Hat Tip to Dean Esmay.

Posted by Beth at 5:33 AM

August 29, 2004

Tomorrow's subject of discussion

Can men ever be trusted?
John played a trick on me.
But I'm too tired to explain it right now.

I'm going to go play webboggle.

Posted by Beth at 10:47 PM | Comments (5)

Why I won't vote for Kerry

This picture is from HundredPercenter - along with many other good pictures of today's goings on in NYC.

Update: The Flea tells me that is a Protest Warrior poster. Damn, I'm a member of Protest Warrior.com - the only member in Leavenworth, Kansas - and nobody told me. Boy, am I ever out of the loop!

They had me fooled! I still won't vote for Kerry though!!

Posted by Beth at 9:39 PM | Comments (4)

What Does Love Mean?

Avery found a sweet, sweet story about what kids think love means.

My very favorite is this: "Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6

Go read the whole thing.

Posted by Beth at 8:34 PM | Comments (2)

People who send Spam

DaGoddess often lists some of her more interesting spammers on her blog.
Today, I happened to look in my deleted folder, where spam mostly automatically goes.
I was tickled to find these names:
Molests H. Hamburgers
Chillow Pillow
Sal Fry
Lashaunda Mitzie
Prince Epps
Forest K. Ho
Rusty Lay

Makes you wonder about the mindset of the people who think up these names.

Posted by Beth at 4:36 PM | Comments (8)

The Truth about the Bush Tax Cuts

The Detroit News has an excellent editorial on the Bush Tax Cuts. Here is a snippet of it (emphasis mine):

A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry claiming it proves that "Over the last four years, the burden of taxes has shifted from the wealthy to the middle class." Those are politically motivated lies that distort the findings of the report. Here's the truth. The report proves that what President Bush said about his tax cuts is true: "Tax relief is for everyone who pays income taxes." It's true for the rich, and it's true for the not-so-rich.

Read the whole article.

Posted by Beth at 9:15 AM

Carnival of the Recipes - hosts needed

If you would be interested in hosting a future Carnival of the Recipes, please let me know. I would love to share both the work and the traffic that the Carnival generates.

Expect to spend several hours putting it together and having it ready sometime on a friday.

If you are interested, send me a note at recipes(at)thedonovan(dot)com, and we'll discuss.

Posted by Beth at 8:55 AM | Comments (3)

Dusty Rhoades

I should have mentioned before today that John has a co-host over at the Castle of Argghhh!! now, Dusty Rhoades.
He is an Air Force (shudder) vet, but he writes pretty good anyhow. :)
You will enjoy his writing.
Obey me, and go read this! You will be glad you did.

Posted by Beth at 8:02 AM | Comments (1)

August 28, 2004

I am nothing but a bunch of pixels

I'm just a bunch of pixels on your computer screen. I just found out that a blogger who I like quite a bit has quit blogging because of a comment I made on John's blog in response to a comment he made.

Now, let me explain something. My spouse is a wonderful man, I love him dearly, but he can be so damned frustrating at time because he often comes across as a college professor might - quite pedantic, if you know what I mean. I often call John 'holier than thou' when he goes on that way.

Our blogger friend, Jack, sometimes writes in that kind of a tone of voice, also - at least I take it that way, and I told him in a comment that he was being holier than thou - that doesn't mean shit, though, because I am nothing but a bunch of pixels on your computer, Jack!!!!

I can be petty and catty and snarky, I am a semimenapausal woman, but Good Lord, nothing I say should mean anything to anyone because ... I am nothing but a bunch of pixels on your computer!!

So, Jack, please blog again. Feel free to call me a bitch, a harpie, a harridan.

I am sorry!!!!

Posted by Beth at 9:40 PM | Comments (10)

August 27, 2004

My Opinion on Things Political

Take this or leave it. Mean comments will be deleted.
1. McCain-Feingold is a bunch of hooey. The First Ammendment gives us all the freedom of speech - especially, politial speech. This stupid law that attempts to legislate who gets to speak when should be overturned or revoked or whatever. I would prefer the Congress spend more time figuring out stuff that really matters to people than trying to legislate spending in what is supposed to be a free country.

2. John Kerry is acting like Richard Nixon - he has his enemies, he is trying to ruin them (and may have ruined at least one of the Swift Boat Vets) and he can't bear that idea that not everyone agrees with him. Plus, he has a 'secret plan' for Iraq - kinda like Richard Nixon's secret plan for Vietnam. Richard Nixon also tried his hand at regulating the economy - wage and price controls - and drove us into a recession that lasted for years. John Kerry has not bothered to tell anyone exactly what he would do to improve the economy - only that he would improve it - and he ignores the fact that the economy is improving anyway.

3. We need to secure our borders. George Bush is wrong to want to give illegal aliens (yes, they are illegal) amnesty. They need to either go through the normal channels to immigrate here or they need to go home. I want every immigrant to have to go through a stringent security check before they are allowed to come here to go to school, to work, to live.

4. Low taxes are a good thing. John Kerry wants to raise taxes - he says on the rich, but just who are the rich, and since they are already paying way more than there share of taxes, why make them pay more? He would probably decide that John and I are rich, he has no idea what money means.

5. Islam is not the religion of peace.

6. John Kerry has told so many lies about his time in Vietnam for so long that I am sure he truly believes his lies are truth at this point. That could explain why he gets so pissed off as he is proved wrong, time after time. I bet they could give him a lie detector test and he would pass it.

7. John Kerry needs to sign Form 180 to release every one of his military records.

8. To those of you who are sick of hearing about Vietnam, too bad. It is a valid subject to discuss, especially since John Kerry won't let anyone forget about it.
What makes our country different from all the rest is that we have a Bill of Rights to our Constitution that guarantees us all the freedom to speak our minds. I am really upset that so many people are telling so many others to shut up about Vietnam. Just because some folks might not want to hear it, doesn't mean you should call the ones who do want to talk about it names.

9. This is the best counry in the world. Ain't no doubt about it. We got this way because we did not want to be like Europeans, Africans, Asians, etc. The individual's rights come first here, and it should always be that way.

10. Capitalism is good. Socialism is not good.

11. Poor people in this country have more than probably 90 percent of the rest of the world. With the exception of homeless people - who are very likely to be mentally ill - people living below the povery level in this country have more than enough food, clothing and material things like tvs, radios and stereos.

Posted by Beth at 8:35 PM | Comments (7)

Recipe Reviews here

Anyone who tries one of the recipes in the carnival and would like to comment can do so here in the comments.

Tonight, John and I tried BeeBee's Cornbread Casserole. It is very quick and easy to prepare. And boy, is this ever a comfort meal! It coule probably serve 8 people easily, so we have lots of leftovers.

I highly recommend you try it.

Posted by Beth at 7:40 PM | Comments (4)

Why I Hate Microsoft

I am testing a product that our company might use and resell to our clients.
It uses MS SQLServer. I downloaded the evaluation of SQLServer from Microsoft, and now I am trying to figure out what version of Service Pack 3 I need to install - aieeeeee!!!!
Microsoft says:

Users who have an existing instance of MSDE 2000 must know how their instance of MSDE 2000 was installed to know how to update it. In particular, you must know the original package name for your instance of MSDE 2000. To determine the original package name, see the article How To Identify Which MSI File Was Used for an Existing MSDE Installation in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Posted by Beth at 10:59 AM | Comments (3)

Carnival of the Recipes Number 2

One of the fun things about putting this Recipe Carnival together is that I get to look at blogs I have missed before, and I have discovered some very interesting people out there. So I try to be sure I link to the Main page of each blog as well as the recipes themselves. Do yourself a favor and check out not only the recipes, but the blogs themselves - I am amazed and pleased at the wide variety of bloggers who are submitting recipes to me - from one side of the political spectrum to the other. If you would like to submit a recipe, please do - you don't have to have your own blog to do so, I'll post it for you. Submissions need to be in by Thursday night at midnight and sent to recipes@thedonovan.com.

We have some great recipes this week.

Calliope, a non-blogger but frequent commenter, sent me recipes and pictures for an entire Tex Mex feast. There was so much, that I put it all in a separate post. She doesn't know it, but she is a guest blogger for that one!

Here's a recipe from There's One, Only! that is full of fun - Fruitcake - even if you don't think you will like it, you must read it!

Steve has a recipe for low fat Squash Chili that is not only delicious, but healthy.

Nathan of The Argus, has as incredible recipe for Georgian Cheese Bread, Khachapuri.. This is one I will most definitely try this weekend.

Goobage sends this scientific Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for the true nerds out there. Because he is on Blogger, you will have to scroll down to find the recipe.

Inside Allan's Mind sent this recipe for Skillet Penne with Vegetables.

John from TexasBestGrok has a recipe for Roast Lamb and Vegetables - I've always been afraid to try roast lamb, this recipe might convince me to attempt it.

Wow, Wacky Hermit of Organic Baby Farm has a way to make Five Dinners out of One Chicken - and even get baby food out of it! And, they all look good. I love this blog, it's full of wholesome goodness. Read it.

