“

All my personal pictures today are from Heron Cay

On a scale of one to 10, I’d give you a nine—and I’m the one you need

WEDGE CUSHION, BED UNOPENED 24x20x8″ (262283738242)  $24.99

Honorable Mention:

HERON CAY

Lake View Bed and Breakfast

Gracious Victorian Manor

Located on a hillside overlooking Lake Dora

Recently created reflecting our glorious past when life was less complicated

www.heroncay.com

495 W. Old US HWY 441

Mt. Dora, FL 32757

innkeeper@heroncay.com

Enjoy the finest comforts of the modern world, while surrounded by family antiques, art & collectibles to stimulate nostalgic memories.

Luxurious Lakeview Suites/Rooms, some with fireplaces

Accommodates up to 6 guest/room

Great for family reunions, girlie getaways, groups, etc.

Pleasant walk to historic downtown

Scrumptious full breakfast/brunch

TVs/Mini-Frig/ensuite baths

Handicap accommodations

Pet friendly w/limitations

Well mannered children 5+ welcome

Are you a banana? Because I find you a-peel-ing

Amber Flower 1970s Carnival Glass VINTAGE (262283719227)  $10.00

Check out this feature for Season 2:

New ‘Outlander’ Season Two Featurette, Premiere Date in April

If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together

JEFF GORDON CAR ON 40 ANNUAL DAYTONA 500 PROGRAM AND INSI… (262283699911)   $14.80

And your adventure possibility for the day:

GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

110 W. Gasparilla Plaza

Tampa 33602

www.GlazerMuseum.org

813-443-FUN1

A place where children and their parents can learn through play and shared discovery.  Created specifically for children under 10.  170 interactivities in 12 theme areas for families to explore, connect while having fun along the way.

Daily and weekly programs geared to grow the minds of children and parents a like

Special events throughout the year to keep the museum experience fresh and ever-lasting.

A unique interactive look into the world and community we live in.  Weather, art, communication and much more.

General admission

Children under 1 free

Children $9.50

Adults:  $15

Military and Seniors $12.50

Monday-Friday 10 am – 5 pm

Sat. 10 am – 6 pm

Sun. 1 pm – 6 pm

Are you a kleptomaniac? Because you just stole my heart

NASCAR MAXX Trading Cards 10 Card Packs 36 Cards per Pac… (262283694915)  $59.99

So yesterday I told you of the confusion that has so far brought us that romantic holiday that brings with it fat winged creatures and enough candy so if we’re not already fat we will be soon enough.  So today I thought I’d give you some more recent sources for the day.

Fact is I even found another day when love, romance and Saints nobody knows much about are all involved.  “You won’t find the Welsh celebrating Saint Valentine — instead, people in Wales celebrate Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, on January 25th”  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/viator/10-valentines-day-traditi_b_9190888.html

Good thing I brought my library card, because I’m checkin’ you out

According to the History Channel we have a British candy maker to thank for those red heart boxes that are everywhere:  “While Richard Cadbury didn’t actually patent the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed that he was the first to produce one. Cadbury marketed the boxes as having a dual purpose: When the chocolates had all been eaten, the box itself was so pretty that it could be used again and again to store mementos, from locks of hair to love letters. The boxes grew increasingly elaborate until the outbreak of World War II, when sugar was rationed and Valentine’s Day celebrations were scaled down. But Victorian-era Cadbury boxes still exist, and many are treasured family heirlooms or valuable items prized by collectors.”     http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/celebrating-valentines-day-with-a-box-of-chocolates

Messages (as in written by those that could on the big day become standard in the 1500s  By there late 1700s you could buy commerically printed Valentines.  These reached the US by the early 1800s.  http://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day

Newsweek tells us that the real break through for cards for the day was printed by an American Card Legend:  “Hallmark produced its first Valentine’s card in 1913, adding a dash of convenience to the sacred day of love. Ever since, …has been synonymous with Valentine’s Day. The Greeting Card Association estimates that 145 million cards are sent around the world every year.”  http://www.newsweek.com/why-we-celebrate-valentines-day-romance-chaucer-424480

If you were on paper, you’d be what they call ‘fine print!

