Monday, March 2, 2026

Are you dieting?

Practically everybody starts the New Year with the intention to diet.

Practically everybody decides to go back to eating garbage by January 10.

Not necessarily that kind of garbage.  

But I think you know what I mean.

Thus and therefore amma give you a fantastic salad recipe that you are guaranteed to love, and which is healthy and wonderful and won't make you fatter.

To wit:

Clueless Salad.

My own extremely delicious invention.

The original salad was made from stuff in the fridge that was two or three days from being compost.  Aging, but still very edible.  Coulda been broccoli or tomatoes or any of a number of vegetables.  Not sure which was on its way out or not, without looking carefully.  Hence, 'clueless.'

Here's the ingredients:

a can of chickpeas.  

a can of kidney beans, or black beans.

a large tomato or two

a large green pepper or two

some broccoli

oregano

garlic powder

olive oil

vinegar

olive oil

vinegar

Then: cut up the tomato, dice the pepper, cut up the broccoli.  Open the cans of beans.  Put the beans, the tomato, the pepper, the broccoli in a bowl with the olive oil, vinegar, then add the oregano (I put a LOT on because oregano makes everything taste way more wonderful), and the garlic powder.

Mush gently.

Stick in the fridge for a long as it takes for the salad to get cold.

Once it's out of the fridge, eat some.

It WILL be delicious.

I usually make a large batch that I'll eat over the course of a few days.

Note that the longer it's in the fridge, but better - and better - it tastes. 

At the moment, my fridge is full to the max with..., well I'm not sure exactly.  But once all that stuff gets eaten, I will made some clueless salad, and I'll make a picture of it so you can get a gander at what it looks like.

Until then, enjoy this picture:

Friday, February 27, 2026

February's Second Haul of Antiques and Untiques

This: I have a TON - and I do mean a TON of utterly fantastic merchandise I've found recently.

Alas, there was a blizzard this past Sunday, and I can't get out to my porch to photograph this stuff.

Not because there's snow on the porch, but...

... because I left bird seed out on my front steps, and in front of my front steps, both of which were snow-free.  And were a ton of birds out there eating what I left, and I did not want to scare them by coming out and shooting pictures of my utterly fantastic merchandise.  The pic above is not one of those birds.  When I went out to get a picture of them, turned out they had finished breakfast, and left.  

So anyway, on to what you came for:


Johnson Brothers Heritage Hall Georgian Townhouse pattern dishware
 
Four dinner plates.
 
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                                    large HB et Cie Choisy-le-Roi wall pocket circa 1910

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                                                    super neato bronze bowl

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                    Johnson Brothers Heritage Hall Pennsylvania Fieldstone pattern

                                                                   platter

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                                                              art pottery person

Note that I had a heck of a time getting a good picture of this VERY cool item.  Very cool item looks waayyy better in person.

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                                      An absolutely marvelous piece of majolica

Which began life in Baltimore in the 1880s, made by Chesapeake Pottery, founded by Mr. David F. Haynes.  Later the pottery was known as D.F. Haynes & Co.  The pattern here is 'Clifton.'

                                                                           back view

                                                                     

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Thus ends today's collection.

Until next time, see more, get more here:

                                            AntiquesUntiques.etsy.com 

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Lucky Dip

 As always, a collection of marvelous marvels.

Wanna see?

First up, a fabulous addition to your rec room:

                                              To wit: History's Coolest Dart Board

 Get it here: www.zazzle.com/red_blue_yellow_abstract_dart_board-256914842246621807

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Next something super-cool for your French cuffs:


 Get 'em here: www.zazzle.com/fantastic_bird_folk_art_bird_cufflinks-256173809697704360

And a note: They look AWESOME in person.

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Welcome to our sorta kinda Roman print gift bag:


 Get it here: www.zazzle.com/roman_mytholgy_faces_birds_leaves_print_large_gift_bag-256830791606214212

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And now a super-cool poster for your cold home decor:

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/1893_arctic_zone_poster-256959104519404640

Note that this looks waayy better in person.

