._

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“The Meyerowitz Stories” Review

What an astounding recovery for Adam Sandler. His contract with Netflix has led him from making Sandy Wexler, one of 2017’s worst films, to The Meyerowitz Stories, one of the year’s best. I suppose if director Todd McCarthy can go from directing the worst movie of 2015 (the Adam Sandler starring The Cobbler) to the Academy Award winner of 2015 (Spotlight) anything is possible. Yes, Virginia, there is a brilliant Adam Sandler starring movie.
Continue reading ““The Meyerowitz Stories” Review”

“Sandy Wexler” Review

I suppose I should be grateful that the third film of Adam Sandler’s Netflix contract was not as terrible as it could have been. He disgusted me to no end with cringe-worthy Native Americans satire and scatological scenes of horse droppings in The Ridiculous Six. He shocked me with how sexist, homophobic and downright mean he could be in The Do-Over, in addition to nearly making me vomit from the grossest three-way I’ve ever witnessed on film. The best I can say about Sandy Wexler is that it didn’t make me recoil from being grossed out or feeling uncomfortable. It did give me a massive headache for Sandler’s ear-splitting titular character though. Progress?

Actually, calling Sandy Wexler a character might not be accurate. To embody the role of a consistent liar of a talent agent, Sandler throws on dorky clothes and speaks in his most nasally of Jewish stereotype voices. It’s that familiar nails-on-the-chalkboard voice that veteran movie critics know quite well of Sandler’s work. Surprisingly, he doesn’t say anything that offensive about his religion or others. There’s also no scene where we get to hear him wail while he has violent diarrhea or an awkward orgasm. The lack of crudeness and offensiveness allows the audience to appreciate just how unbearable this character is even when trying to be a nice guy.

Continue reading ““Sandy Wexler” Review”

“Pixels” Review

Pixels is a movie that used cheat codes to get to its own nostalgic special effects. It bypasses all the story, character and necessary logic to feature Adam Sandler and his friends battling video game characters in real life. It’s not important that there is any rhyme or reason to any of spec of this action comedy – all that matters is Adam Sandler’s passive commentary on video games and Josh Gad screaming at the top of his lungs. Sadly, there is no cheat code on the DVD to make any of this funny.

Nothing about this premise is all that original. The idea was based off a visual effect short of the same title and the story is ripped straight from an episode of Futurama. Slam them both together with the usual lazy writing of Happy Madison productions and you have one big mess of a movie about video game themed aliens invading Earth. The aliens – which we never see out of the form of licensed video game characters – declare war on Earth after viewing some of our video games from 1982. I never thought Pac Man or Galaga were declarations of war, but what do I know about aliens? I can tell you I don’t know much about these aliens considering how little of their intent is revealed.

To combat this threat, the United States decides to enlist the aged video game champions of 1982 comprised of Adam Sandler, Josh Gad and Peter Dinklage. Why are they recruited as opposed to all the other video game champions or alien experts of the past three decades? From what I can gather, Sandler is apparently able to recognize that the Galaga enemies were from the arcade version and not the home console version. Why is this important? It’s the script’s laughable excuse for using men in their 40’s for a video game themed movie. Could they have at least tried to make the scenario plausible and maybe abduct everybody on Earth born after 1982? It wouldn’t make much sense, but would be far more plausible.

Pixels banks entirely on nostalgia. Most of its comedy seems to derive from the mere sight of a CGI Pac Man devouring cars and Centipede ripping up buildings. Director Chris Columbus crowds the screen with so many of the visual gags, perhaps to cover up the script of lesser characters and dialogue. Sandler is portrayed as a tired and boring nerd that has been reduced to house calls for setting up electronics, but he’s still not above picking up chicks while on the jobs. A bad hygiene trait is forced on his character to enforce some sort of nerd stereotype. Peter Dinklage is an imprisoned champion of Donkey Kong, performing the worst accent of his entire career. Kevin James is the president of the United States and doesn’t have much to do until the third act. Josh Gad plays an alien conspiracy theorist who spends most the movie screaming.

I suppose the movie wants us to marvel at such unlikely heroes, but I’m more floored by such unlikable characters with nothing all that funny to do. Gad must instruct some soldiers on the mechanics of video games and makes a plethora of gay jokes while shouting at the men. He then spanks their butts while they are playing video games. There might have been a subplot to this humor about Gad’s character being a closeted homosexual, but such creativity is not in the cards. After all, Gad has a terrible romantic subplot about being in love with a female video game character. And if you can make any sense of that arc, I would love to hear about it.

I’m not much for video games, but even I was staring at this picture in astonishment for how much it got wrong. There are no cheat codes in Pac Man or Donkey Kong, but the scriptwriters believe every video game has a cheat code. Q-Bert pops up as an ally, but speaks in perfect English as opposed to the garbled babble he spoke in the video games. Even the title of the movie is wrong as the CG video games characters are assembled with voxels and not pixels. If the movie gets so many of these geeky facts wrong while focusing on a very geeky subject, the mind reels at just who this movie is intended for. It’s not for the geeks for its inaccuracy and it’s not for kids since they won’t get the references to Max Headroom or Hall and Oates. I can only fathom that it must be meant for baby boomers who played a lot of arcade games in the 1980’s and haven’t played one since. What an oddly specific demographic for such a terrible comedy.


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Maria Sawaneh

Meet our Model Of The Month, Maria Sawaneh! A true African beauty!

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh is a Germany based model from Gambia. She is 24 years old and was born under the zodiac sign of leo, on 29th of July.

