HARRY CHAPIN 1942 - 1981

On Thursday, July 16, 1981, just after noon, Chapin was driving in the left lane on the Long Island Expressway at about 65 mph on the way to perform at a free concert scheduled for later that evening at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. Near exit 40 in Jericho he put on his emergency flashers, presumably because of either a mechanical or medical problem (possibly a heart attack). He then slowed to about 15 miles (24 km) per hour and veered into the center lane, nearly colliding with another car. He swerved left, then to the right again, ending up directly in the path of a tractor-trailer truck. The truck could not brake in time and rammed the rear of Chapin's blue 1975 Volkswagen Rabbit, rupturing the fuel tank by climbing its back and causing it to burst into flames.
The driver of the truck and a passerby were able to get Chapin out of the burning car through the window and by cutting the seat belts before the car was completely engulfed in flames. He was taken by police helicopter to a hospital, where ten doctors tried for 30 minutes to revive him. A spokesman for the Nassau County Medical Center said Chapin had suffered a heart attack and "died of cardiac arrest", but there was no way of knowing whether it occurred before or after the accident. In an interview years after his death, Chapin's daughter said "My dad didn't really sleep, and he ate badly and had a totally insane schedule."
Even though Chapin was driving without a license, his driver's license having previously been revoked for a long string of traffic violations, his widow Sandy won a $12 million decision in a negligence lawsuit against Supermarkets Generrl, the owners of the truck.
Chapin's remains were interred in the Huntington Rural Cemetery, Huntington, New York. His epitaph is taken from his song "I Wonder What Would Happen to this World". It is:

Oh if a man tried

To take his time on Earth

And prove before he died

What one man's life could be worth

I wonder what would happen

to this world

This information was provided by wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Chapin

MUSIC HISTORY JULY 16

1934 - The NBC Red radio network premiered the musical drama, "Dreams Come True."

1959 - The Coasters recorded "Poison Ivy."

1966 - In London, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker formed the band Cream.

1966 - The Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer In The City" was released.

1969 - The Who's "I'm Free" was released.
1972 - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles gave their farewell concert in Washington, DC.

1973 - Bob Dylan released the soundtrack to "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid."

1976 - Loggins and Messina broke up.

1980 - The film "No Nukes" premiered in New York, NY.

1981 - Harry Chapin died in a car crash at the age of 38. He was on his way to a benefit concert.

1996 - Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries accepted an undisclosed settlement after a London newspaper reported that she appeared on stage without panties.

1999 - The Beach Boys appeared on NBC-TV's Today

Toddler Killed by Python : Justice for Shaianna

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

A few months ago I wrote a story for Paranormal Pub called “The Pet Python”. http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/05/pet-python.html

Never in a million years would I have believed I’d see the same title as a news headline with an innocent, toddler for a victim!

Officials remove the 8 foot python that killed a two year old

Tragically, 2-year-old Shaianna Hare was strangled Wednesday by her family's 8-foot-long pet Burmese python. Shaianna was already dead when paramedics arrived at about 10 a.m. according to Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Charles Jason Darnell, 32, the snake's owner and boyfriend of the child’s mother, said he discovered the snake missing from its terrarium and ran to the toddler’s room, where he found the snake wrapped around her. Darnell said he stabbed the snake several times until he was able to pry the child away while someone else called 911.

"The baby's dead!" the sobbing caller from the house screamed to a 911 dispatcher in a recording. "Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby." "She got out of the cage last night and got into the baby's crib and strangled her to death," the caller said.

Authorities removed the snake from the home Wednesday afternoon. Once outside, the snake was placed in a bag and placed inside a dog crate. The snake was still alive.

"It's a tragedy," Sumter County Sheriff Lt. Bobby Caruthers said outside the home. Authorities said it's "a definite possibility" that the python may have been trying to ingest the girl. Blood was found on the mattress and teeth marks were found on her head.

Darnell did not have a permit for the snake, which would be a second-degree misdemeanor, according to Joy Hill, a spokeswoman with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The snake was said to be malnourished, weighing only 13 and a half pounds, when a full grown python should weigh 140. Officials believe the snake had not been fed in over a month. 

The Humane Society of the United States said including Wednesday’s death, at least 12 people have been killed in the U.S. by pet pythons since 1980, including five children.

On Thursday, a Florida jury found Jaren Hare and Charles "Jason" Darnell guilty in the python strangling death of Hare's 2-year-old daughter, Shaianna. The couple was found guilty of all charges, including third-degree murder, manslaughter and child neglect. Hare and Darnell could be sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Pythons are not native to Florida, but some residents keep them as pets, especially Burmese pythons, which can grow to more than 15 feet and weigh more than 150 pounds.  When the snakes become too large, some owners release them into the Everglades and other wild areas, Florida officials say. One killed an alligator and then burst when it tried to eat it.

"It's becoming more and more of a problem, perhaps no fault of the animal, more a fault of the human," said Jorge Pino, a state wildlife commission spokesman. "People purchase these animals when they're small. When they grow, they either can't control them or release them."

