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Post by richard on Oct 23, 2006 14:23:29 GMT -5
Have you ever heard someone say they needed a gizzmo!
Have you wondered what a Gizzmo is?
You no longer need to wonder as I have a picture of a Gizzmo below! I wasn’t sure where to post this, so I put it here!
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RER
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"Democracy & Freedom"
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Post by RER on Oct 23, 2006 14:58:31 GMT -5
"This Is In Response To Richard's Gizzmo"Now, Richard I am so refreshed to now know what a true "Gizzmo" is, but do you know what a "do-hickey" or and "thing-a-ma-jig" is ? So lets break those down: Gizzmo- Per Richard's post (but I still don't know) Do-hickey- Someone out there must have this answer, because I am lost on this "do-hickey" or was that a teenage kiss ? no I don't think so.... Thing-a-ma-jig- Someone please tell us what that is.......or was it spelled "thingamajig" or should it be thingamiajig.com....help ? For Further Study Go To: Ask Jeeves or any search engine and type this in for the question: What is a thing-a-ma-jig ? Good, luck and have a ball...............LOL ______________________________________________ UPDATE:I just returned from a search engine adventure and came up with another famous pharse: "thing-a-ma-bob"....hum I best not guess.........Richard help ! Could This Be A "Thing-a-ma-jig" or one of the others ? Bob
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RER
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"Democracy & Freedom"
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Post by RER on Oct 24, 2006 8:53:27 GMT -5
Kids Merrymake and Masquerade October 31 Yearly Bostonians light 30,128 pumpkinsAssociated Press BOSTON - Bostonians on Saturday lit 30,128 pumpkins on Boston Common, shattering the world record for the most jack-o'-lanterns lit in one place. "It's fantastic," said Jim Laughlin, a spokesman for Life is Good, the Boston clothing company that sponsored the event. "We've been going after this record for a long time." The old record of 28,952 lit pumpkins had been held since 2003 by Keene, N.H. That city tried to keep up with their own attempt Saturday, but lit only 24,682 pumpkins. In Boston, an estimated 100,000 people crowded onto the Common to slice, scoop, and sculpt pumpkins and to savor pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup. Mayor Thomas M. Menino greeted children, who were dressed as ghosts and angels. Keene, a city of 22,000 people, did not go down without a fight. "We had more pumpkins lit than people who live here," said Alan Davis, an organizer. The friendly competitions raised thousands of dollars for charities. ___________________________________________________ Pumpkin HistoryReferences to pumpkins date back many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was nasalized by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." Shakespeare referred to the "pumpion" in his Merry Wives of Windsor. American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin." The "pumpkin" is referred to in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Cinderella. Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. The origin of pumpkin pie occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes. History of the Jack-o-LanternPeople have been making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years. Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern." In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o’lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o’lanterns. Source of Pumpkin History: University of Illinois Extention Article (Quoted in whole)
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RER
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Post by RER on Oct 24, 2006 14:48:24 GMT -5
"Columbus But Not Indiana... But Wisconsin" Since Halloween is so near and orange pops up and the fall colors start showing; I thought I would share this beautiful scene of the heaven above. Enjoy it like I did :
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Post by David Sechrest on Oct 31, 2006 10:16:53 GMT -5
For those of you who no longer live in Indiana, our fall colors have passed their peak. From what I can tell, this year's fall colors weren't as colorful as they have been in years past, and I'm surprised that what colors we have had have held on as long as they have, what with all the rain and wind in the last week or two. Yesterday was a beautiful day here, with temps above 70 and blue skies for most of the day. Today, however, is a different story: overcast, rain, and your typical fall day in Indiana. Temps are supposed to fall throughout the day. Looking out the window this morning, I began to think of State Street School, and Halloween school-parties of the past. To be honest here, I really can't remember too many 1960s Halloweens that weren't overcast (or rainy!). No doubt my mom would have made me wear both my brightly colored yellow raincoat and