Before the Grand Old Opry, Nashville, there was the Grand Old Opry, North Carolina ... and CocaCola.
08 April, 2006
North Carolina Memories #1
Before the Grand Old Opry, Nashville, there was the Grand Old Opry, North Carolina ... and CocaCola.
06 April, 2006
Congrats, Caitlin
Caitlin recently received the Mitford Award of Excellence for her presentation (oral and board) on Henry Hudson. She now goes on to compete in the Heritage Fair in Calgary in May.
Following up, Caitlin's self-confidence shone as she made a good presentation to the Judges. She won a ribbon and enjoyed this valuable experience.
Following up, Caitlin's self-confidence shone as she made a good presentation to the Judges. She won a ribbon and enjoyed this valuable experience.
05 April, 2006
Good-bye, Ralph
I was recalling all the large cities I have lived in across five provinces, where politics was always front page news. For the life of me, my Premiers, MLA's, and MP's, are faceless and nameless. That's why the retirement of our Alberta Premier, Ralph Klein, leaves me feeling quite sad and disappointed.
Comments from Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, April 3/06:
Ralph was Ralph, one of a handful of politicians almost always known by first name alone. Countless opposition types tried to get people to call him Premier Klein, to demystify the man. Never worked.
It was all so natural. Ralph's World. King Ralph. Balancing a budget by cuts alone? Ralphonomics. The four-year Tory campaign to fix the financial mess it caused? Ralpholution. What better name for the recent $400 cheques (to each man, woman and child in Alberta) than Ralphbucks.
When Ralph uttered a phrase, it immediately entered the political vocabulary. Everybody had heard a Ralph story, even if it was 12th hand. Some quip, some anecdote proving he had not lost the common touch, always circulated. Ralph's popularity always outstripped that of the party.
Ralph was the politician said to have learned his life lessons in Calgary's beer parlours. Ralph was the plain talker who knew what average Albertan Martha and Henry (as he called them) were thinking. Ralph was the rumpled rogue on the billboard. Ralph was the one Tories told us cared and Tories told us listened.
The Tories insisted Ralph always did what he said he'd do. Ralph would never blink. The party faithful even named a beer after him.
Reports say the party's shocking rebuke isn't about Ralph, but about the timing of his departure. So it comes as no surprise all the e-mails and calls to the office of the premier and the digs of cabinet ministers and Conservative backbenchers alike, ask one question. What did you do to Ralph and why did you do it? (Is it right to blame leadership candidates for Ralph's demise? Of course, and the truth is they did it effectively and well.) It seems the Tory caucus can offer sustained applause for their leader and at the same time carry a knife.
I'm glad that Ralph will head into history as a maverick straight-shooter who says what he thinks and does what he promises and doesn't give a dang about the consequences. I'll miss him.
Comments from Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, April 3/06:
Ralph was Ralph, one of a handful of politicians almost always known by first name alone. Countless opposition types tried to get people to call him Premier Klein, to demystify the man. Never worked.
It was all so natural. Ralph's World. King Ralph. Balancing a budget by cuts alone? Ralphonomics. The four-year Tory campaign to fix the financial mess it caused? Ralpholution. What better name for the recent $400 cheques (to each man, woman and child in Alberta) than Ralphbucks.
When Ralph uttered a phrase, it immediately entered the political vocabulary. Everybody had heard a Ralph story, even if it was 12th hand. Some quip, some anecdote proving he had not lost the common touch, always circulated. Ralph's popularity always outstripped that of the party.
Ralph was the politician said to have learned his life lessons in Calgary's beer parlours. Ralph was the plain talker who knew what average Albertan Martha and Henry (as he called them) were thinking. Ralph was the rumpled rogue on the billboard. Ralph was the one Tories told us cared and Tories told us listened.
The Tories insisted Ralph always did what he said he'd do. Ralph would never blink. The party faithful even named a beer after him.
Reports say the party's shocking rebuke isn't about Ralph, but about the timing of his departure. So it comes as no surprise all the e-mails and calls to the office of the premier and the digs of cabinet ministers and Conservative backbenchers alike, ask one question. What did you do to Ralph and why did you do it? (Is it right to blame leadership candidates for Ralph's demise? Of course, and the truth is they did it effectively and well.) It seems the Tory caucus can offer sustained applause for their leader and at the same time carry a knife.
