At 1 a.m. I Awoke With A Start

You know, that really is a strange phrase...I awoke with a start. 

The opposite is I awoke with a stop. Who would want that? Of course it means waking suddenly. So, I woke with a start, suddenly. I had something I wanted to say to someone about something, on line. I didn't want to start the computer and I didn't write it down. This morning all I remember is I woke up, suddenly, at 1 a.m. 

It may be time for some AARP memory exercises?

Who was the host of Match Game?
Paul Lynde to block was commonly heard on which television game show?
Who said...."Verrrrry interesting" and on what television comedy?
What did Ozzie Nelson do for a living? 
Why and where was Ward looking for the beaver?
Who took off and pounded his shoe on the lectern in the UN General Assembly? What year was it? What size was the shoe? And, what is a lectern?
What quiz show was the 1994 film "Quiz Show" about? 
What was the name of the 1955 Oscar winning best picture that "stumped" Herbie Stemple? Who was Herbie Stemple? What part did Lord Volermort play?
What breakfast item am I currently wearing on my shirt?

I'm a little frustrated this morning. 

Over the week end Wanda and I cleaned the inside of the dishwasher. It suffered from soap build up and hasn't been cleaning very well. Depending on results, we would continue to use, or replace it. A garage door opener and a fridge (and a motorcycle and new car) are already on our (my) wish list. A new dishwasher could wait. And really, it's just the two of us so hand washing isn't a problem. 

We removed the bottom spray arm assembly. Small pieces of what looked like plastic wrap were blocking the spray openings. It was almost completely blocked, no wonder we had the problem. After a good cleaning I put everything back together and re-installed the spray arm. I was sure the problem was solved and I was pleased. It was a job well done. 

As I was closing the door I glanced up and saw the spray arm assembly on top. We both forgot about the damn thing (maybe it's time for AARP brain exercises?) I removed and cleaned it as well. Our dishwasher was now ready for its first test. I loaded and ran it. Something is still wrong. I don't know what.

How am I supposed to tell if the arms are spraying and revolving when every time I open the door it stops?

I've commented on the wonder of the World Wide Web more times than I can count...another silly phrase...more times than I can count. If I put my mind to it and had the energy, I could count pretty darn high. I like more times than there are stars in the sky better. It rather poetic. 

Sometimes using the Internet spoils all the fun.

Do you ever think about the first person to eat an artichoke? I do. I'd like to know who it was and why he did it? He must have been very hungry to eat a prickly thing like that. If I had to guess I'd say it was after the discovery of fire, and mayonnaise. But, I don't have to guess, do I? I simply Google my question and I can pick from almost a half million articles. 

From the History of Artichokes: copyright 2004 by Linda Stradly, the What's Cooking In America web site.

Artichoke origins dates back to the time of the Greek philosopher and naturalist, Theophrastus (371-287 B.C.), who wrote of them being grown in Italy and Sicily.

Of course Theophrastus would know. Where is the mystery? Where is the hunt? Where is the reward for a difficult job well done? Back in the old days a trip to the library was a necessity to quell a curious mind. Now, every fucking thing known to man, woman, and a variety of primates can be found using a small machine. Sometimes a little imagination is a very good thing.

Of note: Ancient Greeks and Romans considered artichokes a delicacy and an aphrodisiac. I watched "Spartacus" on Starz and those guys thought everything was an aphrodisiac. Food, wine, song...tree bark. They had no problems having sex with anyone, anytime, anywhere. If a man couldn't find a partner he would schtup mud.

Wanda and I had salmon, sliced tomato, and steamed broccoli for dinner last night. We buy locally grown organic broccoli at our Farmers Market. We eat it once or twice a week. I thought we were doing such a good thing, and now this.

Apparently regular broccoli isn't good enough. Beneforte' broccoli, which was developed through cross-pollination and selection to combine commercial broccoli with wild broccoli has an increased ability to produce more phytonutrients like glucoraphanin, nutrients which often help improve the performance of mitochondria cells. Or, the stuff that helps us stay young and strong. When this gets out baseball players will start devouring broccoli by the case.

It is believed the new type can produce up to two times the amount of the good nutrients. It's sure to be expensive. Why is it even necessary? Eating twice as much regular broccoli should be just as good. In case you are wondering, kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower also produce glucoraphanin. I tasted a Brussels sprout once. I think.

Today, August 6th is "Fresh Breath Day." I guess it's OK to walk around with smelly breath the other 364 (or 365 for Leap Year). Just thought of something, why is it called "Leap Year"....no, I am not going to look this up. If I can get the answers to every damn thing why should I bother asking the questions? To 'leap' is to jump or skip over, isn't it? The three with no February 29th should be leap years. 

So, celebrate, eat a breath mint or chew sugarless gum.

You're bound to have a sweeter day.