Random Facts Friday September 30, 2011

How was your work week?
Regardless of your week's activities, ready to give your mind a rest?
Ready for some random facts?
See which ones you already know!

1. Georgia normally produces 1 million tons of peanuts a year, or roughly half of the U.S. harvest. Jif is the biggest selling peanut butter brand.

2. If you plan to make your own canned pumpkin, the only safe way mashed pumpkin can be stored is to freeze it. Mashed pumpkin cannot be processed by a water bath or by a pressure cooker.

3. Ohio contributed more soldiers per-capita than any other state in the Union during the Civil War. Almost 35,000 Ohioans died in the War and some thirty thousand carried battle scars with them for the rest of their lives.

4. Many believe John Spilsbury, a London map maker, was the person who created the first jigsaw puzzle from a map of Europe cut along country boundary lines. In the 1880's the treadle saw allowed

Search This Site Web This Site __________________ Buy Jigsaws Buy great jigsawsfrom All Jigsaw Puzzles. __________________ __________________ Puzzle Trivia There are many famous jigsaw puzzlers. The Queen, Bill Gates Stephen King and Albert Einstein. I think jigsaws are great for relaxing, and losing yourself in a great puzzling time. Jigsaw puzzles are the best game ever! How to solve jigsaw puzzles by sorting, looking for shapes and patterns. Getting started through to gluing the final puzzle. Lots more quick facts in our trivia pages __________________ Seniors Benefits Keep that great brain moving. Socialise with old friends and family over a jigsaw. Enjoy the challenge and the successful completion. There are brilliant large piece puzzles if you need them. More benefits.... __________________ Antique Puzzles Buy stunning rare antique jigsaw puzzles. Fabulous names like Victory, Chad, Tuck Zag Zaw and Zig Zag. Also great advertising jigsaws such as the 1930s Pears puzzle. See our page for antique puzzles. __________________ Puzzle Benefits Jigsaws give you a great way to relax. Lose yourself in the challenge and keep that brain moving. They are a great way to socialise. Nothing beats that feeling of success when you finish. Gaze at the final puzzle with pride. More benefits.... __________________ Family Benefits Get the family together and have a great puzzling time. Talk, laugh and play together, you will feel closer. More benefits.... __________________ Computer Puzzles Create your own computer jigsaw with your own car images. I use Jigtopia to very simply load in images and play great puzzles. Flexible and very simple use. Click here for lots more info. Buy Jigtopia _______________

for better dissection and the name for these puzzles became known as jigsaw puzzles.

5. Recipe:  Silly Putty. Mix together equal parts of Elmer's glue and liquid starch. Sometimes not all the starch is absorbed into the mix, but knead the mixture until as much of the starch is absorbed. May also add food coloring. I like using Wilton's cake colors for homemade playdough. They produce such rich colors. You may want to try them in this recipe too. I have tried other brands of white glue, but I always come back to Elmer's. I get the best results with that brand. Store in a plastic container. May have to drain some starch again after the putty sits overnight.

Working Wednesday: Minimum and Self Reliant Wages

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a report on poverty in this country. I will be using that report coupled with several other statistics for my comments below:
*46.2 million people/15.1% live at or below the poverty level. This rose for the 4th straight year.
*U.S. unemployment rate is 9.6%. Ohio's August rate was 9.1%.
*14.5% of American households are food insecure--their cupboards are bare on occasion.
*The Census Bureau defines "poor" as any individual living on an income of less than $11,139, or any family of four living on less than $22,314. That measurement was developed over 40 years ago and some feel the equation has flaws.

The Census Bureau is using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Federal Poverty Guideline. The U.S. Department of Labor has its own definition of poverty--Lower Living Standard Income Level. The income rates are very similar to the Poverty Guidelines, but are nonetheless different. That means 2 separate agencies have their own definitions of poverty which is bureaucracy at its worst.