The Glittering Eye gives us the Ultimate Guide to Meatloaf and

The beautiful Venomous Kate, who is back after taking most of the summer off has a recipe for Hawaiian Potato Salad.

From Katespot - Chocolate Cake!

Tom from The Nap Room loves to make bread. He is sharing with us his Pizza Dough Recipe.

Tritcale (the wheat and rye guy) sends his wee wifey's award winning recipe for Black Walnut Baklava.

The Esmay Family has two recipes this week - one from Jake Esmay, a cool kid if I've ever met one - his lasagna recipe, and Rosemary, the beautiful and pregnant Queen of All Evil has submitted The Queen's Cheesecake recipe.

Here is a Crunchy Tossed Salad from Angela of Fresh as a Daisy. It sounds like such a nice dish for a hot day (it's supposed to be in the high 90's today here in Kansas).

From Punctilius, an Italian Seafood Stew.

Boudicca of Boudicca's Voice is a good cook. You can trust that her recipes are excellent. Here is a recipe for her Steak with Garlic Blue Cheese Butter.

From Kin's Kouch, a recipe that I will most definitely try soon - Kin's Easy as Pie Chicken Pie.

BeeBee, who has a blog full of goodness that is a joy to read, is also a great cook. This week, she shares her recipe for Cornbread Casserole.

My husband, John of Arrggghhh! submits this recipe - he has made this for us and it is excellent -

Emeril's remoulade recipe.

As we know, great with burgers.

Creole Remoulade Sauce:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped yellow onions
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 tablespoons Creole or other whole-grain mustard
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In a blender or food processor, combine all
ingredients and process until fairly smooth, about 30
seconds.

Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for
at least 1 hour before using. (The sauce will keep for
up to 1 week in the refrigerator - but it won't last that long, it's so good.)

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I missed Tammi's recipe, she got it in on time, I'm a dolt - Fruit Cocktail Cake.
I claim old age.

Semi-important update - here are some great bread machine recipes from this blog is full of crap. Trust me, the recipes are not full of crap.

Last Update (at least I think so!) - King of Fools was a bad boy and was late sending me his recipe. But here it is because I'm really a nice person. Chicken Cordon Bleu!

Okay, really - this is the very last update: Stuffed Pork Roast and other garlic goodies(lotsa garlic, yummmy) from Mostly Cajun

Here is a list of All the Carnivals of the Recipes!

Posted by Beth at 5:24 AM | Comments (9)

Calliope's Mexican Fiesta

Due to the pictures included with the Mexican Fiesta recipes, everything is in the extended entry.

Mexican Fiesta

Here's a pic of the ingredients I bought, the rest of the stuff I had.

On these recipes...they are my own. I just sort of experimented until I got to the point where my child and I liked it. I never had anyone teach me how to make this stuff so if its not traditional or something....well sorry. I'd love to have someone tell me a better way to soften corn tortillas, a better chili con queso recipe, etc.

On tortillas...I prefer corn tortillas over flour tortillas in my enchilladas and flautas. You can make either dish out of any type of tortilla though so if you want to avoid a substantial amount of work you can switch out the corn tortillas in my recipes with flour. Actually my daughter prefers the flour so what I usually do is make about a half and half mix.

On heat...the way it all came out this time is what I'd describe as mild. Its important to understand that if you want this hotter or milder you just adjust the pepper content. Personally I like it hot enough to make you sweat but not hot enough to make your eyes water.

Basic Chicken Recipe:

This is the base for all the TexMex dishes I make. You could substitue a flank steak if you prefer beef and pretty much leave everything else the same. Also, I saute the meat for this which many here in Texas would consider heresy. You could grill it if you wish...but the cooking for this is already a lot of work and I like how it comes out this way.

3-4 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
2 Serrano Peppers
2 Bell Peppers
1 Medium Onion
1 Tbsp EVOO
1 Tbsp Season Salt
2 Tspn Chili Powder
4 Squirts Tobasco
4 Squirts Tarragon Vinegar

Clean chicken breasts and remove all fat etc.

Slice 1/2 way through on both sides, vertically on one side and horizontally on the other. Dry and add to a medium bowl. Chop the serrano peppers into small pieces and add to bowl with all other ingredients. Mix and flip around well and allow to marinate for an hour or more.

I cook 3/4 of the chicken first to use in the flautas and enchilladas and save the balance to make for fajitas right before I serve everything.

Saute the chicken

with marinade ingredients at low to medium heat in about a tablespoon of EVOO covered until cooked all the way through, flipping and cutting with your wooden flippers as you go. You want the chicken tender and broken into small pieces. Turn heat up to a bit over medium and cook at higher heat until chiken starts to brown a bit, then add bell pepper and onion at the end. For the flautas or enchilladas its important that the peppers and onion be well softened, for the fajitas I prefer them to have a bit of crunch so I don't leave them in long at all.

Pinto Beans:

1 16oz Package of "Rajin Cajun" Pinto Beans
1/4 cup Pace Picante Sauce (hot, med, mild to taste)
1 Medium Yellow Onion
1 Teaspon Chili Powder
1/3lb Any Brand Breakfast Sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Hot)

I start these first when I'm doing this, about 10-11am.

Brown and crumble sausage (substitute a few strips of bacon cut into 1" squares if you prefer - the point is to add the pork fat to flavor the beans) and add to a crock pot with onion (cut into 1/8's) seasoning package, chili powder and picante sauce, wash the beans in a collander add them. Cover with water to about 1" over the contents of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce and cook 3hrs or until beans are tender. Garnish with Chopped cilantro when serving.

Mexican Rice:

I use an 8oz package of "Vigo Mexican Rice with corn (completely Seasoned)" prepared according to the package instructions.

Chili con Queso:

Velveeta
Pace Picante Sauce
Milk or Cream
Chopped Cilantro

I didn't give quantities because this is done to taste. I usually use about 1/4 of a large loaf of velveeta cut into sqaures to facilitate melting. I add Pace Picante Sauce to taste (use mild, med or hot as you prefer - I use hot) about 1/2 cup. Melt in a microwave on half power (to prevent burning) for 5 minutes, stir then melt for an additional 3 minutes again at half power. Add milk, cream or even butter to get the desired consistency. Reheat just before serving as necessary and garnish with chopped cilantro.

I know, velveeta. If anyone knows how to make a good CCQ with real cheese I'd love to have the recipe.

Pico de Gallo (what some call salsa):

1 whole onion, finely chopped
3 small to medium tomatos, chopped into about 1/2" pieces
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
2 Serrano peppers, finely chopped
Approx 1/2 bunch Cilantro, finely chopped (remove large stems)
2 Limes
2-3 teaspoons of Tarragon Vinegar to taste
Salt to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a container and let sit for 2 hours before serving. This is an excellent garnish or go-with for any TexMex dish. Any place above where I said "finely chopped" pulsed in a food processor is fine (although using a food processor for this is blasphemy in Texas).

Here's a pic of my daughter and some right wing lunatic making the Pico de Gallo.

Flautas:

The kids love these.

Allow the chicken to cool and crumble it, then add grated mexican cheeses to about 1/3 cheese and 2/3 chicken. Soften the tortillas in a pan with a tiny bit of oil 2 or 3 at a time. Roll about a tablespoon of the chicken and cheese mix into each tortilla and secure with a toothpick. Fry in vegetable oil until they start to brown, then remove and drain well. Remove the toothpicks.

Enchilladas:

I used Angela's recipe from last week except I substituted Tomatilla sauce instead of picante and I used corn tortillas.

Here's a pic of the Final Result!

What you have in that pic is (top to bottom left to right) Pinto Beans, Mexican Corn, Chicken Fajitas, Chili Con Queso, Pico de Gallo, Warmed Flour Tortillas under a bowl, Sour Cream, Enchilladas, Flautas.

I know, poor presentation. Hey I'm a cook not a chef!

Posted by at 4:39 AM | Comments (2)

August 26, 2004

Recipe Reminder

I just found out that my Hosting Matters server was down for about an hour today between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm Central, and it is possible that I may not have received your recipe sent to beth(at)thedonovan(dot)com.

If you sent it earlier than then, don't worry about it - or, when I am done putting it all together and if you see that your recipe ain't there - please be sure to tell me and I'll get it there pronto!

Please try to get any recipes to me by midnight tonight.

Should we call this recipe blogging something like ... bleating - no blooking when cooking and bleating while eating and reading/writing blogs?

Oh, and wait until you see Calliope's Tex Mex recipes - we even have pictures! Wonderful stuff to cook.

Posted by Beth at 6:39 PM

Bob Dole

I'm proud (as a Kansan) of Bob Dole for speaking out about John Kerry and the 527 organizations who are doing all of Kerry's dirty work.

I met Bob Dole years ago when I was a clerk at a fancy store (Halls Plaza) in Kansas City. He would come in to shop there from time to time and was always very nice, though very political - always had that pen in his right hand, too. Back then, I was a Democrat, and I found it hard to reconcile the fact that this Republican was really a very nice man. I was sure that all Republicans had to be the debil!

