TIDBITS®READS SOMEFAVORITE CHILDREN’SBOOKS
byKathyWolfe
InternationalChildren’sBookDayoccurs duringthemonthofApril,andTidbitsis exploringthepagesofsomememorableones.
•Thedaystartsoutbadlyforayoungboyin JudithViorst’s1972bookAlexanderandthe Terrible,Horrible,NoGood,VeryBadDay. Havinggonetobedchewingbubblegum,he wakesupwithitstuckinhishair.Arising fromhisbed,hetripsonhisskateboard.In thebathroom,hedropshisfavoritesweater inthewater-filledsink.Atschool,his teacherpointsouthispoorperformancein frontoftheclass.Thedentistfindsacavity. Hefallsinthemud.Limabeansareonhis platefordinner.Inaworldof“happilyever afters,”wemightexpecttheboy’sdayto improve…butitdoesn’t.Thelessonfor kids?Lifeisn’talwayspleasant,and everyonehasbaddaysnowandthen.
•LauraNumeroffreleasedIfYouGivea MouseaCookiein1985,astorythatgoes roundandrounduntiltheendwhenitbrings thereaderbacktotheoriginalrequest.Aboy namedOlivergivesacookietoamouse namedQuinley,whichsparkstherequestfor milk,whichleadstoastraw,whichgoeson inacycleofrequests,endingwiththe cookie.Themousebookspawnedaseriesof 17morebooks,includingIfYouGivea MooseaMuffin,IfYouGiveaPiga Pancake,andIfYouTakeaMouseto School.
CHILDREN’SBOOKS(continued):
•PippiLongstockinghasherrootsinSweden, whereherstorywasfirstpublishedin1945 inSwedishasPippiLangstrump,which literallytranslates“longstocking.”Herfull nameisPippilottaDelicatessa
WindowshadeMackrelmintEphraim’s DaughterLongstocking.Thenamewas createdbyauthorAstridLindgren’s daughterKarin,whohadbeenconfinedto bedwithanillness.Hermotherinvented bedsidestoriesaboutthenine-year-old freckledredheadwithsidewayspigtails, wholivedaloneinanoldhousewithher monkeyMr.Nilssonandherhorse.Pippi hadgreatwealthduetoasuitcaseofgold pieceslefttoherbyherfather,whohadbeen lostatsea.Shewasalsogiftedwith supernaturalstrength.Publishersrejected thefirstmanuscriptin1944,butitwas acceptedbyanother,andthreechapterbooks werepublishedfrom1945to1948,followed byshortstoriesandpicturebooks.The storieshavebeentranslatedin76languages, includingJapanese,inwhichPippiisknown asNagakutsushita-no-Pippi.
•EricCarlewasworkingasagraphics designerandillustratorinthelate1960s, whenheprovidedtheillustrationsfora colleague’sbookBrownBear,BrownBear, WhatDoYouSee?Onadaywhenhehad nothingtodo,bored,hestartedfooling aroundwithaholepunch,punchingholesin astackofpaper.Heconceivedtheideaofa bookwormchewinghiswaythroughpages, andproposedtheideaof“AWeekwithWilli Worm”toapublisher.Theeditordidn’tfind thecharacterappealing,sothepair brainstormeduntiltheycameupwitha caterpillarandabutterfly.
•Ipurchaserotisseriechickensandusethe meatfordifferentthings--soup,casseroles, etc.Ihaveatricktogettingtheskinoff.My handstrengthisn'twhatitusedtobe,and thosebirdsareslippery.Iuseapapertowel togriptheskin,andpullthemeatandbone rightout.Itworkswellonarawbirdtoo.-L.A.inFlorida
•Tore-whitensocksorwashcloths,try boilingapotofwaterandaddingasliced, juicedlemon.Soaktheitemsforatleastan hour,andthenpickoutthelemonandadd thepot--waterandall--toaloadofwash.
•IftherearecrushedcookiesinapackI purchase,Isetthemasideinaplasticbaggie inthefreezertouseonicecream.Yummy! --R.L.inAlberta,Canada
•Ifyouhavebeencookingintheovenand haveapanthat'sgotcooked-onfood,you cangetitcleanwithoutallthescrubbing. Immediatelyaftercooking,whiletheovenis stillhot,addenoughwatertocoverthe bottomofthepanandalittledishsoap.Putit intheovenuntiltheoveniscool.The residualheatwillworkonthestuck-onfood whileyouaredining,andit'llwiperightout. --W.O.inMinnesota
•Whenwashingoutstockings,adda tablespoonofvinegartotherinsewater,and theywillretaintheirelasticitybetter.
*Wintergreenoilmakesalovelyroom freshener.Puttwodropsonacottonballand tuckitintothecushionsofyourcouch,or hideitunderalamppedestal...anywhere outoftheway.Thescentdriftsoveraweek orso.--G.T.inDelaware
SendyourtipstoNowHere'saTip,628Virginia Drive,Orlando,FL32803.
