hellocatrine

Oven Fried Okra

2012-02-11T09:51:00.001-06:00

Oven-Fried Okra

By The American Heart Association

Yield: Makes six 1/2-cup servings

Being from Alabama, I am particular about my fried okra. Whenever my stepmother made it, she started with the contents from a strainer can of bacon dripping and previously used frying oils and added whatever new Crisco she needed. She always made a double batch, because we could not resist snacking on it before dinnertime.

This recipe is for an "oven-fried" okra that is trans fat (un)friendly. It passes my muster, so it should pass yours, too.

Ingredients

canola oil cooking spray
1 20 ounce bag frozen sliced okra, thawed
1 half-teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups yellow corn mean, only a half-cup actually adheres to the okra

Directions

Preheat oven to 475 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil generously with cooking spray. Set aside.
Spray the inside of a gallon-sized food storage bag with cooking spray. Add the okra, a half-teaspoon of salt, and the pepper. Close the bag and shake to blend everything well. Let the okra rest for ten minutes to extract juice from the okra. Add the cornmeal to the bag and shake vigorously to coat the okra. Let the bag sit for ten minutes; then, shake it up again.
Using a wide mesh strainer or a colander over a large bowl, remove the okra in batches and shake off excess cornmeal into the bowl, discarding the leftover meal.
Place the coated okra on the sheet pan and continue the process until all the okra is on the pan and the pieces are not touching each other. Spray the okra well with cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and stir the okra, trying to turn over as many pieces as possible. Lightly spray them again. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes. Remove from oven and lightly spray the pieces again.
Nutrition Analysis (per serving)
Calories 70
Total Fat 0.5 g
Saturated 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated 0.0 g
Monounsaturated 0.0 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Carbohydrates 16 g
Sugars 3 g
Fiber 3 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Protein 3 g
Sodium 197 mg
Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable
This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association's Face the Fats program. Recipe copyright © 2007 by the American Heart Association. Look for other delicious recipes in American Heart Association cookbooks, available from booksellers everywhere or online at americanheart.org/cookbooks.

The Book of Tebow

2012-01-27T16:25:00.002-06:00

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-presents/09000d5d8261f71d/The-book-of-Tebow

Today a new Cheese Shop in Pueblo Opens!

2012-01-21T10:34:00.000-06:00

I am so happy for my friend and extended sister-in-law, Jen. She and her husband are opening a great little cheese shop in Pueblo...

Can't wait for the cheese curds!

Springside in Pueblo

So, I am going to try and get organized

2012-01-20T18:30:00.000-06:00

As soon as I get over this cold. As I type, I cannot hear.

So, I found this website on organizing...if you are looking for a neat site with great tips, assuming I actually apply them, check this out.

Orgjunkie

Fun with Pinterest

2012-01-19T11:05:00.000-06:00

So, I am at home sick with a cold and am running a fever.

So, today is a day to update my blog, look at my new favorite site, Pinterest, and dream of the day when my house is organized, I can actually try all these recipes I have, and when I do not have to commute to Denver.

Love Pinterest.

Recipes to Try

2012-01-19T10:48:00.000-06:00

http://bakingdom.com/2011/12/streusel-topped-french-toast-cupcakes-with-maple-buttercream.html

Found this goody on Pinterest. Love that site!

A Catifesto

2010-03-05T09:49:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite movies is Bull Durham (Kevin Costner+baseball uniform=awesome). A classic and favorite scene is where he informs Annie Savoy about what he believes...to include that he thinks "Susan Sontag books are self-indulgent, over-rated crap" (he is so spot-on with that one).

That got me thinking the other day when I was driving about my own manifesto...what do I believe? So, for the next few posts, I am going to document the things this Cat believes.

1) I believe in God. I believe in His son, Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus died for me so that my sins may be forgiven.

2) I believe that God's grace was involved in the founding of my country. I also believe that by rejecting God and His grace through the secularization of our schools, public forums, government, etc. is one of the reasons our country wanders lost, without hope, and full of angry vitriol. I believe that the declining respect for human life, in all it forms, and in its place, the raising up of animals and "the environment" above humanity is the work of evil, just as when Eve was tempted in Eden.

3) I believe in the freedom of information and speech, no matter how vile or repugnant, and that attempts to restrict both will lead to totalitarianism. I believe the current attempts to "reform" health care in this nation will undermine freedom of speech: who will speak out against a government that controls one's health care?

4) I believe freedom isn't free. As John Stuart Mill stated: "A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

5) I believe the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and Ayn Rand should be required reading in high school and college. Furthermore, I believe Mao, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Che should also be required reading. My required reading list (which I will make my son read) includes:

In addition to the three founding documents listed, "Atlas Shrugged," "Fountainhead," and "Anthem," from Rand. "Guerrilla Warfare" by Che Guevara, "On Protracted Warfare," by Mao, "The Communist Manifesto," by Engels and Marx, and a couple of books on Lenin and Stalin (Prague in Black, The Rape of Europe, etc.) "Common Sense," by Paine, "The Real Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington." I am of two minds on Orwell. Perhaps when he is old enough.

