The most popular names of 2012 were Jacob and Sophia. Both are perfectly fine names! But personally, I wouldn't name a new baby either one. -- At least not for another few decades!
I was named after my father's favorite song, MY DIANE. By the time I reached High School there were 4 other girls in the same grade with my name! Sometimes, we all ended up in the same class. Dad swore he never knew another!
However, when you name your child after a popular song, or movie, or TV character; you should expect imitation. Thousands, perhaps millions are going to have the same idea and think they are the only one. This should be a no-brainer!
Of course any name can have a variety of spellings. I added an extra N when I started Junior High because I thought my name looked incomplete without it. This had always bugged me!
All considered, I'm happy with my name. I could have been stuck with far worse! For example, I could have been named after my maternal grandmother. Her given name was Floy! -- That may have been why she was such an old pus rag! A family surname is usually a good choice for a given name. But not in that case.
To me, a given name has far more to do with your identity than your surname. It's too darn bad we're not given more freedom to name ourselves. I propose, say at age 18 everyone be allowed to change the first name to one of their choosing. Then the old parent-given name would become the middle one.
I've always liked the name Lyllah. My name would then be Lyllah Dianne Lininger! However, Lyllah Lininger sounds a bit goofy. Remembering myself at age 18 I'd probably end up a moniker such as Azedna, Selithia, or Tayeda.
A first and last name together need a mellifluous rhythm to the ear. I prefer unusual or ethnic names to common ones. But they must have a certain personal style and finesse. This is something most celebrities believe they have, but sorely lack.
Celebrities tend to give their children dog & cat names. Guess they want their kids names to stand out. And they do, but for all the wrong reasons! These should be just pet names for inside the family. Because they sound lame! A few of my least favorite are: Apple, Sage Moonblood, Fifi Trixibelle, & Pilot Inspektok. These kids could play with my little fantasy daughter Polly Ester.
Back in the 1970's when I was in the florist business, all our delivery trucks were out. It was late in the day. So a designer pal and I took a wreath to the cemetery before heading off to the movies. I pointed to a grave that read Donald Duck. I thought it was hilarious and started giggling! "The only thing funnier would be a grave beside it with the name Tom Turkey." I laughed.
My friend's demeanor turned grim. "There is nothing funny about it!" she stated matter-of factly. This was the grave of a young boy who commit suicide due to that name. "Parents need to exercise good judgement when naming a child, " she said.
Duh!!!
Young Mr. Duck should have hung in there. Later, he could have legally changed his name, then divorced his parents!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
THE FABRIC OF DREAMS
If I ever had a daughter I'd name her Polly Ester. Yes, I hate kids! But I love the material. The only thing I miss about the 1960's is all those spiffy polyester clothes. Back then, the majority cared about their appearance and were still making an effort to look put together.
As the popularity of natural fabrics rose, people began to appear more sloppy. It's been a steady decline ever since. Which is strange, because the natural materials were more pricey. In the 1980's many would not be caught dead wearing polyester.
For one thing, the big name designers couldn't make money off it, so polyester was suddenly deemed low class. The masses bought into their propaganda. Of course those who could afford their over-priced duds probably never did their own ironing.
The wonder fabric was unjustly maligned. Polyester is a dream come true! Just toss into the cold water wash, then the dryer. Expect far less shrinking and fading than natural materials. Plus it's resistant to mold and mildew as well as stains. The most resilient fabric ever! I sing its praises! There are many attractive polyester blends, too.
Living on a limited income, I do lots of shopping at Thrift and Consignment stores. Once upon a time, the thrift places did not charge extra for designer rags. Nowadays most do, so usually I avoid pricey racks. And I dress really nice! I receive complements on my attire all the time, from all age groups.
A few years back, I was standing in a large group waiting for the Library to open. A disheveled man appeared and elbowed his way thru the crowd. He came to straight to me. "I'm in a bind." he said. "Can you give me a few dollars?" Reluctantly, I did. But I was annoyed that I was the one he chose to target. I brought this up in my therapy group.
"You look like you've got money," I was told. I've heard this often!