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CHILDREN’SBOOKS(continued):
•EricCarle’s“HungryLittleCaterpillar”eats hiswaythroughvariousfooditems, includingapples,pears,plums, strawberries,oranges,cake,pickles,cheese, salami,andcupcakes,experiencinga stomachachefromthosethatareunhealthy. Carleuseddiecutholesinthepagesasthe caterpillaratehiswaythroughthebook. Immediatelypopularuponitspublicationin 1969,TheHungryLittleCaterpillarhas soldmorethan50millioncopies,witha copysoldevery30seconds.It’sbeenonthe PublisherWeekly’sbestsellerlistforover 1,100weeks,andhasbeentranslatedinto 60+languages.Carle,whodiedin2021at age91,wrotemorethan70booksthathave soldover170millioncopies.
•Themuch-lovedbedtimestoryGoodnight Moon,writtenbyMargaretWiseBrown, waspublishedin1947,experiencingpoor initialsalesofjust6,000copiesat$1.75 each.(It’snowestimatedtohavesold48 millioncopies.)Thestoryconsistsofonly 130wordsandwaswritteninjustone morning.Browntoldthetaleofabunny’s ritualofbiddinggood-nighttoallthethings heseesinthe“greatgreenroom,”including aredballoon,abrush,abowlofmush,and themoon.Browndiedyoung,justage42, fromabloodclot,havingauthoredmore than100booksunderfournamesandseven publishers.Sheleftbehindmore70 unpublishedmanuscripts.Thirtywere publishedafterherdeath.
CHILDREN’SBOOKS(continued):
•MargaretWiseBrownhadbequeathedthe royaltiesfrommanyofherbookstotheson ofherneighbor.Theson,AlbertClarkewas nineyearsoldwhenBrowndied,andthe royaltieswerehelduntilhewas21,when $75,000hadaccumulated.ByClarke’s22nd birthday,themoneywasgone.Themoney continuedtobebestowed,asClarkeracked uparrestsformarijuanapossession, attemptedburglary,recklessdriving,petty larceny,anddisorderlyconduct,whilehe livedinhisDodgevan.Althoughthe royaltieshaveamountedtonearly$5 million,50yearsafterBrown’sdeath, Clarkewasdowntohislast$20,000,having squanderedtheremainder.Brown bequeathedtheroyaltiesfromonebook “SailorDog”toAlbert’sbrother,Austin, whichinlateryears,amountedto$13.88per month.
•HaroldandthePurpleCrayonwasthefirst ofaseriesof10“Harold”bookswrittenby cartoonistandillustratorDavidJohnson Leisk,underthenameofCrockettJohnson. Johnsonhadalreadygainedfameforthe comicstrip“Barnaby”from1942to1952. Haroldcamealongin1955.The4-year-old boycreatesaworldofhisownwithhis magicalpurplecrayon,drawingapathanda mooninordertotakeawalkinthe moonlight,amongmanyotheradventures. Thebookswereadaptedintoa13-episode HBOseriesin2002,whichwonanEmmy award.CrockettJohnsonwasalsoagifted artist,specializingincomplexmathematical paintingsinspiredbygeometricprinciples andmathematicaltheoremsanddiagrams. Hepainted100suchworksrelatedtomath andphysicsoveraten-yearperiod,1965to 1975.
•In2009,sixgeologistswereconvictedof manslaughterforfailingtopredictadeadly earthquakeinItaly.Thoughexonerated,they facedhighlevelsofshamefromthegeneral publicafterward.
•Comparedtoaverageshoppers,chefsare morelikelytobuygenericstorebrandsfor sugar,bakingsodaandothercommon kitchenstaples.
•Lacrossedescendsfromaversionplayedby NativeAmericansinthe17thcentury. Matchescouldlastseveraldayswithas manyas1,000playersperteam,onafield withgoalsuptosixmilesapart.Gamesticks weresotreasuredthattheywereoftenburied withtheathletesafterdeath.
•ThomasEdisonattemptedtocreateghosthuntingequipment,andanassistantdied whiletestingit.
•Measlescandepletepreviouslyacquired immunememoryforuptotwoyearsin adults.
•ThestateofTexaskeepsadatabaseofmore than500executedinmates'lastwords,going backtothe1980s.
•Everbeenannoyedbythedecibellevelofa rooster'smorningwake-upcall?You'renot theonlyonewhofindsitloud:Whenthe birdscrow,theyleantheirheadsback, coveringtheirearcanal,whichactsasan earplugtoprotectthemselvesfrombeing deafenedbytheirownvocalizations.
•Afterplagiarizingworkforhisdirectorial debut,actorShiaLaBeoufplagiarizeda publicapologyfromaYahoo!answers questionabout...plagiarism.
