We are all looking for answers.. It is important to ask the right questions. Take a read through this opinion:
Vital Businesses Need Nationalization
by Ted Rall
SAN ANTONIO--The gas station attendant came outside. Wow, I thought, full serve! Ignoring me, she flung a magnetic price decal on top of the price per gallon. Regular unleaded had gone up 20 cents in the time it took me to drive from the curb to the pump.
"You're kidding me," I moaned.
"It's 3 o'clock," she shrugged. "Just got the new price."
There has to be a better way, I thought.
And there is.
It isn't drilling in the Alaskan wilderness. It sure isn't John McCain's plan to offer $300 million to the first person to come up with a longer-lasting car battery
Gas prices could hit $7 a gallon before long, Wall Street analysts say, but Americans--always optimists!--take a little comfort in the fact that Europeans have paid more than that for years. But a lot of foreigners are laughing at us even harder than we're laughing at the Euros.
Did you know that Venezuelans pay a mere 19 cents per gallon? It's 38 cents in Nigeria. Turkmenistanis might not have electoral democracy, but they only shell out $4.50 to fill a 15-gallon tank. Before we replaced Saddam Hussein with...with whatever they have in Iraq now, Iraqis paid less than a dime for a gallon of gas.
One of the things that these countries have in common, of course, is that they're oil-producing states. Countries that export oil and gas have trouble explaining to their citizens why they should pay for their own natural resources--and most are smart enough not to try. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Burma, Malaysia, Kuwait, China and South Korea are just a few of the countries that keep fuel prices low in order to stimulate economic growth.
But they also share something else: common sense. Strange it might sound to Americans used to reading about big oil windfalls, they consider cheap gas more of an economic necessity than lining the pockets of energy company CEOs. So they don't consider energy a profit center. To the contrary; government subsidies (Venezuela spends $2 billion a year on fuel subsidies) and nationalized oil companies keep gas prices low.
Unlike corporations, governments don't care about turning a profit. They care about remaining in power. Their reliance on political support (or, if you're cynical, pandering) allows them to do things our much-vaunted free market system can't, such as make sure that people can afford to eat and buy enough gas to get to work.
Like the rest of the world, Venezuelan consumers have been squeezed by rising prices, and even shortages, of groceries. In 2007 Venezuela's socialist-leaning government decided to do something about it. First they imposed price controls on staple items. When suppliers began to hoard supplies to drive up prices, President Hugo Chavez threatened to nationalize them. "If they remain committed to violating the interests of the people, the constitution, the laws, I'm going to take the food storage units, corner stores, supermarkets and nationalize them," he said. Food profiteers grumbled. Then they straightened up.
Not even international corporations are immune from Chavez's determination to put the needs of ordinary Venezuelans ahead of the for-profit food industry. Faced with severe shortages of milk earlier this year, Chavez threatened Nestle and Parmalat's Venezuelan operations with nationalization unless they opened the spigot. "This government needs to tighten the screws," he said in February 2008, promising to "intervene and nationalize the plants" belonging to the two transnational corporations.
Miraculously, milk is turning up on the shelves.
When it works, nothing is better at creating an endless variety of reality TV shows than free market capitalism. But when it doesn't, it isn't just that extra brand of clear dishwashing liquid that goes away. Businesses fold. Banks foreclose. People starve. And no one can stop it.
The G8 nations met in Osaka last week to try to address soaring food and energy prices--a double threat that could plunge the global economy into a ruinous depression. But the summit ended in failure. "Any hope that the G8 meeting would result in coordinated monetary action--or concerted intervention in foreign exchange markets--to counter rises, principally in commodity prices, was dispelled by their failure to agree on the phenomenon's underlying causes," reported Forbes.
So the G8 ministers punted. "Due to the lack of consensus, they have stated the need for further study," wrote the magazine.
The problem isn't the weak dollar or the non-existent housing market. It's capitalism. A sane government doesn't leave essential goods and services--food, fuel, housing, healthcare, transportation, education--to the vicissitudes of "magic" markets. Non-discretionary economic sectors should be strictly controlled by--indeed, owned by--the government.
Consider, on the one hand, snail mail and public education. The Postal Service and public schools both have their flaws. But what if they were privatized? It would cost a lot more than 42 cents to mail a letter from Tampa to Maui. And poor children wouldn't get an education.
Privatization, particularly of essential services, has always proven disastrous. From California's Enron-driven rotating blackouts to for-profit healthcare that has left 47 million Americans uninsured to predatory lenders pimping the housing bubble to Blackwater's atrocities in Iraq, market-based corporations' fiduciary obligation to maximize profits that is inherently incompatible with a stable economy whose goal is to provide people with a decent quality of life.
P.S. If you're reading this in Caracas, please mail me some gas.
(Ted Rall is the author of the book "Silk Road to Ruin: Is Central Asia the New Middle East?," an in-depth prose and graphic novel analysis of America's next big foreign policy challenge.)
A written expression of a 65year old plus retired Speech and Language Specialist in the Central Valley of California.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Canning Apricots
This year the crop was pretty small.
The apricots were pretty big.
The canning set up is in the backyard and so are the apricot tree. It is a Tilton apricot. They produce the biggest apricots of the season. Some say they are not as tasty as the smaller ones that come earlier in season. I originally thought that I would be doing a lot of drying of apricots when I planted this tree 28 years ago.
So eight quarts got canned today. They were pretty clean. I will trim the tree down again next year and get a few more.
The little dwarf trees in front are still kicking out fruit. I still have a half a tree of nectarines on the branch. The peaches are getting softer each day. I just have one more hand full of the flavor supreme pluots.
Have a great day.. Pat
The apricots were pretty big.
The canning set up is in the backyard and so are the apricot tree. It is a Tilton apricot. They produce the biggest apricots of the season. Some say they are not as tasty as the smaller ones that come earlier in season. I originally thought that I would be doing a lot of drying of apricots when I planted this tree 28 years ago.
So eight quarts got canned today. They were pretty clean. I will trim the tree down again next year and get a few more.
The little dwarf trees in front are still kicking out fruit. I still have a half a tree of nectarines on the branch. The peaches are getting softer each day. I just have one more hand full of the flavor supreme pluots.
Have a great day.. Pat
Friday, June 27, 2008
Well Maybe Not
Last night I got a call from the president. She said that they were out of single rooms at the UCLA but offered a commute pass and payment for a hotel.
This leaves Sue a little high and dry for the conference food etc. and an easy place to go back to rest... so I need to call and see if they will deny a handicapped person a spot at their conference... oooh.
Still canning, made the first peach cobbler last night... a cross between the camps. It was a liquidy biscuit one without eggs.. really buttery... with tapioca to thicken the lot. Its gone this morning.
Love
Pat
This leaves Sue a little high and dry for the conference food etc. and an easy place to go back to rest... so I need to call and see if they will deny a handicapped person a spot at their conference... oooh.
Still canning, made the first peach cobbler last night... a cross between the camps. It was a liquidy biscuit one without eggs.. really buttery... with tapioca to thicken the lot. Its gone this morning.
Love
Pat
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Signed up and Ready to Go
Yesterday the president called and said that I needed to sign up to go to the UCLA training the first of August. Sue is coming too. All the CTA pros get a chance to give us their best advice about negotiaions and law and budget and other areas. It looks like we will have over 5 from our unit going.
We stay in a handicap room in the dorm and eat the food on the meal ticket. At night they have some events for us and with a car we can go anywhere in the basin... like mecca?
It ought to be more fun now that Sue is a year more proficent with the power chair. Last year when we went they had just finished getting the chair matched up to the lift and we were all pretty much rookies in a strange land. We both will know a little more about what to expect this year.
