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Up the chimney he rose!

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Before ol' St. Nick rose up the chimney he had to have come down the same way. But, why the chimney at all...why not through the door or a window?  Could it be all doors and windows are suppose to be locked, especially at midnight and wee hours of the morning? When/where does the chimney really enter the picture? There are various stories why Santa comes down the chimney. The one most commonly known appears in the famous Christmas poem "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" even though Santa's connection with chimneys dates back several centuries before the poem.
 
http://www.christmasatloyola.com/days/dec22-chimney/

 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;...

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof--
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound...

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose...

The anticipation of Santa Claus is felt the day after Thanksgiving, maybe even before then, but his story stretches way, way, way back, all the way back to the third century. The legend of Santa Claus has roots connected to a monk named St. Nicolas. It has been said he gave away his wealth traveling the countryside helping the poor and sick. Thus, the introduction to St. Nick about whom there are actually many legends! One in particular is celebration of his feast day, which occurs on the anniversary of his death, December 6.

http://hicookery.com/tag/santa-claus/

Where it all began: A Bit of 'Sinter Klaas' History...

The feast day mentioned above, of course, did not occur on the shores of America. So, the question becomes, "When did he appear on American soil?" St. Nickolas made his first appearance in American pop culture near the end of the eighteenth century in December, 1773 and again in 1774. Groups of Dutch families actually gathered in celebration of the anniversary of Sinter Klaas, aka Sinterklaas, Nick's Dutch nickname.
In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society's annual meeting. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. In 1809, Washington Irving helped to popularize the Sinter Klaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a "rascal" with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a "huge pair of Flemish trunk hose."
http://miasmusingsabouthappiness.blogspot.com/2012/11/sinterklaas.html
Sinterklaas
There is a lot of tradition behind Sinter Klaas, aka Sinterklaas. Visit Mia's Musing for a true Dutch girl's eye view. While this may not be the same Santa we are accustomed to seeing in the shopping malls, he is of the same origin just a slightly different look. When stores begin advertising Christmas shopping in the 1820s, gift-giving centered around children. By the 1840s, newspapers specialized in creating special holiday advertisements, which often featured images of the newly-popular Santa Claus. Today, you can find Santa busily entertaining children as they sit on his lap burning his ears with Christmas wishes.

The final push for Santa came in 1897, when the New York Sun ran an editorial responding to a question from eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, asking if there was a Santa Clause. The amazing, poetic and emotional response from Francis Pharcellus Church solidified our Santa. As Church said, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.” [Source: Where did Santa Claus come from?]

 
Embrace the Past...

Significant influences of Santa Claus in America include:


1659 - Puritanical theocrats brought the hammer down on Christmas traditions. From1659-1681, a fine of five shillings was imposed for feasting and celebrating Christmas in Boston. Wishing a fellow colonist a mere "Merry Christmas" brought on the hefty fine. Perhaps this is where Ebenezer Scrooge got his beginnings!

In contrast, the settlement of Jamestown actually openly celebrated the season. 


1820 - Advertising for Christmas shopping began in stores in America.

1822 - Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters titled "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," which begins with the famous line 'Twas the night before Christmas'. His imagery in the poem beget the jolly Santa Claus.

1840 - American newspapers began to creating separate sections for holiday advertisements, which often featured images of the newly-popular Santa Claus.

1841 - A life-size Santa Claus model lured thousands of children into a Philadelphia shop. This was only the beginning for the 'store Santas'.

Early 1890s -Salvation Army provided free Christmas meals to needy families. As the tradition grew, money was needed to fund the project. Unemployed men were dressed up in Santa suits who, in turn, hit the streets of New York ringing bells for donations, a tradition that is still live and well today. Also, in the 1890s, Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S.

1914 - On and around Christmas Day 1914, roughly 100,000 British and German troops were involved in unofficial ceasefires on the battlefields of WWI. The artillery in the region fell silent being replaced by the sounds of Christmas carols in favor of holiday celebrations in the trenches and gestures of goodwill between enemies.

1931 - On Christmas Eve 1931, while the nation was mired in the Great Depression, a 20ft Christmas tree was erected by construction workers on a muddy site of what would become the Rockefeller Center in New York. Two years later, a Rockefeller Center Publicist organized the first official tree-lighting ceremony. Today, it is a multimillion-dollar extravaganza that attracts thousands of tourists each year.

1939 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the most famous reindeer of them all, yet he was 'born' over a hundred years AFTER his eight counterparts.  Robert L. May, a copywriter at theMontgomery Ward department store, is accredited with his creation.  He wrote a Christmas-themed story-poem to help bring holiday traffic into his store using a similar rhyme pattern to Clement Clark Moore's Christmas poem.

1949 - One of Robert May's friends, Johnny Marks, wrote a short song based on Rudolph's story. It was recorded by Gene Autry selling over two million copies. Since then, the story has been translated into 25 languages and been made into a television movie narrated by Burl Ives, which has charmed audiences every year since 1964.


Do you believe in Santa?



Gone, yet ne'er forgotten!

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Amid all the festiveness of the holiday season come times of remembrance... Christmas past, family and friends gone but not forgotten. There is an overwhelming sense of sadness that at the same time brings on smiles of the heart. The joy, the laughter, the silliness within the seriousness of the time. With Christmas, there is always music, special music. Some of the melodies have been passed down from generation to generation while new ones hit the scene with the changing times.


Loving memories of those who have passed on are rekindled everyday in music that lives on and on and on...


Gone, yet ne'er forgotten
Music that calms & heals
Soothing the very soul
With each heart it steals
 Yesterday, today, tomorrow
Music starts the morning
Your songs live within us
Keeping our hearts yearning
With the Christmas season
You're missed more 'n' more
With melodies of the holidays
Drifting in and out the door

 Gone, yet ne'er forgotten
Music to relive the days
Happiness within sorrow
'Til the last memory fades

©2013 Sharla Lee Shults
 

To all who have loved ones in Heaven this Christmas, may you find joyful peace with family and friends.