The reason I am leading off with these statistics is to underscore the importance of a self-reliance wage.
There are 2080 hours in a 40 hour work week in a year. The Census Bureau's definition of poor for a family of four means that those working combined in that household are making approximately no more than $10.00/hr. Minimum Wage in Ohio is $7.40/hr.

And thus the discussion begins: do benefits count when considering hourly wage? In my view they do not because they don't contribute to a household income but others argue they help with medical insurance which would be an out-of-pocket expense if it wasn't covered by insurance.

Here is something else: several jobs are a way of life in some areas of the state--a low paying job and odd jobs/freelance work. The combination barely gets the household by but they are counted together to form a "working wage" for the household. The first job is not self reliant. The employer and the employee knows that.  The supplemental source of income may not be odd jobs. It could very likely be the government. Government programs such as "food stamps", "medical card", WIC, and others provide the support the family counts on to make up the difference. This is not self reliance, but again minimum wage does not support a family of 4. Whatever it is, the first job is not enough. There is always a supplemental source of income.

This is a very complicated situation that involves employers, a skilled workforce, a community with strong standards, and everyone understanding what is at stake if they get selfish. Self reliance begets self esteem, self motivation, self discovery and determination. Workers who are trusted give back and companies who are trusted give back too. It is in everyone's best interest to seriously consider self reliance and what it would mean for their community.

Spiritual Sunday: Sifting through Sand

Did you ever have a sifter designed to use in a sandbox as a child? Usually they were the size of a round cake pan with numerous small holes and you would dip into the sand and gently shake the sand in the sifter. The object was to see what "treasures" you would find. Sometimes these treasures would be buried on purpose and sometimes they had just drifted on their own into the sandbox. Sometimes we would take them to the beach and see if we could find pretty shells buried below the surface.

People will use "sifting through time" or "sifting through the years" as reference to the above activity, referring to memories of days gone by. Usually they are thinking of an important event or perhaps a way of living that has put its mark on history and is no more.

I heard someone mention their parents had recently passed on and now the siblings were sifting through their loved ones' home. They were able to rebuild, if you will, the type of life their parents had led by the evidence they had left. Their belongings, writings, books, etc. confirmed to the children they had led a good life, a life the children could confirm was an honorable one.

What would relatives or those entrusted find when they sift through your home at your passing? Evidence of an honorable life, one of service to others, one that was kind and helpful? One that used your natural/acquired talents and gifts? One that figured out what was really important in life?

We know how to be a good person- say please, tell the truth, give to the poor, etc. Talents/skills/gifts may be harder. So many times we think of these as insurmountable obstacles - time, money, etc. that we don't even try. But we can be a good person and we can use our talents. At the beginning we may have to actually write them into our planner (volunteer at...., sign up for the class......., personal time.......) but gradually they become an integral part of us and our brain just knows what to do. You have the capacity to have an honorable and good life and leave the evidence behind to prove it.

Alone in the Car: Medical Coding

Annually  I make sure I make an appointment to see my gynecologist for an examination and testing for cervical cancer. If this does not apply to you, it is still important and I encourage you to pass this story on to other women.

About 2 years ago there were changes in my insurance coverage so the annual visit became free. Previously there was a co-pay as any other visit to the doctor's, which in my case the doctors in our health insurance plan expect me to pay at the time of the appointment.

My annual falls in December which I did in December, 2010. I recently received a bill from my doctor and it did not list the reason why so I called their business office. It turns out I was receiving a bill from the December visit. But I explained I had come to the office for my annual visit. Yes, they agreed. But since I had discussed other things with the doctor during the visit, it could be coded as more than just my annual visit and the business office was doing just that. Thus I owed the doctor a co-pay since they were putting the paper work through the insurance for reimbursement for the visit.

Do you see what just happened? If I had only said "hi" to the doctor, the doctor performed the pap smear, and I left, the appointment would have been free. But since I had a conversation with the doctor about other things, rightfully so the doctor's office put through paperwork to the insurance with a different medical code. When I called in to make an appointment, the receptionist wrote in the medical code for my annual visit. But when looking a the doctor's notes, the business office figured out they could put my visit through insurance as something else.

