Life in Wisconsin

Full List - The Top 10 Everything of 2009

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1945379,00.html
About 90% of this is lost on me- How about you?

Hi All;
Back again... (Blog to follow later today).

I realize I am quite late to be posting a recap of 2009, but thought this quite interesting- Better late than never... hehehe
I hope the links work for you should you desire more info on any particular item below.

These are listed alphabetically, not in any order of importance.

How many do you recall?
How many read (about)?
Seen?
How many do you think will still be there for this year?

XOXO
Me

_____________________________

The Top 10 Everything of 2009
TIME charts the highs and lows of the past year in 50 wide-ranging lists

Top 10 Albums

Top 10 Apologies

Top 10 Art Exhibitions

Top 10 Awkward Moments

Top 10 Best Business Deals

Top 10 Breakups

Top 10 Buzzwords

Top 10 Children's Books

Top 10 Editorial Cartoons

Top 10 Fashion Faux Pas

Top 10 Fashion Moments

Top 10 Feuds

Top 10 Fiction Books

Top 10 Fleeting Celebrities

Top 10 Gadgets

Top 10 Green Ideas

Top 10 Heroes

Top 10 iPhone Apps

Top 10 Late-Night Jokes

Top 10 Magazine Covers

Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs

Top 10 Movie Performances

Top 10 Movies

Top 10 New Species

Top 10 Nonfiction Books

Top 10 Pariahs

Top 10 Pictures of the Year

Top 10 Plays and Musicals

Top 10 Political Gaffes

Top 10 Quotes

Top 10 Scandals

Top 10 Scientific Discoveries

Top 10 Songs

Top 10 Sports Moments

Top 10 T-Shirt-Worthy Slogans

Top 10 TV Ads

Top 10 TV Episodes

Top 10 TV Series

Top 10 Tweets

Top 10 Untruths

Top 10 Worst Biz Deals

_____________________________

There is also a "World List" page to be found here.

_____________________________

A Reload- (Oh- I mean Recap).

Gross...

Good Saturday Evening All;
Before I go turn the sewing machine back on, I just wanted to do a bit of a recap.
Sure has been a busy week, and at times I have felt that my wheels were spinning. But that's OK kids. Personally, I would much rather be thinking than not.

To learn- or not to learn...
We learned a lot this week, if we were paying attention.

First and foremost to StangerDaze.
My most sincere sympathies on the loss of your good friend.
From the final comment here, she writes in reply to Pam, "Taking a moment to personally thank you for all your "tolerance", and "love". Got a phone call this morning. A gay friend of mine was found hung in his closet yesterday. He hung himself on Thursday. His mom found him. How would you feel if it was your son? Think about that before you say another word against homosexuals.
I have grown quite tired of you people. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP SPEWING YOUR HATRED!"
I notice that Pam has seen this comment; though predictably she has not replied.

What say you? Can we really afford to be that apathetic, ignorant, and unfeeling toward another life? How many others have done the same? WHY?

A "Mackerel Sky" -Read the comments here to find out what it is- what it means.
Thank you JoAnna!

From here. IQ and social maturity are not exclusive.

From here we see what real "work" is.
Of a list of 14 I wrote, 1. "You have a garden. 2. You cook 3 square meals a day"...

How many of us, obeying whatever excuse, do not even do those things?
(Let alone the other 12)?!?
We also learned how cute triplets can be! hehehe

* Other stuff I have learned this week---

* A quote from problogger Darren Rowse- “My advice to those commenting on blogs (not just mine) is that in a sense you’re visiting someone else’s home when you leave a comment. Comments have the ability to build up our tear down your reputation. They are a permanent record of who you are and what you stand for - so take care - be gracious - make sure they add value (not only to the blog you’re visiting but also to your own online profile)”.

* The most common types of skin cancers are:

Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma
Merkel cell cancer New 2008, Caused by "tumor virus" click

* There are too many recalls from the FDA and CPSC to keep listing them all.

* "Someone who's brilliant and engages in a lot of activities might reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease for a while"
For a while? Click here to read that article on Alzheimer Disease.

* "Respect are country"
Click here for more gross misspellings on placard pics.

What the heck ever happened to academic integrity? Furthermore, you shouldn't have to look for these -misteaks- they should be apparent.
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." W. Churchill

* Bedbugs.
Click here to find out why you should be worried, no matter where you live.
And yes, they travel quite well, and happily, on your purses and backpacks.
Thought I would throw that in there for anyone about to crawl in the sack. hehehe
See also "Prevention and Control of Bed Bugs in Residences"

* Marijuana, medical, or otherwise.
I have just posted a link about this natural miracle drug.
Please click here to go there and read my link from Science News.
In short, our outdated laws must be changed!

