Yesterday's future is tomorrow's past. - unknown
Time is always marching forward. Today is both your past and your future. Use it to make a memorable past and a hopeful future.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Quote of the Week
Monday, March 23, 2015
Quote of the Week
Look not at the days gone by with a forlorn heart. They were simply the dots we can now connect with our present, to help us draw the outline of a beautiful tomorrow. - Dodinsky
It is now Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, and with Spring comes renewal both in nature and humanity. With the onset of warmer weather, more daylight and the blossoming of the trees and flowers comes a sense of anticipation and rejuvenation. This is often accompanied by the occasional bout of Spring fever and/or allergies.
Today's quote reminds to look back, not with sadness, but with the knowledge that the past led to the present and both help us prepare for the future. Unlike the game we played as children where all the dots were numbered and everyone got from the beginning to the end along the same path, there are many different ways to get from where we've been to where we are going.
Let's pause for a moment of reflection and make the connections that will lead to our beautiful tomorrow.
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Thursday, March 19, 2015
8 Ways to Improve Your Memory
Do you keep misplacing your keys? Do you go upstairs to get or do something and can't remember what? Did you forget the name of the person you just met?
Even if you think your memory is too bad or it's too late to change, know this, the brain has an enormous capacity to adapt and change - even into your senior years. Your brain is part of your body so it stands to reason that what keeps your body happy and healthy would do the same for your brain. Here are some tips to keep your faculties at their best.
Sleep. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation compromises all mental function, including key memory enhancing activity.
Physical Exercise. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain, reducing the risk of diseases that can lead to memory loss and enhancing the effect of helpful brain chemicals like serotonin, noradrenalin, and dopamine. Each of these chemicals is vital to a physically, emotionally and mentally healthy body.
Focus. Pay attention and be patient. It takes about 8 seconds to process a piece of information into memory. It helps to make a connection between new information and previously stored information. I think this one could make the most difference because in our fast-paced lives we are just moving from one thing to another so quickly we are not absorbing the information.
Mental exercise is also essential for a healthy brain. Like our bodies, our brain becomes used to the same exercises, so keep your mental exercises new, challenging and fun. Try working the Sunday crossword puzzle or play memory games, such as Lumosity, on the computer.
Nutrition. We all know that eating a healthy, balanced diet with less fat, carbs and fewer processed foods, is supposed to keep our bodies healthy. The same applies to our brain health as well. Try adding more whole foods to your diet including fatty fish (omega 3), colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains and wine (in moderation, of course).
De-Stress. Stress plays a large part in short-term memory loss. For improved mental function, try some form of meditation. Meditation means awareness, so anything done with a single focus, blocking out all other distractions, is effective meditation. Notice that there is only a one-letter difference between meditation and medication.
Friend Therapy. Humans, being highly social animals, do not thrive in isolation. We need meaningful relationships for both emotional and mental health. Research has shown that the more active your social life, the slower your memory decline. To stay socially active consider volunteering, join a club or church, get together with friends more often, and don't overlook the value of having a pet - animals are very therapeutic.
Laughter. Laughter is the best medicine for brain and body alike. It engages multiple areas across the whole brain. Focus on finding the funny in everyday life, hang out with fun, happy people, and surround yourself with things that evoke good memories and make you smile.
Keep in mind that there is a boatload of information and tips for healthy brain function and better memory. These are just few ideas to get you thinking, reading and becoming invested in yourself.
Sources:
How to Improve Your Memory
Brain Chemical Messengers
Memory Loss
Disclaimer: For information purposes only and not to be taken as medical advice.
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Even if you think your memory is too bad or it's too late to change, know this, the brain has an enormous capacity to adapt and change - even into your senior years. Your brain is part of your body so it stands to reason that what keeps your body happy and healthy would do the same for your brain. Here are some tips to keep your faculties at their best.
Sleep. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation compromises all mental function, including key memory enhancing activity.
Physical Exercise. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain, reducing the risk of diseases that can lead to memory loss and enhancing the effect of helpful brain chemicals like serotonin, noradrenalin, and dopamine. Each of these chemicals is vital to a physically, emotionally and mentally healthy body.
