http://fafner.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Pat D. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:13:25 GMT 2009-12-30T18:13:25Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977891263 Today I was browsing in a book store, and I left empty handed and discouraged.  I didn't find anything I wanted to read enough to buy. The popular offerings are dominated  by vampire fiction.  . . . Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:59:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977891263 Pat D. 2009-11-08T19:59:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977793699 1.) Plot Against America by Phillip Roth (fiction) Interesting, well written 2.) Worldly Philosophers b y Robert L. Heilbroner (nonfiction) - overview of western economic thought.  Not as . . . Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:30:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977793699 Pat D. 2009-08-30T21:30:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977633183 I saw this opera a few years ago.  I remember enjoying the performance, but had not thought about it  much since then.  That was until last week.  I was looking for something to play, . . . Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:07:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977633183 Pat D. 2009-03-21T22:07:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977631151 I was reading some posts over at Twitter and I ran across one that used the word 'Kerfuffle ".  From the context I knew that it meant something like mess or trouble. Dictionary.com defines . . . Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:19:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977631151 Pat D. 2009-03-19T22:19:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977626677 I spent the afternoon yesterday cutting back my hedge.  Unfortunately, I also cut myself with the saw. The cut is not deep, but now I need a tetanus shot.  fortunately the county health department . . . Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:18:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977626677 Pat D. 2009-03-16T14:18:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977623062 We are still in a recession, but economic downturns have a way of forcing change. Today's stories of positive news: 1.) Swiss banks will begin to cooperate in criminal investigations.  The . . . Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:28:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977623062 Pat D. 2009-03-13T13:28:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977621782 There was an article a few days ago bemoaning the fact that all the news is negative. I say there is positive news out there. I see it often.  I'm not talking about fluff pieces about kittens . . . Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:30:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977621782 Pat D. 2009-03-12T13:30:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977617671 I'm just sitting here listening to some Vivaldi, alternating between reading and goofing off on the net. Most people are familiar with The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. May I suggest La Cetra? . . . Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:35:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977617671 Pat D. 2009-03-08T20:35:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977613389 This was an impulse read.   I was walking through the library, and the spine of this book caught my eye.   It was not on my “to read” list, but I’m glad I went with the impulse.   . . . Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:54:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977613389 Pat D. 2009-03-03T20:54:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609186 The money spent on the TROUBLED ASSET RELIEF PROGRAM (TARP) has remained a hot button issue. Do you want to know if your bank or other banks in your area received funds? Check the list from . . . Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:54:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609186 Pat D. 2009-02-27T22:54:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977607557 In an era of reduced consumer spending, it would seem obvious for businesses to be extra attentive to customer service and customer satisfaction.  In my experience, that has simply not been the case. . . . Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:02:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977607557 Pat D. 2009-02-26T15:02:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977604316   When I was in college, I worked in the dormitory food service.   I learned to use a knife properly and I also learned how to make biscuits from scratch. Its amazingly easy, really. . . . Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:19:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977604316 Pat D. 2009-02-23T19:19:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977604099   The public has spoken, and senator Dodd responded to the anger of the electorate by putting a clause capping salaries into the stimulus bill.   I have heard the responses: “Those . . . Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:04:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977604099 Pat D. 2009-02-23T16:04:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977602000   In light of current events, I decided to pick up a book on economics.   “The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times and Ideas of the Great Economic Thinkers” by Robert L. Heilbroner was . . . Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:20:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977602000 Pat D. 2009-02-21T15:20:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977595754  I recently finished reading “The Plot Against America” by Philip Roth., and I have mixed feelings about this book. The book is a fictional account of how things would have been if Charles . . . Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:36:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977595754 Pat D. 2009-02-15T22:36:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977549526 For 2009,  I wish that I attend more weddings than funerals.   Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:50:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977549526 Pat D. 2008-12-31T18:50:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977537160   Movie Review – Polar Express   Polar Express could have been a great movie.   Too bad it wasn’t.   I want to reveal my bias up front.   I don’t like Christmas . . . Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:30:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977537160 Pat D. 2008-12-16T18:30:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525972 I have the senate banking committee hearings with the auto industry guys on my TV right now.  I can't decide who is more annoying, the grandstanding senators or the arrogant auto guys... What . . . Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:23:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525972 Pat D. 2008-12-04T18:23:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977524811 I have discovered that the best way to start the day on the right foot is to put on some shoes. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:26:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977524811 Pat D. 2008-12-03T16:26:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977462399 It looks like the $700 Billion federal government plan may be too little too late. The dominos are beginning to fall fast. Fortis, a big European bank had to be rescued by a consortium of EU countries. . . . Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:22:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977462399 Pat D. 2008-09-29T13:22:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977460074 By now most people know there is another bank failure in the news.   Hopefully everyone has understands the FDIC $100,000 insured limit. But what if you have a large CD: over 100K? . . . Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:42:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977460074 Pat D. 2008-09-26T17:42:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977447223 I have this photograph on my bulletin board.   It came to me in a box of assorted photos and albums from my late mother-in-law.   Although I am not related to these people, I am strangely attached . . . Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:20:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977447223 Pat D. 2008-09-12T19:20:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977432824 Now that school is back in session, I am noticing something odd about the crossing gaurds. I am not seeing the usual tottering senior citizens.  I am seeing armed police officers!  Are traffic . . . Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:18:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977432824 Pat D. 2008-08-28T21:18:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977371297 We have in our possession a number of cartons of family photographs.  The oldest ones are from the 1880s, the newest are from 2008. There are also numerous documents; wedding announcements, . . . Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:32:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977371297 Pat D. 2008-06-12T23:32:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977334254 There is no advantage to being a regular customer at a place if the staff never stays long enough to recognize you as a regular. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:32:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977334254 Pat D. 2008-04-28T23:32:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977278503   Did you lease or buy a car, truck or boat in 2007, OR do you live in state that does not collect a state income tax? Do you use itemized deductions? If you answered yes to both of . . . Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:13:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977278503 Pat D. 2008-03-07T23:13:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977257514   The sky went from black to intense blue as sunrise approached.   Two inches of fluffy snow covered everything.   I donned my boots, coat and gloves and headed outside.   It . . . Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:56:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977257514 Pat D. 2008-02-13T14:56:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977012274 I have seen this book a few times on lists of ‘must reads’ for writers.  I’m not a writer.  I have no aspirations of being a writer.  I read this book because I am . . . Mon, 28 May 2007 19:58:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977012274 Pat D. 2007-05-28T19:58:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976961994 I hear statements like this all the time: ‘Why vote? My vote doesn’t count .The fat cats with all the money always get their way.”   I live in a city of about 35,000 people.  . . . Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:07:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976961994 Pat D. 2007-04-18T13:07:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976951589 The full title of this book is "Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science".      In this collection of essays, Dr Gawande gives the reader a glimpse of . . . Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:10:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976951589 Pat D. 2007-04-06T17:10:39Z