As you enter the Conference Room you see that while CyberLethals abound as normal, Lethal himself is not in evidence anyplace.   Abruptly you hear a ding from someplace off stage announcing the arrival of an elevator apparently followed by the unmistakable throaty growl of an American made Iron Horse. Lethal rolls in from off stage left clad in green leathers and looking ore than a little wind blown.

A little fussing with the suicide shifter (miraculously this bike appears to have a reverse gear in addition to the side car) and he gets the bike turned around so he’s close to the podium, shuts the bike down but doesn’t get off it.

Morning-I-found-a-spare-can-of-liquid-schwartz-in-that-Big-Helmet-costume-I-bought-from-Rick-Moranis-for-Halloween. Seems-a-little-might-have-accidentally-found-its-way-into-my-whiskey-flask-while-I-was-putting-the-rest-in-my-bike.-I’m-so-pressed-for-time-with-my-school-schedule-I-had-to-find-a-faster-way-to-get-around-and-all-my-assignments-done. Midterms-are-starting-and-I-need-all-the-study-time-I-can-get. So-you-folks-enjoy-the-issue-I’m-for-to-write-a-paper-do-a-programing-lab-and-watch-some-video-I’m-supposed-to-analyze-for-touchy-feelie-subtext-clues….hopefully-all-at-the-same-time-thanks-to-liquid-schwatz. I’ll-be-glad-when-this-is-all-over,- I’m-sure-as-hell-doing-the-next-semester-way-differently-that’s-for-sure! You-know-it’s-a-good-thing-there-is-so-little-of-this-around-other-wise-it-might-put-coffee-growers-and-energy-drink-makers-right-out-of-business! Gotta -go! See-ya!

With that, he fires the big bike back to life, points a remote off stage in the direction he came from and then roars off, presumably to ride the elevator once again to the ground floor and off to school.

It’s a sure thing I won’t get any from my Professors!

Edna and Bill were quite the item at the nursing home. Even thought they were both 90 they would sit together every every night.
And even though they were too old to make love she would hold his penis in her hand as they sat together.
One night Bill didn’t show up. He didn’t show up for the next two nights either. Edna assumed he was dead, but then she saw him happily wheeling about the grounds. She confronted him and said,
“Where were you these past couple of nights?”
He replied, “If you must know, I was with another woman.”
“Bastard!” she cried. “What were you doing?”
“We do the exact same thing that you and I do,” he replied.
“Is she prettier or younger than I am?” she asked.
“Nope, she looks the same, and she is 90 years old.”
“Well then, what does she have that I don’t?” Edna asked.
Bill smiled and said, “Parkinson’s disease.”

Poor Paul B got inadvertently left out last week so I’m going to make sure I make up for it this week

The Top 5 Super Scary Campfire Stories for Adults

1. The Thanksgiving When Grandma’s Glass Eye Got Lost in the Bowl of Pearl Onions
2. The Hootie &The Blowfish Reunion Tour
3. The Mysterious, Short, Dark Hair in the Soup
4. The “Shaking Swords” The Kids Found in Mommy’s Pajama Drawer

 

And the Number One Super Scary Campfire Story for Adults…

1. The Tell Tale Colonoscopy

I think this holds true for Tests & Class Discussions too.

Fireball BBQ Chicken

Sweet mustard chicken with a hint of cinnamon and whisky.

    12 chicken thighs
    4 tablespoons yellow mustard
    4 tablespoons brown sugar
    4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    4 teaspoons Fireball Whisky (for the rub)
    1/8 cup Fireball Whisky (for the sauce)
    12 oz of your favorite BBQ sauce
    Your favorite BBQ Rub

In a bowl mix the mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and 4 teaspoons of Fireball Whisky. Partially remove skin and fully coat chicken with 1/3 of the mixture and sprinkle on your rub. Put skin back on and coat with the rest of the mustard mixture and more rub. Grill chicken until done. In a separate pan, mix BBQ sauce and 1/8 cup Fireball Whisky on low heat until sauce is well mixed and warm. Use this as a dipping sauce or coat chicken with sauce.

In case you don’t have a favorite BBQ rub, here’s one especially for Chicken –

Chef Paul’s Chikky Rub

This is a great all purpose rub with loads of flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons seasoned salt
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 tablespoon sage, dried
1/2 teaspoon basil, dried
1/2 teaspoon rosemary, dried
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

PREPARATION:

Mix and store

Almond Caramel Cheesecake Triangles

 

 

Prep: 25 minutes

Cook: 55 minutes

Yield: 2 dozen triangles

Ingredients

•  No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 (17.5 oz.) package Sugar Cookie Mix
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup milk chocolate toffee baking bits
• 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon Instant Coffee Crystals
• 2 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
• 1 (12 oz.) jar Caramel Flavored Topping
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Coat bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray. Place cookie mix in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into prepared pan to form a crust. Bake 10 minutes.
2. COMBINE reserved crumb mixture, almonds and toffee bits in small bowl; toss with fork. Beat cream cheese and coffee crystals in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add flour, 3/4 cup caramel topping, eggs, vanilla and salt. Spread cream cheese mixture over hot crust. Sprinkle with crumb mixture.
3. BAKE 40 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cover and chill 2 hours. Cut into 3-inch squares. Cut diagonally into triangles. Drizzle with remaining caramel topping just before serving.

 

Well I guess that’s one way to try and preserve your dignity anyhow. Not sure it’s not getting him more attention rather than less though.

The Church Organist

Miss Bea, the church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married. She was much admired for her sweetness and kindness to all.
The pastor came to call on her one afternoon early in the spring, and she welcomed him into her Victorian parlor. She invited him to have a seat while she prepared a little tea.
As he sat facing her old pump organ, the young minister noticed a cut glass bowl sitting on top of it, filled with water. In the water floated, of all things, a condom.
Imagine his shock and surprise. Imagine his curiosity! Surely Miss Bea had flipped or something..!
When she returned with tea and cookies, they began to chat. The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him, and he could resist no longer.
“Miss Bea,” he said, “I wonder if you would tell me about this?” (pointing to the bowl).
“Oh, yes,” she replied, “isn’t it wonderful? I was walking downtown last fall and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to put it on the organ, keep it wet, and it would prevent disease. And you know… I haven’t had a cold all winter.”