"Why are those plants evil? Because they don't come in a bottle that says pfizer, Eli Lilly or Bristol Myers Squibb on the side." Bill Maher

This, quoted from here.
Here's a reality check on how skewed current law is: The majority of people arrested for simple marijuana possession are younger men of color, even though studies show white youth consume more marijuana. These rates aren't about sales of marijuana (although the rates are similar) – just possession. The impact of a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession creates barriers to finding a house, a job, and even a school loan. That's not good for anyone.
{For those in California} Flat-out prohibition of marijuana is failing. We need a solution that works. By regulating and taxing marijuana for adults, Proposition 19 is a step in the right direction. end quoted text

I'd better close. It is almost tomorrow!

Sleep well

XOXO
Me

Bedbugs pic from above link

Marijuana -Not Just A High - from Science News

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/59872/title/Not_just_a_high
Scientists test medicinal marijuana against MS, inflammation and cancer
By Nathan Seppa
June 19th, 2010; Vol.177 #13 (p. 16)
________

"In science’s struggle to keep up with life on the streets, smoking cannabis for medical purposes stands as Exhibit A."

Please click the link above, and the links in comments to learn more.

XOXO
Me

Bug Spray- Funny

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Don't sell to farmers...

A salesman was traveling through the country side, flogging insect repellent. He came to a farmhouse and tried his pitch on the farmer.

"Sir, my bug spray is so good you will never be bitten again. I guarantee it."

The farmer was dubious.
"Young man, I'll make you a proposition. I'll tie you out in my cornfield buck naked, covered with that bug spray. If there is not a single bite on you come morning, I'll buy a whole case from you. And get everyone in the county to buy a case we will make you rich.

The salesman was delighted.
They went to the field and the salesman stripped. The farmer sprayed him thoroughly with the bug spray and tied him to a stake.
Back to the house went the farmer.

The next morning, the farmer and his family trooped out to the cornfield...

Sure enough,the salesman was there, hanging in his bonds, not a single bite on him. Yet he was a total wreck! Pale, ghastly, haggard, and drawn, but not one bite on him.

The farmer was perplexed. "Son," he said, "Now, you don't have a bite on you but you look like hell! What the devil happened?"

The salesman looked up through bloodshot eyes and croaked, "Doesn't that calf have a mother?"
***
hehehe

XOXO
Me

Old Bikes; and Worn Out Boots

From my email this morning.
(Thank you Duane)

________________________________________________

Their old bikes, worn out boots, leathers, old jeans and leathered faces,~ tells us all they have ridden far and seen many places.

You see them riding in small packs but many times alone,~ the loner is the one that knows the ropes and brotherhood to the bone.

The gray in their hair and the white in their beard,~ tells you right off they have been there and done that, nothing ever feared.

They have been there and done that and still very much alive,~ so give them respect and to be their friend you must strive.

They take care of their friends and always their own,~ they can teach you things about life and REAL you have never known.

They are quiet and at the bars mostly sit alone,~ because their old brothers and lifestyle are almost gone.

Like old brothers their lady's are loyal real and to them totally bound,~ if they were not they sure as hell wouldn't be around.

Many are vets from a place call Vietnam,~ where they fought a meaningless war for you and Uncle Sam.

Like the dinosaurs of old the old bikers will go down,~ and when the last one falls only those that know will hear the sound.

To all you young rider wannabes and prospects I give this toast,~ ride on brother for beside you rides an "Old Bikers" Ghost.

We ride down life's lonesome highway and just around the bend,~ stands the golden gates to glory right at it's end.

At these gates a hooded cloaked brother stands as their keeper,~ he's the last brother you meet "THE GRIM REAPER".

He waves you through his scythe held high,~ "welcome brother your lifestyle here will never die".

So to all you preppy wannabe's prospects and all that ride,~ find you an "Old Biker" and from him learn -by his teachings abide.

Some day down life's highway as you ride an "Old Biker" riding all alone,~ a cold breeze will hit you and chill you to the bone.

Glance over brother you may see me after I'm gone riding there,~ your guardian angel "Old Biker" grinning with the wind in my hair.

The "Old Biker" that taught you the real way,~ will ride beside you till your last day.

