Much too true.... one has to balance the lists against the possible usefulness, and take one's choices/chances.... and watch out for the
side effects one knows one is particularly prone to....

The radical side of me says that it's a
zero-sum game, and much of the
pharmaceutical industry is built on sand.

There are some useful meds, at least for some people, some of the
time... but your assesment has merit to it...

If one factors in all effects for everyone, the total
sum is closer to zero - any benefit to the user is
balanced by adverse effects to the same person as well
as to others and the environment.

The confusion is severe enough that Wikipedia
has a subheading under Fender (vehicle) that says
For the part of an automobile designed to
absorb minor impacts, see Bumper (automobile).

And here I've always thought myself not particularly mechanically
minded... ;)

Some of us have our gifts, but we also have antigifts.

again to the garage, where they said something about
the rear differential and quoted a price, well, it was
more than two tickets to Panama and a week's hotel and
food and incidentals.

Yeah, those things don't come cheap... Did she have the repair, or
decide a new car was a better option...?

The final cost was in the 3K range, so more than
a Panama vacation but less than a new car. She was
also moaning and groaning about "my baby," so there
was also an emotional stake (women too can have an
attachment to cars!).

... I'm of the faction that believes mushroom sandwiches are not burgers

That's not a faction, it's the mainstream and I hope
always will be. I mean, big agarics have their place,
but not as a meat substitute.

Totally agreed... :)

Plus the nutrients in mushrooms are harder to
get, because of their cell structure.

... Becoming a vegetarian is a missed steak.

Worse, it's 10,000 missed steaks.

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v7.04

Title: LINGUINI TOMATO
Categories: Pasta
Servings: 6

4 c Tomatoes, roasted and Set aside
Blended 24 Roma tomatoes, grilled
or
2 tb Garlic, roasted and Oven-roasted and sliced
Chopped 6 Portobello mushrooms
(or
Salt, to taste Other large mushrooms)
Pepper, to taste Grilled or sauteed and
6 Servings linguini, cooked, Sliced
Rinsed in tap water, and 12 Fresh basil leaves

TO MAKE TOMATO SAUCE: In a heavy saucepan, mix 4 cups roasted tomatoes
with garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by
one-third.

JUST BEFORE SERVING: In a heavy skillet, bring the sauce to boil over
medium heat. Add linguini ansd toss well.

Blanch the 6 of the basil leaves in a little boiling water.

TO SERVE: Divide the linguini among 6 pasta bowls. Alternate the Roma
tomatoes and mushroom slices in a circle around it. Drain and put 1 leaf
in the middle of each bowl. Garnish each with a fresh unblanched basil
leaf.

Recipe: Post Oak Grill, 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas

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