Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Woodpeckers ~ Shrimp Macaroni Salad ~ Jerry Maxwell ~ Georgia Sue Mattern ~ National Mutt Day

  

Good dark 30º morning. 

 

 

Yesterday the weather predictions were for rain/snow. Here is how we looked in the morning.....

Later the dark clouds moved in and we had a little rain. The temperature went from 32º to the 40ºs up and down.... topped at 44º and then dropped back down to 40º.

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about woodpeckers...........

 

 

Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known that live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts, and the Gila woodpecker specializes in exploiting cacti.

 

Members of this family are chiefly known for their characteristic behavior. They mostly forage for insect prey on the trunks and branches of trees, and often communicate by drumming with their beaks, producing a reverberatory sound that can be heard at some distance. Some species vary their diet with fruits, birds' eggs, small animals, tree sap, human scraps, and carrion. They usually nest and roost in holes that they excavate in tree trunks, and their abandoned holes are of importance to other cavity-nesting birds. They sometimes come into conflict with humans when they make holes in buildings or feed on fruit crops, but perform a useful service by their removal of insect pests on trees.

 

Woodpeckers range from tiny piculets, the smallest of which appears to be the bar-breasted piculet at 3.0 inches in length and a weight of 0.31 oz. Some of the largest woodpeckers can be more than 20 inches in length. The largest surviving species is the great slaty woodpecker, which weighs 15 oz. on average and up to 19.9 oz., and measures 18 to 22 inches, but the extinct imperial woodpecker, at 22 to 24 inches, and ivory-billed woodpecker, around 19 to 21 inches and 18.2 oz., were probably both larger.

 

The plumage of woodpeckers varies from drab to conspicuous. The colors of many species are based on olive and brown and some are pied, suggesting a need for camouflage; others are boldly patterned in black, white, and red, and many have a crest or tufted feathers on their crowns. Woodpeckers tend to be sexually dimorphic, but differences between the sexes are generally small; exceptions to this are Williamson's sapsucker and the orange-backed woodpecker, which differ markedly. The plumage is moulted fully once a year apart from the wrynecks, which have an additional partial moult before breeding.

 

^{Woodpeckers have a mostly cosmopolitan distribution, although they are absent from Australasia, Madagascar, and Antarctica. They are also absent from some of the world's oceanic islands, although many insular species are found on continental islands. The true woodpeckers, subfamily Picinae, are distributed across the entire range of the family. The Picumninae piculets have a pantropical distribution, with species in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Neotropics, with the greatest diversity being in South America. The second piculet subfamily, the Nesoctitinae, has a single member, the Antillean piculet, which is restricted to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. The wrynecks (Jynginae) are found exclusively in the Old World, with the two species occurring in Europe, Asia, and Africa.}

 

^{Most woodpeckers live solitary lives, but their behaviour ranges from highly antisocial species that are aggressive towards their own kind, to species that live in groups. Solitary species defend such feeding resources as a termite colony or fruit-laden tree, driving away other conspecifics and returning frequently until the resource is exhausted. Aggressive behaviors include bill pointing and jabbing, head shaking, wing flicking, chasing, drumming, and vocalisations. Ritual actions do not usually result in contact, and birds may "freeze" for a while before they resume their dispute. The coloured patches may be flouted, and in some instances, these antagonistic behaviours resemble courtship rituals.}

 

^{If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodpecker}

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Seafood and pasta... two favorites in one dish! We've added an under-the-sea twist to a simple macaroni salad recipe to create this delightful and unique backyard dish. This Shrimp Macaroni Salad recipe is super versatile too, complementing both your average dinner and your neighborhood potluck with ease.

 

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni or shells
• 8 ounces cooked shrimp, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

 

1. In a large pot of boiling water, prepare pasta according to package directions; drain.
    
2. In a large bowl, toss pasta with remaining ingredients. Cover and chill before serving.

 

 

Today is a special day. It was my darling's birthday. Jerry Wayne Maxwell 12-2-1940 - 2-12-2007. It always blows me away when I think about it... born on 12-2 and died on 2-12. He is loved and missed every single day.

Born in Dallas Texas, grew up in Redwood City Ca., joined the Marines during Viet Nam and was a tanker, traded in his tan and green USMC uniform for a Los Angeles Sheriff's Department tan and green deputy uniform for 30 years.

