The StarLink-IRC NEWSLETTER
June 2004
STARTING OUR EIGHTH YEAR ONLINE !!

Vol 7, Issue 6
 StarLink-IRC Newsletter
Published Occasionally
June 2004  
StarLink-IRC Network - Your family friendly cybertown!
IN THIS ISSUE
Celebrations
Amazing and Lesser Things by Amazing
New Channels by treecat
Fogweb Follies by Itsy
Way With Words by Scorp
COLUMNS
Movies  Movie Reviews by Zadi
Cooking Recipes by Wildchild
Mabel Gossip
READER CONTRIBUTIONS
Channel Chatter Channel News
Who's Doing What Personal events
Travel Interesting websites
Tips Tips and Useful Information
TechTalk Tech tips
The Library Humor and Otherwise

EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief - chattie
Associate Editor - NOLady
Web Version Layout - Itsy
Network Info and Notices News
General Information General
Reader Commentary Letters
Editor Emeritus - Lois of #OldRadio

Subscribe / Change of Address
And get your own copy by mail every month!
Articles Wanted!
Deadline is 15th of the Month

The Meeting Room Channel & Net Events
In Memoriam Those no longer with us
Back Issues

This is YOUR newsletter - Send news items to newsletter@starlink-irc.org
Send any gossip or other dirt to the same place!
Contributors: Please eliminate the forwarding marks (>>>) from submissions!!

SL-IRC LOGO STUFF SHAMELESS PLUG
We have made available some items (mugs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats) with our logo at Cafepress - http://www.cafeshops.com/slirc   Cafepress sets the item base cost and handles all sales, production,  shipping, and warranty. StarLink-IRC gets no money from sales of these items.

General Information
Logo Stuff: SL-IRC logo items www.cafeshops.com/slirc
Security: TriStar and security: www.starlink-irc.org/security/
Webring: For your webpages check www.starlink-irc.org/webring.html
Guestbook: Visit or Sign our www.starlink-irc.org/guestbook to enter your comments.
Ombudspersons: See www.starlink-irc.org/slirc-org.html#Ombudsman
Why We Are Here: A #Townhall Special Presentation

Email Updates: To all channel owners: If you have changed internet service providers please let cservice know if you have a new email address. We need the information to be able to contact you in case of problems with your channel or in case you have forgotten to authenticate in your channel and need a reminder to do so. Email addresses ARE kept confidential- send updates toslirc-register@starlink-irc.org

Word Games:  Live trivia at various times and places throughout the week.

#International: We hope to bring together folks from all nations and languages .. come join us for chat, good friends, and if you can volunteer to translate, all the better. Even a smattering of another language is welcome!

DISCLAIMER - Web sites shown or linked here may contain executable files or programs. Be advised that StarLink-IRC has no knowledge of the suitability or effects these may have on your system. We advise everyone to make a carefully informed decision prior to running any new software.


FROM THE EDITOR

What a happy day for StarLink-IRC folks when our Editor Emeritus, Lois, returned to us after being away for a while due to illness and recuperation.  WELCOME HOME, LOIS!!

Are you an avid reader?  Would you like to write a book review column for our newsletter?  Maybe you have another idea for a monthly column.  Please submit your ideas!!

CELEBRATIONS AND CALENDAR
Your BIRTHDAY TREE

May's gemstone is Emerald, the symbol of Hope, flower is the Lilly of the Valley
July's gemstone is Ruby, the symbol of Generosity, flower is the Morning Glory

