Let's Shop S'More

The catalogs keep coming and it’s time to give you some additional great gift ideas for the holidays.  Although I have not actually purchased any holiday gifts yet, I have ambitious plans thanks to all the at home catalog ideas I’ve garnered with each day’s mail delivery. See my earlier posting for company websites I’ve already mentioned. Only new companies’ URLs will be listed. Let the shopping begin!

FOR THE HOME AND HOLIDAYS:  We’ll jump right to the Christmas decorations, because most of you already have yours up I bet.  Just in case your neighbor’s outdoor displays dwarf your homey efforts Hammacher Schlemmer (hammacher.com) has you covered with a choice of a 20 foot Reclining Inflatable Snow Man or the 2-story tall Inflatable Reindeer. Harriet Carter covers the indoors with a delightful Musical Toilet Roll Holder that has a number of festive songs to delight bathroom visitors and family alike. If you insist on tasteful Christmas decorations then check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art (store.metmuseum.org) for an astonishing array of shoe ornaments—glittered, beaded, jeweled. Imelda Marcos eat your heart out!

            Cat owners can celebrate the feline gods any time of year with two delightful decorating accessories. One is a George Carruth Nine Lives Plaque topped with a halo in homage to some lovable kitty whose nine lives are skillfully portrayed below, each with a unique expression indicative of a particular life. This is offered by Signals (signals.com).  Half a coven of kitties, each with a unique expression indicative of their personalities, surround a votive candle—from Collectibles Direct.  Together these make a stunning statement for all cat lovers. Yikes! For the dog people I am ashamed to submit the Triple Dachshund Doorstop from The Paragon. If you like your animals fanciful check out Signals’ Rock Caterpillar Sculpture, handcrafted for deck, yard, or garden.

            Nostalgia is everywhere this year. Stock up on period telephones that are compatible with today’s technology: a 1939 Black Desk top model, the 1959 pink Princess and the 1960’s Slimlines in a variety of colors. All are available at the Vermont Country Story (www.VermontCountryStore.com) where you can also stock up on all kinds of vintage candies. What home décor would be complete without wall art?  You can have a canoe paddle with a satellite laser etching of your favorite lake OR you can hand an Irrational Numbers Wall Clock—both from Signals. Add a conversation piece carnivorous plant or two with an Edmunds Scientific Giant Carnivorous Plant kit.  Finally, and this is something every home should seriously consider, many catalogs and stores carry Four-Way Powered Emergency Weather Radios that include cell phone charger that will enable you to keep in contact with emergency weather announcements, act as emergency lights, and keep you in contact with family and services. I’ve seen models in Signals, L.L.Bean (llbean.com), Hammacher Schlemmer, Collectibles Direct and other catalogs.  Consider this one seriously as a great gift!

            What to get the CHILDREN in your life?  Robots are always tasteful. Many stores carry a Programmable Robot Rover that a child can assemble and program to do errands or to guard their bedroom doors from intruders (like parents). This was being offered at Edmunds Scientific, Young Explorers, Mindware, and National Geographic (www.shopng.org) Kids seem to have all the fun.  Consider an Internal Combustion Engine Kit that supposedly teaches a child—should s/he wrest it away from dad long enough—to assemble and operate. I think it runs on vegetable oil (would our cars could do so) and the inner workings are visible for learning about pistons firing and all that great automotive stuff.  Again, lots of catalogs have this, e.g. Edmunds Scientific, Signals, and Young Explorers. Mindware, one of my favorite places to shop, offers many educational kits and learning activities. The Engineering Kits like Backyard Ballistics, The Art of the Catapult, and Whoosh, Boom, Splat provide instruction on how to launch vegetables from a cannon, build warrior robots, hurl things through the air, and any number of fun things is just one example. Another science project kids will love is Disgusting Special Effects Make-up Kits offered by Mindware and Young Explorers. Kids can make themselves, family or friends up to resemble real movie horror characters.

