Author: pat frederick

Suspicious Minds

Today is Elvis Presley’s birthday.  Born January 8, 1935, Elvis died August 16, 1977. His death, however, was not the end of the public’s obsession with the King. In fact, in the last 47 years since he died, Elvis has been “spotted” several times…lol.

This story from Mental Floss details the obsession with Elvis sightings:

  On August 16, 1977, something momentous happened in Memphis, Tennessee. It was either the death of Elvis Presley at the age of 42, as more than 80 percent of Americans believe, or the start of the most spectacular disappearing act in the history of mankind.

“Elvis is alive” theories are as varied as they are plentiful, and they’ve been circulating since just after his death. He’s left the realm of popular entertainers and joined the ranks of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and to some, Jesus. What follows is a brief history of why some people refuse to let this American icon rest in peace.

THE FIRST SIGHTING

On the afternoon of August 16, 1977, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Elvis is said to have purchased a one-way ticket from Memphis International Airport to Buenos Aires. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. Patrick Lacy, author of the book Elvis Decoded, claims to have debunked this popular and wholly unsubstantiated story by interviewing airport officials and determining that international flights weren’t available from Memphis in 1977. There’s also the question of why the most famous man on the planet would risk going into a public place in his hometown in order to book airfare for the purpose of faking his own death. Maybe Elvis figured his acting skills would help him avoid suspicion.

THE FUNERAL

A great deal of “Elvis is alive” intrigue centers on August 18, 1977, the day of Presley’s funeral. Footage of the service shows pallbearers struggling to lift a 900-pound copper coffin. The King had packed on a few pounds in his later years, but there’s no way he was pushing a half-ton. One explanation: The casket was outfitted with a cooling system—the kind you’d use to keep a wax dummy of a beloved celebrity from melting on a hot summer day. Sound crazy? Presley’s cousin Gene Smith thought the body looked a little strange. “His nose looked kinda puggy-looking, and his right sideburn was sticking straight out—it looked about an inch,” Smith said in the 1991 special The Elvis Files. “And his hairline looked like a hairpiece or something was glued on.” Smith was also troubled by the smoothness of Presley’s typically calloused hands and the sweat on his brow.

Attentive fans were further spooked when they saw the King’s headstone. The inscription reads “Elvis Aaron Presley,” even though he’d been given the middle name “Aron,” possibly in memory of his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. The theory here is that Elvis used the incorrect spelling to signal fans that he was still alive. Another one of Elvis’s cousins, Billy Smith, claimed the singer simply preferred the more common double-A spelling, as legal documents bearing Presley’s signature attest.

THE DEATH ITSELF

Traditionally, you can’t have a funeral without a death, and what killed the King is another major source of controversy. The medical examiner’s official cause of death was “hypertensive heart disease associated with atherosclerotic heart disease.” Elvis weighed at least 250 pounds in his final days, and one Baptist Memorial Hospital staffer told Rolling Stone, he had “the arteries of an 80-year-old man.” So a massive heart attack isn’t exactly far-fetched. But toxicologists found more than 10 drugs in Presley’s system, fueling speculation that “polypharmacy” played a role in his death.

The general confusion surrounding these and other jargony cause-of-death explanations has undoubtedly helped to foster conspiracy theories. So have issues concerning official paperwork. Elvis’s death certificate will remain under wraps until 2027, 50 years after his passing. While this may seem like further proof of a cover-up, it’s actually a matter of Tennessee law. As for Presley’s autopsy report: It’s a private family document unlikely to ever see the light of day.

THE POOL HOUSE PHOTO

The second major Elvis sighting came in the form of a photo snapped on December 31, 1977. While visiting Graceland with his family, a man named Mike Joseph took some random pictures of Presley’s pool house. A few years later, while studying them with a magnifying glass, Joseph spotted a shadowy Elvis-like figure sitting in the doorway. Experts at Kodak verified that nothing had been doctored, so it seems someone was peering out the window. In an interview with Larry King, Elvis’s good buddy Joe Esposito suggested it was another Presley associate, Al Strada, in the photo. That explanation was good enough for Joseph, but not everyone is satisfied.

A similar case of mistaken identity led to some excitement a few years later, when sports agent Larry Kolb was captured looking uncannily Elvis-like alongside his client (and Elvis’s pal) Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson in a 1984 newspaper photo. Kolb came forward with an original color version of the image proving that it was him—not Elvis—in the shot, but that’s hardly laid the matter to rest. Asked in an interview to identify the man in the background, Ali reportedly said, “That’s my friend Elvis.”

THE KING OF KALAMAZOO

In the late ‘80s, the epicenter of the “Elvis lives” universe shifted to Kalamazoo, Michigan, a city Elvis played four months before his death. In 1988, a woman named Louise Welling from nearby Vicksburg claimed she had seen Presley standing in line at the local Felpausch supermarket. He was rocking a white jumpsuit, naturally, and purchasing an electrical fuse. Welling’s daughter later spied him scarfing Whoppers at Burger King. “What gives this account eerie credibility,” expert David Adler told the Los Angeles Times in an interview promoting his Presley-themed cookbook, “is that Burger King was by far Elvis’s favorite fast food chain.”

BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN?

The Kalamazoo hullabaloo spawned a rash of late-’80s Elvis sightings, many of which involved the King doing un-regal things, like pumping gas or buying junk food. These were consistent with the notion that he’d faked his own death to escape the public eye (or the mafia, as one theory holds) and return to his humble roots. But Elvis loved movies—he starred in 31—and Christmas, so it almost makes sense that he would risk blowing his cover by appearing in the 1990 holiday comedy Home Alone.

Believers of this bizarre theory contend that a 55-year-old Presley turned up in the background of the scene where Catherine O’Hara’s character is stuck at the Scranton airport while trying to get home to her son. There’s a bearded guy behind her who looks a little like Elvis in Charro! (1969) and cocks his head in a manner that conspiracy theorists swear is identical to Presley’s onstage mannerisms. Curiously, director Chris Columbus went into Home Alone having just made Heartbreak Hotel, a 1988 flop about some kids who try to kidnap Elvis. Columbus and Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin laugh about the theory in the DVD commentary, but the identity of the extra remains unknown. Even if the real bearded man were to come forward, it probably wouldn’t kill the story.

GROUNDSKEEPER PRESLEY

In the summer of 2016, video of a Graceland groundskeeper purported to be Elvis got the internet all shook up. In the clip, a gray-haired dude in a baseball cap and Elvis Week T-shirt fusses with some wire and holds up two fingers—apparently some type of numerological clue—as he walks past the camera.

The video has been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube—far more than the one where a clever Elvis fan debunks the whole thing by chatting with the actual Graceland employee, an affable gentleman named Bill Barmer. “I’m not really 81,” says Barmer, who then compares himself to a Pokémon Go character.

THE FUTURE

“Elvis is alive” theories can’t go on forever. The man would now be in his 80s, and the oldest person on record only lived to 122. That means we’ve got maybe another 40 years of stories about the King chilling in Argentina or sipping coffee at Tim Hortons or doing whatever you do as an elderly man who’s been in hiding since the Carter Administration. Unless it turns out Elvis is immortal.

In an interview accompanying The Beatles Anthology DVD, George Harrison likens a brief 1972 encounter with Elvis at Madison Square Garden to “meeting Vishnu or Krishna or something.” His hair was black, his skin was tan, and his aura left the Beatle feeling like “a snooty little nobody.” Harrison may have been hinting at something Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper said rather deftly with their 1987 single “Elvis Is Everywhere.” Alive or dead, Presley is one pop culture deity we’ll never stop worshiping.

SOURCE: MENTAL FLOSS

Fun Food Facts: Part 1

Reader’s Digest had an interesting article on surprising, fun, food facts:

1 Bananas are technically berries

It’s hard to miss the huge yellow heap of bananas in the produce section at a typical grocery store. Grocers are definitely giving the people what they want because, according to the USDA, bananas top the list of the most popular fresh fruit in America. While that may not be a surprising food fact, what may be is that bananas are classified as berries because they come from a single seed. With consumption at 13.4 pounds per person in America, bananas clearly have plenty of a-peel.

2 Watermelons are popular hostess gifts in China

A slice of cold, sweet watermelon is one of summer’s greatest pleasures—all the water in the melon’s pretty pink flesh is a sweet and juicy way to stay hydrated. Turns out, Americans aren’t the only ones who appreciate a watermelon. More than 1,200 varieties are grown in 96 countries around the world (ever heard of a yellow watermelon?), and, in terms of production, the United States currently ranks seventh, while China is in first place. Maybe that has something to do with why watermelons are popular hostess gifts in China.

3 McDonald’s isn’t the oldest fast-food chain

For decades, Americans have turned to fast food when they’re hungry and on the go. While some people think McDonald’s ignited the category in the 1950s, the first fast-food burger chain was actually White Castle, which was founded in Kansas in 1921.

4 Around 66 percent of Americans like their toast lightly toasted

There’s a strong preference for lightly toasted toast on breakfast plates. According to a 2019 survey from YouGov, 58 percent of respondents are in the “somewhat lightly toasted” camp, with another 8 percent preferring their bread very lightly toasted. On the other hand, 32 percent prefer somewhat to very darkly toasted toast, and 1 percent like their toast burnt. No judgments here.

5 Only a fifth of Americans take their morning coffee black

Just 20 percent of Americans like their coffee black, and another fifth (19 percent) don’t drink coffee at all. The remaining 60 percent of coffee drinkers like their cuppa somewhere along the tan spectrum. “With milk, very light tan” covers 39 percent of respondents, “with light milk, brown” is the preference for another 10 percent, and “with a lot of milk, almost white” rounds things out with 11 percent. This particular survey only asked about milk—sugar is another matter, and iced coffee was not a choice.

6 One of the sweetest American traditions started with copious quantities of homemade sugar cookies

The selling of Girl Scout cookies began as early as 1917, around five years after Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America in the United States. Through the 1920s, Girl Scouts baked sugar cookies, packed them in waxed paper bags, then sold them door to door for 25 cents to 35 cents per dozen to raise cash for troop activities. The tradition continues to this day—only now there are nine cookie varieties and a box costs $5 to $6.

