"ANKLE BRACELETS"

"ANKLE BRACELETS"

When I was a teenager, ankle bracelets were frowned upon--nice girls just didn't wear them at all. Never. Ever. I remember seeing some women with them on while walking on Capitol Street [the main street here in our town] and it made me wince. After all, I had been told the above and so I just knew that these women were not of the nice type at all. And an ankle bracelet was considered taboo.

The only type of ankle bracelets available then were either silver or gold. And women who wore them, wore them over their hose--the bracelet sort of hung down onto their feet. Men stared at these women and I am pretty sure that women did too:  So did I.

When the seventies hit with the hippie-type clothing and accessories, ankle bracelets appeared in all types of fabrics and metals. Did I wear one then? No. I was teaching school and again, it was frowned upon if you were a professional woman. But women from all walks of life started wearing ankle bracelets and the "taboo" sort of got lost in translation.

It would take me to the nineties to wear one and did I ever! The choices were even more than in the seventies--you name it and it was made out of it as far as fabric, metal or whatever and embellished to the hilt. Still have some made out of twisted rope, embellished ones and some are metal--one is sterling silver. When I think about wearing one, I get it out and put it on and feel no shame whatsoever! None. Ever.

For those of you who are younger than me, thought you might be interested in knowing how such a small thing as an ankle bracelet went from taboo to acceptable. If you live in another country, maybe things were different in perspective than here. All I can say is that what happened earlier here was really ridiculous if you were to stop and think about it. 

Long live ankle bracelets! If you still have yours, get them out and wear one--dare you. Make that a double dare.

Sherry Hill

'WORLD WAR ONE SOLDIERS FORMING STATUE OF LIBERTY"

Someone sent this to me in an email; I found it more than astounding for if you look closely, you can see hundreds upon hundreds of soldiers from WWI forming the Statue of Liberty.

Would make a nice keepsake for that is what I did: I printed it out and saved it. Rare to see a copy of a postcard this old and even more rare to see soldiers forming this specific shape! Enjoy!

Sherry Hill

"ALL IS VANITY"

“ALL IS VANITY”

Charles Allen Gilbert painted this and as you can see, it is a play on words as well as an optical illusion. I used to have this painting [a copy] and it scared my then-young sons—no wonder! If you look at it one way, you see a skull.

If you look at it another way, you see a woman sitting down at a vanity perhaps reaching for some makeup. I always thought that the artist was trying to say that too much vanity can lead to one’s death. Say you were walking down the street and you saw your reflection in the glass front of a store:  Of course, you’d stop and stare for that’s natural. But what if that store were on a corner and then you started walking—you might end up in traffic.

I knew the word “vanity” from the time I was little for my grandmother would catch me looking at myself in the mirror and she’d say, “Woman, thy name is vanity.” Really didn’t know what she meant but knew that word! Later on, she told me that her mother had said that to her; by then, I knew what the word meant. And then my mother said it to me and so I have passed that saying onto my own granddaughter.  The saying lives on! But as for Gilbert’s painting, if you have never seen it before, take time to take in his message and the wonderful optical illusion—scary one way and lovely the other just as vanity can be for "all is vanity!"

Sherry Hill


*Check out Wikipedia: Def Leppard has an album cover with this painting on it--Vanity.

"I HAVE CROWS EVERYWHERE!"

“I HAVE CROWS EVERYWHERE!”

Having lived in my house a long time, I hadn’t seen any crows around until the last couple of years and now I am bombarded with them. They like to stay in an oak tree that is across the street from me—it’s a wooded area. The minute I put out birdseed or bread for birds and squirrels and come inside, they swarm into my yard. They are huge and beautiful but also skittish for if they see me watching them from my kitchen window and make a move, they fly off in unison.