 

 

Another special birthdays today...

Georgia Sue Mattern is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GS!!

 

 

Historically this date.......

1927 – Following 19 years of Ford Model T production, the Ford Motor Company unveils the Ford Model A as its new automobile

  

1980 – Four U.S. nuns and churchwomen, Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, Jean Donovan, andDorothy Kazel, are murdered by a death squad in El Salvador.

 

 

And births this date include..

1914 – Ray Walston, American actor (d. 2001)

 

1924 – Alexander Haig, American Soldier & Civil servant, 7th Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 5th White House Chief of Staff and 59th United States Secretary of State (d. 2010)

1981 – Britney Spears, American singer, dancer and entertainer

 

 

1983 – Aaron Rodgers, American football player

           born in Chico Ca!

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Mutt Day encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs twice a year on July 31st and December 2nd.

Desperately longing for a new home, millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs in shelters wait for someone to come and adopt them. National Mutt Day provides an excellent opportunity to find the perfect canine companion. Despite the name, a mutt learns, obeys and trains much like purebred animals. While their lineage cannot be traced and their features a bit murky, their companionship will be faithful. 

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and often abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home. Whether you know it or not, their potential is limitless. Some of the benefits of adoption are often hidden. Human and canine both enjoy increased physical activity.  Another boost is social interaction through daily walks. While humans develop patience, their four-legged companion learns to trust and new limits. For example, as dogs explore the many scents of the human lifestyle,  they usually discover shoes are off-limits.

No matter the breed, size or demeanor of the human, er, canine, the shelter will take the time to find the right home for their animals. They schedule visits and have procedures in place to promote healthy adoptions for families and individuals. While some dogs experience injury or illness, the shelters work with veterinarians to heal the animals before making them available for adoption.

Of course, shelters always welcome donations and volunteers. Dogs love walking, playing and being loved even if they haven’t found their forever home. Every moment they spend socializing increases their opportunity for adoption.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Visit a shelter; if you are unable to adopt a dog, you can always volunteer.

NATIONAL MUTT DAY HISTORY

Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, founded National Mutt Day in 2005.  Celebrate the day on both December 2 and July 31 of each year.

Weather ~ Bought This House/Jerry and John Deere Tractor ~ Picture of the Day ~ Alarm Clock History ~ Really Rich Rice ~ National Eat a Red Apple Day

  

Good 32º dark cloudy morning. Snow and rain predicted.

 

 

Yesterday we got rain...... we topped at 41º.

 

 

On this day in 1997 Jerry and I bought this Oregon house.

We moved from Temple City in 1998... Jerry almost immediately bought this 1940 John Deere tractor... (BTW, 1940 was his birth year.)

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about alarm clocks.........

 

An alarm clock (or sometimes just an alarm) is a clock that is designed to alert an individual or group of individuals at a specified time. The primary function of these clocks is to awaken people from their night's sleep or short naps; they are sometimes used for other reminders as well. Most use sound; some use light or vibration. Some have sensors to identify when a person is in a light stage of sleep, in order to avoid waking someone who is deeply asleep, which causes tiredness, even if the person has had adequate sleep. To turn off the sound or light, a button or handle on the clock is pressed; most clocks automatically turn off the alarm if left unattended long enough. A classic analog alarm clock has an extra hand or inset dial that is used to specify the time at which the alarm will ring. Alarm clocks are also used in mobile phones, watches, and computers.

 

Many alarm clocks have radio receivers that can be set to start playing at specified times, and are known as clock radios. Some alarm clocks can set multiple alarms. A progressive alarm clock can have different alarms for different times (see next-generation alarms) and play music of the user's choice. Most modern televisions, computers, mobile phones and digital watches have alarm functions that turn on or sound alerts at a specific time.

 

Traditional mechanical alarm clocks have one or two bells that ring by means of a mainspring that powers a gear to quickly move a hammer back and forth between the two bells or between the interior sides of a single bell. In some models, the metal cover at back of the clock itself also functions as the bell. In an electronically operated bell-style alarm clock, the bell is rung by an electromagnetic circuit and armature to turn the circuit on and off repeatedly.