Dressing well has nothing to do with how much money you spend. It's all about how you put clothes together. There's plenty of room for creativity when you accessorize. This is a talent of mine.
I recall when a high-end shopping plaza opened near Swell's Pointe (wealthy area) in Stuart. The local paper interviewed one of the shop owners. "Sometimes the polyester crowd wanders over here," he said with disdain. -- I thought the caste system died after high school. I was wrong! I was part of that crowd to which he was referring.
One day my neighbor, Gertrude, was leaving to check out the place. I was standing outside in my faded walking shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops. She invited me along. I had no time to change clothes or put on make-up. I just jumped in the passenger seat. I wasn't even sure where we were going.
At the plaza, we briefly separated. I walked into a shop to admire an ornate handbag. One I would have needed to win the lottery to afford. But I stood there lusting. I felt two lasers boring into my back. I turned. The clerk was glowering fixedly upon me. His jaw was set. He was letting me know non-verbally I was unwelcome there.
I probably should have returned the next day dressed to perfection and had some fun with the snooty jerk! I'd pretend to buy, similar to that scene in the movie Pretty Woman. Then I'd tell him his merchandise wasn't quite up to my standards.
Gertrude preferred plain & simple attire. Unless you saw her stepping out of her brand-new Lincoln Continental, you would never guess she was worth millions! It's foolish to judge on appearance. My clothes may be cheap, but I'm not!
Honestly, I've never understood the appeal of denim. It's certainly not a Florida friendly material. I wear it only during the cooler months. Denim jeans feel like heavy drapes wrapped around my legs. I see construction workers wearing them in the heat of summer and I can't comprehend how they do it. If I was in their place, I'd be doing a Miley Cyrus and shucking my slacks in front of everyone to keep from passing out from heat stroke. My shirt would be clinging to my body with sweat. And my tongue would be down to my knees! I would be writhing on the ground.
I've always found dresses to be far more comfortable. Florida is a sweltering , sticky hot, humid state! Denim blends aren't quite as bad. Acid washed can be pretty and is fun to accessorize. As for ripped jeans, they are a joke! It is laughable to see what designers can get people to put on their bodies.
I'm not a fan of cotton, either. I'll stick with polyester. Unfortunately, it's derived from petroleum. However, cotton is the most pesticide dependant crop on the planet. Neither is environmentally friendly! At least I'm helping the environment by wearing recycled clothes!
I've read that polyester is flame-retardant. But once it ignites, it goes up fast! And unlike natural materials it melts into your flesh. However, cotton is actually more combustible! The most hazardous combination is a polyester-cotton blend. However, if the item is super pretty and flattering, it's well worth the risk.
Inside my home, I slop around, or go naked. But when out in public, I try to always dress nice!
As the popularity of natural fabrics rose, people began to appear more sloppy. It's been a steady decline ever since. Which is strange, because the natural materials were more pricey. In the 1980's many would not be caught dead wearing polyester.
For one thing, the big name designers couldn't make money off it, so polyester was suddenly deemed low class. The masses bought into their propaganda. Of course those who could afford their over-priced duds probably never did their own ironing.
The wonder fabric was unjustly maligned. Polyester is a dream come true! Just toss into the cold water wash, then the dryer. Expect far less shrinking and fading than natural materials. Plus it's resistant to mold and mildew as well as stains. The most resilient fabric ever! I sing its praises! There are many attractive polyester blends, too.
Living on a limited income, I do lots of shopping at Thrift and Consignment stores. Once upon a time, the thrift places did not charge extra for designer rags. Nowadays most do, so usually I avoid pricey racks. And I dress really nice! I receive complements on my attire all the time, from all age groups.
A few years back, I was standing in a large group waiting for the Library to open. A disheveled man appeared and elbowed his way thru the crowd. He came to straight to me. "I'm in a bind." he said. "Can you give me a few dollars?" Reluctantly, I did. But I was annoyed that I was the one he chose to target. I brought this up in my therapy group.
"You look like you've got money," I was told. I've heard this often!
Dressing well has nothing to do with how much money you spend. It's all about how you put clothes together. There's plenty of room for creativity when you accessorize. This is a talent of mine.
