Super Bowl Sunday -- Total Trivia

The Colts versus the Saints - at least I think it's the Saints. I know the ex-Baltimore Colts are playing New Orleans.

I'm rooting for the underdog, but hear from football fanatics that the game is likely to go to the Colts. "Better team." "More seasoned." "They've played and won against better teams than New Orleans."

This may be so: my knowledge about football could fill, at best, the cliched thimble.
My interest in the game is in support of the Big Easy. The city can use the win, literally and metaphorically.

Our focus is on Haiti, because of the horrendous catastrophe there. And yet we still have people who are homeless due to Katrina. The hurricane has had profound impact on 'Lu-zee-anna' and New Orleans itself will never be the same.

So, yes: Go Saints (just checked for the correct name. Got it right!)

Trivia for today:
40 million pizzas and 55 thousand chicken wings will be consumed.

1st Super Bowl Game played in 1967.

Largest crowd at a Super Bowl (Rose Bowl Stadium): Over 103,000

Approximately $55 million will be spent on Super Bowl food this year.

Super Bowl Sunday is the No. 2 food-consumption day of the year.

Ads run about $90,000 per second.

Almost 15,000 tons of chips and 4,000 tons of popcorn will be eaten tonight. Top the chips off with 8 million pounds of guacamole.

Pepsi won't advertise on the show for the first time in 24 years.

Approximately 325 million gallons of beer will be consumed.

20% increase in Antacids projected to be sold on Monday.....

Finish coat?

Spent the afternoon applying polyurethane to 5 windows & 2 doors. 3 doors, 15 windows left. In addition to the windows and doors, there's a plethora of woodwork + trim to coat.

This spring's goals: finish the woodwork. Figure out what to do about the counter in the back corner of the kitchen. Purchase shades for the windows on the east & south walls of the downstairs. The OSB will do for flooring as long as The Big Guy is around. Ah, the joys of renovation!

When this house approaches completion, it will be a charming, snug, restful haven. In the interim, can you say 'Money Pit?' ;)

A great treat for Super Bowl Sunday

Kale chips in the oven: what a great late afternoon snack for a cold, grey day!

Wash & dry a head of kale.
Remove larger stems + ribs.
Rip or cut into bite sized pieces, and spread these on a cookie tray.
Dribble a small amount of olive oil on leaves (I use about 2 tablespoons for a full head)
Season with sea salt, Cajun spices, Parmesan cheese, your choice.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

Tips - don't over oil OR over salt (Yuck!)
Towards the end of the baking period, shake the tray around to see if the chips slide around easily. Don't over-bake; the leaves dry out & loose their taste.

Comments appreciated - what flavorings or spices did you use with success? What should I and others avoid?

Cell Phone Mania

The pups and I were crowding into the house after our morning stroll when I heard a car accelerating rapidly down the road. I looked up to see a blue Volvo sedan go streaking by. The driver's head was bent over his cell phone as he texted madly away.

I commented about this to a group of 20-somethings this afternoon.

One youth responded 'well, they made it illegal to talk on the phone so now I have to text.'

Surprised, I queried 'isn't it more dangerous to text? And isn't it illegal to text, too?'

'But if somebody calls, I've gotta answer!' he countered.

'No, you don't.'

'What do you mean?'

'You don't have to answer the phone. You can simply let it go to voice mail. How many calls do you actually have to take in the instant that you receive them?'

He snorted and turned away, clearly unwilling to see logic in my comments.

'Darwinism at its best. Just don't take me or some other innocent person along with you. It's one thing if you kill yourself. It would be horrible if you killed someone else.'

Am I missing something? Have I been passed by the communications revolution? I am the technological equivalent of the telex when it comes to cellular communication (I do, however, have DSL!)

Puppy Dinners!

I changed over from a grainless kibble to a raw diet for the pups. Mealtimes -always greeted with interest - have become Times of Great Joy. The Big Guy starts drooling, watching me with his ears pricked sharply forward. The Little Princess levitates, all 4 feet off the ground, then plants her butt in a 'SIT!' as soon as I turn around with bowl in hand.

The Big Guy chows down swiftly. The word 'inhale' is apt when it comes to his enthusiasm towards food. The little girl-dog savors each bite, taking lady-like portions and clearly enjoying every morsel of each meal. Her tail wags as she dines, the epitome of a happy eater.

We can learn much from our 4-legged friends. Life is to be lived in the moment, especially when receiving 3 squares of organic meat daily!

I hope I grow up to be like her....

My favorite patient is 94 years old. Despite failing health and managing major life tragedies this past year (including the death of her daughter), she's always upbeat, positive and spunky.

The last time I went to her home to treat her, she beckoned me into her study. Emulating Vanna White, she showcased her hew 52 inch television.

"I'm optimistic!" she smiled.

What a great attitude! I love her.

Out of the mouths of babes

Took a flying trip into Wegman's between appointments. I was tearing down an aisle when I saw a blonde, blue eyed cherub staring at me. I looked away to grab a package & pop it in my basket.

Angel-girl was still staring goggle-eyed at me. Checking my watch, I sped up -- can't be late! I figured my hair was sticking up or I had something on my face. Why else would the tiny tot be so intent?

As I approached her cart, she stuck her chubby hand, finger pointing, at my face. "Look Mommy! Look at that old lady! She's really pretty!"

"Sweetie," I replied, "I'm only a year or two older than your mommy."