FRIDAY AND WITH IT MY WEEKLY BOOK NOTES ARE BACK;  This week I am into the 3rd of the Mistress of the Art of Death series (there are four  http://www.goodreads.com/series/44043-mistress-of-the-art-of-death ) by Ariana Franklin.  In this one heroine Adelia Aguilar a woman doctor living in Henry II’s England is sent to Glastonbury Abbey by the King to prove King Arthur is dead (and not according to legend just sleeping awaiting a call to free the people from opression like Henry who is in the line of invader Norman’s Kings) to help him stamp out ongoing rebellion.  But there is a fire and two bodies found, who are the victims and since the church is involved the Bishop is in attendance as well and our Adelia (who must deal with prejudices (against women doctors) and superstitions  (against just about everything else) must then also deal with the Bishop of St. Albans, the father of her daughter and a man she still loves despite his taking the vows of the church.  The history in the book is fantastic, trumped only by the characters and of course the mystery all blended in a plot that kept me glued to the pages

One more May involving note (not a day–I promised yesterday no more):  Americans will consume more than 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  That’s more than 20 hot dogs per person, or about one and a half hot dogs per week.

Hot dog type eats have been around for a long time:  “Sausage is one of the oldest forms of processed food, having been mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey as far back as the 9th Century B.C.”  http://www.hot-dog.org/ht/d/sp/i/38594/pid/38594

“The sausages were culturally imported from Germany… and popularized in the United States. Hot dog preparation and condiment styles also vary regionally across the United States.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dogVintage 

SO HOW DOES GOOGLE SERVE UP IT’S DOG COLLECTIBLES–HOT DOG THAT IS:

Hallmark Hot Dog Valentine Card  $7

 Play Hot Dog Oscar Mayer $10

Retro Hot Dogs Always Hot & Fresh  Metal Sign  $11 (multiple types up to $40)

Exterior Store Light Advertising Sign Hot Dogs Coffee  $185

Frankie The Keener Wiener Cloth Doll Nip Superior Hot Dogs … $196

“World’s most expensive hot dog: New York’s 230 Fifth’s… $2,300 creation made out of 60-day-aged wagyu and topped with Vidalia onions caramelized in Dom Perignon, sauerkraut braised in Cristal, and caviar”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2332554/Worlds-expensive-hot-dog-2-300-nearly-long-baseball-bat-New-Yorks-230-Fifth.html#ixzz33CqmsQOu     No Fries?

“Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something entirely pointless. ”

This is the last May Day I promise.  May 14th was Dance Like A Chicken Day.  I just knew you wouldn’t forgive me if I missed this one.  My first question is how do chickens dance?    My research found that Chickens have nothing to do with it:  “The “Chicken Dance,” also known as the Birdie Song, is an oom-pah song and its associated fad dance is now a contemporary dance throughout the Western world. The song was composed by accordion (Handharmonika) player Werner Thomas from Davos, Switzerland, in the 1950s.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_Dance     But that got me wandering about other ah….unusual “Fad” dances.

There’s  the Bunny Hop (1950’s) and was from a song by Ray Anthony’s Big band sound.  ” The dance is a variation on a conga line. Participants dance in a line, holding on to the hips of the person in front of them. They tap the floor two times with their right foot, then with their left foot, then they hop forwards, backwards, and finally three hops forward to finish the sequence, which continues throughout the tune. The first person in the line leads the group around the floor.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_hop_(dance)

The 1930’s had a Grind Snake dance which appears from what I read to be a bit on the sexy side.  It is not to be confused with dances where scantily dressed women move about with large snakes wrapped about  necks.

And the 60’s added food to the mix with :  “The Mashed Potato…a dance move which was a popular dance craze of 1962. It was danced to songs such as Dee Dee Sharp’s Mashed Potato Time….the move vaguely resembles that of the twist, by…Chubby Checker.”  http://www.the60sofficialsite.com/Dance_Crazes_of_the_60s.html

My favorite (2009) Jamaican dance The Dagger, where one partner laid on the floor and the partner jumped from height on top (among other moves).  It was actually banned by the Jamaican Government.  Can you say pelvic injuries.

