Bzzzzzzzzz

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Don’t forget your Cicada gear!!

It’s that time of year.  Hot muggy days. Spot showers and thunderstorms.  Counting the days left before school begins. And a “buzz” in the air.  Yep –those PIA cicadas. Like you, I’m fascinated by the noise, habits, and rituals of these not so pretty insects. I think it’s cool how one starts to buzz, and others jump in, joining one another in chorus, (something not surprisingly called “chorusing”. Cicadas are fascinating insects that have a rich history and interesting trivia associated with them, dating back thousands of years. I jumped on the web and dug out some cool info I think you’ll enjoy.  And although some folks may find them appetizing, I’m not one to try them! Special thanks to Wikipedia, cornell.edu, youtube.com, Smithsonian, and cbsnews.com for the info. Enjoy the buzzzzz!

Cool Videos:

 

  • A cicada is an insect belonging to the order Hemiptera.. They are well-known for their distinctive songs, particularly the loud buzzing or whirring sounds produced by the males. Cicadas have a unique life cycle and are categorized into two main groups: annual cicadas (think every summer) and periodical cicadas 13-17 years in “broods”.

  • Cicadas are relatively large insects, typically ranging from about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in length, depending on the species. They have two pairs of membranous wings that are transparent or slightly opaque. The front wings are larger than the hind wings and are held roof-like over the abdomen when at rest.
  • Male cicadas produce loud calls by using specialized structures called tymbals, which are located on their abdomen. They generate these sounds as part of their mating behavior.
  • In Greek mythology, cicadas were linked to the Muses – nine goddesses. It was believed that the music and songs of the cicadas were a form of divine inspiration that connected them to the arts and creativity.
  • The periodical cicadas, also known as “Brood X,” are one of the most well-known cicada groups in the United States. They emerge every 13-17 years in massive numbers.
  • In some cultures, cicadas have religious connotations. In ancient Greece, they were associated with Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and the sun. In Japan, cicadas are considered symbols of summer and are associated with Hachiman, the god of war and agriculture.

  • The noise produced by cicadas is a fascinating aspect of their biology and behavior. The sounds they make are primarily produced by male cicadas as a means of communication and attracting mates. Cicada noises have evolved over millions of years as an essential part of their reproductive behavior and survival strategies.
  • Here’s the science behind cicada noises: Cicadas have specialized structures called tymbals, which are drum-like membranes located on either side of their abdomen. These tymbals consist of a series of ribs that can rapidly contract and relax, producing a clicking or snapping sound. The cicada’s tymbal muscles contract, causing the tymbals to buckle inward. When the muscles relax, the tymbals snap back to their original position. This action creates a distinct sound.
  • The abdomen of male cicadas is typically hollow, acting as a resonance chamber that amplifies the sound produced by the tymbals. The sound is further amplified as it resonates through the insect’s exoskeleton.
  • In some species, male cicadas synchronize their calls to create a chorus effect.This behavior is known as “chorusing” and serves to increase the overall volume and attract more females.
  • Interestingly, cicadas also use their calls for thermoregulation. The heat generated during the rapid muscle contractions helps warm the insect’s body, making it more active in cooler conditions.
  • Brood X, also known as the Great Eastern Brood, is one of the most remarkable groups of periodical cicadas in the United States. emerging en masse at regular intervals, typically every 13 or 17 years. Brood X is particularly notable for its large numbers and widespread distribution, found in the eastern United States, covering states such as Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. When the temperature warms in the spring, cicadas rise up from the dirt. The raucous four to six week-long event rages until all the participants die and litter the forest floor.

  • Once emerged, the male cicadas begin their loud, distinctive calling songs to attract females. After mating, the females lay their eggs in small branches of trees. Once hatched, the nymphs fall to the ground, where they burrow into the soil and begin their 17-year underground development.
  • A full-scale cicadas can reach a deafening crescendo as millions of males all call for mates at the same time. The amorous din can reach roughly 100 decibels, which is just shy of standing three feet from a chainsaw.
  • Scientists from the Navy’s Undersea Warfare Center have studied cicadas in hopes of figuring out how male cicadas manage to produce their incredibly noisy mating calls without expending much effort. The idea is that a device that mimicked a cicada’s method of sound production could be used for remote sensing underwater or ship-to-ship communications.
  • In the summertime, two-inch-long wasps called cicada killers are as single-minded as their name suggests. After mating, females take to the skies to do nothing but hunt bumbling cicadas. When a female cicada killer grapples with her quarry in mid-air, she uses a honking, needle-sharp stinger to pierce the cicada’s hard exoskeleton and inject a venom that paralyzes the victim. After dragging her immobilized prey into a special chamber she’s hollowed out along her burrow, the female wasp lays a single egg on the cicada and seals the chamber’s entrance. In two or three days, the larval wasp will hatch and begin eating the paralyzed cicada alive over the course of a week or two. Nature’s incredible cycle at its best.
  • Cicada Cookie recipe!

Yummmmm!!!!!! :))))))

 

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

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Froffles

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Waffles for breakfast, lunch and dinner, oh, yeah!!!!  :))))  And you’ve got to get that great waffle shirt above (google: waffle t-shirt) If you do get it, PLEASE send me a pic with you wearing it. Thanks!

With my engrained morning routine of waking up and getting to the office early to work on your PIA (Pain in the @%$) Jobs! – (I get so much done before most of you have hit the snooze button), I sometimes forget to eat a hearty breakfast.  But when I make time, one of my favorites is to add a few waffles to the plate.  They are so simple and convenient – right from the freezer, pop ‘em into the toaster, a lot of butter in those little squares then lightly covered with powdered sugar and I’m good to go. Now when it comes to my girls and grandkids, all bets are off! – syrup, ice cream, whipped cream, cherry pie filling, fried chicken, et!  Like I often do when thinking about simple products, I get intrigued by the history and production of these little jems – ingredients, cooking (we call it heat treating around here – or more specifically thermal processing, as they are heated up, then frozen for freshness), packaging, boxing, shipping and consumption.  I took to the “net” to learn more and just had to share. Waffles date back to the Greeks and Romans (who knew they had toasters then??). Enjoy, and be sure to send me your favorite toppings and traditions (skowalski@khtheat.com) Thanks to businessinsider.com, schiffcastironcollection.com, myrecipes.com, thesaltymarsmellow.com, and Wikipedia for the info and YouTube for the video.

