9/8/2014
I don't know about your folks on the West coast, since your weather changes very little from day-to-day, but back here in the East, things are changing.
Our oak trees, which are so beautiful during the spring and summer, are now dropping their leaves all over the yard. The squirrels who live in said trees, are tossing acorns around right and left. If I didn't know better, I would say the little critters almost take aim when our car is in the driveway!
Some old timers would tell you what kind of winter we're having by the amount of acorns being tossed on to the yard. The Farmer's Almanac predicts that our weather here will be colder than normal and the snowiest months will be December and February. We'll just to have to wait and see. For some reason I put more faith in the Almanac than the local forecasters!
A plus side of being retired is that I no longer have to stay up for the late news report to tell me whether schools and/or the government will be closed or delayed. When the boys were young, they silently, and sometimes not so silently, wished that the schools would always be closed. As a working mother, I wanted the schools to close too, but for a completely different reason. A delay meant that I couldn't go to work on time because I had to make sure that the boys managed to get to the bus on time.
Last night Jeff took out the leaf blower and blew all the acorns off the driveway and the first leaves of the season into a pile. You can see that it's "falling" season in the East.
P
Monday, September 8, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Government Over-Reaching (just my opinion)
9/7/2014
We've all heard and perhaps watched the tv show "Big Brother". The participants in this reality show know that they are being pretty much watched and filmed 24/7 - and they're okay with that. Why wouldn't they? Each participant receives a weekly stipend, and on one season that was $750 a week, sometimes not even in two weeks.
Okay so Big Brother is a reality show and they're a hoot to watch. But we now have groups of law enforcement that I believe is over reaching (again just my opinion). After 9/11, police, sheriffs and state troopers have been "encouraged" to act more aggressively in searching for suspicious people, drugs or other contraband. Homeland Security has spent millions on police training.
There is a network called "Black Asphalt Electronic Networking and Notification that allows police to share information about motorists, even innocent people. Some officers even "compete" to see who has seized the most cash, etc. I think that's wrong on so many levels.
There have been tens of thousands of cash seizures on highways since 9/11. Some people who have been stopped did have a lot of money on them or in the car. They all had reasonable reasons for doing so. I didn't think it was illegal to have cash in your car and believe you should have as much cash with you as you are comfortable with protecting.
One man was pulled over because he had tinted windows and was wearing a University of Wyoming baseball cap. The man in question apparently didn't know in which hotel he would be staying or who with. The vehicle was searched for contraband and none was found. The police still felt he was suspicious so his license plate was posted on Black Asphalt" so that someone else can locate the contraband, with the message "Happy Hunting"!
If the police find a large amount of cash in your car, they likely will seize it. You want your money back? Go to court and hope for a positive outcome. Oh and don't forget to hire a lawyer and pay for him and court costs.
Since 9/11 this "sharing program" has seized $2.5 billion from people who were not charged with a crime. The police defense is that they thought the money was crime-related. The police look for signs of nervousness when they stop a car. I don't know about you, but if I was stopped by a policeman, I'd be super duper nervous - and they could have all my money - all $4.50!
P
We've all heard and perhaps watched the tv show "Big Brother". The participants in this reality show know that they are being pretty much watched and filmed 24/7 - and they're okay with that. Why wouldn't they? Each participant receives a weekly stipend, and on one season that was $750 a week, sometimes not even in two weeks.
Okay so Big Brother is a reality show and they're a hoot to watch. But we now have groups of law enforcement that I believe is over reaching (again just my opinion). After 9/11, police, sheriffs and state troopers have been "encouraged" to act more aggressively in searching for suspicious people, drugs or other contraband. Homeland Security has spent millions on police training.
There is a network called "Black Asphalt Electronic Networking and Notification that allows police to share information about motorists, even innocent people. Some officers even "compete" to see who has seized the most cash, etc. I think that's wrong on so many levels.
There have been tens of thousands of cash seizures on highways since 9/11. Some people who have been stopped did have a lot of money on them or in the car. They all had reasonable reasons for doing so. I didn't think it was illegal to have cash in your car and believe you should have as much cash with you as you are comfortable with protecting.