            All is not learning however. Gift ideas range from the Hope Diamond Collectible Barbie from the Smithsonian, to a DC Super Heroes: the Ultimate Pop-up Book that includes a light up Bat signal and a twirling Lasso of Truth from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are Bug Wrist Bands made with of REAL bugs from Toys to Grow On (www.ttgo.com), a remote controlled hairy Tarantula at Hammacher Schlemmer, a Four Foot long remote control Flying Shark at Edmunds Scientific, a Gator Game kit to assemble in which your child first puts together the motorized “Nervous Alligator”. Then the child puts its finger into the gator’s mouth trying to manipulate the tail without moving the gator’s inners before the gator bites off his hand. This game cum kit is offered at American Science and Surplus. For the budding young cowgirl, or budding Billy the Kid, in your family there is a Super Safe Target Game. The catalog photos shows a delightful little girl blasting away with her infrared six-shooter, shooting up the plastic bottles and cans. At least they are not on the Internet!

            Finally for the LADIES, a word to the wise for your gentlemen thinking that a new iron or scrub mop would be just the ticket. Don’t do it unless you are sure you will get custody of the large screen TV.  But some of you won’t listen to my advice so check out Hammacher Schlemmer’s Back Pack Vacuum Cleaner replete with two extra wands, 6 attachments and other goodies.  Another no-no, at least for my hubby, is the Young Explorers Time Flies Alarm Clock. When it’s time to get up, this baby starts flying erratically around the bedroom, forcing your tired spouse to get out of bed and catch it. I expect you will too if you buy this.

            Nostalgia is in, as I have already said, and you can outfit your wife with a snazzy apron and baking tools reminiscent of her grandmother’s heyday in the 1950s, thanks to Smithsonian. Another old time goody was placed right in the middle of gifts for the ladies in the National Geographic catalog:  The Chalet Cukoo Clock from Germany features a St. Bernard carrying a barrel of brandy amongst its timely figures. Maybe you would like to treat your queen to a Queen Elizabeth II umbrella in a deep bell clear shape so she can see where you throw your cloak over the next puddle. This is offered by Hammacher Schlemmer. One gift I would like is offered in the Collectibles Direct catalog. It is a very cool Swiss Tool that includes knives, pliers, screwdrivers, wood saw, ruler, etc. etc. all in a black belt pouch.

            OK, if you’re stuck, go for jewelry. The ladies love it! The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a really creepy 20 inch long Egyptian Snake Lariat of 24 karat gold for milady’s neck. Signals has a working zipper bracelet made of copper that can be cunningly worn zipped or not for the more daring gal. Does she already have bells on her toes? Then go for National Geographic for Rings For Her Fingers, ten stretchy, sequined rings in a variety of colors and floral types.  And finally, for the lady whose husband suffers from a roving eye at social events, consider the Smithsonian’s Eye of Horus Pin/Pendant that makes a real statement. It’s guaranteed to keep hubby in line!

            That’s all the suggestions for now. I’ll keep my eye (non-Horus) out for last minute gifts should the catalogs keep coming, but I figure that most of these companies have stricken my name off  their mailing lists by now...

NOTE:  Caveat emptor!  Although I have purchased different items from most—but not all—of the companies mentioned I have no relationship with any of them except as a customer who has been generally satisfied with her purchases. I can make no claims on the quality of any of the items mentioned above; I make no profit if you purchase anything.  There are many nice products featured in these catalogs—some I really like—that I have not mentioned.  Visit the company websites if you’re curious.  The items I have featured should not be regarded as a recommendation of either the item or the company. I gain nothing if you decide you wish to do business with any company. My list is intended to be fun.

           

           

Let's Shop!

                                                                        Let’s Shop!

It’s less than a hundred days until Christmas and high time you started planning your gift lists.  Catalogs are arriving daily, making choosing the right gift for friends and family more difficult with each mail delivery.  I will help you. Here’s a partial list of what has attracted my attention as either “Cool” or “OMG!”

