Thursday, October 31, 2024

Through the Keyhole - November 2024

 

Through the Keyhole

November 2024

Take a break from your day...

Not your typical company OR newsletter

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"Clark Griswold took a tour here with his family and Cousin Eddie wanted to buy some Dam Bait.  Taking 5 years to construct, 96 men lost their lives due to poor working conditions and pneumonia.  Now flooding is controlled in the region and the water generates a ton of power.  What big city is nearest here? "

Can you guess the location?

Well it's getting dark earlier soon...

Oh, daylight savings time—twice a year, it creeps in like an uninvited guest, here to mess with our sleep schedules, our routines, and just about everyone’s patience. Every spring, we “spring forward,” and just when we've adjusted, fall comes, and we're told to “fall back.” For what? More daylight? In reality, all we’re getting is extra grogginess, a disrupted internal clock, and a confused population for a good week. Why are we still living by a system devised during wartime to save candle wax or whatever?

It’s one thing if you don’t have kids, but if you do, forget it—daylight savings is a nightmare. Try explaining to a toddler why they’re suddenly supposed to go to bed when it’s still light outside or why they’re waking up an hour "early." And pets? They don't care about time shifts; they still expect their walk or breakfast at the same time. And then there are the early morning commuters, bleary-eyed and stumbling through the first few days post-change. Traffic accidents spike, productivity plummets, and people are generally thrown off, all to shift an hour around.

And for the supposed “extra daylight” argument—well, newsflash: modern life doesn’t hinge on the sun’s exact rise and set anymore. We have electric lights, work-from-home jobs, and entertainment at all hours. This bi-annual ritual just throws us all into chaos and offers little in return. The cherry on top? Plenty of research suggests that daylight savings doesn’t even significantly save energy, which was its original purpose. So why, exactly, are we still doing this?

Just pick one time—Standard Time, Daylight Time, something, anything—and stick with it! We can all agree we’d rather spend our energy on something other than resetting every clock and dealing with the resulting exhaustion. It’s time for daylight savings to make its exit—preferably one that doesn’t involve falling back and springing forward yet again.

And we should all agree about this.  Changing the time twice a year is stupid...

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Thanksgiving at month's end...

Today, the Thanksgiving celebration has evolved far beyond its origins. The first Thanksgiving was three days long and featured a menu quite different from today’s dishes. They feasted on venison, seafood, and corn, with little of what we’d recognize as “traditional” Thanksgiving food. Cranberries, if they were present at all, wouldn’t have been sweetened, and pumpkin was likely served boiled rather than in pie form.

The idea of Thanksgiving football games began in the late 19th century as college football surged in popularity, especially at Ivy League schools like Princeton and Yale. Meanwhile, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924, but it wasn’t until 1927 that the parade introduced the giant balloons we know today.

Thanksgiving also has some quirky traditions around the country.

In some parts of the U.S., children dress up in costumes and go "Thanksgiving begging," which is like a fall version of Halloween. And, of course, every year since the 1940s, the U.S. president has ceremonially “pardoned” a turkey—an official gesture of mercy for a bird, though one not entirely free of irony given that over 45 million turkeys are consumed for Thanksgiving annually.

It is good the grateful and thankful every day...not just on Turkey Day.

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And here we are back to Christmas Vacation ~ 4 minutes

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Airalo... Data Service when you Travel.

And it is incredibly easy to use.

1) Download the app 

2) Choose your destination and package

3) Install your eSIM

4) Activate your eSIM

Now you have data and it's cheaper than your local carrier here.

Find out more HERE

Guess the Location Game

Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Karen Patterson who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!

ANSWER: Mykonos, Greece

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"A stunning Greek island known for its whitewashed buildings, vibrant nightlife, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque beaches, offering a perfect blend of cosmopolitan energy and traditional charm."

 

This place is quaint and very friendly.  I happened to buy a new wedding ring there on my 20th wedding anniversary.  The jewelry shop owners literally treated us like family and brought out wine while we were in their shop.  I even got a ride from one of them as they needed my passport for some reason so we drove back to the ship...I have fond memories of that little place and the FOOD WAS DELICIOUS.

