I'm pretty buried but I wanted that y'all again for helping me celebrate my blogoversary! I treasure each and every one of you!
For being what Rush Limaugh calls "flyover country", we are getting pretty damned noisy and militant here in Ohio. Yesterday a group of Ohioans demonstrates at the Statehouse in Columbus to protest fracking in the wake of an earthquake just northeast of me near Youngstown. And I simply had to share this excellent video from my young friend Lauren captured this great protest song written and performed by a very talented elder lady who wrote and performed it! Please note the abundance of grey hair in the crowd!!!
Isn't this great!!!! (And even better knowing that New Hampshire told Rick Santorum that they think he's nuts by giving him a last place finish.) Thank you, New Hampshire!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!
Kay
Showing posts with label Ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Turkey Afterthoughts
Hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving!!!! All I'm going to say about mine is that the food was excellent.
* There isn't enough money on the planet to get me out shopping on Black Friday. Christmas shopping is going to be very limited at my house. I only do gifts for children these days. Michelle asked me what I want for Christmas and I told her that if she bought me anything, I'd spank her. I really don't need/want anything. What I really need is to get rid of some stuff.
* From my 'They're At It Again' department: I've been busy with various projects including signing the petition to repeal the HB 319 which gerrymamders Ohio into 12 Republican districts and 4 Democratic districts. Ohio is a is not a 'red' state; we are a 'purple' state and this bill does not reflect how we vote and if y'all think we can't do it, recall our stellar repeal oh the union-busting bill last month. These idiots don't learn, do they? I also signed up to work on Election 2012. I hope we get the same excellent response on this. Y'all can read about it here.
* I just had a visit from a couple well-dressed Republicans who wanted to explain to me how the Bible applies to the world today. I think y'all (and God) will forgive me for being crabby with them. I'm getting a "We are the 99%" sign for my yard in hopes that that it will act as a repellent again these visits.
* Here's a clip from an email I received from our not so beloved, soon to be one-term governor, John Kasich who, like Scott Walker of Wisconsin, would be sweating out a recall if we had it.
My response? Puh-lease!!!!! 9.1% of of Ohioans are unemployed and that's a false figure because it's based on the the number of people collecting unemployment and blithely ignores the thousands of Ohioans whose benefits have run out. That he sent this is an insult to me and my fellow Ohioans. How stupid does he think we are? Never mind.
* Here's less than three minutes of giggle of from Chris Matthews explains why a recent survey said that Fox News fans are less informed.
* Today Ohio State Buckeyes play their big rivalry game vs. the University of Michigan Wolverines so I'll be glued to the television this afternoon. We haven't had a stellar season but long-time fans know that that's immaterial to this game -- anything can happen and it probably will. And here's the Best Damned Band in the Land doing their signature 'Script Ohio' routine -- always amazing. The honor of dotting the 'i' goes to the most senior tuba player. I never get tired of it. I can't imagine strutting carrying a tuba -- they are heavy!!! Enjoy!!!!
Gooooooooo Buckeyes!!!
I hope to get around to see y'all later!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
* There isn't enough money on the planet to get me out shopping on Black Friday. Christmas shopping is going to be very limited at my house. I only do gifts for children these days. Michelle asked me what I want for Christmas and I told her that if she bought me anything, I'd spank her. I really don't need/want anything. What I really need is to get rid of some stuff.
* From my 'They're At It Again' department: I've been busy with various projects including signing the petition to repeal the HB 319 which gerrymamders Ohio into 12 Republican districts and 4 Democratic districts. Ohio is a is not a 'red' state; we are a 'purple' state and this bill does not reflect how we vote and if y'all think we can't do it, recall our stellar repeal oh the union-busting bill last month. These idiots don't learn, do they? I also signed up to work on Election 2012. I hope we get the same excellent response on this. Y'all can read about it here.
* I just had a visit from a couple well-dressed Republicans who wanted to explain to me how the Bible applies to the world today. I think y'all (and God) will forgive me for being crabby with them. I'm getting a "We are the 99%" sign for my yard in hopes that that it will act as a repellent again these visits.
* Here's a clip from an email I received from our not so beloved, soon to be one-term governor, John Kasich who, like Scott Walker of Wisconsin, would be sweating out a recall if we had it.
"I'm personally thankful for having been able to announce in the past two weeks that Ohio is helping to create almost 2,000 new jobs for Ohioans. Overall in 2011, Ohio has worked with small, medium and large-sized businesses to create more than 15,000 new jobs for Ohioans. That's more than 15,000 families who will have a better, brighter future. We've still got work to do, but it's exciting to see Ohio beginning to get back on track."
My response? Puh-lease!!!!! 9.1% of of Ohioans are unemployed and that's a false figure because it's based on the the number of people collecting unemployment and blithely ignores the thousands of Ohioans whose benefits have run out. That he sent this is an insult to me and my fellow Ohioans. How stupid does he think we are? Never mind.
* Here's less than three minutes of giggle of from Chris Matthews explains why a recent survey said that Fox News fans are less informed.
* Today Ohio State Buckeyes play their big rivalry game vs. the University of Michigan Wolverines so I'll be glued to the television this afternoon. We haven't had a stellar season but long-time fans know that that's immaterial to this game -- anything can happen and it probably will. And here's the Best Damned Band in the Land doing their signature 'Script Ohio' routine -- always amazing. The honor of dotting the 'i' goes to the most senior tuba player. I never get tired of it. I can't imagine strutting carrying a tuba -- they are heavy!!! Enjoy!!!!
Gooooooooo Buckeyes!!!
I hope to get around to see y'all later!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Raising Hell in Ohio
Jimmy Hoffa (Didn't he do his daddy proud?) isn't the only one who was raising hell on Labor Day. Former Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio and other leaders of our State had some well-chosen words to say, too, and my young friend Lauren covered it very nicely! Some people criticized Hoffa's words but I never saw the Republicans criticize Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann for their less than kind rhetoric and who can forget Sharon Angle's "2nd Amendment remedies?
Do
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
Do
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
Friday, July 08, 2011
Stupid Ohio Politician Tricks!!!!!
A tip of my Thinking Cap to David at Crooks and Liars for this:
I've included text because it's a long video but worth the time if you like seeing politicians handcuffed.
On Friday, the Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office released an embarrassing video of Republican Ohio State Rep. Robert Mecklenborg being stopped by police and failing a DUI test.
After failing the roadside sobriety test, a blood test showed the lawmaker had a .097 blood-alcohol level and had traces of Viagra in his system.
The 59-year-old married father of three also refused to explain why he had a 26-year-old female passenger in the car.
Reports indicated that the woman worked at a strip club in Lawrenceburg, IN -- just across the border from Cincinnati.
Mecklenborg is moving forward with a request that the Ohio Senate return next week to vote on a restrictive voter photo ID bill that he is sponsoring. It's one of the strictest in the country and thinking people are against. (We might have to do another recall petition if those idiots in Columbus pass it, And y'all we are pretty good at it!)
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee noted that if the law is passed, Mecklenborg, who should have had his license confiscated at the time of his arrest, may be a victim of his own legislation.
If I'd been Mecklenberg, I'd have been nicer to the cop who tried very hard to give him a break. I just wonder what would have happened if he hadn't been across the border in Indiana, I suspect that it might gone down differently depending on where he was.
The irony is it was Good Friday -- and he's a family values Catholic! Hypocrisy thy name is GOP. And he'll prolly say he was just giving the poor girl a ride home.
