Down a Lazy River

Down a lazy river is often used to describe a slow, relaxing journey or a carefree escape from the craziness of everyday life. It's a chance to relax and enjoy simple pleasures.

That's exactly what we'll be doing starting tomorrow as we travel with American Cruise Lines (ACL) on the American Melody with a passenger capacity of (are you ready?) 180 cruisers. Fewer passengers is definitely our preference.

Beignets

Our tour starts today with a flight from Boston to New Orleans, LA, and an overnight stay at the Intercontinental Hotel there before boarding the ship early Wednesday.  We won't have a lot of time to explore the Big Easy, but will ride its world-famous street cars with a $3 all-day pass. One stop will be at Cafe du Monde on Decatur Street, the original French Market Coffee Stand established in 1862 and legendary home of the classic beignets, puffy square French doughnuts covered in powdered sugar. (These are similar to zeppole, traditional Italian fried dough pastries served warm and dusted with powdered or cinnamon sugar.)

Intercontinental Hotel on Charles St in New Orleans, LA

All ACL sailings include a complimentary pre-cruise hotel night in the departure city, This ensures cruise passengers have time to get to the departure destination. The cruise line picks up passengers for transport to the ship the following morning.

Our travel route is from New Orleans, LA, to Memphis, TN

Our cruise will traverse the lower Mississippi River from New Orleans, LA, to Memphis, TN. The itinerary includes stops and excursions in Vacherie, St. Francisville and Vidalia, LA; Natchez and Cleveland, MS; and Memphis, TN. We return to Boston April 18 after a transfer in Atlanta, GA.

This will be our second cruise after the Alaska land-sea adventure last fall and our first-ever river cruise. After traveling abroad for the past couple of years, we wanted to experience U.S. waterways and small ship cruising and wanted to cruise the mighty Mississippi.

American Cruise Lines (ACL), founded in the early 1970s, is headquartered in Guilford, CT, and operates the largest river and small-ship cruise line in the U.S. with a motto of Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly. The line has 28 small U.S. flagged ships with 5 riverboats on the Mississippi River and 8 on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Each vessel is USA-built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD, and is American-flagged and crewed. The ships travel with between 90 and 180 passengers maximum. The series of 6 modern American riverboats all have musical names — American Melody, American Jazz, American Song, American Harmony, American Serenade and American Symphony. 

American Melody was launched in 2018

We're sailing on the five-deck American Melody. Launched in 2021, it has 91 staterooms, all with private balconies and full-length sliding glass doors with an average room size of 350 square feet. The ship has several lounges, fitness center, large dining room, café for casual dining, sun deck, library and a four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. What it purposefully lacks are casinos, buffets, swimming pools, water slides, large crowds, or nickel-and-diming for extras. Here, the emphasis is on a relaxed atmosphere with no formal nights or loud, high-energy activities.

American Melody flip-up bow

The unique ship’s unusual flipped-up bow is an attention getter with a crucial function. It opens to extend a retractable gangway for passengers to comfortably walk on or off the ship. And, with its shallow draft and unique bow, the ship can dock in places other ships might have to bypass. The upper deck offers a walkway with ever-changing sights as the ship cruises the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi River is a massive waterway flowing approximately 2,350 miles Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico ending in Louisiana, just south of New Orleans. The river's name comes from the Ojibwe (or Chippewa) word Misi-ziibi meaning Great River. The river is some 20 feet wide at its source, expanding to over 11 miles at its widest point. It's the second-longest river in the U.S. after the Missouri River at 2,341 miles passing through 10 states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana). One of the most important commercial waterways, it also serves as a major migratory flyway for 60% of North American bird species. 

We won't be cruising full time as shore excursions are included in the cruise itinerary with at least one included in every post stop; others have an added charge. Our selections included many of the included excursions. Here's some of the sights we will experience.

Live Oak trees form a canopy leading to the Big House mansion

Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, LA, is a historic site is famed for its 800-foot canopy of 300-year-old live oak trees planted in the early 1700s years before the mansion they lead to was built. The 28 evenly spaced live oak trees form a path from the Mississippi River to a Greek Revival mansion. In 2021, winds from Hurricane Ida's significantly damaged the historic oak trees in what was described as a significant pruning. Branches were blown off, but the trees remained stable.

