We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. Nehru

There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.   Jawaharlal Nehru

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Life can be wonderful.  I think this wonderful starts with family and home and moves on from there.  We do not have to stay home to maintain the wonderfulness–however keeping that option open is part of the maintenance.  Life has lots of combinations of my W’s for instance sex can be wild, or weird or wacky or a combo of those options but the best case is that when it’s done the memory is wonderful. 

 

 

 

 

Got to put a plug in for a wonderful place (and no I don’t get any thing for putting any of these places on the blog–just trying to help my favorites);  HOSPICE HOPE CHEST sells vintage items at a good price and the proceeds go to a local hospice that cares for terminal patients making their life as wonderful as they can in their last days.  http://cshospice.org/?giving/hospice-hope-chest.html
Other wonderful places in Mt. Dora (which is pretty high on my wonderful scale too) are Mt. Dora Center for the Arts which features local artists both in shows as well as other items for sale.   http://mountdoracenterforthearts.org/   and the Lakeside Inn a grand lady of another era that lets us step back into a charming setting for at least a little while.   http://www.lakeside-inn.com/
and by now I’m sure that you all know that I think this show wonderful as well.   And if you’re like me you need something more to get you thru Droughtlander—Check out these Outlander clips http://www.starz.com/outlandercommunity/gifwall.html
I THINK Steel Magnolias is the most wonderful chick flic ever.  They should put a book out with advice from this movie—or at least the quotes.
Clairee Belcher: Well, you know what they say: if you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!
Ouiser Boudreaux: I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a very bad mood 40 years!
Clairee Belcher: The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.
Truvy: Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin’ across your face.
Truvy: Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.
Clairee Belcher: Oh like she cares. Ousier’s never done a religious thing in her life.Ouiser Boudreaux: Now that is not true. When I was in school, a bunch of my friends and I would dress up as nuns and go bar-hoppin’.

 

 

 

 

 

Ouiser Boudreaux: A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste.

 

 

 

 

Ouiser Boudreaux: You are evil, and you must be destroyed.

Clairee Belcher: Mother Nature’s taking care of that faster than you could.

 

 

 

Truvy: Oh, Sammy’s so confused he don’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt. 

 

 

 

 

Truvy: Louie brought his new girlfriend over, and the nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly.

 

 

For those and so much more check it out:    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/

 

 

 

 

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HISTORY IS WONDERFUL—it is all we are and much of what we can be—It is museums with all the things that came before leading up to what we have today.  It is monuments  from the grand pyramids  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/ built by thousands each to represent a single man—to the fountain on the Royal Mile  http://www.streenge.com/places/edinburgh/attractions/witches-well.html that reminds us of the poor women who were burned in the name of God by men who now seems less than holy.    It is the history book or the trashy novel that still holds at least a hint of truth and all the books in between.

 

 

 

 

 

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TRAVEL IS WONDERFUL—You get to  see new things, meet new people, broaden your horizons and to just get away from your usual and mundane for as short while or longer.  You can fly to parts unknown, cruise about to no where in particular or just drive across town.  Staying put is so confining.  It leaves you in a rut–only a few blocks or a new place in your own sphere can do  the trick if you have money or commitment issues that keep you close to the home turf.  Travel in your mind or with books if there are health or other issues:  http://www.wikihow.com/Let-Adventure-Be-the-Rule,-Not-the-Exception,-in-Your-Life
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FRIENDS ARE VERY WONDERFUL:   They listen to you when no body else will and don’t threaten (very often) to have you committed.  They join you on your journeys whether its to distant ports or beside the hospital bed of someone you love dearly.  They support you without demands and laugh at you and tell you to get a grip when you need to  They are at times insane with you and at other times they are your sanity.  They spend a day shopping with you for a relative you barely know cause you gotta go to their party and don’t complain (or at least not a lot) at the horrible selection of stores you drag them through.    They keep your secrets and guard your back even when you may be in the wrongwhich they probably told your were in the first place but you didn’t listen being you.
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LIFE IS AS WONDERFUL AS YOU MAKE IT—if you are missing out on adventures, friends , family, travel and all the rest maybe you need to re-evaluate and take some steps for your own enjoyment.    http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Good-Life
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Most of  pictures today are mine—I will let you figure out which ones.
CASE POCKET 2 BLADED KNIFE

Wild thing, you make my heart sing You make everything groovy, wild thing Troggs

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TODAY LET’S GO THRU THE DOOR MARKED “WILD THINGS” AND SEE WHAT WE FIND:  First the pictures today are from a city that’s logo is Cassadaga  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-fla-destinations-cassadaga-101214-20141011-column.html where Mayberry meets the Twilight Zone (specific pictures from http://www.sinatras.us/   but this one and main taken by the original Wild Child now old but still a bit crazy ME.).  Florida has other wild places—see them from the Rusty Anchor http://www.rustyanchormountdora.com/ or Beaver Air Tours www.beaverairtours.com or maybe Jones Brothers & Co Seaplane Rides www.jonesairandsea.com.  

 

 

 

Wild child full of grace
Savior of the human race
Your cool face    JIM MORRISON

 

 

 

Vintage THAMES Hand Painted Made in Japan Two (2) Matching Lidded Dishes

WHAT’S WILDER THAN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS?
MAYBE A HIGHLANDER?
Oh want to see the HighlandsRabbies (who’s tours I have been on–not this one,– last time I was in Scotland I had no idea Jamie and Claire existed– and they’re well done and enjoyable, both the tours and Jamie and Claire) has one that goes into those wildshttps://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/outlander_7_day_tour.asp
Natural child, terrible child
Not your mother’s or your father’s child
Your our child, screamin’ wild    Jim again
Of Course I can’t do wild with out the man
An ancient lunatic reins
In the trees of the night
Ha, ha, ha, ha
With hunger at her heels
Freedom in her eyes
She dances on her knees
Pirate prince at her side
Stirrin’ into a hollow idols eyes
Need I say any more?
Wild child full of grace
Savior of the human race
Your cool face
Your cool face
Your cool face
OK that’s hard to follow–but I’ll try:
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses, couldn’t drag me away
I know I dreamed you a sin and a lie
I have my freedom but I don’t have much time
Faith has been broken, tears must be cried
Recently the Stones (which basically to me are Keith and Mick) played central Florida and someone asked me if I was going to go see them and I replied that “no I saw them when they were still alive.”  Let’s face it I’m old and they’re older—I don’t want any more reminders of the fact.  But the Stones have always been wild.  Despite proof to the contrary the Beatles were for years considered the clean cut boys while the Stones were the bad one….You might not mind your daughter going out with Paul….but never Mick.  But in true reality it has been said that while Mick takes the lime light he isn’t really the wild child.  I don’t know who said it but I have oft heard that “Mick plays Keith Richards on stage.”  Robin William’s line was:  “Because I know this. I know that we may all be dead and gone, Keith will still be there with 5 cockroaches. Keith will go, “Ya know, I smoked your uncle! Did ya know that?”

