There is no death, only a change of worlds.
--Native American Proverb"
12/28/2006
12/23/2006
Fact
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the worlddo leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridgewho won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted topractice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol asa catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: thesurface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.
* The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
* Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
* Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love
.* The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
* The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
* The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation
.* Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
* The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes
* Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
* The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
* The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples
.* The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
What in the worlddo leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridgewho won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted topractice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol asa catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: thesurface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.
* The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
* Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
* Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love
.* The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
* The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
* The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation
.* Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
* The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes
* Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
* The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
* The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples
.* The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
12/22/2006
Christmas in Australia - Six White Boomers by Rolf Harris
Firstly the introductory narrative.
Early on one Christmas Day a Joey kangaroo,
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo.
'Mummy, where's my mummy? They've taken her away.'
We'll help you find your mummy, son. Hop up on the sleigh.'
The song commences here.
Up beside the bag of toys little Joey hopped,
But they hadn't gone far when Santa stopped.
Unharnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why,
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat,
Took his fur lined boots off to cool his feet,
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite okay,
While those old man Kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Joey said to Santa, 'Santa, what about the toys?
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys?'
'They've got all their presents, son, we were here last night,
this trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight.'
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Soon the sleigh was flashing past right over Marble Bar,
'Slow down there,' cried Santa, 'it can't be far,
Come up on my lap here, son, and have a look around.'
'There she is, that's Mummy, bounding up and down.'
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had,
Curled up in mother's pouch feeling snug and glad.
The last they saw was Santa heading northwards from the sun,
The only year the boomers worked a double run.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
This song was written in Perth, Western Australia, in 1960.
Rolf Harris was working at a television station with an American named John D. Brown and, thinking it was crazy to be singing Christmas songs about snow and ice when the temperature was around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40C), they wrote this song. (Harrison - Brown) Ardmore & Beechwood Ltd / EMI (P) 1965. Arranged by Johnnie Spence - Produced by George Martin.
Early on one Christmas Day a Joey kangaroo,
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo.
'Mummy, where's my mummy? They've taken her away.'
We'll help you find your mummy, son. Hop up on the sleigh.'
The song commences here.
Up beside the bag of toys little Joey hopped,
But they hadn't gone far when Santa stopped.
Unharnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why,
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat,
Took his fur lined boots off to cool his feet,
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite okay,
While those old man Kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Joey said to Santa, 'Santa, what about the toys?
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys?'
'They've got all their presents, son, we were here last night,
this trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight.'
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Soon the sleigh was flashing past right over Marble Bar,
'Slow down there,' cried Santa, 'it can't be far,
Come up on my lap here, son, and have a look around.'
'There she is, that's Mummy, bounding up and down.'
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had,
Curled up in mother's pouch feeling snug and glad.
The last they saw was Santa heading northwards from the sun,
The only year the boomers worked a double run.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.
This song was written in Perth, Western Australia, in 1960.
Rolf Harris was working at a television station with an American named John D. Brown and, thinking it was crazy to be singing Christmas songs about snow and ice when the temperature was around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40C), they wrote this song. (Harrison - Brown) Ardmore & Beechwood Ltd / EMI (P) 1965. Arranged by Johnnie Spence - Produced by George Martin.
Hangover Helper: 17 Cures for the Big Head Blues at Daily Dish at Epicurious.com
YOU KNOW JUST IN CASE,
.................NOT SAYING YOU DRINK TOO MUCH,
JUST....
WELL..
HEY IT'S CHRISTMAS:)
NOG ALL AROUND:).... SLURP....
.................NOT SAYING YOU DRINK TOO MUCH,
JUST....
WELL..
HEY IT'S CHRISTMAS:)
NOG ALL AROUND:).... SLURP....
12/21/2006
12/20/2006
Virgin dragon prepares to give birth - Yahoo! News
seemed appropiate at this time of year, read the story... interesting...
12/19/2006
12/17/2006
Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, I'm writing this letter with my daughter's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have, thank you very much) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper, for a good stiff drink and an underground bathroom where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your sister," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is going off and my daughter saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think she wants her crayon back.
Have a safe trip, remember, leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Love Always,MOM
P.S.
One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to always believe in Santa!
