by Richard C. Burriesci
STUDEBAKER VINTAGE 1852 STUDEBAKER VINTAGE 1952By Lois Lindstrom
As published in the Sun Sentinel, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on May 25, 2007
Lois Lindstrom is a journalist who lives in Richmond, Virginia.
Screenwriter/Studio Director
Production Designer/Studio Director
Set Director/Studio Director
Commentary and Opinion: A McLean Driver Hits the Skids in Sweden
If you meet a Swedish driver on the road, get out of the way, especially if you're an elk—and I don't mean the kind that congregate in lodges. Since I've moved with my family to Stockholm (my husband took a job here), I have found myself yearning for the good old days of innocent driving along the streets of McLean, where my roughest test was whether to stop at the yellow light. Now my biggest challenge is passing the Swedish driving test or, to be more accurate, the Swedish driving tests.In addition to taking a difficult written exam on driving theory and a road test, in Sweden applicants for a driver's license must take the Swedish Slippery Driving Test, hereafter referred to as the SSDT.
MORE FROM SPEC ... HE SHARES THIS STORY FROM A YOUNG WOMAN:
I was privileged to take a photo of 'Five Generations of Women' shortly before my 93 year-old Grandmother passed away last year. The photo, shown below, features the hands of my Grandmother, Mom, Sister, Niece and Great-Niece. While I can't take credit for the idea, I was so happy to have had the suggestion & capture this moment. It inspired a friend of mine to do something similar which turned out so beautiful and a special keepsake prior to her father's passing. Grandma's Hands
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was okay. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was okay. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.
'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were okay," I explained to her. 
"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both..
Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something God would do.
RICH BURRIESCI's
MEATLOAF ITALIANO
prepare your chopped sirloin in the following manner:
recipe calls for 4 pounds of beef to blend with:
1/2 cup of minced garlic
1/4 cup of minced onions
1/2 cup of grated romano cheese
1/4 cup of red wine
2 eggs and italian seasoning
Bake 45 minutes in 350 degree oven take out to add:
cup of six italian cheeses (shredded package)
which you cover top of nearly cooked meatloaf and place back into oven for five minutes, take out add:
cup of your homemade marinara sauce
and top with another layer of cheeses place back in oven for another five minutes until melted into sauce and meatloaf. Garnish with cilantro.
THIS IS THE RESTORED CARRIAGE OWNED BY PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. IT WAS BOUGHT BY CLEMENT STUDEBAKER IT IS NOW IN THE STUDEBAKER MUSEUM (click the carriage)
Master Chef Gordon Ramsay Recipe for
BEEF WELLINGTON and sautéed potatoes
Ingredients:
* 400g Beef fillet
* 400g Flat mushrooms
* 4 slices Parma ham
* English mustard for brushing meat
* 200g puff pastry
* 2 Egg yolks
* Approx 8 Charlotte/New potatoes
* 1 Clove garlic, crushed
* 1 Sprig Thyme
* 2 large baby gem lettuce
* Salt and pepper
* Olive Oil
* Mustard
* Vinigrette, optional
Method: How to make Beef Wellington:
1) Pre-heat the oven to 200c.
2) Heat some oil in a large pan and quickly fry the seasoned beef all over until it's brown. Remove and allow to cool. The point of this is simply to sear the beef and seal all those juices in, you don't want to cook the meat at this stage. Allow to cool and brush generously with the mustard.
3) Roughly chop the mushrooms and blend in a food processor to form a puree. Scrape the mixture into a hot, dry pan and allow the water to evaporate. When sufficiently dry (the mixture should be sticking together easily), set aside and cool.
4) Roll out a generous length of cling film, lay out the four slices of Parma ham, each one slightly overlapping the last. With a pallet knife spread the mushroom mixture evenly over the ham.
5) Place the beef fillet in the middle and keeping a tight hold of the cling film from the outside edge, neatly roll the parma ham and mushrooms over the beef into a tight barrel shape. Twist the ends to secure the clingfilm. Refrigerate for 10 -15 minutes, this allows the Wellington to set and helps keep the shape.
6) Roll out the pastry quite thinly to a size which will cover your beef. Unwrap the meat from the cling film. Egg wash the edge of the pastry and place the beef in the middle. Roll up the pastry, cut any excess off the ends and fold neatly to the 'underside'. Turnover and egg wash over the top. Chill again to let the pastry cool, approximately 5 minutes. Egg wash again before baking at 200c for 35 - 40 minutes. Rest 8 -10 minutes before slicing.
7) Par boil the potatoes in salted water. Quarter them and leave the skin on. Sauté in olive oil and butter with the garlic and thyme, until browned and cooked through. Season. Remove the thyme and garlic before serving.
