This weekend we went to a "Hoedown and Chili Cookoff" because I had volunteered to judge the chili entered in the Chili Cookoff.
After I agreed to serve as a judge, I had to find out how to judge chili. . .
It should come as no surprise that there are numerous sites with chili recipes, but there are also sites that provide basic guidelines for judging chili. The International Chili Society has specific guidelines in its Membership by-laws. (see Article VIII, Section 2)
W. Bruce Cameron tells a very funny tale of his experience as a chili judge. I am very grateful that my first time was nothing like his.
There is a very good explanation of what to consider when judging chili on the Metamora, Indiana site. They are still looking for judges for their November 8, 2008 Chili Cook-off. . . Here's your chance!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Selecting a President
The current US political campaign ads are almost inescapable. While I want to be informed, I do my best to shut out the cacophony of politics that's swirling around. In spite of that, thoughts of the upcoming election do creep into my head.
This morning I thought of the perfect way for the candidates to prove their competence: have each potential pesidential team compete via simulation. Each team is given an identical program simulating world conditions for the next 4 years -- SimWorld instead of SimCity. The team with the best results at the end of the 4 simulated years wins.
Simulation is used for everything from outer space (think NASA) to inner space (think surgery). Doesn't it make sense to have some idea of what could happen when we select people to serve on the presidential team?
This morning I thought of the perfect way for the candidates to prove their competence: have each potential pesidential team compete via simulation. Each team is given an identical program simulating world conditions for the next 4 years -- SimWorld instead of SimCity. The team with the best results at the end of the 4 simulated years wins.
Simulation is used for everything from outer space (think NASA) to inner space (think surgery). Doesn't it make sense to have some idea of what could happen when we select people to serve on the presidential team?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
You've got mail!
There was a watercolor bunny in my mailbox the other day. He'd hopped over from my friend Monette's house. You can see him at her blog. Isn't he cute?
It almost inspires me to dig out all of the stuff I've acquired to make a postcard quilt. Go here if you're curious about fabric post cards.
Speaking of mail, I watched "You've Got Mail" yet another time on Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure why I enjoy the movie so much. I think it may be the way it deals with relationships and the way we handle the inevitable changes in our lives.
If you haven't watched "The Shop Around the Corner", the 1940 predecessor of "You've Got Mail", you've missed a treat. This film, based on a Hungarian play, inspired both "You've Got Mail" and the MGM musical, "In the Good Old Summertime".
Watching all three would make an interesting mini film festival. Maybe I should send out postcards. . .
It almost inspires me to dig out all of the stuff I've acquired to make a postcard quilt. Go here if you're curious about fabric post cards.
Speaking of mail, I watched "You've Got Mail" yet another time on Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure why I enjoy the movie so much. I think it may be the way it deals with relationships and the way we handle the inevitable changes in our lives.
If you haven't watched "The Shop Around the Corner", the 1940 predecessor of "You've Got Mail", you've missed a treat. This film, based on a Hungarian play, inspired both "You've Got Mail" and the MGM musical, "In the Good Old Summertime".
Watching all three would make an interesting mini film festival. Maybe I should send out postcards. . .
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Junk food fling
When it comes my relationship with foods, I've finally realized that I should live with healthy foods and reserve junk food for the occasional fling away from home.
Even though it doesn't take any more time to reach for a bag of baby carrots and a container of dip, I'm much more inclined to reach for a bag of potato chips to go with the dip. So, fling acquires a double meaning - I'll fling the junk food from my house and choose to engage in a rare fling or two with junk food when I'm not at home.
Salsa and baked tortillas cut into pieces make a delicious snack. Here are a few tips to help substitute healthier foods for junk foods.
Happy snacking!
Even though it doesn't take any more time to reach for a bag of baby carrots and a container of dip, I'm much more inclined to reach for a bag of potato chips to go with the dip. So, fling acquires a double meaning - I'll fling the junk food from my house and choose to engage in a rare fling or two with junk food when I'm not at home.
Salsa and baked tortillas cut into pieces make a delicious snack. Here are a few tips to help substitute healthier foods for junk foods.
Happy snacking!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
. . . and then there were eight
Two of our cats, Cleo and Obie, had been staying at the vet's off and on for the past month. Yesterday we brought them home.
Obie was doing much better and ready to come home and keep her brothers in line. The first thing she did when she got home was to run to the back porch for "lizard patrol". The lizards have their own version of "X Games" - they scoot under the screen porch door and see if they can survive being on the porch with the cats before scooting out again.
Cleo had been frail and failing. The vet called us on Saturday afternoon and said she was gone. She is now buried in our back yard.
