The 3 Phases of Making a Major Life Change
.The 3 Phases of Making a Major Life Change
by Herminia Ibarra August 06, 2021
Summary. The lockdown that we’ve all just lived through created a period during which a lot of people had the opportunity to reflect on plans for a career change. But reflection alone doesn’t get people very far. Those who are mostly likely to act during this kind of period are those who actively engage in a three-part cycle of transition — one that consists of separation, liminality and reintegration. The author explains how to make the most of each of these stages to effect real change.
Many of us believe that unexpected events or shocks create fertile conditions for major life and career changes by sparking us to reflect about our desires and priorities. That holds true for the coronavirus pandemic. A bit over a year ago, when I asked people in an online poll to tell me how the pandemic had affected their plans for career change, 49% chose this response: “It has given me downtime to rest and/or think.”
The 3 Phases of Making a Major Life Change
by Herminia Ibarra August 06, 2021
Summary. The lockdown that we’ve all just lived through created a period during which a lot of people had the opportunity to reflect on plans for a career change. But reflection alone doesn’t get people very far. Those who are mostly likely to act during this kind of period are those who actively engage in a three-part cycle of transition — one that consists of separation, liminality and reintegration. The author explains how to make the most of each of these stages to effect real change.
Many of us believe that unexpected events or shocks create fertile conditions for major life and career changes by sparking us to reflect about our desires and priorities. That holds true for the coronavirus pandemic. A bit over a year ago, when I asked people in an online poll to tell me how the pandemic had affected their plans for career change, 49% chose this response: “It has given me downtime to rest and/or think.”
That’s a good start. But if there is one thing I have learned from decades of studying successful career change, it’s that thinking on its own is far from sufficient. We rarely think our way into a new way of acting. Rather, we act our way into new ways of thinking — and being.
Yes, events that disrupt our habitual routines have the potential to catalyze real change. They give us a chance to experiment with new activities and to create and renew connections. Even in the seemingly “unproductive” time we spend away from our everyday work lives, we conduct important inner business — asking the big existential questions, remembering what makes us happy, shoring up the strength to make difficult choices, consolidating our sense of self, and more.
Enough has happened during this past year to make many of us keenly aware of what we no longer want. But the problem is this: More appealing, feasible alternatives have yet to materialize. So we’re stuck in limbo between old and new. And now, with most Covid restrictions at last falling away and a return to the office imminent, we confront a real danger: getting sucked back into our former jobs and ways of working.
How can those of us who want to make a career transition avoid that? How can we make progress toward our goals by building on what we’ve learned this past year?
Research on the transformative potential of a catalyzing event like the coronavirus pandemic suggests that we are more likely to make lasting change when we actively engage in a three-part cycle of transition — one that gets us to focus on separation, liminality, and reintegration. Let’s consider each of those parts of the cycle in detail.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
https://hbr.org/2021/08/the-3-phases-of-making-a-major-life-change
Other People’s Mistakes
.Other People’s Mistakes
Aug 5, 2021 by Morgan Housel
George Carlin once joked how easy it is to spot stupid people. “Carry a little pad and pencil around with you. You’ll wind up with 30 or 40 names by the end of the day. It doesn’t take long to spot one of them, does it? Takes about eight seconds.” Like most comedy it’s funny because it’s true.
But Daniel Kahneman mentions a more important truth in his book, Thinking, Fast and Slow: “It is easier to recognize other people’s mistakes than our own.” I would add my own theory: It’s easier to blame other people’s mistakes on stupidity and greed than our own. That’s because when you make a mistake, I judge it solely based on what I see. It’s quick and easy.
But when I make a mistake there’s a long and persuasive monologue in my head that justifies bad decisions and adds important context other people don’t see. Everyone’s like that. It’s normal.
Other People’s Mistakes
Aug 5, 2021 by Morgan Housel
George Carlin once joked how easy it is to spot stupid people. “Carry a little pad and pencil around with you. You’ll wind up with 30 or 40 names by the end of the day. It doesn’t take long to spot one of them, does it? Takes about eight seconds.” Like most comedy it’s funny because it’s true.