She is not just a model, but also a beauty queen and law student.Maria is represented by Kamarek Models, Brodings Models and Envy.

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

She was just recently crowned Miss West Africa International 2013in Cape Verde, Africa. During 2012, she was crowned Miss West Africa Germany 2012 in Germany. Maria‘s height, beauty, attitude and intelligence, make her an ideal beauty queen.

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

Her credits of work done include: Xbox, Nike, Esmara lingerie,Neckerman and lots of others.

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

Maria‘s measurements are: 174cm height,  92cm bust, 63cm waist,88cm hips. That is sure a body to admire! She is a perfect model for photography and runway. What I personally like about Maria is her stunning face and radiant smile!

Maria Sawaneh

Maria Sawaneh

MrsHustle: Who has influenced you the most in your life?

Maria: My mother. She has raised me and she is my role model, my hero and my angel.

MrsHustle: What is your passion?

Maria: I love different cultures and that’s why my biggest passion is traveling.

MrsHustle: How would you define your personal style?

Maria: Since I am a very complex person, I have a complex style. I love to make a statement with my style. Mostly it is about how I feel. Since I am a very lively outgoing, but grounded person, my style is more casual, colorful and elegant.

MrsHustle: Who is your fashion icon?

Maria: I don’t have one because I don’t have one style. I love people whose style fits to their personality like Gwen Stefani.

MrsHustle: Do you eat nutritiously? How often do you exercise or go to the gym?

Maria: I love working out. I go to the gym at least 2 times a week. I love all kinds of sports, but my favorite is jogging, it sets my mind free.

Since I love cooking, I try to eat healthy, but every now and then I catch myself eating not too healthy.

MrsHustle: Do you have a skin care routine?

Maria: I only use natural shea butter, it gives my skin all it needs.

Maria Sawaneh

MrsHustle: What do you like doing in your spare time?

Maria: I love traveling, even if it’s just a short trip to Paris if I have time. I love going out with friends even if it just for a coffee.

MrsHustle: Where do you like hanging out?

Maria: I can hang out everywhere as long as I have the right people to hang out with.

MrsHustle: You can’t live without?

Maria: My iPhone, I recently realized how much addicted i am to it.

MrsHustle: What is your most favourite item in your wardrobe?

Maria: I don’t have a particular one. I just love many things in my wardrobe.

MrsHustle: What do you think of African fashion and African designers?

Maria: I adore African fashion and I can’t wait for summer so I can wear my sexy African dresses!

MrsHustle: Who is your favourite fashion designer?

Maria: I don’t have any.

MrsHustle: Who are your role models in the industry?

Maria: Naomi Campbell success wise, but when it comes to success and personality, I would say Iman.

MrsHustle: As a model, what is your unique selling point?

Maria: My positive attitude. I am always in a good mood and have a bright smile on my face. People always notice me, I think that’s because of my charisma.

Maria Sawaneh

MrsHustle: You are Miss West Africa International 2013, how does that feel?

Maria: I was speechless, overwhelmed with happiness and proud to be chosen.

Maria Sawaneh

MrsHustle: As a goodwill ambassador, on which issues do you intend to work on throughout this year?

Maria: I love kids and know how important education and sports are. So I am going to be working on projects that empower the West African street kids to work hard and show them perspectives by simple supporting them and giving them hope.

Maria Sawaneh

MrsHustle: What advice would you give to young girls who want to become a beauty queen like you?

Maria: Have a concrete vision of what you really stand for and what you want to do and only to go for that, because people will believe in you if believe in yourself.

MrsHustle: What is your personal quote?

Maria: If you trust in life, then life will trust in you.

MrsHustle: Please finish these sentences:

I love Africa because….

Maria: It is beautiful and has so much to give of natural resources.

I wish Africa would…

Maria: Not be underestimated by others, because we are strong.

Being African has helped me…

Maria: Understand why I am a such a strong woman. I believe Africa has the strongest women, it is in our genes!

MrsHustle: Thank you Maria!

Maria: Thank you too!

Like Maria’s Facebook Fan Page: Maria Sawaneh Miss West Africa 2013

Maria Sawaneh

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Thursday, December 21, 2006

0% APR Credit Card

What can be better than paying no interest? Of course, this only applies to the introductory offer, but it can sure beat the interest levels you may already be paying on another credit card. Getting the perfect 0% APR interest credit card, however, will not come as easily as that.

0% APR interest credit cards, it applies to more than one thing. Generally, it applies to the overall interest rate on the credit card. This means that there is no interest charged on a balance during the introductory period. Of course, there will be late fees if you do not make the minimum payment on time.

The other thing it can apply to is the balance transfer option if it is there. This option on a 0% APR interest credit card means that you can make transfers of outstanding balances from other cards onto this card and pay 0% APR interest. The time frame, however, is what you need to notice, since it may be different than the general introductory offer. Also, check to see if there is a balance transfer fee or not. Some cards can charge up to 4% for this service.

Any kind of reward may be possible with a 0% APR interest credit card it can be air miles, a student card, a business credit card, or any other kind of reward. Rewards mean that you can get anywhere from one to six points for every dollar that you charge to the card.

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Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Skyline R30

Hi. I was gone for a long time but now I'm back! and this was my summer project but now It's finished. This R30 was a pain to make.. a lot of time and work went in to it.  My friend SDrifter was a great help,he modelled me the license plate and fitted the most awesome ref idea. Look at these pic's

Picture's By Chong ^^

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Benefits of nature: Factsheet

I found a great downloadable fact sheet on the benefits of nature.  Click here to download it.  Much of what I am reading about nature-deficit disorder is on this fact sheet.