The Big House mansion was built in 1829

Known as the Big House, the mansion was built in 1839 for sugar planter Jacques Roman who was known as the King of Sugar and one of the wealthiest men in the South. It was constructed by enslaved labor and first named Bon Séjour (pleasant stay). The mansion is renowned for its 28 Tuscan columns surrounding the entire structure. The property has seen different uses in its over 200-year history from a prosperous sugarcane plantation, an abandoned investment property and a cattle ranch in the 1920s. Now, a National Landmark, it's been open to the public since 1976 and is managed by Oak Alley Foundation.

The Myrtles was renamed after the crape myrtles on the grounds

The Myrtles Plantation is a historic home and former antebellum plantation in St. Francisville, LA, built in 1796 by General David Bradford. It was originally named Laurel Grove. In the 1830s, new owners renamed it The Myrtles after the crape myrtles that grew in the vicinity. In the early history of the property, it was worked by enslaved people. Reportedly haunted, the mansion has been featured on TV shows of paranormal activity. The Myrtles Plantation has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.

Vicksburg (MS) National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, MS, preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. It borders the Mississippi River, and commemorates the greater Vicksburg Campaign that led up to the battle. The park has many reminders of the 47-day siege that ended in the city's surrender. Victory here and at Port Hudson, farther south in Louisiana, gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.

This nearly 1,800-acre park includes 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of historic trenches, reconstructed forts, a 16-mile tour road, 12.5-mile walking trail, 2 antebellum homes, 144 cannons, the restored gunboat USS Cairo (sunk in December 1862) and Grant's Canal site, where the Union Army attempted to build a canal to let their ships bypass Confederate artillery fire. There's also a national cemetery with more than 17,000 Civil War graves. 

The national military park was established in February 1899, to commemorate the siege and defense of Vicksburg. The park and cemetery were transferred from the War Department to the National Park Service (NPS) in August 1933.

Cleveland, MS was named for a former President

Cleveland, MS, is a cultural hub in the Delta known for its deep musical heritage, and has the only Grammy Museum outside Los Angeles, CA. 

This 26,000-square-foot facility features interactive exhibits on Mississippi musicians and American music.The city was named after U.S. President Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president, who served from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893. The town was officially renamed in 1886, during Cleveland's first term in office, to coincide with the development of the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railroad running through the area. (Cleveland wasn't a MS native, and was born in Caldwell, NJ, our home state.)

Cleveland was named one of the best small towns in the South by both Southern Living and Smithsonian Magazine. The downtown historic area was listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Gateway to the Blues Museum housed in a former train depot in Tunica, MS

The Gateway to the Blues Museum and Visitors Center in Tunica, MS, is dedicated to Mississippi Delta blues featuring displays on history, art, and famous musicians. Located on Highway 61, it's the first place many people see when they come into town. The museum features interactive exhibits, artwork and a recording studio. The museum tells the story of how The Blues was born and the role Tunica played in building its legacy.

Housed in a rustic 1895 train depot, It had been used as a grain storage facility for years. The train tracks it served were pulled up some 40 years ago. It remains the last original train depot in Tunica County.  W.C. Handy, a popular blues bandleader often played at the depot.

Beale Street in downtown Memphis is the most popular tourist attraction in the state of Tennessee. This renowned National Historical Landmark is considered the Home of the Blues and includes three blocks, about 1.8 miles, of live music clubs, restaurants and shops.

The street was created in 1841 by entrepreneur and developer Robertson Topp who later named it Beale Avenue in honor of Edward Fitzgerald Beale, a naval officer, frontiersman, rancher and diplomat who fought in the Mexican-American War, emerging as a hero of the Battle of San Pasqual in 1846.

W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues

In 1916, American composer and musician William Christopher (W.C.) Handy penned the influential piece, Beale Street Blues, which played an important role in the decision to change the street's name from Beale Avenue to Beale Street.

Handy, who referred to himself as the Father of the Blues, was one of the most influential U.S. songwriters. One of many musicians who played the distinctively American blues music, he didn't create the genre but was one of the first to publish music in the blues form, taking the blues from a regional music style (Delta blues) with a limited audience to a new heights of popularity.