Yesterday i picked up the chair that was repaired up in Turlock. The handle had come off of it and the joystick and the controller hand to be replaced... 1,900 dollars later it is great. We are now talking about getting rid of the swing bar and replacing it with the adjustment parts that will not allow the back door to open (110) I think that this will allow for the chair to sit higher. It also decreases our ability to open the back door of the expedition. The replacement of the swing bar that I dragged out a couple of times with the chair on it.. is more expensive.. 550 without the labor figured in.
I am sure we will figure out one solution or another.. in the mean time PEACHES ARE RIPE..
The peach tree that my sister and brother in law gave to me when we first moved in about 28 years ago continues to produce beautiful peaches every year. It is a Bonanza Peach. It was one of the first truly genetic dwarf peaches produced. It sits on the edge of our lawn and has the look of a Japanese bonzi. I have two other genetic dwarf trees in the front yard. The dwarf nectarine just produced 12 pints and two quarts of jam. I have a little later genetic peach that looks like it has a bumper crop this year too.
Have a great day.
Pat
We stay in a handicap room in the dorm and eat the food on the meal ticket. At night they have some events for us and with a car we can go anywhere in the basin... like mecca?
It ought to be more fun now that Sue is a year more proficent with the power chair. Last year when we went they had just finished getting the chair matched up to the lift and we were all pretty much rookies in a strange land. We both will know a little more about what to expect this year.
Yesterday i picked up the chair that was repaired up in Turlock. The handle had come off of it and the joystick and the controller hand to be replaced... 1,900 dollars later it is great. We are now talking about getting rid of the swing bar and replacing it with the adjustment parts that will not allow the back door to open (110) I think that this will allow for the chair to sit higher. It also decreases our ability to open the back door of the expedition. The replacement of the swing bar that I dragged out a couple of times with the chair on it.. is more expensive.. 550 without the labor figured in.
I am sure we will figure out one solution or another.. in the mean time PEACHES ARE RIPE..
The peach tree that my sister and brother in law gave to me when we first moved in about 28 years ago continues to produce beautiful peaches every year. It is a Bonanza Peach. It was one of the first truly genetic dwarf peaches produced. It sits on the edge of our lawn and has the look of a Japanese bonzi. I have two other genetic dwarf trees in the front yard. The dwarf nectarine just produced 12 pints and two quarts of jam. I have a little later genetic peach that looks like it has a bumper crop this year too.
Have a great day.
Pat
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bella, in Red Box
Sue and I just got through seeing Bella.
Its a low budget indie film that has taken to self distribution. I choose it in out local red box, and you may do the same at yours. Sue loved it and thinks that everyone should see it. Below is the cut and paste scenario.
One Moment Can Change Your Life Forever. An international soccer star (Eduardo Verastegui) is on his way to sign a multimillion dollar contract when something happens that brings his career to an abrupt end. A beautiful waitress (Tammy Blanchard), struggling to make it in New York City, discovers something about herself that she's unprepared for. In one irreversible moment, their lives are turned upside down...until a simple gesture of kindness brings them both together, turning an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Cast: Eduardo Verastegui, Tammy Blanchard Director: Alejandro Monteverde
It has some very cool moments in it. Sue and I both predicted the climaxes and the ending. It was still cool and smaltzy.
After winning the Toronto film festival, the producers distributed it themselves. They had showing everywhere. Goya foods, the largest Latino food company in the US liked it so much that they started buying up tickets and giving them to people that would not usually go to a movie.
It is pretty uplifting. I didn't have a tear in my eye however. So it is not going for the cheap emotions.
: ) Pat
Its a low budget indie film that has taken to self distribution. I choose it in out local red box, and you may do the same at yours. Sue loved it and thinks that everyone should see it. Below is the cut and paste scenario.
One Moment Can Change Your Life Forever. An international soccer star (Eduardo Verastegui) is on his way to sign a multimillion dollar contract when something happens that brings his career to an abrupt end. A beautiful waitress (Tammy Blanchard), struggling to make it in New York City, discovers something about herself that she's unprepared for. In one irreversible moment, their lives are turned upside down...until a simple gesture of kindness brings them both together, turning an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Cast: Eduardo Verastegui, Tammy Blanchard Director: Alejandro Monteverde
It has some very cool moments in it. Sue and I both predicted the climaxes and the ending. It was still cool and smaltzy.
After winning the Toronto film festival, the producers distributed it themselves. They had showing everywhere. Goya foods, the largest Latino food company in the US liked it so much that they started buying up tickets and giving them to people that would not usually go to a movie.
It is pretty uplifting. I didn't have a tear in my eye however. So it is not going for the cheap emotions.
: ) Pat
Smile Kelly, its about Latif's
On the main drag through Turlock town, Latif's coffee shop stands the test of time. It has two large laminate U shaped counters. The motif is definitely 60's cinderblock. They proudly show the photos of the celebs that have eaten there, and some that show up at the Stanislaus County Fair.
They had a bargain breakfast. Two eggs, two pancakes, two bacon or sausage links for 5.29,no substitutions, thanks you very much. Waitress are on the long side of middle aged. There is a grain weight measure that you can hop on and get your weight if it is under 300 pounds.
Latif's is best known for its "homemade pies." They have a booth at the fair that gets a good line of followers.
It was a real happening place when the 99 did not bypass the town. Now, it sits, as old as most of the costumers that it serves and most of the people that are working there.
: } Pat
They had a bargain breakfast. Two eggs, two pancakes, two bacon or sausage links for 5.29,no substitutions, thanks you very much. Waitress are on the long side of middle aged. There is a grain weight measure that you can hop on and get your weight if it is under 300 pounds.
Latif's is best known for its "homemade pies." They have a booth at the fair that gets a good line of followers.
It was a real happening place when the 99 did not bypass the town. Now, it sits, as old as most of the costumers that it serves and most of the people that are working there.
: } Pat
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Nectarines
The juiciness of a nectarine is hard to ignore. When they are ripe, the juicy trickles down your arm and you better have a napkin for your mouth.
My poor little 5 foot tall nectarine tree is almost reaching that stage. I have propped up the branches so that the weight of the fruit will not damage the branches as the spread. It has the most beautiful design. It started out as a three foot tree with short branches like an octopus. I have continued its design by pruning vertical branches and now it completely occupies the garden space that once also held iris and violas. The iris will have to be transplanted out when it is cool (ha) this summer. It is planted on the walk up the front to the house. I recovered this land as it started out to be lawn. It once held four roses. Roses are a good choice.. except they don't come with viable food. My neighbors know that they are welcome to my fruit harvest too. They periodically come and pick a few for their table. The man at the end of the cul de sac has a donut peach tree. He goes out and has one every morning. I prunned it for him last year. the tree is doing fine, the peaches are bigger. It also has a design plan.
I think one day soon we are going to have to but some of these nectarines in to a pie or a cobbler. Mom said that her father Bayard liked to have a buckle. A berry buckle or a peach buckle. Grandma Nelly made a great pie crust. I think that that was always the order of the day.. when she wasn't running the cook, or the packing shed.
Have a great summer day... Pat
My poor little 5 foot tall nectarine tree is almost reaching that stage. I have propped up the branches so that the weight of the fruit will not damage the branches as the spread. It has the most beautiful design. It started out as a three foot tree with short branches like an octopus. I have continued its design by pruning vertical branches and now it completely occupies the garden space that once also held iris and violas. The iris will have to be transplanted out when it is cool (ha) this summer. It is planted on the walk up the front to the house. I recovered this land as it started out to be lawn. It once held four roses. Roses are a good choice.. except they don't come with viable food. My neighbors know that they are welcome to my fruit harvest too. They periodically come and pick a few for their table. The man at the end of the cul de sac has a donut peach tree. He goes out and has one every morning. I prunned it for him last year. the tree is doing fine, the peaches are bigger. It also has a design plan.
