LOVE GARLIC BUT HATE THE BREATH LEFT BEHIND?

This is the best way to cure garlic breath, according to science Published September 28, 2016.  

Do you love garlic but hate having smelly breath? ( Great news for lovers of Italian food and pretty much any delicious, aromatic cuisine. Now you can enjoy super garlicky dishes without scaring away family, friends, or a potential mate. Researchers at Ohio University say they've found a few simple and effective cures that will actually cure garlic breath-- or significantly reduce its oral potency. And no, it's not chewing gum or mouthwash. Instead, the scientists say, it's better to go au naturel. That's right, chewing on plant leaves-specifically raw mint leaves, proved to be a top oral deodorizer when compared to other plants and green tea. The study, studied the effect of different foods on the volatile compounds (diallyl disulfide, allyl mercaptan, allyl methyl disulfide, and allyl methyl sulfide, if you were wondering) responsible for garlic breath, which is notoriously difficult to get rid of. To conduct the research, scientists gave participants three grams of garlic cloves to chew for about 25 seconds. The contestants then had to drink water as a control. The research team then measured the effects of several compounds including: raw, juiced, or heated apple, raw or cooked lettuce, raw or juiced mint leaves, and green tea. About an hour after consuming the garlic, each participants' breath was measured using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, a piece of equipment which analyzes trace gases and compounds in exhaled breath. The results? The team found that "raw apple and raw lettuce decreased the concentration of volatiles in breath by 50 percent or more compared to the control for the first 30 minutes. Mint leaves had an even higher deodorizing effect on all the compounds measured. But in its juiced or heated forms, mint was not as effective as juiced forms of raw apple or lettuce. Green tea, meanwhile, exhibited no deodorizing properties. The researchers suggest that raw foods are better at breaking down garlic's volatile compounds because they contain both odor-eliminating enzymes (which are significantly reduced during heating or cooking) and phenolic compounds, which work to counteract garlic's potent compounds. So if you've got a hot date tonight, ditch the artificial gum and keep those fresh mint leaves handy. 

SPAM-LOVE IT OR HATE IT

6 things you never knew about Spam By Dan Myers Published September 28, 2016.  

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam...is there any food product that's more divisive than Spam ? When it comes to this American staple, you either love it or you hate it. But it's actually one of the more intriguing food products out there, with a long, wild history. Here are six things that you probably didn't know about this legendary tinned lunch meat. 1.  The name is still a mystery.  While many assume that Spam is short for "spiced ham," only a handful of people know its true origin - and they're not telling. The name was actually suggested in naming contest by Ken Daigneau, a Hormel VP's brother, before the product was introduced in 1937. Daigneau won a naming contest and $100. Other theories under the acronym category include "special processed American meat" and "shoulders of pork and ham. 2.  It's not mystery meat.  Hormel has always been pretty open about what goes into the can, even though people continue to be wary of it. It's made with pork shoulder and ham, along with salt, water, sugar, potato starch, and nitrites. It's basically made from the same stuff as hot dogs. 3.  It's not exactly a health food.  Should you decide to set about consuming a whole can, you'll be eating nearly 100 grams of fat, more than 1,000 calories, 240 milligrams of cholesterol, and a whopping 4,696 milligrams of sodium, nearly double the USDA's recommended daily allowance. That said, Spam in moderation is perfectly fine for most healthy adults.  It may be common knowledge that Spam was popular with American servicemen during WW II, a whopping 100 million pounds of the stuff was consumed by Russian forces during the war as well. "Without Spam, we wouldn't have been able to feed our army," Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev later said. 5.  There was once a Kosher Spam.  During the 2000s, a kosher variety known as Loof was distributed as field rations by the Israeli military. Made from chicken or beef, it was phased out in 2008. 6.  Hormel produces a lot of it each year.  44,000 cans of spam, or 33,000 pounds, are produced every hour worldwide, to be consumed in more than 40 countries. That's a whole lot of Spam. 

SOME THINGS TO BRING A SMILE

Headed Heavenward 

A little boy got on the elevator in the Empire State Building in New York City. He and his daddy started to the top. The boy watched the signs flashing as they went by the floors: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70. They kept going, and he got nervous. He took his daddy's hand and said, "Daddy, does God know we're coming?" 

Just Checking 

I was scheduled to fly from North Carolina to Germany, where my husband was stationed in the military. As I checked in at the airport, the ticket agent asked me some standard security questions. "Has anyone given you any packages that you didn't pack yourself?" he asked. I told him that my mother-in-law had given me a parcel to take to her son. He looked at me very carefully and asked: "Does she like you?" 

Oh 

Grammar, Grammar 

The kindergarten class had settled down to its coloring books. Willie came up to the teacher's desk and said, "Miss Francis, I ain't got no crayons." "Willie," Miss Francis said, "you mean, "I don't have any crayons. You don't have any crayons. We don't have any crayons. They don't have any crayons. Do you see what I'm getting at?" "Not really," Willie said. "What happened to all them there crayons?" 

Shorts 

• About all you can get with a nickel these days is heads or tails.
• Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.
• Money used to talk. Then it whispered. Now it just sneaks off.
• Baseball — what a great job! Where else would a .250 efficiency rate get you a $10 million raise?
• Have you ever been tempted to call a maternity ward and ask if the deliver?  

WHAT DO YOU KEEP IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR

Do you really need to refrigerate eggs? By Sam Worley Published September 23, 2016. 