 

 

Let’s do some living after we die
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we’ll ride them some day
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we’ll ride them some day

 

 

 

 

I’m old but this one went through his prime a bit before my time:

Errol Flynn wrote about his life:  “My Wicked, Wicked Ways,” published after the actor’s death that same year, Flynn recounts stories from his early life in Australia but also reveals the darker side of his experience as a celebrity. The combination of real-life adventure with personal torment makes Flynn’s story a page-turner”  http://www.examiner.com/review/errol-flynn-autobiography-reveals-dark-side-of-star-s-life   My husband read the book and was an instant fan of Flynn—he said that the star’s life only became boring when he became a star.

I thought a while before I named this one as I am not sure if she was just wild or sad–probably a bit of both.
Down on me, down on me,
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
They’re down on me.  Joplin

Janet Joplin was neither pretty, nor self confident, but she could belt out a song to my you stand up and take notice–Her wild life style was full of men, drugs and of course Rock & Roll (really she was more of Rock & Blues…).  Did her wildness bring her happiness or just mask her pain?   How did she meet it all somewhere along the road to her death between Port Author, TX and 27 years later with an overdose of heroine in LA?

 

 

HONORABLE  MENTIONS
Hey I heard you were a wild one
Oooh
The Long Riders (1980)

[Cole Younger and Sam Starr are about to fight over Belle]
Cole Younger: What does the winner get?
Belle Starr: Nothin’ both of you ain’t already had.
Cole Younger: Don’t hardly seem worth it.
Belle Starr: It ain’t. You’re both crazy, but you do keep me amused. I am having a *real* good time.

Anne Bonney and Mary Read are the most famous — and ferocious — women pirates in history, and they are the only ones known to have plied their trade in the Western Hemisphere 
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich:   “Well behaved women seldom make history.”
THE ROMANS
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MICHAEL C. C—a Pirate who died in his 40’s
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967
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REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE IN AFRICIA?

Usually the wacky people have the breakthroughs. The ‘smart’ people don’t. Rutan

For Wacky Day I thought I’ d lead off with Chris Hemsworth (Thor) http://www.cosmicbooknews.com/content/thor-2011-new-image-hemsworth-kneeling  doing what a wet shirt contest on Tonight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBZTk48zuJ8 Show….I have no idea (and don’t care) what this is all about—but OMG I could watch Hemsworth all day long  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1165110/  Wacky or not…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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One of my wacky creations for Halloween—-who knows wacky baby?

 

 

 

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While I love it I have to say that Victorian architecture has always struck me as a bit on the wacky side:  Take for instance the Donnelly House  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34461-d215446-Reviews-Donnelly_House-Mount_Dora_Lake_County_Florida.html  in Mt. Dora Florida—look at all those odd angles, bric brac and assorted items that make this building stand our in the mind.  That’s a picture I took of it recently when I was out and about the town for another of my get out and do something days.
‘Even Outlander has it’s whacky moment:
Yesterday on business I went to that never-never land around International Drive.  A place where you can visit Florida without ever seeing the state.    It’s amazing that we are one of the tourist capitals of the world  and few of those tourists ever actually see that state.  What they do see is things like Wonderworks and Disney World and in my opinion the best of the lot Universal Studios.  I dragged my late hubby to the UK once and he was amazed.  While viewing ancient monuments and the like he shook his head and said:  “in Florida they come to see the parks and junk but here they come to see the country. ”  and while we do not have England’s history we do have the oldest city in the US.  We have miles of wonderful beaches.    We have one of the only 2 major rivers in the world that flows north (the other is the Nile) and a world of boating and sightseeing adventures along that river and its various lakes.  I could go on and on but you get the—it is wacky to spends the family savings for years to visit  a make believe  Mouse when the real world just  a few miles away costs less and offers more.
May be we should compare;
UK:  THE CROOKED HOUSE near Dudley http://www.thecrooked-house.co.uk/
This may be one of the few pubs where your drinking has nothing to do with  the angle of your walk.  Operating as an inn since the late 18th century it was built in mining country and apparently over a mine shaft of some kind.   Instead of tearing it down, they built it up—it’s reputation that is—and now it’s a local must see
FL:  CAPTAIN TONY’S   http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/ Key West
While this bar does not tilt—though it feels like it at times.
 It use to be a morgue and it has a tree growing inside of it.
And while not nearly s old—Ernest Hemingway use to drink
here when it was  original Sloppy Joe’s
UK:  KIRKLESS PRIORY http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/vol3/p170 east of Brighouse/West Yorkshire
Said to hold the tomb of Robin Hood who was murdered here by the Prioress who, while supposedly treating him for an injury  opened a vein to bleed him to death.  Seemed she was loyal to his enemies.  It is also the sigh of the sightings of a medieval vampire woman.
While it doesn’t have a murdered hero or a vampire—it was
resurrected:  The cloister of this ancient monastery from
Sacramenia, Spain, was purchased by William Randolph Hearst,
shipped to the United States, quarantined, had all its stones mixed
up, relinquished by Hearst due to financial problems, stored
in a Brooklyn warehouse for 26 years, and (finally!) moved
to North Miami Beach as a tourist attraction in the 1950s.
UK:  THE FAIRNINGTON’S FOUNTAIN HOUSE—THE CEMENT MENAGERIE http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-beasts-of-branxton-1578744.html Branxton
The cement statues here were the work of master joiner (John Fairnington) and his friends and there are around 200 – 300 all put here for his disabled son Edward.  The original was a panda followed by camels, horses, even mermaids.  A special note the eyes are made f old marbles, which can be either interesting or disturbing depending on the colors.
FL:  CORAL CASTLE  http://coralcastle.com/ Homstead
 While there are no animals or even Mermaids, what you do see here is a wonderfully developed “castle” and garden which remain a mystery as to the how’s to how he cut, lifted and facilitated the affair with out assistance or any appreciable knowledge of the crafts needed to carry the project out.  Edward Leedskalnin was born in Riga, Latvia and came to Florida later.  We do know that the entire place was dedicated to a 16 year old he was to marry Agnes Scuffs.  Agnes canceled the wedding just one day before the ceremony.  And Ed managed this huge project in her honor…

UK:  CHALICE WELL http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/ Glastonbury

Called the Blood Well because of the color from it’s iron content.  It has been the site of worship for thousands of year and continues to be a site secular and religious visitation.  The grounds are now lovely gardens and it is near the tor from which the spring that feeds the well springs—It is believed to be part of the King Arthur’s legends well.