I think one day soon we are going to have to but some of these nectarines in to a pie or a cobbler. Mom said that her father Bayard liked to have a buckle. A berry buckle or a peach buckle. Grandma Nelly made a great pie crust. I think that that was always the order of the day.. when she wasn't running the cook, or the packing shed.
Have a great summer day... Pat
Monday, June 23, 2008
Plum Jam
As far as jam goes, does a necterine count as a plum or a peach? Because the recipe for jam for both is very different.
Such a delightful dilemma was raised by making jam with both this morning. Finally all the parts came together and I started making jam.
I decided to combine both the plums and the nectarines and in one batch I even throw in a couple of flavor supreme pluots. Then with all this combination it was clear that the plum side had to be recognized.
The flavor supreme pluots have such an intense red color they really colored up the plum nectarine batch. This batch is bright red.
The plums need an extra cooking stage to incorporate the skin color into the meat. So you cook them for 5 minutes on simmer. Combined, the rest of the fruit also got handled this way too. Its a pretty tasty combination. Plums may be used when they are not as ripe as other fruit since they will have this extra step. The yield is supposed to be 6 cups of jam per batch, but it is always a little discouraging since 6 cups divided into pints does not give you much.
I always us low sugar pectin so that the flavor of the fruit shines through.
Two batches were made this morning and that pretty well consumed the sugar on hand. It takes 4 and a half cups of sugar to make a batch. I was off to Costco to get two ten pound bags of sugar for more batches.
Jammin in Merced Pat
Such a delightful dilemma was raised by making jam with both this morning. Finally all the parts came together and I started making jam.
I decided to combine both the plums and the nectarines and in one batch I even throw in a couple of flavor supreme pluots. Then with all this combination it was clear that the plum side had to be recognized.
The flavor supreme pluots have such an intense red color they really colored up the plum nectarine batch. This batch is bright red.
The plums need an extra cooking stage to incorporate the skin color into the meat. So you cook them for 5 minutes on simmer. Combined, the rest of the fruit also got handled this way too. Its a pretty tasty combination. Plums may be used when they are not as ripe as other fruit since they will have this extra step. The yield is supposed to be 6 cups of jam per batch, but it is always a little discouraging since 6 cups divided into pints does not give you much.
I always us low sugar pectin so that the flavor of the fruit shines through.
Two batches were made this morning and that pretty well consumed the sugar on hand. It takes 4 and a half cups of sugar to make a batch. I was off to Costco to get two ten pound bags of sugar for more batches.
Jammin in Merced Pat
Woolgrowers Celebration was a Success
The gathering of the Brown clan in Los Banos was a success. Attendees carpooled because of the high price of gas. Everyone was within a half an hour of the 1 o'clock time. In fact everyone that knew how to get their made it before the 1 o'clock time. The food was good the company was better. I got a chance to bounce from one end of the table to the other.
Linzi was honored for moving up to the next level of her job.. policy writing as a planner 3. Heather was honored for passing her MFT. Linzi and Sean were honored by surviving one year of marriage.
We had a great time. My mom and dad were there, Bob my brother in law was there, Cammie one of my nieces was there, Kelly,my sister and her husband Reza was there, Micheal, and his dog from San Francisco, and a long time friend of Heather was there. It was a great sized party.
The weather was pretty hot. It was a good thing we didn't try to do this in a picnic. Even the Bay Area which is normally cool and windy wasn't exactly the coolest place to be. A huge high has been stalking the West Coast for a good period of time.
Have a great day..
Pat
Linzi was honored for moving up to the next level of her job.. policy writing as a planner 3. Heather was honored for passing her MFT. Linzi and Sean were honored by surviving one year of marriage.
We had a great time. My mom and dad were there, Bob my brother in law was there, Cammie one of my nieces was there, Kelly,my sister and her husband Reza was there, Micheal, and his dog from San Francisco, and a long time friend of Heather was there. It was a great sized party.
The weather was pretty hot. It was a good thing we didn't try to do this in a picnic. Even the Bay Area which is normally cool and windy wasn't exactly the coolest place to be. A huge high has been stalking the West Coast for a good period of time.
Have a great day..
Pat
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A New Meaning for to Go
Yesterday I was eating my favorite fish tacos when I noticed a curious set of events.
A kid about 19 years old came in to the restaurant, engaged the manager who was working the counter. There was pleasant conversation. He wrote down some number on a napkin. He handed it to the manager who continued to talk.He went over with his big Macho green cup and helped himself to the soda machine. (Probably a summer promotion with free refills I surmised). When a customer came in, the manager got busy and was providing services for his customer.
The kid caught the eye of the meal assembler, and ordered a burrito to be made for him. He got the burrito and sat down and ate it.
No money exchanged hands and the manager, I am sure was aware to the transaction or rather lack of the transaction.
The rumor has it that the Taco Bell in Livingston had more food leaving out the back door than the front. Eventually it closed down. All the Taco Bells in the county are owned by one Morman family. This family would use members of its congregation to do the quality control. It was through them that they discovered such a leak. Not dissimilar to the food across the counter at the fish taco place.
The Livingston Taco Bell was one of the smallest around. It was built on the trailer concept. The state was working on the highway through the town to eliminate the only stop light on 99. The Taco Bell owners were not sure of the route the new road take so they made a temporary Taco Bell until plans were finalized. The permanent Taco Bell was never made. I hope I don't lose my fish taco place.
Have a great day
Pat
A kid about 19 years old came in to the restaurant, engaged the manager who was working the counter. There was pleasant conversation. He wrote down some number on a napkin. He handed it to the manager who continued to talk.He went over with his big Macho green cup and helped himself to the soda machine. (Probably a summer promotion with free refills I surmised). When a customer came in, the manager got busy and was providing services for his customer.
The kid caught the eye of the meal assembler, and ordered a burrito to be made for him. He got the burrito and sat down and ate it.
No money exchanged hands and the manager, I am sure was aware to the transaction or rather lack of the transaction.
The rumor has it that the Taco Bell in Livingston had more food leaving out the back door than the front. Eventually it closed down. All the Taco Bells in the county are owned by one Morman family. This family would use members of its congregation to do the quality control. It was through them that they discovered such a leak. Not dissimilar to the food across the counter at the fish taco place.
The Livingston Taco Bell was one of the smallest around. It was built on the trailer concept. The state was working on the highway through the town to eliminate the only stop light on 99. The Taco Bell owners were not sure of the route the new road take so they made a temporary Taco Bell until plans were finalized. The permanent Taco Bell was never made. I hope I don't lose my fish taco place.
Have a great day
Pat
Big Day for Celebration
We are so lucky. We have successful kids in our family.
We are celebrating Heather's passing the state test. We are also celebrating Linzi's new job that gets her to the point that she can make a difference by writing policy for the County of Sacramento. Sean and Linzi have been married for one year. That is cause for clebration too.
The are coming down by train today and going home by train tonight. We are very lucky to live in a city that has train service. And so are they.
Grandma and Granpa are being picked up by Kelly and there is a good chance that the BrownKorbel family will be well represented too. Party hardy at Woolgrowers by 1.
If all things come together we should have 12 maybe 13 at the party.
: ) Pat
We are celebrating Heather's passing the state test. We are also celebrating Linzi's new job that gets her to the point that she can make a difference by writing policy for the County of Sacramento. Sean and Linzi have been married for one year. That is cause for clebration too.
The are coming down by train today and going home by train tonight. We are very lucky to live in a city that has train service. And so are they.