That said, Mykonos is a stunning Greek island in the Aegean Sea, known for its vibrant nightlife, iconic whitewashed architecture, and breathtaking beaches. As part of the Cyclades island group, it draws visitors from around the world, offering a unique mix of cultural charm and modern luxury.

The island's main town, Mykonos Town (or Chora), is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets lined with traditional white houses, trendy boutiques, art galleries, and delightful restaurants. In the Little Venice area, colorful houses sit right on the water, providing some of the island’s best sunset views. Mykonos also boasts some of Greece's finest beaches, from the lively Paradise and Super Paradise beaches—famous for their beach parties and clubs—to quieter spots like Agios Sostis and Fokos Beach, which offer a more laid-back vibe. With crystal-clear waters, Mykonos beaches are ideal for both swimming and a variety of water sports.

Often referred to as the "Ibiza of Greece," Mykonos is celebrated for its nightlife, with bars and clubs in Mykonos Town staying open until sunrise. Iconic venues such as Cavo ParadisoScorpios, and Alemagou attract both local and international DJs, giving Mykonos a well-deserved reputation as a party hotspot. The island also has a rich history, showcased by landmarks like the Mykonos Windmills, which are symbolic of its past. Panagia Paraportiani, a unique whitewashed church, combines five chapels into a single structure and adds a touch of architectural wonder. Nearby, the ancient island of Delos—the mythical birthplace of Apollo and a UNESCO World Heritage site—is a short ferry ride away and provides fascinating historical context to Mykonos.

Food on the island blends traditional Greek and Mediterranean flavors, with fresh seafood, local specialties like kopanisti (a spicy cheese) and louza (cured pork), along with classic dishes like moussaka and spanakopita. Dining options vary from cozy tavernas to high-end restaurants, many of which offer stunning seaside views. Overall, Mykonos combines tradition with luxury, making it a destination that appeals to all, whether you’re interested in history, relaxation, or a lively nightlife experience.

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  Rick Steve's ~ 2 minutes

New Pier for Cruise Ships ~ 3 minutes

Shopping ~ 3 minutes

Well this is Random...

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Yankees World Series MELTDOWN

~ 2 minutes

Sheep Herding...

 Mesmerizing... ~ 2 minutes

Wheel of Fortune FAILS

  ~ 2 minutes

Infrequently.

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An elderly couple, who were both widowed, had been going out with each other for a long time.

Urged on by their friends, they decided it was finally time to get married.

Before the wedding, they went out to dinner and had a long conversation regarding how their marriage might work.

They discussed finances, living arrangements and so on.

Finally, the old gentleman decided it was time to broach the subject of their physical relationship.

“How do you feel about making love?” he asked, rather tentatively.

“I would like it infrequently,” she replied.

The old gentleman sat quietly for a moment, adjusted his glasses, leaned over towards her and whispered: “Is that one word or two?”

 😁😁

Not Even Close to Dwayne Wade.

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More Stuff.

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Emirates steals the show

Great First Pitch. ~2minutes

Edgy.

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More Edgy Stuff...

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Cornbread Stuffing

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Ingredients

  • 1 Fresh Cornbread, cut into 1-inch cubes
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 pound mild ground pork sausage
    6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    1 onion, diced
    3 ribs celery, diced
    1 cup chopped pecan halves, toasted
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves
    1 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    3 cups chicken stock
    2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9 x 13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.

Spread Buttermilk Cornbread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place into oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 13-15 minutes; set aside and let cool.

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes, making sure to crumble the sausage as it cooks. Transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate.

Melt butter in the Dutch oven. Add garlic, onion and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in pecans, parsley, sage and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Remove from heat; stir in cornbread cubes and sausage; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in chicken stock and eggs until absorbed and well combined. let stand 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed.

Spread bread mixture into the prepared baking dish. Place into oven and bake until top is browned, about 40-45 minutes.

Serve immediately.

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