Start with a fun video (love the little needles)

  • Waffle-like cakes have been cooked since ancient times. The ancient Greeks cooked flat cakes called “obelios” between two metal plates. The Romans had a similar cake called “ocus.”
  • The modern concept of the waffle, with its distinctive grid pattern, originated in the 13th century when metal cooking plates with honeycomb patterns were developed in France.
  • Waffles gained popularity in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, is said to have brought the first waffle iron to America from France.
  • Waffles have variations across different cultures. In Scandinavia, there are thin and crisp waffles often served with whipped cream and berries. In the Netherlands, the Dutch enjoy a type of waffle called “stroopwafels,” which consists of two thin waffles with caramel syrup in the middle.
  • Working in their parents’ basement in San Jose, California, in the early 1930s, Frank, Anthony, and Sam Dorsa first whipped up their own brand of mayonnaise. Since the base ingredient of mayonnaise is egg yolks — and the brothers took pride in using “100% fresh ranch eggs” — they christened their fledgling company “Eggo.” Despite launching the business during the Great Depression, Eggo mayonnaise sold like hotcakes, motivating the Dorsas to extend their product line. Soon, they were selling waffle batter — another egg-based product.
  • When the frozen food industry took off in the 1950s, the brothers wanted to take advantage of  the rush to the freezer aisle. Frank Dorsa (a trained machinist) repurposed a carousel engine into a rotating device that could anchor a series of waffle irons, each cooking a breakfast treat that was flipped by a factory employee. The machine allowed Eggo to prepare thousands of freezer-bound waffles per hour. These debuted in grocery stores in 1953 under the name Froffles, a portmanteau of “frozen” and “waffles.” Customers referred to them simply as “Eggos,” and the Froffles moniker was dropped within two years. Over the years, billions have been sold.
  • National Waffle Day: In the United States, August 24th is celebrated as National Waffle Day. This date commemorates the first U.S. patent for a waffle iron issued to Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York, in 1869.  Learn more
  • The Waffle House chain, founded in 1955, is an iconic institution in the southern United States. Known for its round-shaped waffles and 24/7 service, it has become a cultural phenomenon and a popular gathering spot. Some say, since they are open 24 hours a day, there are no locks on the doors.
  • Waffles can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings. Common choices include butter, syrup (maple syrup being the classic), powdered sugar, fresh fruits, whipped cream, chocolate spread, or even savory toppings like fried chicken in the case of the popular dish chicken and waffles. For exotic toppings, click
  • Waffle iron collecting is a niche hobby for some enthusiasts. Vintage waffle irons, with their unique designs and craftsmanship, are sought after by collectors who appreciate their historical and aesthetic value. See more here (I like the rabbits)
  • Waffles have evolved and become a beloved breakfast and dessert item worldwide. They continue to be enjoyed in various forms and flavors, delighting people of all ages.
  • Century in which waffle-eating parties called “wafel-frolics” became popular in the U.S. 18th.  What fun – learn more
  • The world’s largest waffle, created in the Netherlands in 2013 was 110 lbs.
  • Yummy homemade waffle mix recipe

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))  
Have fun!!

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That One’s Not Coming Back

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Golf…what a game!  :))))

As you may well know by now, one of my “non-work” passions is playing golf.  Now, you’d think a guy who enjoys solving your PIA (Pain In The @#$) Jobs! would be better at figuring this sport out, but I must admit, not so much. If you’ve ever played, you know the thrill of hitting it “on the face” and sending it right where you intended it to go, and other times where you are just flummoxed, wondering “now where did that come from” as it heads off into the woods or nose dives into the water. I am pleased to share that I got an “unconventional” hole in one not long ago – but for the record books (and my good friend who reminds me often), it was after I put the first shot into the woods. I asked my group if I could “try it again”, and sure enough, it went into the hole (officially for a par). Recently I was at the sporting goods store and saw the “wall” of golf ball choices – low compression, high spin, big dimples, different colors – so many brands and choices. I searched for “won’t go in the water” balls and “hates being in the woods alone balls”, but to no avail.  I did however do some research on ball technology and manufacturing I think you’ll find enjoyable, along with a few trivia facts. And for those who also find their balls “not cooperating” and come across a “KHT” ball deep in the woods, be sure to send it my way.  Enjoy, and thanks to NASA, Google, Wikipedia, golftipz.com and youtube.com for the info.

Famous Bloopers

  • The first recorded golf balls were made in Scotland in the 1400’s from wood, specifically beech or boxwood. They were often smoothed and painted but were very inconsistent.
  • The feathery ball, used in the 17th and 18th centuries, was made from leather and stuffed with feathers. It was labor-intensive to produce and quite expensive, but outperformed the woodies.
  • Gutta-percha, a type of rubber derived from the sap of the Gutta tree, was used to make golf balls in the mid-19th century. Gutta-percha balls were hand-formed, and the material offered better durability and performance than featheries.  See how here
  • The flight of a golf ball is a complex interplay of various scientific principles and factors. From the moment the ball is struck by the clubface to its eventual landing, several physical forces come into play, shaping its trajectory and distance.
  • One of the fundamental principles that governs the flight of a golf ball is aerodynamics. As the ball travels through the air, it encounters air resistance, commonly referred to as drag. The drag force acts opposite to the direction of the ball’s motion, slowing it down. The dimples on the surface of a golf ball play a crucial role in reducing drag and optimizing its flight, creating turbulence in the boundary layer of air around the ball, allowing it to effectively “ride” on a cushion of air, reducing drag and increasing lift.
  • Lift force is another critical factor in golf ball flight. It is the upward force generated by the pressure differential between the top and bottom surfaces of the ball. The phenomenon is explained by Bernoulli’s principle
  • The interaction between the clubface and the ball at impact also affects the ball’s flight (this is where my problem lies). The launch angle, the angle at which the ball leaves the clubface, determines the initial trajectory. A steeper launch angle creates a higher ball flight, while a shallower angle produces a lower trajectory
  • Spin plays a vital role in golf ball flight characteristics. Backspin creates lift and allows the ball to maintain a stable flight path. It also helps the ball stop quickly on the greens. On the other hand, sidespin can cause the ball to curve in the air, resulting in hooks or slices (another one of my issues – as sometimes there is simply “Kowalski” spin which provides a good laugh to the other folks playing!)
  • The first mass-produced rubber golf ball, the Haskell ball, was introduced in the late 19th century. It featured a solid rubber core wrapped in gutta-percha threads. This design provided greater distance and revolutionized the game.  Coburn Haskell was a Cleveland guy!
  • Dimples on golf balls play a crucial role in their performance. The concept of dimples was first introduced in the early 20th century, and they help reduce drag and increase lift, allowing the ball to travel farther.