This is important for several reasons.

1. Check with your insurance. You may have a similar situation and think your pap smear visit is free but as soon as you bring up other subjects, the business office will bill you for the visit.

2. Most Americans forget that doctors/dentists, etc. are small business owners. They have seen their practices/appointments reduced by 25-50% during this recession. They have had to make decisions too just like any small business.

3. The business office was doing what it was hired to do. I called them up, we had a good conversation, and they deleted my bill, but they didn't have to. I certainly don't blame them for what they are doing. I do wonder about the 9 month lapse.

4. Health insurance is extremely complex and complicated. Obamacare is going to make matters worse. I grew up at a point in history when employers were not involved at all in health insurance. It will be interesting to see the next step in this evolution play out.

5. We need to be very aware. Check your bills, ask for a details, etc. A long time ago when my children were young, I once asked about the cost of a shot. The reply - "oh, your insurance is covering it, so it is free." No, it is not. We have an amount taken out of my husband's check each month. It is definitely not free. Those monthly charges are based on all the statistics the insurance company collects and costs incurred. That shot was a cost.

For business, everything is about their bottom line. For a household, we have to do the same.

Random Facts Friday September 23, 2011

Hi all,
Make it through another week?
Just want to think of some miscellaneous facts?
See if you know them already!

1. Ohio is the number one state in producing soft red winter wheat.

2. There are 40,000 varieties of rice in the world. It is grown on every continent, except Antarctica.
Rice grows in flooded and dry land, tropical rain forests and deserts, coastal plains and in the Himalayan Mountains.

3. The United States ranks last among 16 high-income nations on preventable deaths.

4. Most furnishings and features in your home were standardized based on measurements of men in the military during WWII.

5. Recipe: U.S. Capitol Bean Soup. This recipe is served in the United States Senate Restaurant.
2 lbs. navy beans              4 qts. water               1.5 lbs smoked ham hocks           1 onion
Take the beans and wash and run them through hot water until they turn white. Put them in a pot with the 4 qts. of water and turn on the heat. Add the ham hocks. Boil 3 hours covered. Then braise the onion
in a little butter and when light brown, add to soup. Remove ham and let cool. Dice ham and return to soup. Remove 2 cups of beans, puree, and return to soup. Add salt/pepper to taste and serve. 

Working Wednesday: Ohio's Farm Science Review

You see that I posted a day early. I did so purposefully because the Farm Science Review is held annually on the 3rd week of September from Tuesday through Thursday. Thus, today was opening day this year. I attended and was not disappointed and encourage those who can, to travel to London, Ohio for either Wednesday or Thursday. Please see http://fsr.osu.edu/. The twitters give you updates throughout the day.

You will see that The Ohio State University, a land grant school, is the sponsor. Also Purdue University is a partner for a great Midwest agricultural business open air conference. This is not a state fair. This is not a social event. This is a place to talk bottom line and profit margins.
Today's attendance was above average: 48,360 people!

Which state in the nation is #1 in Swiss Cheese production, #2 in chicken egg production, and #3 in growing tomatoes? Ohio. Did you know last year's Ohio corn crop brought in $3.0 billion or that the soybean crop gross amount was $2.6 billion? Did you know agribusiness is a $102 billion industry in Ohio?

Agribusiness is the original big business. At an international economical development conference I attended a year ago, I met a sheep farmer from Australia. Where does he sell his wool? France. Why? It is the best place to do so and has been that way since the Middle Ages.

The Farm Science Review also has a Center for Small Farms located on Corn Ave. with seminars running all day on such topics as Financial Management, Aquaculture, and Berry Production. And for those backyard gardeners, the Master Gardeners are there to answer your questions and give classes at the Utzinger Memorial Garden. The Gwynne Conservation Area is not to be missed. Catch a shuttle bus and get ideas for yourself and your community, like growing perennials native to Ohio because they need less watering. There is something for everyone at the Farm Science Review!