Focus. Pay attention and be patient. It takes about 8 seconds to process a piece of information into memory. It helps to make a connection between new information and previously stored information. I think this one could make the most difference because in our fast-paced lives we are just moving from one thing to another so quickly we are not absorbing the information.
Mental exercise is also essential for a healthy brain. Like our bodies, our brain becomes used to the same exercises, so keep your mental exercises new, challenging and fun. Try working the Sunday crossword puzzle or play memory games, such as Lumosity, on the computer.
Nutrition. We all know that eating a healthy, balanced diet with less fat, carbs and fewer processed foods, is supposed to keep our bodies healthy. The same applies to our brain health as well. Try adding more whole foods to your diet including fatty fish (omega 3), colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains and wine (in moderation, of course).
De-Stress. Stress plays a large part in short-term memory loss. For improved mental function, try some form of meditation. Meditation means awareness, so anything done with a single focus, blocking out all other distractions, is effective meditation. Notice that there is only a one-letter difference between meditation and medication.
Friend Therapy. Humans, being highly social animals, do not thrive in isolation. We need meaningful relationships for both emotional and mental health. Research has shown that the more active your social life, the slower your memory decline. To stay socially active consider volunteering, join a club or church, get together with friends more often, and don't overlook the value of having a pet - animals are very therapeutic.
Laughter. Laughter is the best medicine for brain and body alike. It engages multiple areas across the whole brain. Focus on finding the funny in everyday life, hang out with fun, happy people, and surround yourself with things that evoke good memories and make you smile.
Keep in mind that there is a boatload of information and tips for healthy brain function and better memory. These are just few ideas to get you thinking, reading and becoming invested in yourself.
Sources:
How to Improve Your Memory
Brain Chemical Messengers
Memory Loss
Disclaimer: For information purposes only and not to be taken as medical advice.
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Monday, March 16, 2015
Quote of the Week
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
- Irish Blessing
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
- Irish Blessing
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Any celebrations planned for tomorrow?
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Friday, March 13, 2015
Golden Fungi
Not being a connoisseur of mushrooms and rarely cooking with anything more elaborate than the grocery store white buttons, I had no idea what had sprouted in my yard. I was taking the garbage to the street when they caught my eye, almost golden in the late afternoon sun. I grabbed my camera to photograph yet another fungal find. To identify them, I searched on gold mushrooms on logs. As best as I could determine from the pictures and descriptions, my golden fungi were oyster mushrooms.
Most mushrooms seem to have a short life and are withered and gone within a few days or a week.
These, although past their prime, are still hanging on nearly a month later.
Having survived through a vicious winter cold spell with snow, ice and single-digit temperatures, this is what is left nearly two months after I first spotted them.
These mushrooms, being edible goodies, bring people out in the Fall to forage for them. While they can be found at any time, they are most prevalent in the Fall, growing on dead hardwood trees or logs in temperate areas all around the world, with the exception of the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.
The Oyster Mushroom is often used in Asian cooking, and sometimes made into a sauce similar to oyster sauce. They have a soft, chewy texture with somewhat of a seafood taste, making them perfect for seafood dishes and stock. They are best harvested when young because as they age they become tough and unpleasant tasting.
Oyster mushroom trivia:
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Most mushrooms seem to have a short life and are withered and gone within a few days or a week.
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| January 20, 2015 |
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| February 17, 2015 |
Having survived through a vicious winter cold spell with snow, ice and single-digit temperatures, this is what is left nearly two months after I first spotted them.
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| March 11, 2015 |
Oyster mushroom trivia:
- Now cultivated around the world, they were first cultivated in Germany during WWI as subsistence food.
- They are one of the few carnivorous mushrooms; they actually devour the nematodes residing on the host log. They hit them with a toxin then suck out their juices.
- Oyster refers to the shape of the cap which is similar to that of an oyster shell.
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Monday, March 9, 2015
Quote of the Week
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. - Abraham Lincoln
While there are many people and events that influence you, no one is going to be more instrumental to your success than you. It is up to you to be your biggest champion, to come to terms with and resolve any issues that stand in the way of your goals.
