Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Schar's Was De Night Befo' Christmas - Hawaiian Style

Was da night bafo' Christmas, and all ova' da place,
Not even da geckos was showin' their face.

Da stockings was hangin' on top da TV
('Cause no mo' fireplace in Hawai'i)

Da kids stay all crashed, my old man too.
They leave all da work for you-know-who.

So me, I stay pickin' up alla their toys,
When - boom! - outside get only big noise!

I run to da window, I open 'em up,
I stick out my head and I yell, "Eh! Whassup?!"

And then, I no can ba-lieve what I seen!
Was so unreal, you know what I mean?

This fat haole guy get his reindeers in my yard!
And reindeers not housebroken, you know, as' why hard!

But nemmind, it Christmas, so I cut 'em some slack.
Plus, had uku pile presents pokin' outta his sack!

So I wait 'till he pau tie up his reindeer,
Then I yell out da window, "Huui! Brah, ova hea!"

An' I tell 'em first thing, when I open da door,
"Eh, Hemo your shoes! You going dirty my floor!"

He take off his boots, he tell, "You know who I am?"
I go, "Ho! From the smell, must be Mr. Toe Jam!"

He make mempachi eyes and he go, "Ho, ho, ho!"
By now, I stay thinking this guy kinda slow!

He look like my Tutu, but little less weight,
And his beard stay so white, mo' white than shark bait!

He stay all in red, specially his nose,
And get reindeer spit on top his nice clothes!

But him, he no care; he just smile at me,
And he start fo' put presents unda-neath da tree.

I tell 'em, "Eh, brah, no need make li'dat,
And watch where you step! You going ma-ke da cat!"

Then, out from his bag, he pull one brand new computah,
Choke video games, and one motorized scootah!

He try for fill up da Christmas socks too,
But had so much pukas, all da stuff went fall troo.

When he pau, I tell 'em, "Eh Santa, try wait!
I get plenty leftovahs, I go make you one plate!"

But he nevah like hang, he had so much fo' do;
Gotta make all them small kids' wishes come true.

So I wave 'em goodbye, and I flash 'em da shaka,
And I tell 'em, "Mele Kalikimaka!"

When he hear that, he stop...and I telling you true,
He go, "Garans ball-barans! Merry Christmas to you!"

Art For Change~ Schar's BLOG - click on the title above to see it.
Aina Kauai Art Treasures from Kauai Artist Schar
NEW Online store @ ETSY of Schar's Art:
Creations From Heart poetry, paintings, photos and island culture
Schar's Cafepress Shop clothing and housewares printed with art

70% off from now till end of year

I talked to the owner of Cornerstone Antiques today. She'd heard that we were going to cut some items even below 50%. I said "maybe after Christmas", but she said she had no idea how sales would be then, since she'd not had the store then last year.

So, we decided to go ahead and put everything except furniture at 70% off sticker. Hopefully, that will move some stuff that's just sitting there at 50% off.

Then I counted it up and realized it's only 7 more days that we'll be there - minus 2 Sundays, Christmas day and probably an early close Christmas Eve.

So - 70% off will mean people will be paying less than we did for some things. Well, it's all about cash flow at this point!

I just sounded like the nightly news.

Etsy takes a nosedive, then rebounds!

I've sold a stunning ONE postcard in the last month on Etsy. So, I don't know exactly what happened. I sold over 40 items in July.

Is it just the economy? Or did the search problems they were having run off that many people. Maybe people don't think of going to Etsy for postcards. But, I had vintage and my own sunset photography there, too. I won't even try to guess. But, no sales, no new listing - that's my rule. I'm still ahead for the month - by about $.80.

THEN, the day after I posted the first part of this blog, I made three sales in one day! So, I had to say, it ain't over 'til it's over. I relisted a bunch of stuff and will hang in there for a while yet!

Wordless Wednesday

Time Marching On

Just 9 more days to Christmas again. It always seems the last week or so flies by.

We've already done about all we'll do in the way of family visits. The gifts are taken care of. The final cards were mailed today.

So, now it's just sitting back and watching others go crazy with last minute details.