7 Florida isn’t the biggest seller of ice cream in the United States

It’s logical to assume that the most successful ice cream market in the country is where it’s hot all the time, but according to ice cream makers and retailers, that distinction goes to the Great Lakes region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin). In 2020, U.S. ice cream makers churned out just over 1 billion gallons of ice cream—the majority of which was made from March through July.

8 Oranges get all the glory for packing a vitamin C punch, but this green veggie has even more

A cup-size serving of broccoli delivers 81 milligrams of vitamin C, 18 grams more than you’d get from a whole orange. The same amount of broccoli provides 3 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fiber, and 31 calories. The green veggie is native to Asia and the Mediterranean, and it was introduced to the United States centuries ago—most likely during the colonial era.

9 Boston may—or may not—be the birthplace of this famous pie

Was Boston cream pie really invented in Beantown? Folks fascinated with food facts have debated the answer to this question for decades, and the answer is a resounding…maybe? Boston’s Parker House Hotel often gets anecdotal credit, but there doesn’t seem to be solid proof anywhere. There is also no explanation for why it was called a pie when it has no crust and is clearly a cake. Regardless, it’s delicious.

10 Pilgrims are responsible for apples in America

Several hundred years back, pilgrims planted the first U.S. apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Now, there are apple orchards in every state. The old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away aside, annual per capita consumption of apples in the United States has fluctuated between about 15 and 19 pounds in the years spanning 2000 to 2021. Apples contain about 5 grams of fiber, and they don’t contain any fat, sodium, or cholesterol. You can’t go wrong munching an apple!

11 Though Italy often gets all the credit, lasagna actually originated in Greece

Layers upon layers of noodles and cheese are the stuff of dreams, as well as a Sunday staple in many Italian homes. Centuries ago, lasagna was named for the fermented noodle laganon, which was popular in ancient Greece, where lasagna originated. Yes, Greece, not Italy. Lasagna made its way to Italy by way of Roman conquerors. Italians then brought the recipe to North America in the 1800s when they immigrated.

12 When runners want a performance enhancer, they should grab a handful of raisins

Store aisles are packed with sports chews that promise to enhance athletic performance, but there’s a simple, cost-effective, whole-food alternative. Raisins are a gift from Mother Nature to runners, thanks to their carbohydrate and glucose content, which are both sources of quick energy. According to a study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, noshing on raisins and drinking water improved running performance as effectively as downing commercial chews.

13 Blue-green eggshells draw tons of ooohs and aaahs, but what’s inside is no different

Though rumors fly around that eggshell color indicates nutritional variances, that’s not true at all. Shell color is simply indicative of the breed of hen that laid the egg. Assorted white and brown shells are laid by dozens of different breeds of hens: Brown speckled shells are laid by Maran, Speckledy, and Wellsummer hens, while gorgeous blue-green eggs are laid by Araucana, Rumpless Araucana, and Cream Legbar hens.

14 Only about one in 1,000 eggs will have a “bonus” yolk inside

No matter what any given egg’s fate will be—fried, scrambled, hard-cooked, mixed into batter—it starts in the hen’s ovary with the formation of an ovum. Once the ovum reaches full size, it breaks free and moves down the oviduct, where the white and shell form around it. This start-to-finish process usually takes 24 to 26 hours. But if something goes amiss, occasionally two yolks move down the oviduct together and are both enclosed in a single shell. This doesn’t mean the egg is expired—it’s perfectly safe to eat.

15 Ice cream is one of the oldest desserts in the world

The origin of this most delightful dessert goes back to the 2nd century B.C., according to the pros at the International Dairy Foods Association. However, specific details are hazy. Numerous early rulers, including Alexander the Great and Nero Claudius Caesar, supposedly enjoyed snow flavored with honey or fruit juices. For the sweet treat we eat today, fast-forward 1,000 years, when the intrepid Marco Polo returned from the Middle East with a sherbet-type recipe that historians say morphed into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. Today, purveyors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream say vanilla is the favorite flavor in the United States, as well as in Germany, Italy, and Brazil.

16 New York officially classifies hot dogs as sandwiches

The USDA agrees with New York state (specifically the department of taxation and finance) in its sandwich determination. But the president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council—a trade group that refers to itself as “the official voice of hot dogs and sausages”—likens calling a hot dog a sandwich to calling the Dalai Lama “just a guy.” The confusion around this food fact stems from a philosophical divide about the precise definition of the word sandwich.

SOURCE: READER’S DIGEST

Newgrange

Newgrange was built by Stone Age farmers, the mound is 85m (279ft) in diameter and 13m (43ft) high, an area of about 1 acre. A passage measuring 19m (62ft) leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice.  Access to the Newgrange monument is via the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre.
Newgrange is a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, it is the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East. Newgrange was constructed about 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The mound is ringed by 97 large kerbstones, some of which are engraved with symbols called megalithic art; the most striking is the entrance stone.

