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Friday, November 29, 2013

OH ASHLEY, ASHLEY

Tonight, I watched the movie Gone With The Wind for the umpteenth time. I seem to empathize with Scarlett. She struggled most of her life. She had to make something out of nothing at times. Her one love belonged to another. She moved on with her life, but he always had a space in her heart.

Yes, sometimes I believe that Scarlett and I have a lot in common. She was up, she was down, she fought her way back up and saw many troubles. I've sure had my share, and fought my way back. There are a lot of complicated emotions inside Miss Scarlett, and I understand most of them. I've been there!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

THANKSGIVUKKAH

The Menurkey was created by Asher Weintraub, a 10-year old from New York. More than 6,000 units have sold online this year, and currently The Jewish Museum of New York online shop is out of stock. It is made of plaster and the feathers hold the candles.

The menorah is the traditional candelabra used to celebrate Hanukkah, an eight-day holiday that commemorates the second century BC victory of Judah Maccabee and his followers in a revolt in ancient Judea against armies of the Seleucid empire.

Fourth grader Weintraub said his cartoonish turkey, which uses its feathers to hold the candles, is a lighthearted way to celebrate the holidays' similarities. The two holidays coinciding on the calendar won't happen again for thousands of years.

Hanukkah begins at sundown and the second candle is to be lit on Thanksgiving Day. Hanukkah and Thanksgiving share the same theme - being thankful for our blessings. So be thankful for your friends and family, and for what you do have, no matter how small (or large) a bounty it is.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

KEEPING MEMORIES

When I was eight years old, my mother took me to Knickerbocker's Toy Store in Cleveland. I was allowed to spend my allowance on anything I wanted - up to the $5.00 I'd saved.

I fell in love with a monkey and it cost $5.00. I purchased it and carried it everywhere I could. I named him Pinkie. During the summer of that same year, we went to Daytona Beach, Florida on vacation and I took Pinkie with me (see photo).

While cleaning out my attic in June this year, I found Pinkie, packed away in a box for safekeeping. A box of memories.

Pinkie has been occupying the second pillow on my bed since June. Pinkie has aged - he's now 61 years old - but still in great shape, keeping me company, and keeping my childhood memories alive.

Monday, November 25, 2013

OLD NEW PARTS WORK

A storm door is a wonderful thing. It helps keep out the cold in winter, and has a screen to let fresh air inside in summer. The only problem is - they get older as time goes on.

My inside door handle got loose and one day while pulling the door closed behind me, the handle came off in my hand. I attempted to put it back together, but it only lasted a few days. The next time it came off, I had my handyman fix it. He took it apart and did a better job of getting it fixed. That fix lasted a couple weeks or more.

The third time it came apart I decided a new door handle was needed. The usual trips to Ace Hardware and Home Depot taught me that manufacturers don't make replacement parts for old doors like mine to be sold at retail outlets. I never tried an online search for it.

The next best thing was to resort to the "older method" of originality. I went to Cooks Home Improvements, the business that originally sold the door to my mother and installed it. I took a cell phone photo of the door handle with me and asked if he had any replacement parts.

After searching for a while in his "spare parts room" I was handed a door handle exactly like the one on my door, with the exception of the color (brass versus black). I really didn't care what color it was, as long as it works on the door. I went home to install the new handle and learned how and why it came apart in the first place. It was not due to the inner-workings (or guts) of the mechanism. With years of wear, the outer ring broke away from the rectangular base; after all, the door was installed between 1972 and 1982.

New/old replacement parts are not so bad after all! It works!!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

HISTORY IS MINE

A husband and wife who lived on a farm in Greenfield, Ohio for approximately 75 years, recently moved to a nursing home. A majority of all their belongings were being sold at auction today. I was told by the auctioneer who contracted with the family that they collected old historical items, books and ephemera from Fayette, Highland, and Ross Counties. While previewing the sale items, I recognized an item that formerly belonged to my great-great-grandfather, James A. Porter of Greenfield.

My great-great-grandfather owned and operated the Empire Livery Stable in the mid-1800s. I have done extensive research on my family tree and traced my grandfathers' roots in Highland County back to the early 1800s. The number 44 on it is of specific significance to me.

Today, I had a chance to purchase a piece of family history. This brass livery tag was a part of the sale items and it has now been returned to the Porter family, of which I am a direct descendant. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride when I acquired it and have been looking at it all evening. I will find a nice display case and mount it properly for others to observe.

