Wind/Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Volkswagen History ~ Our Porsche ~ Anytime Snack Mix ~ Porch Turkey ~ National Smile Day

Good 51º cloudy morning. 

Before 8 o'clock yesterday morning the clouds got dark and we got some crazy wind... 

Then a little rain started about 9:30. Then a little after 10am we had boom boom boom thunder! The rain came down in buckets!! The thunder rattled the ground! The rain continued all day and into the night. By the time I went to bed it had been raining constantly for over 12 hours. We got about 1½ inches. On the news last night they said over 900 lightening strikes hit Oregon!! Thank goodness it was raining hard!!

Here is the downtown cam in Grants Pass....

Picture of the Day.... Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, then and now. She is wearing the same pearls and broach in both pictures. (shared by Sally Harwell, LASD ret.) 

Interesting about the Volkswagen .....

On May 28, 1937, the government of Germany–then under the control of Adolf Hitler, founded the state owned automobile company, Volkswagenwerk. It was known as “The People’s Car Company.” Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about Volkswagen ....

As head of the Nazi Party in 1937, Adolf Hitler pushed for a car to be built that the average German family could afford since he realized vehicles were too expensive for the majority of families. He wanted one built that could hold two adults and three children, reach a minimum speed of 60 mph, and be priced around that of a motorcycle. Although it was challenging to invent, Volkswagen changed the way Germans and others around the world lived by being practical and affordable.

Ferdinand Porsche Designed The BeetleVolkswagen's success wouldn't have been possible without the mastery and talent of Ferdinand Porsche. Porsche, the developer of one of the world’s most popular sports cars, and his son, designed the Volkswagen Beetle. His main objectives were to design a vehicle that was inexpensive to purchase and repair, and had an air-cooled engine. It only took him 10 months to come up with a working prototype of the first Volkswagen vehicle.This car was called the Type 1, more commonly referred to as the Beetle. It has become the foundation for Volkswagen's success. It is approximated that there have been over 25 million Beetles sold worldwide. It is one of the highest selling vehicles in the world, all thanks to Ferdinand Porsche.

The Volkswagen Beetle wasn’t called a Beetle at first, but the name became popular after it was referred to by that name in 1938 in an article published by The New York Times. In France, it is called the French word for ladybug; in Italian, it translates to Beetle, just as in the United States. The nickname in Bolivia is turtle; and in Indonesia, it is called the frog.

Volkswagen’s “Think Small” ad campaign for the Beetle was revolutionary in the advertising industry and left people laughing and heading to the nearest salesroom. Advertised as the slowest fastback, easy to push and a car that made your house look bigger, people couldn’t help but continue reading the advertisements.  In 1969, Volkswagen even ran a print ad with the tag line, "It's Ugly, but It Gets You There."

We had a Volkswagon Beetle and that is the car Kristen learned how to drive in 1982....... I would take her up to Santa Anita Race Track parking lot, get out of the car and let her drive it around, learning how to use the floor stick shift/clutch etc.

Then in 1985 we got a 1969 Porche!! I LOVED driving that car!! It took the curves on the Pasadena Freeway like perfect!! 

From Mr. Food

It's always a good idea to have a batch of our Anytime Snack Mix on hand. It's great for when you get those crunchy munchies, or when friends stop by to visit!

 

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut up
• 1 (1-ounce) envelope onion soup mix
• 2 cups unsalted peanuts
• 1 cup oven-toasted wheat cereal
• 1 cup oven-toasted corn cereal
• 1 package (6.6-ounces) fish-shaped cheese crackers
• 1 package (5-1/2 ounces) fish-shaped pretzels

 

1. Place butter in a small microwaveable bowl. Cover and microwave at 100% power 40 to 45 seconds, or until melted. Stir in the onion soup mix.
2. In a microwaveable 4-quart bowl, combine remaining ingredients; mix well. Add butter mixture and toss until well coated.
3. Microwave uncovered at 90% power 4 minutes, or until heated through, stirring twice during cooking. Serve warm, or allow to cool then store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Historically this date.....

526 – A devastating earthquake strikes Antioch, Turkey, killing 250,000.

... unbelievable!

1935 – A 7.7 Mw earthquake destroys Quetta in modern-day Pakistan: 40,000 dead.

1970 – The Ancash earthquake causes a landslide that buries the town of Yungay, Peru; more than 47,000 people are killed

Obviously not a good day for earthquakes!!!

And births this date include..

1930 – Clint Eastwood, American film director and actor

"I know what you're thinking. Did I fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?" Love it love it love it!!!!

1934 – Jim Hutton, American actor (d. 1979)

1943 – Sharon Gless, American actress

1943 – Joe Namath, American football player

1949 – Tom Berenger, American actor

1965 – Brooke Shields, American actress and supermodel

Later in the afternoon I looked out back and this Tom turkey was avoiding the rain on my back porch!!! When I put the camera through the blinds he got scared and started moving. 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Sunday and the last day of May! Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On May 31st, National Smile Day encourages everyone to wear their best smile!

