Adrienne's Corner

College for Everyone?

Now our current President thinks that everyone should go to college - on our dime, no doubt. Do I think college tuition is reasonable? Absolutely not! Do I think everyone should go to college? Absolutely not!

I ran across this short and to the point assessment of this idea of "college for everyone." Richard Vedder is a rare bird, indeed. A college professor who tells the truth.

Richard Vedder, Ohio University professor and member of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education assembled by former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings:

*****Not everyone can or should go to college. Given the dubious quality of our secondary schools as well as limited cognitive skills and motivation, many students are incapable of college-level work. Fulfillment of President Obama's goal would lead to many students failing, resources being squandered and the quality of post secondary education being diluted.

*****I think it is sheer fantasy to believe we will lead the world in the percent of young adults with college degrees by 2020. More generally, the president's approach is the equivalent of dropping dollars out of airplanes over student homes and college campuses. That will not change colleges' behavior to make them less arrogant and elite, and more affordable, efficient and accountable.

Obama's Friday Night Raids on Freedom

Watch closely what our current President does on Friday nights. While the people of this nation are preparing to celebrate their weekend, President Obama is a busy bee. It's a perfect time to slip in things that some folks may object to; such as not performing abortions or dispensing the "morning after pill".

Hmmm, it seems only people that follow the President's lead are allowed to have freedoms. The rest of us must do as we are told.

Reporting from Washington -- Taking another step into the abortion debate, the Obama administration today will move to rescind a controversial rule that allows healthcare workers to deny abortion counseling or other family planning services if doing so would violate their moral beliefs, according to administration officials. read more

Meantime in the Catholic World:

Adoro is praying for some silence in church (good luck with that), and Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars is wondering why the holy water evaporated.

Terry, over at "Who the Hell is Terry Nelson", ooops - I meant Abbey-Roads has some very, very good advice for all of us.

Ironic Catholic has some velly, velly big news.

Saving Money Saturday

If you are still spending wads of money on coffee drinks at your local coffee shop, you are wasting an enormous amount of money that could be used in far better ways. I not talking to those of you who have an latte as an occasional special treat. I'm talking to folks who make Starbucks a regular stop just about every day. I know people who actually go more than once per day. Figure it out folks - in the course of a year that amounts to a down payment on a house. Talk about flushing money down the drain!

I for one like coffee drinks, so I've devised a way to have my coffee and drink it too (all right - I could have gone all day without saying that). There are several recipes that I use depending on how much work I want to engage in when the urge for a drink manifests itself.

First, get yourself a Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Pot. Coffee snobs will tell you that it isn't "real" espresso, and they would be correct. But for the price and ease of use, it makes a pretty dang good substitute. Generations of Italians will attest to that. While your coffee is brewing, heat up some milk (I use skim), pour the two together, and add whatever flavoring you prefer. I really like mocha flavored and find the expensive syrups to be way too sweet for my taste. After years of experimentation, I discovered the lowest calorie and most flavorful (for me), to be plain bakers cocoa with either Stevia or Splenda. Mix it up with a whisk (I would like to have one of those hand-held electric or battery operated whisk doo-hickies), and enjoy.

When I am alone or in a hurry, I heat up a small amount of water with my milk, add a few teaspoons of instant coffee (coffee snobs heard hitting the floor in dead faints), add my other ingredients, and enjoy.

Since I have only racked up a calorie count of approximately ten, I than engage in perfect female reasoning and float a large blob of real home-made whipped cream on the top. You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar, or chocolate sprinkles from the baking isle to make it special.

The Story of the Bialetti Moka Express

Alongside and connected to the rise of Italian fascism came a revolution in the drinking habits of the Italian public. It might sound peculiar, but what has become known as THE Italian way to brew coffee in the home, Moka Pot (or Stovetop Espresso) Brewing is linked to the social, technological and economic changes that Italian fascism advanced during the 1930’s. read more

Brewing Espresso in a Moka - excellent directions and pictures. I have always just brewed my coffee, added a bit of sugar, and a twist of lemon. I am anxious to try this method.

The Simple Dollar has a wonderful interview with Vicki Robin, author of "Your Money or Your Life", a most excellent book and very large influence in my life. This is also a great site for money saving hints and inspiration.

Father John Speekman

First Sunday of Lent - Year B

*****We are all a bit like Little Red Riding Hood - we all find ourselves picking flowers on our way to grandma's house. What those flowers are varies with each individual person - they may be money, comfort, pleasure, sex, material possessions, promotion, prestige, security or a host of other sinful, or just distracting baubles - what St Augustine calls 'the love of the world'.

*****We Christians, of course, are not on our way to grandma's house; we are on our way to the Father’s house, our heavenly homeland. The path we walk is Jesus, our Way, and the Holy Spirit of God is the Light which shows us where to place our feet. read more