Today in Music History: December 21, 1974

Welcome into the Spotlight...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_%28band%29
 Mud in 1974


http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mud-mn0000508805/biography
Mud: never a profoundly philosophical band, and never pretended to be. The group played music to have a good time, and merely asked that others join in, which millions of Brits did for a few years.

Mud were an English glam rock band, formed in February 1966. They were influenced by 1950s rock and roll, and are best remembered for their hit singles "Tiger Feet", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974, and "Lonely This Christmas" which reached Christmas number 1 in December 1974. After years of unsuccessful singles, Mud finally had three Top 20 successes in 1973 with "Crazy" (No. 12), "Hypnosis" (No. 16) and "Dyna-mite" (No. 4). In 1975 they had seven singles in the UK Top 40 totaling over 45 weeks on the chart, the most by any artist in 1975.

1974 Mud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Chinn & Chapman song 'Lonely This Christmas'. The group's second No.1 and third chart topper for Chinn & Chapman in 1974.




And the music goes onbeating to the rhythm of the changing times...

Remembering Our Soldiers at Christmas 2014

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Not everyone will be home during the holiday season. Places at the dinner table, seats in a favorite chair, wine or water glasses will remain empty, especially on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Distance, obligation, estrangement, illness, money, various reasons will prevent family members from gathering together. Among those not home are our military men and women serving our country on foreign shores or a veteran without a home which should never be.  

 
Remember our soldiers
Whether here or far away
Keep them in your hearts
Throughout the night and day


Remember our soldiers
On land, in the air, or at sea
They sacrifice daily
 In the name of liberty

  
Remember our soldiers
Some won't make it home
Some are in the deserts
Some are all alone 


Remember our soldiers
Homeless on the streets
Feeling abandoned
Their only defeat

  
Remember our soldiers
Serving the Red, White and Blue
Honor their courage
In everything they do

  
Remember our soldiers
When one by chance you meet
Extend a hand in gratitude
For each heroic feat


Remember our soldiers
For they remember you
Caring, sharing, preparing
Before bidding adieu

  
Remember our soldiers
Amid joyousness and laughter
Remember our soldiers 
At Christmas time and thereafter

©12/24/2012
Sharla Lee Shults

While celebrating during the Christmas season
Always remember those away from home
Keep them in your hearts, cherish them in your soul
A day may come when you find yourself alone


Word of the Day: Crossword

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This Day in History: December 21, 1913

Crossword? Is that a word which starts an argument? Is it going against or insulting
someone? Is one word getting confused with another? No! No! No! Don't get cross trying to figure it out. It's the Crossword Puzzle!

Embrace the Past...
 
Do you know the name for a person who is a crossword puzzle creator? Hint: It is a 14-letter word. Of course, you can always Google it but to save time, here is the answer:

cru·ci·ver·bal·ist (krs-vûrb-lst)
n.
1. A constructor of crosswords.
2. An enthusiast of word games, especially of crosswords.

A crossword is a word puzzle that normally takes the form of a square or a rectangular grid of white and black shaded squares. The goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words or phrases, by solving clues which lead to the answers. [Source: wikipedia.org]

The first crossword puzzle published
in The New York World on Dec. 21, 1913
Crossword puzzles are said to be the most popular and widespread word game in the world, yet have a short history [Brief History of Crosswords]. Crosswords have evolved into the world's most perennial passing fad. A cruciverbalist from Liverpool by the name of Arthur Wynne is credited with creating the first crossword puzzle. December 21, 1913 was the date and it appeared in a Sunday newspaper, the New York World.
Wynne created the page of puzzles for the "Fun" section of the Sunday edition of the New York World. For the December 21, 1913, edition, he introduced a puzzle with a diamond shape and a hollow center, the letters F-U-N already being filled in. He called it a "Word-Cross Puzzle." ... A few weeks after the first "Word-Cross" appeared, the name of the puzzle was changed to "Cross-Word" as a result of a typesetting error. Wynne's puzzles have been known as "crosswords" ever since.
Empower the Present...

Need something to entertain your kids other than the TV, iPhone, iPad or computer? Put a crossword puzzle in their hands and challenge their minds! Test their vocabulary skills while adding to their vocabulary bank. Better still, challenge them to creating a crossword puzzle.


Enrich the Future...

There was a point in time when everyone agreed crossword puzzles were a ridiculous craze. Question for you: eight-letter word for wrong?"Mistaken!" The future of crosswords is set as long as there is a thirst for learning, a need for a challenge to be met, a source of entertainment, etc. 

Do you commute to work? Pick up a crossword magazine, book or a newspaper. Complete one of the crosswords while on the train, subway or riding in an automobile. Just don't try to work it if you are the driver!



Happy crosswording& Happy 101st Anniversary to the crossword puzzle!  

Anyone know a 7-letter word for mysterious? By the way, strange, curious, or bizarre does not fit.



 
Everyone agreed that crossword puzzles were a ridiculous craze, soon to be forgotten.
Anybody - eight-letter word for wrong? "Mistaken."
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/news/236732391_Crossword_puzzles_celebrate_100th_anniversary_Saturday.html#sthash.pNU1z4Ih.dpuf

Better Burger Battle

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At what time would you consider eating a burger? Anytime? Of course, ANYTIME!The hour, the day, the week, the month really doesn't matter. Burgers have a way of creeping onto the menu morning, noon and night...and any time in between.

December 21 is...
National Hamburger Day
Actually, the 2nd National Hamburger Day!
Have it Your Way on National Hamburger Day has already been celebrated being spotlighted in National Hamburger Month! That was back in the spring and a few months after that you were invited to Just bite it.... Then, more burger delight followed with Burger! Burger!...this time with CHEESE! 

