Roberto Clemente - Gone 50 Years

50 years ago today, on New Years Eve 1972, Pittsburgh Pirates legend, rightfielder Roberto Clemente, was in Nicaragua, attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to earthquake victims.

The plane loaded with supplies crashed into the ocean at takeoff,  killing everyone on board.  His body was never found.

After his death MLB honored his greatness - as a man,  as a devout Catholic, as a pioneering Latin player,  as a superb outfielder - by waiving the waiting period for the Hall of Fame. He joined the heroes of Cooperstown in 1973.

Continue to RIP Roberto.  You made a difference in this world. 

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, a stalwart theologian and defender of the faith, has died at age 95.

RIP

 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. 

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in Peace. 

 

Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters, as close to an actual broadcasting legend as we'll ever know,  has passed away at 93.

RIP

Facts

The Wednesday Addams dance is cringe. You can say otherwise. But you'd be a liar.

An improvised Zuppa Toscana

So last night, in an effort to make meals with what we have on hand, I decided to make soup. 

 I took this potato soup mix as a base, added a cup of milk, three cans of sliced potatoes, and chopped and browned the last of the breakfast sausage in the fridge. I also cooked down an entire bag of spinach and some onion, and tossed it all in. 

The result? A creamier version of my famous zuppa toscana. 

And it was darn good lol 

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

 

Glass Onion,  the second film in the Benoit Blanc "Knives Out" series,  is a destination mystery set on an island paradise during the pandemic. 

If you're watching it for the mystery, while it is well done, there are better tales out there to discover. But as a ensemble mystery/thriller with comedic undertones and, this one was a hoot. I greatly enjoyed it, and I eagerly await the next entry in the series. 

More Gunfire on the Freeway

I got to work almost 90 minutes later than normal this morning,  after the Sheriff's department closed 94W due to a suspected shooting. Alas, I was already on my way when the order came down. 

Why anyone would shoot a gun on the freeway, and why this has recently become the fad du jour, escapes the reasoning skills of my feeble little brain. 

Question

would you be upset seeing me as your funeral director 🧍🏻‍♀️ would my piercings bother you? 

yes or no - LuLu

Hot Chocolate ala Danny

I made a slow cooker of homemade hot chocolate this afternoon. 6 cups of whole milk, a can of sweetened condensed milk, a bag of chocolate chips,  vanilla extract,  and (in lieu of heavy cream) two scoops of natural vanilla ice cream. Heat for 2 hours,  stirring frequently. 

Yum!

WTH

Facebook just removed a post of mine from 2016, with the bots calling it "dangerous" and against community standards. What was it? A review of a (then- new) 1034 page academic history of Hitler's rise to power.

White Christmas

Lisa and I just got back from watching this, sans kids, at the Avalon. I've seen it many times,  but Lisa claims it was her first time.  The verdict? She loved it.  "A singing and dancing extravaganza," she has said many times,  leading me to think I missed the phrase somewhere in the movie ads.

She wants to add it to our  annual Christmas movie (now) trivecta - It's A Wonderful Life,  Elf,  and White Christmas. 

ISO

Bought these at Walmart and Walmart is hit or miss with me for shows so just bought black. Now they have become my favorites. I want the other 2 colors. But now they are sold out online. 

So if my online family could check if their Walmart has any size 10s in the other colors (they're just so cute!) the next time u do a Walmart run I'd appreciate it sooo much. I'd cash app the cost and shipping immediately. - Lisa

Blessed

When u see a need try to fill it. I felt so blessed this morning for my good family, good friends, and good co workers.

Do I have plenty on my mind worrying me? Do I wish I had more, could do more...yes.

But today I choose to be grateful. 

If you're reading this, I am grateful for you too!

Have the best holidays!

- Lisa

Merry Christmas Eve!

The presents are wrapped and ready.

Merry Christmas (Eve) everyone!

 

I don't think so Tim

Uh,  yeah.  No.  Why? Because of this:

I guarantee you,  unless you live in some new,  hermatically sealed home,  your *thermostat* may say 60 degrees,  but that's at that particular spot. The next room over might be 50 degrees. 

