Thursday, January 13
Languages
Languages
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
The BBC has put together a site to introduce visitors to different
languages. French, German, Spanish, Italian and other languages,
including Greek and Portuguese, European and United Kingdom languages,
Chinese and Japanese are all featured. You'll find resources for
learning these languages as well as 'News Services' presented in 43
different languages. 'Your Say' has entertaining as well as educational
articles posted, from Word Oddities to Blunders; submitting your own is
always fun as is browsing through other visitors' submissions (do you
know that when Bretons 'bones are cooking,' they're merely tired, not
roasting their skeleton?). If you're 'Changing Places' or interested in
language as the 'main concept in culture,' this site will give you
valuable insight and resources for further study. Here's the perfect
opportunity to expand your horizon in the language area!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
The BBC has put together a site to introduce visitors to different
languages. French, German, Spanish, Italian and other languages,
including Greek and Portuguese, European and United Kingdom languages,
Chinese and Japanese are all featured. You'll find resources for
learning these languages as well as 'News Services' presented in 43
different languages. 'Your Say' has entertaining as well as educational
articles posted, from Word Oddities to Blunders; submitting your own is
always fun as is browsing through other visitors' submissions (do you
know that when Bretons 'bones are cooking,' they're merely tired, not
roasting their skeleton?). If you're 'Changing Places' or interested in
language as the 'main concept in culture,' this site will give you
valuable insight and resources for further study. Here's the perfect
opportunity to expand your horizon in the language area!
Wednesday, January 12
On Friday, January 14th we will be headed to Corpus Christi / Houston TX with Dave and Marge Scott to board the ship for our Texaribbean Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines. The name of our ship is Norwegian Sea. We will be out of the country and out of touch till January 23rd. They gave us an email address and phone cards to give to friends and family but calls are $7.95 a minute so I am not encouraging anyone to call us! There will be no blogs for that time on http://magnolianews.blogspot.com/ or on http://brooker3.blogspot.com/. Unless any of you care to leave comments. You can do that, you know, although no one ever has! See Ya'all next week.
Tuesday, January 11
For the pet owners- Fleas & Parsley
About fleas - - I have two cats (they come and go as they please) and I
haven't seen any fleas for years. A few years ago I was giving my cat
some parsley water to help cleanse his system. Since he suffered
frequently from urinary tract infection, I continued a small dose of
about 1 teas. a day in his food. I have been doing this for about 5
years now and my cats have never had UTI or fleas since. Strange but
true.
Just take a bunch of parsley, boil in 2 qts. of water about 10 - 15
minutes. Toss the parsley and save the water. I keep a small amount in
the refrigerator and freeze the rest.
--submitted by Marilyn
About fleas - - I have two cats (they come and go as they please) and I
haven't seen any fleas for years. A few years ago I was giving my cat
some parsley water to help cleanse his system. Since he suffered
frequently from urinary tract infection, I continued a small dose of
about 1 teas. a day in his food. I have been doing this for about 5
years now and my cats have never had UTI or fleas since. Strange but
true.
Just take a bunch of parsley, boil in 2 qts. of water about 10 - 15
minutes. Toss the parsley and save the water. I keep a small amount in
the refrigerator and freeze the rest.
--submitted by Marilyn
Monday, January 10
I had a full and productive day. Butch went golfing...he didn't have a good day but that is another story. I played shuffleboard and my partner and I won. The first time I have won in quite awhile...then I joined the Warblers...a singing group. Butch thinks its funny but doesn't everybody THINK they can sing? Well, so do I! Then this afternoon I went to the craft class and started Swedish Weaving on an afghan. I am really excited about this project. As soon as I get one section done I will take a picture and show you what I mean. It is addictive and I will hate to leave it home when we go on the cruise...but I will. Till next time...
Sunday, January 9
This Blog is hosted by Google...my favorite search engine. TRIVIA
Googol.com?
In 1938, nine-year-old Milton Sirotta asked his uncle,
a mathematician, what the number one followed by
100 zeros was called. His uncle said there was no
such word. So young Sirotta made up the term googol,
and it was subsequently adopted by the mathematical
community. In 1995, two Stanford University
students developed a new search engine, aiming for
millions of hits. The name they chose: "Google," a play
on the word "googol." We wonder what it would be called
if a nine-year-old named Milton hadn't been so curious.
Googol.com?
In 1938, nine-year-old Milton Sirotta asked his uncle,
a mathematician, what the number one followed by
100 zeros was called. His uncle said there was no
such word. So young Sirotta made up the term googol,
and it was subsequently adopted by the mathematical
community. In 1995, two Stanford University
students developed a new search engine, aiming for
millions of hits. The name they chose: "Google," a play
on the word "googol." We wonder what it would be called
if a nine-year-old named Milton hadn't been so curious.