 

Bloody bonkers Dragon now thinks I editorialize at his fecking command because he tosses  a Gordian knot made of razor wire in my lap without so much as a ‘by your leave’ or a heads up? One that has sounded the death knell of many a fine officer’s career for addressing honestly and square on? Just wait until he tries passing that pissed off porcupine I chocolate coated and tricked him into swallowing!

What am I going on about? Saturday Impish ended a featured article that had the title below with the thought(?):

I’m going to let our own Former Marine (there are no ex-Marines!) Lethal Leprechaun to make comment on this article if he chooses.

Standards Must Be Maintained – Especially in the Military

Before I even could  comment another fellow Marine picked up the battle standard and forged his way directly into this politically correct morass.

Howard SbrBiker Zang  November 1, 2014 at 11:55 says:

Okay, I have to chime in here. Having served in the USMC from 1976 – 1983 and having actually been responsible for the training at several different units, at several different levels, I think I have an exceptional grasp of the Marine Corps training requirements and the purposes they serve. I was the Training NCO at Battalion, Base, and Brigade levels. That being said, Here is my take on the idea of reducing the requirements in order for women to be able to pass them. First off; Training is conducted to ensure that an individual is not only proficient at a task, but also competent enough in order to successfully complete that task. Secondly; Pass/Fail standards are set in order to adequately evaluate those who have received the training and to eliminate those who fail to qualify. Lastly; the whole purpose of all this training, and the qualifications, is to ensure that our personnel are fully capable of performing their primary function of protecting our country and themselves! Lowering these standards, which the Marines keep high so that they remain the finest fighting force in the world, would only serve to enable improperly trained or unqualified individuals to fulfill roles to which they are incapable of successfully serving. Thus reducing the effectiveness of our forces and diminishing our ability to properly fulfill our missions. Doing so simply to allow women into these roles is an insult to our country, our military and our service members, both male and female. Besides, how can you demand equal treatment, yet expect that the standards be lowered in order for you to be able to be “equal’? To paraphrase another statement, “equal is, as equal does..” It’s a bad idea, in my book, and a true disservice to ourselves! Okay, end of rant… Thanks for the great work, and keep on keeping on!!

Thanks for establishing the beach head and holding the line before reinforcements arrived Howard. Now here are my thoughts on the thorny issue as I posted them Saturday:

Thanks for putting me in the commentator’s spot light w/o so much as a heads up you flying sand bagger! You  just remember ,Paybacks (@ exorbitant interest rates)…yadda yadda yadda. Next time you go flying have them show you how the ejection seat works and the time AFTER that the parachute! I suggest doing it over the Everglades so the gators can cushion your landing too.

As far as women in the military in combat roles. There are quite a few that go/fly in harms way. I seem to recall a Meg Ryan movie about a female para rescue chopper pilot who got a medal for what she died doing. Many are undertaking combat pilot roles. I seem to recall there being photos making the rounds of an all female KC-135 flight crew about 2 years ago. There are female troop commanders, base commanders, ship Captains and Generals.

LtCol Sarah Deal Burrow, United States Marine Corps, became the first female Marine selected for Naval aviation training, and subsequently the Marine Corps’ first female aviator in 1993. Vernice Armour is a former United States Marine Corps officer who was the first African-American female naval aviator in the Marine Corps and the first African American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. She flew the AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and eventually served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Maj. Elizabeth Okoreeh-Baah, is the first female Marine V-22 Osprey tilt rotor pilot. Lt. Col. Jenifer Nothelfer, a CH-46E (twin rotor) helicopter pilot now in the Individual Ready Reserve. On 19 November 2010, Lt Col Ali “Rocky” Thompson made history by becoming the first woman Marine pilot to command a squadron. Lt Col Thompson, a CH-53E pilot, took command of HMH-464 on board MCAS New River, NC. Major Anne McClain was qualified in the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in December of 2005 and graduated number one in her flight school class. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in July 2007 and spent 15 months as a maintenance platoon leader and Squadron intelligence officer, flying 900 flight hours as pilot in command in the Kiowa Warrior.

These were ALL jobs they were given the equal opportunity to qualify for, they were given the opportunity to show they could do the job equally well as those whom were already performing it by passing the same test(s) they did. I have no problem with these military personnel whatsoever, they have proven themselves and earned the right to their job and rank.

What I DO have a problem with is when people try to tell me that ‘Equal Opportunity’ (the policy of treating employees and others without discrimination, especially on the basis of THEIR SEX, race, or age.) should be interpreted as affirmative action (an action or policy FAVORING those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination) with regard to gender in the military.

IT IS A PURELY SCIENTIFIC FACT THAT WITH REGARD TO PHYSICALITY MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY. Yes you have those female steroid sucking body builders that might well be stronger than some men. Those women want to, enlist in the Corps, pass the Marine IOC (Infantry Officer Course) and its initial CET (Combat Endurance Test) and prove themselves capable of humping a 124# combat pack 9 miles in 3 hours then I have no problem with them joining a Marine combat team.. If they can’t then they got their shot, the same Equal Opportunity as the rest of the Marines.

The key point being missed here is not about the fact that SWAN feels women are left out-trust me we fight on our soil against an invasion force I have full confidence every 3rd partisan is going to be a (as the same people who are whining about this would call them) ‘gun happy female’. The point is that passing this test on an EQUAL Opportunity under EQUAL CONDITIONS tells your team mates something extremely important to fellow Marines.

Namely that you are worth and capable of being trusted with their lives and can be counted on under extreme conditions. If you can’t hump a 124# combat pack 9 miles in 3 hours can anyone you are teamed with count on you to carry, assist in carrying their wounded body to safety under hostile conditions? That level trust in an integral part of any Marine Combat team.

Further if we apply the ‘Affirmative Action’ interpretation that SWAN demands to ‘Equal Opportunity’ by (in the example given) lightening their load to lets say 100# that means the other members of her 4 man fire team have to carry and extra 6# that she cannot or do without. That 24# is likely to be ammo, w/o ammo a fire team is combat ineffective or in other words DEAD MEAT. SO she’s endangering 3 other people lives to be there but the feminist are happy about her being there. Wonder if they will be equally as happy when she is responsible for the death of that entire fire team for not being able to carry her weight because she got there NOT through ‘Equal Opportunity” but rather though mislabeled ‘Affirmative Action’. Wonder if the feminists will step up and demand Equal Opportunity make those death notifications their mislabeled ‘Affirmative Action’ is responsible for?

