The Curmudgeonly Professor

The Last Yellow Rose of Summer: Photos of the Day November 20 2009

I almost gave up finding something to photograph yesterday, and then I saw this single, gorgeous yellow rose, the last November rose of summer.


  

Consumerism - Salon.com

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 18:01 PSTHave yourself a very merry black FridayThe author of "Scroogenomics" explains why holiday shopping is a drain on the wallet and the holiday spirit By Mary Elizabeth Williams

via www.salon.com

Here's your economics lesson on deadweight loss of gift giving. Read and enjoy. This topic will be on the midterm, so study up.

Are You Ready to Give Up Microsoft Office? IT - Technorati

The Microsoft Office software suite has been the main tool for a long time for office workers. Anybody who needed to write something or draw a table just thought: ”Ok, I need Microsoft Office for that”.

via technorati.com

Thanksgiving Mysteries - a "Best Book List" from Flashlight Worthy

So what if your turkey is a bit over cooked or the marshmallows on top of your sweet potatoes are a bit singed — you didn’t hear the timer because you were reading one of these delightful Thanksgiving mysteries.

via www.flashlightworthybooks.com

Desert Sunset in St. George: photo of the day November 22 2009 (Canon 7d photo)

Best Books of 2009: Editors' Picks

Our annual Best of the Year debates, often contentious, were the easiest and most amicable we've ever had, at least when it came to our top pick. The nearly unanimous choice: Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin, a rich and moving novel of New York City in the '70s, told in ten distinctive voices from all corners of the city whose lives connect and divide against the backdrop of Philippe Petit's audaciously graceful tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. See our full top 100 editors' picks for 2009 below, and find more editors' picks and customers' favorites in our Best of 2009 Store.

via www.amazon.com

Here's a wonderful list of the 10 best books of 2009, and the top 100 books of 2009, chosen by editors, not readers. Buy one or two and start reading. It's high time you did. Book reports will be due, and we will expect comments on the blog about books you buy and read.

Kindle for PC

Read Kindle Books on Your ComputerGet the best reading experience available on your PC. No Kindle requiredAccess your Kindle books even if you don't have your Kindle with youAutomatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with WhispersyncCreate bookmarks and view the annotations you created on your Kindle

via www.amazon.com

Something else for you to do while killing time on your computer

Turkey 101 - Thanksgiving Dinner Turkey Recipes Shortcuts Tips Hints - Turkey Roasting Tips

With a frozen bird, you have to plan ahead to thaw it. It takes at least 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 5 pounds of turkey, so a 20 pound bird will take 4 - 5 days to thaw. You can also thaw the turkey under cold running water, not warm, changing the water every 30 minutes and allowing 30 minutes per pound to thaw.

via busycooks.about.com

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes - How to Cook Turkey for Beginners - Turkey Times and Tips