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, I'm writing this letter with my daughter's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have, thank you very much) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper, for a good stiff drink and an underground bathroom where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your sister," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is going off and my daughter saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think she wants her crayon back.
Have a safe trip, remember, leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Love Always,MOM
P.S.
One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to always believe in Santa!
12/15/2006
Nev. politician: Let teachers carry guns - Yahoo! News
This is not a bad thing , it is good, I would feel better knowing the teacher knows how to shoot and defend if ness....sad ,times have come to this, But we don't have to deal with this type of thing in our school system ...yet.
12/14/2006
Video games: Nightmares before Christmas - Yahoo! News
worth a look if you are into that kind of stuff...
'Raymond' dad Peter Boyle dies in NYC - Yahoo! News
ah that is sad, he was a good actor,
he had a good career, young frankenstein, classic...
rest in peace dude...
he had a good career, young frankenstein, classic...
rest in peace dude...
Wisconsin hunter bags deer with 7 legs - Yahoo! News
ok this is becoming all to common, freaks of nature I mean...poor thing...
12/13/2006
Keep off the streets, British prostitutes urged
wow, this is not good, and the similarities are kinda creepy , I mean 2 of the victim's last name are variations of Nicholl, weird...makes you wonder...
I don't really think they ever will know, seems to be some sort of odd cycle...
I don't really think they ever will know, seems to be some sort of odd cycle...
Marians of the Immaculate Conception
sort of cool, I'm not Catholic, but it seems the most accepted form of Goddess worship in this day and age.
12/12/2006
FOX Broadcasting Company: House
My Favourite Dr. :)
Hugh Totally Rocks, I wish I had a Doctor for real like him,
I know I would be fixed:) numerous ailment some real some not :)
:::sways over to the couch and "Faints"::::
- the wee one already knows to run for Mother's smelling salts, and a cold cloth for her head.......:)
(I am so totally kidding, I have no time to be sick)
Hugh Totally Rocks, I wish I had a Doctor for real like him,
I know I would be fixed:) numerous ailment some real some not :)
:::sways over to the couch and "Faints"::::
- the wee one already knows to run for Mother's smelling salts, and a cold cloth for her head.......:)
(I am so totally kidding, I have no time to be sick)
12/10/2006
12/09/2006
12/08/2006
12/07/2006
funny
The insurance firm put a sign in the window saying,"HELP WANTED. You must be a good typist and have good computer skills. Successful applicant must be bilingual We are an Equal Opportunity Employer."
A short time later a lovely Golden Retriever dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside.
He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it,whined and pawed the air.The receptionist called the office manager.
He was surprised to say the least to see a canine applicant. However, the dog looked determined so he led him into the office.
Inside, the dog jumped up on a chair and stared at the manager expectantly.
The manager said, "I can't hire you. The sign says you must be able to type.
"The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to quickly type a perfect business letter. He took out the page with his mouth and trotted over to the manager, gave it to him, then jumped back up on the chair wagging his tail.
The manager was stunned, but told the dog, "That was fantastic, but I'm sorry. The sign clearly says that whomever I hire must have computer skills."
The dog jumped down again, went to the computer and proceeded to demonstrate his expertise with various programs. He produced a sample Excel spreadsheet, a sample Power Point presentation, retouched a picture with Photoshop, and then printed all of them for the manager.The manager was dumbfounded.
He said to the dog, "Listen, I realize that you are a very intelligent applicant and have fantastic talent, but you're a dog! There's no way I can hire you!"The dog jumped down and went to the sign in the window and pointed his paw at the words, "Equal Opportunity Employer."
The exasperated manager said, "Yes, I know what the sign says. But the sign also says you have to be bilingual!"The dog looked him straight in the eye ,
And said, "Meow!"
A short time later a lovely Golden Retriever dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside.
He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it,whined and pawed the air.The receptionist called the office manager.
He was surprised to say the least to see a canine applicant. However, the dog looked determined so he led him into the office.
Inside, the dog jumped up on a chair and stared at the manager expectantly.
The manager said, "I can't hire you. The sign says you must be able to type.
"The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to quickly type a perfect business letter. He took out the page with his mouth and trotted over to the manager, gave it to him, then jumped back up on the chair wagging his tail.