I heard Bob Dole on Sean Hannity's radio show on Monday and they discussed the phone call that John Kerry made to him. If Kerry had half a brain, he would pay attention to what Senator Dole told him and start talking about what he would do as president, not what he pretends he did back in Vietnam.

I like Bob Dole.

Posted by Beth at 6:32 AM | Comments (3)

Recipe Reminder!

Send me your recipe links (or recipe if you don't have your own blog) at beth(at)thedonovan(dot)com.

Looks like Carnival of the Recipes #2 is going to be better than the first one!

Posted by Beth at 6:01 AM | Comments (3)

August 25, 2004

Wictory Wednesday

It's Wictory Wednesday again. This is the last week (stupidly) that you can donate money to President Bush's Campaign. You can always donate your time, though!

The more I learn about President Bush, the more I admire and respect the man.
Actually, I wish he would play half as dirty as Kerry and his kamp play - because I want President Bush to continue to be the President for another four years - so he can continue the War against Terrorism.

President Bush is the only man running for President who has the fortitude to do the right thing. Kerry would end up damning our soldiers and airmen and sailors and marines just like he did in 1971.

So, be damn sure you are registered to vote, and be sure to vote - if you will be traveling - call your local election board or go here to see what needs to be done to get an absentee ballot - this is really important stuff, folks. Don't let yourselves down by forgetting to complete these important, very important tasks of citizenship.

All the bloggers listed below are also proud to support President Bush.

Posted by Beth at 6:19 PM

Just Amazing

Some journalists are asking if the Swift Boat Story has gone on too long. (Thanks, Allah!) There are complaints that Kerry is less accessible to reporters since the story came out of the internet and onto tv. He doesn't come to the back of the plane as often.
Mind you, the 'story' about George Bush being AWOL from the National Guard has gone on for what - a year? And the President has released all of his military records, unlike John F'n Kerry.
I am especially perturbed by some bloggers, who apparently feel that this story has gone on too long, also. (One of them is even shutting down her blog for awhile, maybe forever, which is okay with me, she is right, it probably is time. )

Yes, what Kerry did during the Vietnam War (both in the Navy and after he got out) happened over 3 decades ago. What he did, and his refusal to apologize for what he did speaks volumes about the man's character, or lack thereof. Those of you who are perhaps 10 or 20 years younger than I am do not have a clue as to the impact of Kerry's words when he testified before Congress back in 1971. So perhaps that is why you are bored with it all. But I remember how he harmed all veterans of all wars by his words. And the thought that such a man could be President - that he is the best the Democrats could come up with, is abhorent to many, many veterans.

President Bush has never, ever disparaged Kerry's service to the country. In fact, he has done the opposite. Yet Kerry and his Kamp have gone on and on and on about President Bush's National Guard service. One of his minions, Mary Anne Marsh, even went so far as to exclaim, "George Bush betrayed America by not serving in Vietnam". I'll let you read my better half's viewpoint on that one.

So, reporters and bloggers who are sick of Vietnam, think again before you think the Swift Vet Boats story has gone on too long.

The American public disagrees with you. This is important stuff. And it's not Bush who is 'bringing it on', Veterans are bringing it on - it's what Kerry wanted, after all!

Posted by Beth at 5:44 AM | Comments (1)

August 24, 2004

Tuesday

I worked from home today. We had some pretty severe thunderstorms for severral hours this morning, with flooding in the area, so I figured that work would get more time out of me if I stayed home than if it took me an hour or so to get into work.

It finally cleared up around 11:00 am, so I took the three dogs for a walk. We saw a bunch of squirrels, a beagle, a bunny and 3 deer. Actually, Houdini is the only one who noticed the deer. Shadow is becoming elderly, and he has cataracts and I don't think Whiskey really cares.

When we got back home, the dogs were happy to take naps, but the cats were pissed that they had been ignored for 45 minutes, so they bugged the heck out of me all afternoon while I worked - Annie kept jumping up on the table and biting my chin, RestStop kept head butting me and Barnacle just whined. A lot.

Finally, John got home from work, I was too tired to cook, so we were very bad and ordered a pizza.

And that is all I feel like writing.

Except that Kerry is getting all he deserves for lying all those years ago about all the Vietnam Veterans. The man is delusional.

Posted by Beth at 7:36 PM | Comments (1)

August 23, 2004

Recipe Reminder

I need your recipe links by Thursday, midnight. Please send them to beth(at)thedonovan(dot)com.

So far, I have tried three of the recipes, and every one of them has been ... oh, just yummy!

Posted by Beth at 8:08 PM | Comments (3)

Janet Jackson is delusional!

From DRUDGE REPORT®

Janet Jackson now claims that her "Nipplegate" Super Bowl incident was used by the Bush administration to distract people from the war in Iraq!

She wishes anyone cared that much about her - the no talent bimbo!

Posted by Beth at 7:06 AM | Comments (7)

Monday Morning

John has another week of having to arrive at work at 6:00 am. That means that he is getting up at 4:30, and the dogs' and cats' sleeping and eating schedules are all screwed up.

They want to eat as soon as a human awakes. John puts the 3 dogs out to feed them, then brings them back in and I'll put them out for the day. For some reason, this has screwed up Houdini's potty schedule, and it seems that I'll be taking a bath, John has left, and Houdini suddenly has to poop. Fortunately, he does not do it on carpeting. Houdini also managed to pee in the bathroom on top of a huge package of 24 toilet paper rolls. I don't know how he got up there, and I don't know how he managed to just pee on the plastic without it dripping down onto the toilet paper. I also don't know how to get the puddle of pee off the package without having it drip down and ruining that two month's supply of toilet paper.

Bad Houdini!

And then there are the 7 cats - kinda like 7 dwarfs, I guess. They are all indoor cats, so I switched them to cat food made especially for indoor cats, and they have all become bulimic. They gobble up great quantities of kitty food and within 10 minutes, they vomit it - in amazing quantities, then they go and eat each other's food.

It's gross. I gotta get outta this house and go to work!

Posted by Beth at 6:58 AM | Comments (5)

August 22, 2004

Alice Cooper is my Rock and Roll Hero

Alice is no longer 18, but he sure knows what is right!
Alice slams anti-Bush rockers

"If you're listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you're a bigger moron than they are. Why are we rock stars? Because we're morons. We sleep all day, we play music at night and very rarely do we sit around reading the Washington Journal."

Via The Corner

Posted by Beth at 3:48 PM | Comments (11)

Sunday

Ever so slowly, we are fixing this house up. One of the very irritating things about a house built in 1960 is that the cold air returns were made differently than they make them today. We painted the hallway last winter, but the cold air return was an icky, gross, peeling, hunk of rusty metal, and though we looked everywhere, we could not find the same type of cold air return to replace it. Finally John just bought a normal one - the kind that most homes use.

Today, I decided it was time to put the new cold air return in. You would not believe what a pain in the rear that was. The ductwork stuck out about an inch (because the old grate stuck out about an inch), and we had to make it flush with the wall. Also, the wood trim next to the floor needed to be trimmed about 1/4th of an inch for the new grate to fit flush against the wall.

Between John and I, we were able to fix it - using a wonderful powertool - RotoZip.. I was able to trim the wood molding without removing it to the perfect size, and John was able to trim back the tin of the ductwork by cutting it to size.

We bought that tool a few years ago and have only used it once before. I must say that I am very impressed with it. But it ain't cheap. But then, you get what you pay for.

Anyway, after living here for a very long time, the hallway looks nearly perfect. Now I just have to figure out which paintings and pictures to hang in it.

Posted by Beth at 3:05 PM | Comments (4)

Big Bad John

This is on Dog Snot Diaries - thanks for sharing, Gordon!

BIG BAD JOHN (KERRY) - Author Unknown. To the tune of the Country ballad - Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean.

Every mornin' on the Hill you could see him arrive
Standing six-foot-four, weighing one-twenty-five
Kinda' scrawny at the shoulders and lacking a spine
And when he spoke at all, it was mainly to whine.
(Big John, Big John) Big Bad John.

Nobody seems to know what's in John's soul
His 'beliefs' are based on the latest poll
Though he'll say what it takes to get your votes
It's the leftist agenda that he really promotes
Big John.

Some one said he came from Boston town
Where he joined the Navy and gained renown
'Earning' three purple hearts and one bronze star
The home folks said, "This boy will go far"
(Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)

Then came a day back in '71
When he renounced all the medals that he had won
Then turned against his country and his Navy friends
And sold them out for his own selfish ends
(Big John)

He appeared before Congress and on left-wing talk shows
Giving aid and comfort to America's foes
It was clear to see whose side he was on
Some say he helped cause the fall of Saigon
Big John (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John).

Posted by Beth at 7:48 AM

Ban Guns ...

and you end up with a Serial Hammer Killer.

The Brits better hurry up and ban hammers!

Posted by Beth at 5:50 AM | Comments (2)

August 21, 2004

So, has anyone tried any of the recipes?

Let us know what you thought in the comments.
I tried the first recipe on the list, Tammi's Mexican Manicotti. Wow, it was very good. But, it makes a whole lot of food, so John and I will be eating it for several days. I should have saved that one to make when Andy is home from college with some friends! Next time I make it, I'll serve it with guacamole on the side as well as the sour cream that Tammi recommends. It was very easy to make, very economical and very yummy.

