The Tinies of Raglan Shire – a web comic - Adventure!

The Tinies of Raglan Shire – a web comic - Adventure!

The Tinies of Second Life are up to something.

You can hear about it on BBC it's the March 12 podcast.

You can visit their site JazzPaws

Pinterest

Pinterest is the 'new' thing - a fun, easy, interesting - Pin-teresting social network thingy.
I have a Pinterest board. Hey! You can follow me if you'd like!

There are many boards and pins about things that I thought I was the only weirdo interested in like:
Doors - or portals, entryways
Repurposing - using stuff in a different way it was intended
Tattoos - usually ones the pinner likes, not that they have any themselves

And of course there's: Home Decor, DIY, Photography, Travel, Books, Art, Recipes, Crafts, Weddings and yes, there are even  boards that have manly stuff (sometimes created by MEN!)

In the few weeks that I've been using Pinterest, brands have jumped on board.  Those pesky marketers, they just can't leave us alone!

So here are the tools I use to Pin.  First the Pin It bookmarklet. Then wherever you are on the web, you can Pin right then and there!  I also use the Pin Page bookmarklet if just one picture won't do.  But the best tool I use is the 'search Google with this image' because many popular pins have be 're-pinned' over and over again.  When you click on a Pin, it takes you to the address it came from which will be on someone's Pinterest page.  Now if you'd like to actually go to the site that the pin is about (for recipes or instructions, etc.) you can hopefully get there from where you are (where was I?) If I think that will be the case AND I can find the original site, that's where I want my Pin to take my  followers to (are you following this?) PLUS there has been much conversation about copyright violation, SO I use the 'search Google with this image' in order to:
Find out where the original pin came from and/or find out if it's copyrighted.  Sometimes it's difficult to find out and if so, I can go back and 'repin' the Pin that I saw in the first place hoping it's not illegal.

There a lots of other tools; you can search for 'Pinterest tools' either in Pinterest or a search engine to investigate.  For web sites, you can add buttons allowing visitors to Pin something or follow you on Pinterest.  (That's the next thing I'll do) So far, everything has been easy-peasy.  If you have any questions or would like me to follow you - just give me a shout out here with a comment or repin, comment or follow me on Pinterest.  I try to visit and follow everyone that has stopped by so I hope to see you around!

St. Paul's Cathedral, London

What a delight!  Having been to many churches, cathedrals, chapels, etc in Europe for somewhere to really stick out for me it has to be extra special.  First, the free audio/video guide is top-notch.  The touch-screen multi-media guide is easy, fun, informative and has maps you can 'pinch' to enlarge - wow factor of +10.
There were a couple of architecture students sketching (quite well) the interior.  That's the first time I've seen that inside a building and the reason is obvious, even to a layperson (of architecture) like me.  St. Paul's design is breathtakingly perfect.  The awesome mosaics on the ceilings above the quire were added later and the combination with the unadorned main aisle is a perfect balance.  It was great learning about all the ceremonial things held here like coronations and royal weddings.  My favorite fun fact is that during the women's suffragette movement, a fire was lit under the bishop's chair.  I thought that went well with the Occupy London protesters camped outside St. Paul's.  The down side to that was no tours on the upper floors.  Our tickets are good for a year, so hopefully we'll get back to visit the rest of St. Paul's.  You can take a virtual tour here.

But  the Number ONE thing I loved about St. Paul's was the American Monument Chapel.  From the website:

At the east end of the Cathedral behind the High Altar is the American Memorial Chapel. The Chapel is also known as the Jesus Chapel, as the space was known prior to World War II.

This part of the building was destroyed during the Blitz and as part of the post-war restoration it was decided that the people of Britain should commemorate the 28,000 Americans who were killed on their way to, or stationed in, the UK during the Second World War. Their names are recorded in the 500-page roll of honour encased behind the high altar. This was presented by General Eisenhower in 1951 and a page of the book is turned every day. 

