Side yard birds

They haven't found the suet yet as I just put it out. The feeders are wearing band hats of snow.

As I was posting the above, it started to snow. All the birds disappeared. I had to use the little ladder last night but so far the satellite dish is still functioning. The one early red bract on my 40 year old poinsettia is visible. It never blooms this early. Weird.

Birds are hungry

Hurry up!

Thanks.

Friday cat blogging on Saturday

The cats stayed away yesterday.

PuddyTat spent most of last night in her box but left early.

Tim gets her water from licking the dripping icicles.

Suet

My "productive before noon" project today is suet for the birds. The weatherpeople have predicted extremely cold temperatures next week. I make my own suet for the birds. I do not use seeds because the fat makes them slippery and difficult to grasp and hull. I use shortening, peanut butter and cornmeal. The shortening has to be the kind that will set up, not hydrogenated or it will be runny which will only make a worse mess. I'm not sure the proportions are important.

Soften the shortening and peanut butter then mix in as much cornmeal as you have the strength to move. Put it in a pan to harden. Make sure you don't make it deeper than your cages are. When it sets up, cut it into the size blocks you need. If you line the pan with waxed paper, you'll have an easier time getting the suet cakes out.

You can add other items like raisins or cranberries. I usually don't. The only problem with this is the blackbirds. Once the starlings find it, they mob the place and keep the other birds out.

Friday shuffle

1. It Ain't Me Babe - The Turtles
2. Walk On - Reba McEntire
3. No Beer in Heaven Polka
4. Take Me Back to Happy Valley - The Bailey Brothers
5. In navitatum Domini nostri - Taverner Consort
6. Twenty-five Miles - Edwin Starr
7. There I've Said It Again - Bobby Vinton
8. The Touch of Your Hand - Alexander/Brown
9. Barnwell: No Mirrors in my Nana's House - Bach Choir Pittsburgh
10. In a Mellow Tone - Ernestine Anderson

MDs' Opinions of the Financial Bailout Package

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.

Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, grow up!'

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.

The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the assholes in Washington.

New Years Resolution

I rarely make New Years resolutions but I made one this year. I am determined to do something productive before noon - other than blogging, email, Facebook, etc.

As most who know me personally are aware, I have never been domesticated. Every once in awhile I do something domestic. This morning I made applesauce and spaghetti sauce. This is how I simmer spaghetti sauce. Keeps the red off the stove and everything surrounding it. I think there were 55 meatballs but I've eaten 5. The sauce needs a bit more garlic and considerably more simmering. I used a different brand of Italian flavored bread crumbs which is noticeable but tolerable. When the sauce is suitably thick, it will be frozen in single portions to be enjoyed a dozen more times.

This is the third day in a row that I've been productive. This may work. Maybe I will eventually get the livingroom cleaned up. Don't hold your breath.

Two patients

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a knee replacement.
The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.
The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week and finally has his surgery scheduled for a month from then.
Why the different treatment for the two patients?





The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.
Next time take me to a vet!

A rude awakening

Quoting Susan Russell+:

At 10:00 a.m. Pacific time, the California Supreme Court released its long awaited decision on the property disputes between the Diocese of Los Angeles and former Episcopalians attempting to take diocesan property with them when they left the Episcopal Church. You can read the whole decision here... but if you want to "cut to the chase," here's the bottom line:

"Applying the neutral principles of law approach, we conclude that the general church, not the local church, owns the property in question."

and from another source:

"As stated in one of the out-of-state cases involving the same Episcopal Church, "[t]he individual defendants are free to disassociate themselves from [the parish and the Episcopal Church] and to affiliate themselves with another religious denomination. No court can interfere with or control such an exercise of conscience. The problem lies in defendants' efforts to take the church property with them. This they may not do."

More at Episcopal Cafe.

Forgive me, God, for I am grinning at someone's loss which is not good behavior for a follower of Jesus. I wonder what this will do to the folks like Duncan and Iker and all the others who think they have the only true knowledge of God and can violate the canons they vowed to respect and obey.

Perhaps this is the decision which will allow TEC to avoid further costly lawsuits and get on with doing God's work as described in the Gospels.

Things

Adam seems to be improving and is off the oxygen bed. Still praying. And for my sil who will drive on Tuesday and Wednesday from Ohio to New York state to be with him. Weather could be nasty.

Meanwhile I'm sick. Wonder if it might been the organic flavored coffee at coffee hour that upset my tummy mightily. A bit better now but sinuses are mimicking Niagara Falls. Ugh.

Thanks for all the support from my blog buddies. Those Brits need to get a life. We are a community.