Central update
page: http://www.therealmartha.com/WAR/index.htm
The Whispering Activist Record - Opinions and
ideas, mine and from others, that everyone can use to get involved, make a difference and
lighten the load. Find hoax busters, media hype alerts, timely info, controversy, common
sense, commiseration, empathy, household tips, easy recipes, critter stuff, variety links,
and a little humor along the way.
A
Mixed Bag
Trying to tie up loose
ends here ... below are two of my attempts at a "masthead" using the American
Typewriter font. I've learned it does not show up for most people. The default versions
are definitely not the look I want. My graphic skills leave a lot to be desired, however,
faded as the boxed versions with flag and ribbons and only text below are, they do show an
idea of the goal.
I would be most grateful to
anyone who wants to give it a whack. No can pay - happy to credit you though. The good
news is, I do have my very own custom set of subject headers, courtesy of Diane, a.k.a.
Jazzee. OK to lift for your own use, a credit back here would be nice. Also, Diane has
generously offered to make name tags (see mine at end of page). Send your request to MsAtte2ude@aol.com, I will forward. Subject line
must be
clearly marked, please. I am deleting all unfamiliar/questionable sends.
Apologies in
advance, at a certain point below, almost everything shows up in italics - no clue why
other than I seem to be stuck with some kind of auto overwrite with the Comic Sans font.
The*Whispering*Activist
a.k.a. Martha Jones
Some people are
in the world, some are just on it ...
~ almost a quote from the movie Doc Hollywood ~
These pages exist to
present suggestions and ideas, mine and from others, that anyone can use to get involved.
A whole lot of people are still in disbelief - denial may be the only way to cope at the
moment. That's fine, each person needs time to identify,
sort and deal with emotions as they surface. Everyone is on overload. We all want to do something ... this is my effort, my reaction ... be patient, "it" will come to you too.
"Depression is merely anger
without enthusiasm." That jumped right out of a "Life" list - mad always
has worked better for me than crying. For whatever this project is worth to anyone else,
it's providing me a necessary relief valve. I'm scared, and wary, but not frightened if
that makes any sense. Hard to explain, maybe it's not feeling completely powerless by
giving it my best shot in my best fighting capacity. More about why below.
Once upon a time ... editors -
any columnist for that matter - were to be revered, newsprint was gospel. Trust me, as an
editor, when I tell you not to trust blindly. Writers, broadcasters, producers and
publishers are just people, perfectly capable of making honest mistakes on a regular
basis.
The flip side is deliberate
misinformation - hoaxes have been the scourge of the 'net from day one. Now we have to
question every slant on every issue, no matter the source, right down to possible foreign
ownership. Rumors are flying - when and if "proof" appears, I'll suspect that
too. While I doubt any "undercover agents" are operating on the major airwaves,
who knows? Watch it even with simple opinions or off the cuff remarks from your local
sources. Language is mightier than sword. We all have to follow first
instincts and rely on common sense.
A particularly ignorant piece
condemning the flag as a symbol of freedom and unity is going around. I am not about to
quote. It rambles, making no point except that the author is more than a little confused
about history in relation to present conditions. That's my opinion, find
opinions I support below.
Know this too - the misuse of
the "literary license" certain writers are so fond of claiming, is, in fact,
abuse. One perfect example caused considerable needless worry to the families involved
after reading about rescue workers in New York - glowing report though it was. The teams
were certainly surprised two days later to find themselves, "still in NY."
Numerous calls, made immediately after the first run, informing the reporter all members
had been delayed due to a paperwork glitch, activated no apology or retraction. Verbal
brush-off only, "Well, it made a good story." No need here to name the
newspaper, it wasn't the only one taking advantage of playing on emotion.
I do not intend to keep
harping on this subject, I believe I've made my point. If not, please go back to http://www.therealmartha.com/WANews/index.htm.
Burn the flag
of my country,
and
I'll use my
freedom of expression
to
adjust your attitude!
"Either you are with us, or you support terrorism." GWB
"He
said it best. I would personally have to agree, that anyone who thinks that we should just
'leave things alone' or not collaborate with other countries to end terrorism, is only
condoning it in a sense. For the longest time, we have "let things go" and over
and over again, they continue to happen. 'Seeking vengeance.' Yes, that is what a lot of
people would like to see happen. But what would that do? We would go in, destroy bin laden
and then be left with his followers and other countless, nameless, faceless individuals
from all over the world who would like to wreak havoc on our country and all it's freedom.
Not to mention other countries that have no weapons of defense and have to rely on the
help of other countries.
"Terrorism is nothing more than a chain of events waiting to happen and unless we set
out and merge with the world that will stand up with us to stop terrorism, it is just
going to continue to greater and lesser degrees.
We can no longer sit back and watch innocent people being murdered on our streets. Or
watch their loved ones mourn because they are never again coming home.
"Yes, someone is responsible for these acts and someone MUST BE punished. But if we
stop there, it's only and eye for an eye. Nothing gained, only the almost certain
possibility of reoccurrence. Everyone must band together to stop this violence. Humans,
like every living thing, are born with instincts, most know the difference between right
and wrong. All we need is a fine balance and the world will be a much more peaceful and
safer place for all mankind.
"And if that means that another group of terrorists are stopped before they have the
opportunity to attack, if religion is no longer used as a method of destruction and if bin
laden is captured to suffer in the fate he has bestowed upon himself, then I know I will
feel safer each evening when I turn off my lamp and say 'goodnight' to my country.
"I
for one, support the war on terrorism and the people who are setting forth to act in
it."
Amy, who also
made the signature above, invites your comments: DJAJT@aol.com
I have asked Amy for more of her own too ... stay tuned.
This author (who I also "know")
including this in his regular mailing, I lifted the excerpts below.
