Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thanks To Our Military Veterans—American Heroes All
The country’s annual observance of Veterans’ Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our military and what it means to us every single day. Although well-deserved, it almost seems a shame that only one 24-hour period has been set aside to honor these heroic men and women. So, what else can you do?
Well, here are several ways you can convey your appreciation for the men and women of our armed forces anytime—not just on November 11th.
Thank those you see in military uniform—at the airport, at the mall, in a restaurant. Offer to buy them a cup of coffee, a drink, pay for their dessert. Call a vet you know, and offer to mow grass, walk pets, buy groceries, or ask them what they need. Help support the family of an enlisted man or woman; by helping their families, you help the troops. Instill a sense of patriotic pride in your children and grandchildren. Teach them the lyrics to a patriotic song. Fly the flag every day the proper way. Wear a flag pin on your clothing. Proudly sing the national anthem or recite the Pledge of Allegiance at sporting or school events. Attend the parades and events organized to salute our armed forces. Affix an “I Support The Troops” bumper sticker to your vehicle. Read or watch the news and remain informed about our current military involvement. Volunteer at a veterans hospital or care center. Help a scouting organization or other children’s group make holiday cards or letters of thanks to send to veterans and enlisted troops. Donate to one of hundreds of charitable foundations dedicated to veterans. Contact your local American Legion or VFW for even more suggestions.
posted by Betty at
8:48 AM
Monday, November 9, 2009
Clocks: Gifts With Timeless Appeal!
Well the time has arrived—we’re counting the weeks until the holidays are upon us, but soon we will be counting the days, then the hours…
We’ve heard it said that time is the enemy. We worry that time is ticking away, that time is going to pass us by, that there’s not enough time in the day. We’re advised to make good use of our time, when we have too much time on our hands. Things come to us in due time, and there’s no time like the present. We’ve found that time flies and time heals. The list of clichés is practically endless. The passing of the weeks, days, hours and minutes is definitely a predominant theme in our lives.
That’s why I think a clock makes a great gift. You can find one that fits any decor, represents any theme, makes any sound. Whether your friends and family are fond of classic icons, sports memorabilia, kitschy collectibles, or retro fun designs, you can find a clock to fit their personality and style.
Here are just a few clocks we’ve been keeping in the Attic. Take some time now to browse our selection, so you’ll be sure to have the perfect gift on hand—in plenty of time for the holidays!
posted by Betty at
8:23 AM
Friday, October 30, 2009
Americans Soar Throughout Aviation History
Sixty-two years ago, a test pilot with the right stuff changed the future of aviation forever. On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager flew a Bell XS-1 off the Mach scale for 18 supersonic seconds, and America entered its second great age of aviation.
Just as the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903, and Lindbergh’s historic 33-hour trans-Atlantic flight to Paris in 1927, Yeager’s accomplishment was a thrilling milestone in American aviation that set the stage for further and faster things to come. Even before Yeager’s feat, the second World War was fought in the skies as the military continued to develop warplanes that eventually led us to victory. It wasn’t long before our thoughts turned to space flight and again, Americans recorded another first when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. This month also marks the anniversary of John Glenn’s return to space as a Discovery shuttle astronaut, nearly 4 decades after he became the first man to orbit the Earth, making him the oldest person to travel in space. We can’t forget the Concorde of the early 70s, with an average cruise speed of 1,330 mph!
Another history-maker, Amelia Earhart, is the subject of a film now entering theaters. And whether they can be considered movie material or not, many of us can count one of our relatives among the hundreds of heroes that took to the skies last century. Some famous and some not-so-famous, all making their mark in the history of aviation as pilots, flight crew, ground support, scientists and researchers, astronauts, and more. Who knows what astounding feats Americans will accomplish, and how many amazing frontiers will be conquered as the century progresses? It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, by motivational speaker Les Brown: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
Keep your eyes on the skies!
posted by Betty at
9:00 AM
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Beatles Invade America One More Time!
With all the hype surrounding the release of the new Beatles version of the Rock Band™ video game, it feels like Beatlemania all over again!
It seems like only “yesterday” that the 4 lads from Liverpool set foot on U.S. soil to the sound of screaming legions of fans—myself among them—a sound that lasted for about 7 more years. Beginning with Love Me Do in 1962, and concluding with 1970’s The Long and Winding Road, I was hooked for life.
For me, the Beatles were more than just musicians; they were the soundtrack of my adolescent life. The news that they were breaking up was nearly more than I could bear. How could they do this to me? I felt connected to them, almost believing that I was as much a part of their lives as they were of mine. Over the years, my emotions ran the gamut--I was jealous when Paul married Linda; hopeful when Ringo launched his solo career; baffled when George embraced Eastern culture; and completely devastated when John was murdered. My dream (and that of every other fan) of the group someday reuniting was destroyed forever. We would just have to be content with what they left us. But oh, what they left us!