Do all foods need to be refrigerated?  It's generally considered a good idea to refrigerate-say-raw pork, and fresh vegetables, and dairy products. Those are kitchen all-stars. But what about the supporting players-the condiments, the sandwich fixins, the baking supplies? Check out this list of items you could refrigerate, items you should refrigerate, and items that would also be very happy in the freezer.  Foods you don't technically have to refrigerate, but why not? Most condiments exist in a gray area relative to refrigeration: they've been fermented during the production process (think Worcestershire sauce) or are otherwise acidic (yellow mustard), so they're pretty capable of just preserving themselves. Yet most manufacturers recommend refrigerating these once you open them, because while they might not go bad at room temperature, they'll lose more flavor and freshness over time when stored that way. This category includes the aforementioned Worcestershire sauce and mustard as well as horseradish, soy sauce, fish sauce, and ketchup. You also don't technically have to refrigerate prepared mayonnaise, but...come on. Foods you really should refrigerate (aside from the obvious) This category entire comprises nuts and nut byproducts, whose highly fragile fats will go rancid if they're left at room temperature for too long. You'll want to put the chill on flax seeds; nuts like pecans and walnuts if you think they'd otherwise sit in the 'cup'board for a long time; nut oils, including walnut oil and Asian sesame oil; and natural nut butters, including tahini. Most conventional peanut butters could survive the apocalypse, but natural peanuts butters should go in the fridge once they've been opened; they'll stay fresher, and the cool temps will also help keep their oil from separating. The incredible, edible egg Sort of a category of their own, because you don't really need to refrigerate intact, uncooked eggs...unless you happen to live in the United States, in which case you actually do. When they're laid, eggs come coated in a cuticle-a thin membrane that keeps bacteria out-so in their natural state, they're fine left on the counter; it would indeed be a weird quirk of evolution for an animal to lay an egg that needed to be kept on ice. But owing to fears of salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that eggs laid here be washed after laying, which removes the cuticle and makes the eggs more susceptible to spoilage-thus necessitating their stay in the refrigerator. In Europe, egg-laying hens get a salmonella vaccine, and their unwashed eggs don't need to be refrigerated; both American and European methods, reports NPR, achieve basically the same result. Some recipes call for eggs to be at room temperature, and it's fine to leave them on the counter for a while for them to get there; you can also bring them to room temp faster by placing them in a bowl of warm water. Foods you should freeze In the freezer, dried yeast will keep forever instead of turning mysteriously ineffective the next time you decide to bake bread. The freezer is also a great place to store flours, particularly whole-grain flours, since their bran has oil that will go rancid if they're left at room temperature for too long. Just make sure they're well-sealed in a plastic bag so they don't pick up any odors. Nuts and flax do great in the freezer, too, if they're cluttering up your fridge; their high fat content ensures they won't freeze too firmly, so they'll be available for snacking at a moment's notice. 

A TOUCHING DOG STORY

5 years after being stolen, therapy dog is coming home to her owner Published September 23, 2016.  

A Colorado woman with special needs will be reunited with her therapy dog after the animal turned up five years later in Missouri - more than 850 miles away, she said.  Kalli Mahaffey, 25, of Pueblo, Colo., said she thought her time with Missy the St. Bernard was over when the animal disappeared from her front yard shortly after she adopted her in 2011. "She was stolen from me," Mahaffey e said  "She was in the front yard. I let her out to use the bathroom and then I turned my back and she was gone. Mahaffey said she searched for Missy, even filed a report at a local animal shelter. Her then-1-year-old daughter, Kaylee, had quickly fallen in love with the dog, and Mahaffey needed the animal herself to help with her developmental disabilities. But the dog never turned up. Until last week, that is. The dog was picked up as a stray on Sept. 14 by Jefferson County Animal Control officials in Missouri, some 860 miles away from Mahaffey's yard. Missy was then sent to a local groomer, who discovered an identification chip inside the dog. A friend of the groomer, Brandi Cross, of House Springs, Mo., then managed to track down Mahaffey in Colorado.

IF YOU'RE TIRED IT COULD BE YOUR MEDS

4 common medications that are making you tired By Sarah Watts Published September 23, 2016. 

