samhexum

Mickey Rooney: "Amateurs!" Elizabeth Taylor: "I'll bet not a one was a senator or a construction worker!"

DUH! RE: Kraft Mac & Cheese: A. I just leave a little pasta water in the pot & add the cheese powder to it, leaving out the butter & milk. Not quite as good, but totally fine and less fat & calories. Sometimes I'll throw in some spinach and/or minced onions. B. Sadly, last night's grocery delivery was out of stock on the 3 boxes of family (double) sized boxes for $1.12, and there had been no substitute option available. C. I have noticed that when Stop & Shop is discontinuing a cartoon characters version, they sell them for 57 cents. Last fall I ordered 4 boxes of Pixar Cars after checking that the substitution option was a box of the regular version, and it worked just as I planned... they had exhausted their supply and I got 4 regular boxes for 57 cents. Last month I ordered 9 boxes of Unicorns & Rainbows and got... 9 boxes of Unicorns & Rainbows. There's a slight benefit... those cartoon versions have about 70% of the volume of the regular versions, and (since, as you say, one box is a single serving) I'd rather have 30% less available to eat, especially since it's still a better value at a cost of 57 cents. I'd eaten 2 boxes when I tried a smaller order 2 weeks later of 2 boxes of Unicorns & Rainbows and I got... 2 boxes of the regular size for 57 cents. D. I know it seems like I subsist on Mac & Cheese, but I average about 1 box a month.

But is @MikeBiDude's gorgeous bread finer than Joe Burrow's buns?

You don't think starvation and the death penalty are punishment enough?

Why couldn't they just use CGI?

Prime just made THE AVENGERS unavailable in my area. Without Steed & Mrs. Peel there's no point in having it, but since I ain't the one paying for it, I ain't canceling it.

anything you can do, I can do better... California woman survives four freezing nights in totaled truck after it fell 250 feet into canyon

Teenager busted for taking subway cars on a joyride in Forest Hills that must've been quite a sight, those subway cars rumbling down Austin Street...

Has it been that ugly for 65 years? Egad!

I believe they were still called the Brooklyn Superbas back then.

I think if Unicorn were still a participant here, he'd feel a song coming on right about now...

Secretary Buttigieg has grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9s 'until it is safe.'

Thanks for your sympathy, @MikeBiDude; I am trying to be strong and not show my heartbreak. I also didn't get my 3 boxes of Maggi chicken boullion cubes for 32 cents apiece, my 3 family-sized (double) boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese for $1.12 apiece, or my three 57 cent 150 calorie protein bars. I DID get McCormick ground Tumeric 1.87 oz and 3 boxes of Streit's Mediterranean Matzos (olive oil & sundried tomahto flavoring), both for $1.05, Cool Whip Reduced Fat (2 @ $.82), Campbell's Beefy Mushroom Condensed Soup (2 @ $.62), Stop & Shop Chopped Spinach 10 OZ BOX $.50, and two 4-packs of Energizer AAA rechargeable batteries-- regular price $15.79, sale price $1.58. I don't have the recharging equipment, but for that price I can just throw them away when they die. Their sales run F-Th. Once you submit an order, your prices are locked in as long as you get delivery within 7 days of the date you submitted your order, so I've developed a system to shop 2 circulars at once. I place an order on the last day of a sale (Th) for the following W or Th, then the next day when the new circular drops I supplement my cart with any new sale items I want. I didn't realize until tonight's order was finalized that I had missed maximum strength exlax for $2.25, which is ridiculous, and a clearance on Sylvania Xmas lights... a string of 100 for 70 cents, 300 for $2.00, or 100 LED for $1.20. I'm Jewish, but I think they're cheerful & I don't pay for electricity, so I'm splurging for $.70. I'll be submitting the order just after midnight for next Wed. I always take the 4:30-10PM slot, because you get $5 off for it, and I apply that as my tip. I'd regale you with more tales of my special shopping skills, but I don't want to make you too jealous.

Big shock! Sold out.