Ride on brothers the gates to glory are just ahead, ~ all your brothers are here and your style's not dead.

______________________________________

Have a grand weekend my friends!

XOXO
Me

Sarah Palin Supports Dr. Laura Via Twitter: 'don't retreat ... reload!'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/18/sarah-palin-supports-dr-laura_n_687148.html

Different subject. Same BS from Palin and Dr. Laura.
Sad, isn't it?

XOXO
Me

Corn. College. Clouds. And Typhoid.

Good Evening!
More rain tonight- after rain this morning also- (But for now the sun is still shining through the clouds, so I can get online for a while). My well has to be getting topped off quite nicely this year! Add to that the fact that I have watered no lawn or garden, nor did I fill up the pool.

Clouds are speckled- Rain is in the clouds that are up there, but not coming down. Yet.
As I drove home from Randy's this morning, and as I put my directional on to enter the driveway, there was actually a very visible rain cloud coming right down the road toward me.
Funny. I (almost) made it into the garage without getting wet.
HUGE raindrops, and came hard too. So went very slow, and turned around twice- a 'powerwash' for the car for a short moment.
That rain sure smelled good!

Not a lot accomplished today- Every now and then I get a day like that, and it feels good to not do anything; save for a few loads of wash- or to pull a few stitches.

I was in a funk yesterday. And I thank all that commented for your kind words for Kristin- She deserves those, and much much more. She is the epitome of such a good mom.
With Master Gabriel starting school yesterday- (it was so hard to not get in the car and see him off). To see the eager anticipation in all their faces, but am sure that would have upset Ms. Kristin's schedule too.
I did not go- (and yes, I could have gone, save for the fact I don't ever want the others to feel left out when I do go- I am always afraid that these 2 girls will pick up on that, though I hope I have never treated them differently- Just that little kids are so smart).

Don't ever let anyone tell you that you cannot be sad and happy at the same time. I have felt this way -too many- times with respect to all of my babies and grandbabies.

But I was, and AM, also so happy that he is loved, and has a real family now too! God love Kristin for her ability to include this Grandma whenever she can!
Not sure if you went back to my yesterdays blog, but I posted new pictures of the kids in the comments area of that blog.

It's getting dark now. No rumbles of thunder yet either.
Sheesh, I am such a cowardly little thing when it storms...

As we took our last walk of the day on Tuesday, to notice the corn is coming along nicely- especially given that it was planted so late.
Not quite ripe yet, (but Punk and I shared a fresh~picked little cob anyway).

Mmmmm...

We 'borrowed' some cantaloupe too-
And I have some green onions growing next to the driveway that Mama planted all those years ago- We picked some tomatoes too. Along with a cucumber. I had the very best salad, ever, for lunch today! hehehe

The sun was going down fast that night...

... And that same sunset made for a few nice shots of the farm.

I am sure no one is eating any store bought eggs anymore. Hope not anyway-

In addition to the eggs, have you heard about the typhus in the mamey fruit pulp?

The FDA has now recalled both Goya and Paleta brands. <--- (FDA site link).

Mamey fruit.

Here is one story of it. "Typhoid leads to 2nd mamey pulp recall"
For more info on the typhoid in the US and Canada, please click here or on the title above.

Mamey pulp is found in many frozen fruit bars.
Please check your ingredients lists; (and know the company's names might not be on those boxes because these 2 companies are distributorships).
Read about Typhoid Fever, which is cause by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, by clicking here. <--- (CDC site link)

At this point, the curtains are blowing in, toward me; and it is spooking the pup. hehehe
OK, OK. It is bothering me too- (mostly that I may lose my entry, or have to post it tomorrow).

My computer has been a real d---r---a---g these past few days.
I have pictures to put in, but don't want to slow it down any more than it already is.
Will have to ask Casey. That way if she doesn't know, then she will ask Greg! hehehe (See, there is method to my madness)!

Speaking of Casey- (was too) hehehe
She had to take a few tests to get back into school for the Fall semester- She is finally going for Vet Tech. Animals being her 2nd love; and that 1st year at UW-River Falls with her Veterinary Science will surely help her out now.
She passed all 3 of her today's tests with flying colors!
She is so determined and excited to finally be able to finish her college education.
Hopefully her health will follow her optimism this time? (A prayer or two please)-

UWGB, (Do the click, I am still mad at them), and UW-River Falls have yet to forward her transcripts. But since she was on the Deans List at both colleges there won't be any problems there. She is also to receive, IN WRITING, and from the dean himself, that they will not make her leave for being sick/gone/hospitalized; nor will they pull her funding for those things. (Click on UWGB above if you do not know of her previous ordeal). She texted me this explanation earlier, "since they're not a state school they're not given that illness list to abide by. It's case by case."
Thank God.