So shall we collect the dance…my first dance to Google:

Chubby Checker Your TWIST Party vinyl 33 LP $4

Fame Rock N Roll World Vinyl Record LP 1983 TV Show   $13

Feedsack “novelty” \ballet Dancer” 100% Cotton Quilt  $20

Button Face Dancer Original Postcard  $27

CASTLE FAIRIES GHOST Pagan Dance Fire Magic Victorian era Engraving  $36

Banjara Kuchi Tribal Rare Belly Dance Vintage Gypsy Chain  $40

My nominee for most famous dancer:  Salome, who danced for her father King Herrod —her prize  John the Baptist’s head.

Dance for joy and enjoyment, skill’s not important.

Did you know that there was another Memorial Day in May–this one on the 9th:  LOST SOCK MEMORIAL DAY.   This day was made to remember that other sock that disappeared in the Laundry Room Triangle going from the washer, to the  dryer and the sock drawer never to be seen again.  A small comfort for the sock’s owner, the laundress and the survivor of the pair(it is very rare for both socks to disappear).

I know you’re shaking your head and saying where do all these holidays come from?  Well it seems that “The President of the United States has the authority to declare a commemorative event or day by proclamation. Fewer than 150 are granted in an average year across all categories. ”  http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/food-holidays.asp

For instance:

“Petitions are introduced by constituents, trade associations or public relations firms to honor industries, events, professions,  hobbies, etc. The Senate issue commemorative resolutions which do not have the force of law. Some state legislatures and governors proclaim special observance days, as do mayors of cities, which is why there can be a National Chocolate Day and a National Chocolate Month, as well as two National Guacamole Days—authorized at different levels of government. After the observance day has been authorized, it is up to the petitioner to promote it to the public.”  http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/food-holidays.asp#proclaimed

Some others:

January 22nd:  Answer your Cat’s Questions Day

February:  Return Shopping Carts Month

March 1:  National Pig Day

June 2: Yell “Fudge” at Cobras Day

Couldn’t find a Google Day but Google found some weird memorials:

RARE Drunken Pig Figurine – Funny Birthday …$11

August:  Happiness Happens Month

Merck Family’s Old World Christmas 26038 Haunted House  $15

September 1:  Chicken Boy Day

Santa Pickle Ornament  Christmas  $16

October 11:  Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day

Holidays and Other Weird Events [Book]  $22

November 30:  Call in Well Day

Beistle early Die-cut Halloween Jug Man  $50

December 21:  Humbug Day

Grateful Dead Concert T-shirt  New Years Eve 1991 … $120

1890’s Photo of Fort Belknap, Montana Indian July 4th Dance  $150

Old, Nodder Style Candy Container – Rabbit Riding a Motorcycle Easter $250

My Birthday 4/28 is Kiss Your Mate Day

“The holiest of holidays are those kept by ourselves in silence and apart; The secret anniversaries of the heart.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

According to a calendar my roomie has this event 5/9/1864  on  that date a Union Major General: John Sedgwick (“… was…a career military officer”, … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sedgwick). told his men he was ashamed of them for hiding from occasional Confederate fire stating “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.”  Very soon after that he was proven wrong when a sharpshooter using a Whitworth (“The Whitworth rifle was, arguably, the first long-range sniper rifle in military history. This innovative rifle was designed by Sir Joseph Whitworth, a famed British engineer…” http://www.americancivilwarstory.com/whitworth-rifle.html)  rifle killed him with a shot of about 500 yards.  (He was the highest ranking Union casualty in the Civil War, killed….at Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.” op Ed)

More interesting last words:

Saki (“Hector Hugh Munro (18 December 1870 – 13 November 1916), … pen name Saki… a British writer whose witty, mischievous and sometimes macabre stories satirized Edwardian society and culture. He is considered a master of the short story…” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saki) told a fellow soldier in the trenches in WWI to put out his cigarette, fearing that the smoke might betray their position.  He was killed moments later by a German sniper who located him when he spoke.

Jackie Kennedy testified (1964) that just before he (her husband President John Kennedy) was killed by an assassin’s bullet while riding in an open car Governor Connally’s wife Nellie stated that he couldn’t say the people of Dallas haven’t given you a nice welcome. His reply:  “No, you certainly can’t” (” Since it was no longer raining, the plastic bubble top had been left off. …The procession left the airport and traveled along a ten-mile route that wound through downtown Dallas…at Dealey Plaza around 12:30 p.m. As it was passing the Texas School Book Repository, …Bullets struck the president’s neck and head… The governor was also hit in the chest.”http://dying.about.com/od/reviews/fl/Famous-Last-Words-Ironic-Comments.htm )