Retired St. John’s environmental professor pens book on Alley Pond Park The same year that William Nieter began teaching at St. John’s University in 1976, a group of environmentally minded community members opened the original Alley Pond Environmental Center on Northern Boulevard. Almost five decades later, with the surrounding park and its center unrecognizable from the early days, the idea to write all about it came to him. Nieter’s new book, The Story of Alley Pond: Past Present Future, chronicles the volunteers who continuously showed up with utmost care to rehabilitate and preserve one of the most ecologically unique areas in the city over the course of 11 chapters. Nieter was one of APEC’s first board members and served as president at one point. After wrapping up his final class, he retired from academia in May 2023. A couple months later, his chronologically structured book filled with original photos he acquired over the years was released through Amazon Publishing. It was the culmination of months spent sifting through public sources at the Queens Public Library, and over a dozen interviews he conducted with those familiar with Alley Pond’s history. “Everything that happened at APEC was a giant group effort. There was a whole cast of great people, so that’s part of the reason that I wrote it,” said Nieter. “I wanted to sort of give tribute to them and honor them.” He refers to the founders of the organization, Joan and Hy Rosner, as the greatest people he’s ever met. A chapter is dedicated to the two environmental educators who first envisioned turning the long-neglected area that used to be a construction dumping site into a community resource and educational center. But Nieter also wanted to inform people of the area’s unique history, noting that many of the center’s current employees and volunteers weren’t even born when the group was formed. He says it’s important for them to learn about the struggles and collective effort it took to transform APEC into what it is today. He added that especially for the teachers, who bring thousands of students through APEC’s doors on class trips each year, the book can serve as a valuable tool with insights into the diverse ecosystems home to hundreds of bird and wildlife species. As a professor who taught various introductory and advanced courses on ecology and coastal systems, he brought his students on trips to APEC almost every semester. They would conduct research by profiling the water and sail through Little Neck Bay, which sits at the park’s northernmost edge. As the Director of Environmental Studies at the university, a position he held for 38 years, Nieler also coordinated internships for students at APEC. Many of his students ended up being environmental educators and professionals themselves. “I don’t know if other people who don’t know the area would be so interested in it. But I think there’s got to be a million people in northeast Queens that know the park in some way or other,” said Nieter, noting that he doesn’t expect the book to become a financial success. But he decided that the profits the book does generate will be passed along to APEC as a donation to support the organization. The first time that he visited Alley Pond Park was as a youth living in Jackson Heights. He recalls his father packing everyone into the car and driving out east to set up for the day in a picnic area. “It was like being in the country. For a city kid to travel out to eastern Queens in the 1950s, everything was green and open,” said Nieter, who ended up moving to the area in the late 80s and decided it was where he would raise his kids. Putting the book together was a family effort. His wife, Vicke Nieter, who taught at St. John’s in the English Department, edited the 158-page book and helped him polish it up. And his son, a graphic designer, created the cover. In December, Nieter attended the grand opening of the brand new building now home to APEC alongside dozens of others who watched the center grow over decades. While he previously served as president and treasurer on the board, today he runs APEC’s advisory council with six others who have a close connection, and care for APEC deeply. “It really is an amazing thought that the building will carry us into the rest of the 21st century,” said Nieter. “But we still have a lot to do. There’s more environmental problems now than there were when we began with very problematic climate change, and loss of biodiversity. APEC is going to be affected by both of those.” However, he is optimistic about APEC’s future knowing that it is in the hands of “brilliant” directors, educators and volunteers who are carrying on the legacy. The Story of Alley Pond: Past Present Future can be purchased on Amazon as a paperback or kindle edition.

Einstein, meh! What did HE know?

