Mike's Answers to the quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED
1. Krank
2. Kranky

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. French
2. how to fire lasers from my eyes

TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. red curry
2. fresh corn on the cob

TWO FOODS I HATE
1. ham loaf
A second food I hate has not yet been conceived by food scientists.

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. The Secret History
2. A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. oceans
2. impending robot apocalypse

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS
1. I am an encyclopedia of useless trivial knowledge.
2. I play the drums very well

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. sing
2. bake

TWO PET PEEVES
1. wrinkled laundry
2. Internet Explorer

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Pantone swatchbook
2. Plastic Spider-Man toy

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:
1. Wes
2. Austin

Justin's Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Mama Richter (thanks to my cooking skills in college)

2. Big Country

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. GOLF

2. How to do crossword puzzles better

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Steak

2. Country fried steak

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Salt and vinegar chips

2. Weedy lettuce that Anne eats

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1. Marley & Me

2. Freakonomics

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1. Anne with my credit card

2. My receding hairline

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

1. Parallel parking

2. Massaging

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1. Remember people's names

2. Not procrastinate

TWO PET PEEVES

1. When people talk on their cell phone while they're waiting in line or in a waiting room

2. When people don't pick up after their dogs

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

1. Twinkie

2. Anne

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT:

1. Alison

2. David

Jennas test

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Monkey

2. Finey

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. Chinese

2. To write a killer college essay (anybody want to help?)

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Sushi

2. Pizza

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Anything creamy especially mayo

2. Dried fruit

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1. The Kite Runner

2. Any junky book especially Gossip Girl

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1. Airplane bathrooms

2. Mice/Rats 

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

1. Beer pong

2. Listening 

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1. Math 

2. Sing!!!

TWO PET PEEVES

1. When people don't help clean up board games

2. When someone says that they failed a test and then they get a 90%

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

1. Karen

2. Leftover cold pasta salad

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST NEXT: 

1. Jerry

2. Barb 

whoooooooops uncle rick already took it! How about mike instead!
see I told you I need to pay attention better!

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1. Cici
2. Squeak

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. How to stop biting my nails
2. Yoga

TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. Sushi
2. Buttered noodles with parsley (me too mommy!!!)

TWO FOODS I HATE
1. AVOCADO
2. Brussel Sprouts
TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1. Any one of the Harry Potters
2. Pride and Prejudice

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1. Moths
2. People that are mean

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:
1. Painting
2. Cooking

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1. Keeping in touch
2. Retain information, pay attention

TWO PET PEEVES
1. Trucks that drive around with only the cab
2. inconsiderate pedestrians

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Jamie
2. Sawyer

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS TEST NEXT
1. Uncle Rick
2. Mary

The Quiz

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED

1.  Klug 

2. Julie

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. Spanish

2. Gardening

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Soft serve ice cream

2. Buttered noodles with parsley 

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Raisins

2. Mushy fruit

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1. The Gospel According to the Son (Norman Mailer)

2. Anything Shel Silverstein

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1. I am horribly claustrophobic 

2. Confrontation

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:

1. I can be charming

2. Drinking games :)

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1. Golf

2. Think quicker on my feet

TWO PET PEEVES

1. Intolerance (have to ditto my brother)

2. Waiting in the doctors office

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH MY NOW

1. Pictures of my children

2. Brett (he stinks, btw)

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS TEST NEXT

1. Jenna

2. Justin 

 

Rick's Answers

TWO NICKNAMES I'VE BEEN CALLED
1. The Grinch
2. Ricky
TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. To speak any foreign language
2. To pole vault
TWO FOODS I LOVE
1. Home made roast beef hash
2. traditional English breakfast
TWO FOODS I HATE
1. Turkey tetrazini
2. can't think of anything else
TWO FAVORITE BOOKS
1. The World According to Garp
2. The Fatal Shore
TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME
1. Heights
2. Speaking in public
TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS
1. Public speaking
2. DIY
TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER
1. DIY
2. Golf
TWO PET PEEVES
1. Intollerance
2. McDonalds
TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW
1. Wendy
2. Walter
TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT
1. Wendy
2. Alison

Sad news from Dallas

Susan the cat
Originally uploaded by mikekrankota

Susan Grinter-Krankota passed away unexpectedly last week at age 10. Her sweet Buddha-nature backfired, as we're positive it never occured to her to run from the roaming dog that attacked her. Henry the bagel bravely rushed to the scene and scared the dog away, allowing us to rescue Susan and rush off to the emergency vet in the wee hours.

