Tuesday Morning...

Waking up on Tuesday morning I headed out to take Kirby outside, as usual. I flipped on the back porch light and through the kitchen window I could see the body of a rather large animal lying there on the porch. We sometimes get wildlife on our porch, like raccoons or opossums, but this one was strange. The first thing I found strange was that it did not move when the porch went from pitch black to bright lights in the blink of an eye. The second strange thing was that it appeared headless and not breathing.

“Ewww.” Was my first thought.

Then I realized that it was not headless. It had a soup can where its head should have been! Our recycling box is on our back porch and apparently someone (but no one in the family has claimed responsibility) put the can in the bin without washing it out. This animal found the can, with probably a morsel of chicken left on the bottom and stuck its head in to get to the treasure. From the looks of the animal at this point, that did not go well.

I did what anyone would have done in my situation…. Ran and got Pepper. We zipped around and got something to cover our arms and hunted for gloves (we found a total of one…. Amazing in a family of 12 hands!!) We put the dog back in her cage and headed out to the animal. It was not breathing very much and I have no idea how long it had been stuck in the can. Pepper reached out and gave the can a slight tug. It did not move. I gave it a slightly stronger tug… still no movement. Pepper ran in and grabbed a can opener. (The pop bottle opening kind) and brought it out to make an air hole in the can and to help break the suction.

The problem with the new fangled cans that soup is put in today is that while the “pop top” feature is great, the bottom of the can is rounded and had no lip for the can opener to connect to. I took the can opener from Pepper and put a small hole in the side of the can (being extra careful not to cause any further brain damage). That was all it took, suddenly a very stunned (and I’d like to think grateful) cat came into view. It shot off our porch and into the darkness in a blur.

Just another morning at our house. ☺

A poem from sister about wealth, Success and Love :)

A 3rd graders thoughts on visiting Michigan...

discovered while talking to Dill about his social studies test.

Dill: I did ok, but I missed the 15 point part.

Me: What was the question ?

Dill: Why would somebody want to come to Michigan.

Me: What did you say?

Dill: I couldn’t remember a lot of the natural resources and stuff. I put: "to see the Great Lakes, to learn about lake effect and to meet the governor, but I don’t really think she’s that good.”
☺

At the State Swim Meet:

Saw a great shirt that said “Chlorine…. Breakfast of Champions”

Speaking of shirts, the kids on Dori’s swim team designed a state shirt with each of the girls names on the back. While we waiting in line at Burger King, a man tapped Macy on the shoulder and said, “I hate to be a bother Miss…. But I have never heard of any of the bands on the back of your shirt.”

:)

Dori makes state!!

It's been a long four years. Dori tried and tried but the required times for making the state time just were slightly beyond her reach. She was the most improved as a freshmen, improved her speed even more as a sophomore, really, really close as a junior.... and finally... at the last meet of her senior year, the absolute last chance to qualify, she did it! She had to swim the 500.... which is 20 laps of the pool in 5 minutes 45 seconds or less. For a long time she really struggled to break the 6 minute mark, then to "make state"..... she did it today. 5:38. Everyone cheered, lots of people ran down from the stands to hug her, she cried and couldn't stop smiling. People took pictures of her and the next race was delayed because so many people swarmed the deck to congratulate her. I think it will be something she will always remember. I am so glad to have been there..... and very, very proud that she tried so hard and never gave up. :)

Saw a great shirt that said “Chlorine…. Breakfast of Champions” Speaking of shirts, the kids on Dori’s swim team designed a state shirt with each of the girls names on the back. While we waiting in line at Burger King, a man tapped Macy on the shoulder and said, “I hate to be a bother Miss…. But I have never heard of any of the bands on the back of your shirt.” :)

Why DO we bake cookies?

Lots of people have thoughts about the name of my blog. Apparently they give a great deal of thought to cookies and bacon. Here are a few of my favorites……
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Bacon can be cooked by convection too but it is just more common to use the radiant heat common in stovetop cooking. Bacon cooked in the oven is actually very good whereas cookies on the stove top is not usually successful

Mark
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I bake my bacon. 375 for 15 minutes. That way I don't get grease splatter.

David
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First, baking and cooking are totally different methods.
Cookies and Bacon are also different. Cookies is a baked product by use of oven(Dry heat)
Bacon is meat product and it requires a high amount of heat to seal the outer surface and retain the fat and the juices inside by means of dry heat and thus also to cook till the core of the meat. but cookies require only to be cooked to an extent that it gives a short crust effect. if cooked further it will melt the fat .

Chef M.
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I just think it would sound funny to bake your bacon and cook your cookies versus the reverse. It's now after midnight my brain is officially fried, baked or no tonight it's actually pressure cooked along with a bunch of green beans.

Joan
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Well, to cook..it has to do something with a frying pan. To bake, it has to do something with an oven. Blame the person who invented the word 'bacon' and 'cookie'.

Dee
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another one of the mysteries of life.
somebody made this stuff up so we could sit and ponder it.

Donnie
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Here are a few other things for them to ponder…

*Why do people recite in a play, but play in a recital?
* Where is the egg in eggplant, the ham in hamburger?
*Where are the apple and pine in pineapple?
*Why do we have noses that run and feet that smell?
*Why do you park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

:)

Conversations Overheard...

The school I work at is in an urban area. Students arrive mostly by bus, or parent transport. A couple children come by taxi. This conversation just really struck me as funny…. Intern: The word is horse. Can you use it in a sentence? First child: I don't know. Intern: Well, have you ever ridden a horse? First child: yes. Intern: When did you ride a horse? First child: Today. Intern: {surprised} TODAY?! Second child: Did you ride it to school today??

Pepper has been working with some students on the “th” sound. She asks the kids questions where the answer is a word that starts with “th”. Pepper to 1st student: “What day comes after Wednesday?” 1st student: “Thursday!” Pepper to second student: “On your hand you have 4 fingers and a……?” 2nd student: “Thumb!” Pepper to 3rd student: When you really want a drink you are……?” 3rd student: “Dehydrated!!” ☺