Saturday, January 8
The 'Everyman in the New Year' by Walter Mills is a very well written article in my opinion and since this is my blog and I can pretty much say anything I want to I asked permission and received it to post it on the blog. It is a fairly accurate depiction of how I feel about things...and now you know!
AT THE MIDDLE PASSAGE
By Walter Mills
Everyman in the New Year
The passing year has been on my mind, as it is about this time every
January. The lists have come out, rating the best and worst of
everything that can be judged. The year's top stories have been ranked
and reviewed. Is the world any better a place at the end of 2004? Did we
make progress, or are we slipping backward?
As a young English major in a southern college, I studied the story of
Everyman, a play performed by traveling actors in town squares and
church yards across 15th century England.
In the old Medieval morality play when Death comes to Everyman to call
him to account, Knowledge volunteers to help - "Everyman, I will go with
thee and be thy guide, in thy most need to go by thy side."
This has been a year when Death has spent a lot of time with Everyman,
on the shores of South Asia, in the cities of Iraq, and on the paths of
hurricanes pummeling the islands of the Caribbean and the American
South. The essential story of Everyman has not changed much over the
past 500 years. For all our technology and our wealth, we are still
subject to blindness and error, and threatened by forces far too large
to control.
This year we have lived through a morality play with a few lessons we
might do well to study. First of these is a lesson in humility. In our
society, arrogance and self-esteem have become virtues. Yet we should
know that we are fragile creatures on the surface of the earth, little
more than fleas on a dog's back. Nothing drove the point home to me more
clearly than the knowledge that the earthquake in the Indian Ocean
shifted the earth's rotation to some small but measurable degree. We are
living on the surface of a geologically active planet, not on a
friendly green ball. Hurricanes pounding the South one after the other
gave a further sense of the power of natural forces over which we have
little control.
We could also use some humility when we assert our power in the world.
As a society we have made numerous mistakes in the past. It is to our
credit that we usually try to correct them. But being rich and powerful
hasn't made us wise, as Everyman also learned. If this year proves
anything, it is that war should be a last resort, and not a first
response.
We once knew the difference between being able and willing to defend
ourselves and making violence the only tool in our bag of diplomacy.
We've lost the distinction in our politics, as we have in our movies and
games, where we enshrine an indiscriminate violence as our first and
only response to opposition. Our children now learn how to blow away
villains on a screen instead of how to organize a sandlot ball game or
game of tag. If we need to project our power in the world, we will gain
more respect by rescuing a million victims of the tsunami. That will
show the world how powerful we are.
Everyman learns that Good Companions and Worldly Goods will not travel
with him as they promise. And Knowledge will only go so far, not beyond
the grave. In the end only Good Deeds, the kindness he has shown in
life, stands with him at the reckoning. This is not the theology I was
taught as a boy when we were told that we would not reach heaven through
good works, but only by faith. But I've come to believe that faith
without action is hollow. We cannot see into each other's hearts. Some
may call themselves born again when their actions show little sign of
Christ.
In these days when the sun fails to break through the clouds and evening
falls so early, thoughts of the year past and the year ahead come
naturally. The celebrations are over, and like Everyman, we face an
accounting. Have we done good or ill? Is the world a little better
because of our presence? There is still time to show a little kindness,
a new year to record some Good Deeds in the account of our days.
(The above column originally appeared in the Centre Daily Times and is
copyright © 2005 by Walter Mills. All rights reserved worldwide. To
contact Walt, address your emails to wmills@chilitech.com ).
By Walter Mills
Everyman in the New Year
The passing year has been on my mind, as it is about this time every
January. The lists have come out, rating the best and worst of
everything that can be judged. The year's top stories have been ranked
and reviewed. Is the world any better a place at the end of 2004? Did we
make progress, or are we slipping backward?
As a young English major in a southern college, I studied the story of
Everyman, a play performed by traveling actors in town squares and
church yards across 15th century England.
In the old Medieval morality play when Death comes to Everyman to call
him to account, Knowledge volunteers to help - "Everyman, I will go with
thee and be thy guide, in thy most need to go by thy side."
This has been a year when Death has spent a lot of time with Everyman,
on the shores of South Asia, in the cities of Iraq, and on the paths of
hurricanes pummeling the islands of the Caribbean and the American
South. The essential story of Everyman has not changed much over the
past 500 years. For all our technology and our wealth, we are still
subject to blindness and error, and threatened by forces far too large
to control.
This year we have lived through a morality play with a few lessons we
might do well to study. First of these is a lesson in humility. In our
society, arrogance and self-esteem have become virtues. Yet we should
know that we are fragile creatures on the surface of the earth, little
more than fleas on a dog's back. Nothing drove the point home to me more
clearly than the knowledge that the earthquake in the Indian Ocean
shifted the earth's rotation to some small but measurable degree. We are
living on the surface of a geologically active planet, not on a
friendly green ball. Hurricanes pounding the South one after the other
gave a further sense of the power of natural forces over which we have
little control.