Teen who made encouraging video on bullying commits suicide

It is difficult to know what to do when someone you love is struggling with depression. This story reminded me that we should always watch out for others.  Even though we cannot control their thoughts and actions; cannot prevent tragedy - we can do some things and perhaps it will help.  Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

• Approach, don't stay away.  
• Ask: how do you feel emotionally?  Ask: can you tell me a thought that seems to run through your head?  Ask: have you talked to a doctor?  Ask: what, if anything, seems to help?
• Advise someone who is deeply depressed and/or suicidal to call their doctor.  If they are already being treated, urge them to call their doctor to give them an update.  If they don't have a doctor, see if they will call a helpline or let you call for them and find out how to get a doctor.  

Especially for teens, acknowledge the reluctance to get help.  Explain that it is necessary the same way that getting treated for a broken bone is necessary.  Make sure they have access to a hotline.  Have them put a post-it note on their computer.  They can write the number backwards and say it is a password.

SAFETY:  Someone who is having thoughts of suicide should be taken to the hospital.  Someone who is having suicidal thoughts should not be left alone.  Those who are suicidal don't get over it quickly - it takes time to treat depression.  Medication and counseling can and will help but not overnight so remain vigilant.

Note:  I am not a mental illness professional!  Please seek help from your doctor, pastor, school counselor or other professional whether you are the depressed person or someone who is concerned and wants to help.

Budget Trip to Prague

Our latest trip to Prague was enhanced by some money savers!

• We flew WizzAir from Charleroi airport in Belgium.  Discount airlines do not use our local airport Findel.  Total cost for both of us round trip = 133.96 euros
• To get to Charleroi from Luxembourg, we took the Flibco shuttle bus. Cost 5 euro pp each way = 20 eur
• Since our flight left early (budget airline schedules often don't fly every day), we stayed at Charleroi Airport the night before our flight.  Hotel for 55 euros
• We belong to the A|Club and stayed at the Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square for 4 nights (no breakfast, which was 11 euros extra)  Total price = 253.11 euros
• On our way home, we spent the night before at the Marriot for 45.94 euros which I thought was a great price for the Marriot!

So not including our daily expenses for food, metro and touristy stuff our cost for the trip:   373.35 euros

My Cr-48

My Cr-48 arrived in December

When it came in the mail and I saw this box, I thought someone had shipped a Christmas present for one of the grandkids.  My son was there when I opened it and said you suck  "How did you get that?"  Well, you have to be hanging out on the internet instead of playing WoW all the time and jump on this kind of thing.  It's like getting a G+ invite.

So this notebook is not a computer - you need an internet connection.  It is easy as pie to startup.  All you have to do is open it.  Shut down? Close it. The new tab has apps you can use and a link to the web store.  As far as I can tell apps=links and an extension runs on the operating system.  But don't take my word for it - I am not a geek, I'm a grandma.  Perusing the message boards for interesting conversations about the Cr-48 I quickly find that the geeks are installing Ubuntu and I don't even know what Ubuntu is.  Developers were talking their techie talk and I am at the side of the road.  

So I download some apps that show up as icons on the new tab and some extensions that hide under the wrench icon in the upper right corner under tools.  Google urges you to use their products in place of Microsoft products.  Docs instead of Word for example.  I use my Cr-48 more than my Windows laptop because it is simple and fast and usually I'm just surfing the web.  But for things I already know how to do in Windows and to use programs like Skype, Slingbox and Second Life I need to use my laptop.  

When the Chromebook was released for sale to the public, it was a flop because people don't need something to surf the web if they already have another device that does.  If I were going to pay for a device that only allows downloading apps, I would get something smaller and more portable.  

Top 10 Things I Love about our house in Luxembourg

10.   I have a gas stove. 
 9. There is a garbage disposal in the sink, apparently rare in Luxembourg.
 8. The cricket and rugby fields across the street where games are played often and when they're not, I've gotten some nice views of wildlife.
 7.  Rose bushes.  Lots of them.  Roses grow like weeds here.
 6. My fridge has water and ice in the door - score!
 5. The spa/fitness center is a 3 minute walk.
 4. Two bathrooms  
 3. Heat on the 1st floor is the floor.
 2. There is a nice, big oval bathtub in the upstairs bathroom.