History is mine - and I am proud of my heritage - and the small piece of memorabilia I now can call my own!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

DOG TIRED

I set up at a craft show today. There were almost 40 vendors there and a nice crowd. However, it was a tiring day - taxing on the body. Loading and unloading is getting harder and harder for me.


When I got home, I was so tired and my body was just plain sore. The old saying: your dog takes after you when you've been together a long time - sure rings true in this household. Below is a perfect example of how we relax. The couch and a long nap followed my return home late this afternoon. But I'd do it again if there were another show opportunity!


Friday, November 22, 2013

WHERE WAS I?

On November 22, 1963, I was at work at 9th and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. One year out of high school, I took the bus to downtown Cleveland daily to my job running a teletype machine for a stock broker's office. The shocking news came over the wire and we were all stunned at what happened in Dallas that fateful day.

In May of 2006, I made a trip to Dallas (on my way to visit my aunt who lived in Texas), and visited Dealy Plaza. I toured the book repository museum. The photos are of the window area where the shot was fired; the wall mural inside the entrance; and the white X in the middle of the roadway where the motorcade was at the time the shot was fired. This photo of Kennedy hangs on my living room wall. A day of memories.





Thursday, November 21, 2013

MOSTLY OUT OF ORDER

I dislike going to a laundromat! However, yesterday, after doing two loads of laundry, and putting the first load into the dryer, the dryer started making a noise that I knew was not good. I made adjustments to the amount of items inside without any change in the dryer's malfunction.

For safety's sake, I turned it off, let it cool, and called my handyman/repairman.

I couldn't let my wet clothes stay in the dryer, so this morning I took them to the nearby laundromat to dry them.

I put them all in one large dryer, added $1.00 in quarters, and waited the 20 minutes for them to dry. During that time, I walked around the facility observing the conditions.


I was surprised to learn that there were 52 dryers (30 on one side of the building, 22 on the other side) all numbered. I found "out of order" signs on 24 dryers (almost half).

Then I counted the washers and saw 76 washers, 16 of which were high capacity-double load-type, and found 33 with "out of order" signs attached.


All I could think about was: how can anyone run a business when half the units are not working. The owner must not be working either - or the repairman would be there to fix things so more people could put their quarters in and wait the 20 minutes for dry clothes (or the 30 minutes to wash them).


Even the soap dispenser machine was marked "out of order." So bring your own soap!

My handyman showed up this evening and my dryer is fixed. He can fix anything!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

IN MEMORY OF

In memory of November 19, 1863:

REMEMBER - THE MAIN FACT HERE - ALL MEN WERE CREATED EQUAL!


Sunday, November 17, 2013

CRAFT SHOW

Friday I set up at a craft show held at the Little Red Schoolhouse at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. I was selling my homemade lamps and a few other items.

The next craft show where I will be set up is next Friday at Country Glenn Nursing Home and Therapy Center here in town. A large variety of vendors/crafters are scheduled to be there with a variety of unique gift items for the holidays.

I've seen the event advertised in the local paper a few times, so we are all hoping for a large crowd to be in attendance.

Here are a few photos of my recent setup, and other vendors who were there.




Charms & More - Italian Charms

G.W. Jewelry

Tracy's Crafts

I invite everyone to join us in a day of shopping for the perfect gift for those on your shopping list!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

NOVEMBER 16TH

November 16, 1973 is a memory that will never be forgotten. It was the day my mother called me to say my dad had just died.

Dad was in a nursing home after an aneurysm, surgery, a couple strokes, and a heart attack over a three year period. I remember that day and it rocked my world. My dad and I were very close while I was growing up.

Mother was with dad at the moment of his death, I was at work. Dad was an engineer, draftsman, Mason, Shriner, salesman, and inventor (with more than one patent registered in the U.S. Patent Office). He was the smartest man I ever knew and I miss him.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

FROG-A-TALKING

A guy was walking beside a pond when a frog jumped out and told him that she was really a beautiful princess and if he were to kiss her, she would make him VERY happy! He picked up the frog and put it into his pocket.

A few minutes later, the frog poked her head out and said, "Didn't you hear me?! I'm a beautiful princess and if you kiss me I will stay with you and do ANYTHING you want!"

