Cockle POPs!

Cockles are a type of small, edible clam that can be found in both salt and fresh water. They are popular in many parts of the world, but especially in the United Kingdom. Cockles are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a healthy and nutritious addition to any diet.

There are many ways to enjoy cockles, but my favorite way is to pop them! Here's how:

1. Start by rinsing the cockles under cold water.

2. Place the cockles in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water.

3. Add salt to the water, then bring to a boil.

4. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the cockles are cooked through.

5. Drain the cockles and let them cool slightly.

6. Pop them open using a fork or your fingers! Be careful, they're hot!

7. Enjoy your delicious cockle pops!

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire

The saying goes that when one door closes, another opens, and for Colin Edwards that adage was never more true. The Texan's illustrious MotoGP career came to an end at the Malaysian Grand Prix, but just a few weeks later he was announced as a test rider for new team NGM Forward Racing.

Edwards had been riding for Yamaha since 2002, but with the Japanese manufacturer scaling back its MotoGP involvement, the 38-year-old found himself without a ride. In stepping down to test rider role, he could have been forgiven for feeling like he'd taken a step back, but as it turned out, the decision may have saved his career.

With Forward Racing using Yamaha machinery in 2014, Edwards was able to jump on the bike during pre-season testing and get up to speed quickly. He also played an important role in developing the new bike, and his feedback was crucial in helping the team make progress.

Despite a challenging season marred by injuries and crashes, Forward Racing finished in eighth place in the constructors' championship. And while Edwards didn't race in any of the 18 rounds, he still picked up some World Championship points thanks to his work as test rider – proof that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks!

Shell Shocked

The world of computing has come a long way in the past few decades. We have seen amazing technological advances that have truly changed the way we live our lives. One such advancement is the advent of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and the mouse. This was a complete departure from the traditional command line interface (CLI) which required typing in commands to operate the computer.

While GUIs are now ubiquitous, they had a bumpy start. One major issue with early GUIs was that they were very slow and often failed to respond to user input. This would cause users to become frustrated and eventually give up on using them.

In order to speed up GUIs, computer scientists developed an algorithm called shellshock. Shellshock uses caching to store frequently used files and programs in memory, so that they can be accessed more quickly. This improves performance by eliminating the need to fetch these files from disk each time they are used.

Shellshock is still used today in many popular GUI operating systems, including macOS and Windows 10. While it may not be glamorous, it is essential for making GUIs run smoothly and quickly. Thanks, shellshock!

Boston Arms Industry Threatened by Imports

Boston - In a city that has been built on its thriving industry, the news of increasing imports is alarming to many in the Boston arms industry.

"It's just not fair," said one local manufacturer. "Foreign companies can sell their products here without paying any taxes, while we have to abide by all the rules and regulations. It's not right."

The Boston arms industry has long been a mainstay of the local economy, with thousands of jobs depending on it. But now that foreign companies are able to sell their products tax-free in the United States, many of those jobs are in danger.

Boston-based firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson is one of the companies feeling the heat from imports. The company has laid off dozens of workers in recent months as it struggles to compete with cheaper products from overseas.

"It's been tough recently," said one Smith & Wesson employee. "Our competitors can sell their products for half the price we can, and there's nothing we can do about it. We need the government to level the playing field for us."

Some in Congress are already trying to do just that. A bill currently making its way through Congress would slap a 20% tariff on all imported firearms and ammunition. That would help protect American jobs and give local manufacturers a chance to compete.

But some people argue that such tariffs would only hurt consumers and drive up prices. They say that instead of protecting American jobs, they would only lead to more job losses.

It remains to be seen which side will win out in this debate, but one thing is clear: The future of the Boston arms industry is at stake.

When Boiled, Cockles are an Edible Delight

The next time you're at the seafood market, don't forget to pick up a bag of cockles. These bivalves are delicious when boiled, and can be added to a number of dishes. Here's how to cook them:

1. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.

2. Add the cockles to the pot and let them cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are open.

3. Drain the cockles and serve them with a dipping sauce or on top of your favorite dish.

Cockles are a great appetizer or side dish, and they're also perfect for taking on the go. Give them a try today!