General Discussion, Saturday, October 20, 2018

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144 Responses to General Discussion, Saturday, October 20, 2018

  1. Gil says:

    I cant believe Halloween isless than 2 weeks away already. We are having a heat wave so its a bit hard to get in the mood.
    Kiddo wanted the same costume as last year, a ghostbuster complete with proton pack. I have strobe pumpkin lights I velcro on him for effect and so he is seen by cars. Most of last years candy Mr gil took to work. We shall see what kind of treats he gets this year.
    What are your memorable or favorite costumes? I remember being an indian, tinkerbell, a zombie, a punkrocker. Im very tempted to have an NPC pumpkin. Happy saturday!

    Liked by 6 people

    • michellc says:

      Why is it that groups are always picking the most ignorant cases to try and prove how bad something is? Prison reform groups in our state, mainly teachers and backers of teachers who have settled on they don’t get enough money because of prisons are the main culprits behind it with the help of the potheads who want all pot legal.
      They’re constantly sending out mailers or posting on FB about how X amount is spent on each prisoner while only X amount is spent on each student, which is never correct anyway. I could get behind them in part if they would be honest and tell how many illegals we’re having to pay for in prison who should never have been here anyway. Can’t be talking about those illegals though, just like we can’t talk about how much is wasted on educating illegal kids.
      Then they highlight these prisoners who unfairly are behind bars for drug possession. One of the women they’re on now is an illegal with 6 kids who they claim shouldn’t be behind bars away from her kids for just being in possession of drugs. This woman was arrested numerous times for DUI, driving without a license and no insurance along with dealing drugs in front of schools and bringing drugs into a prison or jail. She had several deferred sentences, went through several drug courts and continued until finally they she received 15 years in prison, she’s served 2 years and will probably be out in another 4 years.

      It would be nice to think when she gets out she’ll be deported but then we’ll hear the poor kids, the same poor kids we’re supporting while she sits in jail. The same poor kids that she should have already lost custody of as how she spent all of her time getting high and dealing drugs instead of raising her kids.
      God help us if the idiot Democrat gets elected governor who wants our state to be a sanctuary state. With the mafia teachers out there making it a possibility because they and their families and friends are only voting for the apple. I’m really starting to hate apples btw. 🙂

      Liked by 6 people

      • michellc says:

        Sorry I don’t know how this got here, I was commenting at the bottom of the page.

        Liked by 4 people

      • Menagerie says:

        I etc a little girl last year at my granddaughter’s graduation, a classmate. She spoke not one word of English, sat quietly alone as we toured the classroom. After a whole year in school, probably two, as there is pre k there, no English. Andmshe was moving to first grade.

        Liked by 3 people

        • michellc says:

          I discovered during all this teacher bs that we have a charter school in the OKC area that is 90% Hispanic with 80% speaking Spanish in the home.
          It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that probably a large percentage if not all 80% speaking Spanish in the home are illegals.

          Liked by 3 people

      • Menagerie says:

        I have two grandsons with autism, and they live in a poorer section of town with lots of immigrants. It was dicey whether the two of them, along with their older sister, would get into classes they needed due to overcrowding.

        I don’t feel like immigrant children, if not here legally, should crowd out citizens of this country. Maybe I shouldn’t feel that way, I don’t know. It’s an emotional issue for me, and a personal one because of the great hardship my son’s family has faced since Conner, the youngest, had heart surgery.

        Quite simply, I resent that we have so many freeloaders to support who actually get things my grandchildren can’t access. I guess I am a bitter old grandma. But I know the reason is that we have always been a tax paying self supporting family. That should not mean that we go to the back of the line.

        Liked by 5 people

    • czarowniczy says:

      A bunch of us are going to dress as Honduran immigrants and march up the street demanding treats. Just kidding – we’d be ex-illegals before we got halfway down the street.

      Liked by 7 people

    • auscitizenmom says:

      When I was little all I wanted to be was a ballerina. But, when I got into my late teens, I found out it was great fun to be a gypsy. I had long hair down to my waist and I could put on all my jewelry. Many times that was what I wore to Halloween parties.

      Liked by 3 people

    • John Denney says:

      I’ve been the Cat in the Hat many times, winning at least two costume contests in different years and different venues.

      It was great fun going trick or treating in that costume with my son. Kids would say, “It’s the Cat in the Hat!”, and come running up to me. I had my picture taken a bunch of times by total strangers with their kids next to me.