I'm glad that Ralph will head into history as a maverick straight-shooter who says what he thinks and does what he promises and doesn't give a dang about the consequences. I'll miss him.
Find Music You Love At Pandora
Have you discovered Pandora yet?
If you are on your computer any length of time, or just like to have background music in the area of your computer, make your own radio station at Pandora. Just supply the name of your favorite artist or song, Pandora will find the artist or song, and supply you with one hour of free uninterrupted music of your artist, plus other artists with a similar style. Make as many different radio stations as you wish. Lots of fun.
Oh, you have to provide a US zip code when you sign up. Remember Beverly Hills 90210? That's what I submitted and it worked.
www.pandora.com
If you are on your computer any length of time, or just like to have background music in the area of your computer, make your own radio station at Pandora. Just supply the name of your favorite artist or song, Pandora will find the artist or song, and supply you with one hour of free uninterrupted music of your artist, plus other artists with a similar style. Make as many different radio stations as you wish. Lots of fun.
Oh, you have to provide a US zip code when you sign up. Remember Beverly Hills 90210? That's what I submitted and it worked.
www.pandora.com
04 April, 2006
Is Tasty Tofu Burger An Oxymoron?
Being a farm girl, I was raised a carnivore. Today we're told having the odd meatless meal is a good thing.
Searching the web for a meal that would be palatable to all five of us has been a challenge. Finally came up with this. It might work IF (a) there was no soy cheese left over and (b) if I can find out what the heck a poblano pepper is.
Any of you trying the odd vegan meal and, if so, I would be interested in knowing what works for you.
STATION 2'S FAMOUS AWARD WINNING WRAPS
Station 2 (have no clue who this is) won a Healthy Wagon contest in the fall of 2003 with this very healthful and tasty lunch and/or dinner wrap.
1 pack of burrito size, whole wheat tortillas (you can substitute with spinach, tomato, or rosemary (? - not in my Safeway) tortillas as long as it's a healthy substitute- read the label for grams of fat and keep under 2.5 per tortilla)
1 container of Hummus. We like the red-roasted pepper variety.
1 package of fresh spinach
1 can of black beans
1 can of corn
1 onion
1 bell pepper (any color will do)
1 poblano pepper
1 package of mushrooms
1 package of soy cheese (pick flavor to enhance taste of the wrap)
Assembly:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Roast the poblano pepper on stove top, grill, or burner (watch your fingers).
De-seed,remove outer skin from pepper.
Cut pepper into strips.
Saute' the onions
Add bell pepper and then the mushrooms and corn.
Drain and rinse the canned vegetables.
Take one tortilla and spread a layer of hummus. Next spread the sauted vegetables and canned beans. A generous helping of poblano pepper strips and fresh spinach with a sprinkling of soy cheese. Roll into a burrito and place in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
Serve hot with guacamole (yum, my favorite) and/or hot sauce spooned over the top. Keep in mind you can add/subtract any fresh vegetable and still have a great tasting wrap.
Searching the web for a meal that would be palatable to all five of us has been a challenge. Finally came up with this. It might work IF (a) there was no soy cheese left over and (b) if I can find out what the heck a poblano pepper is.
Any of you trying the odd vegan meal and, if so, I would be interested in knowing what works for you.
STATION 2'S FAMOUS AWARD WINNING WRAPS
Station 2 (have no clue who this is) won a Healthy Wagon contest in the fall of 2003 with this very healthful and tasty lunch and/or dinner wrap.
1 pack of burrito size, whole wheat tortillas (you can substitute with spinach, tomato, or rosemary (? - not in my Safeway) tortillas as long as it's a healthy substitute- read the label for grams of fat and keep under 2.5 per tortilla)
1 container of Hummus. We like the red-roasted pepper variety.
