Happy Memorial Day

To all Veterans and especially to my friends who are veterans, “Thank You for Your Service to our Country!”

Freedom is not free and should not be taken for granted. When you celebrate this holiday with your beloved family members, please take a moment to toast or pray for our Veteran Heroes, past and present. They sacrificed much so that we can live in a civilized society as free people with our government beholden to We The People and not the other way around. All our veterans gave time away from family and friends and some even paid the ultimate price. It was not an easy task yet one worthy of their devotion and our appreciation. Our veterans’ families sacrificed as well.

Veterans come in all sizes, shapes, colors, religious and political affiliations and they fought for the same thing we all want..... freedom; respect, the right to coexist peacefully on this Earth, the right to bear arms, and the right to stand on our own two feet and make our own decisions with little interference from the government. The right to be an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen. does not exist under socialism. We only have to look back to WWII to see how true this is or any war for that matter. Our men and women are always fighting for freedom.

As long as citizens are dependent on the government they will never be free. When the majority of citizens become dependent on the government, we will cease to be a capitalistic nation which is a beacon to all where each of our hopes, dreams, and plans can come true via sweat equity and not hand outs from the government. We each give back to our county by standing united and holding ourselves to a higher standard by being an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran.

If the opportunity is available, thank a veteran by using the traditional handshake of honorable, civilized citizens: Stand (to show respect), smile, look at their eyes, extend your outstretched right hand vertically (a sign of respect), thumb up, palm open (showing trust and no weapon), grip their hand. Shake hands firmly, “web-to-web” (that web of the skin between the thumb and fingers), and without crushing their knuckles. Hand shakes should be firm, quick (two or three shakes), and free of perspiration. A too limp handshake implies a weak character; the too strong handshake indicates a domineering personality. Introduce yourself by name and thank the veteran for his/her service to our country. Either men or women may extend their hand first.

May our fallen veterans rest in peace and May God continue to Bless All Americans.

Happy Memorial Day to you and yours.

from A Year of Good Manners.com

Primary Election Day is Today.

We all take freedom for granted. No one likes war but sometimes wars are necessary. We must defend our rights to be free citizens and we all must be willing to defend our country and our Constitution. Citizens who live in the United States of America are free people because we are a nation who elects our government officials from among ourselves and we are a capitalistic government of the people, by the people and for the people. We are not a perfect country but we are evolving every year to be more inclusive of all our citizens. There is not one group or nationality of citizens that were not persecuted at one time or another in our history. We have all overcome obstacles yet our goals remain the same.....that all citizens are entitled to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness......but not at the expense of someone else. We became the Greatest Nation on Earth because civilized people worked together for the good of all.

We are one nation under God. Beware of those who try to divide us and pit one group against another be they wealthy or not. Civilized people work together, compromising when necessary, but always working for the good of the whole.

We all have a civic duty to behave as honorable, civilized citizens respectful to each other yet we have the right to own private property and the right to defend that property. We are a free nation because the majority of our citizens choose to hold themselves to a higher standard and not just because of the laws. We have laws to handle citizens who are not respectful to others. Honorable, moral, civilized, law abiding citizens will not lie, cheat, or steal even if the opportunity presents itself. When this is no longer the case, we will have widespread corruption, rudeness, and lawlessness. The government cannot afford to put all of us in jail so they will have to take extreme measures to control the population. Until then, We The People still control the government by electing them to office.

Civilized people know how to work with people they do not like yet respect that all are entitled to the same freedoms. We all have a civic duty to take personal responsibility for our own actions and do no harm to those who are weaker, younger, or smaller. Our Constitution guarantees the right to protect ourselves and our property from criminals and from the government itself.

This year the election is quite clear. We either vote for our historic capitalistic nation which made the USA the Greatest Nation on Earth or we vote for the Socialists who are trying to divide our country via class warfare and disregard of our Constitution. You can no longer sit this one out and ignore the situation. If you have never voted, it is time for you to vote. The choice is clear. Vote for the most honorable person you know. An honorable person will not lie, cheat or steal even if the opportunity presents itself.

If someone looks you in the face and tells obvious lies, you must use your own common sense and do what is right. If you have not earned what you have, you are not entitled to take money from someone else no matter who tells you it is OK. Common sense says we cannot continue to spend trillions of dollars that we do not have. Someone will pay for this; eventually, it will be our future grandchildren. Not a legacy that we have ever in the history of our country done to future generations.

