Nice Doggie

It's been months without a movie being released I wanted to see except "The Nativity Story". A couple opening soon look interesting. "The Good German" starring George Clooney is a film noir shot in black and white. It is set in the 40's and stars George Clooney. The other one we want to see is "The Good Shepherd", with Robert DeNiro and Matt Damon. It is about the origins of the CIA. It may be too violent for my tastes but tells a story of the OAS and Wild Bill Donovan that is part of our history. link to trailer: http://movies.aol.com/movie-trailer-clip/good-shepherd-matt-damon-angelina-jolie All that is missing now is a remake of a Rin Tin Tin movie. They could name it "The Good German Shepherd".

It is the end of the year and everyone is going to Dr. and dentist to get the bill under this year's deductable. Guess what I will be doing tomorrow? http://mammogram.funnypart.com/

Uno, Dos, Tres

Unlike the people who send videos to America's Funniest Videos, I never have a camera when I should. One October evening in Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany we took a stroll after dinner and ended up sitting on a bench in the town square. People were out for an evening walk. Some licking Eis cones, some with dogs or children. The atmosphere was relaxed. The evening warm. Screeching around a corner came a Fire Rescue truck with strobe lights flashing. It was going so fast it outran the sound of the siren. In close proximity five other fire trucks followed each with a wailing siren. These were big trucks including a hook and ladder company. I have never seen a response quite like that--bunched together, that unique European siren and strobing lights. You could only sit and watch mesmerized and be glad you were not in the middle of the street. In a moment they were all gone. That night we watched the local news (in German of course) and I think they were going to a fire at a hotel. No doubt they threw everything at it to protect lives.
Our second incident was observed while we were on a water-taxi in Venice. There are canals instead of roads. Again we looked when we heard a siren. There was a boat filled with firemen in full regalia plowing ahead full steam. I suppose they were going to a fire. Who knows, maybe they just do that for the tourists. It seemed funny to me to go to a fire in a boat. No camera ready for that either.
Today, episode three: We were at an intersection waiting for a green light when we heard a siren. An ambulance crossed in front of us. Then it pulled over to let a police car with lights flashing and siren wailing proceed. I have never seen an ambulance pull over for an emergency vehicle before and probably won't again. Just a juxtaposition of circumstances.

Volare, oh, oh, oh, oh..

This is something I submitted to the local paper's "Bulletin Board". Another contributor had written about her daughter getting a pet rat that escaped from the cage and multiplied itself tens of times. Most of the contributors and probably readers are retired people. We have the same memories so I enjoy reading it. My "handle" is The MOM in Stiilwater. Our gerbils weren't as talented as this little guy or we would have worked up an act instead of murder!

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/living/people/

The MOM in Stillwater: "I can empathize with the story about the pet rat, because I was almost that gullible.
"Years ago, our oldest asked if he could have a gerbil. His elementary teacher was trying to place the classroom 'pets' at the end of the term. Not wanting to deal with reproducing rodents, I said he could take one gerbil.
"He came home carrying two gerbils. His teacher assured him they were both female.
"I think she then unplugged her phone, got in the car and left town fast.
"Well, in 28 days, we were pretty sure they were not both female.
"What I did not know then is they mate immediately after giving birth. You not only have a large litter of newbies, but they mature fast and then mate, too.
"I now had the task of 'placing' all these unwanted baby rodents in good homes. That is harder than you think. We may have gotten one of two takers, but still had a lot of rodents. I then thought of the pet store. They accepted the rest. Later someone told me they took them not to sell, but because they had a hungry snake to feed.
"Pet-store adoption no longer seemed a humane option for disposing of our excess 'adult' gerbils. As you can guess: In a short period of time, all the new gerbils were breeding. All this reproducing is logarithmic, and we were overwhelmed.
"We resorted to gassing the lot, although we didn't tell our children the truth.
"Maybe we should have given that teacher back her two female gerbils with 'interest' in the fall."

THE PERFECT HOSTESS

Should I cook a turkey? Shall I do an Island theme party?