galoshes this morning on my way to school. My Halloween costume would be in a brown paper grocery bag and carried along with my lunch. I'd also carry 4 cents in my front pocket for two cartons of milk. Arriving at school, everyone would show off their costumes that would be worn later on in the afternoon (and later that night). But, by this time, most of the Halloween costumes were already showing signs of wear, as they'd been used for neighborhood trick or treating a good week already. Both years I had Mrs. Fulp as a teacher, she read us ghost stories on Halloween, followed by craft time when the black and orange construction paper, scissors, and dollops of glue were passed out among us. After our jack-o-lanterns had been cut up and glued, Halloween cookies and punch were served. I know the stores still sell those orange icing cookies, but they don't taste anything close to the way they tasted back in those days. Then, before you knew it, school was over for the day. Just about everyone wore their costume home from school, anticipating the night ahead. If it wasn't raining, I'd get out of my costume when I got home and head for Jimmy's house. He lived next to the railroad tracks at the end of Center Street. Across the tracks was farm land, and we'd wade through the rows of cornstalks, looking for ears of corn that the cornpicker had missed. Any ears we found were shucked, and the corn saved for throwing later on that night. Finally, dusk arrived, and we'd head out, anticipating all the goodies! It wasn't unusual to receive cookies and apples besides candy. While most of us carried grocery bags, some kids carried pillowcases. Word was quickly passed as to what house was giving out the best stuff, and we always made a bee-line for the best ones! Before you knew it, it was all over, and the treats were poured out on the living room floor. All the good stuff was put in one pile, and the stuff I didn't care much for in another. Sometimes, I traded my sister for things she didn't want. There would always be a handful of shelled corn that just didn't get around to being thrown. By the time I reached the grand old age of 15, I was too old to partake in such silly kiddie things, and stayed home. If I could tune in W A K Y out of Louisville, I listened to their "Halloween Spooktacular" show. They mixed in some original programming (The Great Pumpkin) with old scary radio shows from Inner Sanctum or Lights Out. Back in the 1960's, trick or treating wasn't set aside for just Halloween night. We started about a week before, but it wasn't unusual for homeowners to tell us to come back on Halloween night! So...take good care of all those little ghosts and goblins tonight, and if you're out driving, be aware! HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Oct 31, 2006 15:55:20 GMT -5
David, So happy to see you have posted something today. It is great to know you must be feeling a bit better! :-) Hang in there friend!
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Oct 31, 2006 16:04:14 GMT -5
Bob, Thanks for that lovely picture of Fall in your "neck of the woods". Also very happy to see that just maybe some of us begging you not to stop posting when you reached 500 has worked!!!! :-)
I agree with David's post about our Fall colors here in Indiana but here and there you will still find some lovely reds, yellows and oranges dotting the landscape. We have maple trees in the common area across from our house and they were magnificent again this year. All the rain has caused a lot of the leaves to just fall off and today was no exception...more rain.
Wonder how many "little trick or treaters" will venture out tonight and hope for a full bag of goodies as we did when we were youngsters. We have the treats but not many kids stop by in our neighborhood. We miss when our kids were home and they had so much fun fixing a graveyard in the front yard, turning on Halloween/fright music,and the house was all decorated .
Happy Halloween to one and all.
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RER
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"Democracy & Freedom"
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Post by RER on Nov 4, 2006 10:44:55 GMT -5
Today's useless fact - How did popcorn become a popular snack at movie theaters?
No trip to the movies is complete without an overpriced tub of popcorn covered in goo. Good thing, 'cause popcorn sales are responsible for a substantial portion of theater profits. To learn how the tradition began, we first consulted our links. According to them, the salty snack was very popular "from the 1890s until the Great Depression." Even during the Depression, popcorn remained "one of the few luxuries down-and-out families could afford."
Popcorn first became available at movie theaters way back in 1912. Apparently back in the old days, popcorn vendors would "set up shop" outside theaters. The theater managers didn't like this, thinking it was a distraction. But moviegoers disagreed, frequently ducking out to buy popcorn and then ducking back in to see the movie.