In the 1920s to 1940s, Beale Street saw performances of legendary musicians Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, Memphis Minnie, B. B. King and others. Their contributions shaped the musical style known as Memphis Blues. B. B. King was introduced as the Beale Street Blues Boy during his early career.

Beale Street holds great historical significance for the city and the blues music genre. In recognition of its importance, the stretch of the street spanning from Main to 4th Street was designated as a National Historic Landmark on May 23, 1966. In the present day, the blues clubs and restaurants along Beale Street are major attractions for tourists visiting Memphis.

Presley note

Elvis Presley spent a lot of time with musicians on Beale street. Their music made a great influence on his own style. Presley bought his trademark black and pink suits, jackets, and bluesman-inspired clothes from Lansky Bros. Clothing, which remains open in the original location at 126 Beale Street. 

If time allows, we'll look for Presley's name on the Brass Notes Walk of Fame between Second and Fourth Streets. The 127 musical notes that line the sidewalks honor mothers and fathers of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Created in 1986, it connects the street's rich past with the future by celebrating artists, producers, and others who put Memphis music on the world map.

Posting and blog commenting will be on hold during our adventures. We'll be relaxing and enjoying the sights on the river. This post was a brief intro of our first 2026 major travel. We invite you to come along as more adventures are planned this year and we hope you will take us along on any of yours.

And, it seems we're leaving NH just in time as light snow is forecast for early today a.m will winter never end. in New England?

Friday Funnies

This weekend, many people will celebrate Easter Sunday, widely regarded as the most holy and significant day in Christianity. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is the foundational event of Christian faith, representing the victory of life over death and the promise of salvation.

At the Hudson Senior Center, a certain lady was all decked out in her spring-time finery.

Of course, Maxine is always dressed and ready to celebrate every holiday. She also has a basket filled with sweet treats.

Passover is celebrated this week we well. These two important religious holidays often overlap or coincide as both are linked to the first spring full moon, usually falling in March or April. 

Passover (Pesach) begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, usually falling in March or April. It's determined by a lunisolar calendar, set to start on the night of the first full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox. This year, Pesach (Passover) begins before sundown on Wednesday April 1 and ends after nightfall on April 9.

Easter is a movable feast, in that it does not fall on the same calendar date each year. Unlike Christmas, which is fixed to the solar calendar, Easter is determined by the Moon. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21, when the Christian church marks the spring equinox. If the full moon is on a Sunday, Easter is the next Sunday. This year, the full moon was on Wednesday, April 1. Easter is celebrated the following Sunday, April 5.

Colorful Jeep recently seen in downtown Nashua, NH. 

This Jeep owner might have a difficult time deciding on a color choice, so several were used making for a very vehicle, just in time for Spring. 

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes on recovering from my recent stomach bug. This week has been a much better one. Also, thanks for sharing your own experiences.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Our best wishes to all for whatever holiday you will observe.

We're dining at home & will watch the classic film, Easter Parade.

Recharge Needed

(Internet source)

No fooling — Happy April 1 — but a recharge was needed last week, not for a battery, but a human, myself.

That's because electrolytes became depleted due to some sort of stomach bug.

It's resolved now, after a medical office visit, several tests and getting rehydrated over the course of several days.

Was it a stomach bug? 

There's uncertainty as to what initiated the issues as we had attended a couple of weekend events. One was a catered luncheon at the local historical society. Food served possibly could have been the cause.

Whatever the cause, early last Tuesday, my body was reacting to something that had been ingested or perhaps airborne. Sparing all the details here, but anyone who has dealt with the aftermath of food poisoning may already know the symptoms, which are most unpleasant.

By mid-week, not only was I not able to hold down anything, but was fatigued, disoriented and had a headache, despite having spent most of the previous 2 days lying down. 

It was time to seek medical advice.

An appointment with our medical provider determined that I had become severely dehydrated based on the above symptoms. Certain tests were also ordered to rule out an infection. The tests were all negative for any.

Sports drinks with electrolytes

The recommendation was to buy sports drinks with electrolytes and to drink several bottles over the following days. That being done, within a day, I was feeling better with less fatigue, eventually the headache and lightheaded feeling went as well.

