FUN FACTS & REDЯUM

Do you remember the classic novel written by Stephen King in 1977 called The Shining?  Did you also cringe in fear while watching the movie when it was released in 1980 with Jack Nicholson?  One thing stood out more than anything that I'll always remember -  REDЯUM. 

For a while it even seemed like we thought of every reason we could to drop that word into a conversation, or to use it scare someone. (lol)  Of course, everyone now knows it's murder spelled backwards, and was quite clever.

 

Here's a really simple recipe that may have you wanting to read that scary book one more time.

REDRUM COCKTAIL

 
Fill 6 glasses up with ice.  Then add 1 1/2 ounces light rum and a squeeze of lime juice to each glass.  Pour 1/2 can blood orange sparkling soda into each glass and you're ready to wow your friends.  Feel free to add garnishes of raspberries or strawberries or red gummi worms. To make it scary, place a black plastic spider beside each glass.

But...if you' don't want to be bothered with lots of cleanup, you can always just open up a bottle of Redrum which has 70 proof rum and  plenty of fruity flavors for your enjoyment.  

NURSERY RHYME
If you've never heard of Sarah Josepha Hale, you're probably not alone.  She wrote a poem you may remember called Mary Had a Little Lamb.(someone else wrote the melody to create the song)  But she did something else that's even more less known. Her campaign to legislators to recognize Thanksgiving was pretty much ignored for 17 years until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln finally issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation recognizing the 3rd Thursday in November as a holiday, getting all the credit.

TRIPLE D
If you've been reading this blog, you already know that I always watch  foodie type programs, and I adore Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on The Food Network.  The show has been going strong for 10 years, and here's a few secrets about the show.

1)  800 restaurants have been featured on the program
2)  Guy collects older American cars
3)  Featured restaurants go through extensive telephone interviews, that can sometimes last a really long time
4)  Restaurants that use premade, or frozen items are not considered
5)  The Food Network chooses the featured meal, not the owner or chef

GIRL SCOUTS
When I was a kid, Girl Scouts were around all the time, but now I pretty much only see them when it's time to sell cookies. Even then, they're not in uniform. I can't really remember any advertising telling people how to join, but just in case you're if you're interested in having your child join in NC, or to find out more information, the number to call is 800-284-4475.

The past few months have been traumatic to say the least.  Bad weather in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico causing so many to lose their homes and the bare necessities necessary to live life.  Then to have a man possibly believed to be mentally ill, making the choice to open fire into a crowd of thousands of people at a concert in Las Vegas.

We can't always understand God's plan or the plans of the Universe on why certain things happen.  Also, we may not know exactly what to say to a person who has been injured, or grief-stricken due to the loss of a loved one. 

What we can do is listen, lend a shoulder to cry on, offer compassion, remain kind, open-minded and supportive to each other.  

I'm reminded of a powerful song written and sung by Bill Withers in 1972 called Lean on Me, which is still very relevant today. 

Lean on me, when you're not strong 

And I'll be your friend 

I'll help you carry on 

For it won't be long 

'Til I'm gonna need 

Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride 

If I have faith you need to borrow 

For no one can fill those of your needs 

That you won't let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand 

We all need somebody to lean on 

I just might have a problem that you'll understand 

We all need somebody to lean on