We have made available some items (mugs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats) with our logo at Cafepress - http://www.cafeshops.com/slirc   Cafepress sets the item base cost and handles all sales, production,  shipping, and warranty. StarLink-IRC gets no money from sales of these items.

---

General Information

Word Games:  Live trivia at various times and places throughout the week.

#International: We hope to bring together folks from all nations and languages .. come join us for chat, good friends, and if you can volunteer to translate, all the better. Even a smattering of another language is welcome!

DISCLAIMER - Web sites shown or linked here may contain executable files or programs. Be advised that StarLink-IRC has no knowledge of the suitability or effects these may have on your system. We advise everyone to make a carefully informed decision prior to running any new software.

---

Your BIRTHDAY TREE

November's gemstone is Topaz, the symbol of Truth, flower is the Chrysanthemum
December's gemstone is Turquoise, the symbol of Truth, flower is the Narcissus

---

EVENTS

In an attempt to get more of our chatters involved in our newsletter and to make it more interesting, we are adding several new columns.  The recipe column has been very popular!  I hear tell there is a movie critic's corner starting soon.  That's exciting!!  I'd love to see a gardening column if that's an area of expertice for any of you.  Maybe even a book review column would be nice?  Please get together with me if you have other ideas or if you're willing to do a column!

COOKING ON THE WILD SIDE Recipes and more    ...by Wildchild.

Hello Chat Friends, I hope that our Canadian friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  And hope that all of our American friends will have one, also. Here are some recipe's that hopefully you and your families will enjoy. Thanks to NOLady, channel owner of #40something, sent in that she is going to make for her family next week. Until next time don't for get to lets keep cookingonthewildside.
wildchild

Holiday Squash Casserole 1 yellow squash, sliced thin 1 medium onion, finely diced 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced 1 carrot, finely diced 1 stick margarine 1 cup sour cream 1 can cream of celery or cream of chicken soup 1 large bag Pepridge Farm cornbread stuffing mix Preheat oven at 350 degrees.  Melt margarine in skillet.  Saute squash, onion, bell pepper, and carrot just until tender (don't overcook!).  Remove from heat.  Blend in sour cream and cream of celery or chicken soup.  Fold in all but one cup of the stuffing mix.  Pour into casserole dish.  Sprinkle remaining stuffing mix on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Holiday Spinach Casserole 1 package frozen chopped spinach, cooked as directed 8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese 1 can roasted garlic cream of mushroom soup 1 can French fried onions 1 stick margarine Saltine crackers Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix cream cheese and soup together well.   Add cooked spinach and French fried onions.  Place evenly into casserole dish.  In a small sauce pan (or in microwave) melt margarine.  Crush saltine crackers into the margarine until it's all absorbed.  Slather the cracker mixture on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

.

MAYBE MABLE KNOWS?     Advice

Suggestions and comments .. submit them to the newsletter with Mable in the subject line.

Reserved for those who have questions which can benefit from answers with a fresh perspective!

MOVIES                 Movie Reviews - by Zadi of #Lupuschat

Suggestions and comments .. submit them to the newsletter with Movies  in the subject line.

Keep watching this spot for future reviews from Zadi!

THE BOOK NOOK         Book Nook by Lorellei

Suggestions and comments .. submit them to the newsletter with Book Nook in the subject line.

"Emma's Secret" by Barbara Taylor Bradford
ISBN 0312307020 Publisher St Martin's Press, January 2004
Available in paperback  A New York Times Bestseller List book

Emma Harte, the legendary heroine of "A Woman of Substance," returns in this book, much to the delight of many faithful readers.  Paula O'Neill is the beloved granddaughter of Emma Harte and the legal guardian of her vast empire; Paula is confident that the empire is secure. However, beneath the calm are her two daughters, Linnet and Tessa, as different from each other as seems possible. One of them wants the empire for her own but has a terrible secret that could put her life in jeopardy.

Into the middle of this volatile mix appears Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer who is, in fact, looking for Emma Harte, (who has been dead for 30 years.)  Evan also bears a striking resemblance to Paula O'Neill.  Extremely distracted by Evan's presence, Paula turns to her grandmother's recently uncovered wartime diaries to find the truth; Emma becomes energized from her discoveries.