Many have asked me if I'm for or against going after the terrorists,
but I don't want to turn this ezine into a stage for politics. I've written an article
that you can receive by autoresponder. It's entitled Fight or Flight ... receive it by
email by sending a blank message to: fightorflight@informationbyemail.com
Fight or flight is a little misleading for the title, because I
don't see many options. It isn't important that you agree with me, the only thing that is
important is that you consider all sides and make up your own mind as to whether we should
go to war or not. That's what's great about living in America, you have the freedom to
choose what you want to believe and the freedom to voice your beliefs. It's not that way
in many parts of the world.
Fight or Flight
by Dennis Gaskill
While I hate war as much as the next person, doing nothing is not the answer. The only
thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.
Those who cry "peace" are able to do so because brave men and women before them
fought and died to preserve freedom. If we're not willing to make the same sacrifice for
future generations, if we do nothing, we will be bombed, poisoned, and victimized in all
manners until there is no one left to fight for our freedom.
The only way to stop them, is to stop them, damn it. They can't be
wished and protested away. They don't seek peace, they seek to destroy until they rule. To
think this battle will go away if we ignore it is wishful thinking that is full of the
death of innocent civilians and the injustice letting those responsible go unpunished. If
you think I'm exaggerating the danger, remember, Hitler used to be a house painter. No one
took him seriously at first either.
Again, the above is an excerpt, see note above
for full version copy.
I fully understand the desire to avoid business
alienation - I wouldn't offer the use of pen names* otherwise. However, my personal and
business choices are now based on which store displays the biggest flag, which site posts
the most support graphics ... same, in reverse, for which associations I have already
dropped and will continue to do so. Each to their own, long may that freedom stand.
*Dennis is the author's real name above, it
happens that isn't the name he is generally known by on the Web.
Now is the time to
gear up for WAR. This a much different war then we ever have been engaged in. It is a
global guerilla war with no holds barred. Our targets are terrorists or future terrorists.
As a former ambassador to the UN under the Reagan who said,"It is a war of
cultures," I believe there is an additional problem in that our Occidental mind
cannot grasp the inbred hatreds that grow in the Muslim and Islamic minds.
We have made so many mistakes in conducting our foreign affairs in the past.
Much of which occurred because of pressures from pacifistic groups and generally the
Liberal minded. Perhaps too from the Christian Right. All of which I respect until I see
the failures such as our current tragedy. To cite a few:
G. W. Bush held back annihilating Saddam Hussein when we had the upper hand.
Allowing the Camp David Accord to go into effect. Herein we give Israeli several billion
dollars yearly not contained in the Foreign Aid Budget. In addition, Egypt receives
two-thirds of whatever Israeli gets. Boy no wonder this incited the Palestinians.
Pulling missile defenses out of Turkey following the Bay of Pigs fiasco at the whim of
Castro. This alienated the Turks for some time and they kicked our Intercept Site out
which cut off intelligence gathering in the Mideast.
I also believe that many Intelligence reports were watered down or ignored at the highest
levels. There was NO excuse for the USS Conn disaster for the collection of Intelligence
was there.
What I'm saying is all the indicators were there and little or no action was taken to
prevent tragedy. So now is the time to do just that. We need to reactivate the draft and
train many people (in the military) to react to biological warfare, chemical warfare and
even atomic warfare on small scales. We must have the military guard our borders and
stop illegal entry and we must round up all illegals and deport. There can be no exceptions.
Even at this time I believe the terrorists have another strike pending. They are gloating
without a doubt as to the success of this last one.
I fear the mail is a bit too long. But what can one expect of an old soldier who got shot
at in two wars and served in another. I went to war in 1941 in No. Atlantic on escort
duty. We had no radar and no adequate "foul weather gear." Went to Korea (1950)
and had no arctic tenting or sleeping bags. Please do not send our military into battle
again ill prepared to cope with a new method of warfare conducted by psychological sick
fanatics. Oh yes, I was a sailor, a platoon leader, a high altitude missile officer and
retired from an Intelligence Command (The Army Security Agency) now extinct.
My friends know me as Bill Hill. I served in the USCG 1940-1947 and entered the US Army in
1949. I retired in 1974 as a Colonel.
Bill
Go for broke
USABrshu@aol.com
Swiped this from Aol, hope it works
on other servers. Not very nice to be so stingy ... methinks Stevie needs to adjust his
britches and rethink that title. OOOps, just realized I need to start typing A capped -
guess the o and l down will have to do for the usual annoyance expression.
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"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who
could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of
the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to
triumph." - Haile Selassie
This was a special request after
spotting the idea elsewhere, rather poorly done. All are welcome to use however you like.
Credit goes to Patti. Vist her page of "rememberings and what-nots" like the
ones below, all perfectly suited for a break from today's worries.
http://members.aol.com/opattiann/JustthoughtsPage1.index.html
Smile ... for
no reason
Give more and
take less
Be a friend
to someone who has none
Reach out to
someone in pain
Listen
Pray ...
always ... in all ways ... at all times
Give up the
past
Don't obsess
about tomorrow ... it's not ours yet
Hug, hug, hug
and then hug again
Walk barefoot
in the grass
Count your
blessings ... slowly
Really
look at nature
Don't be afraid to
say "I love you"
Thanks also to Patti for her
way-too-cool response to my request at the top of the page.
Edited (slightly) from an E:
What to do if you happen upon a
peace rally by naive college idiots (or any such group), to teach them why force is
sometimes needed:
1) Approach ignorant student talking about "peace" and "no
retaliation."
2) Engage in brief conversation, ask if military force is appropriate.
3) When he says "No," ask, "Why not?"
4) Wait until he says something to the effect of, "Because that would just cause more
innocent deaths, which would be awful and we should not cause more violence."