The Better Burger Battle...
Burger battles have been going on for eons with competitions for the biggest, baddest, most bountiful burger, as well as who made and named it first. Although hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany, eating the burger in a bun is actually an American innovation. The hamburger sandwich was most likely invented in Seymour, Wisconsin but others will stand their ground in contesting this origination. It is fact that each year Seymour hosts a hamburger festival called Burger Fest. That is where the world's largest hamburger made its debut in 2001. It weighed 8,266 pounds! Want a bite? Wonder how many people that one fed! Um-m-m? Or was it even eaten?

The ultimate burger is YOUR burger...what you want, how much you want, when you want it! There are no limits to what goes on a burger. The meat can be grilled, fried, broiled, even steamed! Well-done or medium rare. Option for the bun is open to plain, seeded, onion, white, wheat, rye, sourdough...you name it. With ketchup, mustard, mayo or without any one or none at all. Lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, mushrooms, pickles, bacon, onion rings...whatever, keep piling it on! Only one thing to remember...you must be able to bite it!


http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2014/08/just-bite-it.html
There are innumerable places, chain restaurants and individually owned, to find a good burger should you decide not to fix your own at home. You may even find some with terrific deals on this special hamburger day.The hamburger is the epitome of good eats, serious eats! Enjoy one today...your way!
http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2013/07/12-burgers-with-unusual-toppings-that-really-work.html
Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles...and maybe a squirt of mayo, mustard, or ketchup. The standard toppings will never cease to be tasty, but sometimes you want a burger with a bit more personality. For those occasions, here are a dozen creatively-topped burgers that really work. Click through the slideshow to see all of the unique burger toppings »

 

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Is your mouth watering yet?
 


yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!



Next on the Calendar...Stay Tuned!



Dawning of the Space Age

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Today in Music History: December 22, 1962

Have you ever had a song get stuck in your head to the point you could not think without the melody going round 'n' round 'n' round? You wake up with the melody spinning incessantly 'til you retire for the night. Often, there are no words since the specific tune was recorded solely as an instrumental. Many such songs topped the charts, or nearly, through the decades remaining choice selections right on into the 21st century. Songs from the 50s like 'Melody of Love' (1954), 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White', 'Unchained Melody'& 'Autumn Leaves' (1955), 'Tequila' (1958), 'The Happy Organ' (1959); from the 60s you might remember 'Wonderland by Night' and 'Calcutta' (1960), 'Apache' (1961), 'Stranger on the Shore', 'The Stripper'& 'Green Onions' (1962) just to begin the list. In today's spotlight is a one-hit wonder that topped the charts at No.1 in 1962 within the dawning of the space age.

Welcome into the Spotlight:


http://videosift.com/video/The-Tornados-Telstar-1962


http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/tornados.htm
The Tornado(e)s:trademark sounds of galloping rhythm, biting guitar break, a surreal keyboard lead played by a clavioline

The Tornados were an English instrumental group of the 60s. They performed many songs as a backing group for record producer Joe Meek's productions and also for singer Billy Fury. The Tornados enjoyed several chart hits in their own right but their biggie No.1 was 'Telstar', charting in both the UK and US.

1962The Tornados, spelled Tornadoes in America, started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Telstar'. Composed and produced by Joe Meek, it was the first major hit from a UK act on the American chart. The record was named after the Telstar communications satellite, which was launched into orbit on July 10, 1962. It was written and produced by Joe Meek, and featured a clavioline, a keyboard instrument with a distinctive electronic sound. "Telstar" won an Ivor Novello Award and is estimated to have sold at least five million copies worldwide.
More No.1s on this day, December 21st...


  • 1963The Dave Clark Five scored their only US No.1 single with 'Over And Over', a No.5 in the UK.
  • 1972Little Jimmy Osmond was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Long Haired Lover From Liverpool'. At nine years eight months of age it made him the youngest person to have a No.1 record, also the biggest seller of 1972.
  • 1979Rupert Holmes started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Escape, (The Pina Colada Song)'. His only US No.1 solo hit, a No.23 hit in the UK.
  • 1984Madonna started a six-week run at No.1 in the US charts with 'Like A Virgin', her first US No.1. Produced by Nile Rodgers, family groups sought to ban the song as they believed that the song promoted sex without marriage.
  • 2002Pop Stars: The Rivals winners Girls Aloud started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their debut release 'Sound Of The Underground'. The song was originally recorded in 2001 by London girl group Orchid, who disbanded before gaining a record deal.
  • 2013 X Factor winner Sam Bailey claimed this year's UK Christmas No.1, with her debut single 'Skyscraper'. The former prison officer outsold her nearest rival, Pharrell's 'Happy', by two to one to become one of the fastest-selling singles of the year.
  
No.1 Album on this Day...

1973Elton John started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', it also had a eight week run at No.1 on the US chart. The album contains the Marilyn Monroe tribute, 'Candle in the Wind', as well as three successful singles: 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting'.

1962 Acker Bilk's 'Stranger On The Shore' finally dropped off the UK charts after 55 weeks. That record would stand until 1968 when Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Release Me' stayed for 56. The current record is held by Frank Sinatra's 'My Way', which charted for 75 non-consecutive weeks.
1980Stiff Records released an album in the UK called ‘The Wit and Wisdom of Ronald Reagan.’ The entire disc contained 40 minutes of silence.

2003 The annual list of all-time music greats by the Guinness book of hit singles was again topped by Elvis Presley. The list based on the number of weeks spent on the UK singles chart looked like this; 1. Elvis Presley (1193), 2. Cliff Richard (1152), 3. The Shadows (771), 4. Elton John (623), 5. Madonna (606), 6. Diana Ross (560), 7. Michael Jackson (509), 8. Rod Stewart (477), 9. Beatles (456) and 10. David Bowie (452).

And...Yes, it really happened!
2005Janet Jackson was the most-searched name during 2005 according to Google, the singer topped a list of searches with people looking for pictures from her infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ at the 2004 Super Bowl when she exposed her right breast.