But Daniel Kahneman mentions a more important truth in his book, Thinking, Fast and Slow: “It is easier to recognize other people’s mistakes than our own.” I would add my own theory: It’s easier to blame other people’s mistakes on stupidity and greed than our own. That’s because when you make a mistake, I judge it solely based on what I see. It’s quick and easy.
But when I make a mistake there’s a long and persuasive monologue in my head that justifies bad decisions and adds important context other people don’t see. Everyone’s like that. It’s normal.
But it’s a problem, because it makes it easy to underestimate your own flaws and become too cynical about others’.
I try to stop myself whenever my explanation for other people’s behavior – financial or otherwise – is “well, they’re not very smart.” Or greedy. Or immoral. Yeah, sometimes it’s true. But probably less than we assume. More often there’s something else going on that you’re not seeing that makes the behavior more understandable, even if it’s still wrong.
A few things make it that way.
1. When judging others’ poor behavior it’s easy to underestimate your own susceptibility to the power of incentives.
The worst behavior resides in industries with the most extreme incentives. Finance, where scams are everywhere. High-end art, where counterfeits proliferate.
But it’s important to ask: Are immoral people attracted to industries where there are big rewards for bad behavior? Or do big rewards for bad behavior cause good people to slide into immorality, justifying their decisions along the way? I think so often it’s the latter.
It helps explain things like the 2008 financial crisis. Was it caused by greedy bankers? Maybe here and there. But the huge majority of it was good, honest people who wanted to do the right thing but whose definition of “the right thing” is instantly warped when they’re paid $8 million a year to sell subprime bonds.
Incentives are almost like a drug in their ability to cloud your judgment in a way you would have found unthinkable beforehand. They can get good people to justify all kinds of things.
That doesn’t excuse bad behavior. But it’s hard to know what you’d be willing to do until you’re exposed to an extreme incentive, and that blindness makes it easy to criticize other people’s mistakes when you yourself may have been just as tempted if you were in their shoes.
2. It’s hard to tell the difference between boldness and recklessness, greed and ambition, contrarian and wrong.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
Hanging By A Thread
.Hanging By A Thread
Aug 11, 2021 by Morgan Housel
Abig lesson from history is how chance encounters lead to both magic and mayhem in ways that would have been impossible to predict. No matter what the world looks like today, and what seems obvious today, everything can change tomorrow because of some tiny accident no one’s thinking about.
Let me show you three times history hung by a thread.
Giuseppe Zangara was tiny, barely five feet tall. He stood on a chair outside a Miami political rally in 1933 because that was the only way he could aim his gun across the crowd.
Zangara fired five shots. One of them hit Chicago mayor Anton Cermak, who was shaking hands with Zagara’s intended target. Cermak died. The target – Franklin Roosevelt – was sworn in as president two weeks later.
Within months of inauguration Roosevelt transformed the U.S. economy through the New Deal. John Nance Garner – who would have become president had Zangara hit his target – opposed most of the New Deal’s deficit spending. He almost certainly wouldn’t have enacted the same policies, some of which still shape today’s economy.
Hanging By A Thread
Aug 11, 2021 by Morgan Housel
Abig lesson from history is how chance encounters lead to both magic and mayhem in ways that would have been impossible to predict. No matter what the world looks like today, and what seems obvious today, everything can change tomorrow because of some tiny accident no one’s thinking about.
Let me show you three times history hung by a thread.
Giuseppe Zangara was tiny, barely five feet tall. He stood on a chair outside a Miami political rally in 1933 because that was the only way he could aim his gun across the crowd.
Zangara fired five shots. One of them hit Chicago mayor Anton Cermak, who was shaking hands with Zagara’s intended target. Cermak died. The target – Franklin Roosevelt – was sworn in as president two weeks later.
Within months of inauguration Roosevelt transformed the U.S. economy through the New Deal. John Nance Garner – who would have become president had Zangara hit his target – opposed most of the New Deal’s deficit spending. He almost certainly wouldn’t have enacted the same policies, some of which still shape today’s economy.
Captain William Turner invited his niece, actress Mercedes Desmore, to tour his massive ocean liner before it sailed from New York To Liverpool.
