I've Got Your Number

Today is October 31st, 2011 and on this day, give or take a few days, weeks, or months, the population of the world is arbitrarily set to reach 7 billion people.  The population of the earth has doubled during the past 50 years.  Next week, I'll turn 50, which means that I've been here to witness the earth doubling over.  I was the 3,115,745,978th person brought into the earth on the day that I was born, although my mom can hardly be held accountable for all of that.  I was also the 76,838,271,249th person to have ever lived throughout history.  Curious about your number?  Follow this link but don't forget to enter your birthdate the European way (first day, then month, then year):   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515

The World's Worst Campaign Ad

It could be worse . . . I just can't think how, at the moment, but I'm sure it could get worse.

The End

Moammar Gaddafi is dead.

Osama bin Laden is dead.
 
Let's leave Libya, Afghanistan & Iraq. 

The end.




A related post is "The War Works Hard."

Apple Crisp Recipe

This time of the year, in the heart of the U.S. Midwest, a visit or two to the apple orchard is always in order.  My grandparents operated a wonderful peach and apple orchard in southern Illinois (Berthold Orchard) so I grew up with strong opinions about varietals.  My favorite apple is the Jonathon and this has never changed.  I use either Jonathons or Granny Smiths for this recipe, because they have the perfect texture and tartness.  I leave the skin on because this is where the good stuff is and I think it adds flavor & a little "al dente" to the dish.  My family likes things a little light on the cinnamon but you can safely double the amount of cinnamon in this recipe if you think you'd like a heavier cinnamon taste.  Jonathons are the perfect eating apple so be sure to pop a slice into your mouth while you're baking.  Drink some orchard apple cider for the full effect.

So You Think You Can Write?

If you're already writing eloquent comments in response to some of my blog pieces (you know who you are) and you've always wanted to publish something, I want you to strongly consider submitting a written piece to ViewsHound (www.viewshound.com) before October 16, 2011.  You could win a $250 cash prize for doing so.  And, even more importantly, so could I . . .

During my three months of submitting written pieces to ViewsHound, I've earned $260 in prize money and I've never had a piece rejected.  They are very good about publishing various points of view so even if (especially if!) you disagree with something I've written, this is your chance at rebuttal.  I'm a big advocate of written expression and I think that more people have this skill languishing inside of them instead of being developed.  Writing is like any other skill in life:  the more you do it, the better you get and the more confident you feel.  So . . . get back on that horse and ride.

Here are the official instructions:

"Go to a great site I use called ViewsHound, at http://www.viewshound.com, sign in and enter "Debutopia" for “Where did you hear about us?” Then submit an article, photo or cartoon for them to publish. Whoever recruits the most new authors wins $250, and your submission could win you $250 too, in addition to ViewsHound’s daily cash prizes. Please do it today and let’s see if we can win!"

On Monday, October 17th, 2011 the $250 prize money came my way!  I'd like to thank you if you were one of my readers who submitted a written piece to ViewsHound.  If you didn't submit a piece, remember that it's never too late to start writing.