SO I know now you’re saying what collectibles?  OK Google let’s do Ironic ones

1970s Commemorative Richard Nixon Presidential Plate – Antihero … $12

Vintage Vanguard Transistor 6 Radio Red Broken “unbreakable Case” …$22

Gargoyle-as I Was Saying-gesture-sarcasm-irony-humurous-gothic  $23

Vintage 1980 Christopher Reeve Superman Ii/2 Dc Universe Comic …  $40

Bottomless Cocktail: The Art of Shag [Book]  $65

Aluminum Swatch Man’s Watches , Rare Irony Model Swiss  $85

Monopoly Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Collectors Etd  $159

Book by Barton The Most Ironic Story in American History (story of Lumbee Indians N.C.) 1967  $750

“Don’t worry, it’s not loaded.”  Kath (Band Chicago) just before firing the gun  into his head.

free ride when you’ve already paid

In America we live fast and spend our time on line writing down every minute of our usually unremarkable days.  Our friends glance, hide or stop following us and move on with little or no remembrance of what we wrote -we’re lucky we remember our own history, let alone anyone else’s.   So it’s Memorial Day so what—except its a day most of us have off.  We fail to understand that without the men and women who served and gave their lives before we would not have the privilege “living” on social media now.  We cannot allow ourselves to forget our past or we will loose our future.

“Scholarship… indicated that in 1865 recently freed slaves in Charleston, SC reinterred dead Union prisoners of war from a mass grave to individual graves as a sign of respect. (and)… returned three years later to decorate the graves in remembrance.”  http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/socialeffectsofwar/p/memorialday.htm

“Waterloo, New York,  (sometime called)… official birthplace of Memorial Day…. first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—…because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.”  http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

“Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared ….should be observed on May 30. ..believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.”   http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp?utm_source=3birds&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=AUBURNVW_Fun+Facts+About+Memorial+Day

“It is now celebrated in almost every state on the last Monday in May with Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971…. This helped ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays, though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19th in Texas; April 26th in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10th in South Carolina; and June 3rd (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.”  http://www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2

“Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with…a small American flag… placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  About 5,000 people attend the ceremony….”  http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/memorial-day/history/

“There are only two ways to live your life.  One is though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.”                   Albert Einstein

Running late due to computer issues.  What a pain.  Nothing happening here.  Yesterday just caught up on some stuff, unpacked and generally continued to get back in the you’re home now so deal with it mode.

Since it’s Friday I’m on the book thing again:  Legends of Texas Vol I: Lost Mines and Buried Treasure by J. Frank Dobie  is a new book that was taken from Dobie’s LEGENDS OF TEXAS (1924) and represents some of the enduring tales that have embellished Texas history for years.  Dobie  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Frank_Dobie) considered by some to be one of the West’s greatest historians goes into some depth in bringing the reader tales of old Texas and its rich history.   (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1009390.Legends_of_Texas_V_1)  This book is full of first person accounts, histories and legends of the multiple “treasures and treasure sites” in the Lone Star State.  It goes into great detail and even directions on finding the lost or allegedly lost  gold, silver and more in various locations.

Before I went on vacation to Texas someone questioned me as to WHY I was going there.  So let me tell you.  Texas isn’t what most people seem to think and though it does have cowboy–actually its kinda nice to have a stetson tipped my way with a smile and a “Mornin’ Mame” addressed to me rather than the usual ignore I get in Florida.

Besides that there’s so much more:  Galveston with its beautiful old houses, busy sea port and hospitality that beats even the deep south.   San Anton with its River Walk full of lovely shops, hotels and restaurant and yet still managing to look fresh, stylish  and inviting.  Montgomery (north of Huston) with its antique, gift and other shops, memorial and history parks.  The hill country with its rolling vistas and wineries everywhere.  There are towns and areas that were settled by Germans (Fredricksburg) to name just one of the many nationalities.  All still showing pride in their roots and Texas at the same time.  So don’t ask me why—I am asking you why not.

Can’t forget my collectibles:

What’s hot?:  Baer, Widdicomb, and other traditional furniture made in the ’50’s – ’80’s is wanted by those in traditional houses.

Tip:  Don’t wash ivory.  The yellow color is preferred and white ivory sells for a much lower price.

Up and coming:  Arts and Crafts copper items, cigar boxes and can labels

HAVE A GREAT LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

First day back involved a lot of lying around and getting use to being home again.  Got hair done in the evening and home late—but it’s back to regular business on Tues.