In summation- prove you belong where you are and have ALL the skills, AT A LEVEL EQUAL TO EVERYONE ELSE IN YOUR JOB.  Then I have no problem with you, until you screw up or prove otherwise. Get there through the Liberal’s version of Equal Opportunity which is actually mislabeled and misplaced Affirmative Action then yes I have a HUGE problem with you and will do everything I possibly can to protect those in my command from the threat you pose to them.

THAT IS ALL DISMISSED.

Welcome to a very special day in the mythos that Dragon Laffs and Leprechaun Laffs resides.  This is the day that the veil between the world that most people live in and the world of the Fae and the mythological is the thinnest. 

Today, all things are possible.  Today you can see ogres ordering coffee at your local Starbucks, fairies eating pizza in alleyways, giants  putting stars on top of Christmas trees (well, in department stores, since they are already pushing Christmas stuff) and dwarves with mining gear returning from work.  And no, for the record, they don’t sing “Hi-Ho!”

Most of DL&LL Electronic Media will be on hiatus since they can roam freely (pretty much) where and how they want.  24 hours of freedom.  If you ever wanted to spot a real dragon, today is the day to do it. 

Today, most magic will not work.  At least for the non-magical/mythical creatures.  Your human spell casters and magic weavers have no powers today.  The inherently magical, dragons and leprechauns and such, have additional powers that we only get once a year.

And it’s all saved up for the grand-damnedest party EVER.  The only way that humans can go to this party is for them to be escorted by one of the mythical.  And quite honestly, many of them never return.  They are swooned by the Fae, bedazzled by the little people or used as playthings of the super heroes.  Complete and utter debauchery is the main entrée for the evening and nothing is impossible.

As you can well imagine, myself and Lethal were going to invite Ginny and Diaman…seems that we were too late in the asking and missed out.  Diaman is believed to be being escorted by Thor and Ginny by The Dark One Himself.

So, rather than go stag, I’m sending out this notice that any of you fine ladies out there who would like to accompany me to this exclusive bit of lasciviousness please let me know as soon as possible by return email at impishdragon@impishdragon.com .  Please include pictures, resume and other pertinent information.

Last week, I took a little trip to Florida.   Left on Monday, returned on Tuesday.  Some of you may think that I didn’t have enough time to do anything with those kinds of time constraints, but the coolest part took place on the plane.  Tune into the Last Word today and you can see the whole story.

Don’t forget…tonight is Daylight savings time.  Not sure if we’re in savings or standard, but I do remember that spring ahead and fall back.  So, tonight we set our clocks back.  That’s an extra hour of sleep for yours truly since I’m working this weekend… AGAIN!

Here’s your reminder:

 

Let’s get right into this week’s Poll.  You’ll like this one…  But we’re going to need EVERYONE to play!  Otherwise we won’t get enough answers to make it worthwhile, so PLEASE try the poll.

 

This is a great one from Ginny:

 

Election day is just about here. 

This Tuesday is it. 

It’s your chance to make a difference. 

Your chance to voice your opinion.

There is a lot at stake this election, even if it isn’t a presidential one.  There may not be a single person you want to vote for, but I’ll bet there are a lot you wish to vote against. 

BESIDES…you DO NOT have the right to bitch, if you DID NOT exercise your right to VOTE!!!

 

 

This is some really good reading.  Enjoy.

 

Last year, I went out trick or treating as a black dragon.  I think I looked damn good!

 

Why Sharks Circle You Before Attacking…

“First we swim around them a few times with just the tip of our fins showing.” And they did.

“Well done, son! Now we swim around them a few times with all of our fins showing.” And they did.

“Now we eat everybody.” And they did.

When they were both gorged, the son asked, “Dad, why didn’t we just eat them all at first? Why did we swim around and around them?”

His wise father replied, “Because they taste better if you scare the shit out of them first!”

 

 

 

 

I would call this a dragon rant, or a mini rant, but the fact of the matter is, that I can’t find anything in this essay to disagree with.  It is excellent the way that it is.

Standards Must Be Maintained – Especially in the Military

A couple of days ago an article was posted by Aaron MacLean entitled “Pressure Grows for Marines to Lower Standards for Women“.

Naturally I was intrigued and concerned. Heck, anyone who understands the job of our military should be concerned by that headline. One doesn’t have to have served to get that the military has high standards for a reason.

The article has to do with the Marine IOC (Infantry Officer Course) and its initial CET (Combat Endurance Test). Actually the article has more to do with military being increasingly run as a social experiment rather than a fighting force.

MacLean reports the 24 women had attempted the CET and none made it all the way through.

The Marines, as are the other branches, are being pushed to introduce women into combat roles, so when three women (not part of the original 24) made it through the initial stage, the news was widely reported and heralded. Yet when all three of the women were dropped for not meeting later physical requirements, MacLean found but one report – the Christian Science Monitor.

The three women, as well as three men, failed on a 9 mile hike. They had, according to the Monitor report, three hours to move 9 miles caring 124 pound packs. After falling behind for a second time, they were out.

The military does not discriminate. If you can’t do the job – you’re out. It’s that simple.

But in today’s feminized society that’s not good enough. MacLean writes that groups from Washington are pressuring the Marines into lowering their standards.

Sound familiar? Over the years we’ve all heard reports of police and fire departments standards being lowered to recruit more women.

Within the military ranks, no one is complaining, or very few. It’s, as it always is, outside agitators, like the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) trying to stir things up.

MacLean adds that the SWAN activists’ complaints about the procedures of the school indicate that they are perfectly happy to alter and lower the quality of training to achieve their goal.

But this nonsense didn’t happen overnight. In fact in 1999 Phyllis Schlafly penned a column entitled, “The Feminization of the US Military“. She wrote: “For 25 years, the feminist have been demanding a gender-neutral military. What they really want is for feminists to give the orders, with the men cowed into submission, and Bill Clinton is helping them to pursue their goal.”

One example she cited was, “At Minot Air Force Base, N.D., the practice is to send two officers down to the base of the missile silo, where they spent 24 to 48 hours secluded in a space about the size of a school bus, with one bed and one bathroom behind a curtain. The Minot missile force has 250 men and 83 women, resulting in the high probability of mixed gender two-person crews. Lieut. Ryan Berry, a Catholic and married, objected to being so cozy for so long with a woman not his wife. He was punished by his commanding officer, who spouted the feminist mantra that ‘equal opportunity’ is the Air Force’s top priority.”