EVENTS

JUNE Birthdays
JULY Birthdays
June   1  Kaysue of #Trivia_Dreams
June   3  BG of #40Something
June   5  Sungglebun of #Trivia_Dreams
June   6  crumbl of #40Something
June 11  Captain Jager of #Cops
June 11  IRC Op Radek_cz
June 12  Ja^ of #Trivia_Dreams
June 18  Redwood of #Trivia_Dreams
June 19  IRC Op BEING
June 30  Pappy1 of #40Something  & #Momma^s_House
July   5    beahive of #40Something
July   8   jb` of #Trivia_Dreams
July   8   mad_cow of #Trivia_Dreams
July 10   IRC Op wildchild
July 13   TBW of #Trivia_Dreams
July 25   Patrick`
We wish the rest of you Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary except that we DON'T KNOW your special dates!  Scream and kick and cry and throw a hissy fit until your channel owner sends in your dates!  Or just mail newsletter@starlink-irc.org and we'll include YOUR special date in the next edition.
Amazing
AMAZING AND LESSER THINGS!
by Amazing

Amazing is back. Yea.  Now see this is what happens when you dye your sister's hair and you're Canadian ...July 4, 2004  Dateline #Channels
<Amazing>   no polka dots
<Amazing>   but..
<Amazing>   i do have to take her to the hairdressers this morning
<Amazing>   she's hoping they can fix it cause she has to go back to work            tomorrow...lol
<Amazing>   i streaked my sis's hair last night...
<Amazing>   only there arent any streaks
<Amazing>   its kind of different colors ALL over
<Amazing>   even a bit of orange

Note that your intrepid web editor added this. Amazing didn't have a colum this month and if she had she would have said a bunch of bad stuff about a spider and a weed eater .. NONE of which is probably provable in a court of law.  Mostly.


Thanks to everyone for making StarLink-IRC the wonderful cybertown that it is!  As some of you might know, there are other nets out there with the word 'starlink' in them. When telling your friends about what net you chat on -- PLEASE make sure you say StarLink-IRC.Org.  And don't forget There is a quicklist at http://www.starlink-irc.org/serverlist.html
treecat NEW CHANNELS AND CHANGES
by treecat
A warm welcome to this month's new channels and their owners. If you have a chance, do stop in and give these folks a friendly Hi!
NEW CHANNELS
#funchat - kiki
#Comic_Book_Chat - Word whiz
#innerlight - Aussy
#Btrflychat - jazpaps
#holeinthewall - CHUCK

CHANGES
# SLAA2 transferred to Donatella
# SpiritWorks reinstated for Angelv

CHANNEL CHATTER    What's happening in the channels ...

#Comic_Book_Chat
Hello!!  My Name is WordWhiz and I just opened a chat room here on Starlink!  Come to #Comic_Book_Chat for all of your comic book chatting needs!!  Come talk about the change in the XMen, DCs upcoming Identity Crisis, or anything else!!  Thanks!  Im also looking for suggections on making up some games to play and maybe some specific topics to discuss on special nights!
email your suggestions at poet @ ptd.net with the subject of COMICS =0)!!
WordWhiz!!!

#40Something
It is my delight to share with you some of Physik's original artwork.  You can find Physik hanging out with  us in #40Something if you'd like to talk to him about his talent!
NOLady


#Trivia_Dreams
Month of May Trivia winners
1. cathyk 570203
2. harlanky 499590
3. Kathie22 478682
4. vanilla199 414530
5. PhD 216810
6. Lord-Icon 170015
7. Martha 133888
8. ^jaye 127658
9. Snowie55 122631
10. Lorellei` 109989
11. TantricFa 93158
12. shellyadd 64396
13. Dee 46085
14. DunceCap 38584
15. turtleseek 33658
16. wildchild 33072
17. WordWhiz 30996
18. Teresa 26741
19. mags``` 26506
20. redwood    23794
Everyone is welcome to stop by and enjoy our Trivia... always looking for new players and questions, also.
 Bob aka TBW
Let us know what's happening in YOUR channel at newsletter@starlink-irc.org

WHO'S DOING WHAT    Here and there around the net ..
contributed by everyone
In an attempt to get more of our chatters involved in our newsletter and to make it more interesting, we are adding several new columns.  The recipe column has been very popular!  I hear tell there is a movie critic's corner starting soon.  That's exciting!!  I'd love to see a gardening column if that's an area of expertice for any of you.  Maybe even a book review column would be nice?  Please get together with me if you have other ideas or if you're willing to do a column!
COOKING ON THE WILD SIDE Recipes and more    ...by Wildchild.
Hi Chat Friends! Hope that you all are enjoying your Summer Break. Hopefully its been nice where you are and not raining and yucky so that you can enjoy your summer. Thanks to TBW, channel owner of #trivia_dreams, for the following recipes.  Remember if you have any household tips or recipes please send them to cookingonthewildside@yahoo.com Thanks and Enjoy your Summer. Until next time remember to keep cooking on the wildside.