I am in a malaise preparing for Christmas because I have not seen any snow yet. I don't know how people do it in warmer climes. This is Minnesota but it looks like Arkansas. This week I will have to make some decision about what to cook. I have been catching a couple of Rachael Ray shows lately looking for ideas. Last week she demonstrated making an herbed wheel of Stilton cheese. I laughed thinking how that would go over here. Some would pick off all the green stuff, others just sniff the cheese and pass. Some would be glad I was a little more adventurous than other years. Link to Rachael Ray's Recipe: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/?q=recipes/party-cheese

(My thoughts on being the perfect hostess)

THE PERFECT HOSTESS

Rachael Ray
There is no way
I would be able
to set the table
With a wheel of Stilton
Cheese, like the Hilton
If you please.
My family’s tastes are more mundane
Gourmet food would be in vane.

My solution to the quest
For holiday food that tastes the best
Keep it simple, keep it plain
That way no one can complain

Fondue pots with bubbling cheeses
Good with bread, oh bless it Jesus
Add a jar of Prego presto-
If tastes like pizza with some zesto
.
Plainer food is easier served
This family’s taste is quite reserved
Cheddar’s fine, served with some wine
Gouda, crackers, something sweet, ah-
But their favorite cheese --Velveeta.

Easy on the Gas

Due to the high price of fuel, we opted for a car with good mileage rather than muscle when we were in Europe. We reserved a small Opal from Alamo. When we arrived at the airport they had a VW Polo for us instead which is a similar car. On the fourth day the power steering went out on that vehicle. We were in a rural area and our host at the Gasthaus helped us with language barriers getting the car towed to a nearby town for service. Bad news it would take a week to fix. Alamo found an Avis car nearby for us to use until we could pick up another car from their company. The next day we drove 50K (out of our way) to Saarlouis to a rental agent for Alamo to pick up the car reserved for us. We had the reservation but they did not have the car. The people were very apologetic. While we drank their coffee they made arrangements for us to return our Avis car and pick up our Alamo car in Trier, our next stop. We were given directions to the Avis shop where we would drop this car and told they would drive us across town to the Alamo agent. So far so good. We accepted their apologies and on we went. Surprisingly, we easily found the Avis agent. She informed us they were too busy to drive us to Alamo. I think that was after Jon said "collect from Alamo for this car". After a 17 euros cab ride we connected with the third car. It was brand new and an upgraded Opal. So much for "easy on the gas". Life was good. Jon found out it would go 220K on the autobahn. Later, he found out even if you never see a "highway patrol" on the autobahn they have cameras that watch for speeders. If the sign says slow down, it means slow down. Two days ago we received a ticket for 20 euros for speeding near Wels, Austria. The notice is all in German. We cannot understand how to pay the ticket. A couple of calls to Alamo and we will now receive something in English in the mail. A friend of ours got a speeding ticket in Switzerland for 50 euros. He disregarded it and the next mailing it was at 100 euros. This got his attention and he asked a friend who lives in Switzerland to pay it for him. He then got another notice the ticket was now 200 euro. The friend forgot to pay it. I am not sure the Austrian government will double or quadruple our ticket but I feel better clearing things up. Anyway, we should have followed our original intent to be "easy on the gas".

I love the picture which I found on the Intranet. I always wondered what happened to all those old Yugos. Before the collapse of Yugoslavia, "Yugos" were marketed in the US at around $4000, a bargain even in the 90's. I thought we should get one but am glad we didn't. The one above does look like it is easy on the gas.

THE MINUTE WALTZ

Last year my favorite news hour commercial featured Molly Beck, daughter of my old roommate and friend Barb. Molly was the Nexium girl. She pitched the purple pill for almost a year. We were glad every time we saw it because she got residual pay. We watched Molly grow up seeing her almost every summer when her family spent their summer vacation in Minnesota. She is a talented actor and musician competing in a crowded field.
Molly has been replaced in the Nexium commercial by a guy with heartburn. My allegiance now has moved to watching Sally Field sell Boniva. I have always liked Sally who has a wholesome girl-next-door look. In the ad Sally promotes the advantage of once a month Boniva. She says her friends have to set aside time to take their pills for osteoporosis weekly. That must be a strain on the schedule. What does it take, maybe 30 seconds to take the weekly pill? I decided since I do not have to take a pill for osteoporosis I would spend that time wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I know everyone is busy this time of year, but those of us who do not have to take the weekly pill should be considerate of the rest of our sisters who do.

site for Molly Beck Ferguson: http://www.mollybeckferguson.com/