More foggy day pics

Two Cute Stand-Up Valentine's Day Cards

For sale is a lot of 2 Beautiful Vintage Valentine's Day Cards - the two stand on their own.

(1) "Purr-haps you love me?" The stand-up mechanism is in excellent condition, no wear at all on the bending part. It measures about 3 1/2" wide and 4 1/16" tall. There is writing in pencil on the back.

(2) "Let's Be Valentines" The stand-up mechanism is in very good condition, very slight wear on one bending tab. It measures about 3 1/4" wide and 3 3/4" tall. There is writing in pencil on the back.

Click on the title (above) to see the listing on our eBay store site.

Our 1/2 Off Sale

We started our half-off sale last week at Cornerstone Antiques.

The results for that week were pretty darn good - we sold a lot of things that we'd bought in 2006 and didn't think would ever sell. Not that there's anything wrong with them. But people are definitely looking for a bargain.

When I entered the sales in the database yesterday, I noticed that we didn't "lose" on anything. Maybe the loss was the 10%, but overall not much of a loss - more like a net gain on the items sold compared to their purchase price.

So, this is a good thing, I guess. I don't think I'll miss the store at all. It has increasingly been harder to find the cheap items to resell.

Auctions this year fetched more than ever. I think people are out there looking for bargains and going to auctions is one way to find them. It's good for the auctioneer to have a lot of folks there, but bad for the business person looking to stock a store.

Can't Italians spell "Biscotti"?

Today I bought my kitchen a Christmas present - a set of ceramic canisters marked very clearly on the bottom "Made in Italy".

I took pictures of the new set to send to my sister. I was editing them when I noticed the spelling on the largest one: "Biscotty".

Now Italian doesn't have a lot of words that end with "Y". Even Italy ends with an "A" in Italy, as it's "Italia" there.

So, the "Y" made me laugh out loud! Biscotti! Not Biscotty!

But, all that said I love the canisters. They're just the right size and color to brighten up my kitchen and the white, blue and yellow are my kitchen colors.

Old Honeycomb Foldout 3D Cupids Valentine's Day Card

For sale is a Beautiful Vintage, Lithographed, Die Cut, Valentine's Day Card - it folds out to become 3D, and does stand on its own. The card is marked "Printed In U.S. Am.". The stand-up mechanism is in very good condition, with no major creases or tears ... still holding strong. Blue birds on top and and cupids on bottom ... a charming combination! Fully embossed and measures about 9 1/4 " X 3" (folded) and expands to about 9 1/4 " X 6" X 3 1/4 " (deep).

The card does not come with its original envelope. The card is in very good condition as pictured. Light bending on the ruffle at top. There is writing in pencil on the back.

London Bridge Tower Real Photo Postcard RPPC

For sale is a postally unused real photo postcard, "Tower Bridge, London".

There is some edge wear and corner blunting, but this is overall a very nice card showing the London Tower Bridge "bascules" open for a steamer to pass through.

Rating: Very Good

Click on the title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

Wordless Wednesday - My Version

Started our sale today

I gave notice last Friday that we'd be moving from Cornerstone at the end of December. Deb took it well.

Today I made up a sign announcing "50% off on everything - furniture 20% off". I put the sign up and a lady was there at that moment. She bought about $20.00 worth of stuff at much more than 50%. I just don't want to bring a bunch of stuff home and was glad she bought what she did.

No, it's not sad yet. Just work to be gotten through. I hope we sell enough the rest of this month and December to pay the rent.

Paris France Eglise St-Paul-St-Louis UDB Postcard 100 Years Old FREE SHIPPING

For sale is an undivided back pre-1907 early 20th century postcard "Paris, Eglise St-Paul".

Black and white beautifully detailed architecture on this postcard! Enjoy the costumes of 100 years ago on the many people walking below on the street.