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While there are many people and events that influence you, no one is going to be more instrumental to your success than you. It is up to you to be your biggest champion, to come to terms with and resolve any issues that stand in the way of your goals.
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Monday, March 2, 2015
Quote of the Week
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. - William Arthur Ward
This is a variation on whether the glass is half full or half empty with one difference. In addition to the half-empty pessimist and the half-full optimist, we have the realist. The realist is the one who views all the angles and adapts to the current situation.
This lake is particularly fickle, and the wind can be blowing one minute and dead the next. The boat next to you may catch the wind and leave you sitting still. The realist looks at the surrounding conditions and makes the appropriate adjustments.
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This is a variation on whether the glass is half full or half empty with one difference. In addition to the half-empty pessimist and the half-full optimist, we have the realist. The realist is the one who views all the angles and adapts to the current situation.
This lake is particularly fickle, and the wind can be blowing one minute and dead the next. The boat next to you may catch the wind and leave you sitting still. The realist looks at the surrounding conditions and makes the appropriate adjustments.
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Monday, February 23, 2015
Quote of the Week
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax. - Abraham Lincoln.
Okay, who thinks this has anything to do with chopping down a tree? Maybe it's about always keeping your axes sharp?
I think it is about being prepared for the task ahead. If you have a project to complete or problem to solve and are running on a deadline, it pays to take some time to prepare so you are not working out the solution on the fly.
Bottom line... being prepared will help you accomplish your tasks more easily.
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Okay, who thinks this has anything to do with chopping down a tree? Maybe it's about always keeping your axes sharp?
I think it is about being prepared for the task ahead. If you have a project to complete or problem to solve and are running on a deadline, it pays to take some time to prepare so you are not working out the solution on the fly.
Bottom line... being prepared will help you accomplish your tasks more easily.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Not Just Another Day!
February 18th is:
National Drink Wine Day
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| Cheers! |
National Battery Day
Ash Wednesday
But most importantly
It is Hubby's birthday!
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| A great big Happy Birthday to my hubby! |
Monday, February 16, 2015
Quote of the Week
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| Abraham Lincoln |
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| George Washington |
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. ― Abraham Lincoln
What do both these quotes have in common? Character. Lincoln said, "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."
What is Presidents Day? A day off work, sales and special events? Before we rush out for 10% off this or 30% off that, let's take a look at what Presidents Day really is. It all started with the death of George Washington, the first president of the United States, in 1799. The following year began the celebrations of his birthday on February 22. It was signed into law as a holiday in 1879 and was the first to honor an individual American's life.
Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 12, is celebrated in some states as a state holiday, but the rest combine the celebration of both Washington and Lincoln on Presidents Day.
Today it is commonly accepted as a celebration of all U.S. presidents, although some lawmakers object to this. They feel that grouping Washington and Lincoln with less successful presidents minimizes their legacies.
Some presidential trivia:
- Washington's picture first appeared on the one dollar bill in 1869.
- Lincoln's picture was chosen for the five dollar bill in 1914.
- Washington was opposed to political parties, Lincoln was republican.
- Washington was inaugurated in two cities, New York and Philadelphia.
- Lincoln was Presbyterian, Washington was Episcopalian.
- Lincoln's picture is on both the penny and the five dollar bill.
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Friday, February 13, 2015
14 Budget-Friendly Valentine's Ideas
Rooted in days of St. Valentine, the practice of writing romantic notes on Valentine's day began in the 1700s, and by the mid 1800s, real Valentine's cards were being manufactured in the U.S. By 1856, Valentine cards had become a topic of controversy. An editorial in the New York Times stated that many were cheap and indecent and only pleased the silly. Some relegate Valentine's to a holiday created by Hallmark, which wasn't even founded until 1910.
History or Hallmark, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to tell that special person just how happy you are to have them in your life. Here are a few tips for a great Valentine's Day that won't break the bank.
- Free Time. In our hectic lives we never have enough time for ourselves. Give your special Valentine, a free day to pamper themselves.
