Next, if your Mapsco is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If in Denton

Dallas

There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Dallas

The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday’s rush hour starts Thursday morning.

If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot.  When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.

Construction on Central Expressway is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. We had sooo much fun with that, we have added George Bush Freeway and the High Five to the mix.

All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, “Oh, we’re in Fort Worth

If someone actually has his or her turn signal on, it is probably a
factory defect. Car horns are actually “Road Rage” indicators - and
remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas.

All old ladies with blue hair in a Mercedes have the right of way.
Period.  And remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas

Inwood Road, Plano Road, NW Highway, East Grand, Garland Road, Marsh Lane, Josey Lane, 15th Street, Preston Road all mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these are only a FEW examples). The perfect example is what is MOSTLY known as Plano Road . On the south end, it is known as Lake Highlands Drive, cross Northwest Highway and it becomes Plano Road, go about 8 miles and it is briefly Greenville Ave, Ave K, and Highway 5.  It ends 60 miles away in Sherman

The North Dallas Tollway is our daily version of NASCAR. The minimum acceptable speed on the Dallas North Toll Road is 85 mph. Anything less is considered downright sissy. It also ends in Sherman

If asking directions in Irving or SE Dallas, you must have knowledge of Spanish.  If in central Richardson or on Harry Hines, Mandarin Chinese will be your best bet. If you stop to ask directions on Gaston or Live Oak, you better be armed… and remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas

The wrought iron on windows near Oak Cliff and Fair  Park

It is possible to be driving WEST in the NORTH-bound lane of EAST NORTHWEST Highway

Interstate Loop

If it’s 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it’s 10
degrees and sleeting/snowing, the Fort Worth Stock Show is going on.

If it has rained 6 inches in the last hour, the Byron Nelson Golf
Classic is in the second round (if it’s Spring) - and it is the Texas State Fair if it’s Fall.

If you go to the Fair, pay the $8.00 to park INSIDE Fair Park

Any amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, racetracks, airports, etc., are conveniently located as far away from EVERYTHING as possible so as to allow for ample parking on grassy areas.

Final Warning: Don’t Mess With Texas Drivers … remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas.

All Americans are entitled to free credit reports every year from each of the three major credit bureaus. The credit reports used to cost as much as $9.50 each.

  Buying Groceries, The Safe Way

In todays society, we try to chose carefully what we are serving on the dinner table. But were you counting on the uninvited guests?

Bacteria and other pathogens can lurk in food, even if the ‘fresh’ ingredients were purchased from the grocery store a mere hour ago and cooked to perfection.

“Once something is contaminated, bacteria can grow very quickly,” said Urvashi Rangan, a senior scientist with Consumers Union, a publisher of Consumer Reports. And chances are fairly high that most of us carry home some kind of ‘surprise’ in our grocery bag.

Last year alone, there were 76 million cases of reported food poisoning in the United States reported the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 5,000 of those resulted in fatalities.

This year, the reports are rampant. Jeff Nelken, a food safety expert from California said “We do know that food poisoning is a big problem in this country.”

Additionally, many cases go unreported.

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and fever that last from one day up to a week. The condition may become more serious for anyone with a compromised immune system.

Fortunately, there are several easy ways to lower the risk of becoming a victim to food borne illness while shopping at the grocery store.

Rangan advises these tips.

1. Beware of Temperature

• Grocery shopping should be the last errand on the list to make sure bacteria does not thrive in transit. For some foods, a temperature above 40 degrees can promote spoilage.
• Select the most perishable items (meat and dairy) after you have shopped for your non-perishables.
• Avoid meat, produce and dairy items that have been stacked too high in the refrigerators to remain cold.

2. Keep Track of Recalls.

• So far in 2007, the headlines read: E-coli found in burgers. Salmonella in peanut butter. Botulism in green beans. Stay in touch with the news and dispose of any possibly-contaminated brands.

3. Avoid Cross Contamination.

• Always bag your produce, and double-bag your meat. If there are no bags in the meat department, pick up some extras from produce.
• Do not place food in the shopping cart’s child seat. Chances are a toddler with a dirty diaper has sat there recently.
• Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home.

4. Examine Purchases.

• Bruising does not necessarily indicate pathogens, according to Michelle Smith, a scientist with the FDA’s food safety office. However, stay away from produce, such as cucumbers, apples and peaches in which the skin is punctured.
• Beware of pests in the store. They indicate uncleanliness. “Flies, for example may carry bacteria, and roaches carry up to 25 to 30 different diseases,” said food expert Nelken. Bugs should be treated as a red flag to shop at another store.

While no one can completely eradicate their chance of food poisoning, we can all reduce the likelihood of getting sick, Nelken said. And the first step is at the grocery store.

Sleep, perchance to dream. I’m no Shakespeare but it’s estimated that almost 75 percent of adults experience some sleeping problems a few nights a week or more. Almost 40 percent get fewer than 7 hours. Is it any wonder that over 1/3 of adults are so sleeping during the day that it interferes with daily activities. Tivita’s Weekly Wellness Report is an excellent source of health and wellness information. It’s free and written by their chief science officer Dr. Minshwe, an M.D., naturopath and alternative health expert. To subscribe, go to www.trivita.com or call 800-991-7116. You can order their vitamins and other wellness products on line, by phone, or through their mail order catalog. Either way, you may be able to sleep tight, and sleep period.