One man was pulled over because he had tinted windows and was wearing a University of Wyoming baseball cap. The man in question apparently didn't know in which hotel he would be staying or who with. The vehicle was searched for contraband and none was found. The police still felt he was suspicious so his license plate was posted on Black Asphalt" so that someone else can locate the contraband, with the message "Happy Hunting"!
If the police find a large amount of cash in your car, they likely will seize it. You want your money back? Go to court and hope for a positive outcome. Oh and don't forget to hire a lawyer and pay for him and court costs.
Since 9/11 this "sharing program" has seized $2.5 billion from people who were not charged with a crime. The police defense is that they thought the money was crime-related. The police look for signs of nervousness when they stop a car. I don't know about you, but if I was stopped by a policeman, I'd be super duper nervous - and they could have all my money - all $4.50!
P
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Diner en Blanc
9/6/2014
This dinner, which is more like an event, was started 25 years ago in Paris (where else) and the host wanted all of his guests to wear white so they could be easily identified as having been invited. This yearly event is now held in 40 cities across the globe, even to Cincinnati!
There are rules for this annual event and pretty much everyone attending follows them, for fear of not being invited again or being kicked out of the club entirely. So my invitation didn't arrive in the mail (thank goodness), nor am I expecting one in the future. I don't know about you, but when I go out to dinner, I just want to show up, be served, eat and go home. Maybe if I were younger, I would find an event such as this exciting, but as I sit here today, I don't. Here are some of the rules:
P
This dinner, which is more like an event, was started 25 years ago in Paris (where else) and the host wanted all of his guests to wear white so they could be easily identified as having been invited. This yearly event is now held in 40 cities across the globe, even to Cincinnati!
There are rules for this annual event and pretty much everyone attending follows them, for fear of not being invited again or being kicked out of the club entirely. So my invitation didn't arrive in the mail (thank goodness), nor am I expecting one in the future. I don't know about you, but when I go out to dinner, I just want to show up, be served, eat and go home. Maybe if I were younger, I would find an event such as this exciting, but as I sit here today, I don't. Here are some of the rules:
- You have to be invited by a organizer or a person who has attended a Diner en Blanc in a different city
- Registration is $35. per person plus a $5.00 membership fee. The admission fee only gives you access to the event.
- If you want wine you have to order it through Diner en Blanc. It doesn't matter whether you are going to drink the cheap stuff or a pricier wine. Basically, you don't brink your own bottle.
- You bring your own food or order a basket from guess - yep Diner en Blanc. You people are good. Your meal has to be something eaten with a knife and fork, so no burritos or tacos.
- You must bring your own tables, chairs, plates, silverware, white tablecloth and cloth napkins.
- You must dress only in white and casual attire such as shorts and tennis shoes is discouraged. And we all know that white clothing almost never gets stained!
- Of course you in your brilliant white attire must lug all of your "necessities" on Metro and then on foot.
- If it rains you must show up. If you are a no-show you are kicked out of the club.
- If you break any of the rules you could be: barred from entering the event, this would tick me off, if I had just hauled a small caravan of necessities with me.
P
Friday, September 5, 2014
Guilty in Virginia
9/5/2014
Hurrah, the ex-Governor of Virginia and his wife were found guilty yesterday of public corruption. The McDonnells faced a14 count indictment that alleged that they lent the prestige of the governor’s office to a Richmond area businessman and that, in exchange, the businessman lavished them with gifts..Robert McDonnell was found guilty of 11 charges; and his wife Maureen guilty of nine. They will have to wait until their sentencing date of January 6, 2015 to know what their fates will be.
What I likely know for certain is that there will be appeals upon appeals. The Governor's political career might likely be over. But, what the heck, he can always write a book, which I'm sure would be a best seller!
As for the wife, I don't know what she's going to do now. Sell her fancy designer dresses? Write a book herself or just try and fade into the shadows of public life?
Some of their friends will rally around them now, but they may find others distancing themselves, particularly if they are politicians.
Seems likely to me that since there has been so much of throwing each other under the bus, that the next thing we'll be reading about is their divorce.
