Through the Keyhole
February 2024
Take a break from your day...
Not your typical
company OR newsletter
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"This resort is a major landmark in its region and boasts
several marine habitats where visitors can explore underwater tunnels while
viewing the marine life. One can golf, gamble, dine, water slide, sun
bathe and dance the night away at one of the nightclubs on property." LEAP YEAR IS HERE AGAIN. Last
time we had a leap year, there was a presidential election, a super bowl
where SF played KC, and a whole lot of chaos. This leap year might just
be one of the same...but I certainly hope not. Why
do we have an extra day and the need for it? Imagine
you're living in a large, flat room, and you have a really big circular track
that you walk around. Now, let's say you want to keep track of time based on
how many times you complete a lap around this track. In
our calendar, we've decided to divide our time into days. However, the
problem is that the track you're walking on doesn't fit perfectly into the
number of days we've chosen. It takes a bit more than 365 days for you to
complete one lap around the track. So,
to make our calendar match up better with your laps, we add an extra day to
the calendar every four years. It's like saying, "Okay, we need to catch
up because we didn't quite account for the whole lap you made." That
extra day is what we call a leap day, and it helps our calendar stay in sync
with the number of laps you complete. This way, the seasons and the time it
takes for you to finish a lap around the room stay relatively coordinated. It's
a bit like adjusting our timekeeping system so that we stay on track with the
regular pattern of laps you take, even though our calendar days are a bit
shorter than the actual time it takes for you to complete one full circuit. Keep
in mind that this explanation simplifies the concept of leap years and avoids
the traditional astronomical reasoning. It's an analogy that might resonate
with someone who doesn't adhere to the heliocentric model we've all been
taught since we were young... Oh,
and it's Groundhog day again tomorrow. I am guessing there will be no
shadow as the sun hasn't been out for a looooooooonnnnnnnngggg time.
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February
in the Midwest can be cold and snowy, but there are still plenty of
activities and events to enjoy. Here are some suggestions for things to do in
the Midwest during February: 1. Winter
Sports(these require cold and snow NOT FOG): ·
Skiing and Snowboarding: Explore local ski resorts for downhill adventures. ·
Cross-Country Skiing: Many parks and trails offer cross-country skiing opportunities. ·
Ice Skating: Look for outdoor ice rinks or frozen lakes for a classic winter
activity. 2. Winter
Festivals: ·
Attend
winter festivals that celebrate the season with activities, music, and food. ·
Look
for events featuring ice sculptures, winter parades, and snow sculpting
competitions. 3. Indoor
Activities: ·
Visit
museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions to stay warm indoors. ·
Attend
theater performances, concerts, or other live entertainment events. 4. Nature
Walks: ·
Bundle
up and take a scenic winter hike in local parks. Some parks offer guided
winter nature walks. ·
Bring
binoculars for birdwatching; winter can be an interesting time for bird
sightings. 5. Indoor
Water Parks: ·
Enjoy
the warmth of indoor water parks, which can be a great family-friendly option
during the colder months. 6. Valentine's
Day Celebrations: ·
Plan
a romantic getaway or enjoy special Valentine's Day events in your area. ·
Attend
themed events, dinners, or take a cooking class together. 7. Winter
Carnivals: ·
Some
Midwest towns host winter carnivals with games, competitions, and festive
activities. 8. Wine or
Beer Tasting Tours: ·
Explore
local wineries or breweries for tastings and tours. ·
Some
places may host special events or themed tastings during February. 9. Ice
Fishing: ·
If
conditions permit, try ice fishing on frozen lakes. Check local regulations
and ensure ice safety. 10.
Visit Botanical Gardens: ·
Some
botanical gardens have indoor conservatories that offer a break from the
winter cold. ·
Look
for special events or exhibits happening at botanical gardens. 11.
Winter Photography: ·
Capture
the beauty of winter landscapes with photography outings. ·
Explore
local parks or scenic areas and take advantage of the unique winter lighting. 12.
Cooking Classes: ·
Warm
up your kitchen by taking a cooking class, learning new recipes, and enjoying
the results.
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How does your lifestyle fit with your business?
Most
people who own and operate closely held businesses treat their businesses
separately from their personal lives. At TURNkey, we believe that your
business should fit your lifestyle and help to acheive your life's goals. In
the consulting division, we have developed a "Lifestyle Assessment"
that measures how well your lifestyle (more importantly life goals) align
with the way you operate your business. Are they in lock
step? It's
not just being profitable but rather being profitable in all of the right
areas. This assessment can help you define and acheive your life's
objectives all while benefiting those who work and live with you. Give us a call today to find out more about TURNkey's Lifestyle
Assessment. It just might change your life... (866) 928-8208
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Guess
the Location Game
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ANSWER:
Niagra Falls, CANADA
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"Located between two countries, this is not just one
waterfall but rather 3 distinct, rather impressive waterfalls. With over 12
million visitors per year, this is a well known destination for travelers
around the world."