1 package of fresh spinach
1 can of black beans
1 can of corn
1 onion
1 bell pepper (any color will do)
1 poblano pepper
1 package of mushrooms
1 package of soy cheese (pick flavor to enhance taste of the wrap)
Assembly:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Roast the poblano pepper on stove top, grill, or burner (watch your fingers).
De-seed,remove outer skin from pepper.
Cut pepper into strips.
Saute' the onions
Add bell pepper and then the mushrooms and corn.
Drain and rinse the canned vegetables.
Take one tortilla and spread a layer of hummus. Next spread the sauted vegetables and canned beans. A generous helping of poblano pepper strips and fresh spinach with a sprinkling of soy cheese. Roll into a burrito and place in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
Serve hot with guacamole (yum, my favorite) and/or hot sauce spooned over the top. Keep in mind you can add/subtract any fresh vegetable and still have a great tasting wrap.
The Homeless VS Children?
For two years I have followed the story of "The Homeless Guy," Kevin Barbieux. He blogs from libraries in Las Vegas, and has given me an insight into what life is like for the homeless that we don't get from newspapers.
He recently reported that Central Dallas Ministries (Southern Baptist) wants to build a 209-unit housing project in a downtown 15-story building. Fifty of the apartments would go to formerly homeless people, while most of the rest would be used for low-income tenants.
The council approved the project 13-1. The controversy is that the housing project is 200 feet from Dallas's First Baptist Academy. Walters, headmaster, believes the safety of children in his care must pre-empt goodwill toward the homeless. “We will do whatever we can to protect the rights and safety of our children,” he said. “We have to respond to responsibly meet the safety and security requirements of our clientele.”
Read the entire article at www.baptiststandard.com
The Homeless Guy comments: "In all my experience, some 20+ years either being homeless or dealing with homeless issues, I have never known a homeless person to harm a child. Yet, I have heard of many people with homes who have done children a great deal of harm. Such prejudice against homeless people is what prevents many of them from ever overcoming homelessness."
He recently reported that Central Dallas Ministries (Southern Baptist) wants to build a 209-unit housing project in a downtown 15-story building. Fifty of the apartments would go to formerly homeless people, while most of the rest would be used for low-income tenants.
The council approved the project 13-1. The controversy is that the housing project is 200 feet from Dallas's First Baptist Academy. Walters, headmaster, believes the safety of children in his care must pre-empt goodwill toward the homeless. “We will do whatever we can to protect the rights and safety of our children,” he said. “We have to respond to responsibly meet the safety and security requirements of our clientele.”
Read the entire article at www.baptiststandard.com
The Homeless Guy comments: "In all my experience, some 20+ years either being homeless or dealing with homeless issues, I have never known a homeless person to harm a child. Yet, I have heard of many people with homes who have done children a great deal of harm. Such prejudice against homeless people is what prevents many of them from ever overcoming homelessness."
03 April, 2006
Unreal Estate
Calgary's booming real estate market has just skyrocketed again, so the cost of the average single dwelling home is now $363,000. That's about a $80,000 increase since this time last year.
Got $250,000? Here is what $250,000 will buy you across the country, according to Calgary Sun researchers:
Calgary: Slim pickin's these days. Try a condo or a townhouse.
Vancouver: West Van - a cardboard box.
East Van - possibly something "very tiny."
Saskatoon: Good news - a brand new home with all the amenities, even a pool.
Winnipeg: Wide range of affordable choices in the 5- to 15-year old range.
Toronto: Can't print in a family newspaper -- just "bare bones".
Charlottetown: Luck out! 2,500 sq. ft. two-storey on waterfront property, hardwood floors and more -- in a nice neighborhood.
Got $250,000? Here is what $250,000 will buy you across the country, according to Calgary Sun researchers:
Calgary: Slim pickin's these days. Try a condo or a townhouse.
Vancouver: West Van - a cardboard box.
East Van - possibly something "very tiny."
Saskatoon: Good news - a brand new home with all the amenities, even a pool.
Winnipeg: Wide range of affordable choices in the 5- to 15-year old range.
Toronto: Can't print in a family newspaper -- just "bare bones".
Charlottetown: Luck out! 2,500 sq. ft. two-storey on waterfront property, hardwood floors and more -- in a nice neighborhood.
