There was an American named:
James (Jim) Harrison Wilson Thompson (born March 21, 1906 in Greenville, Delaware - unknown) was an American businessman who helped revitalize the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s. A former U.S. military intelligence officer (with the OSS, which was a forerunner of current day CIA), Thompson mysteriously disappeared from Malaysia's Cameron Highlands while going for a walk on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967.
There have been even books publishes on HOW or WHY he disappeared, but none can prove positively how or why.
I LOVE Wikipedia because it tends to post many answers, not just one biased view. Here's one opinion of his life and disappearance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thompson_(designer)
A book was written about his disappearance. I have my own "theory" (and everyone is entitled to his/her opinion) - my feeling is that he might've been still carrying on covert CIA missions using Thailand as a base, and encountered plots with bordering countries (then Burma, Laos, Cambodia). I think he "knew too much" (not necessarily that he knew too much CIA information, but knew too much information about the adversaries) was "taken out" and carried away in the "white car" to places so remote in the jungles of Malaysia that the decomposed body will NEVER, EVER be found. I know this differs (my personal theory) greatly from a book that was written about him, but I have hunches, intuitions, feelings and that's all they are.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Hindu Mommy....
I take absolutely NO credit for "Hindu Mommy" but it's a website I came across unexpectedly and she's not written anything on her blog since 2007 - there are a lot of great projects for kids to do and keep up their Hindu heritage and I would certainly like to encourage this lady to keep going. Maybe you could write her and encourage her to keep going. We need role models (Mums and Dads) of all faiths - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish who sit down with their kids and DO things: crafts, explaining the significance of each. Even those who are not religious - certainly, you have a craft or skill to pass along to your children and grand-children (who will pass it along for generations more).
Here's her blogspot: http://hindumommy.wordpress.com/
She has GREAT ideas - let's all try to encourage her to continue her blog (wish I had half her ideas!)
Personally, I got our daughter interested in making papier maché boxes with Hindu pictures. We've also taught her how to make "diyas" of clay and bake them, decorate them. We've taught her the practice of making "henna" on the hands (and she's quite good at it).
We happen to be Hindu, but we also taught her to respect all other great religions. In fact, she and her 2 Hindu friends are going to a Jewish Purim Carnival on March 19th (they've gone almost 4 years in a row and have thoroughly enjoyed it). Our dear friend, Richard, once said "we all climb the same mountain to God....does it matter that some climb from the West, some from the East, some from the North and some from the South?"
Om Shanti Shanti - may there be PEACE in this world!!! May we put aside our "differences" and build up our commonalities.
Here's her blogspot: http://hindumommy.wordpress.com/
She has GREAT ideas - let's all try to encourage her to continue her blog (wish I had half her ideas!)
Personally, I got our daughter interested in making papier maché boxes with Hindu pictures. We've also taught her how to make "diyas" of clay and bake them, decorate them. We've taught her the practice of making "henna" on the hands (and she's quite good at it).
We happen to be Hindu, but we also taught her to respect all other great religions. In fact, she and her 2 Hindu friends are going to a Jewish Purim Carnival on March 19th (they've gone almost 4 years in a row and have thoroughly enjoyed it). Our dear friend, Richard, once said "we all climb the same mountain to God....does it matter that some climb from the West, some from the East, some from the North and some from the South?"
Om Shanti Shanti - may there be PEACE in this world!!! May we put aside our "differences" and build up our commonalities.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
"Hugging Amma" Amma Sri Mata Amritananda Mayi Devi
We were very, very blessed to have seen Amma in Toronto, be TOUCHED by her special grace and even given our own "mantras". This is the SAINT of the world who brings only goodness to the hearts of the poor:
Amma's Dream:
"Everyone in the world should be able to sleep without fear, at least for one night. Everyone should be able to eat to his fill, at least for one day. There should be at least one day when hospitals see no one admitted due to violence. By doing selfless service for at least one day, everyone should help the poor and needy. It is Amma's prayer that at least this small dream be realised."
PLEASE check her website and all the wondrous things she is able to do with God's grace:
http://www.amritapuri.org/
There are soup kitchens for the poor in almost every part of the world, thanks to her calling from God. She has (and would be the last to take credit for it) built with God's special gifts hospitals for those who cannot pay, widows' pensions and houses in India, relief work in Africa.
Do you know, I have met MANY famous people in my lifetime (Prime Ministers, Actors, Gurus) but when this SPECIAL God-sent lady touched my head.....I felt that she KNEW me and all my life and would heal me of my transgressions against God. Moreover, the people we met at that Conference were also open to sharing their personal experiences with Amma. May God bless her and continue to help her help this troubled world!