Chawla, L., & Cushing, D. F. (2007). Benefits of nature for children's health, Fact Sheet #1, April 2007. Children, Youth and Environments Center for Resarch and Design. Retrieved January 18, 2012 from

Click here for much more research on place-based education.

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Home » FOCUS » Residual damage, high energy costs spell trouble for ag
Farmers need excellent growing conditions to recover

Residual damage, high energy costs spell trouble for ag

The winds of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pummeled row crops in the Mississippi Delta, causing damages averaging 15% to 40% in some fields. Unlike similar hurricanes in 2004, Congress failed to pass any disaster relief legislation to help farmers.

Chip Morgan, executive vice president of the Delta Council, says the financial results can be summed up in this way: “If you talk to production lenders, they will tell you they had the largest carry over of debt they have had in the past five years. Farmers are carrying 2005 debt into the 2006 loan. That is a pretty threatening condition.”

After the hurricanes, the U.S. Senate passed disaster relief for agriculture. But the U.S. House did not. Again recently the Senate passed disaster relief provisions. There is hope the House will follow suit.

“It is a huge concern, and something that over the next weeks we hope will be reconciled between the House and the Senate,” Morgan said. “Obviously we hope the House will concede to the Senate, and we will be working toward that end.”

Like in any weather pattern, some counties were hurt worse than others. Morgan said some fields had as much as 40% damage. Entire counties might have seen a 15% adjustment in their yield due to wind.

“We are accustomed to rain in the fall on products ready for harvest,” Morgan said. “But the wind at 40 miles per hour knocked soybeans and cotton off the stalk.”

Farmers in the Mississippi Delta badly need excellent growing conditions in order to have big yields to help them recover from the previous growing year. Morgan said farmers are also in desperate need of Chinese currency reform.

“You don’t have do anything but read The Wall Street Journal to know when a foreign government controls the currency rate, it can control how much it imports and exports,” Morgan said. “What we have to say over and over is we are just as vulnerable as the manufacturing industry that has already left this country. Because, like them, we buy all our inputs retail and sell our goods wholesale. The only industries to do that are agriculture, mining and manufacturing. Those are the basic industries of this country. When you put it into that perspective, if banks and insurance companies bought all the products they sell you at retail and sold to you wholesale, they would go broke pretty quickly.”

As if there isn’t enough to worry about, as ag leaders look ahead to what is expected this year, escalating energy costs are a grave concern.

“The main factor we are wrestling with in agriculture today is fuel costs,” says Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell. “Fuel costs have escalated so much it has really impacted farmers. It impacts all types of farmers, but people in row crops more so than others. These costs have really, really gone up. Factoring increased fuel costs into the cost of production will be a major thing for farmers. What was a small piece of total production costs may now increase to 20% to 25% of the cost of input.”

Slow increases in fuel costs have been tolerated. Spell said it is the sudden surge in oil prices seen over the past two years that has caused the most concern.

Energy costs have gone up at least 40% since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, says Mississippi Farm Bureau president David Waide. In addition to the obvious impact from higher fuel costs to run equipment, higher energy costs also make pumping water for irrigation more expensive. Fuel is used to provide climate control for chicken houses. And since fossil fuels are used to manufacture fertilizer, higher energy costs also impact the cost of fertilizer.

“We are 67% dependent on energy from sources outside of the U.S.,” Waide said. “If we don’t lessen on our dependence on the Mideast, we are going to continue to see upward pressure on the price of crude.”

The one silver lining is that higher energy prices are making alternative fuels made from agricultural waste and products such as corn and soybeans more competitive with petroleum products.

“With the price of fuel going up, it has made these alternative fuels more attractive to use,” Spell said. “The public is beginning to become conscious we need alternative fuels we can afford. By the end of year, they say we will be looking at even higher prices. Our office has visited with a lot of people interested in production of biodiesel, and some who are interested in ethanol. The whole country is beginning to accept the fact that we must become less dependent on foreign oil.”

Many states have a program that gives an incentive to production of alternative fuels. Mississippi enacted such a program a couple years ago. But Spell said because of the financial crunch, the state hasn’t been able to fund the incentives program.

Spell said a number of alternative energy projects in the state are showing promise. For example, poultry litter is being used to produce methane gas to heat poultry houses at a pilot project near Prentiss.

The higher energy prices have even impacted what crops are being planted this year. Nitrogen fertilizer is made from natural gas, and is a major input cost for corn. Because of high energy costs, corn production in Mississippi is expected to be down this year by 10% to 13%.

“Cotton is going to stay pretty stable, and soybeans will probably be up a little this year,” Spell said.
John Anderson, associate extension professor at Mississippi State University, said both in Mississippi and nationally an increase is being seen in planting crops like soybeans that require less fuel and fertilizer.

“The prospective planting report shows a major decrease in corn and rice acreage in Mississippi that you can directly attribute to fuel prices,” Anderson said. “It is not only more expensive to run equipment but with rice, it is expensive to pump water. High input costs are clearly affecting the planning decisions of producers. The result of that is it could become a challenging year for marketing of soybeans. It will be our biggest crop this year. It could be a challenging market because of the large acreage seen nationally.”