Newgrange was built by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognized to be much more than a passage tomb. Ancient Temple is a more fitting classification, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest.

Newgrange is a large kidney shaped mound covering an area of over one acre, retained at the base by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19m (62ft) long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. The amount of time and labor invested in construction of Newgrange suggests a well-organized society with specialized groups responsible for different aspects of construction.

Newgrange is part of a complex of monuments built along a bend of the River Boyne known collectively as Brú na Bóinne. The other two principal monuments are Knowth (the largest) and Dowth, but throughout the area there are as many as 35 smaller mounds.

Winter Solstice

Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. Above the entrance to the passage at Newgrange there is an opening called a roof-box. This baffling orifice held a great surprise for those who unearthed it. Its purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21st, the winter solstice. At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the chamber.

As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. This event lasts for 17 minutes, beginning around 9am. The accuracy of Newgrange as a time-telling device is remarkable when one considers that it was built 500 years before the Great Pyramids and more than 1,000 years before Stonehenge.

The intent of the Stone Age farmers who build Newgrange was undoubtedly to mark the beginning of the new year. In addition, it may have served as a powerful symbol of the victory of life over death.

Each year the winter solstice event attracts much attention at Newgrange. Many gather at the ancient tomb to wait for dawn, as people did 5,000 years ago. So great is the demand to be one of the few inside the chamber during the solstice that there is a free annual lottery (application forms are available at the Visitor Centre). Unfortunately, as with many Irish events that depend upon sunshine, if the skies are overcast, there is not much to be seen. Yet all agree that it is an extraordinary feeling to wait in the darkness, as people did so long ago, for the longest night of the year to end.

SOURCE: NEWGRANGE.COM

Missouri State Flower: Hawthorn

The state flower of Missouri is the attractive bloom of the flowering Hawthorn. The small tree grows well in Missouri’s climate, lining streets and yards across the state. Hundreds of species of Hawthorn exist. State lawmakers did not single out a specific Hawthorn when naming it as the Missouri state flower, providing residents with no guidance about which plant’s bloom to call their own.

Each spring, Hawthorn trees produce the Missouri state flower. These pretty white blossoms are made up of five petals, bear greenish-yellow stamens, and appear in globe-like clusters over the Hawthorn tree. Their numbers help to attract the pollinators needed to produce its valuable fruit. Hawthorn fruit resembles an apple yet is less than an inch across. It is a favorite source of nutrition for wildlife and can be used to make jams and jellies. Hawthorn fruits are also used in some herbal medicines.

In addition to its fruit, the tree on which the Missouri state flower grows is valued by wildlife for its ability to provide shelter. It grows quite thick and can reach heights of up to 25 feet. Such dense proportions make it an ideal home for numerous birds and mammals.

History

In Celtic lore, the Hawthorn plant was said to heal the broken heart.

Fun Fact

Hawthorn trees generally bear small red fruits, called haws, and have thorny branches – hence their name.

SOURCE: PROFLOWERS.COM

What Shall We Bake Today?

Today’s offering is Parmesan Garlic Knots! I tried these 2 few weeks ago and hubby loved them!  Since there’s just 2 of us, next time I will use a 4-count tube of biscuits instead of the 8-count and cut the remaining ingredients in half.

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

¾ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes

¼ teaspoon salt

1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.

In a small bowl, whisk together butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and salt; set aside.

Halve each of the 8 biscuits, making 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a 5-inch rope, about 1/2-inch thick, and tie into a knot, tucking the ends.

Place knots onto the prepared baking sheet and brush each knot with half of the butter mixture. Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.

Serve immediately, brushed with remaining butter mixture.

ENJOY!

What Women Want

Today is Mel Gibson’s birthday (born in 1956) so I wanted to discuss one of my favorite Mel Gibson movies—What Women Want.  He plays a sexist—very sexist—ad man who gets “electrified” and as a result he can HEAR what women THINK.  Hilarity ensues.

From: Mirror:

The film was released in 2000 and tells the story of sexist ad exec Nick who has an accident while trying to get into the mind of a woman and ends up being able to hear what every female can think. Helen Hunt also stars in the movie as Darcy Maguire, who is originally Nick’s rival when she gets the job he wanted, but the pair end up falling madly in love. The movie was originally titled Head Games and was pitched to Touchstone Pictures in 1996.

Here are five more things you didn’t know about the film:

There was a Chinese remake

The original film saw Mel Gibson nominated for a Golden Globe but the Chinese remake wasn’t as successful. It was directed by Chen Daming starring Andy Lau and Gong Li and was released in 2011. Bizarre. The plot takes place mostly in an advertising company in Beijing, in which Lau plays a slick ad agency creative director who gets acquainted with his new talented competition, played by Gong.

Mel wasn’t bothered about wearing tights

Mel wasn’t too bothered about having to wear tights because he used to wear them every day in drama school. Talking about breaking the macho stereotype, he said: “Break all the conventions and establish different ones. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all. It was great. I like going in to different styles of acting and exploring stuff I haven’t done before.”