Thanks, Tammi!

Anyone else have comments on recipes?

Posted by Beth at 8:10 PM | Comments (12)

Haiku Mania

Have a few minutes for some good laughs? Go and read American Haiku: The Road to Hollywood.

Posted by Beth at 2:34 PM

Dumb and Dumber

We are at war with Wahabists. Our very first order of business should be to win the war against terror. But the double Johns are more concerned about taking over the management of high schools from local authorities, or so it seems.

From The John Kerry for President web site "Our Plan for America":

Every Young Person Graduates
Today 3 in 10 young people do not finish high school, and half of Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans don't graduate. Kerry-Edwards will keep better track of graduation rates to hold schools accountable for raising them; will offer more tutoring and mentoring to at-risk youth; will make big high schools smaller when they are not working for their students; and will strengthen the high school curriculum so all students can graduate with a meaningful diploma.

People - the federal government should certainly not be meddling with high school curriculum or high school size. That is the job of the local and state school boards.

I have to wonder what makes them think that the size of the High School itself would have any relationship with the success of the individual student.

The only way that anyone can guarantee that 100 percent of high school students make it to graduation is to force all 17 and 18 year old kids to stay in school - and I don't think you can do that to the 18 year olds.

Posted by Beth at 2:07 PM | Comments (2)

Kerry is proving that he is not a leader

No matter how you may feel about the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth ads, Kerry's reaction to them proves that is not capable of leading this country.

1. He does not respond to the accusations in the ads - he simply attacks the Veterans as liars.

2. He could clear all this up by signing the form 180 to release all of his military records.

3. His accusations of the Bush Administration being behind the Swift Boat Veterans sound oh too Nixon-like. His 'camp', as the media describes his followers, are using the 6 Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon ploy to prove that there is a connection to Bush. Balderdash. These are some of the evil things that President Nixon's CREEP did way back when:

Following members of Democratic candidates' families and assembling dossiers on their personal lives; forging letters and distributing them under the candidates' letterheads; leaking false and manufactured items to the press; throwing campaign schedules into disarray; seizing confidential campaign files; and investigating the lives of dozens of Democratic campaign workers

Replace the words Democratic candidates with Swift Boat Veterans and you will understand exactly what I am saying.

4. He is protesting too much - therefore, most of us think he is, indeed, hiding the truth.

5. He can't handle pressure. He is as over the edge as Dean, Gore and the other miserable candidates that the Democrats came up with this year.

6. I have serious concerns about his ability to uphold the Constitution. This guy doesn't like dissent (Swift Boat Veterans for Freedom), so he threatens lawsuits, etc. His extremely thin skin makes him vulnerable to threats from other countries. How much of our freedom will this man give away just so no one talks mean about him? If he has power, what will he do when someone writes a book about him that he doesn't like? Will he sue? Will he call the publisher up and say "pull that book"?

7. His voting record - when he actually does make it into Congress to vote, he flip flops from one week to the next - I voted for this bill before I voted against it - wtf is that supposed to mean? Does this guy have no ideas of his own?

8. His *Secret Plan* to get out of Iraq - how Nixonian can one be, folks?

9. He hints that he has spoken to foreign leaders who have made him promises - now this scares me - it seems to be dangerous for a senator to go making agreements with foreign countries on his own - with promises of what in return if he becomes president??? I guess, if he wins, we will find out.

10. I don't think Kerry has a balanced personality. Narcissistic Personality Disorder comes to mind. Look it up - no, I have looked it up for you, I defy you to say this does not fit this man who would be President - my thoughts are in italics:

Diagnostic Criteria
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

Kerry thinks he was an exemplary Naval Officer. Kerry also thinks that experience as Lietenant, Junior Grade qualifies him as Commander in Chief.

2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

Kerry has planned to be POTUS since his teenage years. Kerry brought a movie camera with him to Vietnam so he could have others film his 'brave actions' (they were re-enacted) for future reference.

3. Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
requires excessive admiration.

Kerry's comments to people in airports as he pushes past them in lines - Do you know who I am?

4. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations.

His reaction to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth - he can't handle anyone disagreeing with *his* facts. Oh, I almost forget - he doesn't fall down when skiing or snowboarding - somebody else musta pushed him!

5. Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends.

Married Teresa

6. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

Doesn't understand why we don't like to be taxed - of course he is so rich, our little salaries are meaningless to him.

7. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

This is such a d'uh statement in describing John Kerry that I have nothing to add.

And someone with this very nasty personality disorder only needs to meet five of the criteria. Ha!

Posted by Beth at 8:09 AM | Comments (3)

August 20, 2004

The First Carnival of the Recipes!!

I want to thank all of you who have submitted recipes. I am really pleased with the response from bloggers and commenters who answered my call for food, food, food!

There are recipes here to fit everyone's taste - enjoy!

Tammi, everyone's favorite Road Warrior has a recipe for Mexican Manicotti. Ah like alliteration a lot.

Punctilious's Chicken Tortilla Soup will be great for fall.

Dana has a Mexican Casserole that should hit the spot.

Boudicca, who has a lovely blog, btw has this recipe, called Mushroom Pork Tenderloin

Teresa of Technicalities goes with a more Mediterranean looking casserole - Chicken and Couscous Both Teresa and I are great believers that Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the best you can buy, btw.

Booklore, a blog with lots of great book reviews, gives us this recipe, Four Pepper Pasta

Random Pizza from Brian Epps of Random Numbers looks like something I have to try out.

Seafood Fettuccine from Tom Metzger of More Sense than Money is definitely *NOT* lowfat - therefore, it must be pretty darn good!

Pumpkin Cheesecake - my husband will like this one! It's from Matthew, aka Physics Geek

SeaShell Casserole from Sarah aka Wacky Hermit from Organic Baby Farm. - definitely a great family casserole.

Jim of Snooze Button Dreams fame, offers this very spicy Hot To Trot hot wing recipe- better have a lot of beer to go with these wings.

Laughing Wolf has a recipe for a one egg omelet.

BeeBee, one of really gifted writers of Blogdom has a great recipe called Coca Cola Brisket. Great for a crowd of folks.

mlah has a recipe for Salsa. mlah is a little confused as to who I am, though - I'm not miss apropos, I am She Who Will Be Obeyed! (or at least I wish I was!)

Triticale (the wheat/rye guy), makes a Barbeque Sauce that looks very good.

Helen, one of the other incredible writers in Blogdom, has a recipe that is just beautiful to read about - It is at the bottom of this post, called Ficelle Picarde (crepes rolled up with cheese, herbs and cream in the inside) - do read the whole post - Helen is so very gifted.

Amy has a recipe for true garlic lovers:

40 Cloves and a Chicken

1 whole chicken (broiler/fryer) cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 sprigs fresh thyme
40 peeled cloves garlic
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with a 2 tablespoons olive oil and
brown on both sides in a wide fry pan or skillet over high heat. Remove from
heat, add oil, thyme, and garlic cloves. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

Remove chicken from the oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, carve, and
serve. (Note: There is no carving, the meat falls off the bone.)

Calliope, my mostest regular commenter, gave me a recipe for Oven Spiced Fries. Here it is:

2lbs new potatos
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Steak Grilling Rub (any brand)

Cut the taters into wedges, toss with the grill seasoning and EVOO, bake on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes at 450 (I sprayed the cookie sheet with Pam, made clean-up a breeze). Shake the cookie sheet once during baking. Pull out when the largest taters are soft when you stick 'em with a fork.

Next time I do it I will lighten up on the seasoning, it was a bit over-seasoned for my taste (and I like spicy food). It was quite good though, and incredibly easy. You only end up having to clean the cookie sheet too. Even my 13 year old daughter loved them.

I would also say you could substitute the grill seasoning with seasoned salt and perhaps some italian herbs to add a different twist to it - although the grill seasoning made a nice compliment to grilled steaks and was quite crunchy.

Corn Quiche

2, 9-inch DEEP pie shells
1 lb. sliced bacon, fried crisp,
drained and crumbled (divide in ½)
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups grated Swiss cheese (divide in ½)
4 eggs, beaten
2 cans cream style corn
Black Pepper to taste
12 oz. Evaporated milk

Pre-heat oven to 450 deg. F.

Fry bacon until crisp, remove and drain on paper towel and crumble, then sauté onions in bacon grease until tender. Place ½ of crumbled bacon evenly into the bottom of the pie-crusts and top with ½ of the cheese. Blend eggs, corn, pepper, milk, rest of bacon and rest of cheese in a bowl and mix well. Pour mixture into the pie shells. Bake in oven at 450 deg. F for 10 min. then quickly reduce oven temp to 325 deg. F and bake for 25 min. more. Cool slightly and serve.

Angela has a recipe for Lime Cookies that look mouth-watering. Angela's blog, Fresh as a Daisy is new to me, go check it out. She lives in Guam, so today there is our tomorrow, or something like that!

