On this day in history: August 31, 1888 - Jack the Ripper kills his first known victim, prostitute Mary Ann Nichols, slitting her throat from ear to ear.
Born on this day in history: August 31, 1935 - Frank Robinson (1935 - ____) baseball player, manager He was Rookie of the Year, 1956; first Black manager of a major league team; only player to be voted MVP in both National and American Leagues.
Scripture of the Day: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,” (Psalm 95:6-7)
On this day in history: August 30, 1859 - At the University of Göttingen, PhD candidate Albert Niemann isolates the alkaloid C17H21NO4 from leaves of the plant Erythroxylum coca. Niemann names his white, powdery discovery "cocaine" and observes firsthand its peculiarly strong anesthetic effect: "it benumbs the nerves of the tongue, depriving it of feeling and taste."
Born on this day in history: August 30, 1918 - Ted Williams (1918 - 2002) baseball player "The Thumper" was the last baseball player to bat over .400; had .344 lifetime batting average; Hall of Fame, 1966.
Scripture of the Day: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,” (Ephesians 2:19)
Video of the Day: World's Tallest Man Meets the Smallest
I went shopping at Sav-Mor Foods (conveniently, a mere block from our house) yesterday at 3:30 PM, following my departure from my office. (Since I arrive at my office by 7:30 AM each morning, I generally leave at 3:30 PM.) It was 107 degrees. I took my purchases to Mr. Nitro, unloaded them into him, and returned my shopping cart to the storage area. I noticed the numerous shopping carts abandoned throughout the parking lot by unthinking, uncaring, un-Christian miscreants and was reminded of Joyce Meyer's admonition that we should always return shopping carts. I have always done so, but Joyce's directive always comes to mind whenever I see that others do not do similarly.
As I walked back to Mr. Nitro, I saw a tiny, frail woman of perhaps 90 or more, obviously struggling in the extreme heat, returning her shopping cart. I took it from her and said, "I shall return this for you." "Thank you," she said, "and God bless you!" I replied, "You are certainly welcome, and may God bless you, as well!" Common decency and human kindness seem such simple matters, yet they are eschewed by so many. This is unfortunate, certainly.
Last Evening's Dinner: I sautéed julienned white onion and minced garlic in extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. When the onion was translucent and caramelized, I added sliced white mushrooms, ground turkey breast, ground black pepper, ground cumin, Italian seasoning, and ground Cayenne pepper. I sautéed this, stirring often, until the turkey was cooked. I diced eight large tomatoes (beautiful, delicious, home-grown tomatoes from Corey's garden) and added them to the sauté pan. When Laura arrived home, she tended to the pan, stirring and blending the ingredients and flavors. I cooked a package of Barilla fettuccine for 9 minutes. (The package recommends 12 minutes, but I find that 9 minutes produces superior, al dente results.) I drained the fettuccine and added it to the sauce. Laura stirred it, and I took it to the table. I broiled some garlic bread that Laura had prepared. At the table, we added fresh grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers. It was a delightful meal.
A quantity of leftovers followed Laura to Chico this morning for her lunch, and there still remains sufficient leftovers for another fine meal.
Bad Parenting - Tampa man gives steroids to skating son Stupid Criminals - man robs bank in company-issued vest Arf! - Leona Helmsley leaves $12 million to dog
On this day in history: August 29, 1904 - David Hyrum Smith, son of Mormon founder Joseph Smith, dies in an insane asylum after 27 years of lunacy. His father in 1844 had predicted that his unborn son would be named David and that he would be "President and King of Israel". At least he got the name right.
Born on this day in history: August 29, 1920 - Charlie Parker (1920 - 1955) musician. "Yardbird" was a legendary jazz saxophonist and co-creator of "bebop."
Scripture of the Day: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Video of the Day: Toast - submitted by Darin
For dinner last evening, we had roast beef sandwiches and leftover pasta salad. Laura sautéed sliced white onion in extra-virgin olive oil until translucent and caramelized, added deli shaved roast beef and sautéed until slightly crispy, and placed sliced Monterey jack cheese atop this. She toasted 9-grain bread slices. When the cheese was melted, Laura divided the beef, onion, and cheese and placed atop a toast slice. We added garden tomato (a gift from my friend and business neighbor, Corey) slices and condiments (spicy brown mustard for Laura and spicy brown mustard and wasabi paste for me) and enjoyed a delightful meal.
Road Rage - motorist attacks speed-camera operator Firestopper - 9-year-old girl saves 34 from fire Home Improvement - man gets jail time for property fixes
On this day in history: August 28, 2005 - Death Row Records founder Suge Knight is shot in the leg during an early morning party in Miami Beach, Florida.
