Scam Likely

I think most people have a cell phone.  And most people will text before calling a person.  Especially one of your friends or family members.

Nowadays you can see who is calling your before you answer your phone.  If you have the persons phone number in your contacts, their name will pop up on your phone's screen.  You can then decide whether you want to take their call.

My phone doesn't ring very often.  If it does, it's probably a family member.  I try to find grab my phone and answer before it goes to voice mail.  Lately, I have been receiving a lot of calls from, "Scam Likely."  I'm not sure when Scam and I became friends.  It must have been a long time ago.  Did our kids play a sport together?  An old work buddy?  Or maybe it's a new friend and I forgot to add them to my contacts?  

Well, Scam keeps changing his (her?) phone number.  One day he is local and the next day he's calling me from California.  Does he travel for work?  Does he lose his phone and purchase another one with a different number?

I am beginning to think that it's time to rethink my friendship with Scam Likely.  He is so irresponsible and, well, quite annoying.

I think I might just block him.  

Max Headroom

 We are going to step back in time to a time of big hair and shoulder pads.  The year 1985 to be exact.  A time of Live AID concerts, with Mikhail Gorbachev rising to power in the Soviet Union, Route 66 no longer a highway and Coca Cola introducing their, "New Coke."

Yea.  Lots of weird stuff.

To add to the "weirdness," an artificial intelligence character is created and named, Max Headroom.  Max is known for his wit, stuttering and his pitch changing voice.  He was dubbed the first "computer generated TV presenter."  He had his own movie (Max Headroom: 20 minutes into the future) and would make appearances on TV shows like MTV, introducing music videos.  Oh, yea, he even starred in a music video and had his own TV show, The Max Headroom Show.  

Max was created by using the head of an actual person.  Changes in lighting created the character we know as Max Headroom.  

Looking back at this time, no one really batted an eye.  I mean, here is this creepy computer generated talking head on your TV screen (he doesn't have a body!) and everyone seems to think that this is OK and normal.  If this was done today, put a creepy computer generated head on television, the world would think that it was a terrorist attacking us through our TV screens!

I don't know how people thought this was normal or cool.  I have to admit, I was a little weirded out by Max.  Nothing like seeing this odd, talking head on my television with the snarky comments, the pasty white skin and the stuttering.  It's almost like something out of a horror film.

Do you remember Max Headroom?

What are your thoughts on this bodyless talking head?

Bike

 Got a new bike the other day.  Well, it's new to me.  I took it for a spin.  It was great flying down the path with the breeze blowing in my hair.  I rode one of my normal walking routes.  I was amazed I was able to complete the route in a short amount of time.  I imagine the freedom I have while riding a bike (except for the helmet).

I think I can write a book on bike helmets.  They are the most annoying, uncomfortable piece of equipment.  I realize the safety factor a bike helmet holds, but they are a real pain to wear.   It either sticks to my head, straight across or it hangs off the back of my head feeling like it's about to fall off.   Maybe it's just me.  I think I might be wearing a children's bike helmet (or RT's).  

The one thing that always runs through my head while I am riding my bike is how much I value my teeth.  

This all started when I was younger and riding my bike.  I knew a couple of kids who fell off their bike and lost or chipped a tooth.  Ever since then, my value for my teeth kicks in when I hop on a bike or do anything that might result in knocking out a tooth.  When I'm riding my bike and this feeling kicks in, I squeeze my lips together and even slow down a bit.  I'm not sure the lip thing gives me any extra protection.  It's more of a mental thing.

Do you like riding bikes?

Does anyone else get that strong feeling of love for your front teeth when riding your bike?

National Nude Recreation Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  It's time to get naked this week so we can celebrate National Nude Recreation Week!

We have been experiencing some extremely hot temperatures around here lately making this the perfect time of year for this celebration.

I did a little digging for the history of this holiday and thought I would share some my finds.  

In 1975, Lee Baxandall and some friends created a support group called, Free the Free Beach Committee.  One of their first events was a nude beach celebration.  Thousands of supporters came out and there were no arrests made (maybe people are much more peaceful when they are nude?).  In 1976 they designated August 7 as National Nude Beach Day.  With this being a success, they moved on to designate the third weekend in July as National Nude Weekend.  This weekend nudity was eventually extended to a week-long celebration in 1992.  

*Nudity is a great way to shed stress, along with your clothing

*There are about 225,000 naturists in North America

Naturists are people who practice naturalism, in other words, nudity.

How to participate? 

There are plenty of clothing optional clubs around the country offering activities all week long.  

#NudeRecreationWeek

I would use your discretion if posting to social media.  Oh, yea, and don't forget to wear sunscreen!

Will you be celebrating this week?