5) When he's in mid-sentence, punch him in the face as hard as you can.
6) When he gets back up to punch you, point out that it would be a mistake and contrary to
his values to strike you, because that would, "be awful and he should not cause more
violence."
7) Wait until he agrees that he has pledged not to commit additional violence.
8) Punch him in the face again, harder this time.
Repeat steps 5 through 8 until all
understand it is sometimes necessary to punch back.
Edited (more than slightly, original follows) from a list:
Aha, Justice!
Killing salami* will only create a
martyr. Holding prisoner will inspire comrades to take hostages for release demands.
Let the Special Forces, Seals ... whoever ... covertly capture the
whatever-"he"-is (certainly not human) and perform a sex change operation (I see
no need to bother with hospital conditions as the original author suggested - our guys
have lots of handy skills). Then return *her* to live under the Taliban.
*TheBub's tag for the
soon-to-be-ground meat (anywhichway we can).
~~~
This is by far the best suggestion I've heard so
far!
Killing him will only create a martyr. Holding him prisoner will inspire his comrades to
take hostages to demand his release.Therefore, I suggest we do neither.
Let the Special Forces, Seals or whatever covertly capture
him, fly him to an undisclosed hospital and have surgeons quickly perform a complete sex
change operation. Then return her to Afghanistan to live as a woman under the Taliban.
From an e-discussion with Rexanne:
One major piz m'off has always
been "taking care of the world" - let's take care of us first. Think
there'll be big changes along those lines, better be anyway.
Are you kidding???
We'll be feeding Afghanistan and the middle east for the rest of our lifetimes, anyway, if
we do any serious damage over there. If we don't, my take would be to gather up all the
money we've "frozen" from the terror organizations and use THAT to feed the
world AND rebuild the twin towers! What divine justice that would be, huh?
I know you're right if we blast,
won't stop me from saying me say. You may have even been the one who sent the idea of
"education and food bombs" - valid idea also, still ... supporting anyone with
plain gimmes doesn't do anyone any good. Ya know, teach a man to fish ...
Absolutely, although
"education bombs" ain't gonna fare too well over there. They don't even have
access to radios other than government (make that TALIBAN) propaganda, they have no TVs
and most of them haven't a clue what a computer is, let alone how it works. Also, most of
them don't even have electricity. Yep, teach them to survive, bring business and/or
agriculture/irrigation, etc. to them, let them work to lay the pipes, etc. Would be
wonderful.
Please feel free to use the pic anyway you like, he has already appeared as
MommieMail's official cover greeter. We'd love to see your ideas too.
Buster the Boston Tooter
Americanism
If you want your father to take care of you, that's
Paternalism,
If you want your mother to take care of you, that's
Maternalism,
If you want comrades to take care of you and everything you do is for the state, that's
Communism;
If you think "if it feels good do it," regardless of the consequences or who it
might hurt, and are in this thing just for yourself, that's
Individualism,
If all you care about are your possessions, what you can accumulate in this life and
things are more important than people, that's
Materialism,
If you want Uncle Sam to take care of you, depend on the government for everything, don't
know the difference between entitlement and benefits, and you think they are totally
responsible for your well being, then that's
Socialism;
But, if you take care of yourself, be held responsible for your behavior, hold yourself
accountable for your actions, feel a responsibility to be a good and productive citizen,
promote the betterment of mankind and bring honor to the greatest country on the face of
the earth, then that, my friend, is
Americanism.
If you are the one person who has
not seen the 11s thing, it's included below. I have no idea who David Pawson is, or who
sent to me - but as David said, "Not sure who did it but I'd like to thank them for
the laughs."
Oh my God! How worried
should I be? There are 11 letters in the name "David Pawson!" I'm going into
hiding NOW. See you in a few weeks. Wait a sec ... just realized "YOU CAN'T
HIDE" also has 11 letters! What am I gonna do? Help me!!! The terrorists are after
me! ME! I can't believe it! Oh crap, there must be someplace on the planet Earth I
could hide! But no ... "PLANET EARTH" has 11 letters, too!
Maybe Nostradamus can help me.
But dare I trust him? There are 11 letters in "NOSTRADAMUS." I know, the Red
Cross can help. No they can't ... 11 letters in "THE RED CROSS," can't trust
them. I would rely on self defense, but "SELF DEFENSE" has 11 letters in it too!
Can someone help? Anyone? If
so, send me email. No, don't ..."SEND ME EMAIL" has 11 letters ... Will this
never end? I'm going insane! "GOING INSANE???" Eleven letters!!
Nooooooooooo!!!!!! I guess I'll die alone, even though "I'LL DIE ALONE" has 11
letters ... Oh my God, I just realized - America is doomed! Our Independence Day is
July 4th ... 7/4 ... 7+4=11!
PS. "IT'S BULLSHIT"
has 11 letters also.
The date of the
attack: 9/11 - 9 + 1 + 1 = 11
September 11th is the 254th day of the year: 2 + 5 + 4 = 11
After September 11th there are 111 days left to the end of the year.
119 is the area code to Iraq/Iran. 1 + 1 + 9 = 11
Twin Towers - standing side by side, looks like the number 11
The first plane to hit the towers was Flight 11
State of New York - The 11th State added to the Union
New York City - 11 Letters
Afghanistan - 11 Letters
The Pentagon - 11 Letters
Ramzi Yousef - 11 Letters (convicted of orchestrating the attack on the WTC in 1993)
Flight 11 - 92 on board - 9 + 2 = 11
Flight 77 - 65 on board - 6 + 5 = 11
Tis better to be
Silent and thought a Fool, than to SPEAK and remove all doubt. - Zen Saying
If you're not crafty, send these links to someone who is. I can't
decide which project to start first. They vary from really simple to somewhat complicated,
patience required. Send ideas and links you find too. It usually comes as a shock to new
readers when I admit to domesticity. Risky though it is to my reputation, needle (or
crochet hook) in hand is a most enjoyable recess from this thing.