I knew about electrolytes, but had never purchased or tried any of the available bottled sports drinks. All of which advertise replacement of electrolytes.

Now I know a lot more.

Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance?

Depending on which electrolytes are too high or too low, you may experience a variety of symptoms. Some folks don’t feel any signs of an electrolyte imbalance; others may have severe symptoms caused by illness or other factors. Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance can include: Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, numbness and tingling, constipation, confusion. 

What electrolytes do

Quite simply, they help your body function. Electrolytes are electrically charged chemicals and essential minerals that include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate. These are located in bodily fluids, like sweat, blood and urine. When these minerals dissolve in the blood or other body fluids, they develop electric charges. These charges send signals to your nerves and muscles telling them what to do. Electrolytes also help balance pH levels (the measure of acidity and alkalinity) and support muscle and nerve function. They also help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate. It’s important to replenish the electrolytes lost.

Essential body electrolytes (Internet image)

Some of the most common electrolytes in the human body include bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, potassium and sodium. 

• Bicarbonate - balances pH levels and moves carbon dioxide through the bloodstream. 
• Calcium - supports strong bones and teeth)
• Chloride - regulates fluids and helps the body maintain a healthy blood volume
• Magnesium - supports heart, muscle and nerve function, and helps regulate blood sugar
• Phosphate - works with calcium to build healthy bones and teeth 
• Potassium - helps the body’s cells, heart and muscles function properly
• Sodium -  helps maintain fluid balance

How to get electrolytes

It's fairly certain that food provides enough electrolytes. You likely get all the electrolytes needed by eating a healthy diet. Usually, the amount of minerals being consumed through diet is beyond what's needed. and can replace them by eating food or drinking fluids that contain electrolytes. While it's needed for hydration, water doesn't contain electrolytes. Electrolyte products, often sold as powders or sports drinks help the body replenish its electrolytes.

There are times when it's necessary to supplement electrolytes from food, for example: 

• After illnesses with vomiting and diarrhea
• Before, during and after prolonged exercise or heavy sweating
• When in extreme heat for an extended period
• When suffering from a hangover.

The BRAT Diet 

No, it's not named after a badly behaved child, but when someone is dealing with digestive issues (diarrhea, nausea or vomiting) this diet is most recommended by medical professionals, including my own. 

BRAT diet foods: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast

The low-fiber short-term eating plan consists of Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. All these foods are easy to digest and provide essential potassium. The foods are easy to digest and are less likely to trigger nausea as they don’t have much fat (or flavor). The diet is very restrictive and lacks protein, fat, fiber and essential vitamins/minerals and isn't for long-term use.

These bland, stomach-settling foods might resemble those your mother served when you were as a kid during sick days. Mine used to give me ginger ale and saltines and it was always surprising how good they tasted afterwards.

Are other foods allowed?

Other light, bland foods work, even if they don’t fit the BRAT acronym. These include: plain crackers, cereals and oatmeal, eggs, skinless chicken that's baked or poached.

Foods to avoid on the BRAT diet include: dairy products (milk, cheese), fatty, fried, greasy foods, spicy foods, high-fiber foods (raw vegetables, bran), alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

(Internet source)

Describing an illness is never pleasant, but as a community, bloggers share what's been going on in their daily lives. Also, this information might prove helpful to someone else.

There hasn't been a clear determination of the cause for my illness, perhaps just a stomach "bug" that has passed (no pun intended). The sports drinks and Brat diet were very helpful.

Unfortunately, due to illness, there was no blog reading or posting done. I hope to catch up on what everyone's been doing as much as possible the rest of this week. Time is limited as we leave on our first 2026 travel adventure early next week. A brief overview will be posted. We're exploring more of the U.S., but it's not a road trip.

Friday Funnies

It's the first day of spring, which officially arrives today in the Eastern US on Friday, March 20, at 10:46 a.m.

That said, the Nashua, NH, weather for the upcoming week is less than Spring-like and includes the possibility of light snow early this coming Monday.

Last week, gulls were sunning themselves on some ice that remained on the Nashua River. Most of this ice has since melted and the water is free flowing as of this past week.