The Year 2011: 400th Anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible

I know I may have readers who are not Christian. Please consider reading the whole blog. The Pew Research Center has reported that the majority of Americans are Christian. I am of that faith myself and would like to discuss the printing of the King James Version of the Bible as an example for a panoramic view which I think may apply to all religions.

King James became king of England after Elizabeth the First. She never married and had no children.
James was the child of Elizabeth's first cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. Thus when he became King of England, he also was king of Scotland and Ireland.

There was much philosophical unrest amongst the Christian community at that time. This blog is not really about that, though I encourage readers, especially those who are Christians to research church history during the 1500-1600's. I want to emphasize here about the printing of the Bible. I mention the unrest because it plays a part in the story of the printing.

For years the church did not want lay people to have a written copy of the Bible. Verses were spoken during services or artwork depicting stories in the Bible displayed on church walls were allowed. But the Book itself was something different. It definitely was not to be written in English, the native language of the land.

Granted, there was a time during English history when most people were illiterate. Today so many can read that we tend to forget that fact. But that was not really why the church withheld the Bible from so many people. They did not want lay people to read it for themselves. They wanted to tell them what it said. Then along came a group of men - Wycliffe, Tyndale, and others who began to translate Greek, Latin, and Hebrew into English. They felt strongly that lay people needed to have the Word for themselves in order to feel closer to God. Some like Tyndale paid for it with their lives. I feel the end chapter of this story is the King James Version of the Bible. Everyone finally agreed that a printing must be done. A committee of scholars was formed and after some years, 4 I believe, the printing began.

The KJV Bible was printed in 1611. Think about how long the Old Testament had been around. Think about the year Jesus the Christ died and the years immediately following when the New Testament was written. I realize there was a time when Europe had some dark years after Rome collapsed. Those years Asia and the Far East kept progressing. I am English speaking, so I am looking at this from an English speaking point of view. There were quite a lot of years between the original versions and 1611.

There are several points here to be made from a panoramic view: 1. I don't ever want to take for granted my literacy. I want to ever read and learn. I am grateful for our public library system and for those through human history who kept the written word alive. 2. I can't imagine not able to have sacred writings available. I can't imagine those who have them and unwilling to share them because I am a lay person and they don't trust me. 3. I am most respectful to the men and their supporters who decided that they would translate the Bible into English, even at the peril of their own life. For this I am ever grateful. I am sure other religions honor their heroes too.

Alone in the Car: Presidential Debates

Before I jot some thoughts down on the subject, I would be remiss if I did not give mention to tomorrow's significance. Saturday is Constitution Day. People rarely discuss it, but I hope you will do something to honor those heroes who created such an enduring document and legacy--light a candle, read something in Wikipedia, say a prayer or pay your respects, or even read the Constitution. It didn't take me too long to read it though I must admit the pondering part added more minutes than if I had read it straight through. See my July 2nd blog: http://emilyspanoramicview.blogspot.com/search/label/Founding%20Fathers

Now about the debates. I am looking at this from a non-party viewpoint. 1. Is there any time in between presidential races? 2. Does the sitting president get to work as opposed to run for the next race? I am not talking about the opposing party discussing legislation. That is another issue. I am only asking about running for office. 3. Why do debates of the opposing party start so early? 4. Why do we need so many of them? We have multiple ways of communication/media. Are all of them needed?

I watched part of a Republican debate. The candidates were not given the same question. Some candidates were given more questions than others. Some questions were "set ups" if you will and not as objective as I, a citizen prefer them to be. How am I supposed to make a decision if not everyone is given the same chance to speak, if the questions are not objective, and candidates are given preferential treatment by the host?