      Liked by 3 people

    • czarina33 says:

      Easy costuming in New Orleans: wear what you wore at Mardi Gras. Or any other parade during the year. The Krewe of Boo has a Halloween Parade next weekend.

      Like

    • lovely says:

      I’m going to a halloween party this year for the first time in forever. Going a Genie 🙂 . It should be fun, my friend is going as a bottle and he said that makes us a couple. I laughed out loud at his funny mind. No we are not a couple. We are friends.

      I was thinking about going as an NPC ! I have seen a few pumpkins and it cracked me up 🙂 !

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Lucille says:


    Be Best and Be Blessed!

    Liked by 6 people

  3. nyetneetot says:

    Mornin’ stella! (Smiter of those that ought to be smote) 😎 🍸 (Long Island Iced Tea)
    Mornin’ WeeWeed! (Master Mixologist Extrodinare) 😎 🍸 (Old Fashioned)
    Mornin’ Menagerie! 😎 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Jack Daniels – Single Barrel )
    Mornin’ Ad rem! (Queen Felis catus) 🐱 🍸 (Flaming Lamborghini)
    Mornin’ Sharon! 😎 🍸 🍸 (earthquake)
    Mornin’ ytz4mee! 😎 🍸 (cosmopolitan)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (white wine and perrier)
    Mornin’ partyzantski! 🙂 |_| (Tom Collins)
    Mornin’ texan59! 🙂 |_| (Black & Tan)
    Mornin’ ZurichMike! 🙂 🍸 (fuzzy navel)
    Mornin’ Col.(R) Ken! (hand salute) 🙂 |_| (Boilermaker)
    Mornin’ czarina33! (aka czarina) 🙂 🍸 (Lynchburg Lemonade)
    Mornin’ czarowniczy! 🙂 |_| (Wild Turkey Rare Breed)
    Mornin’ letjusticeprevail2014! 🙂 |_| (Irish Car Bomb)
    Mornin’ Patriot1783-ctdar! (aka “ctdar”) 🙂 🍸 (grasshopper)
    Mornin’ tessa50! 🙂 🍸 (flaming volcano)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (sidecar)
    Mornin’ varsityward! 🙂 |_| (Godfather)
    Mornin’ MaryfromMarin! 😀 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Mortlach)
    Mornin’ Wooly Covfefe! (aka “Wooly Phlox” aka “taqiyyologist”) 🙂 |_| (Roy Rogers)
    Mornin’ Howie! (aka “doodahdaze”) 🙂 |_| (Classic Daiquiri)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Gin & Tonic)
    Mornin’ Sha! 🙂 🍸 (Lemon Drop)
    Mornin’ BigMamaTEA! 🙂 🍸 (Harvey Wallbanger)
    Mornin’ cetera5! (aka “Cetera”) 🙂 |_| (Blackberry wine)
    Mornin’ The Tundra PA! 🙂 🍸 (Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sling)
    Mornin’ lovely! 🙂 |_| (Backdraft)
    Mornin’ michellc! 🙂 🍸 (Salty dog)
    Mornin’ auscitizenmom! 🙂 🍸 (Kiss on the Lips)
    Mornin’ Margaret-Ann! 🙂 🍸 (White Russian)
    Mornin’ Auntie Lib! 🙂 🍸 (Tom and Jerry)
    Mornin’ holly100! 🙂 🍸 (Jack & Coke)
    Mornin’ Pam! 🙂 (Not even water)
    Mornin’ Ms.Tee! 🙂 🍸 (Mojito)
    Mornin’ koolkosherkitchen! 🙂 🍸 🍸 (Cuba Libre)
    Mornin’ ImpeachEmAll 🙂 |_| (Flaming Dr. Pepper)
    Mornin’ Monroe! 🙂 |_| (Stinger)
    Mornin’ Les! 🙂 |_| (Rusty Nail)
    Mornin’ shiloh1973! 🙂 |_| (Jack Daniels)
    Mornin’ TexasRanger! 🙂 |_| (Whiskey Smash)
    Mornin’ Ziiggii! 🙂 |_| (B52)
    Mornin’ oldiadguy! 🙂 |_| (Rum & Coke)
    Mornin’ smiley! (“stuck in spambucket”) 🙂 🍸 (Spanish coffee)
    Mornin’ derk! (“Stellars”) 🙂 🍸 (Kamikaze)
    Mornin’ Jacqueline Taylor Robson 🙂 🍸 (Shirley Temple)
    Mornin’ facebkwallflower! 🙂 |_| (Night Train Express)
    Mornin’ Ms. Cindy! (aka “Ms Cynlynn” aka “ms cynlynn”) 🙂 🍸 (1970 ducru beaucaillou)
    Mornin’ sandandsea2015! 🙂 🍸 (1961 Château Montrose)
    Mornin’ amwick! 🙂 🍸 (Blue motorcycle)
    Mornin’ hocuspocus13! 🙂 🍸 (1970 Chateau Latour)
    Mornin’ Sloth1963! 🙂 🍸 (1971 Moulin Touchais)
    Mornin’ MTeresa! (Ex-lurker) 🙂 |_| (Albanian Raki Moskat)
    Mornin’ rheavolans! (aka “Rhea Salacia Volans”) 🙂 |_| (Hot Buttered Rum)
    Mornin’ joshua! 🙂 |_| (Mudslide)
    Mornin’ John Denney! 🙂 |_| (RumChata)
    Mornin’ litenmaus! 🙂 |_| (Stolichnaya elit, no ice)
    Mornin’ kinthenorthwest! 🙂 🍸 (A Lonely Island Lost in the Middle of a Foggy Sea)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Smoking Bishop)
    Mornin’ patternpuzzler! 🙂 🍸 (Old Lady)
    Mornin’ Senatssekretär FREISTAAT DANZIG! 🙂 |_| (Red Russian)
    Mornin’ G-d&Country! 🙂 🍸 (Blind Russian)
    Mornin’ Gary! 🙂 |_| (Yuengling)
    Mornin’ valeriecurren! 🙂 🍸 (Flaming Sambuca)
    Mornin’ Lucille! 🙂 🍸 (Peach Schnapps)
    Mornin’ Lburg! 🙂 🍸 (Lburg lemonade)
    Mornin’ davidhuntpe! 🙂 |_| (Baileys Irish Cream on the rocks)
    Mornin’ skipper1961! 🙂 |_| (Brompton’s Cocktail – No cherry, no umbrella, no plastic monkey)
    Mornin’ mightyconservative! 🙂 |_| (Benjamin Franklin’s clarified milk punch)
    Mornin’ whiners and complainers! 😛 (No drink for you!)
    Mornin’ to people posting that I missed. 😳
    Mornin’ to all you lurkers! 😕

