Cyber Monday
Monday after Thanksgiving now has the name of Cyber Monday.
Good for computer nerdy folks looking for computer and book
bargains. Other delighted shoppers had their day in the sun on
Black Friday.
My Cyber Monday this year was enhanced by the O'Reilly book
company with 60 percent discounts on all ebooks. I shopped
their website and found 4 computer books I really wanted.
One on Building the Perfect PC, 3rd edition, I have been waiting
for. It was released in late November this year.
These were my four ebook bargains from O'Reilly:
1. Building the Perfect PC, 3rd edition
2. Microsoft Expression Web 2 Step by Step, 1st edition
3. Microsoft Office 2010 Inside Out, 1st edition
4. Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out, 1st edition
Imediately after completing the purchase online, the message
said these ebooks could be downloaded now. The mobi version
of each was very quickly into a file on my PC. The Building the
Perfect PC was download in the pdf version also for comparison.
The pdf file is much smaller than the mobi version. Kindle on the
PC was used to start reading these ebooks. On the PC all of
them show photos and graphics in color if printed that way.
Later when I get my Kindle reader all will be in black and white.
That is a good reason to have the Kindle on the PC softerware
on my computer in case some ebooks have a lot of color.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
My Day to Cook
My Day to Cook - November 20, 2010
On this Saturday the soup is our family's favorite chili. The recipe name is
"Chili H. Allen Smith." He is the author of an article with the title: "Nobody
Knows More About Chili Than I Do." It was published on this International
Chili Society website where you can read the entire story and see the recipe.
Check here for it: http://www.chilicookoff.com/history/history_started.asp
Allen Smith grew up in Decatur, IL and argues that Chili was not invented
in Mexico, Texas or otherwise in America. He claims it was invented by
Canary Islanders in the 1720's. Smith says that the secret of making
superior chili lies first in the ingredients and second in the genius of the
cook. Nothing should ever be measured. Experimentation is the thing.
But in his recipe he does indicate some amounts to be used.
Here is a list of the ingredients scattered through a long paragraph in his
article:
- 3 pounds of coarse ground chuck
- 3 medium-sized onions - chopped
- 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 bell pepper - chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cummin seed
- 2 small cups tomato paste, or canned or fresh tomatoes
- 1 quart water
- salt to taste
- black pepper
- 2 or 3 tablespoons chili powder
- or chili pods in place of chili powder
- 2 cans of pinto or kidney beans
Cooking instructions:
1. Brown the ground chuck
2. Add other ingredients except beans in the order listed
3. Simmer for 1.5 hours
4. Add beans
5. Simmer another half hour
6. Let it set for several hours
7. Heat and eat later and remainder into refrigerator
8. Tastes better 2nd day, even better 3rd day, and absolutely superb
on 4th day.
9. One week later, you can't even emagine the delights in store.
On this Saturday the soup is our family's favorite chili. The recipe name is
"Chili H. Allen Smith." He is the author of an article with the title: "Nobody
Knows More About Chili Than I Do." It was published on this International
Chili Society website where you can read the entire story and see the recipe.
Check here for it: http://www.chilicookoff.com/history/history_started.asp
Allen Smith grew up in Decatur, IL and argues that Chili was not invented
in Mexico, Texas or otherwise in America. He claims it was invented by
Canary Islanders in the 1720's. Smith says that the secret of making
superior chili lies first in the ingredients and second in the genius of the
cook. Nothing should ever be measured. Experimentation is the thing.
But in his recipe he does indicate some amounts to be used.
Here is a list of the ingredients scattered through a long paragraph in his
article:
- 3 pounds of coarse ground chuck
- 3 medium-sized onions - chopped
- 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 bell pepper - chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cummin seed
- 2 small cups tomato paste, or canned or fresh tomatoes
- 1 quart water
- salt to taste
- black pepper
- 2 or 3 tablespoons chili powder
- or chili pods in place of chili powder
- 2 cans of pinto or kidney beans
Cooking instructions:
1. Brown the ground chuck
2. Add other ingredients except beans in the order listed
3. Simmer for 1.5 hours
4. Add beans
5. Simmer another half hour
6. Let it set for several hours
7. Heat and eat later and remainder into refrigerator
8. Tastes better 2nd day, even better 3rd day, and absolutely superb
on 4th day.
