Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Hammocks ~ Two Boys Casserole ~ Patrick Reardon ~ International Left Handers Day

  

My internet went south and I couldn't do my blog. Thankfully it's now working. 

Good 55º  clear morning.

 

 

Yesterday we topped at 104º. 

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about hammocks........

 

 

A hammock (from Spanish hamaca, borrowed from Taíno and Arawak hamaka) is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two or more points, used for swinging, sleeping, or resting. It normally consists of one or more cloth panels, or a woven network of twine or thin rope stretched with ropes between two firm anchor points such as trees or posts. Hammocks were developed by native inhabitants of the Americas for sleeping, as well as the English. Later, they were used aboard ships by sailors to enable comfort and maximize available space, by explorers or soldiers travelling in wooded regions and eventually by parents in the early 1920s for containing babies just learning to crawl. Today they are popular around the world for relaxation; they are also used as a lightweight bed on camping trips. The hammock is often seen as a symbol of summer, leisure, relaxation and simple, easy living.

 

Etymology

The word hammock comes, via Spanish, from a Taíno culture Arawakan word meaning "stretch of cloth" from the Arawak root -maka. The Amerindian origin of the word was often obscured in English-language sources from the late 18th century onward. Samuel Johnson claimed that it was of Saxon origin, but his etymology was soon debunked. Hamaka was meaningfully transformed into modern German Hängematte, Swedish Hängmatta and Dutch Hangmat, and calqued from Swedish into Finnish riippumatto (all literally hanging mat).

 

Some 19th-century authors attributed the invention of the hammock to the Athenian politician Alcibiades (d. 404 BC). This was inferred from Plutarch, who wrote that Alcibiades had his galley bed hung from ropes, but did not specifically describe it as a net or sling. Other ancient writers mention the use of hanging beds to improve sleep or health without giving details on their mode of suspension.

 

Spanish colonists noted the use of the hammock by Native Americans, particularly in the West Indies, at the time of the Spanish conquest.

 

Columbus, in the narrative of his first voyage, says: “A great many Indians in canoes came to the ship to-day for the purpose of bartering their cotton, and hamacas, or nets, in which they sleep.” He observed the widespread use of hammocks during his travels among the Taino people in the Bahamas.

 

Early hammocks were woven out of tree bark, and later this material was replaced by sisal fibers because it was more abundant. One of the reasons that hammocks became popular in Central and South America was their ability to provide safety from disease transmission, insect stings, or animal bites. By suspending their beds above ground, inhabitants were better protected from snakes, biting ants, and other harmful creatures.

 

^{There are currently a wide variety of hammocks available. There are hammocks that are designed specifically for backpacking and include mosquito netting along with pockets for nighttime storage. There are hammocks made out of thin and lightweight material which makes them ideal for taking on daytrips. Other hammocks include self-standing metal or wood structures that support the hammock. Given that hammocks are commonly similar lengths to accommodate for an average adult's height, most hammock stands are universal in design, typically featuring a spreader bar that runs along the ground, feet for stability at each end, and a diagonal arm at each end to provide two hanging points. Although they are usually bought premade, it is also possible to make your own hammock.}

 

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

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Two Boys Casserole

 

Angela, in Texas, has two boys with big appetites for casseroles, so she came up with this recipe for Two Boys Casserole. It combines all of their favorites into one meaty and hearty dish. We bet everyone at the table will be pleased to find the creamy, beefy goodness underneath that layer of crispy potato tots!

 

 

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (12-ounce) package frozen peas
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of celery soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
• 1 (30-ounce) package frozen potato tots, thawed

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef, onion, salt, and pepper until meat is browned. Add peas and stir. Add soup, milk, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheese; stir to combine.
3. Place half the potato tots in baking dish, top with meat mixture, then remaining potato tops. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
4. Bake 25 to 35 minutes, or until the potato tots are cooked through and golden.

 Special day today, buddy/pal/friend of mine, and hubby of the awesome Alice, Patrick Reardon (LASD ret) is celebrating today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL FRIEND! xo

.... and when Pat was a young Deputy!

 

 

 

Historically this date......

 

1918 – Women enlist in the United States Marine Corps for the first time. Opha Mae Johnson is the first woman to enlist.    LOL, "BAMS" ! (for those of you who don't know... it stands for Broad Assed Marines!  If that is the case then female deputies should be called "BADS" !!!)

