just not sure

It seems like news is coming at us fast and furious. There is hardly time to pet the cat. This explains why he crawls up my chair, over my head and then into my lap. Note to self: do not ignore the cat. He shall not be ignored!

Thursday will be a day off for many. I hope you all have an enjoyable time whatever you do over this holiday weekend. Give some thought to those who have experienced rough sledding this year, whether it be related to an ever more cantankerous weather situation or jobs that simply do not pay a living wage. Let’s do what we can to turn those situations around.

So did you pay attention last week? Lots happened!

1) Doctors are warning dieters, especially young women to steer clear of this concoction that makes a person feel full without calories. What is this concoction?

2) The winter Olympic torch took a long trip off the beaten path. Where the heck did it go?

3) Governor Branstad is finagling those employment figures again. He claims his administration created 5,900 jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the real number is what (rounded off to the nearest 5,000)?

4) What Iowa city is “about one council meeting away” from opening a casino on I-80?

5) Last year the Justice Department opposed the merger of US Airways and this Competitor. Now it is OK. Who will US Airways merge with?

6) The Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and the Humane Society announced intention to sue Mashhoff Company over what?

7) NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson won his sixth NASCAR title in eight years. Phenomenal, but it still leaves him behind what 2 drivers?

8) In an unusual confluence of holidays, what other holiday begins on Thanksgiving eve?

9) Vancouver, B.C. has changed its building code to do away with what staple in most buildings (hint: think doors)?

10) Iowa native Ashton Kutcher got in a Twitter war with what major company over their poverty wages?

11) He won’t get fired, he will still get paid and he has health insurance to help him get off drugs. What congressman was arrested trying to buy drugs from an undercover cop last week?

12) Looks like a major retailer will be the target of protests by their own employees over wages. What major retailer is this?

13) Bitcoins soared in value prior to a Senate hearing on them. The value of one bitcoin was over how many dollars early last week?

14) What major country made news by giving the Philippines only paltry help following Typhoon Hayian?

15) November 19th was the 16th birthday for a group of 7 kids from Carlisle. When they were born they made news across the planet? We know these kids as what?

What the He?? Winter seems to be creeping in. Checklist – TV? Check. Firewood? Check. Chips? Gotta get some chips then I be ready to hide til spring.

Oh yeah – Answers

1) Cotton ball dipped in orange juice – five seems to be the number. Please don’t do it.

2) into space to the ISS

3) -8,900

4) Davenport (just what Iowa needs?)

5) American Airlines

6) a major leak of manure into a stream that worked its way to the DM river

7) Dale Earnhart Sr. and Richard Petty

8) Hannukah

9) Door knobs. They are to be replaced with levers

10) Walmart

11) Trey Radel of Florida

12) Walmart

13) $600

14) China

15) The McCaughey Septuplets