Address:
99 Rue St-Antoine
Paris, Ils-de-France 75004

Description:
This Jesuit church has something of interest for all of the traditional visitors of Paris: the history buff, the architecture aficionado, and the art lover. From the time that Louis XIII laid the first stone in 1627, until 1762 when the Jesuits were expelled from France, this church was a prominent symbol of the Jesuit influence. In the period of the Revolution, most of the church's treasures were taken; however some remain, most notably Delacroix's "Christ in the Garden of Olives." If artwork is not what you are in search of, the church's 195-ft dome (forerunner to those of the Invalides and the Sorbonne) should provide a sense of awe, and the Roman-style nave will certainly provide a unique connection with times of old.

Rating: Very Good. Some light corner bending and aging.

NC Hendersonville Scene in Laurel Park Estates Cherry Blossoms White Border Postcard FREE SHIPPING

For sale is a white border postcard "Scene in Laurel Park Estates, Hendersonville, N. C."

Cherry blossoms bloom along the country lane with mountains and a lovely sunset in the background.

Makes you want to take a nice, long walk!

Rating: Very good. Slight discoloration on back due to aging.

FREE SHIPPING

Click on the title (above) to see this card in my shop.

Mixed Lot 250 Standard Chrome Postcards - No Dupes

For sale is a mixed lot of 250 standard/chrome postcards. The vast majority, all but a couple, are USA views.

Subjects include: art, religious themes, plants, animals, historic buildings, boats, monuments, lakes, national parks, colleges, street scenes, beaches, mountains, rivers, interiors, restaurants, state maps & other subjects.

States represented: AZ, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, HI, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, UT, TN, VA, WA, WY

There are around 30 postmarked cards, with dates starting at 1950.

I tried to make sure there were no dupes in this group.

Click on the title to see the listing in our Ebid stop.

Shut it down?

We've had a brick-and-mortar presence in some form or another since August 2006 in Valdese, N. C.

First, we paid a huge amount of rent for this town and leased a store on our own for four months. We never came close to making the rent. It was our first business venture together, and we tested the waters. The waters were cold and chilly, and we got out ASAP.

Next we rented 1/2 booth at Myra's General Store for $35.00 a month. We always made that rent and then some. We leased a full booth in addition for $60.00 more and always made the $95.00 until sometime in spring 2008. We closed the full booth and kept the half for a while. Then, one month we only made $16.00 total and bye, bye Myra's.

In addition to the 1/2 booth at Myra's, we had a full booth at Valdese Antiques for $55.00 month. It was spotty - for four full months in 2007 we didn't make the rent, so we closed it down.

She lost the business and it became Cornerstone Antiques. In February 2008 we took a booth there for $85.00. When we closed down Myra's, we had 1 1/2 at Cornerstone for a month or two. We went back to only 1 booth in August. We've always made the rent and then some, until this month. So far, we've made $4.99 the last time I checked. And what's so bad about that is, we only paid $45.00 rent because I worked off $40.00 running the store now and then.

Now, I know all this is very small potatoes, but they're my potatoes so I keep a count of them. And when I face the thought that from now through May or so this little town has very few tourists, I am standing to lose $85 per month.

Now, I have about $1,500 in inventory in that one small booth, incredible as it sounds. And if I can't sell enough to pay $85.00 rent and then make something for myself over and above that, that means my inventory is not salable.

So, I've got to continue scouring garages sales, auctions, yard sales, flea markets, eBay, Etsy, etc. - continually on the look out for good, cheap, decent looking collectibles and antiques. Things I can buy low and sell high.

And, you know what? I don't like it anymore. The thrill is just plain gone after two years of scrabbling and bargaining and always feeling like to the old wolf is at the brick-and-mortar door.

So, me and the man have decided to pack it in at the end of December. If I can, I'll do some kind of 50% off sale in December to get the business in to sell what I can.

The rest will come home to be slowing given away, donated, Craiglist, Iwanna, eBay, Etsy - however else we can sell without being obligated to pay someone else rent again.

I guess the reaction will set in after it's all done and moved to our attic.

WordLess WedNesday

More tree shots and the house (for Schar)

Original Pencil Sketch 1906 Sylvan Rest Cottage Pine Station PA Postcard

For sale is a postally used Postal Card postcard that is an original sketch of a cabin at the Sylvan Rest Cottages, Pine Station, Pa.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind object.