Hubby is at the top of my list.  Edumnd Scientifics (scientificsonline.com) features “The Wizard’s Wand Universal Remote” a must have for your favorite guy. The vibrating wand can be programmed for 13 commands that will control all your home entertainment systems. Wizard hat not included. Smithsonian (smithsonianstore.org) has a cool book, In the Cockpit: Inside 50 History Making Aircraft that enables the reader to get behind the controls of “groundbreaking domestic and military airplanes, jets, and helicopters” with incredible photos and textual explanations.  BasBleu (www.basbleu.com) offers Twelve Days of Christmas Regulation Golf Balls for the festive husband-athlete. The Paragon (www.theparagon.com) can spruce up the outdoor guy’s auto with a set of Car mats that resemble tree bark or river stones.  Finally American Science&Surplus (www.sciplus.com) can spiff him up with a red German Military Beret, slightly used and made to fit snugly. Used?

Pets are family too.  There are a plethora of Warm Coats and Sumptuous Beds—from an army style cot to four poster—for the dog in your life available from Harriet Carter (www.harrietcarter.com).  I must confess that I do worry about some of the offerings for cats. There are cat toys that seem a bit sadistic, but I am not now nor have I ever been a cat owner, so maybe they like stuff like this:  Harriet Carter’s Electronic Cat and Mouse Chase is a battery operated toy with motion sensor that detects your cat’s presence causing a mouse to race around the track so that the cat can see the mouse, but can never catch it. Acorn (acornonline.com) has the Fling-ama-String Cat Toy that you hang on a door nob, enabling kitty to stalk, pounce and leap for it, while never quite succeeding. It is battery operated with two speeds.  Why cats are considered superior to dogs I will never know, but the following from both Young Explorers (YoungExplorers.com) and Mindware (www.mindware.com) reflect that inequity with the Pet Science Dog School (read remedial) and the Pet Science Kitty College products that challenge dogs to problem solve (?) and obey commands while the  little kitties can improve their memories and fine motor skills…  You can determine your dog’s IQ with BasBleu’s book How Smart is your Dog?  (No refunds on that one, I suspect!) Of course the Mensa-eligible cats get a book too:  Why Cat’s Paint from The Paragon.

Grab Bag Gifts are always tricky, especially when the exchange group is at work or your in-law’s holiday gift exchange.  Fear not, be the first to give the Solar Powered Waving Queen from Collectibles Direct (www.collectablesdirect.com) a source for all things British. Imagine the fun everyone will have to see Queen Elizabeth II giving a dignified royal wave. Head moving Corgi sold separately.  The same company also offers two sound machines, Cartoon Classics that will have you rolling in the aisles with sounds like the banging of a head, falling down stairs, and gunshots. Applause will provide your favorite narcissistic with hours of clapping, laughing, drum rolls. Keep this one in mind if you draw your boss’s name.  If you want something a bit more dignified consider these two products from American Science&Surplus:  Wind-up Walking Teeth (with legs) will bring a smile to your “secret Santa” friend.  No office should be without the Screaming Parachute Monkey.  Be sure the boss is out of the office before you launch this baby into the cubicles, sling-shot style. The pièce de résistance is Edmund Scientifics’ Hand Runner. Imagine a fully operational severed hand crawling up you walls, walking across the ceiling or the kitchen table. AND it comes with a comic book!

Enough suggestions for now.  Coming soon, gift ideas for the lady in you life, the home, and, of course, the kids.  There may be some overlap between toys for kids and items for hubby in case you haven’t quite settled on what to get for your better half.  Watch this space for more!

NOTE:  Caveat emptor!  Although I have purchased different items from most—but not all—of the companies mentioned I have no relationship with any of them except as a customer who has been generally satisfied with her purchases. I can make no claims on the quality of any of the items mentioned above; I make no profit if you purchase anything.  There are many nice products featured in these catalogs—some I really like—that I have not mentioned.  Visit the company websites if you’re curious.  The items I have featured should not be regarded as a recommendation of either the item or the company. I gain nothing if you decide you wish to do business with any company. My list is intended to be fun.