That a juicy, perfectly cooked turkey is difficult for the novice cook to achieve is the biggest myth in all of American cookery. There is nothing to fear, but the fear of dry turkey itself. By following these five basic rules, you will guarantee a moist, delicious, and beautiful turkey every time. Proceed with confidence, joy, and the knowledge that since you are cooking the turkey, you won't have to wash any dishes! Don't Stuff the Turkey - The Turkey Shouldn't Be Stuffed - Did We Mention Not to Stuff the Turkey? Cooking your dressing stuffed inside the turkey is a bad idea for several reasons. Due to the shape of the cavity, the stuffing may not cook evenly, and except for the small amount that sticks out of the end, it doesn't get all browned and crusty. What good is stuffing that's not browned and crusty on top? Even more importantly, by the time the center of the stuffing is cooked to a safe temperature, parts of the turkey will be overcooked and dry. If you want that classic look, simply spoon the dressing (cooked separately) into the cavity when you bring the turkey to the table. Who'll know?Season the Turkey Inside, Outside, and Under the Skin No matter what herbs and spices you decide to use, the best way to get tasty turkey is to generously season it everywhere possible. A 20-lb turkey is a lot of meat - a teaspoon of salt and pepper sprinkled over the top is not going to do it. Generously rub salt and pepper inside the cavity, along with whatever other herbs and spices you're using. This should be done alone, as anyone watching will giggle at you. You can also push seasoned butter or olive oil under the skin of the breast, and around the thighs. You can use your fingers, or push a thin silicon spatula under the skin to separate it from the meat. This not only flavors the turkey, but also helps keep it moist and juicy. Lastly, rub the outside skin of the turkey with butter or oil, and season with salt and pepper. This triple application of flavor will mean an end to bland birds. Wings Tucked, Legs Tied, Breasts Covered A properly prepped turkey will go a long way to ensure a successful roasting, and a very attractive bird. These three steps are fast and easy, but make a huge difference. Pull the wing tips forward and tuck them under the breasts so they don't burn. This also keeps the turkey sitting nice and straight. After seasoning, tie the legs together with kitchen string or dental floss (plain, not minty fresh). This important step will ensure even cooking, and a beautifully shaped turkey.Loosely cover the breasts with a piece of foil. This will help keep the turkey moist, and prevent the breasts from getting too brown. Remove the foil for the last hour of roasting to brown the skin.Cook (Not Overcook) Low and Slow in a Moist, Aromatic OvenLeave the turkey out for one hour before roasting to take the chill off. Cut two carrots, two ribs of celery, and an onion into large chunks. Place on the bottom of your roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast side up on top of the vegetables. Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it's part of the tradition). Also, the pan drippings will be even more flavorful if you're planning to make gravy. Roast at 325 degrees F., for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound. This is just an estimate - be sure to use a meat thermometer to get a perfect doneness. Remove the turkey when it reads 165 degrees F. in the thickest part of the thigh meat. Here is an approximate turkey cooking time guide for roasting at 325 degrees F. from the USDA: 8 to 12 lbs: 2 3/4 to 3 hrs 12 to 14 lbs: 3 to 3 3/4 hrs 14 to 18 lbs: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hrs 18 to 20 lbs: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hrs 20 to 24 lbs: 4 1/2 to 5 hrs Let it Rest! A Rested Turkey is a Delicious Turkey Now, if you've followed the procedures above, you are about to cut into the most delicious, juiciest turkey you've ever had, but STOP!!! Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, but you must let the turkey rest for AT LEAST 20 minutes. When you remove it from the oven, cover it very loosely with foil, and go about getting your side dishes to the table (or have a glass of wine and delegate). Don't worry, it won't get cold; a covered 20-lb turkey will stay hot for over 40 minutes, so don't rush it. Letting it rest not only gives you time to finish the gravy, and the rest of the meal, but also allows the juices in the turkey to redistribute, which is the secret to moist, tender meat. Congratulations! It's time to give thanks, and enjoy!

via americanfood.about.com

I Stole my Granddaughter Kates' Pic from Facebook

Hi Kate, I stole your pic from Facebook. (Kate is second from left).  This photo is far better than anything I have to post.  Hope you don't mind!  Aren't they gorgeous? 

A Pink November Rose in St. George: Photos of the Day November 19 2009

Picture taking opportunities are dwindling now by the day, with cooler temperatures in St. George.  I must look in the nooks and crannies to find anything still blooming before the winter kale, pansies, and other hardier flowers continue through the next couple of months.  I did find these gorgeous little pink roses, however, and I send them along to you with a wish for a happy day.   

Photos from Yesteryear: The Curmudgeonly Professor Hoeing Beets in 1949

Here I was, 16 years old, a newly minted high school graduate from Powell High School in Powell WY (northwest Wyo, not far from Yellowstone).  My sister Liz and I hoed sugar beets as a reward for my education, slapping mosquitos, deer flies, horse flies, and enduring the hot summer sun.  A humbling experience for the immediate past Wyoming State President of the Future Farmers of America!  No money, no prospects for college except a four-year tuition scholarship to the University of Wyoming, which I unfairly received because I had straight A's in band and vocational-ag, while others took stuff like physics and advanced math.  Hoeing wouldn't have been so bad, except for alfalfa roots from the previous year.  Ever tried to hoe up alfalfa roots?  I've never forgotten that summer in Penrose, the little valley 12 miles from Powell where I grew up.

Thoughts on Approaching Two Years of Blogging: Part 2

Having decided to begin my blogging career, I settled on Typepad, partly because they allow multiple blogs and partly because of features not available on Blogspot.  By and large, Typepad has worked out, though I continue to have issues with posting live links on my PC when I can do so on my Mac.  I had no idea, initially, what to post, so I tried the random approach.  I was aware that the blogging experts advised bloggers to find a niche, to provide information of value to viewers.  But who knows what is of value to viewers?  A technical blog with a definite mission is likely to draw viewers who seek a particular type of information.  On the other hand, I have noticed some blogs cover the table and the kitchen sink and seem to do quite well.

The start of blogging is like a honeymoon.  Sending your first few posts out into the blogosphere is exhilarating.  I initially thought maybe my sisters would read it and maybe two or three of my kids and that would be about it.  For awhile, my viewer counts rose quite rapidly.  I put quite a bit of time into my blogging efforts, several hours a day.  My goal was to reach 2-300 regular viewers, but after two years I have hardly begun to reach that goal.  I hit 950 one day, for some inexplicable reason, but mostly have averaged 70-80 per day.  Lately, I have been preoccupied with other things, and have not had time to pay much attention to the blog.  Thus, my daily viewer count has sunk into the 40s and 50s.