The artist made sketches labelled "Exterior" and "Interior" of the cabin where the family was staying. The Exterior has a label "Sans Souci" above the doorway. The interior sketch shoes a lot of little shoes below the beds and lots of socks hanging on the wall.

The writing on the bottom says (roughly):
"I am camping here with Succleys (?). It's loads of fun, fishing, boating, berries & Boys. C.M.R."

Postmarked Jul 30, 1906, Harrisburg & Erie RPO. This was a pre-paid card with a 1-cent stamp built in.

Rating: Good, some corner wear and light staining. There is light creasing on the card, but the card is intact.

My kitchen table

My friends, Deborah, Matt and Jim were responsible for getting this table done.

I had picked out this old door from the front of Cornerstone Antiques in early summer. Deborah suggested it when I told her I was looking for a farmhouse table.

Her husband, Matt, was just too busy to finish it, but he did find the table legs.

Finally, about a month ago, Jim finished it off. He's done a beautiful job of skirting it and finishing it with a colored wax. It's super easy to clean - just a damp cloth to wipe it down.

The original door hinges are still there and the place where the knob went.

And the price - you'd never believe how cheap for a custom piece, so I won't tell.

All in all, the farm table I've always wanted.

NC-SC Sunset on Lake Lanier in Blue Ridge Mountains Linen Postcard

For sale is a postally unused linen postcard "Lake Lanier in the Blue Ridge Mountains, On the North-South Carolina State Line".

Beautiful Sunset on this Wonderfully Colored Postcard!

Rating: Very Good.

Click on the Title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

"More Ammunition" Storiettes Great West Oren Arnold Linen Postcard

For sale is a postally unused linen postcard
Post Card Storiettes "More Ammunition! by Oren Arnold ... Dramatic TRUE Stories from the Great West No. 11".

"Sudden terror gripped Mrs. Lewis Stevens of Arizona when she glanced out the window on the morning of 1874 ..." Read the rest of this exciting adventure on the front of this card and the exciting conclusion on the back!

Rating: Very Good.

Click on the title (above) to see the postcard in our shop.

Greetings Beauty's Isle Embossed 1913 Early 20th Century Postcard

For sale is a postally used early 20th century postcard "Beauty's Isle" on inset and "Greetings and Good Wishes" stamped in gold on bottom. Printed in Germany.

Embossed and stamped in gold on highlights of the lake and mountains scene in the middle of the card.

Postmarked Jan 31, 1913, Utica, NY with a cancelled 1-cent stamp.

Rating: Fair. This is an old card and has staining around the edges. You could cut around this and use the middle or just leave as is for a nice momento. Priced to sell!

Our new Ebid Store

Click on the title "Our new Ebid Store" to see our newest Ritchie's Enterprises, LLC creation - our Ebid Store.

I looked at Alexa ratings last night and eBay has gone from 3 two months ago to 18. So, we decided to find some new venues.

Etsy has earned a respectable amount for us, but nowhere near what eBay has done. So, we're going to branch out to several other venues.

Ebid's no listing fee for a lifetime, plus very small final value fee (depending on options we buy for the auction) make it attractive.

It's hard setting up a new store again, but I'm zipping through it.

Wish us luck!

Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel Secluded Guest Cottage White Border California Postcard

For sale is a white border postcard "One of the eighteen secluded cottages scattered through the twenty-one acre grounds of the Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel, 'garden estate by the sea', Montecita, California".".

Created during the 1915-1930 timeframe, this postcard has lovely coloration.

Rating: Very Good.

Click on Title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

Wild Flowers Verbenas On The Desert In Winter 1915-1930 California Postcard

For sale is a white border postcard "Wild Flowers (Verbenas) On the Desert in Winter, California".

White borders were published between 1915-1930. This one has some distinctive coloration and shows a landscape that probably doesn't exist in such a pristine condition any longer.

Rating: Very Good

Click on the title (above) to see the postcard in my shop

Mid-Century Welcome to Our Sunday School Chrome Postcard

For sale is a standard/chrome postcard "Welcome to our Sunday School".

