Blue Star Binocular

It all started when we pulled into the Manatee State Park Thursday night located outside of Bradenton Florida. Arriving the gate for check in we notice a 1949 Spartan camper trailer in front of us checking in. My mind wanders and it made me smile thinking about what comes in our “path” and how we never know what’s ahead of us. The Spartan took my breath away.

Located at on the back rear fender of this vintage trailer was a big dent and covering it was a big red bandaid with the words “That was a Tree”. We immediately giggled and knew what that was about as we too have the same dent on our trailer. Yep, backing these trailers up into small, wooded lots can sometimes be challenging.

Once checked in, we drove into the park in search of #57 campsite. While making our scoop around the park we counted four more Airstream trailers. We felt we were off to a good start with our weekend of finding fun.

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The First night making pizza is always a hit and good game of cards always makes for more fun! Part of our camping experiences centers around our menus. Everyone has to eat right?

Soon we start exploring our campsite seeing what was around us. We met our new “Rangers”. 😉 We located the bath house and bike trails. First things first.

Outside our campsite front door was fun tree hugging another tree. It felt like playing that hidden picture game that you find certain objects. Soon after noticing the embraced tree we notice we have a special guest out our back door.

The next morning I set out for a walk and sure enough, I find the Spartan trailer and it’s owner at the picnic table. Knock knock, as I approach outside the camp site. Immediately this big smile appears, welcomes us in and we are off and chatting about what we all had in common, vintage trailers.

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Nicki’s diamond in the rough was full of character and oozed with love. Nineteen fifty’s barkcloth fabric was “tucked” throughout the trailer. The bench seat in the dining area was beautifully tucked with the same fabric that Nicki nabbed at an estate sale for whopping $8. Being a fabric hound myself, my eyes went right to it!

Nicki’s creative personality spoke all through the trailer with her special touches. Besides her yards of barkcloth, Swan facets used in both the kitchen and shower, oil painting tacked on the ceiling so when she laid down she could appreciate them, two stain glass panels enclosed her shower, an old refrigerator used as her pantry and an old collection of dishes. You see Nicki only travels with the best dish-ware, no paper plates for this gal. A girl after my own heart! Even crystal stemmed compotes were selected for her two cats when dining.

Previously owning a Bed and Breakfast in Colorado for over a decade she kept asking for a sign to move on. Covid hit and the sign showed up when she least expected it. A buyer stepped forward to purchase her B and B and it was time to oil the wheels on the vintage 1949 Spartan and hit the road.

Nicki had purchased the trailer several years from an ad on Craigs list. The Spartan was parked with hopes of someday hitting the road to find greener pastures. Nicki knew warmer weather was a must and so Florida bound it was!

I was amazed Nicki could manipulate this trailer as well as she did. Only have trailered and parked this rig less than a dozen times, she proved we can all do what we set out to accomplish. Another inspiring young woman calling her own shots.

Our path crossing with Nicki had another layer that was special. The Spartan trailer was manufactured by Spartan Aircraft Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is the school Brian attended back in to the70’s and received his Aviation Maintenance Technology degree. The logo is still present today.

Next I was on the hunt to find who owned the beautiful 1963 Vintage Airstream. Another path I was excited to learn about.

I was so excited to meet the couple that owned the immaculate, shinny Airstream that shouted out from across the park. Again my “knock knock” approach worked and another beautiful friendship was created.

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Sam and Ann coming from Georgia had a trailer that was so put together with every little detail of home life fitting into place. I was jealous of the organized cabinets, beds and new kitchen look. Ann also had chosen a barkcloth in her decor for window treatments. WOW did the windows dance with beauty!

Sam and Ann, one might say that this was not their first rodeo in camping. They also own two other vintage trailers. One that held our interest was a small Teardrop trailer they spoke of that they camped in from time to time. Another beauty if you haven’t seen one in your travels it’s fun to pull up on Google to take a look at. We could only imagine the fun they must have with that trailer as well.