I now have nearly 2000 posts after nearly two years, which represents an enormous investment of time.   A number of my posts have hit the top tier of Google, and so these posts are more likely to be viewed multiple times.

As my blogging career continued, I strayed from humor, to sarcasm, to serious, and began including a lot of photos.  Ultimately, the photos pretty much took over the blog.  The time required to take and process new photos on a daily basis is considerable.  Some have suggested to me I would have more viewers if I would write more.

Most people quit their blogs after a short exploratory period, so the blogosphere is clogged with dead blogs which will last forever, as far as I know, along with NASA space junk.  Without some purpose in blogging, the likelihood of just letting a blog die after a few posts remains high and the mortality rate is great.

After two years, I need to decide how to focus my third year of blogging, or to find something else to do. To be continued.

Early November Blossoms in St. George: Photos of the Day November 19 2009

 

 

Thoughts on Approaching Two Years of Blogging and 2000 Posts: Part 1

Nearly two years ago I saw an article in USA Today about how older gray-haired people were taking up blogging.  Since I had been spending my time twiddling my thumbs, watching Matlock, leaving a mess around the house, and entertaining my long-suffering spousal unit, I instantly thought, "I can do that."  I had no idea how to do it, so I Googled around a bit.  Starting a blog is rather intimidating.  Will people think you are a total idiot?  Will anyone read it or check it?  Will your blog do anyone any good or will it just be a waste of time?  Will I hate doing it?  How soon will I quit?  Some people gagged when I mentioned that I was going to start a blog.  Others acted like they felt sorry for me.

Most of what I heard about blogs to begin with is that they were full of inane chatter about trivial and inconsequential events in daily life written by those with time to waste and nothing to say other than whining about their headaches.  Then as I pursued blogging, I discovered that the blogosphere was crammed with meaningful information, insightful writing, incredible photography, and home-grown journalism, some of a high order.  One just had to search a bit to find the good stuff.

Since I am an analytical economist, I started by checking out a few posts about which blogging service to use and settled on Typepad.  Overall it has been a good choice, although I have a few annoying glitches that Typepad has never resolved for me, yet.  I needed a name so, being a retired professor of economics, settled on "The Curmudgeonly Professor."  I am not really curmudgeonly, but I liked the sound of the name, and so curmudgeonly has stuck.  I would change the name, but curmudgeonly professor has worked its way to the top or nearly there on numbers of Google topic searches, so curmudgeonly it will remain.

I read a few posts and scanned a book or two about blogging, which I never read, and started out by my tried-and-true-tested method of not reading instructions and just starting out by hit or miss, trial and error.  I started posting whatever I thought about each day, and off we went.  The Curmudgeonly Professor was feebly launched, certain to croak quickly of an ignominious demise, laughed out of the blogosphere by vicious critics and others who were engaged in more serious and creative activities.  To be Continued

Photo Journal for Friday the 13th: A Crow, Red Roses, Clouds, Paper Whites, and White Kale, so Cheer Up!

 
  
  

Pink Roses with a Tinge of Yellow in mid-November: Photos of the Day November 12 2009

No time to edit, but thought you might like to see these photos of pink roses tinged in yellow as they came from the camera (Canon SD850).  Aren't they a gorgeous color?  Quit worrying and have a happy day.

Flowers From the Hospital to Help Make Us Well: Photos of the Day November 12 2009

Here are some of the flowers my wife received during her week's stay in the hospital and rehab after hip surgery.  These gorgeous flowers won't last long, but the photos of them will, and I hope they will bring a smile to your face and help cure whatever else ails you.

   
 

Update from the Curmudgeonly Professor

As my regular followers have discovered, I have not been able to post regularly.   After months of intense pain, my wife had her hip replaced at St. George Regional Medical Center and is now in Coral Desert Rehab.  This experience has taught us many things about the medical and health care professions, and the incredible support we have had from friends, neighbors, and family, both here, in Riverton (south SLC) and around the country.  With all of the nastiness going on in the world, we are truly humbled and blessed to have such an outpouring of care, concern, flowers, messages, prayers, and help.  My driving has gone south due to the peripheral neuropathy in my feet, so I have had countless volunteers to take me across town to the hospital and rehab facilities.  Many of the people who have shown so much care and concern are, themselves, hurting and undergoing various kinds of pain and medical procedures.  But what is wonderful is how we all come together as family to support and love one another.  And what a change that is from the blather and hatred and nastiness spilling over around the world.  If only . . .