From a time in the past, a postcard to welcome new comers to Sunday School. This postcard has some pretty graphics and nice colors.

Rating: Very Good.

Click on TITLE (above) to see the postcard in my store.

Wordless Wednesday - Blowing Rock, N. C.

Space-Age Looking Espresso Pot

This is one of the strangest espresso pots I've ever seen. Click Title (above) to see the pot.

For sale is a vintage Italian stainless espresso pot with internal filter, a total of three pieces. The pot measures 4 1/2" high, and the black plastic handle is about 3 3/4" long. There is a black plastic spout on top that is about 1 1/2" long and a long, curved aluminum steam/drain spout that is about 8" long. The circumference of the pot across the bottom is 4" and across the top is 3 1/2".

On the bottom of the pot it is stamped "INOX 18/10" and "Made in Italy" with the letters "G G" in a box in the middle. Everything appears to be in good shape, but there is a little tape residue on top of the pot from a label that you can probably get off with a good scrubbing.

eBay inappropriate links

We spent most of the weekend ending, editing and relisting 1600 items in our eBay store.

We created a totally legitimate url with Auctiva, www.auctiva.com,
that allowed a short hike to our eBay store. We had been putting it in listings for about six months.

Suddenly, Trust & Safety said it was inappropriate. They killed one listing on Friday night after 10 pm and sent us an email telling us they couldn't call us because it was too late to call.

So, we started in the tedious task of modifying 1,600 listings. We finished about 450 manually by 10 pm Saturday night.

We finally got the official phone call 8 pm Saturday night telling us this link, even thought it's to our store, is going outside of eBay and coming back in - a "redirect". So, it's got to be removed.

Sunday we finally gave in and used Turbo Lister for the last 1200 or so. Cost us around $30 to end and relist them, but it took a few more hours instead of two more DAYS.

I objected most to the time it took for them to tell us - SIX MONTHS - and then it was after 10 PM on a Friday night.

Oh, well, we're done and we'll have 1000+ listings ending in 30 days all at the same time!

From my neighboorhood - Orchard Street

Valdese Local View in Etsy - My Shops

UK Great Britain Ireland Welsh Costume Early 20th Century Postcard

For sale is a postally unused early 20th century postcard "Welsh Costume". Back side says "Postcard - Great Britain & Ireland".

There is some edge wear and corner blunting, but this is overall a very nice card showing a beautiful scene in the early twentieth century, pre-1914 timeframe.

Rating: Good

Click on Title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

Access our store from anywhere: www.leopatti1121.etsy.com

Old Fort and Harbor, Mackinac Island, Mich. Fort Mackinac Built in 1780

For sale is a postally used undivided back early 20th century postcard "Old Fort and Harbor, Mackinac Island, Mich. Fort Mackinac Built in 1780".

Postmarked Aug 21 1907, Davenport, Iowa, but stamp is missing.

There is some edge wear and corner blunting, but this is overall a very nice card showing a beautiful scene in the 1898 timeframe, as the card is copyright 1898.

Rating: Good

See our shop Shipping Options for pricing for single cards or multiple purchases.

Access our store from anywhere: www.leopatti1121.etsy.com

Washington National Soldiers Home Scott Building Early 20th Century Postcard

For sale is an early 20th century divided back postcard "Scott Building, National Soldiers Home".

The first national old soldiers' home in the U.S. was established in Washington. Today, the Scott building, the oldest of three operational dormitories, accommodates resident and guest rooms as well as chaplain offices, dining services, the library, the wellness center which encompasses both medical, dental, and eye clinics and resident services.

Rating: Very good.

Click on Title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

Arapahoe Indians Making Meat Diorama Linen Postcard

For sale is a linen postcard "Arapahoe Indians 'Making Meat'". A picture of the diorama at Colorado's State Museum at Denver.

Old-fashioned terminology, hope none take offense (well, I do but that's the way things used to be).

Rating: Very good.

Click on Title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

Carmel-By-The-Sea Greetings from Carmel Large Letter Banner Linen Postcard

For sale is a linen postcard "Greetings from Carmel, California".