And here is one more recipe from Angela:

Donna's Creamy Chicken Enchiladas (don't know Donna)

1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1 cup Pace picante sauce
2 tsp. chili powder
2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
12 flour tortillas (6 in)

1. Mix soup, sour cream, picante sauce, and chili powder. Reserve 1 cup.
2. Mix remaining picante sauce mixture with chicken and cheese.
3. Spread about 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla.
Roll up and place seam-side down in a greased (just spray with Pam)
9x13 pan. (Sometimes, I have to have an extra smaller dish)
4. Spread reserved picante sauce mixture over enchiladas. Cover and
bake at 350F for 40 minutes or until hot.
5. Serve with additional picante sauce, tomato, lettuce, and sour
cream, if desired.

Here is Pam's recipe, King Ranch Chicken, one of my favorites -

KING RANCH CHICKEN

1 Chicken
1 pkg Corn Tortillas
1 Onion
1 pkg Longhorn Cheese
1 can Cream/Mushroom Soup
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 can Cream/Chicken Soup

1 9”x13” Casserole dish

Boil and debone Chicken - Save Broth! In separate bowl, mix: Can of Mushroom and can of Chicken Soup, the Rotel Tomatoes (only 1/2 can of liquid), 1/4 cup Chicken broth, and 1/4 cup chopped Onion. Layer...

Soften Corn Tortillas in Chicken broth and line dish. Layer Chicken, using 1/2 the Chicken. Layer Soup mixture. Layer grated Longhorn. Repeat layers - ending with Cheese. Bake at 350 deg for 30 to 45 minutes.

Update: Since Glenn was so kind as to link to the Carnival of the Recipes, I figured the least I could do is link to his recipe for Pasta with Tomato, Basil and Chevre sauce and an interesting chicken recipe, Instachicken.

One more Recipe - everything else goes to next week - E Poet has a recipe for ribs.

Here are the links to ALL Carnivals of the Recipes!

Posted by Beth at 6:33 PM | Comments (17)

Deadline is 6:00 PM Central

For recipes for the Carnival of Recipes!
My email address is beth(at)thedonovan(dot)com.
It will probably take me an hour or so to finish putting together this carnival of bloggy, linky yummy goodness!

Thanks everyone, for participating.

Posted by Beth at 2:05 PM | Comments (3)

Somebody should lose their job over this

Nuclear Data Found Missing From New Mexico.

Someone in the Energy Department should suffer for this - documentation on nuclear weapsons is coming up missing in New Mexico at several DOE locations - this is very dangerous and scary.

Posted by Beth at 1:03 PM

August 19, 2004

Army Breast Care

Glen thinks that it is probably a bad idea for women under military medical care to be able to get breast implants He links to this article, where a pretty young thing, a porn star is protesting military women getting boob jobs via the Army.

I can understand where the pretty young thing doesn't understand what the hell is going on - but let me, someone who gets all her medical care from the military, explain.

Plastic Surgeons in the military need to be able to keep up with their specialty. These doctors treat women who have had breast cancer and need reconstructive surgery. They also need to be able to fix women who have been injured on the job - what if a mine blows up and shrapnel gets buried in a boob? Is that woman to lose her boob with no replacement? Shit - if you lose a leg, you get a prothesis - if you lose a boob, they should get a replacement, too. To keep in practice, they need to do a certain amount of breast implants a year.

If that means that an occassional young woman gets an implant, and another young woman gets breast reduction surgery, I'm all for it.

Many people are totally unaware that retired military folks and their spouses continue to have health insurance through the military.

If I ever lose a boob to cancer, I sure as hell want my military physician to be able to make me look good.

And, one more thing - these active duty physicians, these officers, give up a lot to be in the Army, Airforce, Navy, etc., the least we can do as society is to enable them to keep their specialties intact while they serve our country.
So, Glen, evil puppy blender - feel ashamed for jumping to conclusions. It's a dumb game!

Posted by Beth at 8:19 PM | Comments (6)

Recipes

So far, I have 8 really yummy looking recipes for the carnival. Thanks, everyone for sending them to me.
My email address is beth(at)thedonovan(dot)com if you want to send me a link to one or a recipe to be in the Carnival of the Recipes tomorrow.

Posted by Beth at 5:14 PM | Comments (1)

What the blogosphere needs

Is a Carnival of Recipes! I look around, and I find absolutely wonderful recipes from many bloggers. Some bloggers are professional cookbook authors, and just talk about their recipes, but others of us are willing to give every detail of a recipe to the rest of the world.

So, I am going to start the Carnival of Recipes. Send a link to your recipe, or the recipe yourself if you don't have your own blog to beth(at)thedonovan(dot)com.

And on Friday evening, cooks everywhere will come looking for your bestest ever dish!

And frankly, I need some new recipes.

Deadline is Friday at 6:00 Central Daylight Time. Oh, and that is PM!
Now, I'll be embarrassed as hell if no one sends me anything, so please, please, please ----- send me a link or recipe!

Posted by Beth at 5:06 PM | Comments (19)

Exotic Ocean Creature

Sandi sent me this picture of a Sea Horse. I think you will find it just fascinating.

It is in the extended entry.

Posted by Beth at 8:14 AM | Comments (2)

Ted Rall properly put in his place

Michele fisks Ted Rall's latest whacko diatribe in her Bitchslap Ted Rall Day: Protest Edition.

I'm very happy she puts him in his place, as his words are seared -- seared in me.

Posted by Beth at 7:56 AM

Did you serve in the Military?

Jeff Quinton is looking for bloggers, of whatever persuasion, who ever served in the military

I guess that even includes me.

1976 - 1978, US Army Reserve, Behavioral Science Specialist 5th Class (they don't have that rank anymore!), 325th General Hospital.

Posted by Beth at 6:48 AM

More on Recipe Carnival

A few of my friends are worried about what kind of recipe they should submit to the Carnival of the Recipes.
Anything goes, as long as it does not include household pets, humans or horses.
(That should keep the French away).
Pork Fat Rules, as Emeril says.
Drink recipes would be good too!

Posted by Beth at 6:07 AM | Comments (2)

Wictory Wednesday a day late

Let's fight back against the Kerry money machine funded by George Soros. George Bush is my candidate, and he ought to be yours, too.

Donate your time or money to help reelect President Bush.

I support George Bush. I will vote for him in the coming election. Even though I am an independant voter and was once a Democrat, the Republican Party (despite their undeniable faults) is the best choice. George Bush is the only leader running for election. We need a leader during time of war. Not just the war in Iraq, but the global war on terror that we are just starting.

If John Kerry is elected, we will lose the War on Terror. In fact, if he has his way, we will be subjugated to so-called "International Law" and our Constitution will be secondary.

All the bloggers listed below are also proud to support President Bush.

Posted by Beth at 6:00 AM | Comments (1)

August 18, 2004

Insomnia

It seems like it was not too long ago that I read that one of the symptoms of perimenapause (a horrid part of life that both myself and John are suffering through - he having to put up with me!) is insomnia.
I am able to fall asleep with no problem. Then, usually between 12:30 am and 1:00 am, I wake up. I'm hot. I will throw all the sheets and blankets off and remove my nightgown and try to cool off. Eventually, I might get cooler, and then I might get up and go to the bathroom, and then, when I try to fall asleep again, I can''t. I can't get comfortable, I can't stop thinking about everything on earth, I can't fricking sleep.
John has been telling me that I should get out of bed and go do something if I can't sleep. So far, I have not found anything scientific to back up his claims, but I tried it anyway last night and ended up doing a pretty thorough cleaning of about 3/4 of my kitchen - cabinets, countertops, appliances - cleaned them all

Now, of course, I am pooped. Completely.

Posted by Beth at 10:04 AM | Comments (9)

August 17, 2004

My Favorite Grocery Store Ever.

There is a small local chain of 16 grocery stores in the Kansas City area that is absolutely the best. The stores are called Hen House Markets.
We do not have one in Leavenworth, but there is one on my way home from work, and occassionally I'll stop there to pick up something for dinner. I did so tonight.
I wish every grocery store was as cool as Hen House is. It is a beautiful store - arranged artfully and logically. I also like the fact that they carry all the local produce they can find. I can buy organic milk, eggs, veggies and beef all produced within about 50 miles of Kansas City.
They have absolutely the best produce section, deli section, fish, chicken and meat section ever.
Tonight, I picked up a quiche for dinner tonight - just 20 minutes in the oven and voila, John and I had a yummy brocoli quiche - and enough for two dinners. Wow, I love that store.

Posted by Beth at 8:40 PM | Comments (6)

August 16, 2004

Swift Boat Veterans

Wow, some people are all worked up about the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Democrats claim that they are a nothing but a Republican hit squad.
Some Democrats seem to think that really rich Republicans are giving the Swifties big bucks for more advertisments that will hurt poor Kerry.

If that was true, don't you think that they would have generated more than $400,000 in donations from all those rich Republicans?

Instead, this is turning into a grass roots thing - $400,000 of new donations from 8,000 people.