I'd better close for now! Do have a grand evening!
Hope all is well with everyone!
My love to all.

XOXO
Me

Stupidity...

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

From my email-
Title is not 'debatable'. (Or is it)?

~

~

No wonder kids can't read...

XOXO
Me

Ø Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. (Just another paraprosdokian sentence). XOXO, Me *hehehe

You Think You Work? My Tribute to a Wonderful Working Mom...

Good Morning Everyone;
I received this beautiful letter in my email last week.
In my book this family is Family of the Year! Any year. Every year.

Read this. Then tell me your definition of work...

May Kristin forgive me...

***** Here is the letter I received, -edited for personal content-

Good Morning!
6:45am-
Kids in bean bags chairs, drinking chocolate milk, watching Little Einstein's.
I have a few minutes to touch base with you all.

Hard to believe summer is almost gone! Not sure where it all went?
We had a productive summer- And I have been busy doing mom "stuff"-
Just trying to keep it all controlled chaos.

Kids start school Wednesday -the 1st of September. (My G-A-K squad had 4 weeks of prep for 4-year-old kindergarten).
It will be odd as it has been a LOOOONG time since I have not had "my" kids home for a few hours during the day.

Sean took Drivers Ed, & now has his temps! He will be able to get licensed in December. Hard for me to believe he will be 16 next week, & a Junior in HS this year! Of course he is bigger than mom, & looks manly. Not a little boy anymore.
I remember him, my little towhead, tagging the big kids around. 2 more years & he will be an adult WOW!
HS soccer has started already- One tourney done & regulation games have started.
I will be driver till Seth gets his license as his ride graduated; & so will be a bit of running for me this year.
We love Ashwaubenon school so far & don't regret our decision to school-choice the kids.

We did plant a garden-
Each child got to pick one variety of seed & watch it grow-
BUT the pumpkins kind of took over the entire garden.
We have 2 large, already orange, pumpkins!

Our favorite is our BUTT pumpkin! (See top picture).
It grew through the chain link fence, & it looks like it is someone bending over!

We have not picked much- a few cukes & tomatoes, beans and carrots too. My raspberries didn't fare so hot. But it was fun to see a garden through little ones eyes again.

Gabe's room got a new floor; & he chose blue for his wall color. Did a hard flooring in there too, wood look, (couldn't afford the real stuff), but 200% better than the old carpet!
Only one problem with that. Steve left (brown) trim paint in there; & Gabe decided to paint the walls with it. So we still have a bit of "finish" work in there.

We replaced our dinosaur fridge (at least 20 years old)! It gave off more heat than the AC could compensate for! LOL

And our couches looked nice, but went to the curb. You couldn't get out of them. (Felt like Tim Conway on the old Carol Burnett show)! You would either have to have someone pull you out, or make numerous attempts.

We had our mini-vacation; including one to one the many soccer tourneys we had for summer league.

We did our family camp and had a great time, in spite of a wicked storm one night.

10 kids in & out for foster care. [We] let one go after 8 months. It's odd, him not being here, but I do not miss the dissension he created.
I am a much calmer "mom" now. Just an incredible amount of stress removed!

If all goes as planned an adoption will take place the 22 of Sept & we will have our little girl too. It has been a long year but our God has seen us through.
It is a "Good" battle to fight.

Cassie had another bout of rejection but seems alright for now. She spent a week in UW~Madison hospital.

Maria finished her teaching degree, and just needs a job. (Milwaukee let 600 teachers go, so it could be tough to find one).

Shane & Toni! (I am getting excited at becoming a granny in Oct). Her baby shower is this coming weekend.

I am a lead teacher for our Pre-K Children's Church program- And we are revamping the program, so a bit of extra work in my spare time.

Steve's knee is doing well after his replacement in April.
No pain. It still needs to strengthen as it feels tired if he pushes it.

I have been seeing the chiropractor, as the reg doc just gives me meds, & I am not a fan of that.
I am doing exercises, -NOT MY STRONG SUIT, but I am regaining my strength in my legs. Balance too. I just think it is getting old, and my knees are wearing out with arthritis.

