Great song from the 1970s and memories of days gone by

Eclectic.

Yes it is a real word that I have used occasionally.

No I didn't misspell it (though I am guilty of many misspellings and violations of the rules of grammar in many of my blogs, posts, etc. but I try) pertaining to "electric".

Yes I am an Elvis Presley fan and I enjoy so many of his songs from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Some of which are well known and many others (the vast majority) are exceptional but not widely known by the general public including man Elvis Presley fans.

Back to eclectic. That is how I would describe my musical preferences. If it is of quality, sung with passion and real vocal talent, then odds are I would like it...as my song collection/playlists affirm.

The video of the song "don't pull your love" is one of the songs from my teenage years/youth that I enjoy. Not only do I listen to this song but I have some great memories associated with it. Music, and songs, have the ability to "move" us. To take us back to a certain time, place, event, etc. as is the case with this song.

Though I consider myself, and the IQ tests confirm YIPPEE, intelligent I still (after 52 and soon to be 53 years upon this earth) can't grasp that one's voice can be transferred by a microphone unto vinyl records, online streaming, cds, dvds, etc. Nonetheless I am glad that Edison gave this world, among many he achieved in his lifetime, the gift of recordings.

To think that someone, individually and/or collectively, wrote the words and then added a melody thus creating a song that is associated with a time long ago AND that still is enjoyed is remarkable. Hats off to every song writer, musician, singer, etc. Job well done.

Before I end this post, and thanks for reading, I was captivated by an hour long restoration project involving the largest pipe organ located in Atlantic City (I spend the weekend there once and I have special memories of her - of us - what once was). Here is the trailer via YouTube:

Eclectic.

It applys to my taste in music, among other things, as well as my interests outside of; God, family, friends, passions, everyday life, etc.

The two videos contained in this post are interesting, and involves talented and passionate people, and I hope you concur.

Take care and may God bless you and yours...always.


Jeff Schrembs

2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

How to change your Wordpress.com (small) avatar that shows up next to comments

How to easily change your WordPress.com avatar (the small one that shows up next to posts and/or comments).

Please feel free to comment on this article and to share it via social media.

Step 1 - Sign into your WordPress.com blog/account

Step 2 - Click on "WP Admin" (it shows up on the left hand side)

Step 3 - Click on "Settings" (it also shows up on the left hand side
             but you have to scroll down to see it)

Step 4 - A new column will open up and click on "General"

Step 5 - Click on "Choose File" (it is on the right hand side and you should see the avatar that you want to change directly above)

Step 6 - Choose the picture on your computer that you want to be your new avatar

Step 7 - Click on "Upload Image"

Step 8 - A completely new page will open up which allows you to crop your new picture you want for your avatar. After cropping click on "Crop Image".

CONGRATULATIONS you are done!

Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info
www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

How to easily replace the belt to a Maytag electric dryer

If you dryer is working, but it is not rotating/moving, odds are that the belt is broken or come loose. To cover your bases you can get a new belt at retail stores like Sears and also online for about $ 12.00.

The tools you will need are a screwdriver (phillips and non-phillips head) and a ratchet with sockets. The "screws" have small heads to them FYI.

Here is a great video that covers 90% of "step by step" instructions and the other 10% (i.e. additional 4 steps) I have outlined in writing below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV6Cvw-ysfk

The first is to make sure that the belt is around the drum in the right place (i.e. look for a grove or use the black scuffs around the drum and put the belt exactly where the prior black scuffs were). Mine did not have any groove to put the belt on but it went in the middle of the drum and I used the black scuffs as a guide. This step must be done first because if you try to first attach it through the roller pulley, and motor, you will never be able to get the belt around the drum. Second is that you will need to put something under the drum (i used a shoe box) so it is in it's proper place, is level, and wont fall forward. Without this it is almost impossible to thread the belt to the pulley roller and motor. Third is to put the roller pulley (it has a yellowish roller with a black metal "z shaped" design) aligned with the two slots on bottom of dryver and HOLD IT DOWN to the floor of the dryer with your right hand at all times. Then put the belt through the roller pulley (this part is in the video) with your left hand and then put the belt on the motor. Last is to use your hands to slowly turn the top of the drum for about 30 seconds so that you know it works before you reinstall the front and top.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND TO SHARE ONLINE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

Music I'm listening to 0 August 3, 2015 edition

Old age.
Six letters.
It's a trick and not...a good one.
It never gets better.
Everyday is another opportunity to find something else has gone wrong.
If I wasn't, as I have been these 5 years, already at the highest level of depression thinking about it would make me sad. And yet my faith will never waiver and I thank God for my loved ones, friends, fellow man, etc.

Well, enough of the "all is fine" speech. Did it cheer you up?

I came across this song called "all these years" and for some reason it stuck. https://songspace.com/app/#/catalog/allenthompsonmusic/song/68978

From my ears to yours.

Enjoy.

Jeff Schrembs

White woman gains wealth, education, and employment pretending to be black Rachel Dolezal

I read a story about a woman, named Rachel Dolezal, who has been lying for years claiming that she was/is black.

