New Year's Eve 161/365

Em was my date for New Year's Eve. We staged our own party with ham and cheese panini sandwiches, warm brownies and ice cream and three games of Uno. He won two and was crowned 2009 Uno Champion! I'll get even in 2010.

Today's News: Robert Morgenthau, the district attorney for the borough of Manhattan, retired today at the age of 90. He is the real-life model for the DA in the TV series Law and Order. He had announced in February that he would not seek reelection.

Today in History: 1904 - The first New Year's celebration is held in Times Square.

Urban Nanny Goat 160/365

I trekked back over to the urban farm today with my step stool and this is the best as it got -- a nanny goat sticking her tongue out at me. The animals are either too far away or they are pushing up against the fence right in front of you hoping that you have goodies for them to eat. So I promise: No more goats!

Today's News: Zonies feel earthquake shocks from 5.8 quake near the California/Mexico border 20 miles southeast of Mexicali today around noon. No damages reported.

Today in History: 1924 - Edward Hubble announces the existence of other galaxies.

Urban Billy Goat 159/365

About four blocks from my home in the heart of the nation's sixth largest city is an urban farm. It resides in a residential area across the street from a municipal golf course (which also used to include an urban farm) and on the next corner up is a large Lutheran church. I don't know that I would call it a working farm because all it seems to have is animals and old tractors. Perhaps they hire their animals out for living nativity scenes (but that's just a couple weeks each year) or maybe the sheep and goats get jobs eating the grass on a few of the large vacant lots that still exist in this area. It's very difficult to get a good photo of the animals through the wire fencing but I've decided that the next time I go by there I'll throw a step stool in the car and perhaps that will give me enough boost to clear the fence. They have lots of goats, some sheep, several pigs, burros or donkeys, a couple of ponies, lots of chickens and a few ducks. I don't see any cattle or turkeys or geese. The old farm across the street actually had a silo which is still on the premises, but most of the farmland has been taken over by a housing development. We do occasionally see a mother duck and ducklings wandering through the neighborhood. The moms tend to go away from their pond to lay their eggs and once the ducklings hatch they waddle through the yards and down the streets looking for their home pond. A few blocks away we have a flock of guineas that hold court down the middle of a minor thoroughfare and they are quite vocal on a summer evening going wherever it is they go. I remember as a child my grandmother had guineas and when the little kids (like me) came to visit we would have guinea eggs for breakfast. It takes three or four to equal a hen egg, but little eggs for little people is so cool! I so wish my grandson could experience those wonderful times. When was the last time you caught a lightening bug (that's what we called them in the South as opposed to fireflies) in a jar on a hot summer night?

Today's News: Terror, terror, terror. I'm terrified of terrorism. I want those days of guinea eggs and fireflies to return.

Today in History: 1998 - Leaders of the Khmer Rouge apologize for the 1970s genocide in Cambodia that claimed over 1 million lives.

Tri-Color Pearl Onions 158/365

Don't you just love baby vegetables? But these babies can be a nightmare to peel. Jus think about peeling fifty onions instead of two! Solution: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Dump the onions in the boiling water for one to two minutes. Drain and add cold water. The outer peels will slough right off.

Today's News: New restrictions on airlines go into effect after Christmas day attempted bombing on flight to Detroit.

Today in History: 1912 - The first municipally owned streetcars begin operation in San Francisco.

The Tomato Vigil 157/365

Remember the tomatoes that froze and whose fruit I picked and took inside to live on the kitchen windowsill? They are finally actually beginning to turn. I almost had ripe tomatoes for Christmas. The big red one should be ready to eat in a couple of days. I haven't a clue what it will taste like. Others are beginning to blush and I still have the one plant outside bearing fruit, although its blossoms have dried up.

Today's News: Doctors today in Lantana, FL, made public the US's first known case of a highly drug-resistant form of tuberculosis.

Answer: Vickie, the answer is no! So sorry. I have the same problem. They were only $15.99 so I am skeptical that they actually see in the dark anywhere!