 

 

 

FL:  BLUE SPRINGS   https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring  Orange City north of Orlando

No blood, the 104 million gallons of water pumped out daily is crystal clear.  But  there is a cave reached by divers who go straight down 60 feet, then angle off into a tunnel that leads another 60 feet to the bottom large cave.  And while no worshiper that I am aware come here each year, hundreds of people from near and far flock here each spring and summer to see the gathering of manatees to these warmer waters.

 

Item pictureNATIVITY SCENE MADE IN ISREAL (261983863425)

 $30.00

 

 

 

 

UK                                                                                   FL

               

 

 

 

 

Item pictureTASTE SETTER SIGMA HAND DECORTIVE CERAMIC

  FOOD MOLD WALL … (261983864886)    $6.99
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Built

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

It sometimes feels like a strange movie, you know, it’s all so weird that sometimes I wonder if it is really happening. Eminen

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WELCOME TO MY WEIRD, WACKY, WILD AND WONDERFUL WEEK:  When I tell people that I have a blog many ask on what?   And I must admit that it like me isn’t exactly about anything, sometimes I rant, sometimes I impart strange tidbits of perfectly useless—or even occasionally useful knowledge for those like me that think an empty mind rattles to much and so we keep it fullThis week is a perfect example of my wandering ways (both physical and mental) in that I am tackling 4 W’s that pretty much describe me and my mind—so hang on and you’ll see what intrigues and amazes me, maybe you’ll enjoy it—if not I can’t apologize–I took too long becoming me to regret or to wish that I was what you wanted me to be….but some of my closest friends thought they had nothing to connect us when we first met—so don’t give up right away, some people actually feel I’m worth knowing.

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Pictures today are of a couple of those friends directly above and some items on Sale at The GATE HOUSE http://www.lakeside-inn.com/the-gatehouse  on the grounds of the beautiful (1883)http://www.lakeside-inn.com/about-us/history Lakeside Inn Hotel http://www.lakeside-inn.com/accommodations-main-link-to-room-descriptions as the main picture.   All in one of my favorite towns anywhere:  Mt. Dora http://www.visitmountdora.com/.  which I spent a few hours in on Wed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday night just spent gabbing with a friend that spent the evening for a little gossipy girls nite.  But Sat it was Longwood http://www.longwoodfl.org/content/1115/151/163/default.aspx and a little walk around the historical area which includes a pioneer church http://christchurchlongwood.com/Welcome/History.html, an old hotel http://www.peaceriverghosttracker.com/subPages2/longwoodVillageInn30610.htm (now a offices but still maintaining the character) , a house with it’s insides out  http://www.cottagegiftshopinlongwoodfla.com/ and the house shown above https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bradlee-McIntyre-House/290015941009171 to name a few.  http://www.cfshp.org/historicproperties.html   YOU MIGHT WANTA TRY A WALK AROUND THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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STEAM PUNK: Let your imagination take wings”. Length 22-… (261999994889)

 THIS IS a great piece made by a very talented lady.
$40.00
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting us through DROUGHTLANDER one interview at a time and waiting the return of OUTLANDER—please. http://www.designntrend.com/articles/58516/20150806/outlander-tv-series-6-incredible-quotes-from-caitriona-balfe-and-sam-heughan.htm

 

 

 

 

 

DAY I:  WEIRD
 I’ve been reading Catharine Arnold’s Necropolis   http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/aug/19/historybooks.shopping   The woman’s choice of topics for her books are a bit on the weird side:
London’s Prostitutes
London’s Insane
London’s Criminals (which probably includes some of the people in the first two.)  I’ve read the first and Am almost finished with Necropolis and own the other two for intended reading—though her topics are sensationalistic, her dealing with them is professional, entertaining and informative and a must for people like me who love London.
In the book she give some really weird items on London  For instance:
In the late 18th and early 19th century there was a widespread fear of being buried alive, so much so that in Frankfort (Germany) a special mortuary chapel was set up where bodies could be taken and “systematically observed until putrefaction had definitely set in.  Precautions included placing a bell-rope in the hand of the corpse, so that the person could call for help if they returned to consciousness; and an official was in constant attendance, his duty being to inspect the bodies from time to time.
Londoners feared the Resurrection Men:  “Fear of body snatchers led many families to inter their dead at appalling places…The lamentable state of London’s burial grounds, with their cheap, shabby coffins and shallow graves, made corpses easy prey…These ghoulish figures had been operating since the late 18th c.  Far from resting in peace, Londoners feared that they would be disinterred and their remains sold to anatomy schools.  The prevailing Christian belief that bodies must remain intact for Resurrection made dissection particularly repulsive.”
But the burial system was only a small part of London’s problems.  “The city reeked for nearly another decade.  It was not until the problem was literally under the Government’s nose that real action was taken.  During the “Great Stink” of June 1858, the stench arising from the Thames forced the house to adjourn.  The stench was so overpowering that the curtains of the Commons were soaked in chloride of lime in a vain attempt to protect the sensitivities of MPs.  Disraeli referred to the river as a “Stygian Pool” and tons of lime were dumped in it every day.
And closer home in Florida CURIOSITIES By Grimes and Beenel  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1160156.Florida_Curiosities
In the Southeast of Naples, in the heart of the Ten Thousand Islands is a town called Chokoloskee (old home) which is the sight for another book:  Killing Mr. Watson by  Peter Matthiessen (1990)  https://www.nytimes.com/books/97/11/23/home/matthiessen-watson.html   “Wild west outlaw Ed Watson who claimed to have killed…Belle Starr.  Watson settled near Chokoloskee and began fueding with his neighbors…after a 1910 hurricane, those neighbors shot him dead outside the Smallwood Store.”   The store is still there (or it was, even end of no where part of Florida  developers are moving in and the store has been threatened.) re-opened as a museum and there’s actually a third book written about this final frontier:  TOTCH:  A Life in the Everglades by Totch Brown a loveable local rascal  http://upf.com/book.asp?id=BROWNF93
Ted Smallwood’s store was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It remained open and active until 1982. When the doors were shut, 90% of the original goods remained in the store. In the last few years Ted’s granddaughter has reopened the store as a museum, and today it serves as a time capsule of Florida pioneer history. The center section of the building remains as Ted would have known it.The hide room has been turned into exhibit space, telling the history of the pioneers of southwest Florida.   http://www.florida-everglades.com/chokol/smallw.htm
All in all the fact that this is featured in one book and is the main or topic of two more is strange enough for me to wander if I should go there for just a look.
The Mulberry Museum
“may be the world’s only museum dedicated to ….fertilizer. …galleries, some of which are inside a train caboose, tell the story of phosphate, gray rock mined extensively in an about Mulberry in a section of the state known as Bone Valley (phosphate room in area are intermingled with Cenozoic era  fossils—the museum has bones of mastodons, saber-tooth tigers, rhinos and boxcar length pre-historic sharks in another part of the museum)But mostly the museum concentrates on the positive aspects of phosphate.
SOLOMAN’S CASTLE  ONA
In the back woods (or in Hardee Co more like swamps) of Florida sets this castle “one man’s image of Oz.  Naturally there’s a yellow brick road leading up to it…belong Howard Solomon….part artist and 100% hoot….12,000 sq foot museum/home/castle…The shingles  here  are aluminum offset printing plates discarded by the Herald Advocate newspaper (Wauchula)..the turrets sparkle with stained glass windows….at the entrance are two armored statues, one white, the other black, called Day and Knight…..All of the art is made from junk either from Soloman or donated to him:…..cars and chairs..of beer cans, a lion…of oil drums….guns made of ..hacksaw and a jack…barrels bent backwards…..”and lots more —-who says northerners (he’s from Rochester, NY) haven’t contributed to Florida’s cultural base. 
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GO WHERE THE WILD BIRDS GO–WAIT THEY’RE CHICKENS–and this is KEY WIERD

