...embrace difference

Hello.
On this day in 1920 the Nazi Party was founded. As we already know, Nazi ideology stressed the failures of capitalism, communism, economic liberalism, and democracy. Followers supported the "racial purity of the German people" and that of other Northwestern Europeans, and claimed itself as the protector of Germany from Jewish influence and corruption. The Nazis persecuted those they perceived as either race enemies ,that is "life unworthy of living". This included Jews, Slavs, Roma, along with Communists, homosexuals, the mentally and physically disabled, and others. The persecution reached its climax when the party and the German state which it controlled organized the systematic murder of approximately six million Jews and six million other people from the other targeted groups, in what has become known as the Holocaust. Hitler's desire to build a German empire through expansionist policies led to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
Have a good day, work hard and if you aren't evolved enough to embrace differences, read a book, get out of your tiny environment and experience what is out there.

"The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights."
Giotto di Bondone

...an onion a day keeps the...

Thanks to the fantastic MB, I have some great information for you regarding health. It is inexpensive and has proven, for years, to be quite effective. Onions. Yes, onions. Please read and then stop by your nearest produce stand and report back. I would love to hear your opinions on onions.

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people, there was a Doctor who
visited many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of
the farmers and their family had contracted it, and many died.
The doctor came upon one farmer, and to his surprise, everyone in the
household was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing
that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion
in a dish in the rooms of the home . The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one, and when he did this, he
did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.
Please try this. The garlic that I wear around my neck has been working for years to rid myself of those pesky Vampires. ( I remove the garlic when a hot one approaches me) but still,
it is an onion. Everything has a purpose on this earth, and not just to create offensive breath.

"America's health care system is in crisis precisely because we systematically neglect wellness and prevention."
Tom Harkin

...thievery at its finest

Here is an alert for your safety and self preservation. This was given to me by my beautiful friend SKK and it needs to be shared and read. I am not peddling interior fashions this time but peddling something way more important. Firstly, as I always do, on this day in 2006 at least six men stage Britain's biggest robbery ever, stealing £53m (about $92.5 million or 78€ million) from a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent.
'WARNING FROM POLICE’
BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE!
NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS
Heads up everyone!
You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside.
You start the engine and shift into reverse.
When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space,
you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window.
You shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove the object that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car, the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off.
Your home and your whole identity are now probably compromised!
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back
window, just drive away.
Remove the paper later.

...mind over matter

Hello. Two of my favorite things happened in history on this day. In 1985 artificial heart recipient William J. Schroeder became the first patient to leave hospital. Alive. And a few years prior, in 1878, Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. I think it's very important to have a heart; a strong one at that. It is also paramount to have music. What two better things could have happened on this day in history? Ok, so Vodka wasn't invented, but I would be pushing it at that point. Have fun today, strengthen your heart both physically and spiritually and dance if you get a moment. Make sure you get a moment.
'Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.' Mark Twain

...when cows fly

I have a piggy bank that is actually a cow/piggy bank that I love. Don't ask me who his parents are. That is none of my business. He sits high on a kitchen shelf but has yet to fly. On this day in 1930, Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft. His buddies now refer to it as the mile high club and many are trying to join. We have to work within our physical limitations but that doesn't mean that they can hold us back. If cows can fly, we can do anything, not to slight Ollie. Spread your wings today. It feels great.

"Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again."
James Cook

...the shot felt 'round the world

I visited a dear friend in the hospital last evening after a grueling day at work. Let's hope that the senna in her all natural herbal remedies has not done permanent damage to her liver. I returned home but it was too late for a Martini. At least I had a choice as to whether or not to make one. On this day in 1933 the Blaine Act ended Prohibition in the United States, having been sponsored by Wisconsin senator John J. Blaine. Thank you JJ. "Senna has been linked to liver toxicity. There is a report of a 52 year old woman who ingested one liter of senna tea per day for over three years. She developed acute liver failure and kidney impairment requiring intensive care therapy. Long-term use of anthraquinones has been linked to the development of colorectal growths (adenomas) and cancer.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

...Happy YouTube 2U

Six years ago today, YouTube, the Internet site on which videos may be shared and viewed by others, was launched in the United States.In November of the following year, YouTube, LLC was bought by Google Inc. for $1.65 billion, and now operates as a subsidiary of Google. That's a tidy sum! Forever has it changed the way that people behave in public, and sometimes in private! Imagine picking your nose in what you think is a private moment, just to have it hit YouTube and several million people view you. Have fun, work hard and if you have the feeling that someone is taping you, well, good luck with that. "Fredericksburg China Cabinet", in part, shown today. Dusty Springfield sings "In Private".

"All violations of essential privacy are brutalizing."
Katharine Fullerton Gerould

...Happy Valentine's Day

For those who sent flowers, chocolates and cards hooray! Maybe you can send this link to your loved ones also. Stay safe, work hard and be smart.

"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."
Ronald Reagan

...Cupid, draw back your Porshe

In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido, meaning "desire") is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of goddess Venus and god Mars.
In popular culture, Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day. He is now in the current culture the personification of love and courtship in general.
Well, tomorrow is the big day. Valentines Day is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. If you are not intimate, save your money on chocolates, cards and flowers. The day is named after Christian martyr, Saint Valentine. Another Saintly act happened on this day in 1992. Jose Canseco repeatedly rammed his Porsche into wife Esther's BMW. I am guessing that there were no flowers nor chocolates given the following morning.

"Before we make love my husband takes a pain killer."
Joan Rivers

...scream

A friend of mine just emailed me a poem after I sent him a lovely limerick.

