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Cut it short
Off the Wall
1/25/07
Last month, I got a follow-up questionnaire in the mail concerning
some treatment I had received. After looking over the form, I
noticed on the first line after the word treatment were the letters
"LES." Now, I know without doubt whatsoever, they did
not stand for Latrobe Elementary School. Thinking about it, I
would probably rearrange the letters in a little different order
to read "ELS." Now, that would make more sense. Then
it could stand for Excruciating Lumbar Shot. People have always
used letters to abbreviate names, states, expressions, etc. When
one is sent an invitation, what are the four letters usually
found at the bottom? The answer is "RSVP" which is
French and interpreted, "Respond if you please." In
other words, if you can make it, let the party know. Been to
a get-together where one is asked to BYOB? The request is to
"Bring Your Own Bottle." Everyone who has a doctorate
in something or specialize in certain fields have letters following
his or her name. Examples are "M.D.," "DO,"
"DPM," "FACP," "D.C," "C.P.A,"
"D.A," to name just a few. When I worked for a hotel
back in the late 50's one of my jobs was chambermaid work. Not
only did I have to tidy up the rooms, but replace large towels,
wash clothes and toilet paper. I would yell down the hall to
my helper, "Need six LTs, four WCs and one TP down here."
I could hear the faint cry from the other end of the hall
"LTs, WCs and one TP on the way." As I lay in bed recently,
an idea struck me. Let's play a little game. I call it, "Let's
Make Soup." I will combine ingredients using abbreviations
and you guess what they are. The answers will be disclosed at
the bottom of the column. First, it is important to find the
right-sized pot. Next, pour in some VB, enough to cover at least
half the mixture. O always flavors soup. Add C. No soup would
be complete without them. I often will combine M and O in the
VB and just have that, but soup is so much fun to make, I hate
to stop there. Many times I will make BR ahead of time and add
it providing body and nutrition. I'm big on B. Usually I put
them on my chef salad as well. Sometimes when I have some left
over from another meal, I will throw in various shapes of N.
I learned that from my mother-in-law. We have different initial
approaches. She uses W where I like VB. Just before I ladle it
out into my bowl, I add a tad of MD, that little extra touch
that adds aroma in addition to taste. Voila! Bon appetite! Talking
about cooking, how often does one find under the heading of "Stovetop
Directions," for example, use 1/8 tsp. of salt with 3 Tbsp.
of another product? Maybe to achieve the serving size, one may
need eight oz. of milk or water. All our athletes seem to be
categorized according to the positions they play. The Steelers,
Ravens or Chargers all have famous QBs (quarterbacks) TEs (tight
ends), Gs (guards) and LBs (linebackers). Some syllabic abbreviations
are formed from usually initial syllables of several words such
as Interpol for International Police. Here are some other familiar
letters, many of which are familiar to us. Even though my real
name is Paul Volkmann, I am a/k/a (also known as) Mr. Pee Vee.
I usually pay my bills ASAP as soon as possible. I found
out when filling out applications that some people have NMI,
no middle initial. I'm telling you all this FYI for your
information. So, did you figure out all the ingredients in my
soup's concoction? Here we go I first pour in some Vegetable
Broth. I love Onions for flavor. No soup is complete without
Carrots. I then throw in some mushrooms. Brown Rice gives the
soup body. Beans provide protein. More than likely I will add
whole grain Noodles from a previous meal. Last, my mother-in
law likes plain Water. I prefer the broth. As for that final
touch something which the doctor ordered Mrs. Dash
perfecto!!!
Paul j. Volkmann
12/11/06
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