Sometimes I will have as many as twenty in my yard—that’s a lot of crows! And they will eat anything in sight leaving the yard barren of anything I put out. At other times, I will see only three or four mingling with other birds such as cardinals, chickadees and the like and the smaller birds pay no attention to the crows at all. [Could be that such a small number of crows is not as threatening to the smaller birds as a large number.] I do know that they are on constant watch to see if I put anything out—how could they not be for they swoop down as soon as I shut my front door.

Curious me decided to google crow information and I was astounded to learn that they have a good memory; not only that but if someone is mean to one of them, they will carry a grudge forever. And a group of flying crows is called a “murder:” Doesn’t mean that they are on a murdering rampage—it’s just what the group is called.

I have seen hundreds of crows gathering across the street at times and then they all take off in a huge group flying across the river which is way down below my house. If you’ve ever heard a crow, imagine that sound magnified by a hundred: It’s so loud that it blasts your ear drum! These gatherings are no doubt a reason to congregate and fly off for food somewhere else.

It’s fun to watch a crow grab something out of my yard such as an ear of corn [I put those out in the fall] and take it out to the street. The crow will put its feet on the ear of corn and eat away right there in the street but also protecting that corn from other crows. One specific day, I had three crows on my split rail fence and two were in the yard. All of a sudden, a red-tailed hawk flew down and sat perched beside the three crows:  I could see the hawk’s yellow eyes as it peered to the left and the right to see the crows. But the hawk decided to fly away for it was outnumbered. A red-tailed hawk will attack a crow in a heartbeat but not when it’s outnumbered.

Another fact about crows [maybe you the reader knew this] is that they will swoop down and peck at a small dog or cat. I actually saw this happen a long time ago and was so surprised—my neighbors had a small dog that they let out in their backyard and one day a crow came down and pounced on that little dog. The dog was all right with a few scratches.

So many sayings about crows are prevalent in our English language:  “As straight as a crow flies” is one as is “dark as a crow’s wing.” There are so many more but I’m sure you’ve heard them. And as for a “scarecrow” I don’t think they do much good at all in keeping crows away from crops. Crows catch on real fast that the “scarecrow” is a fake!

If you’re out and about glance up and see if you see any crows: They are awesome to watch. Just don’t be mean to one for they have that long-term memory!

Sherry Hill

"WHY WE CELEBRATE THE 4th OF JULY!"

“WHY WE CELEBRATE THE 4^th OF JULY!”

Maybe a lot of people even here in America don’t know why we celebrate the fourth of July nor those of you reading this who live in other countries.  The United States of America became a country on this specific date in 1776. Prior to that date, the thirteen colonies here were ruled by England. Each colony had been governed by English rulers and the colonists who had settled here had suffered enough from their rules.

Thomas Jefferson [who would later become a president] wrote the Declaration of Independence: it took him 17 days to write it. This declaration was signed by prominent men that time and just by writing their names at the bottom of that piece of paper meant a death warrant for all. But they signed it and it was sent to England---where it was not received with happiness. It was received with furor!

Nonetheless, we became a country on July 4, 1776—the United States of America with thirteen states. And that declaration brought war to us with England called the American Revolution. But we won that war which was started here. Ironically, Thomas Jefferson would die on a fourth of July as would John Adams [another president but not a signer of the declaration.]

Today, every 4^th of July is celebrated by all Americans in some way be it parades, picnics, baseball games or events and with fireworks! Always with fireworks! Our fifty states celebrate this day which is really called “Independence Day” with much happiness. After all, it is a date that we became a free country.

Happy 4^th of July!

Sherry Hill

"IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN, DO YOU KNOW THE BILL OF RIGHTS?"

"IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN, DO YOU KNOW THE BILL OF RIGHTS?"


Every year when I taught school, I would ask my second grade students if they knew their rights as written in our constitution. And every year, the first response I would get was "You have the right to remain silent..." That is not a right but the Miranda Act which is not set forth in our rights or the amendments added to our Bill of Rights.