    Also just in case someday; mornin’ to Elvis Chupacabra, F.D.R. in Hell and sundance! :mrgreen:

    Breakfast!

    NEW and IMPROVED breakfast with extra bacon for ZurichMike!

    Doughnuts for coffee!

    Liked by 9 people

  4. Lucille says:

    HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL IN THE HUMAN BREAST…

    Liked by 6 people

  5. czarowniczy says:

    YAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!! AC IS WORKING!!!!!! No more sleeping in a cold, damp sauna, humidity’s at a human level inside. Good thing too as we have DENSE fog out tonite, can’t see the 100 feet to the lake.

    Liked by 9 people

  6. WeeWeed says:

    Mornin’ kids!

    Liked by 7 people

  7. rheavolans says:

    Good morning everyone!

    I finished the local Great American Read challenge not all that long ago, but I hadn’t had time to sit down and really talk about it.

    Here’s how I felt the day I finished the challenge:

    I am so glad it’s over. Now I can read for leisure again!

    Here’s my list of books that I read:

    Books that I had not read prior to the Challenge:
    Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
    The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas [who was getting paid by the word!!!]
    The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
    The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
    The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway
    The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
    Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
    Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
    A Separate Peace by John Knowles
    The Little Prince by Antione de Saint-exupery

    Books I Owned pre- Challenge that I read as part of the Challenge:
    1984 by George Orwell
    The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
    Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
    To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
    Ann of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
    The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

    The last two books on my list, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte I had read like “Young reader’s” editions when I was back in grade school, so this time I read the full versions for the challenge.

    The Book Thief was a last minute substitution on my list, as I hated “A confederacy of Dunces” so much I stalled out around page 10 so I took it back to the library and subbed in the Book Thief instead.

    And that was what I did this summer. 🙂

    Liked by 10 people

  8. litenmaus says:

    Good morning all. I thought this morning I might hit you guys up for a small donation so that I might acquire a new “sparkly”….Although I would look good in Marie Antoinette’s pearls, I think I’d look quite stunning in Charles the X’s diamond tiara – however, if funds are tight, I’d settle for cake..I do like to have my cake and eat it too. :0)

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6295281/Rare-Marie-Antoinette-jewels-display-ahead-historic-4million-Sothebys-auction.html

    Liked by 8 people

    • Menagerie says:

      Beautiful jewels. Reminds me of this little nugget I just saw a few days ago.

