Use nine: Try softening brushes that are hardened with old, dried-in paint by boiling them in vinegar and let them stand for one hour. Then heat the vinegar and brushes come to a gentle boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Rinse well, working the softened paint out of the bristles. For extremely heavy paint encrustations, you may need to repeat the process...or head to the hardware store.

Use ten: A little vinegar and salt added to the water you wash leafy green vegetables will float out bugs and kill germs.

Use eleven: Soak or simmer stuck-on food in 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar. The food will soften and lift off in a few minutes.

Use twelve: Clean and freshen the garbage disposal by running a tray of ice cubes, with 1/2 cup of vinegar poured over them, through it once a week.

Use thirteen: In a pinch, you can use equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar to clean brass and copper. On difficult areas add a little salt to the mix for some abrasive action.

Friday, November 11, 2011

148: Passion is a Powerful Thing

How many of us today know much about the history of Veterans Day?  Is it really just another excuse for a day off work?  I think not...at least I hope not! Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.  Then U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.  In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism
of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice and the councils of the nations." 


Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies.  On May 13, 1938, Congress made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

The photograph is Joseph Ambrose, a then-86-year-old WWI veteran, attended the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who was killed in that war.  It is such a powerful picture that I just had to include it.


In 1953, Stephan Roid from Emporia, Kansas, owner of a shoe repair shop wanted to expand the day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in  WWI.  His grass roots plan with the help of U.S. Representative John Salper, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954.  Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954 replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been celebrated at Veterans Day ever since.

So, I think the moral of this story is if one man in Kansas with an idea can move Congress, why can't we?  Passion is a powerful thing.

My favorite veteran is spending the day at the Veteran's Hall in Santa Maria.  They have a bar-b-que each year to honor local veterans.  I hope you will all take a little time and honor your favorite veteran and each time you see someone from any branch of the military out in the community, take a minute and shake their hand or give a thumbs up to thank them for keeping our country safe.  Let your passion show!

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