And F that WE Energies. 

Exactly

 

O Captain, My Captain

Today Aaron Judge was named the 16th captain in Yankees history.  It's an honor that's well deserved. 

Congratulations!

Franco harris

Just two days before the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest plays in football history - The Immaculate Reception - the man responsible for that moment, Franco Harris, has passed away. 

Sometimes, a life is defined by what you do in only a handful of seconds. Franco rose to greatness in those seconds and enshrined himself in our memory. 

RIP

LuLu says:

The way every scene that doesn’t have Khaleesi in game of thrones is irrelevant to me. - LuLu

Best to just Pray

 

How I Decorated my Desk for Christmas

Uncle Lance

Lisa's Uncle Lance passed away at 12:40 am  this morning.

Last night, when word came that his illness would take him soon, Smiley took his Grandma to see her brother for the final time. I'm proud of him for that. 

RIP

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.. May he rest in peace. Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss

Stunning news today: Stephen "tWitch" Boss,, the DJ on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, has died of a self-inflicted gunshot at age 40. 

I remember him best as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance, which we watched religiously that year.  He later went on to marry fellow SYTYCD alum Allison Holker, who reported to police yesterday that he'd left their home without taking his car, which she considered highly unusual. 

RIP

Is this true?? I love him! From way back even he was a contestant on so u think u can dance! So so much talent and good will it oozed from him. Mannnn - Lisa

Mike Leach

 

Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach has died of heart issues at the age of 61. 

I remember him best - and almost exclusively - for his time at Texas Tech and their phenomenal November 1, 2008 win over Texas that knocked the Longhorns out of Championship contention. 

RIP sir.  

500K Views and Counting

one of my tik toks got half a million views and i am forcing myself to stay off of the platform as to not delete the video LMFAO

idk how ppl can be perceived by x 1000 people and not be bothered

- YaYa

Can You Believe It????

Holy @#€% BAKER MAYFIELD!!!

What a game! 

#Cinderella #HollywoodStory

Griner is on her Way Home

So Biden has done a one-for-one exchange to free jailed WBNA star Brittney Griner from Russia. In exchange, he gave up Viktor Bout, an arms dealer convicted of conspiracy to kill US citizens and officials, and of aiding a terrorist organization. 

One for one. 

An even trade. 

A basketball player. 

For a known arms dealer nicknamed "The Merchant of Death" and "Sanctions Buster."

And what about Paul Wheelan, another American, albeit not a famous one,  seemingly falsely accused of spying and now rotting in a Russian cell? He was mentioned earlier by the White House as part of a  package deal for Bout , but apparently discarded by the Administration when push came to shove. 

I mean, screw the everyday American and Marine vet (even if one with a poor conduct discharge.). We have a basketball star to rescue from the consequences, however overly harsh, of her own actions. 

What a "win" Mr. President, what a "win."

Rebeca's First Basketball Game

Today was Rebeca's first JV basketball game and Dem and I headed over to the Christo Rey High School gym to watch her play. 

(Christo Rey is an impressive looking Jesuit high school located in what was once a large grocery store. I remember shopping there not so very long ago)

It wasn't a high scoring game,  with only 19 points scored overall. But for 75% of the contest I was impressed by how aggressive - legally aggressive- her team was.  It was attack attack attack on offense, swarm and suffocate on D.

They had 3 point lead with 7 minutes left.  And then.  And then.

The opposing team subbed in two girls that hadn't played yet and They.Were.BIG. The tone of the game changed dramatically, with their size dominating the lane and all the air knocked out of Beca's team. 

Final score: 11 to 8.

Beca played the entire game and never once took a seat.  She notched two steals and one basket,  accounting for 25% of her team's total offense.

It was fun and I'm proud of her!

Opals vs Diamond

bc they’re not necessarily good for daily wear, they’re delicate. opals are in the 5.5 - 6.5 range of the hardness scale where diamonds are a 10. i don’t love diamonds but opals don’t compare in regards to longevity imo. and I’m an October baby I love them 😭 - YaYa