Though I limit my political, social, etc. beliefs to me - God - and, when warranted, to my children/loved ones/family/etc. it is stories (and none are quite like this one) like this that need to be discussed, debated, and heard.

Her parents confirm that not only is she white but that there is no known family member, dating back centuries, who (whole and/or in part) was African American. Her only family members who are African American are her two adopted brothers and her ex-husband and (note - there is alternate information online about this) possibly her children through the marriage.

Solely based upon her lies she (including but not limited to); attended Howard University on scholarship, was appointed president of the NAACP in Spokane Washington, and other various employment/education opportunities.

  

Here are a few videos that, among other things, are eye opening about this matter.

According to her parents, and her adopted brothers who are African American,  she willfully lied for decades about her race and her brother said that she asked him (among others) to never disclose that she is white. She even posted fake photographs of an African-American man, on Facebook and other social media sites, who she claimed was her father. 

This story is not only shocking but shows the idiocy in (including but not limited to) college admittance whereby, under the guise of diversity, anyone claiming to be a minority is given preferential treatment thus creating real victims.

I have always believed in the wisdom, and works, of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who believed/said that (to paraphrase) "I pray for a day in which a man will be judged by his character and not the color of his skin".

Contrary to belief, and the constitution which provides for "equal protection under the law", we are not all treated equally. If a police man/woman gets killed (sadly) the prosecution is swift and the prosecutor vigorously demands the harshest penalties in court proceedings. If a gay person (sadly) is involved in an altercation it can be, with direct evidence or not, categorized as a "hate crime" and the injured party is entitled to additional options/protections and the perpetrator is punished with additional charges.

In courts, society, and the workplace basically everyone other than a white heterosexual christian male is considered (and thus entitled to extra support, protections, remedies, rights, etc.) to be a minority. 

Shockingly, this woman even went to the police on several occasions and wanted others charged for a hate crime solely because she (falsely) claimed she was African American. After investigation her claims were proven to be false. Real people could have faced real prosecution and real prision time had this turned out differently. 

Even women, who now surpass men in the population here in the United States, are considered as minorities and (again) given extra rights, remedies, treatments, etc.

I believe that everyone should be given the same rights, remedies, protections, love, consideration, respect, etc.

Basically this woman has received (legal terms) goods, services, monetary benefits, tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars for education, etc. by purposely lying about her race. Once the initial disbelief wears off I would hope that steps, including possibly criminal charges, would be taken so that any/all benefits/jobs she is receiving are revoked/changed to reflect the fact that (a) she lied and (b) she is white. This is a serious injustice that requires serious answers/actions.

Not only is this wrong but there were other individuals, African American or otherwise, who did not get into College because of her. Did not get a position of power in the NAACP. Did not enrich themselves monetarily. Did not have the chance for job(s). Did not have the chance for admittance in college. This is a tragedy and there are, and were, REAL VICTIMS whose lives were adversely affected (directly and/or indirectly) because of this woman's lies.

Not only has this woman lied, time and time and time again, but she was employed to teach our youth about African American studies under the guise that she was African American.

ENOUGH. 

ENOUGH.

ENOUGH.

Things need to change and all races should be celebrated, admired, and respected. God made us all so respect his work(s) and love our fellow man.

Jeff Schrembs - 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Delicious summer salad recipe

  Yeah I can cook. Always have. Always will.

Think it is only a woman's "job"? No. Come on man it's 2015 and women have enough to do. I have always believed, and put into action daily, that cooking, like all other activities inside the home and out, should be evenly divided/undertaken.

Don't think it is manly? Ok Mr. Misguided. I'm 6 foot 1 and 195 pounds and there is nothing "unmanly" about cooking/baking/grilling/etc.

Generally speaking anyone, over the age of 18, who can't cook either has never really tried - was never really taught - or whose bank balance allows restaurant reservations 7 times a week.

Baking? Yes indeed. Everything from homemade fudge to brownies to white divinity. Shout out to my grandparents for teaching me at an early age.

Grilling? Check

Salad? Try this recipe and let me know because I have enjoyed it for years.

SERVINGS: 6 - 8 

The traditional recipe calls for 2 heads romaine lettuce (washed and tear into bit size pieces) but I prefer to change it up with 2 large bags of "spring mix" (aka; baby salad).

2 cups pecan halves (toasted)

3 (8 ounce) can mandarin oranges

Dressing

1⁄4 cup vinegar

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

1⁄4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 small red onion, chopped

1 teaspoon dry mustard

4 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons of sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Note - if you prefer more dressing simply double the ingredients.

Place lettuce and mandarin oranges in salad bowl.

Under low heat, on stove, put in 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water and 2 cups of pecans. Stir, and add additional tablespoons of water if needed, and flip the pecans until toasted.

Combine dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until well mixed.

Make ahead and refrigerate until ready to toss with salad.

CONGRATULATIONS you are done and you are in for a treat as this salad is delicious.


Feel free to leave comments and/or share this recipe via social media or with friends and family.

Take care and may God bless you and yours...always.

Jeff Schrembs

As I go

As I go along in this blinding quest
Ragged, saddened, void of rest

I'll think of you along the way
Your blackened heart...a distant day

I'll take each step in dirt and muck
And remove each shoe thinking ---- --- ----