Meal Prep at the Bricks...

 

This was a longstanding tradition before Ruby... 

but now Bo and Tiger are taking up the reins. Freya helps out when she can.

I guess I should be honored.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Maybe There Was A Plan All Along

     Woke up this morning to interesting news -- the European Union, thanks to Trump's tariff increases, has suddenly decided that a "zero for zero" approach would be better. In other words, nobody pays anything. Considering that the U.S. has been paying higher tariffs for quite some time, this seems just a 'tad' more fair. 

     I've wondered if Trump's approach on this was  never meant to be long-term. Perhaps he was just getting other countries' attention -- to equalize what they charge us now. And a threat is as good as anything -- especially when they know he'll do it. 

Interestingly, the Black Monday stock debacle promised today...hasn't really happened. It hasn't been fun -- but the world definitely hasn't ended.

One huge report done, and another on the cusp. I think I'm starting to forge a bit ahead. Bit by bit...or using Bo the pup's approach, bite by bite. Speaking of biting, taxes are in progress, too. (sigh)

I'll bite a fresh peach, if you've got one.

Meanwhile:

Last-minute tax moves that may be of help.  Did you know that you can open an IRA literally on April 15?

A Titanic exhibit is coming to Molly Brown's home/museum in Denver!

Lake Michigan has a 'Bermuda Triangle?'  Well, sort of.

A man commits suicide -- encouraged by a CHATBOT who tells him," then we'll always be together."

Hamas' civilian death toll suddenly drops by thousands...quietly, too. Could it be that they were over-exaggering a bit, especially about women and children? (Naaaaah.)

Does the wreck of a WWII Japanese submarine lie in deep water just off the California coast? In keeping wiht this:

A closer look at the Japanese mini-submarines who attacked at Pearl Harbor.

Kevin O'Leary's take for people panicking about the stock market.  (P.S. You shouldn't.)

What's next if your refrigerator doesn't work after a power outage is restored?

The IRS whistleblowers who exposed Hunter Biden's preferential treatment are finally promoted -- after two years of punishment and neglect

Sweet chili sauce -- Katy over at The Nonconsumer Advocate swears by it.

Low-tech solutions to high-tech problems that are WORKING.  Hey, if developing countries can use these, we can, too!

Can AI fill in the missing parts of Delacroix paintings? (And should it be allowed to try?)

The Parthenon's scattered bits and pieces are now starting to come back together.

How to travel with a toddler.  GREAT advice, not just good.   (From Millenial Revolution)

Val Kilmer died this week. An AMAZING, talented actor -- one of our 'buddies.' He will be missed.

Frugal meals - 150 of them - "for when you are flat broke."  (Thanks, Prudent Pennypincher)  

Bigfoot was spotted in Colorado's Boulder County a few weeks ago! Just going about his business, too... "Nothing to see here."

Fascinating old house finds.  And more in Britain -- this time under the floorboards of a Tudor era manor.

Six little-known country rules that can also result in fines.

Ten Chinese pieces, overlooked or stored -- until experts realized their true value.

A visit to the Mariana Trench...and the Challenger Deep.

Puzzles scientists still can't explain. Including (smirk) left-handedness! 

Here's something I can't explain -- does this guy have bendable ankles??

A Revolutionary War trophy is discovered in a shipwreck -- a button!    

Have a good week.

Quit That!

In 1978, a 30-person hostage situation in Melbourne was resolved when the perpetrator's mother stormed the place, hit him over the head with her handbag and told him to "stop being so stupid." 

Sounds like my grandma. Ethel Cumings barely stood 5 foot, but would take on anything and everyone -- including her much larger family of 8 kids ("Two and a half-dozen," my grandpa would say.) Not to mention their 6-8 kids each. As two of the youngest cousins (our mom was the baby of the family, with only 2 kids), we didn't stand a chance.

"I'll slep your face silly for trying that -- 

and put away that camera! I'm trying to cook BREAKFAST."

I loved her very much -- but took care to behave myself. She would be shocked -- shocked, I tell you -- that I wear jeans to church today, especially when singing on Worship Team. But when you're stepping up on a platform, or standing by a high-powered air register... the chances of giving a "free show" are wayyyyy too easy.

So forgive me, Grandma. I'll try not to act so stupid. But I'm still wearing jeans next week. (Love you.)

Invitation from the Queen

 Yet another entry from the Department of "Believe Everything You Read on Social Media:"

I'll be there to rescue you shortly, Your Majesty -- but I'll expect tea and biscuits before we leave.

Crumpets too, please.

(One does wonder where Queen Elizabeth_1 and _2 are, though... Tahiti?!?)

Oooh! Busted...

 

When a couple of Frenchmen turned away from the Duke of Wellington at a diplomatic event, a woman apologized to him for their behavior. He responded by saying "I have seen their backs before, madam."

And Boy Is It Right Now...

 

Another Amazon Review Winner...And Dad

 

Whoa.

    I know today is April Fool's Day -- but it's also the birthday of my patient Hollander dad. He was relentlessly picked on by The Mama, April Fool-wise....and on his birthday too, no less! 

He would have been 91 today. I miss him very much. Happy Birthday -- see you soon, Pa...