How a Differential Gear Works – Link

One of the blogs I enjoy reading published a excerpt from a General Motors 1930’s filmstrip about how a Differential Gear works.  This is one of the clearest and best explanations I’ve seen.

Check it out for yourself!

Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog

Cheezeburger – a SQUIRREL!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Postcard-Indian Rocks Beach Restaurant-Mob Connection? 1950’s?

Indian Rocks Beach Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge & Bar

The description on the back of the card reads: “19915 Gulf Blvd.  1/4 mile South of Indian Rocks Bridge.  Telephone 9-8283.  Mailing Address: Rt. 1, Box 254, Largo, Florida.  Chicken-Steaks-Seafood.  Capt Joe Urga: ‘I’ve traveled all over the world and spent most of my life on the sea.  I found a nice spot on Indian Rocks Beach, won’t you come and enjoy it with me?’.”

I bet they did have great seafood!  I wondered about Capt. Joe Urga and looked him up.  He was the owner!  Aug 30, 1953 advertisement for the restaurant in the St. Petersburg Times states, “…Finest Greek salads and seasonings, Capt. Joe Urga, host.”

An article in The Evening Independent, Jan 24, 1964 tells a little more about the Urga family.

“The vast collection of china, statuary and furniture which once graced the Indian Rocks restaurant belonging to the late Capt. Joe Urga will be auctioned off…”

The Auctioneer “…was handling the sale for the captain’s widow, Madame Diamente Urga…”

“Many of the objects now awaiting sale came from a Roman villa once owned by Captain Urga, who was also an Italian Marquis.  The documentation for the Renaissance sculpture lists him both as marquis and captain of the Italian Navy.  He also served in the US Merchant Marine.”

Madame Urga was also famous, “Madame Urga, a licensed midwife for many years, was convicted three times over a 20-year period for performing abortions.  Two convictions were later reversed.  A third conviction in 1962 currently is under appeal.”

More personal drama accompanied the couple, and the article also brings up this bit of infamy.  Apparently a Mrs. W had shot Madame Urga in 1936, wounding her slightly in the arm.  Mrs. W received a $100 fine. In 1956 Mrs. W once again pulled out her weapon and “…shot and seriously wounded herself at the Urga’s luxurious beach home, adjoining the restaurant.”  According to the article Mrs. W also shot Capt. Urga, but the severity of his injury wasn’t clear.

I love Madame Urga’s comment to a reporter, “My husband is a wonderful man but she has been giving me trouble for 20 years.”

The next google link took me to a summary of the Special Report from the Texas Crime Investigating Committee and places a Joseph Urga on the list of Tampa mob figures circa 1950’s.  Hmmm…wonder if it is the same man?

Published by Florida Speaks Corp, St. Petersburg Florida
Not Postmarked
Very Good Condition

Interested?  Currently item 400067715001 on eBay

Dueling recipes – Tuna Dip

A friend of mine just posted her recipe for Crab Dip with REAL crabmeat!  And Cream Cheese AND Mayonnaise!  Three of my favorite ingredients.

Nothing is complete without mayonnaise.  Except…my tuna dip has no mayo!  Probably because it started life as a Tuna Ball.  You know, that lovely 70’s thing you put out with the good crackers (Ritz) on the wooden serving platter. The recipe was probably passed along from your mother’s parties in the 1950’s (OK, I am becoming ancient so let’s say Grandma’s).

I’m not interested in mixing the ingredients and skillfully forming into a ball to roll in chopped pecans, or if you are REAL cheap, dried parsley leaves (they rehydrate in the fridge so they aren’t crunchy).  So I skipped that step entirely and just mixed and  plopped in a nice bowl.  I do smooth the top so it looks pretty.  Kind of.  And if I’m feeling real festive, sprinkle some finely sliced green onion over the suface.

About the only difference between my Tuna Ball and the Crab Dip is the lack of mayonnaise, no shredded cheddar.  BUT I have 16 oz of artery-clogging Creme Cheese to make your cardiologist go wow…

My version of The Tuna Ball

6 oz can of drained tuna (hey – anyone noticed they are now FIVE ounces? And cost more?  So may need to remove about 2 oz of the Creme Cheese)

2-8 oz bars of Creme Chease

dried garlic (fresh is really better, but don’t use too much)

few drops Worcestershire sauce

seasoned salt (never tried Old Bay, but can see that would be GOOD)

Celery Salt (or get fancy with Beau Monde Seasoning) May not need if you add some minced celery for a bit of crunch.

Black pepper (if you like it…)

chopped green onions – Plenty of onions.  Green add a bit of color along with flavor, but red or plain yellow onions work, too.  Use what is on hand!

chopped pecans to roll the ball into (not absolutely required as explained above).

A little citrus juice – a bit of lemon or lime will perk up the flavor, as will a few drops of tabasco-type sauce (my current fav is Frank’s Red Hot Sauce)

Drain tuna, mush together and refrigerate to let the flavors blend.  Serve with crackers of choice.  Triscuits are pretty good with this, but Ritz or Club Crackers are Really Good.

Chocolate Chip Scones

I’ve tweaked the biscuit recipe a bit and have come up with Chocolate Chip Scones!  They are AWESOME.

Chocolate Chip Scones

1 c all purpose flour
1.5 teaspoon fresh baking powder
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon cinnamon (more if you are so inclined)
2 tablespoons sugar

stir and then add
0.25 cup chocolate chips (more if you are so inclined)

stir and then add
0.5 cup milk with 1 oz vegetable oil

mix together and bake/cook your favorite way.  Place a small bit of butter/margarine over the top to melt and help make a nice, brown crust.  Can make as drop biscuits in the oven, toaster oven, or on the Oster Sandwich Maker.

If you are out of milk, water will do, but they won’t taste as rich.