The ship’s crew, eager to leave on time, removed the gangway for departure while Desmore was still onboard. She was stuck on a ship about to begin a seven-day voyage. Her furious uncle made the crew re-dock the ship so she could get off.
The redocking delayed the ship’s departure. No one could have known that six days later the delay would mean that Turner’s ship – the Lusitania – would sail into the path of a German submarine at the very moment its periscope could finally see through the day’s diminishing fog.
The Lusitania was hit with a torpedo, killing 1,200 passengers and becoming the most important trigger to rally U.S. public support for entering World War I.
Had it sailed through the Celtic Sea half an hour earlier – had Desmore’s tour not caused a delay – the Lusitania would have been cloaked in heavy fog. The ship likely would have avoided attack. A country may have avoided a war that became the seed event for the rest of the 20th century.
Robert E. Lee had one last shot to escape Ulysses Grant’s troops and regroup to gain the upper hand in the Civil War. His plan was bold but totally plausible. All he needed was food for his hungry troops.
An order was put in to have rations delivered to a Virginia supply depot for Lee’s men. But there was a communication error in Richmond, and the wagons delivered boxes of ammunition but not a morsel of food.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
National Financial Awareness Day – August 14, 2021
.National Financial Awareness Day – August 14, 2021
How much would you like to bet that most people don’t know August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day?
It’s more important than you think. And plus, what’s more fun than financial independence? First off, think about that great feeling you get when you don’t have the looming specter of debt hanging over you. Also, sound financial decisions can really make a difference down the road.
Remember, retirement is a time to take all those vacations you couldn’t when you were working the daily grind. Because money is important to our overall peace of mind, Financial Awareness Day is a great time to review where you are now and where you’re going financially. Don’t let bad financial decisions ruin the best years of your life!
National Financial Awareness Day – August 14, 2021
How much would you like to bet that most people don’t know August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day?
It’s more important than you think. And plus, what’s more fun than financial independence? First off, think about that great feeling you get when you don’t have the looming specter of debt hanging over you. Also, sound financial decisions can really make a difference down the road.
Remember, retirement is a time to take all those vacations you couldn’t when you were working the daily grind. Because money is important to our overall peace of mind, Financial Awareness Day is a great time to review where you are now and where you’re going financially. Don’t let bad financial decisions ruin the best years of your life!
When Is National Financial Awareness Day 2021?
Start saving, investing, and building up that nest egg on National Financial Awareness Day on August 14.
History Of National Financial Awareness Day
Do you lavishly spend money like they did in “The Great Gatsby”? Are you saving for retirement but uncertain where every penny is going? Do you live from paycheck to paycheck? Whatever your financial situation may be, it is time to look at the big picture and commit to becoming more aware of your spending. Most of us like to wait until our birthday or the new year to plan our finances but today is a great time to start. August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day and a good reminder to take investing and saving seriously to build financial stability and prepare for the future.
The origins of the holiday are unknown but the aim of it is to develop and instill good financial practices that will solidify a person’s current financial status and serve them through retirement. Investing will make money do the work for us, which will result in less time spent working and leave more time for us to enjoy our lives.
David Ravetch, a senior accounting lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, says, “We live in a world of financial illiteracy.” What he means is that most of us do not possess the knowledge and skills that are necessary to make informed and effective financial decisions with our existing financial resources.
It seems overwhelming, but everyone has the capacity to learn sound financial principles and save up. Just making small changes to our daily habits can reap great financial benefits. Finances can be quite straightforward once we distinguish our wants from our needs and take inventory of our spending. Joining an investment or money management club or consulting a financial advisor is encouraged, and books and blogs on personal finance are promoted.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
National Financial Awareness Day – August 14, 2021
.National Financial Awareness Day – August 14, 2021
How much would you like to bet that most people don’t know August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day?
It’s more important than you think. And plus, what’s more fun than financial independence? First off, think about that great feeling you get when you don’t have the looming specter of debt hanging over you. Also, sound financial decisions can really make a difference down the road.
Remember, retirement is a time to take all those vacations you couldn’t when you were working the daily grind. Because money is important to our overall peace of mind, Financial Awareness Day is a great time to review where you are now and where you’re going financially. Don’t let bad financial decisions ruin the best years of your life!
