Phil's Prediction

Groundhog Day is today: February 2. The day each year when we wait for the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil to emerge and provide a forecast for the late winter and early spring ahead. If he sees his shadow, we will get six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we will get an early spring.

According to groundhog.org, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 100 out of 116 times. By 1900, the tradition officially began and we’ve been wondering since then if this lovely creature will see his shadow. Last year, Punxsutawney Phil did a horrible job “forecasting” our pattern when he did see his shadow, thus giving us “six more weeks of winter.” In reality, that never occurred as the contiguous United States had its fourth warmest winter on record. In fact, February 2012 provided the contiguous U.S. widespread warmer-than-average temperatures with twenty-seven states in the Northern Plains, Midwest, Southeast and Northeast having winter temperatures ranked among their ten warmest.

Punxsutawney Phil has had a 39% accuracy rate regarding his early spring/late winter forecasts. Phil has seen his shadow nearly 87% of the time, so the odds are for six more weeks of winter. However, cloudy and snowy conditions will occur on this day, which could increase the chances for Phil to not see his shadow and bring us an early spring.

Today, Phil told us there are another 6 weeks of winter before spring comes.

The Movie:

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story by Rubin.

Murray plays Phil Connors, an arrogant and egocentric Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during a hated assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again. After indulging in hedonism and numerous suicide attempts, he begins to re-examine his life and priorities.

In 2006, the film was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

It is a very nice movie to watch. Do we want to re-live the same day to fix regret moment or happily welcome another new day with so many unknowns? IF, you can choose, do you want another chance to re-live your childhood, or high school, or college, or your early work life, or marriage? The movie triggers much imagination for us. Just dream it :-)))

Plot:

Self-centered TV meteorologist Phil Connors (Murray), news producer Rita (MacDowell), and cameraman Larry (Elliott), of Pittsburgh television station WPBH-TV9, travel to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 1st. Their assignment is to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2nd. Phil, who doesn't like the assignment or the town, grudgingly gives his report on the festivities. He then gets his team on the road back to Pittsburgh, but a blizzard shuts down all travel. The team is forced to return to town and stay another night.

Phil wakes up to find that he is reliving February 2. The day plays out exactly as it did before, with no one else aware of the time loop, and only Phil aware of past events. At first he is confused, but, when the phenomenon continues on subsequent days, he decides to take advantage of the situation with no fear of long-term consequences: he learns secrets from the town's residents, seduces women, steals money, drives recklessly, and gets thrown in jail. However, his attempts to get closer to Rita repeatedly fail.

Eventually, Phil becomes despondent and tries more and more drastically to end the time loop; he gives ridiculous and offensive reports on the festival, abuses residents, eventually kidnaps Punxsutawney Phil and, after a police chase, drives off a high overlook into a quarry, evidently killing both himself and the groundhog. However, Phil wakes up and finds that nothing has changed; further attempts at suicide are just as fruitless, as he continues to find himself waking at six o'clock on the morning of February 2 with the clock radio on his nightstand playing "I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher.

When Phil explains the situation to Rita, she suggests that he should take advantage of it to improve himself. Inspired, Phil endeavors to try to learn more about Rita, building upon his knowledge of her and the town each day. He begins to use his by-now vast experience of the day to help as many people around town as possible. He uses the time to learn, among other things, to play piano, sculpt ice, and speak French.

Eventually, Phil is able to befriend almost everyone he meets during the day, using his experiences to save lives, help townspeople, and to get closer to Rita. He crafts a report on the Groundhog Day celebration so eloquent that all the other stations turn their microphones to him. After the town's evening dance on February 2nd, Rita "buys" Phil at at the event's auction. They retire together to Phil's room. He wakes the next morning and finds the time loop is broken; it is now February 3 and Rita is still with him. After going outside, Phil talks about living in Punxsutawney with Rita.

Home, Sweet Home - (1)

Good Morning

Tea Time

Favorite Balcony

Watch Sunset

Swimming Pool

Meditation

Cooking Heaven

Sunset Dinner

Sweet Dream

MY HOME .....IN DREAM .... :-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

to be continued ......

Hug Day

National Hug Day is an annual holiday created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney. It occurs on January 21 and is officially recognized by the Hugging Committee of the City of London, as well as the United States Copyright Office, but is not a public holiday. The holiday was founded on March 29, 1986 in Caro, Michigan, and has since spread to multiple countries. The purpose for the holiday is to help everyone show more emotion in public. There is only one way you are supposed to celebrate the holiday, offer a hug to anyone and everyone you want. While National Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign share many similarities, there is not actual association between the two. Whether you hug a family member or a stranger, the mental and physical health benefits are the same.

Studies have shown that human contact has many health benefits. It has been found that human contact improves both psychological and physical development. Hugging can also help build a good immune system, decrease the risk of heart disease, and decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol in women. It has been shown that a couple who hugs for 20 seconds has higher levels of oxytocin, and that those who were in a loving relationship exhibited a highest increase. According to the American Psychosomatic Society, a hug or 10 minutes of holding hands with a romantic partner can help reduce stress, and its harmful physical effects. In a study, adults who had no contact with people had higher blood pressure and heart rate. Other studies have indicated that the touch of a friend might not be as helpful as the touch of a partner.