The manager was stunned, but told the dog, "That was fantastic, but I'm sorry. The sign clearly says that whomever I hire must have computer skills."
The dog jumped down again, went to the computer and proceeded to demonstrate his expertise with various programs. He produced a sample Excel spreadsheet, a sample Power Point presentation, retouched a picture with Photoshop, and then printed all of them for the manager.The manager was dumbfounded.
He said to the dog, "Listen, I realize that you are a very intelligent applicant and have fantastic talent, but you're a dog! There's no way I can hire you!"The dog jumped down and went to the sign in the window and pointed his paw at the words, "Equal Opportunity Employer."
The exasperated manager said, "Yes, I know what the sign says. But the sign also says you have to be bilingual!"The dog looked him straight in the eye ,
And said, "Meow!"
From Aunt Deena
Christmas Shopping
A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the store elevator with her two children in hand.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.Finally the elevator doors opened revealing a crowd in the car.
She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids and all her bags of stuff in with her.As the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot.
"From the back of the car, a quiet calm voice responded, "Don't worry, we've already crucified Him."
The rest of the trip down was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word.
If we all would, just think how much better this world would be
.Jesus is the reason for the season. Wise men still seek Him..
12/06/2006
yum
"Italian Angelette Cookies
Yields: About 4 dozen cookies
Cook Time: 20 minutes per batch
Total Time: 1 hour plus cooling
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
6 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup colored candy décors
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Grease large cookie sheet.
2. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat granulated sugar and margarine or butter until blended.
Increase speed to high, beat 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
At low speed, beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beat in vanilla or lemon extract until mixed. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt just until blended.
3. With heavily floured hands, shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls.
Place balls, 2 inches apart, on cookie sheet.
Bake cookies 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.
Repeat with remaining dough.
4. When cookies are cool, in small bowl, whisk confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons water until blended. Dip top of each cooled cookie into glaze. (Whisk more water into glaze if it becomes too thick.) Place cookies on wire rack set over waxed paper to catch any drips. Sprinkle with candy décors. Allow glaze to set, about 20 minutes.
Store cookies in tightly covered container, with waxed paper between layers, up to 2 weeks.
Each cookie: About 95 calories, 2 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate, 2 g total fat (0 g saturated), 0 g fiber, 27 mg cholesterol, 65 mg sodi"
Yields: About 4 dozen cookies
Cook Time: 20 minutes per batch
Total Time: 1 hour plus cooling
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
6 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup colored candy décors
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Grease large cookie sheet.
2. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat granulated sugar and margarine or butter until blended.
Increase speed to high, beat 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
At low speed, beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beat in vanilla or lemon extract until mixed. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt just until blended.
3. With heavily floured hands, shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls.
Place balls, 2 inches apart, on cookie sheet.
Bake cookies 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.
Repeat with remaining dough.
4. When cookies are cool, in small bowl, whisk confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons water until blended. Dip top of each cooled cookie into glaze. (Whisk more water into glaze if it becomes too thick.) Place cookies on wire rack set over waxed paper to catch any drips. Sprinkle with candy décors. Allow glaze to set, about 20 minutes.
Store cookies in tightly covered container, with waxed paper between layers, up to 2 weeks.
Each cookie: About 95 calories, 2 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate, 2 g total fat (0 g saturated), 0 g fiber, 27 mg cholesterol, 65 mg sodi"
12/05/2006
Chicken Kabobs in a Middle Eastern Marinade Recipe
Posted by: 'Margaret Ball
*Ingredients*
4 cloves garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup plain yogurt
18 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 12 boneless, skinless breasts, cut
in 1-inch cubes
olive oil, as needed
salt to taste
chopped Italian parsley
lemon wedges
18 bamboo (soaked in water) or metal skewers
*Cooking Instructions*
1. Puree the garlic, onion, spices, lemon juice and yogurt in the container
of a blender or food
processor.
2. Place the chicken in a non-aluminum container and cover with the
marinade. Turn well to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4
hours and up to 12 hours.
3. Preheat the broiler or make a charcoal fire.
4. Thread the chicken on skewers, brush with a little oil and sprinkle with
salt and pepper. Cook about 4 to 5 minutes per side for thigh meat, 3 to 4
minutes per side for breast meat. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon
wedges.
*Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 1 kabob
Calories 96
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Protein 14 g
Posted by: 'Margaret Ball
*Ingredients*
4 cloves garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup plain yogurt
18 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 12 boneless, skinless breasts, cut
in 1-inch cubes
olive oil, as needed
salt to taste
chopped Italian parsley
lemon wedges
18 bamboo (soaked in water) or metal skewers
*Cooking Instructions*
1. Puree the garlic, onion, spices, lemon juice and yogurt in the container
of a blender or food
processor
2. Place the chicken in a non-aluminum container and cover with the
marinade. Turn well to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4
hours and up to 12 hours.
3. Preheat the broiler or make a charcoal fire.
4. Thread the chicken on skewers, brush with a little oil and sprinkle with
salt and pepper. Cook about 4 to 5 minutes per side for thigh meat, 3 to 4
minutes per side for breast meat. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon
wedges.
*Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 1 kabob
Calories 96
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Protein 14 g
12/04/2006
Scientist: Humans Strange, Neanderthals Normal
By Charles Q. ChoiSpecial to LiveScienceposted: 08 September 200612:05 pm ET
Neanderthals are often thought of as the stray branch in the human family tree, but research now suggests the modern human is likely the odd man out.
"What people tend to do is draw a line from our ancestors straight to ourselves, and any group that doesn't seem to fit on that line is divergent, distinct, unusual, strange," researcher Erik Trinkaus, an anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis, told LiveScience today. "But in terms of evolution of our family tree, the genus Homo, we're the outliers and the Neanderthals are more toward the core."
Humans are not at the inevitable end of a sequence, Trinkaus said. "It just happens that we happen to be alive today and Neanderthals are not."
Trinkaus spent decades examining fossil skeletons and over time realized that maybe researchers looked at Neanderthals the wrong way. Over the last two years, he systematically combed through fossils, comparing Neanderthal and modern human skull, jaw, tooth, arm, leg traits with those of the earliest members of the genus Homo in terms of their shape.
"I wanted to see to what extent Neanderthals are derived, that is distinct, from the ancestral form. I also wanted to see the extent to which modern humans are derived relative to the ancestral form," Trinkaus said.
Trinkaus focused on skeletal features that seemed most strongly linked to genetics, as opposed to any traits that might get influenced by lifestyle, environment or wear and tear.
When compared with our common ancestors, Trinkaus discovered modern humans have roughly twice as many uniquely distinct traits as Neanderthals. In other words, Neanderthals are more like the other members of our family tree than modern humans are.
"In the broader sweep of human evolution, the more unusual group is not Neanderthals, whom we tend to look at as strange, weird and unusual, but it's us, modern humans," Trinkaus said.
Modern humans, for example, are the only members of our family tree who lack brow ridges, Trinkaus said. "We are the only ones who have seriously shortened faces. We are the only ones with very reduced internal nasal cavities. We also have a number of detailed features of the limb skeleton that are unique."
Trinkaus published his findings in the August 2006 issue of the journal Current Anthropology.
Top 10 Missing Links
Scientists Build 'Frankenstein' Neanderthal Skeleton
Neanderthals and Humans: Perhaps They Never Met
Peace or War? How Early Humans Behaved
Timeline of Human Evolution
Been saying this all along, I'm ready...
Humans must colonize other planets?
Fri Dec 1, 8:41 AM ET
Humans must colonize planets in other solar systems traveling there using "Star Trek"-style propulsion or face extinction, renowned British cosmologist Stephen Hawking said Thursday.
Referring to complex theories and the speed of light, Hawking, the wheel-chair bound Cambridge University physicist, told BBC radio that theoretical advances could revolutionize the velocity of space travel and make such colonies possible.
"Sooner or later disasters such as an asteroid collision or a nuclear war could wipe us all out," said Professor Hawking, who was crippled by a muscle disease at the age of 21 and who speaks through a computerized voice synthesizer.
"But once we spread out into space and establish independent colonies, our future should be safe," said Hawking, who was due to receive the world's oldest award for scientific achievement, the Copley medal, from Britain's Royal Society Thursday.
Previous winners include Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin.
In order to survive, humanity would have to venture off to other hospitable planets orbiting another star, but conventional chemical fuel rockets that took man to the moon on the Apollo mission would take 50,000 years to travel there, he said.