Golf Ball Manufacturing  – Check out these incredible YouTube videos of the process! HERE  AND HERE

For my engineering buddies here are some interesting facts:

  • The number of dimples on a golf ball can vary, but the average is around 300-500 designed to optimize lift, drag, and stability in flight.
  • The maximum weight of a golf ball is 1.620 ounces (45.93 grams), and its maximum diameter is 1.680 inches (42.67 mm), according to the rules of golf.
  • Golf balls can reach impressive speeds during play. Professional golfers can consistently hit drives that exceed 350 yards with ball speeds approaching 180 miles per hour.
  • The longest hit golf ball by a male in a professional competition was achieved by Mike Austin in 1974. Austin hit a drive that traveled a remarkable 515 yards during the U.S. National Seniors Open Championship in Las Vegas.
  • The longest recorded drive by a professional female golfer in a competition is 406 yards. This remarkable achievement was accomplished by Phillis Meti of New Zealand during the World Long Drive Championship in 2017.
  • The record for the most holes-in-one by a professional golfer is held by Mancil Davis. Davis achieved a total of 51 holes-in-one during his professional career. His impressive feat spanned from 1962 to 1979 and included holes-in-one in various tournaments and exhibition matches. (the most holes in one after a second shot are unknown, but I’m proud to be in this club!!)

~1.2 billion golf balls are made each year!  One of the best, Titleist video here

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

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Stormy

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Thunderstorms are an awe inspiring force of nature. Fun to play in, but not much fun to drive in.

Now that we’re “officially” in summer, I get to enjoy watching one of my favorite pastimes – watching thunderstorms.  From my office, I have a panoramic view of beautiful Lake Erie, enjoying sunrises, sunsets, sailboats and lake freighters, and of course rain and thunderstorms. Many times the storms form out over the water and then make their way to land. Darker clouds form, higher winds kick in and fishing boats start making their way to port are just some of the telltale signs a storm is on its way.  One of the best parts is I can watch the storms follow the boulevard going west to east right in front of my office! When the storms roll in, you can feel the cold front just before the rain hits, (love the smell too!) and afterwards a kind of steamy peace with everything soaked as sunshine peaks through the clouds.  And of course, the best part is the lightening shows. I love how they strike, and then scatter across the sky as the thunder hits. Since we are on the lake our local news stations’  have to do a really good job of tracking storms across the region, often alerting us to potential high winds and possible tornadoes.  It makes me appreciate the power of the storms – praying that they don’t knock out the electricity here at KHT (Truly a PIA!).  I did some digging to learn a bit more – enjoy and thanks to YouTube, Facebook and Google for the info.

Storm rolling in

Thunderstorms typically form in environments with high humidity, instability, and an upward motion of air. As the sun heats the Earth’s surface, the warm air rises and cools, leading to the formation of cumulus clouds. If the atmosphere is unstable enough, these clouds continue to grow vertically, eventually developing into cumulonimbus clouds.

A mature thunderstorm consists of multiple regions or layers. The updraft region is where warm air rises rapidly, creating the towering cloud. Within the cloud, water droplets and ice crystals collide, generating electrical charges. The top of the cloud often spreads out in the shape of an anvil, known as the anvil cloud. The downdraft region consists of cool air descending from the cloud, often associated with heavy rain, gusty winds, and occasionally, hail or tornadoes. West of Ohio, in the more open states, superstorms / supercells are a site to see

Lightning is one of the most captivating aspects of thunderstorms. It is caused by the buildup and discharge of electrical energy within a thundercloud. The exact mechanism of lightning generation is not fully understood, but it involves the separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud. When the voltage difference becomes large enough, a channel of ionized air called a stepped leader extends from the cloud toward the ground. This is followed by a return stroke, which is the bright, visible flash of lightning moving back up the stepped leader’s path. Video

A lightning strike begins with a stepped leader. It is an invisible channel of ionized air that extends downward from the cloud toward the ground in a series of steps or stages. The stepped leader propagates in quick, successive bursts, creating a path for the main lightning bolt to follow.  When the stepped leader approaches the ground or a conducting object such as a tree or building, a powerful electrical surge called the return stroke is initiated. The return stroke moves upward along the stepped leader’s path, creating the bright and visible lightning bolt that we see. It is the most luminous part of the lightning strike and travels at a speed of about one-third the speed of light.

Following the initial return stroke, subsequent discharges called dart leaders may occur. Dart leaders are smaller branches of lightning that travel from the ground or a conducting object back up towards the cloud. They often follow the path established by the initial return stroke.

In some cases, particularly with positive lightning strikes, upward leaders may be observed. These leaders initiate from tall structures, such as tall buildings or transmission towers, and extend upward toward the thundercloud. When they connect with the downward stepped leader or main lightning channel, a complete circuit is formed, resulting in a powerful return stroke.

Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion and contraction of air surrounding a lightning bolt. The intense heat from the lightning (up to 30,000 Kelvin) causes the surrounding air to expand explosively, creating a shock wave. The shock wave travels through the atmosphere as sound waves, resulting in the rumbling or cracking noise we hear as thunder.

Thunder is usually heard after the lightning due to the difference in speed between light and sound. The speed of sound in air in thunder is approximately 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second), so you can estimate the distance to a lightning strike by counting the seconds between seeing the flash and hearing the thunder – every 5 seconds corresponds to roughly 1 mile or 1.6 kilometers. (I love counting to guess how far a strike is).

Thunderstorms although beautiful can be dangerous, so it’s important to stay informed and take precautions. Seek shelter indoors when thunderstorms are in the area and avoid open spaces, tall objects, and bodies of water. Lightning can travel through the ground and metal objects, so it’s essential to avoid contact with them during a storm. If caught outdoors and unable to reach shelter, avoid open fields, hilltops, isolated trees, and bodies of water. Instead, crouch down in a low-lying area.