I personally like Iowa's caucuses. It is people sitting down together and deciding as a group, what is going to happen. A town meeting if you will. The presidential candidates have to meet people face-to-face, answer specific questions, and look people in the eye. There are no bright lights, no stage, no broad smiles. This is where the rubber meets the road. And just for a bit of time, maybe even for a few seconds, the candidate has to forget the memorized response and answer as if no one else is in the room. I envy those living in Iowa.

Random Facts Friday Sept. 16, 2011

1. Summer will end this month with the arrival of the autumn equinox at 5:05 a.m. on Sept. 23. On that day, daylight will be about the same length as darkness, but after that, darkness will win out over the light.

2. Basketball and baseball are the two biggest mouth-injuring sports. It's estimated that more than 3 million teeth will be knocked out in youth sporting events in the United States this year, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation. If a child does suffer a broken or cracked tooth, see a dentist within 24 hours. If a child loses a tooth or teeth, immediately go to the emergency department and try to preserve the tooth/teeth in milk. A tooth that has been knocked out needs to be back in the mouth within 30 minutes for the best chance of long-term survival.

3. Trains can also move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel. A single train can carry the load of more than 280 trucks.

4. Run the exhaust fan in the bathroom 20 minutes after a shower/bath to dry the air.

5. Recipe: I saw this in a magazine for Halloween. When making meatloaf, shape it into a "mummy".
Bake as usual. Then just before serving, wrap white American cheese strips over it, resembling bandages. For an extra touch, add orange cheese dots for eyes.

Working Wednesday: National Labor Relations Act and Upcoming Amendment

This Thursday, September 15, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider Bill H.R.  2587, the Protecting Job From Government Interference Act. It's purpose is to limit the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB, or the Board) authority under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to veto a private employer’s decision on where to locate its employees. 

Here is the reason why this is coming up in front of the House:
The Boeing Company decided in 2009 to expand its 787 Dreamliner aircraft production capacity outside of Washington State by investing in a new assembly plant in South Carolina. Boeing’s workforce in Washington is heavily unionized, whereas South Carolina is a Right-to-Work state. Boeing created about 1,000 jobs at the new South Carolina facility, none of which were at the expense of jobs in Washington.

On April 20, 2011, NLRB Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Boeing. It alleged that the company discriminated against union employees in Washington State by hiring employees at the new South Carolina plant. The NLRB called Boeing’s action a “transfer” of some Dreamliner work to South Carolina.

The newly introduced bill would amend the current law, NLRA, to prevent the Board from ordering an employer to:

1. restore any operations,
2. rescind any relocation or transfer, or
3. make an investment at a particular plant, facility or location.

 This will eventually end up in federal courts, so literally "you be the judge". What would you do? How would you rule if it came into your courtroom? 

I would think many states are following this story. Large corporations like Boeing have plants throughout the nation. And it is not just in manufacturing, but this applies to other business sectors as well. States work with large companies all the time to expand their businesses within their borders. Think of Ohio's auto industry, for example. We also have jet manufacturing, aerospace, food processing, to name a few, and all of these are part of large corporations.

Our green energy sector is growing but some of the manufacturing is still done overseas. Then the assembly is done in Ohio. I am wondering how this discussion does/will apply to manufacturing abroad by these large companies. Or just over the border in Canada and Mexico. 

This indeed is an important news story to follow. Implications are far reaching. I urge you to keep watching this through the months ahead.

Spiritual Sunday: Miracles Still Happen

Perhaps you have sat and watched one of the T.V. documentaries on 9-11 during the last few days. Can you believe it has been 10 years since that fateful day? Some of the shows recount the events as they began at 8:46am, the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Others record people telling first hand what happened to them.

There are countless miracle stories - for those that for whatever reason were late, didn't catch the plane to NYC,  or not working that day. Sometimes it was just because timing was off by a minute or two, but that day it meant lives were saved.

There are just as many stories about miracles inside the towers - impromptu decisions that may have been taken lightly any other time, but allowed something to occur and changed a person forever after that. Many times it was about giving service, assisting someone, thinking of others, and because of that pause, change in direction, physically seeing to their comfort, the giver was saved and lived to tell the tale.