Really? That’s the mission? And here I thought it was to kill the enemy and break things. Guess I’d better get “in step”. Schlafly put it a bit more eloquently saying that, “The purpose of the military is to defend Americans against the bad guys of the world. The warrior culture, with tough, all-male training, is what attracts young men into the armed services and motivates them to sacrifice personal comfort and safety while serving their country in uniform.”

Her conclusion is even more applicable today than it was in 1999. “Most of this destructive social experimentation to create a gender-neutral military has been implemented, not by law, but by executive orders and regulations.” Sound familiar?

“We need a real man in the White House with the courage to stand up against the radical feminists. Which of our aspiring Commanders-in-Chief will promise to overturn the feminist agenda and rebuild our once great military into what it used to be: a fighting force that can defend America?”

I couldn’t have put it better myself and with the 2016 presidential election season beginning the day after the midterms, we should start asking our prospects now.

I’m going to let our own Former Marine (there are no ex-Marines!) Lethal Leprechaun to make comment on this article if he chooses.

 

You’re not going to believe this…I KNOW you’re not going to believe this, but I’m going to try anyway.  This is a picture from Halloween 2010…now granted, magic was used in the costuming, I believe you can even see evidence of that in the photograph above … but this is, from left to right, Impish Dragon and Lethal Leprechaun!  Yup, tis the honest truth I be telling you!

Wow.  Talk about a colossal explosion!  You gotta watch this one:

 

I’m trying to train my dog to perform this excellent trick:

Here’s my progress so far:

Okay, so I’ve really got my worked cut out for me.  I’ll be back in a minute, I’ve got to get her a beer.  Be right back.

 

My dad, Papa Dragon Most Senior, sent this to me, and I’m including it all, in total:

 

 

I’m not sure who’s cat this is, but it seems to me that he’s had some sort of contact with Lethal’s Ninja Kitties!

And I’m pretty sure that this cat has had some sort of contact with Impish Dragon’s Dog Baileigh!

 

And I’m 100% sure, that this dog has been trained extensively by the Izzy Dragon!

 

See Lethal!!! I’ve told you over and over that horses and dragons DON’T get along.  They are for eating, not for riding!!!

And that, dear campers, is the response I normally get from Lethal when I complain about anything like horses.

 

And this one is from my brother the Owl…

 

 

Amen!  I’m all for treating people with respect and treating them fairly, but why in the world are we trying to play nice with the people who are not only NOT interested in playing nice themselves, but are, instead, more interested in separating our heads from the rest of our bodies.

During an active shooter incident, you don’t try to treat the shooter nice or respectfully, you point a gun at him, you tell him to put his weapon down and when he does ANYTHING other than obey, you kill him.  Why is this so difficult to understand?

The problem is that our country is being led down a path that we, as a whole, don’t want it to go.  I don’t know of anyone who is actually working for a living, who is better off, safer or more comfortable than he was before the current administration took over.

Folks, Tuesday is your chance to take a step in the right direction and take back our beloved America.  Go out and vote.  It’s the very least you can do.

Okay, so like I told you in the opening, last week I had to make a short trip to Florida, from out little base here in Indiana.  Normally, commercial non-stop flights from Indianapolis to Tampa take 4.5 hours.  Add in the two hour driving time on our end and the one hour on the other end and your now looking at 7.5 hours.  Throw in AT LEAST 2 hours for red tape and your looking at around 10 hours travel time.  Enough time to get some sleep and be ready to return the next day…with nothing accomplished.

We, on the other hand, didn’t have to drive to Indianapolis, we climbed on a military aircraft right here on base and 4 hours later we were at our destination with plenty of time left to have the first of several meetings we flew down for.

Plus, we made a stop on the way.  No, we didn’t land anywhere, we stopped….well, slowed down some, for gas.  Oh, we didn’t get gas, we GAVE gas.  Check out these pictures!!!!!!

Yup, that’s a two-seater F-16 Thunderbird getting gas from one of our KC-135s.  I was back in the Boom Operator’s position and got some great pictures.  And no, before you ask, I was not passing gas.  There are three cushions back there side by side and the boomer controls the operations from the middle one.  The other two are for observers and instructors.

Here’s another shot:

One of those was from my digital camera and one from my phone.

Well, we had our meetings and the next day it was time to leave.  While we were meeting, our aircraft and crew were busy refueling a bunch of other aircraft, the last flight of which was delayed, so we actually waited in a bus on the tarmac for them to return.

Once it landed, we had to wait for our flying gas station to get more gas.

After that, they rolled up the stairs and it was time for us to leave

That was when the second coolest thing happened.  I was asked if I wanted to do the take off and the first part of the flight from the “jump seat”.  It is a little seat that sits right behind the pilots and in between.  That was just about as, if not more cooler than being in the boomer pod during a refuel.
This was my view

and just to show that I was indeed there, the guys graciously took a you were there photo for me.  That’s me in the middle.  The one with the really goofy grin on his face because he was back to being a 15 year-old kid who’s every dream had just been captured in a two day flight.

The cool thing was, I was hooked up to the communications system and could not only talk to the whole flight crew, but I could hear the radio traffic and everything else.  It was quite an experience.

And now, in a VERY small way, you guys got to share the experience with me.

As you approach the briefing room seems rather dimly lit and what lighting there is seems to be flickering. You peer in to find a decor that appears to have been recreated out of leftover Hogwarts props from the Harry Potter movies.

A short individual dressed apparently as ‘Big Helmet’ from the movie Space Balls points in your direction and says”YOU! Find a seat were almost ready to start! Don’t complain about the Candy Corn Trick or Treat gift on each spot on the benches either. You have no idea how much Schwartz it took to keep it out of the hands and mouth of a hopped up on sugar Dragon.”

He heads for the stairs to ascend to the podium and trips over something. He stops and 2 CyberLethals dressed as security bots from the 1979 Disney movie ‘The Black Hole” help Lethal remove his big helmet.

Begorrah! Not only is that thing hot, stuffy and heavy, you can’t see a bloody thing out of it!  I’m bloody well telling Rick Moranis I want me gold back for it! Things a bloody death trap.

In case ye’ve not made the intellectual leap Friday is Halloween. While this might not be me usual normal big deal issue, I’ve tried to  special it up a bit in keeping with our décor this week.

What was that in the back? What do you do with your candy corn if your not insane enough to eat it? Well I’ve it on good authority that the dust bin in the corner over there is actually Impish in his office Halloween costume ,so you might as well toss it inside. Yes I agree quite realistic looking. What gave him away? The puddle of Dragon drool growing under it and his conspicuous absence from the room.