8) Separate the outside leaves of the baby gem (leaving the smaller inner ones for salads) and very quickly sauté them in a pan of olive oil with a little salt and pepper - just enough to wilt them.
9) Serve hearty slices of the Wellington alongside the sautéed potatoes and wilted baby gems.
A classic mustard vinaigrette makes a great dressing.
Copyright © Gordon Ramsay
CHEF EMERIL LAGASSE'S RECIPE FOR:
CHICKEN, MUSHROOM AND SPINACH ALFREDO LASAGNA
Ingredients:
* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter * 1 pound button mushrooms, thinly sliced * 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion * 3 tablespoons minced garlic * 1/2 cup all-purpose flour * 7 cups milk * 2 teaspoons kosher salt * 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper * 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg * 1 pound spinach, stemmed, washed, blanched and roughly chopped * 3 cups grated Parmesan * 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating casserole dish * 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast * 1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows * 1 pound oven-ready lasagna sheets * 1 tablespoon butter, cut into 8 pieces
* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter * 1 pound button mushrooms, thinly sliced * 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion * 3 tablespoons minced garlic * 1/2 cup all-purpose flour * 7 cups milk * 2 teaspoons kosher salt * 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper * 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg * 1 pound spinach, stemmed, washed, blanched and roughly chopped * 3 cups grated Parmesan * 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating casserole dish * 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast * 1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows * 1 pound oven-ready lasagna sheets * 1 tablespoon butter, cut into 8 pieces Directions:
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often until the mushrooms are browned and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the onions and garlic to the pan and saute until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, to make a light roux, about 2 minutes. Whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until thickened, 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, pepper, nutmeg, spinach and 1 1/2 cups of the Parmesan and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the bechamel sauce until ready to assemble the lasagna.
Set a large, 12-inch saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Season the chicken with the Essence and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and place in the hot pan. Sear the chicken, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool and set aside. When cool, cut into bite size pieces.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Coat a 9 by 13 by 3-inch casserole with olive oil, and spread about 1/2 cup of the bechamel sauce on the bottom of the dish. Lay 3 sheets of pasta across the bottom of the dish and spread 3/4 cup of the bechamel sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle 1/4 of the chicken over the bechamel sauce, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the remaining Parmesan. Lay another 3 sheets of pasta over the chicken. Repeat 2 additional times with the remaining bechamel sauce, chicken, Parmesan, and pasta, ending with a layer of pasta covered with bechamel sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the bechamel sauce and scatter the butter pieces over the top. Place the casserole on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake, uncovered, until bubbly and well browned, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Note: You may need slightly less than the entire package of lasagna noodles, depending on the pan used for the casserole. Also, you may be able to fit more than 3 pieces of pasta in each layer, depending. The pasta can be broken into smaller pieces to fill in the gaps.
MEXICO is the ancestral
homeland of: Jean Gonzalez
1950 CHEVROLET COUPE
(437 original miles as of June 2009)
photos contributed by Donald "Spec" Campen
Nuclear Power: It’s Time to Float Some Bold Energy Solutions
BY LOIS LINDSTROM TIMES-DISPATCH GUEST COLUMNIST
Published: July 5, 2009 (in the Richmond Times-Dispatch)
President Obama reminded us earlier this year that the nation needs a transition to renewable energy in the short term. "We need to find safer ways to use nuclear power and store nuclear waste." But, while Obama has paid lip service to expanding nuclear power and not much else, other countries are busy building nuclear power plants. The United States has not built a plant since the 1979 accident at the nuclear facility at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, there are 160 nuclear power plants under construction in China, India, Russia, and Europe. With 20 percent of this country's electrical power provided by the existing 110 nuclear power plants in the U.S., our policymakers have decided not to make a decision to go forward with the nuclear option. That is shortsighted! Congress needs to think more creatively in terms of a stopgap measure to produce nuclear energy until renewable sources like wind, solar, and geo-thermal are cost-effective and contribute more than 50 percent to our electrical supply. Currently, renewable sources produce only 3 percent of the U.S. electrical supply. And, we are still heavily dependent on imported oil and gas for our energy needs.
We need a different approach, along the lines of what a Lynchburg company, Babcock and Wilcox, is developing but instead of designing small nuclear units to be placed on land, put them on floating energy platforms. We should embrace the Babcock and Wilcox concept of developing smaller, scalable, modular designs that are one-tenth the size of existing nuclear reactors (which eliminates the need for large cooling towers and massive amounts of water.) But, to speed up the process, we should put these small nuclear reactors on safe, floating platforms. The plan would be similar to the existing technology that has been developed for our nuclear-powered Navy ships.
