U2 Sings “Magnifcent” in Morocco

Having lived in Morocco nearly two decades, this is not only one of my favorite songs, but contains stunning dramatic 2009 views of Morocco. It appears the video was filmed in a riad in Fez.

Mexican Lion Saves the Day!

Mexican Lion Prevents Break-Ins

According to multiple sources on the internet, a New Mexico garage owner became tired of repeated break-insto steal tools and supplies from his place of business.

So he came up with a new idea.  He let it be known that his new Mexican liion would attack anyone seen climbing his fence, or breaking in.

Thieves saw his “lion” from a distance, and immediately fled the scene!

–Madame Monet

Santa Caught Napping on the Job

This sleeping Santa has been making the rounds by email!

Clever State Motto Slogans

These clever state motto slogans came from The Beachcomber.

1. Alabama: Hell Yes, We Have Electricity
2. Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can’t Be Wrong!
3. Arizona: But It’s A Dry Heat
4. Arkansas: Literacy Ain’t Everything
5. California: By 30, Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda
6. Colorado: If You Don’t Ski, Don’t Bother
7. Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only the Kennedy’s Don’t Own It Yet
8. Delaware: We Really Do Like The Chemicals In Our Water
9. Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids
10. Georgia: We Put The “Fun” In Fundamentalist Extremism
11. Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha’ami Leeki Toru (Death To
    Mainland Scum, leave Your Money)
12. Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes … Well Okay, We’re Not, But The Potatoes Are Real Good
13. Illinois: Please Don’t Pronounce the “S”
14. Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free
15. Iowa: We Do Amazing Things With Corn
16. Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States
17. Kentucky: Five Million People; Fifteen Last Names
18. Louisiana: We’re Not ALL Drunk Cajun Wackos, But That’s Our Tourism Campaign
19. Maine: We’re Really Cold, but We Have Cheap Lobster
20. Maryland: If You Can Dream It, We Can Tax It
21. Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden’s (For
    Most Tax Brackets)
22. Michigan: First Line Of Defense From the Canadians
23. Minnesota: 10,000 Lakes… And 10,000,000,000,000 Mosquitoes
24. Mississippi: Come And Feel Better About Your Own State
25. Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars At Work
26. Montana: Land Of The Big Sky, The Unabomber,
    Right-wing Crazies, and Little Else
27. Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest
28. Nevada: Hookers and Poker!
29. New Hampshire: Go Away And Leave Us Alone
30. New Jersey: You Want A ##$%##! Motto? I Got
    Yer ##$%##! Motto Right Here!
31. New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent pets
32. New York: You Have The Right To Remain Silent, You Have The
    Right To An Attorney
33. North Carolina: Tobacco Is A Vegetable
34. North Dakota: We Really Are One Of The 50 States!
35. Ohio: At Least We’re Not Michigan
36. Oklahoma: Like The Play, Only No Singing
37. Oregon: Spotted Owl… It’s What’s For Dinner
38. Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal
39. Rhode Island: We’re Not Really An Island
40. South Carolina: Remember The Civil War? We
    Didn’t Actually Surrender
41. South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota
42. Tennessee: The Educashun State
43. Texas: Si Hablo Ingles (Yes, I Speak English)
44. Utah: Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus
45. Vermont: Yep
46. Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs And Slack-jawed Yokels Don’t Mix?
47. Washington: Help! We’re Overrun By Nerds And Slackers!
48. Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?
49. West Virginia: One Big Happy Family… Really!
50. Wisconsin: Come Cut The Cheese
51. Wyoming: Where Men Are Men … and the sheep are scared…

What Makes People Happy? What the Gross National Happiness Conferences Have Found

This year, the fifth international Gross National Happiness Conference was held in Brazil.  The world’s first Conference was held in the Himalyan kingdom of Bhutan, where the ruler of that small country once declared, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.”  The second conference was held in Nova Scotia, the third in Thailand, and the fourth again in Bhutan.  The conferences are always held in late November.

According to  happiness research, once physical needs for shelter and food are met at a basic level, the following items become much more important in determining our happiness:

–Basic economic security,and good health

–Meaningful work, and a good work-life balance

–A sense of control over one’s life and employment, and the freedom to do what one chooses in life

–Friends and relatives one can count on, a supportive social network, and trust in one’s neighbors

–Lack of governmental corruption, and trust in one’s neighbors

–Behaving generously by choice

Denmark and Costa Rica are the happiest countries, followed closely by Finland, the Netherlands,  and Sweden.  Bhutan is currently rated 13th; Brazil is 9th; and the United States is 111th.