1969 – The Apollo 11 astronauts are released from a three-week quarantine to enjoy a ticker tape parade in New York, New York. That evening, at a state dinner in Los Angeles, California, they are awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Richard Nixon.

2004 – Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 storm, strikes Punta Gorda, Florida and devastates the surrounding area.

And births this date include...

1860 – Annie Oakley, American target shooter (d. 1926)

 

1895 – Bert Lahr, American actor (d. 1967)

 

 

1912 – Ben Hogan, American golfer (d. 1997)

 

 

1920 – Neville Brand, American actor (d. 1992)

 

1926 – Fidel Castro, Cuban lawyer and politician, 15th President of Cuba (d.2016)

 

 

1929 – Pat Harrington, Jr., American actor (d.2016)

 

 

1930 – Don Ho, American singer and pianist (d. 2007)

   ...do you realize that if Ho Chi Minh had married Don Ho he would have been Ho Ho!

 

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

International Left Handers Day on August 13th recognizes all those individuals who have mastered using their left hand in a right-handed world. We take our hats off to you – left-handed!

Approximately 10% of the population are southpaws. Scientists don’t know why a person develops left-handedness. But it’s more likely a child will be left-handed if one parent is a lefty, too. Parents of left-handed children used to force them to use their right hands. In the eyes of right-handers, the predominant use of the left hand seemed evil. Parents feared their communities would shun their children. While we accept left-handedness more readily than days gone by, its occurrence hasn’t increased. 

Famous Lefties

Many lefties seek to blend in because they will stand out soon enough. Their unique quality makes them feel awkward. They bump elbows or seem like a klutz. However, in a world designed for the right-handed, those who are other dominant adapt quite well. For example, eight United States presidents were left-handed, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Would the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa stand the test of time if Michaelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci had been right-handed?

 

Uncommon Individual

Left Handers Day recognizes the uncommon individual who throws, catches, writes, and uses a fork with their left-hand. They view the world just a little differently, too. At a restaurant, they seek out the seat that will place their dominant elbow on the outside of the booth. Right-handed athletes groan a bit when the southpaw shows up as an opponent on the roster. They present a challenge right-handers aren’t always sure how to handle due to lack of practice. And yet, lefties square off against righties all the time.

Don’t be shy on Left-Handers Day. Show the world how brilliant and unique you are!

 

INTERNATIONAL LEFT HANDERS DAY HISTORY

International Left Handers Day was founded in 1992 in the United Kingdom. Because of the popularity of this observation in the United States, the Registrar at National Day Calendar added the day to its list of national days.

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Rolling Pins ~ Sweet Onion Casserole ~ Chuck and Linda Kuehl ~ National Son's and Daughter's Day

  

Good 56º clear morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we topped at 99º.

 

 

Picture of the Day...

 

 

Interesting about rolling pins..........

 

 

A roller pin is a cylindrical food preparation utensil used to shape and flatten dough. Two styles of roller pin are found: rollers and rods. Roller types consists of a thick cylinder with small handles at each end; rod type rolling pins are usually thin tapered batons. Rolling pins of different styles and materials offer varying advantages, as they are used for different tasks in cooking and baking.

Types of rolling pins

• Rod: thin rods typically made of wood around 1-2 inches in diameter. They are used by rolling the rod across the dough using one's palm. The pins may be tapered at one or both ends for more pivot control in certain tasks such as making small jiaozi skins or pie shells. Most East Asian or French style rolling pins, and the Turkish Oklava are rod-style.
• Roller: consists of a thick heavy roller made of a variety of materials around 3-4 inches in diameter with thinner handles which extend through the roller. They are used by grasping the handles and pushing the pin across the dough. Many Western rolling pins are roller types.
• Textured: some specialized rolling pins have textured surfaces that mark and indents the dough surfaces for special breads and pancakes. They may even be embossed with writing..

• Chakla belan: in Indian cuisine, the rolling pin (belan) is used in combination with a chakla (flat circular rolling board). The dough for chapatis is rolled on the chakla with the help of the belan. Devices like Rotimatic and Rotillicious combine the functions of chakla, belan and round electric cooking griddle also known as tava.

