Marty and Moose

On Veterans Day

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden teamed up today to speak at ServiceNation's "Mission Serve" Veterans Day launch event at George Washington University.

The ServiceNation's new project, according to its founders, is a "initiative to unite the worlds of military and civilian service, tapping the energy, wisdom and experience of the millions of citizens in uniform and out."

Read more about today's event here.

From Huffington Post:  Veteran's Day only happens once a year, but our nation's veterans need our support year-round. We've pulled together five facts about U.S. veterans, the great organizations that are supporting them and how you can help any time of the year.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Veterans
Who is doing something about it
How you can help

Veterans Day 2009

A letter to our veterans:

As a U.S. citizen, I apologize for the things our country's leaders ask you to do in the name of 'freedom'.  I apologize that we can not provide you other jobs at home and superb mental and physical health care when you return. I trust we continue to work for you, as you work for us.

Peace is not a dirty word, it is not a 'liberal' word, it is not a coward's word. Peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace for the world.  I wish peace for you and your families.

Thank you for your service, then and now.

A B C Wednesday, Round 5

Q is for quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah)

Ever heard of best laid plans? I had some of those last Sunday.  Now it is Wednesday and my bag of quinoa and two cans of vegetable broth are still on my kitchen counter.  Maybe next Sunday...just in time for my post on Meatless Monday?

Quinoa may be familiar to many, but it wasn't to me until recently. If you are visiting from Peru, Bolivia, or Ecuador then you will know that almost sixty percent of the world's quinoa production is from your countries.  My interest is in the nutritional value: its protein content is high (12% to 18%) with a balanced set of essential amino acids, making it an unusually complete protein source; it is a good source of dietary fiber; it is a good source of phosphorus and a high source of iron and magnesium; and, it is gluten-free so it is easy to digest.  This is an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians. (Source: Wikipedia)

Remember best laid plans? I have no original photos of this "pseudocereal" so I have turned to iStock. This is cooked quinoa. Why pseudocereal? According to Wikipedia, quinoa is a "grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a grass."

This photo looks very much like what I had hoped to prepare last Sunday from my Greek-Style Quinoa Salad recipe.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  Enjoy!

Q is for quinoa.  ABC Wednesday Round 5 is hosted by Denise at mrsnesbitt's space.

Happy Wednesday!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten Favorite Movie/Song Remakes

1.  Cape Fear (1991) director Martin Scorsese

     (1962) director J. Lee Thompson

2.  12 Angry Men (1997) director William Friedken

     (1957) director Sidney Lumet

3.  The Departed (2006) director Martin Scorsese

     (2002) Infernal Affairs, director Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak

4.  The End of the Affair (1999) director Neil Jordan

     (1955) director Edward Dmytyrk

     Based on the 1951 novel by Graham Greene

5.  Fatal Attraction (1987) director Adrian Lyne

     Diversion (a British TV film)

6.  Father of the Bride (1991) director Charles Shyer

     (1950) director Vincent Minnelli

7.  The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) director Anthony Minghella

     (1960) Purple Noon, director Rene Clement

8.  Hurt - Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)

9.  I'll Be There - Mariah Carey (Jackson 5)

10. Tiny Dancer - Ben Folds (Elton John)

Ten on Tuesday is hosted by Yano at yanowhatimean?. 
Next week: 10 Things You Wish You Knew How to Do

Mad Men: Season 3 Finale

Caution: Spoilers - December 1963 found Don Draper dealing with the pain of losing his nuclear family and the joy of gaining his Sterling Cooper family, now Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Remembering his father's death suggested he was finally leaving his former life behind and coming into himself.

Favorite moments: 1) Don apologizing to Peggy and telling her if she didn't accept his offer he would spend the rest of his life trying to hire her, and 2) when Joan walked in the door and took charge of the move. The saddest moment was not when Don and Betty told their children about their impending divorce, which was heartbreaking, but Betty looking lost and alone when flying to Reno next to her latest dozing daddy figure.

The first episode of Man Men took place in 1960 and I felt uncomfortable at the blatant sexism of the time. Last night, at the end of 1963, there was a sense of excitement for the women on the show: Peggy telling Roger no when he asked if she would get him some coffee and Joan, strong gorgeous Joan, taking charge to manage a smooth transition, with no  judgment. Jebezel has listed 15 Feminist Moments in Mad Men.  Check it out.  We've come a long way, women.

You CAN sometimes get what you want

Isn't this picture the epitome of Alabama? A jeep decorated for the big game, a noose, AND a Jesus fish. Lighten up.... this is amusing.

This was the car in front of me on my way to the office Thursday morning. These kinds of things certainly put me in the football spirit for yesterday's win against LSU (24-15). In the past, it appeared we couldn't close in the fourth quarter. Now, we seem to wait until the fourth quarter to close. I prefer the latter! This win clinched the SEC West. Alabama still has Mississippi State, UT-Chattanooga, and Auburn to close before a perfect regular season.

We had our own little tiger fight during the game and nobody won. A neighborhood cat drop by the patio, Jules went nuts, and bit Vincent's ear!

It feels good to get some things you want for a change. I was in the political desert during the Bush 43 years. During this time, UA was paying penance to the NCAA for infractions. Last night, UA clinched the SEC West title AND President Obama and the democrats won a victory in passing health care reform in the House. Two things I have wanted; wow, it feels good.

The sun is shining. As of 10:45 a.m., everything is right in my world.

Update on Health Care Reform Vote

(AP Photo) - The statement from President Obama:  "Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people.

"The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare. And it is legislation that is fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit.

"Thanks to the hard work of the House, we are just two steps away from achieving health insurance reform in America. Now the United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year."
 
10:07 PM CST -- House health care bill gets votes needed for passage. 220 members of Congress -- including one Republican, Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana -- voted in favor of health care reform, advancing the legislation by the slimmist of margins. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against the bill, along with 176 Republicans. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) cast vote #218, solidifying passage. Speaker Pelosi was "near sobbing," HuffPost's Ryan Grim reports.


6:20 CST - Democratic aides: We've got the votes. "Today we will pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act," Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on the House floor Saturday evening. Politico is reporting that Democrats have at least the 218 votes needed to pass the bill. Three Democratic aides tell HuffPost the same thing.

Alabama Crimson Tide v LSU Tigers

ROLL TIDE, ROLL

Alabama v LSU
2:30, CBS

Weekend Cat Blogging #231

Jules poses for the camera for this week's Weekend Cat Blogging, hosted by Diamond and Tristan at Digicats.

Here's Another Reason I Love Jon Stewart

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The 11/3 Project
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Feel Good Friday

Dona Nobis Pacem

November 5, 2009
The Peace Globe Gallery

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.  ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

~ President Barack H. Obama

The only safe way to overcome an enemy
is to make of the enemy a friend. ~ Gandhi


 We are not victims of the world we see;
we are victims of the way we see the world.~ Dennis Kucinich
US Congressperson (Ohio)
2003 recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award
We lose our freedoms at the altar of fear.
~ Kahlil Gibran

Dona Nobis Pacem is Latin for Grant Us Peace.  BlogBlast For Peace is the concept of Mimi Lennox at Mimi Writes........

Why fly a peace globe? Read Thirty Days Thirty Reasons to Fly a Peace Globe

Marty and Moose

Marty and Moose have been spending time together - face to face!  So, to prepare for BlogBlast for Peace, M&M will be back next Thursday.