Crock pot tostada

4 to 6 pound roast cheapest
8 oz jar of pace picanta sauce
two to three cans refried beans

put roast and picanta sauce in crock pot for 6 hours on high then remove an tear roast into pieces an put back in crock pot with refried beans an cook another two hours on low

serve:
put flour taco shells on plate cover with the roast an refried beans then cover with lettuce an tomatoes and grated cheese picanta sauce or sour cream whichever black olives whatever you like

note:
taco shells may be warmed fried or microwaved

White Chili

1 tsp lemon pepper 1 tsp cumin
4 boneless skinless chicken breast or 1 whole chicken 1 clove garlic or
1/8 tsp garlic powder 1 c. chopped onion
2 - 8 oz cans white shoe peg corn, drained
2 - 4 oz cans undrained chopped green chilies 1 tsp cumin
2 - 3 Tbsp lime juice
2 - 14 oz cans undrained White or Great Northern beans Tortilla chips
Monterey Jack cheese - grated

In pan, combine 2 1/2 cups water with lemon pepper and 1 tsp. cumin.  Add chicken and simmer until tender. Remove chicken and cut into small pieces. Return chicken to broth.

Spray skillet with Pam, add garlic and cook one minute. Add to chicken. Saute onion until tender.

Add onion, corn, chilies, cumin and lime juice to chicken. Bring to a boil, then add beans. Simmer until ready to serve.

To serve: Crush chips in bottom of bowl and add cheese. Add chili, more chips and cheese, if desired.

Serves 6 - 8.

Note: You actually use 2 tsp cumin: 1 tsp when cooking  the chicken, then another tsp when combining all ingredients.
.
MAYBE MABLE KNOWS?     Gossip
Dear Mable,
I have been asked to write an “advice column” for the monthly StarLink-IRC newsletter, but I am finding this impossible as I have not yet been sent any letter requesting advice.
Do you have any advice as to how I could make people more comfortable about sending in letters?
Thank you,
Mable

Dear Mable,
I feel that this is a cheap (®IMI) ploy to get the readers of this StarLink-IRC newsletter to send you problems to solve, but since you have asked for my advice, and that is why I am here, I will give you some advice.  You need to make the readers feel that they are able to trust you. They need to know that their identity is kept secret.  The following are a few concerns that they may have.
Q.  How do I know that my identity will be kept secret?
A.  Good question! You may sign your letter to Mable with a made up name that suits you or I shall make one up for you. Nobody will ever know who submitted the letter.
Q.  Do I know you? Have we chatted before?
A.  Maybe you do and maybe you don’t. I have chatted with many people on StarLink-IRC.
Q.  Do you have a channel that you go to all the time?
A.  StarLink-IRC is my channel. There are many wonderful channels to visit, and I do.
Q.  If I send in a letter, won't the editors of the newsletter know who I am?
A.  Only one other person besides myself knows who I am, and this person has been sworn to keep my name a deep dark secret under the threat of being force-fed until the point of bursting from Itsy’s buffet menu in #Townhall. Have you seen that menu? I am confident that said person will think twice before revealing my identity to ANYONE!
Q.  What sort of problems are you looking for?
A.  It can be anything at all. A family problem, personal problem, dating question, or a chat related problem.
Q.  What if my problem seems trivial to you and the readers?
A.  There is no such thing as a trivial problem! Anything that upsets you, can play havoc with your personal life, relationships, work, and/or your chatting. If it is important to you, then it is important to me.
Q.  Are you an expert in this field and what makes you think you can help me?
A.  I am not an expert but I have had some training in counseling. However, often times solving a problem can just be a matter of common sense. When you are too close to a problem or situation, you can’t always see a solution. A fresh “eye” can perhaps see a simpler answer you may have not yet considered.
Q.  I tipe funni an people mite figger out who I am when they reed my letter. How du U plan 2 keap people from noing it is me? I speel not so gud 2!
A.  I will correct any spelling errors and poor grammar, as need be. No letter will be submited for the newsletter until it is proof-read by Mable as well as by the editor.
I certainly hope this answers your questions. Feel free to contact me with an email at: newsletter@starlink-irc.org   Please put MAYBE MABLE KNOWS in the subject line.
Signed,
Mable
MOVIES                 Movie Reviews - by Zadi of #Lupuschat