It seems that we're a nation of pill-poppers: Nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and more than 50 percent take two, according to a 2013 report from the Mayo Clinic. While many of those meds might very well be keeping us healthy, some of the most popular drugs on the market-including prescription and OTC options-can also cause debilitating tiredness. Could your pills be the reason you can't seem to make it through the day without multiple 'cup's of coffee? If you're getting ample sleep but still yawning all the time, one of the following medications might be to blame.  Antidepressants They're among the most commonly prescribed medications, especially for women. (Women are twice as likely as men to take antidepressants, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.) But they can also make you tired, says Nancy Simpkins, MD, a board-certified internist who specializes in women's health and practices in Livingston, NJ. Most modern antidepressants (SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work by regulating serotonin, a mood chemical in the brain that plays an important role in sleep. Although SSRIs tend to be less sedating than older antidepressants (including tricyclics such as Elavil), some people still end up feeling sluggish. Zoloft users often report this side effect, says Simpkins.  With SSRIs, "the first 8 to 10 hours is the most potent part of the dose," Simpkins says. "If a patient is doing well on Zoloft but they're tired, we tell her to take it at night," she says. If you still can't shake that foggy feeling, ask your doctor about trying out a different drug in the same class, such as Paxil, Prozac, or Lexapro. Antihistamines You may be taking them for your seasonal allergies, but these drugs are also really good at helping you doze off-so good, in fact, that they're actually used in sleep aids like Unisom. They work by blocking histamine, an itch- and sneeze-inducing chemical that also happens to be a neurotransmitter. "Histamine gives you energy and helps your brain function normally," says Simpkins. "When you block it, you block the allergic reaction, but you're also blocking the normal functioning of the brain. Hence, the sleepiness. All antihistamines-even the ones marketed as "non-drowsy"-have the potential to make you sleepy. That said, some are more sedating than others. "The least sedating one tends to be Allegra, followed by Claritin and then Zyrtec," Simpkins says. Benadryl usually causes the most sleepiness, along with a more powerful prescription medication called Xyzal that's sometimes used for treating severe allergies. People with bad allergies have a few options: Try taking Benadryl or Xyzal before bed, or switch to a less drowsy option. (Simpkins likes Zyrtec the best.) "If you're really miserable, get allergy shots," she says.  Blood pressure medication According to the CDC, nearly 75 million Americans-a staggering 1 in every 3 adults-suffer from hypertension. It's often treated with beta blockers, but these drugs aren't exactly well-liked among patients. When people take them, says Simpkins, "they really complain. Some say that they feel like they have the flu. Beta blockers inhibit the production of adrenaline, a hormone that causes your heart to beat rapidly. By slowing your heart rate, they lower the force of the blood pounding on your artery walls (aka your blood pressure). But having less adrenaline can also zap your energy level. One beta blocker, Inderal, is particularly fatiguing, says Simpkins.  The fix? "You can lower the dose a little, and some people feel better," says Simpkins (be sure to get your doctor's OK before changing your dose). If that doesn't do the trick-or your blood pressure isn't being well-controlled with the lower dose-ask your doctor about switching to an ACE inhibitor, which works differently: ACE inhibitors dilate your vessels so that blood can flow through them more efficiently, and they shouldn't make you tired. Anti-anxiety medications Benzodiazepines are among "the most widely prescribed medication in the world," says Simpkins. "And all of them cause fatigue. These drugs bind to a receptor in the brain that releases a chemical called GABA. When GABA is released, it signals the brain and body to relax, which can provide short-term relief to someone with intense anxiety. But it may also work a little too well, causing you to become drowsy or even fall asleep. Xanax is the least sedating of the benzodiazepines, says Simpkins, and thanks to a short half-life, only works for a few hours. "I prescribe a small dose to patients who need an MRI but are too afraid of going in the machine," she says. "Most people are able to drive to the test and drive home after. The most sedating drug in this class is Ativan, says Simpkins. It causes so much sleepiness that doctors typically prescribe it as a sleep aid for people whose anxious thoughts are keeping them awake. If you need anti-anxiety medications at a time when you can't afford to be sleepy-perhaps you're prepping for an important work presentation rather than settling in for a long flight-Simpkins recommends experimenting: "I tell patients to take the lowest dose of Klonopin or Valium and cut it into quarters. "The first quarter is basically a placebo effect, since there's not enough medication to be a therapeutic dose. But for some people, that's enough. If you still feel anxious after 15 or 20 minutes, take another quarter. (Maybe it's not the med. 

DO YOUR SCALES LIE TO YOU

4 lies your scale has told you By Amy Marturana Published September 23, 2016.  

Stepping onto a scale can be a nerve-wracking experience. It shouldn't be, but the truth of the matter is that for many women, it is. Whether or not you're trying to lose weight, seeing those numbers change can shake you up. We've been taught to bow down to the scale and take its word. It knows the big secret of how much we weigh. Your scale, though, might not be so trustworthy. It's almost always not telling the whole story. While weight can be helpful in determining whether you might be at a heightened risk for certain diseases and can help your doctor check off all the right boxes to ensure you've got a clean bill of health, it's not the be-all and end-all. In fact, a scale only gives you part of the story. And through lying by omission, it can send mixed messages about your health. Here are four lies your scale might be telling you. 1. You gained weight overnight. Your scale may suggest you've put on a few pounds after eating that humungous Chinese takeout meal for two you downed yourself (it happens), but you can't gain actual weight that quickly. Chances are the extra lbs are just water-which your body holds onto when you're dehydrated, eating too much sodium, or menstruating, among other various reasons. You could even just be constipated, so that extra "weight" is really just from what's backed up in your bowels. 2. You're "too heavy" or "too light" based on BMI. BMI, or body mass index, is a number based off your weight and height. It's meant to measure body fatness, and depending on your number, you'll either fall into the normal, underweight, or overweight range. The problem is that BMI really just measures excess weight compared to height-not actual body fat. "BMI does not take into account what your body is made of," Jackie Baumrind, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., a dietitian at Selvera Wellness, said. "It cannot differentiate between muscle and fat-for example, if you have two people who weigh 250 pounds and one is a body builder and one is 250 pounds of fat mass" they could have a similar BMI. But their body composition is very different, so one may need to address it while the other has no health risks. The CDC notes a few other flaws with the BMI calculation: It doesn't consider bone mass, or tell you anything about the distribution of fat on a person's body. Fat accumulated in the midsection specifically signifies a higher risk of some metabolic diseases. BMI levels do correlate with body fat and future health risks, the CDC adds, so it's not a totally useless measure. It's just not the whole story, and, for some people, can be a total throwaway. 3. Working out isn't working. Sometimes, you gain weight even though you're losing fat, slimming down, and clearly putting on lean muscle. Recently, fitness fanatics have been posting their weights alongside before/after progress pics to prove that we should focus on what we look like and how we feel, not numbers on a scale, for this exact reason. Muscle doesn't actually weigh more than fat, but it's denser. That means more muscle than fat can be packed into an identical cubic area, making the muscle heavier. Therefore, burning fat and replacing it with muscle on our bodies can result in us looking slimmer and more toned even though the number on the scale increases. 4. Your weight even matters. "Weight on scale can help when looking at an overall change, but it's not good to get caught up in day-to-day fluctuations as hormones, menstrual cycle, fluid, salt, alcohol, airplane travel, and medications (just to name a few) can all factor in," Baumrind says. Weight can fluctuate a few pounds every day, depending on the person, for all of those reasons. "Some people have heart conditions that make fluctuations in weight very serious," Baumrind adds, but for others, it's completely inconsequential. And knowing the number has changed is just an unnecessary source of anxiety. "Weigh ins daily are very helpful for some people because it keeps them accountable to themselves and their goals, where for others it becomes an unhealthy obsession. If you know you're in a healthy range and have had recent confirmation that your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other standard markers of cardiovascular health are in a good place and that you're not at risk for metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, the number on the scale isn't all that important. 

