ROLLING,ROLLING~ KEEP THOSE CLOUDS, A'ROLLIN' ~ RAWHIDE!

Scared the Shitacky outta me when I saw this on the news 11-13-2013!

Yes,indeedy_imagine driving down the street,road,etc..and this puppy is just above your head! They are called "Roll Clouds".Need I say more....

So,let me do some explaining.According to folks that know this kinda stuff_A Roll cloud is a kind of Arcus Cloud_which is a low, horizontal cloud formation. Roll clouds and shelf clouds are the two types of Arcus clouds. A Shelf cloud is usually associated with the leading edge of  a thunderstorm outflow _while_ Roll clouds are usually formed by outflows of cold air from sea breezes or cold fronts in the absence of thunderstorms.

Here's a shelf cloud with a thunderstorm....

It is my understanding that a Roll Cloud is a low,horizontal,tube -shaped, and relatively "RARE" type of Arcus Cloud.They differ from shelf clouds by being completely detached from other cloud features. Roll clouds usually appear to be "rolling" about a horizontal axis. They are a solitary wave called a "SOLITON", which is a wave that has a single crest and moves without changing speed or shape. One of the most famous frequent occurrences is the Morning Glory Cloud in Queensland, Australia which can occur up to four out of ten days in October!  Yes!,that's 4 days out of 10...I'd be on the next flight out of "The Queens-Land"! Here's a look-see taken from an airplane......

A "Morning Glory" cloud is a "Roll Cloud" that can be up to 620 miles long, up to 1.2 miles high, often only 330 to 660 feet above the ground and can move at speeds up to 37 miles per hour. Sometimes there is only one cloud, sometimes there are up to eight consecutive roll clouds....Do you have that visual, yet?

The Morning Glory is often accompanied by sudden wind squalls, intense low-level wind shear, a rapid increase in the vertical displacement of air parcels, and a sharp pressure jump at the surface. In the front of the cloud, there is strong vertical motion that transports air up through the cloud and creates the rolling appearance, while the air in the middle and rear of the cloud becomes turbulent and sinks.

So,I'm thankful we didn't have "The Motherlode of Roll Clouds"_nevertheless_I'm sure folks in the East Texas towns of Tyler,Longview,etc..(my home base BTW)_had a "WT? Moment"_when they saw this...
http://www.kltv.com/slideshow?widgetid=54121 

On November 4th in Canyon,Texas miles, miles away from East Texas_ yet another Roll Cloud.Wanna hear what it sounds like ?
http://weather.aol.com/2013/11/11/watch-amazing-roll-cloud-stretches-across-texas-sky

Todd Mask captured it on video, describing the cloud as "rolling like an ocean wave" and "like a horiztonal vortex.

All this Roll Cloud business_got me to thinking /humming  a TV Show theme song from my childhood..."Rawhide"...just sayin'

More importantly_First Canyon,Texas_Now East Texas_"Is Texas primed for adding this "Rare Roll Cloud" event to it's LIST of Scary Weather  conditions"? I will.....

Just in case, I need to stock up on "Charmin' Tissue"...

For ...

Guess I'll Roll outta here...Happy Friday!

"ABC's Future ~SCANDAL EPISODE"~...The Pope Goes to RE-HAB!

Am I the only one that "GETS" this concept? Every Thursday Night my phone, chores,
computer stuff, basically my Life is put on
"Texas Hold em" from 8-9 pm Central time
as "ABC's Scandal & Ms.Pope take over my
Universe! What I'm beginning to notice is_this
continuous concept that for everything Good or Bad, a Large Glass of Wine_OR_a Bottle of Wine is the "Panacea for all Ills" ...as I sip this wonderful_

& listen to the Soundtrack of the movie "The
Stone Merchant"...

... & type this Blog post..it will be short!!!!

Last night,I guess I was more aware of Ms.Pope's Wine Bottle & Wine Glass size with
the news of her off screen Preggers(congrats!)to her. Now I know all that is TV_has to be GRAPE JUICE, Right? Anyway...seems when  there's a problem or a happy moment we see....

The eyes say it all...there's lots of buzz about this on the net as well. BECAUSE_ it's NOT only Ms.Pope _but WOW_they can throw down on booze...Mellie,Capt.Jake,Cyrus,Quinn,Harrison,
_And President Fitz will "Sip a Tumbler of Whiskey" in a minute! Huck's already in Re-Hab_ "Hi,My name is Huck, I've been sober for 2 seconds! Scandal is NOW called "The Premier Drinking Game Show".
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/exclusive/scandal-season-three-drinking-game

Then there's "Let Me Count The Ways Ms. Pope Drinks & Why"...all dressed in white mind you_
http://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyorley/14-times-olivia-pope-didnt-spill-her-red-wine-all-over-her-w?bftw


Soooooooo,here's the scoop on Wine Bottle Sizes_

Mmmmm,I think this glass is "The Pope's" size! Or this...