Remember, thunderstorms are awe-inspiring displays of nature’s power, but they should be observed from a safe distance to ensure personal safety. Hailstorm Footage

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Devilish

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Oh, man, I’m hungry!!!  :)))))))))))))

With summer approaching, Jackie and I are getting more invitations to backyard parties and get togethers. And as tradition has it, we often offer to “bring” something to be shared with the other guests.  I’m lucky as Jackie has a whole bunch of fun recipes – appetizers, salads, side dishes and desserts – all of which I try to be discrete in not being the first one to jump in and clean the plate – (those meatballs in sauce on little toothpicks are killer!) In reality, I am actually performing a public service making sure that all the wonderful apps are ok to eat!  I have a bunch of favorites, but one dish that’s always on my radar is deviled eggs. I like to quickly scan the food tables and see if they are there.  It’s a simple food, and one where I like to try other people’s versions. I can just walk by, pop in my mouth, and move on. And they complement just about everything.  So, I did a little digging, found some trivia for you, along with a few recipes.  Be sure to send me your favorite, and I’ll give it a try.  Enjoy, and thanks to …sugarspunrun.com, natashaskitchen.com, virdrinksbeer.com, and Google search for the info.

  • Deviled eggs are a popular appetizer or side dish made with hard-boiled eggs that have been halved and filled with a mixture of the egg yolks and other ingredients such as mayonnaise, mustard, and spices.
  • The devilled egg is such an eye-catching name that it’s almost impossible to miss on any restaurant menu or table. It’s neither a dish from hell, nor has it undergone any specific evil rituals, other than boiling in water and being modified with different ingredients that are commonly used by humans. So, rest assured, this is not the devil’s work but rather a sinfully tasty dish that’s also well known by other names such as egg mimosa, Russian eggs.
  • Deviled eggs have a long history that can be traced back to ancient Rome. The Romans were known for their love of eggs, and they would often cook them, season them with various spices and sauces, and serve them as appetizers. In the ancient Roman literature “Satyricon” by Petronius, a banquet thrown by a wealthy person included songbirds marinated in peppered egg yolk and stuffed into peasant eggs (not sure I’m anxious to try marinated songbirds??).
  • The term “deviled” came into use in the 18th century in England, referring to any spicy or zesty food. It was popularly served as a first course known as gustatio. Different hot sauces today really make them fun to eat!
  • Even after the fall of the Roman Empire the stuffed egg recipe stood the test of time and continued to be enjoyed in various ways. In the 1200s a written record from Andalusia, modern-day Spain,  mentions a similar recipe, wherein the scooped out yolk is mixed with cilantro, coriander, onion juice, pepper and fish sauce or fermented barley. The stuffing is placed within the hollowed-out egg white halves and is put back together with a stick.
  • In Europe, all kinds of stuffed egg recipes gained popularity by the 1400s. Medieval cookbooks also contained various recipes for stuffed eggs. The stuffing used was cheese, herbs, raisins, and flavored oils. Some recipes involved frying the eggs after stuffing. The medieval-style stuffed egg was served cold.
  • In Western Europe regions like Germany, France, and the Netherlands the devilled egg preparations usually include tomato and parsley. In Germany cheese, capers and anchovies are used. Hungarian devilled eggs are made by mashing the yolk with white bread that is soaked in milk. In Sweden, sour cream, chives, onion, caviar, and pickled herring are also used.
  • The deviled egg recipes started appearing in American cookbooks in the mid-1800s. In 1786, “deviled” was a British term that was used to refer to fried, boiled, or highly seasoned hot and spicy ingredients or food items that were boiled or fried. In the 1800s Americans borrowed the term to refer to spicy food. Since then, the term deviled egg was used for the spicy stuffed eggs and the name stuck.
  • Sonya Thomas is the record holder for eating 65 hard Boiled Eggs in 6 minutes and 40 seconds. (impressive but not a good behavior at parties).
  • Deviled eggs are relatively nutritious, as they are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. Eggs are protein-packed and contain all vitamins except vitamin C.
  • The largest deviled egg ever made weighed approximately 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms). It was created in 2015 at the World Egg Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
  • Celebrated annually on 2nd November, the National Deviled Egg Day is an unofficial holiday. Be it family reunions, parties, or potluck, the devilled egg is always invited.

Here are some fun recipes:
Click here
Click here
And click here

 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 

“I’ll Call Ya”

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From fictional Dick Tracy’s two-way Wrist TV to sci-fi Captain Kirk’s communicator to the guy who invented the very first cell phone to the guy who revolutionized the cell phone so that kids could play games on them. Read on for a quick history lesson of how we got to today’s cell phones. Or should we call them cameras that happen to have phone capabilities?  :)))))))

Fifty years seems like a long time, especially in technology. But that’s how long it’s been since engineer Martin Cooper cradled a bulky plastic object to his ear. The gray device had two rows of numbered buttons between the ear and mouthpiece, and an antenna poked from the top, reaching skyward to pick up invisible signals from the city’s jangling atmosphere. Next to the sidewalk, cars and taxis zipped down Sixth Avenue through midtown Manhattan. It was April 1973, and Cooper had just placed the world’s first cellphone call. Can you imagine his excitement?  Talk about solving a PIA (Pain in the @%$) Job! Wow. I can remember my friends sharing giant mobile phones in their company cars, plugging the power cord into the cigarette lighter. (remember those?).  I came across this fun article in Smithsonian Magazine, and just had to share.  Kudos to all my engineers and risk takers out there – your devotion to trying new things and problem solving is exemplary. Enjoy the history and walk down memory lane – I had fun reading, as I kept thinking – “I had one of those”.  Thanks to Smithsonian Magazine for the info, Wikipedia.com and YouTube for the great tunes.

