That's Weird: Old-Time New Year's Greetings That Will Make You Wonder

I wasn't going to do a post featuring adorable, creepy and terrifying images about New Year's..... but they spoke to me and demanded to be showcased. I think there's a lot which went on in the late 1800's - early 1900's we may just.....never. Understand.

It's A New Year: When Challenges Lead To Understanding

Long ago I decided that New Year's resolutions were not "my thing". The idea of pinning hopes and wishes for improvement upon a certain calendar date? Writing out a long list of objectives that would kick into place like clockwork on January 1st? Not for me, I affirmed each December, mulling over the countless small changes necessary in my life, knowing I could begin at any time instead of creating a fantasy of luckiness that would rain down upon me at the start of a new year.

Vintage Cats of Christmas, Part II

I wasn't planning to post more retro felines this year but then I stumbled across some adorable images which are not on Holiday Cats, Part I. Click on any image to open in a new larger window to save.

Holiday Humor 2019 Edition

Hi folks and welcome to the 2019 collection of "Things Found Online That Made Me LOL". Nothing literary or thought-provoking here, ha ha - just the annual random cartoons, memes and hilariousness which I felt valuable enough to share and pass on.

Saving America's Small Businesses: Why Shopping Local Might May Be A Better Way of Life

When you change your mind, alter your course and shift direction from heading to a big box retailer and instead pull into the parking lot of a local store, you are making a difference.

When you toss out the suggestion to plan an evening as a group of friends dining out, family members celebrating a birthday or ringing in the New Year with a date, you are making a difference.


When you pause to explain to your young children that Mr. Arnold's grandfather was the one who built the store he now operates; take the time to drive to a real drugstore with an old-fashioned soda fountain; point out a marker on Main Street where the first business was founded, you are making a difference.


Your choices are limitless - but the bits and pieces of fragments and snapshots of local lives and history are numbered. I ask you to please this month, stop and consider each of your decisions and actions, because together we could all help to save the places we grew up with; enjoy; love. Define what you can't see living without, and if it should mean a bit less spending on the cheaper instant gratification of fast food establishments and dollar stores, maybe that's a choice you'd like to make.



Live ❤ Love ❤ Local

community advocate | marketing consultant | dedicated to small business | fan of

classic cars & hot rods | beach lover | believer that "together we accomplish more"

Happy Thanksgiving | the Annual Collection of Holiday Humor, Sarcasm and Funnies

Celebrating the season with cartoons and hilarious images which we can all relate to! Holidays can be tough and sometimes a little humor helps put it all in perspective, doesn't it? Enjoy!

Holiday Train Gardens on Delmarva | Model Trains That Will Delight the Whole Family!

The following listings are a few of the many seasonal attractions which cast a festive and magical atmosphere across the area known as the Delmarva Peninsula. Spread out over three states and fourteen counties, our unique corner of the world is already filled with history and countless sites to visit, however during the months surrounding the Christmas season even more special activities appear to delight both residents and visitors.

Thanksgiving by the Sea | Coastal Images to Celebrate the Holiday

When folks begin to think about the upcoming holidays, the beach may not be the first place that comes to mind. Unless you reside in the lovely warmer states where anytime is a great time to stroll by the seashore, the beaches here along much of the east coast are not quite as welcoming during November.

Visual Resources #4 | Road Sign Generators and Highway Signage

This is the fourth post in my series of listings offering a directory of creative sites for design, image creation and visual fun. While most are free of charge there may be a fee to upgrade to a higher quality plan or certain stipulations such as commercial use, etc. See links at the end of this post to the other directories!

The Beauty of Buying Less | Why Something Handmade Is More Meaningful

To me, thinking about holiday shopping means trying to begin early - in order to have options. Finding the perfect gift isn't always as easy when one decides to search through individual shops and artist studios, as compared to just driving into the mega-sized parking lots of gianormous big box stores boasting literally, zillions of "things".

The 59th Eastern Shore Threshermen Association Show (August 2019)

One of the most fascinating and (in my opinion), exciting and memorable events on Delmarva is coming up once again in August. In a field on Maryland's eastern shore, surrounded by trees, farmland and wide open spaces, machinery from the past will once again rumble to life and offer visitors the unique and one-of-a- kind opportunity to travel back into history.

A Slightly More Expensive Version of “The Things That Matter”

“Dean & DeLuca, Barneys and the Fate of Bohemian Consumerism”


This post came across my newsfeed and I realized that despite the stores being discussed are ones residing at the upper end of the economic scale, it was more the changes in people/shopping which were lamented. In the article, which is a good read by the way, I found the following sentence: “We have allowed our habits to become so effectively manipulated toward convenience that is hard to imagine appreciating idiosyncrasy if it returned.”