On the back is a nice write up about Carmel. At the time, there were 3,000 inhabitants.

This is a beautiful card with bright, clear colors in Excellent condition!

Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa, California, Linen Postcard

For sale is a linen postcard "Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa, California".

Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa was established by Fr. Junipera Serro on Sept. 1, 1772.

This is a beautiful card with bright, clear colors in Excellent condition!

Rating: Excellent.

Click on Title (above) to see the card in my shop.

Alameda, Ca., Mastick School Early 20th Century DB Postcard

For sale is an early twentieth century divided back postcard "Mastick School, Alameda, California".

Sells elswhere for $5.00 and up! What a bargain for this beautifully colored card in excellent condition!

Rating: Excellent.

Click the Title (above) to see the postcard in my shop.

Lot of 100 Damaged Destash Postcards For Assemblage Crafting Scrapbooking

For sale is a lot of 100 damaged postcards. These would be great for assemblage, crafting or scrapbooking. Mixed as to type: standard/chrome, linen and earlier. Assume that every card has some condition issue.

I've actually had comments back from buyers of previous lots that our "damaged" cards were better than the regular cards they've been buying! Yep, we're choosy, all right!

Click on the Title (above) to see more information and to view the card in our shop.

Greetings from Salt Lake City Large Letter Banner Linen Postcard

For sale is a linen postcard "Greetings from Salt Lake City".

This is a large-letter banner postcard with beautiful colors and design!

Rating: Very good.

Click on the Title (above) to see the card in the shop.

The Hotel Charles, Shelby, N. C. in the 1940's

For sale is a linen postcard "Hotel Charles, Shelby, N. C.".

"Shelby's Leading Hotel - Fireproof. Well known for homelike atmosphere and excellent food and service".

Very good coloration! Rating: Very good.

Click the Title (above) to see this postcard in the shop.

The Water

The Water

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the Earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through.

Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon, we would lose everything.

It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth, but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back.

He was obviously walking with a great effort, trying to be as still as possible.

Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches, thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed.

Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walk carefully to the woods, run back to the house. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen, as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his mommy checking up on him).

He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them, maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods.

Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose.

As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site. Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him. He didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand.

When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him.

It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said.

As he began his walk, I joined him with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops, and more drops, and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride.

Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that. I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm, just like the actions of one little boy saved another.

I don't know if anyone will read this, but I had to send it out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon.

But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body.

-- Author Unknown




( If you liked the story, you may want to help give it a much wider readership which it rightly deserves. Help circulate it. You could make your blog its other home.)

This is so gay

For sale is an RPPC showing two gentlemen, one with his hand on the other's shoulder, each with cigarettes.

Maybe I'm reading into this, but it looks ever so gay. Sometimes when people post these on eBay, they'll say "gay interest", but we decided to let the picture speak for itself. Then again, it's a different time. Maybe men just put their arms around each others shoulders?

AZO stamp box, circa 1904-1918. The card is divided back, so it is after 1907.

Click on Title (above) to see the postcard in our eBay store.

DC Washington Memorial Continental Hall 1920's Car Linen Postcard

For sale is a linen postcard "Memorial Continental Hall, Washington, D. C.".

This is a very old postcard with a 1920's car in front of the building. It shows the beautiful white marble building in good detail. Colors are nice and sharp!

Rating: Very good.

See our shop Shipping Options for pricing for single cards or multiple purchases. Click on Title (above) to see the card in the shop.

Sunset on the Desert 1950 Linen Postcard

For sale is a linen postcard "Sunset on the Desert".

This card is so much prettier than a picture can begin to show - very vibrant and multi-colored scene showing a variety of cacti and other desert plants. The sky is so beautiful on this one!

Postmarked Aug. 3, 1950, Albuquerque, N. M. with a cancelled 1-cent stamp.

Rating: Very good.

See our shop Shipping Options for pricing for single cards or multiple purchases.

Mention that you read this on my blog and get 20% off the purchase. Click the title above to see the item in the shop.

Paul Newman is dead

This is a sad, sad day. Paul Newman is dead at age 83 from cancer.