In Italy (per CBS Chicago) there is a long standing tradition that:  “the first man a girl sees on Valentine’s Day would be the man (or look like the man) she would marry within a year. Unmarried girls would wake up extra early to sit by their window to look for men who walked by. ”    http://chicago.cbslocal.com/top-lists/valentines-traditions-from-around-the-world/

A British (always practical my Brits) site suggests:  “For romantic people with plenty of cash these gifts could include: a helicopter flight, a balloon ride, the chance to test-drive a Ferrari, an all-day session at a health club. Others, however, complain that Valentine’s Day is yet another opportunity for ever-increasing commercialism. For true romantics the gift of love is enough. Valentine’s Day is a popular day to either propose or get married – you’d never forget your wedding anniversary” – http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/read-uk/valentines-day#sthash.0C8vTmoZ.dpuf

While In Spain they celebrate like the rest of us I found another alternative LOVERS day for:  “although cards and flowers are still the norm for 14th February, in the Catalan northeast of the country, Valentine’s Day plays second fiddle to El dia de la Rosa (The Day of the Rose) and El dia del Libre (The Day of the Book), both taking place on 23rd April, when the lady gets the flowers, he the gentleman gets the book. ”   http://turnbullandasser.com/love-this-valentines-traditions

Do you have a Band-Aid? Because I skinned my knee when I fell for you

THE GRAIL-LESS (AND THERE’S NO STONE EITHER) QUEST

UPDATE

3rd day in the UK will find us heading (BY train 1 1/2 hours) for

NOTTINGHAM

Where we’ll check in

and then wander off to the Lace Market

Where we’ll have lunch, shop and explore the afternoon away

and for dinner

At a traditional British place.

I can’t say I’m sorry I’m missing Valentine’s Day in London as according to the BBC:  Your bloody valentine in London, England
A cross between a haunted house and a Medieval history museum, the London Dungeon is a big fan of blood and guts. Its exhibits humorously depict gruesome events of torture, disease, disaster and, of course, zombies. (Think Jack the Ripper, Bloody Mary and special effects galore.) This Valentine’s Day, the dungeon is cooking up a gloriously gory treat of human heart cupcakes, baked by Miss Cakehead, a bakery specializing in over-the-top creations. Couples can enjoy the bloody desserts while watching a torturous surgical procedure in the Blood and Guts exhibit.      http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20110211-travelwise-weird-ways-to-celebrate-valentines-day

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” –Ingrid Bergman

Fragrance Pattern Royal Victoria Fine Bone China 4 PLATES… (262283639617)  $54.40

“Your love is better than chocolate. Better than anything else that I’ve tried.” –Sarah McLachlan

Baby DOLL with Minute Croucheted DRESS BEAUTIFUL 2 1/4″ (262284998301)  $19.74

Good morning…hope it’s a pleasant day for you

Celine: Loving someone, and being loved means so much to me. We always make fun of it and stuff. But isn’t everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?   BEFORE SUNRISE

and a mention for

ELISABETH FERBER

FINE ART & OIL PAINTINGS

http://www.elisabethsfineart.com/about.html

Micanopy, Florida

407-232-4109

eferber@Hotmail.com

Celine: You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details.   BEFORE SUNSET

FENTON CHARLEON HAND DECORATED FOOT BOWL WITH SCALLOPED E… (262282148707) $7.99

BEAR NOMINATED (AND OF COURSE OUTLANDER) for best original score in a TV Show :  Show:http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/outlander-composer-bear-mccreary-nominated-7315855

1960’S (Little Girl) NURSE with Teddy Bear (262282146760)   $5.99

Stay on the waterfront, a campgrounds or an RV park.

and enjoy the special events

Florida’s Blueberry Festival   (April)     https://www.floridablueberryfestival.org/