Did you realize that Batman was 75 years old this month (May 1939).  He first appeared in an issue of Detective Comics (an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937…It is the source of its publishing company’s name and with Action Comics, the comic book  launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium‘s signature series. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_Comics).  and has been going strong ever since.

“A family outing to the cinema ended in tragedy for young Bruce Wayne. Walking homeward, Bruce, his father, Thomas, and mother, Martha, accidentally ventured into Gotham City’s notorious “Crime Alley” and were accosted by a mugger. …- shot Dr. Thomas and Martha Wayne dead before fleeing into the darkness. As he knelt beside his parent’s bodies, Bruce swore to avenge them. After the police arrived, Bruce was comforted by Dr. Leslie Thompkins.  Dr. Thompkins and Alfred Pennyworth helped arrange matters so that Gotham’s Social Services would not take Bruce into care. ..enabled Bruce to realize his dream of becoming a crusader against crime.”  http://www.superherostuff.com/biographies/batman_biography.html

When the Caped Crusader made his debut…(he) had neither sidekick nor gadget belt and he drove around in a bright red sedan. Yet…was fierce — showing no remorse when tossing an evildoer into a vat of acid.

“… creator Bob Kane wanted to try out Robin in one issue, but Bat-editor Jack Liebowitz was against the idea of having a kid fighting gangsters, because “Batman was doing well enough by himself.” But …with Robin in it, the issue sold double what the issues with just Batman had sold…. Batman Unmasked: Analyzing a Cultural Icon by Will Brooker.

“(and) Batman hasn’t been above scandals:  “One…account claimed that Batman and Robin were a depiction of a gay couple. … many think this claim is what inspired writers to make Batman (or… Bruce Wayne) a shameless womanizer…”  http://listverse.com/2011/08/22/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-batman/  

So Google put up the signal: find what your Batman might be worth.

1964 Bat Logo Pin  $8

1982 lunchbox/thermos  $15

 Record Super Heroes Christmas Stories  $24

1991 Snapback Hat $25

Batman The Movie 132 Trading Cards – 1989  $25 – $30

Comic  books range from $50 – $200

1966 Felt Pennant  $75

Danbury Mint1960s Batmobile Toy Die Cast $350

1960’s Batmobile Coin Operated Ride  $2,000

And my favorite: an original comic book sold for more than $1 million in 2010.

HOLY HOLIDAY WEEKEND TOMORROW’S FRIDAY

Am home again.  I had a great trip, no problems except a misplaced book which I located.  Thanks to my friends in Texas who put up with me (not to mentioned entertained this energizer bunny) for 2 weeks.  It was such a great vacation and I was able to market myself and get a wonderful lady to agree to feature some of her original jewelry when I start selling on line and eventually in my store.  That’s one of her pieces on the picture today.

Did you know that 100 years ago today 5/21/14 Greyhound Bus Company got started with a Hupmobile (The Hupmobile was an automobile built from 1909 through 1940 by the Hupp Motor Company, which was located at 345 Bellevue Avenue in Detroit,Michigan.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hupmobile) car which transported iron miners in Minnesota between Hibbing ( The city was built on the rich iron ore of the Mesabi Iron Range. At the edge of town is the largest open-pit iron mine in the world, the Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibbing,_Minnesota) and Alice (the Village of Hibbing relocated immediately south of Alice and then annexed Alice in 1920. Hibbing remained a village until 1979 when  the Town of Stuntz was annexed. An Article of Incorporation was filed in July 1979 with the state and Hibbing became a city from that action in January 1980. op ed).  The trip (both ways) cost 15 cents.

“Now, 100 years later, Greyhound serves more than 3,800 destinations and reigns as North America’s largest intercity bus operator.

“Along the way, it introduced a number of innovations, including the first rear-mounted engine and belly compartment for luggage (1936); on-board air-conditioning and washrooms (late 1930s);  and express service (1950s), according to the company timeline.

“To celebrate the centennial, Greyhound has converted two buses into mobile museums and is sending them on tour across the country, along with a vintage fleet of buses.”  (to see what cities and when check out www.greyhound.com/tour) \http://www.mercurynews.com/eat-drink-play/ci_25799870/greyhound-at-100-japan-u-s-baseball-exhibit

I took a cross country trip on a big bus, was only 19 and loved it–in the 60s.  Don’t know if I could do it again now that I’m in my late 20’s (ha ha).

