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Is It True?
What with a great group of Blogoteers out there ready to defend our fair city and this fair blogger, I figure this might be as good a time as any to clear the air on a few items that have been stuck in the back of my head for years.
I'm talking about some items that have come across my day and made me wonder -- is that really true?
Such as the other day when my friend was looking to buy a used car. She has been searching the classifieds each day for a car in the two thousand dollar range, hoping for the right second vehicle to make family life easier for one and all. She found one: a 1997 Dodge Avenger, souped-up, all the extras, and the color red.
She told me that she didn't really want a red vehicle because that would increase the insurance rates dramatically. I said, "What? The color of the car affects the insurance?"
She was certain, and I certainly disagreed. I have never owned a red car. I've owned a couple of brown vehicles, a silver one, even a couple of greeen ones and a blue one. But never a red one. Is this true? Is my friend correct? Is there some reason that owning a red vehicle would increase the insurance premium?
Maybe there's a Blogoteer out there who knows about insurance and can set the record straight on this one.
And there are a few things about food that I observed through my years on Johnson Avenue living with Vi Gagnon. She always said that when you shop you shouldn't buy a can of vegetables that had a dent in it.
I automatically took this as truth. After all, it was spoken by my mother, and in the 1950s what mothers said was gospel. I mean, I watched "Ozzie and Harriet" and "Leave it to Beaver" and "Father Knows Best" and never did a mom say an untruth.
Supposedly, the vegetables could be spoiled if the can is dented. My mother always felt the car in its entirety before putting it into her IGA or A&P grocery basket. I've done the same during my forty years of adulthood. Is there some kind of poisonous food issue lingering inside a dented can of green beans? Is that true?
Wherever my mom would prepare a salad I noticed that she would cut off the end of the fresh cucumber and rub the dismembered part onto the end of the whole cucumber. My mother explained that this process was extracting the bitterness out of the cucumber. In robot-like fashion, I've done the same whenever I slice a cucumber. Is there a food expert out in the blogosphere who can set the record straight? Is this true?
My mother had plenty of ideas about food that have become assumed truths in the Gagnon family. We all know that eating bananas anywhere near bedtime can give you cramps during the night. And that eating Chinese food near bedtime can give you nightmares.
A friend once told me that if you really want to make ice cubes quickly in your freezer all you have to do is use hot water in the ice tray instead of cold water. I wondered about this one. This seems to defy scientific principle. I asked a science teacher. He said, "That seems to defy scientific principle, Foxy." That's what I'd been thinking.
I've never questioned these statements issued over on Fox Hill during the 1950s ... until now! Before I go to my deathbed, I'll like to set the record straight. I can take it like a man if I've been wrong all these years. I'd just like to know.
And there must be more "myths" or "truths" floating around out there in our wonderful city. Now's a good time to let the experts speak out.
Comments
Foxy. . .Let me add to Crusher's response about the Zamboni! The main reason as to why HOT water is used in a Zamboni:
After skating of any sort, gouges form into the ice (especially after a Plattsburgh State practice!!). The Zamboni actually has a 6 foot razor that shaves a thin layer of ice off of the rink. This helps lower the ice sheet to the level of most of the gouges. The hot water is then used to help melt the top layer of this newly shaven ice sheet so water can fill the rest of these deep gouges.
After heavy skating (ahem. . .Plattsburgh State practices. . .especially off of a sour loss), the razor is actually lowered a bit more and a second "wash water" tank (full of more hot water) is used- this doubles the amount of water that is usually applied. This helps keep the ice sheet at a nominal level and help with the deep, deep gouges.
Of course after a couple of months, the rink does lose much of its hieght (especially at the ends of the rink where the Zamboni and its razor makes most of its turns) so every so often, a couple of brewskies get cracked open and a fire hose is aimed at the rink for about 2 hours!
I had a great time working for Brad Graves over at the Plattsburgh State Field House!! There aren't too many people that can say they got to drive the Zamboni - and have such a cool boss!
*One more little bit of useless info:
The "Zamboni" is actually a brand of ice rink resurfacer. I drove an Olympia resurfacer during my tenure (I sure hope that same one isn't there!!). I guess it kind of goes along the lines of Q-tips and Band-aids!
Great blog Foxy!
(Foxy's note: Well-said and great to hear from you!)
Posted by: K. MIller | August 17, 2008 5:51 PM
I have read in car magazines about the color of cars raising your insurance rates. This was back in the days of muscle cars though. They were called high impact colors. Today it is probably just what the car blue books for.
Posted by: Don LaPoint | August 17, 2008 2:34 PM
I don't know why the "picking 7 different kinds of leaves" thing worked on warts. In 99.99% of the cases of warts, they will go away when smothered. Warts need oxygen to remain. My father, who is a P A, has actually used masking tape to cover a wart. He kept it entirely dry for a week to 10 days and only removed the tape after said time had elapsed. Ta-Da!No more wart.
Posted by: Kathy | August 14, 2008 7:42 PM
Kern
Are you sure it was Plattsburgh State ?
Mathews always told me it was Beekmantown.
Posted by: Rick K | August 14, 2008 3:10 PM
Kern,
Rumor has it the eagle stopped soaring soon after Foxy and the Goose started liking the ladies.
I'll bet we'll even see Foxy taking more drives by PSUC in a couple weeks. And we'll see no soaring eagle. Coincidence???
Craig Mathews
Posted by: Craig Mathews | August 14, 2008 12:04 PM
The insurance companies do not consider the color of you vehicle when calculating your insurance premiums.
