After a Monday off work yesterday was spent catching up,  This morning I went to a very interesting; but at this point too expensive; marketing group.  My goal is still to sell on line by end of May so stay tuned for more details, cause I expect all my faithful readers to at least check my items out.  Also if you’re in the Central Florida area I’d like a chance to do consignment or purchase on you collectibles and I’m interested in co-op for you artists  from all areas out there.  I will also be including a carpenter who does wonderful wooden articles that I’m sure you can’t live without.

Haven’t done sex lately–the topic I mean (blush blush).  Did you know that sex has other benefits (besides that)?      

“Besides eating, drinking and shelter no human instinct is as compelling as sex …but Americans affected by either lack of desire or inability to perform…number in the millions” DELICIOUS LIVING:  Restore Amour! 

A study by University of West Scotland found that sexually active men and women had significantly lower blood pressures in stressful situations such as public speaking

Headaches may no longer be a good excuse to avoid sex  according to the journal Cephalalgia  60/100 people who suffered from migraines had improved pain levels after having sex—yes tonight to help my headache???

And finally a study showed that people who had sex 1-2 time a week had higher levels of antibodies in their saliva that helped to fight bacteria, viruses and toxins.  Delicious Living 2/2014

Now that you’ve taken care of your pleasure let’s get on to business

Did you know that soda bottles and milk bottles with enameled lettering are going up in price, especially those with pictures or sayings.  Patriotic slogans are a good thing too.   Google example:  Vintage Soda Bottle 6oz Coca-cola Washington Nj $625

Vases with holes in the bottom are worth 30%-50% less than those without.  (these are usually drilled to covert the vase to lamps).  Antique Limoges France Hand Painted Large Porcelain Vase~Roses~ $2,495

Thing you might hold on to for further gain are bookmarks, knitting and crochet instructions and equipment, regional pottery, sample bottles and cardboard candy boxes with pictures on the top.  While these are initially inexpensive they will most likely grow in value with time.  SEVEN VINTAGE BOOKMARKS AND A LITTLE METAL BOX WITH AN ENAMEL SEAHORSE ON THE FRONT.  $19

Don’t just break the rules transcend them.

Spent my birthday goofing off.  Had a great lunch by the lake with old friends.  Thanks for the day!  Then stopped for a drink with some newer friends.  Was home alone the rest of the day.

How about since I’m on the subject let’ s look at BIRTHDAYS

“In Judaism, the… birthday celebrations is disputed by various rabbis. In the Hebrew Bible, the…single mention of a celebration …in commemoration of someone’s day of birth is for the Egyptian Pharaoh …in Genesis 40:20…The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged people to celebrate their birthdays, by gathering friends, making positive resolutions, and through various religious observances.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday

According to some “The origin of birthday celebrations stems from Pagan rituals and celebrations. Although birthdays are mentioned in the Bible, each story that is told about a birthday is surrounded by bad occurrences. The act of blowing out the candles, singing the happy birthday song, and receiving presents has been morphed into a birthday celebration over time. Some religions, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, discourage the act of celebration including birthdays”  http://www.ask.com/question/origin-of-birthday-celebrations

“Other birthday traditions, such as surrounding the birthday person, the singing of the happy birthday song, blowing out candles, and even playing such birthday games as “Pin-The-Tail-On-The-Donkey” were all associated with warding off evil spirits, guessing the future, and magic.” https://suite.io/valerie-williams/3jd524w

“Christianity: Medieval: Ordinary folk celebrated their saint’s day (the saint they were named after), but nobility celebrated the anniversary of their birth. The “Squire’s Tale,” one of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, opens as King Cambuskan proclaims a feast to celebrate his birthday.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday

In the past then only rich people had birthdays and many celebration items are pagan (just like Christmas, Easter and on and on).  I personally think that celebrating a person’s life at the day it started is a great thing…we common people have few days where we really feel important

Does Google do birthdays?