Fun music while you read

  • Martin Cooper worked for Motorola where he officially demonstrated the wireless personal cellphone his team had developed. Cooper was struck by the impulse to manufacture a newsworthy anecdote—and decided to call Joel Engel, who led AT&T’s rival cellphone program. “I decided ‘Well, why don’t we give him a real demonstration?’” Cooper recalled years later. “And that’s exactly what we did.”
  • To Cooper’s relief, he soon heard Engel’s voice on the line: “Hi, Marty.” Thrilled by his victory, Cooper couldn’t help crowing. “I’m calling you from a cellphone. But a real cellphone! Personal, hand-held, portable cellphone.” There was silence at the other end, and in Cooper’s telling, (Engel would later claim not to remember the call at all).
  • Today, there are more cellphones than people on Earth. Cooper’s DynaTAC cellphone—which turns 50 this year—transformed the way we keep in touch, reshaped the etiquette of public space and began the slow death of the wired phone system.
  • Of course, before Cooper, there were other “Firsts” (a phrase, known as the Sivowitch Law of Firsts, from Elliot Sivowitch, tracing portable devices earlier in time.
  • Cellphones track back to World War II battlefields, where soldiers relied on short-range mobile radios to relay messages from the trenches. This walkie-talkie technology evolved further with the arrival of the transistor, a small device that amplifies electrical signals that are broadcast through a speaker, in 1948.
  • In the midst of transistors, car phones arrived on the scene. The original car phones weighed 80 pounds and connected users with a switchboard operator, who could only access the service in or near major cities. By the 1960s, car phones had shrunk to half the size. The 30- to 40-pound devices were mounted in the trunk of the car, with cabling running through the length of the vehicle, connecting to a headset hooked up next to the driver’s seat, and an antenna beamed and received the signals that enabled communication. Early car phones weren’t widely available; just 5,000 Americans had them by 1948.
  • In 1947, a Bell Laboratories engineer named Douglas H. Ring (of course his name was Ring!!) wrote a memo that sketched the basic functionality of the modern cellphone.  Ring imagined a system in which mobile phones functioned like radio transmitters and receivers. His concept improved upon longstanding radio technology by proposing geographic “cells” that served small, modular areas. By adding more nodes in the cellular network, Ring’s system would avoid becoming overloaded with users, keeping airwaves clear for an exponentially greater number of simultaneous conversations.
  • “Because of the technology and the problem with radio frequency interference, the FCC ruled there could only be a certain number of licenses in a major metropolitan area,” explains Wallace. The FCC’s carefully rationed licenses kept the phone lines clear for important figures.In 1983, Washington, D.C.’s mobile phone infrastructure was supported by a single transmitter, allowing “no more than two dozen users” to place calls at the same time.
  • The Motorola DynaTAC—short for Dynamic Adaptive Total Area Coverage—was the official name for what many dubbed “the Brick.” It contained 30 circuit boards, yet it weighed just 2.5 pounds and measured 9 inches tall. It required 10 hours to fully charge, powering 35 minutes of conversation.
  • A decade later, in 1983, Motorola’s cellphone was finally available for commercial service. Users paid $3,500, the equivalent of nearly $10,600 in 2023. By 1990, one million Americans had taken the plunge.
  • Today, the vast majority of American adults own a cellphone—97 percent, according to the most recent data from the Pew Research Center. Statista, a market and consumer data platform, predicts that more than 18 billion mobile devices will be in use globally by 2025.
  • Cooper said he was fascinated by a radio wristwatch used in the comic book adventures of detective Dick Tracy. In the 1990s, Motorola’s first flip phone drew inspiration from “Star Trek” communicators. (“beam me up Scottie”)
  • Among the many midcentury writers who dreamed up cellphone-esque gadgets, some envisioned communications devices that doubled as fashion statements—a prediction that blossomed in the early 2000s. By 2002, the Brick’s bulky design had given way to slim phones like the T-Mobile Sidekick, which featured a full QWERTY keyboard, for instance. Motorola’s wafer-thin Razr, released in 2004, eventually came in more than ten colors, from baby blue to bubblegum pink. Blackberry devices gave off the impression that weighty business matters might interrupt at any moment. Haute couture designers including Prada, Versace and Armani all released collaborations with cellphone companies. Even ringtones could be customized; one of the most popular, “Crazy Frog,” grossed $40 million in ringtone downloads in 2004. Cellphones were more than just a practical tool—they were fashion accessories that put your taste and disposable income on display for all to see.
  • When the first iPhone was released in 2007—quickly followed by the first Android in 2008—the colorful array of RAZRs and Sidekicks were doomed to be replaced by uniformly sleek designs. While the first Android featured a slide-out keyboard similar to the Blackberry, Apple’s minimalist design and touchscreen would soon become the smartphone standard. In 2022, iPhones claimed 50 percent of U.S. market share, overtaking Androids for the first time. Today, two companies, Apple and Samsung, dominate, together manufacturing more than three-quarters of the smartphones Americans use.
  • Innovations under development include hidden cameras, zero ports charging, advanced folding, eco recycling and holograms.  Can’t wait!

History Buffs – Here’s a brief history of the cell phone:

  • 1947 – The first mobile communication system was developed in the United States by Bell Labs. It was called Mobile Telephone Service (MTS) and allowed users to make calls from their cars.
  • 1973 – The first mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC, was invented by Martin Cooper. It weighed 2.5 pounds and had a battery life of 20 minutes.
  • 1983 – The first commercially available mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, was released. It cost $3,995 and had a talk time of 30 minutes.
  • 1989 – The first flip phone, the Motorola StarTAC, was introduced. It was the first phone to be small enough to fit in a pocket.
  • 1992 – The first smartphone, the IBM Simon, was released. It had a touch screen, email capabilities, and could run third-party apps.
  • 1996 – The first phone with a built-in camera, the Kyocera Visual Phone VP-210, was introduced in Japan.
  • 1999 – The Nokia 3210 was released, which became one of the most popular phones of all time. It had a long battery life and was durable.
  • 2002 – The first phone with a color screen, the Sharp J-SH04, was released in Japan.
  • 2007 – Apple released the first iPhone, which revolutionized the smartphone industry with its touch screen and app store.
  • 2010 – The first 4G LTE phone, the HTC Evo 4G, was released in the United States.
  • 2016 – The first phone without a headphone jack, the iPhone 7, was released by Apple.
  • 2017 – Today – how many camera lenses can we cram on the backside??

 

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Feelin’ Bullish

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No matter how smart and savvy a person may be, investing can be an emotional rollercoaster.

If you are like me, the investment marketplace just continues to baffle me. I’m all for the prognosticators who make a living buying, selling and investing in the market – some of them are real geniuses… and others, maybe not so much- Just look at SVB! At times, the market inertia, discussions, and articles remind me a bit of sports talk radio – tons of comments, thoughts and insights by these “experts in the know”… until the “no brainer, sure winner, bet on me” team loses – then they are off on a new tangent. Seems like throughout my life, I’ve heard how the “Tribe”, sorry Guardians, we’re poised to win it all and sweep the World Series, only to be reminded once again just how hard that really is. The terms “bear” and “bull” are often used to describe general actions and attitudes, of the markets  as a whole. I tend to be “bullish” on business, as I believe in all my customers and their drive to beat the odds and remain successful. Here’s a bit of trivia on the “bears” and the “bulls”.  Enjoy and thanks to Wikipedia and Investopedia.com.