The fast-growing population of snakes has been invading southern Florida's ecosystem since 1992, when scientists speculate a bevy of Burmese pythons was released into the wild after Hurricane Andrew shattered many pet shop terrariums. Scientists don't have an accurate estimate of how many pythons are in Florida, but estimates range from thousands to hundreds of thousands.



Shaianna



Caylee



So here’s what we want to know:

*Do you believe the jury was correct in throwing the book at these parents and finding them guilty of murder, manslaughter and child neglect?

*Do you think the perceived lack of justice in the Casey Anthony case had anything to do with this jury’s decision?

*If you disagree with this jury’s verdict, what would your verdict have been?

WANNA LAUGH?!?!

Tony Walker 
Did you see the news footage of Obama on his recent trip to England?
While he was there he went on the royal carriage with the queen. As they were riding one of the horses farted.
"Mr. President I am so sorry about that. As you realize there are some things over which even the queen of England has no control."
Obama replies, "Think nothing of it your majesty. In fact if you didn't say anything I would've thought it was the horse."

FOODHUNTER'S GUIDE:CHECK IT OUT

 Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Since I first started blogging for Delayed Reaction Lounge, I’ve had the privilege of examining many other blogs and websites. One of my favorites is The Foodhunter’s Guide. Every day I look forward to a post with pictures of amazingly yummy looking dishes like Blueberry Ricotta Cake ( http://www.staceysnacksonl​ine.com/2011/07/best-damn-​blueberry-ricotta-cake-eve​r.html  )  or Pasta Woodsman Style ( http://www.foodhuntersguide.co​m/2009/02/my-first-videopasta-​woodsman-style.html ) To fully appreciate this site, you have to know a little about the foodhunter herself!  She writes:

 

“I'm a Philadelphia transplant who grew up in a neighborhood where fresh ingredients and local markets were always a stone's throw away. Eating dinner together every night was a ritual and even though we didn't always get along, we came together over meals....”

The foodhunter graduated from Temple University with her degree in journalism and received her graduate degree from Drexel University. It seems she writes as well as she cooks! Talented lady!

I saw a post a few weeks ago. It mentioned a cake that sounded so awesome, I had to try it. The recipe wasn’t listed so I emailed the Foodhunter. Within 24 hours, she sent me the recipe and a personal note. We chatted on “message” a few times since then. She’s really a lovely person and very knowledgeable about cooking and baking! All the things she posts look so fresh and home-style! It makes me think of the grandmother everyone wishes they had! (I must point out that I have NO IDEA how old she is. As a matter of fact, I think she may be just the right age for DRL – 40 something!)

I’m including the recipe for Chocolate Almond Layer Cake with Cannoli Filling and the link to her page. I hope you will enjoy her blog as much as I do! Happy baking!

Chocolate Almond Layer Cake
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, almond and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).

Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. Cannoli Filling

3/4 lb ricotta cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Whip together until smooth; adding more sugar is filling is too thin.

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/foodhuntersguide

See you on the Foodhunter's Guide Page!

LEIBY KLETZKY

Tony Walker

Here in NY, Brooklyn to be exact, an eight year old boy was kidnapped and murdered this week.
The boy bugged his mother to be allowed to walk (to camp I think it was) by himself. His mother convinced him to meet her halfway then she would walk the rest of the way with him.
She mapped out a route and went over it with him.
Sure enough on the very first try the boy made a wrong turn and got lost.
He asked a man he saw, a man he didn't know, to help him.
The man told the kid he would drive him home.
This man kidnapped the boy.
Their meeting was outside a dentist's office who had security cameras record the whole thing. Investigators saw the tape, got the man's name from the dentist, then went to the man's house. When they got there they asked the man where the boy is and the man pointed to the refrigerator. Some body parts of the boy was in there. The rest of the boy was found in a dumpster a few miles away.
Is anyone outraged at the mother???
The boy bugged her to walk alone?? He's eight!!! Tell the boy he is too young. End of story!
Hey kid, I'd rather you cry now than me crying later!!!
When we were kids we all walked around alone at that age. I know I did. But unfortunately times have changed.
I saw one report that said the boy was special needs. None of the other reports I saw said that but if it's true that makes this even worse.
Call me cold, but I feel the mother is a huge part of the blame here. Sorry.
What do you guys think? Do you place any blame on the mother? Do you leave your kids alone at that age? If you do, tell us where you live.

A.K.A. SOCIOPATH

Dawn Boyle

"BUZZWORD" - SOCIOPATH
 
If you have been following the Casey Anthony case or turned on the news, sociopath has been out there. It actually has been around since the 1930's. Sociopaths and psychopaths are the same thing. The original name for the disorder was "psychopath" but people and the media confused "psycho" with "psychotic". That is when the name was changed to sociopath.
 
Over the past few days I have done some research on sociopaths. It started by my wonderment of Anthony getting off for murdering her daughter. Made me want to understand how someone could be able to have done what she did (I truly believe she murdered her daughter) and act the way she has acted. I have spoken to a number of people, mostly mothers. It blows my mind as a mother myself, how she could have done (whatever it was) to her daughter and not blink an eye. That she either had a child "missing" OR dead but found the strength to get on out there and party like a rock star is beyond my realm of thinking.