•Inthe1800's,bananaswereseenbysomeas an"immoralfruit,"duetotheirshape.Fruit companiescombattedthisperceptionby issuingpostcardsofwomeneatingbananas toadvertisethattheyweren'ttaboo.
ThoughtfortheDay: "Extraordinarythingsarealwayshidingin placespeopleneverthinktolook."
--JodiPicoult (c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.1.JohnWick:Chapter4(R)KeanuReeves, LaurenceFishburne
2.CreedIII(PG-13)MichaelB.Jordan,Tessa Thompson
3.Shazam!FuryoftheGods(PG-13)Zachary Levi,AsherAngel
4.ScreamVI(R)CourteneyCox,Melissa Barrera
5.65(PG-13)AdamDriver,ArianaGreenblatt
6.Ant-ManandtheWasp:Quantumania (PG-13)PaulRudd,EvangelineLilly
7.CocaineBear(R)KeriRussell,Alden Ehrenreich
8.JesusRevolution(PG-13)KelseyGrammer, KimberlyWilliams-Paisley
9.Champions(PG-13)WoodyHarrelson, KaitlinOlson
10.Avatar:TheWayofWater(PG-13)Sam Worthington,ZoeSaldana (c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
1.NamethefirstsingleDianaRossreleased aftersheandtheSupremesbrokeup.
2.Whowroteandreleased"YourSong"in 1970?
3.Wheredidthe'60sgroupTheMarcelsget theirname?
4.Whoreleased"I'veToldEveryLittleStar"in 1961?
5.Namethesongthatcontainstheselyrics: "Wakeupinthemorningwiththesunshinein youreyes,Andthesmellofflowersblooming fillstheair."
Answers
1."ReachOutandTouchSomebody'sHand,"in 1970.Rosssangthesongataconcertforthe NobelPeacePrizeinNorwayin2008.
2.EltonJohn.ThiswasthefirsttimeJohn reachedtheTop10oninternationalcharts.He'd giventhenodforittobecutbyThreeDogNight, buttheygavehimashotinstead.
3.Fromahairstyle.Themarcelwascurls createdwithanearlycurlingiron.Theironwas heatedonagasstove.
4.LindaScott.Thesongfirstappearedin1932. Dozensofartistshavecoveredthesong, includingrapperMacMillerin2010.
5."Love(CanMakeYouHappy),"byMercyin 1969.ThesongwenttoNo.2onthecharts, deniedthetopslotbyaBeatlessong,"Get Back."
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Jordan Taylor
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
“Partnering with families to help children live their best lives is my passion, purpose and goal every day.” -- Jordan
STREAMINGSOURCE
Here'swhattowatchandwheretowatchitfor theweekofApril10,2023.
10-April:"CoComelon"(Season8)--Netflix
12-April:"Rennervations"(LimitedSeries)-Disney+
12-April:"AmericanManhunt:TheBoston MarathonBombing"(Documentary)--Netflix
14-April:"BringBackAlice"(Season1)--HBO Max
14-April:"TheLastThingHeToldMe" (LimitedSeries)--AppleTV+
14-April:"ABlackLadySketchShow"(Season 4)--HBOMax
14-April:"TheMarvelousMrs.Maisel"(Season 5)--AmazonPrime
14-April:"Jane"--AppleTV+
16-April:"Barry"(Season4)--HBOMax
16-April:"100FootWave"(Season2)--HBO Max
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ARIES(March21toApril19) Changeisstill dominantforRamsandEwes,bothinthe workplaceandintheirprivatelives.Thisisalso agoodtimetolookatapossiblerelocationif thathasbeenoneofyourgoals.
TAURUS(April20toMay20) Doingthings forothersiswhatyoudowell.Butdon'tforget thatBovinesthriveonthearts,somakesome timeforyourselftoindulgeyourpassionfor musicandartisticexpression.
GEMINI(May21toJune20) Whilethe RomanticTwinconsiderswheretogoforan upcomingvacation,thePracticalTwinwillstart makingtravelplansnowtotakeadvantageof somegreatbargains.
CANCER(June21toJuly22) Yoursensitive naturehelpsyoudealwithadifficultemotional situation.Bepatientandcontinuetoshowyour sinceresupportwherever(andforwhomever)it isneeded.
LEO(July23toAugust22) You'remaking progressasyoumovethroughsomeunfamiliar territory.Andwhiletheremightbeamisstepor twoalongtheway,you'reheadingintheright directionoverall.Goodluck.
VIRGO(August23toSeptember22) Some goodnewsarrives--andjustintimetoremind youthatyou'remakingprogress.Perhapsthings aren'tmovingasquicklyasyou'dprefer,but they'reprogressingnevertheless.
LIBRA(September23toOctober22) Thisis agoodweektostepbackandassessthefacts thathaverecentlyemerged,toseewherethey canbeusedtoyouradvantage.Also,don't hesitatetomakechangeswherenecessary.