  • Bull and bear markets are two opposing phenomena that are often used to describe the state of the financial markets. While bull markets are characterized by rising prices and optimistic investor sentiment, bear markets are characterized by falling prices and pessimistic investor sentiment. Understanding the history of bull and bear markets is crucial for investors and financial analysts in order to make informed decisions about investment strategies.
  • A bear market refers to a decline in prices, usually for a few months, In contrast, a bull market is when prices are rising. Typically, a move of 20% or more from a recent peak or trough triggers an “official” bear or bull market.
  • This relationship to speculation seems to have at least partial origins from the gruesome blood sports of bull and bear-baiting. These contests began in medieval times around the 1200s and reached their height of popularity during the Elizabethan era. People would flock to the events and gamble on the outcomes, betting vast sums of money on a contest featuring a bull or a bear. It’s not hard to see how this corresponds to the usage of the terms in today’s stock market speculations.
  • The terms “bear” and “bull” are thought to derive from the way in which each animal attacks its opponents. That is, a bull will thrust its horns up into the air, while a bear will swipe down. These actions were then related metaphorically to the movement of a market. If the trend was up, it was considered a bull market. If the trend was down, it was a bear market.
  • “Etymologists point to a proverb warning that it is not wise ‘to sell the bear’s skin before one has caught the bear.’ By the eighteenth century, the term bearskin was being used in the phrase ‘to sell (or buy) the bearskin’ and in the name ‘bearskin jobber,’ referring to one selling the bearskin.”
  • Historically, the middlemen in the sale of bearskins would sell skins they had yet to receive. As such, they would speculate on the future purchase price of these skins from the trappers, hoping they would drop. The trappers would profit from a spread—the difference between the cost price and the selling price. These middlemen became known as “bears,” short for bearskin jobbers, and the term stuck for describing a downturn in the market. Conversely, because bears and bulls were widely considered to be opposites due to the once-popular blood sport of bull-and-bear fights, the term bull stands as the opposite of bears.
  • The history of bull and bear markets dates back to the early 17th century, when the Dutch East India Company issued the first stock in history in 1602. This marked the beginning of the stock market, and over the next few centuries, bull and bear markets emerged as a result of economic cycles, political instability, and other factors.
  • One of the earliest examples of a bull market was the South Sea Bubble, which occurred in England in the early 18th century. The South Sea Company was granted a monopoly on trade with the Spanish colonies in South America, and investors poured money into the company’s stock, driving prices up to astronomical levels. However, when the company’s trade deals fell through, the bubble burst, resulting in a bear market and the loss of many investors’ fortunes.
  • One of the worst bear markets in U.S. history was precipitated by the stock market crash of 1929, which led to the Great Depression and a bear market that lasted almost three years. 2008, while not a severe, was no picnic, and the pandemic and inflationary tactics of today are sure smashing the marketplace.
  • In the post-World War II era, the stock market experienced a series of bull and bear markets. The 1950s and 1960s were characterized by a long-term bull market, which was driven by a growing economy and rising consumer confidence. However, the 1970s saw a bear market due to the oil crisis, inflation, and a stagnant economy. The 1980s and 1990s saw another long-term bull market, with the creation of new investment products.
  • In contrast, when used to discuss the financial markets, the term “bull” has a much more positive connotation than “bear.” A bull market and a bull (or “bullish”) speculator refers to speculative purchases made with the expectation of an increase in stock prices.
  • Warren Buffett, also known as the Oracle of Omaha, is one of the most successful investors of all time. He is known for his value investing approach and long-term investment strategy. Here are some of my favorites of his quotes:
    1. “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” – this quote highlights the importance of looking at the intrinsic value of an investment rather than just its price.
    2. “It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.” – this quote emphasizes the importance of investing in high-quality companies with a sustainable competitive advantage, even if they are trading at a premium.
    3. “Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1.” – this quote emphasizes the importance of risk management in investing. Buffett believes that avoiding losses is more important than maximizing gains.
    4. “Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.” – this quote highlights the importance of contrarian investing. Buffett believes that market sentiment can be a good indicator of when to buy and sell.
    5. “In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.” -this quote emphasizes the importance of learning from past mistakes and experiences in order to make better decisions in the future.
    6. “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.” – this quote highlights the importance of education and research in investing. Buffett believes that investors should thoroughly understand the companies they are investing in before making any investment decisions.
    7. “Our favorite holding period is forever.” – this quote emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking in investing. Buffett believes that investors should focus on buying and holding high-quality companies for the long term.
    8. “You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.” – this quote emphasizes the importance of focus in investing. Buffett believes that investors should focus on a few high-quality investments rather than trying to diversify too much.

Good luck out there…and as I like to say, “Remember, Safe Investing is No Accident” … wonder if Warren can use this one too 😊.

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Yes, I’d Love Another Slice

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Apple pie. You don’t just eat it, you live it. Every… last… bite.  :)))

One of the things Jackie and I love these days is getting the whole, extended family together.  Now that the weather has changed, and everyone’s out and about more, we look in anticipation to have everyone over to the house. This year we’re celebrating May’s National Apple Pie Day. For those that know me, it doesn’t take much to trigger my love for food and desserts, (heck, I’d celebrate a cracker day, as long as there was cheese-dips!). We’ll be “enhancing” the celebration with “and ice cream, and chocolate syrup, and snacks, and good food off the grill, and, and and”. I’m guessing, if you ask a variety of people, most of them will jump at any chance they get to sink their teeth into a piece of apple pie, especially if it’s warmed up and fresh out of the oven with vanilla ice cream!. As my family already knows…There is no rule that says you can’t have apple pie as an appetizer! So, here’s some fun trivia and history and recipes so you too can have a reason to celebrate with friends and families.  Thanks to daysoftheyear.com and nationalday.com. delish.com, thetoastykitchen.com and epicurious.com for the info.  Enjoy!