That averages out to $50 a donation. (The amount I donated, by the way)

Roy F. Hoffman, a retired admiral and chairman of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said the first TV ad, which ran for one week in Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia at a cost of $550,000, got so much national news attention that it generated an additional $400,000 from 8,000 donors around the country. "We are putting together the second ad," said Hoffman, 78, of Richmond, Va. As a Navy captain in 1968 and 1969, Hoffman commanded a unit of 1,650 sailors that included Kerry as a lieutenant. Hoffman said the unit, known as Task Force 115, included about 16 swift boats and their crews, which patrolled the delta looking for Viet Cong and other enemy fighters.

If you would like to donate money to help the Swift Boat Vets get out the truth because Big Media will not, click here.

Posted by Beth at 6:12 AM | Comments (6)

August 15, 2004

Beef Rib Roast

Found a nice 4 pound rib roast today at the commissary - thought I'd make a special dinner since Andy and August go off to their respective universities tomorrow.
I decided to try something a little different. I had a recipe where you marinate the beef roast for a couple of hours and then smear a kosher salt and water paste all over the roast.
I don't have time for a marinade, so I am trying this out -
2 cups of coarse kosher salt.
1/3 cup olive oil (I always use extra virgin)
fresh basil leaves
fresh thyme
fresh marjoram
a bunch of garlic cloves
freshly ground pepper.

I put them all in the food processor until they were smashed up together.

Spread it all over the roast. Cooking it at 325 for about 20 to 25 minutes to the pound.

I'll keep you informed. The salt and herb paste looks green - I don't know if that will change or not.

Update:

Yum. The greenish color of the salt went away with roasting. It is important to brush the salt away before serving.
The roast was super tender and very tasty!

In fact, I would be proud to serve it for company - if Tammi or anyone else is ever in town!

Posted by Beth at 5:08 PM | Comments (13)

Exhibit 13

I found this link at NZ Bear's place.

Exhibit 13

No words necessary.

Posted by Beth at 12:21 PM | Comments (1)

Word Association

From LunaNiña.com | Unconscious Mutterings: Week 80

Server - Microsoft Exchange
Charlotte - Shrimp and Grits
Jackson - Mississippi
Resentment - grudge
Controlling - Kerry
Intense - Charlie
November - scary
Donkey - ass
Weave - extra hair
Satisfies - home made bread

Thanks to Stevie for discovering this cool word play.

Posted by Beth at 8:38 AM | Comments (2)

Kerry can't get his story straight

Captain's Quarters has an excellent time line of Kerry's time in Vietname from January through March 1969.

This timeline made clear that the Kerry camp has said all sorts of things to make it look like Kerry did a lot more than he did - and I mean a lot - go read the post, it is well worth it.

Captain Ed states (and I wholeheartedly agree)

In order to clear this up, both Kerry and Alston need to release all of their military records for review. Because the way it looks right now, Kerry and his campaign have perpetrated a fraud in order to bolster the credentials from the only executive role he has ever had, and the central qualification he's put forward for his candidacy.

And as a note, the Kansas City Star is finally covering this story. The KC Star has become a very left of center newspaper (when it was once quite moderate, reflecting the metro area). I was really pleased to learn that the Star is finally doing the right thing and reporting the news.

Posted by Beth at 6:57 AM

August 14, 2004

About Time

Venomous Kate is back. Finally. Geeze. What took her so long?

I guess she really had a rather nice summer without blogging. I'm envious, but I'm sure glad she is back for the elections!

Posted by Beth at 7:18 PM

College starts too soon

Andy has to go back to Kansas State on Monday. I will really miss him. August got an apartment this summer, so we haven't seen him all summer until this weekend - he came back to Leavenworth for a few days before classes start up again at Kansas University.

So we took them shopping today - they both needed new shoes, new jeans, new shirts, new belts, new this, new that. We spent most of our money at Kohls, as they have a great selection of name brand stuff at affordable prices. I was thrilled to find out that in Missouri, no sales taxes are charged this weekend on clothes and shoes (individual items had to be underr $100 to keep people from scamming the deal too much) for back to school.

It's good to have August and Andy here for the weekend. They are playing DDR and other Playstation games like crazy.

On Monday, I'll drive Andy out to Manhattan, Kansas. He will be a sophomore now. As far as I'm concerned, he is growing up too fast! I'll miss him.

Posted by Beth at 7:13 PM

Misogynist Muslims

Karol Sheinin (of Dean's World) linked to this editorial in the New York Post.

I will admit, I cannot stand how Islamic women are treated - actually, I cannot abide how Islam looks at all women.

The editorial explains how it is nearly impossible for most Muslim women to participate in any sports at all.

"The question how much of a woman's body could be seen in public is one of the two or three most important issues that have dominated theological debate in Islam for decades," says Mohsen Sahabi, a Muslim historian. "More time and energy is devoted to this issue than to economic development or scientific research. "

Fundamentalist Muslims are afraid that Muslim men (who apparently have no self control whatsoever) are going to just go completely apeshit if they see a woman's legs or arms or hair.

Hijab theoreticians agree on one claim: a woman's hair emanates dangerous rays that could drive men wild with sexual lust and thus undermine social peace.

And in Iran, the Mullahs have decreed that women may not ride bikes or motorcycles (I imagine horseback riding would be verboten also):

" In 2000, for example, the Khomeinist authorities in Tehran announced a ban on women riding bicycles or motorcycles. The rationale? Riding bicycles or motorcycles would activate a woman's thighs and legs, thus arousing "uncontrollable lustful drives" in her. And men watching women on their bikes in the streets could be "led towards dangerous urges."

I did a little more looking around, and I found that according to some Islamic scholars, Muslim women are not allowed to swim. They can't even learn to swim, even if they are in an all female facility.

Perhaps, with more and more democracy in the Middle East, someday these women will be able to be free to run around a track in comfortable clothing, or learn to swim, or ride a bike.

Posted by Beth at 5:44 PM | Comments (2)

Kerry's Prescription Drug Fallacy

John Kerry criticizes President Bush for not allowing importation of prescription drugs from countries where the drugs are cheaper.
From the John Kerry for President website:

The Kerry-Edwards plan will reduce prescription drug prices by allowing the re-importation of safe prescription drugs from Canada, overhauling the Medicare drug plan, ensuring low-cost drugs, and ending artificial barriers to generic drug competition.

The Congressional Budget Office disagrees.

In a briefing entitled "Would Prescription Drug Importation Reduce U.S. Drug Spending?", their conclusion is that it might reduce prescription prices by 1%. Now, mind you, once we start reimporting drugs into our country, the FDA will not be able to regulate them - it will be hard to know what the original expiration dates, etc., would be for those drugs, but Kerry and Edwards are apparently willing to risk possibly bad and outdated pills to save 1%. And think of the possibility of terrorists reselling tainted pills to the US from - say, Canada.

Here is the conclusion of the CBO:

On the basis of its evaluation of proposals to date, CBO has concluded that permitting the importation of foreign-distributed prescription drugs would produce at most a modest reduction in prescription drug spending in the United States. H.R. 2427, for example, which would have permitted importation from a broad set of industrialized countries, was estimated to reduce total drug spending by $40 billion over 10 years, or by about 1 percent.(14) Permitting importation only from Canada would produce a negligible reduction in drug spending.

And after thinking about it some more, I suspect it will cost us more, because, for these reimported drugs to be safe, then the FDA will have to get involved with verifying their safety.

Posted by Beth at 7:38 AM | Comments (4)

Frightening

Baldilocks has learned that Kerry is so concerned about his fellow citizens, that:

As Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, John Kerry authored an executive order that specifically made no provision for the civil defense of the citizens of his state.

And he did this because nuclear weapons are bad.

Posted by Beth at 7:09 AM

Best Political Sign of the Week

Picture is from Yahoo News.

Thank you, Oh Allah, for pointing this one out!

Posted by Beth at 6:51 AM | Comments (1)

August 13, 2004

Low Carb Yummy

John and I are trying to keep our carb intake at a minimum, so I make a lot of deviled eggs for snacking on.
I was looking through the internet for something different in the way of deviled eggs and found several recipes that used curry powder.
So I hardboiled 10 eggs, mixed the yolks with mayonnaise (has to be Helmans) about 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.

They are quite good. A nice change from the normal mustard, vinegar, mayo and relish type.

Yummy.

Posted by Beth at 8:29 PM | Comments (2)

Julia Child is dead

(registration required, sorry)Julia Child Dies at 91

She was a very cool lady. What a life - the Dallas Morning News has a very nice write up on her.

Posted by Beth at 1:51 PM | Comments (2)

Kerry's Complete Military Records should be opened

The way I see it, that is the only way anyone will know how many lies or truths Kerry is telling about his Vietnam experience.

He keeps changing his story. The true story is somewhere.

Why isn't some media outlet suing to have the records open? It's common practice for them to do this to Republicans.

Of course, if Kerry had an ounce of honesty, he would give permission for the records to be made public.

If Kerry really is this confused about when he was in Cambodia - can't differentiate Christmas from January/February - perhaps he should be examined to be sure that he does not have a problem with his mental faculties.