Do you need a hug? Have you hug anyone today? :-))))))))))))))

Sophie: As I Lay Me Down

"As I Lay Me Down" is a song composed and performed by Sophie B. Hawkins (born November 1, 1967, an American singer, songwriter, musician and painter). It is from her album Whaler and also appears on The Best of Sophie B. Hawkins. The song is one of her two biggest hits, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult Contemporary chart for six weeks during its year of release, 1995. Lovely. Merci :-)))))))

Gentle Heart

Giovanni Marradi (born Italy, 1952) is a pianist, composer and arranger. He was born as the son of the famed Italian trumpeter and conductor Alfredo Marradi. His great-grandfather, also named Giovanni Marradi, was a legendary poet and composer as well.

Giovanni began playing piano at age five, and three years later was sent to study composition and technique with Michael Cheskinov at the Russian Conservatory. In the years to follow, he emerged as a remarkably prolific composer, often writing as many as ten new songs each week. Forming his own label, NewCastle Records, he also hosted his own weekly television series, Giovanni's World of Music. His frequent appearances on cable's QVC network offered a major boost to his international visibility as well, and in one 12-minute stretch alone he sold over 120,000 albums. In 1998 Giovanni signed with Atlantic Records, making his label debut with Destiny early the following year. Classic Nights with Giovanni television series was released in the mid-1999, trailed later that same year by The Magic of Christmas DVD. To date, Giovanni has sold millions of cds around the world and currently has over 30 CDs available directly through his website. Giovanni will soon release his latest CDs, "Because I Love You" and "Softly". He is currently composing, recording and performing and lives in Southern California.


Gentle Heart



Land of dreams



Just For You

Beautiful Dreamer

Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864), known as the "father of American music", was an American songwriter primarily known for his parlour and minstrel music. Foster wrote over 200 songs; among his best known are "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home", "My Old Kentucky Home", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Old Black Joe", "Massa's in the Cold Ground", "Nelly Bly", "Old Uncle Ned" and "Beautiful Dreamer". Many of his compositions remain popular more than 150 years after he wrote them.

Foster attended private academies in Allegheny, Athens and Towanda, Pennsylvania. He received an education in English grammar, diction, the classics, penmanship, Latin and Greek, and mathematics. He wrote his first composition, Tioga Waltz, while attending Athens Academy, and performed it during the 1841 commencement exercises; he was 14.

Jeanie

During his teenage years, Foster was influenced greatly by two men. Henry Kleber (1816–1897), one of Stephen’s few formal music instructors, was a classically trained musician who emigrated from Darmstadt, Germany, to Pittsburgh and opened a music store. Dan Rice was an entertainer, a clown and blackface singer, making his living in traveling circuses. Although respectful of the more civilized parlor songs of the day, he and his friends would often sit at a piano, writing and singing minstrel songs through the night. Eventually, Foster learned to blend the two genres to write some of his best-known work.

Eighteen of Foster's compositions were recorded and released on the Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster collection. Among the artists who are featured on the album are John Prine, Ron Sexsmith, Alison Krauss, Yo Yo Ma, Roger McGuinn, Mavis Staples, and Suzy Bogguss. The album won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2005.

Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair is a parlor song by Stephen Foster. It was published by Firth, Pond & Co. of New York in 1854. Foster wrote the song with his wife Jane McDowell in mind.




Beautiful Dreamer is another parlor song by Stephen Foster. It was published in March 1864 by Wm. A. Pond & Co. of New York, after his death at 37.

The song is set in a 9/8 rhythm with a broken chord accompaniment.The song tells of a lover serenading a "Beautiful Dreamer", who is oblivious to all worldly cares and may actually be dead. Foster's work features many dead young women including Annie, Laura Lee, and Jeanie.Helen Lightner writes, "This sentimental ballad is folk-like in character with its repetitious but lovely melody and its basic harmonic accompaniment… The quiet and calm of this mood is portrayed by the monotony of the arpeggiated accompaniment, by the repetitiveness of the melodic pattern, and by the strophic form itself."

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea
Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelie;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Tango with Armik

Armik (born Armik Dashchi) is an Iranian-Armenian flamenco guitarist and composer.

Tango Flamenco



Alone With You

Feel Omar Akram

Passage of the heart



Whispers In The Moonlight



Run away with me

Beloved Teddy

Steiff is a German-based plush toy company known for its high quality. It was begun in 1880 by Margarete Steiff, who was later assisted by her brother Fritz. The famed "button in ear" was devised by Margarete's nephew Franz in 1904, to keep counterfeits from being passed off as authentic Steiff toys. It is metal and originally had the symbol of an elephant, later replaced by the name "Steiff". The button is still used to distinguish Steiff toys from fakes. Some special toys have both the elephant and the name.

