August 12, 2024

Very disheartened about the Illinois State Fair's decision to change the awarding of culinary championships.

Both of my decorated cakes won blue ribbons (1st. place) in their respective classes. However, I was shocked to see there was no champion in the division when we went to the fair yesterday. The fair has decided to merge 'decorated cakes' with another division competing for championship.

I came home and dug out the premium book and saw that it was true and that I had overlooked the information when I sent in my entry fees. Others might have noticed, as there were only about 50% of the usual number of entries this year.

Based on this change, I may not be entering any cakes again. I view it as not exactly unfair, but not worthwhile. Decorating a dummy cake is rather expensive compared to baking a batch of cookies. The cake forms run $5 to $20 each. The fondant covering is around $25 and I have probably invested $200 in decorating tools.

Thanks for letting me rant.

August 1, 2024

Here's my second decorated cake for the Illinois State Fair.

This is in the stained glass style. I'm entering it in the wedding/anniversary cake category. The other one is in birthday cakes.




Here's the link to the first one:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1157142026

July 26, 2024

Here's the first cake I did for the Illinois State Fair.

I'm entering 2 in the decorating contest this year. Have about a week to finish the second one.
This is a cartoon cake and I got the design from Pinterest.

February 19, 2024

My favorite critters. Discovered I had to keep the thread for it to be in my journal.

February 19, 2024

Passport Renewals Just Got Easier With This App

https://www.fodors.com/news/travel-tech/how-and-why-to-use-itseasy-passport-renewal-photo-app

Meet ItsEasy Passport Renewal & Photo App, a way to simplify the process. The mobile app (available in the Apple App Store and Google Play) is the only contact-free way to renew an adult passport, all from the comfort of your home. You read that correctly. Fill out your renewal form, take your new passport photo, and pay in the app. You can also apply for a second passport and order a new passport when there is a name change. There are even options for obtaining VISAs.

One of the common causes of delays in passport processing is application or photo errors. When you submit your information, one of the specialists will review your documents to be sure they are error-free before forwarding your application to the state department. If they find any errors, a concierge will give you step-by-step directions on how to correct the issue.

While there are way more benefits to using ItsEasy, the last one to mention is the visa widget. This feature lets you know if the country you are visiting requires a visa. If so, you can apply for a visa in-app.

Your base price follows the U.S. Department of State’s schedule of fees for passport services. For instance, to renew a passport and passport card, the cost is $160. It costs an additional $60 for expedited processing.

They offer two service plans, economical and expedited. There is a nominal price difference, both under $40. However, if you need their other services, that price does increase. For instance, if you require a passport, ItsEasy charges $99 on top of the cost of the visa.

December 31, 2023

There's several interesting verses in the first chapter of James.

James 1:10-11

But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.


James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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For clarification, I'm an atheist. I just found these two, especially James 1:27, would be useful when arguing with some Christians.

December 7, 2023

This is my 50,000 post on DU.

I want to thank EarlG and Eland for keeping DU available. I have posted from many different countries without a problem. The only lapse in availability was on election night 2016. DU was attacked, but wasn't killed off.
I want to say a warm thank you to everyone here. I enjoy political discussions, getting new recipes, and I watch as many animal videos as possible. DU covers all my bases and I enjoy being here almost every day.

August 28, 2023

Trump faces a crowded trial calendar. Here's a breakdown of the dates so far

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-indictment-2020-election-08-28-23/index.html

Donald Trump and his lawyers may be the busiest people in the country next year. The former president faces criminal trials in four different cities — Washington, DC, New York, Atlanta and Ft. Pierce, Florida — as well as an active campaign schedule.

Here is a breakdown of the current calendar:

October 2, 2023 – Scheduled start of New York attorney general’s civil trial alleging fraud by Trump and Trump Organization
October 23, 2023 — District attorney's proposed start of state criminal trial in Georgia over 2020 election subversion
January 15, 2024 – Scheduled start of second defamation case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll
March 4, 2024 – Scheduled start of federal criminal trial in 2020 election subversion case
March 25, 2024 – Scheduled start of state criminal trial in New York over 2016 hush money scheme
May 20, 2024 – Earliest scheduled start of federal criminal trial in Mar-a-Lago documents case
Remember: Most of these trials have been scheduled already, but one has a proposed trial date and its start could still change.

August 3, 2023

Want to see my 2023 State Fair Decorated Cake entry?

This is Victor, a koala I met in Australia last fall.

June 26, 2023

Can anyone identify this tree growing in my backyard in Central Illinois?

The leaves arearge and velvety. This one is 7 1/2 inches by 6 inches wide. It's full of these empty hulls. They are fairly thin but not papery. Tree is somewhere between 20 andv25 feet tall.

Thanks.