Greek or Latin Root of the Day

ambly - blunt

Zappa Quote of the Day

I think people are entitled to decide for their own future; people control themselves. I also think that in a democracy a government functions because (and only as long as), individual citizens grant that government a "temporary license to exist" - in exchange for a promise to behave. In a democracy you control the government, not the other way round.

Free HallMark Greeting Card Coupon. This is so you poor college students can be sure to get your Mother's Day cards.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

alve - pit, socket

Zappa Quote of the Day

I hate love songs. I think one of the reasons for the bad mental health condition of the US is that people grow up listening to love songs. It's a training that in your subconscience creates a desire for a fantasy situation, that will never become real for you. People that buy this myth will feel cheated the rest of their lives... As they start dragging about love as a romantic concept - especially in the lyrics by the sensitive singer/songwriter type - we're even a step closer to a total mental breakdown.

This is some pretty elaborate penny stacking.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

altissim - tall

Zappa Quote of the Day

If someone wants religion that's fine with me - I support your right to enjoy it. However I would appreciate it if you could show some more respect for people who don't want to participate in your faith, fulfilment or destination.

Saturday Update

Today will be a shopping day. I also plan to work in the yard to get the rest of the leaves and sticks cleaned up. I also need to look for tomato plants, pepper plants and eggplant. Bobo is with us this weekend, yeah! I think she is getting into watching "Dead Like Me". Thomas will have to watch the first season while he is home.

The grill is being a real bugger to get the regulator thingy changed. I'm sure Doug will get it under control by tomorrow.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

alopec - fox

Zappa Quote of the Day

While all other guys spent all their money on cars, I bought records (I didn't have a car). I went to second hand stores to buy jukebox records with rhythm and blues songs.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

allium - garlic

Zappa Quote of the Day

Am I a sexist? If you look at the number of lyrics I've written about "women in humiliating positions" compared to "men in humiliating positions", then you'll find out that most of my texts are about stupid men. The songs that I write about women aren't meant as unreasonable attacks upon them, but are about things that happen.

Thursday Update

Wow it is Thursday already. This week is going fast.

The tulips are starting to bloom. I will have to send my official blog photographer, the Basher, out to take pictures. I also finally got some of my flower seeds put in the flower bed and sunflower seeds planted near the house. Now if I can keep the bunnies away from the seedlings.

I don't think Nadia should have been voted off of Idol last night. But I guess I can't complain if I don't vote.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

allant - sausage

The Official Wartburg Coloring Book

Zappa Quote of the Day

Most reviews of my albums bypass the musical content, because writers that have sufficient knowledge of music hardly ever write about rock 'n roll. Whatever image I have in the pop music business, it's mostly based upon opinions by people who aren't qualified to give such opinions at all.

Here is a nice arrangement Ashley made for last Sunday. 

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

alb - white

Zappa Quote of the Day

I know you've problably all heard it, folks, but I'll say it once again: the American constitution states that church and state are separated.

Secret Worlds: The Universe Within

View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Then move through space towards the Earth in successive orders of magnitude until you reach a tall oak tree just outside the buildings of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. After that, begin to move from the actual size of a leaf into a microscopic world that reveals leaf cell walls, the cell nucleus, chromatin, DNA and finally, into the subatomic universe of electrons and protons.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

al(i) - wing

Zappa Quote of the Day

The sad think about the Sixties was the weak-mindedness of the so-called radicals and the way that they managed to get co-opted. I think one of the things that helped that happen was LSD. It's the only chemical known to mankind that will covert a hippy to a yuppie.

Monday Update

The first barbecue of the season was a hit. The burgers were good, I didn't have a hotdog. Deb brought some really delicious potato salad. Mary brought deviled eggs and a tasty fruit pizza with strawberries and peaches. Sara brought yummy cheese cake dessert that her Mother had made. Doug's baked beans were the best. No, really, Johnny said "This is the best batch Doug has ever made." Sara also brought little smokies in barbecue sauce. Of course, we forgot to put out one menu item, potato chips. No one even noticed they were missing until almost everyone had finished eating and by that time no one even wanted any. Needless to says, everyone was stuffed and very satisfied!

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

agro(st) - field

Zappa Quote of the Day

With the power of soul you can do anything you wanna do.

Sunday Update

Today is going to be very busy. I plan to plant some sunflower, marigold and black-eyed Susan seeds today. We also still need a prize for the Name Deb's Dessert contest. And we did not find a regulator for the Weber grill. If Ace hardware doesn't have it, we will be grilling the old fashioned way over charcoal. We also still have cleaning and the usual Sunday preparation work to do.