  • National Apple Pie Day is kind of like a blank check for eating apple pie, so everyone should be sure to make the most of it!  It has the ability to get families together, whether baking in the kitchen or enjoying delicious desserts together. And for many people, this day is an act of patriotism. After all, apple pie is as American as, well, as they say, apple pie!
  • History reveals that apple pie seems to have been very popular in centuries past in countries like England and The Netherlands. Both of these countries have recipes going back many centuries. In fact, the history of apple pie dates back more than 600 years, to the 14th century with an English recipe. However, it was not cemented as an American classic until around the turn of the 20th century.
  • The first recorded apple pie recipe was written in 1381 by the master cooks of King Richard II. This recipe was not the apple pie that we know today, but a type of apple tart that was cooked without a pastry crust. The recipe called for apples to be boiled with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and saffron, and then strained through a sieve before being mixed with eggs, cream, and sugar.
  • The first apple pie recipe that included a pastry crust was published in 1589 by a Dutch author named Joridt Bont. This recipe called for a mixture of apples, sugar, and spices to be placed inside a pastry crust, which was then baked until golden brown.
  • Apple pie made its way to America with the early colonists, who brought with them their traditional recipes and cooking methods. Apple pie quickly became a popular dessert in America, especially in New England, where apples were abundant and the climate was suitable for growing them.
  • During the 19th century, apple pie became an important symbol of American identity and culture. The phrase “as American as apple pie” was coined during this time and has since become a well-known saying. Though the exact origin of the phrase is unclear, a 1928 New York Times article used it to describe the homemaking abilities of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover.
  • One of the most famous stories associated with apple pie is that of Johnny Appleseed, a legendary American folk hero who is said to have traveled across the country planting apple trees. While there is some truth to this story, it is believed to have been greatly exaggerated over time.
  • According to the American Pie Council, nearly one-in-five Americans prefer apple pie over others, with 35% of those surveyed saying they have apple pie for breakfast.
  • An article in The New York Times in 1902 proclaimed the apple pie as the “American synonym for prosperity”, with troops in the 20th century saying they were fighting for “mom and apple pie.” In 1999, Vermont deemed apple pie as its official state pie.
  • During World War II, apple pie became a symbol of American patriotism and was often served to soldiers as a reminder of home. The US government even used apple pie in its propaganda efforts, with posters and advertisements featuring images of apple pie and the slogan “as American as apple pie”.
  • Apple pie remains one of America’s most beloved desserts. (Today, apple pie is the most popular flavor in America, followed by pumpkin, chocolate, lemon meringue and cherry – according to the American Pie Council).
  • In recent years, apple pie has even become a popular subject for competitive eating contests, with contestants trying to eat as many slices of pie as possible in a set amount of time. WATCH! :)))))

Steve’s Handy Tips On How To Enjoy the Day:
The great thing about apple pies is that they don’t have to be super complicated to make, so a person doesn’t need to be a master in the kitchen in order to rustle up a fantastic-tasting apple pie at home!  When making apple pie, here are some tips from the experts that might make the process go a bit more smoothly:

  • Instead of using all the same type of apples, mix it up by combining some apples that are sweet and some that are tart. The result will be more flavorful and delicious!
  • Many recipes call for brushing the outside of the crust with an egg wash after it is put together, but one expert tip is to brush the inside of the crust with an egg wash before adding the filling. This creates a barrier that keeps the apple juices from making the bottom crust soggy.
  • Once the inside has its egg wash, take a few extra minutes to layer the apples into the crust, rather than simply dumping them in.

Steve’s Apple Pie Party Tips
The best way to do this is to get a few friends together and make a variety of apple pies using different recipes and baking methods. Try adding some adult beverages, like an apple pie cocktail.  Plus, there are many ways to make apple pies, so this is the perfect time to take the opportunity to try a recipe that puts a new spin on an old classic:

  • Caramel Apple Pear Granola Cream Pie
  • Savannah High Apple Pie (piled super high and topped with streusel)
  • Individual Fried Apple Pies (more like hand pies, can be served on a stick)
  • Spiced Bourbon and Cinnamon Apple Pie (now we’re talkin’)
  • 35 recipe variations

Classic Recipe:  CLICK

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 

Fiesta

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It’s Cinco De Mayo, amigos y amigas!!!! Time to put on your sombrero and celebrate with a lot of food, a margarita (or two), maybe some dancing and some skydive boogie! Read on to see what the heck I’m talking about.  :))))))))   (You know…a holiday featuring tacos has got to be a great holiday.) Have a great Cinco de Mayo, everyone!!!!!!  :))))))))

Like many ethnic holidays and celebrations, I like to jump right in, get caught up in the energy and culture, and of course, try all the food.  One of my favorites is being celebrated today – Cinco De Mayo, when I’m best known here as “El Steveo Diego Juan Manuel Garcia Kowalski”. It’s a day I get to sneak out a little early, hit the streets and enjoy the music, great food – which should not surprise anyone and celebrations. I put together some history to share for today and suggest you get out and enjoy as well.  Thanks to hy-vee.com, YouTube, and simplyrecipes.com for the info and links.

Get In the Spirit

  • Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “Fifth of May” in English, is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle was a significant moment in Mexican history, as it demonstrated the strength and determination of the Mexican people to defend their sovereignty against foreign invaders.
  • Interestingly, Cinco de Mayo is not a major holiday in Mexico itself, where Independence Day (September 16 El Grito de la Independencia) is the most important national holiday. However, the holiday has become increasingly popular in Mexico in recent years, particularly in the state of Puebla where the battle took place.
  • We can thank FDR for enacting something called the “Good Neighbor Policy,” which was meant to improve relations with Latin American countries and communities. It was under this policy that Cinco de Mayo began to pick up steam in the 1950s and 60s, eventually becoming a national holiday.
  • Because of its commercial success, other countries like Malta, Australia, the Cayman Islands, and Canada celebrate Cinco de Mayo as well. In Vancouver, the holiday is celebrated in an extra bizarre way. The tradition is called a “skydiving boogie” (you know it’s going to be amazing based on that name alone) and involves aerial acrobatics and an annual air show.  Check it out!
  • LA’s celebration is even bigger than the festival in the Mexican city of Puebla (that’s saying something). The party is called Fiesta Broadway and has been a huge celebration since the 1990s.  Most major streets in L.A. are blocked off to host hundreds of thousands of people celebrating Mexican heritage with food, music, dancing, and crafts.
  • Not surprisingly, 47% of all drinks ordered on Cinco de Mayo are margaritas. Tequila sales easily double within the week leading up to this infamous holiday. Centuries ago, Aztec priests used to make a milky beer-like drink from the agave plant called pulque. Only the priests could consume this “nectar of the God’s” precursor of tequila.
  • There are five different types of tequila (mezcal) – learn more
  • The town of Chandler, Arizona has your typical Cinco de Mayo celebration. Food, music, parades, dancing – and Chihuahua races. Townspeople enter their Chihuahuas into this race (think horse racing on a much smaller scale) and receive a large cash prize if their Chihuahua is the fastest. (Video – the tension is stiffing…and looks like they have Queen of the race!)
  • Even though Mexican troops won the initial Battle of Puebla, French troops came back strong and eventually took over Mexico for a short amount of time. They instituted Emperor Maximilian of Austria, who was essentially a puppet through which European nations could control Mexico. The story of Maximilian is one shrouded in legend; eventually, those loyal to the General Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza rose up against Maximilian, capturing and executing him and his generals.
  • Although guacamole (and avocados in general) is extremely popular nowadays, May 5th is still the biggest day for guacamole sales. The California Avocado Commission reports that 87 million pounds of avocados are purchased just for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. (don’t forget the limes!) How is guac made? Click Here
  • Cinco de Mayo is often associated with the consumption of a favorite south of the border drink, margaritas, a popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. The origin of this tradition is unclear, but it is thought to have started in the US in the 1940s or 1950s. Recipe
  • Molé Poblano is the official dish of Cinco de Mayo because the day commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Here are links to the recipe, along with other favorites for today: Click Here