And the #1 thing I love about our house in Luxembourg is....


    that it is in Luxembourg!

Cucumber Salad- Gürken Salat | German Blog

This salad sounds good for our first dinner in our new house. Still have to come up with an entree and dessert.

First you will need two firm medium sized cucumbers and slice them very thin almost like paper, ( Papier) you will need some fresh curly parsley a lemon, salt, ( Salz) sugar and pepper.
Once you sliced the cucumbers, do leave the skin on, just make sure to wash it. Into a bowl, add half a teaspoon of salt, a tablespoon of sugar and half a lemon ( Zitrone) squeezed. With pepper, you will need to use your hands (Please wash them first) to mix the ingredients- do not overdo this, ones this is done you add the chopped parsley a hand full and mix again. Refrigerate this in a glass bowl and make sure you cover this for one-hour before serving and enjoy!

Soon to be an Expatriate

expatriate 

1768, from Fr. expatrier  "banish," from ex-  "out of" + patrie "native land," from L. patria  "one's native country," from pater (gen. patris ) "father." Related: Expatriated ; expatriating ;expatriation . The noun is from 1818, "one who has been banished;" main modern sense of "one who chooses to live abroad"is 1902. 

(from Dictionary.com)

Yes, that's right - I am going to be an expat "choosing to live abroad." The preparations are being made; it will be a month or so before we are actually in Luxembourg.  In the meantime - Berlitz language training!!  

I Love my Coffee!

Have I found a deal! Did you know that Amazon sells food and all kinds of other stuff? Every Friday they have a Friday sale? That you can subscribe to receive shipments of stuff on a regular basis? No? Well then let me tell you about the deal I found!

Since going to Europe, American coffee is like brown water to me. My step-son bought us a Tassimo coffee maker for Christmas one year. This thing has lasted for a long time and we use it to make numerous cups every morning. Even though it makes espresso, cappuccino, tea, hot chocolate and you can even get Starbucks coffee pods, we use regular old Maxwell House pods because they are the cheapest. Not all stores carry the pods and a pack of 16 is $5.99 at Giant Eagle and Target.

Now for the deal:  A pack of 5 packages on Amazon is $26.13 which is $5.22/pack.  The subscription price is $22.21 which is $4.42/pack for a savings of $1.57 per pack.  I ordered 2 of the 5-packs to be delivered once/month.  No shipping, no sales tax and I've saved $15.70 AND they are delivered to my house!  So for $44.20 I get 10 packages that would have cost me $59.90 plus tax. 

Another Suicidal Message

A few Facebook posts today got my attention: a video on YouTube of the Vega Choir from Sweden doing Radiohead's Creep and a video posted by Ellen DeGeneres.  I've written about suicide before here, here, here, also here and here.  If you're interested, take a look.  Any discussion or questions are welcome.

The 'radical' fringe that disapproves of Obama seems to have gotten a lot bigger

You get used to hearing it in the not-so-mainstream press. Those nasty tea-partiers, the birthers, the stooges for the drug companies - you know, all those that don't like what Obama is doing. We are characterized as the 'radical right', full of 'hate', too dumb to know what is good for us. Always described as a 'small' fringe group.

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the Politburo.

Seems that the American people are not enthralled with President Impostor anymore. Not that anyone in the press cares. They are convinced that we are gullible and getting fooled by the banks, insurance companies, and lobbyists.

Folks, November cannot get here soon enough

American Military Cemetery

Unbeknownst to many Americans, there are 22 military cemeteries in foreign countries.  General George Patton is buried in the American military cemetery in Luxembourg.  The Battle of the Bulge was fought in Luxembourg as well as Belgium.  All over Europe there are memorials and monuments to the soldiers of our country for their service in both World Wars. 