Being an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen is a way to give something back to your country. Voting is a privilege that can easily be taken away by a government that gets too big and thinks they control the people. In the USA, we the people control the government.

Please Vote.

Happy Mother's Day, May 13, 2012

Motherhood is one of the most important jobs in the world and it is one of the most underpaid jobs if you count money only. Motherhood is also one of the most rewarding jobs if done right. Mothers should not feel guilty because they enjoy their job as full time mothers........... Mothers are the ones who determine who the father will be. Mothers are the ones who teach their children how to be honorable, civilized, law abiding adults. When mothers love their children, they teach them life skills that enable the child to become an independent, self-reliant, trustworthy person able to live on their own. They teach their children there are always consequences for their actions, sometimes good, sometimes bad. When parents spoil their children, they then end up with spoiled adults who are not capable of functioning on their own in civilized society. Motherhood is a very important job............ All children want two parents and have an inherent need for two parents. Yes, we can survive with only one parent, but to flourish, all children want to know who their ancestors and family members are. All children want to be treated with respect. It is the Mother who can make this happen. The kindest thing a Mother can do for her children is to teach them respect for life, their own and others, and good manners. These are the life skills which enable common sense, good self esteem, and confidence to develop. These are the tools that make a loving home............ All children must be taught at an early age to do no harm to those who are younger, smaller or weaker than themselves. Children learn from their Mothers “An honorable person will not lie, cheat, or steal, even when the opportunity presents itself.” These are traits that last throughout their entire lives. These are the traits that make life worth living. It has nothing to do with the amount of money one has or does not have. One can always earn money but one cannot easily earn back respect and love once they have lost it. However, all things are possible, especially with the unconditional love of a Mother nearby............ Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers who make a safe, loving home for their children............. A special Happy Mother’s Day to my favorite role model: Dr. Ben Carson’s Mother. Please watch this video for a heartwarming story that will show just how important a Mother’s job is........... http://video.foxnews.com/v/1542093260001........... Learn 365 life skills and the reasons to use them by reading "A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95. Record autographs of family members, and this book then becomes a treasured family heirloom which becomes more valuable with each new entry.............. Securely purchase on line at: http://janpolk.com/cart/products.asp

Administrative Professionals Week is April 22 – 28, 2012

Administrative Professionals Week
is April 22 – 28, 2012

Every employee represents your company.
If you want to give your employees, confidence,
good self esteem and the ability to make good
decisions on their own and you can’t afford to send
your employees to a $500 training course in
business/customer relationships, give them something
better: “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk, $27.95.

This beautifully bound, hard cover book includes three
hundred and sixty five tips and a reason to use each tip
written by Milwaukee Business Etiquette Consultant
Margery Sinclair. It also features Jan Polk's Great
American Flower Collection "respect series" of fine
art water color paintings which symbolically remind
you to treat yourself and others with respect.

Margery Sinclair’s motto
“Good Manners are Good Business”

Jan Polk’s motto “Good Manners are Empowering.”


Good Manners are also a Good Legacy.
“A Year of Good Manners” is a wonderful way for your
employees to pass their values to future generations.
Our common bond is we all want to be treated
with respect.

One of the tips in AYOGM written by Margery Sinclair:

“Unfortunately, it is bad manners to go around
correcting other people’s bad manners. There is
an exception for parents, teachers, and managers.
More than an exception, correcting children,
students, and employees is an obligation."

Order your copy of “A Year of Good Manners”
on line at http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

Quantity discounts available upon request.

If you would like to hire Margery Sinclair to speak
to your group, contact her at www.margerysinclair.com
Sometimes it is possible to share expenses with other groups
depending on her travel schedule.

Better Conversations Newsletter

Hi Friends. After you read our book,
"A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and
Jan Polk, you will be so confident, you will
want to meet and mingle with the rest of the world.
We provide basic skills to get you started and a
reason to use each of the 365 tips. A way to
never get old is to keep learning new things.

Margery Sinclair introduced me to the free
“Better Conversations Newsletter”
by Loren Ekroth, Ph.D. (aka "Dr.Conversation")
His mission is:
"To Raise the Standard of Conversation in Life."
You can sign up for his free newsletter at
URL: http://www.conversationmatters.com

Among Dr. Ekroth's subscribers are authors, speakers, coaches,
consultants, artists, and experts who have products to sell or
services to provide. Please tell him
Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk introduced you to him.