The movie critic is out this month - hopefully, looking at movies.

PETS AND PESTS         Critters   by Momma
If you have questions, interesting facts or suggestions, other notable news concerning pets and pests, please submit them to the newsletter with Pets and Pests in the subject line.

When puppies are born they receive some natural protection against disease from their mother's milk. This protection is only temporary and it declines in the first few weeks of the puppies life. When this happens the puppy is at greater risk of infection and disease.  The mother can only pass on the immunity that she herself has, her ability to do this depends on whether or not she has been properly vaccinated and has had regular boosters. The puppies only absorb the antibodies associated with immunity during the first few days of their lives. The amount of milk they consume relates to the amount of immunity they acquire.

The immunity that the mother passes on diminishes in the puppy at certain ages. Your veterinary surgeon will probably vaccinate your puppy at both 8 weeks and 10 or 12 weeks of age, depending on which vaccine they use. Puppies are vaccinated at this age because it has been found that their immunity levels are starting to decrease or disappear altogether at these times. These vaccines take time to become effective, usually between 7 to 14 days after both doses have been given. During this time after vaccination it is essential that, to reduce the risk of infection, you keep your puppy away from other dogs, especially if you don't know their vaccine status, and avoid places where other dogs might have been.
Vaccinations contain a harmless form of the virus or bacteria which causes that particular disease.
The vaccination works by stimulating the puppy's natural defense mechanisms to set up a protective screen against the disease. This protective response is remembered and triggered whenever the puppy encounters the disease.

The main diseases that puppies and adult dogs can be vaccinated against are:
Canine distemper (Hard pad)
Canine parvovirus
Infectious canine hepatitis
Leptospirosis
Canine parainfluenza virus
Canine distemper is transmitted by droplets of moisture which the dog picks up by sniffing where the infected dog has been. Once an outbreak has begun it is usually too late to vaccinate as the incubation period can be as much as three weeks long. The symptoms include coughing, diarrhoea, high temperature, vomiting, sore eyes and a runny nose. Sometimes the nose and foot pads can become hard and cracked. In severe cases pneumonia, fits, muscle spasms and paralysis can occur. Distemper is often fatal and those that do survive can be left with permanent disabilities, nervous twitches and epileptic fits.

Canine parvovirus appeared in the late seventies and caused the death of thousands of dogs. Regular outbreaks have been common where unvaccinated dogs are. It is transmitted through contact with infected feces. It can be carried by the dog via its hair and feet. It is an extremely difficult virus to get rid of and can stay in the environment for many months. Although dogs of all ages can become infected with parvo it is most commonly seen in puppies and dogs under one year old. The signs of this disease appear quickly and the symptoms are depression, severe vomiting, high temperature, refusal of food and water, abdominal pain and profuse foul smelling bloody diarrhea. As a result of these symptoms the dog can become severely dehydrated very quickly, it may collapse, and some can die within 24 hours of contracting the disease, even with veterinary treatment.

