MIN: Most Informed Nation.

Today's Tids Issue 3,245

Opening Stuff:

 

Don’t you get the feeling during this time of year that all the wonderful memories you have stowed away; every great thing you ever experienced; every beautiful person you have ever known -- all starts rumbling in your heart. Like a little earthquake, the tremors start with one menial thought that grows into a stimulating feeling, and then each other beautiful memory feeds upon other rising to the surface until you have a volcanic explosion. And you look out from that loving heart and the world looks good. There’s just so much good stuff in the world trampled upon by negativity that it takes the purity and wonderment of what Christmas really means to reactivate all of the awe you have stowed away, that fills your body and soul with love. Better than a sack full of presents any day. Ventricular. Ventriculay!

You have think that young couples who insist on their first home having a fireplace have a deep seated belief in Santa Claus.

USA Cultural Question of the Day: Why did Bruno Mars wear gold leaf hair curlers to his performance of Uptown during the The Voice finale last night. Forget, the ruble, the Pakistan massacre, the Australia attack, the bomb threats against The !interview, the Budget, Jeb Bush, Alex Rodriguez and Dick Cheney -- that’s what America really wants to know.

The Question:

One way to get a handle on the really serious interests of the USA denizens is to check Google search data. What were the most searched topics on Google for 2014?

The Headlines:

--Market up Early; Awaiting YellenSpeak; Interest rate Increase Timeline Could Hurt Riskier Stocks; EuroStocks In Red; Ruble Rebounding As Russia Sells Foreign Holdings.

--Congress Votes To Extend 50 Tax Breaks.

--PA US District Court Judge Arthur Schwab Finds Parts Of Obama Immigration “Legislation” Unconstitutional; Says O Usurped Congress And Are Invalid.

--Hacker Bomb Threat Cancels Premiere Of Movie Satire The Interview.

--Weak Ruble Holding Global Economy Hostage.

--Putin Holds Late Night Talks With EuroCommunity On Ukraine.

--Boston Joins LA, DC and SF To View As American Olympic City Candidate To Vie With Berlin, Rome And Possibly Paris For 2028 games.

--Court Says No To Taxpayer Funded Sex Change For Imprisoned Wife Killer.

Fractured Republican’s Department:

I personally have always felt that Rush Limbaugh was one of the big reasons why GHW Bush lost to Clinton, and now the conservative powerhouse has already started in on Jeb because of his moderation…which could give us another Clinton. They should have a statue of Limbaugh in the Clinton library. It’s only a stones throw from Missouri. He can visit often.

You have to wonder if the Saudi’s are a part of a US plan to bring Russia and Putin to their knees. Well, the Saudi stance on oil is certainly working against Russia, and I have to believe it isn’t just a coincidence. Last night Putin rushed to set up  a meeting with the EU powers. Maybe he should have also invited a Desert Prince.

Gingerbread and creamy Lemon Sauce sounds like a good old fashion idea for traditional Christmas dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. In a mixing bowl add slowly to ½ cp shortening ½ cp sugar until light an fluffy. Add beaten together one egg and ½ cp molasses. Separately, mix together 1 ½ cps flour, ¾ tsp salt, ¾ tsp soda, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¾ tsp ginger. Add dry mixture alternately with ½ cp boiling water t molasses mixture, beating well after each addition. Bake 34 mins in greased pan at 350 degrees.

For the sauce, mix together ½ cp d=sug,2 tsps cornstarch and ½ tsp salt. Slowly stir in 1 cp cold water and cook over low heat, stirring, till thick and clear. Stir small amount of hot mixture into 2 egg yolks. Add yolks to back hot mixture and cook one min, stirring. Remove from heat add, 2 tbs butter, I tsp grated lemon peel and 3 tbs lemon juice. Heat for one minute until butter is melted and all is well combined. Pour warm over ginger bread with whipped cream. Taste the tang!

I think The Voice voters got it right because I have been a Craig Wayne supporter! Frankly I thought he was great as he eased in to become a natural part of Leonard Skinner and “Sweet Home Alabama”. In truth though, the pop singer’s two, Matt and Chairs, probably had a split vote among the youth markets while country strong never wavered for their man. Last night Chris was terrific with Jessie J singing Masterpiece, and I liked the five women in red singing Bang-Bang. You have to figure that Sugar and Danika were pretty popular among the singers as they were each invited to 3 of the four “Call-Backs”. Adam looked heartbroken at the winner announcement. Hey, the four finalists were all good and I think Chris will latch onto a star, though his personality needs a little stimulating. Craig Wayne though is a natural (As is matt McAndrew) and could do well in Nashville. I think “That Old Rugged Cross” and “I Walk the Line” won it for him.

When Obama’s guy Axelrod says Jeb Bush would be formidable against Hillary, I really begin to worry.

Here’s a list of 9 oil related stocks that could be prime for pumping: Synergy Resources, HollyFrontier Corp, Dorchester Minerals LP, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Exxon-Mobil, Reserve Petroleum, Trecora Resources and Adams Resources and Energy. Check your broker first.

Doug Flutie wasn’t that much shorter than Johnny Manziel, and to me the Natick Mass flash was far better, even though he was always an afterthought in the NFL. He, a frequent MVP in the Canadian Football league, always performed well when  down in the NFL, but could never get beyond the “small” thing. I think it is wait and see with Johnny football. Maybe he could borrow Doug’s heart.

Is it an eerie premonition or what that Walking Dead is the first TV show to beat Monday Night football in 27 years? Is too much football on TV wearing out the bleary eyed public? Is this the first crack?

In case you are interested, Bruno Mars wore gold leaf hair curlers because he thought the Song “Uptown” was so 1970”s. How deep is the ocean?

The Answer:

The most searched item on Google in 2014 wasn’t #5 – the “Ice Bucket Challenge” or #4 – the disappearance of Malaysia Airline 370 or #3 – Ebola Outbreak or #2 – The World Cup. It wasn’t ISIS, the November elections, Ukraine and Putin, the stock market or the China economy. It was the suicide death of Robin Williams! How blue is the sky?

I think I’ll just go out for a walk and enjoy my happy heart! Yup, that sounds just about perfect.