Thursday, November 23, 2017

On This #ThanksgivingDay2017......

As we will be "Dark" to reflect, we hope all enjoy these compilation of thoughts from @Jonathan Lockwood Huie and his team: 



The food which we are about to eat
Is Earth, Water, and Sun, compounded
through the alchemy of many plants.
Therefore Earth, Water and Sun will
become part of us.
This food is also the fruit of the labor of
many. We are grateful for it.
May it give us strength, health, joy.
And may it increase our love.
- Unitarian Blessing

In a world where so many are hungry,
may we eat this food with humble hearts;
in a world where so many are lonely,
May we share this friendship with joyful hearts.
- Anonymous




We receive this food in gratitude to all beings

Who have helped to bring it to our table,
And vow to respond in turn to those in need
With wisdom and compassion.
- Buddhist Blessing

For food that stays our hunger,
For rest that brings us ease,
For homes where memories linger,
We give our thanks for these.
- Anonymous


Happy Thanksgiving 2017 - From our Fifth District family to yours

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Notations From the Grid (Special Thanksgiving Eve Edition): As We "Go Dark"....

On the eve of Thanksgiving here in the United States, we wanted to share this that the City of Laguna Niguel shared on Community Spirit in Action we hope all enjoy:
14 Scouts from Laguna Niguel Troop 772 joined by a number of leaders in action on a day of service at Camp Pendleton where over 800 families were served. Great work! We are proud of you.  : https://t.co/Ov88N6zxjr
— Laguna Niguel (@LagunaNiguelCty) November 21, 2017
We also thought the Community would truly get a kick out of this courtesy of the team up there at the International Space Station:
The space station crew is enjoying a Thanksgiving meal too, but the prep is a little different than on earth! pic.twitter.com/1qPyveZKdD
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) November 22, 2017
Our team, though, has continued to be on the Prowl with the latest out of Zimbabwe and Syria. It is also of note is how the United States was sidelined as Russia, Iran and Turkey met in Russia as the war in Syria draws to a close — not withstanding what President Trump noted during his brief Press Availability as he briefly dropped by to discuss a phone call he had with Vladimir Putin. The letter from the Commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Ghasem Soleimiani (who has been spearheading the fight against Daesh/ISIS for almost 7 years) to Khameini was telling — and where things go from here is going to be interesting as the Presidents Posed for pictures:

Monday, November 20, 2017

Notations On Our World (Special W-End Edition): On This Thanskgiving 2017 Here in the United States

Roasted turkey in a tray next to a bowl of vegetables on a kitchen table


Thanksgiving is before us here in the United States.    Our team will be "Dark" during Thanksgiving Week' throughout our properties  as we will be out and about in Southern California on a number of Community initiatives.  We wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving Early by sharing these tidbits as we all remember all that we're thankful for:  

Americans will eat more than 46 million turkeys this Thanksgiving. Keep your family and friends safe with simple food safety tips from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service:
  • Read labels carefully. Temperature labels show if the bird is fresh or frozen. If you plan to serve a fresh turkey, buy it no more than two days before Thanksgiving.
  • Do not wash the turkey. This spreads pathogens onto kitchen surfaces. The only way to kill bacteria that causes foodborne illness is to fully cook the turkey.
  • Refrigerate leftovers within two hours to prevent bacteria from growing on the food.
Get More Tips for Thanksgiving Safety



Cook Safely for Thanksgiving



Practice safe cooking this Thanksgiving
Prevent your Thanksgiving from going up in flames.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), cooking is the main cause of home fires. Also, the peak day for home cooking fires is Thanksgiving.

Keep your holiday safe and fun. Follow these tips from the USFA:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the burner.

  • Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.

  • If you simmer, bake, or roast food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you.

  • Keep anything that can catch fire (oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packages, towels, and curtains) away from your stovetop.

  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Then, no one can bump them or pull them over.

  • Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby.  Use it to cover the pan if it catches fire. This will put the fire out.

  • In the event of an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed until it is cool.

  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay three feet away.

  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.


For more tips, visit the USFA’s Cooking Fire Safety page. If you plan to deep fry your turkey, download the Prevent a Turkey Fryer Fire tip sheet. 


On behalf of all of us here at the Daily Outsider, Happy Thanksgiving!!!