And if y'all believe that, I have oceanfront property in Arizona for ya!
I don't think I have to tell y'all how I feel about this because y'all know.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
I've included text because it's a long video but worth the time if you like seeing politicians handcuffed.
On Friday, the Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office released an embarrassing video of Republican Ohio State Rep. Robert Mecklenborg being stopped by police and failing a DUI test.
After failing the roadside sobriety test, a blood test showed the lawmaker had a .097 blood-alcohol level and had traces of Viagra in his system.
The 59-year-old married father of three also refused to explain why he had a 26-year-old female passenger in the car.
Reports indicated that the woman worked at a strip club in Lawrenceburg, IN -- just across the border from Cincinnati.
Mecklenborg is moving forward with a request that the Ohio Senate return next week to vote on a restrictive voter photo ID bill that he is sponsoring. It's one of the strictest in the country and thinking people are against. (We might have to do another recall petition if those idiots in Columbus pass it, And y'all we are pretty good at it!)
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee noted that if the law is passed, Mecklenborg, who should have had his license confiscated at the time of his arrest, may be a victim of his own legislation.
If I'd been Mecklenberg, I'd have been nicer to the cop who tried very hard to give him a break. I just wonder what would have happened if he hadn't been across the border in Indiana, I suspect that it might gone down differently depending on where he was.
The irony is it was Good Friday -- and he's a family values Catholic! Hypocrisy thy name is GOP. And he'll prolly say he was just giving the poor girl a ride home.
And if y'all believe that, I have oceanfront property in Arizona for ya!
I don't think I have to tell y'all how I feel about this because y'all know.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Emptying My Alleged Brain
I've been busy as triplets this week between trying to keep up with y'all, the craziness the news brings each day, and fielding annoyances here (don't ask) while feeling plain damn lousy. Y'all can safely bet that I have a list for the doc tomorrow -- update forthcoming.
* I smiled when I read that Tom Petty, one of my favorite rockers, had his attorneys issue a cease and desist order to keep Michelle Bachmann from continuing to use his song "American Girl". I guess she flunked copyright law along with American history. And it's prolly a bad idea anyway since it was the song the Congressman's daughter was playing just before Hannibal Lector kidnapped her in "Silence of the Lambs" -- not a positive image.
* Digby over at Hullabaloo made this excellent statement: "Maybe after a full blown depression or a long and painful lost decade people will ask whether any of this makes sense. Right now, there's just nothing to do but fasten your seatbelt and hope you make it out of the train wreck alive."
* Rachel Maddow covered the delivery of the over a half million signatures to repeal SB 5 Ohio's union-busting bill to Columbus yesterday here. There was, of course, a parade. We celebrate well here. :) And here's the truck so you can see what that many petitions look like (it's only about a minute long):
* And if you haven't signed Bernie Sanders' petition yet, you can sign it here. I kept track of it yesterday and approximately 1,000 signers an hour. Good stuff! And pass it on!!!!
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
* I smiled when I read that Tom Petty, one of my favorite rockers, had his attorneys issue a cease and desist order to keep Michelle Bachmann from continuing to use his song "American Girl". I guess she flunked copyright law along with American history. And it's prolly a bad idea anyway since it was the song the Congressman's daughter was playing just before Hannibal Lector kidnapped her in "Silence of the Lambs" -- not a positive image.
* Digby over at Hullabaloo made this excellent statement: "Maybe after a full blown depression or a long and painful lost decade people will ask whether any of this makes sense. Right now, there's just nothing to do but fasten your seatbelt and hope you make it out of the train wreck alive."
* Rachel Maddow covered the delivery of the over a half million signatures to repeal SB 5 Ohio's union-busting bill to Columbus yesterday here. There was, of course, a parade. We celebrate well here. :) And here's the truck so you can see what that many petitions look like (it's only about a minute long):
* And if you haven't signed Bernie Sanders' petition yet, you can sign it here. I kept track of it yesterday and approximately 1,000 signers an hour. Good stuff! And pass it on!!!!
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
Saturday, June 18, 2011
We Are Ohio!!!!!
Good news came in yesterday from Columbus!!!! Over 714,000 good folks in the great State of Ohio have signed the referendum petitions to repeal SB7, aka the union-busting bill, and I am proud to have my signature counted among theirs. The goal was to obtain 450,000 signatures and they predict that by the time all the petitions are in, we may double it. This means that there will be vote to repeal SB7 come November. Kudos to Ohio Attorney General, Jennifer Bruner, who spearheaded the referendum campaign, and the many volunteers who gave countless hours working to get and count the signatures!
Here's the video a young friend sent along who is studying film at OSU. I think she has a brilliant future with network news!
We are Ohio and we're standing loud and proud!!!!!! Take that, Governor Kasich! You're going down!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
Here's the video a young friend sent along who is studying film at OSU. I think she has a brilliant future with network news!
We are Ohio and we're standing loud and proud!!!!!! Take that, Governor Kasich! You're going down!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
A Couple Notes
Thanks for all the good words yesterday -- especially the ones from Gene who made my Monday so very nice!!!
* Today getting in the swing of things was difficult but I did manage to get some visiting in and if y'all didn't see me, I'll be around.
* My computer woes continued and I finally decided to switch my default browser to Firefox. Hopefully, MSN can stuff it where the sun don't shine. We'll see how that goes so please bear with me as I adjust to the ins and outs as well as the peccadilloes that are always inherent in any software one encounters. Helpful hints and advice are always welcome.
* Glen Beck really did it this time . . . in less than two minutes! Y'all can see and read about it here.
* The Ohio Democratic Party is holding a 'Good Jobs, Strong Communities' Rally at the Statehouse in Columbus again on Thursday!!! I wish I could go but I can't. Think maybe we're fed up here in Buckeye land?
* Have y'all seen this man? He looks like a man to be reckoned with carefully.
I just wish he'd use some of that with certain members of Congress.
* Here's the song that's been (annoyingly) nagging at me since my birthday and I'm hoping that by posting it, it will go away and leave me be 64 my way. It's really sort of a guy song but it won't go away. Sigh.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
* Today getting in the swing of things was difficult but I did manage to get some visiting in and if y'all didn't see me, I'll be around.
* My computer woes continued and I finally decided to switch my default browser to Firefox. Hopefully, MSN can stuff it where the sun don't shine. We'll see how that goes so please bear with me as I adjust to the ins and outs as well as the peccadilloes that are always inherent in any software one encounters. Helpful hints and advice are always welcome.
* Glen Beck really did it this time . . . in less than two minutes! Y'all can see and read about it here.
* The Ohio Democratic Party is holding a 'Good Jobs, Strong Communities' Rally at the Statehouse in Columbus again on Thursday!!! I wish I could go but I can't. Think maybe we're fed up here in Buckeye land?
* Have y'all seen this man? He looks like a man to be reckoned with carefully.
I just wish he'd use some of that with certain members of Congress.
* Here's the song that's been (annoyingly) nagging at me since my birthday and I'm hoping that by posting it, it will go away and leave me be 64 my way. It's really sort of a guy song but it won't go away. Sigh.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
A Truly Excellent Day!
Yesterday was one of the nicest days I've had in a long time.
And quite welcome after a less than stellar (read: lousy) weekend but that's another blog and the results aren't in yet.
Miss Ruby and I put our worries on hold and headed west. She seemed ready and eager -- despite a bit of rain -- to get out and about to Wooster,
Ohio a lovely farming community and home to Rubbermaid and the College of Wooster, an excellent liberal arts institution.