Love is the Answer:
Amma's Dream:
"Everyone in the world should be able to sleep without fear, at least for one night. Everyone should be able to eat to his fill, at least for one day. There should be at least one day when hospitals see no one admitted due to violence. By doing selfless service for at least one day, everyone should help the poor and needy. It is Amma's prayer that at least this small dream be realised."
PLEASE check her website and all the wondrous things she is able to do with God's grace:
http://www.amritapuri.org/
There are soup kitchens for the poor in almost every part of the world, thanks to her calling from God. She has (and would be the last to take credit for it) built with God's special gifts hospitals for those who cannot pay, widows' pensions and houses in India, relief work in Africa.
Do you know, I have met MANY famous people in my lifetime (Prime Ministers, Actors, Gurus) but when this SPECIAL God-sent lady touched my head.....I felt that she KNEW me and all my life and would heal me of my transgressions against God. Moreover, the people we met at that Conference were also open to sharing their personal experiences with Amma. May God bless her and continue to help her help this troubled world!
Love is the Answer:
Searching ancestry....
Has anyone out there ever tried to do genealogy of the family? I am trying to do this as a legacy to leave our daughter. It is not a journey for the weak of heart. It takes many unexpected twists and turns, sometimes leading to a dead end.
I remember when I was researching the life and times of Thomas Farr (formerly of England, who established himself in what is present-day Sri Lanka) - it was like a labyrinth with tunnels and funnels - some leading to false promises, some not even remotely related. Eventually, the puzzle was solved and we were fortunate enough to meet his great-great-grandson, Colin, who lives in Powassen, ONT, Canada. That was a real treat to meet him and his lovely wife, Carol - even some of their children and grand-children. We were not expecting the journey to take us to Canada, but glad it did.
My husband and I were able to take photos of the gravesite of Thomas Farr's first wife (the site is in Bogawantalawa, Sri Lanka), and another friend of ours was able to help Colin obtain his birth certificate from Sri Lanka.
Genealogy (whether your own or another's) can be the most rewarding experience of a lifetime; it can also be surprising from time to time. Places you were "sure of" may give way to other places. Surnames you are POSITIVE of may change into another name before your very eyes.
Just be open, prepared for changes in wind, direction. Also be prepared for a few "tall tales", even in the most unexpected places.
I remember when I was researching the life and times of Thomas Farr (formerly of England, who established himself in what is present-day Sri Lanka) - it was like a labyrinth with tunnels and funnels - some leading to false promises, some not even remotely related. Eventually, the puzzle was solved and we were fortunate enough to meet his great-great-grandson, Colin, who lives in Powassen, ONT, Canada. That was a real treat to meet him and his lovely wife, Carol - even some of their children and grand-children. We were not expecting the journey to take us to Canada, but glad it did.
My husband and I were able to take photos of the gravesite of Thomas Farr's first wife (the site is in Bogawantalawa, Sri Lanka), and another friend of ours was able to help Colin obtain his birth certificate from Sri Lanka.
Genealogy (whether your own or another's) can be the most rewarding experience of a lifetime; it can also be surprising from time to time. Places you were "sure of" may give way to other places. Surnames you are POSITIVE of may change into another name before your very eyes.
Just be open, prepared for changes in wind, direction. Also be prepared for a few "tall tales", even in the most unexpected places.
CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING!!
CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING
Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster..
I didn't know that!
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
Spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste
Of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm.
This keeps the crust crispy No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in
A microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food
Moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper weeds away Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers,
Put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and for-
Get about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not
Get through wet newspapers.
Broken Glass Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.
No More Mosquitoes Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. (Wonder if this works with rabbits? Sure gonna give it a try)
Flexible vacuum To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.
Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such
As peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
Reopening envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
Conditioner Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.
Goodbye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!
Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS (I do this all the time)
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material .. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ..... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit.You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ..... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it!
...
Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster..
I didn't know that!
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
Spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste
Of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm.
This keeps the crust crispy No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in
A microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food
Moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper weeds away Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers,
Put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and for-
Get about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not
Get through wet newspapers.
Broken Glass Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.
No More Mosquitoes Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. (Wonder if this works with rabbits? Sure gonna give it a try)
Flexible vacuum To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.
Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such
As peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
Reopening envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
Conditioner Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.
Goodbye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!
Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS (I do this all the time)
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material .. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ..... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit.You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ..... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it!
...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
EASY Sri Lankan Mutton Rolls....
The one thing that makes our mouths water are Sri Lankan Mutton Rolls, which we buy every time we go over to Toronto (where Sri Lankan bakeries abound). But we don't live in Toronto, and unfortunately, there are no Sri Lankan bakeries here. So, in order to keep my family happy, I invented a quick and easy "Mutton Rolls" recipe.
Recipe is only USD $1.59.....step by step easy to follow instructions. 49 years experience as a gourmet cook. Pay at: Paypal: farrshimla@gmail.com and please mention WHICH recipe you want
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