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Mentioned the Witchery http://www.thewitchery.com/dining.html a few times before–here’s the sign….doing Key West   http://mentalfloss.com/article/53256/strange-states-weird-festivities-floridas-crazy-keys finale today but both this and main picture  is Edinburgh.  http://www.royal-mile.com/

 

 

She sang beyond the genius of the sea.
The water never formed to mind of voice,
Like a body wholly body, fluttering
Its empty sleeves

 

 

 

 

 

1967/OCTOBER VOL 1, #8 The Seed Chicago HIPPIE News letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and while we’re on the subject of Scotland check out Jamie and Black Jack dueling in Glasgow for 2016 episode of Outlander     http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2015/08/sam-and-tobias-filming-outlander-in-pollok-country-park-glasgow/

 

 

 

 

 

Oh and you don’t have to wait to the Weekend to have adventures.  Last night it was an old movie and Chinese food.  Wed it was Mount Dora  http://www.lakesofmountdora.com/About-Mount-Dora-Florida/  Stopped at one of the prettiest resale shops you’re ever gonna see:  Hospice Hope Chest  http://www.manta.com/c/mm0d6dw/hospice-hope-chest and the proceeds go to Hospice—if you’re not familiar with Hospice please check out this site:  http://www.momentsoflife.org/what-hospice— for patient care.  There are wonderful items—I got some Frank Sinatra Sheet music  http://www.sinatra.com/.
 
As  I said yesterday this end of Duval has fewer stores and more residences.  Another thing  it has more of is chickenshttp://www.floridarambler.com/funky-florida/key-west-chickens-key-west-roosters/   Here also is The Funky Chicken Store  http://funkychickenstore.com/ that deals in all sorts of chicken theme items.  At one time there was a Chicken Lady http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-01-24/news/0401240345_1_wild-chickens-chicken-lady-key-west who back in the 2000’s was working to save those chickens.
Larry Winter, owner of the Funky Chicken Store on Duval Street, says tourists almost universally love the Key West chickens. So much so, he created an entire business devoted to chicken love, with his store carrying everything from chicken art to chicken T-shirts to chicken-themed cooking paraphernalia.  http://www.travelpostmonthly.com/2014/11/gypsy-chickens-funky-fowl-funky-key-west/
Seems the chicken issue was global back in the early 2000s http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/27/us/key-west-is-tiring-of-chickens-in-road.html   now let me explain—cause in the day I spent a lot more time on the isle than the TIMES—It wasn‘t so much the chickens in the road it’s much easier to deal with chickens than tourists  on scooters  or drunks drag queens crossing over,  Chickens have been around the islands probably close to as long as the humans who brought them there.  Legend is that the ones that roam the island now are descendants from the fighting cocks brought here by Cuban immigrants (there’s a cemetery for these roosters at Blue Heaven were they use to hold the fights among other things.  http://www.blueheavenkw.com/#!ourstory/c4ko).  I tend to believe that there is probably a bit of common chicken blood in there as well.    You  see them in Bahama Village http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/KeyWestandFloridaKeysFL/pointsOfInterest/BahamaVillageonPetroniaStreetinKeyWestFL.html  allot and less often on Duval.  Here they have been classified as domestic animals and so you see them clucking about and did I mention they crow.
The crowing was really the  big issue because many of the people who work here work in  bars and other late night venues.   http://www.whats-at-florida-keys.com/Duval-Street-Nightlife.html.  Which means that when the sun comes up they’re going to bed (bars are open in Key West till 4 a.m.) and it’s hard to get to sleep when all those roosters begin to greet the dawn (chicken like to crow at lots of other times as well)  There were rumors of birds found dead and of feuds developing around this fowl dilemma.   Other issues included:  digging in gardens, and leaving droppings where they please. Some say the chickens destroy native plants, insects, and lizards.
Oh and by the way there have been positive action since I’ve been there last:  To prevent the chicken population from getting out of hand, and to respond to citizen complaints about unruly birds, the Key West Wildlife Center http://www.keywestwildlifecenter.org/  contracts with the city to re-home chickens as needed on farms and ranches up on the Florida mainland. The Wildlife Center also provides medical care and rescue services for sick, injured, or orphaned fowl.
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DISNEY WORLD MEMORBILE MULTIPLE ITEMS including PHOTOS (262009533822)

 On Active EBay Bid right now
DUVAL ENDS at the Southern most Beach and of course it has a beach cafe:  http://www.southernmostbeachcafe.com/  though the slightly altered building remains the same the restaurant/bars have changed a few times since I’ve been there.
Because of  the coral reef a few miles from here the island doesn’t have the tides you’d see in a reef-less location and hence most of its beaches are man made.  http://www.whats-at-florida-keys.com/Key-West-Beaches.html but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them.
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And finally we have a house with the wrong name (two newer dwelings have been built south of it since it’s construction) :  THE SOUTHERNMOST HOUSE IS flamboyant even for Key West.  This great pink monstrosity of Victorian architecture  stands (along with the Curry Mansion http://www.currymansion.com/) as the grand dames of Key West houses

 The house was built in 1912 by  Judge  Vinning Harris https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19360626&id=_BseAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UWQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4332,7297530&hl=en and  his bride the ( youngest daughter of Wm. Curry http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7432694) for an estimated $100,000. and is partly surrounded by a sea wall.   There are rumors of secret  passage from of the rooms.

It was owned by many and used for a variety of things.  During the 1940s it was a gambling club where people like Walter P. Chrysler played, but it eventually  became a private home again in 1952.