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And something SOOO colorful and baroque and awesome, in pouf/ottoman/hassock form:

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/16th_century_winged_sphynx_fountain_flowers_fronds_pouf-256017836122611537

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Lastly, but hundreds of miles from leastly, we have this neato six-piece coaster set, which looks like the following:


 Get it here: www.zazzle.com/were_glad_to_see_youre_back_beverage_coaster-163279765305996357

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Stop by again soon !!! 

Monday, February 9, 2026

The Star Made Me Buy It

Today's star is neither an actor/actress nor a jock.

                                                     Earl Stanley Gardner

Creator of the very cool Perry Mason.

When I was really little, like age 5 or so, when Perry Mason would be on, the theme music would scare me to bits.  

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I wonder if one of these ads had Rex Stout, creator of the bo overweight, orchid-obsessed super-sleuth Nero Wolfe.

I discovered Nero Wolfe in a second hand bookstore.  I was attracted by the VERY neato retro cover art.  What was inside was even better.  

The voice in Nero Wolfe in all stories and novels is that of his right-hand man, Archie Goodwin.

Archie's tone ranges from clever to absolutely hilarious.

Thus and therefore, you should run to eBay or ThriftBooks.com and look up Rex Stout. 

FUN STUFF: Here's Dick Cavett interviewing Rex Stout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZNItgPERjo

Tickets, please

                                                        Four Weddings and a Funeral

From back when Hugh Grant was the most charming thing on two legs.

I remember liking him in this movie, and Kristin Scott Thomas was GREAT.  

And little Charlotte Coleman was very appealing. 

But Andie McDowell... well, no thank you.

What really kinda ruined the movie for me was Simon Callow.  I don't get why, but the guy skeeves me to the max, not just in this movie, but in general.

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Other actors/actresses that give me the visceral skeeves:

Anne Jackson

Nathan Lane

Sarah Miles

David Morse. 

There are probably more, the above are just the ones I could come up with.   

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

February's First Haul of Antiques and Untiques

As ever and always, there are TONS TONS TONS more items in my Almighty Garage of Awesomeness, but what's here is what has exited the garage and traipsed into my Etsy store recently.  

Wanna see?

                                            two bunnies, one bird toothpick holder

Your toothpicks would rest in the egg they're holding. 

Note that what looks like schmutz on the base is actually gold paint.  I'm not sure how my camera didn't register that.  

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 Next up, Indian (from India) fabric print blocks:

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Buy one or buy all.

Or just buy two.   

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                                                double match safe for your wall SOLD

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                                                       two framed silhouettes     SOLD

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                        cherub trinket box, and more than a HUNDRED heart charms

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Lastly, but miles from leastly we have...

                                                          geishaware trinket jar

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See more, get more here:

AntiquesUntiques.etsy.com 

Friday, January 23, 2026

Lucky Dip

 Welcome to today's, i.e. January, 23, 2026 - Lucky Dip!

Some of my favorite items from my shop are here.

Wanna see?

                                     Victorian fashion design business card case

 Who doesn't love Victorian fashion???

Nobody, that's who.

Get it here:  www.zazzle.com/1880s_victorian_shawls_fashion_print_business_card_case-256878123650247532

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                                             Brunhilde Weeps at Sigfried’s Funeral Pyre

 This is a canvas print, PERFECT for the home of the opera enthusiast and/or the fan of Wagnerian opera and/or the fan of The Ring of the Niebelung.  (Auf Deutsch 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.')

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/brunhilde_weeps_at_sigfried_s_funeral_pyre_faux_canvas_print-256702519496739188

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Baroque to the MAX clock!


Perfect for the antique decor, high Victorian decor, ultra classy decor.

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/four_corners_baroque_square_wall_clock-256369203801380864

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                        SUPER COOL tapestry for the man cave and/or mantiques-intensive decor
 
 Get it here: www.zazzle.com/ad_1600_swiss_soldier_print_tapestry-256310051303574376

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                                              Victorian tabby cat paperweight !!

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/victorian_tabby_cat_paperweight-256088046669667099

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                                                     owl print tank top !!!
 
 I've noticed that a lot of people go crazy for owls.  

I have a very unique owl handbag (which looks nothing like the above).  Three different times I've had people ask if they can take a picture of my owl bag.

If you're crazy for owls, then this is for YOU.

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/long_eared_owl_print_tank_top-256269689305957767

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Thus ends today's Lucky Dip.

Come back next week for more! 

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The Star Made Me Buy It

Today's star is...

                                                       Maureen O'Hara

This is one of the rare star ads that does not mention the title of the star's latest movie.

Just 'Maureen O'Hara, Lovely Movie Star.'

Her claim here, in her own words (so we're led to believe), is "I wanted to be sure the brand I picked agreed with my throat and tasted good, too. Camels have everything I wanted... more smoking pleasure than any other brand!"

If I live to be a zillion, I will never understand the appeal of cigarettes.  When I was around age 15*, wondering what all the excitement was about, I bought a pack of cigarettes, probably Marlboro. I remember smoking them outside the local bowling alley.  As you do.

I got to maybe to my third cigarette before having to admit that this was not something I enjoyed.  Plus it tasted terrible.  So thank God - really, thank God - I did not become a smoker.

*Back then it was not unheard of for a little kid to go the corner grocery store to get Mom Mom a pack or five of  her favorite cancer sticks.  

Monday, January 12, 2026

January 2026's Haul of Antiques

 My Almighty Garage of Awesomeness is SOOOO full at the moment.

So here are a few of the things in my Etsy shop.

Which account for about 1% of what's in my AGoA:

                                 Westmoreland milk glass 'Old Quilt' pattern creamer

This is a VERY appealing little item in person.  Some neighbors stopped by several weeks ago, and I had this out on my coffee table because I was going through boxes at the time.  

One of the neighbors was charmed to the very cockles of her heart by what a cute little item this is.

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                  Heritage Hall 'Spanish American Hacienda' pattern bread and butter plates

 I have three more Heritage Hall (aka Johnson Brothers Heritage Hall) patterns.  They all look great together.   

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                                             Japanese lacquer cocktail shaker  SOLD

Note the VERY long cock's tail.

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                                                  EPIC cuteness in bunny form.

If you're the crafty type, I bet you could make clothes for our epic cute bunny.

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Next up, two very super cool tie bars:

                The horse theme one below is SOLD

                                                      This golf theme tie clip looks 500% better in person.

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Thus ends today's collection.

Until next time, see more, get more here:

                                                     AntiquesUntiques.etsy.com 

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

The Tuesday Song of the Week

OK, I know today is Wednesday, but I wanna get this in before I forget about it.

I was shocked to learn - ten minutes ago -- that Chris Rea passed away back in late December.

I  was also shocked that the obits mentioned all these songs he did, but 'Red Shoes,' was not mentioned.

I often sing along with that in my in-car, one-person concerts.

Wanna hear it?

                                                     'Red Shoes" - Chris Rea

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Fun Stuff

German surnames I have enjoyed...

I took German in high school, and in college, and after college, at Saturday morning German lessons at a Lutheran Church in Northeast Philly.

Currently, I have a part-time job as a supermarket cashier.

Lately I've had a customer whose last name is Gift.

The German word Gift (note that all nouns are capitalized in German) means... 

                                                                      poison

I had a story published (which is now in the Library of Congress, thank you very much) that had this as a plot point.
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When I was a teenager, a lady came to the house to discuss insurance with my parents.

I forget her first name, but her last name was Teufel. 

The German word Teufel means...

                                                                    devil

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Moving on to less scary names, and more prominent people..

                                                                  Paula Zahn
  

In German, the word Zahn means... 

                                                                        tooth
 

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Back in the day there was a well-known writer named Paul Fussell.

In German the word Fussell means...

                                                                      lint

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The town I live in was founded in 1694 by a dude named Shamgar Hand

The German word Hand translates as...

                                                                        hand
 

Furthermore, the word Arm in German means arm.  And the German word Finger means finger.

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