Now if you’ll excuse me I’m sure I have a deadline looming for one class or another.

So I went to confession on Saturday evening before Mass and started with the usual.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been 4 weeks since my last confession.

Last night, I beat the living s..t out of an Obama supporter.”

The Priest responds, “My son, I’m here to forgive your sins, not to discuss your community service.”

AMEN !

Its been years since Impish was that lucky!

 

How to Turn a Cute & Innocent Teddy Bear into a Man-Eating Grizzly Zombie for Halloween

http://halloween-ideas.wonderhowto.com/how-to/turn-cute-innocent-teddy-bear-into-man-eating-grizzly-zombie-for-halloween-0149171/

The Top 5 Zombie Pick-Up Lines

1. “The first time I saw you, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Guess I was half right.”
2. “Ya know, brains aren’t the only thing I’m good at eating…”
3. “I used to have sex all the time, but things have fallen off.”
4. “I’m Keith Richards, nice to meet you.”

And the Number One Zombie Pick-Up Line…

1. “Nice piece of ass you’ve got there; whose is it?

Frankenstein wasn’t very compliant.
He was mad and annoyed and defiant.
But he happened to pass Anger management class__
And turned into The Jolly Green Giant.

A monster that took many dips
In Loch Ness grew so wide in the hips.
It was her sea food diet: She would see food, then try it.
She especially liked fish and ships.

A witch burnt her butt on a candle.
She was angry. It was such a scandal.
She jumped on her broom And zoomed to her doom.
Went too fast,  so she flew off the handle!

An innocent fellow named Tim
Met a zombie quite horrid and grim.
Tim patted its head Before it had fed.
I wonder what happened to him.

A ghost and a witch with a broom
And a ghoul and a bat in a room
Stayed up very late So that they could debate
About who should be frightened of whom!

Speaking of Diamen she sent Impish and I this photo of her Halloween costume. She was apparently shooting for being a cousin of Daisy Mae from Dogpatch…one Diaman Mae from Pumpkinpatch.

Strangely both Impish and I now have a hankering for pumpkin pie!

Imagine that!

Double Trouble [Harry Potter Film]

 

I’m not sure if there is a trick involved but I found this next video a heck of a treat

A MUST SEE TAP DANCE DUEL BY US SEMINARIANS!!

Video of priests’ dance-off goes viral

American priests studying in Rome light up the stage with dance

A video of two priests engaged in a hearty dance-off has gone viral.

The Rev. David Rider, 29, of Hyde Park, New York, and the Rev. John Gibson, 28, of Milwaukee, are American priests studying in Rome. They first shot to Internet fame when they were filmed dancing in April during a fundraiser at the North American College.

Rider’s specialty is tap, while Gibson’s is Irish dance.

 

Doh…nutzzzz! DOH…NUTZZZ!

 

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Total Time:  1 hr. 10 min
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 50 min
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Level: Easy

Ingredients

Casserole:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish
One 12-ounce bag egg noodles (or 4 cups)
Kosher salt
1 pound  tuna in oil, drained and flaked
10 ounces frozen peas, thawed
1 1/2 cups shredded Irish Cheddar
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon whole dried thyme
Freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
2 cups heavy cream

Topping:

3 cups panko breadcrumbs (Japanese)
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the casserole: Preheat the oven to 375degrees F. Butter a 13- by 9-inch ovenproof dish or lasagna dish and set aside.
Cook the egg noodles in salted boiling water according to package directions for al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and immediately place the noodles in a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking. Once cooled, drain and then pour the pasta into a large bowl with the tuna, peas and both cheeses. Toss to combine.
In a large pan with straight sides, add the 2 tablespoons butter, the olive oil, onions and thyme. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and cook on medium heat until the onions are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and cook gently until tender and darkened, about 5 minutes more. Add the Worcestershire sauce and horseradish, and then sprinkle the flour over the entire pan. Stir to help the flour soak into the vegetables and cook a minute more to lose the flour taste. Raise the heat to medium-high and add the chicken stock. Cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes, and then slowly stir in the heavy cream. Simmer until the cream is thickened slightly, about 4 minutes more. Taste and season with salt if needed. Pour the mushroom sauce over the prepared noodles in the large bowl and quickly stir to combine. Immediately pour into the prepared dish.

For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and olive oil. Season with a sprinkle of salt and a grind or two of pepper. Stir until the crumbs soak up the oil evenly. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the dish and place, uncovered, in the oven until the sides are bubbly and the top is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.

 

TOFFEE POKE CAKE

1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size), plus box ingredients 
1 jar (17 oz.) butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping
1 carton (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 Heath candy bars (1.4 ounces each), chopped

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using a greased 13×9-in. Baking pan.
Cool on a wire rack.
Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes in cake.
Pour 3/4 cup caramel topping into holes.
Spoon remaining caramel over cake.
Top with whipped topping.; sprinkle with candy.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Yield: 15 servings.

 

No-Bake Peanut Butter-Chocolate Bars

Total Time: 4 hr. 10 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 4 hr.
Yield: 12 bars
Level: Easy

 

 

 

Ingredients

Crust:
Cooking spray
24 chocolate wafer cookies
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 ounces semisweet chocolate morsels, melted
Filling:
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter
1/2 cup 2-percent Greek yogurt
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Topping:

1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts
Kosher salt

Directions

For the crust: Line an 8-inch square pan with foil so it overhangs on two sides and lightly coat with cooking spray. Process the cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter and process again until the crumbs are coated with the butter; add the melted chocolate and process until the mixture is the texture of very wet sand. Using an offset spatula, press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, cover and refrigerate while preparing the filling. Clean out the food processor bowl.
For the filling and topping: Add the cream cheese, peanut butter, yogurt and sugar to the bowl of the food processor and process until smooth and combined. Pour the mixture over the crust and smooth with a spatula. Top with the peanuts and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate until set slightly looser than cream cheese, about 4 hours up to overnight.
Run a knife around the edges of the mixture to loosen, use the foil handles to lift it out, cut into 12 bars and serve chilled.

 

Here’s another little scare for the likes o ya wee mortals! After Halloween there are only 54 shopping days till Christmas! <giggling> Oh Begorrah! I never get tired of the panicked screams that come after that announcement!