Champion Cycle Competitions

Art in the Park

Swamp Fest                                   http://swampfestweekiwachee.com/about-swamp-fest.html

and

Seasonal Holiday Happenings

CHRISTMAS PORCELAIN ORNAMENT “BOX” PLAYS “JOY TO THE WORL… (262282138941)  $4.99

it’s that month of the year where LOVE is in air and though we marry in June and vacation in August we swear to love and all it’s lore in February—that time when symbolic hearts flourish about–where cards and candy appear in profusion at the beloved’s side and it is impossible to find an unreserved seat for dinner on the 14th.  How did we come to this month, was it divine (Cupid of course) intervention?  Or just a quirk of fate—where cards are sent in profusion to ones TRUE LOVE many WITH Pictures of arrows protruding from buns and the organ of the heart, looking vaguely like a bun itself, red an profusely everywhere.

So you may know that the Holiday (or at least event) bears the name of a Christian (as in Catholic) saint…what you may no know is even the church who put the St. in front of his name isn’t sure who or what he was:  Valentine was either a temple priest or maybe the Bishop of Terni…both executed by Claudius II in or near Rome…and it reportedly involved marrying Christian couples.    In fact “Enough confusion surrounds the true identity of St. Valentine that the Catholic Church discontinued liturgical veneration of him in 1969, though his name remains on its list of officially recognized saints.”  http://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine

The Catholic Church has this to say about the origins of the day:  “The romantic nature of Valentine’s Day may have derived during the Middle Ages, when it was believed that birds paired couples in mid-February. According to English 18th-century antiquarians Alban Butler and Francis Douce, Valentine’s Day was most likely created to overpower the pagan holiday, Lupercalia.    Although the exact origin of the holiday is not widely agreed upon, it is widely recognized as a day for love, devotion and romance.”  http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159

Susan Parrish: Tell me you love me now.
Joe Black: I love you now. I love you always.  MEET JOE BLACK

Lupercalia…IS or was a pagan fertility festival celebrated by Rome  ( but probably older than Rome…)which was observed Feb. 13- 15th Lupercus was a fertility God (think Pan).  Some think that this was what Valentine’s day was produced to celebrate but “Some researchers, such as Kellog and Cox, have made a separate claim that the modern customs of Saint Valentine’s Day originate from Lupercalia customs. Other researchers have rejected this claim: they say there is no proof that the modern customs of Saint Valentine’s Day originate from Lupercalia customs, and the claim seems to originate from misconceptions about festivities”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupercalia

So far we have a saint who nobody is sure who he was, that is  associated with love and then there’s a god who’s ceremonies may or may not have been replaced by him…however I think we’re pretty sure the event all ended up in February.

I kind of like Father Frank O’Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland,  account that goes: “The idea of encouraging them (soldiers) to marry within the Christian church was what Valentine was about. And he secretly married them because of the edict.  Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against command of Emperor Claudius the second.”  http://www1.cbn.com/st-valentine-real-story

William: I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name.
Anna Scott: I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.  Notting Hill

Oh and there are actually three celebrations:  “The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).”    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

But back to the Feb. 14th date well not really:  “AD 1382  Geoffrey Chaucer writes his Parlement of Foules (or “Parliament of Fowls”), which is widely taken to be the first linking of St Valentine’s Day to romantic love. Celebrating the engagement of Richard II of England and Anne of Bohemia, he wrote: “For this was on St. Valentine’s Day/ When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.” But a lot of scholars think this is really May 2 (a celebration of the saints day on the calendar of Valentine of Genoa).  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/sex/valentines-day/7187784/History-of-Valentines-Day.html

This just gets weirder and weirder—two saints or maybe more and two churches,  4 different day,  not to mention a bard just scattering things further to the wind and adding a doomed prince (Richard II) to the mix….talk about confusion.

Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you. I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.
Elizabeth Bennet: I don’t understand.
Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.  PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

OK NOW that it’s so clear to everyone I’m going  close for the day and let you establish your thoughts on how we went from sheer confusion to sappy day of candle light dinner, giving chocolates to people we spend the rest of the year admonishing to watch and even loose weight, sending cards with weird symbols of heart s and half (or more) naked winged creatures who’s idea of making some one love someone else is to shoot them in the ass with arrows.

Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
Romeo: Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Juliet: ‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy, thou art thyself though not a Montague. What is Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. Oh, what’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet; so Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection to which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name! And for thy name, which is no part of thee, take all myself. ROMEO AND JULIET

LYNARD SKYNARD Tribute Program 1987 (262282135572) $24.99

Princess Leia: I love you.
Han Solo: I know.

STAR WAR EPISODE 5:  THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

TOUR of OLDSMOBILE Lansing Michigan Brochure 1961 Your (262282124822) $10.99

 .

ANOTHER GREAT “Picture of the Day”

I should go to more Scottish Gatherings!

O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?

Percy Bysshe Shelley

SEATED DOG 4 1/2″ PORCELAIN JAPAN (262229091992)  $4.99

http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/blennerhassett.en.html?aid=311088;label=blennerhassett-hi32vrHLYGh1iqiqWNRhQwS60152592723:pl:ta:p1:p2:ac:ap1t1:neg:fi:tiaud-146342137510:kwd-122833316:lp9011747:li:dec:dm;ws=&gclid=CjwKEAiArdG1BRCLvs_q-IObwxMSJACXbLtz0RZN0S1Ptkw2JqK6fjzpkbPphipTHG3BSRGgFU_pihoCnNnw_wcB

This building built by a former mayor in 1889 once housed banks and had facilities that once housed rail workers and traveling salemen…it was closed but renovated with 18 and 19 century antiques and reopened in 1986–in 2005 the hotel completed a complete renovation in 2005.

BLENNERHASETT MUSEUM

2nd & Juliana Streets

North half constructed in 1902 (Star Grocery Co)  and the south half was completed in the 1920s.  Opened after a total renovation in 1988 as the second largest in West Va.  Large array of artifacts from prehistoric Indian artifacts  to items owned by the Blennerhasett family.  Don’t miss the 12-min video on the history of BLennerhasett Island and the tragic company that gave it its name.

HALLMARK “MUGS” with Kitten and Mouse Both Sides Small “W… (262229098483)  $4.99

So here comes the weekend.

Hope you have some fun plans

Let’s see

There’s an art festival in Mt. Dora   http://mountdoracenterforthearts.org/arts-festival/

And for the Quilters

February 4-6, 2016
Quilting in Paradise
Port St Lucie Crazy Quilters 9th Biennial Quilt Show
Port St Lucie Civic Center
9221 SE Civic Center Place, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952
www.pslcrazyquilters.com
www.pslcrazyquilters.blogspot.com
Admission $10

February 5-6, 2016 (9-4)
Busy Bees Quilt Show “Quilts: what is old is new again”
Silver Springs Presbyterian Church
674 Silver Road, Ocala, FL
Ocalawoods@cfl.rr.com

February 6, 2016 (10-3)
Venice Florida Quilters Show “Airing of the Quilts”
Maxine Barritt Park, Beachfront near the Pier
1800 S Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34285
www.SarasotaModernQuiltGuild.com
Carole Lyles Shaw (410) 913-8539 QuiltShow@vaqg.org
Free admission

and for those who Love Beer

DeLand Craft Beer Festival. Feb. 6, 1 p.m. Downtown DeLand. $35 advance, $40 at the gate (21 or older). Volusia Beer Week event: Festival will include craft, imported, rare and vintage brews by more than 50 vendors. Volusia Beer Week.

New Sam Adams Brews Special Tasting Event. Feb. 6, 4 – 5 p.m. Total Wine & More, 2712 East Colonial Dr., Orlando. $10. Chance to sample three new nitro brews from Sam Adams, as well as the latest entry in Rebel IPA series. Total Wine.

