Wednesday, September 27, 2006
"Church" Is Only Her Name
She smashed open a statue of the Virgin Mary to reveal a can of hard cider inside, said she worshipped "St. Fortified Wine," and stuck chewing gum on a statue of the child Jesus.
Church, 20, was raised a Catholic and sang for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican at the age of 12.
It looks like the Ditzy Chicks aren't the only ditzy ones around. It's a shame. I used to like Charlotte, too. :( I guess that's one more that I'll have to stay away from.
According to Wikipedia,
"Following his fourteenth birthday in 1941, Ratzinger was enrolled in the Hitler Youth; Membership being legally required after December 1936.[2] Ratzinger has stated he was an unenthusiastic member who refused to attend meetings. His father was a bitter enemy of Nazism, believing it conflicted with the Catholic faith."
That hardly qualifies him as a NAZI.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A Chapter Ends
I've been a patron of Delphi Forums for years. I've had some forums of my own, and helped moderate other forums. I made some friends there - my only friends for a while. Some of those friendships have become very strong. I have many fond memories of the time I spent with my friends there over the years. I met my bestest ever friend there, the one who is still my bestest friend. It is kind of sad in a way, in light of all the memories I've made there. Those memories will always be. The new memories I make will only accent them.
My membership is due in another couple weeks. I decided not to renew my subscription, and have cancelled my accounts with them. I no longer exist in Delphi Forums. The pleasure I've experienced there is gone. The most profound thing that comes to mind is the intolerance that some have of others' thoughts and opinions. The atmosphere has become somewhat stagnant at times. IMO, if one cannot enjoy what he does - for pleasure - there is not much point in doing it.
Delphi has over the years increased the cost:perk ratio to the point that it isn't really worth it any more. The $15/year price has quadrupled for practically basic service. IMO, their plan options have become a bit too expensive for what they offer. I'll pass, thanks.
So ends another chapter of my life. I still have this blog, and my photo galleries. I can be contacted through those sites by Email if anybody should choose to.
My membership is due in another couple weeks. I decided not to renew my subscription, and have cancelled my accounts with them. I no longer exist in Delphi Forums. The pleasure I've experienced there is gone. The most profound thing that comes to mind is the intolerance that some have of others' thoughts and opinions. The atmosphere has become somewhat stagnant at times. IMO, if one cannot enjoy what he does - for pleasure - there is not much point in doing it.
Delphi has over the years increased the cost:perk ratio to the point that it isn't really worth it any more. The $15/year price has quadrupled for practically basic service. IMO, their plan options have become a bit too expensive for what they offer. I'll pass, thanks.
So ends another chapter of my life. I still have this blog, and my photo galleries. I can be contacted through those sites by Email if anybody should choose to.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Give One Away
Give it to somebody who doesn't have one. It's contagious.
Well? Are ya smilin'?
Sunday, September 24, 2006
I've Been Tagged
...by Shelley. Don't know what I'm doing, but I'll give it a shot.
- I can cross my eyes on a whim.
- I can roll my tongue lengthwise.
- When tickled, I kick my foot like a dog. ;)
- I'm left handed and wear my watch on my left wrist.
- I take on the persona of a doctor from India.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Rodeoin'
I went to our fair earlier this week, and got a few shots. Here's a viedo clip I got at the rodeo.
Fairs have a unique air about them that you won't find any other place. I always enjoy a walk down the midway, especially with my cameras in hand. :)
This year was even better: Admission was free! I went on veteran appreciation day.
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Fairs have a unique air about them that you won't find any other place. I always enjoy a walk down the midway, especially with my cameras in hand. :)
This year was even better: Admission was free! I went on veteran appreciation day.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Not Again.....!
Some people are in such denial, that stuff like this comes out. How can people actually believe these conspiracies? It's crazy.
Uncle's Passing
Today I got word that one of my uncles passed away. He had some problems over recent years, but nothing that would indicate he was going to leave this world. He had a stint, and some kidney problems of late. He was in the hospital for some test(s) or procedure, but nothing that would suggest a chance of not coming out. Anyhow, he wears one of those mask thingies for sleep apnea. While he was sleeping, his wife noticed a difference of sound - and then realized he wasn't breathing. Don't know why he stopped, but he did go quickly and painlessly in his sleep.
He was always a kidder. While he was in the hospital this time, he told some nurses that he wanted to take a bunch of them home with him. His wife told him that if he did, they'd have to have a bigger house. :) I remember when visiting them, he'd always be a kid with us, playing and kidding around just like one of us. He was a good man. May he rest in peace.
oo00OO00oo
Next month, I'm planning on going to Santa Fe and Albuquerque for a weekend. I'm hoping for the colors to be at their peak (or near it) in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. I'm about due for some fall color shots. With any luck, I've got it timed right. We shall see.
The international balloon festival in Albuquerque is going on at that time too, and I am wanting to get some good photos during the mass ascention. If I get lucky and fill up a few rolls with good shots, I'll post some here. (You can also keep watch on my Pbase galleries. I post some of my better shots there as I get 'em.)
He was always a kidder. While he was in the hospital this time, he told some nurses that he wanted to take a bunch of them home with him. His wife told him that if he did, they'd have to have a bigger house. :) I remember when visiting them, he'd always be a kid with us, playing and kidding around just like one of us. He was a good man. May he rest in peace.
oo00OO00oo
Next month, I'm planning on going to Santa Fe and Albuquerque for a weekend. I'm hoping for the colors to be at their peak (or near it) in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. I'm about due for some fall color shots. With any luck, I've got it timed right. We shall see.