This Halloween costume costs $1.6 million

Million Dollar Morphsuit is encrusted head to toe with 70,000 diamonds

Author: By Kathryn Vasel CNNMoney

Million Dollar Morphsuit

Availability: Made to order in 4-6 weeks

Size: Bespoke Custom Fit

For when the Tuxedo Morphsuit just isn’t smart enough Morph into a million, literally. If you like bling, shiny things and have £1million lying around the one and only Million Pound Morph is the morphsuit for you.

• 1 Million Facebook fans can’t be wrong.
• We started this, we’re the original and we are the best.

 

 

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) – What does a million-dollar Halloween costume look like? Hint: It gives new meaning to the phrase “dripping with diamonds.”

The Million Dollar Morphsuit is encrusted head to toe with 70,000 diamonds. While the costume is currently locked away in a vault in London, it can be purchased by anyone willing to shell out £1 million ($1.6 million).

The price tag might be scary, but the costume is pretty glamorous.

The company used its signature “morphsuit” as the base — a skin-tight spandex suit that covers the entire body, including the head — and bedazzled the silver suit in diamonds of various carats.

The costume is “a bit heavy” and can be hard to see out of given all the bling, said Gregor Lawson, co-founder of MorphCostumes. “It’s probably not the most comfortable of our offerings, but if you roll the head part down, you can still be covered 90% in diamonds.”

For those not willing to shell out six figures on a costume, the company has other options in its high-end “WTF” line.

Overkill, The Giant Zombie-Killing Robot costume promises to turn the wearer into “a living legend” and sells for $25,000. The robot-looking costume has laser effects, legs with stilts, a one-piece torso with LED lighting, controllable finger sheaths and a giant headpiece. It’s also equipped with a fan.

The custom-fit Invisible Cowboy Premium Costume costs $2,500 and has a head that can move in all directions.

While these costumes take Halloween spending to the next level, Americans will be celebrating the holiday in record numbers this year. The National Retail Federation reported more than two-thirds of Americans will buy a costume and spend a total of $2.8 billion on their outfits this year.

Of course, MorphCostumes has more affordable options. The company has more than 300 costumes with an average price of $30-$45.

Lawson said the typical customer is generally male, between 16-24 years old and loves the anonymity that a morphsuit can offer.

“It’s like having X-ray vision, you can see out, but they can’t see in. They are completely encased and people say, ‘oh my god that’s the coolest thing I’ve seen.'”

 

 

 

No, I don’t actually have one…yet.  Pay attention Santa!

Daylight Saving Time: Keep it year round

By Scott C. Yates October 24, 2014 — Updated 1302 GMT (2102 HKT)

(CNN) — On Sunday, November 2, it will again be the end of Daylight Saving Time. Many of us will be muttering to ourselves as we wander around resetting all of our various clocks — on the thermostat, clock radio and stove, among other places.

Sure, you’ll get an extra hour of sleep by turning back the clock by an hour in the fall. But if you have a regular day job, you’ll be commuting home in the dark instead of in daylight come the following day.

Why do we do this every fall? And why do we dial forward the clock by an hour every spring?

Daylight Saving Time has been around for a good part of 20th century, but there’s no really good reason why we should continue with the status quo.

The U.S. government started moving into and out of “Daylight Saving Time” during World War I to copy the Germans, who said they were doing it to save fuel. When the war ended, the U.S. government wisely repealed the law since it proved unpopular.

During WWII, it came back — again with the notion that it would somehow conserve resources. After the second war, the U.S. converted factories from making bombs to making cars and consumer products. The GIs came home. But Daylight Saving Time just stuck around.

Numerous polls show that people want to stay in Daylight Saving Time year round, or at least just stick with either Standard or Daylight time and stop switching clocks around. Two states, Arizona and Hawaii, already keep their clocks the same all year long.

We may have reached a tipping point to end the clock-changing madness.

First, the U.S. Department of Energy issued a report in 2008 that examined the impact of extended Daylight Saving Time. A four-week extension would save approximately 0.5% of electricity per day for the country. Put in perspective, it’s enough energy to power 100,000 households for a year.

The second strong case for staying in Daylight Saving Time year round is that we can save lives. A recent study shows the switching of clocks in the spring causes a 25% jump in heart attacks in the few days following the switch, confirming earlier research that point out the shift in time can disrupt the quality of sleep and biological rhythms.

Taking away an hour of sleep and jolting you awake in the predawn darkness is simply bad for your health, especially if you are elderly or have a heart condition, researchers noted.

So here’s the question: If you have a chance to save lives and save electricity, would you do it?

Sure you would, right? But you haven’t, and neither have I. Why? Maybe because we’re all a little too sleep deprived and discombobulated to do something after all that clock-changing.

Last year, a member of the Missouri legislature proposed moving the state to permanent Daylight Saving Time if 19 other states would join its effort. The state House voted to approve the measure, HB340, but it didn’t go anywhere in the Senate.

The idea is smart and worth revisiting. The hard part is how to get this more traction. Here’s an alternative proposal: Legislatures pass a bill whereby if at least 31 other states pass similar bills, their state will then switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time. With Arizona and Hawaii already in, that adds up to two-thirds, or 33, states. Thirty-three is the number of states needed to pass a constitutional amendment, and while this is not a constitutional issue, it seems like a good standard to meet.

 

 

Good Morning Campers,

Here’s the deal…I’ve been away about half of this week for work and I’ve been on 12 hour shifts the other half.  I’ve not had near the amount of time for an issue that I normally have, so this one might be a little light on personal commentary. 

Do I hear cheering and applause out there? 

Well, I guess I know where I stand!

Yup, I know EXACTLY where I stand!

Right here next to the coffee and donuts, that’s where I stand.

Anyway, as you can see from the banner up above, this will be our final donation round up.  I know you are all still segregated into two sections, well, get used to it.  Not that the back section isn’t good, on the contrary.  The back section is very good, but the front section is just…well…better.  Plush seating with the contributors having a personalized bronze plaque on their own chairs.  Free coffee and pastries.  Hugs and kisses by our two trollops … or um … darling #1’s Diaman and Ginny.  What else can you ask for?