Even common Florida themes seem popular:

Craft Beverage Expo – Traverse City

Date(s): 02/05/16

From: Wuerfel Park – Traverse City Beach Bums

Phone: (231) 943-0100

Type: Cultural & Heritage

Craft Beverages from the likes of Short’s Brewing, St. Ambrose Cellars, Black Star Farm, Bonobo Winery and others will be sampled at Wuerfel Park in Chum’s Village. Tickets are limited to the first 75 adults 21 and over,

and something you don’t see very often in Florida

12th Annual Magical Ice Fest – Saint Joseph

Date(s): 02/05/16 – 02/07/16

From: St. Joseph Today

Phone: (269) 985-1111

Type: Cultural & Heritage, Fairs & Festivals

Join us in downtown St. Joseph February 5-7 for our 12th Annual Ice Carving Festival!We’ve got frosty fun planned all weekend long, book your stay today www.stjoetoday.com/hotels. ALL WEEKEND Certified

and finally

Eating is important:

Lean protein (Salmon is particularly good as is chicken)

Bananas

Berries (Blue, Raspberries and strawberries)

Green leafy veggie

Oat meal

lentils

black eyed peas

Eye yolks

and Dark chocolate

will all help provide support for the body in winter.

Supplements

Vitamin B 12

Vitamin D (which is provided by sun light)

And remember to limit your sugar intake.

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/10-food-tips-help-ease-winter-blues#12

Winter lies too long in country towns; hangs on until it is stale and shabby, old and sullen.

Willa Cather

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT WREATH BOX (262229103465) $9.99

Winter is nature’s way of saying, ‘Up yours.’

Robert Byrne

BOBSLED PROJECT BROCHURE GEOFF BODINE USA (262229116101)  $39.55

t

PICTURE OF THE DAY FROM THE HOUSE OF GORDON

HONORABLE MENTION

COZY NEST

https://www.facebook.com/CozyNestMountDora/

“more than just sticks & twigs”

Ellen Coates Silver

Faces of Mt. Dora: Ellen Coates – The Cozy Nest

Owner

432 N. Donnelly St.

Mount Dora, FL  32757

342-383-0510

ellen.cozynest@aol.com

Check out who MTV’s Couple of the Year was for 2015

‘Outlander’s’ Jamie And Claire Named MTV’s Best TV Couple For 2015

CABLE CAR BY KK ROSETTA item SKY700BY SAN FRANCISCO #88 (262227870940)  $10.00

PRESENTED AS A POSSIBLE ADVENTURE IDEA

BEAVER AIR TOURS

www.beaverairtours.com

de Havilland Beaver Sea Plane

612-812-1223

jjustad@tds.net

Tours include panoramic views of the Harris Chain of Lakes, mansions, ranches, canals, wildlife, Mt. Dora, Tavares, crystal blue spring lakes and much more.

Custom trips to places like St. John’s River and Sugarloaf Mountain or Orland theme parks.

$50/adult $45/child (12 and under—under 2 free seated in parent’s lap are free)

25 minute flight for 5 passengers….less than 5 other arrangements for combining groups etc. apply

7 day a week from 10 am to sunset scheduled on the hour taking off from the historic Lakeside Inn October to April.

Se habla Espanol

We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.

Aristotle Onassis

PLATE LIMOGE MADE FRANCE MINATURE SCALLOPED DARK BLUE FLO… (262227847802) $6.99

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.

Vincent Van Gogh

WEDGE CUSHION, BED UNOPENED 24x20x8″ (262227876063) $29.99

Even Castles made of sand, fall into the sea, eventually.

Jimi Hendrix

FRAME–PLAID WITH CUSHIONED BORDER. “JIM THOMPSON” SILK? (262227878227)   $21.75

PICTURE OF THE DAY Another Scottish Game Image

LA WREN’S NEST

Lawrence & Julie Brooks Owners

8308 Eden St.

Henrico, VA 23228

860-377-8133

603-521-2083

http://www.lawrensnest.com/

lawrensnest@eznettools.net

Scottish, Celtic, Classical and Medieval items

Swords, Daggers, Leather Goods, Capes, Circles, Tapestries, Giftware Accessories and Custom Work

CHRISTMAS PORCELAIN ORNAMENT “BOX” PLAYS “JOY TO THE WORL… (262226267426) $7.90

Check out this site:

See How ‘Outlander’ Tartans Are Made in Scotland

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR AN ADVENTURE OR TWO

WEEKIWACHEE PRESERVE

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/weekiwachee.html

11,000 acres of protected conservation land.  Native wildlife thrives in diverse habitats ranging from pine-covered sand hills to hardwood swamps, teeming marshes, and vibrant waterways.  Paddle or fish on the lakes, ride on the bike trails, hike in the scenic woods and bird watch at this Great Florida Birding Trail site.