Niagara
Falls, one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, was formed
through a combination of geological processes and the effects of glacial
activity over thousands of years. Or as some like to think of it, God
made something really cool. Due
to the continuous erosion and the process of riverbank undercutting, the
location of the falls gradually moved upstream. This process is ongoing, with
the falls moving at an average rate of about three feet per year. Currently,
the Horseshoe Falls (the largest of the three falls) is situated near the
international border between the United States and Canada. Today,
Niagara Falls consists of three main waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the
American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls is the most
powerful and largest of the three, and it is located on the Canadian side of
the border. The American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls are on the American
side. Hidden
beneath the tumultuous beauty of Niagara Falls lies an extraordinary secret:
a network of ancient caves carved out by nature's patient hand. These
subterranean wonders, known as the "Cave of the Winds," remain
largely unexplored and undiscovered by the casual observer. Eons
ago, as the cascading waters relentlessly wore away at the soft rock behind
the falls, they sculpted a series of caverns and passages, creating a
mysterious underworld beneath the surface. These caves extend behind the
curtain of rushing water, providing an awe-inspiring perspective from within
the heart of the falls. In
the late 19th century, adventurers and explorers began venturing into this
concealed realm, equipped with lanterns and a fearless spirit. The daring
individuals who dared to explore the Cave of the Winds often found themselves
in a surreal world, surrounded by the thunderous echoes of falling water and
the ethereal glow of refracted sunlight. While
public access to the deeper recesses of the caves is restricted for safety
reasons, guided tours offer a glimpse into this hidden world. Visitors don a
special poncho and navigate wooden walkways that bring them perilously close
to the sheer force of the falls, providing an immersive experience that few
have the opportunity to witness. The
Cave of the Winds stands as a testament to the ongoing transformation of
Niagara Falls, where water, time, and geological forces collaborate to create
a captivating subterranean landscape. This hidden marvel adds an extra layer
of intrigue to the already mesmerizing allure of Niagara Falls, inviting
adventurers to explore the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.
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Jet Boat Tour Niagra Falls
~ 3 minutes
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FROZEN FALLS ~ 1 minute
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Journey behind the Falls ~4
minutes
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Well this is Random...
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PICS
that CANNOT BE EXPLAINED
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WIPEOUT
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Everyone is OK ~ 60 seconds
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Vintage Grape Crushing
FAIL
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An Oldie but a Goodie ~ 1
minute
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What's in a Story?
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"The History of 'APRONS' I don't think most kids today
know what an apron is. The principle use of Mom's or Grandma's apron was to
protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because
it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But
along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the
oven. It was wonderful for drying
children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the
apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched
eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons
were ideal hiding places for shy kids.. And when the weather was cold,
she wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many
a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were
brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all
sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the
hulls. In the fall, the apron was used
to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove
up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust
in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, she
walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time
to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before
someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served
so many purposes.
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Funny
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Call Me Anytime....
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~1 minute
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Edgy.
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More Edgy Stuff...
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LULA KEBAB (BEST EVER GROUND CHICKEN SKEWERS)
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Ingredients
- 3 lb ground chicken thighs meat and skin
4 cloves garlic pushed through a garlic press
1 ¼ teaspoon cumin
¾ teaspoon coriander
1 small onion very finely minced
1 teaspoon dried barberries optional
2 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing the grill
Green Goddess Sauce
1 cup plain greek yogurt
¼ cup olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives drained
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fresh parsley
½ cup fresh chives
¼ cup fresh cilantro
½ cup fresh dill
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Preparation
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In a large bowl combine ground chicken thighs, garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, dried Barberries, salt and pepper
Now comes the most important part - mixing the Kebab mixture. You need to mix it for no less then 10 - 15 minutes. This will help the meat to stick better to a skewer and not fall apart. After you've done with the mixing, the meat should be sticky like a dough.
Take about a fistful of the meat mixture into one hand and drop it back into the bowl. You need to apply a little force here. Repeat this step for the remaining of the meat mixture for about 20 times. Don't worry, it's not difficult! Cover the bowl with a plastic film and place it in a fridge for 2 hours or overnight.
Fire up the grill or preheat the oven to 400F. If you're going to grill kebabs, brush grill grates with a bit of oil.
30 to 60 minutes before you arrange Lula Kebab on skewers, I recommend soaking the skewers in water. This will keep them from burning up on the grill. -
Serve over rice pilaf or similar with fresh tomato, cucumber, parsley salad.
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All rights reserved.
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