Well, here’s our list:

Joseph C.	Ginny	K2	Henry C.	Leah H.
Fred S.	Philip S.	James C.	Henry S.	Henry H.
Jonathon J.	Danny M.	Laurie F.	Gail B.	Lona T.
Ginny (again)	Don C.	Jessica C.	Ray T.	Kristine M.
Joseph C. (again)	Susan W.	Diaman	Bob B.	Dale A.
Donald M.	Joe P.	Bruce C.	Vincent C.	Kevin A.
Garth B.	Scott H.	Tom H.	Margaret C.	Donald G.
Dan T.	Christopher B.	Steven H.	John R.	Dale A.
James T.	Paul B.

Okay, if you would like to have your own seat, with the bronze plaque and the free coffee and donuts for each issue, by all means, feel free to contribute and you too can be sat in the special section.  If you are a veteran of the Military, a Fireman, Policeman, EMT, or are disabled and unable to work, then you too can feel free to move up and sit in the special magical section.

Rest assured, that it will magically expand and contract with the allowable people.

Anyway, as a side note, if you follow along with the comments, you may remember on October 15th Ginny promised Paul B. a signed copy of her pumpkin derrière and an implied signed copy of her prize winning gourds with a donation.  Well, Ginny, as you can see, as the very last name on there, Mr. Paul B has followed through on his half of the bargain…so the rest is up to you.

You may also remember that last week I asked who knew what TANSTAAFL means and where it came from …author and book.  Kevin came up with part of the answer, that it means There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.  Then he deferred to our own Lethal Leprechaun who supplied the rest.  It was made common by the book, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by the Grand Master of Science Fiction, Mr. Robert Anson Heinlein.

Oh, and by the way Pepsi beat out Coke in our last poll by a tiny margin 36 to 35.  There will be no poll today, but I am looking for more poll topics.  Please let me know what you’d like to see as a poll topic.

Now…

 

 

Here’s a great video of the best FanCam I have ever seen.  This bored looking kid changes into a rock star right in front of us.  And the camera men kept the camera on him.

 

 

This one is truly fantastic!  The Ohio State Marching Band doing their tribute to classic rock!  Their movements on the field are incredible!

 

 

Pictures from our last company Halloween Party.

 

Diaman writes about some changes she’s made around her home for security reasons.  I guess she’s had some problems…

But I guess she’s gotten them all taken care of now.

 

 

 

Thanks to my Dad, Papa Dragon Most Senior, for this next video.  It’s really something.  How many of you know about the First Air Force One?  I didn’t.  Now I do.  Watch…

 

 

 

This is Matilda, our payroll clerk.  Somebody has to keep the books and she does an excellent job!

 

Okay, I know there’ve already been a lot of videos in this issue, but this one….this one is the tops!  An early release of the new Avengers movie.  Due out in May!  I’m already psyched!!

 

 

Here’s some quickies from our own Ginny…okay, not those kinds of quickies…

The same as a quickie, but a guy can do it alone. 
 
Why is divorce so expensive? 

Because it’s worth it. 

What do you see when the Pillsbury Dough Boy bends over? 

Doughnuts 
 
Why is air a lot like sex? 
 
Because it’s no big deal unless you’re not getting any. 
 
What do you call a smart blonde? 

A golden retriever. 
 
What do attorneys use for birth control? 

Their personalities. 
 
What’s the difference between a girlfriend and wife? 
 
10 years and 45 lbs 
 
What’s the difference between a boyfriend and husband? 

45 minutes 
 
What’s the fastest way to a man’s heart? 

Through his chest with a sharp knife 
 

Why do men want to marry virgins? 

They can’t stand criticism.. 

Why is it so hard for women to find men that are sensitive, caring, and good-looking? 

Because those men already have boyfriends. 

 
What’s the difference between a new husband and a new dog? 

After a year, the dog is still excited to see you 
 
Why do men chase women they have no intention of marrying? 

The same urge that makes dogs chase cars they have no intention of driving. 
 
Why don’t bunnies make noise when they have sex? 

Because they have cotton balls. 
 
What’s the difference between a porcupine and BMW? 

A porcupine has the pricks on the outside. 
 
What did the blonde say when she found out she was pregnant? 
 
“Are you sure it’s mine?” 

Why does Mike Tyson cry during sex? 

Mace will do that to you. 
 
Why did OJ Simpson want to move to West Virginia ? 

Everyone has the same DNA… 
 
Why do drivers’ education classes in Redneck schools use the car only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays? 
 
Because on Tuesday and Thursday, the Sex Ed class uses it. 
 
Where does an Irish family go on vacation? 

A different bar. 
 
Did you hear about the Chinese couple that had a blond baby? 

They named him “Sum Ting Wong” 

What would you call it when an Italian has one arm shorter than the other? 

A speech impediment 

A northern fairytale begins “Once upon a time ..” – 
A southern fairytale begins “Y’all ain’t gonna believe this s**t…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You enter to see the  Preferred Readership Seating Area has again been enlarged. Now there are 3 banks of 20 seats each, with all of the 2 front rows and most of the third row sporting name tags of donors. Lethal excuses himself for talking with a few of the Preferred Readers to head up to the podium as he sees you all enter coffees in one hand paper bags in the other from the coffee shop downstairs.

Good morning, please find a spot on the benches that fits your backside reasonably well as we’ve a few items of housekeeping to go over and I’ve another quarter test due today to finish studying for. What’s that? Your too bloody right it seems like I’m always taking a test! I had 1/2 a day off Sunday as I was all caught up and let me tell you it was glorious! It’s the longest time I have had off without a deadline looming over me since I started school back the end of August. But let’s get moving shall we?

Speaking of moving- Molly and my plans to move our residence have been canceled. We had located a place and our application had been accepted. However we elected to request our deposit be return after numerous ‘special circumstances” and additional upfront costs which were not discussed with us pre-application came to light. Instead we will remain where we have been for the last 10 years for one more lease cycle as finding another place that suited our needs, applying, being approved and moving in 30 days would be far too tight with both of us working and going to school.

This means that my forecasted hiatus from mid November to mid December is also likely as not canceled, though I may miss a week come exams.

Secondly, a certain post first family vacation delirious dragon failed to update you all on the situation with the donations drive. I spoke with him Sunday when I noticed his penchant for whipping out vacation photos was declining on the subject of where we were with our goals. As things currently stand here’s how Impish’s math works out:

447 members minus 20% (Vets, the disabled and fixed income readers)  is 357.6 so call it 358.  10% of that would be 35.8 or 36. We had exactly 39 donators making 41 donations. Not counting                       who has yet to send me his 2  promised Nickels.