A very adventurous couple living life to the fullest. They retired in their late 40’s and they have been having fun ever since. This is what everyone dreams about in life and they are living proof of doing such. Living simple with less we’re both their comments.

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As we continued our walk around the park we stumbled upon the hammock camper. All things tidy inside this hammock with a dirty pair of socks at the foot of the hammock told us people find interesting ways to get away from it.

The caution sign on the lake with lined up canoes to paddle around the lake had our most respect. No canoes, no alligators for me!

With our new friends I couldn’t help but think back at book I recently read for a book club. The story is about two girls that meet and develop a strong relationship. They move apart from each other and struggle keeping their friendship with each other even though they lived in different cities.

I wondered if Nicki, Sam and Ann would come back on our path once we parted our ways. After all, we have a common ground with vintage trailers. In our chats we discussed the latest campsites they had stayed and shared their tricks to camping. As my book reminded me that it takes time to stay connected.

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We had beautiful sunsets, met some wonderful friends from all over. Our fires were mesmerizing and many memories made.

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We learn people come from all aspects of life. We all need time out to smell the campfire. But most of all, Covid has brought us several positive things as we tuck away out of site with social distance. Friends come in your path when you least expect it!

It’s a new year, a new beginning and my head is full of new ideas for 2021. I began writing this blog early summer 2020. I had never written anything with such caliber before other doing my own marketing for my business Blue Star Collections. Does that count in writing?

This past year Covid changed a lot of things for each of us. I knew I didn’t want to host a sale for Blue Star at my shop in Superior. I felt it was too dangerous to invite people to come shop with the pandemic taking place all around us. Instead I have a dear friend Pat McGill that identifies herself as a woman in her “Spontaneous 70’s” that inspired me to write and share stories as I continued to drive my van down the road and explore.

Today it is my pleasure to write about my mentor, confidant and loving friend Pat McGill. We all have people that come in and out of our life’s. We never know when and where they will show up. I so remember the day I met Pat McGill when she stepped into my life.

Blue Star Collections was hosting a Holiday show a few years ago and in the door walked this woman with a larger than life, big gregarious personality! She looked around and said “so this is what everyone is talking about” ~ Blue Star Collections!

Pat had heard on the street that there was a gal doing “junk” shows in Superior, Iowa. At that time Pat lived in Okoboji and Superior was only a few miles away. Pat decided to hop in the car and find out for herself what the hubba hubba was about. The rest is history, Pat and I became instant friends and she became my biggest cheerleader! I have felt so blessed to have this friend walked into my life.

I love strong women that inspire me. Pat McGill is one of those women that deeply inspires not only me but many other women and men. When I chat with Pat, one of Helen Reddy’s songs always pop into my head. “I am Woman hear me Roar”. If I were to use one word to express Pat, it would be “Roar”. Pat is so full of wisdom, energy and is eager for living a big life!

Pat McGill is founder and president of McGill Speaking and Training Resources (www.patmcgill.net).
A former middle-school teacher and adjunct professor of human relations, Pat holds a master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. She’s convinced, however, that her talents are rooted in her Midwestern upbringing, Irish heritage — and an early adventure in pageantry.

Before being named Miss Congeniality in the Miss South Dakota pageant, she tripped upon entering the judging room, then fell down! But she got up and asked if they wanted to see more. They did, and she mentions she has been tripping up ever since — learning lessons and passing them on to those who’ll listen.

As a member of the National Speakers Association, Pat presents professional development keynotes and workshops on such topics as change, leadership, and relationship building. Her “Pat-tested, Boomer-approved” material is at once entertaining and informative, and helps her to engage those of varying backgrounds, and in different life stages, professions and industries. A certified Psycho-Geometrics® trainer, Pat is further positioned to facilitate effective communication strategies that appeal to a variety of learning styles.

Pat is second oldest of an Irish Catholic family with eighty two in her immediate family. The gifts from her family is what has made Pat today. She often talks of her Grandmother McGill and what a strong woman she was going through divorce in the early 1900’s. Pat was also close to her mother, another strong woman that inspired Pat to soar and fill her dreams.

