Amy's Place .. Poetry and Potpourri .. Feb 2-3, 2005

2-2-05 | JustAmy, St.Louie1, MamaBear, Billie

[JustAmy]

Welcome To....


'Amy's Place' welcomes all poets
and those who enjoy poetry. 'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)












Never Forget!








Amy's personal guardian ~
the always charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Hey, C.G., I need some mechanical advice.

My car has a manual transmission. It has been difficult to shift for a few weeks / months, but has gotten worse the last few days, especially shifting into 1st when stopped. I mentioned it to the dealership when I had my oil changed Sat. They said the tech noticed it also and that it may be my throw-out bearing. The car doesn't even have 46,000 miles on it and is out of warranty. I'm supposed to make an appt so that they can "tear into it" and find out what is wrong then fix it.

Should I be looking for another car? Do you think this will be an ongoing problem for me with this car? I just paid my car off 2 months ago.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

(Victims Of Pooping On Pillow Chipmunks Unite!)

; )

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you Mayor.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Sorry I was not here Tuesday. I stayed home from work, sick.

[MeekOneGOP]

I believe they did get some snow in Amarillo.

I wouldn't have minded getting some of it, actually.

Maybe next time. :^)

[Conspiracy Guy]

What year and type car. The throwout bearing is a possibility but I would double check the hydraulic clutch reservoir first.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

2002 Saturn SL

Hydraulic clutch resevoir? Is that a fluid resevoir? Would my owners manual tell me where to find it and what to put in it, or should I get a Chilton's manual?

[Conspiracy Guy]

It is usually on the firewall near the steering column under the hood. If it gets low it can cause the same symptoms as a throwout bearing. Is it better or worse on a cold day or the same?

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Gosh, I haven't paid THAT much attention. It's just gotten worse in the last few days of last week. It's been better since probably Friday of last week. (This probably sounds flakey, but I asked the Lord to fix it one day when I could only get into 3rd while stopped, and even 3rd was difficult. It has been better, not perfect, since.)

[Conspiracy Guy]

Look for the reservoir. They are usually cylindrical, about 3 inches deep and 2 inches in diameter with a screw on or pop on cap. The prayer probably bought you some time but check it.

PS: Don't let an oil change place work on your tranny.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you.

Agreed.

I had the oil changed at the dealership. You think it would be a bad idea to have them work on the tranny if it's needed?

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Gotta go for the day. I check for more info from you on the car tomorrow.

Thank you for your help! Have a great evening!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Dealership is expensive but they know what they are doing. My mistake to assume. Check the level for your own peace of mind.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Later.

[tuliptree76]

I hope you are feeling better, PAL.

[JustAmy]

2-3-05
Graphic by MamaBear

BIRD OF PARADISE

Graceful as a bird in flight
God and nature's filigrees
Beautiful for all to see
Exotic in the dawns first light

Stretching out its neck so long
Lifting up its colors high
Flaming fingers to the sky
Shaming any poet's song

Sweeter than the rarest spice
When it's alone or in a crowd
Like sun rays through a broken cloud
Shines the Bird of Paradise

Yes, it's a flower not a bird
But that don't matter much to me
For beauty such as this will be
More precious than this written word.

Aloha Mel (fish hawk)
© 2005

[JustAmy]

Fish Hawk ..... thank you so much for writing this poem about the Bird of Paradise.
It's a beautiful poem to accompany a beautiful Welcome Graphic.

MamaBear ...... Thank you for this beautiful Graphic of the Bird of Paradise.
I appreciate the many wonderful graphics you make for Amy's Place.

Again, thank you both.

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake:
2 3/4 cups grated carrots
1 cup puréed pineapple
2 1/4 cup flour or cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

Optional Add Ins:
1/2 cup nuts and/or raisins

Frosting:
16 oz. cream cheese
5 cups confectioner's sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Pre-heat oven to 350°F.Grease and flour 2 9 inch cake pans.

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Blend in oil then beat in eggs 1 at a time. Stir in pineapple purée and carrots and mix until well blended. Pour into the two greased pans and bake for abour 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove cakes from oven and allow them to set for 3-5 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioner's sugar. Frost cake when it is completely cooled.


Happy Carrot Cake Day!