Archive for May 16, 2014

I’m a Bit Muddled

May 16, 2014 Comments Off on I’m a Bit Muddled

If I don’t make much sense these next few days, forgive me.  My old computer died, forcing me to get a new one.  That meant having to leave my trusted, understandable Vista to go to Windows 8.1, which, at this point, makes little sense to me.  Oh, yes, there are instructions–on line, not in the packing box.  It took me a whole day just to figure out how to set up the computer enough to actually go online!  Now I find that some of my programs and files don’t like 8.1 and are rebelling.  My passwords hate me and are hiding.  And last night it took me almost an hour to figure out how to turn the &^%$*! thing off!

So, I’ll be spending the next week re-installing the programs I need and figuring out how to reconfigure my Comcast email, since 8.1 doesn’t allow POP settings.

Thanks for giving me a shoulder to cry on.  I’ll come up with some entertaining post soon, both for you and for me to stop taking life–and computers–so seriously.

 

 

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Will Your Tires Kill You?

May 14, 2014 Comments Off on Will Your Tires Kill You?

Aging tires can be dangerous, say studies done by the National Transportation Safety Board.  They deteriorate in the store, and they’re kept until they’re sold.  You might even buy a 10- or 15-year old tire that has rubber that’s breaking down and steel belts that are weakening.

Most of us just look at the tread and figure our tires are fine…sort of a “not-bald-is-beautiful” attitude.  That doesn’t mean they’re safe, though.

When you buy tires, look for the manufacturer’s code date.  Find the string of numbers on the tire.  The last four are the code for the day and the year of manufacturer.  For example, if the tire was made after 2000, “6811” means that it was made on the 68th day of 2011.  If you’re checking the tires you have now, be advised that there may be a different date on each of the four you’re driving on.

How Old Are Your Tires? Your Safety May Depend on the Answer has more information on tire age, safety, where to find the code number, and how to read code numbers on tires made before 2000.

Then, go check your tires!  I want my readers to be safe!

 

 

 

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You Can’t “Turn a Blind Eye” to This

May 13, 2014 Comments Off on You Can’t “Turn a Blind Eye” to This

A bit of language trivia for you today: the origin of the phrase to “Turn a blind eye.” It means, of course, to ignore something, to refuse to acknowledge that something exists or is happening.

This goes back to the early 1800s, to Horatio Nelson, a British naval hero, as he fought the Battle of Copenhagen.  His ships, facing a much larger Danish/Norwegian fleet, had little hope of victory.  His superior officer sent a signal for him to retreat, but Nelson didn’t want to.  He put his telescope up to his blind eye, stated that he didn’t see the signal, carried on the battle—and won!  Okay.  Some historians say this is just a myth; yet “turn a blind eye” is still with us today.

 

 

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Not that Graphic

May 12, 2014 Comments Off on Not that Graphic

Warning: What you’re about to see is graphic and can be disturbing. We often hear this warning on TV news.  Have you ever noticed, though, that what they show is nothing compared to scenes in movies and TV shows where we don’t get the warning?  Mmmmm……

 

 

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Tip: Clean Up from Winter

May 10, 2014 Comments Off on Tip: Clean Up from Winter

As you clean up your yard from the winter, set aside a spot and start a compost pile.  If you prefer, there are many easy-to-use composting containers available on the market (no worms required).  Ask at your local garden store.  If composting isn’t to your liking, at least make sure to recycle all those yard clippings and debris in the weekly curbside pickup.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 
 
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Preparing for Mother’s Day

May 9, 2014 Comments Off on Preparing for Mother’s Day

Remember this on Sunday and every day:

 

 

 

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Thursday Thought: What we Choose

May 8, 2014 Comments Off on Thursday Thought: What we Choose

I guess it’s up to us.

 

 

 

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Kids are Graduating!

May 7, 2014 Comments Off on Kids are Graduating!

Great news!  We’re closing in on a 90% graduation rate. The National Center for Education Statics has reported that we’re at a never-before-reached 81% and climbing, with 90% quite attainable by 2020. Some states are already there.  Read more about this in the article at Time.com.

I’m excited because of my belief that education is the cornerstone for building a healthy, vibrant society.  Education parts the forbidding seas of lack of employment opportunities, ignorant discrimination, inequality, and poverty.  It puts otherwise wasted brain-power and creativity to work in ways that benefit the whole society.  It opens individual lives to the wonder of the world.  Education can’t actually save our country or the world, but it’s certainly a giant step in that direction.

 

 

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Harming Children on Purpose

May 2, 2014 2 comments

Razor blades embedded in playground equipment?!  I thought that nobody would do such a thing.  Until the news reported that it has happened four times in a San Diego, CA playground.  And in an Illinois playground a month ago.  And in Philadelphia eleven months ago.  Where else, I wonder.

But I wonder even more how anyone could fasten razor blades to jungle gyms and climbing bars or bury them in sandboxes, knowing full well that little children would have fingers, hands, and knees sliced open, causing pain to them and their parents.

I hope for a quick catching and prosecuting of those people.  An adult’s responsibility is to protect children, not to terrorize them.

 

 

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Plan for the Future

May 1, 2014 Comments Off on Plan for the Future

“One day you’ll just be a memory for some people.  Do your best to be a good one.”  (unknown)

 

 

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