Birth of Teddy Bear - 1902

On 24 July 1847, Margarete was born in Giengen, near Ulm, Germany, the third of four children. Her father was a master builder, Friedrich Steiff, her mother Maria Margarete Steiff, née Hähnle. When Margarete was 18 months old, she suffered a high fever and as a result her legs became paralysed and it was painful to use her right arm. Three years later, a doctor in Ulm diagnosed her with polio. Many attempted cures and doctor visits were all in vain and her parents begin to despair.

Full of zest for life, Margarete fought to lead a normal life. She was taken to school in a handcart by her siblings and neighbouring children. A woman living near the school carried her up into the classroom every day. In spite of the pain in her right hand, Margarete also took sewing lessons, initially against her father's wishes. At 17, she finally completed her training as a seamstress. Margarete's elder sisters - Marie and Pauline - opened a dressmaker's shop in which Margarete worked part-time. When Marie and Pauline left their home town some 8 years later, Margarete continued on her own. In an issue of a magazine called "Modenwelt" dated 8th December, Margarete saw a pattern for a small elephant made of fabric. Based on this design, she sewed a pincushion shaped like a small elephant, the "Elefäntle". Soon the small fabric animals proved to be very popular - as toys for children.

Margarete's brother Fritz built his disabled sister a house with a suitably equipped living area on the first floor and a small shop on the ground floor. The house was named "Felt Toy Manufacturing Facility" (Filz-Spielwaren-Fabrik). Today, the street in which this house is found is called "Margarete-Steiff-Strasse".

In 1897, Richard Steiff, Margarete's favourite nephew, joined the company. Richard studied at the School of Art in Stuttgart as well as studying in England. His sketches of animals form the basis of many Steiff creations

In 1902, Richard designed "Bear 55 PB", the world's first toy bear with jointed arms and legs. While looking for a suitable material for the fur, Richard found the cuddly and dyeable mohair plush, manufactured by the Schulte pile-fabric weaving mill in Duisburg.

Margarete herself was rather sceptical, but allowed Richard to present his bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair. The breakthrough came when an American businessman discovered the bear and placed an order for 3,000. The bear enjoyed unprecedented levels of sales in the USA, where, from 1906 onwards, it is sold under the name "Teddy bear" - after the US President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.

The Steiff Button & Chest Tags

Steiff "Button in Ear" symbolizes the fascinating development of a trademark that has become a symbol of ultimate quality for toys. 

This trademark stands for
  high-quality products
  good design
  perfect workmanship
  maximum emotional intensity
  personality
  brand prestige / image
  increase in value, equally valuable as a toy, a gift or an ornament
  suitable for children
  compliance with the most stringent safety requirements

The term "Button in Ear" was registered as a trademark on 20th December 1904 and patented on 13th May 1905. The "Button in Ear" was then supplemented by a fabric tag with the product number printed on it in 1908/09.

A trademark allows us to identify the origin of an article. Although only slight changes have been made to the button over the years, these were sufficient to offer today's Steiff animal collectors a means of determining the approximate date of a particular animal's manufacture.

Note: Blank Buttons are used for SECONDS (like clothing seconds that have the label cut) rejected in the Quality Control Program. These can be found on the market so be careful and demand only The Best as seconds will not retain value.

Note: The exact date of an item cannot be determined with the reference to the button alone, as the various techniques overlapped. This means, for example, that older buttons were fitted while others were being produced. The quoted dates must therefore be used as orientation aids and may not be regarded as being an absolute means of ascertaining the age of an article.

In 1926, pendants, made of card, were also tied round the neck of all products. These changed in appearance over the years.


Steiff Ginny Teddy Bears (~$200)

Expensive Bear

1. Price : $2.1 Million

This is the world’s most expensive teddy bear ever sold at any auction. This was manufactured by a well-known German toy company Steiff. The company claims to have made the world’s first teddy bear. The company has made this bear with the brand name of the famous fashion house Louis Vuitton. This teddy bear was sold at the Monaco auction in the year 2000 at the most hefty price ever bet for a toy, which was $21, 00,000. Jessie Kim of Korea bought this Steiff bear, and now this bear is housed at Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju, Korea.


2. Price: $84,000

This Steiff bear has a mouth of pure gold and its fur is made of golden threads. This golden bear was made to commemorate the company’s 125th anniversary. The best feature of the bear is the eyes that have been crafted from sapphires and diamonds. These bears are limited in numbers as only 125 of the collectables have been produced and each retails at $84,000.



3. Price: $ 30,000

Another asset from the Paul Greenwood collection is this Steiff teddy that was expected to fetch around $50,000 at Christie’s International in London but got around $30,000. The bear was produced in 1910 and wore a brown fur jacket with a lace to tie both the ends.


4. Price: $2,080

Few years back, the iconic Karl Lagerfeld collaborated with the well-known toy making company Steiff to make a Karl Lagerfeld Steiff Teddy Bear for the latter’s 125th anniversary. The collaboration came up with a limited number of teddy bear i.e. only 2500 pieces. This teddy bear was wearing the famous black suit and sunglasses, quiet similar to what the star himself wears. The teddy also adorned the famous ear stud that is Karl’s patent style and also studded beld with the initials of the starts name “KL”. The toy was released at Colette with a price tag of $2,080.