Grandma and Granpa are being picked up by Kelly and there is a good chance that the BrownKorbel family will be well represented too. Party hardy at Woolgrowers by 1.
If all things come together we should have 12 maybe 13 at the party.
: ) Pat
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Hot Weather Routine
Today it is due to get to 110. Seriously.. 110. Tomorrow there should be a break in the weather and we expect mid 90's. This will be one of the hottest days of the year (we hope) So what do you do about this?
In the morning you load your house with cool air.. or at least as cool as it gets. All windows are opened and the warmth saved by the house at night needs to be released.
All lawns and plants need to be watered throughly.
Get hot outdoor tasks done in the morning.. it won't be over 90 till at least 10 o'clock.
Make sure the people and the cats are well watered. Load with extra water in the morning so that it will be in your system in the afternoon. You cannot replace it fast enough in the afternoon.
Set the air when it gets to be hot, to a reasonable temperature. Its amazing what little air space tolerance we really have. 82 inside is a little too hot. 77 is a little too cool for non active people.
Find your local red box and indulge. There is no sports schedule to consider this time of the year. Yeh the Giant bums are playing.. but save your TV from destruction. They were playing in KC last night.. pretty unusual.
Be calm and get out that iced tea...
Love
Pat
In the morning you load your house with cool air.. or at least as cool as it gets. All windows are opened and the warmth saved by the house at night needs to be released.
All lawns and plants need to be watered throughly.
Get hot outdoor tasks done in the morning.. it won't be over 90 till at least 10 o'clock.
Make sure the people and the cats are well watered. Load with extra water in the morning so that it will be in your system in the afternoon. You cannot replace it fast enough in the afternoon.
Set the air when it gets to be hot, to a reasonable temperature. Its amazing what little air space tolerance we really have. 82 inside is a little too hot. 77 is a little too cool for non active people.
Find your local red box and indulge. There is no sports schedule to consider this time of the year. Yeh the Giant bums are playing.. but save your TV from destruction. They were playing in KC last night.. pretty unusual.
Be calm and get out that iced tea...
Love
Pat
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Canning Set Up
I know it is 105 today in Merced. This means it must be getting close to the time that I need to get the fruit off the trees and into the glass. This morning the job (After walking the 2 mile stint) was to get the outdoor kitchen in place for canning. In the last few years the crop has not been spread out over the Summer. It seems like the apricot and the peach season and now the nectarine season are all coming together with ripening points very close to each other. This may be the result of global warming.
I gathered up the pieces of the big three burner stove and sought to get it going or at least figure out what it needed for canning. 'After cleaning it up and getting it ready to stand on its legs (it spent the winter in the gardening shed) I realized that I needed the gas to pressurize it and look for links,
Down to the local U-haul place I headed for s couple of tanks of propane. (29 dollars later for 9 gallons) I headed home. When I set up the tank to go through the stove everything looked good. I sprayed some cleaning fluid on the area around the gas connections and it looked good. When I sprayed around the area where the regulator was attached to the stove, it started blowing bubbles in the soap.Not good.
I replaced the regulator and the hose that connected it to the stove.. still bubbles although not as great. I have heard great tales about people having their propane tanks pierce their neighbors fences so discretion is the better part of valor when dealing with gas leaks in portable equipment. I needed to replace the stove.
At my local Costco the store has sold out of the stoves. They seem to have them all the time. I inquired of the manager and he noted that they had sold their last one a week ago. I asked him if he would kindly check to see if Turlock had them. Yes indeed they at 17 and Modesto had 21.
I made a quick trip to Turlock and a promised to Sue that this year I would get it under cover so that the weather wouldn't ruin it and I had a new stove for the backyard. It is really the best way to can. The mess stays outside. You don't have to pay to cool the heat you generated by canning inside, and the glassware jars don't have to take the shock. By the way, Linzi I found a canning kit that had a jar grabber, a bubble remover and a jam funnel. I bought you a kit too.
So now I am waiting for the evening to cool down and I will be ready.. At least I hope. Plum jam will be first on the list if I can gather enough plums. The tree is in a very obscure place in the yard now that the house has been expanded. I hope you find a cool place to be.
Love
Pat
I gathered up the pieces of the big three burner stove and sought to get it going or at least figure out what it needed for canning. 'After cleaning it up and getting it ready to stand on its legs (it spent the winter in the gardening shed) I realized that I needed the gas to pressurize it and look for links,
Down to the local U-haul place I headed for s couple of tanks of propane. (29 dollars later for 9 gallons) I headed home. When I set up the tank to go through the stove everything looked good. I sprayed some cleaning fluid on the area around the gas connections and it looked good. When I sprayed around the area where the regulator was attached to the stove, it started blowing bubbles in the soap.Not good.
I replaced the regulator and the hose that connected it to the stove.. still bubbles although not as great. I have heard great tales about people having their propane tanks pierce their neighbors fences so discretion is the better part of valor when dealing with gas leaks in portable equipment. I needed to replace the stove.
At my local Costco the store has sold out of the stoves. They seem to have them all the time. I inquired of the manager and he noted that they had sold their last one a week ago. I asked him if he would kindly check to see if Turlock had them. Yes indeed they at 17 and Modesto had 21.
I made a quick trip to Turlock and a promised to Sue that this year I would get it under cover so that the weather wouldn't ruin it and I had a new stove for the backyard. It is really the best way to can. The mess stays outside. You don't have to pay to cool the heat you generated by canning inside, and the glassware jars don't have to take the shock. By the way, Linzi I found a canning kit that had a jar grabber, a bubble remover and a jam funnel. I bought you a kit too.
So now I am waiting for the evening to cool down and I will be ready.. At least I hope. Plum jam will be first on the list if I can gather enough plums. The tree is in a very obscure place in the yard now that the house has been expanded. I hope you find a cool place to be.
Love
Pat
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
New Mexican Restaurant in Merced
I sampled some soup at the new Mexican restaurant in downtown Merced. Located on M street just across the street from the County Bank parking garage, the Fiesta sports a new modern exterior that is also reflected in the white tile and booth set up inside. The menu is complete and therefore presents a challenge for its niche. It is not a tacqeria which tend to be very clean in the kitchen area but sorely lacking the the dinning area. this restaurant is a waitress served venue.
The salsa was hot.. spicier than salsa outside of Merced County. No carrots on the table. This is unusual for even the lowest of the low Mexican spots in the county. No carrots usually means the food is from outside the state of Michoacan, Mexico. A study was once done concerning the origin state in Mexico. Overwhelming is the number of people from the state of Michoacan. In Livingston, just 14 miles north of here, the people who live there come from a radius of 14 miles in Mexico. It is probably true that most of the food from here is pretty much the same, considering its origin. What is interesting now is the beginning of more Mexican seafood oriented restaurants in Merced. I wonder if the same thing is happening in Michoacan. It is about the same distance away from the sea as we are (about 100 miles). Some of Michoacan is right on the Pacific Ocean. The biggest city is Morelia, a large city between Guadalajara and Mexico City.
The restaurants, in Merced, all have photos of the little town of Cotija. It is a rather obscure city of 16,000 the is best known for its development of the crumbly cheese that melts in the oven in enchiladas. It is close to the state of Jalisco.
This restaurant had an albondigas (meatball soup) with chayote squash (it could have been peeled) zucchini, cabbage, meatballs and tomatoes. The broth was very thin, like most good Mexican soups, and it was medium spicy. In the spice group was an unusual addition, cinnamon. It was accompanied with three thick white corn torillias, a small plate of rice, and chopped onion and cilantro, and three lime quarters. Every time I eat a restaurant Mexican soup I always think of my sister. I once accused her of being the queen of the condiments. I think that she likes that title.