The open water brought a return of mallard ducks and pairings off were definitely in evidence.

It will be weeks until any spring colors are seen here as it's been a long cold and snowy winter season.

This car parked downtown last week is the closest to the color of daffodils, which won't be blooming here for a while. The eyes and lashes were unusual and cute.

This weekend starts off with attendance at the Tiny Film Festival at the Nashua Public Library. This fun annual event consists of viewing 1-minute films submitted by community members in several age groups. Attendees will walk the red carpet, then view the submitted films. The evening is capped off by an awards ceremony. (Library staff voted on the winning films.)

Saturday, we're on a road trip as oldest granddaughter is participating in a cheerleading tournament in MA and earplugs will be taken along. If you've ever been to one of these events, you will know why these are a good great take-along. 

Sunday, the Nashua Historical Society is hosting its annual member luncheon. These are always interesting events. This year, attendees have been asked to bring along something old to show and discuss. So, Patrick told me I could take him 😀.

Our at-home St Patrick's dinner was delicious thanks to chef Patrick. And, thanks for sharing how you would be observing the day (or not).

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Spring weather will arrive —eventually.

Happy Celebration

Happy St Patrick's ☘️ Day to everyone from Patrick and myself.

As always, Maxine was dressed festively at the Hudson (NH) Senior Center last week, a few days ahead of the actual celebration day.

Folks will be celebrating two Irish-themed pubs in Nashua, NH, Casey Magee's Irish Pub & Music Hall and The Peddler's Daughter. We're dining at home on corned beef with all the trimmings, including homemade soda bread, courtesy of chef Patrick. 

In the careful what you hope for department, last Friday's post featured photos collages of disappearing snow in Nashua, NH. That soon changed early the next morning, when we saw this winter wonderland, thankfully a short-lived one that was gone by 10 am.

Followed by yesterday's all day rain, that reminded me of the melancholic 1971 song, Rainy Days and Mondays vocalized by Karen Carpenter, one of my favorite tunes.

Your Turn — If celebrating today, are you dining at home or going out?

Friday Funnies

Here's something that could be considered a road hazard — a discarded banana peel, which was on the pavement when I stepped out of the car last week.

I avoided this hazard last week

While it's often a cartoon theme, stepping on a banana peel is a real hazard that can result in serious injury. Since I've heard that many times, I wondered why.

According to online sources, it's because its surface is smooth, and when stepped on, the peel can act as a lubricant. This significantly reduces the friction between your shoe and the ground beneath the peel. The lack of friction makes it harder for your foot to get a grip and also makes it difficult to maintain balance as your center of gravity can shift, leading to a loss of stability. Think of it like trying to walk on ice – there's very little friction there as well.

The chances of slipping on a peel are greater than you might think. That's because a banana is considered the world's most popularly eaten fruit with over 100 billion eaten annually.

Good news in Nashua this week was the disappearing snow, thanks to some warm days.

The window view from our apartment of the Nashua River and downtown

Snow before and after views of Main Street, Nashua, NH

Those recent spring-like days were short-lived as temps are returning to the 30s and 40s this week.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

This weekend is the annual 3-day book sale of the library Friends group

A Fur to a Bear

Years ago, women accessorized with fur coats, stoles, and capes especially for occasions like weddings, dinners and holidays. 

The fur fashion trend peaked from the 1930s through the late 1950s. It seemed to represent luxury and glamour, popularized by movie stars of the times. In the 1920s, fur became a staple of Hollywood style and evening wear. In the 1940s-50s, a fur stole was considered a symbol of elegance worn for day and evening affairs and sometimes featuring animal heads and tails. Wearing fur was less popular in the 1960s and years after due to various concerns, mainly ethical and environmental.

In recent years, real fur has experienced a comeback with social media sites popularizing the trend. Influencers have been showing vintage pieces worn with casual outfits. Preowned vintage fur is seen as a sustainable, guilt-free, and stylish option as many major brands and designers, Gucci, Prada and Chanel continue to ban new fur.

Because of the cost, fur was not part of most everyday, non-Hollywood wardrobes. Some women saved up to purchase such a costly accessory. 