we’ll have dinner around our hotel which is full of night life and that is day 2.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS 1999 LION 262227774803)   $5.20

Yesterday was not a good day:  a person I was dealing with on my store ( https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonLaire?ref=hdr_shop_menu ) was one of those persons who is always right and never had a good word for anyone and though I had done nothing wrong and knew it I still stressed out seriously about the whole affair.  Which is why I guess I find my self going out of my way trying to give others a second chance, why I try to mother and cherish persons whom others are in dire need of a long dissertation as to why I’m doing this, and I often find myself going out of my way to justify my behavior for it seems ongoing kindness is suspect for the person offering it: either in a question of motives, sanity and/or good taste.

But I find that there are few people who don’t (sometimes so deep down that you don’t realize it till long after the interaction) respond to kindness—not a random act to gain favor or standing, but kindness when the world is use to so little of the commodity even when it’s called for, let alone to someone or other that goes out of their way to discourage anything but at best ignorance and at worse animosity.  Now don’t get me wrong there are lots of people I dislike and some I avoid—but very few I do not show kindness to if I do come into contact and if you or they feel that is a weakness then so be it…..but I beg to differ.

When I first became an RN I worked on a floor where one of the nurses was known for her unbending rigidity and her basic polite but curt behavior to all.  One night had been particularly bad and when the next staff came on I gave report on my patients in obvious state of being beaten about by the chores of the night.  I made a comment that I hadn’t even had time to get a drink for hours and went on to the next team (only 1 RN at night but 2 on days) report.  When we finished and I returned to the staff room that nurse was there with a cold bottle of water and a crooked smile.  She evidently felt that an explanation was due for she said gruffly–“You’ve always been good to everybody, some one has to take care of you occasionally too.”  That was it and yet it meant so much to me for it proved that my little acts of kindness;  that I do not give for any reason other than my own thoughts that it is what I would like the world to offer me occasionally; had not been lost, even on this lady, who was not prone to overt acts.

the last 3 pictures are ones I took in Mt Dora, Fl. recently.  http://www.whattodoinmtdora.com/

The main picture was taken there too at the Goblin Market.  http://thegoblinmarketrestaurant.com/

FRAME COW JUMPING OVER THE MOON CERAMIC BY RUSS (262227776962)  $11.85

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Confucius

ROUND PIG WITH ORIGINAL UNOPENED TOOTHPICKS–JOSEPH ORIGI… (262227792746)   $4.99

PICTURE OF THE DAY:  A mature, gentleman in full dress at the Scottish Games

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

CAMPBELL TOMATO SOUP CUPS (262224404735) $5.99

HONORABLE MENTION:

COUNTY ARGYLE

http://www.countyargyle.com/

Local, handmade, unique

407-459-4422

Info@countyargyle.com

Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death. – Omar N. Bradley

FENTON HIGH PEDESTAL BOWL.DECORATIVE OPAQUE GREEN SCALLO… (262224457761) $16.50

Jamie/Sam talks on How LOVE Makes the Difference

http://www.goldderby.com/news/10971/outlander-sam-heughan-caitriona-balfe-golden-globes.html

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill

ANGELS JANUARY KEEPSAKE–3 1/2″ THREE (262226156917)  $4.99

Presented for you to consider for an adventure

BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND

Historical State Park

137 Juliana Street

Parkersburg, W.Va 26101

304-420-4800

www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com

The island has been visited by the likes of George Roger Clark, Johnny Appleseed, Henry Clay, Walt Whitman and Gore Vidal.

The island is named for Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish aristocrat and his wife, Margaret who had a magnificent mansion and estate here in the late 18th and early 19th century, but Blennerhassett became involved with Aaron Burr (1806) in a mysterious military enterprise and was accused of attempting to establish an empire in the Southwest.  He fled but was captured and imprisoned until Burr was tried and acquitted and then he was released.  Both men were largely ruined.  The mansion burned to the ground.  But it has been recreated from the original foundations.  The interior is furnished with some of the original pieces owned by the Blennerhassetts and other period piece.