And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...
  


Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas from Around the World!

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It is incredibly interesting and absolutely amazing what different, unique Christmas decorations appear all around the world. What about the number of lights? Astronomical!


Fireworks explode during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 6, 2014.
Christmas is very important in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank as it contains Bethlehem, the town in which Jesus was born. Bethlehem is about six miles (10 kilometres) south of Jerusalem (which is in Israel). Bethlehem means 'house of bread' and back in history was famous for growing wheat for making into bread. Read MORE...
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/34350822/ns/travel-seasonal_travel/t/capture-christmas-spirit-bethlehem-pa/#.VJhyl__afwC
Fireworks illuminate the world's biggest floating Christmas tree on Dec. 5, 
in the opening ceremony at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
  (Antonio Scorza / AFP - Getty Images)


Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood

 http://blog.freepeople.com/2012/11/christmas-lights-world/ 
Disneyland Paris

Visit Santa for

A Bit of Christmas Humor

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In the midst of the seriousness of Christmas is always room for laughter. The holiday season definitely does not exist without its share of humor.

 Klub Kringle

 Exhausted...naptime!

Arizona Christmas Tree
Alabama Decor
Beer-bottle Tree
Least Expensive Decor - Just Ditto!

Florida's Finest

OOPS!
No bathroom on the sleigh!
Two Trees

Bike-powered Christmas Tree
Cartwheel Snowman
 Christmas in Australia

 Merry Christmas from Hawaii!

Mississippi...'Dear' Crossing!

Diver Santa
Redneck Christmas - Anywhere,USA

May your house be a happy house!


Watch this not so much for the ad but from the standpoint
of being so delightfully true to home!

Merry Christmas wherever you are!



Last Minute Shopping...DIY!

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As Christmas draws nearer and nearer, very little time remains for shopping, especially for the little gifts that may have been forgotten. The last minute push will have people rushing around almost in a daze...in a craze anyway! So, do something different. Stay away from the malls, put your imagination to work. Invite family and friends over and be creative. Make some small gifts together or simply let the time of enjoyment be the gift itself...give the gift of smiles and laughter.

The Time When Giving Rules


Christmas is a time for giving
Loving, laughing, living
Forgetting and forgiving
Remembering, reliving


Christmas brings time for laughter
Today, tomorrow, thereafter
Gifts of love you are the crafter 
Those ne'er bought before or after


Something to use, something to share
The idea is showing you care
Make it something with flair
 Or totally risque if you dare


If you decide food's the thing
 Plan it with a little zing
Small goodies smiles doth bring
When the mason jar is king


If the gift is a gift of money
Just be sure to make it funny
Any dollar bill, sweet as honey
Leaves the day bright and sunny

Less demanding use simple tools 
Maybe rhinestone studded jewels
Some little wooden sewing spools
This is the time when giving rules


Beethoven's Fifth

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This Day in Music History: December 22, 1808

Ludwig van Beethoven's 'fifth' does not refer to a fifth of alcohol, even though this was a big part of Beethoven's life since his father was an alcoholic. Beethoven's Fifth is a symphony, one of the most recognized works of classical music,Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67—the "Fifth Symphony"—which received its world premiere on this day in 1808.

What is so astounding about this symphony is its composer gave his first public performance at the age of 7 1/2 and published his first work before the age of 12. Writing in 1810, the critic E.T.A. Hoffman praised Beethoven for having outstripped the great Haydn and Mozart with a piece that
"opens the realm of the colossal and immeasurable to us...evokes terror, fright, horror, and pain, and awakens that endless longing that is the essence of Romanticism."
The powerful four-note opening motif—three short Gs followed by a long E-flat—have become an instantly recognizable musical shorthand since they were first heard by the public in 1808.
Used in World War II-era Britain to open broadcasts of the BBC because it mimicked the Morse-code "V" for "Victory" 
Used in the disco-era United States by Walter Murphy as the basis for his unlikely #1 pop hit "A Fifth Of Beethoven"
 



And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...
  

Red, White, & Minty Sweet!

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Synonymous with the Christmas season is the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, sleigh bells and of course, the CandyCane. For nearly 350 years, people have been eating this delicious peppermint candy with its unique crooked shape. With time the candy cane has become more versatile as people use them for more than just enjoying the cool, peppermint taste. They make great additions to  Christmas trees and terrific accents for table decorations. Even though the full swing of Christmas day has reached its peak, the candy cane is still an intricate part of remaining celebrations. In fact, candy canes can be found throughout the entire year.

December 26 is...

National Candy Cane Day

http://www.food.com/recipe/candy-cane-cocoa-44062
Candy Cane Hot Cocoa (Recipe)

Historians believe that candy canes date back to the 17th century when Christians would use sugar stick to represent a shepherd’s staff. At the time, the all-white candy canes were given out to the kids during church services to keep them from behaving badly. There’s also another theory that the candy cane looks like the letter “J”, which stands for baby Jesus. Many stories and songs accompany its history with a variety of ways to enjoy this sweet treat other than simply the cane by itself.

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http://readynutrition.com/resources/12-days-of-christmas-cookies-candy-cane-cookies_14122014/
(Recipe)
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http://www.laurenslatest.com/candy-cane-crinkles/
Candy Candy Crinkles (Recipe)
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http://onecreativemommy.com/12-days-of-christmas-day-1-gluten-free-monday-peppermint-candy-cane-cupcakes/
Peppermint Ganache Cupcakes (Recipe)
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http://chefmom.sheknows.com/articles/971481/dark-chocolate-candy-cane-cake
Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cake (Recipe)
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http://www.dvo.com/recipe_pages/cakemixes/Candy_Cane_Cake.html#.VJyAHP_afwA
Candy Cane Bundt Cake (Recipe)
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http://christmas.betterrecipes.com/candy-cane-jello-shots.html
Candy Cane Jello Shots (Recipe)
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http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-peppermint-candy-cupcakes
Chocolate-Peppermint Candy Cupcakes (Recipe)
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Check out what you possibly did not know about the candy cane...