John Helliwell

Economist John Helliwell of the University of British Columbia, one of the world’s leading happiness researchers, was a speaker at the conference.  In the past, Helliwell has said that isolation from the community is on the increase, and adds that relatinships are more important to happiness than material wealth.  Also, even minor changes in trust toward management in the workplace can significantly increase happiness.

John DeGraaf, author of Affluenza, and a speaker at the fifth conference, argues that, “Shorter working hours—especially in rich countries—are key to happiness, health and long-term sustainability.  Indeed, it is clear that the United States, with among the longest working hours in the industrial world, scores far below northern European nations in calculations of leisure time, longevity and overall health, while having an ecological footprint nearly twice as large—and these facts can be seen to be clearly related.”

Pearl Harbor Day Tribute to S.E. Cowell, President of the Pittsburgh Brewing Company

1948 Olympic swimming star Robert Cowell (my father, who died in 1960, and who won a silver medal in 1948 for 100-meter backstroke) wrote this tribute to his own father (my grandfather) for his English composition class. Interestingly, the date on the composition is December 7, 1942.

A Brief Biographical Sketch of S.E. Cowell, by Robert Cowell (age 18)
Written December 7, 1942

Born on a farm in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1892 of English-Scotch-Irish oparentage was Sylvanus Einex Cowell. His very peculiar given name gave him trouble all his life. Disliking the name Sylvanus and thinking his grandmother’s last name of Einex quite out of place for a farm boy, he looked for a change. Admiring an oil well driller by the name of Sylvester he took it upon himself to use it for his first name.  Later on, while in college, the teachers called him Sylvia and this caught on for a while.  Some of his relations called him Sylvy.  Finally a few business acquaintances called him “S.E.,” and this has more or less remained his favorite name.  “S.E.” continued in its popularity and is now also most commonly heard.

When Cowell was but a child of five years, his family moved to West Virginia where he attended the first six grades.  Moving back to Point Marion, Pennsylvania, he completed the eighth grade by taking the county examination and finishing third, preceded only by his brother and cousin.

But he had read widely, in fact everything he could get his hands on; it was in this little one-room country schoolhouse that he actually began his education.  It was here that he learned good poetry.  In fact, he learned it so well that he was able to recite it to his children at their bedtime, many years later.

Against the advice of all his immediate relatives, he realized his ambitions to “get off the farm.”  It wasn’t because he didn’t like farms and country folk, for he loved them.  It was because he had an ambition spurred on by curiosity, to see the outside world, hidden until then deep in the realm of his small but oft-read library.  It was a dark day when he left home.  Defeat meant returning to work with his hands and listening to the many “I told you so’s” from his grandmother who insisted a good lad should be home “tilling the soil.”

He departed for the California State Teacher’s college (in Pennsylvania), where he was to spend his next two years.  Teachers were so few at the time that the state financed an education if the student would teach for at least two years following graduation.

It was here, in California, Pennsylvania, that he met his future wife, Laura Leota Butler.  Laura Butler, also a student at the school, came from an opposite environment from that of her future husband.  “City-bred,” she came from a historically distinguished family. A third cousin of General John J. Pershing, she was able to point proudly to her many relatives who had bravely served as high-ranking Colonial officers in the American Revolutionary War.

Although opposite in temperament to Cowell with his slow, easygoing manner, Laua Butler and S.E. Cowell loved each other with completeness and married several years later.

The school did much to develop the personality of this somewhat shy and bashful youth.  He became captain of the basketball team and ran the mile with the varsity track men.  He held the lead in the annual play and was a member of the glee club.

Following graduation, this lanky young man started his teaching career for thirty-five dollars per month.  Frequently younger than his pupils, he displayed his future executive capacity by sometimes finding it necessary to discipline older students, which in some cases probably were of superior physical strength.  It was at this time he was invited out to dinners which had pig’s knuckles for the main dish.  Completing two years as a teacher, Cowell decided school teaching would not satisfy his ambitions and he resigned.

Back home at the farm he found his family in a quite prosperous state and the proud owner of a Studebaker, one of the first cars to come into that section.  It was here that Cowell displayed amazing versatility by becoming a tool dresser.  He longed to go on to college and and his family was at the time financially capable of supporting such a venture, but as typical of his life, he “rowed the boat upstream” and dressed tools until he had sufficient money to start to college.  He had been writing to Washington and Jefferson College for two years trying to secure a scholarship.  Finally he made one of the supreme accomplishments—he had successfully sold himself and received a scholarship.  In doing this, he ahd displayed one of his greatest abilities—salesmanship.  Salesmanship was the spelling of his success story.