You can purchase “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk at our website:

http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

$28.00……free shipping!

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
~ George Bernard Shaw

Art Show - February 17 and 18, 2012

Fri. Sat. February 17 and 18, 2012, 2nd Annual Invitational Fine Arts Exhibition and Sale at:

First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, AL.
309 East 21st Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(Cnty. Rte. 180 east of St. Rte. 59)

Phone: 251-968-7720
Website: www.gspres.com

The opening is Friday, Feb 17, 2012…… 5:00--8:00 p.m. and
one day only exhibition on Sat. Feb. 18 10:00 a.m. --6:00 p.m.

Free Admission and Refreshments

Art Show Curator Paul Welch, a retired artist/art professor
from Michigan, will be also giving a 6 week series of art
lectures at the church starting Tuesdays, January 10, 2012,
from 10:00 --11:00 a.m. These have been enthusiastically
attended for the past 4 years and set the stage for the
exhibition of our area artists. No charge.

Celebrating our local and snowbird artists:

Zach Baisden, Jennifer Currans, Helen Haberstroh,
David Howard, Mary Ann Lamm, Karen MacLaughlin,
Lorraine Owen,.... Jan Polk,......Martha Saunders,
Philip Sealy, Dorothy Sherman, Rick Tino,
Theresa Wayne, Richard Willlows, Beth Winn

New this year: Students from Gulf Shoes Elementary and
B.E.A.C.H. Home School.

Wine and nibbles are provided Friday evening; cookies all
day Saturday. Water color, Oil, Ink, Mixed Media, Photography,
Prints and Note Cards will also be for sale. A percentage of
sales will be donated to a local art teacher.

Come meet the artists, enjoy fine art and help support the
arts in the Gulf Shores area.


AYOGM and Jan Polk Note Cards will also be available for
sale at this show.

I invite you to visit my websites:


http://www.janpolk.com
http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

Favorite Popcorn Recipes

I always like to describe our our book "A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk as "Fine Art Marries Fine Living."

Eating well is one of the perks of fine living.
Following are three of my favorite popcorn recipes. Tweaked the way I like them.
Hope you like them too.

If you know where to purchase big fluffy popcorn, please share the info. The
ones you can buy at the grocery store are OK but I would love to find a
gourmet popcorn because these recipes are so good. I found the top two
at allrecipes.com and the adult popcorn is from
Nigella.com






Cinnamon Candies Popcorn

Yield 8 cups 8 servings


2 tablespoons vegetable oil

* 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
* 1/2 cup butter
* 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
* 2 (2.25 ounce) packages cinnamon red hot candies

1. Heat oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in the popcorn, cover, and shake a couple of times to coat the kernels with oil. When the corn starts to pop, shake pan continuously until popping stops. Pour popped corn into a large paper bag.

2. Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hot candies in a microwave safe bowl or saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake the bag for 1 minute, until completely coated. Cool, and serve.

If you like it warm and gooey, eat right away; but if you like it crispy let it cool!

Nutritional Information open nutritional information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 255 | Total Fat: 15.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg

====================================================

Gelatin-flavored Popcorn 45 min 10 servings

* 10 cups popped popcorn
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 (3 ounce) package fruit flavored gelatin mix
* 1 tablespoon corn syrup
* 3 tablespoons water

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a 1/4 sheet pan or two 8x12 inch baking dishes. Generously butter a heavy 2 quart saucepan.

2. Distribute popcorn evenly in prepared baking pans. Place in oven to keep warm.

3. In prepared saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, gelatin, corn syrup and water. Heat to 250 to 265 degrees F (121 to 129 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball. [or bring to a boil and boil 4 minutes stirring constantly which is the method I used]

4. Pour mixture evenly over popcorn and stir until coated. Return popcorn to oven and bake 5 minutes; stir, then bake 5 minutes more.

5. Turn popcorn out onto a large piece of foil. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then form into balls. Or let cool completely and break into clusters. Store in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place.



================================================


Adult Spiced Popcorn



2 Tablespoon oil plus 1 cup of popcorn



While popping:



Melt:

6 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons turmeric

4 teaspoons salt [I use l teaspoon of salt]

4 teaspoons sugar


Mix and pour over hot popcorn. Toss and Enjoy!



We invite you to purchase our book "A Year of Good Manners" by
Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk $28.00 --free shipping!!! -- on line at
http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

Quantity discounts available....just email me at janpolk@janpolk.com before
you place your order.