9. One week later, you can't even emagine the delights in store.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
On the Road Again
My new Garman GPS arrived today and already having fun
learning how to use it while still at home. Tired of traveling
with that old outdated GPS telling me too often that I was
"At the end of road."
This new Garman nuvi 1450T has some interesting features that I
could not enjoy with that old thing. It includes FM transmitted
traffic information. When traffic is jammed up ahead it is possible
to request the GPS for an alternate route. Amazing if it works.
I understand that traffic info is available mostly in or near larger
cities.
I paid something extra for lifetime map updates 4 times per year.
Sitting here at home I tried out the Points of Interest feature. Very
easy to use . I found 4 nearby restaurants, 3 gas stations, several
hotels, a shopping center, and 2 movie theaters. It shows the street
addresses and miles to each. If on the road I believe I can click on
my choice and start traveling to it with the GPS showing the way.
A lot more to learn. I downloaded a 65 page Owner's Manual to
help with the finer points. The quick start manual was very brief
I am no big fan of Willie Nelson but that "On the Road Again" movie
and song title came to mind when writing this tonight.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Treasurers of Heaven
Treasures of Heaven
TREASURES of HEAVEN
in MEDIEVAL EUROPE
Saints, Relics and Devotion
We spent most of the afternoon at this very
large and very interesting current exhibition
at the Cleveland Museum of Art. We
appreciated joining a tour guide providing
excellent descriptions of the many reliquary
pieces for containing religious relics.
Many of these reliquaries are now in current large art museums.
Others are from churches. They are on loan for this exhibition
organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Walters Art
Museum, and the British Museum. Great craftsmanship created
these in Medieval Europe to show the relics for religious purposes.
Many of them are artistic as well as craft objects. Some are quite
large pieces and others tiny jewelry.
Some continue to contain the original relics, often body parts
from Saints, martyrs and other religious persons from early times.
Other related objects are also considered to be relics.
Some very notable examples in the show are these:
TREASURES of HEAVEN
in MEDIEVAL EUROPE
Saints, Relics and Devotion
We spent most of the afternoon at this very
large and very interesting current exhibition
at the Cleveland Museum of Art. We
appreciated joining a tour guide providing
excellent descriptions of the many reliquary
pieces for containing religious relics.
Many of these reliquaries are now in current large art museums.
Others are from churches. They are on loan for this exhibition
organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Walters Art
Museum, and the British Museum. Great craftsmanship created
these in Medieval Europe to show the relics for religious purposes.
Many of them are artistic as well as craft objects. Some are quite
large pieces and others tiny jewelry.
Some continue to contain the original relics, often body parts
from Saints, martyrs and other religious persons from early times.
Other related objects are also considered to be relics.
Some very notable examples in the show are these:
- A large and beautiful reliquary contains a tooth from
Mary Magdalene.
Mary Magdalene.
- Another large reliquary contains a tooth from
Saint John the Baptist.
- A rather small stone coffin shaped reliquary with a cover
is said to contain relics, likely body parts. There are small
holes in the top and one end. Water or oils were poured
in though the holes, and after passing over the relics
Saint John the Baptist.
- A rather small stone coffin shaped reliquary with a cover
is said to contain relics, likely body parts. There are small
holes in the top and one end. Water or oils were poured
in though the holes, and after passing over the relics
came out of a small outlet hole in the front. The water or
oil was collected in small stone flasks, several of these
flasks are in the show. These very given to visitors to a
church or location and transported to their homes for use
in religious ceremonies.
Our guide explained that such reliquaries might be taken to
a location and shown there. Perhaps at a cemetery containing
a Saint or other person. A larger shrine structure might be
built later. Eventually a very large church or cathedral might
oil was collected in small stone flasks, several of these
flasks are in the show. These very given to visitors to a
church or location and transported to their homes for use
in religious ceremonies.
Our guide explained that such reliquaries might be taken to
a location and shown there. Perhaps at a cemetery containing
a Saint or other person. A larger shrine structure might be
built later. Eventually a very large church or cathedral might
be on top of it all. Such is the case with Saint Peters basilica
in Rome.
in Rome.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Towpath Trek Completed
2010 TowpathTrek Completed
Final northern destination today on the Ohio & Erie Canal towpath hike was
the Boston store (in the picture.) This small village today was a major town on the canal in the mid 1800's. Canal boat building was a major industry. The Boston store came later and sold supplies as well as flour and feed. Feed for the horses on the canal I assume.