We need to study the feasibility of building ships or barges that could be used to house nuclear power plants that are capable of delivery to existing power plants or backup sites on our nation's waterways. This type of project would be beneficial in two ways: It would provide jobs for the American shipbuilding industry, and it would sidestep the heavy costs and environmental delays associated with building new nuclear reactors on land. Having a standard-sized and specific-shaped ship that could be floated on a permanent or semi-permanent site would not be as politically contested as installing a nuclear reactor on land. Congress would be motivated to fund and support this project if it were seen as a source of electric power for Washington, D.C. and other cities in the event of a national or regional blackout or power failure. In fact, it could be incorporated under homeland security, because we must have power!
Nuclear power doesn't contribute to carbon pollution. And, the Europeans are starting to solve the nuclear waste problem. Their methods and ideas need to be tested over here. We have a national oil reserve system for emergencies. Now, we need a national electrical power reserve system with small nuclear modules which can be built on ships/barges.
President Obama and Congress should consider the floating nuclear power option. It would permit an earlier start toward fixing a potential cities in the event of a national or regional blackout or power failure. In fact, it could be incorporated under homeland security, because we must have power! shortfall in U.S. electrical production.
Lois Lindstrom writes on energy and health issues. Contact her at lois@loislindstrom.com .
After a two year visit to the United States, Michelangelo's David is returning to Italy . . .
COURTESY OF JULIA B. HEBNER
CATTOONS
PHOTOS STORED IN AN OLD BROWNIE CAMERA
Thought you might find these photos very interesting; what quality from 1941. Pearl Harbor photos found in an old Brownie stored in a foot locker. And just recently taken to be developed.
THESE PHOTOS ARE FROM A SAILOR WHO WAS ON THE USS QUAPAW ATF-11O.
I THINK THEY'RE SPECTACULAR!
PEARL HARBOR DECEMBER 7, 1941
IF THIS IS EARTH ... CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT HEAVEN IS LIKE?
Place your cursor at the top of the photo. You will notice it is 6:10 PM.
Bring the mouse down slowly over the photo without pressing the button
on the mouse. Do not right or left click.
Night time appears, the lights come on, and at 7:40 PM, it's dark!
THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE REAL AND UNALTERED
NATURE AT ITS BEST TAKEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY
A miniature city made out of millions of toothpicks
It took 38 year old Stan Munro 6 years to build this toothpick city. He used 6 million toothpicks and 170 litres of glue. He can spend up to 6 months to create a building, and each of his creations is built to 1:164 scale. He works at the Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse, New York. Look at the amazing works of one of the most patient men in the world.
CLICK EACH THUMBNAIL TO VIEW MORE TOOTHPICK MAN HANDCRAFTS
SPEC CAMPEN
SUPPORT THE
VIRGINIA FILM INDUSTRY AND JOIN THE VPA
$40. PER YEAR
CLICK PHOTO FOR VPA WEBSITE
The Chapel of St. Gildas sits upon the bank of the Canal du Blavet in Brittany, France. Built like a stone barn into the base of a bare rocky cliff, this was once a holy place of the Druids. St. Gildas appears to have traveled widely throughout the Celtic world of Corwall, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. He arrived in Brittany in about AD 540 and is said to have preached Christianity to the people from a rough pulpit, now contained within the chapel.
The Hallgrímskirkja (literally, the church of Hallgrímur) is a Lutheran parish church located in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 meter's (244 ft), it is the fourth tallest architectural structure in Iceland. The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 to 1674), author of the Passion Hymns. State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson's design of the church was commissioned in 1937; it took 38 years to build it.
CUBIC HOUSES
THE BASKET BUILDING
CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE
1937 FORD House Car
CLICK PHOTO FOR FULL STORY
CLICK WOODIES TO ENJOY A COLLECTION OF THEM
NANA MOUSKOURI
INSTRUCTIONS: After you link on the site above and select an image and it appears, then HOLD DOWN THE LEFT MOUSE BUTTON AND SLOWLY MOVE THE CURSOR
AROUND THE ROOM
The Bookman's Corner
Hosted by Lois Lindstrom
CLICK PHOTO TO GO TO THIS WEBSITE
The Bookman's Corner began airing in September 1988 on Channel 33 on Arlington Community Television (now Channel 69 on Arlington Independent Media.) Producer Charles Goolsby hosted the series until 2008. The Bookman's Corner is committed to books--the people who write and the people who read them. Through two decades it has featured a range of authors, whose works ran from philosophy to banjo playing; from poetry to politics; from faith to fiction.
The current host of The Bookman's Corner is Lois Lindstrom, who co-hosted a cable TV show, "Metropolitan Magazine" on Channel 10, a public affairs program reaching viewers in Fairfax County, Virginia, in the early 1990's. She wrote a book titled: "Memoirs of a Swedish Nurse: A Life of Adventure, A Journey to Spirituality" and she is currently a freelance writer in Virginia.