We are still half-done with our laundry room/bath on the main floor that Steve started. We have the walls done but no floor and are walking on concrete. Hope to get it in before winter as it is pretty cold already - & its still hot outside.

Hope this finds you all content in your life full of love, laughter, and the challenges that we all face as a part of our refining process.
Know I continue to remember you all in my prayers & thoughts throughout my day

Love, Kristin

***** My reply- Now. Very overdue and belated...

My Dearest Kristin;
First of all, forgive me for replying to you this way, but I needed to show you off a little. For all you do, - and for knowing that at times it is thankless work... You persevere and are so very happy!

You are a goddess my dear!
I don't know how you do it?!? I couldn't, that's for sure.
My 'semi-educated' guess, (from raising only 4 children), is that 99% of the population couldn't keep up with the 2 of you either. (By keeping up, I mean physically, mentally and emotionally)!
I cannot believe the only problem you have is your knees with arthritis! I would be insane, and sequestered in a quiet, warm, dark room -with lots of Kleenex! hehehe

I am happy that Steve's knee is doing so well. Many many people have that same surgery and only regret it.   He is very fortunate.
As you both are, to have each other!

* Allow me to recap...

You have a garden
You cook 3 square meals a day
3 Four-year-olds that start kindergarten today
1 Sixteen-year-old in Drivers Ed that must to be taken out for driving lessons
1 that was at Madison for her potential kidney rejection
1 that has graduated college
You are remodeling the bath and laundry
- You must do a zillion loads of wash every day?
Repainting Gabe's room- hehehe
- (I can laugh, it didn't happen to me).
You have traveled to many soccer tournaments throughout the state
You have also had 10 extra children in and out of your home all summer long
You have taken your vacation with all of the above children and hubby-
You are in the process of yet another adotion
Shortly, you will be Grandma too!
And, you are volunteering to revamp the Pre K Church Programs, in your "spare time"

To you both- Thank you for being so wonderful- and happy- and loving!
The example you set for all of the children is a legacy to be so very proud of! (But you sure raise the bar for the rest of the world).

Know how proud I am to have you all as part of my family. I could not have handpicked any better!

Please give my love to everyone, and kiss those triplets for me too!

Know too that you are all always in my own heart and prayers.

All my love. Always.

XOXO
Me

PS
You wrote, "we are revamping the program, so a bit of extra work in my spare time."
How in the world is it possible that you even have any "spare time" ???

*****

And now, to all of my friends on here- Are you fortunate enough to have such inspiration and love around yourselves? It is my most sincere hope that you do!

I thought I knew how to work and be busy. Now? I beg to differ with myself.

XOXO
Me

Have a 'wunnaful' Wednesday!

XOXO
Me

Women Drivers!

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Written by a man... (of course). hehehe

This morning on the Interstate, I looked over to my left and there was a Woman In a brand new Cadillac Doing 65 mph
With her Face up next to her Rear view mirror
Putting on her eyeliner!

I looked away For a couple seconds...
...to continue shaving

And when I looked back she was Halfway over in my lane,
... Still working on that damn makeup.

As a man, I don't scare easily.

But she scared me so much;
I dropped My electric shaver

Which knocked The donut Out of my other hand.

In all The confusion of trying To straighten out the car
Using my knees against The steering wheel,
It knocked My Cell Phone Away from my ear

Which fell Into the coffee Between my legs!
Splashed,
... And burned Big Jim and the Twins,

Ruined the damn phone,
Soaked my trousers,
And disconnected an Important call.

Damn women drivers!

Red States, Blue States, Poor States, Rich States…

http://bearmarketnews.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/red-states-blue-states-poor-states-rich-states/

Good Morning-
I suppose I'll be upsetting more than one of you with this.
Too bad, so sad.

As I wind my way through news stories and others, I am reminded that too many do not know the truths that lies beneath the color of states.
I am posting this to get these truths out.

Also, (and again) please have it known that the word "Republican" has been interchanged with the word "Conservative".
This is a misnomer, Folks...
To borrow a quote from Frederick Douglas, "I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels."

Can't believe what you are reading? Links are listed below for your verification purposes.

XOXO
Me

PS
Never judge an article by its title. (So, yes Tess, you must read the whole thing).

______________________________________

For decades, the Democrats have been viewed as the party of the poor, with the Republicans representing the rich. Recent presidential elections, however, have shown a reverse pattern, with Democrats performing well in the richer blue states in the northeast and coasts, and Republicans dominating in the poor red states in the middle of the country and the south.

