TODAY’s HOLY MACKEREL: 1849 US had no President, Polk's term ends on a Sunday, Taylor couldn't be sworn-in, Senator David Atchison (pres pro tem) term ended March 3rd
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MY FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS
I pay my bills about every two weeks. I got a bill from Flag Medical Center for my first surgery this year. I was ready to check bills and pay them today. For the Flag Medical Center, you have to request an itemized bill, or just pay whatever they say. Instead of waiting for an itemized bill I compare my EOB’s with the bill. My BCBS has really changed the last two years. No longer do they pay all the surgery. One has to reach a deductible and then you pay 15% of the bill. That can become quite a chuck of money. Anyway, last night I got a call at about 8:30pm from the bill service wondering why I hadn’t paid the bill. I explained that I had the bill for only 2 weeks and that I hadn’t checked it yet. Nowhere on the bill does it say it must be paid within 14 days. They also informed me that I would continue to get phone calls until the bill was paid in full. I called the billing company this morning to say that I found this to be a little harassing. I was told that she was just following a hospital policy. When I asked about the 8:30 phone call she said that they can call, by Federal regulation up until 9:30pm. They are more like a collection agency than a hospital billing service. So I told her the bill payment was mailed to them today. I called the hospital and explained my complaint. I was transferred to the voice announcement of the Director of Billing. She wasn’t in but left a cell phone number. I called her and asked when she would be back in the office. She said she hoped to be back in tomorrow. I told her I would call her then. I get that they want my money but I find it harassing that they call after two short weeks. I’ll see how all this works out tomorrow. As I have another big bill coming in soon, for the second surgery, and don’t want to get any more phone calls.
It was a really nice day and I was able to run errands twice today. Since I don’t have a lot of extra spending money after paying the hospital I didn’t buy a lot, but I did get some ‘essentials’. I have a very broad philosophy about ‘essential’ which includes just about anything I want that is on sale. Sale means that it is at least 25% or more off the regular price. So it was a good day.
I had my first lip swelling of 2011 this morning. It was a mild case as I took the meds as soon as I was sure that was what it was. That usually takes about 2 hours. I notice that there is swelling and start thinking that I might have bit my lip or brushed my teeth too hard. After about 2 hours the area starts feeling very warm and the swelling is observable to me. I took my meds and within 2 hours after that, the swelling, heat, and odd feeling was gone. One would think that after having this for two years + I would just take the pill as soon as it starts. For some reason, I have to be sure, before I pop the pill. I still seem to believe that it will just stop by itself and not bother me. It never has, but there is always a first time…right?
My phone is working well today. I set a ringtone that sounds like a phone ringing instead to some outer space sound that yells ‘DRIOD’ when it rings. And I found a non-intrusive sound when I get a text, email, or other notification. I added a couple of apps today and all is still working. I now have my shopping lists, my meds lists—in case of emergency or when I go to a new physician, my favorite useful app—Cardstar—that puts my discount cards on my phone. So much easier to go to the drug store, Sam’s, Safeway, etc and just use the phone instead of looking through the cards to find the right one. Technology is so helpful—when it works. Of course, when it doesn’t work, it is a real pain.
It sure looks we are going to be ‘wondering’ what is happening in Northern Africa. Libya is a country most Americans don’t know much about and it turns out neither does our State Department, or at least they aren’t saying they know much. The line they are using is that we don’t know that much about the ‘opposition’ in Libya. Really? With its importance in oil reserves—sold mostly to Europe—and its way to control oil movement in the world. Their dictator and our government have not been friends for years. I just find it hard to believe that the CIA doesn’t know a lot.
I haven’t shaved since my birthday. Not real sure why. Just taking a break from the daily hassle. I did do some trimming so I don’t look like I have decided to live in a cave or join ZZTop. I’m not sure how long this will all continue—maybe a week, maybe not. If I do decide to keep the beard, I will certainly have to learn how to keep it short and neat. Not sure how to do that, but time will tell.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Bath salts can be made with either sea salts or Epsom salts. Which salt is right for your bath? That depends on what you are looking for. Want to unwind? Try Epsom salts. They soothe sore muscles and calm the body. Want an energy boost? Then use sea salts. They stimulate circulation so you feel more alert.
To clean up spills in the oven, sprinkle table salt immediately on the spill. When oven has cooled, brush away the burnt-on food with a damp sponge. The salt will make the spill much easier to clean up, saving time andmoney, since you won't have to buy oven cleaner as often!
