Have you completed your census today?

Did you complete the census? Most of us did, but do we really know any specifics? If we even care, my son asked me the other day how often it is sent out. When I didn’t know, I looked it up (Wikipedia) and found a few interesting facts that I thought were “blog worthy”.

The US Constitution requires the Federal Government to conduct a census every ten years. The last one being in 2001.

The results are used to allocate congressional seats (congressional apportionment), electoral votes, and government program funding.

The census is performed by the United States Census Bureau. The first census after the American Revolution was taken in 1790 under then Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson. There have been 21 federal censuses since then.

Only the names of the heads of household and a general demographic accounting of the remaining members of the household were recorded for the first 6 censuses (1790-1840). Beginning in 1850 all members of the household were named. The first slave schedules were also completed in 1850 with the second, and last, in 1860. Censuses of the late 19th century included agricultural and industrial schedules to gauge the productivity of the nation’s economy. Mortality schedules were taken between 1850 and 1880 to capture a snapshot of life spans and causes of death throughout the country.

The first 9 censuses (1790-1870) were not managed by the Executive branch, but by the Judicial branch. The US federal court districts assigned US marshals, who hired assistant marshals to conduct the actual enumeration. Sounds familiar huh?

For more mumbo jumbo on the census go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Census

You never know when there’s going to be a quiz!!

One More Sports Post...

Ok, no whining, no criticism, no opinion.  I just learned something new.  After reading "Cinderella" in a sports headline, a twinge ran thru my fingers.  I actually thought someone found my last post and I was going to hit it big.  After clicking on the headline I learned Cinderella has another meaning.  An underdog team (NCAA-Northern Iowa) that makes it big.  Ha.  A far cry from a princess meeting her prince charming, but ok guys...   This one's for you.

Sports Today

I don't often post about sports, but I have been following hockey this season and am co-entering an NCAA bracket pool.  Not that I had anything to do with the picks, but I did front the money.  Go Kentucky!  The real heat of the post is regarding the Ovechkin (Capital) breaking bones of Campbell (Blackhawk) in last week's game.  There seems to be a mixed poll on whether or not he should have received the fine and suspension.  My blog.... my opinion.  Heck Yes!  That was terrible.  Don't get me wrong, I too go to hockey games to see a fight or two break out, but this was unnecessary abuse (a step up from roughness... my blog, my rules too) during the game.  Again, my opinion.  So, on to the Stanley Cup....Go Blackhawks!  Have to go shopping for a jersey now.  Later.

Snow, Snow, Go Away

And don't come back another day!  We are tired of this white stuff that is now turning to brown, salty, icky muddy messes in our yards.  Be gone!  Bring on Spring.  Bring on Summer!  Open the pool so the little ones will forget about their "snowbuddies" they created in their yards that have slowly disappeared.  When explaining to my 2 year old granddaughter that snowmen are made with "magic snow" and that after they melt they return to the atmosphere to watch us play in the summer sun and return again next winter for her to create again.... I realized it mattered more to ME than to her.  Just another childish story... maybe.  But it's keeping me young and realizing the midwest is the place for me.  Seasons change and come and go and I wouldn't have it any other way.