Driving Force, Animal Kingdom, -and- Don't Call

Driving Force - Oregon to require proof of residency for driver's licenses
Animal Kingdom - monkeys match humans in arithmetic tests
Don't Call! - UK drivers who use cell phones face jail time

On this day in history: December 20, 1971 - Talk show host Larry King, host of CNN's "Larry King Live," arrested in Miami on charges of grand larceny.

Born on this day in history: December 20, 1923 - Nadine Gordimer (1923– ) Born in Springs, South Africa, writer Nadine Gordimer takes on issues of race and repression in such works as "The Conservationist" (1974) and "The Pickup" (2001). She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.

Scripture of the Day: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." (Luke 2:1, 4-5)

Video of the Day 1: Louie Giglio - Universe Comprehension

Video of the Day 2: Louie Giglio - Laminin

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

The Wal-Mart Driver: A Wal-Mart driver was passing a rest stop and saw a little girl of about 5 years of age, standing alone near the entrance to the rest stop. The driver turned his truck around at the next exit and returned to the rest stop. He stopped, exited his truck, and walked to the little girl.

"Are you all alone, little girl?" he asked.

"I can't talk to strangers," she replied.

"Where are your parents?" he asked.

"I can't talk to strangers," she replied.

"Do your parents know you're here all alone?" he asked.

"I can't talk to strangers," she replied.

"Do you know your parents' phone number?" he asked.

The little girl removed her right shoe and held it up so the Wal-Mart driver could read the telephone number written inside the shoe. He called the telephone number, and the little girl's mother answered. The telephone number was the woman's cell phone number, and she and her husband and their other two daughters were 30 miles away, unaware that one of the girls had gotten out of the car while they were at the rest stop. The family quickly returned to the rest stop, reunited with the little girl, and thanked the Wal-Mart driver.

This is a true story.

Can You Hear Me Now?, The Kids Are Alright, -and- White Wedding

Can You Hear Me Now? - new device allows you to "speak" through your ear
The Kids Are Alright - referee owes life to quick-thinking teen
White Wedding - bride to tie knot in toilet-paper dress

On this day in history: December 19, 1991 - Yankee's pitcher Steve Howe arrested for criminal possession of cocaine. It's merely one of NINE TIMES this has happened (and seven suspensions, plus one drunk-driving arrest.)

Born on this day in history: December 19, 1980 - Jake Gyllenhaal (1980-)
Born in Los Angeles, Jake Gyllenhaal has been acting since childhood, and got noticed in "The Good Girl" (2002). Gyllenhaal has also appeared on the London stage.

Scripture of the Day: "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven." (Luke 1:76-78)

Video of the Day: Louie Giglio - Universe

Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

Tony Chachere's: I used Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning for the first time last evening. I used it to season a rice dish and as a dry rub for some salmon fillets. When sprinkled onto my hand and tasted, the seasoning seemed very salty and very hot. When it is used as a seasoning, however, the heat and saltiness dissipate, and I found that it was easy to use without fear of over-seasoning.

I made a rice dish with 1 1/2 cups of brown rice, six large white mushrooms (quartered), two celery stalks (sliced), green beans (whole), a head of garlic (peeled, cloves left whole), two chicken bouillon cubes, four cups of water, and a liberal seasoning with Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning. I dry rubbed two lovely salmon fillets with Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning and grilled atop aluminum foil on the indoor grill—spraying the aluminum foil with cooking spray prior to placing the salmon, skin-side down, on the foil. I covered the grill with a tent made from aluminum foil and grilled, without turning, until the fillets were done. I toasted some garlic bread in the conventional oven. At the table, Laura used teriyaki sauce as a condiment for her salmon, and I used wasabi paste. It was a delightful meal.

Animal Kingdom, Just Say "No!," -and- Call Me!

Animal Kingdom - giant rat species found in Papua forest
Just Say "No!" - "gay" plans to target 2-year-olds
Call Me! - cell phone spending surpasses land lines

On this day in history: December 18, 1940 - Hitler formulates plans, issued today as Directive 21, for the invasion of Russia. The intent of Operation Barbarossa was to destroy the Red Army. Fighting on two fronts eventually caused Germany's defeat.

Born on this day in history: December 18, 1963 - Brad Pitt (1963-) Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, actor Brad Pitt got noticed in a bit part in "Thelma and Louise" (1991). Stardom followed with later films, including "Interview with the Vampire," alongside Tom Cruise, and thriller, "Seven." Pitt's personal life has been widely publicized, including divorce from actress Jennifer Anniston and romance with actress Angelina Jolie.

Scripture of the Day: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)," (Luke 1:68-70)

Video of the Day: Louie Giglio - Stars

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

Today is a SHOE DAY! I rarely wear shoes. Throughout the warm months, I wear sandals. When it becomes uncomfortably cold, I wear thick, white cotton socks with my sandals. Today, however, it is raining! Large puddles dot the landscape, the rain that fell throughout the night continues, the sun is hiding, the wind is howling, and no birds are singing. It is, indeed, a SHOE DAY!

Tony Chachere's: Our order from Tony Chachere's Famous Creole Cuisine arrived yesterday. We got two 14-ounce containers of Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning and two large bottles of Tony Chachere's Cajun Power Garlic Sauce. I am eager to put these items to use. I have heard wonderful things about Tony Chachere's spices and sauces and will soon determine if all that I have heard is true. I shook some of the seasoning into my hand and found it delightfully spicy and tasty. I am eager to use it on some chicken, pork, or beef!