Some cynics will say the event proves miracles died a long time ago.
I say the tragedy proves people have their own choices to make and Still love abounds through evidence of miracles.

May we all feel blessed by those who gave us such great examples of what it means to participate in miracles. Record your own instances of miracles in your life in your journal for others to read. Then they too may feel the confirmation that miracles really do happen.

Alone in the Car: First Responders

It is just passed midnight, Saturday night. I have been pondering what I would write for several days now. I knew my theme would be the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th.

For all the memories and thoughts that I have, on several levels, they always find their way to the responders and those who supported them--emergency workers, construction teams, the restaurant owners who fed them free of charge and the untold unsung heroes who reached out at or very near the site. I cannot count how many times since that fateful day I have thought of those people and their dedication to serving others.

September 11th is one of those "forks in the road" for many people, some say for a particular generation who were just children when the event occurred. I think it certainly defined a new era for our nation. We now have to be ever vigilant. Our peripheral vision is forever in the "on" position. We cannot fully relax.

We can find a bit of solace, we can find trust. We can establish a core of relationships, similar to what first responders have. This will create a culture of quality, a protecting sphere around us and our loved ones.

The ones who died that day are with the angels now. But we can use their example to find some peace here on earth.

Random Facts Friday Sept. 9, 2011

Hello all,
As benefiting the moment, I feel it only proper for the Random Facts this week to honor Sept. 11, 2001 with some facts of that fateful day.

1. About 3000 people died in New York, but only half of them had bodies recovered and buried. 70 countries lost citizens. The memorial will include the names of all those lost. For those families who did not bury their loved one, this will be their cemetery.

2. The New York City Fire Department lost 343 firefighters. 60 police officers from New York City and the Port Authority, and 8 private emergency medical technicians and paramedics also died. Part of the disparity between the numbers: the radio systems were designed to talk only to their employees, not to other types of responders. The police were notified the second tower was going down and many were able to get out before the collapse, but word never got to the firefighters, also due in part to faulty radios.

3. 189 people died at the Pentagon and on American Flight 77. More civilians than people in the military were killed at the Pentagon.

4. 44 passengers and crew members died on United Flight 93. Terrorist leaders who were later captured said that the target was the Capitol.

6. There were 19 hijackers.

7. My own fact to contribute: all planes were grounded in U.S. air space. Around 5pm or so, several of us saw a jet flying overhead. We became concerned and because it was quite visible, felt many phone calls would be made to authorities, which indeed happened. Much later it was confirmed it was Air Force One, President Bush's airplane. He had been headed back to Washington to address the nation.

Working Wednesday: Incivility and its Effects outside of the Workplace

How many times have you endured rudeness from a co-worker? The occasional outburst can even be considered rational because we all have times when we need to express frustration. It is the consistent, haranguing by the same person day in and day out that makes the word "work" into a negative one.

I have been with people like that. Some even relish in their rudeness. They think of it as a power stroke against the rest of us. They are using it as an aggressive means, without its physical cousin and getting away with something. It wears the rest of us down.

Researchers from Baylor University found people who endure incivility at work often take that stress home with them. They arrive home but not able to function as they once did. The spouse picks up additional chores, which may roll over into how the spouse performs during their employment hours.

The study was based on 190 full time employees and their partners. I feel that is a small group for a research study. But it does bring up enough for discussion and their conclusions are worthwhile: 1. organizations must address the far-reaching and detrimental effects that ugly behavior in the workplace can have among employees and their families. 2. Encourage workers to seek support through their organization's employee assistance program, counseling or stress management resources. See this website for further information about the study: http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?Docid=655961&source=govdelivery

Rudeness should not be routine. Human Resources have an obligation to include this as part of a safe and healthy environment for all in the organization and should be on the lookout for those who use it as a management tool.