Okay, that is it for now. I am sure I will list some other, more fun portions of my Catifesto. But, for now, these 5 capture my mood for today.

I know, I know...

2010-03-03T15:29:00.004-06:00

It has been months. But, it has been a very busy period of months. Christmas, family, TDYs, prepping for my PCS...all these things hinder my blogging. But I am going to stick to it and when I am 1500 miles away from my son, well...this will be my letters home to him. Now, he is starting to read and wow! has mad math skills. He is definitely like his Daddy.

While my son's math skills are impressive, I still weep for the math that I know he does not understand yet. The debt he will be burdened with courtesy of our out-of-control-let'sincreasethedebtlimit-government...the destruction of our dollar, our industrial base, our education system...sometimes, it is all too much to bear. But then he looks at me...smiles, kisses me and tells me it will all be okay. Will it? How can I guarantee that for him?

An Elf on the Shelf

2009-12-01T09:57:00.003-06:00

We began a new tradition in our family this year and introduced Tony to his very own elf, Fuzzball (Tony named him.) Fuzzball will watch and take notes on whether Tony is being naughty or nice and each night report back to Santa. He will appear in a new spot each time he returns from the North Pole. This family tradition will certainly be lots of fun and I hope will provide Tony with memories of Christmas (my memories involve decorating my own tree and listening to my Christmas records YEAR ROUND.)

I am really in an elf mood this year. Perhaps it is because I am tired and need lots of sugar. I think it is time to watch Elf with Will Ferrell. And level my various night elves in WoW.

Is it me, or does Timothy Geitner look like an elf? Perhaps he really wanted to be a dentist...

Tragedy at Ft. Hood...shut up Joe Pags

2009-11-06T09:17:00.002-06:00

The tragic events of yesterday at Ft. Hood are simply awful; I do not think it is helped when I hear talking heads rambling on about things they know nothing about.

Similar to when fighters failed to shoot down the hijacked aircraft on 9/11 or when talking heads bemoaned the response time of the military to Hurricane Katrina victims, I now hear people asking "How could this have happened on post? Should not people trained to deal with this have responded quicker? Why are our military personnel not armed to defend themselves?"

I would just like to say to all the Joe Pags out there...please, stop rambling on about something that you admit you know nothing about. Stop speculating. Stop trying to provoke.

Bad things happen. Mentally disturbed people surround us ALL THE TIME. Should the Army been more proactive in dealing with this individual if the claims of his blog postings and commentaries are true, certainly. But to suggest that the Army could have prevented this tragedy if those soldiers were armed I think is a bit obtuse. A soldier is not always going to be armed...if those at this center were, this evil would have been perpetrated somewhere else where people were not armed, like at an elementary school, gym, or playground.

I am not saying that the loss of life is somehow easier to accept since most of the victims were soldiers who knew the danger their chosen profession entailed. What I am saying is that to suggest this tragedy could have been avoided had those soldiers been armed is missing the overall truth of this situation. This man was evil and he perpetrated an evil act. He would not have been stopped; he would have chosen an easier target where his victims would have been even less protected.

My final thought is the media is saying how this major did want to deploy. What I would like to know, is when did he join the Army. Since he is a psychiatrist, he most likely came in as a Captain...which means it is possible he signed up after 9/11. That is something that needs to be clarified and if he did sign up after 9/11 and objected to the war...what was he doing?

Back on target

2009-10-23T12:21:00.006-05:00

Well, after a few weeks of enduring the flu (swine? perhaps but my overall experience will not convince me to get the vaccine and I hope to avoid it if I can from Uncle Sam), I return to my blog with enthusiasm and gusto. Strange word that...gusto. It is not used as often as it should be.

Today's blog is going to focus on those folks I think demonstrate a tremendous amount of gusto and can effectively remain on target.

First, here is the official definition of "gusto":

Etymology: Italian, from Latin gustus, past participle
Date: 1620
1 a : an individual or special taste b : enthusiastic and vigorous enjoyment or appreciation c : vitality marked by an abundance of vigor and enthusiasm

Okay, my first nominee is Glenn Beck. While some may argue his tears would eliminate him from the Guys and Gals with Gusto list (which I am hereby labeling this list as),unfortunately, that would be a premature judgement. If one takes the time and listens to his show (radio, not tele but I do tune into both), it is clear that the man knows how to think, read, and gather knowledge...he does it all with abandoned gusto and encourages his listeners (fans and critics alike) to do the same with passion and gusto. He asks his listeners to ask questions boldly and without fear. He is certainly a needle in the eye of the White House administration as Obama administration representatives target him and his corporate sponsors. He approaches his job with a tremendous amount of gusto, regardless of your opinion on his opinions.