SCORPIO(October23toNovember21) You shouldbegintoexperiencesomesupportfrom thosewhonowagreewithyourpointofview. Thisshouldhelpcountertheremaining objectionsfromdie-hardskeptics.
SAGITTARIUS(November22toDecember 21) Don'tletyouraimbedeflectedbytrivial mattersasyoutrytoresolveaconfusing situation.Taketimetofindandthoroughly assessthefactsbeforemakinganydecisions.
CAPRICORN(December22toJanuary19)
Thepossibilityofmovingtoanotherlocation hascomeup.But,beforeyoudismissitas unworkable,it'sworthcheckingoutjustincase itdoeshavesomemeritafterall.
AQUARIUS(January20toFebruary18)
Newrelationships,personalorwork-related, showmixedsignals.Besttoassumenothing.Let thingsplaythemselvesoutuntilyouhave somethingsubstantivetoworkwith.
PISCES(February19toMarch20) Your abilitytomakeneededchangeswithoutcausing toomuch,ifany,negativerippleeffectcomesin handywhendealingwithasensitivematter eitheronthejoborinthefamily.
BORNTHISWEEK:Althoughyoulikethings togosmoothly,you'renotshyaboutmaking waveswhenyoubelievethesituationcallsforit.
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FindingtheRightFoodBowl foranOlderCatTakesTrial andError
DEARPAW'SCORNER: Ihopethisadvice helpsothercatowners.Mycat,Ferris,is13 yearsold,andwhilehe'sgenerallyhealthy,he doeshavearthritisandisnotasenergeticashe oncewas.Inoticedafewmonthsagothathe wasnotfinishinghisdryfoodintheevenings,so Itookhimtothevettogethimcheckedout. Everythingwasfine,butthevetsaidthathe mighthavesomediscomfortcrouchingdownto reachhisfoodandwater.
Iwentonlinetofindaraisedplatformthatwould holdfoodandwaterdishes.Thetroublewasthat manyoftheplatformsweretoohighforFerris toreachcomfortably,andhedidn'tseemvery happywiththeplatformdesign.Instead,Ifound adishthatheloves.Itsitsaboutthreeinches abovethefloorandisangledhigherintheback sothathedoesn'tpushthefoodoutofthebowl whileeating.It'sweightedsothatitdoesn'tshift whileheeats.Thisisalotmorecomfortablefor Ferris,andhe'seatingallofhisfoodagain.-TerryL.,Bloomington,Indiana
DEARTERRY: Thankyouforsharingyour story!I'mgladthatFerrisfoundtheperfectfood dish.
Sometimeswehavetotryafewdifferentitems beforediscoveringtheperfectoneforourpets. Whetherit'safooddish,atoyorabed,wehave tobepreparedtospendalittlemoremoneythan expectedtogetjusttherightitem.Trialand errorispartoftheprocess,andpartofthejoyof owningapet.
Sendyourtips,commentsorquestion-sto ask@pawscorner.com.
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MakeSpinach-RicottaPie forEasterBrunch
panandpressthedoughoutinalldirectionsto extenditslightlyovertherim.Flutetheedges withfingers.Refrigerateforanhourormore.
IngredientsforFilling:
•2packages(10ounceseach)frozenchopped spinach
•1smallonion,finelychopped
•3tablespoonsbutter
•1/4teaspoongroundnutmeg
•1/2teaspoonsalt
•1/8teaspoonblackpepper
•Dashofcayennepepper(optional)
•1cuphalf-and-half
•1container(15ounces)ricottacheese
•1/2cupgratedParmesancheese
•1/4cupcrumbledfetacheese(optional)
Eastereggsaredyedincolorfulhues,thetable isset,andnowit'stimetopreparethemain dishforyourfamily'sEasterbrunch.This vegetarian"SpinachRicottaPie"willintroduce yournoviceschool-agedcheftonewcooking techniques,fromdrainingspinachtograting cheeseandpressingoutasimplepiecrust.Ifa youngerchildiseagertojointhekitchencrew, letthemrinseberries,pullgrapesfromtheir stemsandchopbananasforasidefruitsalad. Thetasty,springy,green-lookingdishismild enoughforalltastes.Ifyouwishtokickupthe flavorandheatitupanotch,addtheoptional fetacheeseandadashofcayenne.
SPINACH-RICOTTAPIE
6servings
IngredientsforEasyFlakyCrust:
•1/2cupbutter,softened
•4ouncescreamcheese,softened
•1cupall-purposeflour
•Pinchofsalt
Placethecreamcheeseandbutterinalarge bowl.Addflourandsalt.Worktogetherwitha pastryblender.Gatherthesoftdoughintoaball withyourhandsandpressintoa9-inchpan. Thisisaperfectjobforyourschool-agedchild todo.Simplysettheballinthemiddleofthe
•3eggs,slightlybeaten
Preheatovento350F.Cookthespinach accordingtopackagedirections.Draininalarge strainer.Showyourchildhowtosqueezeoutthe liquidbypressingspinachagainstthesidesof thestrainerwithalargespoon.