A lot can still depend on the weather. If there is bad production in the Midwest, and good production here, Mississippi producers stand to profit. But a bumper crop all over could have a depressing impact on prices.
Timely rain is always important in agriculture. But Anderson said that is especially true this year.

“If we have to do a lot of pumping, it is going to cost more money because of fuel costs,” Anderson said. “Drought is never far from producers’ minds. It is an issue that is always difficult to deal with. It will be extra costly to deal with this year.”

Contact MBJ contributing writer Becky Gillette at bgillette@bellsouth.net.

… we’d like to ask for your support. More people are reading the Mississippi Business Journal than ever before, but advertising revenues for all conventional media are falling fast. Unlike many, we do not use a pay wall, because we want to continue providing Mississippi’s most comprehensive business news each and every day. But that takes time, money and hard work. We do it because it is important to us … and equally important to you, if you value the flow of trustworthy news and information which have always kept America strong and free for more than 200 years.

If those who read our content will help fund it, we can continue to bring you the very best in news and information. Please consider joining us as a valued member, or if you prefer, make a one-time contribution.

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Sunday, April 24, 2016

Yoo Ji Tae in The Good Wife Script Reading

Omo, I was surprised seeing this sexy photo of Yoo Ji Tae during the script reading of his upcoming drama The Good Wife. Perhaps it was the mustache that did it. I will be awaiting this drama which will air via tvN.

Look at him drinking his coffee... seriously, he is so sexy and charming!

photo via sportschosun.com

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text: This course, which was designed to introduce graduate students to mathematical neurophysiology, is targeted to a variety of students with diverse backgrounds and various experiences with biological study. The course introduces a mathematical approach to neurophysiology. Mathematical and physical laws that constitute the basis of cellular neurophysiology will be addressed. Procedures for computer simulation of a neuron model will be included.


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Illinois Judge Allows Same-Sex Couple To Wed Before Law Takes Effect

Nov 26, 2013

Seven months before Illinois' same-sex marriage law goes into effect, a judge ruled Monday that two Chicago women can marry immediately because one of them has terminal cancer.

Vernita Gray, 64, and Patricia Ewert, 65, got engaged in 2009 and entered into a civil union in 2011. Gray has terminal breast cancer that recently spread to her brain and may have days or weeks to live, according to a court filing. Ewert is a breast cancer survivor.

Although Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law last week allowing same-sex marriage in Illinois, it will not go into effect until June.

"Unfortunately, that may be too late for a loving couple who has already been denied justice for too long," Cook County Clerk David Orr said in a statement following the judge's ruling. Orr, a proponent of same-sex marriage, said he would comply with the judge's orders and expedite the marriage license.

Attorney Camilla Taylor of Lambda Legal, the organization that represented the women in court, tells NPR that the goal of the case was primarily to grant relief for the couple, but that the outcome could set an example for couples in similar situations.

Being legally married also would provide financial protection for Ewert in the event of Gray's death.

"This has been an amazingly wonderful surprise and we are thrilled beyond belief," Ewert told the Chicago Tribune. "The judge was an amazing human being who understands our struggle. I'm surprised, happy, delighted."

Gray and Ewert have not yet disclosed when they are getting married, but the Tribune reports that they're expected to wed this week.

Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit


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MTSU Named “Best for Vets” by Military Times

Middle Tennessee State University was named one of the best colleges in the nation by the Military Times for supporting student veterans.

The publication announced for the fifth year running its Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 rankings today as the nation celebrates Veterans Day. The rankings factor in a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military students’ success rates.

According to a Military Times release, Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 is an editorially independent news project that evaluates the various factors that make an organization a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families.

Of the 100 schools ranked, MTSU was the only four-year college from Tennessee to make the list. The university was also recognized in the 2014 listing and the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU was named a “Best for Vets” business school for 2014 earlier this year.

“MTSU is thankful for the many veterans who’ve chosen to pursue their college degrees on our campus,” President Sidney A. McPhee said. “Our faculty and staff will continue to support them and their families by making resources available to help them successfully obtain their degrees. And of course, we honor their service to our country and community.”

MTSU currently has a veterans’ population of approximately 1,000, which includes veterans and active duty service members and their dependents.

“I have heard from a lot of people that MTSU treated them very well. It’s treated me very well; I’ve got no complaints,” said Cpl. Andrew Thomas, a sophomore in Plant and Soil Science who works with the university’s Military Center for Veteran Success on Campus. “I’m a happy panda. I get to go to school, and that’s awesome.”

The Military Center for Veteran Success on Campus, located in room 124 of the Keathley University Center, employs a full-time vocational rehabilitation counselor, Heather Conrad, who acts as a liaison between the national office of Veterans Affairs and student veterans.

Thomas said the center offers “a broader program for academic achievement for veterans,” involving mentorship, helping veterans understand and apply for VA and healthcare benefits, job placement, and assisting with the often complex and daunting task of registering for classes.

MTSU was the first school in Tennessee with an on-campus representative for VetSuccess. The program is a collaboration between the university and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which aims to provide a place where students with a history of military service can gather for assistance and peer support. The university also has a standing Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

Recently, the organization worked with the Information Technology Department at MTSU to develop an analytical information system that can provide on-demand snapshots of the campus veteran community. This would allow the committee to make data-informed decisions and form programs and policies tailored specifically for the veteran community on campus.

Additionally, MTSU representatives are deeply involved in the Tennessee Veteran Education Task Force which aims to help Tennessee become the top state in the country for veteran educational achievement and employment. Also active on campus is the student-led veterans group, Blue Raider American Veteran Organization (BRAVO).