Well, Rush Limbaugh definitely has gusto, but for inclusion on this list, I am specifically speaking about his love of football. He was willing to enter into the sports media fray again by trying to participate in the purchase of the Rams...his gusto for football and his home state over road his common sense and allowed him to believe that his partners had dealt with the fire storm that would ensue once his participation was revealed. Well, apparently no one had informed Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton (both of whom were in need of media attention since they had slipped out of the public eye and this thrust them right back in, much to the consternation of an NBC correspondent) or Rick Sanchez from CNN and a whole host of "journalists." Rush is left with the last laugh, which he embraces with gusto...the apologies keep pouring in for attributing awful quotes to the man. Not that you hear that reported on ESPN.

Anita Dunn. Well, there is a gal with gusto. Her clear and obvious gusto for the likes of Mao Tse Tung are evident by her own words. One thin I noticed during her speech to high school students is the constant licking of her lips and stretching of her jaw...what was that all about? Was it a tick? But her explanation that she was trying to use irony to convey humor in her reference to Mao is odd...so she thinks that Mother Theresa is a woman that should be the butt of a joke? If her reverence and gusto for Mao was simple jesting, is that true of her other "favorite political philosopher"?

Well, I don't want the list to go on too long. Perhaps I will add some more next time. Peace, Cat

Where has the month gone?

2009-10-13T12:20:00.003-05:00

Well, I am once again on quarters, lamenting the deplorable state of military medicine. Four things have happened that make me truly frightened about what our so called political leaders are getting ready to do to our health care system.

I am currently seen under the military health care system. It used to be one of the best systems out there and was one of the benefits to recruit, retain, and get Americans to commit to a 20+ year career to the US military. Sadly, when I first came on active duty in 1993, it became the place where Hilarycare was introduced in the form of Tricare. This is the system of medical care that told me my type 2 spondylosthesis was all in my head (my L-5 vertebrae was pressing on my spinal cord and moving back and forth...I went from being a very active 31 year old to a woman who could not stand without assistance or walk without fear of falling down with no notice.) That flight surgeon suggested I take anti-depressants and refused to prescribe pain killers for fear of making me dependent. Six months later, an Army doctor from the old school (he had served almost 30 years at this point) attempted to fix my back. While the fusion did not take completely, I at least returned to a somewhat normal life.

Six years later, we are going through the health care debate and the hyped up fears put forth by big-pharma (get your vaccine now or die from the swine!), the CDC, and the government (cough into your sleeve!) My son and I have been sick off an on for a month now...they refused to test him for flu but prescribed him 5 days worth of tamiflu (please read up on how long you are supposed to take the medication versus taking any advice from this blog) which made my husband and I pause. Needless to say, we did not give him the tamiflu and he is doing fine now.

This morning I returned to the clinic for a return of symptoms (fever, body aches, headache, sore throat) and was seen again by the same physician's assistant who saw me two weeks ago. He just put me on quarters and sent me home. No direction on what to do. No identification on what is going on other than "your ears are clear, throat is red but I do not think it is strep." Now, the last time I was in, I had fluid on my ears which he gave me dichotimine which made me dizzy and affected my sleep. I went in and saw a nurse for the dizziness who confirmed I had fluid on my ears and gave me sudafed and afrin. Notice a trend? I have yet to see a doctor.

You see...we don't have many doctors anymore. My primary care provider is an NP (and she is great, don't get me wrong) but where are the doctors? My husband has seen the flight surgeon for the laryngitis he has had for over a month and was told to take flonase. It was only because I nagged him to go back did he finally get an appointment to the ENT specialist...but that took 2 weeks to get the referral in (and he had to go bug Tricare for the letter.)

Imagine what is going to happen when many Americans (who through choice have opted out of health insurance) and those here illegally all of sudden get "health care" coverage. 45% of doctors are indicating that they will leave medicine in order to avoid the certain devaluing of their services.

Here is a radical idea for fixing health care: institute tort reform (won't happen since trial lawyers are running the show in DC and donate to both parties but especially the Democrats), separate insurance from employers to force insurers to compete on the open market, and allow cross state line competition (instead of the government dictating that elective procedures be covered such as gastric bypass which you can even get under Tricare.)

Oh, and mark Sunday on your calendar. That is the day the Obama administration declared war on media outlet Fox News. Apparently, they reject the notion of the "freedom of the press."

Guild Drama

2009-09-16T11:32:00.002-05:00

Every wonder why communism or fascism never really worked unless people are kept under the boot of a brutal dictator (a la Cuba or North Korea)?

Well, I had a unique experience this weekend that serves as a microcosm of why the Utopian vision of the previously mentioned "isms" never seem to work.

As you should know by now, I game. I have been a gamer since my first roll of a d20 in D&D. Anyway, in the World of Warcraft platform, we have groups of players called guilds. Guilds help members to accomplish objectives, most often focusing on end of game content (aka raids.)