National Financial Awareness Day – August 14, 2021
How much would you like to bet that most people don’t know August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day?
It’s more important than you think. And plus, what’s more fun than financial independence? First off, think about that great feeling you get when you don’t have the looming specter of debt hanging over you. Also, sound financial decisions can really make a difference down the road.
Remember, retirement is a time to take all those vacations you couldn’t when you were working the daily grind. Because money is important to our overall peace of mind, Financial Awareness Day is a great time to review where you are now and where you’re going financially. Don’t let bad financial decisions ruin the best years of your life!
When Is National Financial Awareness Day 2021?
Start saving, investing, and building up that nest egg on National Financial Awareness Day on August 14.
History Of National Financial Awareness Day
Do you lavishly spend money like they did in “The Great Gatsby”? Are you saving for retirement but uncertain where every penny is going? Do you live from paycheck to paycheck? Whatever your financial situation may be, it is time to look at the big picture and commit to becoming more aware of your spending. Most of us like to wait until our birthday or the new year to plan our finances but today is a great time to start. August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day and a good reminder to take investing and saving seriously to build financial stability and prepare for the future.
The origins of the holiday are unknown but the aim of it is to develop and instill good financial practices that will solidify a person’s current financial status and serve them through retirement. Investing will make money do the work for us, which will result in less time spent working and leave more time for us to enjoy our lives.
David Ravetch, a senior accounting lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, says, “We live in a world of financial illiteracy.” What he means is that most of us do not possess the knowledge and skills that are necessary to make informed and effective financial decisions with our existing financial resources.
It seems overwhelming, but everyone has the capacity to learn sound financial principles and save up. Just making small changes to our daily habits can reap great financial benefits. Finances can be quite straightforward once we distinguish our wants from our needs and take inventory of our spending. Joining an investment or money management club or consulting a financial advisor is encouraged, and books and blogs on personal finance are promoted.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
The Biggest Ponzi Schemes in Modern History
.The Biggest Ponzi Schemes in Modern History
Published July 19, 2021 By Marcus Lu Graphics/Design: Bhabna Banerjee
Some things simply sound too good to be true, but when money is involved, our judgement can become clouded. This is often the case with Ponzi schemes, a type of financial fraud that lures investors by promising abnormally high returns. Money brought in by new members is used to pay the scheme’s founders, as well as its earlier investors. The scheme is named after Charles Ponzi, an Italian who became infamous in the 1920s for claiming he could double his clients’ money within 90 days. Since then, numerous Ponzi schemes have been orchestrated around the globe.
To help you learn more about these sophisticated crimes, this infographic examines some of the biggest Ponzi schemes in modern history.
The Biggest Ponzi Schemes in Modern History
Published July 19, 2021 By Marcus Lu Graphics/Design: Bhabna Banerjee
Some things simply sound too good to be true, but when money is involved, our judgement can become clouded. This is often the case with Ponzi schemes, a type of financial fraud that lures investors by promising abnormally high returns. Money brought in by new members is used to pay the scheme’s founders, as well as its earlier investors. The scheme is named after Charles Ponzi, an Italian who became infamous in the 1920s for claiming he could double his clients’ money within 90 days. Since then, numerous Ponzi schemes have been orchestrated around the globe.
To help you learn more about these sophisticated crimes, this infographic examines some of the biggest Ponzi schemes in modern history.
![Ponzi-Schemes-Shareable-400x240[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d5222a44813620001d89582/1627849471064-I01BQS3MH07UTCF19N5B/Ponzi-Schemes-Shareable-400x240%5B1%5D.jpg)
Ponzi Schemes in the 20th Century
The 1990s saw a number of large Ponzi schemes worth upwards of $500 million.
Country Date Ended Name of Scheme and Founder Value (USD)
Belgium 1991 Moneytron, Jean-Pierre Van Rossem $860M
Romania 1994 Caritas, Ioan Stoica $1B - $5B
Russia 1994 MMM, Sergei Mavrodi $10B
U.S. 1997 Great Ministries International, Geral Payne $500M
In many cases, these schemes thrived by taking advantage of the unsuspecting public who often lacked any knowledge of investing. Caritas, for example, was a Ponzi scheme based in Romania that marketed itself as a “self-help game” for the poor.