 

Digital alarm clocks can make other noises. Simple battery-powered alarm clocks make a loud buzzing or beeping sound to wake a sleeper, while novelty alarm clocks can speak, laugh, sing, or play sounds from nature.

 

The first American alarm clock was created in 1787 by Levi Hutchins in Concord, New Hampshire. This device he made only for himself however, and it only rang at 4 am, in order to wake him for his job. The French inventor Antoine Redier was the first to patent an adjustable mechanical alarm clock, in 1847.

 

Alarm clocks, like almost all other consumer goods in the United States, ceased production in the spring of 1942, as the factories which made them were converted over to war work during World War II, but they were one of the first consumer items to resume manufacture for civilian use, in November 1944. By that time, a critical shortage of alarm clocks had developed due to older clocks wearing out or breaking down. Workers were late for, or missed completely, their scheduled shifts in jobs critical to the war effort. In a pooling arrangement overseen by the Office of Price Administration, several clock companies were allowed to start producing new clocks, some of which were continuations of pre-war designs, and some of which were new designs, thus becoming among the first "postwar" consumer goods to be made, before the war had even ended. The price of these "emergency" clocks was, however, still strictly regulated by the Office of Price Administration.

 

The first radio alarm clock was invented by James F. Reynolds, in the 1940s and another design was also invented by Paul L. Schroth Sr.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Wow! A side dish that's French-simple, French-fancy! It's Really Rich Rice. Even those people who don't usually eat rice will like rice made this way. And making it ahead of time and rewarming it in the oven or microwave can make it easier for us.

 

• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
• Paprika for garnish

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 1-1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large skillet, saute onion in butter 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden. Stir in remaining ingredients except parsley and paprika; mix well then pour mixture into baking dish.
    
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until set. Garnish with parsley and paprika and serve.

 

 

 

Historically this date.........

1824 – United States presidential election, 1824: Since no candidate received a majority of the total electoral college votes in the election, the United States House of Representatives is given the task of deciding the winner in accordance with the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

1885 – First serving of the soft drink Dr Pepper at a drug store in Waco, Texas (United States).

1952 – The New York Daily News reports the news of Christine Jorgenson, the first notable case of sexual reassignment surgery.

1969 – Vietnam War: The first draft lottery in the United States is held since World War II.

2001 – Captain Bill Compton brings Trans World Airlines Flight 220, an MD-83, into St. Louis International Airport bringing to an end 76 years of TWA operations following TWA's purchase by American Airlines.

And births this date include....

1913 – Mary Martin, American actor and singer (d. 1990)

1933 – Lou Rawls, American singer (d. 2006)

 

1935 – Woody Allen, American film director, actor, and comedian

1939 – Lee Trevino, American golfer

1940 – Richard Pryor, American comic and actor (d. 2005)

 

Raised in a brothel run by his grandmother where his mother was a prostitute beaten by his ne'er-do-well father; a victim of sexual molestation at age six; abandoned by his mother at age ten; a high school drop-out by 14; a father himself by 17... 6 wives, 7 children. Pryor set himself on fire after freebasing cocaine while drinking 151-proof rum. The man was a mess! Heart attack and multiple sclerosis.

1945 – Bette Midler, American actress and singer

1951 – Treat Williams, American actor

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On December 1, National Eat a Red Apple Day encourages everyone to eat a red apple. As the adage goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and today is a perfect time to put that theory to taste.

An apple is both delicious and nutritious. With over 7,500 varieties of apples and over 7.5% of the world’s production coming from the USA, apples are widely available.

When it comes to a difference in health benefits between red and green apples, it’s a close call. Both have their advantages. Green apples beat the red apple slightly in fiber content. They also have less sugar and carbohydrates. However, red apples tend to taste better eaten fresh. They’re already naturally sweet and don’t require added sugar. The red apple slightly edges out the green in antioxidants.

Most green apples are reserved for baking and preserves. Since most green apples are tart, the added sugar in recipes brings about a better flavor for eating.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Sink your teeth into a delicious and juicy red apple. This time of year, apples of all kinds are plentiful. Pick up several and give a few to friends to enjoy, too. They make great snacks with a slice of cheddar cheese or with a small cup of yogurt, too. Sprinkle them with a little cinnamon.