Well, I have been in my fair share of guilds. They have a life cycle, as players come and go to the game, personalities conflict, goals in game change, etc. And while I have been in several different guilds, I have kept the same core group of friends since I joined Cylon Raiders last spring. This was when I began raiding and really began learning how to play my toon (who, btw, is named Catrine and everyone calls me Cat.) Krellis, Cade (aka Scyleon and Lucien), Gladonious, Praxus (aka Loralei, Kekashi), Toriee, Fonz, Ty (a whole hosts of Ty-toons), Fockeer (Justine, Gilliliray), Quisto (Gillian, Shamson, Heathledger), Ellehcim, Illusion, Franktehtank (aka Whiteice), Blackice, Bizzaro, McWolf, Elisejen, Buracus, and Verethery...these are all of my friends in game and in real life. I exchange emails with them, text message, facebook...I have even met some in person for dinner. If I lived near these people, they would be the kind of people I would hang out with...it is a good group.

Now some of us are a bit more crude than others. Some swear...A LOT. But it is a game and we are all adults. There are steps one can take to minimize the foul language and humor if you choose. I choose not to, because it has provided some of the most fun of my gaming experience and I have actually had to take a moment to stop playing because of laughing so hard. Paul and I often recount these stories as if we had gone out clubbing with these people and something funny had happened.

In the most recent guild, Kaizen, that I belonged to, there were some new officers. They were younger and they date in real life; it is obvious they have never been in real leadership positions since the minute they were promoted, they took on their authority with gusto.

Here is where my point about why the "isms" tend to fail. When those who have been denied power or authority over others all of sudden find themselves in power, it goes to their head. I cannot describe it any other way. The notion of absolute power corrupts absolutely is most appearent in societies that willingly choose to take from one group to give to the other. That is a power that is difficult to overcome unless the people are willing to stand up and say "You shall not pass."

Now, this weekend, these two young officers decided to target one of my more offending friends for his potty mouth. He rarely says much of anything anymore because so many people have chastised him for his crude humor. He is the kind of man who relishes direct conflict...imagine a hockey fan confronted a nascar fan...that is this guy all in one person. He is rough, he is, by his own admission, an asshole, but I love him like a brother. He makes me laugh and he is one hell of a player. This is the guy you want to raid with because he gets things done. He does not respect people who do not have the guts to confront others directly. He finds it a weakness and if you are the kind of person who goes around an other's back, he will call you on it.

That is what happened this weekend. As a result of his treatment, several of us decided we had had enough. The power was abused. We stood up and said "You shall not pass." So, we left. When I say we, see all of the above friends I listed. Now some are still trying to resolve things but the two junior officers in question really do not see what they did as wrong. They did it for the good of the whole and that to loose this one ugly part of the guild, the guild would be better for it.

Instead, they lost 3 of their top healing classes, three of their best tanks (the guys who keep the focus of the bad guys on them during a fight), and their top damage dealers. The former guild master also feels strongly that we are justified in our reaction and agrees that the officers in question need to step down because as he put it, we will be spending a lot of time to try and replace what was lost and in the mean time, that group will go on to do better things. He sees the reality of the situation...in their vain effort to exert their authority, they reached too far. Those who were able and willing decided to take their toys and leave. The guild is worse off for it.

So, ask yourself, if removing something that is ugly in order to serve the greater good actually hurts the overall society, have you succeeded? Communism sought to establish a flat system where all are equal, with no regard to contribution, work ethic, results, etc. It was not about competition, but equality in all things. Thus, when one person works really hard and one does not, they are rewarded the same. What does that produce? Not efficiency. Not excellence. It produce mediocrity. Laziness. A sense of entitlement.

Instead of handing out health care to all, how about rewarding those who have insurance with tax credits to encourage people to carry health insurance. Those who cannot afford insurance could pay for they health care as they go (think of remitting payment via a layaway or credit card basis.) Those less fortunate, if they meet with catastrophic illness, can solicit assistance like a financial scholarship from private and/or charitable organizations.

It should not come from the federal government. The power has gone to their heads. They are corrupted. If they keep accusing people who thrive on competition, who want to make money and profits, and seek to lift themselves up and not depend on the government of being evil, contemptuous, and immoral, well...they may take their toys and leave. And then where will this country be? Broke. Equally.

You Lie

2009-09-10T11:14:00.004-05:00

Here are some other famous lies and the liars who told them...http://www.healthdiaries.com/famous-liars.htm

I can think of some others, too. Of course, everyone on one side of the political camp likes to claim Bush Lied, People Died in reference to WMDs in Iraq. Since other leading Democrats and foreign government leaders also thought Iraq possessed WMD, perhaps the liar in this case was not only Saddam Hussein, but the scientists and advisors who continued to report to Iraq's dictator the status of said weapons (which he did have and he did use).