                   "The Pope's Wine Glass"

...And ,RARELY this_

WHAT? A cup of Joe....."Get the Rope"_there
needs to be a HANGIN"!

If you must know...here's some Wine Bottle sizes information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_bottle 


Let Me Count The Ways to drink_

                                                                  Yeah,Right!

Heart Wine Glasses...w/Veins & Arteries...

I'm of the "Persuasion" that this TV Show gives one a reason to tie one on! Alcoholics in the Making.... I do like this show BUT NOT for that reason_just good writing and acting!

Well, the music is on the last cut, guess it's time to fill my second glass of Cabernet...

....Happpppy Friday ! Remember Your ABC's
             A_Always

                             B_Be

                                        C_Cabernet-ING!

~I'm Feelin' Mighty Salty...>.< !

How could something so beautiful and tasty be so bad for you?

Southwest Bolivia,world’s largest salt flats sit atop a vast pool of brine on the Salar de Uyuni.

Salt!  "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? "

So,I had my annual checkup with my new DOC 
_she reminded me that "EVERYTHING" we eat has salt & I should have no more than 1500 mg per day...that's a Hamburger & Fries_which is a treat  every six month's for me! But, that does NOT matter since any food consumption in today's world leads to far to much SALT. I've been ASSAULTED...

                                             "Salt Flats in Bolivia"

"Our appetite for salt and the meanings we attach to it have linked the ages. Salt literally gives us life, and reminds us of the origins of all life in the primordial sea. It has motivated the pious, the warlike, the superstitious and the revolutionary. It has shaped history and inspired storytellers, artists and cooks. It is a commodity, a "cure" and a medium for artistic carving. Although it is essential to many modern industrial processes, the basic methods of producing salt haven't changed for centuries — boil, evaporate, mine."

"The human body contains about four ounces of salt. Without enough of it, muscles won't contract, blood won't circulate, food won't digest, the heart won't beat. But scientists disagree over how much is too much. For years many researchers have claimed that salt threatens public health by contributing to high blood pressure. Recently, though, other researchers have begun to rehabilitate salt's reputation, claiming there's no reason for doctors to recommend reducing sodium intake for people with normal blood pressure. In fact, doctors at one hospital have discovered that a treatment for chronic fatigue includes salt supplements and plenty of pickles and other salty foods."

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/salt-abstract.html#ixzz2jhsr7vXt 


I've always watched in awe of people like Martha Stewart & Other Chefs_add salt & more salt when cooking_WHY?_when there's already enough salt in the food. I never add salt when cooking,or after cooking & always look at the number of mgs per serving of Salt,wash canned foods....BUT I guess I'm going to have to dig a little deeper. The Culprit for sure is...

I'm a Texan, I Love Chips & Salsa alone or served with...

..+Rice & Beans & a bottle of Hot Sauce on the side! Guess all the chips & salsa stuck around in my system when the Doc took my Blood Pressure _to say the least the top number was high! So, I got a scolding from my new Russian Female Doc...Love her!

                                        Nope!Not Snow..Salt Flat in Bolivia   

Salt is LIFE, acts as a food preservative,flavors foods,etc. Humans have been preoccupied with it since the beginning of recorded history.Obtaining salt either politically or militarily,has influenced the histories of countries in Asia,Africa,Europe,South America and the Middle East.Indeed, salt was used as a form of currency and had greater value than gold in some ancient societies. Even religious and magical significance has been attributed to this mineral.

                                         "Hawaiian Sea Salt from the Alaea Sea"

                                            "Indian Black Salt or Kala Namak"

                                               "Coarse Salt aka Sali Grosso"
Sodium exists in many foods that are commonly consumed in Western diets including processed sandwich meats, cheese, canned vegetables, pickled foods, salty snacks, and soft drinks. Other sources of sodium are not as well recognized: condiments, sauces, baking soda, baking powder, and bread. In restaurant foods, fast-food meals, and Chinese cuisine the sodium levels can be very high. It is in fresh and frozen Veggies and fruits but to a lesser degree. My favorite "Processed Food"_"Cape Cod Salt & Vinegar Chips"...What's a girl to do?

                                                        "Smoked Sea Salt" 

                                                             "Fleur de Sel"
BEWARE of these other salts under the names of_ potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium benzoate, and sodium acetate_ added to foods during commercial processing!!!!!