I sincerely hope every American takes time to read the Bill of Rights and the amendments. Sometimes all of us just plain simply forget them--and trust me, they need to be read. If one were applying for United States citizenship, he or she would have to know these rights. Do you?

The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution as Ratified by the States December 15, 1791 Preamble Congress OF THE United States begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.: ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution. Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Amendment III No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. Amendment VII In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

*From billofrights.org

Sherry Hill

"AND THAT'S WHEN THE MADNESS STARTED!"

“AND THAT’S WHEN THE MADNESS STARTED!”

Everyone knows that some days are really good and then there are some that just make you want to crawl back into bed or maybe wish you had stayed there. I had a day like that last week:  Should have known how it would be one of those days of madness. For starters, when I got out of bed, I put on my shoes and stepped out of one causing me to fall into a nearby table. Repositioning myself back to standing, I went out into the hall only to discover that my dog had knocked over the floor fan and it was still running. Picked up the fan and headed down the hall into the kitchen—big mistake from the get go!

Opened the fridge to get my daily caffeine fix—iced tea [it was in a glass] and when I picked it up, I spilled it all over the floor! Still with half-opened eyes, I grabbed the paper towels and cleaned up that mess and had to remake the tea. By this time I was dizzy and hadn’t sat down yet and so I did:  Have a loveseat in my kitchen and a round table in front of it. The table is one of those beautiful blue and white mosaic ones but with all the stuff on it, you’d never know that—in fact, you can’t see any blue and white for the stuff that has accumulated on it. Must be ten bottles of nail polish, several small bottles of paint, numerous magazines and heaven knows what else. [I do know how that stuff got there!]

Set down my glass of iced tea [I drink it out of wine glasses—makes it taste better or at least I tell myself that] only to knock off a bottle of turquoise nail polish! And did the lid stay on it? Of course not. Got back up again to get more paper towels and some cleaning spray. I squirted it on the polish and had a huge turquoise smear all over the floor which took forever to get off. By this time, I was out of paper towels: That should have been an omen right there! And all of this happened within a thirty minute time frame.

Back on the loveseat and drinking my iced tea when I realized that I had the air conditioner set too low; grabbed a nearby blouse and stood up to put it on but one sleeve decided to fling itself onto a big vase on my kitchen table. When that sleeve hit the vase, another smaller vase inside of it flew out and landed on an antique butter dish breaking it to smitherines.  The big vase only cost twelve dollars, the smaller one a dollar and as for that antique butter dish? Priceless and in about forty pieces. I could tell this was a day of madness and it would be relentless and it was!

If I had a blood pressure monitor, I am sure it would have been sky high. Decided to get a Pop Tart [I live on those things] and after opening up the package, I dropped one on the floor and my dog just happened to be right there, grabbed it and inhaled it on the spot. No, I wouldn’t have eaten that one but after all that had happened, what would I expect?

Back to the loveseat again to sit down, drink my iced tea and read the morning paper when the phone rang: It was a friend but one of those who can talk your ear off and there is never any way to say “I have to go!” After listening for an hour and having a numb ear, I finally got those four words out and hung up the phone and reached behind me to put the phone back on the hook. But guess what happened then? I missed getting it back in its place and the phone fell down behind the loveseat!

Remember all that stuff on the table that I described? I had to move that table out to get the loveseat away from the wall; when I moved the table, tons of things fell off and I managed to secure the phone from behind the loveseat. By this time, I had pulled my back out and was looking very much like “Rumplestilskin” and feeling every bit of it and then came the task of bending over and picking up all that stuff that fell off the round table.

The day of madness did me in and it wasn’t even eleven o’ clock in the morning! Too many accidents and too much picking stuff up did me in. Knew darned well that if I stayed up things would only get worse and so, I went back to bed and stayed there finally going to sleep at some point.  Some days are like that and if you get several clues, take it from me:  Stay in bed cause the madness will get you!

Sherry Hill