My mother was one such woman. She was a homemaker and enjoyed dressing up when she and my father attended annual conventions for his trade (electrical contractor) or when they went to formal affairs. She very stylish as shown in these 1930s photos.

My late mother enjoyed stylish fashions of the time

In the mid-1950s, she bought a fur stole from a department store in my hometown of Plainfield, NJ. As this was an extravagant purchase, she bought in on a payment plan as shown by a receipt she kept with the fur.

My mother died over 10 years ago. My brother and I settled her estate and cleared out our childhood home. Many household items and clothing were either discarded, donated or sold. However, the fur (shown on the right) was not one of those items.

Until last week, it was stored in a closet here in Nashua, NH. Opening the closet door brought bittersweet memories, mostly good ones, of my mother's joy when she wore it.

My late parents dressed up and going out

It would never be worn again and it was long past time to do something with it. So, last week, I sent it to Dayton, OH.

Why?

Because a fairy godmother will transform my mother’s fur into a memory teddy bear. I found Fairy Godmother Creations through an online search. (There are other sites that offer similar conversions, but this one impressed me the most). According to its website: Fairy Godmother Creations can convert your clothing, fur coat or wedding dress into heirloom gifts that tie generations together. 

According to the website information, fairy godmother, Liane, has been creating these bears for over 25 years. The website included a phone number so that anyone interested in speaking to a human could contact her.

I called Liane and, during our chat, received instructions on how to package and send the fur. (The website contains order forms with complete instructions and costs.) She assured me that an email would be sent when it arrived, 2 days that email came. 

It could take a few months for the conversion from fur to teddy bear. As for the cost, it's not inexpensive — $185 with an added $16 for return shipping in addition to the cost of sending. To me, this expense is priceless.

And, I can wait. After 10 years, time won't make a difference. Once the bear is done and before mailing, an email will be sent with a photo. 

When the teddy bear arrives at its new home, of course, there will be a future photo post, so bear with me (pun intended). But, before then, I need to think about its name.

Your turn — Do you name inanimate objects in your home ?

Friday Funnies

This pet was traveling in the vehicle ahead of us this past week and apparently wanted to get a better view along Main Street.

By the time, the truck pulled into the CVS parking lot he was hanging out the back window. This truck was in front of our car, my cell phone was readily available and, like this pet, I was a passenger as well. You never know when a photo opp can happen.

Enjoy Your Weekend Everyone

Winter weather again today with snow, sleet and freezing rain.

Springing ahead with ⏰ changing this weekend.

Slam the Spam

Spammers are everywhere as anyone on social media can attest. But, it's not just social media that attracts these unscrupulous predators. Spammers use phone calls, email and text messages to entice folks to part with their money and/or personal information.

So, after receiving received email information about Slam the Spam, decided to share in a post. Thankfully, we haven't fallen victim to any of these schemes; however, countless others have and unfortunately, in recent years that included a family member.

One thing is certain, you can never be too careful. Although agencies referred to in this post are specific to the U.S., there may be similar agencies in other countries as well.

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is an annual campaign to give people information to help them stay safe, informed, and connected. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has an online toolkit with information on how to stop unwanted calls (robocalls) texts and emails.

On Thursday, March 5, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are supporting National Slam the Scam Day by providing more information on recognizing imposters.

Recognizing the basic signs of a scam gives everyone power to ignore spammers and report the activity based on some of the following red flags from scammers who: 

• Pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain trust.
• Tell you there is a problem or that you’ve won a prize.
• Pressure you for immediate action.
• Tell you to pay in a specific way (gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency) — often with the promise of keeping your money safe.

All of these are glaring red flags since authentic government agencies will never:

• Threaten with arrest or legal action if you don't agree to pay money right away.
• Suspend a Social Security number.
• Claim to need personal info or payment to activate a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or other benefit increase. These are automatic.
• Pressure you to take immediate action and to share personal information.
• Threaten to seize your bank account.
• Offer to move your money to a “protected” bank account.
• Demand secrecy.
• Direct message you on social media.
• Ask for payment using certainspecific methods

Unfortunately, scammers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an additional tactic to trick people. Actions that everyone can take:

• Hang up on suspicious calls from “government officials” claiming there is a problem with a Social Security number or account.
• Never engage if a call feels "off."
• Don't make any requested as many of the requested methods are untraceable.