It wasn't long until the theatre owners realized they could set up their own popcorn popper. That's exactly what they did, and popcorn's been associated with movies ever since. Kind of like Cracker Jacks and baseball games or gruel and orphanages.
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Nov 8, 2006 14:49:39 GMT -5
Boy did I mess up big time yesterday. (Maybe we need a subject on the boards titled 'DUH" for idiots like me.) Anyhow, I was in a rush so did not bother to logon; that was my first mistake. If you don't logon, I guess you are then considered "a guest", so here comes up this strange screen to me. I did a hurried post, only to have it rejected "because someone else is already using this name"....Well duh, it was me and so not only was I messed up but after taking the time to type up the post, I then lost it when I went to logon. Didn't have time to redo the post at that time.
I can promise I will not make this mistake again. (WELL AT LEAST I HOPE NOT.)
Now I need to recompose what I wrote.
Does anyone else have days like that? :-( Or am I the only completely dumb person who uses a computer!
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RER
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"Democracy & Freedom"
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Post by RER on Nov 8, 2006 15:06:51 GMT -5
Well, Babs welcome to the same club. I have written long things before and didn't log in and I had to start over. I too had those feelings about 4 or 5 times. So you are not alone on that subject.
I suspect many have done that.
Bob
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Post by David Sechrest on Nov 9, 2006 15:24:48 GMT -5
Babs, you don't know how many times I've gotten all excited about posting something and have done the same thing!
I've gotten to the point these days where I create a text document on my computer, or use Microsoft Word, write what I want to say, do a spell check, and then copy and paste my post. That way, if I screw up, I still have the post on my computer!
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Post by Ricky_Berkey on Nov 9, 2006 15:45:53 GMT -5
I've done that as well by using the "preview" button to see what it looks like when it is posted, but then forget to hit the "post" button. Babs, you don't know how many times I've gotten all excited about posting something and have done the same thing! I've gotten to the point these days where I create a text document on my computer, or use Microsoft Word, write what I want to say, do a spell check, and then copy and paste my post. That way, if I screw up, I still have the post on my computer!
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Nov 10, 2006 10:24:23 GMT -5
Thanks to all who "admitted" they had done similar things when attempting to post. I normally log-on, but that time I didn't; so they say you learn from your mistakes and hopefully I did. I did feel like such an idiot though because I noticed the screen was different and I had to type in my name, so that should've given me the first clue. (Also have to admit, I attempted to get it posted twice before I gave up.) Anyhow, thanks for you input and knowing others have made mistakes makes me feel a little better. It wasn't all that long a post but now I just have to re-think and re-type it. Which I will do eventually.
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Nov 10, 2006 10:29:20 GMT -5
Bob, The postcard of all the snow in Edinburg makes me shiver! I am not looking forward to all that "white stuff" that we usually get come December, January, February, etc! :-( The snow is beautiful when it first falls and I will admit I am like a kid and have to go outside and stick my tongue out to catch a few snowflakes when it first starts. Having said that, I also have to admit that we "head South" usually in January or February. Lived too many years in nice warm climates so after returning to Columbus a few years ago, we are now "Snowbirds" who fly South for at least a part of the Winter.
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Nov 14, 2006 17:36:28 GMT -5
The following is a bit late for Veteran's Day but still worth a read by all of us and since I didn't know where else to post it, I am posting it in Everything Non-Columbus. (No idea if it is actually written by the young man that has signed it, but whether he did or not, it still should give us all reason to stop and thank these brave men and women who "do guard our country" and "watch over us".) God bless all our military and keep them safe.
Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Nov 20, 2006 13:53:40 GMT -5
"Over the river and thru the woods, To Grandmother's house we go, The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, Through the white and drifting snow, Oh over the river, etc. etc."