Summary of results of the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 presidential elections.

It will come as a surprise to some, but not to others, that there is a fairly strong statistical relationship, but that the direction is the opposite from what you would think if you were listening to rhetoric from Republican conservatives:

The red states (those that vote Republican) generally receive more subsidies from the federal government than they pay in taxes; in other words they are further to the right in a graph.

It is the other way around with the blue states (those that vote Democratic).

People in red states are less healthy than those in blue states.

People in red states earn less than those in blue states.

People in red states are less educated than those in blue states.

More people in red states live in mobile homes than those in blue states.

The red states have higher birth rates among teens than the blue states.

More people are killed by guns in the red states than in the blue states.

The red states have:
- Higher rates of poverty, both generally and among the elderly,
- Higher rates of crime, both general and violent,
- Have higher rates of infant mortality,
  - and divorce,
- And have fewer physicians per unit of population than do the blue states.

These statistics do not paint a pretty picture. And since the red states are commonly referred to as the conservative heartland, one would think that the people who live in these states would vote against conservative candidates merely on the basis of their own rational, self interests. But they don’t. (Please insert a 'duh' here).

There’s an obvious clash here, for the red states are the home of that group that calls itself “moral America.”

How can a moral viewpoint countenance poverty, crime, and infant mortality?
What kind of morality is it that doesn’t care for the welfare of people?
Just what moral maxim guides the lives of these people?

Certainly not the Golden Rule, the Decalogue, or the Second Commandment of Christ.
From what I have been able to gather, moral America needs a new moral code. The one it has is, to use a word the members of this group dislike, relative.

When Red States get their social problems under control, and things such as teen pregnancy down to nationwide lows, then they can try and foist their solutions on the rest of the country.

But as things currently stand, on this issue (as well as others like divorce), the Red States have no ground to stand on. Those crazy New England liberals are running circles around them in this tangible measure of their residents’ “values”.

The top ten bottom feeders at the federal trough in 2005 were: New Mexico, Mississippi, Alaska, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Dakota, Alabama, South Dakota, Kentucky and Virginia.
(Sarah Palin’s home state of Alaska ranks number one if measured in terms of federal spending per capita. Alabama Senator Shelby evidently gets goodies for his state, ranked 7, by indiscriminately holding up votes on administration appointments.)

The top ten milk cows were: New Jersey, Nevada, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois, Delaware, California, New York, and Colorado.

Perhaps in determining how the federal government redistributes income across states one should view its role more expansively than is captured in the budget numbers. In the western states there are federal water projects that subsidize water for farmers, artificially low grazing fees for ranchers, and leases for hard rock mining and oil drilling on federal lands that have historically charged artificially low prices.

Perhaps the biggest federal redistribution program of all is massive agricultural subsidies. The four congressional districts that receive the most in farm subsidies are all represented by “conservative” Republicans, located in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Texas.
(Michele Bachmann’s family farm apparently received $250,000 in such farm payments between 1995 and 2006.)

The most commonly ignored area of geographical redistribution is the federal government’s permanent policy of “universal service” in postal delivery, phone service and other utilities (electricity; perhaps now broadband…). Universal service means subsidizing those who choose to live in remote places like Alaska, where the cost of supplying these services is much higher than in the coastal cities. Perhaps they should move…

If I were cynical, I might suspect that the reason that Glenn Beck, Michele Bachmann, and some Republicans are not enthusiastic about getting the most accurate numbers possible, from the census and otherwise, is that they don’t want people to know who is getting federal handouts and who is paying.
But, more likely, the truth is that they don’t want to know themselves.

In particular, in rich states voting patterns show little correlation with income. The poor of Connecticut, in other words, vote pretty similarly to the rich of Connecticut. This isn’t the case in poor states, where poor people are dramatically more likely than rich people to vote Democratic. The difference is that the rich people in the rich states are much more culturally liberal than the rich people in the poor states. The result is the famous “culture war” waged not between yuppies and the working class, but between the wealthy residents of wealthy states and the wealthy residents of poor states.

Much media confusion about American politics then stems from what’s essentially a coincidence—political journalists are heavily concentrated in places like Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and California that exhibit the voting behaviors of rich states.
It is true in those places that voting behavior features little income polarization and that wealthy people are generally well-disposed toward the Democrats. Political commentary from David Brooks on the right to Tom Frank on the left is often dominated by the assumption that you can extrapolate from political patterns in places like Maryland out to the country as a whole.