Do we want really want a president who doesn't know where he has been?

Of course, we know that Kerry has no idea where he is going either - as everything changes from one day to the next.

Do we really want a president who is possibly making up stories so he looks good?

And I'd really love to see his OERs.

John Kerry is just plain creepy. He can't decide what he believes in until he sees the polls - then he changes his beliefs to fit what he thinks people want.

What we want, and need, is a president who knows what he believes. Like President Bush.

Posted by Beth at 10:33 AM

August 12, 2004

The fact that he is gay is not important

What is most important is that this man, Governor McGreevey, has ruined the lives of his wife and his children by lying to them for years. I would be devastated if my husband decided he was gay - and then announced it the world.

Posted by Beth at 9:53 PM | Comments (5)

Oh, man!

mlah: We've Been Duped!

Seperated at birth?

Posted by Beth at 9:26 PM

Everyone, everyone needs to read this.

MY WAR - Fear And Loathing In Iraq: Interview With An Iraqi.

Here is a sample:

QUESTION: Do you think The U.S. did the right thing by coming over?
ANSWER: Yes the United States did the right thing about coming here. As I told you, to give the Iraqi people freedom. Because we don't have any freedom before the war. We can't speak, we cannot talk about the government, we can't talk about the president. We are restricted here in Iraq.
QUESTION: What do you think of people that protest us being here?
ANSWER: I think some of them are crazy, because why are they protesting? They protest for nothing. Why they protest? American Forces came over here in order to help them. I consider American Forces a friend to the Iraqi people, not an enemy, there is no need to protest.

Go read the whole interview.

Posted by Beth at 8:21 PM

Blogger gossip

Rosemary, the Queen of All Evil, has a rant about a knuckleheaded professor of Women's Studies beliefs.. Don't miss it. The lovely Joanie, DaGoddess, is going to the dogs. BeeBee has discovered something called Cuddle Parties. Apparently, people in NYC need these things.

The company that Jim works for has been assimilated.I worry about the company I work for being assimilated by Oracle or Microsoft sometimes. We have been on Microsoft's list in the past. Hopefully, this will mean only good things for Jim.

Helen has a story of British Bureaucracy mixed with her own story. Read her. She should put her posts together into books. I know they would be best sellers.

Key is a friend of a famous writer. I am so jealous, Key, John Ringo must be a fascinating person. Our whole family reads fantasy science fiction.

I'm a bit worried about our Florida friends - Boudicca and Pam and Tammi.
Go add Teresa to your blogroll. She is good. You *will* like her.

Madfish Willie has a somewhat off color joke.

Allah has odds on who the Al Quaida assasination target may be.

John *finally* got his own stamp.

Posted by Beth at 8:04 PM | Comments (6)

Two of my favorite bloggers get recognition!

The National Review Online's Dan Leroy has a great story about conservative, Black bloggers.

I was really happy to see that two of my favorites, LaShawn Barber and Juliette (Baldilocks) were among the bloggers he interviewed.

And, because of the article, I learned about Avery Tooley, who I am now adding to my blogroll. He is a conservative. He has a great sense of humor, and I like him, especially since I'm a white girl with butt - at least easy chair sized!.

Posted by Beth at 9:05 AM | Comments (2)

August 11, 2004

Economics 101

I have heard a lot of people across all of the political spectrum complain about our current budget deficits.

People - we are at war. Wartime is one of those times when we should be running deficits - so we can protect ourselves properly - so we can win the war.

Did you all not learn that in Economics 101?

Posted by Beth at 10:27 PM | Comments (3)

Cool, I have a stamp!

Rusty Shakleford made a stamp for me! It's even appropriate, in that my dad worked for a brewery. That brewery was so important to our family as I was growing up that whenever we drove by headquarters, we were all taught to bow our heads.

Go see all the postage stamps

Posted by Beth at 10:13 PM | Comments (2)

Rambling Rant

I'm just gonna ramble on here, so feel free to completely ignore me.

Today, I read about how many leftists despise any kind of meritocracy - they don't believe that one should get any more money for working hard than a person who doesn't work hard. I found this article via The Corner- thanks, Ramesh.
Matthew Yglesias wrote :

equality of opportunity and the cult of the self-made man is an utter fraud both empirically and morally. Meritocracy is an appalling ideal. Being born with the inclination and ability to become financially successful is no more morally praiseworthy than being born with the inclination and ability to inherit a large fortune. It's chance all the way down either way. There are reasons to structure incentives so as to encourage a certain amount of hard work so as to increase overall prosperity, but this is a question of pragmatics not desert, and only worth doing if overall prosperity is being managed so as to cause widespread prosperity.

Now, I will be the first to admit that Matthew Yglesias is a brilliant young man, even though I disagree with him on nearly everything he discusses. I fail to find any sense in his reasoning that hard workers are not more deserving of merit recognition in the way of raises and awards, though.

Now, I'm an old fart - 51 years old. I graduated from a small Jesuit College way back in 1975 - probably before Mr. Yglesias was a sparkle in his father's eyes.

And even though I attended a small college (or perhaps because I attended a small college), I learned to think. We were required to have something like 16 hours of philosophy and 12 hours of theology to graduate (and no, it was not all Catholic theology and philosophy, though the study of St. Anselm's Ontological Argument was quite fascinating). We all joked that the Jesuits taught us to question everything.

So, back to the idea that people who put their shoulders behind the wheel are no worthier of merit than the self-described hippie I saw today on the Plaza with a sign that said 'help a hippie, give me money". (I swear I will carry my camera with me at all times in the future so I don't miss these opportunities!!!)

So, as I ramble on, these are my thoughts on 'meritocracy' -

Matthew says "equality of opportunity and the cult of the self-made man is an utter fraud both empirically and morally"

In 1993, I ended up a divorced, and therefore single mom. I had not worked for 8 years. Back when I had worked, I can't say I had ever had a career - first a social worker, then retail management - not much money, not much fun. Anyway, I cleaned houses for awhile. Yes. I cleaned houses - I was a house cleaner - I cleaned other people's toilets, floors, kitchens, windows! (perhaps that is why my house is such a mess now - can't stand to clean anymore!)
So why am I a fraud? Please explain this to me?
Now, my official title is "Senior Technology Analyst" (I'm really a consultant). My salary is much higher than I ever imagined I would make, and I am up for a promotion and another large salary increase next month. The company I work for truly rewards those who do a good job, and that is why good people stay there. Now, for those who believe that people end up doing well because they look good or because they have connections - you are all full of shit. I do well because I work my ass off and because our clients really like me because I am honest and true and friendly. (although occasionally snarky)
But Matthew thinks that giving merit raises to hard workers is wrong. I should make the same amount of money as the just out of college slug who manages to put in maybe 20 hours of true work a week.

He thinks that it is immoral that I earn more than a co-worker who does not work as hard or make as many clients happy as I do.

Just what would be my incentive to work hard without reward? Huh? Nothing, hell, if I thought I could get away with sitting around at home, throwing pots on my wheel and being creative with my stained glass and playing with my horses, dogs and cats every day, well, the heck with work. Let some other hard working idiot provide me with the wherewithal so I can be 'me'.

These folks really believe that we should all have the same amount of stuff ... no matter how hard we work. I guess that is why they are Democrats - so they can take as much as my hard-earned money as possible and give it out to starving artists who can't earn any money because they don't want to sell out their souls by working at a real job that pays money.

I believe that I appreciate what I have because I have earned it myself. I believe that there *is* a difference betweeen people who work for their money and people who inherit it or marry into it (Teresa and John Kerry come to mind)

I am immoral, according to those of Matthew's political beliefs. And I'm a fraud.

The whole idea that hard work is not deserving is so unbelievably absurd, that I just get the willies thinking about it all.

argghhhh

Posted by Beth at 8:47 PM | Comments (8)

August 9, 2004

Is this really a publicity source that Springsteen wants to be associated with?

The Muslim American Society is gushing about the Sprinsteen anti-Bush bs.

Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks and a score of other top-name musical acts have joined forces for a series of nationwide shows to help oust President George W. Bush from the White House. The week-long set of concert dates - 34 shows in 28 cities - beginning October 1, targets key battleground states which are expected to go to the wire on Election Day, November 2, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Posted by Beth at 3:59 PM | Comments (4)

Mrs. Heinz-Kerry

You know, Teresa Heinz-Kerry is really behaving quite differently from any other presidential candidate spouse that I can remember.

She has absolutely no class. She has told a reporter to 'shove it' (can you imagine *any* former first lady saying something like that during her husband's campaign?)

She has yelled at President Bush's supporters that they want "Four more years of Hell!"

And now, she is complaining that Bush Supporters in Sedalia, Missouri are not being nice to the Kerry Campaign and claims that Democrats would be nice to Laura Bush.

would like to say to all of you that if Laura Bush was here I'd say 'hello' politely to her and I'd expect all Democrats to do that too. This is a free country and in a free Democratic country we have our opinions but we respect other people's place. So enjoy your democracy, enjoy your democracy.

Well, Mrs. Kerry-Heinz, Laura Bush would never tell anyone to shove it. She would never scream "Four more years of Hell" about a political opponent's term of office.