Plates Disney ($11) – Rockwell ($30)

McDonald Hotwheels 1994 BD greeting toy $4

Vintage cards $4-$6

Birthday angel figurines from $11 – 30  (other figurines from Smurfs –$10, Mickey Mouse $11 and Owls $19)

Clown snow globe $15

Precious moments vintage figurines $25 (Hobby Horse) to 1980 Lion ($30)

Suzy’s Zoo 1976 cup $11

AND THE MOST EXPENSIVE GIFT I FOUND:  An iPhone 4  for £15 million –…it’s encrusted with over 500 diamonds, gold plated and with a flawless 7.4 carat pink diamond.  

Victor Pinchuk, splashed out £4 million  party for his 50th birthday

CHECK-OUT:  http://www.prunderground.com/the-top-five-most-expensive-birthday-gifts-ever-and-the-party-to-go-with-them/006474/

THE best gift you can get is the love & good wishes of friends.

Had a great weekend.  Friday night meet up with a couple friends for a drink and gossip.  Sat was out and about for the Apopka Art and Foliage Festival, which was lots of fun.  Lunch stop and then some shopping and  instead of dinner, we cheated with drink and a dessert (chocolate) and ended up at Loch Haven for a free movie in the park.

Today is Kiss Your Mate Day: “… who could hate this day? Hmmm, well, maybe the singles (i.e. me), but you don’t have to have a special someone for this holiday. If you have a crush, (not me) today can be the day to surprise them and lay one on em’! It could be the start of something special…or, it could just freak them out, let’s start with confessing feelings instead and hope things move up from there, just to be safe.”  http://www.examiner.com/article/pucker-up-it-s-kiss-your-mate-day

Also:  “International Astronomy Day…is a day to look up to the stars.  It was established to promote astronomy to the general public. Astronomy clubs and groups use this day to help teach the people about the stars, and other celestial bodies in the universe. These groups take advantage of this day to offer people a view of the stars through a telescope, if possible.  olidayinsights.com/other/astronomyday.htm

and ” Great Poetry Reading Day…is in honor of some really great verse.  There’s lots of poetry out there. Some is good, and some is not so good. Today is intended to read the world’s greatest poetry. Celebrate today in any or all of the following ways:  Read poetry, hold a poetry reading hour or party, listen to poetry or  write your own poetry….someday it may be looked upon as great!”  http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/poetryreadingday.htm

Finally it’s National Blueberry Pie Day:  “Blueberries are one of a few berry species native to the Americas. Early Native Americans called them “star berries,” referring to the perfect five-pointed star visible at the blossom end of each tiny fruit.”
Read more: <a href=”http://www.food.com/food-holidays/blueberry-pie-day-0428?oc=linkback”>http://www.food.com/food-holidays/blueberry-pie-day-0428?oc=linkback</a>

Event:

1947 – Thor Heyerdahl and five crew mates set out from Peru on the Kon-Tiki to prove that Peruvian natives could have settled Polynesia.

Born

1947 – Christian Jacq, French historian and author

1947 – Nicola LeFanu, English composer

1947–oh yeah almost forgot:  ME.

Taurus born April 28th, your personality is defined by a determined and stable nature.  Few can match your strong willpower and determination. http://www.famousbirthdays.com/horoscope/april28.html

Getting older but much,  much better. Truth!!!

Yesterday was a no work, except Blog day.  Enjoyed lunch with Kate and discussed all her interesting changes.  Had Greek lunch and a lot of fun.  Stopped by Harbars Book Store (ran by my good friend Shelby—need a book, or a book on CD-go to Harbars)  and spent some time catching up.  Then had a drink at a local watering hole–my favorite waitress was off–she just got married–maybe there’s still hope for me having a date before I’m 89.  Was home by 8ish and catching up on my reading and face book.

Today is Anzac Day:  “… a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.”…. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, and Tonga.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day

As we’re doing featured books it must be Friday.  Today we’re back to Nora Roberts:   (http://www.noraroberts.com/aboutnora/bio.php)

PRIVATE SCANDALS,   Set in the world of TV talk show.  It deals with one ambitious young woman, her fiercest competition and someone with a dark obsession for her.  Deanna Reynolds is finally coming into her own after years of paying her dues, She is hosting her own show, has a hot man (an international star reporter) Finn Riley interested in her, but a rival’s revenge and a dark stalker’s obsession leads to frustration, fear and finally murder.    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/114151.Private_Scandals

So shall we see if there are any Scandalous Collectibles  Google will have all the gossip:

Scandal Satin Backstage Tour Concert Pass, Patty Smyth $8

Jersey Senator Harrison Williams Signed 8×10 After Abacm $10

1930s Big Lavin Scandal Perfume Bottle Very Artsy $22 (There’s a one with perfume in it–not as pretty bottle–for $149)

Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky Gold’n Bears Set $20

Nixon Impeachment Resignation Newspaper 1974 $25  (various papers on this subject up to $35)

60s PaperBack High School Scandal $36 (some as low as $15 but considering original price!)