I recall when a high-end shopping plaza opened near Swell's Pointe (wealthy area) in Stuart. The local paper interviewed one of the shop owners. "Sometimes the polyester crowd wanders over here," he said with disdain. -- I thought the caste system died after high school. I was wrong! I was part of that crowd to which he was referring.
One day my neighbor, Gertrude, was leaving to check out the place. I was standing outside in my faded walking shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops. She invited me along. I had no time to change clothes or put on make-up. I just jumped in the passenger seat. I wasn't even sure where we were going.
At the plaza, we briefly separated. I walked into a shop to admire an ornate handbag. One I would have needed to win the lottery to afford. But I stood there lusting. I felt two lasers boring into my back. I turned. The clerk was glowering fixedly upon me. His jaw was set. He was letting me know non-verbally I was unwelcome there.
I probably should have returned the next day dressed to perfection and had some fun with the snooty jerk! I'd pretend to buy, similar to that scene in the movie Pretty Woman. Then I'd tell him his merchandise wasn't quite up to my standards.
Gertrude preferred plain & simple attire. Unless you saw her stepping out of her brand-new Lincoln Continental, you would never guess she was worth millions! It's foolish to judge on appearance. My clothes may be cheap, but I'm not!
Honestly, I've never understood the appeal of denim. It's certainly not a Florida friendly material. I wear it only during the cooler months. Denim jeans feel like heavy drapes wrapped around my legs. I see construction workers wearing them in the heat of summer and I can't comprehend how they do it. If I was in their place, I'd be doing a Miley Cyrus and shucking my slacks in front of everyone to keep from passing out from heat stroke. My shirt would be clinging to my body with sweat. And my tongue would be down to my knees! I would be writhing on the ground.
I've always found dresses to be far more comfortable. Florida is a sweltering , sticky hot, humid state! Denim blends aren't quite as bad. Acid washed can be pretty and is fun to accessorize. As for ripped jeans, they are a joke! It is laughable to see what designers can get people to put on their bodies.
I'm not a fan of cotton, either. I'll stick with polyester. Unfortunately, it's derived from petroleum. However, cotton is the most pesticide dependant crop on the planet. Neither is environmentally friendly! At least I'm helping the environment by wearing recycled clothes!
I've read that polyester is flame-retardant. But once it ignites, it goes up fast! And unlike natural materials it melts into your flesh. However, cotton is actually more combustible! The most hazardous combination is a polyester-cotton blend. However, if the item is super pretty and flattering, it's well worth the risk.
Inside my home, I slop around, or go naked. But when out in public, I try to always dress nice!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
TV DINNERS IN 3-D
I have often joked that the reason I look so young for my age is because I've eaten TV dinners most of my life and they're full of preservatives.
My father was cursed with a delicate stomach. Anything with even a hint of flavor gave him tummy pains. All our meals were prepared for his digestive system. In other words, every thing we ate was bland!
I lusted for flavor! Even today, when I buy tea, potato chips, sauces, whatever. I must try every flavor out there! At the same time I'm a finicky eater. If I find eyes or lumps in mashed potatoes, I gag! And that white thing attached to egg yolks repulses me big time. As for vegetables, most just taste nasty!
Not long ago, a grandmother's words of wisdom were all over the Internet. The one I remember most was to throw finicky eaters down a laundry shoot and force feed them vegetables. -- I'd love to shove HER down a shoot. Then force feed her a live rattlesnake!
During my teens our family unit began to break apart. My mother was experiencing more serious mental issues. She chose to eat separately. I didn't want her preparing my food in her mental state so I started eating TV dinners. I had my own meal time just as my mother.
It was wonderful! I had choices and enjoyed lots of variety. TV dinners were not only tasty, but quick and easy with minimal clean-up. Later, they were perfect after a busy day at work. I set myself free with Stouffers long ago!
From time-to-time my brother returned home for extended periods. He too, ate nothing but TV dinners. My entire family dined in shifts, now.
Our next door neighbor, Gertrude, a single woman also subsisted on them. A snowbird, she would always give me the ones remaining in her freezer before returning north.