Vegan Diaries - Greek Style Chick Pea Sandwich

 I have been doing some cooking experiments the last couple of months (RT will graciously accept prayers and maybe a free meal or two).   I have been pretty lucky with the majority of the meal finds.   

I tested these Greek Style Chickpea Sandwiches (a couple of times) and they turned out to be quite tasty!   The chick peas are seasoned and baked in the oven for added crunchiness.  The hummus adds flavor and also keeps those chick peas from falling out onto your plate.  And, wow, what can I say about that tzatziki sauce except that it's awesome!  

Here's the recipe:

Greek Style Chick Pea Sandwich

for the chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, drained

1/2 TBSP olive oil

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

"Tzatziki"

1/4 cup plain vegan yogurt*

1/8 tsp peeled, grated cucumber

1 clove garlic

1/4 TBSP dill

1/2 tsp lemon juice

Toppings:

1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup cucumber, quartered

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 TBSP olive oil

Garlic hummus

feta cheese

pitas*

instructions:

Oven 400F.

Combine chick peas and seasonings in bowl.  Mix until well covered.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner.  Place chick peas on baking sheet and place in oven for 20 minutes.  Check chick peas, flip over and bake for another 10-15 minutes so they are almost crunchy.

While the chick peas are baking, make the "tzaziki."  Mix all ingredients in bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

To serve:  spread a spoonful of hummus on center of pita or tortilla (this is to hold the chick peas).  Top with the veggies and tzatziki.  Feel free to add feta and/or lettuce.

This recipe makes 3-4 sandwiches.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*I used a vegan style mayonnaise

*If you don't have pita's, try using a tortilla.

These received a thumbs up all around. 

If you make these Greek Style Chick Pea Sandwiches, let me know in the comments.

Enjoy!

Fasting

  Fasting is when you refrain from eating and or drinking.  Sometimes this is done as a religious observance, an illness or health concerns (allergies, etc).  And sometimes you just want to inflict the pain upon yourself  fast for personal reasons.  

RT was on one of his health reviews, rambling about things that he would like to try.  Of course, while I was present for this discussion, I wasn't fully present (in other words, I wasn't listening).  During his ranting  tirade  health discussion, he mentioned fasting.  I chimed in, to show my support and that I was listening, that he should go for it.  In fact, I would join in on this fasting event.  I volunteered, thinking that this would never happen and he would never take me up on my offer to fast with him.  Of course, I was wrong.  RT decided that we would be doing a liquid diet "starting tomorrow."  By liquid, he meant water only.

Now, I'm not against fasting.  I've done it before, no problem.  But, I had some good leftovers that I was looking forward to eating.  How did I get myself into this situation?  Why did I agree to this torture  experiment?  

I decided that I would remain positive throughout the torture  experience.  My yummy leftovers will be my prize if I survive.

My day started out normal with my 3-4 mile walk.  When I came home to grab the dog for a quick walk I was greeted by RT telling me about his hunger pangs.  I continued by getting through my "To Do" list.  By noon, RT was dying  STARVING and I agreed to his idea of a glass of vegetable juice.  I was able to pull RT through  We survived until our 6:00 pm deadline.  My leftovers were waiting there at the finish line.  Funny thing is, I still did not have a huge appetite.

Since this experience, we have tried to duplicate our success.  Unfortunately RT  one of us is always starving and our fasting time ends.

Have you tried fasting?  

International Clothesline Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week we are celebrating the relationship with our clothes for International Clothesline Week.

International Clothesline Week is designed to encourage people around the world to dry their clothes naturally by hanging them on a clothesline.  Since the sun's power is free, think of the efficiency and cost savings of hanging your clothes out to dry.  It's also a great for the environment and your clothes!  

A clothesline can be strung between a couple of trees, attached to a fence or they do sell free standing clothes dryers.  You can even hang your clothes to dry inside your home. 

By hanging your clothes you can extend the life of those garments.  The dryer is great to use when you need something in a hurry.  But, friction in the dryer and over heating causes a breakdown in the fibers of your garment.  

Oh, and don't forget about that fresh scent you get when your sheets were hanging outside to dry! 

I do a lot of clothesline hanging.  I live among tall people and have to hang a lot of clothes so the dryer doesn't take of any of the length.  I love hanging clothes outside, unfortunately our area doesn't allow outdoor clotheslines.  I do use some of the outdoor furniture as a makeshift clothesline.  

How to observe the week?

Hang a clothesline and hang your clothes out to dry.

There are some contests around the world like, 

longest clothesline

most colorful clothesline

youngest helper

most unusual clothesline

You can also use this as some additional exercise, with all of the bending and hanging.  Toss in a few lunges and you are good to go!

You can also participate on social media.  Just use #Clotheslineweek *

*Check instagram under that hashtag.  There are a couple of cool photos.