Taking a little break......

I try to post at least 2-3 times a week on Sam's Amusing World blog. This week I've got nothing floating in my head to post, talk about, ask questions, start discussions, cute photos or ideas. What I do have floating in my head is the fun stuff for:  wedding 1 plans, ideas, questions, suggestions, lists, lists, lists, reservations, more lists, lists, lists, shower planning, shower doing, lists, lists, lists of things to do. Then there's baby, baby, baby, first grandchild excitement, shower doing, reservations, flight plans, baby, baby, baby. And not to forget wedding 2 plans, lists, ideas, lists, where, what and when things to do. Trips, schedules, tickets, dates, fielding phone calls, answering and sending emails, organizing to keep it all straight in my head and on the calendar. All while trying to keep up with Attic Whispers postings 3 times a week, keeping to a new fitness schedule & household duties. At least, I'm retired from the out in the world workplace, if I had that on top of it all I'd be yelling: TILT! Yup, I finally hit the OverLoad button. 

 

I'll be back folks when my head has space to include writing, posting ideas, ask questions, make statements and Amuse you. In the mean time enjoy Attic Whispers web site and I'll be back here soon..........

 

 

Monday Monday

Do you have a collection of anything?

my answer:

I have a small collection of tea cups and saucers. I started my collection when I was given some of my grandmother's tea cup collection and it grew a few years ago when I received tea cups and saucers from my kids for Christmas. I claim anyone may use them when offered tea or coffee at my house, but we seldom get them out and actually use them.  I also have a LARGE collection of photographs and most of them are scrapbooked and stored in the over 60 albums I have nestled in one of my bookcases. 

Presently, I'm collecting vintage photographs and use them for stories I write for Attic Whispers.

My awesome daughter-in-law (I have one - soon to have two more) is always showing me interesting sites on the Internet highway via her blog, Sagebrush Coast, that I had no idea existed and have been for a long time. Here's a recent discovery: Lists Of Note plus there is a companion site called: Letters of Note with scanned letters from mostly famous people or addressed to famously, well known people. I get lost reading other people's mail. 

The following little tid-bit caught my eye and I just had to share it with you.

10 Rules for Wives

In 1923, the Legal Aid Society of New York City published some advice to wives in the area, in the form of the  following list of rules.  (Source: Family (Great Contemporary Issues.)

1. Don't be extravagant. Nothing appeals more strongly to a man than the prospect of economic independence.
2. Keep your home clean. Nothing is more refreshing to the eyes of the tired, nerve-racked worker than the sight of a well-tidied home.
3. Do not permit your person to become unattractive. A slovenly wife makes a truant husband.
4. Do not receive attention from other men. Husbands are often jealous and some are suspicious without cause. Do not supply the cause. Friendly attentions from others may be received in a spirit of perfect innocence. When reported by the busy-body they become distorted, often criminal.
5. Do not resent reasonable discipline of children by their father. Mothers should not assume that all chastisement of a child by his father is severe and unjustifiable.
6. Do not spend too much time with your mother. You may easily, in such a way, spend too little time at home.
7. Do not accept advice from neighbors, or even stress too greatly that of your own family. Think for yourself. Have a plan of your own for solution of home problems. In all causes consult freely with your husband.
8. Do not disparage your husband.
9. Smile. Be attentive in little things. An indifferent wife is often supplanted by an ardent mistress.
10. Be tactful. Be feminine. Men, in the last analysis, are but over-grown children. They do not mind coaxing, but they resent coercion. Femininity attracts and compels them. Masculinity in the females repels.

                   They forgot #11. Stay barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen

All I can say is: Really??  Really??

They followed me home.....

I started going to Pinterest a few times a week, then it was 5 times a week, then it was daily and I will admit it -- I was hooked. Hook-line-and-sinker! I'd fritter away an hour (or two) gazing at what other people felt was important enough to post - repost - and post again. One day, I told myself: STOP! So now I visit Pinterest when I'm bored, have nothing else screaming at me to do, or just want to see what other people have posted - reposted - and posted again.

and...these neat ideas just followed me home.

I have a stack of old windows just waiting for a new life and I think one just might make it out of the storage shed to become this.

This is so simple - yet - so creative. I have 3 large bins of scrapbook paper scraps -- hum....

What a great idea for tight spaces and I love the cork board lined lid

Photographs printed on vellum,

put on cheap wood frames

attach 3 together

put a battery powered little (IKEA?) light inside

and whol-ahh -- magic!

 

Not an idea but an awesome waterfall from Uluru Waterfalls in Australia

Enchanting - Surreal - Awesome

 

Monday Monday

Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind it?

My answer:

I prefer to be behind the camera -- Seldom have I seen a photo of me that I like: "That's not me - it can't be!" But, behind the camera I get to capture the world as I see it and document the person, place, thing or event.  And I've got the bookshelf filled with the scrapbooks to prove it.