Best for Vets: Colleges is survey-based, but it doesn’t manipulate research to look more “veteran,” according to the Military Times. Editors say the detailed survey requires schools to “meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives” offered to military and veteran students and to describe aspects of veteran culture on a campus.

“We factor in what is, to our knowledge, the most detailed school-by-school data on veteran students’ academic success anywhere, including graduation, retention, persistence and course completion rates,” said Amanda Miller, editor of Bets for Vets.

Two years ago, only 11 percent of the hundreds of schools surveyed could provide the required level of detail. This year, that figure is up to 45 percent.

“By recognizing only the schools that do the most,” Miller added. “We believe we’re helping to raise the bar in veteran student services.”

Max Smith contributed to this report.

For more campus updates follow us at, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines, and on Twitter at @Sidelines_MTSU

To contact news editor Meagan White, email

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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

"Oh, God! You Devil" ... is not the subject of this post, but the title of that 1984 sequel is entirely appropriate here.

A total of 666 IMDb users have given The Little Hours, an American comedy about naughty nuns in 14th-century Italy, an average rating of 6.6 (out of 10) as of 5:20 AM today, July 18, 2017. And because those nuns are naughty, the movie's critic-based Metascore of 69 is simply divine.

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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Iran Propaganda

You probably have a pretty good idea about how I feel about our current wars. But watching the Republican debates reminds me that the Neocons are still out there, and some of them are running for President, and may win.

So anyway – the gist of the Iran propaganda goes something like this:

  1. Ahmadinejad gave a speech threatening to “wipe Israel off the map”.
  2. Iran supports insurgents in Iraq. , and this from the evil CFR.
  3. Iran is developing nuclear weapons to achieve #1.
  4. Iran is a sponsor of terrorist.
  5. The Muslim caliphate will take over the world (this is more of a meme than a published idea).
Therefore, ipso facto, QED, we must bomb the hell out of them.

Clearly I have problems with the overall concept of sanctions and war. And to hear people like Rick Santorum spewing mind-dead garbage, like any of the items listed above, turns my stomach.

My reply:
1) According to Juan Cole, and I’m using him as a source because I’ve heard/read a lot of his stuff before, and I believe his opinion is candid and honest: “…when I pointed out that Ahmadinejad had not in fact threatened to wipe Israel off the map, but had just quoted Ayatollah Khomeini to the effect that the ‘Zionist regime over Jerusalem’ must eventually ‘vanish from the page of time.’” That’s a BIG difference from “wiping off the map”. And if you don't like Mr. Cole, here's a similar translation by Arash Narouzi. "The Imam said this regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time."

2) Then there’s Gareth Porter reporting on Iraq and Iran. That guy is good. While I’m sure that Iran (Iraq’s neighbor) has dogs in that fight, Porter says that the worst accusation that the US has against Iran, that they provide IEDs, is false.

But even if it were true, I’d think that Iran has a vested interest in what happens in Iraq. While they may not be responsible for many civilian deaths, there were plenty of soldiers on both sides who died in the Iran/Iraq wars. And it seems reasonable that they’d want to exercise what influence they have to ensure that such a thing doesn’t recur.

3) Again, I’ll use Gareth Porter, as he seems to know the most about what’s going on between Iraq and Iran. He says that the ‘evidence proving’ Iran is developing nuclear weapons is crap. They may be developing the weapons, but the ‘proof’ we and/or the IAEA has is crap.
And from the IAEA report (stress mine) :
52. While the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material at the nuclear facilities and LOFs declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement, as Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation, including by not implementing its Additional Protocol, the Agency is unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.4
4) Proving or disproving an allegation of state sponsorship of terrorists is a difficult task. It’s much easier to dredge up the hostage crisis of the late ’70s and make new accusations, like the bastard CFR people did above. But here’s an article at by John Glaser about the hypocrisy of the accusation and another at (not a typo) which, while somewhat long, proved interesting.

5) If you are afraid of a Islamic Caliphate, I have no help for you. I hear that, contrary to appearances, the hijab is very comfortable.

Now even if all of the above were true, that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth and then kill Americans in Iraq or wherever they find them, and then pay terrorists to come to the US and explode dirty bombs and the like, only to convert the remaining inhabitants to Islam, the question still remains: Do we have a right to kill them, if they haven’t tried it yet, nor prepared to do it, nor really even credibly threatened to do so? Iran is a signatory of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, we are not. Iran has never nuked anybody, we have. Iran did not invade a country 6,000 miles away, we did. Iran is not responsible for a boat load of dead Iraqi civilians, we are. It seems a classic case of “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Luke 6:41

So, no matter what scare tactics are used by the pre-internet media (working as the government’s propaganda arm), I can find no justification for an attack on Iran. It truly is a shame we can’t just mind our own business.

And here’s a nice background piece at

1 comment:

  1. Just read the all post. Very interesting buddy thanks for sharing the link.


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Tuesday, September 27, 2005

More Disengagement Success Stories!

(photo from Arutz-7 www.a7.org)

Hot on the heels of their successful Qassam rocketeering campaign, the Hamas "activist" movement is adopting new methods to kill and torture Jews. Why just shoot missiles, when you can kidnap, videotape, torture and kill Jews for fun and profit? They say that since Israel capitulated and ran away from Gaza under Sharon's unilateral disengagement, its only logical that the more brutal and sadistic they act, the more likely that Israel will run away from the West Bank. Actually - you don't even need to only run from the West Bank. Last Friday, kibbutznikim were running away from their homes under a barrage of Qassam missiles .

