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There are HOW MANY US Territories?

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“Super Typhoon Yutu, with sustained winds of 180 mph, is on a trek through the Northern Mariana Islands. The storm is roaring across the U.S. islands of Saipan and Tinian, part of the island chain, and will become one of the most intense storms on record to hit U.S. soil.” The Washington Post October 24, 2018 Wait, what?  Those islands are US soil?  Really?  Maybe I used to know that…… or maybe it is something they tried to teach me in school. So, that “surprise” has had me wondering about what other places there might be that I didn’t know were part of the U.S. in some way, and I finally got around to checking and I think I have it figured out.  I thought it was worth sharing. As you might expect – we’re dealing with US government matters here – it’s complicated. Just to confuse things, there are different names used for places that are not among the 50 states plus the District of Columbia: Territory, Commonwealth, Protectorate, Possession and Insular Area.  Insular Area s
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How to Deep-Fry a Turkey Without Killing Yourself

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Disclaimer: Deep-frying a turkey is an inherently dangerous undertaking. While there are plenty of precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk, there's no way to heat up gallons of oil to 350°F (177°C) using a big propane burner, lower a turkey into it, and be guaranteed not to hurt yourself or others. Just a few critical points: ·                    Children and pets should be nowhere near a deep-frying setup. There shouldn't be even the remotest chance that they'll get anywhere close to it. ·                    You should read and follow all the manufacturer's instructions and warnings included with your deep fryer, and follow those instructions in all instances in which they deviate from what I've written here. ·                    Never use an outdoor frying setup indoors, or in any enclosed or covered space, and never use an indoor fryer outdoors. ·                    If it’s cold, plan on being outside in the cold for a couple of hours:
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The Top 1% Have a Secret

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What could very well be the single most important factor that the wealthiest 1% in America share is NOT being born with a silver spoon in their mouths. No guessing necessary, you’ll find that the primary differentiator is FINANCIAL EDUCATION. Say whut?   Well, here’s is what one writer said that pretty well sums it up, what brought this topic to mind in the first place: “I graduated from high school  not  having been taught the following: How to balance a checkbook How to prepare taxes What “investing” actually means How to set up a brokerage/retirement/checking account How to apply for a loan How to calculate ROI Pretty much everything else related to money” The root of the problem is that we do not mandate the education of money business throughout our children’s schooling. They are supposed to compete in what is now a global economy to earn money and build a portfolio for the duration of their lives with zero formal preparation. The wealthiest tyc
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Would you Lock and Leave?

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OK, so what in the world is “lock and leave”?  Is it a lifestyle or a community, a type of home or facility? Of course as you probably suspect, the answer is “Yes”. The concept has been around for ages, but the term “lock and leave” is not so old. It’s basically the idea of having the flexibility to take off and leave home, which requires not only a certain personal means but a home that you can leave and be secure in the knowledge that it will be cared for and safe in your absence. Whether you are from the North or South you know what “Snow Birds” are, so you get the picture. So, what are the lifestyle components and do YOU fit? Spontaneous, adventurous? Methodical / careful advance planning?   Could go somewhere short term / long term?  Some of each? Interest in different destinations: road trips to see the country or just “jump” to a place of interest?  Vacation home of your own? Cultural or religious pilgrimage?  Children moved out, pets passed away (too morbid?)
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HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY RESOURCES MARCH 2018 Update Over six months after Hurricane Harvey turned the world upside down for millions of Texans, there are still many who are in need of help to rebuild their lives. US Congressman Randy Weber sent out the following list of resources: REPAIR, REBUILD, AND PLAN WITH SPECIALISTS Home improvement stores and FEMA are teaming up to help you. Stop by any of the locations and talk to a specialist for free information, tips, and literature. We all want to see our homes rebuilt stronger and safer. Brazoria County Alvin Home Depot (Store #6539) 140 N. Bypass 35, Alvin, 77511 Tuesday March 20 - Friday March 24, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fort Bend County Sugar Land Lowe’s (Store #0511) 16510 S.W. Freeway, Sugar Land, 77479  Tuesday March 20 - Friday March 24, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Harris County Katy Lowe’s (Store #0098) 19935 Katy Freeway, Houston, 77094  Monday March 19 - Friday March 24, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Orange County Ace Hardware, Ch
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Life will never be the same

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It pretty much goes without saying that life will never be the same for an incredible number of people whose lives were not just “affected” but have been essentially devastated by one of the unprecedented number of recent disasters worldwide.  2017 has seen not just damaging but deadly hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, wildfires, droughts, and violent acts of terrorism on top of the accidents and diseases that kill and injure our loved ones and ourselves.  I can’t imagine there is anyone anywhere who has been completely unscathed by these events. It seems almost indifferent and insensitive to do “business as usual” in the face of these catastrophes, especially with the lengthy and challenging recovery ahead for so many.  However, I believe that it is essential that those who are able to pick up the pieces do their best to do just that for the sake of those who cannot.  Here in the Houston area in the path of Hurricane Harvey’s devastation, there has been a tre
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