Which brings this point to consider:
" High dietary sodium intake (1) overloads the kidneys' capacity to excrete sodium and results in fluid retention, (2) increases endocrine gland secretion (3) inhibits cell membrane function, (4) increases the sodium concentration inside cells and calcium levels in the smooth muscles that encircle blood vessels,which (5) subsequently increases the resistance to blood flow and blood pressure...results in HYPERTENSION." 
Links:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/A-Tasting-Tour-of-Salts-Around-the-World.html#


 SALT..."What's a Girl To do?"

Like I said...I'm Feelin' Mighty Salty >.<!
 

I'm In A Viking ~Christmas~ State Of Mind.......

Yes,that is correct! I have exactly 5 weeks to plan a "Scandinavian Christmas Party"for our 12th Annual Christmas Around the World party.We'll be able to add another stamp to our Passport Party Book! We have had many_but not all are included on this Blog.I'm working on sharing others to post soon. Here's a look & see: 
http://sagebookwhisperer.blogspot.com/2011/12/griots-of-pinotagewine-storytelling.html
http://sagebookwhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-essence-of-christmas-in-spain.html
http://sagebookwhisperer.blogspot.com/2011/10/wondrous-wondermarvelous-marvel_17.html


Today_"MORE"memorable moments at the"Russian Zakuska Christmas" 2010. The names have been changed(my friends) to protect the innocent ones! I blame it on the "Vodka Tasting"!

The Menu~

A Zakusha , is a Russian term for hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, snacks, appetizers served before meals.Usually presented buffet style, it often consists of cured  meats and fish,various pickled vegetables such as beets, cucumbers,hard cheeses, caviar and breads. I added several other items that research showed would be served at such an affair.

My Zakusha Buffet~

Appetizers: Fish: Sardine Pate,Tomato w/minty Sardines,Herring canapés. Meats: Deli Turkey & Kobe Beef. Pickled Veggies:Beets,Okra.Mixed, "DRUNKEN VODKA TOMATOES",Cornichons & Apricot Canapes. Hot: Potato Pancakes w/chives & sour cream and "BORSCHT SOUP".

Salads:Texas Caviar,Russian Sauerkraut,Hermitage Slaw,Deviled "Jilly P " Eggs.
Entrees: Beef Stroganoff & Cabbage Rolls_Helga taking photos!

  
Lemon Vodka Cake,Ameretto Cake,Balena,Mandola & Pfeffer-Nusse Cookies served on Amber Dishes.
Beverages: Vodka Tasting, Sparkling Juice and Russian Caravan Tea

~Many thanks to the ladies for bringing their favorite Russian
dishes to the Russian table~

The Vodka Tasting~

There were 12 different Vodka's _they were all "TASTED"! I chose to literally have a dropper full in my mini-Russian tea glass shown on the left. I am NOT a fan of Vodka...I Love RED Wine! Tastings like this become HILARIOUS at some point. 

I invited the Regional Mgr.from Candoni Wines to conduct a Wine Tasting for my birthday party themed "Under The Tuscan Sun"(2011). I'm gathering those photos to Blog about later! Don't miss it! My friend Jilly P. was in charge of the Vodka Tasting,because..."I Know Nothing,Nothing" as the Luftwaffe prison-camp guard Beloved Sgt.Schultz (Hogan's Heroes)_often said when asked a question. 

   

                             Russian Caravan Tea in Russian Tea Glass & Holder
The Décor~ My intent was to create an "ambience"of 
the "Russian Tea Room". 

   

Tablescape~

Other Décor~

The Names Are Changed To Protect The Innocents~ we all had Russian female names & chose to dress in a Russian Style. Oksana,
Natasha,Helga,Ekaterina,Raina & my aka Sasha! Each name had a meaning_can you figure out Raina "The African Queen"? 

We listened to Russian Music_& being Christmas time we sang Carols! BUT...the cream De La Crème was the singing of
"From Russia With Love"...that I dare NOT place that video on this blog _which included a creative dance by Raina which we all agreed represented the Afro-Russian Bolshoi Ballet Company! Did NOT sound like this....

BTW...Before the party got started Oksana & Sasha decided to pose...I'm dressed as a Russian Sailor.

And Oksana & Natasha (Boris Badenov of Rocky and Bullwinkle ) _his sidekick!

 

What a Wonderful Time we had at my rendition of "A Russian Zakusha Christmas Party"(2010)!

Our Watch Cat Guard...My Hank "The Cowcat"

Next stop,Scandinavia(Denmark,Norway & with

 an emphasis on Sweden~Peace Out!!!