When You're Tired of Text Messaging

A very interesting photo illustration from the 1903 volume of the Book of Knowledge with fourteen photographs with descriptions on How to Signal Across a Field. The semaphore system was used to convey messages over long distances. This illustration depicts a woman in turn of the century dress showing the use of flags. The top row shows the signal "ready to start"; the second means "the signs that follow are to be read as letters" and the third means "The signs that follow are to be read as numbers. The fourth means "cancel previous signal." Finally, the other pictures convey the message "tea is ready" each picture representing a letter. Just a little more involved than text messaging.

What to Do With Your Dumb-Bells

This gorgeous 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch photo illustration from 1912 shows a young man demonstrating various dumb-bell moves in a series of twenty three actions. What an inspiration to all of us who have dumb-bells waiting dusty from lack of use.

I Have A Thing for Cars (But Not Necessarily This One)

I've always had a "thing" for cars, but as I get older I get a little bored with car maintenance, upkeep and expense (the bicycle and public transportation are probably the way to go...) But nothing beats driving a nice car at fast speeds down the nearest highway. Car styles have mirrored our lifestyles. This groovy number above was the 1975 Mustang II Ghia, an attempt by Ford to deliver a lighter model with a smaller engine in response to the 1974 OPEC oil crisis. Ford outfitted it with such swish 70's design features as a half vinyl roof, and a cranberry interior with crushed velour seat trim. Adding to the flash was an exclusive opera window that could not be opened and ensured that the back seat occupants had to beg those in the front seat for some fresh air. The chassis was based on the infamous Pinto. The color on this one was a silver metallic and it came replete with a nifty hood ornament (that was often stolen by "collectors"). I saw one on the road a few months ago. The color was a retro 70's flashy pumpkin color that reminded me of my sister's Vega. But that's another story....for another time.