      A nun recounts a story from Anthony de Mello about a man who approaches a hermit in the forest asking to see a diamond that the hermit carries in his knapsack. The old hermit shows the man the diamond and asks him if he wants it. Delighted, the man rushes back to his little hut, but later he returns the diamond, saying, “Give me instead whatever you have that made it so easy for you to give this away.”

      Liked by 7 people

    • Lucille says:

      Something tells me Mohammed bin Salman won’t be bidding on this 18.96 carat beauty.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Lucille says:

    BBC visits Donald Trump’s Mother’s home on Isle Of Lewis, Scotland
    Broadcast on Jan 15, 2017, this programme explores Mary Anne MacLeod Trump’s early life, Christian faith and emigration to America.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. auscitizenmom says:

    I just watched an interview on America’s New Headquarters with Adam Ereli. He is the ex-ambassador to Bahrain. He makes the most sense of all of the Khashoggi mess I have heard yet.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. The Tundra PA says:

    Hey Stella–the President’s Nevada rally is already ongoing and POTUS is speaking now. No link either here or at the Treehouse…

    Like

  12. Lucille says:

    Why do sealions look like they’re made out of vinyl…

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Menagerie says:

    Got a deal with my son. They had a turkey they wanted me to cook, so we get some of it, along with the broth, etc. So, turkey is almost done, and while it sits I have cornbread dressing and sweet potato casserole ready to pop in the oven. The cranberry sauce is cooling.

    Fall food is best. I might love the summer fruits and corn and okay, tomatoes, okra, squash, but yeah…hard to beat the soups, breads, stews, and turkeys. Yesterday I made that Guiness stew, so rich a gravy you just want to savor it a minute before swallowing.

    I’ve got half a roast left after I cut up some for the stew, I cooked it and saved gravy, going to try some German style noodles with it, which I have never done before. I think noodles might be more of a thing up north. Down here everything is with potatoes.

    So, if any of you have a favorite way to cook and serve spaetzle egg noodles, I sure would appreciate it. For someone who has a large helping of German genetics, I never have checked out their cooking too much.

    Oh yeah, trying out a new apple cider brine, and I am glad to do that for a non holiday meal. Might find out I’ve found something better than my old standby turkey recipe Gator Mom gave me years ago.

    Liked by 4 people

    • stella says:

      I never make my own noodles. If you do, please report! My dad (and I) used to bake noodles with butter, onions and bread crumbs. It’s a really good side dish.

      I love potatoes so much. I don’t think I could live without them!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Menagerie says:

        I was in a different (fancier) grocery store and they had some noodles apparently imported from Germany. They looked really good, and very unlike the noodles I usually see, so I bought them.

        Thanks for the tip, it’s probably how I’ll fix them. I think they should be good with tha gravy from the roast.

        Liked by 2 people

    • stella says:

      Your dinner sound SO good! I love turkey and the fixings.

      Liked by 4 people

      • Menagerie says:

        It was excellent. My husband says he thinks this recipe might have edged out the old standby, just barely.

        Liked by 3 people

        • stella says:

          My grandson made his own sourdough starter and baked a loaf of bread today. My DD sent me a photo – it looks absolutely fantastic. He baked it in a round in the dutch oven.

          Liked by 2 people

          • Menagerie says:

            I am envious, it looks so good. For the first time in many years I made no starter this year. I haven’t baked bread at all, except beer bread, and I’m missing it.

            Sounds like your grandson is taking to the bread baking. It’s such a wonderful art, hobby, skill. Whatever you call it, I sure enjoy it. Your daughter and her family are surely enjoying his successes! Do you know where he got the starter recipe?

            I read an article the other day that said people who love to bake for family and friends are both creative and practicing a sort of self therapy. I think that might actually describe me.

            Liked by 2 people

    • czarowniczy says:

      Czarina pointed me in your direction.
      Spaetzla is a noodle type that’s used all over Europe, cheap and easy – try this recipe:
      https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/11793/german-spaetzle-dumplings/

      What I do is to boil them in a STRONG broth, not water. Ugh. A day or more before Turkey Day I get wings/necks (try tossing a few smoked ones in) and make a strong broth and toss in onions (skin and all) garlic, carrots and celery. I let the broth cool, strain it and refrigerate it to make the fat rise to the top and solidify. When I remove it if the broth is gelatinous I’ll heat it up when I’m ready to boil the spaetzle and thin it with commercial turkey or chicken broth. Ditto the thinning as the dumplings absorb fluid as they cook.