Decades disappear as the past comes back. It is 1940 in London:  the Blitz. Emma is working hard under wartime conditions; she keeps her family together as bombs drop, sirens scream and her sons go off to fight in the war. She struggles with grief but is sustained by her own will power and inner strength.  Paula eventually uncovers the secret taken to the grave with Emma, a secret whose repercussions inevitably change lives and may shake the dynasty to its very foundation.

Readers of the series might have a little trouble grasping the large cast of characters and their relationships to each other but it is still a good book. Readers having read "A Woman of Substance" will find old friends brought back to life.  The descriptions of BTB's native Yorkshire countryside are beautifully and lovingly written, painting a very clear and enduring picture. The historical information surrounding WWII is accurate and contributes well to the overall story. My personal view is that the WWII parts of the book are way more interesting than the present day portions.

Barbara Taylor Bradford was born in Leeds and by age 20 was an editor and columnist on Fleet Street. She has written over 20 books, sold in 90 countries and published in over 40 languages, and is known world wide as an excellent word sculptress. It was a pleasure to catch up on Emma Hughes and her family.

This book will take some time; it's worth it.

Lorellei

---

If you have a book you'd like reviewed, send an email with the subject "For Book Nook"; we're glad to have suggestions! If you'd like to review a book yourself, let us know. It's good to have fresh viewpoints!

PETS AND PESTS         Critters   by Momma

If you have questions, interesting facts or suggestions, other notable news concerning pets and pests, please submit them to the newsletter with Pets and Pests in the subject line.
<>
<>Now that winter is on the way in many of our chatters' areas, it is time to clean out backyard bird feeders. Hummingbird feeders should be taken down, washed and stored. Seed-type feeders should be checked for safety issues and cleaned out. If you have noticed wet/damp seeds in the bottom of the feeder and seedlings sprouting, check for leaks and/or cracks. Oftentimes rain water settles in the feeders, and if wet seeds are left to grow, molds and mildews will also grow.  We want our feathered friends to remain healthy this winter.

For those of you who feed the birds year-round, it may be time to change your seed mixture. Many song birds have headed south, so seeds like niger and dried fruits might no longer be needed. Speak with someone at your local feed store, and they should be able to tell you what mixtures you need to attract certain birds in your area.

One thing many people do is add a calcium supplement to seed mixtures to ensure healthy bones, and to ensure strong eggs for the mating season. This is a great idea! But a less expensive and easy way to add calcium to your mixture is to use what you already have!
With the holidays coming, we start baking. Or you may cook breakfast on the weekends for your family. Save your eggshells!

When you have finished baking, turn your oven off, and place the eggshells on a tray in the oven and leave them for a few hours. I have often left mine over night. When the shells are dried, simply crush them up with a rolling pin. You are not going to be making a "dust", but you do want the pieces to be small enough for the birds to eat. Some people place the shells in a feeder on their own. I mix the dried shell into my seed mixture. This will not only help the little guys to stay healthy, but offers them help with digesting their food.

If you have Cardinals and BlueJays in your area, don't forget to have raw peanuts in the shell on hand. I have spent many hours just watching the antics of these birds as they flit around and pick up the shells, shaking them and dropping them before moving off to the next shelled nut. I think they are "weighing" them and looking for the best goodie!

HANDY HINT: Slippery walkways? Toss bird seed onto these areas. While the seed will NOT melt snow and ice, it will offer some traction! And is safer then the salt for Mother Nature's feathered daintier creatures! Come spring any seed left (and there won't be much) is easily swept away.

Schedule info provided by Amazing

Whether it's lighthearted, serious, poignant, or just plain silly, send your contributios to the newsletter with LIBRARY in the subject line.

---

---

Remember, there is no way you can look as bad as that person on your drivers license.

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants,
hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT
to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
11. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Humpty Dumpty was pushed!
Have a Great Day!!!!

---

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?"
The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay, said his father.  "So, son, what does the Bible mean?"
"That's easy, Daddy.  It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth."

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope the Thanksgiving spirit
Brings you lots of Joy and Happiness