- Make it Personal. Tap into your creativity with colored card stock, scissors, glue, glitter and some colored markers to create a personalized Valentine card.
- Dine Out. Save a few dining dollars by eating in and then going out for drinks or dessert, or choose several items from the appetizer menu and share.
- Movie Night. Instead of dropping big bucks for a movie and the popcorn, candy and sodas which will likely run you more than the tickets, stay in and treat yourselves to delivery and rent a favorite movie.
- Flowers. Nix the expensive roses in favor of a beautiful mixed bouquet from the farmers market, or visit the grocery store's floral department.
- Goody Baskets. Pick up an inexpensive basket and fill it with such things as her favorite candy, lip balm, hand lotion, or scented candles. For him, a bottle of his favorite beer (not Bud), a decorative bottle opener, a pocket flash light, key chain, and yes, lip balm. This is Valentine's, you know.
- Cook. Even if you're not great in the kitchen, you can still serve a romantic meal. Get some Artisan bread, good olive oil, a nice cheese, olives and/or deli meat such as salami or prosciutto.
- Quality time. Spend time together strolling through a museum, take in an art show or a local concert. Check your newspaper for a listing of free events in your area.
- IOU. Present him or her with an IOU for two hours of your time and undivided attention.
- Do Chores. Wash and vacuum her car, do the vacuuming, take and pick up the dry cleaning, do the grocery shopping or the laundry.
- Togetherness. Take a walk or go for a drive and stop for ice cream or coffee/hot chocolate.
- Raise a Glass. Not all sparkling wines are expensive. Try a Spanish Cava or a Prosecco from Italy. There are ones are available for $10-15. Goes well with #7.
- Sweets. Yes, you can give candy. Pick up his favorite dark chocolate bar or choose some hand-selected truffles from a boutique or wine shop for her.
- Those three little words. I Love You! That is something that can't be said too often and is always appreciated no matter what day it is.
However you celebrate, remember it's all about the person, not the gifts, dinner, candy, etc.
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Wednesday, February 11, 2015
That's Our Girl
Is she looking for a little quiet time, or is she saying "Aha, the closet door is open...finally". I wish I had a video of her approach. You see even though the door was open there were a few obstacles in her way.
While she was trying to figure out how to reach the shelf, she looked like a cat on a Pogo stick, bouncing up and down on her back feet as if trying to calculate the distance and thrust required to elevate her 12-pound self to her goal. After a half dozen or so bounces she paused and tried to get in past the hamper. Nope, can't squeeze through the gap...more bounces. We were cracking up, trying to stifle our laughter so as not to scare her out of her mission.
She finally rethought her strategy and took the more circuitous route via a stool and a suitcase, then balancing on the hamper, stepped coolly onto the shelf.
"Well," I said "she's smarter than we thought." Sometimes she gives the impression of being somewhat of a ditz.
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| This is just the spot for me! |
While she was trying to figure out how to reach the shelf, she looked like a cat on a Pogo stick, bouncing up and down on her back feet as if trying to calculate the distance and thrust required to elevate her 12-pound self to her goal. After a half dozen or so bounces she paused and tried to get in past the hamper. Nope, can't squeeze through the gap...more bounces. We were cracking up, trying to stifle our laughter so as not to scare her out of her mission.
She finally rethought her strategy and took the more circuitous route via a stool and a suitcase, then balancing on the hamper, stepped coolly onto the shelf.
"Well," I said "she's smarter than we thought." Sometimes she gives the impression of being somewhat of a ditz.
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Monday, February 9, 2015
Remembering Dean Smith
In memory of Dean Smith, who passed away February 7, 2015, may your skies always be Carolina Blue.
If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot. - Dean Smith
What to do with a mistake - recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.
- Dean Smith
Dean Smith was a legend, not only at UNC, or in the ACC, he was a basketball icon. He was not only a master of the game, but a caring leader, well loved by his players.
“All of that is credited to him,” Michael Jordan once said of his career. “It never would have happened without Coach Smith.”
“I can’t put his impact on me into words,” Phil Ford said of Smith. “I don’t know where I’d be without him in my life. He’s been such an influence on me, and a friend and a brother and a father figure…Before I chose North Carolina, I felt that Coach Smith would be there for me my entire life. I was right.”