The scheme was initially very successful, tricking millions of people into making deposits by offering the chance to earn an 800% return after three months. This was not sustainable, and Caritas was eventually unable to distribute further winnings.
Caritas operated for only two years, but its “success” was undeniable. In 1993, it was estimated that a third of the country’s money was circulating through the scheme.
Ponzi Schemes in the 21st Century
The American public has fallen victim to numerous multi-billion dollar Ponzi schemes since the beginning of the 21st century.
Country Date Ended Name of Scheme and Founder Value (USD)
U.S. 2003 Mutual Benefits Company, Joel Steinger $1B
U.S. 2003 Petters Group Worldwide, Tom Petters $4B
U.S. 2008 Madoff Investment Scandal, Bernie Madoff $65B
U.S. 2012 Stanford Financial Group, Allen Stanford $7B
Many of these schemes have made major headlines, but much less is said about the thousands of everyday Americans that were left in financial ruin.
For victims of the Madoff Investment Scandal, receiving any form of compensation has been a drawn-out process. In 2018, 10 years after the scheme was uncovered, a court-appointed trustee managed to recover $13 billion by liquidating Madoff’s firm and personal assets.
As NPR reported, investors may recover up to 60 to 70 percent of their initial investment only. For victims who had to delay retirement or drastically alter their lifestyles, this compensation likely provides little solace.
Do the Crime, Pay the Time
Running a Ponzi scheme is likely to land you in jail for a long time, at least in the U.S.
In 2009, for example, 71-year-old Bernie Madoff pled guilty to 11 federal felonies and was sentenced to 150 years in prison. That’s 135 years longer than the average U.S. murder conviction.
Outside of the U.S., it’s a much different story. Weaker regulation and enforcement, particularly in developing countries, means a number of schemes are ongoing today.
Sergei Mavrodi, known for running the Russian Ponzi scheme MMM, started a new organization named MMM Global after being released from prison in 2011. Although he died in March 2018, his self-described “social financial network” has established a base in several Southeast Asian and African countries.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/biggest-ponzi-schemes-in-modern-history/
A Little Common Sense From An Old Cowboy
.TNT:
Mot: A LITTLE COMMON SENSE FROM AN OLD COWBOY . .
By Don Cox. A LITTLE COMMON SENSE FROM AN OLD COWBOY . . .
Don't pick a fight with an Old Man, cause you may get what's comin' to ya!
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered . . . not yelled.
TNT:
Mot: A LITTLE COMMON SENSE FROM AN OLD COWBOY . .
By Don Cox. A LITTLE COMMON SENSE FROM AN OLD COWBOY . . .
Don't pick a fight with an Old Man, cause you may get what's comin' to ya!
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered . . . not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life . . . Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around . . .
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
What It Means To Live a Truly Rich Life and How To Achieve It
.What It Means To Live a Truly Rich Life and How To Achieve It
Jaime Catmull July 1, 2021
Being “rich” means different things to different people — and it doesn’t always have to do with money. In fact, a 2018 GOBankingRates survey found that nearly half of Americans — 49% — defined being rich in a way that had nothing to do with financial wealth.
According to the survey, 30% of Americans believe that being rich means living a happy life no matter how much money you earn, and 19% define wealth as having meaningful My personal definition of living a rich life has changed and evolved over time. Now, I can’t help but think how important it is for me to know that if I lost my job tomorrow that I could still pay my bills, and to have the financial freedom to breathe.
What It Means To Live a Truly Rich Life and How To Achieve It
Jaime Catmull July 1, 2021
Being “rich” means different things to different people — and it doesn’t always have to do with money. In fact, a 2018 GOBankingRates survey found that nearly half of Americans — 49% — defined being rich in a way that had nothing to do with financial wealth.
According to the survey, 30% of Americans believe that being rich means living a happy life no matter how much money you earn, and 19% define wealth as having meaningful My personal definition of living a rich life has changed and evolved over time. Now, I can’t help but think how important it is for me to know that if I lost my job tomorrow that I could still pay my bills, and to have the financial freedom to breathe.
