WordPress database error: [Expression #1 of ORDER BY clause is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_posts.post_date' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT DISTINCT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, count(ID) as posts FROM wp_posts WHERE post_date < '2024-03-18 21:36:18' AND post_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' AND post_status = 'publish' GROUP BY YEAR(post_date), MONTH(post_date) ORDER BY post_date DESC





    • The 2006 Weblog Awards



      Design by





























Bette Midler: Tree Discrimination!!

Environmental activist Bette Midler has gotten herself into a bit of a spot:

LIHUE, Hawaii — Bette Midler cut down more than 230 trees around one of her properties on the island of Kauai without a permit, and the state has recommended she be fined.

The staff of the Board of Land and Natural Resources recommended $6,500 in fines for having the trees felled and for building a graded road without permits required for the land zoned for conservation use.

Ms. Midler “didn’t realize permits were needed to remove the trees on a vacant 58,000-square-foot parcel of land on Kauai’s North Shore.”

“The whole idea with cutting the trees down was with the idea of improving the lot with native species” instead of the nonnative, invasive species that had grown there, Graham said. “It’s unfortunate that a mistake was made.”

The National Tropical Botanical Garden, which maintains three gardens on Kauai, will design a replanting plan that consists of appropriate native plants, Graham said.

A botanist hired by Midler after the fact said 120 Java plum trees, 100 octopus trees and 10 to 20 Madagascar olive trees that were cut down were all nonnative species. Some native trees also were removed from the property, the botanist said.

It’s rather interesting that someone who cares so much about the environment and global warming would fell well over 200 trees. Of course she’ll pay the fine, and of course there will be new, native trees planted in their places…does that make her close to godliness in the tree hugging world again?

Oh, and if Bette Midler, Tree Hugger Extraordinaire, can whack over 200 of her leafy friends, could she possibly remove 200 or so “nonnative, invasive” illegal immigrants from our side of the border? …oh, wait, sorry for my brief moment of EEEEEEEEEVIL Republican Thugdom.

Bette’s sure gonna have one VERY LARGE compost heap when this is all said and done. :-)

Bette? What did this tree ever do to YOU?

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='710' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


Mary Winkler…Justice Served?

Mary “Shot My Husband in the Back” Winkler is free after receiving 12 days in jail and 55 days in a mental health facility.

Mary Winkler, the Tennessee woman who shot her minister husband to death while he slept, was released back into society this week after serving just 67 days, most of it in a prison hospital.

Alright….so all the “poor Mary Winkler” people are going to be up in arms because I think this is a prime example of why the judicial system is so, well, broken.

Folks, this woman shot her husband in the back while he was sleeping. She let them lay there for 20 minutes while he bled to death. Their children were in the home when it happened and when she knew he was dead she packed up the kids and ran away. The experts are even saying they wouldn’t feel comfortable giving this woman a clean bill of health (i.e. she might kill again).

Consider this [emphasis mine]:

“Justice was definitely not served here,” Pirro told Vieira. “You had a preacher, who by all accounts was loved in his community, who was shot in the back while he slept. You have a woman who says she was abused with no history, no shred of evidence.

Matthew Winkler was a minister at the Fourth Street Church of Christ, a denomination that believes in a literal interpretation of the Bible, including Saint Paul’s teaching that women should be submissive to their husbands.

Mary Winkler’s attorneys claimed that she was beaten by her husband. She said at her trial that he made her watch pornographic videos and wear “slutty” outfits for sex. She said he was controlling and criticized her constantly.

At the time of the killing, the couple had been having arguments about their finances. Prosecutors introduced evidence that Mary Winkler had gotten involved in an online Nigerian check-kiting fraud and had written checks for thousands of dollars. That, the prosecution argued, was the real source of the friction in the marriage.

But the defense said there had been continuing abuse.

“What’s interesting, Meredith, at the trial, she took out a pair of high heels and she said, ‘This is how I was abused. He made me wear these heels when we were intimate with each other,’” Pirro said. “That’s not abuse. This is ridiculous.”