Material

Rolling pins come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials including glass, ceramic, acrylic, bakelite, copper, brass, aluminium, silicone, wood, stainless steel, marble, and plastic. Some are hollow and are able to be filled with cold or warm water to better roll a desired food. Marble rolling pins are often cooled in a refrigerator for maintaining a cold dough while making puff pastry.

 

In popular culture

An angry housewife wielding a rolling pin as a weapon is a common cliché in humour, as, for example, in the English comic strip Andy Capp.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

This takes plain old onions and so easily turns them into a throw-together, perfect side dish for any main course. So what if you decide on your side dish first and then worry about what you're gonna buy at the market for the "biggie"? Maybe add a little zip by adding barbecue-flavored chips, or sprinkle in some tarragon for a French taste or some oregano for tilting it toward Italy, or ... whatever you want.

 

 

• 2 (10-3/4-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 Spanish onions, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (10-ounce) package potato chips, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• Paprika

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Blend the soup and milk in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
3. Arrange half the onion rings in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Cover with half the cheese, then half the potato chips. Repeat layers.
4. Pour soup mixture over layers. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Remove cover, sprinkle with paprika and cook for 15 more minutes or until hot and bubbly.

 

 

Special Anniversary today... Chuck and Linda Kuehl are celebrating #22. Happy Anniversary kids!! xo

 

 

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

1929 – Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.

1934 – The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island.

1942 – Actress Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil receive a patent for a Frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication system that later became the basis for modern technologies in wireless telephones and Wi-Fi.

1965 – Race riots (the Watts Riots) begin in the Watts area of Los Angeles, California.

1972 – Vietnam War: the last United States ground combat unit leaves South Vietnam.

 

 

And births this date include...

1923 – Stan Chambers, American journalist (d. 2015)

 

 

1933 – Jerry Falwell, American pastor and evangelist (d. 2007)

 

1950 – Steve Wozniak, American computer scientist and programmer, co-founded Apple Inc.

 

 

 

1953 – Hulk Hogan, American wrestler and actor

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Son’s and Daughter’s Day on August 11th brings parents and their children together for quality time. On this day, be with the joys of your life.

Let your children know that you are glad they are part of your life. While listening to the events of their day, share family stories. Find out about their hopes and dreams. Learn what inspires them. Teach them something new, or maybe there’s something they can teach you. Enjoy every day you have with them and spend as much quality time as you can.

Time with our children can be fleeting. Not only do they grow quickly, but their interests and needs change, too. Whether we realize it or not, sons and daughters look up to us. They emulate our behavior – the good and the bad. As much as times change, children don’t. We craved our parent’s approval and acceptance. Our children do, too.

Every child is different. Their personalities uniquely fitted to them. While one child devours books, another may deconstruct every electronic device in the house. The chatterbox keeps us awake on long road trips and the night owl keeps us alert to everything under the stars. No two are the same. That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. Celebrate them and the parts they play in your family.

 

NATIONAL SON’S AND DAUGHTER’S DAY HISTORY

The earliest record National Day Calendar could find of an August 11th observance of this day took place in 1988. It’s mentioned in a Nanaimo (British Columbia, Canada) Daily News article dated August 12, 1988. While we were unable to identify the creator of National Son’s and Daughter’s Day, we did find other earlier events with this name.

According to an article in the August 20, 1944, St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette, in 1936, J Henry Dusenberry first pursued the idea of a Sons’ and Daughters’ Day. The thought occurred to him after hearing a child ask why there was no such occasion. Through his efforts, the day started in Missouri and spread. Parents placed a flower representing each of their children in a vase and put the vase in a prominent room in the house. Throughout the day, parents thought about their children as they gazed at the flowers, especially those who no longer lived in the house. By 1945, the celebration reached its peak at 22 states with organizations participating in the event.

In the following years, organizations such as the Lions Club and women’s auxiliaries would host Sons and Daughters Day in their municipalities. However, these observances would change from year to year.

Then, in 1972, Florida Congressman Claude Pepper submitted a request for the establishment of a Sons’ and Daughters’ Day on behalf of Georgia Paul of Del Rio, Texas. According to the Del Rio News-Herald dated October 28, 1972, the request suggested the proclamation would observe the day on last Sunday in January annually. However, neither the House nor the Senate signed a bill or joint resolution to declare the day.