Good Morning.  Did a Charlie Chan Movie and Chinese Dinner last night.  Was a nice evening.   Still chilly here but warming up this afternoon.

THIS ISN’T NICE

IT’S HOT……………………………………………………………..

Is it April yet???  No OK I’m back to hibernating.

Doing a collectible day:

Looking at furniture that might be lying around that you might find could be extra cash and not trash.

Bryght Brown Leather Mid-Century Modern Sofa

$1,799.00

According to Kovels (Dec. 2014) 50’s Scandinavian furniture is becoming popular again (gee who knew?).

Innovation USA Old School Chesterfield Sofa Bed –

$1,385.00

Evidentially in the mid 20th century—around the 50s/60s  there was a lot of furniture designed with a Scandinavian influence.

Currey and Company 1300 Granello Silver Leaf / Antique Mirror 

Silver / Antique Mirror – 30″ Diameter $740

$1,120.00

Scandinavian Design is known for “spare, striking designs

Hooker Furniture Three Drawer Antique Mirrored Chest 

$1,199.99

 Scandinavian midcentury furniture (you might remember it being called “Danish Modern”) usually featured oil-finished and lightweight wood like teak, beech or birch.

 

 3 Drawer Nightstand –

$539.00

 

 If yours is labeled or marked with the manufacturer the price is likely to be better.

FINN JUHL ROCKING CHAIR               SOLD AT AUCTION (Beech frame:  upholstery and cushions replaced) unmarked for $813.  Finn Juhl (1920 – 2006) Denmark.  His works were among the first Scandinavian designs to be shown in the US.

SILKEBOG CABINET     Sold at auction (remnants of label) for $2,125.   Teak, tambour door, Denmark 1970’s.

 HANS WEGNER LOUNGE CHAIR AND OTTOMAN     Sold at auction $4, 888.  Teak, adjustable back, original fins and cushions.  Getama, Denmark.  Hans Wegner (1914-2007) Dane who is considered one of the best Danish designers of all time.

Auction figures are from Cottone Auctions—Geneseo, NY and Rago Arts & Auction Center—Lambertville,  NJ    September 2014.

SPECIAL ITEM OF THE WEEK:

GERMAN ALL-BISQUE “FRENCH WRESTLER,” DOLL  ca. 1885  estimated value $4,000 – $5,000     This is a German made doll but made for the French market.  It is call a “wrestler” because of it’s robust appearance.  The hair is actually real human hair.   Note the feathered eyebrows and flushed cheeks as well a chubby legs.

RECYCLE IDEA:

This is a bird bath made of tea pots but other items such as punch bowl mounted (glued) on studier bases is just one other idea that can make a unique and attractive addition to yards and gardens.    The above is from http://www.morenascorner.com/2013/07/diy-tea-pot-bird-bath.html  but I’m sure there’s lots of other places that can get you started on your own projects using what you have in the garage or attack, or sending you to Goodwill for something usable but affordable.

“A lady, without a family, was the very best preserver of furniture in the world.”
― Jane Austen, Persuasion

HELP  its in the high 30’s low 40’s here and I am to say the least COLD…COLD….COLD

WARM UP TIME

OUTLANDER won a People’s Choice Award last night.

TODAY WE’RE OFF TO THE KEYS AGAIN:

BIG COPPITT:

According to PLACES IN THE SUN (Bloodworth & Morris) it’s original name Big Carpet  but due to northerners who had problems with the accent it became Big Coppitt.   It seems a strange name for an island big carpet and the book couldn’t explain why the original naming.   But on further inspections I found this explanation in Wikipedia which seems more likely:  “The name is said to be a derivation of the old English word “coppice”, meaning thicket.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Coppitt_Key,_Florida

The town is close to neighboring islands of Geiger Key and Shark Key in the lower Florida Keys. Big Coppitt Key is located just 5 miles from the Naval Air Station Key West and offers a quiet, laid-back community in which to live and work.

Now from experience I know that Big Coppitt is not a major player in looks or thing to do and most of my experience is driving through it on the way to Key West.  This was reinforced by the fact that  when I looked in my library on Florida, none of the books had anything about it.  And since I’ve been doing this kind a feature that’s the first time that ever happened.