Overall the soup was a solid B. Points were awarded for the restaurant having the soup. The soup had the proper condiments,authentic veggies and the right amoount of spiciness. Points need to be deducted for the cinnamon in the soup, the unpeeled chayote.
Price was 8.99. Add a buck and a half for unlimited soda and free chips and salsa while you wait.. and you have a pretty high class lunch.
Pat
The salsa was hot.. spicier than salsa outside of Merced County. No carrots on the table. This is unusual for even the lowest of the low Mexican spots in the county. No carrots usually means the food is from outside the state of Michoacan, Mexico. A study was once done concerning the origin state in Mexico. Overwhelming is the number of people from the state of Michoacan. In Livingston, just 14 miles north of here, the people who live there come from a radius of 14 miles in Mexico. It is probably true that most of the food from here is pretty much the same, considering its origin. What is interesting now is the beginning of more Mexican seafood oriented restaurants in Merced. I wonder if the same thing is happening in Michoacan. It is about the same distance away from the sea as we are (about 100 miles). Some of Michoacan is right on the Pacific Ocean. The biggest city is Morelia, a large city between Guadalajara and Mexico City.
The restaurants, in Merced, all have photos of the little town of Cotija. It is a rather obscure city of 16,000 the is best known for its development of the crumbly cheese that melts in the oven in enchiladas. It is close to the state of Jalisco.
This restaurant had an albondigas (meatball soup) with chayote squash (it could have been peeled) zucchini, cabbage, meatballs and tomatoes. The broth was very thin, like most good Mexican soups, and it was medium spicy. In the spice group was an unusual addition, cinnamon. It was accompanied with three thick white corn torillias, a small plate of rice, and chopped onion and cilantro, and three lime quarters. Every time I eat a restaurant Mexican soup I always think of my sister. I once accused her of being the queen of the condiments. I think that she likes that title.
Overall the soup was a solid B. Points were awarded for the restaurant having the soup. The soup had the proper condiments,authentic veggies and the right amoount of spiciness. Points need to be deducted for the cinnamon in the soup, the unpeeled chayote.
Price was 8.99. Add a buck and a half for unlimited soda and free chips and salsa while you wait.. and you have a pretty high class lunch.
Pat
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tiger Did it
Tiger Woods finally won today (Monday) the US Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines near San Diego. Tiger bested Rocco Mediate the 45 year old after a complete extra day plus one hole of sudden victory. All morning long the two traded leads. Sometimes they made great shots and other times pretty mediocre ones. In the end Tiger kissed the big silver cup and held his one year old daughter. He even successfully found her nuk pacifier and she chomped right along. It was quite a display. He said that it was the most important finish in his career. Earlier in the year he had one the Buick Open on the same course and his daughter was just beginning to take her first steps. Today she is running around. Tiger seems at home being a father. When he passed her off to mom at the end, his daughter reached out her arms and asked for more holding time. He complied for a few more moments, then passed her off to mom and went to sign his card.
As predicted, Tiger drank G4, is red gatorade endorsed product for the last two days of the championship. His opponent was drinking Dasani or aqua ya da.(fil?) So it must work.. right?
Big doings are on the horizon. I am hosting a license and new job celebration and one year anniversary at Woolgrowers next Sunday at 1pm. All family members and connected will have their meals paid for if they arrive by 1. There after you are on your own. Come celebrate the girl's success. Dad has reminded me that the girls will be making announcements about their success so you can count on some excited description of their accomplishments and their hopes and dreams of the future. Those family members that do not wish to eat the entree are encouraged to come and have a places etting for the beans, the salad, the soup, and the chicken and rice casserole. Call for more information
Love Pat
As predicted, Tiger drank G4, is red gatorade endorsed product for the last two days of the championship. His opponent was drinking Dasani or aqua ya da.(fil?) So it must work.. right?
Big doings are on the horizon. I am hosting a license and new job celebration and one year anniversary at Woolgrowers next Sunday at 1pm. All family members and connected will have their meals paid for if they arrive by 1. There after you are on your own. Come celebrate the girl's success. Dad has reminded me that the girls will be making announcements about their success so you can count on some excited description of their accomplishments and their hopes and dreams of the future. Those family members that do not wish to eat the entree are encouraged to come and have a places etting for the beans, the salad, the soup, and the chicken and rice casserole. Call for more information
Love Pat
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Frida Kahlo
My kids asked me what I wanted for father's day.
The answer is always the same. Time with you!
Secondary to that this year.. visit an art museum with you.
Saturday we all went to see the Frida exhibit at the SF Museum of Modern Art. We first met at the food court of the Meteron. We had a great snack a the firewood. A small pizza to share and some appetizer mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, and some green beans. We then proceeded across the plaza and through the Martin Luther King memorial to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art other ways shorted to the Moma. There was a decent line out in front waiting to get tickets. This was the first day of the exhibit. We got tickets for the 3 pm cue.
We had about an hour to walk though their impressionist collection "Matisse and Beyond" some very famous works were in the collection. It was the first time I have been to the MoMa. Sue and I were pretty much wide eyed. I think the setting and the collection would make anyone feel this way. Sue is not much of a fan of the modern painting and some work ... she just didn't get. She likes the more representational works. What a treasure of a gallery. The gallery space is absolutely spectacular.
When our cue time arrived, there was a huge line to get in. It extended down the stairs two floors. Having Sue in the wheelchair.. hand powered we all got to get to the front of the line since stairs were not an issue with a wheelchair. The exhibit was crowded and the folks with the audio have a tendency to "hog a spot" but still the exhibit was wonderful and truly reflected the depth and message that she wanted to portray. The color was amazing and the range of depicting emotion is her trademark. Some of that is visceral. In many paintings she depicts the organs that are causing her anguish.
We all enjoyed the visit.
Catch a glimpse of it here.. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
I was impressed by her painting's luminosity and captivated by how she was able to capture the black cat on her shoulder.
Sue liked her painting because they represented how she felt. With her accident and her relationships it was very evident that her feelings were expressed on the canvas.
After the show we had some excellent caps in the museum cafe. We also shared a creme bruelle and a fruit custard tart. A fabulous repast.
The expedition was retrieved from the 6th and mission parking garage, and we headed over to Ton King (I never get the name of this restaurant right) on Geary for some Dim Sum. Every thing we ordered was great and served at the right temperature.. always a great meal. Sue is always impressed by the sui mei. It is a Chinese dumpling with a small piece of shrimp in it, surrounded with a won ton skin. Yum double Yum.. Sue was happy after downing more than three of these little goodies.
A great time was had by all. What a day to share... the perfect Father's Day! We were home around 10pm.
Love, Pat
The answer is always the same. Time with you!
Secondary to that this year.. visit an art museum with you.
Saturday we all went to see the Frida exhibit at the SF Museum of Modern Art. We first met at the food court of the Meteron. We had a great snack a the firewood. A small pizza to share and some appetizer mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, and some green beans. We then proceeded across the plaza and through the Martin Luther King memorial to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art other ways shorted to the Moma. There was a decent line out in front waiting to get tickets. This was the first day of the exhibit. We got tickets for the 3 pm cue.
We had about an hour to walk though their impressionist collection "Matisse and Beyond" some very famous works were in the collection. It was the first time I have been to the MoMa. Sue and I were pretty much wide eyed. I think the setting and the collection would make anyone feel this way. Sue is not much of a fan of the modern painting and some work ... she just didn't get. She likes the more representational works. What a treasure of a gallery. The gallery space is absolutely spectacular.
