This is a post of an eclectic list of some of the most recent best sites/blogs I've visited on the 'net [IMHO], on being a CRAB, and a book I couldn't resist.
First: The Life a CRAB [or two] in photo form:
sand crab
blue crab
What a fun, fascinating children's book that was first published in 1902. The particular edition I bought was republished in 2009, and I found it on the Christmas Book Display Table at Half Price Bookstore here in town. I bought it for two reasons mainly...the subject, SANTA, and the art work! But, once home, I sat down and read the short story. Through the pages, the author [Wizard of OZ author, L. Frank Braum] regales the life and times of Santa Claus. How he was an abandoned [orphaned] human raised by the forest nymphs, gnomes and wizard of the forest. Growing up, creating toys with the help of the forest creatures, giving away his work to make children thrilled, the reindeer---how they flew through the air, the Christmas Tree origins, the stockings hung by the chimney, the tradition of the one night a year giving....and becoming a Saint.
"What will you do?" asked the Queen.
"I will dedicate myself to the children and make them happy...." Claus replied
The Book Cover - Santa [Claus] as a child
The "Reason" of the Christmas Tree & a Royal Princess with a 'dolly' from Santa
Jingle Bells on the Two Front Reindeer & the flying chosen ones!!
Claus working on Toys with helpers & the origin of the Stockings hung by the chimney
...and third: GREAT SITES for a bit of site seeing:
1- The top one I choose 'cause of its wonderful stories. All published by unknowns as far as I know, but if you find yourself wanting to spend a couple hours or so in quiet, this is the place to stop by and read some of the most fascinating, intriguing stories you'll find online!! True stories with a flaired style of novels.
2- This site can bring you to tears with laughter, humor, craziness, or perhaps make you stop and think. Each 'story' [some with photos or videos that'll crack you up] is 22 words or less. i.e. --
the exploding bean bag.
3- If Science and Nature is your 'thing' like I like to experience, then this site is perfect for you. Watch experiments and be awed. For instance a slow motion fire tornado or a galactic light show in an abandoned plane fuselage.
4- This site is like an online Home Improvement show!! Remember Tim "The Toolman" Taylor and his family in the sit-com? Most have the directions for the DIY'ers. I like this concept. Example: A newly modernized coffee table that converts to a laptop table or a TV dinner tray for two. But, there is everything imaginable if you take time to peruse what's offered. You may get inspired to create your own version of something found here.
5- The last one is a bit more than one site, but all are worthy if you've ever been the 'curious one' in the family. Especially interested in the celebrity of actors, sports stars, even one name wonders!! Here are a few to get you started:
Charo [a native Spaniard who came to fame with music, dancing, comedy in the 1970s]
MarÃa Rosario Pilar MartÃnez Molina Moquiere de les Esperades Santa Ana Romanguera y de la Najosa Rasten
Rockport's original crab started out at Del Mar Grill -circa 1957. And the specialty of the house was ...you guessed....crab cakes! The crab was 18 feet wide and 22 feet deep. It survived two hurricanes in the 1960s. When once it was repainted, the crab became a female as the tips of the pincers were painted red. The Grill closed in 1965, the town's chamber of commerce purchased the crab for $200. The crab was moved to Veterans Memorial Park near the harbor. It was used for commercialism and often part of Rockport's parades. Surviving Hurricane Celia in 1970 it afterward deteriorated and was replaced by another. In 2011/2012 an artist constructed a new crab. It now stands along the beach park entrance at the measurements of 25 feet by 27 feet on an oyster shell bedding.