Your Voice Always Sounds Better in the Shower

Have you ever sang in the shower? If not, you have got to try it. There is just something about being totally clean, comfortable, relaxed, and singing full blast one of your favorite all time songs, preferably a rock 'n roll one at least a decade old. Plus, your voice always sounds better in the shower. My children have told me "don't quit your day job Mom", but that hasn't stopped me from one of life's pure joys.

Maybe a Beach Boys tune won't be your choice. Could it be from an opera, down Memphis way, heavy metal, true country, or international? My husband plays in a Scottish folk/Celtic band, so you know we like that music.

Showers work for days that haven't gone too well. When I am around a child say 4- 8 years old and they are having a "moment' for any one of a number of reasons, I suggest getting a drink of water and for some reason the child feels better 85% of the time. Consider showers the adult version. 

Think of showers as part of your agenda to celebrate. You just got the deal, promotion, award, or won the game. What song would you sing after that happened with full lung capacity? Or perhaps it is part of the preparation and "superstition" to always sing your favorite shower song before a big presentation, etc.

Water is truly precious. It lets us easily take a breathe, get calm, return to nature, and feel refreshed. Water is smooth, soothing, and gentle. Ummm, I feel inspired to write a song.......

Alone in the Car: News Media is a Business Sector

Some months ago I decided to read several local newspapers from cities around the country along with my current city here in Ohio. One is near the East Coast and one is in the Rocky Mountain area of our country. I could(can) relate to all 3 since I lived(live) there and would get 3 different editorial regional views.

It has been quite interesting to compare what the editorial boards decide to publish and what the journalistic style is, if they all cover the same story.  Facts are pretty easy to ascertain because they are listed in all 3 articles. I prefer the traditional style and look to see if the newspaper will use it--who, what, where, when, why, and how, which respects me as the one to make the final call. It always piques my curiosity to see what adjectives and adverbs are used to persuade me the reader.

Just to see the national stories chosen by the editorial boards is a lesson all of its own. Many times, the 3 newspapers don't cover the same news. I wonder if it is because the readers would not be interested or is it because the boards choose to avoid coverage? Or is it sometimes a combination? That is for others to decide. All I know is what I see when I pull up the websites.

I know that I have benefited from reading more than one point of view. I try to not only rely on this method of gathering information on important news of the day, but listening to news, discussing it with people I trust, and pondering upon what facts and opinions I have gathered.

In these days and times, we all need to stay informed. We all need to ponder and make up our own minds.
Newspapers and other media forms are businesses and as such have a bottom line, a profit margin, just like any other business. Whether someone looses or wins, there will always be a headline. Decide for yourself. Write your own headline. 

Random Facts Friday September 2, 2011

Hi all,
Here are some random facts I just found out about.
See which ones you already know!

1. Scurvy has been around for a long time, even in the days of Christopher Columbus and other seafaring explorers. Our government during WWII asked the Florida Citrus Commission to find a way to ship vitamin C packed juice overseas to prevent the disease from affecting our troops. Frozen concentrate was born. Before then orange juice was just a seasonal treat. Just asked those in their senior years about getting oranges in their Christmas stockings.

2. There are more than 100 lighthouses along Lake Michigan, but not all are active.

3. Walnuts were traded along the Silk Road for centuries. They arrived in the U.S. in the 1700's. An ounce will give you 20% of your daily allowance of B6.

4. According to the U.S. Census, only 9% of Americans are bilingual compared to 65% in the rest of the world.

5. This recipe, Mini Frittatas,  is in the October Family Circle.
Can be made ahead of time and warmed up.
Makes 12 muffins.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat non-stick muffin tin with cooking spray.
Ingredients:
3 cups of chopped precooked vegetables and/or favorite meats
1.5 cups shredded cheese
8 large eggs
salt/pepper to taste
Place 1/4 cup of the vegetable/meat mixture in the bottom of each cup and top with 2 TBSP of cheese.
In mixing bowl, beat eggs, salt, and pepper, and divide evenly among the cups.
Bake for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
Can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.