At the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg, remains of 5,076 soldiers are buried, 101 of which are unknown.  My favorite inscription surrounds the mosaic on the ceiling of the chapel and reads:

IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THOSE MEN OF THE ARMED SERVICES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHO IN THIS REGION AND IN THE SKIES ABOVE IT ENDURED ALL AND GAVE ALL THAT JUSTICE AMONG NATIONS MIGHT PREVAIL AND THAT MANKIND MIGHT ENJOY FREEDOM AND INHERIT PEACE.

Also an inscription set in the granite paving at the center of the memorial terrace from Eisenhower’s dedication speech:

ALL WHO SHALL HEREAFTER LIVE IN FREEDOM WILL BE HERE REMINDED THAT TO THESE MEN AND THEIR COMRADES WE OWE A DEBT TO BE PAID WITH GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR SACRIFICE AND WITH THE HIGH RESOLVE THAT THE CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY DIED SHALL LIVE ETERNALLY.

So on Memorial Day this year, please gratefully remember their sacrifice and resolve that the cause for which they died shall live eternally.

Luxembourg City market

Saturday morning was the Luxembourg City market.  In the old part of town at Place Guillaume, we bought flowers for our hostess that evening, olives, fruit, sausages and a baguette.  There were also cheeses, homemade jams and honey, fish, and lots of beautiful vegetables.

Versailles

Versailles at one time was as big as present day Paris.  It is still really really big.  The palace is big.  The garden is big.  The park is big.  Some day I will see more of it, but one day is not enough.  The hall of mirrors was undergoing rennovation last time we were here and so we made a beeline for it.

Travails

Ahhh Travels - some of our most memorable times have been the mishaps of getting to where we're going.  Usually I turn the wrong way from the start and spend a LOT of time trying to get either where I'm going or at least where I've come from.  This past weekend in Paris, I didn't bring the hotel address or map or directions, so we wandered in the direction I thought it was, asked a few times and finally made it.

Also, when planning the return trip every leg of the journey should be thought through.  Make no assumptions.  Here the bus and train schedules are reduced on Sunday, so on the way home from Paris we missed the last bus home in addition to missing one of our stops because the train made an extremely quick stop and the exit door in our car was out of order.  Even so, we still would have missed the last bus home.  Luckily, an innocent driver pulled into the gas station and was cornered and persuaded to drive us home.  People here are very accomodating.  Think about it - would the first stranger you saw at night be willing to drive out of his way to take a couple foreigners home?

It's Positively Medieval!

In the US, we have Rennaisance Fairs.  Well, that's just too modern for Europe.  They need to get Medieval! We went to the Medieval Market in Trier over the weekend and saw an owl, lots of soldiers, artisans, musicians and of course had some lager/beer/ale.

Burning the Cross

Last Sunday on the way home from Bruges, we got to see a burning of the cross.  It seems to have worked; it is warmer this week.
From wikipedia:
The Burning Castle (Luxembourgish Buergbrennen) is a tradition in Luxembourg and the adjoining German borderlands, where the first Sunday (after Carnival the first Sunday of Lent) to make a big fire. It symbolically represents the burning of the winter away.

Bruges

In Bruges, we saw:
Church of Our Lady – Michelangelo's Madonna and Child – absolutely stunning.  It is such a great honor to see such a sculpture.
Basilica of the Holy Blood – Christian relics are everywhere in Europe
Groeninge Museum which contains many works by the Flemish masters.  One I found most interesting was Bosch’s Last Judgment:
Apocalyptic themes were popular, but the freaky symbolism fascinated me – and we think modern art can be weird.
We stayed at the B & B Marieke.  A few pics from our room:
  Lace toilet paper holder – Lace is big in Bruges. A tiny robe hanging on a peg.
At the Bistro De Schaar I had a dom blanche (chocolate sundae) which was beautiful.  The waiter said “you can take a picture.”  But I didn’t – it was delicious, though.
We will be returning in March to see many more museums, monuments and churches.  We already have our reservations at the Marieke.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

Here are the sheep on the farm: