The First Political Buttons

I would first like to say, this is not a post about politics.  Really, it is about cool history.  I love the creavtive ingenuity that comes with the political buttons and the fun sillies.  I loved trading buttons and pins when I got to attend the Olympics in Los Angeles.  On my way between one job and the other this morning, I caught a radio show where they were talking about the fist political buttons.

The first celluloid buttons (like the ones we identify with today- silly phrases and candidates names, etc.) first appeared on the scene in 1896.  They have been known to be down right mean, like one from the democrats when Reagan was up for reelection that stated No Mo Ron, as in no more Ron, but wrote it very clearly as No MORON.  They exist on both sides, no finger pointing, but have been known to be since ong before the current attack ads many of us have come to change channels over.

It might surprise you, but the first buttons were really much different from that.  When General George Washington ran for president, and was elected unanimously, he was known for wearing a certain American-made dark suit, with striking silver buttons.  For the general to have selected an American made garment was important, for sure, and people found their own special way to show their support.  The bought identical buttons to those on his suit, to wear conspicuously to show they were with the general.

The first political campaign button.  Pretty cool, huh?

So, again, I do not do politics on facebook, but I love cool creative stuff, whether it agrees with my political beliefs or not.  If you have a favorite one to share, a funny one, or a cool word puzzle on, go for it, share in the comments.  I will moderate to keep it friendly and fun. 

Have a great night.  Enjoy the debate, if you so choose.  And reardless of who you vote for, I hope you take the time to be informed past the ucky mud throwing, and then vote.

Hugs to you all!

Banned Books Week

Girls who grew up like me through the late 70s and into the 80s are often surprised to realize that Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret was once on the banned books list.  Those presently in the greatest question include To Kill A Mockingbird and The Hunger Games, which my daughter had read at school last year.

There are a lot of reasons why books make these lists.  Folks were outraged that Judy Blume would write a book in which a child would question her faith.  And yet, Judy Blume is acclaimed as a write for adolescent girls, who are at a pivotal stage and asking who they are, what they believe and how they fit into this world.  Her books tackle so many stereotypes and bullying and confusing interpersonal relationships, it is hard to believe that a parent would not welcome the chance to have an open discussion with their child from the springboard of a well written book.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a hard book, yet a classic in literary circles.  I personally like happy endings and generally lean toward books where there is at least a little humor.  Bailey had to read it for school, so I warned her that the subject matter was angry, intense and much more, but also a page from the history books of our country we should learn from rather than hide. She did have some questions.  But also asked why that teacher chose all depressing books with angry, abusive subject matter for the year.  I wondered the same.

The Hunger Games is so very popular.  Bailey had read the whole series.  She said it was probably on the list for being somewhat violent.  Somewhat?  More than somewhat.  When Wyatt wanted to read it because some kids from his class were, I thought it was above his reading level to understand, and that he might wait a while.  I will admit that I like that he loves his Boxcar Children books so much.  Funny, The Hunger Games really isn't any worse (in my opinion) than the Utopian theory books I read in High School classes.  Just the new generation of them.

I have known a number of parents who said to me that these books were a part of literary history, and who thought that it was appropriate for their children, at the right age, to read them. They could discuss how those words or subjects fit into their family's morals or belief system together, and the child could understand that approach to history.

So this is Banned Books Week.  And my children are off school.  Makes a great time for reading.  Will a banned book be on their list?  Maybe.  Right now Wyatt is reading a book about positive dog training (his puppy is very high energy) and Bailey has devoted a lot of time to a paper for English, so who knows.  Though we did talk about the significance of Banned Books Week in our culture and free society when we were at the library.  Will one be on your list?

An Introduction... the Hen House

I love when kids lead the way to a better world!

I wanted to take a moment tonight to introduce you to one of the sponsors of our current contest- our friends at The Hen House.

The Hen House is another small family operation, where eggs, breads and brittles are made and sold in order to raise funds for the children's favorite charities, and the children's ongoing projects (think, another version of a lemonade stand, but with altruistic and personal business goals!) 

They chose to help us to now to get the word out on their products in a final push before they plan to present a check to the Banner, MD Cancer Center hospital in Gilbert in November, so please check them out, and take a moment to like their page along your way to a great prize!

Here is the link to our current contest with them!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patriots-Dream-Farm/141620095849011?sk=app_228910107186452

Sunday Night Reset

Ever feel like you could use a reset?  Like a do over.  A chance to begin again, and try again, pull things together, get things right.

Sundays are rather like that.  You pull everything back together and get ready to begin again in the world.  So that Monday morning comes and you begin a brand new week with your feet under you, ready to take on the world.

Another reminder of this is the full moon.  Right now is a harvest moon.  Officially, it is when the moon is closest, causing it to appear yellow.  Funny how it isn't that yellow once the camera captures it!

The kids and I were outside working at dusk, getting ready for another busy week.  That was when I watched the last glow of the sun in the West and the rising of the moon in the East.  So beautiful!

I found myself looking back at these photos lately.  I sure miss my Remington.  Remi loved her walks with the kids, and loved every animals on the property.  What she didn't like were cats trying to sneak in after her chickens and people trying to sneak onto her property.

Don't get me wrong  I love all of our goofballs.  Old man Vegas is presently asleep at the foot of my chair, and crazy Shadow is sprawled across a dog bed a few feet away.  They are all treasures in our lives, but Remington, while brought home by Charlie, loved me as her human.  She was such a special bond and joy.  And I was never alone working or caring for things here.  Countless babies were warmed or babysat by her.

I can't have my Remi back for a do-over, but I do believe she has made me a better person, which I hope it what we all do with a do-over.

So enjoy the harvest moon, and take a moment to set a goal for yourself, and a plan to reach it.  If you share it here in the comments, the public note can be a great impetus to keep you on track.  Let's have a great week!

Saturday Sillies...

I rode to Wyatt's game separately from the boys.  They took their time coming home, and went shopping!  When Wyatt came in last night, he hunted Bailey down to share a treat he brought her.  While this is like free product advertising, it was too funny not to share.

Hubert's lemonade.

Around here, everyone has a nickname.  Our first dog, Callie Jo, somehow learned to answer to Calli Jo, CJ, Calija, Lija, CEEJ, and much more.  This bring us to the nickname in play here- our old buck, Huey, whose registered name is Knee High Knibblers Lil Huey, is called Hubert around here.  And he answers to it.

So Hubert's lemonade.  Aha.  He has a side business!

The Back says if live gives you lemons, you buy a big truck.

Not a bad theory.

So we all scrutinized the drawing.  Huey -aka Hubert- is a goofy black pygmy buck.  The elbows go the wrong way, though.  The kids say there is no way that could be a goat.

Well, I guess that's that.  Fun to bring home and share for a night.  But not old Huey's.  They said it was pretty good, though the ingredient list was fuzzy (that's my kids!).

So there was our Saturday night silly.  Nothing major.  But a little fun.  Have a great day!

Friday Night

Aunt Kathy posted photos of chocolate chip cookies earlier this week.  I had me really wanting to make some.  Then I had a run in with an insurance person who wasn't doing her job, so I decided to bake away my frustrations!  In the end, white chocolate pecan.  YUM!

Then, I managed to get a batch of soap into the curing process.  These natural cucumber soaps will be ready to leave their molds soon.Now I need to decide what kind to make next!  I do have a request for more CocoMange Goat Milk Soap, what else?

Curious what shapes these are?  Celtic knot and rectangles with horses.  I also did some Victorian flowers and Victorian hearts.  Got  suggestion or a request?  Feel free to ask!  And I will be returning to the farmers' market in Marana this week!  See you there!

Morning Walk

I had really been looking forward to a morning run, but it was our first time with Shadow Paws  out with us, and she pulled a lot, giving Bailey quite a challenge on the other end of her lead.  So we got a good brisk walk.

Bailey and I took a little break a little over two miles in, near these lovely flowers- one of the lovely holdovers from the monsoon season.  

Shadow thought they were beautiful, too, and enjoyed a quick peek before we moved on.

Not only are mornings still cool enough for a good workout, but this morning's clouds treated us to a beautiful sky as the sun peeked out around the clouds.

This is Shadow Paws on the way home, trying to drag Bailey out to the middle of the dirt road. We have a lot more work to do, but Shadow loved her walk!  And we even ran across some neighbors we hadn't seen in a while along the way =)!

After this, it was a couple quick chores and off to work for me!  What is your favorite morning activity?