Thanks Sharon. Any more successes and there won't be much left.

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Monday, June 2, 2008

Coney Dogs and Octopus

The Mister took a sample of the Detroit style coney dogs (see 5/22 post) over to My Cafe last week. They loved 'em! They're ordering the chili and dogs and adding them to the menu. That's great news. It will be cheaper for us to eat them at the cafe. Plus I don't have to chop the onions. The postage on our orders is exorbitant, but if you gotta have them, you gotta have them. If you're in the Palm Harbor area, My Cafe is at Alderman and US 19. SW corner. It's right where the Lucky Dill was located several years ago.

Slow day today. The only real accomplishment was figuring out what to have for dinner tonight and then going to Albertson's to get it. It's Caesar salad with grilled chicken and french bread with herb and oil "dippy sauce". Sounds good, doesn't it? Apple pie for dessert. No, I did not make the pie.

Only trick with this dinner menu is to get the Mr. to grill the chicken in such a way that it's actually done in the middle. He grills like most men. (Sometimes it's ok to generalize.) Fire, smoke, flip, flip, fire, smoke, hissssssss, done! Jason and I roll our eyes a lot. And give the chicken an extra minute or so in the microwave.

Jason's here for dinner and the Stanley Cup Finals game 5. Red Wings vs Penguins. The Red Wings could (again) take the Stanley Cup tonight. I read an article this morning about a fan who was ejected from the last game for throwing an octopus on the ice. After he dusted himself off, he bought another ticket from a scalper ($300!), changed shirts and went back in to watch the rest of the game.

Octopus, you ask? Throwing octopus on the ice at Red Wing games is a fine old tradition, however they cause a game delay while the Zamboni guy comes out with a bucket and shovel and scrapes up the tentacles while the referee supervises the disgusting removal process. The octopus freezes right into the ice. Comes off a few suction cups at a time. Tossers are now ejected. Read this:
for the octopus history

Gotta get dinner ready (and supervise the chicken prep) Go Wings!

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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Things are Outta Control!

I posted a picture my daughter Jennifer sent - California gas prices. Ouch! The only reason our Florida prices remain below $4 is the number four is on back order. At least that's my opinion.

The Red Wings lost last night - in the 3rd overtime! 3-4. The Stanley cup was on the premises but with minutes to go during regular time the Penguins scored and brought the game to a 3-3 tie. We'll try again on Wednesday. They all played well, and didn't spend much time trying to kill each other. Except for the Penguin who caught a puck with his nose. It was delivered by his own team. You and I would have been laid up in the hospital for 6 weeks. He was back on the ice 5 minutes later. Hockey guys are tough.

A large soft shell turtle mama made her way into my garden this morning. I'm late doing everything because I had to watch this special moment. It was special alright. She couldn't find a comfy spot so she just kept on wandering about and digging. First I saw my pineapple plant flying through the air, then the oregano did a triple spin and then the milkweed started waving frantically. I couldn't watch anymore. As I ducked into the house she was heading for the bergamot and the chives. A short time later I went out to check the damage. Turtle mama was back in the pond looking at me with as much of a contented look that a turtle can muster. My garden looked like I had run a John Deere tractor through it. I carefully replanted the remains of the skyward plants, and now we'll wait for the delivery day. Should be the third full moon from now. I'll let you know when it happens. The announcement should read something like boy girl girl boy girl boy boy boy girl ...you get the drift.

The squirrels were at it again. It wasn't a fluke that they managed to dislodge the squirrel proof bird feeder the other day. With our usual Pollyanna attitude The Mister and I cleaned the feeder and filled it with premium bird seed with plenty of fruit, nuts and sunflower seed before rehanging it. This morning it was on the ground again and the squirrels were laying around eating like they were at a Roman banquet. I tried adding an extra heavy s-hook. We'll see how it goes this time around.

Looks like Hillary may throw in the towel later today. That's all I'm saying. None of my friends or family are saying anything about the Presidential race. Like me they may be so dumbed out by the 2 years ( or is it 6) of debates, slams, biased coverage, un-biased coverage, over coverage, rehashed coverage, mashing an idiotic story into the ground coverage, that we can't even think about about it without getting a migraine. I think the race should have a time limit, a money limit and a news coverage limit. The way things are now, you just want to run into your precinct screaming, "Get this over with!! Git outta my way! Lemme mash a button - any button on the voting machine. Make it stopppppppppppppppp!"

Thank goodness for Lindsey Lohan and Brittany Spears. They throw the news guys off the campaign trail every now and again. The downtrodden everydayguys get some really worthwhile news tidbits to illuminate our decrepit little lives. That's what I love about the media. They decide what to report on and then they turn around and claim it is because we, the public, want to hear about Lohan and Spears and the Brangelina's. Meanwhile the stuff that landed on Mars last week - you did know that, didn't you? We had 5 whole minutes of coverage- could be up there digging up mummies for all we know. Better we should get the real inside on Deborah LaFave instead

Think I'll go meditate for a while. Do something calming ... catch you later

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Musings and Ramblings

Of a self professed bookworm and geek girl.

@TastyBookTours Promo: Hendrix by Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields

Caldwell Brothers, #1

Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Loveswept
Date of Publication: March 6, 2015
Number of pages: 264

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe

Perfect for fans of J. S. Scott and Emma Chase, Hendrix introduces the wild and sexy Caldwell boys—three brothers who are living up to their legendary names in Detroit Rock City.