I haven’t always had that. When I was younger, I was irresponsible with my money. Though exotic trips, expensive clothes and fancy restaurants were fun, the bills and debt they left me with were not. I thought “living richer” was all about throwing caution to the wind and not worrying if I could afford something or not. Thinking and living like that only led to extreme financial hardship, stress and unhappiness. It wasn’t until I stopped trying to look and act “rich” and comparing myself to others that I found what “Live Richer” truly means relationships with friends and family.
“Live Richer” to me is no longer searching for happiness in physical things. Instead, it’s finding it where I’m at, and ultimately within myself. It’s about putting money away for rainy days instead of worrying about your next Instagram post or having the right outfit, car or home. Saving money and budgeting isn’t always fun or sexy, but the sense of peace and worth that comes from having a savings account and a retirement plan is priceless.
Having struggles with money and not being able to buy everything I thought I wanted helped me develop my character, and be more aware and compassionate toward others and their money struggles. That’s why the “Live Richer” series and Your Money Champion column are so important to me.
Through helping people with their hardest money questions and sharing expert advice, I’ve learned that with the right planning and a little bit of discipline, it’s possible to earn more, save more and live well in every phase of life — and during the month of July, GOBankingRates will be teaching you how to do just that.
To kick off our month of living richer, I spoke to some very influential, successful people about how they define living a “rich life” — here’s what they had to say.
Barbara Corcoran: Real Estate Mogul and Business Expert
“By most people’s standards, my parents were poor. But they were never depleted, weak or needy, and cared for all 10 of us with an abundance of love. They just didn’t value money. Today people say I’m rich — flush with cash, as they say, a lucky son of a gun. But I don’t put much value on it. My real worth is the time I spend with the people I love, measured by the enduring affection my family and friends have for me over a lifetime.”
Deepak Chopra, MD: Founder of Chopra Global and The Chopra Foundation
“To live richer is to follow the inner path to wealth and abundance.”
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner
.The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner
How the flag that flew proudly over Fort McHenry inspired an anthem and made its way to the Smithsonian
A conservator works on the Star-Spangled Banner in 1914. (Corbis)
By Cate Lineberry SMITHSONIANMAG.COM MARCH 1, 2007
On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President's house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.
A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key's tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.
The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner
How the flag that flew proudly over Fort McHenry inspired an anthem and made its way to the Smithsonian
A conservator works on the Star-Spangled Banner in 1914. (Corbis)
By Cate Lineberry SMITHSONIANMAG.COM MARCH 1, 2007
On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President's house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.
A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key's tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.
"It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone," Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of "the dawn's early light" on September 14, he saw the American flag—not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory.
Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. His brother-in-law, commander of a militia at Fort McHenry, read Key's work and had it distributed under the name "Defence of Fort M'Henry." The Baltimore Patriot newspaper soon printed it, and within weeks, Key's poem, now called "The Star-Spangled Banner," appeared in print across the country, immortalizing his words—and forever naming the flag it celebrated.
Nearly two centuries later, the flag that inspired Key still survives, though fragile and worn by the years. To preserve this American icon, experts at the National Museum of American History recently completed an eight-year conservation treatment with funds from Polo Ralph Lauren, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the U.S. Congress. And when the museum reopens in summer 2008, the Star-Spangled Banner will be its centerpiece, displayed in its own state-of-the-art gallery.
"The Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of American history that ranks with the Statue of Liberty and the Charters of Freedom," says Brent D. Glass, the museum's director. "The fact that it has been entrusted to the National Museum of American History is an honor."
Started in 1996, the Star-Spangled Banner preservation project—which includes the flag's conservation and the creation of its new display in the renovated museum—was planned with the help of historians, conservators, curators, engineers and organic scientists. With the construction of the conservation lab completed in 1999, conservators began their work.
Over the next several years, they clipped 1.7 million stitches from the flag to remove a linen backing that had been added in 1914, lifted debris from the flag using dry cosmetic sponges and brushed it with an acetone-water mixture to remove soils embedded in fibers. Finally, they added a sheer polyester backing to help support the flag.