Sauteonioninbutteronmediumheatuntil onionistranslucent.Stirinspinach,salt,nutmeg andblackpepper.Foranextrakicktothedish, addcayennepepperifyouwish.Cool.
Inalargemixingbowl,combinehalf-and-half, cheesesandeggs.Mixthoroughly.Stirin cooledspinachmixture.Pourintopastry-lined pan.
Bake50-60minutes,oruntilpieissetandtopis lightlybrowned.
Letstand10minutes.Servewarmwithmixed fruitorgreensaladonthesideandasliceof crustyFrenchbread.
Tip:Preparethecrustandputitintothepanthe daybefore.Coverandrefrigerate. DonnaEricksoncreatesrelationshipsand communitythroughfoodandfun.Findmoreto nourishanddelightyouat www.donnaerickson.com.
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SPRINGWEEDING, FEEDINGANDSEEDING: STRESSANDANXIETY
Thisissuchawonderfultimeofyear!Asspring commences,ourthoughtsturntothegreat outdoors.Forsome,thatgreatoutdoorsistheir ownyard.Thoughtsofbeautifulflowers, blossomingtrees,freshfruitandvegetablesof ourfavoritevarietiesandgrowntoperfectionas wellastimesittingoutsideinbeautiful contemplationenjoyingallofit. Withthisthoughtinmind,let’slookatthe antithesisofinnerpeaceandcontentedness–stressandanxiety.
Stressandanxietyseemtooccurinmorepeople thannot.Weliveinatimewhereslow, monotonousworkinthefieldsforoursimple survivalisreplacedwithfreneticactivities tryingtomakelifework.Shoppingforevery knownfoodorluxuryoccupiessomeofthat time.Workinglonghourswhetherinsideor outsideofthehome,goingtothegymandevery imaginableactivity,constantlypluggedinto socialmedia,news,YouTube,andwordsinour earsfromeverydirectioncreatingfearand concernabouttheworldwelivein.Itisno wonderwefeelstressedandanxious.
Weallprettymuchrecognizehowstressand anxietyadverselyaffectsourhealthand wellbeing(ifnot,refertothemanyarticlesI’ve writtenonthistopic),butI’dliketolookatit froma“weed,seedandfeed”standpoint.
Forouremotionalwellbeing,firstweneedto weedoutthenegativityandstressfulfactors. Whatthingscanyoudelegatetosomeoneelseto takesomethingoffyourplate?Whatactivitydo youparticipateinthatyoudon’tlike,thatyou canfindahappierandhealthiersolutionto?Do youhavenegativepeopleinyourlifethatitis timetoweedoutanddiscardinahealthywayto all?
Whenyouweedsomethingnegativeoutofyour life,youleaveahole.Thebrainandbodydonot likeholes,soweneedtoseedsomething positiveinitsplace.Ifyouhateyourjoband weededitout,whatjobcanyoureplaceitwith toseedamoresatisfyingandabundantlifefrom it?Ifyouweededoutfriendsthatbringyou downorbringyoustress,whowouldyouliketo buildahealthierrelationshipwith(andgoand dothat).
Thenyouneedtofeedit.Becauseourlivesare sofrenetictoday,wehavetoplantimetofeed relationships,tofeedjoyinourlivesandtofeed contentment.Wealsohavetofeedourselves. Runningaroundwithoutproperfueltosustain usjustaddstothestressandanxietythatwefeel. Feedingourselvesgood,healthyfoodsand good,healthyfoodsupplementsisagoodstart. WanttohearmorefromDr.Carling?Checkout ourpodcast.SearchforVitalHealth4Youon yourfavoritepodcastlisteningapporgoto vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/
Dr.HollyCarlingisaDoctorofOrientalMedicine,LicensedAcupuncturist,DoctorofNaturopathy, ClinicalNutritionistandMasterHerbologistwithoverfourdecadesofexperience.Dr.Carlingisa“Health Detective,”shelooksbeyondyoursymptompictureandinvestigatesWHYyouareexperiencingyour symptomsinthefirstplace.Dr.Carlingiscurrentlyacceptingnewpatientsandoffersnaturalhealthcare servicesandwholefoodnutritionalsupplementsinherCoeurd’Aleneclinic.VisitDr.Carling’swebsite atwww.vitalhealthcda.comtolearnmoreaboutDr.Carling,viewalistofupcominghealthclassesand readotherinformativearticles.Dr.Carlingcanbereachedat208-765-1994andwouldbehappytoanswer anyquestionsregardingthistopic.