Replace the car windshield washing formula in your car with half vinegar and half water. This cuts the road grime and leaves the windshield crystal clear.
SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION…
The word "toast" is a wish of good health. It started in ancient Rome, where a piece of toasted bread was dropped into wine.
The word alcohol is derived from the Arabic word 'al-kuhl', meaning " a fine powder used as an antiseptic or used as an eyeliner".
PUZZLE: Trivia Quiz […answers at bottom…]
1. If you landed at Carthage airport where would you be?
2. The Plains of Abraham overlook which city?
3. If someone said they were from the city Hellas, what country are they from?
4. Goa used to be a colony of which nation?
5. What is the capital of Sicily?
6. Bam, Yat and Holon are in which country?
7. What is the smallest state of Australia?
8. If you landed at Schipol airport where are you?
9. Angel Falls located in Venezuela are the highest falls but where are the second highest?
10. Where does the White and Blue Nile join?
UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM:
OKLAHOMA CITY — Hundreds of people from the United States and Canada want to adopt an Oklahoma dog that survived an attempt to euthanize it.
The puppy was one of five stray dogs that Sulphur animal control officer Scott Prall put to sleep Friday — or so he thought. Prall found one of the dogs alive Saturday in a trash bin set aside for dead animals and took it to veterinarian technician Amanda Kloski.
"He was prancing around. He heard me drive up, and he looked up and saw me," Prall said Wednesday.
"He was prancing around. He heard me drive up, and he looked up and saw me," Prall said Wednesday. He said he initially found the stray dog near the animal shelter Friday and tried to kill it by injecting the dog with two lethal doses of a sedative in a foreleg and the heart. Each dose should have been enough to kill the dog, and the second injection was meant to ensure it worked. Kloski noted the dog's survival on a pet adoption website, drawing the attention of Marcia Machtiger of Pittsburgh, who donated $100 so Kloski could board the dog for a week.
A girl from Sulphur named the puppy Wall-e, after a Disney movie character, and Machtiger posted Wall-e's story on her Facebook page.
She and Kloski are sorting through hundreds of e-mails and phone calls from people wanting to adopt the lucky dog.
"So many people are interested," Kloski said. "Now we're going through and trying to find the adoption applications for the best home."
Wall-e will be placed in a foster home at the end of the week while the search for a permanent home continues. Both Kloski and Machtiger said they have never seen so many people want to adopt one animal.
Machtiger said people are interested in the puppy because his story is unique. "Having been euthanized basically twice. ... It's a resurrection and a will to live and a medical anomaly," she said.
Sulphur is about 80 miles south of Oklahoma City.
A LITTLE LAUGH:
When my wife and I went up to New England a couple of years ago we decided to stay in one of those quaint little inns. The clerk at the inn asked me if we wanted a room with a shower or a tub.
"What's the difference?" I asked.
"Well, sir, in a tub, you can sit down."
Top 10 In The World:
CLOSEUP PICTURE: Can you identify this close up picture?
FOUND ON ‘YOU TUBE’: Red Barber on Jackie Robinson
♫ 60’s Rock ♫
Click on Song Title to see and hear it.
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DAYBOOK INFORMATION
►THIS WEEK◄
2/27-3/5 ► Telecommuter Appreciation Week ♥ Peace Corps Week
1-7 National Cheerleading Week ♣ National Ghostwriters Week ♣ National Write A Letter of Appreciation Week ♣ Universal Human Beings Week ♣
►TODAY IS◄
Holy Experiment Day
Courageous Follower Day
Employee Appreciation Day
International Scrapbooking Industry Day
March Forth-Do Something Day
Toy Soldier Day
World Day of Prayer
National Day of Unplugging
Shabbat Across America/Canada (since 1996: encouraging all to learn about the holy day events: about 2.2% of US population is Jewish)
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣
US: Benjamin Harrison Day
US: Constitution Day (1789)
US: Inauguration Day from 1798 to 1933
US: National Grammar Day
US: Pennsylvania : Charter Day (1681)
US: Vermont: Admission Day (1791: 14th state)
■…AUTHORS/COMPOSERS/ARTISTS
1756 Sir Henry Raeburn Scottish artist: mostly male portraits
1782 Johann Wyss Swiss folklorist/writer (Swiss Family Robinson)
■…ATHLETES
Kevin Johnson, 45, former basketball (Cavaliers, Suns)
1888 Knute Rockne Norwegian/US football player/coach (Notre Dame)
■…BUSINESS & EDUCATION
Richard DeVos, 85, American billionaire, co-founder of Amway
1906 Charles Rudolph Walgreen, Jr., American businessman
1932 Frank Wells, American entertainment businessman
■…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS)
Chaz Bono, 42, American actor and gay rights activist
1876 Theodore Hardeen (Ferencz Deszo Weisz) magician; brother of Harry Houdini; founder of Magician’s Guild
Patricia Heaton, 52, actress (“Everybody Loves Raymond”)
1934 Barbara McNair singer; TV hostess: The Barbara McNair Show; actress
Paula Prentiss, 72, actress (“He & She,” What’s New Pussycat?)