Be sure to click link below to view many pictures of flag
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65 Splurges of the Filthy Rich
.65 Splurges of the Filthy Rich
Would you pay $2,000 for a manicure or $17,000 for a mattress?
By Morgan Quinn April 6, 2021 Build Your Wealth
Everyone has fantasized about living the celebrity life. From expensive vacations to lavish homes and vehicles, you can probably think of numerous ways to spend your hypothetical riches. However, some celebrity purchases are a little less traditional. From dental decorations to doggie mansions, you have to see what it costs to live like the extremely wealthy.
Gwyneth Paltrow: $350 T-Shirt
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website Goop often features products the star can’t live without. In an article showcasing her favorite T-shirts, the actress highlighted a $350 jersey top that “has the spirit of a T-shirt, but it’s fancy enough to wear to a dinner party.” The shirt's final sale was set at $105 prior to it being sold-out on Goop, so the price was slightly less outrageous but still more than the average person might spend on a T-shirt.
65 Splurges of the Filthy Rich
Would you pay $2,000 for a manicure or $17,000 for a mattress?
By Morgan Quinn April 6, 2021 Build Your Wealth
Everyone has fantasized about living the celebrity life. From expensive vacations to lavish homes and vehicles, you can probably think of numerous ways to spend your hypothetical riches. However, some celebrity purchases are a little less traditional. From dental decorations to doggie mansions, you have to see what it costs to live like the extremely wealthy.
Gwyneth Paltrow: $350 T-Shirt
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website Goop often features products the star can’t live without. In an article showcasing her favorite T-shirts, the actress highlighted a $350 jersey top that “has the spirit of a T-shirt, but it’s fancy enough to wear to a dinner party.” The shirt's final sale was set at $105 prior to it being sold-out on Goop, so the price was slightly less outrageous but still more than the average person might spend on a T-shirt.
Chrissy Teigen: $370 Stretch Mark Serum
When Chrissy Teigen was pregnant with her first child, she went to great lengths to prevent stretch marks on her belly, which included frequent applications of a special serum that costs $370 an ounce. “La Mer The Concentrate saved my life. I’m constantly 25 minutes late to everything because my lotion regimen is that long. I put it everywhere,” Teigen told Allure.
Oprah: $399.99 Hair Dryer
Oprah's philanthropy efforts get a ton of attention, but it's her annual “favorite things” list that people wait for all year, many of which aren’t cheap. So it’s no surprise she favors a $399.99 hair dryer. “This Dyson hair dryer — with its speedy airflow, heat control for minimal damage, quiet motor and three magnetic attachments — gets the job done super fast and is worth every penny,” she said on her website.
Kim Kardashian West: $595 Slide Sandals
The hot summer months usually call for flip-flops, unless you’re a super-rich celebrity. With Kim Kardashian West’s net worth, there’s no way she buys bargain sandals. In July 2016, Kardashian West was seen strolling about Los Angeles in a pair of $595 Givenchy mink fur and rubber slides, featuring dyed mink from Finland and a rubber sole for comfort.
Shaquille O’Neal: $1,000 a Week on Apps
Basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal might just have an app for everything. “I honestly spend about $1,000 on apps a week — real money,” Shaq told The Wall Street Journal. Still, that’s pennies to the former Los Angeles Lakers great, who’s worth a whole lot more now thanks to his successful business ventures off the court.
Jennifer Lopez: $1,235 Overalls
Jennifer Lopez might still be "Jenny from the block," but her shopping habits have likely changed since she was living in the South Bronx. The singer-slash-actress was spotted in September 2019 wearing white overalls that looked simple but came with a hefty price tag. The overalls, designed by Brunello Cucinelli, cost $1,235, Wonderwall reported.
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https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/wealth/splurges-filthy-rich/
A Father, a Daughter and a Dog
A Father, a Daughter and a Dog-
A true story by Catherine Moore
"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?" Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
"I saw the car, Dad . Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts..... dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?
A Father, a Daughter and a Dog-
A true story by Catherine Moore
"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?" Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
"I saw the car, Dad . Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts..... dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.
The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it.. He became irritable when everanyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders.
Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone..
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.
Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick.
We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counselling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
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