World Emoji Day Facts And Stats

World Emoji Day is celebrated annually on July 17th. Described as a "global celebration of emoji", the date is often marked by updates and the release of new icons across various platforms. Hashtag | #WorldEmojiDay via Emojipedia

"Support Your Independents" | Spend Local for July 4th

What to do over the holiday weekend? Here are some suggestions that offer fun ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

"Keep Your Eye on the Goal"

A reminder which grew from the attempt to shake off the things which continually seek to distract and derail my forward movement. TIP: "Keep your eyes on the end goal and NEVER. LOOK. AWAY. "

The rest of life may kick you down and try to halt your progress; the spirit of failure will crawl out of the forests and attempt to ensnare you in doubt and self pity; the shadows of those who didn't believe in you, who snickered at your dreams,  they will fall away once you cease to listen and instead, move forward in pursuit of a good, ethical and upstanding role  pursuit of happiness. Eye on the prize, friends......just watch and see how far it can take you!⁣
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Dear Parents, Please Encourage Your Children To Explore New Places

Do we even see our local businesses anymore, or are we starting to be just robots, programmed to blindly search for a logo we recognize? Have we stopped making choices based upon how we wish to live and spend, and are now just operating in "safe mode" of familiar chain brands and national retail or dining options?

Me, Time Management and the "Process" of Self-Improvement

Good morning and Happy Monday to you!

It is no secret to anyone that I struggle with the ability to chart a strategy, set time limits, work with deadlines and stick to a structured work plan. Perhaps, as with anything in life, going ahead and admitting the problem is a first step. This week I'm implementing several new techniques to help get my work tasks and daily projects on track, with the goal of defining and developing successful new habits to utilize going forward.

What It's Like To Have a Dramatic Basset Hound

Episode 1,042 in the Tales from the Nuthouse.....

Me and the dogs decide to leave the house (BECAUSE THE REPAIR GUY IS HERE), and once the howling and screeching subsides I decide to take the screamers to the state park up the street. The contractor won't be there at the house for long, they can have a walk while I make a few phone calls and everything will be nice and calm.

Spring Forward! It's Daylight Saving Time Again

Nothing to see here folks, just a collection of cartoons, memes and humorous images all poking fun at the logic (?) and wisdom (!?) of the semi-annual comedy of resetting clocks and other household devices. Enjoy!

Museum of the Delaware State Police | Museums of Delmarva

The police museum in Kent County, Delaware, offers visitors an inside look at the First State's law enforcement history, is home to a collection of police vehicles, memorabilia and tributes to fallen officers. There are displays for items such as early motorcycle units, lights and sirens from long ago, uniforms, signage and educational exhibits for all ages. It is definitely a place I would recommend to take your kids so they can see and learn about what our state troopers do.

Funny Pizza Quotes, Images and Memes for National Pizza Day

As a lover of pizza and an advocate of small business, I'll admit I've always been partial to the mom and pop style  establishments which are sprinkled generously across our area. Recently I've realized the joy of trying unique specialty items and different types of creations offered by the local restaurants, and think that National Pizza Day is a terrific opportunity to go out and explore new places.

Learn To Let Things Go

I can be a bit moody, often a "glass mostly empty" kind of person, perhaps considered to look more on the darker side of things. The tone of my social media posts and shares and links is reflective of my feelings and yet I don't seek out others to spew my views onto. There are however, some folks who are extremely passionate about their beliefs and political feelings, which is totally fine, but then there's the rest. Never before has it been possible to take advantage of so many platforms and forums and sites on which to speak out on the things we care deeply about - and that's not all a good thing.

A Poem Worth Reading | "A Veteran Died Today"

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Disappearing Delmarva | Things That Aren't Here Anymore

In 2017 I began noting closures of local places on Delmarva, starting with businesses which have left Ocean City. The first post was "Things That Aren't Here Anymore in Ocean City, Maryland", and following that I decided to continue sharing news from all of Delmarva, including Delaware and the eastern shore counties of Maryland and Virginia.

"Vintage Del-Mar-Va" | Old Postcards and History of the Delmarva Peninsula (Part VII)

The term "Del-Mar-Va" came to be from a distinctive location along the east coast which encompasses three states and fourteen counties. Included in what is now referred to as the Delmarva Peninsula, the area includes the eastern shore counties of Maryland and Virginia along with the state of Delaware.