Belle

I reckon we have to keep doing what we've been doing if we want the full monty - go to several biased sources for each viewpoint. The only thing that really bothers me about that is that, sadly, I think the majority of America is too "something" (lazy, ignorant, apathetic, p1ssed, convinced otherwise, etc.) to go to the trouble to do that and will unquestioningly buy whatever their news source is selling.

LOL! Brother Speed, is good to "read" you! I was just this morning wondering where and how you are doing. :) Love that quote, RR! So true. So true.

Lindy and MStar, I agree with you! I really do! And that's what I was trying to say when I posted: Mark O'Malley says it much better. I think there could and should be more balance in the reports on the war. Does the bad outweigh the good? IMO, yes! Am I feeling as supportive about the war as I did in the beginning? No. I do respect, honor and completely support the troops, especially my loved ones and the loved ones of my good friends. Things definitely need to change, but it's not all bad over there and it's nice to see some of the good that is going on being reported for a change. Jonny, I am going to see if I can find when he airs here in the Sunshine State. Thanks!

Want to feel old? How old is Grandpa??? Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away. One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at Schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: ' television ' penicillin ' polio shots ' frozen foods ' Xerox ' contact lenses ' Frisbees and ' the pill There were no: ' credit cards ' laser beams or ' ball-point pens Man had not invented: ' pantyhose ' air conditioners ' dishwashers ' clothes dryers ' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moon Your Grandmother and I got married first, . . . and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir." We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk. The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. In my day: ' "grass" was mowed, ' "coke" was a cold drink, ' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and ' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. ' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, ' " chip" meant a piece of wood, ' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and ' "software" wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am? I bet you have this old man in mind...you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. This man would be only 59 years old *************** Awwww, come on.... *grin* No grass, pot, sex, drugs & rock and roll?? Isn't this the generation that attended Woodstock? Was warned about the brown acid? Started the "Jesus Movement" and put Haight Asbury on the map? Listened to Firesign Theater and raised Amazing Sea Monkeys? Made the VW Van popular?

Okay, ex, but it's gonna cost you. Please bring me another beer from the fridge.

Rhino, My Cajun cousins have enlightened me on the proper pronunciation, but I can't remember what it is. I call it "Tony Cracker's", but there's a story behind that, obviously. I'll share the story if you really want to know, but the funniest thing is that usually people know what I'm talking about and never question my pronunciation when they hear it for the first time. Leave it to real live Cajuns to be the only ones to call me on the carpet. And, yes, wine is most certainly a seasoning, but seeing as how I usually drink more than I use for cooking, I don't count it as a seasoning. Sherry is the same way, but I do buy the good stuff to cook with. If I won't drink it while I'm cooking, why would I want to cook with it? Cool, gonna look for that 7 pepper stuff. Sounds good! I make a Cajun chicken that uses red, white and black pepper along with a spicy paprika, I'll be the 7 pepper stuff would be even better in it.

Fresh everything tastes better, don't it? Welcome, batcave! May I offer you something nice to munch on? I never used Spike, but I never lived in any of the communal settings that were so common in the early days. I, thankfully, was never on staff or at hq for any length of time (just one visit in my 10+ years). I do use Mrs. Dash on some things. Is that about the same thing?

Sudo, clearly there is no good news to report. If they could find good news, they would report it. Same thing with the war and everything else going on in the world. Reporting on the survivors would just be propaganda and not true news. This death and destruction is what constitutes "news", the rest is just "press release" information. Besides that, who wants to hear good news? Good news is boring. At least that's what "they" say. Do you know how to change your homepage? I can help if you don't. Come on down to the Cheech & Chong thread. I've tried the Strange One's brownie recipe and am sharing.

I wish I could've too - Boy, do I wish I could've too. So, this Firesign Theater and whatnot... it's radio shows? Or comedy 8-tracks folks bought?

Mmmmm...... I can tell I'm only going to be able to come down here during lunch or dinner time. I get hungry reading all these awesome recipes! Chef, here's my favorite recipe for Salmon Cakes, but you know it's gotta be Cajun coming out of my kitchen. Topping: 2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon bottled minced garlic Cakes: 3 (6-ounce) cans skinless, boneless pink salmon in water, drained 1/4 cup sliced green onions 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon Tony Crackers (actually, more if there aren't any wusses on the guest list) 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon oil To prepare aioli, combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside. To prepare cakes, combine salmon and next 5 ingredients (through mustard) in a medium bowl. Divide salmon mixture into 8 equal portions, shaping each portion into a (1/2-inch-thick) patty. Dredge patties in 1/2 cup breadcrumbs. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place patties in pan; cook each side until lightly browned and heated through. Serve topping over salmon.

