Oink,Oink

The news in this morning's paper was certainly disconcerting. They are now reporting a pig somewhere in Indiana that has Swine Flu. They are keeping the location under wraps for now so as not to stir up all the other pigs. No, maybe that's not the reason, maybe they are just protecting the pig's privacy.I don't really intend to make light of this but it befuddles me that in the same article they say, "Not to worry, people can't get swine flu from eating pork". As further reassurance they have a recipe on the next page for Pork Tenderloin with Red Grapes and Thyme.

I remember a few years ago when we were dealing with Mad Cow's Disease. I had to close my eyes when the news programs reported that news accompanied by film clips of cows falling down. I could not watch the indignity of cows falling down like common drunks. Certainly we won't have to watch pigs sneezing and coughing into their arm pits; leg pits? Whatever.

Many other nations, including Canada, Australia, Argentina, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom have had herd infections that were diagnosed as swine flu after conducting tests on the animals. The ban on pork imports to China was just ended after six months. The Chinese were expected to re-open their import markets which would be good news for the pork producers.We'll have to see if that happens.

If the media decides to give the sick pigs lots of news coverage and get everyone stirred up by casting aspersions on pork consumption and have the pigs line up to get vaccinated by the vaccine that is not yet available, then what?

Maybe it will be a good thing! It can take every one's attention away from worrying about the seasonal greetings and seasonal icons being displayed. Once again, because of a lack of education we must suffer through, what used to be, a joyous season, by rantings from the tin foil hat crowd. First of all they, the nebulous "they", refer to the Christmas tree as a religious symbol! In Frankfort, KY when the tree on the Capital lawn was referred to as a" Holiday "Tree their was an outcry from some"Christians!" Do they not know that" holiday "is a portmanteau for "holy day"!

The winter solstice is the time in the Northern Hemisphere when the sun is farthest south of the equator; it is in December on the 21st or 22nd. In ancient Britain, Ireland, and France there was a Celtic religious order of priests, soothsayers, judges, poets, etc that were worshipers of the sun and oak trees and Forrest's. Their major worshiping day was on or around the winter solstice. This was before Christianity came into being. They were ,and are known as, Druids. It is such an interesting story to read about but I have not the time to record it at this time. Anyway, that,by a series of events that took place in the 8th or 9th century is how the custom was started of decorating a tree at winter solstice. It is not a "Christian " symbol. Through the centuries it became a custom to decorate a tree at winter solstice which happens to coincide with the Christian celebration of Christ's birth. One of the beliefs is that the evergreen tree is a symbol of eternal life, among other things. It's not a time for fighting and arguing over what it symbolizes. The season is supposed to be a time of goodwill to all men. ALL. Knock off the silly arguing and sit back and enjoy the beauty of a tree lighted with bright and colorful lights and shiny ornaments and do your celebrating of your private beliefs with your family, friends or self.!

I am having pork and sauerkraut for dinner and hope the pig did not have any illnesses before he met his violent end. Makes me want to become a vegetarian! Pigs are one of the more intelligent animals in the kingdom. More intelligent than some of the people that slaughter them.

Bon appetit! Ciao