Political Poster “Go Ollie ” Oliver North scandal  $50

Notes on a Scandal (2006)CD:  Memorabilia autographed by Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Andrew Simpson, Juno Temple, and Bill Nighy  $285

PSA Certified 1919 World Series Game 7 Ticket Stub Black Sox Scandal Framed $4,500  Isn’t it interesting that after all the scandals we have the biggest one seem to be this World Series thing.

Only a few more days of color outside the lines month….throw some  paint around this weekend! PLEASE

Got out of the house last night and met a friend for drinks.  Hadn’t seen her in awhile and it was nice to meet up.   Other than that it was a work day–unlike today cause after I finish this blog I’m running away from home—which will make my roomie happy.   We both have home businesses and I tend to interrupt when he’s busy.

TODAY  is Take Your Daughter and Son to Work Day.   Since I have no children this never impacted me except when the little angels scattered through the offices I was working at.

Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day is a …non-profit educational program in the United States and Canada that revolves around parents taking their children to work …It is the successor to Take Our Daughters To Work Day, which was expanded to include boys in 2003. It occurs on the fourth Thursday of April every year. ” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Our_Daughters_and_Sons_to_Work_Day

Completed the last class in my introduction to business Tues. night and picked up a sandwich before.  Was a class on legal and the best one of the seven.  Now I’m back to work AGAIN.

Happy birthday to Will (Shakespeare ) who we think (no body knows nothin’ about this guy) was born 450 years ago today.

Also Happy Administrative Assistants Day

It’s also St. George’s Day—so for the girl (old lady) who has been to London 3 times and is planning her fourth, I see another excuse for a Brit themed day.

“Saint George’s Day is the feast day of Saint George and the National Day for England. St. George’s Day is not an official national holiday in England or the UK.  Saint George’s Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George’s death in AD 303.”  (In other words, like Will we’re really not sure)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George’s_Day

St George was…a Roman soldier who protested against the Romans’ torture of Christians and died for his beliefs. The popularity of St George in England stems from the time of the early Crusades when it is said that the Normans saw him in a vision and were victorious.  http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/stgeorge.html

OK it’s a holiday that isn’t.   George, often shown in armor,  wasn’t a knight and as a Roman soldier probably never rode a horse so there goes that  image.

Most important he was a Roman (not Brit, in fact according to all the sources I’ve read he never set foot in any part of the UK).

And he was seen in a vision of a Norman–who in fact were French (probably with a lot of Viking as the word Norman refers to Norse origins) and who in 1066 invaded England and took over its government for many years, with French being the language of the court for “English” king.

I love the Brits, but sometimes I just don’t understand where they’re coming from.

St. Georges—go check your closets while I check Google’s

Russian Lacquer Box  $85

and Dragon Religious Icon  $495

Hand painted tempera –this is one of the few without a dragon.  $500

Anri Italy Carved Wood Slaying Dragon   $785

Forgot the dragon:   ” this tale as an allegory rather than a legend;… Saint George representing Christianity and the dragon as paganism, this shows us how good triumphs over evil. ”  (apologize to any pagans out there not my opinion) http://www.sossi.org/saint/stlegend.htm’

TO BE OR NOT TO BE — I THINK I’LL BE

So many things going through my mind today and my mood much improved with the re-appearance of the SUN. Yesterday was a day in the house working on my business. Spent most of it alone..my roomie isn’t a home body. Got all my work done by 2 and then started working on novel, trip plans (Texas this year England in two more) and the like.

TODAY IS EARTH DAY.