Alright…so let me get this straight. One human being is allowed to kill another human being when:

A person says they are abused.

Um, there was no evidence.

A man “makes” a woman watch pr0n

Oh, wow….what a reason to kill someone, especially the father of your own children!

A husband would like his wife to wear “slutty” outfits for sex.

Sheer torture, for sure! I think that’s the first time I ever heard of a man who would like his wife to dress provocatively for sex [insert sarcasm here].

That darn husband was controlling and critical.

Solution: Shoot him in the back while he’s sleeping, let him bleed to death for 20 minutes.

Arguing about finances

If this is an excuse for murder, wouldn’t more women be shot for going shopping at Kohl’s?!?

Wearing high heels

Methinks the designers should take all the responsibility for high heels. No, really!

Anyway….all this to say that there is not one reason this woman should be walking free today. Thanks so much, jurors! There are hundreds of cases of horrific spousal abuse that happen regularly. It’s awful that this can happen, but it isn’t a one-way ticket to a murder spree either. Go to a shelter, file for divorce, report the abuse, grow some balls…you have children to protect from such a thing! I can only imagine the 911 call “oh, wow…please help me! My bastard of a husband is making me wear 4″ stilettos again! OH THE ABUSE!!!” …and this woman is fighting against the grandparents, who have filed for full custody of the kids. HOW DARE SHE. She murdered her husband while they were in the house. If she’s positioning herself to get full custody of the kids, and if a judge awarded it to her, it would be by far the most ridiculously STUPID judge ever. I wouldn’t trust her in my own city, let alone with my kids anywhere near her. I wouldn’t want my husband within shooting distance, either.

“In 60 days you can start somebody on a medicine if you felt that he or she was depressed,” he said. “You can see the results of that medication kicking in. You might be able to do psychological testing to see if there’s any underlying delusion or fixed and false belief like paranoia. What you can’t do, you can’t predict the future with anything like certainty.”

If she’s capable of killing once, what makes these people think that she won’t do it again?!?!?!? There’s something broken inside of her. And don’t give me the old PP-depression script again. That is a slap in the face to the millions of women who manage their symptoms every day and don’t manage to shoot their spouses in the back, while they are sleeping, and watch them bleed to death for 20 minutes.

Seriously, though, justice was NOT served here…and if you see her in Tennessee and you are getting your dry cleaning done, just don’t turn your back on her or you’ll be sorry!!

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='709' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


Can We All “Coexist?”

My dear readers - I need your input. I saw a bumper sticker on the way home from work and I want your opinions….would you put one of these on your bumper? Why do you feel that way?

This is the one I actually saw:

The symbols on this one are the Muslim Crescent/Star, Peace Sign, Man & Woman, the Jewish Star of David, Baha’i Star, Taoist Yin Yang and a cross representing Christianity.

Then I found this one on the ‘nets at “Stamp and Shout” (I won’t link, but it’s pretty easy to get there if you want to look):

Slightly different symbols: Islam crescent/star ; pentagram for Wicca; relativity formula standing for science; star of David for Judaism; the Karma Wheel on the ‘i’ representing Buddhism; Tao symbol; and the cross for Chrisitianity.

Talk amongst yourselves….topic….”Coexist!”

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='708' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


Those CRAAAAZY Criminals: Juanita Marie Jones Edition

This crazy criminal proves to the rest of us that if drugs don’t kill ya, they just make ya stupider:

ROCHELLE, Ga. (AP) - A woman was arrested after she called police to help “get her money back” after she was unhappy with the crack cocaine she purchased.

Juanita Marie Jones, 53, called Rochelle Police late Thursday night after she purchased what she thought was a $20 piece of crack cocaine, according to police reports.

She called them because once she smoked some, she realized it was fake. When she showed the drugs to the officers, she was promptly arrested.

Score: Smart & Responsible Police Officers - 1 / Crack-smoking, brick-short-of-a-load druggie - 0

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='707' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


Flowers and a Dumbass

Okay….so before I am so hasty as to call this guy a dumbass, perhaps I should listen to his story.