Our intent in our visit was nothing to do with any of of the above. Our mission was to meet my good friend, as well as one of my favorite commenters here, Gene from Bellevue, OH for lunch! I also got to meet her nice husband and they presented me with a dozen organic, lo-cholesterol, healthy eggs laid by their hens. Great, huh? Her nice hubby headed down to Charm, OH (where I hope to take y'all sometime this summer) and Gene and I sat down, ordered lunch at an the excellent restaurant, and talked like we'd known each other for decades. Time just flew by as we talked and talked over our excellent meal. Y'all can holler at me because I completely forgot that I had my camera with me! (blush)
We will see each other again next month when I head to Toledo as Bellevue -- a very pretty little town --- is on my way. Hopefully, I'll remember to take photos!!!!
Y'all gotta know I'm going to be eating some serious omelets this week courtesy of their kindness. And I truly look forward to seeing Gene again -- she is really a terrific and interesting person. Meeting her was just what I needed to chase (what Hemingway called) the Black Dog from my doorstep and I feel very blessed that I met her and can count her as a friend as I do all y'all who I visit and who visit me.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
And quite welcome after a less than stellar (read: lousy) weekend but that's another blog and the results aren't in yet.
Miss Ruby and I put our worries on hold and headed west. She seemed ready and eager -- despite a bit of rain -- to get out and about to Wooster,
Ohio a lovely farming community and home to Rubbermaid and the College of Wooster, an excellent liberal arts institution.
Our intent in our visit was nothing to do with any of of the above. Our mission was to meet my good friend, as well as one of my favorite commenters here, Gene from Bellevue, OH for lunch! I also got to meet her nice husband and they presented me with a dozen organic, lo-cholesterol, healthy eggs laid by their hens. Great, huh? Her nice hubby headed down to Charm, OH (where I hope to take y'all sometime this summer) and Gene and I sat down, ordered lunch at an the excellent restaurant, and talked like we'd known each other for decades. Time just flew by as we talked and talked over our excellent meal. Y'all can holler at me because I completely forgot that I had my camera with me! (blush)
We will see each other again next month when I head to Toledo as Bellevue -- a very pretty little town --- is on my way. Hopefully, I'll remember to take photos!!!!
Y'all gotta know I'm going to be eating some serious omelets this week courtesy of their kindness. And I truly look forward to seeing Gene again -- she is really a terrific and interesting person. Meeting her was just what I needed to chase (what Hemingway called) the Black Dog from my doorstep and I feel very blessed that I met her and can count her as a friend as I do all y'all who I visit and who visit me.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Still Here and Still Crazy
It's a pretty Sunday in Ohio and yesterday was lovely, too. I really, really wanted to be doing any one of a number of things like visit the park, check out the nurseries to see what kind of plants I want to kill this year with my not so green thumb or just sit on the porch and survey my domain but nooooooooooo. Instead, I spent most of yesterday and today planted here trying to get this damned computer back in order. Everything had to be replaced, reloaded and I'm still trying to remember and find everything that was lost.
Fortunately, I was able to salvage a lot of photos, etc. when I realized that all was not skittles and beer. For a few scary moments I thought that I'd lost a LOT of my writing including The Great American Novel but I found that in a rare meeting with sanity, I had saved that stuff on a flash drive. The ex came over and did his best to put things back together and we mostly got the most important stuff back.
Google Toolbar decided to take a hike and I still don't know how I got it back but it took more than a few attempts (read: hours) to get it to re-install. That might not sound like much but it houses all my bookmarks (100s) and without my bookmarks, I'm lost. As it is, I lost all the folders I had to organize them within the tool bar and that will be yet another project. Sigh. And today I spent the afternoon on hold waiting for the folks at Avast -- my ant-virus program -- to decide that yes, I really did renew it and deserved to have it running. Did I say that I hate tech support of any kind? Well, I really do.
A lot has been happening in Ohio. About 10-15,000 citizens gathered at the Statehouse in Columbus on Saturday for the first We Are Ohio rally which is part of the push for a referendum to repeal SB 5 (union-busting bill) in which I want to be involved. . . Here's an excellent video of the event:
And here's Jennifer Bruner, our State Attorney General, on the referendum to repeal SB 5. She makes me so glad I voted for her.
I'm really proud of the way my fellow Ohioans are standing tall, loud and proud! I'd love to see citizens beyond the Midwest taking a stand because if it's happening here, it will happen there. Y'all can see what's happening in your area here at We Are One.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!
Kay
Fortunately, I was able to salvage a lot of photos, etc. when I realized that all was not skittles and beer. For a few scary moments I thought that I'd lost a LOT of my writing including The Great American Novel but I found that in a rare meeting with sanity, I had saved that stuff on a flash drive. The ex came over and did his best to put things back together and we mostly got the most important stuff back.
Google Toolbar decided to take a hike and I still don't know how I got it back but it took more than a few attempts (read: hours) to get it to re-install. That might not sound like much but it houses all my bookmarks (100s) and without my bookmarks, I'm lost. As it is, I lost all the folders I had to organize them within the tool bar and that will be yet another project. Sigh. And today I spent the afternoon on hold waiting for the folks at Avast -- my ant-virus program -- to decide that yes, I really did renew it and deserved to have it running. Did I say that I hate tech support of any kind? Well, I really do.
A lot has been happening in Ohio. About 10-15,000 citizens gathered at the Statehouse in Columbus on Saturday for the first We Are Ohio rally which is part of the push for a referendum to repeal SB 5 (union-busting bill) in which I want to be involved. . . Here's an excellent video of the event:
And here's Jennifer Bruner, our State Attorney General, on the referendum to repeal SB 5. She makes me so glad I voted for her.
I'm really proud of the way my fellow Ohioans are standing tall, loud and proud! I'd love to see citizens beyond the Midwest taking a stand because if it's happening here, it will happen there. Y'all can see what's happening in your area here at We Are One.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!
Kay
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Global Warming Simplified
This is gonna be short and quick because I spent a long time visiting y'all and a lot of time working around here yesterday. I hope y'all notice the addition to my sidebar from our local firefighters' union against Ohio Senate Bill 5 which kills collective bargaining.
A nice surprise I had the other day was that Ellen, who describes herself as a 'long-time lurker' here (I have lurkers? Get out here!), left a comment here indicating that she is a fellow Buckeye who grew up in a union family just like me. She has an excellent blog here where she displays her lovely knitting. Stop by and take a look!
She also posted this excellent video on global warming that clarifies it so that even a totally non-scientific liberal arts type like me can understand it. It sends a really powerful message.
Hope y'all are having a great day!
Happy Blogging!!!!!
Kay
A nice surprise I had the other day was that Ellen, who describes herself as a 'long-time lurker' here (I have lurkers? Get out here!), left a comment here indicating that she is a fellow Buckeye who grew up in a union family just like me. She has an excellent blog here where she displays her lovely knitting. Stop by and take a look!
She also posted this excellent video on global warming that clarifies it so that even a totally non-scientific liberal arts type like me can understand it. It sends a really powerful message.
Hope y'all are having a great day!
Happy Blogging!!!!!