It’s an understandable mistake, but also a serious one. And everyone interested in political activism owes it to themselves to understand the truth and everyone interested in the media owes it to the world to correct the record.

*** Sources:

Red States, Blue States and the Distribution of Federal Spending

Why the Wars can’t be Won

FDL Book Salon Welcomes Andrew Gelman: Red State, Blue State, Rich State, Poor State

Teen pregnancy in the Red States

______________________________________

Inspired by a story By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, as posted on Heidi's site.

photo from Google search

Warning- Spell Check Malfunction!

Before I leave, I just HAVE TO share this...
As I am surfing around, I read the following: "I may not have a college degree but that does NOT make me uneducated, stupid, ingnorant" end quote.

TRUE story!

Sheesh, now I gotta try to figure out what "ingnorant" means...

XOXO
Me

PS
I will be back soon.

Our Weekend so Far...

Behind the pond at Kelli's... A masterpiece.

Good Morning All-
As I look out the eastward window, the fields are blanketed with fog, and the sun peeks through them at various spots-
Ever so pretty, and reminds me of home. i (Oh wait)! hehehe

Been "squirrel~busy" these past few days- (trying to hang onto my last marble also).
But oh what fun we've had! Had the sale open Friday and Saturday- I will open it again around 8 or 9. (Maybe just get a few chuchgoers that want to throw a few quarter$ my way).
Tons of people, and to know so many of them too!

Cousins and neighbors, Jim and JoAnne Reimer-

Jim just had surgery on his shoulder after dealing with a torn rotator cuff, and then ripping a few tendons. (That's some painful stuff too).

Another neighbor, Julie- With her 3 month old puppy.
She collects dogs like other people collect knick~knacks.
Has gone back to school now to be a licensed cosmetologist.

Other people just out for a ride- to see the sign and pull in. Whatever works.
At times my yard looks like a used car lot- At others, it's like a mini ghost town.

I wasn't going to open it this weekend either- Until the gal down the road put an ad in the paper advertising her own sale.
So out came my sign. (Hmmm... Does that make me a thief somehow)?
And a whole lot of pretty men too! (I will just have to open more often)! Mmm
***wipes drool off screen*** hehehe

Casey has come out every day- Up and at 'em real early for me too- Even if no one is here besides us, I can think of no better company than her own. She is just so funny- even in pain, (and sometimes because of it too). That is so special!

CaseyFace! hehehe
... Brings a whole new meaning to "You Go, Girl"

I'd better close for now and get my dishes done- 2+ days without doing those.
(Don't tell anyone).

I hope you are ALL having a great weekend too!

My love to all

XOXO
Me

PS
From my 'bizarre newsletter': "September 2 is National Beheading Day."
I will need a show of hands (I mean "heads"), to see who goes first?!? hehehe

Sassy. Cute.

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

A couple living in a small Midlands village in England, take on an 18-year-old girl as a lodger. She asked if she could have a bath but the woman of the house told her they didn't have a bathroom as such but she could use a tin bath in front of the fire.

"Monday's the best night, when my husband goes out bowling," the woman said. So the young girl agreed to have a bath the following Monday night.

After her husband had gone off for his bowling tournament, the woman filled the bath and watched as the girl got undressed.

She was surprised to see that the young lass didn't have any pubic hair and told her husband when he came home. He didn't believe her, so she said, "Next week, when you go off to bowl, I'll leave a little gap in the curtains so that you can see for yourself, alright?"

The following Monday night, while the girl got undressed for her bath, the wife asked her, "Do you shave down there?"

"No," replied the girl, "I've just never grown any hairs down there. Do you have hairs on yours?"

"Oh, yes," said the woman and she showed the girl her hairy muff.

After the girl had gone to bed the husband came home and the wife asked, "Did you see it?"

"Yes," he said, "but why the hell did you have to show her yours?"

"Why not?" she said, "You've seen it before.”

"I know," he replied, "but the bowling team hadn't!"

Jennifer, and Jaworski Road

The old stanchions-

Good Morning!

It is Jennifer Hope's birthday today. She is my 2nd eldest, and lives in Texas.
At 32 now, she has 2 beautiful babies, and one husband. hehehe (Works best that way).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!

That's a whole lot of candles ya know~
Have an extinguisher handy. hehehe Just sayin'...

What?!?!

My mom is HOW old? hehehehehehehe

Here is Isaiah on his first day of school!