Over the years Pat has built her career in education and generously sharing with others her talents of teaching. Supporting women has always been first for Pat supporting many women’s groups over the years. With Pat’s quick wit, intelligence and inspiring to help women grow is just a few of many of Pat’s strong suit.

Pat has worn many hats over the years and taken home several awards for her accomplishments. When you meet Pat you are quickly drawn in with her fun style, love of life and spontaneous humor that makes her such a beauty in and out.

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Pat business today in her “Spontaneous 70’s” she is still going strong with her business. Her resume looks a bit like this: Leadership Training, Individual Coaching, Zooming Motivated Speaking and Mentoring

Pat always has good words to share when she is supporting and mentoring others. I’m sharing a just a few with you ~ One of the biggest gifts we give to another human being is to listen. Change the letters around in listen and it spells Silent. We become Silent and Listen.

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One of Pat’s favorite quotes from an Irish poet ~. The quality of our looking determines what we come to see. By John O’Donahue

In our lives we are either coming out of hell, going through hell, or hell is around the corner. It’s how we live our story thats makes it worth living. By Pat McGill

Age wrinkles your skin, however the loss of enthusiasm wrinkles your soul. Age only matters if your cheese.

A couple of of Pat’s morning prayers: Dear God, Get in my Head before I do ~ Amen. My prayer for life: My work is good ~ My work is important work ~ My work is creative work ~ For through my work, I make LOVE visible. Amen

For further information about Pat McGill you can go to LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-mcgill

We all have road blocks in life as Pat McGill might say. None of us are excluded to changes in our paths. My change this last year has been to focused with my Blue Star Binocular blogging and sharing stories such as my friend Pat McGill. Also, one of my road blocks was loosing my business and personal Facebook I had for many years that hosted my Blue Star Collections customers.

I’m now searching for them to “come back” and share with them my new presence at Blue Star Binocular. So as I move forward with this blog, Pat McGill might say this – first you: Think it ~ Ink it ~ Own it ~ Live it ~ Share it

In closing, for the women that want to sing along with me, here you go! Maybe you too have a friend like I have with my friend Pat McGill that inspires you. None the less, let’s stick together and turn up our speakers to enjoy! “ I am woman hear me Roar” and sing like nobody is watching ~

Helen Reddy ~ https://youtu.be/rptW7zOPX2E

I am woman, hear me roar. In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor No one’s ever gonna keep me down

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman

The holidays look different this year, but that’s all the more reason to celebrate with the one thing that brings us closer in spirit—music.

Music is such a big part of our life and brings back memories to our minds when we hear a certain song. For the last couple of weeks I have had this song in my head – And so this is Christmas by John Lennon.

When I sing and hum along to the song today, I can’t help think how this song relates to our current climate today. John Lennon recorded it almost 40 years ago.

https://youtu.be/68SP0wCOcLA

The song came about after more than two years of peace activism by John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, that began with the ‘bed-ins’ they created in March and May 1969.

The song was part of an international multimedia campaign launched by the couple in December 1969, at the height of the counterculture movement and protests against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

They had rented billboard spaces in 12 major cities around the world, for the display of black-and-white posters that declared “WAR IS OVER! If You Want It – Happy Christmas from John & Yoko”.

Lennon came up with the song as a way of continuing the themes of social unity and peaceful change via personal accountability, that was previously the basis of the earlier billboard campaign, while attempting to convey optimism and avoiding the sentimentality he felt often characterised Christmas music.

This Christmas season we are once again looking to find normal in how to celebrate this season. Holiday parties that we once enjoyed, canceled. Many struggling because of financial reasons and how do we celebrate Christmas without our family?

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“And so this is Christmas” still gives us hope, peace and love. Today John Lennons words still echo in our minds, Let’s hope for a great one without any fears.

With just a few more days left in 2020, just “Imagine” what this last year has taught us. Less is more, having more patience, tapping into our creative side and counting our blessings.