Medical/HealthDisclaimer:Theinformationprovidedinthisarticleshouldnotbeconstruedaspersonalmedicaladviceor instruction.Noactionshouldbetakenbasedsolelyonthecontentsofthisarticle.Readersshouldconsultappropriatehealth professionalsonanymatterrelatingtotheirhealthandwell-being.Theinformationandopinionsprovidedherearebelievedtobe accurateandsound,basedonthebestjudgmentavailabletotheauthor,butreaderswhofailtoconsultappropriatehealthauthorities
EmployeesBannedFrom WorkingatVA
Afteralltheinstancesoffraudunearthedbythe DepartmentofVeteransAffairsOfficeof InspectorGeneralovertheyears,Iwasnot surprisedtoseethisspecialreportofsomething elsetheyuncovered:"StrongerControlsHelp EnsurePeopleBarredfromPaidFederal HealthcareJobsDoNotWorkforVHA."
ThosewhoareexcludedfromgettingaVA health-carejobarethosewhopreviously committed"healthcarefraud,patientabuse, controlledsubstanceviolations,oractssubject tolicenserevocation,"amongotherthingssuch asMedicarefraud.TheHealthandHuman ServicesOIGkeepsalistofthoseexcluded people,buttheVAOIGrecentlyranatest sampleofasinglepayperiod,andyes,they foundpeopleonthatlistemployedbytheVA. Whatapparentlyhappenedwasthatthehuman resources(hiring)staffdidn'tcorrectlydoas theywererequiredbyfederallaw,whichisrun thenamesofpotentialnewhiresthroughthelist tomakesuretheyhadn'tbeenexcludedfrom employment.Ininstancesofsurnamechanges, thepreviouslastnamesweren'tcheckedeven thoughtheywerenotedonthehiring documents.
Butthatwasn'ttheonlyerror.TheVA'sOfficeof IntegrityandCompliancewasalsorequiredto doamonthlycomputercheckofallSocial Securitynumbersofpeoplebeingpaidtomake sureexcludedpeoplehadn'tslippedthroughthe employmentcracks.Theypointedtoacomputer codingerrorasthereasontheyweren't. EntertheOIG,whomaderecommendationsso itdoesn'thappeninthefuture.Oneofthose recommendationsistodoacomprehensive auditoftheSocialSecuritynumbersofallVA employeestoseeifanyadditionalnamesshow up.Therewillbenewtraining,ofcourse,ofthe peoplewhodidn'tfollowpolicy,pluswritten guidelines,plusredundancieswithmultipleeyes lookingatdataandprocesses.Youhavetolove theVAOIGandthepeoplewhoworkthere. Surelytheyhavethehighestsatisfactionlevelof anywhoworkingovernment.
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1.WhatcombatsportfromRussiaconsistsof twocompetitorsgrapplinginsideofaparked automobile?
2.TheFranklinSportsX-40,Penn26,ONIX Pure2andDuraFast40arebrandsofballsused inwhatsport?
3.TheIroquoisSteeplechaseequestrianeventis traditionallyheldeveryMayinwhatU.S.city?
4.Whatthird-stringSanFrancisco49ers quarterbackhada5-1recordstartinginplaceof injuredJoeMontanaandSteveYoungin1991?
5.PaulNewmanstarredaswhatboxing championintheOscar-winning1956 biographicalfilm"SomebodyUpThereLikes Me?"
6.InFebruary1990,theEdmontonOilersand LosAngelesKingssetarecordforthenumber ofpenaltiesinasingleNHLgamewithhow many?
7.NametheanimatedmascotthatFOXSports createdinthelate2000sforitsGopherCam usedinNASCARbroadcasts.
Answers
1.CarJitsu.
2.Pickleball.
3.Nashville,Tennessee.
4.SteveBono.
5.RockyGraziano.
6.85.
7.Digger. (c)2023KingFeaturesSyndicate,Inc.
1.ADSLOGANS:Whichcompanywas advertisedwiththeslogan,"ThinkOutsidethe Bun"?
2.TELEVISION:WhichTVshowspawnedthe spinoffsitcom"Mama'sFamily"?
3.U.S.CITIES:Inwhichcitywouldyoufind theUSSArizonaMemorial?
4.ANATOMY:Whatarethebonesthatmakeup thespineknownas?
5.GEOGRAPHY:Whatisthelowestpointin theUnitedStates?
6.GENERALKNOWLEDGE:Whatisthe traditionalmaterialina40thanniversarygift?
7.MOVIES:Whatisthenameofthetowtruck intheanimatedmovie"Cars"?
8.CURRENCY:Whichformerpresidentis depictedontheU.S.$50bill?
9.LANGUAGE:Whatdoesthetexting acronymSMHmean?
10.LITERATURE:WheredoWinnie-the-Pooh andhisfriendslive?
Answers
1.TacoBell.
2."TheCarolBurnettShow"
3.Honolulu,Hawaii(PearlHarbor).
4.Vertebrae.