Quiz Time: Lines that United

A nation’s people should have common cultural bonds that unite a diverse citizenry.  In the past Americans had a corpus of poems, music, quotes, and fundamental historical documents they easily recognized and could often recite by heart.  This common bond contributed to the mortar that cemented an American self-image.  Below find parts of poems, songs, quotations and documents from our American heritage. Words or entire lines have been omitted. Can you fill in the blanks?  [Rating: fairly easy]

1   1)  The Preamble of the U. S. Constitution:  We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, ___?_____promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

2   2)  First stanza of Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!”

O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;

            ______________?___________ (four lines)

3   3)  Theodore Roosevelt:  “In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is:____?____

4   4)  Mark Twain:  “Man is the only animal that blushes. ______?______

5   5)  Abraham Lincoln: Complete the first paragraph/sentence of the Gettysburg Address: Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, _______?________

6   6)  In his “First Annual Address” to Congress, George Washington said:  To be prepared for war is _______?_________.

7   7)   Finish the first verse of the cowboy song, “Streets of Laredo”

As I walked out in the Streets of Laredo

As I walked out in Laredo one day,

I spied a young cowboy,________?______ (one and a half lines)

8   8)   Complete the first verse of Joseph Brackett, Jr.’s “Simple Gifts”

‘Tis the gift to be simple,

“Tis the gift to be free,

“Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

_______?_________(last two lines)

9   9)   Complete this famous sentence from the first paragraph of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech:  “…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where ______?_____

1  10)  Emma Lazarus penned these words:

 “…Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

______?_________(last two lines; extra credit if you know the title of her poem)

1  11)  Finish the last line of the first verse of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Concord Hymn”

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

   Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood,

   _______?_________

1  12)  What is the first line of this Carl Sandburg poem with the rest of the first verse quoted?

_________?__________

Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,

Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler;

City of Big Shoulders:   (deduct 10 points if you think the title is “New York”)

1  13)   Fill in the blanks on verse one of Katharine Lee Bates’ “America the Beautiful”

O beautiful for spacious skies,

   For amber waves of grain,

_________?_________

   Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

   God shed his grace on thee

________?__________

________?__________

1  14)   Complete the lines missing from the song “On a Bicycle Built for Two”

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do.

I’m half crazy, all for the love of you

It won’t be a stylish marriage,

_______?________ (last three lines)

1  15)   Finally, complete the missing words/lines in the song, “That Old Gang of Mine.”

Gee, but, I’d give the world to see

That old gang of mine

I can’t forget that old quartet

That sang “_____?________”

Goodbye forever old fellows and gals

_________?___________

(_________?__________)

Gee, but I’d give the world to see

That old gang of mine.  (And if you can sing this one, you’re older than I!)

Answers: 1) …establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense…

2) But O heart! heart! heart!

            O bleeding drops of red,

                        Where on the deck my Captain lies,

                                    Fallen cold and dead.

3)  Hit the line hard.  4) Or needs to.  5) …conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.   6) …one of the most effective means of preserving peace.

7) …all wrapped in white linen

            Wrapped up in white linen and cold as the clay.

8)…And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

            It will be in the valley of love and delight.

9) …they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

10) Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.

            I lift my lamp beside the golden door.    [Title:  "The New Colossus"]

11) And fired the shot heard ‘round the world.     12) Hog Butcher for the World

13)  For purple mountain majesties…

            And crown thy good with brotherhood

                        From sea to shining sea!

14) I can’t afford a carriage.

            But you’ll look sweet upon the seat

            On a bicycle built for two

15)…“Sweet Adeline”…Goodbye forever old sweethearts and pals

(God bless them!)

And you too!