Why I spend so much time on the computer

Here's why I spend so much time on my computer.

This morning, first thing, when I turn on my computer, I notice an Associated Press news story that interests me:

Birds cause emergency landings, aborted takeoffs

After reading that, I start wondering who that television sports commentator is that used to be an NFL coach and did some internet research to discover that. Guess why I thought of even wanting to know that? Because he has a fear of flying and will not fly in order to get to the weekly football game he is doing the television broadcast on.

Do you want to submit an answer on that before I continue? Let me know if you know the answer without doing your own internet research.

Anyway, having the coach's name available, I decide to research it and came up with this YouTube video:

Mind you, at this point I haven't read a single email. But I finally do decide to check that. My main email has 17 new messages since 10:00 AM yesterday.

One of those emails was about the airplane that made an emergency landing in the Hudson River recently. I had already seen a slide show on this and started looking for it on my computer to make sure the sender had seen it also.

Would you believe that two of those new emails had subjects that indicated the sender wanted me to send back the email to them? Don't you wonder who starts all those kinds of emails? This might be a good time to remind any readers I may have to this blog The Forward Stops Here .

Also, while I was on my blogger dashboard, I noticed that two posts had been made to a blog I recently started following: 50% CHANCE OF RAIN

Another email I picked up this morning gave a link to an article about my motorcycle historian brother-in-law that prompted me to know I really needed to do a blog post on that. (I love legit reasons to put up a blog post.)

You can stand by for that tomorrow. Meanwhile, how about you telling me why you spend so much time on the computher -- huh?

Since it is confession time, probably the main reason I spend so much time on the computer is, plain and simple, I'm an internet addict.

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Beaches

Why do people like to go to the beach? That's my question to you. I'd love to have your answers by a comment on my blog. I think the answers would be very interesting and revealing.

Favourite beach pictures

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Great Minds Think Alike

This photo was taken Dec. 6, 2008, the day of Mother's funeral in Cleburne. Don't you think it was quite a coincidence that Charlotte and I had on such similar outfits? Pretty unbelievable, huh?

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Starlings on Otmoor

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Pork Tenderloin for Breakfast

Here is a recipe for what we had for breakfast.

PORK TENDERLOIN (For Breakfast)

1 Pork Tenderloin
4 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
Salt, Fresh Ground Black Pepper, Sweet Basil, Paprika, MSG to taste
2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil
8 Ounces Water
1/2 Teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet

Trim all fat and membrane from the Tenderloin. Cut the Tenderloin into one-half inch rounds. Using a wide bladed knife, meat cleaver or drinking glass press the Pork pieces to where they are about a quarter of an inch think.

In a small, shallow bowl mix together the Flour and Spices. Heat Oil in a heavy skillet to medium hot. Dredge the Pork Tenderloin pieces in the Flour/Spice mixture. Shake off any excess. Fry Pork for about 3 minutes on each side. They should be golden brown. Remove Pork from the skillet and place on a warm plate. Keep about 2 Tablespoons of Oil in the hot skillet (some addition may have to be added). Add what flour is remaining to the skillet and make a roux. When the roux is brown in color add the water making a gravy. Add about 6 ounces of water at first and if the gravy is too thick use the other 2 ounces to thin it. Use a wire whisk to make the gravy smooth and be sure that all scrapings from the frying are used. Add the Kitchen Bouquet and whisk to mix. Reduce heat to low. Add the Pork back to the gravy, cover and simmer for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring from time to time. Serve over hot biscuits.

• I would use about 1/4 teaspoon or a little less of each spice to start until more or less meets your taste.
• Kitchen Bouquet is a browning and seasoning sauce for meat, gravy and stews and is a trademark of the HV Food Products Co. of Oakland, CA.

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First 2009 Goldilocks Report

You can always expect I'll mention it when the temps dip below freezing. Neither of us believe it's that cold where we live. Our only outside thermometers are on the screened porch, and they were showing 30º.

We're putting this up just so you'll know, it's not always warm here, but it sure beats the heck outta some places this time of year.

To help you stay warm wherever you are, hug, because this is National Hugging Day.

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I See The Morning Breaking

I believe the Wells UMC Choir did this special music a couple of times in the last two years. I had not heard it before. It’s a traditional folk melody arranged by Douglas E. Wagner. Listen to the words…

I SEE THE MORNING BREAKING

I see the morning breaking through the valleys and the hills.
I see the morning breaking as I go, as I go.
I see the morning breaking through the valleys and the hills.
When I walk each day with Jesus by my side, by my side.

I feel the fresh wind blowing through the valleys and the hills.
I feel the fresh wind blowing as I go, as I go.
I feel the fresh wind blowing through the valleys and the hills.
When I walk each day with Jesus by my side, by my side.

I hear the sweetest music through the valleys and the hills.
I hear the sweetest music as I go, as I go.
I hear the sweetest music through the valleys and the hills,
When I walk each day with Jesus by my side, by my side.

When I walk each day with Jesus by my side.

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Amaryllis revisited

After two months of Smitty's TLC ...

LIVING ... MAEDEANS STYLE
Amaryllis (first visit)

... our first amaryllis is in full bloom with three blossoms:

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Stand By Me

This might just be a good way to start a new year.

This 5-minute video is from the documentary, Playing For Change: Peace Through Music. It is the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe.

Bill Moyers interviewed Mark Johnson of the Playing For Change Movement. You can check out this interview by clicking on Bill Moyers' Interview with Mark Johnson . Perhaps his best quote:

" ... my ultimate thing would be that people understand that in a world with all this division, it's important for us to focus on our connections."

The goals of this movement are to help build schools, connect students, and inspire communities in need through music. Music is an international language. I think Mark Johnson is on to something big.

Another interpretation of "Stand By Me" could be for all of us to be there for the people who need us in 2009.

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Postscript: I noted that Mark Johnson's and Jonathan Walls' first film, Playing for Change: A Cinematic Discovery of Street Music, released in 2005, is currently available through Netflix. It's sitting in my No. 1 position in my Netflix queue, but it says there's a long wait.

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