Life was pleasant at Washington and Jefferson.  He chauffeured, waited on tables, was Worthy Master of the Alpha Tau Pmega Fraternity, and was the roommate of “Pete” Henry, all-American football player.

In his senior year at Washington and Jefferson, World War I began, and he volunteered for active duty.

The war over, he returned a corporal and married Laura Butler.  He started selling insurance in Uniontown, Pennsylvania; and it was here, two years later, that his first child was born.  He was a boy named Robert Edward, vastly different from the antiquated Sylvanus Einex.

Seeing a chance to “get in business for himself,” he went into business partnership with his brother James and returned to California (Pennsylvania) to operate an ice plant.  It was at this time that he felt most discouraged.  He now had a daughter, Margaret Ann, and he was a college greaduate, still delivering ice.  Then came the depression and his ice business collapsed.  Through pure ability he managed to keep one job or another all through the depression and against his wishes took a job with the Victor Brewing Company and moved to Greensburg, Pennsylvania.  His ability was quickly recognized, and he soon became the one sales manager in the area who “never touched a drop.”

Remaining in this position for several years, he left to take a better position with the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, where he has since remained.

While with the Pittsburgh Brewing Comapny, he displayed his originality by naming a new beer the company wished to put on the market.  “Dutch Club” soon became a top seller and gave him a name in the brewing industry.

Although he leads a satisfying life, Cowell looks forward to returning to a farm someday and “watching things grow.”

The affable face of S.E. Cowell shows none of the ravages of wear and tear usually carried by self-made men.  It is a constantly beaming, bland, unlined face.  He is a big man and heavy through the chest and hips.  He keeps himself in good physical condition with numerous golf games in summer and long walks in the winter.  He is up at seven and frequently works until twelve (midnight).  However, even with this heavy, self-imposed routine he finds ample time to be a fine father.

Never in his life, has his son heard him use profane language or seen him take a drink of intoxicating liquor.

He devotes one evening a week to the family.  At this time the family meets to discuss their mutual problems and learn each other’s defeats and sucesses.

He and his wife’s ages are not actually their ages all.  He and his wife live in the age that their children live in, and they face problems together.

When his son is away at college, he will frequently send letters full of the soundest advice ever given to a son.  Frequently his letters outclass those of “A Self-Made Merchant to His Son.”  He will end them with, “Work!  Laugh!  Play!”

His philosophy in life is quality, not quantity.  His products sell at highter prices.  As a result he sells less, but has a higher net income than his competitors. He would rather fire one sixteen-inch shell than a hail of six-inch fire.

Overflowing with personality, he has friends everywhere.  He meets friends and acquaintances at every ball game and every city he visits.

Cowell enjoys watching baseball games and takes quite an active interest in his son’s swimming career.  He is quite varied in his interests and able to maintain quite an intelligent conversation on practically any subject.

Cowell enjoys good books, good movies, and outdoor life.  Through his example, hsi family keeps healthy.  Once a smoker of the two-packs-a-day calibre, he has stopped entirely.  He exercised this extreme will-power merely to illustrate to his son that smoking was quite unnecessary.

Although he goes to church seldom he gladly cooperates with his wife in seeing that the children go and constantly encourages his children to lead a Christian life by, as usual, setting the example.

An ardent listener of news programs, he reads extensively and is particularly well-posted on world affairs.  He often keeps quiet when big arguments start and never raises his voice.

As most World War veterans, he was quite disgusted to think of the British and French being defeated so sorely on the field by the Germans and turned from a pro-British to more or less an isolationist attitude.  Following Britain’s heroic and successful stand against German air attacks, he was inclined again toward a very much pro-British attitude.  While not regarding the French, Spanish, and Italians very highly, he utterly dislikes, yet admires the fighting qualities of both the Russians and Germans.

–Posted by Madame Monet

Meriem’s English Lemon Pie – Great for the Holidays

This recipe, which requires no cooking,comes from England, but it is amazing similar to American Key Lime Pie.

