Survival of the fittest

We have a new cat who likes to call our back porch home. Darwin doesn't belong to us, but that doesn't stop him from jumping up and sleeping in the sun or taking shelter from the rain.

He wears a collar around his neck with his name and phone number on it. When he first showed up a few weeks ago, I called the number, and a young man, who lives several houses down our street, came and picked him up. He told me that Darwin sometimes gets out, and he was about to go look for him. Well, "sometimes" must mean every day. If Darwin isn't on our back porch, he is often sitting on the grassy hill down below. He's a very loving cat, and yes, he looks somewhat like Dolly.

I don't mind his visits except Sammie and Cash like to go outside and sun themselves. I don't want all of them out there together since Darwin has front claws, and I don't know his medical history. Cats can catch diseases from other cats, and I also don't want them to start a hissing contest.

It's as if Darwin knows how much I love cats and have a soft spot for them. I'm glad he enjoys the outdoors, but I worry when I don't see him for a few days.

In other cat news, my "brother" cat who belong to my parents has a new look since his hair was so matted and tangled.

My dad took Tiger to his annual check-up this week, and they recommended that he go hairless for a while. The vet tech called it the "lion look," and while he doesn't look like Tiger, it will hopefully allow the hair to grow back into a nice, shiny, clean coat.

I think my mom is still in shock about how her "son" looks. He's still a cutie though—just look at that bushy tail!

Salad time

During the spring and summer months, I enjoy making salads even more than usual. One of my favorite salads is a layered salad that my mom also makes. Not only is it pretty to look at, but delicious to eat.

I sent the recipe to David's cousin who has been working on a family cook book. I had forgotten what recipe I sent to her last year, but as soon as I saw it in the book, I knew the layered salad would be on last week's dinner menu. Yummy!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to make it.

Layered Salad
In a clear trifle bowl layer the following ingredients starting at the bottom:
1/2 bowl of lettuce (about a whole lead of lettuce should work)
Purple cabbage (a small head will work)
1/2 cup green peppers
1/2 cup onion
Small can of peas (drained)

Combine a pint of mayo (regular or low fat) and dry original Ranch mix. Spread this mixture on top of the layer of peas.

Sprinkle on graded sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese and bacon bits.

Let sit overnight in fridge. While it's pretty to look at, you'll need to mix it before serving in order to distribute all the ingredients. This salad is best eaten within one day since the dressing can make it soggy. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Sara!

This post is about a week late since Sara celebrated her fifth birthday April 17, and we had the honor of attending her party at a kids inflated play zone area in Knoxville called Pump it Up.

If you don't remember who Sara and her wonderful family are, I was in the room when her younger brother Aljosha was delivered more than two years ago, and I was a witness at her parent's wedding last year.

Sara (in the blurred photo above due to her constant motion) speaks perfect English and loves being a five-year-old. The kids loved every minute of climbing, sliding, jumping and running. After about an hour and a half of playing, they went into another room to eat cake and open presents. Aljosha has grown into a little man who is determined to keep up with his big sister.

It's so cute to watch kids and their innocence at that age. As each child left with a goodie bag from Sara, they all hugged her. Sara had hugged each of them after opening their presents. One little girl told Sarah, "I love you Sara. You're the best friend a girl could ask for in the whole world." I agree.

Sara gave me a goodie bag as well, and Cash enjoyed trying on his new sunglasses for the summer season.

Elvis Lives!

After listening to the "American Idol" contestants sing Elvis songs last night, I decided to write about the Elvis living in our house, our snail. He might not look that impressive in the photo above, but he is HUGE. We purchased him the Wednesday before Thanksgiving when David's dad was visiting and decided to name him Elvis since he has a blue shell, and I'd heard Elvis singing "Blue Christmas" on the radio that week.

We've lost quite a few fish since then, and there are only about five left in the tank, but Elvis is going strong. He is the largest snail we've ever had in the tank.

Cash loves the fish, but he LOVES their food more. Every night when David feeds his "brothers," Cash is right there waiting on his appetizer. What's interesting is that Sammie didn't pay any attention to the fish until Cash arrived and started looking at them and swatting the outside of the tank. Now, it's her morning ritual to spend about 20 minutes gazing at them and trying to figure out a way to catch her breakfast. We're trying to teach them it's not a good idea to eat their siblings as a snack.

Did you get the joke?

I realize I'm late in posting a follow-up to my former post about the left-handed whopper at Burger King. I think most of you realized it was an April Fool's joke...a joke, however, from 1998. Burger King actually sent a press release to media outlets around the country and took out a full page ad in USA Today, announcing the new left-handed whopper.

I was working at WUFT-FM in Gainesville as the local host for the "Morning Edition" show. I checked the fax machine around 4 a.m. and saw this press release. I admit I was intrigued by the headline and lead sentence claiming Burger King had introduced a left-handed Whopper since I am left-handed. For a minute, I believed it, but then I realized it was April 1, and it had to be a joke.

Many people fell for the joke, and even went to Burger Kings around the country and asked for the left-handed whopper. Some who had seen the announcement ordered a "right-handed" or "normal" whopper.

I decided to reuse the press release 12 years later and see if an old joke can create new laughs. I recreated the press release and had both sections of my classes turn it into a news story. About halfway through each class, someone finally asked, "Is this real?" After some discussion, I told them about the original press release. I also mentioned how in 1996, Taco Bell announced it had purchased the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania and had plans to remain it the Taco Liberty Bell.

About half an hour after one of my classes, I received an e-mail from one of my students who wrote, "Okay, I had to admit and thought you would find humor in this, but I just stopped by BK and bought a Whopper," and he's not even left-handed! :)

It's a great day for left-handers!

I just found out that Burger King has introduced the left-handed Whopper! I'm more of a Whopper Jr. fan, but it's still great that Burger King has embraced all of us south paws with this invention.

According to a press release from Burger King....

"America's most preferred premium hamburger will feature the trademark build of lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup and 4-ounce flame broiled hamburger patty, but the newly designed sandwich has been re-engineered to fit more comfortably in the left hand, thereby reducing condiment 'spills' for left-handed hamburger lovers. It is estimated that more than 1.4 million left-handed customers visit U.S. Burger King® restaurants each day.

The new left-handed sandwich will have all condiments rotated 180 degrees, thereby redistributing the weight of the sandwich so that the bulk of the condiments will skew to the left, thereby reducing the amount of lettuce and other toppings from spilling out the right side of the burger.

'We have always been proud of the fact that we offered 1,024 ways to order our flagship WHOPPER® sandwich. Now we are offering 1,025 ways. It's the ultimate 'HAVE IT YOUR WAY'® for our left-handed customers,' said Jim Watkins, senior vice president for marketing for Burger King Corporation.

It is estimated that approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population (or 42.5 million people) is left-handed, making this consumer group one of the largest--and one of the most over-looked--minority segments in the country."

Wow, I can't wait to try one. I think I know what's for dinner tonight!