"Coach Smith was one of the most influential people in my life, and his passing brings me great sadness. However, he was a great man and someone I loved and respected greatly, and I celebrate the fact that I knew him and had him in my life for as long as I did." Mitch Kupchak, Lakers General Manager and former UNC player.
Not only was he loved by his players, he was admired and respected by the coaches he faced on the court.
Mike Krzyzewski on Dean Smith's passing: "We have lost a man who cannot be replaced." Coach K went on to say "...his greatest gift was his unique ability to teach what it takes to become a good man. That was easy for him to do because he was a great man himself."
Over the years I probably watched hundreds or even thousands of hours of basketball, listening to it on the radio when the game was not televised. I shouted for joy when they won and fell silent when they lost. Most years there were more wins than losses, and I clearly remember the 1982 championship game. I was seated on the floor in front of the TV with a rolled up newspaper in my hands. I alternated between barely breathing and shouting the house down. When the final buzzer sounded, shredded paper rained down around me.
Another game that stands out is the 1974 game between Duke and Carolina. UNC was 8 points down with 17 seconds left on the clock, and they won the game. Here is a clip of that fantastic finish.
Although I don't follow college basketball like I used to, I am still a Carolina fan at heart, and this is, by far, the Tarheels' greatest loss.
Read more about Dean Smith, the man and the coach.
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Monday, February 2, 2015
Quote of the Week
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
- Neale Donald Walsch
Draw a small circle on a piece of paper. This represents the defense, or your comfort zone. Then draw a larger circle. This represents the offense, or all the amazing things you'd like to try but aren't comfortable with. See the disconnect? Let's merge those two circles and that intersection is your new end zone, or goal.
You don't want to be left sitting on the sideline, so whether it's trying something new, conquering a fear by facing it, or just going to a Super Bowl party when you know zero about football, get out there and stretch your territory. Sure, you may fumble or even drop the ball, but you will still be a champ because you tackled something new or daunting.
Congratulations to the New England Patriots on last night's Super Bowl victory.
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Friday, January 30, 2015
Spotlight on Sophie
This is the final day of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Please join me as we wrap up a month of reading, writing and discovery. Today's topic is And then there was one.
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And then there was one...and she thinks she's the queen of the house.
For over 20 years we have had two or more cats, but after the passing Rosie and Dood within a year of each other, Sophie now has the spotlight.
She loves boxes
One man's trash is another man's treasure. Sophie had been waiting a long time for a home when we found her. She's been with us for over seven years.
What cat doesn't love a basket of fresh laundry?
When we first met her, she was called Paris. It looks like she loves to pose for the camera, but really she does this just because she wants to.
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Thursday, January 29, 2015
Steamed
This is day 19 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Please join me as we share a month of reading, writing and discovery. Today's topic is Steamed.
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| Image Source: Bkt Tinggi BBQ |
Steamed seafood is a favorite of mine. There was a place on the beach in Florida that we used to go to for their steamed mussels. It was across the street from the Gulf, perched on the bank of the intracoastal. The view was fantastic and the mussels were equally as good.
We would sit by the window and order a bowl of mussels and a couple glasses of chardonnay. This was accompanied by their delicious bread and butter. Yum!
Sadly they closed, and even though they reopened a few years later in another location, it was not the same. I continue to order mussels but I haven't found any to compare to those.
On another note, I was a little steamed yesterday when a bottle of olive oil slipped through an opening in my cart and broke at my feet, dousing my shoes and jeans. Ugh!
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Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Imagine That!
This is day 18 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Please join me as we share a month of reading, writing and discovery. Today's topic is Imagine that...
Originally published November 15, 2009, I tweaked it for today's challenge post.
Imagine that we could vacation on the moon. I heard recently that there is water on the moon. Now why it has taken NASA and a whole host of scientists 40 years to discover this, I'm not sure. But what a breakthrough. This could be the resort of the future, the Lunar Riveria.