This final 4th hike in the Towpath Trek was a round trip of 5 miles, starting at Peninsula, OH, hiking to the Boston store and returning to the starting place.
We encountered several forms of current day transportion on this hike. Walking and biking on the towpath, a railroad running passenger trains for recreation, and cars and trucks in I-271 and the Ohio turnpike. Very large bridges across the valley carry cars and trucks. In canal days of course there were canal boats for major transportation between Cleveland and the Ohio River.
The 4 hikes in this annual series were well chosen for a wide variety and experiences.
the Boston store (in the picture.) This small village today was a major town on the canal in the mid 1800's. Canal boat building was a major industry. The Boston store came later and sold supplies as well as flour and feed. Feed for the horses on the canal I assume.
This final 4th hike in the Towpath Trek was a round trip of 5 miles, starting at Peninsula, OH, hiking to the Boston store and returning to the starting place.
We encountered several forms of current day transportion on this hike. Walking and biking on the towpath, a railroad running passenger trains for recreation, and cars and trucks in I-271 and the Ohio turnpike. Very large bridges across the valley carry cars and trucks. In canal days of course there were canal boats for major transportation between Cleveland and the Ohio River.
The 4 hikes in this annual series were well chosen for a wide variety and experiences.
- The Zoar hike was very rural with no homes in view, mostly just the Tuscarawas river, the towpath, and remnants and locks of the canal.
- The Massillon section is now well populated with homes very near to the towpath.
- The Akron section was in the heart of downtown, but most of the canal and locks are still there.
- The Peninsula to Boston store contains a lot of history as well as current forms of transport.
- The Massillon section is now well populated with homes very near to the towpath.
- The Akron section was in the heart of downtown, but most of the canal and locks are still there.
- The Peninsula to Boston store contains a lot of history as well as current forms of transport.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
2010 Towpath Trek
2010 Towpath Trek
Today we completed 2 of the 4 hikes needed for the 2010 Towpath Trek
sponsored by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and Goodyear.
The old towpath has been restored for hiking and bikes, extending from Cleveland south to Zoar. Almost all of the length has been restored with a few sections yet to finish.
Total restored Canalway towpath length not at my fingertips tonight, but likely near to 100 miles. We walked the section going north of Zoar (historic village south of Canton.) Mileage today on that was 6 miles roundtrip.
Finished the day doing the 3 mile hike north of Massillon.
Last Sunday hiked the 2 mile Akron section, from the historic Richard Howe House to the Mustil Store.
Final section for the Trek will be the 4.6 mile hike from Lock 29 in Peninsula village north to Boston Store and return to Peninsula.
Flatlanders would enjoy these easy hikes very much. Very scenic but very flat. No surprise there, where else would you expect to find a canal. On second thought the Akron section is not so flat, signs for the bikers indicate some 5 percent grades. Quite a few locks were needed to get the canal boats over this high point of the canal. The local county name is Summit.
Today we completed 2 of the 4 hikes needed for the 2010 Towpath Trek
sponsored by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and Goodyear.
The old towpath has been restored for hiking and bikes, extending from Cleveland south to Zoar. Almost all of the length has been restored with a few sections yet to finish.
Total restored Canalway towpath length not at my fingertips tonight, but likely near to 100 miles. We walked the section going north of Zoar (historic village south of Canton.) Mileage today on that was 6 miles roundtrip.
Finished the day doing the 3 mile hike north of Massillon.
Last Sunday hiked the 2 mile Akron section, from the historic Richard Howe House to the Mustil Store.
Final section for the Trek will be the 4.6 mile hike from Lock 29 in Peninsula village north to Boston Store and return to Peninsula.
Flatlanders would enjoy these easy hikes very much. Very scenic but very flat. No surprise there, where else would you expect to find a canal. On second thought the Akron section is not so flat, signs for the bikers indicate some 5 percent grades. Quite a few locks were needed to get the canal boats over this high point of the canal. The local county name is Summit.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Humility Lessons
Rencounter = To Meet Casually
Theme today is "Humility Lessons"
Humility lessons are not always desired by some folks and often come in uncomfortable ways. I found a very satisfying source for such lessons in 1992 and have since received such lessons several times each month as a volunteer for Mobile Meals delivery.