A MEETING OF THE MINDS (THE REDHEADED ONES THAT IS)

DRL Writers, Patty, Marion and Barbara

A meeting of the DRL Redheaded Writers was held on July 12^th.    

 Having 3 of our talented crew of writers in the same city at the same time was an occasion we just couldn’t help celebrating! Patty, Barbara and Marion met for a few hours discussing important issues and making some critical decisions. One important issue that was resolved with expert decision making skills was dessert. Patty chose the double chocolate brownie (large by the way) while Marion and Barb shared the dessert trio (apple cobbler, bread pudding and double chocolate brownie). It’s easy to see why DRL is such an outstanding blog with decisions like this being made on a daily basis!

Another issue that was brought up was salaries. We voted to give ourselves a huge raise. Barb suggested we simply add another zero to our present salary. The resolution was unanimously approved raising each of our salaries to $0000.00 from $000.00 per month. We can all say we make a four digit salary per month now!

I must say, we missed our other DRL family members, but Dawn and Jenn are blondes, Robert always wears a hat or a hood so I don’t know what the heck his hair color is, Jillian is too mysterious to publish anything but her lips and Tony… well, he may have been a redhead at one time! We’ll have to ask him!

One of these days we plan to have a full staff meeting. At that time we’ll have many decisions to make. What restaurant for dinner? Boating or sunbathing? Wine or margaritas? Decisions, decisions! Whatever we decide, I know we’ll have a blast because I know these wonderful people I work with at DRL are the smartest, kindest, funniest and most caring people anyone could hope to know. I’m privileged to be a part of this blog and I hope that someday soon I will get to meet each of my DRL family members in person. Until then, I’ll just enjoy hanging with them at Delayed Reaction Lounge! 

PARANORMAL PUB: The Body Under the Bed, A TRUE Story

Johnny’s fiancé told him she changed her mind that night. She didn’t want to get married and she didn’t want to be with him. Vietnam had already taken its toll on him, but this was the final blow. He climbed on his motorcycle and drove it right into a brick wall. He was dead on impact.

I only knew Johnny as the man across the street with the piercing blue eyes. I was only 11 and when he used to wave and smile, I got a funny feeling in my stomach. He was very handsome and muscular and was always zooming off on his motorcycle. When I heard that he was dead, I felt a kind of shock. I couldn’t believe I wouldn’t see those blue eyes again.

The dreams started not long after. I would be standing by the side of the road and Johnny would be looking right into my eyes as he drove into the brick wall. There would be blood and body parts everywhere and I would just stand there. I’d wake up in a cold sweat and couldn’t go back to sleep.

They got worse. I started to imagine his body was beneath my bed. I’d wake up screaming. I could smell the decay. My sister and my parents would come running, but I couldn’t be consoled. Night after night; the dream, the terror, the stench. I thought it would go on forever.

After a few months, my sister convinced my parents that I needed professional help. They were discussing whether or not to take me to a psychiatrist. This was the 60’s. You didn’t see a psychiatrist unless you were really over the edge. My parents hesitated and I began to pray.

I prayed that God would release me from my terrors and that Johnny would rest in peace. I prayed that I could have my life back and that Johnny could move on to his afterlife. At this point, I was pale with dark circles beneath my eyes. My hair was dull and my eyes had no spark. I began to look like a corpse myself.

Then one night, I woke from my sleep. A bright light was shining in my bedroom door. The door opened slowly and the light grew even brighter. Suddenly I saw the image of Jesus slowly entering my room. He was smiling at me as He came to my side and got down on one knee. He bent down and reached under my bed, pulling Johnny’s body out gently. He took Johnny in his arms, cradling him like a child and stood up. He smiled a warm and loving smile once more, turned, and walked out of my room. The door closed and the light slowly faded. I pinched myself to see if I was really awake – I was. Funny, I wasn’t afraid, I wasn’t in shock. I was surprisingly calm. I lay back down and slept.

The next morning, my parents looked at me in confusion. My cheeks were pink, my own blue eyes bright. My hair was shining and I looked happy and healthy. My prayers were answered. After that night I never had the dream again. I’m able to think of Johnny without fear or terror, just with fond memories of his beautiful blue eyes and winning smile. I know he’s finally at peace.

OVER CHARGED....

Tony Walker

I don't know if this is nationwide news or not but here on Long Island this is pretty big news.

Did you hear about the couple who were being overcharged by the electric company for at least 10 years... then when they proved their case the courts denied them because the courts felt they should've been more conscious of what their bills were? The courts said these people took too long to report this problem! Is it me or is this crazy???

Once again the middle class gets screwed without a kiss.

Where is the punishment for the electric company??? How many of you know exactly what you are paying for when it comes to your utilities?? What about the poor little old lady who is still living by herself on a fixed income? You're telling me she knows exactly what she is paying for? She has no idea! She's paying what the utilities are telling her!

This poor couple have been working their whole lives, paid over $10,000 too much and are told it's their fault???

Someone got a check under the table so that most of Long Island won't sue the bastards for being overcharged.

What do you think? Do you agree with the courts decision?