Kay
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Raising Hell in Ohio
I got so hung up on those courageous folks up in Wisconsin yesterday that I missed what was going on in here Buckeye Land yesterday. Our new Tea Party Governor, John Kasich, is pushing a piece of legislation called Senate Bill 5. What is Senate Bill 5? It's basically a Union-busting piece of legislation and yesterday thousands of teachers, law enforcement, and firefighters from across Ohio converged on the State House in Columbus to protest against the the bill which would take away workers' right to collective bargaining and allow the governor to slash workers' pay. I was so upset yesterday afternoon that I almost jumped in Miss Ruby and headed to Columbus to join the throng and then I remembered that I hate driving on I-71 and it's February and it's a long drive and stayed home.
My dad served several terms as president of his union, my mom was a steel worker, and I was a rank-and-file member of the Communication Workers when I worked for the phone company so I think that tells y'all where I stand on this. Enacting this law would impact all State employees From professors down to law enforcement to the clerks at Job and Family Services and other agencies that serve us. Be afraid, my friends . . . be very afraid. And of course the Tea Party showed up in their red shirts to support this horrible legislation. Do y'all recall who in history wore red shirts? If you answered 'the Nazis', you are correct and I don't think I need to enlarge on that. Mercifully, it was a peaceful demonstration on both sides.
Our former governor, Ted Strickland, lent his support to the union protesters and spoke eloquently as he joined the protest. I want him back as do the who protestes . Here he is speaking eloquently at the State House:
As Jack Cafferty is wont to say, "It's getting ugly out there, folks." And I predict that it will get worse before it gets better as the people of Wisconsin and Ohio already know.
I'll be around to visit y'all later.
Hope y'all are having a great day!
Happy Blogging!
Kay
Friday, January 07, 2011
Snow Is a Four Letter Word
It's snowing in Ohio! Then again, it's January and that's normal. Cleveland usually gets it a lot worse than we do. "Lake effect" is the operative term the weather folks use a lot. My walks are not shovelled yet but I suspect they will be when the boys get home from school. The city has done a wonderful job of clearing the streets -- as always since our present Service Director was hired. I know him personally. He's a great guy and he runs things better than anyone ever has in the decades that I've lived here. Other areas are not so fortunate:
And this photo is from a couple years ago and illustrates how nutty some of us are here in the Buckeye State. And no, I don't know the guy -- I know some pretty crazy people but not that crazy. Do y'all think alcohol was involved?
Here's the song for today by the late great Dean Martin -- an Ohio native who was born and bred down in Steubenville, Ohio:
Hope those of y'all in the path the storm are safe and warm!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!
Kay
And this photo is from a couple years ago and illustrates how nutty some of us are here in the Buckeye State. And no, I don't know the guy -- I know some pretty crazy people but not that crazy. Do y'all think alcohol was involved?
Here's the song for today by the late great Dean Martin -- an Ohio native who was born and bred down in Steubenville, Ohio:
Hope those of y'all in the path the storm are safe and warm!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!
Kay
Monday, December 13, 2010
Nobody Likes a Crybaby
I have been in serious Cranky Old Broad mode (as if being sick and buried in snow wasn't enough) ever since I saw Leslie Stahl's overly sympathetic interview of soon-to-be House Majority Leader John Boehner. It really made me angry.
This idiot astounds me!!! He's only two years younger than I am and I understand how he grew up because I came from a blue collar family and I don't complain about it -- it's just how it was for lots of us. It galls me that he makes a big deal out of only one bathroom. In those days *everyone* only had one bathroom and there were a lot of big families unlike today. I know a lot of middle class folks who are having a really difficult time adjusting to their reduced circumstances when the policies in this country destroyed their lives. It happened to my husband and I and I adjusted easier than he did because of my upbringing.
And oh hell!! I went to mass every morning before school, too -- it was part and parcel of going to Catholic school. It wasn't a big deal. We survived it. We also went to confession every week. It's just how it was growing up in the 50s! I think it's tacky that he even brings it up! And Leslie played to it and treated him with kid gloves. I was waiting for her to say "Poor baby!!!!" or kneel in homage.
And yeah, we all had chores that varied according to how big our families were. Somewhere that disappeared when someone somewhere decided that a work ethic was child abuse. I was lucky -- my chores were a piece of cake because my mother was/is a perfectionist and didn't give us anything too difficult. My least favorite chore was cleaning my dresser drawers every week -- not because it was difficult -- but because if they didn't pass muster, they were dumped out anf I had to start over!!! Yuck!!! (And my kids wonder why I'm obsessive-compulsive). When I became a teenager, my favorite job was mowing the grass. It was a time when I could think without interruption. My sister decided one day to get in my face one day while I was mowing and man-oh-man did I catch hell when I said, "You do it!" and walked away. And yeah, I worked crappy jobs and got scholarships so I could go to college, too. Big deal. Not! I'm proud that I did it and my kids did the same because their dad lost his job when they were in high school.
Boehner annoys me because he's a hypocrite. While he likes to talk and cry about how tough his life was as a poor kid, his actions in Congress decry (pun intended) any sympathy he has for us ordinary mortals. He supports and votes for tax cuts for billionaires while the people of his hometown suffer.
(Cranky Old Broad mode off) I hope I'll be back tomorrow with updates and not cranky.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!! Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!
Kay
This idiot astounds me!!! He's only two years younger than I am and I understand how he grew up because I came from a blue collar family and I don't complain about it -- it's just how it was for lots of us. It galls me that he makes a big deal out of only one bathroom. In those days *everyone* only had one bathroom and there were a lot of big families unlike today. I know a lot of middle class folks who are having a really difficult time adjusting to their reduced circumstances when the policies in this country destroyed their lives. It happened to my husband and I and I adjusted easier than he did because of my upbringing.
And oh hell!! I went to mass every morning before school, too -- it was part and parcel of going to Catholic school. It wasn't a big deal. We survived it. We also went to confession every week. It's just how it was growing up in the 50s! I think it's tacky that he even brings it up! And Leslie played to it and treated him with kid gloves. I was waiting for her to say "Poor baby!!!!" or kneel in homage.
And yeah, we all had chores that varied according to how big our families were. Somewhere that disappeared when someone somewhere decided that a work ethic was child abuse. I was lucky -- my chores were a piece of cake because my mother was/is a perfectionist and didn't give us anything too difficult. My least favorite chore was cleaning my dresser drawers every week -- not because it was difficult -- but because if they didn't pass muster, they were dumped out anf I had to start over!!! Yuck!!! (And my kids wonder why I'm obsessive-compulsive). When I became a teenager, my favorite job was mowing the grass. It was a time when I could think without interruption. My sister decided one day to get in my face one day while I was mowing and man-oh-man did I catch hell when I said, "You do it!" and walked away. And yeah, I worked crappy jobs and got scholarships so I could go to college, too. Big deal. Not! I'm proud that I did it and my kids did the same because their dad lost his job when they were in high school.
Boehner annoys me because he's a hypocrite. While he likes to talk and cry about how tough his life was as a poor kid, his actions in Congress decry (pun intended) any sympathy he has for us ordinary mortals. He supports and votes for tax cuts for billionaires while the people of his hometown suffer.
(Cranky Old Broad mode off) I hope I'll be back tomorrow with updates and not cranky.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!! Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Marci Kaptur Is One of My Heroes
I almost didn't blog today. I had a tough day yesterday and the mess isn't over yet.
Nothing is ever easy here.
Y'all know that I think a great deal of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. A Toledo gal born and bred, she and I are the same age. She is a no-nonsense champion of the working folk of northwestern Ohio and this country. One could say that she and I went to different schools together as I spent most of my formative years in Toledo. She is a graduate of the excellent all girls Catholic high school to which my parents hoped that I would get a scholarship (I'm guessing she had one because her folks weren't rich either) but we moved to northeast Ohio and I don't think I've ever forgiven them for that but that's another blog . . .