The Protocol of Sleeping Over
Caitlin is 10. This year the era of party sleepovers began. Somewhere out there is a mother of a Fifth Grader who started the precedent of the 6 pm to 10 pm party, boys included. The boys leave at 10 pm and the girls continue to party on until the next morning. This forum is mandatory for birthday parties, it seems.
We decided a needs to know list was advisable.
1. Time Frame. What time should I arrive, and when will I be leaving?
2. Supplies. What should I bring? Should I bring my own sleeping bag? Do I need any special clothing?
3. Other kids. Will there be other kids staying overnight? If so, who? What adults will be around?
4. Activities. What will we be doing? Is there a plan?
5. Eating. What will we do for food? Should I eat before I come over, or will there be dinner, snacks, breakfast? What food will be served?
6. Special concerns. Do you have any pets? Where does the dog sleep? Is anyone else a vegetarian (for those who are)? Is it okay if I don't take a shower? Do you keep a light on at night?
I don't recall any sleepovers as a child, other than with relatives. I remember one special occasion travelling to visit cousins in Saskatchewan. We arrived late at night when I was asleep. In the morning I found myself in a very special bed -- with a pillow and lots of blankets -- in the bathtub! I don't recall kids in sleeping bags on the floor ever.
We decided a needs to know list was advisable.
1. Time Frame. What time should I arrive, and when will I be leaving?
2. Supplies. What should I bring? Should I bring my own sleeping bag? Do I need any special clothing?
3. Other kids. Will there be other kids staying overnight? If so, who? What adults will be around?
4. Activities. What will we be doing? Is there a plan?
5. Eating. What will we do for food? Should I eat before I come over, or will there be dinner, snacks, breakfast? What food will be served?
6. Special concerns. Do you have any pets? Where does the dog sleep? Is anyone else a vegetarian (for those who are)? Is it okay if I don't take a shower? Do you keep a light on at night?
I don't recall any sleepovers as a child, other than with relatives. I remember one special occasion travelling to visit cousins in Saskatchewan. We arrived late at night when I was asleep. In the morning I found myself in a very special bed -- with a pillow and lots of blankets -- in the bathtub! I don't recall kids in sleeping bags on the floor ever.
Can LEGO Cure Calgary's Housing Crisis?
Drastic plastic housing solution
Mayor hopes Lego home project will cure housing crisis
The Saturday Calgary Sun, April 1, 2006.
"Temporary plastic homes built from industrial-sized interlocking Lego bricks are being considered by city council as a solution to Calgary's affordable housing crisis.
"Mayor Dave Bronconnier is slated to fly to Lego Corporation headquarters in Billund, Denmark, next week to discuss the purchase of 45,000 bricks, capable of building more than 400 single-bedroom homes, or 200 two-bedroom homes. "Overall, the city is growing too fast to provide adequate housing for its booming population," said Bronconnier. ..............
"Aldermen will debate the brick purchase at next Monday's city council meeting."
I admit it, I fell for it. I should have guessed The Sun's April Fool's was afoot when they said Mayor Bronco was going to fly by himself. Last year he flew the entire city council (with the exception of one alderwoman who refused to go on principle) to a meeting in Eastern Canada.
Mayor hopes Lego home project will cure housing crisis
The Saturday Calgary Sun, April 1, 2006.
"Temporary plastic homes built from industrial-sized interlocking Lego bricks are being considered by city council as a solution to Calgary's affordable housing crisis.
"Mayor Dave Bronconnier is slated to fly to Lego Corporation headquarters in Billund, Denmark, next week to discuss the purchase of 45,000 bricks, capable of building more than 400 single-bedroom homes, or 200 two-bedroom homes. "Overall, the city is growing too fast to provide adequate housing for its booming population," said Bronconnier. ..............
"Aldermen will debate the brick purchase at next Monday's city council meeting."
I admit it, I fell for it. I should have guessed The Sun's April Fool's was afoot when they said Mayor Bronco was going to fly by himself. Last year he flew the entire city council (with the exception of one alderwoman who refused to go on principle) to a meeting in Eastern Canada.
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