Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Fire Hydrants ~ Graham Cracker Cake ~ National Women Physicians Day

  

Good burrrrrrrr....28º morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we had sunshine and topped at 57º.

 

 

Picture of the Day.....a town named Flippin? 😄

 

 

Interesting about fire hydrants...........

 

 

A fire hydrant, fireplug, or firecock (archaic) is a connection point by which firefighters can tap into a water supply. It is a component of active fire protection. Underground fire hydrants have been used in Europe and Asia since at least the 18th century. Above-ground pillar-type hydrants are a 19th-century invention.

 

Operation

The user attaches a hose to the fire hydrant, then opens a valve on the hydrant to provide a powerful flow of water, on the order of 350 kilopascals (51 psi); this pressure varies according to region and depends on various factors (including the size and location of the attached water main). This user can attach this hose to a fire engine, which can use a powerful pump to boost the water pressure and possibly split it into multiple streams. One may connect the hose with a threaded connection, instantaneous "quick connector" or a Storz connector.

 

A user should take care not to open or close a fire hydrant too quickly, as this can cause a water hammer, which can damage nearby pipes and equipment. The water inside a charged hose line causes it to be very heavy and high water pressure causes it to be stiff and unable to make a tight turn while pressurized. When a fire hydrant is unobstructed, this is not a problem, as there is enough room to adequately position the hose.

 

Most fire hydrant valves are not designed to throttle the water flow; they are designed to be operated full-on or full-off. The valving arrangement of most dry-barrel hydrants is for the drain valve to be open at anything other than full operation. Usage at partial-opening can consequently result in considerable flow directly into the soil surrounding the hydrant, which, over time, can cause severe scouring. Gate or butterfly valves can be installed directly onto the hydrant orifices to control individual outputs and allow for changing equipment connections without turning off the flow to other orifices. These valves can be up to 12 inches in diameter to accommodate the large central "steamer" orifices on many US hydrants. It is good practice to install valves on all orifices before using a hydrant as the protective caps are unreliable and can cause major injury if they fail.

 

New firefighters are often trained extensively on fire hydrants in the fire academy to be quick and safe while connecting the fire engine to the fire hydrant (usually within 1 minute). Time is often critical as other firefighters will be waiting for the water supply. When operating a hydrant, a firefighter typically wears appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a helmet with face shield worn. High-pressure water coursing through a potentially aging and corroding hydrant could cause a failure, injuring the firefighter operating the hydrant or bystanders.

 

In most jurisdictions it is illegal to park a car within a certain distance of a fire hydrant. In North America, the distances are commonly 10 to 16 ft, often indicated by yellow or red paint on the curb. The rationale behind these laws is that hydrants need to be visible and accessible in an emergency.

 

If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hydrant

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

SERVES

15

COOK TIME

45 Min

When you think of graham crackers, you might think of crushing them up to make a pie crust, or maybe sandwiching chocolate bars and toasted marshmallows between a couple of 'em for s'mores. Well, now we've taken it a step further by making a super moist, Graham Cracker Cake that's packed with flavor! Trust us, this is a recipe you'll want to get your hands on.

 

• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened, divided
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 (13.5-ounce) package graham cracker crumbs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup milk
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat 1-1/2 sticks butter and the granulated sugar 3 to 4 minutes or until creamy. Add graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla, and beat until well mixed. Stir in coconut and pecans until well mixed, then spread batter into baking dish.
3. Melt remaining half stick butter in microwave. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and pineapple until well mixed; pour evenly over batter.
4. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool, then cut and serve.

 

 

 

 

Historically this date......

1690 – The colony of Massachusetts issues the first paper money in America. 

 

1913 – The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, authorizing the Federal government to impose and collect an income tax. 

 

1918 – The Twin Peaks Tunnel in San Francisco, California begins service as the longest streetcar tunnel in the world at 11,920 feet (3,633 meters) long.

 

1947 – The lowest temperature in North America is recorded in Snag, Yukon.

 

.... -81º !!!! 

 

1959 – A plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa kills Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and pilot Roger Peterson and the incident becomes known as The Day the Music Died. 

 

1961 – The United States Air Forces begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30 years, a "Doomsday Plane" is always in the air, with the capability of taking direct control of the United States' bombers and missiles in the event of the destruction of the SAC's command post. 

 

1971 – New York Police Officer Frank Serpico is shot during a drug bust in Brooklyn and survives to later testify against police corruption. Many believe the incident proves that NYPD officers tried to kill him. 

 

 

And births this date include....

 

1894 – Norman Rockwell, American illustrator (d. 1978)

 

 

 

1904 – Pretty Boy Floyd, American gangster (d. 1934)

 

 

 

1907 – James Michener, American author (d. 1997)

 

 

 

1918 – Joey Bishop, American entertainer, member of the Rat Pack (d. 2007)

 

 

 

1943 – Blythe Danner, American actress

 

 

 

1950 – Morgan Fairchild, American actress

 

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On February 3rd, honor the path that female doctors have paved since 1849 as we recognize National Women Physicians Day.

This day marks the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849. Dr. Blackwell initiated the movement that helped women gain entry and equality in the field of medicine.

If society will not admit of a woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled. ~ Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

The day celebrates the courage of Elizabeth Blackwell and the accomplishments of female physicians everywhere. At the same time, the day strives to bring improvements to the workplace for the growing number of women physicians entering the field of medicine.

While the number of women doctors gradually increased in the last two decades, 2016 statistics show 35% of physicians are women. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine last year revealed that women doctors earn on average 8% less than their male counterparts. That discrepancy, along with nearly a third of women physicians reporting sexual harassment in the workplace and a large majority experiencing gender bias. Clearly, there is still work to be done.

National Women Physicians Day recognizes the strides made by generations of women doctors. The observance also recognizes that we must strike a balance that allows women to succeed professionally while supporting a family. Join National Women Physicians Day in celebrating these accomplishments and supporting women physicians as colleagues, friends, family, and doctors.