Canine hepatitis is a disease which attacks the liver, kidneys, eyes and lungs of the dog. It is transmitted by direct contact with infected urine, saliva and feces. Dogs that are recovering from this disease can still be infectious to other dogs for more than 6 months. Again dogs of all ages can contract this disease but they are most commonly infected in their first year. The symptoms of hepatitis most commonly includes lack of appetite, high temperature, pale gums and conjunctiva, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. As a result of this the dog can develop jaundice. The disease can develop quickly, between 24 to 36 hours, and can sometimes cause respiratory failure and death. However dogs which recover sometimes suffer from 'blue eye' which is a clouding of the cornea. This usually resolves itself through time.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which can be picked up from contact with urine of infected animals. There are two ways in which it can be picked up. Firstly, it can be picked up from the urine of infected rats. Dogs can get it from rats if they drink or swim in canals or rivers that are inhabited by these infected rats, or even from sniffing where a rat has been. This is also known as Weil's Disease. This disease affects the liver, sometimes the kidneys may be infected too. The symptoms of this disease are depression, high temperature, severe thirst, lethargy, increased urination, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and jaundice. In severe cases death can occur within a few hours, at the very least serious liver damage can occur. This form of lepto can be transmitted to people too. Secondly, it can be picked up from the infected urine of other dogs. The damage that this causes is mainly to the kidneys and may cause problems as the dog gets older. Jaundice can also be seen but this is not common and is not too severe. Dogs that recover from this can still excrete the bacteria in their urine for up to a year making them a source of infection. Cats are seldom, if ever, infected with leptospirosis.

Canine parainfluenza virus is an infectious agent which causes kennel cough. It can be contracted anywhere where dogs meet, for example, at the park, training classes, boarding kennels and dog shows. It is passed on by contaminated airborne droplets or direct contact with infected dogs. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly. The symptoms are a dry, harsh cough, which may cause retching. Owners refer to it as though the dog has something stuck in its throat. This coughing can last for several days or weeks, with treatment it can take up to 2 or 3 weeks for the dog to recover. If the dog has no treatment they can develop secondary infections which can lead to pneumonia. 

Vaccination of your dog against these major infectious diseases is necessary to the health of your dog. The vaccine protects your own pet and prevents it from being a carrier of disease and spreading infection. Immunity to these diseases does not last indefinitely so regular boosters are vital to maintain this. Once your dog has had its primary course of vaccinations you will be given a vaccination certificate which will have your pet's details on it, the dates the vaccine was given and when the booster is due. This certificate is important if you are putting your dog into boarding kennels or going to training classes. Many of these places will not accept your dog unless you can show this certificate and it is up to date. Your veterinary surgeon will send you out a reminder when the next vaccination is due.

*Next month...the health of your new kitten
 
TRAVEL                 Places to go.. things to see

Hey !  Try this one-   http://www.starlink-irc.org  -  believe it or not, there are a LOT of good links and information on the site. If you haven't browsed the links lately, give it a try!  Some stuf for kids too!

TIPS                   The odd idea here and there

No new tips this month.
Send in your handy hints, tips and tricks for just about anything from sailing to tiddlywinks. We're always pathetically desperate welcome to ideas for just about anything to put here !!  At least this section isn't groveling as bad as whoever does the Mable thing.  Personally, I'm waiting for Mable to figure out her name is spelled Mabel.
Itsy
TECH TALK              Technical Tips and Hints.

mIRC tips and tricks
No tips this month.

THE MEETING ROOM       Special Events and Things

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULIE
AND CANADA DAY



PS If you have any subjects that would be good for on of our weekly #townhall block parties, let someone know and we'll see what we can do.

RESERVE TOWNHALL FOR YOUR MEETING!  #Townhall can be reserved for parties or meetings. Send an email to slirc-register@starlink-irc.org if you are interested in reserving the channel for an event. An email will be sent back, confirming the reservation. Put #townhall in the SUBJECT of the mail, and date, time and reason in the BODY.

foo! FOGWEB FOLLIES   
A short column of made-up facts and non-information
...brought to you by your friendly neighborhood arachnid

FOLLIES FOR JUNE/JULIE

With only two more girl months left, your intrepid searcher for truth has ferreted out two more stories related to some regulars on the net. Of course, to avoid embarrassing the poor dumb people who aren't smart enough to keep themselves out of the follies, they will remain anonymous.