When our cue time arrived, there was a huge line to get in. It extended down the stairs two floors. Having Sue in the wheelchair.. hand powered we all got to get to the front of the line since stairs were not an issue with a wheelchair. The exhibit was crowded and the folks with the audio have a tendency to "hog a spot" but still the exhibit was wonderful and truly reflected the depth and message that she wanted to portray. The color was amazing and the range of depicting emotion is her trademark. Some of that is visceral. In many paintings she depicts the organs that are causing her anguish.
We all enjoyed the visit.
Catch a glimpse of it here.. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
I was impressed by her painting's luminosity and captivated by how she was able to capture the black cat on her shoulder.
Sue liked her painting because they represented how she felt. With her accident and her relationships it was very evident that her feelings were expressed on the canvas.
After the show we had some excellent caps in the museum cafe. We also shared a creme bruelle and a fruit custard tart. A fabulous repast.
The expedition was retrieved from the 6th and mission parking garage, and we headed over to Ton King (I never get the name of this restaurant right) on Geary for some Dim Sum. Every thing we ordered was great and served at the right temperature.. always a great meal. Sue is always impressed by the sui mei. It is a Chinese dumpling with a small piece of shrimp in it, surrounded with a won ton skin. Yum double Yum.. Sue was happy after downing more than three of these little goodies.
A great time was had by all. What a day to share... the perfect Father's Day! We were home around 10pm.
Love, Pat
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tiger of the Hunt
At the US Open today, the second day of four commenced with Tiger Woods pretty much out of it. In the afternoon he came roaring back with a string of birdies (one less then the course is rated for) to put him one back of the leader.
It was a wonderful piece of drama. The PGA is finally waking up to market its best players by eliminating the usual random draw for threesomes. This year they put together some "marque" players together in the foursomes. Tiger was playing with Phil Mickleson, the number two player on the ratings list. The number three player in the world Adam Scott was also included in the group. The HD coverage even followed this group exclusively in a separate channel. Usually golf switches back and forth picking out the players that are doing the best from their groupings. By following this group it was more rhythmic and the viewer had a chance to see the group (providing you were focused on that group) to the exclusion of the others. They even had a female on the course walking with the group to identify conditions and situations that would be only visible on the ground level and in front of the lines.
The course preparation took its toll too. In most tournaments these golfers are used to getting way better than the course is rated. It is not unusual for the tournament leader to win the contest with scores that are 8 to 11 shots better than the course is rated. This is not so with the US Open. The top score today was 3 less than the course was rated. When we covered the Olympic club's US Open, the winning score was just one shot better than the course was rated.
Two more days to go.
Love Pat
It was a wonderful piece of drama. The PGA is finally waking up to market its best players by eliminating the usual random draw for threesomes. This year they put together some "marque" players together in the foursomes. Tiger was playing with Phil Mickleson, the number two player on the ratings list. The number three player in the world Adam Scott was also included in the group. The HD coverage even followed this group exclusively in a separate channel. Usually golf switches back and forth picking out the players that are doing the best from their groupings. By following this group it was more rhythmic and the viewer had a chance to see the group (providing you were focused on that group) to the exclusion of the others. They even had a female on the course walking with the group to identify conditions and situations that would be only visible on the ground level and in front of the lines.
The course preparation took its toll too. In most tournaments these golfers are used to getting way better than the course is rated. It is not unusual for the tournament leader to win the contest with scores that are 8 to 11 shots better than the course is rated. This is not so with the US Open. The top score today was 3 less than the course was rated. When we covered the Olympic club's US Open, the winning score was just one shot better than the course was rated.
Two more days to go.
Love Pat
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The US Open Torrey Pines
Today was the opening day for the US Open golf tournament in Torrey Pines.. down by San Diego.
Every year this tournament, one of the majors, moves to a different course. Golfers compete to be included in this tournament in regional tournaments held across the country. The pros usually make it in by winning a PGA event during the year or have won a major event in the last 10 years. These are plays that compete through exemption. It is very special tournament. I have been fortunate to cover two such events when they were held in Northern California. The last one was held in 2000 at Pebble Beach. I was able to get dad in to see the one held at the Olympic Club two years before that 100th at Pebble Beach.
In both cases they allowed the rough to grow very deep. This makes for much more careful play. It was so deep at Pebble Beach, that the second place golfer's ball on the the final hole could not be found when hit into the rough by the club house with thousands of people watching. I heard from the coverage today that they had done the same thing except they cut down the rough a little in the last couple of weeks so that it would not be too rough.
Torrey pines is not a private club. It will allow anyone who lives in La Jolla to play for 40 dollars. This is an amazing fee. Most private clubs in the Monterey Bay area charge upwards to 600 dollars to play.
NBC and ESPN are covering the tournament. My direct TV allows for four extra channels for specific spots on the grounds. In high Def.it is incredible. I The most picturesque hole is the third in this tournament. A hole that is separated by a huge cliff. Just the green and the Pacific Ocean are visible from the T box.
The big news at the event is that Tiger had knee surgery after the Masters (the last major tournament) and hasn't played competitively since. Will he or will he not be the Tiger that will decimate the rivals? He is kind of in the middle of the pack with a +1 score in the first round. There are four rounds to this contest.
After the first two days the field is cut. The last two days have pairings instead of four member groupings. In this stage half of the groupings start on hole number one and play to 18, The other half start at hole 9 and continue to play to hold 18 and then continue playing on hole one and finish on hole 8. This allows for speedier play. It wasn't in effect for the US open tournaments that I covered.
Have a great day! : ) Pat
Every year this tournament, one of the majors, moves to a different course. Golfers compete to be included in this tournament in regional tournaments held across the country. The pros usually make it in by winning a PGA event during the year or have won a major event in the last 10 years. These are plays that compete through exemption. It is very special tournament. I have been fortunate to cover two such events when they were held in Northern California. The last one was held in 2000 at Pebble Beach. I was able to get dad in to see the one held at the Olympic Club two years before that 100th at Pebble Beach.
In both cases they allowed the rough to grow very deep. This makes for much more careful play. It was so deep at Pebble Beach, that the second place golfer's ball on the the final hole could not be found when hit into the rough by the club house with thousands of people watching. I heard from the coverage today that they had done the same thing except they cut down the rough a little in the last couple of weeks so that it would not be too rough.
Torrey pines is not a private club. It will allow anyone who lives in La Jolla to play for 40 dollars. This is an amazing fee. Most private clubs in the Monterey Bay area charge upwards to 600 dollars to play.
NBC and ESPN are covering the tournament. My direct TV allows for four extra channels for specific spots on the grounds. In high Def.it is incredible. I The most picturesque hole is the third in this tournament. A hole that is separated by a huge cliff. Just the green and the Pacific Ocean are visible from the T box.
The big news at the event is that Tiger had knee surgery after the Masters (the last major tournament) and hasn't played competitively since. Will he or will he not be the Tiger that will decimate the rivals? He is kind of in the middle of the pack with a +1 score in the first round. There are four rounds to this contest.
After the first two days the field is cut. The last two days have pairings instead of four member groupings. In this stage half of the groupings start on hole number one and play to 18, The other half start at hole 9 and continue to play to hold 18 and then continue playing on hole one and finish on hole 8. This allows for speedier play. It wasn't in effect for the US open tournaments that I covered.
Have a great day! : ) Pat
Vetting
The new word for today is vetting
From Wikipedia:Broadly, vetting is a process of examination and evaluation. Specifically, vetting often refers to performing a background check on someone before offering them employment. In addition, in intelligence gathering, assets are vetted to determine their usefulness.
Its meaning comes from looking at a horse before buying it. Having a "vet" look at it.
It is currently used to describe the committee of the presidential candidates looking for a Vice President.. or a VP. So the committee is Vetting for a Veep..