LISTEN UP-BURNING QUESTIONS ABOUT HUMAN EARS

Why are human ears shaped that way? Published September 22, 2016.  

Burning question: Why are our ears shaped the way they are? It's easy to poke fun at someone with big ears, but human bodies have an interesting way of evolving to optimize their effectiveness. One expert, Todd Ricketts, director of graduate studies in the department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, sounds off on how the shape of our ears muffles noises from behind and why large flaps may actually make someone a better listener. Size matters The shape of the ear has a big effect on how one hears, and since we're only born with one pair, we get used to the sounds they deliver to the eardrum and eventually to the brain, says Dr. Ricketts, who does research into hearing aids. While some animals have rotating ears, many scientists have speculated that humans, at the top of the food chain, don't need ear functions with up-down precision hearing, "since we're not likely to be attacked from above or carried off by a bird," Dr. Ricketts notes. The ear's outer flap, called the pinna, acts as a sound-gatherer, "a bit like a horn," Dr. Ricketts says. That horn is pointed slightly to the front, allowing the ear to gather more sound from what it is facing rather than from what is behind. "The sounds from the back are sort of like shadows, and they don't travel so well around the ear flaps," Dr. Ricketts says. lfred E. Neuman-size ear flaps should help drown out ambient noise behind a person, thus allowing him to hear the person he is facing better. People with flatter ears, on the other hand, can conceivably pick up sound from behind better, "which you could argue is a good monitoring ability," the professor says. No matter your ear shape, to hear more clearly when speaking with someone face to face, simply 'cup' the pinnas with your hands to concentrate the oncoming sound. 

BE SURE AND GET THAT FLU SHOT BUT NOT TOO SOON

Patients over 65 may consider delaying flu shot, expert says Published September 21, 2016.  () 

Some experts are warning older adults against getting their flu shot too early because it's unclear how long the vaccine lasts. NPR reported that despite flu season being weeks or months away, many companies such as CVS are offering coupons for customers who get the flu shot. The vaccine typically becomes available in August and is advertised until the springtime or for as long as supplies last. For many stores, the flu shot is a way to draw more customers in to buy other items in store, the news website reported. While federal health officials argue getting the flu shot later or too soon is better than not getting vaccinated at all, some experts argue stores' marketing schemes may be clouding the science. "If you're over 65, don't get the flu vaccine in September. Or August. It's a marketing scheme," Laura Haynes, an immunologist at the University of Connecticut Center on Aging, told NPR. These individuals' immune systems may cause the vaccine to wear off faster than in young people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that vendors make the flu shot available as soon as possible but points out that delaying vaccination may offer greater protection later in the season. The CDC advises against deferral from vaccination, however, because "it could result in missed opportunities to vaccinate," NPR reported. But Dr. John J. Treanor, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, said that some studies suggest the strength of the flu vaccine may wane as the season progresses. The strain of the flu virus and how well scientists match the vaccine to that strain in any given year can also impact immunity. However, data shows it's important to vaccinate children and the elderly, as these groups are most at risk of flu complications and death. Haynes advised older patients to consult their doctors for vaccination timing but said between Halloween and Thanksgiving are ideal for this age group. "If you can't wait, and the only chance is to get it in September, then go ahead and get it. It's best to get it early rather than not at all," she told NPR. 

KIDS GIVE ADVICE FOR CHOOSING A MATE

1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids) 

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. 

-- Alan, age 10 

-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. 

-- Kristen, age 10

2.WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.. 

-- Camille, age 10

3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. 

-- Derrick, age 8

4.WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids. 

-- Lori, age 8

5.WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. 

-- Lynnette, age 8(isn't she a treasure)

 

-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. 

-- Martin, age 10

6.WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

-When they're rich. 

-- Pam, age 7( Love her )

-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. 

- - Curt, age 7

-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. 

- - Howard, age 8

7.IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. 

-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child ) 

8.HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? 

-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favourite is.......

9.HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.

-- Ricky, age 10 

IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL A CHICKEN TOO?

Yup, some people can’t handle the truth!

 

 

 

My Favorite Animal

 

Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken."

 

She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed.

 

My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. 

 

I told my dad what happened and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much.

 

I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef.

 

Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office.

I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.

 

The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. 

 

I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.

 

She sent me back to the principal's office.

 

He laughed, and told me not to do it again.

 

I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn’t like it when I am.

 

Today, my teacher asked me to tell her what famous military person I admired most. 

 

I told her, "Colonel Sanders."

 

Guess where I am now…

WHAT THINGS DO YOU DREAM

Who Knew? 13 Things Your Dreams Reveal About You BY MICHELLE CROUCH     

1. How creative you are . Creative people are more likely to dream about unusual ­settings (rather than home or work) and about obstacles in the natural world, such as a log or a rock they can't get around. 2. Your political views. Self-­described conservatives are more likely to have mundane, realistic dreams, while liberals have more bizarre dreams. Does that mean liberals are more open-minded? Or that they're caught up in their own fantasies? Take your pick. 3. That you've got a heart problem. People who have frequent nightmares may be significantly more likely to suffer from an irregular heartbeat or chest pain compared with those who don't have them, found a study of older adults. That may be because heart problems can make it more difficult to breathe at night. 4. If you're avoiding something. Do you dream about being pursued by a stranger, a monster, or a ­giant tidal wave? This could indicate that you're afraid to deal with something in your waking life. Ask yourself what issue, person, or emotion you're not confronting. 5. How fast you'll bounce back from your divorce. Divorced people who have longer, more dramatic dreams about the old relationship are more likely to adjust better to being single. Dreams may help divorced folks (and the rest of us) work through trauma. 6. How you pursue the big answers. Adults who attend church frequently may recall fewer dreams than those who don't attend worship services regularly. If you're not relying on religion to answer big life questions, then your dreams may become a resource for insight. 7. That you're a workaholic. Type A personalities tend to report more disturbing dreams than laid-back folks. Hard-driving types put more pressure on themselves, and that stress can appear in dreams. 8. If you'll ace a test. College students spent an hour learning how to navigate a complex maze. When tested later, the only students whose performance improved were those who had dreamed about the maze during a nap. Dreaming may consolidate memories, which boosts learning and problem-solving skills. 9. Whether you'll give up smoking for good. One study found that the more you dream about smoking-and experience the guilt associated with falling off the wagon (even a phantom wagon)-the more likely you may be to quit. 10. Your risk of Parkinson's. Up to 90 percent of people who act out violent dreams-by punching, kicking, or yelling while asleep-may eventually develop Parkinson's disease. The behavior may indicate REM sleep behavior disorder, an early sign of the disease. 11. Whether you're depressed. Depressed people start dreaming much sooner than others, as early as 45 minutes after falling asleep, rather than the usual 90 minutes. 12. Death may be near. The closer a person is to passing, the more likely he or she is to dream about loved ones who've passed on. 13. What medications you're taking. Many drugs are known to cause bad dreams, including anti­depressants, antibiotics, statins, and some antihistamines. 