5.DeathValley,California.
6.Ruby.
7.Mater.
8.UlyssesGrant.
9.Shakingmyhead.
10.HundredAcreWood.
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•OnApril19,1927,blondbombshellMae WestwasconfrontedbytheNewYork PoliceDepartment'sMunicipalViceSquad, sentencedto10daysinaworkhouseonthe chargeofobscenityforherplaytitled"Sex," andfined$500.Shelaterquippedthatthe onlythingthatreallybotheredheraboutthe experiencewashavingtowearcotton underwear.
•OnApril23,1940,afirebrokeoutinthe RhythmClubinNatchez,Mississippi, causingthedeathsofmorethan200African Americansduetoboardedupwindowsand apadlockedbackdoor.Atthetime,itwas theseconddeadliestbuildingfirein Americanhistory.
•OnApril20,1957,theMayflowerII,a replicaoftheoriginalMayflowerthat transportedPilgrimstotheNewWorld,set outtore-createthatvoyagefromBrixton, EnglandtoPlymouth,Massachusetts.The journeytook55days,andtheshipis currentlydockedatthePlimothPatuxet Museum.
•OnApril17,1964,theFordMotorCompany unveileditsnewMustangmodelattheNew YorkWorld'sFair.ChampionedbyFord DivisiongeneralmanagerLeeIacocca,the carcamewithasuggestedretailpriceof $2,368andwasagreatsuccess,withmore thanamillionsoldinjustitsfirst18months.
•OnApril18,1988,aretiredU.S.auto workeridentifiedas"IvantheTerrible"was foundguiltyofNaziwarcrimesinanIsraeli courtandsentencedtodeath.Hisconviction wasoverturnedin1993afterevidence suggestedanotherUkrainianwasactually IvantheTerrible,andhewasreturnedto America,butlaterdeportedbacktoUkraine whenajudgeruledtherewasenough evidencetoprovehehadindeedbeena deathcampguard.
•OnApril22,1993,theHolocaustMemorial MuseumopenedinWashington,D.C. Dedicatedtodocumenting,studyingand interpretingthehistoryoftheHolocaust,it servesastheofficialAmericanmemorialto themillionsofJewsandotherswholost theirlivesunderthedirectivesofHitler's NaziGermany.
•*OnApril21,2014,KraftFoodsrecalled 96,000poundsofOscar-Meyerhotdogsthat hadbeenmislabeled.Thecompanystated thatsomeoftheir"ClassicCheeseDogs" hadbeenplacedinregularhotdog packaging,posingathreattoconsumers withdairyallergies.
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RisingCostofHome Insurance
WhenIgotmyhomeinsurancebillandit showedamassivepaymentformypolicy renewal,Iactuallylaughed.Iflippedthepage over,believingI'dreceivedsomeoneelse'smail bymistake...probablyaneighbordownthe street.ButwhenIsawmyownname,Iwasn't laughinganymorewhenIgrabbedmycalculator anddiscoveredthatthenewamountwasa45% increaseoverlastyear.
Still,everhopeful,Icalledmyinsurance company,wonderingifsomeoneelse'shome hadbeenpluggedintomyaccount.No,ithadn't.
Theamountlistedwasindeedformyhome,as werethenumbersforoutbuildings,personal propertyandtemporarylivingexpenses.
Icalledseveralneighbors:Hasyourinsurance goneup?No,theyallsaid.Idiscoveredthe likelyreasonforthatduringacalltoafriendly localinsuranceagent.They'renodoubtinthe middleofapolicyperiod,hesaid.Theirbad surprisewillcomewhenit'stimetorenewthat policyandallthepriceincreaseshitthem.
Thereareseveralreasonswhyapolicycan increase,suchasmaterialandlabor(whichis thebigonerightnow),additionstothehouse, numberofpriorclaims,yourdeductible,your creditscoreandthebreedofdogyouown.
Afterseveralcallstodifferentinsurance companies,it'snotlookinggood.WhatIgetso faristhatifIdecidetogambleandlowermy coveragelevel,Irunariskthatsomethingwill happenandI'llbestuckformammothamounts ofmoneythatinsurancewon'tcover.
Theonlythingthat'sgoingtosaveafewdollars istopaythewholeyearupfrontandnothaveto paythemonthlybudgetfeeswithevery payment.
Takeadeepbreathbeforeyouopenyournext policyrenewalenvelope.Goodluck.
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‘WillmyMomfitin?’
