4th of July 2012

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By Terry Orr

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. (Wikipedia)

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Today all Americans celebrate our Declaration of Independence!

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Today we also take time to remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.

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Today, all Americans need to reflect upon our rights as citizens of this great country, unlike any other on this planet. 

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Today, we need to get involved and once again become part of the solution to our problems instead of hoping others will do it for us.

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July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month

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By Terry Orr

“Nine out of ten Americans possess a cell phone. With such extensive coverage, it’s no surprise that some cell phone users, whether intentional or not, can be rude in public. That’s one reason why the month of July has been designated as National Cell Phone Courtesy Month.” (John Marick)

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According to Jacqueline Whitmore, the founder of National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, it’s as simple as being aware of your surroundings and respecting the rights of others. That’s pretty much all it takes.

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Good guidelines to follow:

• Be all there. When you’re in a meeting, performance, courtroom or other busy area, let calls go to voicemail to avoid a disruption. In some instances, it’s best to put your phone on silent mode.
• Keep it private. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid discussing private or confidential information in public. You never know who may be in hearing range.
• Keep your cool. Don’t display anger during a public call. Conversations that are likely to be emotional should be held where they will not embarrass or intrude on others.
• Learn to vibe. Use your wireless phone’s silent or vibration settings in public places such as business meetings, religious services, schools, restaurants, theaters or sporting events so that you don’t disrupt your surroundings.
• Avoid “cell yell.” Remember to use your regular conversational tone when speaking on your wireless phone. People tend to speak more loudly than normal and often don’t recognize how distracting they can be to others.
• Follow the rules. Some places, such as some restaurants or courtrooms, restrict or prohibit the use of mobile phones, so adhere to posted signs and instructions. Some jurisdictions may also restrict mobile phone use in public places.
• Excuse yourself. If you’re expecting a call that can’t be postponed, alert your companions ahead of time and excuse yourself when the call comes in; the people you’re with should take precedence over calls you want to make or receive.
• Send a text message when you want to send a quick message. But remember not to text while having a conversation with another person. It’s important to give others, especially clients and customers, your full, undivided attention.
• Watch and listen discreetly. Multimedia applications such as streaming video and music are great ways to stay informed and access the latest entertainment. Use earphones to avoid distracting others in public areas.
• Don’t text and drive. Don’t put your life or those of others at risk. Pull over if you absolutely must send a message or wait until you reach your destination.

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Links:

http://www.etiquetteleadership.com/blog/July-is-National-Cell-Phone-Courtesy-Month

http://www.tesh.com/topics/computer-and-tech-category/10-commandments-of-cell-phone-etiquette/cc/4/id/13268

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Dog Days of Summer

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By Diane Forrest

I went outside the other day, and nearly melted away.  I checked the temperature, and it was 102 degrees!  My dad said that we were in the dog days of summer.  I have heard this expression many times, but never really knew what it meant.  I just assumed that it meant it was just dog gone hot outside!

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Actually it is a time period from July 3rd to August 11.  It is observed in the Mediterranean as the hottest part of the summer.  The name actually comes from the stars, specifically the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun.    In the summer Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.

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The Romans sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather.

Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time "the Sea boiled, the Wine turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies." according to Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813.

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In recent years, the phrase "Dog Days" or "Dog Days of Summer" have also found new meanings. The term has frequently been used in reference to the American stock market. Typically, summer is a very slow time for the stock market, and additionally, poorly performing stocks with little future potential are frequently known as "dogs".

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All I know is that the dog days of summer is a very hot time, and I just want to stay inside in my cool air conditioned house and sip on ice cold drinks or eat some ice cream.  During these Dog Days, stay inside if at all possible, and if you have to be outdoors, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and have frequent rest periods.

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Compliment your Mirror Day

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By Diane Forrest

So today is Compliment your Mirror Day.  After researching this subject, it was explained that it’s not the mirror to be complimented, but the reflection in the mirror.  I have never been one of those people who constantly gaze into a mirror to check themselves out.  I know some of those people....who have to look at every mirror and even carry one with them at all times.  It reminds me of the song, "You're So Vain".

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht

Your hat strategically dipped below one eye

Your scarf it was apricot

You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte

And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner

They'd be your partner, and...

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you

You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you

Don't you? Don't You?

Front Door Mirror

I took some pictures of some of my special mirrors, so I would like to compliment them.  My favorite is a mirror that I have by my front door.  It has a marble shelf that allows me to put little nic nacs on.  I change them every season, and as you can see, I have my patriotic things on it now.  I have witches for Halloween, Pilgrims for Thanksgiving, Santa’s for Christmas, and snowmen for winter, and bunnies for Easter, and birds for in between times.  My next favorite mirror is hanging by my back door.  I use this mirror to check my appearance before heading out, to make sure my hair is not standing up on ends, and that I don’t have any chocolate on my face.  It belonged to my mother in law, and sits in a simple old wooden frame.  Across the top are some magnolia stems that were used to decorate at my wedding, and every time I look at it I am reminded of that wonderful day.

Diane's Oval Mirror

Another favorite mirror is an oval shaped mirror that is hanging on my bedroom wall.  This was the first large mirror that I ever bought.  I remember when I bought it I felt so grown up.  The last favorite mirror on my list is another large mirror that I bought to hang in my bathroom.  When my husband and I moved here, the bathroom was very small, so a new bathroom had to be built to accommodate him in his wheelchair. This was my first attempt at interior design, and I wanted it to be perfect for my husband.  An ordinary bathroom mirror would simply not do.  I went to an antique store that was going out of business, and found this beautiful mirror that was more than half price off the original price. I bought it at once and brought it home and the contractors hung it and turned a handicap accessible bathroom into a more special place.