Fun Facts: The Candy Cane



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Is your mouth watering yet?
 


yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!



Next on the Calendar...The Most Popular Regift!

Christmas Classics

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Today in Music History: December 25, 1954

Christmas Day comes to a close with the spotlight on several Christmas melodies. The songs begin with the Bing Crosby classic that has been on the air and in homes for 60 years. There is probably not a Christmas ever when 'White Christmas' has not been sung by a choir or covered by a recording artist somewhere.



 1954Bing Crosby's ‘White Christmas’ entered the Billboard Pop chart for the eleventh time. Bing's rendition has sold over 100 million copies around the world, with at least 50 million sales as singles. It was the largest selling single in music history until it was surpassed by Elton John's ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’.
 
1958 The first day of a 10 day residency in Alan Freed's Christmas rock n' roll spectacular in New York with Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon, Dion, Jackie Wilson, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley and The Everly Brothers.
A Touch of Sadness...

2008American actress, singer, and cabaret star Eartha Kitt died from colon cancer at her Weston, Connecticut home at the age of 81. Best known for her 1953 Christmas song ‘Santa Baby.




And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

'The Quiet Beatle'

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Today in Music History: December 26

There is hardly a day in the 60s and 70s without mention of The Beatles or one of the members of the band. While the band collectively racked up hit after hit after hit, individual members continued well into the future with No.1 singles each in his own style.

Welcome into the Spotlight...

http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/464932/george-harrisons-10-biggest-billboard-hits

http://www.biography.com/people/george-harrison-9206804
 George Harrison:lead guitarist of The Beatles as well as a singer-songwriter on many of their most memorable tracks

George Harrison started playing guitar at age 13. It was with the help of Paul McCartney, however, that he became good enough to play in a band. Harrison idolized Lennon and McCartney so he was elated when given the opportunity to join them in the band. He was not a fast or slick guitarist, but strong and tasteful, known for making every note count on his guitar. 
Largely referred to as the "quiet Beatle" Harrison took a back-seat to McCartney, Lennon, and to a certain extent, Starr. Still, he could be quick-witted, even edgy. During the middle of one American tour, the group members were asked how they slept at night with long hair. Harrison fired back. "How do you sleep with your arms and legs still attached?"Source: Biography.com
A Tidbit of Trivia...
A 10-foot tall pine tree planted in memory of George Harrison near Los Angeles' Griffith Observatory in 2004 lived for 10 years. Ironically it died after being infested by — wait for it — beetles.
1964 The Beatles started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Feel Fine'. It was the group's 6th No.1 of the year in which they had 30 entries on the chart, giving them a total of 18 weeks at the top of the charts. 
1970George Harrison started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'My Sweet Lord', making him the first Beatle to score a No.1 US hit. The song was originally intended for Billy Preston. This was Harrison's first single as a solo artist, and it was his biggest hit. The song is about the Eastern religions he was studying. The lyrics contain references to the Hare Krishna faith, with some of their mantra written into the lyrics. Harrison said he was pointing out that "Hallelujah and Hare Krishna are quite the same thing."
Also to hit No.1 on this day...

1998The Spice Girls scored their 8th UK No.1 single with 'Goodbye', (the first single without Geri Halliwell). It gave the group the Christmas No.1 for the third year in a row equaling the record set by The Beatles from 1963, '64 and '65. The song was written by Richard Stannard and Matt Rowe along with the four remaining Spice Girls. Stannard, who teamed with Rowe on many of the group's hits, said the song wasn't specifically about Halliwell. He said, "It was about moving on and saying goodbye to the old Spice Girls. It wasn't Goodbye to Geri; it wasn't really literal. A lot of that song was written when they were touring in America. We wrote it in Nashville so I think it has that sentimental feel to it because everyone was kind of homesick and knackered.
No.1 Albums on this Day...

1979 Pink Floyd’s The Wall was at No.1 on the US album chart. (The album spent a total of 15 weeks at No.1 during a 35-week stay on the chart). The Wall also spent a total of 5 weeks at No.1 on the UK chart. 
1981 AC/DC started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'For Those About To Rock We Salute You' the follow-up to their highly successful album 'Back In Black'. The name of the album was inspired by a book Angus Young read, entitled 'For Those About to Die, We Salute You', about Roman gladiators.
2007Amy Winehouse's second album ‘Back to Black’ was named as the biggest-selling album of the year. Released at the end of 2006 the album had now sold more than 1.5m copies in the UK, achieving five platinum sales awards, Winehouse was also nominated for six Grammys including song of the year. Leona Lewis's ‘Spirit’ was the second best seller, Lewis sold 1.27m copies in just five weeks, becoming the fastest-selling debut in UK history and making the former X Factor winner the fastest female million-seller in the UK. Mika's ‘Life in Cartoon Motion’ were the third best selling album of 2007.



And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

The Most Popular Regift

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Christmas is a time for giving but in giving we are also receiving...words of thanks and gratitude, hugs, kisses and smiles from the heart. As an old saying goes, give what you would like for yourself for the gift may one day come back to you...that's right, as a regift! It's totally OK to regift! There is one regift, however, that is definitely the most popular simply because most people either just do not want it or they have come to the point in time when they are just sick and tired of it.


December 27 is...

National Fruitcake Day

http://www.humorcolumnist.com/pudding.htm

Made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts and spices and sometimes soaked in “spirits”, fruitcake has been a holiday gift-giving tradition for many years. Although fruit cakes are certainly a delicious treat to enjoy around the holidays (to some people, that is), they are quite possibly the most popular item for re-gifting. A whopping 38% of people say they give fruitcakes away when they receive them! Nevertheless, fruitcakes have remained popular for thousands of years.


