The Little Read Caboose

And so it begins

2008-07-17T05:43:00.001-05:00

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Randy's Mart on eBay

2008-01-11T13:01:00.000-06:00

Who Likes Brazil Nuts?

2008-01-06T14:58:00.000-06:00

Whenever I buy mixed nuts, there are always Brazil Nuts included. I DON'T LIKE BRAZIL NUTS! Never have - can't imagine that I ever will! And it's not just me. I've been to parties where mixed nuts have been served, and at the end of the evening, the Brazil nuts are left, alone, wondering why they have been abandoned for cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and even the lowly filbert.

For me, I just don't like the way they taste. Some have called their flavor "earthy." If that means "like dirt," then I'm in agreement. Just as finding a bit of dirt on some poorly-washed lettuce you've just eaten turns your enjoyable salad into something you need to spit out, so does finding a Brazil nut ruin my enjoyment of an otherwise nice munchie.

Even the finest selections of mixed nuts in the stores include Brazil nuts! Why? Is it because they improve the mix? Add a desired flavor/texture/aroma to the mix? I doubt it. Brazil nuts must be cheap. And since they are usually bigger than most other nuts, they help fill up the container so when you open it up there are nuts up to the brim! "Oh joy! Look at all the nuts in here!" must be what you're expected to exclaim.

I've taken to just picking them out now and throwing them away. I hate to be wasteful, but even my amazon parrot, who goes crazy for peanuts and cashews, just looks at them suspiciously and walks away. Even she knows "earthy" is best left untouched - certainly not worth eating!

New Year's Goals

2008-01-01T15:00:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you each find peace, prosperity and happiness in 2008.

There's always a lot of talk about New Year's resolutions. Bah! Don't make vague resolutions. Instead, take some time and make some goals.

First, get a piece of paper. An unwritten goal is just a wish - write it down to make real.

Second, come up with two or three goals. Make them realistic, obtainable, and measurable. "I want to be a better parent." isn't a goal - it's just wish. Instead, how about "I will read a bedtime story to my kids at least three nights a week."

Write down your goals and leave some space between them.

Lastly, jot down an action plan to accomplish your goals. For the reading example, perhaps you need to visit a book store to buy a book of stories.

Got goals? Share them in your comments, and include a step or two from your action plan. I'd love to hear from you!

Political Violence

2007-12-31T12:45:00.000-06:00

Here in the USA, we are just beginning the big push of the presidential campaign. There has been a lot of critical remarks, erroneous statements (and some downright lies), name calling, and on and on... But we don't shoot political candidates like has happened in Pakistan.

After countless failed assassination attempts, some idealistic fool finally ended the life of Benazir Bhutto. Some may take me to task for calling a suicide bomber a fool, but that's how I see it. I don't know much about Ms. Bhutto's political views. She was Prime Minister of Pakistan twice, each time being charged with corruption. But that's still no reason to kill someone - at least not in our country.

I know - we've had political assassinations in the USA. Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., are just some of those who's life was cut short by someone who simply disagreed with them. But thankfully this is rare. We don't always agree with our leaders, and I certainly don't agree with all of the presidential candidates. But here, we just don't vote for candidates with whom we don't agree. Assassination is abhorrent. And it must always be considered that way.

Just Getting Started...

2007-12-29T19:38:00.000-06:00

Welcome to The Little Read Caboose! Based on my past experience, you'll either think this title is quite funny or quite confusing. If it tickled your funny bone, you can skip ahead. If you're confused, it's like this:

In times past, the last car on a train was the caboose. Traditionally the caboose was red, although it could be any color. So if you were stopped in your car at a railroad crossing, the little red caboose was a welcome sight - your wait for the train to pass was finally over! Now looking at the word "Read" in the title, it can be pronounced two ways. The first way rhymes with "seed" as in "I have to read an article tomorrow for class." The second way rhymes with "bed" as in "I read a great book last summer!" So this Little Read Caboose is a play on words, a welcome sight, but with a small, albeit loyal, readership!

There's been a lot going on in the world from political assassinations to concerns about climate change, gun control, health care reform, and much, much more. After over 50 years of living, I find I just can't keep my opinions to myself any longer! It's time to join the blogging world and have some frank talk about both serious and frivolous issues.

I hope you'll join me and keep your eyes open for the next Little Read Caboose!