I always think of that song for Thanksgiving, and I do not know why. I am saying "Happy Thanksgiving to one and all and may you leave your Thanksgiving table with a full tummy and a heart full of gratitude for all your blessings. We are so fortunate to be American citizens and to have the right to celebrate our holidays as we see fit. Say a prayer of thanks for our men and women who are in harms way and who put their lives on the line each day to keep us all safe."
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!! :-)
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Dec 3, 2006 10:15:57 GMT -5
Do you recognize this building? Obviously, by the thread I chose to put this in, this home is NOT in Columbus!!!!! On the route my folks always took to visit family members in Martinsville, we drove by this enchanting house in Morgantown. Always has fascinated me, and I have always taken photos of it on each trip to Indiana. This July 2006 being no exception. BUT this time I knew something about the house. A friend gave me last Christmas, the book, Oddball Indiana, A Guide to Some Really Strange Places, by Jerome Pohlen. Aha, now for the rest of the story. In 1894, James "Smith" Knight had a dream for a home to house his new family. He built this 10 room structure out of concrete blocks and then on the surface began adding just about everything and anything-----mostly small rocks, but also broken dishes, geodes, shells, dolls' heads, just all kinds of odds and ends. Using lumps of coal he put his name and that of his first wife over the front door and in another panel. This gentleman was married twice, and did, indeed, father 20 children between the two marriages. In 1934, Mr. Knight passed. Today this home remains, and is a bed and breakfast, Rock House Inn, on W. Washington St., Morgantown, IN. Enjoy. Now you know the rest of the story! Nanc
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Dec 3, 2006 16:39:27 GMT -5
Not sure where this should go but will post here and Richard or David can move if they want it someplace else.
I just took a break from normal Sunday activities and turned on the tv; seeing not much on, I stopped at a PBS station and guess what was on? A show with music from our past. Music from the 50's and 60's, with such artisits as Nat King Cole, Frankie Laine, Patti Paige, etc. What wonderful music we grew up with, danced to, and lived with! How lucky we were! :-)
Look for it on your PBS station and its called" My Music....Moments to Remember"! It is really a wonderful show and I'm sure it is one you will enjoy. Think there are also cd's you can order but try and catch this show; it is really good!!!
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RER
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Post by RER on Dec 26, 2006 11:48:33 GMT -5
" New Year's Day Tradition If You Live In The South Like Me " There is a southern tradition, which says if you eat Blackeyed Peas on New Year’s Day, you will have good luck throughout the New Year. The Blackeyed Pea or cow pea has been around since the dawn of time. African slaves brought the Blackeyed Pea to America in 1674. They quickly became a vital source of nourishment for slaves and they could be grown in virtually any type of soil. During the Civil War, Yankee soldiers destroyed cash crops such as cotton and staples such as tomatoes and potatoes, but overlooked the fields of Blackeyed Peas and peanuts. Southerners, gentry, commoners and former slaves alike, turned to the Blackeyed Pea as a staple. The legend that eating Blackeyed Peas on New Year’s Day brought good luck emerged from this period of American history. Many old families of Charleston, South Carolina, began preparing a dish called "Hoppin’ John" out of Blackeyed Peas, bacon, and rice to feed families in the war-ravage South. As the area began to redevelop, many eaters probably had a better year than the year before, hence, the legend that eating Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day brought good luck. Also, in the South most eat Collard Greens, Pork and Blackeyed Peas on New Years Day. You can go to any Mom & Pop restaurant in the South on New Years Day, and I would be surprised if they didn't serve Blackeyed Peas, Collards and Pork Steaks, Ham or Chops. Note: Collards are cooked with spices and bacon strips or fat back, sometimes both. When ready to eat a dash of vinegar for me. Hmmm........got to get ready for those Peas.......... ya..all.Bob
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Jan 1, 2007 11:15:39 GMT -5
CUTE GLASSES!!!!!!!!! :-)
Possibly taken in Times Square last night?
Happy New Year to everyone!
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