We could also use some humility when we assert our power in the world.
As a society we have made numerous mistakes in the past. It is to our
credit that we usually try to correct them. But being rich and powerful
hasn't made us wise, as Everyman also learned. If this year proves
anything, it is that war should be a last resort, and not a first
response.
We once knew the difference between being able and willing to defend
ourselves and making violence the only tool in our bag of diplomacy.
We've lost the distinction in our politics, as we have in our movies and
games, where we enshrine an indiscriminate violence as our first and
only response to opposition. Our children now learn how to blow away
villains on a screen instead of how to organize a sandlot ball game or
game of tag. If we need to project our power in the world, we will gain
more respect by rescuing a million victims of the tsunami. That will
show the world how powerful we are.
Everyman learns that Good Companions and Worldly Goods will not travel
with him as they promise. And Knowledge will only go so far, not beyond
the grave. In the end only Good Deeds, the kindness he has shown in
life, stands with him at the reckoning. This is not the theology I was
taught as a boy when we were told that we would not reach heaven through
good works, but only by faith. But I've come to believe that faith
without action is hollow. We cannot see into each other's hearts. Some
may call themselves born again when their actions show little sign of
Christ.
In these days when the sun fails to break through the clouds and evening
falls so early, thoughts of the year past and the year ahead come
naturally. The celebrations are over, and like Everyman, we face an
accounting. Have we done good or ill? Is the world a little better
because of our presence? There is still time to show a little kindness,
a new year to record some Good Deeds in the account of our days.
(The above column originally appeared in the Centre Daily Times and is
copyright © 2005 by Walter Mills. All rights reserved worldwide. To
contact Walt, address your emails to wmills@chilitech.com
Yesterday was not a good day for outdoor activities so we headed west over to Mission TX to track down some friends. We stopped at the BlueBonnet RV Park and took up a few hours of Ed & Gay Hightshoe's time. Butch and Ed were co-workers in Creston now both retired and full timers. Our other potential visits didn't pan out but hopefully we will catch them next time.
Friday, January 7
Thursday, January 6
We have had a busy week this week. Last night we went to the McAllen Civic Center Auditorium to see the Chinese Acrobats. They were truly amazing and I would like to see them again sometime. Then today we woke up to a drizzly, chilly day so shuffleboard was cancelled 
but then we went with friends Dorothy and Vern Wendt to the Newmar Kountry Klub gathering in Edinburg TX at the Echo Hotel. Excellent lunch. Then we went to the Social Security Office so I could get signed up for Social Security. Now you know how old I am.
Then we stopped at Wal Mart for a little shopping. I had a 4:30 PM appointment with Frank for a hair cut. I am trying to get the timing right for the cruise we are going on next week....more about that later. Then I came home and helped a nice lady with her computer. It was a simple little thing with hotmail. Oh yes... I did 3 loads of laundry in between all this. I think I will rest tomorrow. Till next time...
but then we went with friends Dorothy and Vern Wendt to the Newmar Kountry Klub gathering in Edinburg TX at the Echo Hotel. Excellent lunch. Then we went to the Social Security Office so I could get signed up for Social Security. Now you know how old I am. Then we stopped at Wal Mart for a little shopping. I had a 4:30 PM appointment with Frank for a hair cut. I am trying to get the timing right for the cruise we are going on next week....more about that later. Then I came home and helped a nice lady with her computer. It was a simple little thing with hotmail. Oh yes... I did 3 loads of laundry in between all this. I think I will rest tomorrow. Till next time...
Wednesday, January 5
From son Gary in Lees Summit Missouri: I am one of only 4 crazy people that went ahead and
went to work today. I see you kids are going to stay
in the 80's. I knew we'd get worse while you got
better :-) Jason is getting snow and about 10 degrees
colder than us as usual. Here is our forecast:
Today: Periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain. Cold.
High 29F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip
90%. About one inch of snow and ice expected.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered snow flurries
and snow showers. Cold. Low 8F. Winds NW at 10 to 20
mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Tomorrow: Snow flurries in the early morning will give
way to partly cloudy skies during the day. Cold. High
23F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
went to work today. I see you kids are going to stay
in the 80's. I knew we'd get worse while you got
better :-) Jason is getting snow and about 10 degrees
colder than us as usual. Here is our forecast:
Today: Periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain. Cold.
High 29F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip
90%. About one inch of snow and ice expected.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered snow flurries
and snow showers. Cold. Low 8F. Winds NW at 10 to 20
mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Tomorrow: Snow flurries in the early morning will give
way to partly cloudy skies during the day. Cold. High
23F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
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