A Bit of Fruitcake History...
The Ancient Egyptians buried their loved ones with fruitcakes because they believed this particular food was essential for the journey to the afterlife. The Crusaders were known for eating fruitcakes during their campaigns. The small cakes could withstand long journeys without spoiling and were full of nutritious items like dried fruits and nuts.

To celebrate National Fruitcake Day, invite friends over to polish off the fruitcake you received as a Christmas gift, buy one of these holiday treats at your local grocery store to share with friends, or be a total 'fruitcake' yourself and make one of your own! There are really many varieties...light, dark, minis, cookies, cupcakes, etc. Um-m-m-m? Wonder if I iced it with chocolate, would that help?

http://www.hestiaskitchen.com/2009/11/24/make-your-own-gifts-lemon-chardonnay-fruitcake/
 Lemon-Chardonnay Fruitcake (Recipe)


http://www.recipeofcake.com/old-fashioned-christmas-cake/
Old-Fashioned Christmas Cake (Recipe)


http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fruitcake-christmas-cookies
Fruitcake Christmas Cookies (Recipe)


http://www.egglesscooking.com/2011/05/27/fruitcake-coconut-cookies/
Fruitcake Coconut Cookies (Recipe)


http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15031/festive+fruit+cakes
Festive Fruitcake Minis (Recipe)


http://liquor.com/articles/scotch-cupcakes/#JQm865sSk7gosKIr.97
'Spirited' Fruitcake Cupcakes (Recipe)



And, for a little musical entertainment...




*****

Is your mouth watering yet?

Get to work and get some made!
 


yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!



Next on the Calendar...Chocolate 'Rains'!

From First Flight of Peter Pan to Man on the Moon

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This Day in History:

As on any given day, many events have found their place in recorded history. This day is no exception with just a few being recognized below...playfully, musically, economically, comically and scientifically. Date yourself with recollections stored in your own memory bank. How much history do you remember? Which stories or characters were your all time childhood favorites?
1904Peter Pan, by James Matthew Barrie, opens in London. The Peter Pan character first appeared in print in the 1902 novel The Little White Bird, written for adults. The character was next used in the stage play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and became an instant success.  

"Some of my plays peter out, and some pan out!
~James Matthew Barrie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_and_Wendy#mediaviewer/File:Peter-pan-play-announcement.jpg

 
1927The musical play "Show Boat," with music by Jerome Kern and libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II, opened at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York. Much has been written over the years about "Show Boat" with its opening revolutionizing Broadway paving the way for what would eventually become the modern American musical.

 Source: en.wikipedia.org


1932 New York City's Radio City Music Hall opened to the public in midtown Manhattan. Amid the Great Depression, thousands turned out for its opening. Radio City Music Hall is known as the showplace of the nation and is the largest indoor theatre in the world. 
When the stock market crashed in 1929, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. held a $91 million, 24-year lease on a piece of midtown Manhattan property properly known as "the speakeasy belt." Plans to gentrify the neighborhood by building a new Metropolitan Opera House on the site were dashed by the failing economy and the business outlook was dim. Nevertheless, Rockefeller made a bold decision that would leave a lasting impact on the city's architectural and cultural landscape. He decided to build an entire complex of buildings on the property-buildings so superior that they would attract commercial tenants even in a depressed city flooded with vacant rental space. The project would express the highest ideals of architecture and design and stand as a symbol of optimism and hope. Read MORE...
 Source: en.wikipedia.org
1947 The original version of the puppet character Howdy Doody made its TV debut on NBC's "Puppet Playhouse." Prior to this date, Howdy Doody was only a voice 'Buffalo' Bob Smith played on the radio. When Smith made an appearance on NBC's television program, the reception for the character was great enough to begin a demand for a visual character for television. It was a pioneer in children's television programming and set the pattern for many similar shows also being a pioneer in early color production.

1968 Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, made a safe, nighttime splashdown in the Pacific. The three astronauts, Frank Borman, James Lovell, Jr., and William Anders, returned safely to earth after an historic six-day journey. During the 10 lunar orbits, images were sent back to earth from the spacecraft via television. The astronauts were not only the first humans to view earth in its entirety from space but also the first to see the dark side of the moon.

'Earthrise,' as photographed by the Apollo 8 crew on Christmas Eve 1968. (Photo: NASA)
NASA recreates iconic Apollo 8 'Earthrise'
45 years later using orbiter data (video)

On July 20 of the following year, Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin
astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission, became the first men to walk on the moon.


"Mr. Excitement"

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Today in Music History: December 27

Top performing superstars often are categorized by standards set in one specific genre mainly because of unique vocal styles. Many performers attempt crossovers from one genre to another, a difficult task for some while quite natural for others. Just because a star is a star does not mean he or she can two-step or waltz between standards. There have been a few greats, such as Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong and, of course, the one in the spotlight today who is definitely considered a successful crossover artist.

Welcome into the spotlight...

http://www.zoomerradio.ca/uncategorized/this-week-on-friday-night-bandstand-june-7th/attachment/jackie-wilson-2/

http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-wilson-9533886
 Jackie Wilson: a dynamic and powerful soul performer during the '50s and '60s who successfully crossed over from rhythm and blues to pop music

As a dynamic soul performer during the '50s and '60s, Jackie Wilson successfully crossed over from the R&B charts to pop music, paving the way for a generation of African-American performers. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. His first experience with success came with the joining of the group Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. Wilson's first major hit, "Lonely Teardrops", topped the charts in 1958. More successful songs soon followed, including "Night" in 1960, "Baby Workout" in 1963 and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" in 1967. Wilson collapsed on stage in 1975 and spent remainder of his life in a coma. He died in New Jersey in 1984, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

1986 Jackie Wilson had the UK Christmas No.1 single with 'Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Want to Meet)' two years after Wilson's death, following its use in a commercial for Levi's. Written in 1957 by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo, the success of the song helped Gordy fund the launch of Motown Records.
  • No.1 singles on this day...