All the talk about make do and reuse is nothing new to me. I can not stand
to forever part with a pair of jeans. See Fall Catch All (about the
middle of page) for easy patchwork quilt instructions and several other ideas for putting
denim back into use. Not too long ago I made a cell phone "holster" by sewing a
shirt collar into a pouch, using the existing buttonhole and tab to hang on a belt or
whatever/wherever. Also works as eyeglass case, although I wouldn't recommend for throwing
into a stuffed handbag.
A Patriotic Stitching Special
http://crossstitch.about.com/library/specials/bl_special_patriotism.htm
Miniature Rugs and
other items
http://crossstitch.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ministitches.homestead.com
or www.ministitches.homestead.com - there was a weird message about
password access on main page when I backtracked the URL - try both.
Mini rug is cross stitched on 18 count Aida fabric, 2 1/3" X 3"
- patterns available for $3. each; completed for
$12. (Postage included.) This is not a paid ad, just thought it was cool
enough to include - especially for non-stitchers. Not too hard to figure out
without pattern, would make a neat patch or pin too. Very nice to include in a care
package - see soldier "adoption" links below.
http://www.sewing.org/html/americanflag.html
- For machine embroidery - adaptable to hand sew (I think, have never tried such a thing).
A Dove for Peace
http://crossstitch.about.com/library/weekly/aa091101a.htm
Adopt
a Soldier
People who "adopt" soldiers will send cards, letters and care packages
(optional). To receive complete info and addresses to begin right now, send e-mail to AdoptSoldier, more
info on site: http://members.tripod.com/adoptsoldier
Adoption info also available at http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/
and http://www.milpagan.org/. Don't bother
to tell me if you have a problem with pagans - that would be your difficulty, not mine.
I'll be happy to list any special interest group preference. Mine happens to be K9
military, police or civilian teams. I hope to establish a special group mailing or pages.
I will continue to add critter info here. Animal people already know about heroes - the
rest of the world still needs to be taught that respect. Send your thoughts, ideas,
support links and news to LibbyK9@aol.com. Also
please help yourself to graphic - it was another special request, courtesy of Diane who is
making the regular name tags.
Several search and rescue volunteers are using the larger
version in transport vehicle windows now. Request SAR download in subject line to LibbyK9@aol.com. Pass it around too! Anyone can think
about picking a team at home to support. Ask about/arrange school visits. The range of
services dogs in all shapes and sizes perform is nothing short of awesome. Private teams
usually pay all their own expenses, including frequent out of state travel. The best food
and top veterinary care costs are also necessarily high. Gettin' right down to it though,
no matter how many certificates of appreciation, awards and honors won, a dog is a dog.
See for yourself how a delivery basket of treats can be appreciated.
Graphic courtesy of K9WebWorld@aol.com
YeeHaw,
update - finally have one K9 unit address, write in
care of:
Sgt. Tray Stephens
29th ID K-9 Section
Task Force Eagle
Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia
APO AE09789
Care package suggestions and recipes for people goodies from
several sources are included below. Send your ideas too. Not all APO addresses are
accepting packages right now. Sarah, AdoptSoldier founder, said some APOs are taking
them and some are being held in NY until that APO is ready. Update: "Any
Soldier" addresses have been closed due to anthrax scare.
Also see http://www.makingfriends.com/
for a variety of kid crafts, caps, key rings, etc. to make and send.
TheBub brought up the idea of adopting a soldier's family too. At
the least, anyone can make it their business to check in on neighbors and friends. Pay
screw-ups or any number of problems may exist. Pride often stops people from asking for
help. Remember, the soldiers have each other, there's a great big hole left at home. No
one can fill mom or dad's spot of course, but it's a safe bet newly "single"
parents will appreciate almost any gesture. Take the kids for ice cream, to a movie, fly a
kite or make a big deal out of walking the dog. Use your imagination - hey, if nothing
else, you'll have a brand new audience for the stories your own family has heard a million
times.
Note: deployment mail can take up to a week, or longer, to
arrive.
Regarding metal
content (using coffee cans to pack goodies as some recommend): "The metal cans would
warrant customs to open the boxes before delivery. This might hold up your carton or stuff
may be missing from the inside when it gets to its final destination. Customs regulations
for food are really strict. Better to send baked goodies wrapped in foil and/or zipper
bags, packed in a smaller box so they don't get crushed inside the big one. Foil (packets)
OK, it's see-through. I would try to stay away from regular food all together ... if a
glass jar breaks, it will spoil and ruin whatever else is in the package." Heather
(who has the patience of a saint putting up with all my questions).
Hard candies - Sarah said her
dad used to love getting Lifesavers as they had a double meaning
Snack foods: Pringles, cereal and power bars, nuts, dried fruit, beef, mini-muffins ...
choices are endless
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, lotion, chapstick, soap, eye drops
Clothing: socks (specifically thick boot socks), underwear, handkerchiefs - there is
always a need, sand cuts fibers, especially when laundry is beaten on a rocks - yes they
do that.