My connection with him is this:

Paul was a race car driver. He used to come up to Brainerd, Minnesota, to race in the summer. He rented a condo there. I worked with someone whose parents came in the week Paul was leaving. He told them "I left some stuff in the freezer, and hope you don't mind if I don't throw it out". They said "Sure, no problem!".

Turns out it was totally stocked with hundreds of dollars worth of the choicest cuts of meats. Things they'd never be able to afford! So that whole week they ate very, very well on Paul Newman's steaks.

Paul, pretty blue-eyed Paul, I miss you already. My heart goes out to Joanne Woodward and all the family.

Old Adobe Arches

For sale is a standard/chrome postcard, "Old Adobe Arches, Mission San Juan Capistrano, California".

What I think is lovely about the arches is the way the light breaks into sections as you look through the arches.

This is a very beautiful postcard. To see more details, click on the Title above.

Dog leading dog

Today I let Pickles run over to Skipper's house. She was wearing her collar and leash.

Pickles ran around to the front of Skipper's, and I stood waiting for the two of them to come tearing around the back.

Much to my shock and amazement, here came Skipper with the leash in his mouth pulling a very docile and quite pleased-looking Pickles!

Dog leading dog!

Where's my camera when I need it?

What I won't do for a customer!

Well, today we got an email from a customer asking for a postcard to be express mailed. And, not only did I read the email right way, I actually called the woman.

And we made a very hurried trip to the post office to send the postcard to the lady. See, she's in the postcard. And she's having surgery Monday for Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer.

Well, it just so happens that I was once told I had Ovarian Cancer. I was scheduled to have surgery on July 4th. I went in two days before for a pre-op ultrasound. The tumor had disappeared! The doctor was stunned!

But, I wasn't. I had prayed and asked for healing, so God healed me.

Now, the poor lady who is going to get the postcard tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm is also being prayed for. As well as the wonderful brother and sister-in-law who ordered the postcard to surprise her and make her feel better.

And, yes, they're all being prayed for. If not for healing, at least for Thy will to be done, sweet Lord Jesus!

And what this has to do with business is this: I'll do anything for a customer if it comes from my heart to hers. If God wills it!

Postcard Showing Karl W. Diefenbach Exhibition in Capri Early 1900's

For sale on eBay is an early 20th century postcard, "Diefenbach-Asstellung auf Capri", which means "Diefenbach Exhibition in Capri".
Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach moved to Capri from Vienna.

On the back is written "Dokumente des Vegetarismus".

From a dedicated collector's album, the card has been stored archivally. Some pencil writing on back. Rating: Very Good.

We will be listing other Diefenbach art in the coming days and weeks.

Click on Title (above) to see more details about this unique, one-of-a-kind postcard.

How valuable is email to you?

I was recently asked by CafeMSN to answer some questions about email, and thought I'd add it to the blog. (Click the Title (above) to read more about the Buddy Program.)

Here was the first question and my answers to it and other questions:

Each of us use, experience and expect different things from an email service. In what ways does an email service you use such as Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo Mail, help you get things done in your day to day life? Can you please reflect on it in your own words?

"An email service enables me to work from home. I could not accomplish my eBay or Etsy selling without email. I check it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
My life is much easier because of having an email service. I cannot imagine having to go back to telephone and USPS mail to do business. I cannot imagine having an online business without also having email.
The service I consistently use is the obvious - getting notifications from eBay, Paypal and Etsy about transactions and payments. I also like having a calendar associated with the email account. I use this to track payments due and for scheduling and remembering general life events. I like the combination of email and IM, so my IM plays a tune when I get an email."

Cold Lovers Le Froid

From the Musee du Luxembourg is a picture postcard showing Paul Roger-Bloche's "Le Froid", which is a bronze statue showing a pair of shivering lovers embracing to keep warm.

The back of card is in written in French. This is a bromide real photo postcard. The edges are browning and the card has a shine to it.

I don't really know the age of the card, but it is early twentieth century at the latest.

Rating: Good

Click the Title (above) to see it in my store.

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