    1969Diana Ross and the Supremes went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Someday We'll Be Together', the group's 12th US No.1. A No.13 hit in the UK.
  •  
    1975The Staple Singers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let's Do It Again' the group's second US No.1.
  • 1997 The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Too Much'. The group set another new world record as their first six singles all made No.1.
  •  No.1 albums on this day...

    1969Led Zeppelin II was at No.1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over six million copies in the US.
  • 1975 Queen started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with 'A Night At The Opera' the group's first No.1 album.
  • 2008Taylor Swift started a seven-week run at No.1 on the US album charts with 'Fearless'. As of 2013, Swift had sold over 26 million albums and 75 million digital single downloads worldwide. Forbes estimates that she is worth over $220 million.
 
2005‘Crazy Frog’ by Axel F was the best selling UK ringtone. ‘Tweet Tweet’ by Sweetie Chick was the second & ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’ by Tony Christie & Peter Kay was the third biggest seller. The UK ringtone market was now worth more than double the value of the CD singles sales.





And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...
  





Chocolate 'Rains'

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December 28 is...

National Chocolate Candy Day

This is the day when chocolate 'rains'
Drizzles, sprinkles, pours
Eases the mind, relieves all pains
Pieces, bars and s'mores


Milk, white, dark, truffled
Basic choco food groups
Plain, striped or ruffled
Boxes of swoops & whoops!

http://www.pumpkinnspice.com/2014/12/03/white-chocolate-candy-cane-popcorn/
White Chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn
Melt, Dip or Drizzle
Chocolate candied anything
Bite, sip or fizzle
 Choco-candycoat everything
 

Chocolate has been celebrated
Decadently Southern, Salty & Sweet
 Yet there's none so elaborated
Biting chocolate candy can't beat!


Is your mouth watering yet?
 


yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!



Next on the Calendar..."The soup that won the war."

Iowa: Epic Lands

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This Day in History: December 28, 1846

Iowa,The Hawkeye State, The Corn State, Land of the Rolling Prairie

Iowa State Motto: Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain 

A Bit of Trivia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Delicious
Iowa is home of the red delicious apple, which originated at an orchard in Peru, Iowa. But if you, like most people, find that Red Delicious apples are perhaps not as tasty as the name might imply, don’t blame Iowa. Today’s variety bears little resemblance to the 1872 original.

        
http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/15/i-am-iowan-i-am-barn/
You can’t swing a dead muskrat in Iowa without hitting the broad side of a big red barn. That’s how it is. Iowa is for real.            

How did Iowa get its name?
The state is named after the Ioway people, a Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. But what “Iowa” actually means is a bit ambiguous. According to the writings of an early pioneer, the name comes from an incident where a tribe of Native Americans spied the land for the first time and proclaimed it “Iowa, Iowa, Iowa,” which meant “beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.” However, another story says that it’s just a variation on the French word “Ayuhwa,” which means “sleepy ones”—something the Dakota Sioux tribe called the Ioway Nation. It is also stated Iowa was named after the Iowa River, which still reflects the Indian word meaning "one who puts to sleep" or "beautiful land."
Iowa's official nickname is The Hawkeye State, after Chief Black Hawk, leader of an Indian tribe who was relocated to Iowa after their attempt to resist white settlement failed. The state harvests so much corn that it pays tribute to Iowa's corn crop by deeming it The Corn State. Iowa leads the country in the production of corn thus earning the name the "Land Where the Tall Corn Grows." Because of the vast rolling prairies that covered the state of Iowa it has been referred to as the Land of the Rolling Prairie.
Joyce Meyer Photography

The passing seasons and moods as seen in Northeast Iowa.
An epic photo-essay over Iowa that will warm you to its charms. 
And when was the last time the words "warm" and "Iowa"
 were used in the same sentence?

Iowa was part of the vast, vaguely defined Louisiana Territory that extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. Placed under the territorial jurisdiction of Michigan in 1834, and then two years later under the newly created Territory of Wisconsin, Iowa became a separate territory in 1838. Because a new state seeking admission to the Union at that time could expect favorable action from Congress only if accompanied by a slave state, Iowa was designed to come into the Union with Florida as its slave-holding counterpart. A serious dispute over how large the state would be delayed Iowa's admission into the Union as the 29th state until December 28, 1846, but by the delay the people of Iowa got what they wanted—all the land between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The state capital is Des Moines.

Iowa is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States, a region sometimes called the "American Heartland".

Iowa State Flag


Iowa State Seal

 Iowa State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch


http://pixgood.com/iowa-tree.html
Iowa State Tree : Iowa's Oaks


 Iowa State Flower: Wild Rose

For all State Symbols of Iowa click HERE!


Iowa State Song: "Song of Iowa"


Epic Lands



Prairies dotted with colorful wild flowers
Vast cornfields and soybean yields
Ranches with cattle, horses grazing
Red barns speckling the fields

https://desmoinesphotoblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/iowa-sunset/

 Vibrant sunrises, enchanting sunsets
Intensify spacious skies
 Reviving the inner spirit
Magic right before all eyes

http://baileysbuddy.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-iowa-americana-bob-kelly-photos.html

Amber waves of grain
 Few and far between
Contrasting lush green hills
Create an iconic scene

http://pinoytransplant.com/2010/08/18/zen-driving/

Impressive landscapes, charming scenes
One could sit and look at all day
Countryside farms, rolling hills
Fruited plains, an American mainstay

 Nary an ocean in sight
Hog farms and fields close at hand
 Corn and bacon together
Within the American Heartland

©2014 Sharla Lee Shults



Iowa Facts and Trivia

Next state by month: # Texas - December 29, 1846

 

Liberty & Justice

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This Day in History, December 28, 1945


I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Why do we say the pledge? The pledging of the flag has incited controversy for most of the pledge's 120-year history. That stands without question. To say it is patriotic represents loyalty to America. Whether or not a person says the pledge is that person's first amendment right. It is most important to remember, however, for every person who stands against the pledge, there are those who are in favor of the pledge. While one may fight to have something changed or removed, the other has just as much right to keep in intact.