Cleo found us in Orlando in 1987 when we were staying with my parents and waiting for our house in Virginia to sell. When we moved to Brevard County, she moved with us. The vet estimated her age between 3 and 5 when we took her for her first visit. Since we had been married for 4 years by then, we decided to go with 4.
Our first major adventure with Cleo came one Saturday morning, shortly after we moved into the house. We are far enough off the road that I felt she'd be safe from traffic, so I let her outside. (I know better now!)
After a while I heard her calling for us and I went to the back porch to see what she was doing. I could still hear her, but I couldn't see her - until I looked up. She was clinging to the top of a sapling as it waved with the breeze.
Of course, we had to rescue her. And "we" meant my husband dragging out a ladder and climbing through blackberry brambles while I offered helpful suggestions. After that, we decided it would be best if she stayed in the house.
Over the years we got used to being bossed around by a 5 pound tyrant. She had no problem telling us exactly what she wanted and when. She was a dictator, but a benevolent, furry one. She fussed so much we'd call her a "grouchy old pooh". Pooh became her nickname. We knew she was nearing the end when she stopped fussing at us and spent most of her time asleep on her favorite beach towel.
Even though we knew it was time, it was still hard to say, "Goodbye."
'bye Pooh, we'll miss you.
Obie was doing much better and ready to come home and keep her brothers in line. The first thing she did when she got home was to run to the back porch for "lizard patrol". The lizards have their own version of "X Games" - they scoot under the screen porch door and see if they can survive being on the porch with the cats before scooting out again.
Cleo had been frail and failing. The vet called us on Saturday afternoon and said she was gone. She is now buried in our back yard.
Cleo found us in Orlando in 1987 when we were staying with my parents and waiting for our house in Virginia to sell. When we moved to Brevard County, she moved with us. The vet estimated her age between 3 and 5 when we took her for her first visit. Since we had been married for 4 years by then, we decided to go with 4.
Our first major adventure with Cleo came one Saturday morning, shortly after we moved into the house. We are far enough off the road that I felt she'd be safe from traffic, so I let her outside. (I know better now!)
After a while I heard her calling for us and I went to the back porch to see what she was doing. I could still hear her, but I couldn't see her - until I looked up. She was clinging to the top of a sapling as it waved with the breeze.
Of course, we had to rescue her. And "we" meant my husband dragging out a ladder and climbing through blackberry brambles while I offered helpful suggestions. After that, we decided it would be best if she stayed in the house.
Over the years we got used to being bossed around by a 5 pound tyrant. She had no problem telling us exactly what she wanted and when. She was a dictator, but a benevolent, furry one. She fussed so much we'd call her a "grouchy old pooh". Pooh became her nickname. We knew she was nearing the end when she stopped fussing at us and spent most of her time asleep on her favorite beach towel.
Even though we knew it was time, it was still hard to say, "Goodbye."
'bye Pooh, we'll miss you.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Funeral humor
I don't know exactly how it started, but I have been thinking about funerals and humor lately. For some reason I didn't think to search "funeral humor" until today, and . . . jackpot!
I found Underground Humor which offers: "Gifts and novelties for the funeral director, mortician, embalmer & more!" You can find everything from a guide to shipping costs (How else will Grandma get from Florida back home to Kansas?) to a t-shirt (black, of course) that says "All men are cremated equal". There's even a "Sexy Coffins Calendar" that features handcrafted Italian coffins and scantily clad models.
If you want to laugh, I highly recommend the Chuckles the Clown episode from the Mary Tyler Moore show. It epitomizes the tightrope between laughter and crying at a funeral. I can't watch it without cracking up.
I found Underground Humor which offers: "Gifts and novelties for the funeral director, mortician, embalmer & more!" You can find everything from a guide to shipping costs (How else will Grandma get from Florida back home to Kansas?) to a t-shirt (black, of course) that says "All men are cremated equal". There's even a "Sexy Coffins Calendar" that features handcrafted Italian coffins and scantily clad models.
If you want to laugh, I highly recommend the Chuckles the Clown episode from the Mary Tyler Moore show. It epitomizes the tightrope between laughter and crying at a funeral. I can't watch it without cracking up.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Summer scenery
This little fellow and many more like it have been frolicking in the yard. They are incredibly fast. I was delighted to capture it in a photo.
The kwanso daylily in the background is one of several I planted a couple of years ago. They seem to have happily settled in and are blooming now.
More rain has meant more mushrooms. I found these two beside the driveway when I was taking my morning walk.
A ladybug is hard at work in the garden. Someone else has been munching on the leaf.
The mimosa strigillosa, also known as a sunshine mimosa, or powderpuff plant, is another Florida native that I've added to the yard. I'm looking forward to the next native plant sale at The Green Marketplace.
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