And here is Isaiah and Wyatt...

No, really!
Look very closely, you can see Wyatt's hair at the bottom of the picture.
He had fallen down before the shutter snapped. hehehe

But what an angel too!!!

With his own little orb! And isn't he just as gorgeous as his big brother?!

I see that Mother Nature has given Jenné temps below 100° (F) for her birthday! They supposedly are to remain there for the next few days also.

Weather? I thought it pretty neat that The Old Farmers Almanac came out with a long range forecast map for the whole country. (However due to their September forecast, I no longer much care for The Old Farmers Almanac). hehehe

SEPTEMBER 2010 (for my area): temperature 52° (6° below avg.); precipitation 4.5" (1.5" above avg.);
Sep 1-3: Sunny, cool;
Sep 4-15: Rainy episodes, cool;
Sep 16-20: Rain and snow showers, cool;
Sep 21-28: Rain, then sunny, cool;
Sep 29-30: Rain, mild.

Oh well. Such is the changing of the seasons.
But I am not shoveling snow in September! (I don't much care to even do that in October for Pete's sake).
As long as it brings us football season, I will try not to complain too much.

My back has been particularly wretched once again.
Not sure what I am doing, or not doing; but it sucks for me. I have had Casey lace and adjust my brace as tight as it goes, and still it is awful.
Not a lot of sleep. Not a lot of anything- just 'busy' work around here.

Lawns are done for a little while, at best. They really need the blades on the mower dropped all the way down, and soon too. But apples and pears need to be removed first.

Christmas *sigh*, (and hopefully that means Springtime too) will not be far off.
I need to keep my sewing machine fired up, but for anyone contemplating gift purchases online, this site lists a ton of popular stores that will ship free IF you have their free shipping code.
Codes can be found here. (You can thank me for the link by sending a gift)! hehehe

Gifts?
I have decided that I would LOVE a copy of the New Oxford American Dictionary! It has over 2,000 new words and phrases, including "vuvuzela," "microblogging," "staycation" and "turducken" ...
New definitions, new entries, new subordinate entries, the list goes on...
Just dreaming.

Waking up now, and regarding my recent "People are Different" blog: I rest my case Mz. Doubtfire. If you wish to hold hatred in your heart for "the least of your brothers", for WHATEVER reason, that is your choice to make.
For everyone else, an apt quote from my top page this morning:
"Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier." S. Rabin

Incidentally, if anyone missed my own point of view, hatred is not my choice. Though admittedly, there are a few people I could live happily without, I do not hate people. (Nor am I that freakin' paranoid)! hehehe

Politically speaking- I have noticed that the Republican ads on TV seem to all reiterate the conservative angle. "I am a conservative." Or, "I am running for the conservative party."
Newsflash people, we really DO know that republican is conservative, and vice~versa. (And we really CAN read the fine print at the bottom of your ads that say, "paid for by the republican party").
The American voters are not that dumb! For those that are that basically choosing to be mentally deficient or challenged, ignorant people will elect dark candidates.
You cannot 'tidy up' the ugly party by painting it a new color.
After all, "a rose by any other name..."

Back to Flintville... happily-

Kelli and I had gone in search of Chris Jaworski for horse hay.
He was not at home.

Somebody once said, "you can't go home again." I beg to differ.
See, Chris was at home. (My old home that is). hehehe
I had spotted his car as we drove past-

Closer up-

And in the barn-

No he is not holding it up! hehehe

And walking toward the very first home built on the property...

The ORIGINAL 2 room house on the property

My pictures didn't turn out well at all because the sun was near to setting as I took them.
My apologies. We will have to go back at sunrise or high noon.

All the trees you see below I planted! The girls and I carried buckets and buckets of rainwater out there the first two years too.
Most lived too!

Birch and Mulberry

I actually stole handfuls of mulberries off the trees when I walked back there! Mmmm...

Colorado blue spruce.
Mom had given us 4 Blue Spruce when we moved in. (One for each of my girls).

Only this one survived.

Then there's the zillion red cedars.
Prickly things- Rabbits LOVE to hide in them!

Planted as a windbreak, to the NE of the house

Notice the fence between the 2 homes, effectively cutting off [some] problems with the neighbors from hell.
Chris informed us that our killer neighbor goes back to court on September 1st.
(I hope they throw the book at him).

Nuff said. Besides, my eyes are crossed from reading, and thinking, and....

Have a 'wunnaful' day!

XOXO
Me

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