Rose Cottage Ltd

++ Free meals and discounts on Veteran’s Day

Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served and to those still serving. Let’s hope that the VA gets its act together and remembers who THEY are supposed to serve.

Let’s also remember that 22 veterans commit suicide each day in the United States. This is unacceptable. If you know a vet, be a good friend and make sure they are really doing okay – don’t just assume.

And thanks to Montel Williams, Greta Van Susteren, and those few congressmen who worked so hard to get Sgt. Tahmooressi out of that Mexican prison…

Welcome to November and hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween.

I’m skipping real estate news this Saturday because something happened last night that ALL Americans need to know about.

++ Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi freed from Mexican jail

After 214 days in a Mexican prison, Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi crossed the US – Mexican border Friday night, boarding a private jet for Florida shortly after 9 p.m., after a strong diplomatic push convinced a judge to release the former Marine on humanitarian grounds.

His release comes after a lengthy trial and a Congressional hearing in September highly critical of Obama Administration efforts to secure his release and Mexico’s refusal to let him go. Tahmooressi said he made an innocent mistake the evening he crossed into Tijuana with three weapons in his truck on March 31.

While his defense rested its case several weeks ago, Tahmooressi’s release came only after a strong diplomatic push from former Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ).

I actually forecast the timing of the release two months ago. Andrew had been in a Mexican prison, held on ridiculous charges since March 31, 2014. While the Obama administration was releasing Gitmo prisoners for Bowe Bergdahl, Andrew sat in jail. While Andrew’s mother pleaded with this administration for help – Obama did nothing. He didn’t use his infamous “pen” or “phone” to push for Andrew’s release or even to request a speedy legal process. Obama did NOTHING.

So here we are 4 days before the mid-terms with a country largely turning against Obama, the Democratically-controlled Senate, and miraculously, Andrew is released. Wonder if Obama will try to stage a Rose Garden photo-op with Andrew and his mom? If he tries it I hope they tell him “NO!”

Obama did NOTHING to help get a Marine and a US citizen out of a Mexican jail. NOTHING.

Since Obama has loudly and proudly proclaimed that his policies are what’s being voted on in the mid-terms, send a loud message that we, as US citizens are NOT fooled by Obama’s lackluster and inept performance and that we are not willing to let him use Andrew Tahmooressi’s release for undeserved political gain. Next time, instead of Andrew it could be you, or your son, or your brother, or your husband who is ignored.

I don’t have kids and so tend to somewhat ignore most of Halloween. Every once and awhile I get invited to a party though and never know what to bring. This year, I’m bringing spiders.

These are easy to make. Just make deviled eggs as you normally would and then use whole black olives for the “spider’s” body and legs. I’m going to throw a bit of parsley on the plate to make it look as if they are crawling through the grass – something spiders are known to do!

They had a recipe for making these deviled eggs look like eyeballs, but I’m going to pass on that one as being a bit too realistic to be appetizing!!

Some people like shoes – I like sweaters. So this time of year is fun for me and a great time to shop for a new sweater or two for the coming colder temperatures. Here are a few great choices for men and women…and what better time since so much is on sale right now!

++ Save as much as 70% in the National Geographic Online Store

How good are the sales? If you bought one each of each of these items you’d save $340!!!

Scottish Wool Walking Sweater
$20 OFF!

Peruvian Ombre Alpaca Sweater
$70 OFF!

La Paz Alpaca Sweater
$100 OFF!

Whitby Fisherman Sweater
$50 OFF!

Norwegian Quarter-zip Wool Sweater
$100 OFF!
I actually have one of these and it is WARM!!!

Looking for something else? Shop National Geographic’s Best Selling Gifts!

So you head out on a nice holiday morning to enjoy a bit of fresh air – maybe sweep leaves from the deck and rake the yard.

Then you hear it. That annoying whine of some neighbor’s leaf blower. Power up, power down, start, stop. And on, and on, and on with that annoying and incessant whining.

So I have a whine of my own – “Get a rake and a broom!!!”

I heard the neighbor’s leaf blower – and this is not my next-door neighbor either but one some 5 houses away – for almost 30 minutes before I ventured outside. Since all the lots in this neighborhood are under a half-acre, I reckoned that in 30 minutes or so he should be just about finished. But no.

So on I go with my quiet broom and clear the deck of all leaves. I then head to the garage for my quiet rake and do a fairly thorough job of raking all the leaves that fell during or after yesterday’s rain. In 30 minutes give or take, I am done. He is still blowing – and being heard by everyone within a mile radius.

I hate unnecessary noise and let’s face it, the world is full of it. I also think it is beneficial to the grass to get a good raking once and awhile. I’ve always maintained a good lawn so am not likely to change my way of thinking on this subject.

While I am sweeping and raking, my arms and cardiovascular system are getting a good workout. A nice benefit for anyone over 50. In the end of things, my yard, deck and driveway will look just as good as his, my neighbors will still be unaware that I have even BEEN outside, and my body got a bit of a workout other than just standing around with a noisy piece of ridiculous equipment in my hand.

Score one for me…and on he still blows…