origaminithologist

Dear Abby: My grandmother and I have lived together for the past 22 years. She raised me from the age of 3. We used to be best friends. However, over the last few years, things have changed. We don’t agree on a lot, and we have very different opinions on almost everything. We argue and fight with name-calling, threats and a lot of disrespect. I have suggested we go to counseling a couple of times, but she’s never shown any interest. I know I have an anger problem, which I take full responsibility for. I also know the best thing to do in these situations is probably to turn around and walk away, but sometimes she pushes my buttons and I can’t help but fight back. I understand this is a problem that needs to be fixed, and I want to, but I don’t know how to start. I know you’ve written a booklet about anger. What can I do short of moving out? — Out of Control in Colorado Dear Out of Control: By admitting you have an anger problem, you have already taken a significant first step in dealing with it. You and your grandmother aren’t the only people experiencing heightened emotions these days. We live in increasingly stressful times that have affected most of us in one way or another. Because you are now an adult, the nature of your relationship with your grandmother may have changed. As adults, you are entitled to your own opinions. However, reasonable adults don’t try to inflict their opinions on the people they love. Recognizing what causes these flare-ups can help you avoid taking anger out on each other. It takes self-control and maturity to react calmly instead of exploding. Saying, “We both feel strongly about this. Can we discuss this another time?” and then going for a walk can help to maintain a calmer perspective. My Anger Booklet contains many suggestions for managing and expressing anger appropriately in various situations. This is a skill that will prove increasingly important as you grow older. It can be ordered by sending your name and address, plus a check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price. We live in a time in our society when anger and divisiveness have reached new heights. As we have seen in the media, explosive anger is the most dangerous of all. Perhaps anger management should be taught in schools to help people more effectively communicate in a healthy manner. IGNORE MY BLATANT CASH-GRAB, KILL THE BITCH, AND SAVE YOURSELF A FEW BUCKS. Dear Abby: I have been dating this girl for eight months. She tells me she and her ex-boyfriend remain good friends, and that he is her best friend. She sees him regularly and says she has gotten over him. I plan to marry her, but she wants to invite him to our wedding. The ex gives my girlfriend money. She says no sex is involved. Should I drop her over this? — Alarmed in Texas Dear Alarmed: Probably, because accepting money from her ex-boyfriend indicates she is not independent of him A WHORE.

This isn't a pun; it just cracked me up:

Dear Abby: My girlfriend is the loveliest, smartest, most compassionate and supportive person I know. We have been together for a year and a half. When we first met, we hung out a few times. When I told her my feelings toward her, she responded that she was in an open relationship, so I backed away. Months later, we met up again. I helped her with a carpentry project, and she said she was done with the open relationship stuff and wanted a monogamous relationship. I agreed. We have a caring, supportive relationship that means the world to me. Multiple ex-boyfriends call her and want to hang out, and she wants that, too. What bothers me is worrying the exes’ intentions may not be good, yet she feeds into it and tells me I need to trust her. I struggle with jealousy, anger and distrust when this happens, and I have shared those feelings with her, but she can’t let these folks move on. She says I’m stealing her freedom and controlling her by asking her to ignore them. This is the biggest problem in our relationship, but everything else is great. Are my emotions wrong? — Insecure in New Hampshire Dear Insecure: Your emotions are not “wrong.” Your emotions are your emotions. Sometimes there is sacrifice involved when we form new relationships. Your girlfriend may have many fine qualities, but if she can’t understand that you feel these former lovers are a threat to your relationship, rather than attempt to “control her,” realize she isn’t the girl for you. IS A THOUGHTLESS, SELFISH, INSECURE SLUT. Sorry! Dear Abby: I have developed several serious health conditions that won’t get better. I am at high risk for respiratory illnesses. Even a common cold can have a serious impact on my life. My family just doesn’t get it. My husband does not understand my situation and my needs. His social life puts me at risk, yet he continues to attend large gatherings and events such as concerts. I have had COVID twice, and avoiding hospitalization is crucial. I’m currently on oxygen and will be until I die. There are places I would like to visit, and things I would like to do while I still can. But my husband balks, especially if his plans need to be changed. I can’t do these things or travel without assistance. I NEED him now. With every “not now” and “we will see,” I grow increasingly frustrated and depressed. What can I do? — Bucket List in Kansas Dear Bucket List: Recognize the person you married is selfish and self-centered. “Not now” and “we will see” mean NO. (What a guy!) His refusal should not mean you mustn’t enjoy the activities you dream about. You may, however, have to become creative and arrange for someone other than your husband to accompany you. He may not like it, but please consider it. KILL THE BASTARD, COLLECT THE INSURANCE $, AND HIRE SOMEBODY YOUNG, STRONG, HEALTHY, & HOT TO ACCOMPANY YOU (& do other things for and to you) ON YOUR BUCKET LIST EXCURSIONS.

Resilient NY bull rider returns to compete at MSG a year after tearing his groin off at 'Unleash the Beast' event there are no words...