Books (anything but romances - that comment from a guy - female adoptees may very well
enjoy a bodice-ripper escape)
Playing Cards, dice, baseballs
Magazines, crosswords, other puzzle books
Notepaper, pens, pencils
Audiobooks (with batteries and a tape player, blank tapes for recording to send home too)
tapes: compilation of music, home radio shows
Prepaid phone cards
Blank birthday and anniversary cards for those who have family back home - you might offer
to do the "remembering"
Vitamins
Drink mixes: Kool-aid, Gatorade, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot cider - anything to help
the taste of their water and it does get cold at night in the desert
Band-Aids, anti-itch stuff, sun block/sunburn relief
Plastic tableware
Dry coffee creamer, sugar cubes/sugar substitute packets
Newspapers
Instant packets like soup (bouillon cubes too) or oatmeal
Wet Ones or the like in single packets
Foot powder, after shower talc
Harmonicas and kazoos
One-use cameras or find out if they have a camera
and what kind of film it takes
Hot
Chocolate Mix
11 c. powdered milk
1 c. confectioners' sugar
11 oz. Coffee-Mate
2 lbs. Nestle Quick powder
4 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 sm. box instant chocolate pudding
(Could add mini marshmallows as well)
Mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container. In any size cup, use 1/3 mix
to 2/3 hot water.
Check back for more
ideas, and send yours to me or any list.
Mike said oatmeal cookies with
raisins were always most prized. Use M & Ms for less messy chocolate chips. Rice
Krispies treats were another favorite. The following recipe for what I call Sin-in-a-Pan
would be a good traveler too. Might suggest picking a good secret stash place, otherwise,
you'll be on the hook for these forever if the whole gang gets into them - I am not
kidding. There are similar recipes all over, this is a family hand-me-down. I still have
not come across the exact set of ingredients anywhere else.
Put one half cup of Karo corn syrup (light or dark) into a measuring cup
and spoon in light or dark brown sugar until the Karo gets to the one cup mark. Heat just
to a boil in a large sauce pan. Take the pan off the burner and stir in one cup crunchy
peanut butter. Then add three cups Special K cereal and mix until coated. Dump into one
large or two small cake pans (disposable for travel - or line a pan with wax paper); press
out evenly, using wax paper or a butter wrapper to protect fingers.
Ordinarily, next, you would melt one 6 oz. package each semi-sweet chocolate and
butterscotch bits together over very low heat. Could do it over over a double boiler if
you ever heard of such a thing but it's not necessary. Spread on top of the the other
stuff. For sending, just include the bags, should be melty enough by the time they arrive
to squeeze out.
On one recipe list, someone said she included cans of ready to spread
frosting with cakes. I'm not a baker, but obviously a light cake wouldn't be the best
choice. Pound cake or the like from a bakery (check expiration dates) would probably make
it in reasonably good condition; even safer would be the little bags of mini-muffins and
brownies.
Popcorn ships light and doesn't spoil or crush. Another someone said she
popped it, added butter flavored Pam and salt, then put it in zipper bags. "It also worked well for a good packing
material for cookies (separately wrapped)."
Popcorn cookies travel well too
Google
Search: recipe for popcorn cookies
Popcorn
Cookies
4 teaspoons margarine,
melted
1 1/2 cups minced popped corn
2 egg whites
2/3 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
blanched, toasted almonds
Add margarine to popped corn. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add sugar gradually. Add to
corn mixture. Add salt and vanilla. Drop mixture from teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.
Shape into rounds. Decorate with nuts. Bake at 325° for 7 minutes.
Ghost Suckers
from LOLHolidayBits-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-
yes, soldiers might like a touch of cute too
Use these for party
favors, hanging them from the ceiling until ready to distribute to your guests. Lay a
lollipop in the center of a white handkerchief, facial tissue, or cloth square (cheap me
tried a used dryer sheet - very nice effect). Gather material down around the stick and
tie tightly just below the head with a
rubber band, twist-tie, or string. Add two black dots for eyes.
You can also use the ghosts as party invitations. Write the party
date and location around the outside of the material before gathering. If mailing, you
might want to use flat lollipops and padded envelopes.
How can we prepare for uncertain times?
Gary Foreman is a former Certified
Financial Planner who currently edits The Dollar Stretcher newsletter. Check archives,
links and subscribe at www.stretcher.com
As a long time Florida
resident, I think that hurricane preparation could provide a good example. At the
beginning of hurricane season you don't know whether you'll be affected by a storm or not.
But, you know that it's much harder to recover from a storm if you aren't prepared. And
that it's much easier to prepare well in advance of the storm. Last minute preparations
are the hardest.
You also know that you'll need basic supplies, good neighbors and a willingness to tough
it out. And that it's not possible to do all your preparations in one day. It takes time.
Preparing financially for a war is the same. We know that it's easier to prepare before
the event. There's no one big thing that we can do to be 'prepared'. We need to do many
small things. And, even if we're untouched by war or terrorists, the preparation won't
hurt us. We should do these things anyway.
Begin with a regular savings plan. First, because you may need it. Some workers will lose
their jobs. They'll depend on savings until a new job is found.
Second, because we may have disruptions in the banking system. The enemy would like to
cripple the financial system. Have some cash available all times. Your bank could be
closed for days. It's also possible that ATMs wouldn't work and stores would be unable to
process your credit card. You can always spend cash.
Savings will also help our country. Saved money doesn't just sit in a vault at the bank.
It's loaned to businesses to help them grow. And that growth means new jobs and
opportunities for all of us.
Some argue that consumers need to spend more. That's foolish. You don't create wealth by
spending. You create wealth by producing something of value.
If you can, buy some stock. No one knows what the stock market will do tomorrow. I believe
that the U.S. will come through this and be even stronger 10 years from now. If so, now is
the time to buy stocks or mutual funds invested in stocks. Over the past 200 years we've
seen tough times. Yet, every generation has been more prosperous than the one before it.
Don't panic sell the stocks you already own. As we've already seen, the economy is
resilient. It will bend. But it's very unlikely that it will break.
A note. I'm not suggesting that we profit from other's suffering. Owning stocks is a vote
for our future. A vote that says that our loved ones did not die in vain.