MISSOURI CITY, Texas — A Missouri City, Texas, man has filed a federal lawsuit against 1-800-FLOWERS, Inc. after they sent his wife a thank-you card for flowers he ordered for another woman.

That didn’t take long, did it?!? What a DUMBASS! Read on…

MyFOXHouston.com reported Leroy Greer ordered a dozen red roses and teddy bear through 1-800-flowers.com for a woman while he was in the middle of divorcing his wife. However, at the time the flowers were sent, Greer and his wife were reconciled.

After Greer ordered the flowers in April, 1-800-flowers reportedly sent a thank-you card to his home, which his wife saw.

So he’s suing the flower company for damages?!?!?!? Uh, Leroy? When you placed that order, it was YOUR actions that caused the damages. Hey there, Leroy?!? Here’s a tip for you. When you are contemplating reconciling with your WIFE, don’t send flowers and an “I LOVE YOU” note to the woman you were messing around with. Oh….and maybe you SHOULDN’T CHEAT (I mean you weren’t yet divorced and there was a chance of reconciliation, right?). OH, and I have ordered from 1-800-FLOWERS before…they don’t have a section called “send flowers to the woman you are messing around with…we won’t tell.” So…did you forget to tell your wife about this woman as you were attempting to reconcile? Or did you forget that little tidbit of information??!?!?!? GET.A.CLUE! MORON! You made your bed, so why don’t you take responsibility and lie in it?

Over at My Fox Houston, they have a statement that was released by 1-800-FLOWERS [emphasis mine]:

“We take pride in creating relationships with our customers by recognizing and thanking them for their business. We take all matters relating to our customers seriously; however, we are not responsible for an individual’s personal conduct. Beyond this, it is the company’s policy not to comment on pending litigation and legal matters.”

EXACTLY!

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='706' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


I Can Follow Where Others Lead….

Yanno, I’ve been spending the week thinking about how I might write a post to describe what our weekend adventure to Nashville was like. But why should I when others do such a good job?!?!? Go check out this stunning piece over at 6MB!

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='705' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


One Corner of the World Just Got Safer…

…self-inflicted justice? Who cares….no more kids will be exploited by these pigs:

A couple featured as wanted child predators on The O’Reilly Factor Wednesday were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide shortly after the segment aired, sources tell FOXNews.

Paul and Myrtis Gauthreaux were wanted by the FBI for engaging in sexual conduct with minors and appeared on a segment of the show that profiled alleged child pornographers.

I dunno how this relative feels, but their actions should be applauded:

After seeing the O’Reilly Factor segment, a relative of the couple called them before notifying the FBI of their whereabouts. When federal investigators arrived at their home, the Gauthreauxs had fled to an undisclosed location. The FBI said Paul Gauthreaux shot his wife dead before turning the gun on himself.

No appeals, no taxes needed to house and feed them. Case closed.

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='704' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


LOSER AWARD: Flame on, Fool!

Nope. Criminals aren’t dumb. Not at all…

TWO RIVERS, Wis. (AP) - An 18-year-old man was severely burned Thursday after he lit a flame while trying to steal gasoline from a riding lawnmower. He and another 18-year-old man were in a Town of Two Rivers shed early Thursday, trying to extract the fuel from the mower.

Yes…lit a flame while trying to extract [steal] gas from a mower.

At one point, they decided they needed more light, so one of them ignited burning materials, according to Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Inspector Gregg Schetter. The gasoline then exploded, Schetter said.

Not the best prepared, are they? Anyone ever heard of a FLASHLIGHT moron? Didn’t you know it was DARK in the middle of the night?!? Oh, well. If there weren’t such STUPID people out there I’d have even less to write about!

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='703' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


What is….146?

146 is the number of my homegrown tomatoes that I blanched and peeled tonight, in preparation for canning. Oh….and that doesn’t include the 25-30 that aren’t yet ripe, or the 8 billion (or so it seems) still in the garden. My fingers feel like the outside of the driest.raisin.evah.

My Roma tomatoes are getting ripe now, which is exciting. I’m planning on canning spaghetti sauce out of them. We eat a lot of pasta in the winter, and I can’t think of anything better than homemade sauce fresh from the garden!