First of all, Andrew recently moved to the States from Canada and has found an apartment in a neighborhood that is like downtown Baghdad but without the safety. I quote - "Repeatedly described in most tourist guides as "the worst neighborhood in ... thrives despite its bad rap. Sure, there are loads of drug dealers, addicts, prostitutes and mentally unstable street people, but if you can get past that, you'll find it is also one of the city's most exciting and diverse locales."  Remember what the used house ads mean when they say "fixer upper" ? Its safe to say Drew has moved into a "fixer upper" part of the planet.
Your ever concerned reporter suggested that he find some martial arts classes in self defense, specifically something like say, oh, minelaying.

On the yat front, it seems that NOLady spent a few minutes in the grocery store having a disagreement with the ATM when it refused to take the store's charge card instead. Now, most of us might have avoided this by reading the card, but, according to NOLady, 'they were the same color'. Yes. Good reason. (I will ask her for change for $10 and insist on getting $20s back cuz theyre the same color. If that works I'll report it here.)  (Right, like I'd kill THAT golden goose.. but I digress.)

Oh, I forgot the anonymity.  Oh well, too late now.  Oops.


THE LIBRARY
Laughter Is Good Medicine!


Thanks to Wullie for this one!!
Tomb Guards Stand Sentinel Through Isabel's Threatening Sweep
By Steve Vogel, Courtesy of the Washington Post
Thursday, October 2, 2003
Standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery at the height of the storm caused by Hurricane Isabel, Sergeant First Class Fredrick Geary heard a sharp cracking sound. The tomb sentinel did not flinch as an old tree collapsed a couple dozen yards from the plaza where he stood.

"There was this crack, and it was on the ground," Geary said the day after Isabel crashed through the Washington area on the night of September 18. "I just watched it."
Geary could have retreated to shelter. As Isabel approached, commanders gave tomb guards the option of moving under the shelter of the tomb's arches or even inside the trophy room during the storm.  That did not happen.  Other than something earth-shattering, we had no intention of doing anything other than our duty," said Geary, who, as sergeant of the guard, made the decision to keep the sentinels on the black mat that they walk 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.  It was a heartwarming story of devotion to duty and honor in the face of adversity, and it made the news around the country and the world. But the version most people heard was a bit exaggerated.

The Associated Press, which broke the story, reported that the tomb guards "were given -- for the first time in history -- permission to abandon their posts and seek shelter."
Picking up this theme, Tom Brokaw of NBC News saluted "this display of pride and patriotism," reporting that "those who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were told they could abandon their 24-hour-a-day post and come indoors."  In fact, according to tomb guards and their commander, the soldiers never had permission to abandon their posts. They did have a contingency plan allowing them to withdraw to safer positions while continuing to guard the tomb. If the wind had really been nasty, they could have moved underneath the amphitheater arches, a position that afforded some shelter but would have left them outdoors. If conditions were life-threatening, they could have moved inside to the trophy room.  The sentinels would have been able to watch the tomb even had they been forced inside, according to Capt. Tom Piaget, commander of the company that oversees the tomb sentinels. "The mission was never in jeopardy, and neither were the soldiers," he said.

Most news reports also made it sound as though the guards had stood up to the instructions of confused though well-meaning superiors.  They did not report that it was Geary himself -- the sentinel who stood through much of the storm -- who had suggested that the tomb guards needed a contingency plan. Based on the projected threat of Isabel earlier in the week, Geary, as sergeant of the guard, had recommended to his chain of command that the guards have a backup procedure in case the winds were endangering lives.  The plan was approved by Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent Jack Metzler and by commanders with the 3rd U.S. Infantry (Old Guard), the regiment at Fort Myer in Arlington responsible for protecting the tomb.

"It would have been irresponsible not to have a contingency plan," Piaget said.
The version viewers heard on CNN even had the soldiers disobeying orders to stay at their post. "The soldiers who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were given permission to leave their posts and seek shelter," Anderson Cooper told viewers on Sept. 19. "It was an order the soldiers on duty did not obey."  It made for a better story that way.