Gertrude was a wealthy woman. She spent around $25,000. on a state-of-the-art kitchen. (This was at 1990's prices!) I told her with a kitchen like that, she should learn to cook.
"Oh I don't want to get it dirty," she replied. -- I thought she was joking. She wasn't! My father used to call it her trophy kitchen.
Actually, she used her oven, but only for TV dinners. I pointed out that most had microwave instructions! Her meal could be ready in 6 minutes! Why wait a half hour!
"I can be doing other things while they cook," she stated.
"You still do all those things!" I said. I make coffee or tea while I wait my 6 minutes. -- She refused to consider it. Her microwave was only for warming cookies.
The only one I slow-cook is frozen pizza. (The crust taste yucky when microwaved!) Plus I add lots of extra toppings and spices. Sprinkles of blue cheese taste heavenly on a thin crust. In my opinion, Dr. Oetker Ristorante makes the best! I often add veggie-meat crumbles or onions. Sometimes I top with expensive gourmet cheeses, but only for extra special occasions like holidays, my birthday, and free HBO weekends.
My friend Margaret, a single woman of 30 plus years, became a TV dinner aficionado after her final divorce. Whenever she came to visit, the first thing we did was head for the grocery store so she could pick out a few. After our day-long outings enjoying Vero Beach, we'd come home to eat our TV dinners.
After the loss of her husband, my other friend Pat turned to them as well. We would report new ones just on the market, plus give our personal reviews during our long-distance phone conversations.
Frozen dinners are ideal for a single. And they're more economical! You're not stuck buying a whole lot of perishable ingredients that take up room.
Of course some of my favorites disappeared without warning. During the early 1990's Stouffer carried a line of mucho delicioso Mexican dinners. Unfortunately, they were not around long. Howard Johnson's made the best frozen macaroni & cheese ever! I enjoyed it for decades. All of a sudden, it vanished from the freezer shelves, sadly never to return.
Nowadays, I try to avoid anything high in trans fat, salt, fructose, etc.; or at least eat them far less often. -- Half the time I cook pasta. It's as simple as just boiling water. Plus I can top it with just about anything in my refrigerator or pantry! Sophia Loren once said, "Everything I am, I owe to pasta!" -- I can't imagine a better endorsement.
However when it comes to frozen food, new and delicious varieties are turning up all the time. My all time favorite is lasagna. Stouffer's makes a great one! But so does Michael Angelos, Cedar Lane, and Amy's. TV dinners just continue to get better!
My father was cursed with a delicate stomach. Anything with even a hint of flavor gave him tummy pains. All our meals were prepared for his digestive system. In other words, every thing we ate was bland!
I lusted for flavor! Even today, when I buy tea, potato chips, sauces, whatever. I must try every flavor out there! At the same time I'm a finicky eater. If I find eyes or lumps in mashed potatoes, I gag! And that white thing attached to egg yolks repulses me big time. As for vegetables, most just taste nasty!
Not long ago, a grandmother's words of wisdom were all over the Internet. The one I remember most was to throw finicky eaters down a laundry shoot and force feed them vegetables. -- I'd love to shove HER down a shoot. Then force feed her a live rattlesnake!
During my teens our family unit began to break apart. My mother was experiencing more serious mental issues. She chose to eat separately. I didn't want her preparing my food in her mental state so I started eating TV dinners. I had my own meal time just as my mother.
It was wonderful! I had choices and enjoyed lots of variety. TV dinners were not only tasty, but quick and easy with minimal clean-up. Later, they were perfect after a busy day at work. I set myself free with Stouffers long ago!
From time-to-time my brother returned home for extended periods. He too, ate nothing but TV dinners. My entire family dined in shifts, now.
Our next door neighbor, Gertrude, a single woman also subsisted on them. A snowbird, she would always give me the ones remaining in her freezer before returning north.
Gertrude was a wealthy woman. She spent around $25,000. on a state-of-the-art kitchen. (This was at 1990's prices!) I told her with a kitchen like that, she should learn to cook.
"Oh I don't want to get it dirty," she replied. -- I thought she was joking. She wasn't! My father used to call it her trophy kitchen.
