Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: The New Years Edition

     It's hard to believe that I've been writing this blog for eleven years! Life has changed...and yet, in some ways, it hasn't. 

After a week spent enjoying family and Christmas, it's time to finish up a few obligations, then get back to work. New Year's Eve: cowboy movies and pizza, and prepping for Hoppin' John. (Black-eyed peas are good eating...and good luck.) On New Year's Day, life is quiet around here. I enjoy getting out the new appointment book and calendar, then filling in birthdays, anniversaries and such. It's a welcome reminder that 2019 is a window to a fresh batch of 365 days. 

Who knows what will happen? We're looking forward to finding out.

Here's a basic recipe for Hoppin' John, via Pioneer Woman's blog; just click on the highlighted part. I use 2 cups of dried black-eyed peas, a hambone, a handful each of chopped green pepper, celery and onion, and lots of garlic. Add water and cook slow in a crockpot at least 5 hours -- up to 8, if possible. Serve over rice. Yummmmm...
     

Doesn't look that great -- but tastes wonderful. (Photo from Pioneer Woman)

'I'm 17...and my parents plan to kick me out of the house on my 18th birthday. I have no license or job. What should I do?' This interesting Quora question begs two questions, besides a lot of interesting (and helpful) advice.
     First: What's the backstory on this? Did said kid contribute to his/her problems before it got this bad?
     Next: the question was asked in 2017. Did this kid actually follow any of the advice -- or was he just looking for sympathy?
      I know...  just being cynical.

What do you do with a healthy cash windfall? Experts' advice ranges from investing in stocks and bonds to replacing an old vehicle. This is from the Daily Mail, a British paper, so expect European-slanted suggestions.

2018's dumbest criminals... An enlightening video.

What REALLY happened to Laura Ingalls Wilder's family during The Long Winter?

Another 'Underground Railroad quilt' tale. Is it true? (Brackman's Civil War Quilts)

Tools to help you with your money  -- 14 of them. Some of these sound a little too good to be true, but hey...  (From The Penny Hoarder)

Yet another 'enlightened' banning by Facebook -- this time for Franklin Graham (founder of Samaritan's Purse), because he dared express a negative opinion. (sigh)

Top ten posts of 2018.  (From ESI Money)  I am really enjoying this new (to me, at least) financial blogger's posts. Including an intriguing idea:

What if you retired -- and lived on a cruise ship? Except --

Twelve reasons why it may not be a good idea. (From Money Magazine)

A Washington state social worker dies...most of his $11 million estate goes to children's charities. His friends had no idea that frugal Alan Naiman was that well-off.

Someone has finally crossed the Antarctic for the first time, alone and unaided!  (A 33-year-old American. Well, he used GPS.) Wow...and he beat the man racing him (a 49-year-old Brit) by only 73 miles.

How to keep from outliving your money in retirement.  Maybe by living on a cruise ship?

Some very funny Geico commercials.
     Including the burning historical question: what if Paul Revere had a cellphone?

Geico's hosting a contest -- fans can vote for their favorite commercial, then win a chance to appear in one. Go here for more info -- deadline is early Feb.

Twenty amazing thrift store finds.  (From Well-Versed)

Ten high-level individuals who had their academic degrees stripped. They aren't the only ones -- Martin Luther King did his share of plagiarizing too, sadly. But he never had his Ph.D. taken away.

Ever heard of a St. Joseph sandwich? It looks delicious. The largest lobster trap float Christmas tree you'll ever see, as well. (Thanks for the road report, One Hundred Dollars A Month)

Eight ways doctors go broke. Some lessons here for us non-medical types, too. (From the White Coat Investor)

Retirees on Social Security need a tax break. So says Liz Weston...and I think she's right.

Ten art pieces by people who were also criminals.  Did you know that Caravaggio spent years in the slammer for murder?  (From Listverse)

California organizers cancel the third Women's March because the attendees are "too overwhelmingly white."  I am not making this up.

And finally, a poem from my Kalamazoo friend, Patsy. (She said her dad used to quote it around this time of year.)

Twas the day after Christmas and down at the store,

Folks were pushing and shoving as I unlocked the door.

One had a package, another a sack,

I know in a moment they were bringing it back!

Have a great week.