Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Kookaburras ~ Minnesota Hot Dish ~ National Medal of Honor Day

 

Good 33º cloudy morning. 

 

Yesterday we got some rain and we topped at 57º.

 

 

Picture of the Day ....

 

 

 

Interesting about Kookaburras.....

 

The Laughing Kookaburras are Australian kingfishers that are named for their laughing calls. In the 19th century this species was called the "laughing jackass", a name first recorded in 'An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales' by David Collins published in 1798. The kookaburra name comes from Wiradjuri, an endangered Aboriginal language.

The name "Laughing Kookaburra" has been bestowed on this bird due to its call. Their vocalizations establish the boundaries of their territory to other family groups. It can be heard at any time, but is most audible at dawn and dusk.

A single bird will start the call with a subtle, chuckling sound, something like a hiccup. Before long, he is throwing his head back and making a cackling, raucous laugh, inviting the rest of the group to join him. Soon the entire family is creating an ear-splitting din that can be heard for miles in all directions. Other neighboring families hear this and respond; soon the bush is filled with a cacophony of ringing laughter, complete with a variety of trills, chortles, belly laughs, and hoots. Newcomers to the bush are often taken aback by this sound, but to most it is an amazing experience. The Laughing Jackass is known for the timing and regularity of its call.

The birds produce other calls which are different and used for other purposes. These shorter calls serve to call members of the flock, raise alarms and show aggression. Some calls are used in courtship and in feeding rituals.

 

 

And here's a youtube video of the bird laughing....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jW7A2glZbk

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Our Minnesota Hot Dish is a meat and potato lovers dream! This hot dish recipe with hamburger also has potato tots on top and veggies inside. Talk about hearty! The best part? This comforting hot dish recipe bakes up in under 40 minutes, which makes it the perfect busy weeknight dinner. (And, in case you were wondering, a hot dish is just like a casserole -- they just say "hot dish" instead of "casserole" over in Minnesota.)

 

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup (4-ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 (32-ounce) package frozen seasoned potato nuggets

 

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Coat a 2-1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, onion, and salt, stirring until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Spoon ground beef into prepared baking dish.
    
3. In a small bowl combine soup and milk, mix well. Layer frozen vegetables, soup mixture, and cheese over ground beef. Top with frozen potatoes.
4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and casserole is heated through

 ** and if you are like my friend, Sugar Bear, from Minnesota, you will add bacon bits also!

 

 

 

Historically this date......

1943 – Start of the American amphibious landings in the Philippines a turning point in the Pacific War.

1990 – The Happy Land fire was an arson fire that kills 87 people trapped inside an illegal nightclub in the New York City borough of The Bronx.

1996 – An 81-day-long standoff between the anti-government group Montana Freemen and law enforcement near Jordan, Montana, begins.

 

And births this date include....

1911 – Jack Ruby, killer of Lee Harvey Oswald (d. 1967)

 

1918 – Howard Cosell, American sports reporter (d. 1995)

 

1928 – Jim Lovell, American astronaut

 

1940 – Anita Bryant, American singer

She certainly got herself and career in trouble back in the 70's voicing her opinion against gays~

1942 – Aretha Franklin, American singer (d.2018)

1947 – Elton John, English singer-songwriter, pianist, producer, and actor

 

1965 – Sarah Jessica Parker, American actress

 

 

1982 – Danica Patrick, American race car driver

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Thursday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of Honor recipients.

On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of  “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862.

Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor.  It is awarded only to US military personnel by the President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.

Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coast guardsmen.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Some federal, state, local, and military organizations may hold events recognizing Medal of Honor recipients. These events may be public or private. Other ways to participate include:

• Volunteering for your local veteran organization
• Donate to a veteran service organization
• Adopt a Medal of Honor grave site
• Fly the U.S. flag at your home or business
• Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Visit local memorial sites

 

NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY HISTORY

In 1990, the United States Congress designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day.