It  is  now  A Historic Beachfront Key West Boutique Hotel   http://www.southernmosthouse.com/.  The house is typically Queen Anne (though if you compare Key West Houses to those on the mainland the ones in Key West tend to be less detailed due to material issues) with an irregular interior plan and an array of dormers, ells, towers and other details.

 

 

 

 

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4 ICE CREAM CONE SHAPED SERVING BOWLS (261982601836)    $8.90
selling on EBAY
 

 

 

 

 

 

SO SAY GOOD BYE TO DUVAL…MAYBE WE’LL GO BACK LATER

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Selling on EBAY
 

 

 

 

SOURCES:

Key West by L.P. Artman, Jr.

 

Key West Houses by Leslie Linsley

 

The Houses of Key West by Alex Caemmerer

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Selling on EBAY
 

 

Going Down The Rabbit Hole—No Wait it’s ONLY DUVAL–Welcome to Key West

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Goodmoring—still updating you on the adventure that was my last weekend in Sanford:  Lunch at Breezeway—fun food and neat staff—http://www.thebreezewayrestaurantandbar.com/  Fried green tomatoes Capresse crazy southern—try it, you’ll like it…. and dessert as only the Germans can do it at the Willow Tree http://hollerbachs.com/   and a shop that also has jewelry making parties—artsy but comfortable in the historic downtown http://www.destinationmainstreets.com/florida/sanford.php:  String Theory Creation  www.STCinspiredart.com   If you haven’t been to Sanford lately WHY NOT?      Two pictures (this and main) are my own and are from Rollins College–Winter Park Florida.  http://www.rollins.edu/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

 

 

 

 

 

 

17" Large BEAD NECKLACE Green with Multi-color Highlights

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT SAM’S TWEETER SITE:  https://twitter.com/samheughan
“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
So we’ll continue down Duval to the Atlantic shall we?
Down at this end of the crazy Key West wonderland are more private houses, guest houses and fewer Stores and such—not to say they’re not here but more integrated than what we’ve seen before.
It’s still full of fun and fantasy, but with a more homey feeling if you could ever actually say that about Key West—and if you could I may have to worry about you–or feature you in one of my daily epics.
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
As noted before this is the end of Duval with more art and also the majority of the gay establishment.
For example 801 is what the internet calls an infamous gay bar  http://www.801bourbon.com/ and Alexander’s is described as a premier resort  http://www.alexanderskeywest.com/  but what I’m describing today is a living legend that has been going on and that makes Fantasy Fest All that more a Wild and Crazy thing
Alice: Well, after this I should think nothing of falling down stairs.
La Te Da  http://lateda.com/ is special on so many levels:
Built in 1882:  The home of cigar manufacturer Teodoro Perez who was the owner of the Perez Cigar Factory, one of the largest factories in the 1890’s.  This is one of the few grand estates remaining built by a prominent cigar factory owner. Most of these impressive homes were either razed by fire, damaged by storms or were replaced in the name of progress.   http://www.keywesthistoricmarkertour.org/Markers_Detail.php?ProductID=444
Long before it became the epicenter for being GAY in Key West the house became famous when Jose Marti (the name of the house was La Terraza di Marti which became yeah La Te Da in Key West speak) spoke from the balcony.
Sometimes called the Apostle of the Cuban Revolution, José Martí was born on January 28, 1853. He showed a talent for writing and revolutionary politics at an early age. First exiled from Cuba in 1871, Martí spent much of his life abroad. In 1895, he returned to Cuba to fight for its independence. He died on the battlefield.  http://www.biography.com/people/jos%C3%A9-mart%C3%AD-20703847#synopsis
The Cuban exile community of Key West was the largest and wealthiest, but also the most politically divided. To obtain their support would be essential, but it would not be an easy task. On Christmas day 1891 Martí departed from Tampa aboard the steamship Olivetti on his first visit to Key West. He is accompanied by various leaders of the Tampa and New York Cuban communities.  http://www.institutosancarlos.org/jose_marti.php
“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Mark Barauck and Laura Goreman became business partners in La Te Da in May 1999, and he became the sole owner in May 2003. Long known as a popular place for fundraisers, La Te Da — a landmark Upper Duval Street hotel, restaurant and bar famous for its female impersonators who sing live in The Crystal Room cabaret — became even more of a charitable force when Barauck became involved, friends said.   Barauck died the first day of 2009.  http://keysnews.com/node/8937
“No wise fish would go anywhere without a porpoise.”   Alice in Wonderland

TODAY La Te Da is still around though it appears to be a bit more sedate than it use to be.  There’s a hotel, 2 bars, a restaurant, oyster bar and a sky deck.

Oh and this year they have the last word  at Fantasy Fest:

11/1/15:  “THE FAT LADY SINGS” TEA DANCE*
As the saying goes, “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.” Everyone will be at La Te Da from 4 PM to 8 PM for the last official event of Fantasy Fest 2015. DJ Rude Girl provides the music for the very last hoorah! La Te Da – Hotel, Restaurant, Cabaret and Bars; 1125 Duval St.; 305-296-6706; $5.    http://www.fantasyfest.com/schedule/

 

Tea Dances by the way the way are:  A Key West tradition the Sunday Tea Dance has been around for many, many years originally starting at La te Da, moving to the Atlantic Shores and then back to La te Da when the Shores finally closed their doors.  A fun, all-welcome event for locals and visitors alike, this Key West Tea Dance takes place outside by the pool and features great dance music from popular, local radio stars, DJs Rude Girl and Molly Blue.  http://lateda.com/tea-dance/

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

 

 

 

 

At the corner of Duval and Truman (that contains HWY 1 and which eventually becomes the Over Seas Highway when it leaves Key West for places north and ends a couple of blocks south from here as there’s no place else to  go.).  stands Key West Denny’s http://locations.dennys.com/FL/KEY-WEST/247346   all spruced up with a Caribbean Soul for Key West.  I think they put it there just to establish that you are still KINDA in the US of A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“have I gone mad?
I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cast METAL BEAR Bank

 

“How puzzling all these changes are! I’m never sure what I’m going to be, from one minute to another.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Adventure is worthwhile in itself. Earnhart

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I have slept on it and decided I liked returning to Key West so much that I’m going to return again today—This picture and the main one up top are from my decorating décor for one (of many ) of my Halloween full house Holiday make overs.   OK back to my weekend plans—Susi and I went to Sanford for the day.  One of the places I visited was Bull Maurice www.facebook.com/bullmauricellc  The lovely proprietor  Malanie’s accent totally confused me (a bit Brit, but also a tang of Germany) so asked her and seems she’s originally from South Africa.  In their shop http://thingstodoinsanfordfl.com/bull-maurice-llc/  there’s a wine bar (nice touch) and the shops deals in imported wine, craft beer, cigars, lingerie, women and men’s apparel, jewelry, purses, and accessories, novelties and gifts, furniture, art and more–now what could one want.   So that goes a long way in doing different things–meeting new people, looking through lovely offerings for sale and don’t forget the wine, beer and cigars.        

http://www.directoryupdate.co.za/com_directory_listingdetails.aspx?cid=3014&sid=2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WIZ 1973 Program The Road Show

Where to #Watch #OUTLANDER so you’re caught up before next season:

Moving on down the road is Key West’s Sky Scraper.  When it was built in 1926 a lot of people became concerned about more “high-rises” making the city sky line too big city prone…so a law was made that no new building could be this tall again…..and it’s pretty much stayed that way since.  I haven’t been there for a few years so I don’t know if this has changed or not–I’m hoping it hasn’t—I like the city in it’s comfortable island digs and don’t need to see corporate greed drown out the down and dirty by-ways of the Conch Republic.