Actually, she used her oven, but only for TV dinners. I pointed out that most had microwave instructions! Her meal could be ready in 6 minutes! Why wait a half hour!
"I can be doing other things while they cook," she stated.
"You still do all those things!" I said. I make coffee or tea while I wait my 6 minutes. -- She refused to consider it. Her microwave was only for warming cookies.
The only one I slow-cook is frozen pizza. (The crust taste yucky when microwaved!) Plus I add lots of extra toppings and spices. Sprinkles of blue cheese taste heavenly on a thin crust. In my opinion, Dr. Oetker Ristorante makes the best! I often add veggie-meat crumbles or onions. Sometimes I top with expensive gourmet cheeses, but only for extra special occasions like holidays, my birthday, and free HBO weekends.
My friend Margaret, a single woman of 30 plus years, became a TV dinner aficionado after her final divorce. Whenever she came to visit, the first thing we did was head for the grocery store so she could pick out a few. After our day-long outings enjoying Vero Beach, we'd come home to eat our TV dinners.
After the loss of her husband, my other friend Pat turned to them as well. We would report new ones just on the market, plus give our personal reviews during our long-distance phone conversations.
Frozen dinners are ideal for a single. And they're more economical! You're not stuck buying a whole lot of perishable ingredients that take up room.
Of course some of my favorites disappeared without warning. During the early 1990's Stouffer carried a line of mucho delicioso Mexican dinners. Unfortunately, they were not around long. Howard Johnson's made the best frozen macaroni & cheese ever! I enjoyed it for decades. All of a sudden, it vanished from the freezer shelves, sadly never to return.
Nowadays, I try to avoid anything high in trans fat, salt, fructose, etc.; or at least eat them far less often. -- Half the time I cook pasta. It's as simple as just boiling water. Plus I can top it with just about anything in my refrigerator or pantry! Sophia Loren once said, "Everything I am, I owe to pasta!" -- I can't imagine a better endorsement.
However when it comes to frozen food, new and delicious varieties are turning up all the time. My all time favorite is lasagna. Stouffer's makes a great one! But so does Michael Angelos, Cedar Lane, and Amy's. TV dinners just continue to get better!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
HACKER CANDY
I remain quite the popular gal with the hacker crowd. I am candy to these cockroaches. They've come up with several new interesting tactics of late.
The FBI in Washington D.C. emailed to inform me that I am under investigation. It all has to do with 10 million dollars in my name sitting in an African bank. This may be drug money used to support international terrorism. It was crucial I clear my name!
Forwarding this email was illegal, I was warned. Of course I forwarded it to several friends along with my Tech man, Jake. I thought they should know they were fraternizing with an international terrorist! We all had a good laugh, I'm sure. I knew that email wasn't from the FBI any more than I'm Ivanka Trump!
Also I have been nominated for entry into an esteemed business registry for exceeding goals and representing the best in my field. -- I have no delusions about my writing skills. Off the top of my head I can think of 20 writers here in Vero Beach with more talent who are definitely more success full! -- These cons must think I am not very bright. But I do know this, if you combine SPAM and HAM you get SCAM!
Plus there's all those generous people who offer to sell me a brand new car for 75 per cent off.
Others inform me that I'm breaking the law because I don't have health insurance yet, insisting it is urgent that I contact them. -- They must think I don't follow the news!
For a long while, I was receiving emails threatening to ruin my reputation. Headings were titled, BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST and JUST DISGRACEFUL WHAT YOU DID! These same cockroaches offered to make it all go away if I would just click on their link. Had I done so, either they would have gained access into my account or my computer would have been infected with a virus. -- Probably both!
I Googled myself, I was horrified to see the first heading on my list, TRUTH, SEE DIANNE LININGER'S ARRESTS! It read arrest(S) plural. I was only arrested once!!! It happened 20 years ago during an emotional breakdown. And it was a crime of passion and not moral turpitude!
This has since disappeared and I hope it stays gone.
I have learned that these same creeps also target people with NO arrest record. They charge $35. to view their material. Underneath, they state the validity may not be accurate. -- A lucrative racket, I'll bet.