Hendrix Caldwell wants nothing more than to revitalize the family bar—and tear down every last reminder of his no-good father. But business isn’t the only thing on his mind. An explosive encounter with a stranger at a charity masquerade is just the distraction he craves, with no names and no strings attached. For Hendrix, sex is casual, and love is a four-letter word. His commitment is to his brothers, his bar, and his bike. So why can’t he stop thinking about the naughty Cinderella who rocked his world, then left him—and her panties—behind?

Olivia Hemmingway knows fairytales are for little girls. Drowning in debt and hiding a shameful secret, she won’t be saved by a knight in tattooed armor, no matter how mind-blowing their one-night stand may have been. Olivia never expects to meet her masked lover again. But when she takes a job at Hendrix Caldwell’s bar, her sexy new boss seems all too familiar. And once the lights go out and the music is turned up, the sparks between them burn hotter than ever.

Beep. Beep. Beep. The machines surrounding my mother sound off around us, as they have for the last few weeks. The days are running together, and I no longer know the date, nor do I care. The world is moving at a snail’s pace as my world lies in this bed, unmoving.

Her once strong body is a frail reminder of its former self. The pounds fell off as her health deteriorated slowly, painfully, and mercilessly. The life was literally sucked from her little frame one piece at a time.

Watching the woman who truly is our rock, our foundation, and our saving grace fall apart has taken its toll on all of us. It’s terrifying to know that despite how strong she has been our entire lives, she can’t beat the cancer ravaging her body.

When Mom first told us she was sick, I tried to figure out a way to deal with the diagnosis.

“The cancer is terminal,” Momma told us all when she insisted on us coming to the apartment for dinner.

My dad was as close to tears as I had ever seen him while she told her three boys that it was okay. She was trying to reassure all of us that it was better than dying without notice, that she was happy to be given the chance to say goodbye.

All of us went with her to the doctor’s—Dad, Jagger, Morrison, and I. The doc showed us the scans and explained that her cancer had started in her cervix, caused by HPV. Mom hadn’t had a Pap smear in years, not since Jagger was five.

The cancer had spread, and there wasn’t a damn thing they could do. He suggested we take the rest of her time here as a gift and make the most of it. We fucking begged her to get a second opinion. She said she had.

Our mother had known she was dying for two weeks, and she had only told my dad fifteen minutes before we had walked in.

Growing up, our dad was a mean son-of-a-bitch. He would get drunk and stumble home, wanting to beat on the three of us. Mom would hide us in the tiny room at the back of our apartment while she did whatever she could to talk him off the ledge. Now that I think about it, telling him the way she did was most likely her first and final jab at the old man.

It was her life, her way. He had done that to her by fucking around with a woman, contracting a disease, and carrying it to her, and there was no way she could have known—but she was going to go out on her own damn terms.

Over the last two months, she has been miserable to him, picking fights and shit like that. He told us it was the cancer, ’cause his girl would never treat him like that.

His girl? If I ever found a girl and decided to call her mine, I sure as fuck wouldn’t be fucking someone else. That motherfucker was lucky to be breathing.

Two days ago, she went to the hospital for what was probably the last time, but before she did, she told him to leave, and he did without argument. Jagger went and found the old man yesterday, told him he needed to come make peace with her. Mom had insisted Jagger not do that, and she still doesn’t know he tried. The bastard wouldn’t come, though. His final blow to her, the sick motherfucker.

“Boys,” she croaks out without opening her eyes.

Morrison, my middle brother, immediately jumps to her side, grabbing her skeletal fingers. Jagger, my youngest brother, stands at the end of her hospital bed and reaches out to touch her foot, causing her to wince. I stand at her other side, brushing my hand over her head, which is losing its once full locks strand by strand.

“We’re right here, Momma. Your boys are all here,” Morrison informs her.

“The time is coming.” She breathes deeply while the beeping of the machines grows stronger, causing my own heart rate to pick up.

“No... the doctor... he said...” Jagger is choking out his words as he pushes off the end of the bed to pace around and get his emotions under control.

“I wanna apologize to you boys. I know it wasn’t easy growing up. Your dad wasn’t a good man, and I should’ve left.” She gasps harshly, and my heart practically stops.

“Just stop, Mom. It’s okay. There is nothing for you to apologize for.” I continue running my hand across her head, soothing her.

“Be the men I raised you to be. Don’t have a hardened heart to the love I’ve shown you. I was wrong to stay. I was wrong not to give you a good example.” Every word comes out in a struggle and a cough.

I want to tell her love doesn’t exist between a man and a woman. Want, need, passion, lust—those emotions and desires all transpire—but love? Not only no, but hell no. Love is an illusion. It is what mothers feed to their daughters in fairy tales to give them hope. It is what men use to trick women into bed. It is far from real.

“Mom, you’re everything good in each of us,” Morrison whispers to her.

“You’re everything good I’ve ever done. Thank you for taking care of me,” she replies in a gurgling, strained voice.

“Momma, fuck!” I run my fingers through my short, spiky hair. “You don’t have to fuckin’ thank us. You took care of us our entire lives. Just hang on, Momma. Fight a little more. We’ll get you the best care we can at home.”

“Hendrix, you gotta let me go, son. All of you, it’s time to let me go. Come here and tell me it’s okay. Make it okay, boys. Tell me you will be there for each other. Tell me you’ll find good women and make babies. Carry on my father’s name and give your children what I didn’t give you boys.”