La Concha Hotel has been owned by several large hotel conglomerates and is in it’s latest life is described on its web site as  Boutique Hotelhttp://www.laconchakeywest.com/wine-o.aspx I’m not sure who is the current provider of this present mode.   It is now also a spa and the restaurant is beautiful but a bit too classy for the Key West I use to know–have they changed or do they make jokes about the silver fish on the wall….one can only hope.   One thing I can’t forgive them for is where they put the spa.  It’s on the roof–for years that was the site of one of the hotel’s bars http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g34345-i53-k7234599-La_Concha_Rooftop_Bar-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html –and the view of the island was wonderful—no more unless you’re staying in the hotel (thanks but it looks a looks a bit too BOUTIQUE for me).  Another reason I may never return to the island–It tears down to put up parking lots or in this case spas….one of my traditional sunset places gone…I shed a tear and move on.

I wander if the ghosts are still there or if they kicked them out too?  http://www.florida-keys-vacation.com/Key-West-Ghosts.html#axzz3jC0p4ZGS

 

 

 

 

Less than 1" wide--Cluster of faux pearls, EARRING CLIPONS

When my hubby was still with us we usually turned off Duval right just before the clock (corner Duval and Southard St.)right on Southarad  on our way to the Green Parrot,  Key West’s locals bar and where we use to be welcomed as “Temporary  Locals”) http://www.greenparrot.com/  where no sniveling is allowed–as they say in their web site:

The Parrot is a jury of non-judging peers, a rugged and ragged council of friends. It is a place of hi-jinks and misadventures, of understated kindnesses, and everyday miracles. It has seen all manner of human exploits, from poetry slams to divorce celebrations, from memorial services to hurricane parties and pet birthday bashes, from tattoo contests to fundraising benefits.

Thank the gods of the drunk and lonely—it doesn’t seem like it’s changed a bunch (though the last few times I was there it had gotten bigger and added a gift shop with all manner of Parrot items which they still have, but it’s moved and in it’s place is a liquor store     http://www.greenparrot.com/key-west-liquor-store/ which works for me—But you couldn’t beat their juke box anywhere   http://www.greenparrot.com/juke-box/    Oh and there’s a web cam incase you’re really bored as the place is better experienced than viewed:  http://www.greenparrot.com/key-west-webcams/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off-White "Made in Japan" ELEPHANT Vintage PLanter 3 1/2" x  5"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond the clock is the main groupings of art galleries, http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/arts/galleries/  butterflies,  http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/ and the majority of the gay bars, resorts and guest houses along this famous thru-way.  http://gaykeywestfl.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the Artist’s locations and groups is THE KEY WEST GUILD   http://www.guildhallgallerykw.com/ members of which organize, provide the items to be sold and even man the counter for the sales.  That last fact makes shopping here all the more fun and I have had long and wonderful conversations with the resident artist/clerk that has kept me returning to the shop both to buy and to learn. http://www.guildhallgallerykw.com/artists.htm Here are a large selection with the majority of the items within most of our price ranges.  And a lot of what is on display is as funky as the town it’s being featured in.  Best of all it’s a gallery that you can feel comfortable in even if you don’t have a degree in Art History and that in my book is a good thing.  http://www.guildhallgallerykw.com/tshirt/index.html

 

 

 

 

The ARRIVAS HOUSE Historic St. Augustine Vintage Brochure

We” finish today up with TOWELS OF KEY WEST   http://www.shop.towelsofkeywest1.net/ 

While this small shop is pricey it does offer quality items that you won’t find elsewhere on Key Weird  and the towels and robes are top quality and make great re-usable items to remind you of your trip for years to come.

 

 

 

 

VINTAGE All Bisque 2 1/2 baby doll in DRESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I’ve seen Fire and I’ve Seen Rain—James Taylor

I’m still into rambling without a topic week–sometimes I get like this.

Did want to let you know that I lived up to my insistence to have a great weekend–Friday night I cheated and watched another episode–of YES—OUTLANDER  http://www.inquisitr.com/2337654/outlander-stars-sam-heughan-and-caitriona-balfe-talk-jamie-and-claires-passionate-relationship-and-season-2/BUT—-IN my defense I did it with Lisa who doesn’t have STARZ—am trying to get her caught up before the next season—we had pizza http://www.specialtypizza.com/   from a local pizza maker–not a chain—that makes out of sight pizza, wings and bread sticks…we ate talked and lusted after Jamie a little.  So I met the requirements and got some one-on-one time with one of my favorite people so.

 

 

 

 

BUD Light 1991 IMSA Caml GT Schedule Table Top Card

“A hedgehog? And just how does a hedgehog make love?” he demanded.No, I thought. I won’t. I will not. But I did. “Very carefully,” I replied, giggling helplessly. So now we know just how old that one is, I thought. ”
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
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SO WHICH OF THE MANY DOORS OF MY MAZEY MIND SHALL WE GO THRU TODAY?  and I warn you that it’s always a bit wobbly along any of these paths.

This picture and the main one is from Washburn Imports and Imperial Bar (shopping and drinking all in one spot–what a great idea) https://www.facebook.com/TheImperialSanford

 

 

INDIAN Plaster figurines Family

GUESS WHERE WE’RE GOING TODAY…OK I admit the Church might throw you off a bit.

 St. Paul’s Episcopal  http://www.stpaulskeywest.org/ sits on Duval Street across the street and is a few blocks down the street (going East) from Fast Buck Freddie’s Key West’s home grown department store.   http://www.fastbuckfreddies.com/.  This is the current incarnation of several such church buildings that have set at this site, most of which met their fate by rain, wind or fire.

In fact Key West has an interesting history of all three.

 

The rain and wind  that comes from hurricanes has in most recent years been kinder to this tiny island than to many others set in the entrance to the Caribbean.  There is even a grotto set up on church grounds (not this church but a Catholic one on Truman http://www.stmarykeywest.com/ ) by a nun who formerly resided here–that was to protect the island from damages from these great storms that regularly cruise the Florida waters and straights on their way to the Gulf and beyond.