"Read my lips, no new taxes..." oops...that one back fired. " Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon promised to move to Canada if their candidates lost to evil Republicans. In Baldwin's case, he lied. Bush won and he stayed (a boon to SNL and Kim Bassinger in their custody battle) whereas Sarandon's champion won...too bad. I would prefer if she and Tim departed for greener pastures since they hate this country that has made them uber rich so much.

Michael Moore...well, I believe anything that comes out of that man's mouth is a lie. Except for when he said "Capitalism is evil..." I am pretty sure he believes that one despite also making his millions on the backs of evil capitalist pigs, I mean liberals. How more hypocritical can one person be? Has he not read about sin taxes? He will have a very large target (pun intended) on his backside in our future health care system...no, wait. That system will not apply to the ruling class. Only to those of us who are "rich" but yet cannot afford personal jets, 50,000 square foot homes, and 22 assistants.

Che. Yep, I said it. Che Guevara lied. The foco never did raise up, hence the bullet-riddled body. If you don't know what a foco is, yet you wear a Che t-shirt...please, educate yourself. It may help with your fashion sense. At least choose a thug who was successful in fomenting violence and government overthrows. Mao, Lenin, Hitler, Mussolini, Fidel, Hugo...there are so many better thugs to idealize than Che. They may not be better looking, but I presume that only evil capitalist are that superficial.

Che=/epic fail but one would never know it. Too many people, and more specifically, too many Americans subscribe to Che's view of the world and of this nation. ~ Cat

Well, how about that...

2009-09-08T14:59:00.003-05:00

I just attended my first class of blogging school and got a background I can dig. Too cool for school.

Speaking of which, my son did not have to watch the President's address. At this time, my opinion on the matter remains simple: I have no problem with the POTUS (any of them) addressing the children of this nation. What I took issue with was the "lesson plan" issued by the DoE to teachers to use along with the speech.

I do not want my child indoctrinated into thinking that "service" means to serve or pledge to one specific man or office. Had the lesson plan followed along the lines of JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country..." now that would have been acceptable.

But you see, that is the problem we face at this moment in time in our nation: too many people are telling our younger generations that it is not about what they can do for their country, but what the country (or more specifically, the government) has (to quote Miss Jackson) "what have you done for me lately?"

Instead of encouraging a free market health care system, we are told that the system is broken and only the government can fix it. Yes! The system is broken because of government interference. Establish a standard expectation of coverage (similar to auto insurance...you must have liability, for instance) and then allow for the free market competition by allowing interstate selling of insurance. Furthermore, segregate your medical insurance from your employer. We do not go through our employers to get home or car insurance...why must we go through employers for health?

Instead of encouraging responsibility in terms of home loans, the government forced banks to lend to less than reliable customers and now those customers are being encouraged by groups like ACORN to squat in homes that they could never afford in the first place and have been foreclosed upon. Where is the sense of responsibility?

Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!

I need to go to blogging school...

2009-09-08T14:39:00.002-05:00

I just peeked at a friend's blog and all I can say is wow! I am so impressed with how her blog is set up and it has me wondering how I can do the same.

More research is required. But man, oh man! I am up to my eyeballs reading various things, I have no idea when I will ever actually do said research.

Course, I only have 2 followers...me and my SIL. So, I know I do not need to impress but now my curiousity is peeked.

I am going to have to sit down and work on this.

Even Scarier...

2009-09-04T12:53:00.002-05:00

Is this kind of propaganda crap coming from "artists." Perhaps this is what the NEA was asking artists to provide in order to "help" the administration achieve its goals for changing America.

I, for one, like America. As with anything, it has its flaws. But there is no need to "fundamentally transform" our nation. The more I read and see in terms of who this president surrounds himself with, the more concerned I get.

Van Jones spoke of "changing the whole system" at the "Power Shift '09" conference. I believe the conference and his speech was a double entendre...Jones and his ilk want to take the wealth earned by some and give it to others (excluding, of course, the wealth earned by Mr. Jones and the other fearless radical leaders he associates with).

But what really scares me is that this video, produced by Demi Moore and distributed by Harpo (that is Oprah's company) was and is being shown in the classroom.

Be aware...most radical movements begin with the younger generations since their opinions and attitudes are not fully formed. History has provided ample examples of this...Mao's "Little Red Book" that was studied by all during the Cultural Revolution states that the "youth represent an active, vital force to be drawn upon...and educated." Most folks have heard of the "Hitler Youth"...I suggest you take a look at how the Hitler Youth were used in their political objectives.

Again, scary stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51kAw4OTlA0

Ok, Scary...More Van Jones lies revealed

2009-09-04T12:51:00.002-05:00

Got this from Major Garrett via Twitter.

Yet another lie...Van Jones is a 9/11 "truther"...

http://www.rense.com/general18/march.htm

Is this indoctrination?