Born on this day in history: August 28, 1828 - Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910) novelist, philosopher. He is known as one of the world's greatest novelists; wrote "War and Peace," 1865-69 and "Resurrection," 1899.
Scripture of the Day: “Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29)
Video of the Day: Chuck Norris Mountain Dew Commercial - submitted by Laura
[While I slept] A knocking at the door roused me from my attention to a crossword puzzle I was completing online. I rose and walked to the door. A beautiful, young lady stood there. “Hello,” she said, “I am Rosanne, and this is my daughter, Lucy. We have fresh tamales for sale. Would you like some fresh tamales?” “One moment, please,” I replied. I called Laura at her office and asked her whether she desired some fresh tamales for dinner. She said that sounded wonderful. “Come in, please,” I said to Rosanne and her lovely daughter. They entered the house, and I asked them to be seated, pointing to the sofa. They sat, and my cat, Zeus, appeared, walked to Lucy, and began rubbing against her legs. “Hi, kitty,” Lucy said. She appeared to be approximately 10 years of age. “What’s your name?” To my great surprise, Zeus answered! “My name is Zeus. But you can call me ‘Triple Digit,’ ‘cause I’m hawt!” “I’ll call you ‘Triple D’ for short,” Lucy said, and she began petting Zeus.
[While I was awake] I used the Mr. Clean Pro-Series AutoDry Car Wash System this morning for the first time, and I am amazed by the results! I washed my Dodge Nitro R/T and Laura's Toyota Yaris. The cars dried absolutely without spots. They look cleaner and shinier than they ever have following previous washes. The Nitro was in the shade, but the Yaris was mostly in the sun and still dried completely spot-free.
The Pro-Series kit comes with a wash mitt, a wheel scrubber, a filter, soap, the sprayer unit, and quick-attach/detach connector.
First, the vehicle is sprayed with water. Next, the sprayer is turned to the soap setting, and the vehicle is covered with soap. The mitt is used to wipe the vehicle, ensuring all dirt and scum is removed. The sprayer is turned to the rinse setting, and the soap is rinsed away. There is a high-powered spray setting for stubborn dirt. Lastly, the sprayer is set to the auto-dry setting, and the vehicle is sprayed with filtered water.
The results are absolutely amazing. The vehicles have never looked this clean and shiny. They look as if they have just been waxed!
For some reason, my system had no washer in the quick-connect unit that attaches to the hose, so I had to supply one. I assume this was an oversight at the factory, since no mention is made of the need to insert a washer in the owner's manual and yet the unit could not possibly work without a washer present.
I bought the Mr. Clean Pro-Series AutoDry Car Wash System from Auto Barn (http://www.autobarn.com) for $39.95. The Pro-Series model is about $10 more than the standard model but is well worth it, in my opinion.
I have to say, this unit really impressed me! Generally, I watch television commercials and laugh at the claims they make. I did the same when I saw the Mr. Clean AutoDry Car Wash System commercial. Later, however, I became curious and did some research. I read a good many reports from people with expensive black cars who praised the performance of the system, so I decided to try it. It is 100% as advertised!
On this day in history: August 27, 1990 - Blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan is killed when his Bell 206B helicopter crashes into a man-made ski hill near Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Born on this day in history: August 27, 1910 - Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997) nun, missionary. She is the famous "Saint of the Gutters" who has devoted her life to caring for lepers and poor in India; awarded the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.
Scripture of the Day: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
7:00 pm Opening flag burning 7:15 pm Pledge of Allegiance to the U.N. 7:20 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 7:25 pm Nonreligious prayer and worship with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton 7:45 pm Ceremonial tree hugging 7:55 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 8:00 pm How I Invented the Internet - Al Gore 8:15 pm Gay Wedding - Barney Frank presiding 8:35 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 8:40 pm Our Troops are War Criminals - John Kerry 9.00 pm Memorial service for Saddam and his sons - Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon 10:00 pm "Answering Machine Etiquette" - Alec Baldwin 11:00 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 11:05 pm Collection for the Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant fund - Barbra Streisand 11:15 pm Free the Freedom Fighters from Guantanamo Bay - Sean Penn 11:30 pm Oval Office Affairs - William Jefferson Clinton 11:45 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 11:50 pm How George Bush Brought Down the World Trade Towers - Howard Dean 12:15 am "Truth in Broadcasting Award" - Presented to Dan Rather by Michael Moore 12:25 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 12:30 am Satellite address by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 12:45 am Nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Nancy Pelosi 1:00 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 1:05 am Coronation of Hillary Rodham Clinton 1:30 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast 1:35 am Bill Clinton asks Ted to drive Hillary home