Hawking, a 64-year-old father of three who rarely gives interviews and who wrote the best-selling "A Brief History of Time," suggested propulsion like that used by the fictional starship Enterprise "to boldly go where no man has gone before" could help solve the problem.
"Science fiction has developed the idea of warp drive, which takes you instantly to your destination," said.
"Unfortunately, this would violate the scientific law which says that nothing can travel faster than light."
However, by using "matter/antimatter annihilation," velocities just below the speed of light could be reached, making it possible to reach the next star in about six years.
"It wouldn't seem so long for those on board," he said.
The scientist revealed he also wanted to try out space travel himself, albeit by more conventional means.
"I am not afraid of death but I'm in no hurry to die. My next goal is to go into space," said Hawking.
And referring to the British entrepreneur and Virgin tycoon who has set up a travel agency to take private individuals on space flights from 2008, Hawking said: "Maybe Richard Branson will help me."
Not a New Art, but needed...thoughtful.
Coffin painter creates art for the afterlife
By Michaela RehleMon Dec 4, 9:46 AM ET
Coping with death is easier for the bereaved when you celebrate the beauty of life in a person's final resting place, according to a German painter who decorates coffins with flowers and other symbols of nature.
Alfred Opiolka, from Wertach in southern Germany, recently began adorning burial caskets with bright images of roses, marigolds and butterflies when he decided traditional coffins failed to fulfil all the emotional needs of parts of society.
"I see the painting almost as a kind of service to the community, even though I don't want to talk about it terms which sound too elevated," he said. "It makes me very happy that I can really move people by doing this work for them."
He hit upon the idea after being hired to paint a funeral home, a job which he said altered his perspective on death.
"I think the commission changed my life. I've thought about life and death differently since and have a new perspective," he said, noting that one of his greatest wishes was to be able to paint a church with the same natural motifs as his coffins.
Opiolka, who began painting the coffins about three months ago, has so far received just a handful of commissions.
But he said those alerted to his work (www.wandelmaler.de/) in recent media reports have responded very emotionally.
One tearful woman asked him to make a coffin with garden flowers for the day her 94-year-old mother passed away.
"She told me, 'The garden meant everything to my mother', and thought that the coffin was the best final farewell she could make to her mother when she departed," he said.
Opiolka said that although he knew brightly coloured coffins were used for burials, he was not aware of others who hand-painted the caskets in the way he does.
The 46-year-old, who was born in Poland but moved to Germany as a child, uses water-based paints for the coffins, which he makes from pinewood. They cost 1,500 euros ($1,986) and above.
Nevertheless, Opiolka said the coffin decoration was much more than just a means of making money, and stressed he was only interested in painting natural motifs which appeal to him.
"I was asked once what I'd do if someone wanted a Snickers coffin," he said. "I'm a tolerant person, and if it really matters to someone, they should get one. But others could do that. It's not something that would be right for me."
By Michaela RehleMon Dec 4, 9:46 AM ET
Coping with death is easier for the bereaved when you celebrate the beauty of life in a person's final resting place, according to a German painter who decorates coffins with flowers and other symbols of nature.
Alfred Opiolka, from Wertach in southern Germany, recently began adorning burial caskets with bright images of roses, marigolds and butterflies when he decided traditional coffins failed to fulfil all the emotional needs of parts of society.
"I see the painting almost as a kind of service to the community, even though I don't want to talk about it terms which sound too elevated," he said. "It makes me very happy that I can really move people by doing this work for them."
He hit upon the idea after being hired to paint a funeral home, a job which he said altered his perspective on death.
"I think the commission changed my life. I've thought about life and death differently since and have a new perspective," he said, noting that one of his greatest wishes was to be able to paint a church with the same natural motifs as his coffins.
Opiolka, who began painting the coffins about three months ago, has so far received just a handful of commissions.
But he said those alerted to his work (www.wandelmaler.de/) in recent media reports have responded very emotionally.
One tearful woman asked him to make a coffin with garden flowers for the day her 94-year-old mother passed away.
"She told me, 'The garden meant everything to my mother', and thought that the coffin was the best final farewell she could make to her mother when she departed," he said.