Today in History: 1845 - Ether is used as an anesthetic for the first time in childbirth. We've come a long way, baby!

Pyracantha Berries 156/365

The Christmas spirit still lingers even after Christmas Day has passed.

Today's News: Heightened security measures go into effect at airports worldwide after yesterday's alleged terrorist incident.

Today in History: 1933 - FM radio is patented.

Night Vision Goggles ... 155-365

... were one of Em's favorite gifts from Gramma. Santa is still on the A list too -- he got the Nintendo and a cookie! A new bike was a surprise a little later in the morning after all the other presents were opened.

Today's News: A man from Nigeria attempts to deploy an explosive device on a flight headed from Amsterdam to Detroit.

Today in History: 1990 - The first successful trial run of the system which would become the Worldwide Web.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas 154/365

...and all through the house!

This is a magical night for children all over the world. Right now, as I write this, NORAD says Santa is making deliveries in Baltimore. He will be here soon!

And to all a good night.

Today's News: Lots of it, but the one that tugs at my heart is that David Goldman is back home from Brazil with his son Sean!
Also in today's news is that my son-in-law came over and fixed my profile and my computer settings so that I can reply to any comments on my blog if the commentor has an e-mail address in their profile! At my age I'm pretty good at technology but sometimes I just don't want to take the time to figure it out!

Today in History: 1955- NORAD tracks Santa for the first time in what becomes an annual Christmas Even tradition. (Since starting this post Santa has already moved from Baltimore to Pittsburgh, PA -- that man moves fast! Those reindeer must be going 90 miles an hour!)

The Art of Giftwrap 153/365

Em came for an overnight. We went to the mall where he picked out his own gifts for his mom and dad, then on to Sprouts for some special things, the video store for a DVD of Sponge Bob Square Pants, home to make an Hawaiian pizza, a little fun time on the computer watching the surprised kitten on YouTube, some Ellen Degeneres Know It or Go segments, played around with some Jacquie Lawson Christmas cards, and finally wrapped his gifts. He did a great job with only a little help from Grandma.

Today's News: Balloon Boy's mom and dad both get jail time for their flying saucer hoax - dad 90 days, mom 20.

Today in History: 1893 - The opera Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdink is first performed in Weimar, Germany.

To Answer Your Questions: I don't know how to answer people's questions who leave comments on my blog other than here. I know I can comment to a comment but it still just shows up on my blog rather than going straight to them, so here goes:

Lavosh (or lavash) is a Middle Eastern flat bread. When baked crisp it is sometimes called Armenian cracker bread.

No, the dental equipment was not hooked up to running water.
I noticed when I left comments on Mari's blog there was another person named Kathy, so I started designating my name as Kathy from Phoenix. I received a nice note from the other Kathy, who also happens to be from Phoenix (go figure!). She suggested she become Kathy No. 2, but since she was the first to comment on Mari's site, she should be No. 1 and I'll move to Ramblin' Kathy!

The New Dentist 152/365

I went to a new dentist today and part of the decor of his waiting room is some antique dental furniture and equipment. This "spitting" bowl with the little Dixie cup dispenser brought back some not-so-fond memories although I think the ones I was exposed to were a little more modern than this. Don't be afraid to question your dentist. Mine was recommending $2500 worth of work (in excess of $5,000 had I not had dental insurance) and there was one procedure that I was just skeptical of. I called some friends for referrals, paid a little under $100 to see someone else who told me it was his opinion I didn't need ANY of the proposed dental work and even volunteered that in this time of recession it is quite common for dentists (especially with those patients who do have dental insurance) to pad their treatment plans with unnecessary work. I'll be changing dentists very quickly, to say the least.

Today's News: Colo (named for Columbus, Ohio, where she was born) celebrates her 53rd birthday as the first and now currently oldest gorilla born in captivity. She has also lived at the Columbus zoo longer than any other resident. Colo has 3 children, 16 grandchildren (5 who are deceased), 4 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Her grandson Jungle Jack, born in 1957, shares the same birthday. You go, Girl!