GOOGLE do we have any Greyhounds:

Post Cards of various Greyhound stations are about $15 each

Antique Plastic Bachmann Bus Set $16 -$35 for a Matchbox Greyhound Bus 1967  (vintage model kits also $35) (other models range from $10 – $47)

10k Gold Greyhound Bus Service Award 4 Year Pin $75

Greyhound Bus Hooded zippered Parka  $98

KEEP TRUCKIN’ OR MAYBE I SHOULD SAY BUSSING

Another fun day in the Lone Star State.  We did a little shopping, had lunch by the lake and visited a elderly friend in her new home.  Drank chocolate wine and watched Dancing with the Stars to seal the evening off.    Just a great day with friends who are very much like family.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”  Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross; circa 1822 – March 10, 1913) was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made about thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved family and friends,^[1] using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.  She later helped John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry, and in the post-war era struggled for women’s suffrage. ”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman

“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say; I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.“

“Tubman had made the perilous trip to slave country 19 times by 1860, including one especially challenging journey in which she rescued her 70-year-old parents. Of the famed heroine, who became known as “Moses,” Frederick Douglass said, “Excepting John Brown — of sacred memory — I know of no one who has willingly encountered more perils and hardships to serve our enslaved people than [Harriet Tubman].”

“I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.”

“Lord, I’m going to hold steady on to You and You’ve got to see me through.” Harriet Tubman

Google find us some historical African-American Collectibles:

Eighties Handmade  Carribean Black Doll … $18

Resin rural African American couple shelf sitters $26

My First Barbie African American Doll Ballerina $28

VERY RARE  African American Beautiful Lady figurine $85

Vintage Alex Haley “Remembers Collection” Figurines From $150 – $200

“I grew up like a neglected weed – ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.”

SHE DID OVERCOME!

Please have a wonderful day.

OK still in Texas and had a great weekend.  Friday we did some stops around Montgomery, Sat we just took a chill day–watched a movie Now You See Me—excellent adventure  http://www.nowyouseememovie.com/   and yesterday we went to a Cowboy Church, then had a great breakfast at Montgomery Steak House  and in the evening went to a local winery where they have entertainment outside–you bring food, tables, chairs and buy the wine there.  Last night it was the Fab Five, a group that does the Beatles and other songs from the era.  The place was really full, lots of people dancing and lots of wine drank—Groovey   http://www.thefab5.net/index1.htm

Read about this really neat hotel in Sweden.  It’s located near Harads (from what I read it’s in the north—the town and Sweden).  The Treehotel ( http://www.treehotel.se/) and it has five room that are actually hanging from tree branches .

I pulled up the site http://www.treehotel.se/?pg=rooms  ” A total of 8-10 rooms have been planned for the forest area around Harads. Right now we offer five unique treerooms, built in 2010 and designed by some of Scandinavia’s leading architects. More rooms will be completed in 2013. In addition to the five tree rooms there is also a tree sauna for up to twelve people, situated among the centuries-old pines.”

This is their description of one of the rooms:  “The Bird’s nest is built on the contrasts between the outside and inside. The tree room ’s exterior is nothing but a gigantic bird’s nest. . The interior…a spacious environment where a family with two children can comfortably spread out. The walls are…wood panels and the windows almost disappear in the exterior’s network of branches….has separate bedrooms, bathroom, and living area. You enter… with the help of a retractable staircase.”  Cost is $4,936.46  for two (children under 12 free) there’s no TV but it does include a breakfast buffet.

Google has some cheaper Swedish collectibles

Orange dove figurine by Deco Bird $15

Rolf LIdberg figurine  Troll, Fishing  $23

DOLL 1989 National Docka  $25

6″ Dala Horse – Nils Olsson Folk Art – $50 (up to $875 for Vintage Dala 20″ Black Dala Horse)

Telegrafverket Desk Phone. Metal Bottom Bakelite Rece $90

A fancy  silver tea strainer circa 1851.  $119

 Antique Map Chiquet 1719   $150  (various others similar $60 – $85)

 Hand painted Chippy Paint Side Table  $225

Rare Swedish copper coin minted Avesta, in 1788 but dated 1764  estimated worth $129,499

What’s in your closet?

Har en stor Måndag

All prices include a buffet breakfast. All prices are in Swedish Kronor and include VAT. The Bird´s Nest.