Opportunity to attend NFB Virtual meeting

NFB Virtual meeting:

NEXT MEETING: Monday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Call (310)372-7549, Code 744800

THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS EXACTLY AS THEY SEEM

Canned pumpkin is not what you think it is By Joe Sevier Published September 16, 2016. What's really in the can of pumpkin?  

So there you are, drinking your first PSL (ahem, that's Pumpkin Spice Latte) of the season. But wait. What I'm about to tell you could rock your Starbucks-loving world: The coffee drink that makes you feel like you're eating liquid pumpkin pie is in fact a SSL. Yes, that is a Squash Spice Latte. Because that pumpkin pie you grew up eating-the pie from which the aforementioned drink derives its name, owing to the spices commonly included in said pie-was most likely made not from pumpkin, but from squash. Libby's Pure Pumpkin-the quintessential American canned pumpkin brand-is responsible for 85% of canned pumpkin sold in the world. When we think of a pumpkin, we usually imagine either the rotund, bright orange specimen that we buy up at Halloween to carve into a jack-o-lantern-which, while edible, isn't good for cooking-or its smaller, tastier cousin, the sugar pumpkin. But instead of those pumpkin varieties, Libby's grows a proprietary strain of tan-skinned Dickinson squash. And although Libby's does refer to its fruit as "pumpkin," in appearance, taste, and texture (not to mention species) it more closely resembles squash. In fact, its closest high-profile relative is butternut squash. Because the FDA finds that drawing a hard-line designation between pumpkins and "golden-fleshed" winter squash is murky, it's perfectly legal for Libby's and other canned pumpkin brands to label their products as such. In addition, companies are allowed to combine different plant varieties into one purée to achieve a desired flavor and consistency-especially beneficial if one type doesn't grow as well from one year to the next. And because many of these companies do offer a product that is denser, sweeter, and more flavorful than the more commonly available pumpkin would be, can we really begrudge them the semantics? If it does bother you to think that your pumpkin pie might be filled with squash, you could always make your own purée by slicing a sugar pumpkin in half, discarding the seeds and pulp, and then roasting it, cut-side down, at 375șF until it's tender throughout, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (test by sticking a paring knife into the side-when there is no resistance, it's ready). Once it's cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh from the peel and purée in a food processor or blender until totally smooth. Finally, depending on the water content of the fruit, you may or may not have to scrape the purée into a cheesecloth-lined strainer and let it strain for a few hours. Or, you could just pop open a can and accept the fact that if it was good enough for grandma, it's good enough for you. 

PROS AND CONS ABOUT DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS

The pluses and minuses of drugmakers' discount cards Published September 14, 2016.  

Rich Pedroncelli) Facing public furor for the price of its emergency allergy shot EpiPen, Mylan Pharmaceuticals quickly pointed to a familiar industry solution: copay discount cards. Copay coupons or cards have become a ubiquitous part of the pharmaceutical business, offered through websites, mobile apps and doctor's offices. Patient advocates say they can bring down out-of-pocket expenses for patients who face high copays and deductibles. Mylan last month boosted its discount cards to cover $300 of insured patients' copay costs, up from $100. But they also have a clear business purpose: steering people toward brand-name drugs when cheaper options are often available. Researchers say those higher costs ultimately drive up expenses for insurers, employers and the health system at large. A look at the pros and cons of copay discount cards: PRO: LOWER OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS As more employers move to cost-sharing health plans, their workers face higher expenses when filling prescriptions at the pharmacy. The average amount owed by a patient picking up a brand-name drug is $44, according to IMS Health, a health information company. Copay coupon usually offering reimbursement up to a certain level, such as $100. Advocates say copay coupons are crucial for financially strapped people. Erin Singleton of the Patient Advocate Foundation says she directs patients to websites like needymeds.org and pparx.org, which compile coupon offers. To qualify, patients generally have to provide information about their insurance. But unlike some other patient assistance programs that offer free medicines or deep discounts, the coupons are not tied to income. "Copay cards are beneficial because they're pretty seamless," Singleton said. "It is something that should be considered regardless of your income. CON: HIGHER-PRICED DRUGS While consumers pay less at the pharmacy, research suggests they are actually passing on higher costs to their insurance company. That's because manufacturers tend to offer the coupons on brand-name drugs that are competing against lower-priced drugs, often generics that sell for $4 or less at retailers like Wal-Mart. When a generic is available, pharmacists often automatically switch patients to the cheaper option. But when a patient uses a coupon, it short circuits that process. The copay is lower, but the insurer ends up paying for the higher-priced drug. "So those costs are going to come out in higher in premiums," said Wells Wilkinson, an attorney with Community Catalyst, a health care advocate group. A 2013 study of almost 400 coupons found that nearly two-thirds were for brand-name medications that had cheaper alternatives, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School. PRO: PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED An estimated 1 in 5 prescriptions in the U.S. goes unfilled, in part due to financial hardship. Some research suggests patients with copay discounts are more likely to stay on their medication than those without them. One 2014 study of patients taking high-priced specialty drugs for multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases found that nearly half of them used a copay coupon. In most cases, the discounts reduced their monthly expenses to less than $250, a threshold where patients are more likely to stay on their medication. CON: SHORT-TERM SOLUTION Coupon cards can improve access to drugs, but usually for a limited time. Most cards include language that they can only be reused 12 times or that they expire after 14 months. Across all brand-name prescriptions filled in the U.S., copay coupons are only used about 8 percent of the time, according to research published last year by IMS Health. Limiting their use: many mail order pharmacy programs do not accept the cards. Additionally, the cards cannot be used at all by patients in federal health plans like Medicare, Medicaid or Veterans Affairs, which cover tens of millions of Americans. The cards run afoul of federal anti-kickback laws that prohibit companies from giving enrollees anything of value to purchase items paid for by the government. When drugmakers like Mylan tout their discount cards as a remedy for rising drug prices, experts say it deflates public debate about medication costs that could lead to real reforms. "Coupons are not a public health solution, they are a minor fix for a small number of people," said Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, a professor at Harvard Medical School. 

