Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Odds ‘n Sods: An “Easy” Quiz

I found this short quiz floating through the ether of the Internet: The world’s easiest quiz: 1.) How long did the Hundred Year War last? 2.) Which country makes Panama hats? 3.) From which animal do we get catgut? 4.) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? 5.) What is a camel’s hair brush made of? 6.) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? 7.) What was King George VI’s first name? 8.) What color is a purple finch? 9.) Where are Chinese Gooseberries from? 10.) How long did the Thirty Years War last? …


Odds ‘n Sods: Walter Williams on Understanding Inflation

Noted economist Walter Williams (who sometimes substitutes as the host for Rush Limbaugh’s talk radio show) just wrote a concise little piece on understanding inflation. See: http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/walterwilliams/2005/11/16/175724.html Williams is one of my heroes because he is a true conservative and he doesn’t mince words.


Odds ‘n Sods:

I’ve run across some interesting news stories on the Internet in the past few days… President Bush’s recent Asian Avian Flu speech: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/11/1/120104.shtml http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/01/D8DJLB180.html http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/01/D8DJPD9O0.html H5 Asian Avian flu virus (but thankfully not the dreaded H5N1 Strain) has been found in wild birds in Canada: http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/051031210450.5y8rg6u2.html Some interesting commentary by Jason Hommel on the emerging silver shortage: http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_05/hommel102505.html On the absurd heights of the Housing Bubble. How about buying a small, run down, flat top house in a bad neighborhood for only $1.2 Million?: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9870962/


Odds ‘n Sods:

A reader alerted me that the manufacturer of Gamma Seal Lids (those nifty screw top lids that fit on standard 3 to 7 gallon food storage buckets) are now available directly from the manufacturer at very reasonable prices if bought in quantity.  See: http://www.gammaseals.com. ___ In a recent phone conversation, the gent who was the basis for the “Roger Dunlap” character in my novel Patriots mentioned: “In inflation-adjusted dollars, gold’s $850+ per ounce peak back in 1979 would be the equivalent of about $1,550 per ounce today.”  Despite the price increases since 2001, gold is still dirt cheap. He recommends …


From David in Israel: On Zippered Boots

It seems obvious to anyone who has worked in a fire department or EMS but even now that I am not directly in this field I still keep my clothing ready to go instantly. We are almost useless without at least shoes. I keep my zip off boots (tongue zipper kits are sold by Red Wing shoes), pants and shirt from the previous day next to the bed. That means I don’t have to think about having a cell phone, flashlight, or pistol when it is needed. In just 10 seconds I am ready to go.