The actual version is still impressive. At the cemetery the day after the storm hit, ground crews were busy cleaning up 24 fallen trees, including two near the tomb and its sentinels.  However, tomb sentinels are accustomed to all kinds of bad weather while on duty. Geary, 37, a resident of Prince William County, was downright dismissive of Isabel. "This storm did not live up to anywhere near the hype that the media made," he said. "It wasn't anything more than we've seen at other times." 

Superintendent Metzler was impressed. "There were trees coming down, the wind was blowing, but they stood their post," said Metzler, who lives at the cemetery. "These guys are young studs." 

Guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns is a solemn duty, reserved for only the finest soldiers. The tomb, dedicated to lost and missing American soldiers from all wars, has been continuously guarded since 1937.


Thanks to HighWayMan for this one!!
  • The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water  temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.
  • Here are some facts about the 1500s:
  • Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell,  so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence, the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
  • Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
  • Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath.
  • It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and othersmall animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
  • There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed areal problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
  • The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hencethe saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of woodwas placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
  • In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat thestew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."
  • Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. Whenvisitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."
  • Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid contentcaused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
  • Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of theloaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."
  • Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimesknock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the roadwould take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."
  • England is old and small and the local folks started running out of placesto bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist
  • of the corps, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tieit to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."
And that's the truth... Now, whoever said that History was boring ! !


Laughter Is Good Medicine! 

Thanks to LindyM for this one!!!
In 1997, Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch (M-LAW) began a contest to expose how frivolous lawsuits, and a concern about potential  frivolous lawsuits, have led to a new cultural phenomenon:  the wacky warning label.
You have probably heard about the lawsuit over a spilled cup of coffee.  However, there are many other silly lawsuits involving products that have received far less attention.  For example, did you know a man received $50,000 when he sued a small company that makes basketball nets because he claimed the company was responsible when he caught his teeth in a net while dunking a ball?  People who make products hear about these outrageous lawsuits, and they often decide to slap common sense warnings on their product... "just in case."
Over the years, M-LAW has received hundreds of warning labels from people around the world.  M-LAW verifies the authenticity of each label and selects the "Top 5" for each year.
Following is a list of some of the best labels from the first five contests:
  • A warning on an electric router made for carpenters cautions: "This product not intended for use as a dental drill."
  • A warning label found on a baby stroller cautions the user to "Remove child before folding"
  • A prescription of sleeping pills says,  "Warning: May cause drowsiness
  • A sticker on a toilet at a public facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan actually warns: "Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking."
  • A massage chair warns: "DO NOT use massage chair without clothing... and, Never force any body part into the backrest area while the rollers are moving."
  • A snowblower warns: "Do not use snowthrower on roof.²"
  • A dishwasher carries this warning: "Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher."
  • A CD player carries this unusual warning: "Do not use the Ultradisc2000 as a projectile in a catapult."
  • An "Aim-n-Flame" fireplace lighter cautions, "Do not use near fire, flame or sparks"
  • A label on a hand-held massager advises consumers not to use "while sleeping or unconscious"
  • A container of underarm deodorant says, "Caution: Do not spray in eyes"
  • A cartridge for a laser printer warns, "Do not eat toner"
  • A household iron warns users: "Never iron clothes while they are being worn"
  • A label with a hair dryer reads, "Never use hair dryer while sleeping"
  • A 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow warns: "Not intended for highway use"
  • A cardboard car sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard warns, "Do not drive with sunshield in place"
  • A Bathroom Heater says: "This product is not to be used in bathrooms"
  • A can of self-defense pepper spray warns users: "May irritate eyes"
  • A warning on a pair of shin guards manufactured for bicyclists says: "Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover."
  • A popular manufactured fireplace log warns: "Caution - Risk of Fire"
  • A box of birthday cake candles says: "DO NOT use soft wax as ear plugs or for any other function that involves insertion into a body cavity.
And added by Itsy are: 
1) On the box for an Ace elastic bandage in an emergency medical kit: "Not for internal use."
2) On an airport x-ray conveyor:  " Remove child before placing carrier on belt."