The kissing scenes took AGES

Helen Hunt revealed they had a day and a half of kissing for the movie. Which would be most women’s dream. She said: “I mean 9 o’clock in the morning to 8 o’clock in the evening and through the next morning. “It was honestly dizzying how much we kissed. No air. So at around 5 o’clock on the first day, I asked Mel’s makeup people to shave him a little because my face was getting chewed up from his stubble. “So he showed up on the set with 25 toilet paper marks with fake blood on them!”

Continuity mistake

When Mel tries on the pantyhose in his bathroom, the hole in the left leg changes in different cuts of the movie. It is originally a large hole on the outside of his leg with a small ladder and on a different shot ends up being on the inside of his leg.

Nike reps in the film

One of the most clever scenes in the film is when Nick delivers his presentation to win a Nike Women campaign. He wins them over and can hear them praising his ideas, which were actually stolen from Darcy. We bet you didn’t know that the three female Nike representatives are in fact the real Nike ad representatives and not actresses.

SOURCE: MIRROR

DECLUTTER!

The New Year typically represents fresh starts and what better way to have a fresh start than to declutter your life and your home.  This article from thesimplicityhabit.com details how to get started and areas you might want to think about decluttering.

From thesimplicityhabit.com:

24 Things to Declutter for the New Year

To get the fresh start you’re looking for, you’ll need to clear some clutter out of your way. Here are 23 ideas of things to declutter for the new year to get you started.

1 Your wardrobe.

Many people keep old clothes which have become clutter. Consider how often you wear each item. Are they adding value? If not, they’re just getting in the way, or even worse making you feel bad about yourself, and should probably be rehomed. Sort through your closet and dresser drawers and get rid of anything you really aren’t going to wear again. Chances are, you’ll find more stuff than you thought. And when you’re done? Ethically get rid of those clothes by finding a new home for that stuff! Sell it, donate it, swap it with a friend – just don’t send it to the landfill.

2 Your kitchen pantry.

The kitchen pantry is a great area to declutter in the new year. Things tend to get shuffled around, shoved to the back, and pushed out of sight and out of mind that need to be dusted off and brought forward. It’s also a good idea to check your expiration dates and get rid of anything past its prime – it might take a while, but spices, soups, and canned goods do eventually expire.

3 Your medicine cabinet.

Like spices, prescriptions don’t last forever. Every medicine out there has an expiration date, even the over-the-counter stuff you keep around to fight off a cold. For safety reasons, it’s a good idea to declutter expired items. If you haven’t gone through your medicine cabinet recently, it’s a good spot to declutter for the new year. Make sure to check for appropriate ways to dispose of expired medicine.

4 Your makeup & toiletries.

Yes, even makeup and toiletry items have a shelf life. Things like lotion don’t seem like they should go bad, but eventually, they do. Old items can also collect bacteria so it’s a good idea to go through these areas in your bathroom from time to time. Even if items aren’t spoiled, you’re likely to find makeup products to declutter because you don’t use them. If there is still a lot of usable product left, consider giving it to a friend or list it with your local Buy Nothing group.

5 Your subscriptions.

One thing you should declutter for the new year that most people don’t consider? Your subscriptions! You can subscribe to virtually anything nowadays. From audio and video streaming services to meal delivery programs, and shaving kits, you can get pretty much anything with a recurring payment. And since those recurring payments are out of sight and out of mind, we don’t think about them and may not realize they’ve become a money drain. Take advantage of the new year as a time to review your subscriptions and declutter – or unsubscribe from – any you no longer need. You’ll eliminate clutter and save some money! 

6 Your email inbox.

Digital clutter is absolutely a thing – and it can be harder to manage than physical clutter. If you’re one of those people whose unread emails are in the thousands, you certainly aren’t alone. But you can take some steps to reduce your digital clutter. It will keep things a little more manageable, making it easier to find what you need and skip over the stuff that you don’t.  You might be amazed to see just how much of an impact a quick ‘unsubscribe’ session and a few inbox filters can make. 

7 Your junk drawer.

Most homes have at least one junk drawer. Filled with the most random assortment of odds and ends you can possibly think of, it’s a place where lots of things go to be totally forgotten. If it’s been a minute since you’ve looked through your junk drawer, add it to your list of things to declutter for the new year. Spend a few minutes getting rid of the stuff you don’t need, and find a proper home for the stuff worth keeping.  When you’re done, you might just realize you don’t even need a junk drawer.

8 Your desk drawer.

One more thing you should declutter for the new year? Your desk drawer! This is especially true if you’re working from home. Between all of the pens, pencils, binder clips, paper clips, extra staples, rubber bands, thumbtacks, and other random odds and ends that find their way in here, it can be difficult to keep everything organized. And without organization, all that stuff quickly becomes a cluttered mess. Finding the thing you need becomes impossible. And what good is that? If you don’t already have one, invest in a desk drawer organizer to keep the stuff you’re going to keep neatly separated and easy to find.

9 Your cords and cables.

Pretty much everyone has one: a random spot where miscellaneous cords and cables are hidden. We keep them around – sometimes without even knowing what they’re even for – on the off-chance something breaks and you just happen to have the right one to swap it with. That’s a whole lot of stuff to hold on to for a just-in-case scenario that doesn’t play out too often. Before the new year, sort through all of those cords and cables – and let go of the ones you realistically don’t need to keep. Spoiler alert – that’s likely most of them!

10 Your craft supplies. 

Love to craft in your spare time, or have a kid who enjoys rolling up their sleeves and getting creative? Chances are, you’ve got more craft supplies than you really need. Between all of the construction paper, glitter glue, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, stickers, and other miscellaneous odds and ends that can be put to good use during art projects, it can be tough to keep it all organized. Take some time in the new year to evaluate what you’ve got and get rid of anything you know you won’t use again. It will make organizing your craft supplies much easier!

11 Your board game collection.

If you and your family love to play board games as we do, you might have a bigger collection than you really need. Go through your collection and keep your favorite games. Make that overflowing game closet manageable by decluttering your games at least once a year and donating the ones you no longer play to someone who could really use them. 

12 Your kitchen counters.

Counters are often a magnet for random household junk. They attract the items waiting to be put away and dealt with. All of those dumped items take away from your counter space making it more difficult to work in there as well as making your home look cluttered. Counters are a great area to declutter for the new year. It doesn’t take too much time and has a big impact on the look, feel, and function of your space.

13 Your drinkware.

Some people tend to collect different cups and glasses throughout the year – only to find themselves with a too-full cupboard and nowhere to store the overflow. Others stock up on more water bottles than one person should reasonably own. If you fall into either of these categories, you should absolutely spend a minute decluttering your drinkware. And don’t just throw away the ones you don’t need – you can donate any unwanted glasses, cups, or bottles to a local organization in need.

14 Your schedule.

A new year is a great time to re-evaluate your commitments. See where your schedule reflects your values and where it doesn’t. If you are a people pleaser, you’re more likely to say yes and overcommit, which can leave you feeling exhausted and regretful. Take the opportunity now to declutter your schedule and create boundaries with your time.

15 Your fridge.

Does it smell kinda strange every time you open your refrigerator? Maybe you know this task needs to happen but you’ve been putting it off. Start the year with a clean fridge. Declutter anything that is past its date or smells or looks bad. Once you’ve gotten the gross stuff out, wipe down the shelves with some cleaner. Then you can happily open your fridge without cringing.

16 Your phone.

Our phones get used a lot…probably too much. With all of the apps, tabs, and photos, phones can become a cluttered mess. Take a few minutes here and there to work on deleting apps you don’t use. Eliminate those duplicate and blurry pictures. It may take some time to make your phone a clutter-free zone, but it’s well worth the effort.

17 Your shoes.

Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes. If you have shoes you never wear, shoes that are falling apart, or shoes that hurt your feet, do yourself a favor and start the year off by decluttering them. Improperly fitting shoes can cause problems and pain in your feet. No matter how cute the shoe is, it’s not worth it. Clear that space up in your closet and declutter those shoes. Your feet will thank you.

18 Your books.

If you’re in the camp that thinks that books simply cannot be considered clutter, then I’m sorry to disagree with you. Even if you insist they are not clutter in your home, they can be clutter to other people. From my perspective, books that are never used and sit on a shelf collecting dust for years have become clutter. Books are meant to be read and enjoyed and passed along to others to read. If bookshelves filled to the brim with books are overtaking your space, the new year is a great opportunity to re-evaluate them.

19 Your feed.

If you spend any amount of time on Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform, you know your feed can become cluttered. Cultivate a feed that you feel good about by unfollowing, snoozing, or hiding the pages and people that aren’t adding to your life or your mental well-being. Social media can be a positive place, but it does require carefully curating your feed.

The tougher things to declutter for the new year

20 Your thoughts.

Do you often have to-do lists running through your mind and distracting you from your life? It’s time to declutter them by getting them down on paper or saved on your phone. With all of the distractions in today’s world, mental clutter becomes a very real thing. The new year is a great time to get the clutter out of your head and create systems that work for you.

21 Your relationships.

Decluttering relationships is no easy task, but it can be a necessary one. While in some cases you may not be able to shut certain relationships out of your life, you can create definitive boundaries in order to protect yourself. This year consider which relationships you want to invest more time and energy into, and also which ones have potentially become toxic that you need to distance yourself from.

22 Your past.

Likewise, letting go of your past is not easy. That is not to say forget everything that happened in your life, but rather, work through and deal with things if you need to. Prioritize your mental health. Let go of negative self-talk or patterns of behavior that are holding you back in your life. Sometimes letting go of clutter is dealing with the emotional clutter you’re carrying and working to let that go. A new year before you is the perfect time to focus on things you’ve pushed aside, but know in the back of your mind that you needed to address. Let go of those burdens and find freedom in a fresh start.

23 Your unrealistic expectations.

Whether the unrealistic expectations you’ve been holding onto have been of yourself or of others, the new year is an opportunity to let those go as well. Go easy on yourself and be willing to forgive others. That is not to say allow toxic relationships in your life. However, sometimes our unrealistic expectations of others negatively impact relationships that could otherwise be healthy and good. If you have perfectionist tendencies, it can be particularly challenging to let go of what you expect of yourself. Remind yourself that no one is perfect and that your best is good enough. It won’t always be easy, but it’s a worthwhile pursuit.

24 Your negative self-talk.

Sometimes we’re the ones that get in our own way. If you struggle with negativity or are overly critical of yourself, it can not only take you down but also hold you back in life. Consider adding positive mindset habits into your daily routine. Start and end your days with positive thoughts. It will help to set the tone for your day and prepare you for rest. And be kinder to yourself. Often we are our own worst critics. Extend the same grace and care to yourself that you give to others.  If you catch yourself dwelling on destructive or unhelpful thoughts replace them with constructive ones.  A positive life doesn’t come from a negative mindset. Thankfully there are ways to change your mindset and improve how you’re feeling.

SOURCE: THESIMPLICITYHABIT.COM

Heavens to Betsy!

Today is Betsy Ross’s birthday and I found an article on Have Fun With History about Betsy!

From havefunwithhistory.com:

Betsy Ross, born on January 1, 1752, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a prominent figure in American history known for her role in the creation of the first American flag. While her life and contributions are often celebrated, some aspects remain shrouded in legend and debate. This brief introduction provides a glimpse into the life of Betsy Ross, a woman whose association with the American flag has left an indelible mark on the nation’s history and identity.

Betsy Ross Facts

1 Born on January 1, 1752, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Betsy Ross was born as Elizabeth Griscom in the bustling colonial city of Philadelphia. She was one of 17 children in her family, and her Quaker parents, Samuel Griscom and Rebecca James, raised her in the Quaker faith.

2 Married John Ross in 1773

In 1773, Betsy Ross married John Ross, who was an Anglican vestryman and an upholsterer by trade. Together, they established an upholstery business in Philadelphia. However, their marriage was short-lived due to John Ross’s untimely death in 1776 during the early years of the American Revolutionary War. Despite the brevity of their marriage, Betsy Ross continued to work in the upholstery trade after his passing.

3 Known for her role in creating the first American flag

Betsy Ross is most renowned for her association with the creation of the first American flag. According to legend, she was approached by a committee consisting of George Washington, George Ross (John Ross’s uncle), and Robert Morris in June 1776. They presented her with a rough design of the American flag, which had 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 American colonies. Betsy Ross is said to have suggested changes to the design, including the use of a five-pointed star and the arrangement of stars in a circle. While the exact historical accuracy of this story remains debated, it has become a cherished part of American folklore, and Betsy Ross is widely recognized for her association with the creation of the American flag.

4 Traditionally credited with suggesting design modifications for the flag

As previously mentioned, Betsy Ross is traditionally credited with suggesting design modifications to the American flag presented to her by George Washington and the committee. According to the legend, she proposed using a five-pointed star instead of a six-pointed one, as well as arranging the stars in a circular pattern. This circular arrangement made it easier to create the stars, as opposed to the more complex design of a star within a star.  While there is some debate among historians about the accuracy of this specific account, there is no doubt that Betsy Ross was an accomplished flag maker, and her contributions to early American flag design are celebrated.

5 The first American flag she created had 13 stars and 13 stripes

Betsy Ross’s most famous creation was the first American flag, which she is believed to have sewn in 1776. This flag had 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies, and 13 stripes, alternating red and white, symbolizing the same colonies. The design was intended to reflect the united efforts of the American colonies in their struggle for independence from British rule. The stars and stripes have since become iconic symbols of the United States and its history.

6 Operated an upholstery business with her first husband, John Ross

Betsy Ross and her first husband, John Ross, ran an upholstery business together in Philadelphia. Upholstery involved the crafting and repair of furniture, making draperies, and creating various fabric-based items. While John Ross was also involved in the early stages of the American Revolution, Betsy’s skills as a seamstress and upholsterer became particularly valuable during this time. After John’s death in 1776, Betsy continued to manage and operate the upholstery business on her own. Her ability to work with fabrics and textiles likely contributed to her involvement in flag-making, and she remained an active and skilled craftsman throughout her life.

7 Married three times in her lifetime

Betsy Ross had a complex personal life, marked by three marriages. Her first marriage was to John Ross in 1773. After his death in 1776, she married Joseph Ashburn in 1777. Tragically, Ashburn died while imprisoned by the British during the Revolutionary War. Betsy’s third marriage was to John Claypoole in 1783, and together they had five daughters. Betsy’s marriages were intertwined with the challenges and turmoil of the Revolutionary period.

8 Widowed multiple times, her husbands had ties to the Revolutionary War

All three of Betsy Ross’s husbands had direct or indirect connections to the American Revolutionary War. John Ross died early in the war, Joseph Ashburn was a sailor who suffered the hardships of wartime captivity, and John Claypoole was a veteran of the Continental Army. Betsy’s personal life was deeply affected by the conflicts and challenges of the Revolutionary period.

9 Died on January 30, 1836, at the age of 84

Betsy Ross lived a long life and passed away at the age of 84. Her death occurred on January 30, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her legacy, particularly her association with the creation of the American flag, continued to be celebrated after her death, and she remains a notable figure in American history.