SOMETHING MORE TO BRING A LAUGH

The Warning 

Little Johnny wasn't getting good marks in school. One day he confided in his teacher:"I don't want to scare you, but my daddy says if I don't get better grades, somebody is going to get a spanking." 

School Bestsellers 

• "Walking To School The First Day Back" by Misty Bus
• "The Day The Car Pool Forgot Me" by I. Rhoda Bike
• "Can't See The Chalkboard" by Sidney Backrow
• "What I Dislike About Returning To School" by Mona Lott
• "Making It Through The First Week Of School" by Gladys Saturday
• "Is Life Over When Summer Ends?" by Midas Welbee
• "What I Love About Returning To School" by I. M. Kidding
• "Will Jimmy Finally Graduate?" by I. Betty Wont
• "What Happens When You Get Caught Skipping School" by U. Will Gettitt

Tough Teacher 

A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of school, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest. He had NO trouble with discipline that term! 

Not Again 

A child comes home from his first day at school. His mother asks, "Well, what did you learn today?" The kid replies, "Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow."

SIMPLE CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE

Chicken and Rice Casserole

 4 chicken breasts OR 1 whole chicken boiled, skinned, boned and cubed 

1 1/2 'cup's rice cooked in 3 'cup's chicken broth for 20 minutes 

2 cans cream of mushroom soup 

1 (8-ounce) container sour cream 

1 soup can chicken broth 

2 'cup's grated cheddar cheese

 Combine the chicken, rice, soup, sour cream and chicken broth and mix well. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven until cheese melts. 

IT'S A MAN THING

The Bagpiper...

 

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs.

 

Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man.

 

He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight.  There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.  I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. 

I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around.  I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends.  I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played "Amazing Grace", the workers began to weep.  They wept, I wept, we all wept together.  When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car.  Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen anything like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Apparently, I'm still lost....it's a man thing.

A TOUCHING STORY IN REMEMBERANCE OF 9/11

A 9/11 Story: How Hope (and her son Kingston) found redemption one Tuesday morning By Todd Starnes Published September 10, 2016.  

My friend Karen Kingsbury , the author, sent me the most wonderful suggestion for a story the other day. It's about woman named Hope Painter, from Lebanon, Pennsylvania and her nine-year old son, Kingston.  Hope was in lower Manhattan on that fateful Tuesday morning -- 15 years ago. She was being evacuated when the second plane hit the World Trade Center towers. She saw things -- unspeakable things -- that caused her unimaginable trauma. The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months yet Hope was unable to escape from the memories of September 11, 2001. Years later, someone gave her a copy of Karen's novel about the events of that day called, " One Tuesday Morning. " It's a story about sacrifice and redemption.  That book saved Hope's life. She was finally able to emerge from the shadows of where those two towers once stood. Now, some folks might wonder how a novel -- a work of fiction -- could have such a dramatic impact on a person's life. To truly understand the answer to that, you should consider reading a Karen Kingsbury novel. When Kingston was about five-years-old, Hope told her son about " One Tuesday Morning " -- about how that book made such a profound impact on her life. So moved, the little boy felt compelled to use his birthday money to buy a few copies of Karen's book. On the anniversary of the attacks, he joined his mother at Ground Zero and gave the books away to strangers. Every person he encountered received a book, a smile, and a handwritten note: "Jesus told me to give you this book. Always remember...God loves you always. Love, Kingston. And oh, the stories that have resulted from Kingston's efforts. Karen tells me that one lady had her hand on a friend's name at the 9/11 Memorial when suddenly she felt a child tapping on her arm. It was Kingston. "The woman read the book all the way home and the clouds of darkness lifted," Karen said. "Once home, she looked me up and wrote to me. She said she had never heard of me before and wondered if I could help her find the little boy. "She said the book changed her life," Karen told me. Three years later, Kingston is still using his birthday money to buy copies of that book and on Sunday he will once again make the trek to lower Manhattan with his mother. But this time, the little boy will be giving away nearly 300 books. You see, Karen told her readers about Kingston's project and they generously donated additional copies. Among those donating a case of books was the lady Kingston first encountered two years ago at the Memorial. "Kingston loves New York City and he doesn't want anyone to be hurting the way I was hurting before I read Karen's book," Hope said. "He believes the book will help anyone. The way it helped me. On Sunday in the midst of great sorrow and sadness a little boy will share a story of rebirth -- a story of how Hope found redemption one Tuesday morning

POSSIBLE WAYS TO GET THAT NEW IPHONE 7

Should I take the free iPhone 7 deal or lease my next phone? CNET's Marguerite Reardon breaks down the two main options for getting Apple's latest flagship phone. by Marguerite  @maggie_reardon / September 11, 2016.  