Resolve to make small sacrifices to build up a 'war chest'. Bring your lunch to work a
couple of times each week. Give up your premium cable channels. Or cable itself. Put
whatever you save into your 'war chest'. You'll find opportunities to use it to help
yourself and your nation.
Once you have a war chest be willing to share it with others. But, begin by being certain
that your gift is used properly. The best charities use no more than 20 percent of the
monies they receive for overhead and fund-raising. All charities are required to provide
you with that information if you ask.
Do something for a needy neighbor. Many families will suffer financially. Don't wait for
the government or someone else to help them. Share your blessings with those who need it.
Provide dinner once a week for a family with a laid off breadwinner. Share the clothes
your kids have outgrown. Be creative. Think of what you'd need if your income were
drastically cut. Then take action.
Stockpile some groceries. You might need to survive a week on the food you already have in
your home. Almost everything you eat is trucked in from somewhere. Interruptions are
possible. Be ready to share your supplies with your neighbors.
Make a friend. We're so rushed that we don't really know the people around us. After a
hurricane we all check to make sure our neighbors are ok. Why not check on those folks
today before the storm? Your new friendship will provide comfort today and be
invaluable if times are hard.
Learn to cook more and buy fewer prepackaged foods. Plastic starts out as oil. We could
face oil shortages. But, even if oil is plentiful, you'll make a dent in your grocery
bills by eliminating those individually wrapped items.
Think of ways to get more use out of what you already have. It's a 'throw away' age.
Perhaps you can't fix your VCR. But you can sew a patch on a pair of jeans. Think before
you pitch it out.
Hold a garage sale. Our homes are full of things that we no longer need. But someone does.
The poorer among us shop at garage sales. If you're embarrassed to take their money, give
the items to a charity that will recycle them for you.
Look for waste around you. We'll probably never get to the point of saving tin foil, but
you'd be surprised how little things add up to a lot of waste when millions of people
contribute.
None of these things by themselves will win a war. But they will make us better prepared
to take care of ourselves, our families and our neighbors if the storm hits our home.
__________
From a Dollar Stretcher reader: It would probably be good to remind people that they can
call any credit card issuer to ask for better rates. It's easier to retain an old customer
than acquire a new one, the credit card company should at least give you the new customer
rate or come reasonably close.
This appears to be legit, not asking any personal info
Economists and
government leaders are saying that consumers will determine the direction of the economy.
Many business leaders and government policy makers need to know what people are thinking.
You can help. We have valued your opinions in the past and want to continue the dialogue.
Your opinion literally counts and is important to us. The survey is short and should take
less than three minutes to complete. http://www.formsite.com/prosper/surveyb1/
Watch outs
There are
reports of telemarketers and people claiming to be rescue workers preying on victims'
families. Unless you initiate contact, treat all calls and face to face meetings as
suspicious. Never give loved ones' social security number and other personal information
to strangers who initiate contact.
This
one was only a matter of time. Subject line; I need help - then, please send contributions
to bring my girlfriend ... yada, yada, yada. There'll be more to list. I said above I'm
deleting unrecognizable mail. I am - particularly any with no subject line. However, I always have "I
need helps" from readers looking for recipes and numerous other subjects. If it's the
garboo majority, I forward to Tos Spam or Tos Email1 - who knows if it does any
good, it's something ...
I am doing my best to categorize, please be
patient. Organization is definitely not my bag. However, I have spent
years collecting and testing tips for making life in general run as smoothly as possible.
That doesn't necessarily mean what works for me will work for you, certain hints may look
ridiculous. All I can say is, don't knock it 'til ya try it. Below find an
assortment of stuff I usually use elsewhere, there will be more. Check links at bottom of
page - pooling efforts now and for the duration.
Organizing A to Z
by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Organizing really can be as easy as A-B-C. Here are 26 ideas - one for each letter of the
alphabet (yea, I know, a little cutesy, some of this stuff does indeed work):
A: Act - Don't put it off until later. If you want to do it, act on it now.
B: Break It Down - Anything you have to do is easier, if you break it down into manageable
parts.
C: Containerize - Separate and organize your things by storing them in see-through,
plastic containers.
D: Delegate - You don't have to do everything yourself. Delegate to work associates or
family members. Use an outside company to outsource some of your work. Or use technology
to your advantage, by delegating to your answering machine, your computer, etc.
E: Eliminate - Get rid of clutter - both physical and mental. You'll breathe easier and
feel a sense of freedom.
F: File - Don't let that paperwork grow into a mountain. File it away in an appropriate
place if you need to refer to it again.
G: Give - Give the things you no longer use or love to a favorite charity organization, a
family member or a friend. Many people will be thrilled to receive your gifts.
H: Home Sweet Home - Find a home for everything you own, and keep it in its place. When
you need something in the future, you'll know its "address."
I: Identify - Before putting items in boxes for storage - or when you're moving - be sure
to identify the contents by labeling the outside of the box. Identify papers in file
folders, by clearly marking the tabs.
J: Judgement - Use your best judgement to prioritize your life. Be sure you're spending
the majority of your time on the important stuff.
K: Knowledge - Knowledge is power. Be sure you're using the organizing systems that will
work best for you.
L: Lists - Make lists for things you have to do now, and in the future. Master Lists and
To Do Lists will help you get things done. Packing lists will ensure you never forget
something again when you travel. Shopping lists will ensure you get everything you need at
the mall. Telephone lists will remind you of everyone you have to call this week.
M: Motivation - A huge part of getting organized is motivation. Once you're motivated,
there's no limit as to what you can accomplish. Get motivated by designating pending
rewards for your accomplishments, involving family members or friends in your goals, and
by making getting organized a game. And definitely stop by the Get Organized Now!
Discussion Forum for lots of inspiration and motivation.
N: No - It's so easy to get stressed when you have a million things to do on your plate.