Humility comes to me each time I deliver hot meals to about 8 shut in older folks who appreciate them very much. Mobile Meals is the name of the local service here in Ohio, known as Meals on Wheels in some locations. More important than the hot meal is the casual meeting and conversation with the recipients. I may be the only contact with that shut in person that day. There may be other small needed services, especially in cases of physical handicaps.
Other than some travel expense reinbursement we delivery volunteers receive no monetary reward. But each time is another lesson in humility for me. How well off I am physically and otherwise is again obvious. And I feel good about meeting each time with these folks who have become friends. Some folks discontinue the service from time to time but signing on by a new recipient means it is time to have a new friend.
Theme today is "Humility Lessons"
Humility lessons are not always desired by some folks and often come in uncomfortable ways. I found a very satisfying source for such lessons in 1992 and have since received such lessons several times each month as a volunteer for Mobile Meals delivery.
Humility comes to me each time I deliver hot meals to about 8 shut in older folks who appreciate them very much. Mobile Meals is the name of the local service here in Ohio, known as Meals on Wheels in some locations. More important than the hot meal is the casual meeting and conversation with the recipients. I may be the only contact with that shut in person that day. There may be other small needed services, especially in cases of physical handicaps.
Other than some travel expense reinbursement we delivery volunteers receive no monetary reward. But each time is another lesson in humility for me. How well off I am physically and otherwise is again obvious. And I feel good about meeting each time with these folks who have become friends. Some folks discontinue the service from time to time but signing on by a new recipient means it is time to have a new friend.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
47 Years of Hiking Sprees
47 Years of Hiking Sprees
Today we completed our 8 hikes needed for this year's fall hiking spree in the Summit County Metro Parks. My better half and I have competed the hikes every one of the last 47 years. That means the first one was in 1964.
These were our hikes this year:
- Cascade Valley - Oxbow trail: 1.2 miles
- Deep Lock Quarry - Quarry trail 1.2 miles
- Furnace Run - Rock Creek: 1.2 miles
- Gorge - Gorge trail: 1.8 miles
- Goodyear Heights - Piney Woods: 2.0 miles
- Nature Realm - Cherry Lane/Fernwood: 1.0 mile
- O'Neil Woods - Deer Run: 1.8 miles
- Silver Creek - Pheasant Run: 1.2 miles
Today we also started on the series of 4 hikes needed for the 2010 Towpath Trek Hikes. These are on the Ohio and Erie towpath in Northeast Ohio from Cleveland south. The 2 mile hike today was in the city of Akron from the historic Richard Howe House to the Mustill Store. The other 3 hikes are much longer; 3, 4.6, and 6 miles. Easy hiking since the towpath is very flat. Sponsored by Goodyear and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
Frank M.
Today we completed our 8 hikes needed for this year's fall hiking spree in the Summit County Metro Parks. My better half and I have competed the hikes every one of the last 47 years. That means the first one was in 1964.
These were our hikes this year:
- Cascade Valley - Oxbow trail: 1.2 miles
- Deep Lock Quarry - Quarry trail 1.2 miles
- Furnace Run - Rock Creek: 1.2 miles
- Gorge - Gorge trail: 1.8 miles
- Goodyear Heights - Piney Woods: 2.0 miles
- Nature Realm - Cherry Lane/Fernwood: 1.0 mile
- O'Neil Woods - Deer Run: 1.8 miles
- Silver Creek - Pheasant Run: 1.2 miles
Today we also started on the series of 4 hikes needed for the 2010 Towpath Trek Hikes. These are on the Ohio and Erie towpath in Northeast Ohio from Cleveland south. The 2 mile hike today was in the city of Akron from the historic Richard Howe House to the Mustill Store. The other 3 hikes are much longer; 3, 4.6, and 6 miles. Easy hiking since the towpath is very flat. Sponsored by Goodyear and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
Frank M.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
My Day To Cook
Saturday is my day to cook.
Double duty today. Baked bread and made soup.
Lots of fennel still in my vege garden, still surviving after first frost.
Carrot Fennel Soup:
Recipe and description from Epicurious.com:
"What a soup. Carrots and fennel caramelize when roasted at high heat, then release their sweet essence when blended. A drizzle of fennel-seed oil echoes and intensifies the fennel flavor."
- fennel bulbs, carrots, onion, garlic, olive oil.
- sugar, chicken broth, water, fennel seeds.
Squaw Bread: recipe from Bread Machine Magic cook book.