Museum contains many artifacts and tools dating back to the Ice Age.

The Putnam-Houser House:  Brought to the island by barge in 1986, from a bluff in Ohio.  The 1802 two-story house is now completely restored.

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. – Robin Williams

BLOWN GLASS DECORATIVE HANGING BALL (262226212635)  $20.00

I thought today I’d introduce you to my trip plans as while I’m on the trip I plan to highlight it on this blog.

Duration will be 49 days and will involve England (including Cornwall) and Scotland.  I will post announcements for the Blog on Face Book and the like but I will only do the narrative and the pictures here…so stay signed up.

And any enterprising crooks out there I have a roomie who’s an old, tough country boy who isn’t leaving the homestead…so don’t bother to go into too much of a stress to get the details of my absence.

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

This is going to be a two part adventure involving planes and trains and probably some tour buses and local buses.

The first part is 19 days and involves me and my friend SUSI….we will fly into the UK (an overnight flight is what I recommend–we get to get at least some sleep and when we get there we take a train into London and check into a hotel (walking distance from the depot and within a block or so of a Starbucks) and then we hit the road running…that is how we’ve found to best avoid Jet lag…we spend the whole day out and about and have an early (5ish) dinner–go back to room, do a few things–like write my blog–and then get to bed around 9 ish and that works to help transplant our time into theirs w/o a serious down time

Our hotel is booked and our first day will include a tour of Westminster (which includes the tombs of the next to the last  Anglo-Saxon and early Normans kings and a couple queens), as well as a Jewel Tower and lunch in what use to be a basement storage area for the monks (remember that the monks that once claimed the small Abbey, that grew into an institution for the city, have been at this location since sometime in the 9th century).  We’ll probably take a bus or subways to and fro—London’ s subways are so much cleaner and safer than the ones in NYC.  Buses are easy to negotiate too.

Fall seven times, stand up eight. – Japanese proverb

The second part is me alone….my friend leaves London one day and I leave the next…but she is going to the USA by plane while I’m taking a train to Cornwall where I have a hotel reserved (in a very old town right on the coast–the hotel isn’t on the water but right downtown).  I used Booking.Com as they have a program where you don’t have to pay them any fees and you pay the hotel when you get there and they usually can get me a decent price (well most of the time–the hotel in London had a great special going, but you don’t have the long time to cancel w/o a penalty and you did have to pay that one in advance, but I saved 20% so I can live with it.

The stay in the Cornish town allows me to explore the area of my novel (or at least what I’ve been working on for a while) and the birthplace of my Arthur, who is based loosely on the Celtic legends and largely on my (which means always a bit more than a small bit off center) interpretation of it all.  I can wander about and take buses or whatever to Glastonbury and the Tor which always gives me chills seeing it set above the plains below, with a Christian Church (I believe a monastery that fell victim to Henry eight) on top of its wild pagan elegance.

The hotel has a restaurant and a pub which will allow me to seek out food and dink and maybe some friendly talk on evenings when I do not wish to stay alone completing my blog (though the inn is old the Wifi is new) or watching TV which I also have.

Life is ambiguous. – Keith Richards

I will up date you on our progress on the whole affair and our reservations–like I can’t get reservations on the train from the airport yet as they’re not open to reservations this early.  And you can’t pre-book the tour at Westminster Abbey and there are no set times so we just have to check when we get there as to tour times and any openings left and then plan our meal and the Jewel tower (The Jewel Tower dates back almost 650 years and is an intriguing visitor attraction in the heart of Westminster. It was built around 1365 to house Edward III’s treasures and was known as the ‘King’s Privy Wardrobe’.  Oh and by the way Edward III is the son of the gay prince in Brave Heart and his French wife–the King being Edward I, the Prince became Edward II-duh) visit around that and in fact since we can’t get here till afternoon we may not be able to do a tour that day at all…but there will be other days in London.

Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. – Steve Jobs

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