Happy Birthday, Grover

He doesn't have a special holiday to celebrate his birthday, but Grover Cleveland, former President of the United States, was born on this day in 1837.

Cleveland was unique as a president for two reasons. First, he was the only two-term President whose terms were not consecutive. Even though he won the popular vote three elections in a row, he was actually elected only twice. Benjamin Harrison won more electoral votes in Cleveland's second try, interrupting his tenure and making him the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.

Second, he was the only President to be married in the White House. He married 21-yr-old Frances Folsom in his first term.

His Presidential Library is proposed to be built in Buffalo, NY, where he was once mayor. It is to be housed in the same building as the Libertarian Hall of Fame.

technorati tags: non-consecutiveterms, marriedinwhitehouse, grovercleveland, uspresident, vicki'sblog

Politics and Blindness

Monday in New York, when David Paterson is sworn in, he will become the first blind governor in the United States. Wow – a blind governor. Let’s take a look at other politicians who have been blind.

State Legislature
Many state offices over the years were held by people who were blind.

Pennsylvania boasted two blind representatives. Matthew Anthony Dunn (1886-1942), blind from the age of 20, was in the State House. Henry E. Lanius (c. 1885-1943) became blind in 1903. He was in the State House, then Senate, in Pennsylvania.

(read more)

technorati tags: vicki'sblog, blindpolitician, politics, disability, disaboom, paterson

Cold Enough for You?

Karissa in TX snow

Snowy tree in Texas

Kayla and Alicia's Snowman
Little Elm, TX

This winter has brought us all some pretty cold days. Last week it even snowed in Texas -- up to 9 inches in some places. But that's nothing compared to the olden days.

I'm talking really old days -- 1888! And okay, it wasn't Texas, but it was cold!

On the plains in January, an unexpected snowfall turned into the Schoolhouse Blizzard. The temperature dropped 20 degrees in a matter of hours. Over 500 people lost their lives due to hypothermia and freezing. Read the heart-wrenching stories of children stuck in one-room schoolhouses.

Why am I thinking about that today? The Schoolhouse Blizzard was only the beginning. Just when the country was beginning to get over that catastrophe, it started snowing again on March 11.

On this day in 1888, the Great Blizzard was in full force and would continue for two more days. Some areas of the northeast experienced 50 inches of snow! That's not drifts, that is the actual snowfall. Over 200 ships were grounded, telegraph, railway and fire stations were disabled. Once again, hundreds died. Cities were immobilized for days. This may have speeded up the subway system which opened in Boston in 1897, but I did not find documentation of that cause and effect. It sounds good.

technorati tags: snowintexas, vicki'sblog, worstblizzardever

Beans, Beans, Beans

Are beans as good as blueberries? Cynthia Sass of WebMD seems to think so.

* Bean Bible

Beans have high levels of fiber, protein, and vitamins. They are tasty and can be used in many dishes for every meal. They are not fattening, but they are filling so you don't overeat and still feel satisfied. They are simple to prepare and economical to boot.

While espousing bean benefits as "The Perfect Food," Cynthia shows specific nutrients of several different types of beans.

She makes a good case. I do include beans in my menus and recipes, but I'm not ready to give up my blueberries!

technorati tags: beans, nutrition, vicki'sblog

As Easy as Pie

We saw a movie on DVD the other night that really touched me on two levels

First, the Movie
Waitress is a sweet, funny movie about a young woman and her unwanted pregnancy. The story opens as Jenna discovers she is pregnant and she is not happy about it. As the story progresses, we meet her husband and suddenly understand her dismay.

Jenna is more than a waitress, she creates and bakes pies that express bright and dark spots of her daily life. The camera looks down as ingredients are plopped into the bowl and stirred, mashed, and blended. It is a clever and effective style to tell the story.

Second, the Director
Adrienne Shelly who plays a fellow waitress, wrote and directed the film. The film was selected for viewing at several film festivals, including the world's premiere festival Sundance. She never knew because she was murdered before the selection was made. Her husband started The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, which supports women filmmakers.

I recommend Waitress. Rent the DVD, sit down with a piece of pie, and enjoy!

technorati tags: adrienneshelly, waitress, creativepies, vicki'sblog

One Hundred Years Ago

Collinwood School, before and after

One hundred years ago today 175 people, most of them school children, were killed in one of the deadliest disasters in the United States. The school caught fire and the lack of fire escapes and fire doors caused many children to be trapped in the burning building.

Collinwood Memorial Elementary School was built with fire safe stairwells, a central alarm system and other fire safe materials. A national effort resulted in public building doors being upgraded for fire safety including "panic bar" latches in schools.

If your kids ever complain about a fire drill at school, just say "thank you." The next time you push a panic bar that easily opens the door, think of these children, and be glad the community of Collinwood and then the nation learned from their tragedy and worked to reduce the chances of another disaster of this type.

technorati tags: collinwoodschoolfire, firesafety, vicki'sblog

Be Happy

Today is I Want You to be Happy Day. Spread smiles, wish someone a happy day, make a kind gesture for someone. It never hurts to pass happiness around, and an added benefit is -- it comes back to you. Try it. Smile at someone. You are likely to get a smile back!

technorati tags: iwantyoutobehappyday, vicki'sblog

Have a Healthy Month

March is National MS Education and Awareness Month. This is important to me because I have multiple sclerosis and it is surprising how few people are aware of MS. I think most people have heard of it, but a frequent question is "What is MS?"

Just like so many people, when I was diagnosed I did not know what to expect, how MS is treated, how it is cured, how many people have MS, how I "caught" it, or really very much at all. I recall having heard an advertising tag line "MS, the crippler of young adults." Well, that memory brought up more questions such as "Am I going to be in a wheelchair?"

Now that I had been made aware of MS, I obviously needed to be educated about it. I began to rely on the National MS Society (NMSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis FoundatioN (MSF) to guide my education. To answer some questions, here is a quick NMSS brochure.

March is a very health conscious month. Other conditions observed this month are:

Brain Injury Awareness
Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Endometriosis Awareness
Save Your Vision
Workplace Eyecare and Safety
Nutrition

And today begins National Patient Safety Week

Take care of yourself this month (and always).

technorati tags: nationalmseducationandawarenessmonth, ms, multiplesclerosis, healthawareness, vicki'sblog