Thank you to ItsyDad for this one!!
A LESSON IN SOUTHERNOSITY
  • Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissy fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.
  • Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens,peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."
  • Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."
  • Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is -- as in:  "Going to town, be back directly."
  • Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular  sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.
  • All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is.   They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.
  • Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad.  If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!
  • Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece."
  • They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.
  • Only a Southerner,both knows and understands the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.
  • Only Southerners know that Saturday week means not next Saturday, but a week after next Saturday.
  • No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
  • A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.
  • Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines We don't do"queues," we do "lines"; and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody!
  • Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.
  • Southerners never refer to one person as "y'all."
  • Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
  • Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food, and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
  • When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
  • Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened.  "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.
  • And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say, "Bless her heart" and go your own way.
  • To those of you who're still a little embarrassed by your Southerness:
  • Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning.  Bless your heart!
  • And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!
  • And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, y'all need a sign to hang on y'all's front porch that reads "I ain't from the South but I got here as fast as I could."
Bless your hearts, y'all have a blessed day.

JUST SOME THOUGHTS
from Itsy... Thanks!
Borrow money from pessimists - they don't expect it back.
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
OK, so what's the speed of dark?
How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy
Hard work pay off in the future - laziness pays off now.
What happens if you scared half to death twice?
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't fix your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
A conclusion is the is the place where you got tired of thinking.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.Women think they already know everything, but wait... a new series of marital therapy tapes are now available for women on the following subjects:

  WWW - WAY WITH WORDS            by Scorp

Things To Do Today
I don't want to do the dishes,
I don't want to do the wash,
I sprinkled clothes a week ago
And now my iron is lost!

I don't wanna clean the pots,
I don't wanna rattle pans,
I wanna read my e-mail,
And chat with all my friends!

The table needs some dusting
and the floor could sure be mopped,
But I know if I get started
There'll be no place to stop.

The closets are so full,
Things are falling off the shelves,
I wish for cleaning fairies
And magic laundry elves!

They could sprinkle fairy dust
And twitch their little nose,
And the windows would be sparkling
And I'd have no dirty clothes.

I don't know what I'm saying,
My head is in the sky,
I must cook that meat that's greying
And bake that apple pie!

My husband needs a flea bath,
The dog needs some attention...
Oh, the other way around I mean!
My brain is in suspension!

I am running round in circles,
I am getting nothing done,
I keep thinking of the Internet,
I'm missing all the fun!

I know I'm not addicted
Though I hear that all the time,
But I guess this stuff will have to wait,
Cause today I'll be ON LINE!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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For a birthday song, press "1".
For a birthday insult, press "2".
For a birthday compliment*
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Have you tried to find the perfect verse, greeting or message when sending a card, and your mind draws a blank? If you have some favorites, send them to Pat@pobox.co
Thanks once again to those who sent in articles for the newsletter.  Please encourage your channel owners and other guests to send in their important dates for the month, channel chatter, and general noteworthy news!  It really gives our network a stronger sense of continuity when we can share these events with those outside the channels we normally visit.  One of the things I have always cherished about our network is the way channels support and visit and encourage other channels rather than stooping to the pettiness of competition and exclusion and such.  That's just another testament to the character of our community!  If you are as busy as I am, you don't always have the time to get out and visit other channels.  Our Sunday evening #Townhall meetings are an excellent opportunity to come and meet other folks that we would not normally chat with or get to know.  Come join us for these meetings which are often informative and always fun.  We usually have refreshments, too!  But you all know how that  goes with Itsy around.... not even the platters are left by the time everyone gets there!.

IN MEMORIAM.
Those who have moved on
Ronald W. Reagan
 40th President of the United States of America

Those Lost

And candle Still  
 Remembered


In Loving Memory
Amazing reminds us that there may be other folks hurting, so take the time to think of them

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