The international balloon festival in Albuquerque is going on at that time too, and I am wanting to get some good photos during the mass ascention. If I get lucky and fill up a few rolls with good shots, I'll post some here. (You can also keep watch on my Pbase galleries. I post some of my better shots there as I get 'em.)
Monday, September 18, 2006
Lasagna
I've been eating on some lasagna I made yesterday. Made a 9 x 13" pan of it. I did it kinda different, by not cooking the noodles first. I just stuck 'em in the stack as they were right out of the box. Lot easier that way, I found out. I left out the mushrooms and cottage cheese. It turned out pretty good, even if a guy did it. ;)
Anyway, here's the recipe if anybody's interested:
Easy Lasagna I Yields: 8 servings
"Mushrooms, onions and ground beef in a ready-made pasta sauce are layered with cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and Parmesan between uncooked lasagna noodles. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake. It's that simple!"
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large skillet, cook and stir ground beef until brown. Add mushrooms and onions; saute until onions are transparent. Stir in pasta sauce, and heat through.
2. In a medium size bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and eggs.
3. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan. Layer with uncooked lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce. Continue layering until all ingredients are used, reserving 1/2 cup mozzarella. Pour 1 cup of water around the inside edge of the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
4. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 1 hour. Uncover, and top with remaining half cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Anyway, here's the recipe if anybody's interested:Easy Lasagna I Yields: 8 servings
"Mushrooms, onions and ground beef in a ready-made pasta sauce are layered with cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and Parmesan between uncooked lasagna noodles. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake. It's that simple!"
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large skillet, cook and stir ground beef until brown. Add mushrooms and onions; saute until onions are transparent. Stir in pasta sauce, and heat through.
2. In a medium size bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and eggs.
3. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan. Layer with uncooked lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce. Continue layering until all ingredients are used, reserving 1/2 cup mozzarella. Pour 1 cup of water around the inside edge of the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
4. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 1 hour. Uncover, and top with remaining half cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Insect Predator
Yesterday I was watering the flowers in the back yard, and got a pleasant surprise. A 2 1/2" praying mantis popped up to get dry. He posed for a little while for me to snap some pics of him - like this one. Note the water droplets on him from when I misted the flowers he was amongst.
Many people fear these beneficial predators, even though there is no reason to. They are a little strange-looking, but looks should never be a reason to think negatively of anything (or anybody). They do their best to rid us of many true pests.
From www.insecta-inspecta.com:
"Praying mantises are about 2/5-12 inches according to species. Their colors vary, ranging from light greens to pinks. Most mantids are pea green or brown.
"The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that takes up a deceptively humble posture when it is searching for food. When at rest, the mantis' front forelegs are held up together in a posture that looks like its praying. These front legs are equipped with rows of sharp spines used to grasp its prey. They wait unmoving and are almost invisible on a leaf or a stem, ready to catch any insect that passes. When potential prey comes close enough, the mantis thrusts its pincher-like forelegs forward to catch it. The prey probably won't escape because the forelegs are so strong and armed with overlapping spines. The mantid bites the neck of its prey to paralyze it and begins to devour it. The mantis almost always starts eating the insect while it's still alive, and almost always starts eating from the insect's neck. This way, the mantis makes sure that the insect's struggle stops quickly. Praying mantises eat insects and other invertebrates such as other mantises, beetles, butterflies, spiders, crickets, grasshoppers, and even spiders. The praying mantises also eat vertebrates such as small tree frogs, lizards, mice and hummingbirds. Praying mantids can resemble flowers and can catch small, unknowing hummingbirds. Praying mantids also eat other nesting birds."
(Photo from birdwatchersdigest.com)
Naturally, it's the larger ones that can prey on the larger critters. The biggest one I've ever seen was about 4 or 5" long, in the Eastern US. Again, praying mantises are not to be feared, but welcomed.
Many people fear these beneficial predators, even though there is no reason to. They are a little strange-looking, but looks should never be a reason to think negatively of anything (or anybody). They do their best to rid us of many true pests.
From www.insecta-inspecta.com:
"Praying mantises are about 2/5-12 inches according to species. Their colors vary, ranging from light greens to pinks. Most mantids are pea green or brown.
"The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that takes up a deceptively humble posture when it is searching for food. When at rest, the mantis' front forelegs are held up together in a posture that looks like its praying. These front legs are equipped with rows of sharp spines used to grasp its prey. They wait unmoving and are almost invisible on a leaf or a stem, ready to catch any insect that passes. When potential prey comes close enough, the mantis thrusts its pincher-like forelegs forward to catch it. The prey probably won't escape because the forelegs are so strong and armed with overlapping spines. The mantid bites the neck of its prey to paralyze it and begins to devour it. The mantis almost always starts eating the insect while it's still alive, and almost always starts eating from the insect's neck. This way, the mantis makes sure that the insect's struggle stops quickly. Praying mantises eat insects and other invertebrates such as other mantises, beetles, butterflies, spiders, crickets, grasshoppers, and even spiders. The praying mantises also eat vertebrates such as small tree frogs, lizards, mice and hummingbirds. Praying mantids can resemble flowers and can catch small, unknowing hummingbirds. Praying mantids also eat other nesting birds."
(Photo from birdwatchersdigest.com)
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