: ) Pat
From Wikipedia:Broadly, vetting is a process of examination and evaluation. Specifically, vetting often refers to performing a background check on someone before offering them employment. In addition, in intelligence gathering, assets are vetted to determine their usefulness.
Its meaning comes from looking at a horse before buying it. Having a "vet" look at it.
It is currently used to describe the committee of the presidential candidates looking for a Vice President.. or a VP. So the committee is Vetting for a Veep..
: ) Pat
One Year of Walking
For an entire year, less than the time I was out with my leg, I have engaged in a walking regime. I think the key to many successful exercise routines is to put together something that could also raise the addiction level. In this case, the walk is interrupted by a stop at the nearby Starbucks for what as near as they can get to the product that really put them on the map that they sell so little of any more.. the cappucino.
It is difficult for those not trained specifically to make these right. They are more likely to be successful making lattes the most likely ordered drink of the company now. It is amazing however, that the number of regular cups of coffee still seem to fly out the door. Many around here, including Linzi, when she is here, opt for there iced tea. It is a very nice full flavored ice tea. Anything ordered passed 9 o'clock around here will be likely iced based.Because we are in the valley and we have summer. Despite this,there is little ice grinding,in the morning.
The manager was there this morning. She told the barista on machine to do something else while she made mine today. She then instructed her that this was what it should look like when it was done. The little peak folded like meringue on lemon meringue pies. That was very nice. She makes a darn fine cap. She knows I need the foam.
Here's to your coffee made right and the gumption to stay on your exercise plan.
: ) Pat
It is difficult for those not trained specifically to make these right. They are more likely to be successful making lattes the most likely ordered drink of the company now. It is amazing however, that the number of regular cups of coffee still seem to fly out the door. Many around here, including Linzi, when she is here, opt for there iced tea. It is a very nice full flavored ice tea. Anything ordered passed 9 o'clock around here will be likely iced based.Because we are in the valley and we have summer. Despite this,there is little ice grinding,in the morning.
The manager was there this morning. She told the barista on machine to do something else while she made mine today. She then instructed her that this was what it should look like when it was done. The little peak folded like meringue on lemon meringue pies. That was very nice. She makes a darn fine cap. She knows I need the foam.
Here's to your coffee made right and the gumption to stay on your exercise plan.
: ) Pat
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
California's Newest MFT
Big Cheers of Congratulations!... To Heather!!!!!!
She passed the California state license test this afternoon for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). The test is in two parts. She passed both parts! She is now got the green light for the next important step application for the license. She is a professional psychologist!
She can now open her own business.. (probably not right away) She has been studying for this moment for a long time. Every year this test gets harder. New questions are added every year.
The tests are taken on a computer in Fremont with people that are also taking professional exams for state licenses in private investigation and cosmetology and other state licensed areas of expertise. Heather reports that there was a huge amount of emotion both positive and negative after the tests were taken and graded directly by the computers.
Congratulations to Heather! Another professional in the family!
: ) : ) Pat and Sue
She passed the California state license test this afternoon for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). The test is in two parts. She passed both parts! She is now got the green light for the next important step application for the license. She is a professional psychologist!
She can now open her own business.. (probably not right away) She has been studying for this moment for a long time. Every year this test gets harder. New questions are added every year.
The tests are taken on a computer in Fremont with people that are also taking professional exams for state licenses in private investigation and cosmetology and other state licensed areas of expertise. Heather reports that there was a huge amount of emotion both positive and negative after the tests were taken and graded directly by the computers.
Congratulations to Heather! Another professional in the family!
: ) : ) Pat and Sue
The future QVC host
If I only had the tools, look what I could do.
Yesterday I saw the emergence of a QVC host in my Costco. You always hate to go to some place like that around Christmas as the little kids are fret with bitter disappointment when they are denied hearts delight by their parents.
In our Costco the mini drama's still ensue after the Christmas season. In an row of merchandise from me the beginnings of a QVC host was getting her training from her father. A 5th grade girl with solid black hair and a freckle saddle over her nose had spotted an object of her desire. It was a book-combination with a project kit. Her dad a large man with a lumberjack beard,pushed the shopping cart with a younger child in it through the book section on his way to the business supply area of the store. She stopped him cold with a presentation:
"And with this, I could do this and this," she said as she showcased the item in her hand and swept over the prize with her other hand.
The father stopped and listened and watched. She pleaded and showed as we all know the "more value" of the item and continued to sell the prize. He listened and then turned away from her without response and continued walking with the cart down the row.
This is far from the disengaged students we often see in our schools. She needed the tools to do something. I am sure the father had seen the performance many times before. She may have had a closet full of the item of her Costco desire.
It could be the stage. At what age do kids become less outwardly engaged. Is there a way to keep the passion to "do something"?
Keep the passion.. Become the QVC host... it is what makes America great.... : } Pat
Yesterday I saw the emergence of a QVC host in my Costco. You always hate to go to some place like that around Christmas as the little kids are fret with bitter disappointment when they are denied hearts delight by their parents.
In our Costco the mini drama's still ensue after the Christmas season. In an row of merchandise from me the beginnings of a QVC host was getting her training from her father. A 5th grade girl with solid black hair and a freckle saddle over her nose had spotted an object of her desire. It was a book-combination with a project kit. Her dad a large man with a lumberjack beard,pushed the shopping cart with a younger child in it through the book section on his way to the business supply area of the store. She stopped him cold with a presentation:
"And with this, I could do this and this," she said as she showcased the item in her hand and swept over the prize with her other hand.
The father stopped and listened and watched. She pleaded and showed as we all know the "more value" of the item and continued to sell the prize. He listened and then turned away from her without response and continued walking with the cart down the row.
This is far from the disengaged students we often see in our schools. She needed the tools to do something. I am sure the father had seen the performance many times before. She may have had a closet full of the item of her Costco desire.
It could be the stage. At what age do kids become less outwardly engaged. Is there a way to keep the passion to "do something"?
Keep the passion.. Become the QVC host... it is what makes America great.... : } Pat
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Camera Snagging Broccoli
Dad was a little discouraged the last week. A beautiful little hand camera that he enjoyed with enormous pleasure was lost.
Last remembered in the throws of the costco book area, the camera was used to snap a photo of an interesting recipe in a cook book not yet purchased for mom. He felt that maybe he had snapped the photo and the wrist support had fallen off and it had dropped among the book piles in the store.
A complete search of the house was engaged, just to be sure. But no camera was found. In the mean time accusations of planned replacements and why some one could be so casual with one's camera ensued. He was indeed planning to get a new one to replace the one that he had lost. The costco explanation seemed to make sense.
Yesterday I got a call by cell phone that the broccoli plants in the backyard had scooped up his camera and it was hanging from an errant shoot.
Apparently he dropped it off his wrist or from his pocket when he was planting some eggplant starts in the shadow of the overheated broccoli headed for seed.
Last remembered in the throws of the costco book area, the camera was used to snap a photo of an interesting recipe in a cook book not yet purchased for mom. He felt that maybe he had snapped the photo and the wrist support had fallen off and it had dropped among the book piles in the store.
A complete search of the house was engaged, just to be sure. But no camera was found. In the mean time accusations of planned replacements and why some one could be so casual with one's camera ensued. He was indeed planning to get a new one to replace the one that he had lost. The costco explanation seemed to make sense.
Yesterday I got a call by cell phone that the broccoli plants in the backyard had scooped up his camera and it was hanging from an errant shoot.