I know it’s another residential area with lots of nice waterfront homes with a population somewhere in the 2,000+ region.

and it’s home to BOBALU’S SOUTHERN CAFE                                                301 US Hwy 1,   (MM 10 Bayside)  (305) 296-1664                           which features pizza and “Southern” items–what ever that is.

It was supposedly the location of Happy Jack’s plantation in 1855 but I could not found out exactly who this Jack was, why he was happy or what—if anything the plantation grew.

The Island does have a Fire Rescue and a Circle K —but it mostly is a place to rent a home short term for a little get away place on the water when you’re vacationing or better yet relocating to the area.

Oh and the Island is in the news today as a commercial fish dealer who took a deal to testify against two brothers in an illegal spiny lobster harvesting case is missing (since Tuesday night).  The Coast Guard found his boat adrift with the keys in the ignition.    According to the Key West Citizen.

So you probably won’t be spending a lot of time there (oh and the mailing address is Key West) but at least you’ll know a little about it as you pass through.

Islands are natural workshops of evolution.  Richard Dawkins

Good day sunshine–tonight is to be cold.  Today is shopping and mailing and all things routine and non-exciting.

OK=====CHECK OUT THAT STORE—-SEE “STORE” LISTING ABOVE

Here’s to:

Sam (who is very exciting)

Sam Heughan has teamed up with Fight Camp Glasgow’s John Valbonesi and Bear Strength Clothing to create My Peak Challenge

I still miss Jamie—April will be here soon I know it.

“I stood still, vision blurring, and in that moment, I heard my heart break. It was a small, clean sound, like the snapping of a flower’s stem.”   ― Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber

CHECK OUT MY OTHER STORES—NEW ITEMS ADDED YESTERDAY:    https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

I thought today we’d look at some crazy facts about famous people that you might not know.

According to CURING HICCUPS WITH SMALL FIRES (Karl Shaw)  DAVID LIVINGSTON (OF Dr. Livingston I presume fame) took 73 books (180 lbs) with him on his trek across Africa.   His poor porters carried the for over 300 miles before he started discarding them until he only had a Bible left.   He by the way spent years in the country looking for the source of the Nile and trying to convert the natives to Christianity.  It is noted that he failed to find the first and only had one conversion (who reportedly later lapsed).    It seems his greatest fame is that he was “lost”  and eventually “found” by journalist Morton Stanley–which goes to prove that you can’t ever get away from the Paparazzi.  

There was another explorer at the time who outdid Livngston–ALEXANDER DEBAIZE (French Explorer) also in the late 18th century trekked across Africa with his porter carrying 24 umbrellas, two suits of armour and a portable organ.   I’m not even going to ask.

BELA LUGOSI the actor who according to THE VAMPIRE BOOK (J. Gordon Melton) is most identified with the image of Dracula was banned from his Hungarian homeland by politics and he emigrated to the US in the 1920s.  When he died in 1956 he was in mid production of Plan 8 from Outer Space and another actor was brought in–doing scenes with a vampire cape pulled over his face to fill in for Bela for the rest of (What is often referred to the worst of all time) the film.   He was buried in his Dracula Cape costume, but not as believed at his request—but according to Wikipedia—at his Son’s request.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_Lugosi

America was founded by MADOC THE SON OWEN GWYNEDD, (a Welsh prince) in the 12th century.  Madoc: an Essay on the Discovery of America by Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd in the Twelfth Century   This is all tied up with a resulting tribe of pale-Welsh Indians and is probably all mythical but I thought it was a fun additions…

Juan Ponce de Leon main goal in the 16th century discovery of Florida was to discover new lands for Spain.  But according to STRANGE FLORIDA (Charlie Carlson) his search for the waters that restored youth was inspired by Caribbean Indian legends.  It is believed that the Fountain of Youth name however was a Spanish invention.   There is no proof he found this treasure but in 1989  a secret society (or at last a man claiming he was from the society–so secret it could not be named) announced it had found the fountain in 1845 apparently in the St Augustine area.  But if they do know they have remained quiet as well as very secret. The fact that Florida has more fresh water springs than any other state probably has added to the confusion.