Here's a new video of her on Dylan Ratigan show that further exposes what is happening to American homeowners. It's a wake up call to anyone who has a mortgage or is considering one. It's a very worthwhile ten minutes. One might ask, "It 11 o'clock (or insert appropriate time). Do you know where your mortgage is?" Sad. Raise hell with your Congress Critters!!!
And here she is on Hardball weighing in on what most Americans care about most: JOBS!!! I think she is right on the money -- no pun intended.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
Nothing is ever easy here.
Y'all know that I think a great deal of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. A Toledo gal born and bred, she and I are the same age. She is a no-nonsense champion of the working folk of northwestern Ohio and this country. One could say that she and I went to different schools together as I spent most of my formative years in Toledo. She is a graduate of the excellent all girls Catholic high school to which my parents hoped that I would get a scholarship (I'm guessing she had one because her folks weren't rich either) but we moved to northeast Ohio and I don't think I've ever forgiven them for that but that's another blog . . .
Here's a new video of her on Dylan Ratigan show that further exposes what is happening to American homeowners. It's a wake up call to anyone who has a mortgage or is considering one. It's a very worthwhile ten minutes. One might ask, "It 11 o'clock (or insert appropriate time). Do you know where your mortgage is?" Sad. Raise hell with your Congress Critters!!!
And here she is on Hardball weighing in on what most Americans care about most: JOBS!!! I think she is right on the money -- no pun intended.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
You know . . .
I had a rather startling realization today that left me tap-dancing on the edge. I'm still upset but I've done all that I can do to take care of the matter. That said, I decided to go through my archives and found something I stashed long ago that gave me some giggles and it still does -- probably 'cause they're pretty much true. I hope y'all laugh, too.
You know that you're from Ohio if . . .
* You think all Pro football teams are supposed to wear orange.
* You know all the 4 seasons: winter, still winter, almost winter and
construction.
* You live less than 30 miles from some college or university.
* You know what a "buckeye" really is, and have a recipe for candy ones.
* "Toward the lake" means "North" and "toward the river" means "South."
* You know if other Ohioans are from southern or northern Ohio as soon as
they open their mouths.
* "Vacation" means spending a day at Cedar Point in the summer and deer
hunting in the fall.
* You know what succotash is.
* You measure distance in minutes.
* Your school was closed because of cold.
* Your school was closed because of heat.
* Schools close for the state basketball tournament. Deer
season, too
* You've had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
* You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example:
"Where's my coat at?"
* You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both
unlocked.
* You think of the major four food groups as beef, pork, beer, and
Jell-O salad with marshmallows.
* You carry jumper cables in your car.
* You know what "pop" is.
* You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
* Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled
with snow.
* The local paper covers national and international headlines on one
page but requires six pages for sports.
* If someone says something you don't understand or hear, you say
"Please?"
* You call it Krogers even though it is Kroger.
* You actually know how to pronounce Cuyahoga.
* You see Christmas lights up in July.
* You wear shorts the first day of the year it isn't below zero and
snowing . . . just because you can.
* You know where "the Jake" and "the 'Shoe" are.
* You know what The Tribe is.
* You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightgown.
* You find -20 degrees F "a little chilly".
* You know what should be knee-high by the Fourth of July.
* You can spell and pronounce words like Cuyahoga, Olentangy, Bellefontaine, Tuscarawas, Wapakoneta and you know which letter is doubled in Cincinnati.
* "Vacation" means spending a day at Cedar Point in the summer and deer
hunting in the fall.
* You don't think of Florida first when someone mentions Miami.
* You've heard of 3.2% beer (and if you're old enough, you drank it!)
* You're proud of your state fair, but would rather go to Cedar Point.
* You root for a college team though you've never taken a class there.
(Go Bucs!)
* You've heard of the Great Nickel Beer Night Riot.
* You know what game they're playing when the Mud Hens take on the
Clippers.
* Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on
the highway.
* Down south to you means Kentucky or West Virginia.
* You know that Serpent Mound was not made by snakes.
* You know several people who have hit a deer.
* The only foreign car you see is the one you’re driving.
* Every person working out at the gym is wearing the same Ohio State
Buckeyes T-shirt.
* You've ridden the school bus for an hour each way.
* You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.
* You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one
in it no matter what time of the year.
* All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable,
or grain.
* You know what "cow tipping" or "Possum Kicking" is.
* You only own 3 spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
* You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
* You actually get these jokes and forward them to all your Ohio friends.
* Isn't it sad? You just said "yup" and "uh-huh" or "ain't that the
truth?" to most of these!!!
Let's just say that I can identify with a lot of these because I've lived in more than one place in Ohio.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!
Kay
You know that you're from Ohio if . . .
* You think all Pro football teams are supposed to wear orange.
* You know all the 4 seasons: winter, still winter, almost winter and
construction.
* You live less than 30 miles from some college or university.
* You know what a "buckeye" really is, and have a recipe for candy ones.
* "Toward the lake" means "North" and "toward the river" means "South."
* You know if other Ohioans are from southern or northern Ohio as soon as
they open their mouths.
* "Vacation" means spending a day at Cedar Point in the summer and deer
hunting in the fall.
* You know what succotash is.
* You measure distance in minutes.
* Your school was closed because of cold.
* Your school was closed because of heat.
* Schools close for the state basketball tournament. Deer
season, too
* You've had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
* You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example:
"Where's my coat at?"
* You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both
unlocked.
* You think of the major four food groups as beef, pork, beer, and
Jell-O salad with marshmallows.
* You carry jumper cables in your car.
* You know what "pop" is.
* You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
* Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled
with snow.
* The local paper covers national and international headlines on one
page but requires six pages for sports.
* If someone says something you don't understand or hear, you say
"Please?"
* You call it Krogers even though it is Kroger.
* You actually know how to pronounce Cuyahoga.
* You see Christmas lights up in July.
* You wear shorts the first day of the year it isn't below zero and
snowing . . . just because you can.
* You know where "the Jake" and "the 'Shoe" are.
* You know what The Tribe is.
* You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightgown.
* You find -20 degrees F "a little chilly".
* You know what should be knee-high by the Fourth of July.
* You can spell and pronounce words like Cuyahoga, Olentangy, Bellefontaine, Tuscarawas, Wapakoneta and you know which letter is doubled in Cincinnati.
* "Vacation" means spending a day at Cedar Point in the summer and deer
hunting in the fall.
* You don't think of Florida first when someone mentions Miami.
* You've heard of 3.2% beer (and if you're old enough, you drank it!)
* You're proud of your state fair, but would rather go to Cedar Point.
* You root for a college team though you've never taken a class there.
(Go Bucs!)
* You've heard of the Great Nickel Beer Night Riot.
* You know what game they're playing when the Mud Hens take on the
Clippers.
* Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on
the highway.
* Down south to you means Kentucky or West Virginia.
* You know that Serpent Mound was not made by snakes.
* You know several people who have hit a deer.
* The only foreign car you see is the one you’re driving.
* Every person working out at the gym is wearing the same Ohio State
Buckeyes T-shirt.
* You've ridden the school bus for an hour each way.
* You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.
* You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one
in it no matter what time of the year.
* All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable,
or grain.
* You know what "cow tipping" or "Possum Kicking" is.
* You only own 3 spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
* You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
* You actually get these jokes and forward them to all your Ohio friends.
