Seasons Greetings

October

 In October I'll be host 

to witches, goblins and a ghost

I'll serve them chicken soup on toast

whoopy once, whoopy twice

whoopy chicken soup with rice

-Maurice Sendak 

Don't forget to fill your belly with a warm, hearty dinner before Beggar's Night commences. Happy Halloween from Ducky Shincrackers.

Custom Halloween Favors from Ducky Shincrackers

 

 

 

 

 

DUCKY SAYS: Buy American!

When you think of 'Made in America' do you conjure images of less-than-stylish clothing and designs lacking panache? You're not alone. Yet it's becoming more and more evident that buying American makes a difference. Let's face it- we need the money! Here's a list of stylish and surprising things Made in the Good Old US of A.

Vane & Joya Solid Perfume Brooches. Brooklyn

Alexa Pulitzer Paper. New Orleans 

Gordon & Smith Surfboards. California

Smith's Rosebud Salve. Maryland

Alternative Earth Apparel. Venice Beach

Weber Grill. Illinois

Hanky Panky Panties. New York

Duck Brand Duct Tape. Ohio

Pendleton. Oregon 

Baker Creek Seed Co. Missouri

Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Connecticut

Burt's Bees. North Carolina

James Fralinger Taffy. Atlantic City

Essie Nail Polish. New Jersey

Homer Laughlin Fiestaware. Ohio

Longhorn Jeans. Arizona

Kitchen Aid. Michigan

American Apparel Clothing. Los Angeles

A&B Milling Co. Nuts. North Carolina

DUCKY SAYS, COLLECT! Pin-Up Girls

Looking for something to do this summer? Collect something! How about these scantily-clad beauties? Ladies and Gents everywhere are captivated by pin-up girls. Here are ten favorites:

Olivia De Berardinis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Gil Elvgren

 

 

 

 

                          

 

Earl Mac Pherson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al Moore        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoe Mozert

 

Earl Moran

George Petty

Alberto Vargas

Nathalie Rattner

Billy Devorss

NASA Space Rock

 

Pour yourself a Tupperware cup of Tang and crank up these tunes used to wake-up the astronauts in space.

      

  Blue Sky  (by Big Head Todd)

  Star Trek Theme Song  (by Alexander Courage)

  Magic Carpet Ride  (by Steppenwolf)

  Countdown  (by Rush)

  Over the Rainbow  (by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)

  Theme from Star Wars Trilogy(by John Williams)

  Enter Sandman  (by Metallica)

  Time for Me to Fly  (by REO Speedwagon)

  Drops of Jupiter  (by Train)

  Bright Side of the Road  (by Van Morrison)

  Window on the World  (by Jimmy Buffett)

  Beautiful Day  (by U2)

  Where I Come From  (by Alan Jackson)

  What a Wonderful World  (by Louis Armstrong)

  Here Comes the Sun  (by The Beatles)

  Imagine  (by John Lennon)

  Rocket Man  (by Elton John)

  These are the Days  (by 10,000 Maniacs)

  Learn to Fly  (by Foo Fighters)

  Start Me Up  (by Rolling Stones)

Vote for your favorite (lots more than these to choose from) at www.songcontest.nasa.gov

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.  -George Washington

St Valentine

Short-Hand History:

St Valentine is the name of a number of early Christian martyrs and was established as a holy day by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. In the High Middle Ages the day became associated with romantic love and has flourished to what we know it to be now- a day on which friends and lovers express their love for each other by  presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

It's only in the last few decades that the sweet sentiment of this day has been tarnished with flashy advertisements and stress-inducing jewelry billboards. Reclaim the essense of this day with simple, thoughtful and time honoured traditions. 

Instead of a pricey box of long-stems that die,  stop by the local nursery and buy a rose-bush.  Have it planted in an old urn with a bow and you'll have a gift that will give roses over and over again.

 Visit the pastry counter or the bakery instead of the chocolatier. You'll likely spend less for a better presentation, and baked goods often come in a pink box.

 An antique locket or pocket watch makes a lovely gift.

A vintage typewriter with a sentimental note (typewritten, of course) included makes for an original gift- better yet, leave the typewriter out, loaded with paper, and encourage guest to leave their own sentiments (use the red ink!) Other simple gifts include conversation hearts, fortune cookies and books of love poems. 

Why not buy an old-fashioned grade-school style Valentines and address them to your friends and family. Make a construction paper chain. Buy paper heart doilies and adorn them with red and silver glitter and hang them in the windows. These simple tradition are what made Valentine's day such a delight when we were children- restore this holiday as the thrilling, enchanting day it used to be! 

Top Ten Bug-Faced Cars

10. 1971 Volvo 

9. 1960 Alfa Romeo

8. 1959 Mini 

7. 1980 Land Cruiser

6. 1957 BMW

5. 1990 Mazda

4. 1965 Ferrari

3. 1955 Mercedes

2. 1985 Porsche

1. 1955 Volkswagen

Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.