What consistently amazes me is that the very rich and famous seem to always believe somehow that they are above the law. Why they believe that baffles me. Is it because they are rich and famous - or just plain stupid.
I have no sympathy for this couple and while I don't believe they will ever see the inside of a jail cell, really wish they would. Remember these are just my feelings folks. Others of you may feel differently and that's okay.
If these charges had been brought up on a "normal" citizen, they likely would already be hugging prison bars.
Stay tuned for the next segment of what's happening in Virginia. Perhaps the power couple might even grace the cover of People Magazine!
P
Hurrah, the ex-Governor of Virginia and his wife were found guilty yesterday of public corruption. The McDonnells faced a14 count indictment that alleged that they lent the prestige of the governor’s office to a Richmond area businessman and that, in exchange, the businessman lavished them with gifts..Robert McDonnell was found guilty of 11 charges; and his wife Maureen guilty of nine. They will have to wait until their sentencing date of January 6, 2015 to know what their fates will be.
What I likely know for certain is that there will be appeals upon appeals. The Governor's political career might likely be over. But, what the heck, he can always write a book, which I'm sure would be a best seller!
As for the wife, I don't know what she's going to do now. Sell her fancy designer dresses? Write a book herself or just try and fade into the shadows of public life?
Some of their friends will rally around them now, but they may find others distancing themselves, particularly if they are politicians.
Seems likely to me that since there has been so much of throwing each other under the bus, that the next thing we'll be reading about is their divorce.
What consistently amazes me is that the very rich and famous seem to always believe somehow that they are above the law. Why they believe that baffles me. Is it because they are rich and famous - or just plain stupid.
I have no sympathy for this couple and while I don't believe they will ever see the inside of a jail cell, really wish they would. Remember these are just my feelings folks. Others of you may feel differently and that's okay.
If these charges had been brought up on a "normal" citizen, they likely would already be hugging prison bars.
Stay tuned for the next segment of what's happening in Virginia. Perhaps the power couple might even grace the cover of People Magazine!
P
Thursday, September 4, 2014
The Tale of Two Dresses
9/4/2014
Today I'm having a not much to write about blog day. This happens to me from time to time. If I was writing about just one thing, like let's say the life of geese, I would probably be able to come up with some fun fact most days of the week.
Since I don't write about anyone thing, but rather what comes to mind when I sit down ready to reveal my "pearls" of wisdom to all of you, my brain can cramp up!
I saw on the Internet that Princess Diana's wedding dress was "touring" the country. Between March and June this year 105,000 visitors bought tickets to the exhibition in Kansas City. People paid approximately $24.00, or 15.50 in pounds for their tickets, which meant that the "take" if you will was nearly 1.63 million pounds. This is in Kansas City folks! The dress is apparently even going to a casino where it will sit among slot machines and gambling tables. Oh how far this dress has fallen.
Multiply that number by the dozen venues the exhibition has visited in the past few years and it comes to roughly 19 million pounds.
Diana's wedding dress on her wedding day, whether you say it in person (not likely) or watched it on television (like me) was really a very overdone type of dress. Bows on the sleeves and the train was so long that it took about 5 minutes for her to get to the front of the church.
Compare that dress to what Kate wore to her wedding, a dress that was both elegant and regal. As I did when Diana got married, I watched Kate's wedding on television also. Why? Because what woman doesn't love a fairy tale and that fantasy doesn't get any better than watching a royal wedding!
P
Today I'm having a not much to write about blog day. This happens to me from time to time. If I was writing about just one thing, like let's say the life of geese, I would probably be able to come up with some fun fact most days of the week.
Since I don't write about anyone thing, but rather what comes to mind when I sit down ready to reveal my "pearls" of wisdom to all of you, my brain can cramp up!
I saw on the Internet that Princess Diana's wedding dress was "touring" the country. Between March and June this year 105,000 visitors bought tickets to the exhibition in Kansas City. People paid approximately $24.00, or 15.50 in pounds for their tickets, which meant that the "take" if you will was nearly 1.63 million pounds. This is in Kansas City folks! The dress is apparently even going to a casino where it will sit among slot machines and gambling tables. Oh how far this dress has fallen.