* Isn't it sad? You just said "yup" and "uh-huh" or "ain't that the
truth?" to most of these!!!
Let's just say that I can identify with a lot of these because I've lived in more than one place in Ohio.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!
Kay
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wandering with Kay
With all the "sturm and drang" that's been occurring of late, last weekend I decided that I needed to get away from the you-know-what that I was experiencing and go a-wandering to see some of the wonders of flyover country. And I loaded up Miss Ruby and headed northeast. I don't like freeways much because I like seeing the little towns with their shops and that I can just ramble along at a leisurely pace. My days as Mario Andretti are long gone. Heck! Sometimes there are still Burma Shave signs which were a godsend as in playing what we called barnyard poker 'cause you got the 'u' and the 'v' and there are still a few barns displaying Mail Pouch logos.
As I headed north, my first stop was in a tiny village called New Baltimore -- don't blink -- for an cone of homemade ice cream. Serious yum. The challenge, as always was deciding what flavor I wanted but I'm a sucker for their fresh strawberry. It's one of those places that Miss Ruby goes into auto-pilot mode and always stops.
I continued through the little towns that dot the route north enjoying the scenery provided by the farms and other little towns. Our next stop was the village of Hiram, Ohio -- home of one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country and my daughter's alma mater, Hiram College. It's most famous alumni is President James A. Garfield who also served as its president. Poet Vachel Lindsay also attended Hiram. I have a soft spot for this excellent school because it was a godsend for Kate. After not fitting in well in high school, Hiram was the pond where my little girl found a home with the other nerds. I practically had to kidnap her to come home because she loved her life -- both socially and academically -- there so much. This building is typical of the architecture of the buildings on the campus which was founded in 1850.
Here's a not very good shot (sigh) of the central campus:
The college is surrounded by a village wonderful old houses that have been maintained beautifully. It's really a picture postcard town and campus.
I headed north to Burton, Ohio home to a an Amish community so it isn't strange to see buggies along the highway. It's also where a lot of antique shows and flea markets are held. I was glad that it wasn't one of those days because the traffic would have been insane. One of it's interesting points is that the center of town is a traffic circle and in the center of the circle is a lovely park with big log cabin mandated by the city fathers for making maple syrup. Sugar maples abound in the area and maple syrup and candy and other local products as well. I bought a half pint of syrup ($9 -- yikes!), some candy, and a pint jar of fresh apple butter. Below is a photo of the inside of the log cabin and the nice Amish lady who was a font of it's history. (I swear I took an exterior shot but I guess not -- LOL)
The homes around the traffic circle are fabulous examples of Victorian architecture and this one was my favorite:
I'm definitely going back there to check out more of the area -- prolly next summer.
My next destination was to find a little known sight in NE Ohio. It's located on a farm northeast of Burton and I had scanty directions. It's a fifty foot tall statue
of the Virgin of Guadalupe. She is one of my favorite saints and I really wanted to see this wonder and much of the work was done by volunteers. The story is here. And yes, I do believe in miracles. I have to because I am one. I never did find it so I swiped the photo below from the 'net. I did stop and ask for directions but after well over an hour looking for it, I gave it up as a bad job. I do plan to try again another time but it was getting late and I wanted to get up to the lake and find a place to stay overnight.
I headed further north and stopped in a little town called Orwell because I was starving and grabbed a sandwich and coffee and a downpour began. I talked to my waitress and she told me rain was in the forecast for the next couple days from there up to the lake. Yikes!!!! My plan was to go to the beach up at Geneva-on-the-Lake to revisit scenes of my misspent youth's crimes and misdemeanors!!! I bought a newspaper and checked the weather and found my information was correct. I was disappointed and I decided that I would head home. So I did. Sigh. There's always next year.
All in all, it was a nice trip and I enjoyed it immensely. I love trips that don't have a fixed destination or itinerary. I'm going to do some more.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
As I headed north, my first stop was in a tiny village called New Baltimore -- don't blink -- for an cone of homemade ice cream. Serious yum. The challenge, as always was deciding what flavor I wanted but I'm a sucker for their fresh strawberry. It's one of those places that Miss Ruby goes into auto-pilot mode and always stops.
I continued through the little towns that dot the route north enjoying the scenery provided by the farms and other little towns. Our next stop was the village of Hiram, Ohio -- home of one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country and my daughter's alma mater, Hiram College. It's most famous alumni is President James A. Garfield who also served as its president. Poet Vachel Lindsay also attended Hiram. I have a soft spot for this excellent school because it was a godsend for Kate. After not fitting in well in high school, Hiram was the pond where my little girl found a home with the other nerds. I practically had to kidnap her to come home because she loved her life -- both socially and academically -- there so much. This building is typical of the architecture of the buildings on the campus which was founded in 1850.
Here's a not very good shot (sigh) of the central campus:
The college is surrounded by a village wonderful old houses that have been maintained beautifully. It's really a picture postcard town and campus.
I headed north to Burton, Ohio home to a an Amish community so it isn't strange to see buggies along the highway. It's also where a lot of antique shows and flea markets are held. I was glad that it wasn't one of those days because the traffic would have been insane. One of it's interesting points is that the center of town is a traffic circle and in the center of the circle is a lovely park with big log cabin mandated by the city fathers for making maple syrup. Sugar maples abound in the area and maple syrup and candy and other local products as well. I bought a half pint of syrup ($9 -- yikes!), some candy, and a pint jar of fresh apple butter. Below is a photo of the inside of the log cabin and the nice Amish lady who was a font of it's history. (I swear I took an exterior shot but I guess not -- LOL)
The homes around the traffic circle are fabulous examples of Victorian architecture and this one was my favorite:
I'm definitely going back there to check out more of the area -- prolly next summer.
My next destination was to find a little known sight in NE Ohio. It's located on a farm northeast of Burton and I had scanty directions. It's a fifty foot tall statue
of the Virgin of Guadalupe. She is one of my favorite saints and I really wanted to see this wonder and much of the work was done by volunteers. The story is here. And yes, I do believe in miracles. I have to because I am one. I never did find it so I swiped the photo below from the 'net. I did stop and ask for directions but after well over an hour looking for it, I gave it up as a bad job. I do plan to try again another time but it was getting late and I wanted to get up to the lake and find a place to stay overnight.
I headed further north and stopped in a little town called Orwell because I was starving and grabbed a sandwich and coffee and a downpour began. I talked to my waitress and she told me rain was in the forecast for the next couple days from there up to the lake. Yikes!!!! My plan was to go to the beach up at Geneva-on-the-Lake to revisit scenes of my misspent youth's crimes and misdemeanors!!! I bought a newspaper and checked the weather and found my information was correct. I was disappointed and I decided that I would head home. So I did. Sigh. There's always next year.
All in all, it was a nice trip and I enjoyed it immensely. I love trips that don't have a fixed destination or itinerary. I'm going to do some more.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!
Kay
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Ohio History: Fort Laurens
I went a-wandering again on Thursday with my new toy (camera) and visited Fort Laurens -- Ohio's only Revolutionary War Fort -- about twenty miles south of me just outside Bolivar. You can learn more about it here.
For now there's the museum and the cemetery as well as markers of the fort's dimensions and reproductions of its excavation. And yes, the re-enactment people use
the grounds now and again.
Do remember that clicking on any of the photos will enlarge them.
Here's the museum: It's not very large but every time I go they've added new displays and great videos on the Fort and its inhabitants.
This map shows the layout of the original Fort.