I will a tale unfold whose lightest word
Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,
Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their
spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks to part
And each particular hair to stand on end,
Like quills upon the fretful porpentine: (Hamlet)

Well, on this day in 1994 four men broke into the National Gallery of Norway and stole Edward Munch's iconic painting The Scream. Edward Munch was a Norwegian Symbolist painter, printmaker and an important forerunner of expressionistic art. His best-known composition, The Scream, was part of a series The Frieze of Life, in which Munch explored the themes of love, fear, death, melancholia, and anxiety. Don't we all? I had a handful of people scream at me yesterday for things that had nothing to do with me. I had to ask one person to stop yelling at me in person as I was being chewed out on the phone by another. When I asked her to wait, she claimed that I was the rude one. Happy days, happy nights and no screams.

"All the things one has forgotten scream for help in dreams."
Elias Canetti

...cat that chewed your new shoes

My friend is dating a hearing impaired guy and now is somewhat adept at 'signing.' Does she understand everything he 'says'? Probably not, but we do the best that we can. Honestly, neither do most of us when it comes to perfect communication. When someone misinterprets us and we offend, hopefully that subject will come up so that we can mend fences. On this day in 1941 the first gold record was presented to Glenn Miller for "Chattanooga Choo Choo". It had nothing to do with shoes. Work hard, listen, communicate to the best of your abilities and please keep in mind 'signing', especially when driving. Kidding. "Staghorn Pillow" shown today.
"A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband."
Michel de Montaigne

...extinguish

After a long stint of snow, sleet and ice it is supposed to get warmer this weekend here in Chester County, PA. Hot enough for you? No, but above freezing will be an utter delight. I am not looking for the flames of Hell per se, just a little warmth.Flames can be hard to control. Believe me, I have known a few flamers in my life and speak from experience.I also had a small kitchen fire with Buffy many years ago and found that a way to control a small fire is with an extinguisher which, of course, was patented on this day in 1863. I keep one in my kitchen due to my style of cooking. I also keep one in each vehicle due to my driving style. I wish that everyone reading this blog would go out and buy at least one today. For your sake and for the sake of those out of control flamers that can pop up at the most inopportune times.

"Burn baby, burn" Trammps

...bonfire of the vanities

Way back in 1497, people were passing judgement on what was and was not considered moral. Friar Girolamo Savonarola was one of those people. On this day in 1497 the bonfire of the vanities occurred in which supporters of Friar Savonarola burned thousands of objects like cosmetics, art, and books in Florence, Italy. Maybe they should have called him Fire Savonarola. The heat from this bonfire caused some make-up wearing opponents to smudge. This is when Max factor introduced leak-proof mascara. There is a reason for everything. Live your lives, don't intentionally hurt anyone or anything and celebrate the differences. If you have a book to burn, donate it instead. It may be just the tool that someone else needs to make a positive change in their life. Shown today is a Vanity Table and Chair, available in many fabrics. Glass top included, bonfire not.

"Censorship is the height of vanity." Martha Graham

...fumar

Where there's smoke...well, where there isn't is in Federal Buildings and most restaurants.On this day in 1987 no-smoking rules took effect in federal buildings. Many had been complaining for years about second hand pot smoke. People claimed that it made their brains foggy and were soon craving Doritos and Tastykake treats. I was never one to smoke pot, but to each his own. Since that day, no one could light up a doobie and smoke in the courtyards of federal buildings and within 25 feet of doorways and intake ducts on the outside of federal buildings. So far, I don't think that there is a law prohibiting martinis from being sipped but I cannot verify this. Have fun, do things in moderation and remember, where there's smoke, there's fire ie:
if it looks like something is wrong, something probably is wrong. Follow the instincts that you were born with and believe in yourself. High, or not.

"When deeds speak, words are nothing." Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

...pot of gold

It's out there for everyone, but I'm not sure what shape it will take for each of us. Maybe it's a great new song, learning how to ride a 2-wheeler or finding a nice, crisp 20 on the ground in the middle of nowhere. On this day in 1869 the largest alluvial gold nugget in history was found in Australia. I always thought that alluvial meant loose and not stuck together, but I digress. Find your pot of gold today and every day, even if it takes the form of tiny pieces or a huge chunk that you get all at once.

"Flat Fold Roman Shade" shown.

"A mask of gold hides all deformities." Thomas Dekker

...a song for you

28 years ago, on this day, I was working in the Art Department at WCAU-TV as an Intern. I will never forget the news release that shot at me and my quick follow up that was part of my job. I had to read the news briefs and then go into the art archives to back the story up with some type of photo. The most recent photo I could find to correlate with this brief was a group shot of past Grammy winners. In that photo was the little face of Karen Carpenter, I think with a white ruffled shirt on. I have to say that I was in utter shock that day and was not too professional when the news spread across the station and then across the world. Other 'professionals' were shocked also and some even cried in the newsroom. She was and is my favorite vocalist of all time and also someone who remembered my birthday way back in 1975, even sending me a card. On this day in 1983, Karen Carpenter died.

"I'm just afraid I'm gonna miss it all... being married... being a mother."
Karen Carpenter

...in stone

Today I will get my Drivers License photo updated. Hurray! I am now rethinking the large bag of salted Restaurant Style Chips that I inhaled last night, followed by a several large glasses of water. I hope they can fit my now large face into the tiny square on the license. Last night, as I marinated in salt, I was thinking about how smart it would have been to have saved each license, if only for posterity sake. Not that they take that angle when shooting the photo. On this day in 2010 a cast of the sculpture L'Homme qui marche I by Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti sold for 103.7million dollars, setting the record for most expensive sculpture sold at a public auction. Used in the past for identification purposes, qui marche must have had one hell of a time at the airport. Passports and Photo ID's are so much more convenient. "Sea Grass Embroidered Pillow" shown today. Available in late March because they take forever to sew.

"A rolling stone gathers no moss, but it gains a certain polish." Oliver Herford