Life In The Weeds

What's up with the Stink Bugs

Do you have a pre-historic looking bug hiding in the folds of your window treatments?  Or, under the lampshade down the hall?  And, when you kill said bug, the entire area stinks?  Well, that is a Stink Bug!

 

Where did they come from?  As it turns out, stink bugs are Chinese imports, first reported around Allentown, Pa., in 1996.  They were first identified in New Jersey in 1999 and are now found throughout the area. 

They probably arrived in packing material with shipped goods — isn’t everything we buy these days made in China? Since touching down in America, the Asian stink bug has made remarkable progress for an insect that can take half an afternoon to make its way across your living room.

The good news is that that are totally harmless...the bad news is that, like skunks, they are equipped with glands that squirt a foul-smelling liquid as a defense against predators. The smell, is released when they are crushed or disturbed.

You’ll be happy to know that your government is on the case. The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is working on a pheromone trap, similar to those that attract Japanese beetles.

Unfortunately, I have not seen anything on the market yet...so, co-habitation with Mr. Stink Bug is the only solution.

mj

 

Looting, a Moral Dilemma?

When is looting, not considered looting?  

According to Merriam-Webster:

Looting - 1 a : to plunder or sack in war b : to rob especially on a large scale and usually by violence or corruption 2 : to seize and carry away by force especially in war

With the recent 8.8 earthquake in Chile, there have been many pictures of residents "looting" throughout neighborhoods.  Though, if you look closely, it's not flat screen televisions and jewelery these folks are carrying...it's milk, food and basic essentials.  

Is it still considered looting, if what you are taking is needed to survive?

I think not!  When a cataclysmic event occurs, your survival instinct kick in...do whatever you can to keep your family alive and well.  Once life as you know it returns to normalcy, then go wait on-line to buy groceries...

mj

What's in a name?

There seems like there is always a story behind the naming of your child or children?  

Well, this story is no different.

This past Sunday, a little baby girl was born, in flight, at 24,000 feet!  She was born two weeks early as her mother was heading to La Paz on a military-run commercial airline -  Transportes Aereos Militares.   A doctor and a nurse who were passengers on the flight helped out.  The airline is commonly known as TAM, so the little girl was named Tami, while soaring through the skies.

Here is the best part - and a customer service lesson for sure - the airline will give the Tami free domestic flights until she reaches age 21. She'll also get a scholarship through high school at a Bolivian Air Force school.

Now that's a great way to earn customers!  

Can you see an American run airlines doing the same?  Not me!  Any of the big airlines would likely charge for the extra passenger and ban that mother from future flights!!  

Though, I can see Jet Blue embracing this sort of customer service...and Jet would be a pretty cool name for either a boy or a girl.

mj

Feel Good Story

We have all received "feel-good" e-mails with video clips embedded.  If you are like me, your immediate reaction is to hit "delete" and move-on to the million other things you are working on at any given moment.

However, for some odd reason, on this particular clip, I hit on the link...and stayed through the end.

It's 6 minutes out of your day and worth the view.

It will humble you and force you to ask yourself, "do I really have it that bad?" or "I'm I really doing enough?"

Enjoy.

mj

Hope in Haiti

If you have a morsel of compassion in your body, than, like me, you have been reading and learning about the massive earthquake that rocked Haiti.

Yesterday's NY Post cover was especially disturbing...but the cover, in a not so subtle manner, puts into perspective just how awful the situation is "on the ground" in Haiti. 

What sent chills up my spine was seeing the man's wedding ring...just awful!!

Reports are saying that there may be up to 500,000 deaths.  Let me put this into perspective...

...the population of Haiti and NYC are almost the same - just under 9 million people.   Our nation was devastated during the attacks of 9/11 - two totally different circumstances, I know - when we lost 2,751 lives.  The Nation mourned and saw images that looked like a war zone after the Towers fell.

Now, in a third world country, JUST IMAGINE what the scene is like for the citizens of Haiti!

Pray for those folks...I am!

mj

Lifting the Fog

I can't be the only one trying to make their way out of the mysterious Fog that engulfs you from 12/24 through the New Year...ANY New Year!

What is it about this time of year?  Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining...but there is something strange about human behavior during the Christmas Break season, as it were.  

We feel a strange urge to drink and eat more than usual, while at the same time, we feel the need to do less, much less, than usual.  In addition, we feel compelled to bathe less often and dress less frequently...and then, there is the desire to stay up much later, while sleeping more...not just later, but napping as well.

It's no wonder the most popular New Year's resolution is exercise!

If you suffered from the above symptoms over the last couple of weeks, then, right about now,  you know what lifting The Fog means!!

mj

Left, Center, Right

Left, Center, Right is a remarkable "parlor game".

The best thing about it is that everyone who plays it for the first time loves it and says "How come I never played this game before?"

No, the best thing about is that anyone can comprehend the rules in about 3 seconds. 

No, the best thing about is that the early leader rarely seems to win.

No, the best thing about it is that you are never out of the game.

No, the best thing about is that each game is winner take all.

No, the best thing about it is the group gets loud while they play.

No, the best thing about it is the drama at the end of each game.

No, the best thing about it is that there is no skill involved.

No, the best thing about is that you can play with any amount of people.

No, the best thing about it is that it only costs about $7.00.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

Happy New Year

Wishing you all the best for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

From the staff at Life in the Weeds.

mj

A Christmas Miracle

With the Christmas only two weeks away, Christmas decorating is in high gear!

For me, in addition to the traditional outside/inside decorations, I have a "special" task each year.  In fact, for the past several years, my Christmas Star has become a bit of an attraction in the neighborhood.

I have a beautiful 60' Norway Spruce in the front of my house and, each year, I climb to the very top and secure a big star on its peak.  Last year, I made a nice sturdy, cedar star and covered it with lights...this one really looks good!

So yesterday, I tied the extension cord around my waist and started the accent to the top of the tree. It's a fairly easy climb, although when you get towards the very top it always seems to get a bit tricky and a little breezy...which brings on the swaying!

I secured the star, attached the extension cord and descended...another successful climb!

Once I dropped to the earth, I set up (3) spotlights around the base...to up-light the tree...it's a nice touch.

Once all the lights were in place, I began the intricate extension cord "dance"...once all the cords were in place, it was time to flip the switch.

The spotlights looked great and as I peered to the top of the tree, all I saw was darkness!  The Christmas Star was not working.  Now, at this point, I'm sure you're asking..."well, you plugged the star in before you made the climb...to check the lights, right?"...reasonable question...to which I answer, "NO!"

I double checked the cords...triple checked the cords...still nothing!  And, by the way, it's now pitch black outside!  Time to make a nighttime climb!  What a complete pain in the arse to have to take all the lights off the star (attached by staple gun!), buy new ones, re-attach, re-climb.  This day was the day for the "star" project...not another!

Just as I was about to make the leap to the lowest branch, I heard my 7 year old, Maddie..."Dad, dad, it's on, it's on...the star in on!"  I looked up in disbelief...it had, in fact, turned on!

There is no reasonable explanation for what Maddie and I witnessed last night...we both are relatively sure it was a Christmas miracle.

mj

The Biggest Loser - Video

See with your own eyes!!

Last nights, Season Finale

Click on the second video, Part 2 - click ahead to 23:25 to see all the finalist.  The most incredible piece of this video is the HOLOGRAPHIC comparison of the final two contestants.

Skip ahead to 23:25, and then 24:50 - watch this clip and tell me that your jaw does not drop!!

mj