/garden geek

Heh.

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='702' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


Kung Pao Beef Recipe

This is the first year we are growing a *real* garden (let’s not discuss the tomatoes, though…they have literally taken over most everything!). My hubby has a love for peppers, and we’ve been pulling dozens of peppers out of the garden…including Kung Pao peppers. So….in thinking about some of my favorite Chinese food, I started searching around for a good Kung Pao Beef recipe. I found one from Tyler Florence here, but had to do some modifications to fit our taste and because some of the ingredients aren’t in our regular grocery store. I hope you enjoy this as much as my hubby, who has declared this recipe part of the “top 5″ list!

Kung Pao Beef

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin
1 tablespoon Tamari soy sauce (regular will do as well)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon sherry
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 tablespoons light colored oil
3 fresh Kung Pao peppers, split
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1/2 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon whole black pepper, toasted and crushed
3 green onions, cut in pieces
1/2 red bell pepper, cut in very thin strips
2 tablespoons Tamari soy sauce
3 tablespoons sherry
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch, stirred into 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

Very thinly slice steak, against the grain. Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, sherry, egg white and salt in a bowl. Add the beef and stir to coat. Marinate for 1/2 hour to an hour, covered in the refrigerator.

Place oil in a wok and turn heat on to high. Add the Kung Paos and cook until they begin to darken. At this point, you can choose to remove them from the oil or you can keep them in…I usually remove half of them. Add garlic, ginger and crushed black pepper, cooking for about 30 seconds to a minute. Add the green onions and red bell pepper. Remove the steak from the marinade and add it to the wok. Stir-fry the beef until brown. Add soy sauce, sherry, rice wine vinegar, sugar and chicken broth. Stir the cornstarch mixture and add it to the wok. Stir until slightly thickened. Serve over Jasmine rice (the best rice for Asian food….YUM!).

WordPress database error: [Expression #3 of SELECT list is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_comments.comment_type' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
SELECT comment_author, comment_author_url, comment_type, MAX(comment_ID) as comment_ID, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_content,'strong',2) as trackback_title, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',1) as pingback_blog, SUBSTRING_INDEX(comment_author,' » ',-1) as pingback_title FROM wp_comments WHERE (comment_post_ID='701' AND comment_approved = '1') AND (comment_type = 'trackback' OR comment_type = 'pingback') GROUP BY comment_author, comment_author_url ORDER BY comment_ID DESC LIMIT 50


    WordPress database error: [Expression #1 of ORDER BY clause is not in SELECT list, references column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_posts.post_date' which is not in SELECT list; this is incompatible with DISTINCT]
    SELECT DISTINCT MONTH(post_date) AS month, YEAR(post_date) AS year FROM wp_posts WHERE post_date < '2007-08-01' AND post_status = 'publish' ORDER BY post_date DESC LIMIT 1

    WordPress database error: [Expression #1 of ORDER BY clause is not in SELECT list, references column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_posts.post_date' which is not in SELECT list; this is incompatible with DISTINCT]
    SELECT DISTINCT MONTH(post_date) AS month, YEAR(post_date) AS year FROM wp_posts WHERE post_date > '2007-08-01' AND MONTH( post_date ) != MONTH( '2007-08-01' ) AND post_status = 'publish' ORDER BY post_date ASC LIMIT 1

    August 2007
    M T W T F S S
         
     12345
    6789101112
    13141516171819
    20212223242526
    2728293031  
    • WordPress database error: [Expression #1 of ORDER BY clause is not in GROUP BY clause and contains nonaggregated column 'merri_wrdp1.wp_posts.post_date' which is not functionally dependent on columns in GROUP BY clause; this is incompatible with sql_mode=only_full_group_by]
      SELECT DISTINCT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, count(ID) as posts FROM wp_posts WHERE post_date < '2024-03-18 21:36:18' AND post_date != '0000-00-00 00:00:00' AND post_status = 'publish' GROUP BY YEAR(post_date), MONTH(post_date) ORDER BY post_date DESC