What You Can Do

Report Social Security-related scams at oig.ssa.gov and report other government imposter scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Spread the word by using #SlamTheScam on social media to raise awareness and repost #SlamtheScam content on social media to help protect family and friends.

In the past year, a fellow blogger posted about falling victim to a scam; other bloggers may recall the post. Not only was the incident unfortunate to read about, but showed that scammers are always willing to take advantage of others. 

While it's not possible to eliminate spams and scams entirely, there are ways to stop them from happening to yourself and others. 

Friday Funnies

Friday Funnies post is a bit different today as it contains a recipe for a cake that goes by many names, one particular amusing — Wacky Cake.

If you've ever made or sampled this rich chocolate cake, then you know that it's delicious. After recently trying the recipe, I can attest to this fact.

Wacky Cake is a moist, chocolate eggless, dairy-free cake which uses vinegar and baking soda for leavening. It's easy, inexpensive and mixed directly in the baking pan and eliminates the need for a mixing bowl. The wacky name comes from its lack of traditional ingredients and its mixing method. This cake also goes by several other names, including:

• Crazy Cake - similar to "wacky," refers to surprising, ingredient-less recipe.
• Depression or War Cake - so called when rationing made butter, milk, eggs scarce.
• Crazy Cake - like "wacky," refers to surprising, ingredient-less recipe.
• Three-Hole Cake - refers to traditional method of creating three wells in dry ingredients.
• Milkless, eggless, butterless cake - highlights the lack of popular ingredients.
• Poor Man's Cake - highlights budget-friendly nature of the dessert.
• Cemetery Cake - refers to a simple, quick, comforting recipe for hard times. 

While names differ, the cake basically follows the same recipe with basic ingredients of flour, cocoa powder, sugar, vinegar, oil and water. Often, coffee is substituted in place of water for a deeper flavor.

Historical Background

The recipe gained prominence during the Great Depression and then WW I and II when dairy and eggs were either costly or rationed. The recipe was created by home cooks using basic pantry staples to provide a sweet treat during times of scarcity. 

Years ago, radio shows and women's magazines played a large role in promoting the recipe. Betty Crocker's Cooking Hour provided women with budget-friendly recipes. General Mills, owner of Betty Crocker, employed nutritionists and cooks to experiment with different ways of ruining a cake by omitting certain items. Ladies' Home Journal offered baking tips during the Great Depression by recommending that eggs be replaced with baking powder and using inexpensive grains and produce.During the COVID pandemic, the recipe's popularity was renewed as a simple quarantine baking project. 

Here's what's needed, including optionals:

• 1-½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5-6 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup water or coffee (optional for richer flavor)
• Optional: 1/2 tsp Espresso powder to boost chocolate flavor

How it Works

The reaction between the baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) creates carbon dioxide bubbles, which makes the cake rise without eggs. 

Traditional Preparation - "Three Wells" Method

Since prep time will be very quick, it's best to pre-heat the oven — 350℉ (175℃) before mixing ingredients together. 

1. Sift or whisk dry ingredients directly into an ungreased 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan. Make three depressions (wells) in the dry mixture, one large and two small. Pour oil into the large well, then vinegar and vanilla into two smaller wells. Pour water (or coffee) over everything and stir with a fork or whisk until smooth. 
2. Bake 25 - 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean. For 8x8 or 9x9 inch pans, 30–35 minutes is typical. Cool completely before frosting or dusting with confectioner's sugar.

Because it contains no animal products, wacky cake is vegan and dairy-free. It's also a popular option for folks with egg or milk allergies. 

This Wacky Cake was done for a neighbor’s birthday last week; the above photo is before it was frosted by mixing confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, water, vanilla and softened butter before checking for recipes without dairy. One butter-free frosting would be to melt chocolate then add condensed milk and vanilla extract, stir until it thickens and cool before frosting.

Based on reactions of those who tasted Wacky Cake, you won't be disappointed if you make it, especially if you're a chocoholic like Grenville and myself.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Hopefully, ours will be snow-free for a change

Robins pictured in the previous post haven't returned yet