Here's a reproduction of the living quarters at the fort when construction began in the fall of 1778:
I found the mannequins (is that the right word?) fascinating because they're so lifelike. Here are photos of an American soldier and his enemies: the British and the Native Americans. (Please note that not all the tribes sided with the British and many Native Americans were decorated for their heroism in supporting the Patriots' cause.) And yes, the uniforms are authentic.
I got a chuckle out of these two plaques in the museum. I'm glad to know that these brave men and women kept their sense of humor through an Ohio winter.
Questions:
Answers:
Hope you enjoyed the first leg of my road trip. Tomorrow we'll be heading a few miles down the road from the fort to a lovely and fascinating restored village founded in 1817.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
For now there's the museum and the cemetery as well as markers of the fort's dimensions and reproductions of its excavation. And yes, the re-enactment people use
the grounds now and again.
Do remember that clicking on any of the photos will enlarge them.
Here's the museum: It's not very large but every time I go they've added new displays and great videos on the Fort and its inhabitants.
This map shows the layout of the original Fort.
Here's a reproduction of the living quarters at the fort when construction began in the fall of 1778:
I found the mannequins (is that the right word?) fascinating because they're so lifelike. Here are photos of an American soldier and his enemies: the British and the Native Americans. (Please note that not all the tribes sided with the British and many Native Americans were decorated for their heroism in supporting the Patriots' cause.) And yes, the uniforms are authentic.
I got a chuckle out of these two plaques in the museum. I'm glad to know that these brave men and women kept their sense of humor through an Ohio winter.
Questions:
Answers:
Hope you enjoyed the first leg of my road trip. Tomorrow we'll be heading a few miles down the road from the fort to a lovely and fascinating restored village founded in 1817.
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!
Kay
Friday, July 30, 2010
Ohio History: Schoenbrunn
Last week I took some time to take my new camera for a "tryout" and where better to do it than one of the many historic sites in my neck of the woods? One of my favorite such destinations is a mere 45 minutes south of me -- or less if you don't drive like an old lady -- (grin)! Schoenbrunn was founded as a mission to the Delaware Indians.
I've watched it grow over the years to its current state of reconsruction and restoration. I'm only showing a couple pictures because I wasn't used to the camera and software yet. In fact, I was wandering about the village snapping my little heart out and suddenly message appeared: Out of Memory. I hadn't bothered to look at the card and later discovered that it really didn't have very much memory on it. That is being remedied as I type but it did cut my photographing short.
Here's a typical cabin that the Native Americans built -- quite rustic with a fire pit in the center. That changed as the missionaries introduced them to the tools they used.
Here's a cabin (and interior) typical of the missionaries living quarters:
I had the good fortune to meet the candlemaker. She's one of the many volunteers who give their time to the village and was a font of information about the village and its history. (I also learned that weekends and Thursdays are the best days to see the artisans.) Alas!!! It was Friday.
The schoolhouse is one of the few buildings that almost totally restored. The missionaries not only taught their converts religion -- they educated them.
I'm going back again soon and I'm also planning to visit some other favorite sites so watch this space. LOL
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!
Kay
I've watched it grow over the years to its current state of reconsruction and restoration. I'm only showing a couple pictures because I wasn't used to the camera and software yet. In fact, I was wandering about the village snapping my little heart out and suddenly message appeared: Out of Memory. I hadn't bothered to look at the card and later discovered that it really didn't have very much memory on it. That is being remedied as I type but it did cut my photographing short.
Here's a typical cabin that the Native Americans built -- quite rustic with a fire pit in the center. That changed as the missionaries introduced them to the tools they used.
Here's a cabin (and interior) typical of the missionaries living quarters:
I had the good fortune to meet the candlemaker. She's one of the many volunteers who give their time to the village and was a font of information about the village and its history. (I also learned that weekends and Thursdays are the best days to see the artisans.) Alas!!! It was Friday.
The schoolhouse is one of the few buildings that almost totally restored. The missionaries not only taught their converts religion -- they educated them.
I'm going back again soon and I'm also planning to visit some other favorite sites so watch this space. LOL
Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!
Kay
Friday, June 11, 2010
If It's Happening Here . . .
This just came in from the Ohio Department of Aging. I'm posting it because: a) most of my readers are elders; b) if it's happening here, it could be happening elsewhere as well; c) people who prey on elders are pond scum and need to be exposed.
News Release: Take Action Consumer Alert - Medicare Part D Rebate Scam
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2010
"Columbus, Ohio - Partners in the State of Ohio's Take Action - Protect Yourself from Fraud program are cautioning seniors with Medicare to be on the alert for a Part D prescription drug coverage scam involving the $250 "doughnut hole" rebate checks. President Obama and Governor Strickland both warned seniors that scam artists are calling seniors to solicit their personal information, such as social security numbers, bank account information and Medicare numbers, incorrectly claiming they need this information to mail the Part D rebate check.
The first batch of one-time rebate checks, a result of the federal health care reform Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), has been mailed by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. The rebate checks will be mailed monthly throughout the year as new beneficiaries hit the doughnut hole, the portion of Part D coverage when a beneficiary pays all of his or her prescription drug costs out of pocket.
Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson and Aging Director Barbara Riley urge Ohio seniors to be vigilant and use the tools provided by the Take Action program to avoid becoming a victim and to report any unscrupulous activity.
"We want Ohio seniors to clearly understand that the federal government will be directly mailing them their Part D rebate check when they hit the doughnut hole," Director Hudson said. "If someone says they need your personal information to mail you the rebate or they can help you get your check more quickly if you pay them a fee, immediately report this scam to the authorities."
Last year, roughly 156,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Ohio hit the doughnut hole.
"This rebate program is a first and crucial step to improved prescription drug coverage for older Ohioans, and I am appalled that some people are exploiting this opportunity for personal gain," Director Riley said. "Consumers who take an active role, seek information and take action against scams like this are key in making the schemes go away. Our aim is to arm all Ohioans against this and other types of consumer fraud."
Take Action and AARP Ohio Tips and Information:
People with Part D who have paid more than $940 in out-of-pocket drug costs should automatically receive a check after reaching that threshold but you should save your receipts just in case. If you think you've reached the doughnut hole and don't receive your check within a few months, having your receipts handy will be helpful when talking to Medicare.
Checks will be mailed automatically. Those who qualify can expect to receive their checks within 45 days of reaching the gap. The first rounds of checks were to arrive the week of June 10. Medicare tracks your drug costs for you. Once you reach the coverage gap, you will receive a check.
Your check will be mailed to the address Social Security uses to reach you. If you need to change your address, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you prefer, a change of address may also be reported by calling or visiting your local Social Security office.
Protect yourself against scams. If an unsolicited visitor comes to your home or someone calls you saying they are a representative from Medicare and need personal information to process your Part D rebate, calmly request their personal information (e.g., name, business affiliation and phone number) and inform them you will call them back. Do not call them back, but instead, immediately contact the local police, the Ohio Attorney General's Office at 1-800-282-0515 or online at www.speakoutohio.gov, or the Take Action program at 1-800-686-1526.
Launched in May, Take Action focuses on alerting consumers to types of deceptive sales practices and schemes currently occurring in annuities, living trusts, stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI), reverse mortgages, Medicare sales and health care fraud. Take Action also assists Ohioans in safeguarding their online information and warding off unwanted telemarketers and spammers.
A free consumer guide provides background facts on areas where people are exploited and serves as a workbook listing important questions to ask. The guide is available at www.takeaction.ohio.gov, an interactive Web site filled with tips on how to recognize, avoid and report fraud. Consumer stories about fraud and successful encounters overcoming it will be published on the Web site.