Today in History: 1937 - The Lincoln Tunnel opens to traffic in NYC.

My New Favorite Pizza 151/365

My new favorite pizza just happens to be one of my own concoctions. While shopping at Trader Joe's today I picked up a package of lavosh -- baked but not crisp. My first thought was, hum, thin-crust pizza. I added some mushrooms, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese to my grocery list and when I got home I drug out the pizza stone and got all the ingredients together. I even made my own homemade pizza sauce (easy - if you want the recipe, let me know!). A little bit of cornmeal on the pizza stone starts the process. Lay on the lavosh and slather on a thin later of pizza sauce. Cover with grated mozzarella. Add pepperoni and mushrooms. Next time I'll add more mushrooms because I forgot how much they would shrivel in a 450-degree oven. Throw it in the oven for about 10 minutes. Add Parmesan and some red pepper flakes, cut in squares and devour. I can't wait to try (1) spinach, mushroom, zucchini and goat and/or feta cheese; (2) margarita pizza with Roma tomatoes; (3) Hawaiian pizza with ham/Canadian bacon and pineapple; or (4) arugula, black olives and -- well, whatever!

Today's News: Senate Democrats return to the capitol at 1 a.m. to continue hammering out their version of health care reform while the rest of the city lays paralyzed under a crippling snowstorm. All goverment employees except for those in essential positions got the day off.

Today in History: 1913- "Word-Cross," the first crossword puzzle, is published in the New York World.

Deflated Santa 150/365

This deflated inflatable Santa looks like he is just awakening from a nap!

The One That Got Away: Seen Today: A taxicab with a lone passenger in the back and a live Christmas tree tied to the roof. You gotta admit, it takes guts to hail a cab while wrestling a Christmas tree to the curb! On the other hand, maybe the cabbie is the one with the guts! Wonder if he got an extra fare for the passenger on the roof?

Today's News: 5,000 flights are canceled and hundreds of thousands of travelers are stranded in airports all over the country due to a crippling blizzard on the East Coast. Prediction: Some may not make their destination in time for Christmas.

Today in History: 1973 - Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto in 1936 in the Bronx) died at the age of 37 in LA from complications of blood poisoning after failing to take antibiotics before a dental visit which resulted in damage to his already weakened heart. He is best known for recording such hits as Mack the Knife, Dream Lover, Splish Splash, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, and, of course, for his stormy marriage to teen idol Sandra Dee.

Friends and Sunflowers 149/365

I am mired in work. The dishes haven't been done in three days. I haven't finished my Christmas shopping. My hair is a mess. I will be lucky to take Christmas Day off! Today while downloading more work my doorbell rang, "Ta-ding, ta-ding, ta-ding." My first thought was my grandson had arrived as he loves to lean on the doorbell. My second thought was "No, it can't be him, so who the he _ _ is bothering me on this most busy of days?" When I opened the door it was my friendly neighbor who knows I take a picture a day. She had stopped by a florist shop and bought a sweet little arrangement of sunflowers and wondered if I'd like to take a picture of it! I grabbed the camera quick because anything that saves me the trouble of searching for a picture opportunity is a real gift. Thank you, friend. The sunflowers are lovely!



Today's News: Phoenix Greyhound Park, after being open for 50 years, runs its last live race. I think it's a good thing. I hate seeing animals exploited. Greyhounds love to run but I'm not sure God meant for them to run to fulfill some human's gambling addiction.



Today in History: 1777- American Revolution - George Washington's Continental Army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, PA.

A Dog Named Kitty 148/365

Kitty looks like an oversized bat at times. She is a teeny little Pomeranian weighing about four pounds and belongs to my neighbor's niece.

Today's News: Charles Gibson retires from ABC News after a 30-year career.

Today in History: 1620 - The Mayflower lands at present-day Plymouth, MA, with 120 Pilgrims aboard.