Seems like there is always on person that has to slip in the door as its closing just to be the fashionably latest doesn’t it? Well my Leprechaun math says that (counting Mr. Two Promised Nickels and thereby making the count 40 donors and 43 separate donations) that the Reader participation goal of 10% was surpassed. Total readership participation comes in at 10.89 to 11.17 depending on Mr. Two P. Nickels. This means that things will continue on as they are for the foreseeable future without any monumental changes.

Howzdat? Speak up man! Uh no. No we most definitely will not be reverting to the old furnishings in here and the free breakfast. That change I’m afraid is permanent and only fair to those who actually contributed to support the blog.

Impish has promised to make a full listing of those who contributed to our annual keep our doors open and lights on drive in his next issue.

Mean time I do have that test to study for, so….

And I’d like it served by Princess Leia in the slave girl outfit please.

Of course, this is only to complete the whole Star Wars theme thing.

Seriously! I swear!

Watch this kid have the time of his life dancing to ‘Dirty Dancing’

8-year-old boy mimics Patrick Swayze in final scene

Nobody puts Charlie in a corner!

An 8-year-old recreates the final scene of ‘Dirty Dancing’ and nails it.

The video is going viral online with over 95,000 views on YouTube. He might just give Patrick Swayze a run for his money.

 

No weak knees or drool inducing recipes this week (at least I don’t think they are) just hearty stick to your waistline comfort foods for the chilly weather to come

Beef Taco Noodle Casserole

 

Egg noodle casserole recipe with seasoned ground beef, Southwest vegetables, tomatoes and cheese

Hands On: 15 | Total: 45

Makes: 6 servings (1/6th recipe each)

Ingredients:

• No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 6 ounces  Extra Wide Egg Noodles, uncooked
• 1 pound ground chuck beef (80% lean)
• 2 cups frozen Southwest mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, red peppers)
• 1 can (10 oz ) Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
• 1 can (10 oz ) red enchilada sauce
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 1-1/4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
• Sour cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 13×9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place uncooked noodles in baking dish.
2. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink. Drain. Add vegetables, undrained tomatoes, enchilada sauce and water to skillet; stir. Bring to a boil. Pour mixture over noodles.
3. Cover dish tightly with foil; bake 15 minutes. Stir; sprinkle with cheese and cover with foil. Bake 10 minutes more or until noodles are tender. Sprinkle with green onions. Serve with sour cream, if desired.

Nutritional Information:

6 servings (1/6th recipe each) Calories 413; Total Fat 19 g (Saturated Fat 8 g); Cholesterol 101 mg; Sodium 598 mg; Carbohydrate 33 g; (Dietary Fiber 5 g, Sugars 5 g); Protein 26 g; Percent Daily Values*: Vitamin A 7%; Vitamin C 30%; Calcium 20%; Iron 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4 servings

Italian sausage, potatoes, bell peppers and onions are roasted with fresh rosemary in an olive oil and parmesan cheese dressing.

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces sausage, cut in 2-3″ long pieces
4 cups potatoes, cut in 1/2″ – 3/4″ cubes
3 cups sliced bell pepper, 1/2″ wide and 3″ long
1 large onion (sliced the same size as peppers)
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoon grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed between fingers
3/4 teaspoon coarse sea or kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Add the sausage, potatoes, peppers, onion and rosemary to an extra large mixing bowl.
2. In a separate small bowl whisk olive oil and mustard together. Add garlic, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper, whisk until well combined.
3. Pour over sausage mixture and toss well until everything is coated.
4. Grease a large, thin cookie sheet with sides and pour out the mixture. Spread evenly over the baking sheet. Bake 30-45 minutes until sausage is cooked through and potatoes are golden and tender.
5. Serve with parmesan and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

I like this one for brunch with a couple Sunny side eggs on top. Works well with things like bratwursts and fresh kielbasa too.

Sour Cream Rolls

Homemade Sour Cream Rolls are so simple to make! I never knew how easy it was to make homemade rolls. These delicious sour cream rolls are full of flavor and will pair perfect with any dinner recipe!

Recipe type: Bread  | Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  15 mins  | Total time:  30 mins

Serves: 12 rolls

 

 

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 envelope Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tbsp butter or margarine
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in a large mixer bowl.
2. Heat sour cream, water and butter until very warm.
3. Add to flour mixture.
4. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
5. Add egg and remaining 1¼ cup flour to make a soft batter.
6. Spoon evenly into a 12 greased muffin cups.
7. Cover; let rise until doubled in size (about an hour).
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Remove pan and cool on wire rack.

I like to mix a little freshly snipped chives into the batter, I mean who doesn’t like sour cream and chives?

 

This NASA picture of a Jack-o’-Lantern sun is no Halloween trick

(CNN) — It wasn’t a trick. But for space geeks, it sure was a treat.

An image, taken by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory on October 8, captured the sun getting into the Halloween spirit.

“Active regions on the sun combined to look something like a solar jack-o’-lantern’s face,” said Joe Witte of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

There’s no cause for alarm — it’s just the center of our solar system’s spooky Halloween costume.

“The active regions in this image appear brighter because those are areas that emit more light and energy,” explained Witte.

“This image blends together two sets of extreme ultraviolet wavelengths.”

And that’s what gives the sun that freaky feel

 

And the people all said “Amen”

 

[Of course I do!  He was after all invented by the Irish though more properly called Samhain or Jack o’ the Lantern]

Little girl gets a Halloween surprise she won’t forget

He was in Afghanistan for 10 months and was dropped off at the pumpkin patch while she was in school, none the wiser.

http://thechive.com/2014/10/17/little-girl-gets-a-halloween-surprise-she-wont-forget-video/

Vatican spokesmen in elaborate, gold adorned dresses announce sweeping changes to church’s views on gay marriage.

 

OH SURE! He talks a good game, but the second my Ninja Kitty Clan minions arrive and start making his dog Ruby bark at all hours, he plays the senility card!

Heaven & Hell…

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the Senator.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really?, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the Senator.

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, “Now it’s time to visit heaven…”

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell…

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the Senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil smiles at him and says,

“Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted..”

Vote wisely in November !!!!!!

You shouldn’t be so down on yourself dude! You’re a world class glutton, a prime example of a bad example, regularly invent new and innovative ways of getting into (often never heard of before) trouble and basically the underdog of anti heroes. Even Silent Bob speaks of you with hushed reverence. You didn’t accomplish all of that just sitting on your ass now DID you?

Oh! Wait! Maybe…Err…Um…never mind!