 

 

Most of the damage done here has been from rain and low level flooding as well as high tides.   It is a fact that that in normal weather the island has little in the way of tides or waves as the off shore coral reefs–the only living coral reef in the continental US–keeps them from developing.  Something that is felt to be a contributor to the reduced waves in a storm tide.  What-ever the case the island is low (4′ at its highest) and a prime site for a dangerous storm to make its landing.

 

 

 

Fire was another common visitor to Key West  In  the late 1880’s a huge fire engulfed much of the island (which is the reason most of the houses date from this period), the extent of the conflagration was further added to by the fact that the island’s only fire engine was in New York City for repairs.  Most of the island, including his church  went up in the fire.

 

 

 

Which brings me back to where I started–the church–The buiding is striking amongst the glitz, glitter and sin that is Duval.    I have seen the members standing on the steps during Fantasy Fest (Key West signature sin and excess Halloween Festival http://www.fantasyfest.com/ which I must say I was seen roaming about on a few occasions) singing hymns and witnessing in the midst of the wayward revelers.

 

 

One of its former ministers was a Reverend Burton—stepfather to THAT Richard, famous actor and on and off spouse of Elizabeth Taylor.  The younger Burton actually visited here, while not known for his church attendance the town would seem to fit his drinking and partying persona.

 

 

 

 

Three 7 1/4" Square Japanese PLATES White with Shades of Blue Design VINTAGE

“The plum-colored night sky was shifting to pink to make room for the day, which looked as though it might turn out “glorious and whimsical,” as the Key West Citizen had promised.”
Lucy Burdette, Topped Chef
On the same Block as Fast Bucks (and back a little West of the church) is Margaritaville   http://www.margaritavillekeywest.com/ the store and restaurant and of course bar.   This is the Key West presence of the crooner who helped put the island on the map.  Jimmy Buffett came here in the 60s and found a place to write his songs and sing and party.  He performed at various sites (the one that’s still standing and I know for sure is Captain Tony’s http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/.)  Here in this little island with its totally independent population, the seeds of Caribbean Soul were planted and took root.  Jimmy doesn’t come here much any more–he’s rich now and hangs in Palm Beach.
The block of buildings here shared with Fast Buck’s is reportedly owned by the man himself.  Legend has it that a few years ago he and the rest of the block was suffering from rent raises that were seriously eating into their businesses.  Buffet reportedly handle the situation by buying the block and stopping the escalating costs.  I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it makes a nice addition to the blog story.
The shop was small last time I was there and had all things Buffett along with other items and books that fitted the Parrot Head life view (My husband began his reading of John McDonald’s Travis McGee from books purchased here.).  The bar is right next door and features live entertainment—some really good stuff at night and really, really great chili cheese fries (not as good as the No Name  https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Name-Pub/116489781735219 but none the less quite good).  We use to hang out there by the window and watch the Duval go by but they now insist that you have a bigger party than two to set there—really JIMMY!       There’s also fake palms and Buffett  pictures etc. everywhere for the faithful.
Margaritaville“: “Nibblin’ on spongcake, Watching the sun bake all those tourists covered with oil…” Jimmy Buffett
“This is really going to be the hell of a fine house; the lawn is coming well, figs on the fig tree, coconuts on the trees and plenty of limes. Will plant more limes and coconuts. Wish you could plant a gin tree.” (to Maxwell Perkins, December 1931)   Hemingway about his house in Key West

 

 

 

 

A wild and crazy weekend involves sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigar, reading a book. Gates

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Sunday evenings often feel like the weekend is over before it’s even begun.       Catherine McCormack

 

 

 

http://londonist.com/2015/08/things-to-do-in-london-this-weekend-15-16-august-2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHITE RABBIT Fitz and Floyds 1970s Planter

 

 

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What’s your plans for the weekend?   Do you have a life?  Gotta mow–hey I can steer you to some great lawn services if that’s your only excuse to not getting a life….but it probably isn’t.
Watching OUTLANDER  the first  season second half is out  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3959572/  so unless you’re catching up on some episodes like my friend Lisa—-you’ve seen them all a dozen times…..so unless you have a  date with Katrina or Sam it doesn’t count as doing anything.
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DON’T TELL ME THERE’S  NOTHING TO DO.   How about local parks…many have boats to rent, the more rural ones give you nature trails to enjoy.  Or some have festivals, farmers markets….art classes—one never knows what the modern park has to offer…and if you haven’t tried you’ll never know.
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BUY A CAMERA AND TAKE UP PHOTOGRAPHY….It doesn’t have to be expensive and you may not be good….but you can also take classes or just enjoy what you do—having a life doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, just enjoying being bad works for me.
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JOIN THE CIRCUS OR AT LEAST GO SEE ONE, OR THE ZOO,  AQUARIUM OR WHAT EVER IS available in your area–this is a great place to take the kids—A lot of areas offer horse back riding and the better places have trail and/or beach rides—all fun and a great place to take the older kids.
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GO OUT FOR THE EVENING SOME PLACE NEW AND EXCITING OR IF YOU HAVE A DATE ROMANTIC…if with the kids entertaining.  There are movie theaters that include dinners and dinners with themes or plays with dinners….in Orlando there are dinner parties at the Titanic Exhibit   http://www.premierexhibitions.com/exhibitions/3/41/titanic-artifact-exhibition/titanic-dinner-events
Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.  ~Bill Watterson
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CHANGE THINGS UP—IF YOU LIVE IN A BIG CITY VISIT SOME PLACE SMALLER OR VISE VERSA.   Or if you live in some place like London move out of the area you’re close to—-go to Highgate  https://www.kfh.co.uk/north-london/highgate/   say to have an afternoon wandering about–they have some nice pubs and the Victorian Cemetery  http://highgatecemetery.org/ is well worth a couple hours of your time.  Or if you live in say Eustis (Florida) http://www.eustischamber.org/ try Mt. Dora  http://www.whattodoinmtdora.com/ with its art gallery, antique stores, old hotels and boat tours—small towns have a lot more to offer than you might think and Mt. Dora
check out Eustis as well.
Better days are coming. They are called Saturday and Sunday. ~Author Unknown
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ART SHOWS, MUSEUMS, Or even shopping in artys stores—even if its just in-door window shopping.        You can see new and unusual or even downright weird and realize you probably will never be rich enough to have to make a choice on which odd mirror should grace your guest bath.
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TOUR HISTORICAL HOMES/VILLAGES OR TOWNS….OR better yet find one (village or town) with a historical Bed & Breakfast and stay a day or two.  Spend time just walking around, soaking in the atmosphere and seeing the sights as if you have years to do so….You’ll come back (if you don’t decide to stay forever)  in a new more laid back place—at least till you get back in the office.
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May Church Groups have planned activities on the weekends including after church dinners and picnics, Kids activities, single groups, the lists are endless and can give you a group of liked minded individuals to do things with.   Your church doesn’t have activities, be the organizer and mover for your area.
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THROW A PARTY—-Have a pool…invite our friends—-not a lot of money—have a BYO and everybody bring food—if your friends aren’t the most reliable in that area assign specific dishes (and suggestions on which grocery deli or brand may be helpful).   Small children cramping your out and about plans—do a kiddie’s party rent a water slide of bouncy and have finger foods and set around with the other parents and figure other activities for your new social group—and if it’s working get a  Facebook (and a name of course) and do lots of pictures at events to keep everybody interested and entertained.
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Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you.  ~Ogden Nash
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“Old timers, weekends, and airplane landings are alike. If you can walk away from them, they’re successful.” » Casey Stengel
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“Nothing in the world is more expensive than a woman who’s free for the weekend.”