The guy took the frog out and said, "Look, I understand what you are saying, but I am a computer programmer and right now I don't have time for a girlfriend...but a talking FROG is REALLY, REALLY COOL!"

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

BOOKS I REALLY DON'T WANT TO READ

I saw a list of weird books, and decided I really didn't want to read the following:

Not very manly.

Can't keep farm animals in town.

Shaving a dog is just WRONG.

Can you say "redundant?"

Mitt Romney's Bible.

I don't know anyone who would be into building their own.


Monday, November 11, 2013

VETERANS DAY

To my uncle for this 30-year Army career; to my great-grandfather for his Civil War service; to my nephew for this 18-year Navy career; to my great-uncle for his Civil War service; to my special friend for his service in the Navy and current Army National Guard service; and to all veterans:

Saturday, November 9, 2013

CHARMIN


Sometimes it takes a lot of Charmin to clean up the messes!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

TODAY IN HISTORY

What happened on November 7th:

1910: The first air freight shipment from Dayton, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio was undertaken by the Wright Brothers for department store owner Max Moorehouse.

1916: Jeannette Rankin, a Representative from Montana, was elected to Congress as its first woman Representative.

1928: Herbert Hoover was elected president.

1934: Arthur L. Mitchell became the first black Democratic congressman.

1944: Franklin D. Roosevelt wins a fourth term in office, defeating Thomas E. Dewey.

1967: Carl B. Stokes was elected the first black mayor of a major city, Cleveland, Ohio.

1976: Gone With The Wind was first televised.

1989: Douglas Wilder was elected the first U.S. black governor in Virginia.

2000: Hillary Rodham Clinton is elected to the United States Senate, becoming the first former First Lady to win public office in the United States.

2012: Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approve measures for same-sex marriage.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

DON'T SWEAT STUFF


It has been a rough time for me the past 30 days or so, but things are looking up, getting better, and I am hopeful that in about 30 days things will be back to normal for me. I have tried not to let it get me down, because the only way I want to go is UP.

Monday, November 4, 2013

BEN FRANKLIN AND ME

Ben Franklin and I have something in common – we like to sleep late in the morning. [I won't even count the fact that his picture is on the 100 dollar bill and I LIKE one hundred dollar bills!] That's why I don't mind the “fall back” feature of daylight savings time. I only have three clocks to reset: the bedroom alarm clock, the microwave clock, and the bathroom clock. My cable box and computer reset automatically.

According to the Congressional Research Service Library, daylight savings time was the brainchild of Benjamin Franklin around 1784.

I read a few articles about DST today, and one said it was a scientific fact that night owls are smarter. That sure made me feel good, because my dad always said I was smart. I have a friend that is also a night owl and I know she's smart! Since I retired from working, I love to sleep in until about 10 am, because I am usually up very late at night.

Congress decided to establish time zones for the country in 1918 and passed the Standard Time Act. It originally started to save fuel/coal costs during the war.

After the two world wars, areas of the country varied, so Congress passed The Uniform Time Act of 1966, which focused on DST. Ben Franklin would have approved!

Congress kept tinkering with the effective dates of DST until The Energy Policy Act of 2005 making March and November the norm. There are only two states that do not participate in DST, Hawaii and Arizona – plus a small portion of Indiana.

Some farmers around the country oppose DST, and a group who formed StandardTime.com came up with an alternate plan of having only two time zones with two hours apart, instead of the current four time zones with one hour apart. The group states that some studies have found that it doesn't actually save energy anymore.

Their rationale is that the sun rises on the east side of each time zone and on the western side about one hour later. This plan would drastically throw off sunrise and sunset times across the country. The article I read about this on Yahoo said this plan was just dumb and wouldn't solve anything, because it would make it harder to start the workday on an even keel.

One of their complaints was that it increases gasoline consumption. Well, DUH, yeah, because people are able to go out after work for social activities, ballgames, picnics, and various other outdoor activities, and spend money, which puts billions into the economy.

I'm all FOR daylight savings time, because I love my evening summers outdoors. I don't even mind the “spring ahead” in March, because I'm a night owl anyway and I just sleep in a little extra!

Friday, November 1, 2013

OUT OF SORTS

You have not heard from me on here since the 27th of October. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I have been quite under the weather and hope to be back soon. Stay tuned, I still have more to write and share here. I have a busy month of November, according to my calendar. Hopefully, I will be up to par in a day or so. Thanks.