Iimagineanyonewhoworkswithfamilies consideringmovingtheirlovedoneintoa communityhasheardthisquestion.Ournatural instinctistoassurethefamilythatYES,of coursetheywill!Inmyexperience,mostoften timestheydo.However,findingwaystohelp makethatacclimatizationhappenmorequickly fornewresidentscanmeanthedifference betweenthembecomingalong-termresidentor quicklymovingout.Comingfromthe perspectiveofnotonlysomeonewhohashelped otherfamiliesinthissituation,butalsoasthe adultdaughterofparentswhorecentlymoved intoseniorliving,Iwanttosharesomeideason howtoassistnewresidentstoquicklymakenew friendsandadapttotheirnewlifeina community…
Ifoundinmyexperience,thepersonaltouch makesthedifference.Byworkingjustashardto learnthelikes/dislikesofaseniorasyoudid abouttheircareneeds,youhaveagreatchance
ofknowinghowyoucanhelpbringthemjoy!
Spendtimeaskingquestionslike‘Priorto retiring,howdidyourMomspendherspare time?’,‘Whenyouweregrowingupdidyour Dadbelongtoanycivicorcommunity groups?’,‘Afterretiring,whatdidyourloved onedoduringtheday?’,‘What’syourMom’s favoritetopicofconversation?’Youwillgetto knowthe‘person’notjustthe‘patient’andwill hopefullygetideasonwhatismeaningfulto them…
Nancyhasaptlydescribedourdriving philosophyaswecreateafamilyofcaregivers andresidentsineachofourhomes!!
Ifyouknowsomeonewhowouldliketojoinour circleofcaregiversinoneofourhomes,please contactLindaat208-755-3637or linda@lodgeliving.net.Weevenhavegorgeous onsitestudioapartmentswhichincludemeals andallutilitiesasapartofouremployment package.Wearedelightedtoschedulearound schoolcommitmentsforouremployeeswhoare reachingeverupward.Callus!!
PHOTOCAPTION:"Wiener"dogsmaynotcomefromVienna, butthisgold-coloredletteropenerdid.ItwasmadebyWerkstatte Hagenauerandsoldfor$813ataRagoauction.
WienerDogs
It'saWienerdogfromaWienerworkshop! Vienna,Austria,or"Wien"inGerman,wasa majorEuropeanculturalcenter.TheWeiner WerkstattemaybethemostfamousViennese workshopofthe20thcentury,butitwasnotthe onlyone.
Thisdachshund-shapedletteropenersoldfor $813ataRagoauction.Itwasmadeby WerkstatteHagenauer,whichwasfoundedin ViennabygoldsmithCharlesHagenauerin1898. Likemanystudios,itwasafamilybusiness. Hagenauer'ssonsbecameinfluentialartdeco designers.Theworkshopclosedinthe1980s. Nowthereisamuseumandshoponitsformer premises.
Despitetheirname,Wienerdogsdidnot originateinVienna,butinGermany.Officially calleddachshunds,thebreedhasplentyof nicknamesbasedonitslong,thin,sausage-like shape.
Q: Ihaveanecklacemadeofclearfacetedbeads thatIwastoldwerecrystal.Doesthismeanthey arecutglassorrockcrystal?
A: "Crystal"canbeusedforbothrockcrystal andcutglass.Somemakersandcollectorsuse thetermforanycolorlessclearglass.Toaddto theconfusion,bothrockcrystalandglassbeads arefoundinantiqueandvintagejewelry.
Rockcrystalisaclear,colorlessquartzstone fashionableinthelate19thandearly20th centuries.Some19th-centurycutglasswasmade toresemblerockcrystaluntilabout1860,when coloredglassbecamepopular."Paste"stones,or glassstonesthatimitatepreciousgems,were inventedaround1730andhavebeenusedin costumejewelrysincethen.Glassjewelrywas especiallypopularintheearly1900s.Fromabout 1918tothe1930s,Czechoslovakia(nowthe CzechRepublicandSlovakia)exportedglass beads,facetedglassstonesandfinishedjewelry allovertheworld.Thenecklacesareoften marked"Czechoslovakia"ontheclasp.
Totellwhetheryourbeadsarestoneorglass, holdtheminyourhand.Glassfeelsaboutroom temperatureandwillgrowwarmerasyouholdit. Stoneiscoldertothetouchandtakeslongerto warmup.Naturalrockcrystalismorevaluable thancutglass.
TIP: Yourdiamondorprecious-stonejewelry-antiqueormodern--shouldbereappraisedevery otheryearforinsurancevalue.
CURRENTPRICES
Cutglassvanityjar,diamondcutting,goldtone ormolubands,round,hingedlid,1800s,21/2 inches,$110.
ToyM-4CombatTank,tin,decals,bumpandgo action,rotarycannontower,spinninglight, batteryoperated,box,12inches,$275.
SilverAmericandish,swanform,cutglassliner, marked,TheodoreB.Starr,N.Y.,c.1920s,3x5 inches,$410.
Lamp,electric,arts&crafts,patinatedcopper, four-sidedstem,flaredouttowardbottom,shade withcopperframeandfouryellowtexturedslag glasspanels,ballandchainpull,14inches,$690. Flag,UnitedStates,wovencotton,36handsewn stars,1865,71x116inches,$1,560.
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