1889 Pearl White [Victoria] US actress/stunt woman (Perils of Pauline)
Mary Wilson, 67, singer (original member of the Supremes)
■…POLITICIANS
Claire Baker, 40, Scottish politician
1919 Tan Chee Khoon, Malaysian politician
1889 Oren E. Long, 10th Territorial Governor of Hawaii and United States Senators from Hawaii
1948 – Jean O'Leary, American gay rights activist and politician (d. 2005)
■…SCIENCE & RELIGION
1835 Giovanni Schiaparelli Italian astronomer (discovered canals of Mars)
1754 Benjamin Waterhouse physician (smallpox vaccine pioneer)
Today’s Obits:
1992 Arthur Babbitt Disney animator (Mr Magoo, Goofy), heart failure @ 84
1994 John Candy actor (SCTV, Uncle Buck), heart attack @ 43
1996 Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon )country comedienne (Grand Ole Opry), @ 84
1953 Sergei S Prokoviev Russian composer (Peter & the wolf), cerebral hemorrhage @61
Today’s Events:
■…ARTS
1880 Halftone engraving was used for the first time as the Daily Graphic was published in New York City.
1960 Lucille Ball files divorce from Desi Arnaz
1979 200th episode of "All in the Family"
■…ATHLETICS
1930 ‘The Redhead’, Red Barber, began his radio career this day. Barber broadcast on WRUF at the University of Florida in Gainsville. He soon became one of the best known sports voices in America.
1930 Mrs Charles [Emma] Fahning is 1st woman to bowl a santioned perfect [300] game
1967 World Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Vienna won by Peggy Fleming (USA)
■…BUSINESS & EDUCATION
1792 Oranges introduced to Hawaii
1902 American Automobile Association (AAA) founded in Chicago
■…INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
1643 The CANARSEE Indians will negotiate a peace with the Dutch in Fort Amsterdam. The CANARSEE are the Indians who sold Manhattan to Peter Minuit for $24 in trinkets, even though they did not own it.
1829 President Jackson gives his "just policy for Indians" speech today.
■…POLITICS (International)
1972 Libya & USSR signs cooperation treaty
■…POLITICS (US)
1829 Unruly crowd mobs White House during President Jackson inaugural ball
1837 City of Chicago incorporates
1861 Confederate States adopt "Stars & Bars" flag
1909 US prohibits interstate transportation of game birds
1913 Department of Commerce & Labor split into separate departments
1944 1st US bombing of Berlin
1994 4 Arab terrorist founded guilty of bombing the World Trade Center
1997 President Clinton bans federally funded human cloning research
■…SCIENCE & RELIGION
1675 John Flamsteed appointed 1st Astronomer Royal of England
1774 1st sighting of Orion nebula (William Herschel)
1921 Hot Springs National Park created in Arkansas
1995 Blind teenage boy receives a 'Bionic Eye' at a Washington Hospital
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ANSWERS:
The website I borrow these quizzes from seem to repeat some questions. Not sure why, but as a teacher, I will guess that it is to see if we learned anything from the previous quiz.
Quiz
1. If you landed at Carthage airport where would you be? Tunis, Tunisia
2. The Plains of Abraham overlook which city? Quebec
3. If someone said they were from the city Hellas, what country are they from? Greece
4. Goa used to be a colony of which nation? Portugal
5. What is the capital of Sicily? Palermo
6. Bam, Yat and Holon are in which country? Israel
7. What is the smallest state of Australia? Tasmania
8. If you landed at Schipol airport where are you? Amsterdam
9. Angel Falls located in Venezuela are the highest falls but where are the second highest? Natal National Park, South Africa: Tugela Falls. If you are wondering Yosemite Falls are the 7th highest
10. Where does the White and Blue Nile join? Khartoum, in Sudan
Close Up Picture
Pool Ball
________AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW________