Characters Welcomed

 

At the recent Grand Opening of Aleda Fitness, we were wined and dined, listened to the enchanting classical guitarists playing, mingled with other guests, toured the fitness studio, entered to win awesome give-a-way prizes and were given a chance to have some fun with the Paparazzi photo booth set up for zany photos to take home as memorable souvenirs. Chris, Andrea and Ruthie were the perfect hosts and created a wonderful evening for their Grand Opening.

Amazing!!!!

If you're fortunate enough to live in the Portland, Oregon area there is a NEW fitness studio waiting for you. aleda fitness has opened it's door and welcomes you into a world of change, creating a remarkable you. Personal Trainer/Coach, Chris Wilborn and Life Coach, Andrea Mansfield are all about balance, transformation and goals that you develop with this wonderful, motivating team.

The studio is located in the 23rd Street area at 2321 NW Thurman Street in Portland, Oregon

M-Th 9am - 7pm

F-Sat 9 am - 2pm

Sun - Recharging

(503) 906-4144

Monday Monday

Monday's Question:

Ever had a poem or song written about you?

my answer:

Yup! I have a cousin who had a one hit wonder back in the 60's.

The song: Liar Liar by the Castaways on the flip side is a song called: Sam

that's me!

(I won't explain the song lyrics - he and I know what it is all about, enough said)

Please answer in the comment section. 

This will be fun - I promise!

 

25 More A-Musing Thoughts.....

1 - I still think Robert Redford is dreamy
2 - I like people that really listen - really listen! And
     intelligent minds that know when to speak and
     when to not. I'll be quiet on that subject.
3 -  I hate grape juice - guess that's why I never got
      into wine.
4 -  I could soak in a bath, reading for hours -- wait I
      do soak in the tub reading for hours. (and the
      inside joke: Bombs away - mom's in the bath)
5 - I have strong opinions on organized religion,
      politics, and labels - but will never discuss them
      here.
6 -  I think of myself as a back-up singer for Dixie
      Chicks - although I seldom listen to country
      music.
7 - I taught my kids to talk into the fan to hear their robot voice.
8 - Put on a song from the 60's and I can sing along, matching every word.
 But, can I tell you what I had for dinner last night - nope, nada, still scratching my head.
9 - I hate drivers that come right up to my back bumper at a stop sign - are there cars that don't roll
      backwards - I think not.
10 - I don't understand why we don't already have 50 states that allow same sex marriage -- I just don't
       get it. Opps, I guess I just violated my #5
11 - I could dance til the cows come home.
12 - I have not had an alcoholic drink in over 40 years - ugh, poohie, I hate the taste
13 -  I love the Bad Boy in every show
14 - I collect pretty tea cups and saucers, photographs - whether I know the people or not, and paper -
       all kinds, stories, memories.
15 -  My childhood imaginary friend's name was Sally -- wait, there's Sally now (she had to dump me
        for a while, her friends didn't think I was real)
16 - I'm so happy to finally have learned how to fit physical fitness into my life - I've got the best coach
       (thank you Chris!)
17 - I think spelling is over rated - if it looks right and is understood, why not?
18 - I hate the labels that the world puts on people. Just stop it!
19 - Seeing people change isn't what hurts, what hurts is remembering who they used to be. So true -
       So true.
20 - I have a soft heart for bison and wolves, whales and eagles.
21 - I wish I understood all the electronic things floating around my world - at least how to program
       them.
22 - I hate it when someone starts talking over my talk - just wait a moment, I'll listen to you, too.
23 -  I hate running out of mayonnaise, peanut butter or pop corn
24 - If I believed in reincarnation - I know I was a Lakota Sioux in a past life.
25 - Hearing the rain helps me sleep better -- although, having my kids giving, forcing, enabling me
       with coffee recently may have something to do with sleeplessness (yum-coffee!)

Back in A Bit......

 

I'm heading out of town for a little R-N-R

See ya when I get back

A little background......

Friday's Story at Attic Whispers:

And The Band Played On

A little ditty about a couple of people who just happen to meet while enjoying a music concert

in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco in 1892.

When I found these two photos, I noticed they were taken by the same photographer (Cramer) about the same era, and the man's photograph had written on the back: George W. Bennett.  Being the genealogy snoop that I am, I did a little digging.

I found Charles L. Cramer, a San Francisco photographer from 1865 to 1905 with a studio called California Photographic Gallery and a partner named, Bailey (could also be Bayley). Charles had a wife, Melinda and a son, Frank. They lived at Pine and Kearney Streets in S.F.

George W. Bennett had 4 listings in San Francisco about this time.

1st George: married Sarah Conley July 29, 1892 by Rev. Beatty and lived at 939 1/2 Dolores in San Francisco (per 1901 directory) He seems to possibly have been from Michigan.  I couldn't find much about Sarah except she was born in 1865.

2nd George: Listed in the San Francisco Langley's 1893 Directory as a department manager for Levi Strauss and Company on Battery Street - this man was much older than my photo would indicate and in 1903 left California to Manage Economic Loom Company in New York City.

3rd George: Was a musician and had a band called Bennett's Concert Band. They mostly played marching band music and hired out for a variety of events. Again, older than my photo.