Unfortunately, her internal injuries were pretty bad, and we elected not to put her through long, complex surgeries with a questionable chance of full recovery. She had really excellent pain meds at the emergency clinic, so spent the day happy and content, sleeping on a big fluffy pillow as we went to our vet to figure everything out. Alison and I were both there to make the decision and snuggle up with her, and she died peacefully and happy, with those that loved her.

Susan was a tremendous cat: happy, lazy, kind to everything but large bugs, and always ready to hop up on your lap and fall asleep. She is very much missed by all, and remembered fondly as the best cat EVER.

JoAnne's Answers

TWO NICKNAMES I'VE BEEN CALLED

1. Jag

2. Goofy

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. To dance

2. To speak French

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Steak

2. Mac & cheese

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Duck

2. Oysters--fried

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS

1. Wuthering Heights

2. Little Women

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME

 1. Driving in traffic

 2. Speaking in public

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

 1.  Needlepoint

 2.  Listening

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER

 1. Typing

 2. Gardening

TWO PET PEEVES

 1. Doing this test

 2. People who are loud & obnoxious

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

 1. Bailey

 2. Ralph

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT

 1. Karen

 2. Gracie

Ralph's Answers

TWO NICKNAMES I'VE BEEN CALLED

1. I have never had a nickname (unless you count Roaring Ralph) and always wish I did.

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN

1. Play the piano

2. Adobe Illustrator

(Unfortunately you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks)

TWO FOODS I LOVE

1. Baby back ribs

2. Duck

TWO FOODS I HATE

1. Sweet potatoes

2. Parsnips

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS

1. Tuesdays with Morry

2. Marley and Me

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME 

1. I am fearless

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS

1. If I have a talent, I don't allow it to remain secret

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER

1. Golf

2. Everything else I do extremely well

TWO PET PEEVES

1. Men wearing golf hats in restaurants — especially backwards

2. People who automatically raise their voice when talking on a cell phone

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW

1. Bailey

2. My computer

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT

1. Wendy

2. Carol Taylor

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED:

1) Stormin' Norman

2) Son

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN:

1) To play golf

2) sex

TWO FOOD I LOVE:

1) Corn on the cob

2)Devil Dogs

TWO FOOD I HATE:

1) Cheese

2) Chicken

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:

1) My Sister's Keeper

2) Go up for Glory the story of Bill Russell

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:

1) Snakes

2) My  computer

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:

1) Making coffee for the wife

2) Picking out birthday cards

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:

1) Sing

2) Be more patient

TWO PET PEEVES:

1) Cracking knuckles 

2) Waiting in line

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW:

1) My two loves (Karen and Jenna)

2) Dylannnnnn!

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT:

1) Rick

2) Ralph

TWO THINGS

You think you know your family? Here's a chance to find out more about your fellow Gazette readers.

It's easy - just cut and paste the quiz below into a new post, and replace the answers that are there with your own. Here's the catch: in the last question, the person taking the quiz gets to pick who has to take the quiz next. But watch out...it just might be you! I'll start:

TWO NICKNAMES I HAVE BEEN CALLED:
1) Bananer
2) Pants

TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN:
1) How to surf
2) How to knit (I've tried...but can't seem to get it right)

TWO FOODS I LOVE:
1) Sushi
2) Cheese

TWO FOODS I HATE:
1) Zucchini
2) Canned chicken soup

TWO FAVORITE BOOKS:
1) East of Eden
2) The Red Tent

TWO THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
1) Mice
2) Sleeping with the house unlocked

TWO OF MY SECRET TALENTS:
1) Cooking comfort food (chicken pot pie and chicken fried steak are specialties)
2) Fixing things around the house

TWO THINGS I WISH I DID BETTER:
1) Grill (I'm too impatient)
2) Throw a football

TWO PET PEEVES:
1) Picky eaters
2) Annoying ringtones

TWO THINGS IN THE ROOM WITH ME NOW:
1) Dylan
2) A Pig figurine

TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NEXT:
1) Norman
2) Grandma

Fish Taco Recipe - By Request (By Justin)

You asked, you got it. Here it is, by request, Justin's recipe for fish tacos. 