So sit down and relax with a good book on another edition of The Bookman's Corner!
Interesting anecdotes and commentaries from Philip Winfield Anderson, his wife Yuriko and family
Just pick and click your favorite link
Anderson Anecdotes
SPEC'S SPECTACULAR SPECIFICS
JOE'S ON WITH THE SHOWWHICH MAKES MORE MONEY: G RATED OR R RATED MOVIES?
By Joseph P. Andrews
In this day and age, parents find it difficult to find a decent movie to take their children to see; i.e., one that is not filled with sex and violence. The real mystery behind this matter is that Hollywood continues to grind out so many R rated movies in spite of the fact that the G, GP and GP-13 rate movies generate far more profit than the Rs do! This fact was underscored in the Film Profitability Study conducted by the Dove Foundation which demonstrated that "G rated films are eight times more profitable than their R rated counterparts"(1) 1. "Movies by the Numbers", November 2000, Dick Rolfe, Chairman, The Dove Foundation. Dove.org/columns/2000/column0011.htm
The Dove Foundation Study also revealed that between 1988 and 1997,"the average R rated film made $11 million profit, while G rated films made an average of $93 million each for their investors". These results were further substantiated by a study conducted in 2000 by Michael Cieply which indicated that of the thirty films which ever exceeded $200 million in box office revenue, the three highest grossing pictures had ratings of PG-13 and PG. They were Titanic (PG-13), Star Wars (PG) and Star Wars Episode 1" The Phantom Menace (PPG). The study also revealed that thirteen of these thirty all time high grossing movies had PG-13 ratings and eleven carried a PG rating (2) 2. Ibid
These trends were confirmed by a five year follow-up study conducted by the Dove Foundation between the years January 1, 1989 and December 31, 2003, it was found that while the movie industry produced almost 12 times as many R rated films as G rated films during the aforementioned time period, the G rated films earned 11 times greater profit than the R films for that period. The study further indicated that the average profit for G rated films increased from $74.2 to 92.3 million per movie within the five year time frame. Trying to find a logical reason why an industry that is supposed to be maximizing profits for its stockholders still produces so many R rated movies is mystifying. One might argue that Hollywood is only trying to produce movies based on the values of the general public which it serves. Yet, an MSNBC.com and Zogy poll that surveyed 17000 readers just prior to the 2007 Oscar awards revealed that 60% of them felt that Hollywood values were "at odds with those of most of America".
3) 3. "Study" G Rated Fare More Profitable", a report on the follow-up study conducted by the Dove Foundation between January1, 1989 - December 31, 2003. www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/articles/0615ratedg15.html
With these facts in mind it appears that Hollywood is willing to sacrifice making larger profits in favor of preserving its artistic integrity, (if you can call it that). Perhaps the reason they pursue this course of action is because they wish to force a political agenda of sex and violence on the public. In either event, it doesn't make much sense when, like any business, they have a responsibility to maximize profit for their stockholders. If Hollywood can maximize profits by producing more G rated movies while at the same time creating more wholesome family friendly entertainment, why should it continue to produce any R rated movies? Let's hope, as they used to say in the 1960s, that the "answer is blowing in the wind".
Mr. Joseph Patrick Andrews is a Staff Writer/ Journalist for The Lincoln Studio. Please direct all comments to Joe directly via his e-mail: josephandco@aol
66,700,000,000
10% of the entire human population who ever lived recorded or unrecorded births which is 6,700,000,000
YOU are part of that elite group of Human Beings created by an omnipotent and loving God
66,700,000,000 a far cry less than our national debt or stars in the sky
is living on our marble planet Earth at this very moment whether they be poor or rich, famous or a nameless body and soul ... each of us are so precious and special in God's heart
Lest We Forget
WHETHER YOU THINK TOO MUCH OF YOURSELF OR WAY TOO LITTLE OF YOURSELF YOU WERE BORN TO MANIFEST
YOU! a very special one of 66,700,000,000 living beings and points of light! ponder that!
CLICK OUR AWESOME PLANET TO VIEW ANOTHER SPEC SPECTACULAR!
Yes, you read that right; these little beasties are street legal. They run on either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycle engines and co-opt vintage bumper car bodies into the most awesome form of mini-car we've seen in too long.
There are seven of these little monsters floating around California , and they're all the creation of one man, Tom Wright, a builder in the outskirts of San Diego who figured the leftovers of the Long Beach Pike amusement park needed a more dignified end than the trash heap. They were originally powered by two cylinder Harley Davidson Motorcycle engines but they rattled like heck because of the two cylinder vibration and Tom replaces them with four cylinder Honda or Kawasaki 750's and a couple have been measured as capable of 160 MPH, which is terrifyingly fast in machines with such a short wheelbase.