Multiply that number by the dozen venues the exhibition has visited in the past few years and it comes to roughly 19 million pounds.
Diana's wedding dress on her wedding day, whether you say it in person (not likely) or watched it on television (like me) was really a very overdone type of dress. Bows on the sleeves and the train was so long that it took about 5 minutes for her to get to the front of the church.
Compare that dress to what Kate wore to her wedding, a dress that was both elegant and regal. As I did when Diana got married, I watched Kate's wedding on television also. Why? Because what woman doesn't love a fairy tale and that fantasy doesn't get any better than watching a royal wedding!
P
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Letter to the Editor
9/2/2014
I wrote the following letter to the Editor of the COPA magazine (Cirrus Owner's Pilot Association) and wanted to share it with you, and it was published in this month's magazine:.
Private pilots don't always get the recognition they deserve, and that may be due to the fact that most people don't even know someone who flies for pleasure. They fly for a number of reasons, but mainly because they simply like flying. It's an expensive hobby and certainly not for everyone, but to all the pilots I've met, including my own husband, Jeff, there is no place they would rather be than up in the clouds.
Besides flying for pleasure, these pilots sign up for VAC (Veterans Airlift Command) flights, where they fly ad disabled veteran or a member of his/her family for various reasons. They also make Angel Flights, transporting an injured or sick individual to their home or to a hospital. I can speak from experience about an Angel Flight because I was the "angel" on a flight home from Alabama last year. We were attending a COPA event in Mobile, and I had to be hospitalized.
Jeff had to fly home to make arrangements for my care once I was released from the hospital. There were two options available for getting me home. He could fly our plane back to Mobile, pick me up and fly home. The other option came from two COPA pilots who generously offered another solution. They suggested that Jeff return to Alabama on a commercial flight. Once back in Mobile, they would fly us both home in their jet.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been beyond delighted to fly home on a jet, but I was not in a good place mentally, so the ride was more thrilling for Jeff than myself. For either angel or veteran flights, the pilot picks up the cost of fuel and the passengers ride for free. I know firsthand how expensive aviation fuel is for our airplane, so I can only imagine the cost of fuel for a jet.
For those of you reading this who have not personally been the recipient of the generosity of a COPA pilot, it is a humbling experience. Two pilots that I had never met, were kind enough to fly me back to Washington so that I could be close to my family. There are not enough kind words or thanks to give to the pilots. Their kindness makes them both heroes in my eyes.
My hat is off the many pilots who give of their time and money to provide help to others when they need it most.
P
I wrote the following letter to the Editor of the COPA magazine (Cirrus Owner's Pilot Association) and wanted to share it with you, and it was published in this month's magazine:.
Private pilots don't always get the recognition they deserve, and that may be due to the fact that most people don't even know someone who flies for pleasure. They fly for a number of reasons, but mainly because they simply like flying. It's an expensive hobby and certainly not for everyone, but to all the pilots I've met, including my own husband, Jeff, there is no place they would rather be than up in the clouds.
Besides flying for pleasure, these pilots sign up for VAC (Veterans Airlift Command) flights, where they fly ad disabled veteran or a member of his/her family for various reasons. They also make Angel Flights, transporting an injured or sick individual to their home or to a hospital. I can speak from experience about an Angel Flight because I was the "angel" on a flight home from Alabama last year. We were attending a COPA event in Mobile, and I had to be hospitalized.
Jeff had to fly home to make arrangements for my care once I was released from the hospital. There were two options available for getting me home. He could fly our plane back to Mobile, pick me up and fly home. The other option came from two COPA pilots who generously offered another solution. They suggested that Jeff return to Alabama on a commercial flight. Once back in Mobile, they would fly us both home in their jet.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been beyond delighted to fly home on a jet, but I was not in a good place mentally, so the ride was more thrilling for Jeff than myself. For either angel or veteran flights, the pilot picks up the cost of fuel and the passengers ride for free. I know firsthand how expensive aviation fuel is for our airplane, so I can only imagine the cost of fuel for a jet.