I guess when you turn off the main road, you have to be prepared to see some funny houses. Stephen King

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Highlight of my day yesterday was an hour or so grocery shoppinghttp://www.yellowpages.com/orlando-fl/grocery-stores—-how about you?  Added some more great new  stuff  http://www.ebay.com/sch/chas1849_ekbyo8/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=   Oh have you been here lately—its a great place with museums, Farmer’s Market on Sat—Riverwalk complete with old fashion porch swings for resting a while–even a zoo and much more SANFORD, FLORIDA ITS FUN, INTERESTNG AND AFFORDABLE    http://www.sanfordfl.gov/index.aspx?page=53.     Big Hi to one of my readers:  Richardgood luck getting everything set up on your new place.….things are gonna be great.    http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/moving-tips/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1983 JIMMY BUFFETT:  One Particular Harbour 33 1/3 LP Vinyl Record

JAMIE Tortured but still HOT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are given to the cult of personality; when things go badly we look to some messiah to save us. If by chance we think we have found one, it will not be long before we destroy him.   Constantine Karamanlis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEATLES CARD 1960 ORIGINALS 3rd Series

OK today in my week where everything or one goes I’m on to Celebrity–who are these people who are taking up time on my TV, internet etc.  and why do I care.

Who is Kendra and what is she on top of besides ads that keep on running?

So I Googled her:

WE the channel that carries her on two shows gives us this information:  From Playboy playmate to loving wife and mother, Kendra on Top is an engaging, entertaining ride through Kendra’s journey as she gets her groove back.     

 

 

Gee that certainly makes me want her for a role model (by the way WE please look up the meaning of loving and what groove?  She’s been a bunny and a reality star—where do you go from there?)

 

 

 

WIKIPEDIA tells us that this is her 2nd REALITY (REALLY??????!!!!!) show:  The Girls Next Door reality television personality Kendra Wilkinson as she balances being a mother and her business ventures   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendra_on_Top

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Wait she and her husband (who apparently did?  I don’t know for sure as I only see the commercials—had an affair or one night stand or what ever with a transvestite) were also on that Celebrity Boot Camp for troubled marriages (do you think they’d show it if there wasn’t any trouble?)   Which obviously worked really well as the latest commercial appear to be showing her KISSING other men—is she  too old to go back to the Playboy thing?.   Wait she could do that and WE could do a 4th Reality show:   Kendra on Aging Bunnily. 

 

 

 

I discourage a cult of personality.
 Newt Gingrich quotes

 

 

 

 

PARIS HILTON is a representative of the Rich and Famous Personality that the media so enjoys following.

Googled:  Paris Whitney Hilton (born February 17, 1981) is an American socialite, television personality, model, actress, singer, DJ and author. She is the great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels. Born in New York City and raised there and in Beverly Hills, California, Hilton began her modeling career as a teenager when she signed with Donald Trump‘s agency, Trump Model Management. Her lifestyle and rumored short-lived relationships made her a feature of entertainment news, and Hilton was proclaimed “New York‘s leading It Girl” in 2001.[2] In 2003, a sex tape with Hilton and her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, later released as 1 Night in Paris, was made public. Released only three weeks before the premiere of the reality television series The Simple Life, in which she starred alongside her long-time friend Nicole Richie, the sex tape became a media sensation. The Simple Life continued for five seasons and gave both women international recognition.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Hilton

 

We appear to be a nation intrigued with  Behavior especially when is displayed on TV.

 

Donald Trump mentioned above is another wealthy personality that appears to entertain many

 

Googled: Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American real estate magnate, television personality, politician, and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts.[1] Trump’s branding efforts, business career, outspoken manner, media appearances, and books have made him a celebrity. He hosted The Apprentice,[2] a U.S. television program on NBC.    Trump is a son of Fred Trump, a New York City real estate developer.[10] Donald Trump worked for his father’s firm, Elizabeth Trump & Son, while attending the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and, in 1968, officially joined the company.[11] He was given control of the company in 1971, renaming it The Trump Organization.[12][13] Trump remains a major figure in the real estate industry in the United States and a media celebrity.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe the Republicans will be the first to bring us a White House Reality Show.

 

 

Oh the Kardashians I have mentioned before—but was amazed by this bit of news I picked up while googling :  “The FDA issued a formal warning letter after Kardashian posted about the benefits of the morning sickness drug Diclegis to her 42 million Instagram followers on July 20, writing that the post “fails to communicate any risk information.” Kardashian, who is expecting her second child with Kanye West in December, wrote that Diclegis helped her combat morning sickness and has “been studied and there was no increased risk to the baby.”   http://www.today.com/parents/kim-kardashian-warned-fda-after-instagram-endorsement-morning-sickness-drug-t38291

OMG People you’d really take meds  during pregnancy cause  a celeb recommended it?

 

 

 

W. Somerset Maugham

 

 

 

 

FOR THOSE WHO PREFER  THE  SELF MADE CELEBS

I mean those people that made it rich from contributions to man kind-How about The Robertson Family

Googled:  Duck Dynasty is an American reality television series on A&E that portrays the lives of the Robertson family, who became wealthy from their family-operated business, Duck Commander. The West Monroe, Louisiana business makes products for duck hunters, primarily a duck call called Duck Commander. The Robertson men – brothers Phil and Si, and Phil’s sons Jase, Willie, and Jep – are known for their long beards and their Christian views.[1] The family was previously featured on the series Benelli Presents Duck Commander and its spin-off Buck Commander, which still airs on the Outdoor Channelhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_Dynasty

 

 

$15.00 USD
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The average man is a conformist, accepting miseries and disasters with the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain. ~Colin Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE Squeeze Vintage LIGHTER