Let's think about this. We need transportation, shuttle pilots, flight attendants, gourmet food service and in-flight movies, which means more shuttles, larger accommodations, more pilots (read astronauts) and flight attendants. To build the resort, we need engineers, architects and plumbers trained in minimal gravity design...think toilets. We don't want that stuff flowing upstream now do we?
As for electricity, how would we produce that in space. Burn coal? Can't. Fire won't burn without oxygen. Besides we've already polluted one planet. Let's hope we've learned something. As far as I know, there is no wind on the moon, so wind-generated power is not an option. I know, how about giant solar panels so we can capture solar energy and store it. If you can store solar-heated water, and power lights and radios, there should be a way to power other things. This is not new technology. The concept of solar energy has been around for many years. As a child I had a solar powered radio - actually I still have it, and it still works. However, the methods of collecting it, storing it and using it have surely improved over the years.
All of these measures are of little consequence, if we cannot breathe. This brings us to greatest obstacle - how do we get oxygen in adequate supply for survival? Possibly large tanks of oxygen and a distribution system? Too bad we can't pipe it in like natural gas. Picture that pipeline! To go outside one would need to don a space suit in order to survive the lack of air pressure. Otherwise all the liquid in your body would boil, and what happens next would not be pretty. There is an up side to this. The fashion designers would all be competing to come up with the hottest new line of space apparel. Good-bye itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini. I guess space age swim suits would kinda take the fun out of things - at least for the guys! That's a argument for indoor swimming pools - heated with the solar panels, especially given that there is an approximate 500 degree swing in temperatures on the moon's surface. Bottom line is step foot outside without protective gear and you're dead!
At this point I am thinking we need a much larger shuttle system involving cargo transports for the building materials, oxygen tanks, solar panels and storage units, contractors, etc. and that is just to provide life-sustaining structures.
Speaking of life-sustaining measures, what about food? In such extreme conditions, crops can't be grown or or livestock raised, so all food would have to be transported from earth until we can figure out climate controlled farming. This would definitely require more transports and create more jobs.
This is just the beginning... Financially speaking, your Lunar Riveria getaway will make a Hawaiian vacation seem like a trip to Walmart, and cause your credit cards to expire on the spot. So, who's paying for this adventure? There are many questions unanswered...after all we just discovered that there is water on the moon.
Also see A Lunar Vacation, Part 2.
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Originally published November 15, 2009, I tweaked it for today's challenge post.
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| Image Source: Pixabay |
Let's think about this. We need transportation, shuttle pilots, flight attendants, gourmet food service and in-flight movies, which means more shuttles, larger accommodations, more pilots (read astronauts) and flight attendants. To build the resort, we need engineers, architects and plumbers trained in minimal gravity design...think toilets. We don't want that stuff flowing upstream now do we?
As for electricity, how would we produce that in space. Burn coal? Can't. Fire won't burn without oxygen. Besides we've already polluted one planet. Let's hope we've learned something. As far as I know, there is no wind on the moon, so wind-generated power is not an option. I know, how about giant solar panels so we can capture solar energy and store it. If you can store solar-heated water, and power lights and radios, there should be a way to power other things. This is not new technology. The concept of solar energy has been around for many years. As a child I had a solar powered radio - actually I still have it, and it still works. However, the methods of collecting it, storing it and using it have surely improved over the years.
All of these measures are of little consequence, if we cannot breathe. This brings us to greatest obstacle - how do we get oxygen in adequate supply for survival? Possibly large tanks of oxygen and a distribution system? Too bad we can't pipe it in like natural gas. Picture that pipeline! To go outside one would need to don a space suit in order to survive the lack of air pressure. Otherwise all the liquid in your body would boil, and what happens next would not be pretty. There is an up side to this. The fashion designers would all be competing to come up with the hottest new line of space apparel. Good-bye itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini. I guess space age swim suits would kinda take the fun out of things - at least for the guys! That's a argument for indoor swimming pools - heated with the solar panels, especially given that there is an approximate 500 degree swing in temperatures on the moon's surface. Bottom line is step foot outside without protective gear and you're dead!
At this point I am thinking we need a much larger shuttle system involving cargo transports for the building materials, oxygen tanks, solar panels and storage units, contractors, etc. and that is just to provide life-sustaining structures.