Ashley is excited, Keeley found her a date to the prom. His name is T.C. and he goes to Linn Mar. Oh, those Linn Mar boys.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

agrest- rural, wild

Zappa Quote of the Day

Never stop and keep going
Advice to young musicians.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

affer- carrying to

Zappa Quote of the Day

Americans like to talk about (or be told about) Democracy but, when put to the test, usually find it to be an 'inconvenience.' We have opted instead for an authoritarian system disguised as a Democracy. We pay through the nose for an enormous joke-of-a-government, let it push us around, and then wonder how all those assholes got in there.

Friday Update

Well it is finally Friday. It has actually been a good week. I did not work on Monday, finally went to the dentist. Nikko got voted off of 'Idol'. 'Lost' had a very good new episode. And we have been really enjoying watching 'Dead Like Me'. It is a Showtime series that is about Grim Reapers and their work. It is very, very funny.

Congrats to Thomas on your nomination for SSTA treasure/publicist.

Greek or Latin Root Word of the Day

aestiv- summer

Zappa Quote of the Day

Bad facts make bad laws

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

aegopod- goat-foot

Zappa Quote of the Day

Nuclear explosions under the Nevada desert?
What the fuck are we testing for?
We already know the shit blows up.

The Excuse-O-Mat

For those of you who need some new excuses.

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

adventit- coming to

Zappa Quote of the Day

This is Frank Zappa saying, Don't do speed. Speed turns you into your parents.

...but grass and acid are o.k.

Tuesday Update

Well, it's back to work for me today. Yesterday was a wonderful day to have off. I think it actually got into the 80's. I finally went to the dentist. The worst part was the x-rays. I really don't like those cardboard things they put into your mouth. It looks like I will be keeping the dentist busy for awhile. I went outside and started to clean up the garden area and the patio. It got too hot outside though, so I did not get finished. That is all for now, I have to get ready for work.

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

adipo- fat

Zappa Quote of the Day

May you'll never hear a vloerbedekking again.

The beginning of "Theme from Lumpy Gravy," performed in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Vloerbedekking means "carpet" in Dutch. It must be one of the Frank's made up musical terms translated into Dutch, just like putting eyebrowes on something.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

ad- towards

Zappa Quote of the Day

"Watch out where the huskies go, and don't you eat that yellow snow"

Latin or Greek Root of the Day


acust- sense of hearing

Zappa Quote of the Day

There will never be a nuclear war; there's too much real estate involved.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

actin-

Actin filaments are dynamic polymers whose ATP-driven assembly in the cell cytoplasm drives shape changes, cell locomotion and chemotactic migration. Actin filaments also participate in muscle contraction.

Zappa Quote of the Day

Stupidity has a certain charm -- ignorance does
not.

Make Your Own Paper Toys

Just print, cut and glue.

Zappa Quote of the Day

No change in musical style will survive unless it is accompanied by a change in clothing style. Rock is to dress up to.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

actin- ray

Here are some of the pictures we took at the Noelridge greenhouse on Easter Sunday.

I really liked this Bonsai.

Another nice Bonsai. 

Bananas anyone? 

I always like to see flowering cacti. 

This was a very lively fish, but the Basher managed to snap a good shot. 

I like this. 

Pretty! 

Oooh! 

Aah!

Thursday Update

Thomas left on his trip to Dallas yesterday. He called several times last night and it sounded like he was a bit travel weary. He will probably be a bit tired today. I hope he has fun.

I don't think Jessica deserved to leave American Idol just yet. It should have been Anwar! I see that Fantasia will be singing on Idol next week.

Lost had a pretty good new episode last night. Kind of freaky. Next week is supposed to be a new episode as well.

Zappa Quote of the Day

The language and concepts contained herein are guaranteed not to cause eternal torment in the place where the guy with the horns and pointed stick conducts his business.

Touching is good, see for yourself.

Greek or Latin Root Word of the Day

acri- acrid, sharp

I ran out of Gilda quotes. So, for those of you who missed it, I am going to try the Zappa quotes again. I hope I don't repeat myself too much.

Zappa Quote of the Day

You can tell what they think of our music by the places we are forced to play it in. This looks like a good spot for a livestock show.

April 1968, Chicago, Mothers of Invention open for Cream

Monday Update

Yesterday was a very good Easter. However, it went by way too fast.

Our Easter meal was the best ever. Thomas loved the 'real food' so much, I think he hurt himself. Brian was very glad that we invited him. We also went to the Noelridge Greenhouse. Way too many old people and kids! Thomas and Ashley got some good shots of the plants and fish though. I will post pictures sometime this week.

Deadwood was so good, it went by very quickly. When it was over Doug and I looked at each other and said, "Wow that was a quick show." Carnivale will be back for another season. I can't believe every thing that happened on the last show for this season. But, when you stop to think about it, it all makes sense. Just the same, I'm not happy about everything that happened.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

acin- cluster of grapes

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

"Doctors are whippersnappers in ironed white coats

who spy up your rectums and look down your throats

And press you and poke you with sterilized tools

And stab at solutions that pacify fools.

I used to revere them and do what they said

Till I learned what they learned on was already dead."

-poem by Gilda Radner

Sunday Update

This Sunday we are just having a small family dinner rather than a Soup Sunday. Ashley's friend Keeley will be joining us. Brian might join us if he does not go to his Mom's.

On the menu:

Pork Roast
Cottage Pie
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Brown-N-Serve Rolls (White & Wheat)
Peach Delight
Orange Scones

Chloe went to Minnesota for Easter dinner with Jim's relatives. And Thomas will be leaving back to Wartburg this evening. He will be there for a few days and then he will leave on his Dallas trip for the teacher conference. I hope his trip is safe and fun.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

aceto- acid

Acid Definition: A chemical species that donates protons or hydrogen ions and/or accepts electrons.

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.

Greek Or Latin Root Word of the Day

acetabul- vinegar cup

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

"Mr. Ltener you sound like a really attractive guy. You belong in New Jersey."
--Gilda Radner as "Roseanne Roseannadanna"

Friday Update

Yeah, it is Friday!! Boo, I have to go in early. Doug said, "Oh, you have a date with Old Tony?"

We are all together as family, for 24 hours at least. A very rare occasion. Thomas came home about 5:30 last night and proceeded to leave to see Diedre's grandmother in the hospital at 6:00. He got back home after I went to bed. The girls went out late last night, a rare occasion as well. They were going to the bowling alley, but it was a league night with a $5 cover and a long wait for the first open alley. So, instead they went to get ice cream. They were helping Chloe's friend Katie, she got set up with a blind date from her Sister. I guess the guy was nothing to look at. Needless to say they left the house shortly before I went to bed.

Doug has had his up and down moments all week with his cold. At times it seems he is getting better and then all of a sudden he feels awful again. Get better soon honey.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

acer- without horns

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

"If humor was the foundation of my life, men were definitely the first floor"

Signs of Spring, indoors anyway. At least the Christmas cactus' know it is Spring. I think someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. 

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

acanth- prickle

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.

It snowed last night. Blahhh!!!

I thought it was supposed to be Spring.

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

abduc- lead from

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

" I can always be distracted by love, but eventually I get horny for my creativity."

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

ab- away from

Example:
abnormal (departing from abnormality)

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

"Fame changes a lot of things, but it can't change a lightbulb."

Sorry about this game guys. But, I couldn't resist.

Monday Update

Soup Sunday was very good again. Both soups went over very well. I think Doug forgets that most everyone has at least one bowl of each soup. Again, there was no potato soup left over for him. Deb's fruit salad was outstanding as always. She left some here for us. Thanks Deb.

The girls are home all week for Easter/Spring break. Chloe will be working three days (or playing as she puts it) and so far Ashley is not scheduled to work at all. She is not looking forward to a smaller check.

We watched the second to the last episode of Carnivale last night. It is getting so intense. Deadwood was really good also.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

a(n)- without, negative, not

Example:
asexual (without sex)

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

Doctors are whippersnappers in ironed white coats Who spy up your rectums and look down your throats And press you and poke you with sterilized tools And stab at solutions that pacify fools. I used to revere them and do what they said Till I learned what they learned on was already dead."

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

zyg - yoke, union

Example

zygote (a fertilized cell)

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap.

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

"It's always something"

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

Amphioxus, a common name that means 'double-' (amphi-) 'pointed' (oxus), or the 'double-pointed' animals (originally it was a genus name for the lancelets, which are pointed on both ends)

Friday Update

Yesterday was St. Patty's Day. Most everyone at work had the day off, except for our little department. But even some of our department got to leave to be in the downtown parade. The parade went past our building, so people kept getting up and looking out the windows at the parade. The day wasn't bad though. We had a food day. I brought in White Chocolate Popcorn that was tinted green (very yummy).

Today Chloe will be coming to spend most of her Spring break with us. She will be here until next Friday. She will even get to see Thomas a little, as he told me last night he will be able to come home on Thursday.

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

Archaeopteyx, a genus name that means 'ancient-' (archae-) 'wing' (pter), or the 'ancient-winged' animals

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

I'd rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they're first to be rescued off sinking ships.

Patches the Horse Who Thinks He Is a Dog

Very cool sidewalk art.

Latin or Greek Root of the Day

Arthropoda, a phylum name that means 'joint-' (arthro-) 'foot' (pod), or the 'jointed-foot' animals

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

"Never mind!"