Ingredients:

2 cups crushed Butter Biscuits of any kind (Henry Biscuits, or Graham Crackers)

5 Tbsp. of freshly-squeezed lemon juice (slightly tart) or T. (less tart) , to taste

3 Tbsp. of sifted powdered sugar (omit with Graham crackers)

1/4 tsp. extra-fine salt (omit with Graham crackers)

2/3 cup of melted butter

1 egg

1 tin sweetened, condensed milk

PREPARATION:

1.  Crush biscuits into crumbs. In a large mixing bowl, add powdered sugar and salt; mix well.

2.  Melt butter, and mix well with crumb mixture.  Press into pie dish. (This makes a thick crust in a pie dish, and a thinner crust in a square or rectangular dish.)

2.  Blend together sweetened consdensed milk, lemon juice, and egg, using wire whisk.

3.  Pour onto biscuit mixture, and chill in fridge.

ENJOY!

Variation with Cream Topping:

Whip together 1 cup of whipping cream, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, a pinch of salt, and 2 Tbsp. sifted powdered sugar.  Spread over lemon mixture.

Paintings of Vancouver Artist Sai Hoi Ho, and Information About the Artist Now Located

Sai Hoi Ho Painting Owned by Mary Mimouna, in Marrakesh, Morocco (not for sale)

I purchased the painting above in Stanley Park, in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada, in the summer of 1980.  The artist was selling some of his oil paintings in the park.  He was probably in his 50’s at that point, and seemed like a nice gentleman.  I think I paid about $50 in the park at that time.

“Mr. Ho was born in Canton, China in 1926. He moved to Hong Kong in 1949. He became interested in painting in his early twenties when a few friends would journey to the countrysides in Hong Kong for painting excursions. He remained a self-taught amateur artist for twenty years while working as an editor for an art magazine. During these years he also travelled to southern Africa, South East Asia, Australia, and the Polynesian Islands.”

“In the late 1960’s, Mr. Ho decided to become a professional artist. He opened his own art gallery in Hong Kong that carried his paintings exclusively. He had also held exhibitions in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In 1974, Mr. Ho immigrated to Canada with his wife and two sons and has lived in Vancouver ever since. He chose to stay in British Columbia because of its natural beauty. He makes frequent trips to various B.C. locations for personal enjoyment as well as to create new works of art.”

“In addition to painting, Mr.Ho is a classical music lover and a devoted tennis player.”

Mr. Ho’s latest known address (also found on the back of Carol’s painting) was:  Sai Hoi Ho, 1564 Coquitlam Ave, Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada V3B 5N1. However, a friend in Vancouver was unable to locate him for me in the current phone book (2009).  If anyone out there has more current information, please do post it in the comments section below.

The above information about the artist was found by Carol Myers on the back of a painting her sister purchased in Stanley Park, in May of 1999.  Carol (currently in Chicago, Illinois) sent me a photo of the painting (currently in Arkansas):

Sai Hoi Ho Painting Owned by Carol Meyers: cagmyers@ameritech.net

Carol  explains, “My sister bought a Sai Hoi Ho painting of a Lily Pond in Stanley Park, in May of 1999. Since she is recently deceased, there is a very slight possibility the family will sell the painting (currently in Arkansas).  We are attempting to determine what she paid and its value at this time.”  Carol can be contacted at:  cagmyers@ameritech.net.

Mr. John Tymich, of Mission, British Colombia,  also has three paintings of Mr. Ho’s(shown below)  he is thinking of selling.  John can be contacted at:  shotgun.rider@hotmail.com.

Sai Hoi Ho Painting 1 Owned by John Tymich: shotgun.rider@hotmail.com

John says, “I bought these paintings in the early 80’s.  I can’t find any info about this mystery man.  These paintings are amazing.  All I know is that he did some work in the Gastown area of Vancouver, British Colombia, in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  I’d love to find out the value, and where he is on the web.”

Sai Hoi Ho Painting 3 Owned by John Tymich: shotgun.rider@hotmail.com

Sai Hoi Ho Painting 2 Owned by John Tymich: shotgun.rider@hotmail.com

A man named Geordie Gregg is interested in finding out more about the artist, and possibly in purchasing some of his work.

“Hello, years ago my parents purchased a Sai Hoi Ho painting also from Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C. I’m trying to find out more information about this artist. Do you know if there is a place or website where one can view more of his work?  I look forward to your thoughts. Thank you very much.  Cheers – Geordie Gregg 416-994-3434″

A woman named Marie T. in Québec, Canada is also interested in finding out more about this artist, and possibly in purchasing more of his paintings.  She has linked herself to:  Auberge du Sault-à-la-Puce, 8365 Ave. Royale, Chateau Richer, Qc GOA INO (418) 824-5659 (or toll-free number 1-866-424-5659).  Marie T. can be contacted at:  alapuce@total.net.