DANTE  ALIGHIERI died in 1321 leaving an incomplete manuscript of his DIVINE COMEDY.  But according to RIDER’S DIGEST STRANGE STORIES, AMAZING FACTS,  after much searching without finding the papers his son Jacopo dreamed of his  father and asked him about the manuscript.  The dream father indicated the poem was completed and showed him where it was.  With a lawyer as a witness he went to the location and found the papers with the completed poem.    If that hadn’t happened it would have save me bunches of time in school peering at that old tome.

don’t forget my novels:  new stuff week daily and sometimes weekend==https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-novels/

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.”
― Robert Fulghum, True Love

Good morning, we’re coolin’ off in FLORIDA and will be down in low 40’s or high (some areas) 30’s….OK all you people in North Dakota stop cursing and remember it will be summer there sometime in August.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MY STORE ABOVE

ON TO BETTER THINGS…LIKE WISHING YOU HAD SOMETHING–ONE TO KEEP YOU WARM AT NIGHT:

OUTLANDER returns in April.

AND LOOK AT WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER AT MY OTHER TWO STORES JUST GO TO:    https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/the-dragons-lair-from-adventure-chase/

OK let’s look at a common problem today–not being able to sleep.  According to THE HEALTHY EDGE (May 2014)  “Getting a goodnight’s sleep is a problem for millions…”  just in America.

REASONS FOR NOT GETTING A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP INCLUDE:

Stress

Anxiety

Pain

Work (including schedule changes as well as being the cause of the first three in many cases.)

Life changes (i.e. divorce, moves and relocation, family illness etc, etc, etc)

Health problems

Issues with sleeping areas (including uncomfortable bed,  noise and other such issues)

Family (i.e. new baby, new spouse –getting adjusted to habits, snoring etc. and so on.

Working night shift that results in trying to sleep during the day

AND THE RESULTS OF LACK OF SLEEP

Fatigue

Mood swings

Stress

Damage to immune system

Decrease in ability to focus and stay alert

Accidents

Poor work performance

Relationship problems

and so on.

Today we’re going to look at  four ways we can reduce the basic inability to sleep—

MANAGING STRESS

A big factor in keeping you from getting to sleep and waking mid-way through the sleep cycle there’s that’s a simple things that you can do to help with this.

You could try body relaxation techniques  MedMD  (http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/blissing-out-10-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-spot)  Recommends meditation to relax your over taxed mind.    “It’s simple. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on reciting — out loud or silently — a positive mantra such as “I feel at peace” or “I love myself.” Place one hand on your belly to sync the mantra with your breaths. Let any distracting thoughts float by like clouds”

There’s also Yoga an breathing exercises.

Not good at meditation–I’m not then what else you can do.

And how about this for an original idea:  Figure out what is causing the stress.  If it’s medical seek treatment

If its psychological you may need a therapist, counselor or support group (UNITED HEALTHCARE–TAKING CARE/Jacobs, MD)

The Healthy Edge also recommends B vitamins supplement to support; nerve health.

CREATING COMFORT

Warm Baths are recommended to sooth body and mind.  Unfortunately if you’re like me it isn’t available.

Warm compresses to the  HEAD (Using Wormwood, lavender, balm or chamomile) is recommended by HERBAL MEDICINE

Treat Medic al conditions like GERDS which often interrupt your sleep (GOOD NIGHT/Breus, Ph.D.)

A bedroom (extreme according to Dr. Breus) make over may be in order this would include:  1,  Shutting out the rest of the world

2.  Making the room dark enough to sleep in which might include wearing eye shades.

3.  Making the room calming, relaxing and sleep promoting with proper décor–what calms you–but avoid making it too bright.