If you're beginning to feel burdened with too much to do, learn to say NO to some of those
things.
O: Order - Rather than living in clutter and chaos, vow to live a more orderly life.
You'll know where everything is, and you'll complete whatever you start.
P: Plan and Prepare - While spontaneity every once and a while is fun and perfectly fine,
having a good plan and effectively preparing, will help you reach your goals and
deadlines, so you can enjoy maximum accomplishments.
Q: Quality, Not Quantity - It is much better to have a few treasures that you love and
enjoy, rather than having lots of things you don't particularly care for. Always think
quality, over quantity, and you'll simplify your life.
R: Reminders - Use little reminder devices throughout the day to help you stay on track.
Alarm clocks, timers, e-mail reminders and sticky notes are all excellent memory joggers.
S: Sell It - Why not make some money by selling some of those possessions you no longer
want? Try a rummage sale, consignment shop or an online auction company.
T: Toss - If you don't want it, and you can't give it away or sell it, toss it. Make room
for the things that you really enjoy, or that make your life easier.
U: Unused Space - Don't forget about the space in your home or office that is often
forgotten about, such as wall space for shelves or hooks for hanging, or space under the
stairs.
V: Visualize - Picture how wonderful your life is going to be when you're organized. Then
strive to put yourself in that picture every day.
W: Write It Down - Don't try to keep everything you have to remember in your head. Simply
write it down and refer to it when needed.
X: X Marks the Spot - Place an X next to each item you accomplish on your To Do List. At
the end of the day, add up your Xs and celebrate for getting so much done!
Y: You - Don't forget to make time for YOU. Remember, an appointment with yourself - time
for you with no interruptions - should be one of the most important appointments in your
day.
Z: Zone In - Really define what you're trying to accomplish, so you have a clear picture
in your mind.
Now is not the
time to diet. Seriously, a few extra pounds might be welcome if we get to worst case.
Counting calories is a headache we can all do without. Half the people I know still don't
have much of an appetite, others are going for down home comfort food. I am devoting a
great deal of attention to further research and development of the ultimate hash brown
pizza. Never heard of such a thing? I'm claiming as an original invention. OK, maybe
I did see the spark of an idea somewhere. Geez Louise, ye olde dotage has
to be good for something!
Now lemme see ... oh yea ... anything
you like on pizza, that's the ticket. Start yer spuds yer usual way. If you don't have a
usual way, frozen varieties are fine, so are the refrigerated shredded. What the hell,
fresh works too, bake or boil first, then slice or chunk 'em. As they start to brown,
commence ta pilin' - veggies (gotta try marinated artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes,
olives, onion of course, maybe pepper - and I swear, beans and corn ain't bad either);
precooked meat (sliced, diced, chunked, ground, however - great way to use leftover bits);
top off with shredded/sliced cheese. Have yo'self a shameful orgy. Fortunately Bubba
considers any addition to basic HBs to be complete sacrilege. He, he, more for me. There's
no accounting for taste, the man likes SOS. Heaven help us, there are others ... and more
will return indoctrinated. Prepare now.
I will admit, SOS is pretty hard to
mess up. Any enhancement you may try would have to be an improvement on the mess hall
version, although I was recently informed that eggs are the only "legal"
accompaniment. Incidentally if you don't know what SOS stands for and nobody close by does
either, skip it - you don't want to know.
You will need bread, sliced salty beef
from a jar and some sort of cream gravy (as opposed to normal brown
gravy). Easiest is a mix or jar variety, if you can't find that, ya gotta bite the bullet
and make it yourself. Melt a hunk of butter over medium heat, slowly add a few tablespoons
of flour until you have sort of a paste. Add to that, slowly again, canned evaporated milk
(not sweetened condensed - that's a common mistake). Stir until most of the huge lumps are
blended in, and the consistency is more soupy than gravyish. Now dump in the beef slices,
preferably sliced again into at least quarters. Turn the heat to low and wait for
thickening to happen. Offer a taste test and be prepared to "correct" the
seasoning, which will likely be pepper, maybe garlic - Bubba adds Tony's (a Creole thang)
to everything but ice cream so that's a given. That's as far as I can take you - good
luck. Bread to slop ratio will vary.
Coupla quickies that looked
interesting, haven't tried yet.
Coke Dogs
1 lb. frankfurters (all beef recommended), cut into about 1" pieces
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. Classic Coca-Cola
Mix brown sugar and Coke in saucepan and bring to a boil; cook until sugar is completely
dissolved and a syrup forms; put hot dogs in hot syrup and simmer for about 45 minutes to
an hour.
Beef Tips
1-1/2
to 2 lb. round steak (a cheap cut is fine)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can lemon lime soda
1 envelope onion soup
If you'll cut the meat into cubes while it is partially frozen, it's easier to cut. It's
easiest to start with cream soup, adding soda a little bit at a time, mix well. Then add
the powdered soup, then meat. Cook all day on high (crock pot). Serve on rice or noodles.
The ingredients sound kind of funny but it is, indeed, very good.
Creamy Chili Sauce
This was attached to bloomin' onion instructions -
something I would never attempt. They're not that expensive in restaurants, and they go a
long way. The onion bits or whatever they're called at fast food places are relatively
cheap too. You can always ask for extra sauce of course. This would make a good size batch
for almost any veggie dipper. If you do happen to have leftover onion pieces, throw 'em in
the HBs above, eggs, just about anything for jazz up. Oooops, forgot to mention you can
use a tortilla as base instead of spuds for variety. Zap or do a quickie warm up in
skillet with butter, then pile on the meat, veggies and cheese. Salsa makes a nice
addition to any of the above too. I used plain ketchup once when I was out of oil which
produced a lovely caramelized effect. V-8 juice is pretty dang tasty too.