The iPhone 7 is almost here and wireless operators and Apple want to make sure you get your hands on the latest incarnation of the iPhone. AT&T , Verizon , T-Mobile and Sprint are all running promotions offering new and existing customers a free iPhone 7 with 32GB of memory. Sounds like a great deal. But is it really as good as it sounds? In this edition of Ask Maggie, I explain who should consider taking advantage of these promotions and who would be better off sticking with one of the device upgrade programs offered by the carriers or Apple. Dear Maggie, I'm a big Apple fan boy and I always want the latest and greatest iPhone. I keep seeing promotions to trade in my iPhone 6S for a free iPhone 7. Is this really a good deal? It sounds too good to be true. Thanks, iPhone fanboy Dear iPhone fanboy, For a limited time, each of the four major wireless carriers is letting customers trade in an iPhone 6 , iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S or iPhone 6S Plus for a free 32-gigabyte iPhone 7. The programs differ in some minor details, but for the most part they all work in a similar fashion. Whether this is the right deal for you depends on a couple of factors, including which version of the iPhone 6S you have.  First, let me explain how this free iPhone 7 program really works, because in truth you aren't really getting anything for free. Instead, the carriers are offering a credit to your account. This means that if you take the offer, you can't simply cancel service and walk away with a free iPhone 7. You still have to subscribe to the service for 24 months, or you owe the balance of the cost of the device. Here's how it works. A customer can trade in an existing iPhone and receive a credit for $650, which can be applied to the monthly fee for an iPhone 7. Each month, the customer will be billed $27.08 but will then see a credit for that amount on their bill (it could take two to three billing cycles for the credit to start showing up). If the customer wants more storage or prefers the larger iPhone 7 Plus, she can pay the difference up front. For example, if you want a 128GB iPhone 7 rather than the 32GB version, you'd pay $100 and then still receive your $27.08 credit each month to pay off the remaining cost of your device. And you'd pay $200 for the 256GB version. If you want an iPhone 7 Plus, you'd pay $120 and then an additional $100 more for each tier of storage. Some carriers actually let you spread out that difference over 24 months.  These programs come with a couple of caveats. First, the devices that are traded in need to be in good working order, which means they need to turn on and be free of major flaws like a cracked screen. A user must also own his device in order to trade it in. This means that if you're leasing your phone or you're enrolled in a monthly payment program, you'll have to pay off your device in full before you can trade it in for the $650 credit. Another thing to keep in mind is that the carriers are giving the same $650 credit for any iPhone, regardless of how much memory the device has. This means that you'll get the same amount for an iPhone 6 with 16GB, which when new cost you $650, as you would for an iPhone 6S Plus bought last year with 128GB, which originally cost $949 new. What this means is that the promotion is a great deal for someone who bought the iPhone 6 with 16GB of memory two years ago when it came out. But it's not so great for someone who bought the most expensive iPhone 6S Plus last year for $949 and still has a balance of $474.50 left on that device.  Instead, you might want to consider one of the early upgrade programs offered by each of the main US carriers and Apple. Under a device upgrade or leasing program, a customer pays a monthly fee for the device. Usually these payments are divided up over 18 to 24 months. After you've made 12 payments or have paid off about 50 percent of the cost of your device, you're eligible to upgrade, provided you trade in your old one. Depending on your credit score and which device you're upgrading to, you may not need to make a down payment for your new device. You'll begin making monthly payments again on the new device. The benefit of these programs is that you don't have to pay off the balance of your existing phone when you want to upgrade. You simply trade it in and continue making monthly payments on a new device. These programs are great for customers who want the latest smartphones and who always buy high-end versions of devices with the biggest configurations of memory. By contrast, the carrier promotions are really best suited for people who own the cheapest version of either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6S and for those trading in older iPhones and other devices. These folks will essentially break even if they want to stick with the entry-level iPhone 7, which now comes with 32GB of storage instead of the 16GB of storage that was available in the cheapest versions of the iPhone 6 and 6S. 

DELICIOUS SOUNDING CAKE RECIPE

Recipe submitted by Peggy Gifford

1 cake mix, any flavor

1 8-ounce cream cheese softened

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup hot water

2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar together.

Add eggs and mix well.

Add cake mix and water.

Beat well and pour into greased and lightly flowered bunt pan. You can also use a 9 X 13 pan lightly greased. Cook  in  the 9 X 13 inch for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Probably about 40 minutes in bunt pan. Ovens seem to cook differently.   

Below is the pineapple icing in case you ever want to make a pineapple cake in 9 X 13 pan.

Pineapple Cake Icing

1 cup sugar

2 level tablespoons all purpose flour

2 eggs beaten

20-ounce crushed pineapple with juice

1 stick butter

Directions:

Melt butter on stove. Add sugar and flour to the butter. Before it gets real hot, add 2 beaten eggs and mix well, so the eggs wot lump.

Add pineapple with juice and cook till begins to thicken, stirring often. Pour over cake, which is still hot and has holes cut all over it, so it can soak into the cake. Yummy!!

You can use this icing recipe on the above cake recipe, using the cream cheese, or, just go by the directions on the cake mix box.

It is best to mix the flour n with the sugar, so the flour won’t lump as bad.

You don’t want the icing to get real thick, or it won’t soak into 

the cake as well.

TO UPGRADE OR NOT TO UPGRADE-THAT IS THE QUESTION

Every way the iPhone 7 is different from the iPhone 6S Are you trying to decide if you should upgrade to the iPhone 7 from an iPhone 6S? Here's everything you need to know. by Xiomara Blanco @ / September 7, 2016.  