10 Buried at the Free Quaker Burying Ground in Philadelphia

Betsy Ross was buried at the Free Quaker Burying Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Free Quakers were a group of Quakers who broke away from the mainstream Quaker community during the American Revolution because they supported the American cause. Betsy Ross’s burial at this historic site is a testament to her affiliation with the Free Quakers and her enduring connection to the Revolutionary period.

SOURCE: HAVEFUNWITHHISTORY.COM

Worst Christmas Gifts Ever: Part 2

Beano for Fast Gas Relief

Even if your loved one does have gas, the holidays might not be the time to bring it up. Instead, get them this book of basic yoga poses. It’s bound to include “Wind-Relieving Pose.” Maybe they’ll be inspired to take a yoga class.

On second thought, maybe throw in the Beano, too — to help them avoid an awkward moment in Downward-Facing Dog.

“Lose Weight with Your Mind,” by Jonathan R DeLeon

Just don’t. Even if you think you’re helping. Even if you think you’ve pinpointed the source of your loved one’s weight problem, and it’s definitely their mind.

Instead, give them kitchen essentials that will help inspire healthy cooking. (Research shows that people who cook their own meals tend to eat healthier.) This cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi has inspired thousands of people to experiment with Israeli-influenced recipes, and incorporate new and healthful ingredients.

“Charlie Chaplin” Mustache that Closely Resembles Another Mustache

Just don’t. Unless someone in your life is an avid Charlie Chaplin role-player. Otherwise, this could get very weird.

A Guide to Polyamory For Your Parents

Don’t give your parents any ideas. (Perfect thing to give your sister in front of her new boyfriend, though.)

Stretch Mark Cream

In case you missed it: Stretch marks are cool. This artist uses glitter to turn stretch marks into body art. Spread the word — and give your loved ones biodegradable glitter to celebrate their own unique markings.

Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer

This gift will make your loved one wonder how much their nose hair has been bothering you. It also looks like a torture device.

Instead, you could get them a lighted bathroom mirror. This magnifying mirror will help them discover their jungle of nose hair on their own.

Earrings for Someone Without Pierced Ears

I’ve never gotten around to piercing my ears. Whenever someone gives me earrings, I mumble gratefully, then invent ways to avoid trying them on. (“Do I smell something burning?”)

Today, many people have “gauged ears.” These enlarged openings can’t hold normal earrings either. If you’re going to buy someone earrings, try to make sure they can actually wear them. Otherwise, get them a necklace. Everyone has a neck.

“Sexy Native American Costume”

Nope. “When a group like Native Americans have clung onto their culture in the face of genocide… it’s tone-deaf not to realize how damaging it is just to adopt that clothing for a night,” the Independent explains. Buy any of the thousands of other costumes on Amazon instead.

Very Specific “Exercise Weights” for Your Wife or Girlfriend

If you get these as a suggestive gift for your partner, you’re clearly a douche (another product, incidentally, that would make a terrible Christmas gift).

“Old Georgia State Flag” That Bears Uncanny Resemblance to Other Flag

Don’t buy this flag. If you seriously don’t understand why not, read more work by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

“The 7 Irresistible Qualities Men Want In A Woman: What High-Quality Men Secretly Look For When Choosing The One,” by Bruce Bryans

Author Bruce Bryans considers himself an expert on high-quality men. Bryans — who, according to his author bio, enjoys “manly things” — clearly spends a lot of time thinking about “high-quality men.” To please them, he explains, you must first pass the man’s “physical appearance test,” which is “specific to his personal tastes.” But then you must be “far superior” to other women in the surrounding area.

Um. Yikes. This book could really screw people up. Instead, let’s remind young women that they don’t need to be “superior” to anyone else — and that no one is “inferior” to them, either. Let’s encourage girls to lift each other up, instead of tearing each other down.

“101 Things Your Dad Never Told You About Men: The Good, Bad, And Ugly Things Men Want And Think About Women And Relationships,” by Bruce Bryans

Turns out Bruce Bryans has written many, many books about high-quality men. He also may have some issues. “Let’s face it; your Dad probably couldn’t tell you exactly how to be a good wife or a good girlfriend,” his promo text reads. “Maybe the topic of how to please your husband in bed would have been too awkward… Whatever the reason, your good old Dad probably never told you the ugly truth about what men want from women.”

Um. This author may have misunderstood the role of dads. Or misjudged how most people learn about pleasing their spouse in bed. (Hint: We don’t learn it from our dads.) If you’ve even considered buying this book, you should probably seek psychiatric help immediately. In the meantime, check out this guide to the best gifts for college students, where you’ll find something great for the young person in your life. While you’re at it, you might want to buy this other book by the yoga teacher and healing expert Ana Forrest — for yourself. You might actually need a self-help book — and, as we’ve learned, you are really the only person who can decide that for yourself.

And as always, when you’re stumped, you really can’t go wrong with Christmas socks.

SOURCE: HEAVY.COM

25 Worst Christmas Gifts: How to Offend Everyone on Your List