Bathroom Mirror

Mirrors are necessary to check our appearance, but they are also useful in boosting our self-esteem.  One of my favorite pictures is the one of the cat looking into the mirror, and sees the lion looking back.  So today, when you look at your reflection in the mirror put a big smile on your face and compliments your mirror for displaying this beautiful person.

World UFO Day

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By Terry Orr

(I believe)

Many people are certain that aliens from outer space have visited Earth. They believe that there is enough evidence to support alleged UFO (“Unidentified Flying Object”) sightings, such as the incident of 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico. That’s why today is World UFO Day!

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The idea of aliens has always spiked human curiosity. Our imaginations run wild when we think about the possibility of life in worlds outside of our own. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that aliens have a prominent spot in Hollywood. A great way to celebrate World UFO day is to watch a science fiction movie. Some favorite flicks about extraterrestrials are "Star Wars,” "Signs" and "E.T.” If science fiction movies aren't your thing, dream up some intergalactic-themed crafts to make today, like a UFO-shaped cake!

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No matter what you believe, today is the celebration of the possibility of life beyond Earth. So let your imagination soar and may the "force" be with you!

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Stranger Danger & Quiz - 2012

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By Diane Forrest

I love the move Kindergarten Cop.  I loved watching Arnold Swarzenegger trying to communicate with kindergarteners.  It didn’t take him long to realize it's not as easy as one might think.  One of the scenes at the end of the movie talks about strangers.  His partner, Phoebe, tells the children they must never never, never talk to strangers.  But, it was ok to talk to dogs who are strangers. It wasn't long after that discussion that the bad guy shows up at the school and all the children point at him and yell stranger!!  They ended up getting the bad guy and living happily ever after.

When I was growing up I was taught don’t talk to strangers, don't take candy from a stranger, and tell a policeman if a stranger bothers you.  Kids today seem to be so much smarter than when I was going up.  They live in the electronic and information age and you may forget to teach them the basics, like stay away from strangers.  Here are some other examples to teach young children:

• "Don't talk to strangers"
• "Don't tell anyone your name"
• "Don't let strangers touch your food or drink"
• "Don't help strangers
• "Don't let strangers touch your face"
• "If someone acts too friendly in a theater, complain to an usher or the manager"

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One thing to remember is too much constant warning is not a good thing either.  The child will then mistrust any adult, even those who will help them. In situations where the child is in danger for other reasons, avoiding strangers (who might help) could in fact be dangerous itself, such as in the case of an 11-year-old Boy Scout who avoided rescue searchers because he feared they might want to 'steal him.  The fear some parents have can cause them to keep the child indoors and then develop other issues such as nature deficit disorder.

I had a problem with my son when he was younger.  I had gone to a party at my church and he went with me.  I left to get the pizza, but he wanted to stay at the church and keep playing.  Once I left, however, he decided that he wanted to go after all.  He walked out but didn't see me, so he walked all the way to the main road, stood there crying.  A man who lived across the street saw him, and took him to the pizza place, the one we normally went to every Friday night.  But I had gone to a different one that night.  Luckily, the people at the plaza place he went to recognized him.  He gave them our phone number, and my mother went to get him.  The whole incident probably lasted 15 minutes, but to me it seemed like hours and was the worst nightmare ever. Luckily I live in a small town, and even at that young age, he knew alot of people and he knew our phone number. It took me a while to let him out of my sight again, but now he is grown and has learned not to talk to strangers.

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Here is a quiz to share with your kids, or children in your life, to make them aware of strangers.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/parentingquizzes/l/bl_strngdngr.htm

International Chicken Wing Day

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By Chef Diane

I have known my father my whole life, but 2 days ago I found out something new about him.  I was shocked to learn that the chicken wing was his favorite part of the chicken!  All this time I thought he liked the breast.  Guess that just goes to show you that you can always learn something new about those you thought you knew everything about.

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I really don't know how the subject came up, but it seems like there has been an explosion of chicken wing popularity in the last couple of years.  Now you can go to almost any restaurant and find them on the menu.  I imagine that is why they earned their own day for celebrating.

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Today is International Chicken Wing Day.  They are cooked in many different ways, and have several different sauces for dipping.  Many like the buffalo wings, my husband loved the Asian wings that they served at Wendy's. They can be fried, baked or bar b qued.  A great snack during sporting events, or appetizers at a party.  If you can't find any where you live, here is a recipe from allrecipes.com for the buffalo wings.  Give them a try and let me know what you think

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Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 chicken wings
• oil for deep frying
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup hot sauce
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• 1 dash garlic powder

Directions

1. In a small bowl mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Place chicken wings in a large nonporous glass dish or bowl and sprinkle flour mixture over them until they are evenly coated. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for 60 to 90 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). The oil should be just enough to cover wings entirely, an inch or so deep. Combine the butter, hot sauce, pepper and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir together and heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat and reserve for serving.
3. Fry coated wings in hot oil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until parts of wings begin to turn brown. Remove from heat, place wings in serving bowl, add hot sauce mixture and stir together. Serve.