Do read the whole article on CNN, and also note how Little John (Edwards) says that Democrats would never shout down an opponent. And he most condescendingly instructed protesters to use "Good Missouri manners".

Apparently the Eastern Johns think that those of us in the middle of the country are stupid rubes who don't read, don't listen to the radio and don't watch TV - otherwise why would we believe that Democrats don't shout down opponents?

Arrogant, arrogant, arrogant - this is what we are going to get for 4 years if the Kerry/Edwards bathroom fixtures are elected.

Posted by Beth at 6:40 AM | Comments (10)

August 8, 2004

In case you missed it ...

Mamamontezz has new digs. I am changing my blogroll now, before I forget, and I suggest you do the same.

Nice place, Mamamontezz!

Posted by Beth at 1:22 PM | Comments (1)

Prediction ...

The Truth Laid Bear does not speak very often. But he speaks now.

The biggest problem for Kerry is that the Swifties' attacks confirm what we really want to believe about him anyway. He's been so damned annoying about his Vietnam record that we secretly want to think the worst of him, and now the Swifties have provided a rational basis for that gut-level irritation that Kerry inspires when he blathers on about his war record. This isn't just bad for Kerry, it's disasterous: the amorphous negative that normal people have when exposed to Kerry's "leadership, courage, and sacrifice" / "three purple hearts" mantra now has a core of fact -- or at least, alleged fact --- around which to crystalize.

Unless Kerry's campaign manages to completely discredit the Swifties --- which seems increasingly unlikely --- the campaign is over; Kerry is done

I truly hope The Bear is right.

I have noticed that there are a lot of comments from apparent Kerry supporters on everyone's blog - and they all seem to say the same thing: (this is a comment from one of my posts):

What kind of person attacks the military record of a man who volunteered to serve his country in Vietnam and was wounded in battle? You people really take the cake. Kerry served. Bush pulled strings to avoid it. All you accomplish with scurrilous attacks on Kerry's military service is to keep reminding people about this fundamental difference in their personal character.

And the commenter *never* has a valid email address or a web URL.

The thing is, oh ye anonymous commenters, it looks more and more like Kerry was not wounded in battle so much as he wounded himself, at least once.

The thing is, Democrat speakers, Kerry did not lead or behave as the majority of Military Officers behave when he got out of Vietnam on his 3rd Purple Heart in 3 months - the one which now appears to be accidentally self-inflicted.

I have not heard of other officers getting out on the 3rd Purple Heart loophole - most officers have more honor than to do that.

Kerry is apparently without honor. He should not lead our country. He should not even lead a Boy Scout Troop, with his inability to avoid so many injuries - he would be a bad example.

Posted by Beth at 1:19 PM | Comments (4)

Why it's okay to beat women ...

More fine suggestions on living a holy life from the Religion of Peace.

Egyptian Sheik Muhammad Al-Massir of Al-Azhar University also explained the circumstances in which a husband is allowed to beat his wife. If a woman is disobedient, he explained on the Saudi-based channel Iqra TV, " a woman for whom marital life is important suffers when she is left alone in the bed. If we get to a point where abandonment [in bed] does not pain her and words do not deter her, we may have come to the stage of beatings."

From MEMRI, a site dedicated to revealing the truth about Islam and the Middle East.

Posted by Beth at 9:37 AM | Comments (3)

August 7, 2004

More of Mrs. Heinz-Kerry

I hope the Democrats don't realize this, but this woman needs to be fed large doses of thorazine and locked up for the duration:

Addressing the crowd, Kerry's wife, Teresa, took a swipe at the Bush administration. "You cannot solve problems by throwing stones, and you cannot solve problems by telling lies, and you cannot solve problems by wishing ill to other people," she said. "The only way you solve problems is by holding hands and talking about it, and that's what we want to do in this campaign."

A tip of the hat to Viking Pundit!

Posted by Beth at 5:54 PM | Comments (4)

August 6, 2004

Today was spend time with my horses day.

I really should do this more often. Both of my guys needs a lot more attention from me than they have been getting for something like the past year. Since the company I work for gave everyone today off, I scheduled my vet to come and give Willie and Petey their West Nile Virus booster shots (damn, the veterinarian pharmaceutical companies are making a ton of money from West Nile - very expensive!)

I decided to just spend the whole day with the boys (by boys, I mean my horses) and catch up with them, so to speak.

I played games with Petey, my troublesome but very pretty APHA. Some people tell me he looks like a Hidalgo wannabe. Petey can run as fast as Hidalgo - I just can't stay on him when he does it!

So basically, I played with Petey for about 4 hours total, and with Willie (my beloved, dependable horse) for an hour or so. Then Jeannie, our Veterinarian came and gave them their booster shots.

Willie is always very good about getting shots. But as soon as Petey saw Jeannie, he turned his butt toward her. (he does not like shots, and he remembers that Jeanie gives them to him) I had to use bribes to get him to turn around so I could put his halter on.

It was a great day. I'm physically tired - normally, I am just mentally tired - and it feels good.

Right now, I'm letting John do all the important blogging. I'm just fixing dinner and margaritas for us.

Posted by Beth at 5:46 PM | Comments (2)

August 5, 2004

The Religion of "Peace" Strikes again

Woman beheaded, six killed

Srinagar, India - Suspected Islamic rebels decapitated a woman in Indian Kashmir and left her head hanging in a tree, police said on Thursday, adding that six other people were killed in the restive state.

Police were investigating the motive for the beheading of Shameema Akhter near the town of Tral, 40km south of the Kashmiri summer capital Srinagar, a police spokesperson said.

I wonder if Michael Moore would insist that these terrorists are just misunderstood and that it is really all the USA's fault?

I work with two young people whose parents are from India. They both practice Hinduism, and both of them are appalled by these kind of attacks - but, I must say - they will both vote for John Kerry because that is who all their non-Indian friends are voting for.

They have no sense of righteousness.

Thanks to Little Green Footballs for the link.

Posted by Beth at 7:10 PM | Comments (1)

Obviously, Kerry is running scared

The DNC's lawyers are writing threatening letters to stations airing the Swift Boat Veterans' Ad.

As NRO points out, the letter itself is hedging the truth - it claims that the speakers in the ad did not serve 'under' Kerry - but the ad clearly states, they served *with* him - these were his peers - but then, perhaps a rich kid from Boston with Presidential aspirations from Day 1 doesn't believe he has any peers.

And ... isn't it to be expected that two attorneys would go for threatening lawsuits as their first defensive action? I wonder if it is John Edward's old firm sending out the threats, or just George Soros's legal goons?

John Kerry deserves this. He is the one who 'saluted' and said that 'help is on the way' during his acceptence speech. He is the one who has to keep reminding us that he served in Vietnam. What he doesn't keep reminding us is that he only served in Vietnam for 4 months - and was such a klutz and was so stupid (or purposely careless) as to be 'wounded' 3 times in 4 months.

My father-in-law was wounded 5 times in Vietnam. He did not use his 3rd Vietnam Purple Heart as an excuse to go back home.

But then, my father-in-law is a man.

My father-in-law is a true patriot.

What bothers me the most about John Kerry, though, are his actions after he got his early out from the Navy.

What does he have to say to American prisoners of war who were taunted with transcripts of John Kerry's 'testimony' before Congress?

I have not heard an apology.

I have not even heard an acknoweldgement that he betrayed American troops.

The man is an arrogant bastard. Even those who served with him say he was an arrogant, haughty man.

A leader does not lead by arrogance and by belief that he is better than the rest of us.

It is the day-to-day actions of a man or woman that defines if they are leaders or not.

Kerry is not a leader.

It is a shame that he is the best the Democrats can do.

By the way, if you want to donate to keep these ads on the air, click here.

Joe Lieberman would have been a much more honorable candidate.

Posted by Beth at 4:34 PM | Comments (7)

August 4, 2004

Wictory Wednesday

If you are as sick and tired as I am of the leftist, Bush-hating propaganda that is being perpetrated by the Media, so-called Intellectuals (so-called, because if they were truly intellectuals, they would see the errors in their logic) and Hollywood (and Hollywood wannabees like Linda Rondstadt), then fight back.

Donate your time or money to help reelect President Bush.

I support George Bush. I will vote for him in the coming election. Even though I am an independant voter and was once a Democrat, the Republican Party (despite their undeniable faults) is the best choice. George Bush is the only leader running for election. We need a leader during time of war. Not just the war in Iraq, but the global war on terror that we are just starting.

If John Kerry is elected, we will lose the War on Terror. In fact, if he has his way, we will be subjugated to so-called "International Law" and our Constitution will be secondary.

All the bloggers listed below are also proud to support President Bush.

Posted by Beth at 8:36 PM | Comments (1)

I have never trusted unnamed Government Lackies

I'm sorry, Commissar. If what this New York Times article says is true (and there are many reasons not to believe a thing the New York Times says), then why were all of the Syrians questioned at the termination of the flight?

Why the change in story from the original Air Marshall to this unnamed one.

This information proves nothing to me.