I needn’t have worried, because they have managed to remain current, never far from the limelight all these years later. Their music has lasted past vinyl, beyond
8-track and cassette, through CD to mp3 downloads, and now a video game! Plus, I get to add one more emotion to my list: excitement, thanks to the wonderful selection of Beatles collectibles and memorabilia Betty’s Attic has for fans like us.
posted by Betty at
10:56 AM
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Woodstock – Music, Mud, and Memories of 1969
Pouring rain and ankle-deep mud. Thunder and lightning. Lack of sanitary facilities and first aid. Shortage of food and water. New Orleans after the hurricane? No—Woodstock in 1969! The Woodstock Music & Art Fair began as a small-scale commercial venture, but quickly escalated into what has been called one of the most pivotal moments in music history.
Thirty-two acts signed on for the “Three Days Of Peace & Music,” scheduled for August 15-17. Organizers sold $24 tickets and anticipated about 200,000 attendees. But closer to 500,000 showed up to Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm, creating crowds and chaos, the likes of which little Bethel, NY, had never seen and for which the entire state was totally unprepared. Yet, with all the potential for overwhelming devastation and catastrophic failure, Woodstock was considered an enormous victory. Nearly half a million people spent those three wet days with nothing but music, peace, and social harmony as their focus—and not one riot or otherwise violent uprising clouded the event.
Forty years later, we’re still talking about the impact Woodstock had on pop culture. Authentic collectibles command high prices, and the bohemian fashions of the day are once again back in style. Since the release of the first concert album in 1970, several more have been produced, including additional musical performances, crowd noises, rain sounds, and more—so generations of us who weren’t there can experience it as if we were. Taking a trip back in time has never been so easy!
posted by Betty at
9:39 AM
Friday, August 14, 2009
Off To See The Wizard Of Oz? Be Sure To Stop In Wamego!
It’s been 70 years since a tornado dropped young Dorothy Gale into the magical Land of Oz, out of the pages of L. Frank Baum’s book and onto the silver screen. The official premiere of Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz was at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on August 15, 1939, where it received mostly positive reviews.
The story of the girl from Kansas has captured many hearts, but none so much as those belonging to the residents of Wamego, Kansas, who have “adopted” Dorothy and turned her into a virtual way of life. Oz-themed names are prevalent all over town, from street signs, to restaurants, hair salons, the local winery, and more. The town’s highlight is the annual “OztoberFest” festival, which boasts a special stage production and autograph sessions featuring original Munchkin actors and actresses.
Thanks to its obsession with all things Oz, Wamego is now a bona-fide tourist town, with its own museum that displays 25,000 pieces of Oz memorabilia throughout the year. Items include life-sized replicas of the film’s characters, pictures of Judy Garland from her Dorothy days, numerous props and posters from the movie, and a pair of ”ruby” slippers crafted of Swarovski crystals.
But, as beloved as this unforgettable film classic has become, it took home only one Oscar and one special award recognizing Judy Garland’s performance as a juvenile actress. That year, the Academy Awards were dominated by another 1939 Victor Fleming film you may remember: Gone With The Wind. But that’s another story for another day, my dears!
posted by Betty at
1:36 PM
Friday, July 17, 2009
Our Moon Landing Memories Are 40 Years Old!
Do you remember where you were when the pictures of Neil Armstrong taking his first steps on the surface of the moon were beamed back to Earth?
I was babysitting my younger cousins. The television was on, but I was the only one watching. With 3 rambunctious urchins bouncing around on the sofa behind me, I sat on the ottoman in front of the TV, transfixed by what I was seeing. I clearly remember those fuzzy images on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong emerged from the lunar module, taking “one small step for man” in the Sea of Tranquility—that history-making “giant leap for mankind.”
It was something the average person never thought they’d see outside of a sci-fi movie. But the thrill seemed to wear off so soon. With NASA sending off mission after mission to study the moon, I don’t remember hearing much about the 6 additional landings that took place. I’m sure I’m not the only person who didn’t realize that in the 3 years following Apollo 11’s milestone, 24 more real-live American spacemen traveled to the moon, 12 actually walked on its surface, and 3 made the trip twice! In fact, the Apollo 13 failed moon landing captured our attention only when we discovered the 3 astronauts aboard were perilously close to not making it back to Earth. But we all know how that turned out!
So here it is, 40 years later; and with all the scientific, engineering and technological advances made around the world, no other country has managed to accomplish what the U.S. accomplished between 1969 and 1972. Pretty impressive, isn’t it? You might even say it’s “out of this world!”
posted by Betty at
3:23 PM