 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Nighty Night

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Sleep. One of the things I like to do when I’m not eating.  ;))))))

Chatting with my buds this week, we got to talking about all the fun shows that are streaming on tv, and how easy it is to just flow from one episode to the next, not necessarily watching the clock, until it’s later than we want. With all I have going on at home, work and personal things I choose to do, one of my favorite things is sleeping.  Now, I know, that doesn’t make much sense for an early bird like me, but getting a good night’s sleep is key for me.  Although I don’t try to avoid all the normal hazards, like eating late, spicy foods, and especially avoiding “screens” before bedtime, I think I’m pretty good at winding down, letting my body fade into a good sleep. I have to admit that a nice cup of coffee about 30-45 minutes before bed is wonderful which of course drives Jackie and my girls crazy!  Most of the time I feel good and recovered ready to take on your PIA (Pain in the @$%) Jobs! I did some digging about sleep, and found some fun stuff I wanted to share.  If you have any tips, or crazy dreams, please share (skowalski@khtheat.com).Special thanks to interestingfacts.com, YouTube and The Sleep Institute.

Relaxing Music While Reading

  1. Sleep is a natural and essential process for all living beings, including humans. We spend about a third of our lives sleeping (about 230,000 hrs.)
  2. Some of us dream in black and white – studies show that roughly 12% of people dream in black and white. It was closer to 75% before the introduction of color television.
  3. We are the only mammals that can delay sleep, being able to keep ourselves awake when our body is telling us it’s time to go to sleep. All other mammals have to go to sleep when their bodies feel the need –that is why it’s called being dog tired.
  4. According to the National Sleep Foundation, male and female circadian rhythms are slightly different. On average, men have a longer circadian rhythm by six minutes meaning they feel less tired in the evening. Women are more likely to have a shorter cycle, meaning they are more prone to waking up earlier.
  5. Sleep boosts immunity – during the flu season, it’s recommended we sleep seven to eight hours a night to help keep our hardworking immune system in tip top shape.
  6. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 15% of us sleepwalk, and apparently, it’s ok to wake someone if they’re found sleep walking. This in one of the reasons it’s very important to always put the toilet seat back down!
  7. It should only take 10 – 15 minutes to fall asleep (the ideal amount of time). If you find yourself dropping off in 5 minutes or under, the likelihood is you’re suffering from sleep deprivation, or just really had a taxing day at work or like me simply special!.
  8. Nobody sleeps through the night – we all wake up several times throughout the night, mostly without even realizing, whether that’s due to being too hot or cold, partner movement, kids or noise. Waking through the night isn’t anything to worry about – we go through different stages as we sleep and these are peppered with brief awakenings.
  9. Our sense of smell decreases when we’re asleep – studies have shown that noise can wake us up as we slumber, but smells won’t, which is one of the reasons fire alarms were invented.
  10. In 1951, a graduate student at the University of Chicago, Eugene Aserinsky, hooked up his 8-year-old son, Armond, to a device that tracked eye movements and brain waves. After Armond fell asleep, Aserinsky noticed from another room that the eye-tracking “pens” were swinging back and forth on his machine. Thinking Armond must be awake and looking around, he went to investigate and found his son sleeping deeply, his eyes closed. Aserinsky’s paper, published in 1953, was the first time REM (rapid eye movement) sleep had been described; before that, scientists had believed that the sleeping brain was more or less turned off (wouldn’t it be nice to turn off our brains?)
  11. We now know that not just humans but all land mammals and many birds undergo spells of REM sleep. In those spells, the heart rate speeds up, breathing becomes irregular, and brain waves are more variable. Major muscles that we normally control can’t move. REM sleep first occurs about an hour to 90 minutes after falling asleep. As we age, we get less REM sleep, and its function is still not entirely clear.
  12. We’ve all heard people boasting that they’re perfectly functional on five hours of sleep or less. Adults do vary in their sleep needs, but the number who are at their best with such little sleep is remarkably small. Long-term sleep deprivation is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and traffic accidents. A rush of cortisol, the hormone that revs us up to manage stress, can create the sensation of alertness. It’s an illusion; the sleep-deprived still do poorly on objective tests of their short-term memory and motor skills.
  13. For optimal functioning, seniors usually need seven to eight hours, and other adults need seven to nine. Teens need eight to 10 hours (late study nights and early school is a detriment) and younger children need even more.
  14. You can’t “Catch Up” on Sleep – sleeping in on the weekends won’t make up for the sleep you missed during the week. The only way to get enough sleep is to consistently get a good night’s rest. But, rolling over and pulling the covers up for a little extra shut eye sure is nice!!
  15. Your Brain Cleans Itself During Sleep: A recent study found that during sleep, the brain’s waste removal system, known as the glymphatic system, is 10 times more active than during waking hours. This suggests that sleep is necessary for the brain to clean itself and maintain optimal function. I am very curious about where my “brain waste” goes?
  16. Napping is not being lazy – it can actually be beneficial for your health and productivity. Short naps (20-30 minutes) can improve mood, alertness, and cognitive performance.

While experts have learned a great deal about sleep over the years, there is still much we don’t know. By understanding the facts and debunking the myths about sleep, we can all work towards getting the restful, restorative sleep we need to live our best lives.

 

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DO YOU LIKE CONTESTS?
Me, too.
As you may know the Kowalski Heat Treating logo finds its way
into the visuals of my Friday posts.
I.  Love.  My.  Logo.
One week there could be three logos.
The next week there could be 15 logos.
And sometimes the logo is very small or just a partial logo showing.
But there are always logos in some of the pictures.
So, I challenge you, my beloved readers, to count them and send me a
quick email with the total number of logos in the Friday post.
On the following Tuesday I’ll pick a winner from the correct answers
and send that lucky person some great KHT swag.
So, start counting and good luck!  
Oh, and the logos at the very top header don’t count.
Got it? Good.  :-))))
Have fun!!

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