That sounds AWESOME, Abi! I could eat all that in one sitting, I'm afraid. I can't stand avocado, but LOVE this recipe for Asparagus Guacamole. It must be the consistency because all the guacamole lovers I know love this recipe and say it's remarkably close to "the real thing". It's very healthy, too. 4 cups (1 lb) cut, trimmed, fresh Asparagus (or) 4 cups (2 pkg 10 oz each) frozen, cut Asparagus 1 small garlic clove, minced 2 tsp lime juice 1/4 cup canned, chopped green chiles 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cumin 2 Tbsp finely chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped, seeded tomato Cook asparagus in small amount of water until tender. Drain well and cool. In a food processor, process asparagus and next five until mixture is smooth (30 seconds). Scrape bowl frequently. Remove from food processor and stir in onion and tomato. Chill thoroughly before serving with tortilla chips, cut vegetables, chicken or seafood. *I substitute canned Asparagus when I'm in a rush. It IS better after a few hours or a day and it can be thickened with plain nonfat yogurt or sour cream if you like it thicker and creamier.

Help yerself, ex. We've got lots to choose from.

Okay, what's priceless in your pantry? Tony Cachere's - Good on everything! And I do mean every thing! Scrambled eggs, grits, steak, chicken, pork, catfish, casseroles, mashed taters.... you name it. Dale's - Awesome marinade that only takes 10 minutes to give great flavor. Cayenne Garlic Powder Fresh Garlic Basil (fresh & dried) Oregano (fresh & dried) Fresh Ginger Lemon Juice Bouillon I also make up my own taco seasoning which is lower sodium and lower sugar (yes, they put tons of sugar in that stuff! :huh: ) What can you not live without in your pantry?

I, too, hope nobody buys the book and that the media gets the message, but I'm not that confident in the general population. :(

So, it would be unfair to let Vixen mess with any lizards while they're on their back, I guess. :ph34r:

I reckon on Monday we'll see, eh?

Why, yes it was, Sir Sudo. :P I laughed my arse off reading it and would LOVE to read it again. And, those who don't care for repeats can skip the post. But I can't imagine anyone not wanting to read that again.

Beautiful, Pipes!!

Thanks WD!

Thanks, y'all. I was really glad to see this and wish that we could get some of this along with the ugly stuff that is certainly going on. I'd never heard of Beck, but I don't watch national news much, other than GMA in the mornings. I hear a lot of good things from friends and neighbors who have been over there or have kids over there now, so it's nice to "see" it for a change. MStar, I realize there's most likely a motive behind it, but I'd much rather support this type of bias than what the liberal media feeds us.

LOL! I LOVE IT!! Don't stop now!

I love to tell the story 'tis pleasant to repeat What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. I love to tell the story, for some have never heard The hidden message from PFAL's own holy Word. I love to tell the story, for those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting to hear me like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, hidden song, ’Twill be the old, old codger that I have loved so long.

I think Prozac is one of the most controversial anti-depressants and that it has the most/worst side effects, too. It's one of the first widely used meds for depression. It's not as popular today, I don't think, because of so many other, better alternatives. I'm on Wellbutrin and Lexapro. I know I wouldn't be the healthy person that I am today if it weren't for these meds. I wasn't suicidal before going on them and I've not had any problems with those feelings since being on them almost 3 years now. We started with Wellbutrin at the lowest possible dose and slowly figured out what was going to work for me. It took quite a few months and I was content to keep trying in baby steps to make sure it was the safest for me and my condition. Good, consistent, honest communication with your psychiatrist is essential for the proper medicine and dosage as is good, consistent, honest "talk therapy". I think "regular" doctors shouldn't be able to prescribe them because of the specialty required with these types of meds, but that's just my opinion. I would never ask my GP to prescribe them for anyone I love. Too many people do get their prescriptions from GP's instead of going to a specialist and they don't follow up with the doctor regularly and even less are even in therapy, or, like you mentioned, don't actually use therapy for what it's designed - HELLOOO!! It's really sad to read about these things because that man could have been helped if he'd cooperated and that's not due to the meds, it's due to his bad decisions, which he knew were bad decisions at the time, he just didn't want to deal with them. I've spoken with my psychiatrist about being able to come off the medicine at some point, but he's wary right now due to the fact that I was clinically depressed just about the entire time I was involved with TWI, 10+ years. Seems the longer you're severely depressed, the more likely you are to relapse if you come off the meds and if you relapse then the meds are less likely to work as well the next go round. Honestly, I'm only just now feeling like I'm really at the edge of the fog in so many ways, so I'm not in any hurry at this point. :)