In addition, senior groups and associations can request a speaker for a workshop or ask for a panel of government experts to talk about fraud. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Ohio Department of Aging, the Ohio Department of Commerce, the Office of Attorney General Richard Cordray, the Office of State Treasurer Kevin Boyce, Ohio Consumers' Counsel, and the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio will participate on panels.
About ODA - The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov."
I consider myself fortunate to live here and that our leaders here in Buckeye Country are being vigilant to such scams. If y'all haven't checked to see what your state is doing for elders, I recommend y'all do so and raise hell with your representatives if they aren't helping.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
News Release: Take Action Consumer Alert - Medicare Part D Rebate Scam
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2010
"Columbus, Ohio - Partners in the State of Ohio's Take Action - Protect Yourself from Fraud program are cautioning seniors with Medicare to be on the alert for a Part D prescription drug coverage scam involving the $250 "doughnut hole" rebate checks. President Obama and Governor Strickland both warned seniors that scam artists are calling seniors to solicit their personal information, such as social security numbers, bank account information and Medicare numbers, incorrectly claiming they need this information to mail the Part D rebate check.
The first batch of one-time rebate checks, a result of the federal health care reform Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), has been mailed by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. The rebate checks will be mailed monthly throughout the year as new beneficiaries hit the doughnut hole, the portion of Part D coverage when a beneficiary pays all of his or her prescription drug costs out of pocket.
Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson and Aging Director Barbara Riley urge Ohio seniors to be vigilant and use the tools provided by the Take Action program to avoid becoming a victim and to report any unscrupulous activity.
"We want Ohio seniors to clearly understand that the federal government will be directly mailing them their Part D rebate check when they hit the doughnut hole," Director Hudson said. "If someone says they need your personal information to mail you the rebate or they can help you get your check more quickly if you pay them a fee, immediately report this scam to the authorities."
Last year, roughly 156,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Ohio hit the doughnut hole.
"This rebate program is a first and crucial step to improved prescription drug coverage for older Ohioans, and I am appalled that some people are exploiting this opportunity for personal gain," Director Riley said. "Consumers who take an active role, seek information and take action against scams like this are key in making the schemes go away. Our aim is to arm all Ohioans against this and other types of consumer fraud."
Take Action and AARP Ohio Tips and Information:
People with Part D who have paid more than $940 in out-of-pocket drug costs should automatically receive a check after reaching that threshold but you should save your receipts just in case. If you think you've reached the doughnut hole and don't receive your check within a few months, having your receipts handy will be helpful when talking to Medicare.
Checks will be mailed automatically. Those who qualify can expect to receive their checks within 45 days of reaching the gap. The first rounds of checks were to arrive the week of June 10. Medicare tracks your drug costs for you. Once you reach the coverage gap, you will receive a check.
Your check will be mailed to the address Social Security uses to reach you. If you need to change your address, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you prefer, a change of address may also be reported by calling or visiting your local Social Security office.
Protect yourself against scams. If an unsolicited visitor comes to your home or someone calls you saying they are a representative from Medicare and need personal information to process your Part D rebate, calmly request their personal information (e.g., name, business affiliation and phone number) and inform them you will call them back. Do not call them back, but instead, immediately contact the local police, the Ohio Attorney General's Office at 1-800-282-0515 or online at www.speakoutohio.gov, or the Take Action program at 1-800-686-1526.
Launched in May, Take Action focuses on alerting consumers to types of deceptive sales practices and schemes currently occurring in annuities, living trusts, stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI), reverse mortgages, Medicare sales and health care fraud. Take Action also assists Ohioans in safeguarding their online information and warding off unwanted telemarketers and spammers.
A free consumer guide provides background facts on areas where people are exploited and serves as a workbook listing important questions to ask. The guide is available at www.takeaction.ohio.gov, an interactive Web site filled with tips on how to recognize, avoid and report fraud. Consumer stories about fraud and successful encounters overcoming it will be published on the Web site.
In addition, senior groups and associations can request a speaker for a workshop or ask for a panel of government experts to talk about fraud. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Ohio Department of Aging, the Ohio Department of Commerce, the Office of Attorney General Richard Cordray, the Office of State Treasurer Kevin Boyce, Ohio Consumers' Counsel, and the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio will participate on panels.
About ODA - The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov."
I consider myself fortunate to live here and that our leaders here in Buckeye Country are being vigilant to such scams. If y'all haven't checked to see what your state is doing for elders, I recommend y'all do so and raise hell with your representatives if they aren't helping.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Yikes!!!!!
Snow is a four-letter word and it's very much with us here in Ohio. It started at around three yesterday afternoon and hasn't stopped and we have a foot of snow so far. I guess the main drags are clear but no one is moving unless there's an emergency.
The party the Jeffster and I were supposed to attend last was cancelled because of the weather. I was disappointed for him but such is life in the Buckeye State. He told me to pack a bag and he and Shaughn would be over to get me and we would weather the storm together. I put Miss Ruby in the driveway out back so she wouldn't get towed. I packed some clothes, grabbed some fresh pasta, sauce and meatballs I'd frozen from the fridge, and a bottle of wine and some DVDs and my Scrabble game for entertainment AND my lil' laptop so I could keep up with y'all !!!
So I'm at his house ensconced in the guest room with Shaughn as my roomie. Actually, we're having fun except we're glued to the radio to see if the Symphony's performance is cancelled -- just about everything else is so far. We took Shaughn out for his walk and he had fun with some of the kids in Jeff's as well as trying to catch the snowballs Jeff and I were lobbing at each other. It's too deep to make snow angels. Sigh.
Just about everything is cancelled so far. And there is snow in the forecast for the next week. Jeff is a tad worried because he was planning to head back to Florida with Shaughn at the end of the week but it doesn't look very good. I hope Brice or Joey shovels me out. I may not see Miss Ruby again until spring thaw. I shouldn't really complain because we haven't had a huge snow storm until now. Then again, complaining about the weather is a Ohio tradition.
Hope y'all are having a great day.
Happy Blogging!!!!!
Kay
The party the Jeffster and I were supposed to attend last was cancelled because of the weather. I was disappointed for him but such is life in the Buckeye State. He told me to pack a bag and he and Shaughn would be over to get me and we would weather the storm together. I put Miss Ruby in the driveway out back so she wouldn't get towed. I packed some clothes, grabbed some fresh pasta, sauce and meatballs I'd frozen from the fridge, and a bottle of wine and some DVDs and my Scrabble game for entertainment AND my lil' laptop so I could keep up with y'all !!!
So I'm at his house ensconced in the guest room with Shaughn as my roomie. Actually, we're having fun except we're glued to the radio to see if the Symphony's performance is cancelled -- just about everything else is so far. We took Shaughn out for his walk and he had fun with some of the kids in Jeff's as well as trying to catch the snowballs Jeff and I were lobbing at each other. It's too deep to make snow angels. Sigh.
Just about everything is cancelled so far. And there is snow in the forecast for the next week. Jeff is a tad worried because he was planning to head back to Florida with Shaughn at the end of the week but it doesn't look very good. I hope Brice or Joey shovels me out. I may not see Miss Ruby again until spring thaw. I shouldn't really complain because we haven't had a huge snow storm until now. Then again, complaining about the weather is a Ohio tradition.
Hope y'all are having a great day.
Happy Blogging!!!!!
Kay
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