Factors they consider include your age, the kind of vehicle you drive, your claims history, and in some states your credit history and your driving record.
Now they say cows lying down in the fields means it is going to rain. Cows must be getting a lot of rest this summer.
Posted by: Me | August 13, 2008 6:58 PM
Kern, I had never heard that myth before but I 'd like to thank you for giving me something to laugh at on an otherwise forgetful day. I will be watching the monument this December and again in May.
Posted by: UPS Dave | August 13, 2008 6:48 PM
Hi Foxy!
Some cans with dents cause food to be unsafe to eat. TRUE - However, there are simple evaluation techniques that can be used to determine if the food will be safe or unsafe. When a can is dented near a
seam or a junction, it makes it possible for air to enter the can. A sharp dent can cause a pinhole in the can, which could also allow air to enter. This ai, combined with the moisture in the can, allows the growth of microorganisms. These microorganisms cannot be killed by cooking. Consumption of this food could potentially result in botulism. Discard cans with any dents on the seam, a dent where the side & the end meet, or have sharp dents. Cans that are bulging or have rust that will not wipe off are also deemed unsafe.
Red cars cost more to insure? Progressive Insurance says:
Color is not a factor used to calculate car insurance rates — we don't even ask you what color your car is when you get a quote from us. Factors that do matter are the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your car, as well as drivers on your policy.
Bitterness does not accumulate uniformly in a cucumber. The extent of bitter compounds will vary from fruit to fruit as well as within individual fruits. The compounds are likely to be more concentrated at the stem end than at the blossom end of the fruit. Bitterness, if present, is always found in and just under the skin of the cucumber and not deep in the fleshy portion or in the seed locules.
I LOVE Google!
Dianne in Austin
(Foxy's note: Looks like Dianne may win the award as the top Blogoteer problem-solver!)
Posted by: Dianne Scott | August 13, 2008 4:40 PM
Foxy,
Referring to the hot water topic. Just ask yourself what temperature is the water that is coming out of the bottom of a Zamboni to redo the surface on an ice rink. I think it is hot don't you? The insurance answer can be attained by the infamous CARVER. He might be playing golf in a kayak though.
Take care my good friend and keep doing what you do because you do it very well.
Posted by: crusher | August 13, 2008 3:32 PM
I have never heard of insurance being higher for red vehicles, but I have heard that they are more likely to catch a cop's attention. I have always wondered about the dented can thing too!
Posted by: Auntyellow | August 13, 2008 11:21 AM
Foxy:
I used to own a red Audi at one time but don't recall the insurance rates being any higher. The dented can routine is still alive and kicking - my spouse won't buy a dented one. I suspect that at some point in time dented cans had the propensity to cause a reaction if the contents were acidic - like tomatoes. Many cans today are lined with a kind of protective covering to protect the contents.
Here's a old-time remedy to pique the interest of your readers - told to me by my mother: To get rid of a wart, go to the woods and bring back seven different kinds of leaves. Rub the wart vigorously with each of the leaves. Bury the leaves in a secret location. As the leaves decompose, the wart will shrink and go away. Believe it or not, my mom did this for a wart that I had and it worked!! I suspect that there is an ingredient in some leaves that work on a wart and by picking seven different kinds, the odds are increased that the correct one will be chosen. Any thoughts on this one?
Posted by: Ron Turbide | August 13, 2008 9:15 AM
My personal favorite all-time Plattsburgh myth:
If a virgin graduates from Plattsburgh State, the eagle will soar from its perch atop the McDonough Memorial!
I'm glad I was able to do my part!
Posted by: Kern | August 13, 2008 9:12 AM
Foxy: Here's something your bloggers can ponder on. What ever happened to the vibrant downtown Plattsburgh once had? I went down Margaret St. on friday noon time and was disappointed in the stores (or lack of stores) that lined both sides of the street. Down here in Saratoga Springs, the downtown is something else. Probably the best shopping (excluding malls) between NYC and Montreal. Back to your original blog. Red cars are mostly bought by young men and they are the group most prone to speeding tickets and accidents. Also, don't eat before swimming, you'll get cramps. Remember that one?
(Foxy's note: Yes, Fred! We had to wait one hour before going into the water after eating our tuna fish sandwiches at lunchtime.)
Posted by: Fred Forkey | August 12, 2008 2:14 PM
We often taught and demonstrated how hot water would freeze faster than cold water in 8th grade science at good ole SMS (has to do with density). You should have stopped in on your way to the faculty room!
Good example is when you get your car washed in the winter. The hot water (from the car wash) freezes much faster.
(Foxy's note: Wow, jh, that's amazing! That is the one item that I was sure WASN'T TRUE! That other science teacher that I asked sure missed the boat on this one!)
Posted by: jh | August 12, 2008 1:41 PM
Foxy,
Although I am not in the insurance business, I have also always heard a red car will cost you more on your insurance. I was told it is because a red car is more likely to be stolen. I will watch to see if anyone comes out here with a definite explanation on this one.
I have never heard any of the others that you mentioned. I always peel the cucumber and that takes care of the bitter taste.
Looking forward to see if anyone knows the answers.....
Posted by: Kathy | August 12, 2008 1:29 PM
Foxy:
Many generations of my family had the myth if you had a bad migraine headache you should cut a raw potato into slices, put in a cold cloth and place on your forehead. I personally usually have one so bad I can't get up to cut the potato.... any thoughts on this one...
(Foxy's note: I never heard of this one. But, then again, I never had a migraine. If someone else has one, is it called a "yourgraine"?)
Posted by: Jules | August 12, 2008 11:29 AM