4th George: This man was very interesting. He worked as a S.F. Police Detective (Sargent/Lieutenant), was very well liked and usually caught his man (as court records of the time indicate multiple testimonies by George W.).  George retired from the force after 20 years in 1898. He and a few friends headed north to St. Michael's (not sure where that is) and mined for gold, they were there only a few months when -- He Struck It Rich! He became a multi-millionaire (by 1898 standards) over night.  Sidebar: in 1898 $1.00 would be equal to $25.00 today).

So, you see how this writer's mind works - I start with a photograph, hear a story forming and start writing. But, I can easily get distracted when there is information about the photograph I'm working with and start mining the information for details. I usually change the name (if one is given and not many are), location and history (if I find any) and create a piece of entertaining, fictitious history. With this particular story, I had to use his real name -- the true histories was just too interesting not to include, although I combined a few of the true George W.s backgrounds to fit my story.

Hope you'll enjoy today's story at Attic Whispers.

Color Points

I love looking at a fabulous photograph and pulling the colors out to form a natural palette of color. Mother Nature knows it best when it comes to coordinating color points. 

A photograph of Antelope Island, The Great Salt Lake, Utah

 by Scott Mansfield. See his other work at Mountain Over Water.

The soft hues of the photograph creates a wonderful, layered scope of combining soft and sharp brown tones with the subtle gray, sage green mist of the water to the ominous blue sky. Earthy. So serene and simply lovely.

 

Another photograph of Antelope Island, The Great Salt Lake, Utah

 by Scott Mansfield. See his other work at Mountain Over Water.

At first glance this photograph looks to have two zones - ecru and blue. This time the island blends into the lake matching the sky within a brilliant blue territory.  I love the rusty reds at the base of the seasonal flora sitting on a landscape of soft, downy grasses.  Could almost be translated into denim, khaki, and reds - my favorite color combo. Wonderful contrast.

Monday Monday

I'm starting a Monday's Question.

Please answer in the comment section. 

This will be fun - I promise!

Monday's Question:

Put your iTunes on shuffle (or your playing device of choice).

Give me the first 6 songs that pop up.

My Answer is:

Cowboy Take Me Away - Dixie Chicks

Cell Block Tango - Chicago soundtrack

Cherish - The Associations

Mad World - Adam Lambert

To Love Somebody - Bee Gees

Pocket Full of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
 

Tag - You're It!

More Just Musing....

 I've been racking my pea brain for something to blog about (since I started Attic Whispers I feel like I write everyday and I do, but for another site) and I'm going to take a page from Suzanne at Meridian Road's blog post and do a 25 list.  Here goes......

1 • I'm usually up by 4:00 AM - what's with that? - when I had to get up early to get my kids ready and out the door for school, I'd punch that alarm clock a half dozen times for just another 5 minutes of sleep.

2 • I hop into sweats when I get out of bed and could stay in them til noon -- wait, I do stay in them til noon.

3 • I love how close my kids are to us and one another -- we're far between in miles, but never in our thoughts, hearts or phone call.

4 • I use Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion - daily!

5 • My favorite color is RED and love it even more when it's in a plaid pattern (I'm not Scottish for nothing)

6 • I'm driving my dream car -- well, I wouldn't mind a little red sports car to run around in with the top down and the wind blowing in my hair with the radio blasting 60's rock-n- roll hits.

7• I love being in the middle of a good book and a good streaming TV series.

8 • My recreational reads are all mysteries -- I've read thousands.

9 • I love the seldom seen sunshine streaming in our two story windows - but hate how it shows up all the cob webs lurking in every corner that I will then attack with my telescopic duster. Living in the woods has a few draw backs.

10 • I love making hearty soups -- yummy!

11 • I surround myself with my family snapshots - here, there and everywhere - I miss you guys and gal!

12 • We told our kids to follow your Bliss, over and over and over. And they did

13 • I cry at happy endings and sad ones, too. Commercials, a story, a thought, a surprise announcement, taking my kid(s) to the airport/train station

14 • I don't miss working in the work place - retirement is wonderful and luckily enough to get a big jump on that date was more than great. I do miss not meeting and making friends that working out side of the home brings to the mix.
15 • I love my new web site: Attic Whispers -- I can't stop writing and have over 120 stories yet to post.
16 • I've had one driving violation - a speeding ticket, I was 5 MPH over the limit and the judge laughed and said, really? get out of here.
17 • I hate all my clothes in my closet, right now -- I need a new wardrobe!
18 • I could sit on a beach for hours and hours and never speak a word
19 • I miss my girlfriends from my 20's -- all the hopes and dreams we shared and fun we had
20 • I love to travel (and get antsy at the thought) especially when it's with my kids -- they are so much fun!
21 • I wish I could write like Alan Bradley.
22 • Surrounded by mountains, lakes and an ocean - I make myself travel the view of at least one of them every time I leave home.
23 • When I read a book, I NEVER read the last page first -- no no no
24 • I could go camping every week, if the weather would only cooperate.
25 • I love moonlight - I just love moonlight.....