“The height of hippie and flower-child culture in the United States, 1970 brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Protest was the order of the day, but saving the planet was not the cause. War raged in Vietnam, and students nationwide increasingly opposed it.

“At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news. Although mainstream America remained oblivious to environmental concerns, the stage had been set for change by the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment for the modern environmental movement, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries and, up until that moment, more than any other person, Ms. Carson raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and public health.

“Earth Day 1970 capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center.” http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement

“Earth Day is usually celebrated with acts of service to earth. Typical ways of observing Earth Day include planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting various programs for recycling and conservation, using recyclable containers for snacks and lunches” http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/earth-day

And thus today was born—what have you done for your planet lately? Check this out http://www.50waystohelp.com/. PLEASE.

And earth collectibles? Google Green?

Original Save The Earth Poster Early 70’s Conservation $10

MetLife Save Our Planet Snoopy Plush Toy $13

Earthtimes 2, May, 1970, Superman Hates Smog magazine $25

Jumbo Disney Pin with multiple cartoon characters $30 (there’s ones with just Bambi or Jiminey Cricket for $10)

Paul McCartney Earth Day 1993 Concert T Shirt $400

A green, secure earth—PRICELESS

LIFE  IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT—IF IT’S BORING WHO’S FAULT IS THAT?
Only you can make your life worthwhile–it’s your most important undertaking.

Good morning. Monday, Monday–weekend was fine (EXCEPT FOR THE LONG TERM CLOUDINESS WHICH DON’T STOP). Friday back to my favorite watering hole where I got to say bye to Ben–gonna miss my favorite writer. Saturday was nails, and shopping for some walking shoes then watching TV and cheating on diet with my best friend. Sunday was an airport pick up so I kept busy.

TODAY IS EASTER MONDAY: “In Australia, Easter Monday is a public holiday. People enjoy outdoor sporting events…In the Republic of Ireland it is a day of remembrance for the men and women who died in the Easter Rising which began on Easter Monday 1916…In Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic traditionally, early in the morning boys awake girls by pouring a bucket of water on their head and striking them about the legs with long thin twigs or switches made from willow, birch or decorated tree branches…” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Monday There are lots more but I thought this cross section would give you an idea.

Also today as I write this they are getting ready to start the Boston Marathon.

What: 118th Boston Marathon
Where: From Hopkinton, MA, to Boston (26.2 miles)
When: Monday, April 21, 2014 race begins at 10:00 A.M., with earlier starts for the mobility impaired
Like last year, there will be three waves releasing the rest of the field
Organizers are expecting 36,000 runners in 2014, 9,000 more than usual. One reason for the increase is that the 5,633 runners who were not able to finish the 2013 marathon because of the bombings have been guaranteed entry… Also, several runners are participating as part of fundraising efforts for victims in last year’s bombing.
New for 2014
The amount of spectators lining the course is also expected to double in 2014.
Boston Marathon Fact Sheet | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/marathon.html#ixzz2zWooOcuk

So today let’s look at Patriotic collector items.
I didn’t find anything specific to my collection–so its on to the Google

USS RONALD REAGAN Cobalt Blue Honorable Navy Mug 1976 $16

Peanuts Linus Wood And Brass Plaque American Flag $30

Lots of figurines from 1970 Betsy Ross Sewing American Flag ($45) to Josef Originals July 4th Patriotic Bell Porcelain ($65)

Patriotic Needlepoint Embroidery-48 Star Flag $92

American Eagle statue, bronze, brass $115

6 Patriotic Order Sons of America(New Jersey ) Badges $200

Uncle Sam’s Story World Antique Book Victorian $1,913

Francis Scott Key 4th Of July Revolutionary War Antique Oration.
LESS THAN TEN (10) KNOWN TO EXIST!!! $5,500

It’s not always right–but neither am I—I’m Still proud to be an American

It’s so damp here that you could drown breathing the air. Yesterday was a real confinement day as roomie had the Camero out working (yeah sure) till LATE.