4.  Keeping the room tidy. 

5.  Avoid noise–like having the TV on when you sleep

6.  An alarm clock without a lighted face

7.  Have a comfortable temperature

8.  And get some good durable, low lint , and comfortable sheets.

9.   Change pillows on a regular basis to avoid lumpy, dirty ones.

10.  Get the proper mattress for you

The Healthy Edge recommends using herbal remedies to soothe any muscle pains prior to sleep,

Try MELATONIN.  “Melatonin has…sleep-inducing…effects in humans.  According to THE PEOPLE’S PHARMACY/Graedon & Graedon, Ph.D.) they do not recommend it be used with herbals like kava-kava or valerian and not to combine it with antidepressant prescription drugs especially.  However I do note that this is a  book written in 2001 and this apparently has  changed as I know there are multiple over the counter preparations now with herbals and Melatonin in the same preparation.
Melatonin is a naturally body product with production declining in most of us after 40 and it has been associated in sleeping problems often seen with older age. 

and Herbals

There’s many herbal teas available both in conventional groceries or health food stores.  Look for ones that include one or more of these:

Kava-kava

Chamomile

Verbena

Oat straw

Passion Flower

Rose hips

Spearmint

Valerian

Hawthorn

Lemon Vebena

to name a few—you can also purchase capsules with some (probably not all) of the above in them for a less involved herbal end of the day relaxation.  (HERBAL TEAS/Brown)  Additional suggestions from HERBAL MEDICINE (Buchman) include sage, skullcap, and bruised cloves as well as linden.   It also mentions that  to use honey with them  as it can help prevent the need for frequent bathroom visits during the night. 

The Healthy Edge recommends Valerian “has been shown in studies to help improve quality sleep, reduce the length of time it takes to fall asleep and reduces the number of awakenings during the night. (can use alone or with other herbs as mentioned above)

If you have trouble sleeping on a chronic basis I would urge you to get a complete check-up and possible work up by your family doctor,  before deciding to treat your insomnia on your own.  Remember serious or potentially serious health issue could well be causing your sleep issues.   So always rule out these issue first.

AND JUST FOR FUN:   CHECK OUT  THE TRIOLOGY OF ARTHUR I’m WORKING ON AT https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-novels/

Think in the morning. Act in the noon. Eat in the evening. Sleep in the night.      William Blake

First Monday of 2015—so as far as I’m concerned it’s official.  Also going cold on us this week—down to 40’s at night–gotta get out my winter wear.

One of my weekend meet ups–went to a birthday/going away party this weekend and on my way out of the parking lot met up with this beauty and about 5 more cranes that make Longwood their home.

OUTLANDER

Only 3 more months (give or take a few days) until Sam becomes

Jamie again

First blog of the new year thought I’d investigate another book

SECRET JOURNEY TO PLANET SERPO  by Len Kasten http://molochsorcery.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-secret-journey-to-planet.html

First let’s see who the author is..the promo for the book states that he has “cast the bright light of scholarship on a subject….’  So one would assume that Kasten is a scholar or academic?

Sorry NO:

Len Kasten

http://www.innertraditions.com/Contributor.jmdx?action=displayDetail&id=1708

Hardly what I’d call a recommendation for a unbiased account of anything on the UFO line.

PLANET SERPO

Listed under Wekipedia’s  Proposed Planetary Objects from various sources, so to date we’re not at all sure there is such a place.

it is suppose to be part of ZETA RETICULI Star System which is actually out there   so that’s one concrete fact of the account.

An Alien Spacecraft is suppose to have landed in Nevada in July 1965 took on 12 military personnel and took them on a 10 month journey (well really 20 since it appears they brought them back) to their planet.   I found a major UFO incident that year in Pennsylvania in December but nothing on this one.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kecksburg_UFO_incident

Supposedly this didn’t come to light until about 2005 when “members of the Defense Intelligence Agency  (http://www.dia.mil/)  came forward to reveal the operation in a 3,000 page debriefing of the seven (what happened to the other 5) members of the team who returned.  I also couldn’t find anything in the unbiased section of the internet dealing with any of this so It must be that it was revealed to a very small section of the population.

All in all I agree with the Robert O. Dean Commander Sgt. Major, US Army Retired (who is quoted on blurb on the book—Dean also lives in Az.  and has written several books and papers on UFO.   He also made a reported $100,00 from a county agency for discrimination because of his beliefs in UFOs–as well as his age.)  who insists we are not alone in the Universe…I do not however find any convincing evidence at this point to support the Serpo claims.

“The only thing that scares me more than space aliens is the idea that there aren’t any space aliens. We can’t be the best that creation has to offer. I pray we’re not all there is. If so, we’re in big trouble.”
― Ellen DeGeneres