Opiolka said that although he knew brightly coloured coffins were used for burials, he was not aware of others who hand-painted the caskets in the way he does.
The 46-year-old, who was born in Poland but moved to Germany as a child, uses water-based paints for the coffins, which he makes from pinewood. They cost 1,500 euros ($1,986) and above.
Nevertheless, Opiolka said the coffin decoration was much more than just a means of making money, and stressed he was only interested in painting natural motifs which appeal to him.
"I was asked once what I'd do if someone wanted a Snickers coffin," he said. "I'm a tolerant person, and if it really matters to someone, they should get one. But others could do that. It's not something that would be right for me."
12/03/2006
Think about this and donate to your local shelter...
T'was The Night Before Christmas
( at the shelter )
'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full ~ we are lost but not found.
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care.
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
'come here, Max and Sparkie ~ come fetch your new ball!'
But now we just sit here and think of the days
we were treated so fondly ~ we had baby ways.
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew ~
now we're no longer young, and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like trash,
they reacted so quickly ~ why were they so rash?
We 'jump on the children', 'don't come when they call',
we 'bark when they leave us', 'climb over the wall'.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the error they made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew.....
we'd have done what they asked us and worshipped them, too.
We were left in the back yard, or worse ~ left to roam
now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye
'Maybe someone else will give you a try'.
So now here we are, all confused and alone
in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat.
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears
our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear.
If you can't adopt us and there's no room at your inn
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year
can you give more than hope to everyone here?
~Author unknown~"
( at the shelter )
'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full ~ we are lost but not found.
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care.
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
'come here, Max and Sparkie ~ come fetch your new ball!'
But now we just sit here and think of the days
we were treated so fondly ~ we had baby ways.
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew ~
now we're no longer young, and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like trash,
they reacted so quickly ~ why were they so rash?
We 'jump on the children', 'don't come when they call',
we 'bark when they leave us', 'climb over the wall'.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the error they made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew.....
we'd have done what they asked us and worshipped them, too.
We were left in the back yard, or worse ~ left to roam
now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye
'Maybe someone else will give you a try'.
So now here we are, all confused and alone
in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat.
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears
our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear.
If you can't adopt us and there's no room at your inn
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year
can you give more than hope to everyone here?
~Author unknown~"
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
With no thought of the dog filling their heads,
And Mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap,
Knew he was cold, but didn’t care about that.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But jolly old Santa-with eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name,
And it ran to him quickly despite all its pain.
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER!
now, PRANCER and VIXON!On,
COMET! on CUPID!
on DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
I’ll find him a home where he’ll be loved by all."
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear,
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten a pup for all the wrong reasons.
We had chosen the pet with a great deal of haste,
Then thrown him outside as though he were waste.
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don’t give a gift, then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
"You weren’t giving a gift! You were giving a life!"
~Author unknown~
Don't let this be you , or I will personally
Kick your Ass to Hell and Back,
Animals are Love. Not disposable EVER!
Traditional Latkes-by Margaret Ball
3 large Idaho potatoes, washed but not peeled
1 small onion
2 large
eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2
cup Crisco(r) Vegetable Oil
applesauce, for serving
sour cream, for serving
Grate the potatoes and put in a large bowl.
Grate the onion and add to the
potatoes.
You can use a hand grater or food processor to grate the
vegetables.
Add the eggs, flour, and salt and stir to combine. Let the batter stand for
about 10 minutes so that it thickens. Pour off any excess liquid that
gathers around the edges or on the surface. The batter will not be as
cohesive as most but will hold together in the hot oil.
Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat for 1 minute.
It should be to a
depth of about 3/4 inch.
Lower the heat to medium-high.
Using your hands, form the batter into small pancakes, each about 2 inches
in diameter.
Gently and carefully drop the latkes into the hot oil and cook
for 30 to 40 seconds on each side or until crispy.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve warm or at room temperature with applesauce and sour cream on the
side.
12/01/2006
Wanted: Bell-Ringers in Montana -
hey it's a job...beggars can't be choosers, or can they?
idiots...money is money , especially when you stay at a HOMELESS SHELTER...:::disgusted sigh::::
idiots...money is money , especially when you stay at a HOMELESS SHELTER...:::disgusted sigh::::
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