It’s Friday book day and we’re back to the dragons (this is–so far) the last triology. It’s the light dragons and features the dragon who has been the baddie in the previous 6 books and his lady love, who thinks she’s human but maybe she’s not—after all what are all those vivid dreams about ancient times and the fact that she goes into a fruge state once a year and can turn objects into gold for a short period during that time. There’s the fact that she can’t remember more than a few months of her current life not even her marriage to a demanding, oppressive husband with his live-in sister. On top of all that now this man with a great tat shows up and informs her she’s his mate or at least was in a former life and not only is she a dragon but a cougar. And that’s just the first couple chapters. LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS (Katie MacAlister) http://katiemacalister.com/books/love-in-the-time-of-dragons/
It’s my favorite so far in the series.

Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year.

Households spend $131 on Easter each year, $14.7 billion in total.

After Halloween, Easter is the biggest candy consuming holiday. 120 million pounds of candy each year (over 16 million jellybeans)

76% of people eat the ears on chocolate bunnies (90 million purchased yearly) first.

Half of the states in the United States have banned the practice of dyeing chicks. However, Florida recently overturned the 45-year-old law of preventing the dyeing of animals–(living in Florida never fails to embarrass me).

The White House hosts an Easter Egg Roll on the front lawn each year. This tradition was started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878.
https://www.dosomething.org/blog/11-facts-about-easter

The modern English term Easter developed from the Old English word Ēastre or Ēostre. This is held to have originally referred to an Anglo-Saxon goddess, Ēostre,…dawn goddess. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter

More Easter (no eggs or bunnies)

Easter Crystal Glass Trinket Box Avon $10

Plastic Easter Chick Candy Container $14 and going up to $25 for every possible position, color, and use for a Easter chick

Easter Micky Mouse $20

Vintage Easter Basket $24

1999 Happy Easter Collectible .999 Silver Bar $60

1983 Easter Boy with Lamb $135

Vintage Easter Chick Majolica $250

Don’t just break the rules, transend them.

It’s Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries), weird like that guy who says My name is … but you can call me… Did a trip to the airport yesterday to drop off a friend and stopped for dinner on the way home (pizza and Karaoke–not me them).

Since it’s so close Easter I thought I’d look into some of those trademarks for the day like bunnies and eggs.

“Rabbits have been associated with springtime since ancient times. It is believed that the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring, Eostre had a hare as her companion. The hare symbolises fertility and rebirth. Later Christians changed the symbol of the hare to the Easter bunny. The tradition is that the Easter bunny leaves…eggs on Easter…. Parents hide eggs in the garden and the children go on an egg hunt to find them.” http://www.topmarks.co.uk/easter/easterbunny.aspx OK so we go from fertile symbols to rebirth of Christ. Interesting.

“The precise origin of the ancient custom of decorating eggs is not known, although evidently the blooming of many flowers in spring coincides with the use of the fertility symbol of eggs—and eggs boiled with some flowers change their color, bringing the spring into the homes…Christians…Eastern Orthodox Church to this day…dye their Easter eggs red, the color of blood…recognition of the blood of …Christ (and, of the renewal of life in springtime)…. The Ukrainian art of decorating eggs for Easter, known as pysanky, dates to ancient, pre-Christian times. Similar variants of this form of artwork is seen amongst other…European cultures…Eggs were forbidden to Christians during the fast of Lent, which was the reason for the abundance of eggs at Easter time.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Bunny Practical thinking there.

I don’t believe I have any Easter bunnies nor eggs but Google?

5 Yd Vintage Easter Egg Bunny Rabbit Gift Wrap $11

Easter Egg Bunny Musical Water Globe $15

Easter Bunny Basket Cup Mug Japan $18

Kd Bunny In Egg 10″ $23

White Wicker Easter Basket Floral …$45

Brody Easter Bunny Rabbit Egg Wagon $99

8 Vintage Easter Egg Candy Container Paper Mache Bunny Rabbit Tin … $100

Extremely Rare Old Germany Embossed Easter Diecut – Mom Rabbit $325

OH AND THE TOP EGG: Fabergé. The most expensive egg made for the Czar was the “Winter Egg of 1913. The Winter Egg…in 1994…it was acquired anonymously at public auction… for the record price of $5.5 million dollars. http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/faberge/flevel_2/flevel2_after_cost.html

EAT AN EGG, PET A BUNNY…ENJOY THE FERTILE TRADITIONS