Program Witch Pages

A Picture A Day - October 2009

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:23:43 CST

The 10th month of the 9th year is done. Hope you had a great month like I did.

The Skeleton Dance

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:34 CST

Ghost on Film

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:14:37 CDT

YouTube - Science of Scams - Ghost on Film

Why you should care about Climate Change

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:39:46 CDT

Today is Blog Action Day 2009. This year's topic is Climate Change. Why Climate Change? Climate change affects us all. It's the big picture. You know all the talk about cleaning up and greening up your local environment? Well think that, but on a much larger scale. Let's say an Earthly scale.

What is climate anyway?

Isn't that just the weather? Yes and No. Weather, by definition, is what is happening right now. Climate is what is happening over the long period of time, think adding up all the weather.

*** Blink ***

You know what? I started typing up a nice article about why you should care about climate change, explain what climate change is, and show why it's a bad thing. Well now that I think about it, I don't really care.

Yes it's true, I don't really care about this topic.

When you think about the big picture, at no time will the people, who are supposedly in charge of these things, are going to listen to me.

In the news all you hear about is "carbon off-sets". You know what that is? Big business can dump CO2 into the environment, as long as they plant a tree somewhere. How does that help the climate? It doesn't! The CO2 is still getting dumped into the environment. Planting a tree somewhere, though a wonderful thing, doesn't solve the problem. Just because you are "paying" for the privilege to dump CO2, you are still dumping CO2. Does that make a lick of sense?

Here's what you can do to help you.

Lower your energy costs by

changing your light bulbs from incandescent to CFL or LED.
turning off your computer equipment when not in use.
unplugging your phone chargers when not being used. In fact unplug anything you are not using. Many unused electronics still leach power.
putting on a sweater this winter, and lowering your thermostat by 5 or so degrees.
checking for air leaks around your windows and door, and fix them if you can.

Reduce your waste by

taking a reusable cloth bag when you go shopping instead of getting paper or plastic bags at the store.
starting a compost pile. Even if you don't garden, you probably know someone who does. They will love you for it.
recycling your newspapers. Assuming of course you are still reading an actual newspaper. In fact recycle what you can recycle. Find out where your local recycling centers are. If your closest center is a few towns away, get with your friends, and pool your recycling together.

And if you are one of those people care about reducing your carbon foot print:

Don't drive your car. If the weather's nice, walk or ride a bike. Don't be so lazy.
Carpool. A whole new reason to make friends.
Plant lots and lots of trees.

Exercise for Low Back Pain

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:22:41 CDT

This seems to work for me after a long day of sitting at a desk. [-MORE-]

* I found these images some years ago. If I can remember the original source I'll post a link.

Sriracha Hot Wings

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:28 CDT

I found this recipe for Sriracha Hot Wings over at Serious Eats the other day. I thought it sounded like a good change of pace from our typical hot wings. So tweeted the recipe to Donna. She made these the other day, and they were fantastic. We plan to make Sriracha hot wings again soon, we may even double the recipe and put it on larger pieces of chicken. Never heard of Sriracha? It's that red chili sauce you often see at Asian restaurants. Very much worth having in your fridge for a change of pace.

Sriracha Hot Wings

Author Note: Although I do love the flavor and spice Sichuan peppercorns add to the chicken wings, feel free to substitute any other type of freshly ground peppercorn in its place, like tellicherry or pink peppercorns. Also, feel free to increase the amount of Sriracha desired.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed and chopped finely
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 pounds chicken wings, split into drummettes and wingettes
2 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons Sriracha

Procedure

Preheat oven to 425�.
In a small container, combine Sichuan peppercorns and salt. Sprinkle over both sides of the chicken wings.
On a foil-lined, greased baking sheet, add chicken wings. Place in the oven until almost cooked-through, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a saucepot over medium heat, melt butter. Take off heat, adding minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar and Sriracha. Whisk well to combine.
When the chicken wings are removed from the oven, preheat the broiler.
Transfer chicken wings and Sriracha-butter mixture into a bowl. Using tongs, mix together until wings are liberally covered with sauce.
Return coated wings to the foil-lined baking sheet. Place in the broiler until the wings are nicely browned, about 3 to 4 minutes, checking occasionally.

Electrocuted Tree

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:24:02 CDT

via inquisitr.com

A Picture A Day - September 2009

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:56:05 CDT

Fall arrived. I expected more pictures of trees, but that still a month away. Here's September's daily pictures.

Crock Pot Gingerbread

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:01:55 CDT

The other day Donna was looking for a crock pot gingerbread recipe. Think I found one.

OLD FASHIONED GINGERBREAD

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 cup light molasses
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup hot water

Line a 2-lb coffee can with foil. Grease and flour the foil.

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, molasses and dry ingredients; blend well.

Add hot water and beat well. Pour batter into prepared coffee can. Place can in crock pot. Cover top of can with 8 paper towels.

Cover and bake on High setting for 3 to 4 hours. (If using Bread �n Cake Bake Pan, bake in covered pan on high setting for 2 to 3 hours.) Do not check or remove cover until the last hour of baking.

Remove can and discard paper towels. Let stand 5 minutes. Unmold on cake rack

recipelink.com: Old Fashioned Gingerbread (crock pot)

Now the problem becomes finding a metal coffee can.

I saw your Tweet

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:52:17 CDT

When did the word "Tweet" become so much a part of my speech? I've found myself referring to it whenever I talk about seeing someone's post, not just on Twitter, but on any social network. Has anyone found another term for these little posts? Not once have I heard, "I saw your plurk." I can't even think if I've heard or even read any term relating to a Facebook post, other than "Facebook post".

Just think about it. I now have yet another term in my vocabulary defined by a company. I can't tell you how many time's I've xeroxed some documents, reached for a kleenex, or googled something. Ya' digg?

[Rant] Unlike

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:41:40 CDT

I'm beginning to not like the word "Like" when it comes to flagging posts in Google Reader, Facebook or other "like" services. I'm not sure what other word I would use, but "Like" doesn't really express it. What if it was bad news? I wouldn't necessarily "like" it, but I would want to flag it in someway. Unfortunately words like "Flag" or "Tag" are being used for something else. So what would be a good alternative to "Like"?

And when did "Unlike" become a word? Not something I'd use in everyday conversations. You don't "unlike" something, you "don't like" something.

Robert Reich on the Public Option

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:36:25 CDT

YouTube -- Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for healthcare coverage really means for working people.

Spiced Pumpkin Waffles

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:06:17 CDT

I saw this recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Waffles today and thought, I really should bookmark that one. So here it is, only we'll substitute the sugar with Splenda.

Deliciously Spiced Pumpkin Waffles

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 2/3 cups milk
4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl. In a second bowl, add eggs, sugar, pumpkin, milk, and butter; beat well. Gently fold in the flour mixture. Spoon in about 3/4 cup of batter into the waffle iron. Cook each waffle for 4-5 minutes. This recipe makes approximately 5 waffles on my waffle iron.