Pledge of Allegiance Day


The Pledge received official recognition by Congress June 22, 1942 when it was formally included in the U.S. Flag Code. The official name, The Pledge of Allegiance, was formally recognized on December 28,1945

How much do YOU know about America's Pledge of Allegiance?

The Pledge of Allegiancewas written for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. Although never copyrighted, the Pledge is recorded to have been originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. Bellamy's intention was creation of a pledge that would be used by the citizens of any country. The Pledge has been modified four times since its composition. One of the changes reflects replacement of "my flag" to "the flag of the United States" thus avoiding confusion among persons foreign born who might have in mind the flag of the country of their birth.

Official versions
(
changes inredbolditalics)
1892
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
1892 to 1922
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
1923
"I pledge allegiance to theFlag of the United States, and to the republic for which it stands;

one Nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1924 to 1954
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands;

one Nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1954 to Present
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, 
one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 

 Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star

As you watch the video and listen to the words of Red Skelton, keep in mind the year this was produced1969!



 Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star

Meaning, Phrase by Phrase...
I pledge allegiance” (a promise to be true)

to the flag” (the symbol of our country)

of the United States of America” (each state that has joined the union)

and to the Republic” (a country where the people choose others to make laws for them -- the government is “of, by and for” the people)

for which it stands,” (the flag meaning the country)

one nation” (a single country)

under God,” (belief in a supreme being)

indivisible,” (unable to be divided or separated, united)

with Liberty and Justice” (freedom and fairness)

for all.” (each person in the country...you and me!)

The pledge says you are promising to be loyal to the United States of America!
Military Connection...
...the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world.

You must remember our duty, our honor and our country.
From a speech made by Capt. John S. McCain, US, (Rep) who represents Arizona in the US Senate.

 
Embrace the Past...

Melancholy Soldier

Arguments Englishmen used against the King and his use of taxation and an army would later influence thinking of the American colonists. Within battlefields of their homeland lay the ghosts of their ancestry.

Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star 

Fields of battle now a lonely place
Bare bloody images and broken bone
Only a few forlorn soldiers left
Anticipate the joy of going home

Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star 

 Lofty winds have blown
Along with hail, show, and rain
But this day all's calm
For in death there is no pain

Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star 

 Once resting in a damp, creepy barn
Or peacefully nestled beneath a hedge
A soldier pays homage to his homeland
Never questioning loyalty or pledge

Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star 

 Now on the eve of departure
He considers those soon left behind
Memories abate lonliness
Succumbing a little peace of mind

Tiny_StarTiny_StarTiny_Star 

In dreams he holds his soul mate's hand
A vision that makes his life complete
Solemnly he ponders life's games
Together they will one day compete

©2013 Awakenings

  "On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind."Dan Lipinski



Where the Seeds of Woodstock Were Sown

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Today in Music History: December 28

The spotlight on this day shifts from one specific recording artist to an event that planted the seed for Woodstock. This specific festival drew 100,000 fans over three beautiful winter days, and featured many seminal acts of the time. All genres of music attended to broaden the audience's tastes and introduce new acts. 1968 ended with a roar!

Welcome into the Spotlight...

http://www.thestripproject.com/TheStripProject/1968_Miami_Pop.html

http://www.oldrockphoto.com/miamipop.html
 1968, Miami Pop Festival

The first major rock festival was held on the East Coast of the US for the nominal fee of seven dollars ($7) a day. The event featured fourteen daily acts on two stages including Chuck Berry, The McCoys, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, Marvin Gaye, The Turtles, The Box Tops, Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night, Pacific Gas and Electric, Procol Harum, Canned Heat, Iron Butterfly and The Grateful Dead.
According to Rolling Stone (February 1, 1969), the festival was "a monumental success in almost every aspect, the first significant -- and truly festive -- international pop festival held on the East Coast." Woodstock, of course, took place in 1969, and Hallandale city officials, horrified by visions of stoned hippies dancing naked at Gulfstream, nixed plans for a second Miami Pop Festival. (Source: Miami Pop Festival)

Relive the Music of the Times...















  • No.1 singles on this day...


    1961Danny Williams was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Moon River', the Oscar-winning song was from the film Breakfast At Tiffany's. The Tokens were at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.'

  • 1974 Helen Reddy went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Angie Baby', the singers third US No.1. The song was turned down by Cher.
  • 1980 St Winifred's School Choir were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'There's No One Quite Like Grandma'.
  • 1985 Shakin' Stevens was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Merry Christmas Everyone'. The Welsh singers fourth and final UK No.1.
  • 1996 The Spice Girls scored their third UK No.1 single with '2 Become 1'. The ballad from their debut album became their first Christmas No.1.

  • No.1 albums on this day...

    1968The Beatles went to No.1 on the US album chart with the 'White Album', the group's 12th US No.1 album.


    200350 Cent's debut album, 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin' was named the biggest selling album in the US in 2003 with the album going platinum six times over. Outkast came second with 'Speakerboxxx' / 'The Love Below' and Linkin Park's 'Meteora' was the third biggest seller. The Top 10 albums of 2003 in the USA accounted for around 30 million sales.

 
2005Pink Floyd were voted the greatest rock stars ever in a survey of 58,000 listeners from UK radio station Planet Rock. Led Zeppelin were voted into second place, 3rd was The Rolling Stones, 4th The Who, 5th, AC/DC, 6th, U2, 7th, Guns N’ Roses, 8th, Nirvana, 9th, Bon Jovi and in 10th place Jimi Hendrix. Listeners also named the 1970s as the golden age of rock, followed by the 1960’s.

http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-psychedelic-pied-pipers.html
 Pink Floyd in January 1968, from the only known photo-shoot of all five members. 
Clockwise from bottom: Gilmour, Mason, Barrett, Waters, Wright




And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...
  




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