John Lennon, we still love you today and miss your music. We wonder what you would be singing today with protesting, Covid, politics and quarantine.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

Why do parades always make us feel good? This has been the year of cancelations of events and gatherings. After several months, whose counting right, we are all craving for a bit of normal in our life’s. This last weekend The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce added a bit of fun and normal by organizing a political correct social distancing boat parade right out our front door.

How lucky for us, we decided to take in the fun. How could you not when you heard all the music, giggles and fun approaching and bringing back wonderful memories of watching a parade as a kid!

As each boat went by we took in all the details with awe. Some boats had a serious message while others captivated the fun with Christmas.

There was a total of 31 boat entrees that took place in the parade. People kept their distance and perched in out of way spots to get a glimpse of the lighted boats. The parade traveled several miles around the Fort Myers Beach area offering lots of joy to many.

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Whatever your holiday flair is, the boats certainly hit a home run with offering many choices.

How long this must have taken the participants to decorate their boats, the pay off was enjoyed and appreciative by many. Hooting and hollering could be heard for miles across the water.

Of course a holiday parade wouldn’t be complete without Santa and his reindeers. Ohhh how that star shined and filled with lighting up the night.

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Here comes Frosty the Snowman and all his glory! Such talent and creativity in making these boats shine with excitement! The weather cooperated with no wind and only a chill in the night air. Frosty stood tall and proud and the audience cheered him on!

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And then there was the “beer” boat. The colors from the lights just danced off the waters. Ho Ho “hold my beer”. Someone had fun with this wouldn’t you say!?

As each boat passed it felt like we had a bit of normal taking place on the water. Night lights and fun laughter made you forget all we have been through this 2020.

In closing, the fire pit on the front of this boat said it all. Dumping 2020 in the pit made us all relate to moving on. Out with 2020, lets get 2021 rolling into a positive year with Love, Peace and Happiness.

Thank you Fort Myers Beach for organizing such a successful event and still be socially correct. You made several thousands of people standing on their docks, front yards, and scattered all over happy to see such delight.

I too hope this brought a few smiles to your face. Stay safe, be well and enjoy this Holiday Season in your own way.

This year might feel a bit different when you pull out your holiday decor setting the tone as you decorate your Christmas tree. Covid once again is making us think what our own Christmas might look like with social practices still being encouraged for our holiday gatherings.

For me the “Star” always seems to be my “go to” in decorating as it catches my attention with its beauty. This year is no exception, it was the “Starfish” that provided the inspiration and hope on our tree. What is your inspiration to make your tree have that special look?

A “Star” has always intrigued me with its five points, its a decorators dream. I love setting it up in my decor whenever possible to add interest as well as hope to the eye. It’s easy to tuck in groupings or placing it to stand alone making its presence known.

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In addition, with my love of a starfish it also holds characteristics such as guidance, vigilance, inspiration, brilliance and intuition. The starfish is a spirit animal and teaches you to cure yourself over time, fill up the void, and replace it with something better. It symbolizes regeneration, renewal, and self-sustainability. Don’t we all need a bit more of that these days?

Another fun story speaking of “Stars”, on the evening of Dec. 21, Jupiter and Saturn will seem to inch incredibly close to each other, looking like one single bright star. In reality, they will be hundreds of millions of miles apart. When two celestial objects closely approach each other in the sky, astronomers call it a conjunction.

A “Christmas star” will light up the sky on the December Solstice, a rare “double planet” event that hasn’t been seen since the Middle Ages. These two planets have not appeared to be this close together from Earth’s vantage point since predawn March 4, 1226. A treat for many this holiday season for this hasn’t happened in almost over 800 years!

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We all know the story of the bright star leading the three wisemen to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Suppose this is what the three wisemen witnessed? One can only imagine the excitement that took place.

So, as I continue my decorating this holiday season, I can’t but help think about this exciting view that we will all have the opportunity to witness for this Pre-Christmas gift. Angels might be singing “Angels We Have Heard on High” in celebration of this rare moment.

