Granny Geek

One of Granny’s operatives has sent these photos that were taken in Frisco, Colorado.

We’re speechless!

usbgeek.com has quite the selection of unusual USB devices including a paper shredder and this: a USB fragrance oil burner. For just seven dollars you, too, can diffuse fragrant peppermint or rose-scented oil from your computer.

Or you can chill a can of your favorite beverage with this USB fridge.

# You can keep your beverage chilled and stay at your computer longer.
# Just minutes after plugging in the USB Fridge the cold plater chills to the perfect temperature for helping keep your beverage cool.
# Takes 5 minutes to bring the fridge down to 8 degrees centigrade (47 degrees Fahrenheit).
# Blue LED lighting effects.
# Easy installation, no driver required, plug & play.
# Powered by USB with 4 feet of cable.

Now you really HAVE seen it all!

Yesterday, Gran and Co. stopped by a local car dealership. Just looking, you understand. But our trusty sedan is getting up there in miles and it IS the end of the year for the ’07 models. We were serious “lookers,” hoping to find a bargain.

As we started walking around the lot, we compared models and checked prices on stickers. In a flash, a salesman appeared. Fair enough. That’s his job. As he approached us, his greeting was:

“Good afternoon. God bless you. I am blessed to be in your presence today, and I thank Jesus for bringing you into our dealership.”

Well, all of a sudden Granny remembered that she had an urgent task. Somewhere. Maybe she had forgotten to arrange the spices in alphabetical order that morning. Perhaps the bird feeder needed to be refilled. Whatever it was, it was extremely urgent. The rest of the family had similar memory recalls, so we bade a quick farewell to the salesman and piled back into our wonderful, old car.

Let’s be clear about this. One’s religious beliefs are important. Granny is not offended if you wear a cross around your neck. Or if you wear a veil, or a yarmulka. In a private conversation we might even might discuss our religious beliefs. BUT NOT IN A BUSINESS TRANSACTION.

Buying a car does not qualify as a religious experience.

ATTENTION business people everywhere: let’s keep religion and business separate, shall we?

Thank you for your kind attention.

Lots more funny stuff at allposters.com

Well, they’ve done it again.

I’m referring to the ACLU, of course.

You see, the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, recently passed an ordinance called “The Illegal Immigration Relief Act.” The ordinance would impose fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny business permits to companies that give them jobs. Another measure would have required tenants to register with City Hall and pay for a rental permit. Cities around the country have passed similar ordinances, directed mainly at Hispanics. Here in Texas, the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch drank the kool-aid from Hazelton.

Well, today a Federal Judge ruled that the Hazelton ordinance is unconstitutional.

In his 206-page opinion, Judge James Munely said, “Whatever frustrations officials of the City of Hazleton may feel about the current state of federal immigration enforcement, the nature of the political system in the United States prohibits the City from enacting ordinances that disrupt a carefully drawn federal statutory scheme. Even if federal law did not conflict with Hazleton’s measures, the City could not enact an ordinance that violates rights the Constitution guarantees to every person in the United States, whether legal resident or not.”

The Mayor of Hazleton, in response to the judge’s decision, said that the city would appeal.

”This was a case where a federal judge protected the rights of anonymous illegal aliens.”

YES! My, my. Sounds as though the Mayor of Hazelton and the folks in Farmers Branch, Texas, are all learning the same history lesson. IMMIGRANTS HAVE RIGHTS, TOO!

Gosh, I love this country.

The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

This time in Berkeley.

Don’t you love the First Amendment?

Also on his site:

We love the sweet, slightly salty and buttery flavor of mussels. In addition, they’re inexpensive and super easy to prepare.

Add a loaf of crusty bread to sop up the juices, and you’ve got the perfect summer meal!

Basic Mussels

3 lbs mussels
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
1 large tomato, diced
1 cup dry white wine or vermouth
generous pinch of saffron threads (Optional)

sprinkling of red pepper flakes, if desired

several springs flat parsley

1. Scrub mussels under cool running water. Scrape off and discard any beards. Throw away any mussels that don’t close when gently tapped.

2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and tomato and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add wine, pepper flakes and saffron. Simmer gently, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.

3. Add the mussels to the pan. Cover and boil gently, stirring occasionally until mussels open, about 5 minutes. Discard any mussels that have not opened.

4. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Serves 3.