Momma never married Dad. She made sure we all got her last name, not that of our sperm donor. Why she stayed, I will never understand. Although, maybe I’m not meant to.

There is a pause, a hesitation.

I drop my head in defeat.

“Promise me, boys: Leave a legacy of good in a world of bad,” her raspy voice croaks out as the tears fall from her still-closed eyes.

“Momma...” Morrison pleads.

The next beep should be coming, and it is not.

“Boys,” she whispers.

“Yes, Momma. We’ll stand by each other, and we will be your legacy.” Jagger comes over, not holding back his tears as he squeezes in beside me to hold our mother’s hand.

“I love you, boys. I. Love. Each. Of. You.” She never gets above a whisper as we watch the jump in the lines get farther and farther apart.

“I promise you, Momma. Love you,” Morrison says as his tears fall onto her arms.

“Anything for you, Momma,” Jagger chokes out.

No longer able to be strong, I sob as I kiss her forehead, which is already growing cold. The gurgling sound coming from her does nothing to silence the beating of my own heart. The pounding that once sounded in rhythm with the machines now loudly resounds through my ears. I feel like my head is going to explode as I give my mother the gift she is asking for.

“We’ll be all right, Momma. It’s okay to let go.” My last sentence is choked out on a whisper, the words barely spoken as she releases us.

Her eyes close, the sounds cease, and everything stills around the four of us.

At 3:18 p.m. on January 24, 2012, my world stops and tilts on its axis. Will life ever be right again?

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Camaron grew up turning wrenches alongside her father, which just so happened to inspire her Love and Repair and The Hellions Ride series. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing with her kids, attending car shows, going on motorcycle rides on the back of her husband’s Harley, snuggling down with her new favorite book, or watching any movie that Vin Diesel might happen to be in. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and two children.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads

Author Bio:

MJ Fields is the USA Today bestselling author of the Love series, the Wrapped series, the Burning Souls series, the Men of Steel series, and the Norfolk series. A former small-business owner who recently became a full-time writer, Fields lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ |
Pinterest | Goodreads

Source: http://www.musingsandramblings.net/2015/10/promo-hendrix-chelsea-camaron-mj-fields.html


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Monday, May 11, 2009

Today I spent a few minutes making this cute little dress for my grand daughter. It is very simple and since she lives in Arizona I think it's perfect.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Patternless sewing

The July  Threads magazine has an article about sewing a bias topper from two squares. I just adore patternless sewing and always find it enjoyable. I purchased the magazine friday afternoon after going with my DH to see the new Star Trek movie. A must see btw, even if you are like me and not totally a sci fi geek, it is very good. I was tearing in the first five minutes of it. Back to sewing. Two squares one large and one small. Now, you do have to go back to your basic algebra to figure the size of squares. I tell my 14 yr old DS that math does apply in every day but he still is not sure he believes me. Well, believe me you need to remember that a triangle is A^2+B^2=C^2.  and then since two sides are equal you need to know that 2x A^2=C^2. I know this stuff so I can figure out my square sizes. Anyway, go now and  buy the issue of Threads and make yourself a topper. I'll admit here that I did have to make it twice. The first one was looking very cute until I decided I wanted a larger neck opening. Then I attempted to repair the gapposis and let's just say it turned UGLY!! I decided not to despair and tried again remembering my mistake. So here is my version.

I made this one with a beautiful poly crepe purchased in the remnant department at Britex in San Francisco. I've had this beautiful fabric for a couple of years and finally decided to use it. I'm in the mood for a gorgeous pink. It must be spring!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Vogue 1113

I was lucky enough last week to make a JoAnn's run for vogue patterns at $3.99. WOO HOO!! I first went to a super store and found this fabulous new pattern. I wanted it in both size ranges and so went to another store to get the other size. When I got there it wasn't listed in the pattern book. I was confused and then realized this pattern must be a brand new one. I flagged down a salesclerk and had her check the back room for patterns still in the box. Sure enough, they hadn't put them out yet. I think this is a fabulous pattern!! I love the geometric quirky things. When I finished sewing the jacket, the button I was thinking of using didn't seem right. I thought about this vintage brooch and it is perfect!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

I've been holding out

Yes, it's true I have been holding out. I have been sewing and not blogging about it. :( I have finished a quilt top for my sister.
the quilt is not quilted. However if you would like to see the quilt in process there are more pictures here:

New Fabric from Josephine's

If you happen to be driving through Portland Oregon, you may want to consider stopping in at Josephine's Dry Goods. It is a VERY lovely higher end fabric store that is just a joy to be in.  My DH is the best. He planned our trip with a stop for the night in Portland so I could indulge. How many husbands are willing to not just let you spend two quick minutes in a nice fabric store but plan your overnight you could spend a couple of hours if wanted? WOW. I only purchased three pieces of fabric.

This is a beautiful brown italian linen with  a lighter color mixed in and the black is a bamboo woven fabric that feels very much like a nice rayon challis.
It's  a little hard to tell but the printed fabric is a wonderful japanese made double cotton gauze fabric. It is a two layer fabric with what looks like small stitching holding it together, visible from the wrong side.

We did have a wonderful trip and were able to spend time with my MIL and SIL and have a few days on San Juan island as a highlight. Next year we are hoping that my wonderful SIL will be able to come to the island with us. Here is a pic of our favorite place.  the top pic is our favorite place. I'm still figuring out how to get the pictures where i want them?? Have a great sewing day!!