Those emails PRETENDING to be from friends, acquaintances, and others continue! Many claim to be from AT&T. -- All are reported! These are now old tricks and I've caught on.
My Tech man, Jake was here, recently. Jake has armed me with additional ammo to fight these cockroaches who continue to infest my computer.
I need to start thinking of these emails the same as I do unsolicited phone calls. As you probably know, there are plenty of shady people on the other side of the receiver among the pests.
Directly after my father's passing, a man phoned to inform me he was my new financial advisor. Dad had hired him prior to his death, I was told. -- The last 2 years of my father's life, I handled ALL his affairs. Dad was feeble and mostly deaf. I knew the guy was lying thru his teeth!
Later, a woman called. "According to our records," she chirped. "You qualify for a lower mortgage rate."
"What records?" I inquired. "I've never had a mortgage on my home!" -- My father bought our house outright.
"Uh, it appears we've made a mistake, then," she replied.
Yeah, big one, lady!
I screen all calls, now. Also it doesn't matter if a questionable email makes it into my Inbox. That hacker stench is a dead give away! There's a plenitude of vermin out there. These parasites do damage. My guard is always up.
Plus my hex is still out there. It just takes a little time.
The FBI in Washington D.C. emailed to inform me that I am under investigation. It all has to do with 10 million dollars in my name sitting in an African bank. This may be drug money used to support international terrorism. It was crucial I clear my name!
Forwarding this email was illegal, I was warned. Of course I forwarded it to several friends along with my Tech man, Jake. I thought they should know they were fraternizing with an international terrorist! We all had a good laugh, I'm sure. I knew that email wasn't from the FBI any more than I'm Ivanka Trump!
Also I have been nominated for entry into an esteemed business registry for exceeding goals and representing the best in my field. -- I have no delusions about my writing skills. Off the top of my head I can think of 20 writers here in Vero Beach with more talent who are definitely more success full! -- These cons must think I am not very bright. But I do know this, if you combine SPAM and HAM you get SCAM!
Plus there's all those generous people who offer to sell me a brand new car for 75 per cent off.
Others inform me that I'm breaking the law because I don't have health insurance yet, insisting it is urgent that I contact them. -- They must think I don't follow the news!
For a long while, I was receiving emails threatening to ruin my reputation. Headings were titled, BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST and JUST DISGRACEFUL WHAT YOU DID! These same cockroaches offered to make it all go away if I would just click on their link. Had I done so, either they would have gained access into my account or my computer would have been infected with a virus. -- Probably both!
I Googled myself, I was horrified to see the first heading on my list, TRUTH, SEE DIANNE LININGER'S ARRESTS! It read arrest(S) plural. I was only arrested once!!! It happened 20 years ago during an emotional breakdown. And it was a crime of passion and not moral turpitude!
This has since disappeared and I hope it stays gone.
I have learned that these same creeps also target people with NO arrest record. They charge $35. to view their material. Underneath, they state the validity may not be accurate. -- A lucrative racket, I'll bet.
Those emails PRETENDING to be from friends, acquaintances, and others continue! Many claim to be from AT&T. -- All are reported! These are now old tricks and I've caught on.
My Tech man, Jake was here, recently. Jake has armed me with additional ammo to fight these cockroaches who continue to infest my computer.
I need to start thinking of these emails the same as I do unsolicited phone calls. As you probably know, there are plenty of shady people on the other side of the receiver among the pests.
Directly after my father's passing, a man phoned to inform me he was my new financial advisor. Dad had hired him prior to his death, I was told. -- The last 2 years of my father's life, I handled ALL his affairs. Dad was feeble and mostly deaf. I knew the guy was lying thru his teeth!
Later, a woman called. "According to our records," she chirped. "You qualify for a lower mortgage rate."
"What records?" I inquired. "I've never had a mortgage on my home!" -- My father bought our house outright.
"Uh, it appears we've made a mistake, then," she replied.
Yeah, big one, lady!
I screen all calls, now. Also it doesn't matter if a questionable email makes it into my Inbox. That hacker stench is a dead give away! There's a plenitude of vermin out there. These parasites do damage. My guard is always up.
Plus my hex is still out there. It just takes a little time.
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