This sweet whole wheat and rye bread is becoming a favorite in our family.
- white bread flour, whole wheat flour, and rye flour.
- honey, raisins, brown sugar liquefied in blender with water and milk.
- oil, salt, gluten, active dry yeast.
Jury is out in our family re the fennel carrot soup. Second helping tomorrow for another vote.
Frank M.
Double duty today. Baked bread and made soup.
Lots of fennel still in my vege garden, still surviving after first frost.
Carrot Fennel Soup:
Recipe and description from Epicurious.com:
"What a soup. Carrots and fennel caramelize when roasted at high heat, then release their sweet essence when blended. A drizzle of fennel-seed oil echoes and intensifies the fennel flavor."
- fennel bulbs, carrots, onion, garlic, olive oil.
- sugar, chicken broth, water, fennel seeds.
Squaw Bread: recipe from Bread Machine Magic cook book.
This sweet whole wheat and rye bread is becoming a favorite in our family.
- white bread flour, whole wheat flour, and rye flour.
- honey, raisins, brown sugar liquefied in blender with water and milk.
- oil, salt, gluten, active dry yeast.
Jury is out in our family re the fennel carrot soup. Second helping tomorrow for another vote.
Frank M.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Simplify
Simplify is the word for today
First thing this morning had the feeling that the world has become more complicated and confused. Some of us need to simplify our lives and get away from some complicated activites and commitments.
Remembered one good practice is to do only one thing at a time, do it well, and complete it if possible. Multi-tasking seems to have become the magic word for some folks. For us retired folks not a good thing.
A famous quotation came to mind:
"For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong."However, keeping that in mind will prevent solving problems more than once, as they continue to fail.
Google provided this source for that quotation:
Henry Louis Mencken (1880 - 1956). The sage of Baltimore.
There is a list of 111 Menckenism including the above.
Frank M.
11/05/2010
First thing this morning had the feeling that the world has become more complicated and confused. Some of us need to simplify our lives and get away from some complicated activites and commitments.
Remembered one good practice is to do only one thing at a time, do it well, and complete it if possible. Multi-tasking seems to have become the magic word for some folks. For us retired folks not a good thing.
A famous quotation came to mind:
"For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong."However, keeping that in mind will prevent solving problems more than once, as they continue to fail.
Google provided this source for that quotation:
Henry Louis Mencken (1880 - 1956). The sage of Baltimore.
There is a list of 111 Menckenism including the above.
Frank M.
11/05/2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Every Day is a New Day
Rencounter = A casual meeting
Every day is a new day and very best thing to do is go with the flow.
Only two items on my calendar but look what happened already and only early evening. Easy to do when retired
- Dr. appointment for annual checkup.
- Delivered some of my home made honey to two friends.
- Assisted my better half with some investment decisions.
- Prepared a list of our garden club members who volunteered for the display
booth at the two Cleveland home and garden shows last January and February.
- Sent Garden Show volunteer list to Mary Ann for club 2010 awards decisions.
- Daily late after noon walk of 1.5 miles.
Frank M.
Every day is a new day and very best thing to do is go with the flow.
Only two items on my calendar but look what happened already and only early evening. Easy to do when retired
- Dr. appointment for annual checkup.
- Delivered some of my home made honey to two friends.
- Assisted my better half with some investment decisions.
- Prepared a list of our garden club members who volunteered for the display
booth at the two Cleveland home and garden shows last January and February.
- Sent Garden Show volunteer list to Mary Ann for club 2010 awards decisions.
- Daily late after noon walk of 1.5 miles.
Frank M.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Definition of Rencounter
Rencounter = A casual meeting
Rencounter or Rencontre: noun, a casual meeting
vt, to meet casually
vt, to meet casually
This blog hopefully will be written daily as a personal record or diary.
It may also serve as a casual meeting with friends and others.
Notes about personal activities, reflections, or feelings will be discussed and recorded.
Personal activities will likely involve:
- Personal computers
- Website design and management
- Gardening
- Beekeeping
- Garden Clubs
- Music
- Art
- Book Reviews
- Cooking
- Bread making
- The Gardeners of America
- Central Great Lakes Region garden clubs
- Travel
Today looking into starting a FaceBook business page for The Gardeners of America. Trying to settle a conflict with a page already there with the TGOA/MGCA name on it. Contains mostly info from the Wikipedia TGOA page.
Who started it and why?
11/03/10
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