Fish Tacos (Serves 2)

-Approx. 1 lb. of a light, flaky fish (we've used Wiper, Crappie, Walleye, Tilapia, Orange Roughie)

-Approx. 2 Tbs vegetable oil

-2 limes

-Garlic powder

-Salt and pepper

-2 large tomatoes

-Approx. 1/3 C fresh cilantro, chopped

-1/4 red onion, finely chopped

-1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

-1 avocado, diced

-Sour cream

-Small tortillas (flour or corn)

1) Cut fish into bite-size chunks. Heat oil in saute pan over low to medium heat. Add fish and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper. 

2) Meanwhile, make pico de gallo (Anne's job): chop tomatoes and combine in bowl with cilantro, red onion, garlic powder to taste, and juice of 1 lime. Set aside. 

3) Cook fish for approximately 8 minutes until flaky. Add juice of the 2nd lime about half-way through cooking. Stir periodically. 

4) Serve fish in tortillas (preferably heated over gas top stove burner, otherwise in microwave),with  sour cream, heated black beans, diced avocados, pico de gallo, and (if you can handle it) Mexican hot sauce (preferably Chulula). 

And finally, don't forget: it tastes better if you catch the fish  yourself! Enjoy!

New (Sort of) Mac

I am now enjoying my first (and thus far awesome) Mac experience, thanks to Grandpa, who was kind enough to give me his old (although it doesn't seem old at all!) iMac G5. As for why he no longer needed his Mac, refer to his post of July 7, "New Toy." 

Anyway, I finally got it set up and running and it is great, so thanks, Grandpa! Izzy is looking forward to ichatting with Sawyer. 

An interesting side note that Gazette readers will surely appreciate: when I first ran the Mac it was set up with an admin profile of Ralph Grinter. You can set up as many user profiles as you want for your computer. Who was set up as the secondary user after Ralph Grinter? Joanne, perhaps? WRONG. It was Bailey, complete with his own dog buddy icon. Who knew he was such a talented dog?!?

Old Timers and Kids

Bailey has now officially been certified as a Therapy Dog by the American Kennel Club and Therapy Dogs International. This past Tuesday he visited the Belle Meade Health Center for both orientation and to visit a number of residents. They loved him. Today, he attended an orientation for Luther & Friends — Canine Assisted Reading Education program (C.A.R.E.) for kids having difficulties learning to read. It has been proven that reading to dogs is much less stressful than reading to a teacher or classmates and significant reading progress results. He will start those visits in September. Monday is his first solo visit to the Belle Meade Health Center. He will wear the pictured neck scarf when he goes to school.

Two Sports

While sitting in the parking lot at the Streets of Southepointe (the mall( R & J's car experienced a hit and run fender bender.  Nothing serious but it did require a trip to the body shop.  While there, they needed a loaner.  Once again, Lucy to the rescue!  For the third time in so many months, our little red wrangler has been there for those in need (a golf pro, a bartender, and now our illustrious editor!)  Ralph, of course, was the only one to complain about the bumpy ride.

Nice Bass (By Justin)

My favorite form of R&R is to take the boat out on the lake for a morning of fishing. Usually I go solo or with my stepdad, but every once and awhile I succeed in guilting Anne into getting up early and joining me. Granted, my 5 am departure time becomes more like 8 am and instead of worrying about a supply of lures and rods I make sure there is plenty of coffee and crossword puzzles, but I do enjoy these rare occasions!

Last Saturday was one of those rare occasions. We headed out to Shawnee Mission Park (home of the dog park) and found a prime spot. The first couple of hours yielded multiple nice fish for me, but Anne had only managed to hook a modest catfish. Although Anne was visibly frustrated, she did not give up her pole in favor of her crossword puzzle, which turned out to be a good decision. Minutes later, after a solid strike, Anne was in a battle with a "whale" of a hybrid bass. A 10-minute fight ended with me netting the 10-lb. monster. At that point, Anne called it a day. Her work was done. My work (of preparing fish tacos the next day) had begun.