Desert Landscaping at St. George Regional Medical Center St. George UT: Photo of the Day November 10 2009

November Rose by my Doorstep with Canon SD850: Photo of the Day November 10 2009

Desert Sunset in St. George UT: Photo of the Day November 7 2009

Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George UT

This is Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George Ut where I have been spending most of my time while my wife has undergone hip replacement surgery.  All is well, but I have little time to post these days so please stay with me and I'll get things going again before too long.  The Curmudgeonly Professor. Indian rock art at Dixie Regional Medical Center
 

Flowers at Dixie Regional Medical Center St. George UT: Photo of the Day November 4 2009

Five Things I Love About the University of Wyoming

To outsiders, the University of Wyoming is akin to being in Siberia, and many people have memories of being stranded on I-80 in a whiteout blizzard, spending an unexpected vacation in wintery Laramie.  LaVell Edwards, retired BYU football coach, is legendary for making the statement "I'd rather lose and live in Provo than win and live in Laramie."  However, the U of Wyo is my alma mater, where I received my bachelor's degree.  My wife graduated with an honors degree in education, and my oldest son graduated from UWyo law school.  Besides, I taught there nine years, and my wife grew up in Laramie.  Two of my kids graduated from Laramie High School.

While at Wyoming, I never missed a football game or a basketball game while I taught there.  Most football days were gorgeous Indian summer days when you could look out to the colors and clear skies on the horizon.  I never had any sympathy for people who complained about having to come to Laramie to play football or basketball.  Visiting teams often arranged to stay in Fort Collins so they didn't have to stay overnight in Laramie.

As a dyed-in-the-wool Cowboy fan, here are five things I loved about being at Wyoming:

1. I loved the fact that the altitude of 7,250 feet seemed to intimidate some visiting athletes who may have ended up huffing and puffing.
2. I loved the U of Wyo fight song "Ragtime Cowboy Joe" which I have sung at Michigan, Penn State, Colorado State, and BYU.  I never bothered to learn the BYU fight song in something like nearly 30 years, although they put the words on the TV screen, something about "rising and shouting", so I would just fill in the words from Ragtime Cowboy Joe (who always sang, raggy music to the cattle as he swang(?)) much to the consternation of those around me.
3. I loved the fact that a good blizzard during a football game at 7,250 feet tested the mettle of softies from San Diego, El Paso, or other equally pansified locations with sunshine and balmy breezes.
4. I loved the fact that people from all over Wyoming would bring their RVs, camper pickups, or whatever to Laramie, driving through snowdrifts, herds of antelope, and whiteouts, to see their beloved Cowboys.
5. I loved hating Utah, BYU, and Colorado State, especially, during my Wyoming years, never dreaming i would spend ten years at CSU and over twenty years at BYU.

I keep a bright yellow and brown U of Wyo alumni sticker on my car in Utah, which irritates some Utah folks.  My main complaint about the U of Wyo games is that the Wyoming fans, especially some students, can't behave themselves and spend the time chanting four-letter obscene yells at BYU.  Alcohol is controlled much better at War Memorial Stadium than it used to be monitored, so that aspect of it has improved.  My kids worked concessions when we were there and had a tough time selling Coke until they started yelling "Mix, Mix" and mix sold much better than Coke.  I wish the Wyo students and fans would behave themselves, since we don't really hold any animosity toward them.

I will continue my discussion of the University of Wyoming later.  Meanwhile, if you haven't sat through a Wyoming football game wrapped in quilts, clothed in five layers of clothes and ski masks, and trying to see where the down markers and yard lines are, you haven't lived yet.  But you may also have missed some glorious autumn days in full fall colors and a luminous skyline.  And if you actually lived there, chances are you would become attached to the Laramie plains and the Wyoming Cowboys.  And find yourself singing Ragtime Cowboy Joe instead of the assigned hymn in Church.

Four More Photos of Same Red Rose with Canon 7d at Dusk: Photos of the Day November 2 2009

I took these four photos of the same red rose appearing below in an earlier post.  All were taken with the Canon 7d at dusk, dimming light.  Still not a true "rose red" but much clearer detail.  Moral:  don't try to photograph stuff in direct sunlight, which I already knew.  Now, to learn how to capture "true red" with the 7d.  But I've got all winter to learn and meanwhile I hope my viewers will bear with me as I go through the learning curve.  Hopefully, you might learn something yourselves.  Of course, I've read many times that mere multiplicaion of megapixels does not a better photo necessarily make, but I'm interested in cropping and large blowups, and here the MPs do matter.  Also I want to learn how to take HD video which I can do with the 7d.  Comments are always welcome.  These photos are completely unretouched, just as they came from the memory card.