I spotted this tempting treat on the Food Network's web site. I may just have to try it out. Here's the recipe, if it tempts you as well.
Friday, January 27, 2012
It's National Chocolate Cake Day!
I had no idea there was such a thing, but today is apparently National Chocolate Cake Day. For a guy who always wanted a double-decker chocolate cake for his birthday, that's something worth smiling about.
I spotted this tempting treat on the Food Network's web site. I may just have to try it out. Here's the recipe, if it tempts you as well.
I spotted this tempting treat on the Food Network's web site. I may just have to try it out. Here's the recipe, if it tempts you as well.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
'Twas just a tiny piece of plastic
I didn't give that tiny ridge of plastic a second glance as I twisted the cap on a fresh bottle of mouth wash the other day. It had remained lodged in the crevice between the screw top and the lower section of the bottle's neck.
The remnants of the protective seal intended to prevent tampering, it seemed harmless. That made its bite all the more surprising. When I looked down, there was a 1/4 inch cut on my left thumb, right where the joint bends. Ouch!
Fortunately, it didn't bleed much, so I applied steady pressure, cleaned it and placed a band aid on it. Done and dusted right?
Not so fast.
The next day, after the band aid fell off (following multiple hand washings), I noticed the top layer of skin would gap open when I bent my thumb. The movement was preventing the top layer from "stitching together." Ugh.
Would I need stitches after all? Or would patience and persistent protection do the trick? Fortunately, it's not bleeding, and each day since then it looks a little better.
But I'm also trying not to use my left thumb much, to reduce the "irritation" on the cut. I'm left-handed, and I'm discovering how much of a challenge it is not to use the thumb on your dominant hand. Try that sometime....for just five minutes.....and you'll see what I mean.
It makes even basic tasks more challenging, and I'm having to be patient when I tackle them.
I found myself thinking of Bob Dole and other veterans who lost the use of a hand in combat; and stroke victims who find their motor skills on one side impaired. It's humbling.
The remnants of the protective seal intended to prevent tampering, it seemed harmless. That made its bite all the more surprising. When I looked down, there was a 1/4 inch cut on my left thumb, right where the joint bends. Ouch!
Fortunately, it didn't bleed much, so I applied steady pressure, cleaned it and placed a band aid on it. Done and dusted right?
Not so fast.
The next day, after the band aid fell off (following multiple hand washings), I noticed the top layer of skin would gap open when I bent my thumb. The movement was preventing the top layer from "stitching together." Ugh.
Would I need stitches after all? Or would patience and persistent protection do the trick? Fortunately, it's not bleeding, and each day since then it looks a little better.
But I'm also trying not to use my left thumb much, to reduce the "irritation" on the cut. I'm left-handed, and I'm discovering how much of a challenge it is not to use the thumb on your dominant hand. Try that sometime....for just five minutes.....and you'll see what I mean.
It makes even basic tasks more challenging, and I'm having to be patient when I tackle them.
I found myself thinking of Bob Dole and other veterans who lost the use of a hand in combat; and stroke victims who find their motor skills on one side impaired. It's humbling.
Is built-in obsolescense really a good thing?
I was just getting started on a blog post the other night when I noticed a foul odor coming from my dishwasher.
A grease tray for my George Foreman grill had slipped out of the trays and next to the heating element, which was dutifully heating up as a load of dirty dishes was about to be washed. The heating element melted a nice hole along the side of the tray, rendering it unusable.
I opened windows, turned on fans and began searching on the net for replacement trays. I like my George Foreman grill and use it often. It wasn't until I was looking for grease trays that I realized how old it was. I couldn't find the right kind of trays anywhere online.
How long have I had this grill? I wondered. 10 years? It still works great. Why get rid of it?
I finally found some trays online that looked like they could do the job, so I checked on pricing. For two trays, plus shipping, I'd have to pay nearly $40.
Out of curiosity, I looked at what new George Foreman grills cost. I could buy basic models for about that same price. I was left shaking my head.
My options were to buy replacement trays or buy a new grill for pretty much the same money. What would YOU do? It's a no-brainer.
But the grill I have now still works fine, and I could spend that money on credit card debt instead. So that's what I'll do. I'll put foil over the big hole in the tray and see if that does the job.
Still, I found myself wondering if our "replacement" mentality on products these days is wise. Yes, the economy depends on people spending money. But money's tight these days, and folks need to be careful how they spend it. That means making things last....patching holes in clothes.......doing without if necessary......until conditions improve.
Yet when the market makes perfectly good products obsolete simply by not manufacturing replacement parts, it makes that balancing act far more challenging for those facing tough times. Rather than improving conditions for common folks, it only makes things more difficult for them.
There's something inherently wrong with that.
A grease tray for my George Foreman grill had slipped out of the trays and next to the heating element, which was dutifully heating up as a load of dirty dishes was about to be washed. The heating element melted a nice hole along the side of the tray, rendering it unusable.
I opened windows, turned on fans and began searching on the net for replacement trays. I like my George Foreman grill and use it often. It wasn't until I was looking for grease trays that I realized how old it was. I couldn't find the right kind of trays anywhere online.
How long have I had this grill? I wondered. 10 years? It still works great. Why get rid of it?
I finally found some trays online that looked like they could do the job, so I checked on pricing. For two trays, plus shipping, I'd have to pay nearly $40.
Out of curiosity, I looked at what new George Foreman grills cost. I could buy basic models for about that same price. I was left shaking my head.
My options were to buy replacement trays or buy a new grill for pretty much the same money. What would YOU do? It's a no-brainer.
But the grill I have now still works fine, and I could spend that money on credit card debt instead. So that's what I'll do. I'll put foil over the big hole in the tray and see if that does the job.
Still, I found myself wondering if our "replacement" mentality on products these days is wise. Yes, the economy depends on people spending money. But money's tight these days, and folks need to be careful how they spend it. That means making things last....patching holes in clothes.......doing without if necessary......until conditions improve.
Yet when the market makes perfectly good products obsolete simply by not manufacturing replacement parts, it makes that balancing act far more challenging for those facing tough times. Rather than improving conditions for common folks, it only makes things more difficult for them.
There's something inherently wrong with that.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Abba's "Happy New Year"
Yeah, I admit it: I was a fan of Abba growing up. Hey, I needed to hear the joy in many of their infectious lyrics, even if they can make me wince at times now.
Anyway... here's wishing 2012 brings you much joy.....
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