Math

A lot of kids hate math when they are in school. Well, too bad. Kids, suck it up and learn the basics. Grown ups who did not learn basic math in school need to follow suit and learn the basics, at least.

There are good jobs out there that go unfilled because employers cannot get competent help. Part of the problem is that in any of the trades, you really do need a comprehension of basic math. If you are building or repairing anything you must be able to figure areas and compute quantities of materials. You need to work with fractions and percentages. Many cannot do this and thus cannot do the job.

Yes, there are calculators, but it is ridiculous to drag one out anytime you have to do a simple calculation. It is time consuming and employers, quite correctly, view time as money. In fact, those calculators are part of the reason kids do not really learn to work with numbers. Back in the dark ages, when I was young, such instruments did not exist and we learned to do math with pencil and paper and our brain (yes, that makes me sound old, but who cares; I learned).

There are on line courses, night schools and books in libraries. If you lack basic math skills, seek instruction. Unless you want to spend your life  serving fast food or cleaning other peoples messes, you must become competent in math.

Winter Gardening

With another ice storm about to hit large parts of the Country, most folks are not thinking about gardening. But, if you wish to have a nice Spring garden, you can get started now.

This is a fine time to plan. Look at seed catalogues and gardening guides to find varieties you want in your garden. Get an idea of how you need to space them and how quickly they grow. Then, you can sketch out a simple plan of your plot's layout. Walk around (be careful if you have ice) and get a mental picture of what you want and where you want it. If you are in an area that gets no snow and ice, you can even start to mark out your plot, using string to lay out the lines.

Some plants can be started now, using a neat trick. Build a small box, and put a sheet of glass over the top. You now have a mini greenhouse. Even when it's very cold out, you can start seedlings and be ready, when the weather breaks, to set out hardy little plants. Note: some plants do not like being transplanted, so consult your garden guide or a local nursery for advice.

Finally, this is an excellent time to spend some time with your tools. You want every blade sharpened and a; engines properly serviced. When the warm weather comes, you want to be ready.

Meatless Meals

I am not a vegetarian. I love meat. But, I also love my veggies and, from time to time, both for health and financial reasons, a meatless meal is a good idea. Now, in the warm summer, that can take the form of a good salad, b ut when it's cold out, you need something warm and hearty.

There are a few vegetables that can take the center stage in a meal. First, beans; pintos, northern, black, any will do.. They provide a world of vitamins and minerals and a good bit of protein. They can be mixed with any combination of other vegetables and herbs and, besides being healthy, they are cheap. In the old days, we used to soak the dry beans overnight, then boil them until tender. Don't bother. Simply use canned beans; they are just as good and you can still mix them with anything and get a good flavor. I do not recommend frozen; they have no texture and come out like little rocks.

Mushrooms are another option. You do not have to use the expensive varieties. They are great, but you get good flavor from the plain old button  mushrooms. Remember, they cook quickly and they will absorb a lot of liquid.  Again, they have a meaty texture and will blend well with almost anything.

Then we have eggplant. This vegetable has a wonderful meaty texture and taste. Grilled, it is very nice. Like mushrooms, it will take a lot of liquid and if you saute it, it will take as much oil as you give it. Too many people think immediately of eggplant Parmesan, which is a fine dish, but let me give you a simple option. Peel and chop your eggplant into about 1 inch cubes ( it doesn't have to be exact). Boil in salty water until almost tender. Drain and set aside. Saute some celery and onion until tender and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, crumble a sleeve of Saltine crackers, add eggplant, celery and onion, then enough cold milk to make the whole thing a bit soupy. Add black pepper and thyme to taste. Then, stir in two beaten eggs and pour into a greased baking dish. Cover and cook at 325 about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover, and top with bread crumbs and grated cheese (whatever you like) and put it under a broiler until the crumbs start to brown. Let sit for 10 minutes and serve. It should have the texture of a good turkey stuffing and, oddly enough, everyone I've served it to agrees that it tastes like baked oysters.

Meat gets expensive and, while it is good for you, here and there, it is nice to serve an inexpensive, tasty, healthy meal centered around vegetables.

A Request

I'm taking time out today, from my usual ranting and babbling, to ask for a bit of help. No, this is not a request for money, but I have a situation.

I live in Brunswick, Ga, with my long time friend, Deb. We wish to move to N. Georgia, near, but not in Atlanta. This is just not a good place for us to live.