2 cups mayonnaise
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Remove
decals or bumper stickers
Soak a cloth in vinegar and cover the decal or sticker for several minutes until the
vinegar soaks in - should peel off easily.
Skeeters:
Put some water in a
white dinner plate and add a couple of drops of lemon dishwashing soap. I (not me, haven't tried it)
don't know what attracts them - the lemon smell, the white color, or what - but mosquitoes
flock to it, drop dead and fall into the water or on the ground within about 10 feet.
The above two I swiped for
I-forget-where - below refers to other tips somewhere on my other pages (lost track a loooooong time
ago). If you find them, let me know - really. I do know drawing a chalk line works pretty
well as ant repellent. So does a line of dish soap but that's very messy. I realize the
really buggy season is past in most areas - been bit many a time almost any time of year
in warmer areas though. Could be cuz I'm sooooooooooooooo sweet :~)
From Cindy B.
I have used your helpful hints, my house is ant free and my
yard has also been mosquito free.
I have also found that by putting Listerine in a spray bottle and spraying it on my family
and me we are protected when we leave our yard. Also, mosquitoes don't care for basil. I
keep large planters of basil on the deck and my guests have been known to rub themselves
with basil leaves when I am out of mouthwash. It seems to work and I don't have to worry
about using harmful chemicals.
A
platoon of crack Special Forces soldiers has taken the first steps of reprisal.
The heroic force, comprised of A&M corps graduates, has broken into the dog holding
area of the A&M Veterinary Science Building and captured all the Afghans.
OK, you really gotta be an Aggie
or know one to fully appreciate that - I are a Aggie aunt.
http://www.historyswomen.com/
http://www.historyswomen.com/BetsyRoss.html
http://www.oxygen.com/quilt/
- Quotes from political figures, celebrities, and "real" people - add your
thoughts. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Came to
mind? How do you feel now, how are your handling it?
Send yourself a notice using the send to friend
option - then, use as you wish (like below). I don't like adding my friend's names to
other lists. You will get an auto response making it easy to go right back to edit if
necessary.
This Quote Quilt was sent to you by Martha Jones. To pick it up, go to: http://www.oxygen.com/services/quilt/1001/html/1222274.html
AOL users click Here
Need Flash 5 enabled browser to view the quote.
The Making of
the American Flag
http://huntsville.about.com/library/weekly/aa092601a.htm?PM=n3092701a
Campbell's is donating a can of soup to area food banks just by
clicking on a football helmet. St. Louis Rams were at 39,160 - not bad, but not the leader
- Green Bay Packers at 228,287 out of a total 1,163,621 early morning Oct. 2nd - goal is
5,000,000 - cool though, had already jumped to 1,1163,748 in the about five minutes it
took to check back on numbers to list here. Did KC Chiefs a few minutes later under
different screen name: 42,237; total: 166,026!
Click here: Campbell's Chunky
http://www.chunky.com/click_for_cans.asp
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0194021.html
The American's Creed, includes links
Thousands of newspapers on the Net
(States and other countries)
www.onlinenewspapers.com/index_nopop.htm
http://www.linkydinky.com/terroristtoons.shtml
excellent!
http://www.wtv-zone.com/retro70sgirl/4sp/Patriotic/index.html
A collection of graphics and midis - some are excellent, some unfortunately are fuzzy;
midis leave the usual to be desired.
Learn2 Tie aNecktie
http://www.learn2.com/05/0537/0537.asp -
seems like an odd link here I realize, however, if you do the four-in-hand and stop before
the tuck in - down and through #4 - it works very neatly for something like ribbons on
antennae, and what I did for Buster's collar.
That would be me, coupla thoughts first to say
nitey ...
You'll never win a
battle on the shells you fired in the last war. When a new enemy comes, it's time to
reload. - Creflo A. Dollar, Jr.
To fear is one thing.
To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another. - Katherine Paterson
(Negative) thoughts are like birds, you can't keep them from flying around your head but
you can keep them from building a nest in your hair. - Kenneth E. Hagin
http://www.therealmartha.com/WAMixed2/index.htm
Mixed bag 2
http://www.therealmartha.com/WARAwards/index.htm
New! Awards
http://www.therealmartha.com/WAR/index.htm
Central link page
Due to
a variety of mail notification problems, checking central link page once or twice a week
is the best way to keep up. New pages will be listed there as soon as they happen.
Previous:
http://www.therealmartha.com/WANews/index.htm
WA News vs. Fact
http://www.therealmartha.com/WADamageContrl/index.htm
Damage Control
http://www.therealmartha.com/WA919DoxBun/index.htm
WA 9- 19
http://www.therealmartha.com/WA%209-17%20both/index.htm
(as is w/%20s)
WA 9-17
http://www.therealmartha.com/WAwelcomeintro/index.htm
Whispering Activist intro
http://www.therealmartha.com/flagmore/index.htm
THE Flag
http://www.therealmartha.com/WhisperActive/index.htm
9-15
The Whispering Activist first mailer copy
Comments
and questions always welcome, please use clearly defined subject line.
MsAtte2ude@aol.com
or AltMartha@aol.com
Martha Jones, 11469 Olive Blvd. #236, St. Louis, MO 63141
TheRealMartha.com,
real easy recipes for real busy, real people
Feeder's Digest Index of
Recipes, Bright Spots, Dog's Eye View, hosted by Miss Liberty,
ME (Mutt Extraordinaire), Toot - Toot from Buster the Boston,
Granny Greetings, Skewed Views, Classy-fieds, Links I like
and more, and/or SelectiveSingles
http://www.therealmartha.com/FirecrackerDog/index.htm
The Firecracker Dog educational and legislative change effort is on
hold but not forgotten. Animal abuse is tied to a multitude of social problems - everyone must learn to respect life.
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