October 2, 2011

Another cold rainy day in Maryland. Lots of little sparrows chewing at the seeds of the purple flowers outside of our windows.  I wonder why they are doing that instead of eating the bird seed I provide in three (count 'em) feeders.   I guess purple flower seeds are tastier.

Here is the main headline in our local newspaper for today:

RAINS CAUSE SURGE IN FUNGI

While we wait for Governor Christie to decide whether he is going to get into the Presidential race, I will purge my mouse pad of remaining notes.

1.  Postal Service?

We are waiting to learn if we will have 5-day mail service.  Meanwhile, Germany has privatized their Postal Service.. and this has been followed by a first-class stamp increase to what would be for us: 68 cents.  Be prepared.

2.  Handy Andy

I just learned that the first TV work by the now retiring Andy Rooney was titled:  An Essay on Doors.

3.  Gas attacks? Gas, a tax.

DC papers report an exploding toilet.  No details available as yet.   Meanwhile, even as we speak, the WAMU Cojo Show is having a debate over whether a rise in the Federal Gas Tax is needed.  Most of the local bridges were constructed around 50 years ago and that is the average lifespan for a roadspan.  Right now, 40 to 50 cents of each gallon of gas we buy goes to State or Federal Highway Funds.

Elaine says that there is a fantastic solution to all kinds of money problems in the DC and Baltimore areas.. just make the Baltimore and Washington Beltways toll roads, in the manner that some North-South Highway Toll Booths are set up.  When you get off, drop a quarter in the pot.  Millions of cars use these beltways each day. 

4.  Whew! Or as we used to say: P U!

XM Radio has a Doctors Channel.. where people can call in and have their questions answered by Doctors who are experts in their fields.  Yesterday, a Doctor who has spent 20 years studying body odor was on call.  I could not believe the different types of odor problems that people can have.

One youngster has had bad breath since she was a baby.  The problem may be that certain bacteria are living a good life on the back of her tongue.  They need to be dislodged from their happy home.  This is usually a hereditary condition passed on from family member to family member.. in this case, the grandmother, who has always had fetid breath liked to kiss her granddaughter quite a bit when she was a new-born, and in that way, probably shared those bacteria.

Armpit smell is also probably caused by a specific set of bacteria.  I think the Doctor said it is curable.

Meanwhile, check out an amazing article on the billions of bacteria that live upon and inside of us.  The article is in an equally amazing new magazine:  ID (Ideas and Discoveries) dated October 2011.  A newer issuance of the magazine comes out on October 12, 2011.

5. New Laws in Maryland

Effective on October 1st, 2011:

a.  No READING of text messages in a car, whether driving or stopped at a light.  Sending is already outlawed.

b.  Fortune tellers can now legally receive money for telling fortunes.

c.  No funeral protests can be staged within 500 feet of the place where the funeral is taking place. !!

d.  Carroll County Commissioners can serve for 4 years, followed by another 4 years, if reelected.

6.  Good news for retired Presidents!

You don't have to be dead now, to be honored on a US stamp!

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