However, in this town, there are no train stations, no Greyhound stations, the only airport is for small private planes, and we have no car. Neither of us, due to vision issues, can curretntly drive.

We would like suggestions on how we might get to N. Georgia. We do not have a lot of belongings and we would be more than happy to pay for transport.

If you have any suggestions, please contact me. If anyone knows the feasibility of using Uber for long trips, your comments would be welcome. If you, or someone reliable who you know, wish to make a little money for about a 7 hour drive , please contact me. Contact me at wrightjohn996@yahoo.com.

Back To Work

The Holidays are over. The wonderful days of feasting and parties, of drinking and celebrating, of turkey and egg nog, are gone for another year. It is sad, in a way, but that really doesn't matter in the least, because they're over. Get to work.

Holidays are only fun because they are breaks from the norm. The norm is work and there is a lot to do. This will be a year of change. We have more than just a change in Administrations in our Government, we have a change in the whole philosophy we will be governed by. Like it or not, this year will be very different and the Practical American will be ready.

Do not be distracted by all the debate and quarrelling we are about to hear. Do your job, whatever it is, efficiently and cheerfully. At the same time, learn to do as many things as you can. If you have a trade, say plumbing, learn carpentry and/ or electrical work. If you have a brand new IT degree, good for you; now learn a trade. Got an MBa? Wonderful, learn the hospitality business. Why?

Simple. We are entering a time of change and one of the biggest area of change will be the economy. No one knows what twists and turns the job market will take, The more things you can do, the more sure you are of employment.

Take care of yourself physically. We do not have a clue how the whole health care mess will turn out, but if you are healthy, your worry goes down a lot.

Pay down your debts. I know that I write that a lot, but it is one of the keys to financial success. If you have to work two jobs for a while, get to it. In uncertain times, you absolutely do not want debt. At the same time, watch your spending. I don't think anyone should live like a recluse, eating Ramen noodles and cheap hot dogs, but use a bit of sense and don't overdo your luxuries.

In short, use your head and get to work. Those are the keys to, not just surviving, but thriving in the New Year.

Hangovers

Ah, the Holidays are over and, after a raucous New Year, many are waking to the joy os a hangover. You won't die, trust me, but you may feel like it. Despair not. There is a cure.

Drink some water, a lot of water. Maybe throw in some Gatorade for the electrolytes. Alcojol dehydrates and you must rebalance your fluids.

Eat something that includes a lot of bread. Heck, just eat some bread. This puts something in your stomach that will take up all the noxious chemicals that are rolling around in their and will rid you of that awful alcohol taste in your mouth.

Then, take some aspirin for that headache. Do not take this until you have water and food. Your stomach will not be happy.

Then, get outside. Get some fresh air and move around. You don't need to run a marathon, just some gentle exercise. If you sweat a bit, that's great.

Then take a nap. After an alcohol binge, you do not sleep, you pass out. They are not the same.

After that, you should be fine. Maybe not at your best, but pretty good.

Last note: There is of course the 'hair of the dog' treatment; in other words, having another drink or two. This does work, in a sense, but it really just delays the inevitable. If you feel so rotten that you feel you must have another drink to settle your nerves, make yourself eat, limit your drink to one, then get some sleep. Be careful; this is how drinking problems get started.

Anyway, you'll live.

New Year's Resolutions

It is a long standing tradition to make New Year resolutions. You know the routine: lose wait, quit smoking, exercise, save money, etc.  I'm not to big on these, but if you are, here's one piece advice.

Be realistic.  If you make resolutions and fail miserably, it can be a bit depressing. Failure usually comes from being over the top with your goals.

Want to lose weight? Don't set a goal of 50 pounds in the first month. You will not do that and, if you come close, you will likely wind up sick. 5 pounds is reasonable, and when you accomplish that, you can feel pleased.

If you have not exercised in years, don't start out trying to run 10 miles and lift weights for 3 hours each day.  Start with walking a mile and doing some stretching and calisthenics for twenty minutes a day. Work up slowly from there.

Saving money is always a fine idea, but don't tell yourself you are going to cut down to a diet of Ramen noodles and toast and bank half of your paycheck (unless you are in a deep financial crisis). You will not live up to that resolution for more that a day or two. Resolve to cut out a dinner out each week and save an extra $20. That will help your finances and, from there, maybe you can find other, minor corners to cut.

In short, don't set yourself up for failure. Keep your goals realistic. Have a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.