2009-09-01T12:06:00.004-05:00

Or is it simply a common tactic used by presidents to connect with the very young.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10582301/President-Obama’s-Address-to-Students-Across-America-September-8-2009

I am going to research this and find out (if I can) a) what is the topic he is speaking about? and b) have any other presidents made similar attempts. I would make a wager that if a previous administration had done this all heck would have broken loose...it would have been the lead of every left leaning blog/news organization out there as evidence of fascism. Any takers? If you have some insight into either question I have, please do share.

On a second note, I read today how supporters of this administration are saying the alarm being expressed by some at actions being taken by the government is clearly a case of "sore losers." Specifically, this person quoted Jon Stewart. Stewart's hatred and annomosity of the things Bush did while in office are clearly documented and and he basically says that his side had to live under 8 years of Bush/Cheney facism.

Is there anything this administration could do that would evoke similar ire from the likes of Stewart and others who voted for "change"?

Ugh-oh...not doing a very good job

2009-08-31T13:02:00.002-05:00

But I have a reason I have not posted a new blog in 10 days...but no need to go into that, I suppose.

I am in the midst of writing a new article on the users of social media and why the Net Immigrants of the world (those who did not grow up digital but nonetheless find themselves participating in the phenom) should pay attention and find out more. It is a pain though...most of the research I am doing has to be done at a computer that does not go through a Maxwell firewall while I am writing on my desk top comp. Very frustrating. I have blazed a path between my desk and the computer I do my research on, but I am seeing results on my efforts at least locally.

More to follow soon on that...now back to research.

Man...I love Jim Caviezel

2009-08-21T12:59:00.002-05:00

OK, first of all...he is drop dead gorgeous. Maybe you don't remember him...he is one of those actors who rarely shows up on the tabloids unless he has a mega hit, like, I don't know...The Passion of the Christ. Yes, I loved him before he portrayed our savior in such a humble way. He was daring and a bit roguish in The Count of Monte Cristo...my favorite scene was when he entered the fete he was throwing from a hot air balloon. Huba-huba.

But here is why I really admire and respect him, good looks and acting skills aside. He is a man of faith. He is a man of principle. He means what he says and says what he means. He is a man's man in world full metrosexuals who try to hone in on my products, salon appointments, and the mirror. (Thankfully, I married to a man's man who has no idea what I am complaining about.)

Here are some links that hint at the incredible man who defies the Hollywood standard of self-absorbed no-nothings.

Oh, and if you have not seen much of his work, go watch some of it. He was also excellent in Frequency with Dennis Quaid.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Celebrities/2009/06/Jim-Caviezel-Interview.aspx

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08042907.html

Peace~Cat

Computer Worms

2009-08-17T14:09:00.003-05:00

Had our system infiltrated. My husband is now cleaning up the mess. Most likely came through a back door via a social network or flash drive.

Scan your system. Make sure you do not download programs from links in social networks (I suppose like this one) if they ask you to download something else in order to view your selection.

Ugh. What a mess. Also, you can google "social networks, worms" to get more info. Koobface is the best known worm.

My dad suggests Spybot as a solid system for detecting and deleting such worms.

Well, I personally loathe people who create these malwares. Karma will get them.

Whole Foods Update...and Yes, I am still going to shop there

2009-08-17T10:48:00.002-05:00

http://themoderatevoice.com/43214/what-john-mackey-of-whole-foods-actually-wrote-vs-what-the-wsj-ran-see-for-yourself/

While the substance of this blog is not earth shattering, I enjoyed reading the comments of the posters.

As my husband predicted, when the green-loving, gluten-free/vegan/organic/non-GMO crowd realizes that they cannot get all they want from Super Wal-Mart (and that their organic produce from Wal-Mart immediately grows mold upon leaving the establishment), they will return, quietly, to the Mecca of WFM. Or Vitamin's Cottage (which is even more expensive then WFM and has a smaller selection of certain items...but I still like them, too.)

Power to the peeps.

Wow...a Bolt in Germany

2009-08-17T09:54:00.002-05:00

I am still amazed at what human beings can do. In case you have not seen it, check out Usain Bolt's shattering run at the World Championships this weekend in Berlin.

http://www.usainbolt.co.uk/usain-bolt-olympic-100m-gold-video/

Buckmasters and Coffee

2009-08-15T08:19:00.004-05:00

So, this morning we are off to the Buckmasters Expo but first, a stop at Starbucks is a must. I cannot believe I am going to a hunting expo, but there will be camping and fishing stuff there, too.

Just heard this morning that Karl Rove will be on The Family Guy. It actually sounds pretty funny. Maybe I will watch it...maybe I won't.

I don't watch much tv anyore. If it is on, it is either on something appropriate for Tony (which pretty much excludes all regular television on the usual channels) or news. Of course, some of the "news" is not appropriate for Tony either. After reading the "objective" reporting by ABC news on the Whole Foods CEO's op-ed and the town halls, I have decided that I am not missing much by not watching television. Maybe news will also have to go...

In fact, Geraldine Ferraro is on the tele right now. It is time to turn it off again. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. But not as much as when I hear Yo Gaba Gaba. That show is banned from this house. It makes my brain hurt from all of the indoctrination...Just say NO...

Yet Another Reason Why I Love Shopping Whole Foods...

2009-08-14T13:56:00.003-05:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

This has created quite a stir. Open-minded people (or at least they claim to be except for if I express my opinion, and then I am a whole host of nasty things which makes me question the whole "open-minded" or "embrace diversity" aura certain people try to emanate) have condemned Whole Foods and its CEO...vowing to boycott. While they have their right to boycott and voice their disgust with Mackey (Whole Foods CEO), it seems they have revealed their hypocrisy. I know of a number of folks who shopped there because of the "green" image WFM portrays and policies they have...now that the CEO expresses a different opinion on health-care, it seems like these environmentally concerned citizens have decided Wal Mart and other grocery stores are now better. It is as if these folks are screaming "SCREW THE ENVIRONMENT! YOU ARE DEAD TO ME WHOLE FOODS!"

Now, that makes me want to shop there all the more.

My boycotts have never gone very well. No matter how hard I try, I cannot boycott fast food. French fries, while truly evil incarnate, are simply too tempting for me to forswear. (Although I do boycott KFC (for like the last 20 years) and McDonald's (at the moment...icky mcnuggets.))

My boycott of California wines...well, it started because I was a wine joiner...I wanted to support local wineries when I lived in Washington but fizzled when I developed a taste for Cakebread Cabs. I moved on to boycott French wines, in part because ils sont francais, oui? Also, I tried a wine that smelled like smelly feet. Then, my taste buds prevailed, and my need for exceptional cabs, Bordeaux, and Burgundies overrode any desire to stick it to "the man" or "le monsieur."

Alas, my boycott to not buy Citgo gas still holds strong. I am not going to pay a cent if I can avoid it to "el hombre" (aka Ugo Chavez) and while I made a bold attempt to not by things Made in China...having a child made that one impossible. Next time you go to Target, take a look at where your purchases are made...scary!

My Wal-Mart boycott has been re-instated. It originally came about when on Sundays in Del Rio, TX, the Wal-Mart was flooded by folks coming over the border. I could not get anyone to speak English to me when I needed assistance, so they annoyed me. I came back only to have them act like Scrooges when Wii were hard to come by...ordered one on-line only to have them short-fall it (even though it was shown as "in stock.") But, their recent support of "health care reform" (I still cringe at that term since there seems to be little reform going on...) because it will allow Wal Mart to avoid paying big bucks to provide insurance to their employees. Every time I hear their radio commercial calling for the support of health care "reform", I turn the station and remind myself not to shop there.

And have you looked at where most things in Wal Mart are made??? Whatever happened to Sam Walton's "Made in America"? Oh yeah...we don't make anything anymore...sigh.

The problem with socialism...

2009-08-14T09:07:00.002-05:00

Man, Margaret Thatcher had it right.

http://proteinwisdom.com/

Here is another site for those interested in the politics of our nation...but be careful, someone may let David Axlerod know you belong to such an awful, hideous, unruly mob such as the ladies found at...

http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/

I will post a new blog later today...till then, Peace!

Believe or not, I do read news from sources other than Drudge and Fox...

2009-08-12T12:58:00.003-05:00

Of course, I found Camille Paglia via Drudge but I now read her columns on my own. While she and I disagree on a whole host of things, I admire her honesty and integrity.

If you have not had a chance to read her work, please take a look. Oh, and the fact she adores US and Depeche Mode only increases my opinion of her.

This week, she calls Nanny (intended sic) Pelosi and others in the administration to task. She acknowledges the legitimate concerns of American over health care deformity (I refuse to call it "reform" since I do not see anything put forth yet that would reform our system...anything without torte reform first is missing the point) and not in the Bob Beckel demeaning way that condemns these Americans as automaton buffoons incapable of logical thought on their own accord who require a larger organization, such as ACORN or SEIU or MoveOn to "educate" their supporters on the "facts."

Take a look. http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2009/08/12/town_halls/

Just another manic Monday...

2009-08-10T10:28:00.003-05:00

Wish it was Sunday. What ever happened to The Bangles? Hmmmm...another topic I need to research.

Two days until Tony starts school. Here is a link to his school...it is an amazing place. http://www.stjweb.org/. We have met his teacher, Mrs. Fink, who reminds me of my own mom and seems to have a great way with little ones. Tonight we are going for Back to School Night for parents only. Tony's Papa is in town so Tony will be spoiled, I am sure.

We learned an interesting thing about St. James last week. Their teachers are on one year contracts. They have to be invited back each year to continue to work there and there is no tenure. That is also true for administration personnel.