Continuing with my “starfish” inspiration I placed this Tern bird surrounded by “starfish” along with a few shells making sure it has a great front row spot for viewing the tree and more.

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By adding a few fish it enhanced my table and married the starfish along with sand dollars together. Once might suggest the only thing missing is the sand from the beach.

My modest, little skinny tree stands proud this holiday season. Each day I add a little more embellishment to it with drift wood, rope balls, starfish, netting and more that I collects along the beach. With each new layer it comes more and more to life.

One thing I do know for sure, I will count my blessings with what 2020 gave us. Whether 2020 was good or bad, we all have new hope to look forward to and a rare “star” sighting that is coming upon us this month.

So whatever your tree symbols this holiday season, make it shine by adding your own touch and of course love. This “is” special year and its up to each of us how we want to make it “shine”.

Wishing you a fun filled and inspired decorating holiday season ~

As the birds are flying south, we too know it’s time to head south in search of warmer weather. We decided to take the route through Memphis and do a “drive by” to check out Elvis Presley’s home “Graceland”.

How many of you are Elvis Presley fans out there in Blog Land? Do you still sing along to his songs today? If so, what was your favorite tune Elvis sang?

Maybe his number one hit “Heartbreak Hotel” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e9BLw4W5KU8

Could it be “Burning Love”? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zf2VYAtqRe0

Many of us remember the day Elvis died, August 16, 1977 at the young age of 42. People flocked to “Graceland” in tears to leave memorials outside the brick wall surrounding his home. After all, Elvis was “The King of Rock and Roll”.

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Elvis had a very colorful life. Jet airplanes to take him anywhere. You often heard he would rent the entire local movie theater and take his friends to see the movies. I wonder how many he packed in on this 707 jet? Now wouldn’t that have been fun to jet away with Elvis! The airplane was named after his daughter, Lisa Marie ❤️.

I also might guess several of you followed his flamboyant and famous life. Those of you being Elvis followers out there probably knew he grew up in a modest family and started his singing in the church. At a young age he entered singing competitions and would win with his unique and exotic style.

Later serving in the military Elvis was stationed in Germany where he met his young (14 years old) bride to be Priscilla Beaulieu. After courting several years they married and a year later came their daughter Lisa Marie. They were married six years before divorcing but their love story continued on sharing their daughter Lisa Marie together.

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Today there is still was a welcome feeling with the gates wide open as tourists continue to come visit Graceland. Although we only drove by, the energy continues with writings on the brick walls surrounding the estate.

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Heartfelt messages written outside on the brick walls that expressed sadness with the loss of the King of Rock and Roll ~ Elvis Presley.

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So till we meet again Elvis, we will continue to enjoy your spirit through the songs you left behind. My “Blue Suede Shoes” will keep dancing whether “It’s now or Never” but you will “Always Be on My Mind”.

Thanks Elvis for all the memories, I’m still “All Shook up” after doing my drive by your beautiful Graceland.

I love these words that I stumbled upon today! Yesterday I posted about sharing and learning on this platform through my blog ~ Blue Star Binocular. Today this quote is highlighting the beautiful Frida Kahlo, Mexican PAINTER.

Each year we when we travel to Mexico and I often see Frida’s face showing up in many avenues. Frida’s strong, exotic and determined look has always inspired me. Her face might show up in gift shops and be put on t-shirts, decor or signs and it always makes me turn to look.

So many times we want to give up, procrastinate, or just walk away. Don’t think I haven’t thought about this as I began this new Blog and building my new tribe. Frustration with the learning curve, loosing a Facebook account and feeling anxious of putting one self out there for assessment. One thing we all need to remember, tomorrow will offer us more chances, changes and the beauty of its rewards.

Frida Kahlo was a woman well ahead of her time and was known for her creativity that she expressed herself through her beautiful paintings. For those of you wanting to learn more about this beautiful painter, here is a link to explore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frida_Kahlo

Many times we all hit the “Precaution” button! I find myself hitting that precaution button and yet I yearn to want to learn and share more. Can you relate?