“I bought four paintings in Stanley Park probably in 1988.  I would be interested in buying some others.  I would like to see pictures, and your prices. –Marie-T.”

Someone named Sar is interested selling one of Mr. Ho’s paintings, and in purchasing others of his.  Sar can be contacted at: sarosea@gmail.com.

“I have a painting by Sai Hoi Ho. It’s in browns- a sampan on water with a touch of orange/red. It’s beautiful but I would like to sell it if anyone’s interested. it’s beautifully framed. I am having to downsize or I would never let it go. Also bought it in Stanley Park. would like to find a display of more of his paintings.  –Sar.”

A man named John C. is an art dealer with Oregon City Auction, in Oregon City (outside of Portland).  It is located at 1702 Washington Street, Oregon City, OR 97045.  The telephone number is (503) 657-4470.  This email contact is listed on the site:  jcody@oregoncityauction.com.  John says:

“Hello, I was also searching for Sai Ho artwork and it brought me to this site. They are really great pieces of work. I live outside of Portland, Oregon. I am interested in finding out more about his art also. Thank you–John.”

–If anyone else out there cares to send me more photos of Sai Hoi Ho’s paintings, and their contact details, I will be more than happy to add them into this post for others to find.  If anyone has any more current information on the artist, I would appreciate that information to be able to add it in here, as well.  I can be reached at:  wpm1955 at gmail dot com.  –Mary Mimouna

The History of Advent Calendars

Advent is the season in the Christian Church immediately preceding the celebration of Christmas.  Advent calendars were introduced by German Lutherans.  In the early 1800’s the Lutherans marked off the 24 days of the advent season by drawing a chalk line on their door each day.  Some families would light a candle each morning, or hang a small religious picture on the wall each day.

The first known Advent calendar was hand-made in 1851, while the first printed Advent calendars appeared in Hamburg, Germany, in 1902 or 1903.

These days, most Advent calendars are aimed at children, since it is children who most eagerly anticipate Christmas.  This belies the quesiton, “How many more days until Christmas?”  The Advent calendar answers this question every day.  As I child, I used to anticipate opening the doors every day with delight.

Advent calendars are made out of two pieces of cardboard, one laid on top of the other.  Twenty-four little doors are cut in the top piece, each door marked with a number from one, to twenty-four.  Starting on the first day of December, a door is opened each day, starting with number twenty-four, and counting down to one, until Christmas arrives on the twenty-fifth of December.

African Masks

Close to 100  African tribes make and use masks.

African tribal mask makers are not free to make any mask they want.  They must follow religious and spiritural rules.

Before cutting down a tree,  the mask-maker has to visit a wizard to undergo a purification ceremony and make a sacrifice to the spirit of the tree.  This purification ceremony protects the mask-maker against the rage of the tree spirit.

Once the first blow is struck with the axe, the mask-maker puts his lips to the tree and sucks out a small amount of sap.  This makes him become a part of the tree’s “family.”  After the tree is cut down, it must be left alone for a few days for the tree spirit to find another dwelling.  Even after the tree is chopped down, it continues to have miraculous powers, requiring the mask-maker to follow specific rules and practices.

When the mask-carver starts carving, he cannot freely make whatever shape he wishes.  The first rule is that the mask must represent his own ethnic group (of which there are over 1,000 ethnic groups).  If  not, he risks the anger of his entire village, and the rage of the tree spirit.  While the mask is taking shape, it is believed that the powers of the wood are increasing.

When the mask is finished, the wizard must hold a consecration ceremony which turns the mask into a dwelling place for the spirit to which it is dedicated, and afterward, the mask can be used in religioius ceremonies.

African masks vary in shape and appearance.

Ancestor masks have a serene look, while masks of non-human spirits have a bizzare face.  Masks with horns are used in exorcism ceremonies, while protruding eyes and cold expressions represent spirit posession.

White masks represent the dead looking in on the living, and round faces represent high degrees of spirituality.  C heckerboard patterns represent separations.  These can be separations between good and evil, men and women, or intelligence and stupidity.

Religious ceremonies with masks are allowed to be viewed almost excusively by men.  Regardless of the sex of a mask, the wearer is always a man.  Some villages even believe that if a woman sets eyes on a mask, she will die.  The mask represents a supernatural living person.  The person wearing the mask is considered to be in direct contact with the mask’s spirit. A mask offers a chance to a supernatural being for incarnation.  Because a mask is sacred, violating the rules of its use is punished severely, even by death.