I posit this is one reason why schools, like St. James, have students who are thriving in comparison to the public school system. Teachers unions and government employee unions seem to have lost the focus that their responsibility is to educate. Instead, it seems like their focus is on pay (which is important, do not get me wrong...but why not link performance to pay? what is wrong with that?) or on complaints over expectations that our children should be able to pass reading and math skills test at the end of each school year.

My 7th grade English teacher sat at her desk, told us to read a chapter in our English book, answer the questions at the end, and then proceeded to sip from her Pepto bottle. While I am sure she could have had a really sensitive stomach issue that required that much Pepto, I imagine it is much more plausible that she was sipping a little something extra. She had tenure though, at least in terms of her union seniority and government employment, and therefore could not be fired. Honestly, I garnered nothing from that class...but I did always have my homework done before leaving school so I could concentrate on more important things, like Alan Jackson and MTV.

Even though my son is only beginning his formal education in two days (my baby is growing up!) I am already looking at colleges. I want to educate myself on what is out there so that I can advise him from a position of knowledge and understanding. I have come across this school which I find intriguing and full of possibilities (although it is in Michigan...albeit, southern Michigan.) http://www.hillsdale.edu/

Peace and long life.

The GovTwit Blog

2009-08-10T10:26:00.001-05:00

The GovTwit Blog

Shared via AddThis

I am ready for the weekend...are you?

2009-08-07T15:38:00.002-05:00

The work day is winding down and I need to go get my hubbie and kid and head out for some sushi.

I have found some interesting posts out there which I am going to try and recap before I hit the sack tonight, but I want to direct your attention to a Facebook group I created to advertise Air University's The Wright Stuff.

Please see the badge I have provided to the "wright" (heehee...geek humor) and take a look at it.

We publish TWS every two weeks. I am a proud contributor.

Peace, Cat

Questions every American should ask...

2009-08-06T17:00:00.004-05:00

I am a watchdog...are you?

Questions to consider...

If healthcare reform is a must for our nation, should not our leaders then lead by example? Will the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches opt out of their current healthcare programs (one could argue, the best in the nation) and choose the propsed plans ANY of the five versions of healthcare legislation floating around on the Hill? If they agree to reform their own healthcare plans, then I would consider them serious. http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090723/OPINION02/907230306/

http://reason.org/blog/show/the-public-option-for-congress

Why does healthcare reform have to take place ASAP? What is the rush? Are people dying in the streets due to a lack of healthcare? http://www.cato.org/dailypodcast/podcast-archive.php?podcast_id=953 (July 24th podcast)

Should our elected officials have to read the legislation they are going to vote on that spends our tax dollars? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Bpshk5nX0

If I disagree with someone, why am I labeled as a radical? When did respectful disagreement all of sudden become dangerous? http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/08/05/pelosi_town_hall_protesters_are_carrying_swastikas.html

When did it become necessary for Americans to report to our government on the thoughts, perceptions, emails, blog posts, etc. to our government? Why has the White House asked Americans to do just that? What would the reaction had been if another administration asked the American public to do the same about Iraq war protestors? http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/

Will I be reported for asking these "fishy" questions?

Educate yourself. Read, even those sites that you vehemently disagree with (and yes, I do read those sites and follow them on twitter.) And do not ever, ever forget that you are an American. It is your job to hold our government accountable. The government should fear "We The People."

I have read The Constitution...have you?

Don't tread on me.

hellocatrine: New Edition of The Wright Stuff

2009-08-04T15:05:00.000-05:00

hellocatrine: New Edition of The Wright Stuff

New Edition of The Wright Stuff

2009-08-04T15:03:00.002-05:00

I have a brief diddy about twitter handles and social networking sites.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/aunews/

OK, I really need to get smart on this blogging thing...

2009-08-03T16:23:00.001-05:00

And I have a good reference to use. A follower on twitter posted about her blog...check it out and follow if you like it...gopmommy.com

Cheers

DoD May Ban Social Networks

2009-07-31T07:16:00.001-05:00

This is not a good move, imho. I think we would be better served to allow DoD personnel to remain connected with Web 2.0 and essentially follow Lt Gen Caldwell's idea that all soldiers (in this case, DoD personnel) are public affairs officers. By doing this, we are simply doing the job of those who would seek to hack our system and prevent us from operating on the net.

I still think the government needs to build a seperate, segregated internet for gov use only.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/military-may-ban-twitter-facebook-as-security-headaches/

My first published book! Actually, it was my thesis...

2009-07-30T11:19:00.000-05:00

So not really a book but boy howdy! I cannot believe I will soon be officially published. Granted, the book will be free to military personnel and I receive no money for it...

Social Networking

2009-07-30T09:10:00.000-05:00

This is in part a research project I am doing for my organization. It is also in part my own personal interest in social networking.

I am interested in how social networking expands our perceptions and knowledge...I am excited to see where this will lead.