For those of you reading this who have not personally been the recipient of the generosity of a COPA pilot, it is a humbling experience. Two pilots that I had never met, were kind enough to fly me back to Washington so that I could be close to my family. There are not enough kind words or thanks to give to the pilots. Their kindness makes them both heroes in my eyes.
My hat is off the many pilots who give of their time and money to provide help to others when they need it most.
P
Sunday, August 31, 2014
The Most Popular Job in Every State
8/31/2014
According to Parade Magazine, listed below are the most popular jobs state by state. Read through the states and you may be surprised, as was I, what those popular jobs are. One state's most popular job was in New Jersey: Marriage and Family Therapists! Imagine. And my own state of Maryland that job is subway and street car operators! It appears that the median salary is around $60,000, which when you live back here in the D.C. area, isn't very much at all.
According to Parade Magazine, listed below are the most popular jobs state by state. Read through the states and you may be surprised, as was I, what those popular jobs are. One state's most popular job was in New Jersey: Marriage and Family Therapists! Imagine. And my own state of Maryland that job is subway and street car operators! It appears that the median salary is around $60,000, which when you live back here in the D.C. area, isn't very much at all.
Alabama
Metal and plastic layout workers
Metal and plastic layout workers
Alaska
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Arizona
Plasterers and stucco masons
Plasterers and stucco masons
Arkansas
Shoe machine operators and tenders
Shoe machine operators and tenders
California
Farm workers and laborers: crop, nursery, and greenhouse
Farm workers and laborers: crop, nursery, and greenhouse
Colorado
Atmospheric and space scientists
Atmospheric and space scientists
Connecticut
Actuaries
Actuaries
Delaware
Chemists
Chemists
District of Columbia
Political scientists
Political scientists
Florida
Motorboat operators
Motorboat operators
Georgia
Textile workers: winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Textile workers: winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Hawaii
Dancers
Dancers
Idaho
Forest and conservation technicians
Forest and conservation technicians
Illinois
Rail transportation workers
Rail transportation workers
Indiana
Boilermakers
Boilermakers
Iowa
Soil and plant scientists
Soil and plant scientists
Kansas
Agricultural equipment operators
Agricultural equipment operators
Kentucky
Mining roof bolters
Mining roof bolters
Louisiana
Riggers
Riggers
Maine
Logging equipment operators
Logging equipment operators
Maryland
Subway and streetcar operators
Subway and streetcar operators
Massachusetts
Biochemists and biophysicists
Biochemists and biophysicists
Michigan
Metal and plastic model makers
Metal and plastic model makers
Minnesota
Food scientists and technologists
Food scientists and technologists
Mississippi
Upholsterers
Upholsterers
Missouri
Entertainment attendants and related workers
Entertainment attendants and related workers
Montana
Forest and conservation technicians
Forest and conservation technicians
Nebraska
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
Nevada
Gaming supervisors
Gaming supervisors
New Hampshire
Metal workers and plastic workers
Metal workers and plastic workers
New Jersey
Marriage and family therapists
Marriage and family therapists
New Mexico
Physical scientists
Physical scientists
New York
Fashion designers
Fashion designers
North Carolina
Textile workers: winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Textile workers: winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
North Dakota
Extraction workers
Extraction workers
Ohio
Foundry mold and core makers
Foundry mold and core makers
Oklahoma
Gaming managers
Gaming managers
Oregon
Logging workers
Logging workers
Pennsylvania
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Rhode Island
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
South Carolina
Tire builders
Tire builders
South Dakota
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators
Tennessee
Nuclear technicians
Nuclear technicians
Texas
Petroleum engineers
Petroleum engineers
Utah
Mine cutting and channeling machine operators
Mine cutting and channeling machine operators
Vermont
Highway maintenance workers
Highway maintenance workers
Virginia
Legal support workers
Legal support workers
Washington
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
West Virginia
Mine shuttle car operator
Mine shuttle car operator
Wisconsin
Foundry mold and core makers
Foundry mold and core makers
Wyoming
Wellhead pumpers
Wellhead pumpers
ENJOY YOUR LABOR DAY! :)
P
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