The first recorded smile on record took place on 126 B.C. Okay, we made that up. But did you smile? Joking aside, we generate a smile when funny things happen or find pleasure in the things we do. Someone we love or enjoy spending time with may be the cause of a grin or beaming look of joy.

Smiles are powerful! They not only create engagement between two people but the more a person smiles, the healthier their brain can be. Smiling has a direct link to our brain and can help to reduce stress.

There is so much a smile can do. Just one smile can brighten someone’s day. It can also improve your day. Smiles are infectious. A healthy smile can develop confidence and generate a new outlook on the world.

 

NATIONAL SMILE DAY HISTORY

Dr. Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdyla from Compassionate Dentalcare founded National Smile Day share with the world what the power of a healthy smile can do.  Confidence, health, and quality of life are just for the person smiling.

Weather ~ Yesterday ~ Picture of the Day ~ Abraham Lincoln ~ Fancy Schmancy Tuna Melts ~ Jake Wardle Electric ~ National Mint Julep Day

Good 61º cloudy morning. 

Yesterday morning the clouds started moving in heavier....

Before noon it was 81º and the clouds were blocking the sun. We topped at 94º. AND the thunderstorm was supposed to come in last night. Nope, never happened. Now the predictions are for 100% rain today. We'll see.............

Picture of the Day .... super unusual rock formation

Interesting about Abraham Lincoln......

When most people think about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, many things come to mind.

His signature stovepipe hat, his great height, the Emancipation Proclamation, and his assassination are just a few of the memorable things about this frontiersman president.

However, as it turns out, he was also an accomplished wrestler and is even honored in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Lincoln was the wrestling champion of his county in 1830, at the age of 21. A well built young man of 6’ 4”, his height and strength were an advantage but also made him a target for any challenger wanting to show off or make a name for himself. In fact, Lincoln was such a talented wrestler, there is only one recorded instance of him losing in 12 years, according to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (NWHOF). It was to Hank Thompson in the final match to qualify for their regimental championship.

However, Sports Illustrated reports that Lincoln was also kind to his opponents after their defeats, offering them water or helping them to their feet when the match was over.

From Mr. Food

"Oh my, you're so fancy!" That's the reaction you'll get when you put a plate of these Fancy Schmancy Tuna Melts out. It's warm, dressed up tuna with a double dose of melted cheese on a "not your everyday" type bread. These yummy melts are sure to please even the toughest critics!

• 1 (12-ounce) can tuna, drained and flaked
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 rib celery, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 slices rye or pumpernickel bread
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese
• 4 slices Cheddar cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 10- x 15-inch baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion powder, and pepper; mix well. Spread equal amounts of the mixture on each slice of bread and top each with a slice of mozzarella then a slice of Cheddar cheese.
3. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Historically this date....

1806 – Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson had accused Jackson's wife of bigamy.

1842 – John Francis attempts to murder Queen Victoria as she drives down Constitution Hill, London with Prince Albert.

1859 – Westminster's Big Ben rang for the first time in London.

1883 – In New York City, a rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge is going to collapse causes a stampede that crushes twelve people.

1899 – Female Old West outlaw Pearl Hart robs a stage coach 30 miles southeast of Globe, Arizona.

1922 – In Washington, D.C. the Lincoln Memorial is dedicated.

1958 – Memorial Day: the remains of two unidentified American servicemen, killed in action during World War II and the Korean War respectively, are buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery

1998 – A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hits northern Afghanistan, killing up to 5,000.

2005– American student Natalee Holloway disappears while on a high school graduation trip to Aruba, and caused a media sensation in the United States.

2013 – Nigeria passes a law banning same-sex

marriage.

And births this date include....

1927 – Clint Walker, American actor (d. 2018)

... he sure WAS a hunk!

1936 – Keir Dullea, American actor

1936 – Ruta Lee, Canadian actress

1944 – Meredith MacRae, American actress (d. 2000)

.... sad sad sad .... brain cancer.

1958 – Michael Lopez-Alegria, astronaut

1964 – Wynonna Judd, American country singer

Yesterday Jake Wardle came over and put up new lights on the front of my house. The old ones had died... They come on when it gets dark and go off when it gets light in the morning. 

If you are in this area and need any electrical work, Jake is the guy! Send me an email or message and I will give you his phone number.

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Saturday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Mint Julep Day on May 30th each year sets up a refreshing toast to summer. Each year, people around the country gather for a glass of mint julep! This refreshing southern classic is a traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby.

A classic mint julep is made with a mint leaf, bourbon, sugar, and water. In the Southern states, where mint julep is more associated with the cuisine, spearmint is the mint of choice. Preparation of the drink may vary from one bartender to another.

• Some believe the mint julep originated in the southern United States sometime during the 18th century.
• The term “julep” is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine.
• During the 19th century, Americans also enjoyed a gin-based julep.
• Each year, Churchill Downs serves almost 120,000 mint juleps over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
• May 2008 – Churchill Downs unveiled the world’s largest mint julep glass (6-foot  tall).

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy a mint julep on this nice spring day! 

 

Here is a recipe....

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/mint-julep-recipe-1945324