We have a “Tribe” that travels each winter to Bucerias, Mexico. This group of people I call “My Tribe” are from all parts of the country. When we travel to Bucerias and all come together, we just pick up where we left off. Unconditional acceptance and love is what keeps this tribe together.

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This year just might be different and difficult with Covid. I do know, if this year we are absence from visiting Mexico ~ our tribe will still continue to grow and support each other.

In closing, I wish to share these words with you. As many you too are building your new tribe during this stay home Covid exercise, don’t forget YOU are AMAZING!

At the end of the day we can endure much more than we think we can ~ Frida Kahlo

Today I am continuing to grow and learn as I write this blog for Blue Star Binocular. Have you ever felt like a “Fish out of Water” or “Playing in the wrong sand pile”? It’s been just that, working my way around blogging and learning in a new way to communicate.

My Facebook account was violated early fall and I am building my new tribe once again and finding my way back to you! One might think that would be easy task, but not so. I’ve even reached out to couple of professional people to help since this is their forte. Meanwhile I await for a response in my call for help and I won’t be discouraged to find you once again. So you see, if you see a friend request from Beth Bright, yes that is me ~

A few words that I posted on Facebook earlier on “sharing my story”.

I received this video from Facebook today and thought it might be nice to share all the fun we had together. I so love all the smiles in this short video, seeing my tribe enjoy my creative side and excited about this next chapter where it might take me.

https://videos.files.wordpress.com/ZlYPhe1u/0ae86f01b585df8a67da5a2bd6d8956c.mp4

Stay warm if you are living in the Midwest where we have snow falling or enjoy the sun for those that might be on the beach or warm temps. There is a lake out there somewhere ~

Hope to see you soon ~ Bluestarbinocular.com

Our clock is ticking away and we are quickly approaching Election Day tomorrow, November 3rd. Doesn’t it seem like we have been watching political ads forever? I think I’m safe in saying, we just need to get this behind us and get our lives back to some sort of normal.

I’ve been brainstorming a fun idea to share with you this week and it’s been difficult with all that is happening around us. Many times when we hear sad things take place, there is a happy thought right around the corner. In this post, that is exactly what I found – Jim Beam to the rescue!

Over the weekend we lost a great actor, Sean Connery. Hearing about his death certainly brought back many great movie memories that Sean Connery starred in. I wanted to learn more about him so I went on an internet search. One of the first things I ran across was an advertisement featuring Sean with Jim Beam Bourbon.

After studying the ad of Jim Beam and Sean Connery, I ran upstairs to my storage closet and remembered we had a set of Political Jim Beam bottles. I was excited, the two stories had something in common – Jim Beam Bourbon! These political, porcelain decanters were given to Brian from his parents. I remembered seeing these decanters often as they were displayed in my mother-in-law’s china cabinet. We were the lucky ones in the family to adopt the political set of the donkey and the elephant.

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I loved imagining what gatherings these decanters might have taken place at. One might guess it brought interesting topics of conversation. Back in 1968 it too was a political Presidential voting year as Richard Nixon, Republican ran against Hubert Humphrey, Democrat. Of course we all know how that turned out with Nixon taking home the Presidency.

If these Jim Beam Bourbon decanters could talk, what would they have said back in 1968? I wonder what their thought were by dressing them in red and blue polka dots? Why did the donkey have a hat and the other one was omitted? That is the magic of collecting today, researching and reminiscing the stories of collectible items. Today the pair of decanters can bring upwards of $150 depending on what shape they are in.

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When we wake up Wednesday, November 4th we can only hope all those political ads are gone. We might not know who our President will be, BUT we can hope and pray we start building this team of supporting each other as we move forward to heal.

By the way, our decanters are empty so that tells you someone had fun back in 1968! Cheers my friends ~ please continue to stay safe in your travels wherever they might be. ~ Salute ~