Apparently he dropped it off his wrist or from his pocket when he was planting some eggplant starts in the shadow of the overheated broccoli headed for seed.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Flavor Supreme Pluots
The first fruit of the seaon was picked today. I tested the Flavor Supreme Pluots from my 5 in in one tree. The surface of the pluot is green and mottled but one bite reveals a very bright red,juicy, and sweet cross between a plum and an apricot. I convinced my skeptical neighbor that they were ripe. One bite and he was a convert.
Pluots are the future of the plum business in California. Some experts claim that in the future all plums will be pluots. This flavor supreme is definitely moving the industry in that direction. Apricots are less fragile than plums,yet having the sugar content in the fruit is highly desirable, Flavor Supreme Pluots are very sweet. See if you can find some at your local farmers market. You might have to shove savy fruit lovers away. I suspect that it will be another week or two for them to show up in the Santa Clara Valley or the northern central valley.
The peaches and the nectarines are looking good on the trees in my front yard. They are showing nice color but they won't be ready for tree ripe picking until the end of the month. I have had to get out the wooden splints to support the peach tree in front. The bark on one branch was splitting or more like shredding from the weight of fruit on its tiny limbs. Most of the peach and apricots in the front yard are genetic dwarfs. They still think (if a tree can think)that they have to put out as much as the full size trees. The big battle all spring and into the summer is to thin out the fruit so that it makes a decent size and doesn't do what the little Bonanza peach did, shred.
After the harvest I will do some significant pruning so that they will not over grow their sizes. I am happy with the size and shape of the pee zee nectarine and the pee zee peach. Both of these trees are only 4 and half feet tall and their energy is converted to spread instead of height.
I am looking for a great fruit season.
Love, Pat
Pluots are the future of the plum business in California. Some experts claim that in the future all plums will be pluots. This flavor supreme is definitely moving the industry in that direction. Apricots are less fragile than plums,yet having the sugar content in the fruit is highly desirable, Flavor Supreme Pluots are very sweet. See if you can find some at your local farmers market. You might have to shove savy fruit lovers away. I suspect that it will be another week or two for them to show up in the Santa Clara Valley or the northern central valley.
The peaches and the nectarines are looking good on the trees in my front yard. They are showing nice color but they won't be ready for tree ripe picking until the end of the month. I have had to get out the wooden splints to support the peach tree in front. The bark on one branch was splitting or more like shredding from the weight of fruit on its tiny limbs. Most of the peach and apricots in the front yard are genetic dwarfs. They still think (if a tree can think)that they have to put out as much as the full size trees. The big battle all spring and into the summer is to thin out the fruit so that it makes a decent size and doesn't do what the little Bonanza peach did, shred.
After the harvest I will do some significant pruning so that they will not over grow their sizes. I am happy with the size and shape of the pee zee nectarine and the pee zee peach. Both of these trees are only 4 and half feet tall and their energy is converted to spread instead of height.
I am looking for a great fruit season.
Love, Pat
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Once Again no Triple Crown
Big Brown, arguably the greatest chance for a triple crown came up short in the final leg of the triple crown today. He finished last as his jockey saved him when it looked like he was out of contention.
When it came down to the final stretch the jockey claimed he had no horse under him to make the push to the finish line. The Belmont, the final race of the triple crown has taken its toll on the contestants for many years. It is considerably longer than the other two races. This race also comes rather closely to the other legs of the series. It is why with the other two races it is so rare to have a horse win all of them.
There will be great speculation about this finish. There did not seem to be anything wrong with the horse. The temperature was a little warm however. The air temperature was around 93 degrees. I also imagine that the humidity was high.
This is an interesting sport to follow. There are a number of characters in this sport and many stories around the contestants and their families.
The trainers and the steroids issue also looms in this sport as well other major sports. Some horses take steroids on a regular basis and it is legal in most states where horse racing is legal. Big Brown, the favorite gets his every 15th of the month. He missed his last month. Could this be a factor in this race? Down the road will will hear the pros and cons of this practice as well.
It was announced that following this season steroids for the horses will be banned in the sport.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
: ) Pat
When it came down to the final stretch the jockey claimed he had no horse under him to make the push to the finish line. The Belmont, the final race of the triple crown has taken its toll on the contestants for many years. It is considerably longer than the other two races. This race also comes rather closely to the other legs of the series. It is why with the other two races it is so rare to have a horse win all of them.
There will be great speculation about this finish. There did not seem to be anything wrong with the horse. The temperature was a little warm however. The air temperature was around 93 degrees. I also imagine that the humidity was high.
This is an interesting sport to follow. There are a number of characters in this sport and many stories around the contestants and their families.
The trainers and the steroids issue also looms in this sport as well other major sports. Some horses take steroids on a regular basis and it is legal in most states where horse racing is legal. Big Brown, the favorite gets his every 15th of the month. He missed his last month. Could this be a factor in this race? Down the road will will hear the pros and cons of this practice as well.
It was announced that following this season steroids for the horses will be banned in the sport.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
: ) Pat
Driving the Pacheco
Isn't interesting that the folks from So Cal name their freeways the the article "the" in front of it. How does it look on the 15? The I5 is crowded this time of day.
The Pacheco was not crowded last night and it was a clear sail over the mountain and home to Merced. There was significant wind that could have caused some issues with graduation ceremonies.
We had been over to Morgan Hill to support my sister Mikie Sue. Mom cooked up a batch of wonderful chicken noodles with the mashed potatoes and frozen peas to go with. The crowd was grateful for the lemon bars and Zuke cake for dessert. It was sure great to the Cammie and my sisters and parents. Sue came along too and enjoyed the company.
We had a bite of Cmmmie's coconut pineapple cake too. Ohh La la.. we need the recipe for that gem. She made it in mini loaf pans, my it was good.
This morning I caught a short shot of semi homemade, a television show on cooking hosted by none other that Sara Lee. She was making short ribs in the crockpot on a bed of celery and carrots. Short ribs are not a common dinner selection at our house. So I walked over to the grocery store and bought a crock pot full of them. They ae now slow cooking away and should be ready by 5or 6 o'clock tonight. She browned them first and dropped them into a crockpot with a couple of stalks of celery and a package of mini prewashed carrots on the bottom. A box of beef stock went over the works.
They looked pretty marbled in the store and even on today's special they were 2.95 a pound.
We shall see.
Big Brown is set to run today. Quite a story if you read back a few posts. Today a 2 pm is the running to the Belmont. If Big Brown wins we will have the first triple crown winner since the 70's.
: ) Pat
The Pacheco was not crowded last night and it was a clear sail over the mountain and home to Merced. There was significant wind that could have caused some issues with graduation ceremonies.
We had been over to Morgan Hill to support my sister Mikie Sue. Mom cooked up a batch of wonderful chicken noodles with the mashed potatoes and frozen peas to go with. The crowd was grateful for the lemon bars and Zuke cake for dessert. It was sure great to the Cammie and my sisters and parents. Sue came along too and enjoyed the company.
We had a bite of Cmmmie's coconut pineapple cake too. Ohh La la.. we need the recipe for that gem. She made it in mini loaf pans, my it was good.
This morning I caught a short shot of semi homemade, a television show on cooking hosted by none other that Sara Lee. She was making short ribs in the crockpot on a bed of celery and carrots. Short ribs are not a common dinner selection at our house. So I walked over to the grocery store and bought a crock pot full of them. They ae now slow cooking away and should be ready by 5or 6 o'clock tonight. She browned them first and dropped them into a crockpot with a couple of stalks of celery and a package of mini prewashed carrots on the bottom. A box of beef stock went over the works.
They looked pretty marbled in the store and even on today's special they were 2.95 a pound.
We shall see.
Big Brown is set to run today. Quite a story if you read back a few posts. Today a 2 pm is the running to the Belmont. If Big Brown wins we will have the first triple crown winner since the 70's.
: ) Pat