      I use whole milk as the fat tastes better, don’t be scared of the nutmeg or pepper – you can use more – and/or use garlic/om\onion powder too if you’d like – the flour literally soaks up flavor and makes it disappear. Get a spaetzle maker, they’re on Amazon, they last forever, aren’t expensive and you can use them year ’round. Make sure to wipe it down with some veg oil when you run the dough thru it, makes the process MUCH easier.

      Now the fun part – you can use the broth left in making gravy or turkey soup/stew -or both, I’ve been known to put leftover gravy in my turkey gumbo. Cleaning the veggies left over from the broth you can toss’em, puree them for various uses or just heat and eat as a snack – my fav.

      Don’t obsess over cooking them, they come to the surface when they’re ready, just scoop with a spider or slotted spoon. Undercooking is far worse than overcooking as you get that raw flour taste. their main benefit is how they swim in that gravy BUT leftover ones make SUPER mac-and-cheese using the spaetzle instead of mac. Mmmmmmmm….whole milk, cream, butter, sharp cheddar and Gruyere (2 cheddar to 1 Gruyere). And if there’s hot, leftover gravy…..baked spaetzla and cheese. Works well with extra garlic and onion powder in the mix too…..

      Liked by 2 people

      • czarina33 says:

        I can never get enough of his spatzele

        Liked by 3 people

      • Menagerie says:

        Thanks a bunch to both of you! I copied this down so I can keep it. Sounds great.

        Liked by 1 person

        • czarowniczy says:

          I worry a bit posting these as they’re long and a personal taste that some might not cotton to.
          Despite my ‘noodle’ statement it’s actually a dumpling but for some reason, probably out concept of dumplings being blobby, they’re referred to as a noodle.
          They’re great – you can even take leftovers and use a bit of egg wash to bind them into patties and fry them – with some bacon and cheese on top. They’re versatile.
          You can take the nutmeg and add cinnamon or take ’em both out and add cajun seasoning. I’m going to make some with the nutmeg and cinnamon, boil them in regular water, let ’em cool overnight then make patties and DEEP FRY THEM! Dusted with powdered sugar I just may have a Slavic beignet.

          Liked by 2 people

  14. auscitizenmom says:

    lilbirdee12’s prayer:

    Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.

    Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.

    Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and Mike Pence and their families as they seek to lead America back to You.

    Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall.
    Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.

    We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.
    Thank you Father, for Your Love and the gift of Life.

    In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

    Liked by 3 people

  15. auscitizenmom says:

    Prayer for Justice Kavanaugh:

    https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/kavanaugh-v.-ford
    “After watching her husband rip into pro-death senators who used Dr. Christine Blasey Ford in attempts to derail the appointment of her husband to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ashley is asking all people of faith to unite in praying Psalm 40, which reads:”

    “BE PLEASED, O LORD, TO DELIVER ME, LOOK DOWN, O LORD TO HELP ME. LET THEM BE CONFOUNDED AND ASHAMED TOGETHER, THAT SEEK AFTER MY SOUL TO TAKE IT AWAY. LET THEM BE TURNED BACKWARD AND BE ASHAMED THAT DESIRE EVILS TO ME.”

    In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

    Liked by 3 people

  16. czarowniczy says:

    Did 5 pounds of bacon today, the belly’s been soaking for 120 days.
    The belly was from a custom butcher, whole thing ran about 15 pounds but I cut it down. Also had twi t-bones I got at a fantastic price – folks hereabouts like their beef red and fresh, stores can’t move aging meat so its price gets cut by up to 60%, I buy it and dry age it a few more days. I threw them into the smoker for about an hour to get some taste and as we eat our beef rare I just had to finish them quickly under the broiler.
    I used a bit of the bacon and made a version of the Popeyes green beans using lima beans instead – sounded good at the time and it worked. So in all, a good day.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. stella says:

    Info I just learned about pecans.

    They are the only nut that is native to the USA.
    They have more antioxidants than the same size serving of blueberries.
    The Chinese are reviving our pecan industry.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Menagerie says:

      South Georgia pecan growers were hit hard by the hurricane and losses are huge. Agriculture in Georgia lost many billions of dollars in every aspect due to that storm. Many families with farms are really in desperate shape.

      Georgia is known as the Peach State but it could easily have been the Pecan State.

      Liked by 1 person

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