Speaking of life-sustaining measures, what about food? In such extreme conditions, crops can't be grown or or livestock raised, so all food would have to be transported from earth until we can figure out climate controlled farming. This would definitely require more transports and create more jobs.
This is just the beginning... Financially speaking, your Lunar Riveria getaway will make a Hawaiian vacation seem like a trip to Walmart, and cause your credit cards to expire on the spot. So, who's paying for this adventure? There are many questions unanswered...after all we just discovered that there is water on the moon.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2015
That's Awkward!
This is day 17 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Please join me as we share a month of reading, writing and discovery. Today's topic is That awkward dinner party.
We've all had that awkward moment..."uh, sorry, |
| Image Source: zhengman |
Hmmm, it looks like things are about to get
awkward at the Queen's table!
awkward at the Queen's table!
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| Image Source: Yamino |
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Monday, January 26, 2015
Quote of the Week
This is day 16 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Please join me as we share a month of reading, writing and discovery. Today's topic is 10 Years Ago, I was probably ___.
The year was 2005, we had just gotten through 15 months of insanity where hubby traveled on business 2-3 weeks at a time.
I happened to read a small ad in the newspaper about a new wine shop that had opened up near us. We weren't all that much into wine at the time, due mostly to lack of knowledge and places that held tastings.
That was about to change...but that's not all that changed. We started going to the wine tastings on Saturday afternoons, and it was not only educational, it was a social thing. The owners formed a chapter of the American Wine Society which we joined.
There were wine dinners, live music and later Friday night get togethers at the wine shop. Unfortunately the local business was not enough to sustain them, and they had to close the shop. On the last of these gatherings we decided that we wanted to keep this going, so now we get together about once a month, bringing food and wine to share. We've been doing this for nearly 8 years. We have had dinners, taken trips, had parties, gone to weddings and rang in the New Year.
A number of us even attend the same church now. All because I saw this one little ad in the newspaper. Was it fate, karma? I don't know, but I don't think it was just chance. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for and value all these friendships tremendously.
So what was I doing 10 years ago? A lot less. Cheers!
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I happened to read a small ad in the newspaper about a new wine shop that had opened up near us. We weren't all that much into wine at the time, due mostly to lack of knowledge and places that held tastings.
That was about to change...but that's not all that changed. We started going to the wine tastings on Saturday afternoons, and it was not only educational, it was a social thing. The owners formed a chapter of the American Wine Society which we joined.
There were wine dinners, live music and later Friday night get togethers at the wine shop. Unfortunately the local business was not enough to sustain them, and they had to close the shop. On the last of these gatherings we decided that we wanted to keep this going, so now we get together about once a month, bringing food and wine to share. We've been doing this for nearly 8 years. We have had dinners, taken trips, had parties, gone to weddings and rang in the New Year.
A number of us even attend the same church now. All because I saw this one little ad in the newspaper. Was it fate, karma? I don't know, but I don't think it was just chance. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for and value all these friendships tremendously.
So what was I doing 10 years ago? A lot less. Cheers!
No time to comment? Please click the visitors box below to let me know you stopped by.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Seven Shades of Frosty
This is day 15 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Please join me as we share a month of reading, writing and discovery. Today's topic is Frosty.
Most words have more than one meaning or definition. The record of 464 definitions is held by the little 3-letter word, set. Usually when we see a word, one meaning comes to mind first. For example, when I first saw today's prompt, I thought of Frosty the Snowman. Below are the ones that popped up most frequently, although the first three aren't technically definitions.
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| Image Source: rocor |
- Frosty the Snowman, the song, written and recorded in 1950.
- Frosty the Snowman, the TV show, first aired on December 7, 1969.
- Wendy's Frosty was introduced in 1969 when the first Wendy's was opened.
- Weather related. Very cold with frost forming on surfaces.
- Demeanor. Cold, unfriendly manner; giving someone a frosty look.
- Color. Silvery-white, as in frosty hair.
- Military term. To be on edge or to be ready.
What do you think of when you see Frosty?
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