Don’t Kick the Unemployed While They Are Already Down

I was watching Today this morning.  Matt Lauer reported on new help wanted ads that include the stipulation that applicants must “be currently employed or recently laid-off.”  Wow…that does seem slightly discriminatory, but apparently not, since it is something you can change (Many companies still discriminate based on sexuality, too.  I suppose that is still viewed as something you can change…nice).  The real issue here is that it isn’t always the most qualified people that a company keeps during layoffs.  More often than not, it is an issue of how much money the company can save and who can mostly do the job of the people let go and be happy making less.  Sad, but true, it often leaves organizations with underqualifed leaders and a very, very overworked staff.  I’m thinking companies are missing an opportunity to hire highly qualified and creative unemployed people based solely on the fact that they’ve been out of work for awhile.  I mean honestly…there are currently 14 million unemployed people.  14 million. 

I happen to be one of the very lucky ones.  I immediately got on my partner’s insurance (thank you Walgreens for being progressive enough to offer same-sex benefits), we had savings, we had put away for retirement and I got a really good part-time job.  But not everyone was so lucky.  Insurance became a huge issue and savings and retirement money were depleted quickly.  This, by no way means, these people are not qualified to work or that they haven’t been trying desperately to rejoin the workforce.  I think everyone should be given an equal chance.  I know employers are getting bombarded with resumes and they want to find easier ways to sort through the candidates, but judging based on the amount of time you’ve been unemployed in this economic environment simply isn’t fair.  Nor is it all that smart.  You might have just passed by the most dedicated, innovative and competent employee your organization has ever had based slowly on circumstances beyond their control.

Slow Cooked Chicken Scarpariello - WTF and WOW Recipe Wednesday

Meanwhile last week in Iowa…

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Slow-Cooked Chicken Scarpariello (from the book Fast Weeknight Favorites from Good Housekeeping)

Ingredients

8 ounces hot or sweet Italian sausage links, cut crosswise into 1 ½-inch pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed with press

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon Italian season or dried thyme

1 pint grape tomatoes

1 package (8 ounces) sliced cremini mushrooms

1 chicken (3 ½ to 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces, skin removed from all but wings

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black ground pepper

Preparation

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage pieces over medium heat, turning occasionally, until well browned, about 6 minutes.  With tongs or slotted spoon, transfer sausages to 5 to 6 quart slow cooker.  Add onion to skillet and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes.  Stir in garlic and cook, stirring 1 minute.  Remove skillet from heat; stir in tomato paste, vinegar, and Italian seasoning until blended, then add tomatoes and mushrooms.  Spoon vegetable mixture into slow cooker and stir to combine.  Do no wash skillet.  Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper.  In same skillet cook chicken (in two batches, if necessary) over medium heat until well browned, about 10 minutes.  Place chicken pieces on top of vegetable mixture in slow cooker.  Cover and cook, 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.  Skim fat from juices before serving.  Each serving has only 355 calories!

Pause in “True” History Tuesday to Remember Elvis

Today marks the 34^th anniversary of Elvis’ death.  If you are like me and had parents who grew up in the south…Elvis was like a religion.  His name was spoken in hushed tones of reverence.  My mom would cry talking about the death of his infant twin brother.  She also would talk like she actually knew the Colonel and Elvis’s mama.  We had a cat.  My mom named her Priscilla.  My mom had palpitations when Elvis did that special and wore the black leather outfit.  She literally, in true southern fashion, got a case of the vapors. She still talks about that and it was over 40 years ago. Elvis was big during my childhood…and I’m not referring to his weight. My dad always liked to tell this story about when he lived in Memphis.  Dad was downtown, headed to work and Elvis pulled up in a giant red Cadillac.  He saw him across the street.  Elvis got out of the car and was clearly arguing with some guy.  Elvis ended up punching the guy in the face, got back in the car and drove away.  I’m not sure I actually believe Dad’s story, but it is fun to watch him tell the story and embellish the particulars with every retelling. When I was 8, I got into trouble.  We were watching Elvis’ Blue Hawaii.  I was being loud and obnoxious.  Mom got really angry and sent me to my room with no pie.  You didn’t make noise when Elvis was on the television.  I learned this the hard way because I love pie.

We visited Graceland when I was a kid.  It was like we were going to Mecca.  Mom laughed and cried...the only way to really describe it is to say she ran the gauntlet of emotions.  She must have been exhausted. It is a vacation I will never forget.  To this day, mom has a picture of Jesus on the fridge right next to a postcard she purchased from Graceland.  I’m a proper offspring of my parents; I’ve been to Graceland four times.  I love Elvis’ music, I tolerate his movies, I love fried banana and peanut butter sandwiches plus I think he was one fine-ass looking man.  I remember exactly what I was doing when the news came on that he had died and I know today I will call my mom and we will talk about how much we both love and miss The King of Rock and Roll.

Bovine Yvonne The Runaway Cow

This morning I was scrolling through the news on msn and discovered a story about a missing cow in Germany.  Her name is Bovine Yvonne.  She broke through an electrical fence on May 24 and has been on the lamb (har har) ever since.  She has grown in popularity and clearly has now made international news.  She also has her own Facebook page.  There is a reward for her safe return.  There are pictures (Bigfoot like) of her peeking through the trees in the forest.  With every sighting, she disappears again just as quickly.   There is even a romance element to this story.  Farmers are trying to use a “handsome” bull named Ernst to lure her from her hiding place.  Apparently, Ernst is put on display at the edge of the forest.  No doubt being watched by the elusive Bovine Yvonne.  I did a little research and discovered that Bovine Yvonne has really been getting around since her risky escape in May.

Putting Vodka in a Watermelon

So, check it out.  Gary Busey looks exactly like this horse.  I found the horse picture this morning and it made me think, "gee...that looks sort of like Gary Busey."  So, I found a picture of him and then I put the two pictures side by side and it confirmed my initial thought.  The resemblance is quite shocking.  Uncanny, no?

As it gets close to the end of summer and the stock market scares the hell out of us all, it is time to commemorate the end of the season with a vodka-infused watermelon.  Here’s how you get your drink on with a healthy hot weather snack.

Pit Bull Thoughts

Mostly what I want to say today is that…I love this dog.  You can see how happy he is and how much he loves to climb things.  One day I will have a Pit Bull. Its name will be Pork Chop or Catfish depending on the sex.  He or she will have a really large down pillow and ceramic bowl with dog bones around the edges.  Anyway, enjoy and maybe share…Pit Bulls need all the love they can get.

Freaky Friday Favorites

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