  It's a classic dilemma: Buy the new iPhone, or save some money by going with an older model? If the recently announced Apple iPhone 7 has spun you into this predicament, fret not.  we got you. We parsed through the slight differences between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S so you don't have to. Below is a breakdown of how the iPhone 7's minor updates differentiate it from last year's model. Enlarge Image New home button, who dis?  No headphone jack Goodbye aux cable, hello Lightning connector. In order to listen to music, you must use Apple's EarPod headphones with a Lightning Connector or the Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter that comes with the phone, which allows you to use any regular pair of headphones. You can also shell out for Apple's new wireless AirPods headset to keep the jack free for charging. Increase in storage iPhone 7 iPhone 6S Storage capacities 32GB, 128GB and 256GB 32GB and 128GB Different colors (kind of) iPhone 7 iPhone 6S Colors Silver, gold, rose gold, black, jet black Silver, gold, rose gold, space gray The jet black model is only available in 128GB and 256GB models. Weighs less iPhone 7 iPhone 6S Weight 138g 143g Not a big difference, but a difference nonetheless. Hey, the headline says every way it's different, not every big way. Brighter screen iPhone 7 iPhone 6S Brightness levels 625 cd/m2 500 cd/m2 Not smaller, but it is lighter than the iPhone 6S.  Stereo speakers The iPhone 7 is the first iPhone to pack two speakers. The iPhone 6S just has a single speaker grill on its bottom edge. More durable It's IP67 certified , meaning it's resistant to water and dust. You don't have to be afraid of spilling coffee on this iPhone and frying all the parts. Faster performance Apple claims that the A10 Fusion processor inside the iPhone 7 is 40 percent faster than the A9 processor inside of the iPhone 6S. Better camera iPhone 7 iPhone 6S Rear camera 12-megapixels, 4K 12-megapixels, 4K Aperture f/1.8 f/2.2 Optical image stabilization Yes No Front-facing camera 5-megapixel, 720p 7-megapixel, 1080p The iPhone 7's lower aperture means it lets in more light and captures brighter photos in dim places. Optical image stabilization, previously only found on the iPhone 6S Plus, helps reduce blurriness when taking photos and video. Everything you need to see from Apple's iPhone... 1 - 5 of 44 Next Prev Revamped home button You can't physically press the home button on the iPhone 7 like you can with the iPhone 6S. Instead, it's pressure sensitive and reacts with "taptic feedback," which is fancy talk for vibration. We won't lie, it takes some getting used to. Longer battery life Apple estimates that the iPhone 7 lasts 12 hours of LTE browsing, but we won't know that for sure until we get our hands on one. The iPhone 6S lasted 10.5 hours in our  battery test, so expect modest gain.  Apple's iPhone 7 wants you to cut the cord Drag . Apple's incremental changes won't win everyone over, and some experts even recommend waiting until next year for some bigger updates. If you signed up for Apple's iPhone Upgrade service , the choice is easy -- you automatically get the iPhone 7. Lucky you! If you're an iPhone 6S owner pondering the upgrade, sticking with your phone seems like a safe decision for now. . 

A FEW MORE THINGS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY

Turnabout Is Fair Play 

Little Johnny opened his birthday gift from Gramma. It was a water pistol! He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. His mother was not so pleased. She turned to Gramma and said, "I'm surprised at you, getting him a water pistol! Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with those?" Gramma just smiled: "Yes...I remember." 

On Call 

A young man is an avid listener to the city's police frequency, and he leaves the scanner on all the time. One morning while making his bed, he heard the dispatcher say, "Car 34, there is a five-foot boa constrictor in someone's front yard. The resident wants a police officer to come and remove it." There was a long pause, then some static. Slowly, a voice said, "We, uh... can't get the car started." 

Hymns for Speeders

If you MUST speed on the highway, sing these hymns loudly: 

• At 45 mph: "God Will Take Care of You"
• At 55 mph: "Guide Me, O Great Jehovah"
• At 65 mph: "Nearer My God to Thee"
• At 75 mph: "Nearer Still Nearer"
• At 85 mph: "This World is Not My Home"
• At 95 mph: "Lord, I'm Coming Home"
• At 100 mph: "Precious Memories"

Wisdom Speaks 

The strong young man at the construction site was bragging that he could out do anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen. After several minutes, the older worker had had enough. "Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?" he said. "I will bet a week's wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that building that you won't be able to wheel back." "You're on, old man," the young guy replied. The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then he turned to the young man and said, "Alright. Get in." 

Bad Knee(s) 

An old man limped into the doctor's office and said, "Doctor, my knee hurts so bad, I can hardly walk!" The doctor slowly eyed him from head to toe, paused, and then said, "Sir, how old are you?" "I'm 98," the man announced proudly. The doctor just sighed and looked at him again. Finally he said, "Sir, I'm sorry. I mean, just look at you. You are almost one hundred years old, and you're complaining that your knee hurts? Well, what did you expect?" The old man said, "Well, my other knee is 98 years old too, and it doesn't hurt!"

CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ITS FINEST-HAVE A GOOD LAUGH

Talk about great customer service!!! ; )

Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die! This is so priceless, and so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank. 

Here is the exchange :

Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'
Citibank: ' The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member: 'Maybe you should turn it over to collections.'

Citibank: 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'

Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'

Citibank: 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'

Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
Citibank:'Excuse me?'
Family Member:'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'

Citibank: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'

Supervisor gets on the phone:

Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'

Citibank: ' The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.' 

Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'

Citibank: (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'

Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given) 

Citibank:'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'

Family Member: 'Sure.' (Fax number was given)

After they get the fax :

Citibank:'Our system just isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help.'

Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'

Citibank:'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply.'

(What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'

Citibank: 'That might help....'

Family Member: ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'

Citibank: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'

Family Member: 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'

(Priceless!!) 

And you wondered why Citibank needed help from the Feds?