Just Stuff--the Beginning

Isn't it time for Barky to get his s&*t together? How much longer must we put up with Obama's disloyalty to the United States of America?

I don't want to change the world...I want each and every human being to change themselves--by themselves--for the better of our nation..

Car commercials where the license plate is painted the same color as the car really bother me.

RE: The Event, where Blair Underwood is a more concerned "President of the US" than Barky Obama.

North Korea...need I say more than "Team America"?

For what are we thankful?

From Wiki:

As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.

hat we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord.

To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Proclamation of President George Washington.

In the middle of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, prompted by a series of editorials written by Sarah Josepha Hale, proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day, to be celebrated on the final Thursday in November 1863:

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth."

Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln, October 3, 1863.

Since 1863, Thanksgiving has been observed annually in the United States.

*********

Let us look to our Creator, and not to our politicians. And let us give great thanks to our Creator, and be patient, and austere in our ways of dealing with this life.

The oppression of this current administration cannot last. It shall diminish quickly, as the severe frost destroys the rose.

Does Barry or Michelle have any idea what this is all about? Don't think so...

...but I certainly appreciate the precision of the Marines and their commanding officer.

Watch this...and be amazed!

Yet another officer down

Who is to blame?

Mayor Dick'em Daley, who has allowed gangs to gain so much here in Chicago? While being seemingly against more hiring of police officers?

Supt. Jody Weis, who is a poor excuse, but gets paid for TWO positions, one of which he does not perform?

Or Officer David Blake? He may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Why was he there, so far away from home? Perhaps he had a snitch in the car with him?

Nonetheless, last evening, Officer David Blake joined a number of other police officers who have died recently, by gunshots.

This scenario is something I and my family were forced to live with, as my own father was a Milwaukee Police Officer, and in 1953, became a Milwaukee Police Detective. Though things were not as bad then as they are now, we lived each day as a day...and my dear mother hoped and prayed her husband would come home, after the call that interrupted dinner, and left us without his presence for hour after hour.

My special condolences to any family of Officer Blake, and may he rest now, in peace.

Sgt. Joe Friday...needed more now than he was then

This Obama-enforced 'conditioning' of the United States citizens to accept whatever "HE the inept"--the god Obama/Shiva, the Destroyer of all that is free and beautiful", can only lead to further loss of our liberty.


Watch...and think, for once in your lives...



Barack 'Barry' Obama is not what you all thought he is.

And neither is his "I am finally proud of my country" wifey.

To my OLD bee-shop: If you continue to call me a 'racist', I find I shall have to 'do something' about that.

And let it be known: YOU are the Treasurer of Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, which is in DEFAULT on repayment to me, insofaras I put ALL monies up front to allow this Chamber to exist. As of Decemeber 31, 2010, if total payment as promised is not received, you, Bee-shop, and your cohorts (Bill Morton, Toni Duncan, Nina Interlandi Bell) shall have a date in court.

I have been patient beyond all belief with you grifters!

Though you may know me as a photographer...

...I spent a great amount of time in my art career as a Holiday Designer.

Matter of fact, here in Chicago, I spent five seasons as the Holiday Designer at Century Shopping Centre at Diversey and Clark.

All that changed in late July of 2006, when I experienced the devastating effects of a pulmonary embolism, and it was found that I am disabled due to osteoarthritis, and the depletion of minerals in my bones (I've taken natural vitamins and minerals and herbs for almost 40 years--but there seems to be no effect!).

Nonetheless, I love holiday decorating, and though my this year, because there is enough time for my no-longer-so-nimble hands and fingers, I hope the Lake Shore Rehabilitation Center across the street from me, here in Rogers Park, will accept these donations to patients who may not be as fortunate as I.

But, first, I had to make a wreath for little 4 year old Madi, the daughter of a dear friend.

Then, I began to think I have to start using up all the Christmas ribbon and decor I've amassed over the past ten years here in Chicago. I began creating...

...this...

...and this...

...and this.

There are still more to come, as I went out today and purchased more small wreaths, ornaments, and extra ribbon.

Hopefully, if they're accepted, these will bring a smile (and perhaps some nice memories?) to some of the elderly at Lake Shore.

Yes, you can DIY!

Are you tired of all the additives in the food you buy?

Spend a bit of time in your own kitchen, rather than cruising the grocery store (though that is good exercise these days!).

Pizza, baked from scratch

I used 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, a half packet of dried yeast, a half-teaspoon of honey to help the yeast 'rise' quicker, and enough warm water to make a sticky dough--I wanted a 'more bready crust' this time. Put this in an olive oil-coated bowl and allow to rise for at least 15 minutes.

Place the dough in an olive-oil-laced pizza pan or cookie sheet. Pat it with olive oiled hands to reach the edges and proceed to add the toppings.

I also used a 'vodka sauce' pasta sauce as the base, and added dried minced garlic, dried onion, dried crushed red pepper, a generous sprinkle of Italian Seasoning, sliced black olives, and sliced Crimini mushrooms. All that is topped of with hand-grated mozzarella, and a scatter of Athenos Tomato and Basil Feta Cheese.

Bake in a 375 degree pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese gets a bit browned--and enjoy!

I've also recently made my first batch of homemade hummus, for quite a bit less than it costs at the grocery store (in my case, Dominick's in Chicago, where everything, including 'local' produce, costs an arm and a leg!).

Fire-roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Last year, I bought an Oster Hand Blender. This appliance proved its usefulness in this hummus experiment.

I used one can Safeway Organic Chick Peas, drained, but I reserved the liquid. I pulverized the chick peas and added 1 large fire-roasted red pepper (from a jar), dried minced garlic, a shake of dried crushed red pepper, a dash of olive oil, and a bit of the chick pea liqueur to moisten the lot.

I only had Keebler Club Crackers, but any pita would have been my preference.

It was delicious beyond belief, and cost way less than half what prepared hummus costs. I will be trying other varieties, including black olive hummus, over the next few days.

The benefit of both the pizza and the hummus:

NO ADDITIVES!

A Massive Star!

NO...not HER...

Sure looks as if she imbibed a bit in the back of the limo, doesn't it?

...though she is quite massive below the ever-growing waist.

THIS is the Massive Star in NGC 6357. Beautiful, isn't it?

Photo Credit: NASA, ESA and J. M. Apellániz (IAA, Spain)

For reasons unknown, NGC 6357 is forming some of the most massive stars ever discovered.

One such massive star, near the center of NGC 6357, is framed above carving out its own interstellar castle with its energetic light from surrounding gas and dust.

In the greater nebula, the intricate patterns are caused by complex interactions between interstellar winds, radiation pressures, magnetic fields, and gravity.

The overall glow of the nebula results from the emission of light from ionized hydrogen gas.

Near the more obvious Cat's Paw nebula, NGC 6357 houses the open star cluster Pismis 24, home to many of these tremendously bright and blue stars.

The central part of NGC 6357 shown spans about 10 light years and lies about 8,000 light years away toward the constellation of the Scorpion.

Common Sense Shall Prevail!

Watch and listen to this man. Sure, it's 12 and a half minutes...but that's a very short amount of time in your entire life, isn't it?

Richard Epstein KNOWS Obama, and is undoubtedly a better lawyer than both Obamas combined!

“He passed through Chicago without absorbing much of the internal culture,” says Epstein of the president.

“He’s amazingly good at playing intellectual poker.

But that’s a disadvantage, because if you don’t put your ideas out there to be shot down, you’re never gonna figure out what kind of revision you want.”



Just take some time, make some time...for this.