Blog Photos, Sharing, and a Plea

I have recently come across a couple of my photos on Tumblr and Pinterest.  I realize that by putting these photos in public view, they are bound to get snagged or shared with others. Part of me is happy that people enjoy the photos enough to share them. I've done my fair share of saving photos that I enjoy. What I do ask, though, is that credit be given. I am trying my best to increase my readers. If photos are being shown on other sites, without linking back to this blog, my chances of getting more readers lessens. Also, many of the vintage fashions I put on this blog I have scanned from magazines I own.  I have learned a lesson, though. I will start watermarking my images.

Two of the images I have seen recently are:

If you happen to see these images (or any others) floating around in your internet travels, it would be great if you could tag it, write in comments, or email the person to credit this blog.

One thing I don't appreciate, though, is stealing my banners. I just came across another blog that had the picture from my Tumblr banner. Now I am forced to create a new banner. That just isn't cool. If other images on this site want to be used, I give permission to use my images, as long as it is credited to this blog. But, stealing my banners is not accepted. Thank you.

How to Sparkle

Personality is that indescribable something that sets you off as a person.  It is hard to explain but easy to recognize.  You yourself know what it is when you say, "Gee, that Jane Smith, she sure has a personality."  What you are saying is that Jane sparkles, she's alive, she's way out of her shell, in fact, there's no shell there at all.

sosehichdas

Jane is the kind of person people like to talk to, boys as well as girls.  She warms up to everybody and she is interested in whatever they have to say.  She will discuss with equal enthusiasm last night's date or tomorrow's homework.  But, at the same time, Jane will never pry into your personal affairs.  She will not question you about this or that unless you ask her opinion.  Jane is careful about what she says because she has learned that nasty words have a way of coming back like boomerangs.  She may not like the smart aleck in math class (the one who always knows all the answers) any better than you do, but she keeps quiet about it.  There may be a time, she knows, when that very smart aleck might be the only boy in the stag line.

hollywoodplace

Blackball is a nasty word. When you say it it even tastes bad on the tongue.  So, it's a pity then that too many of us think that it's the thing to do.  Without so much as a thought, one girl will rule another out of her club because she doesn't like the way she wears her hair or because she speaks with an accent.  Jane, on the other hand, never bases her opinions on a girl's mannerisms or her family's car.  Jane decides on the basis of fairness.  Jane judges a girl on the girl's own merits.

petkenro

She does not tie herself down to the narrow circle of her really close friends; she is a big enough person to know how to be pleasant to everybody, to say, "Hi," smile and go on.

vintagephoto

One of the most important aspects of Jane's personality is that her personality is all hers.  It is not borrowed from a movie star, from a local college queen or from her mother.  Jane is all Jane.  Her personality is her own. And just as Jane's personality is all her own, so is her appearance.  She does not try to pattern her looks after someone else, no matter how beautiful the other person may be.  Jane looks like herself. She has individuality.  Jane's individuality makes her memorable.  

it's better than bad

Betty Cornell's Glamour Guide for Teens - 1958

It happened one afternoon

While on a crowded bus today, a gentleman reached his hand out to me to guide me through the sea of people to an empty seat. I had been told that chivalry was dead, but I am happy that there is still some life in it. It always feels nice when someone makes a kind gesture. I don't think it should just be a guy girl thing either (Though to be honest, I do expect this more from men). I think that these types of gestures are nice for anyone, but especially for older ones. There used to be an unwritten code that an older person or lady was let off the elevator before a gentleman. But, sadly, those that do these things are a rare breed. Very often I see perfectly healthy young people take up the front seats on a bus, which isn't bad in itself. But, when a disabled or older person gets on, rarely do these people get up. Yet, that is what those seats are reserved for. There have been countless book written on the topic of etiquette. Most of which is outdated, but it's these little acts of kindnesses that never go out of style. These things take only a second, but have a lasting impact on the person's day.

So, gentleman, open a door for a lady. Let the older person (or lady) off the elevator first. Help someone struggling with their heavy packages. Don't worry. Most of us won't get offended, and won't think you're flirting. But, you just may help us end our bad day with a smile.

Dos and Don'ts still applicable today:

* Gentlemen should open doors for ladies.   Please actually hold the door for the lady, instead of merely flinging it open and running through, leaving her to sprint through before it slams. Open the door and step to the side while the lady passes through (perhaps saying, "After you," if she hesitates). At this point, the lady should politely thank the gentleman. He then says, "You're welcome," and, when she is through the door, goes through it himself. (10 Rules of Chivalry Every Guy Should Know)

* Ladies precede gentlemen through every door except revolving doors.    Gentlemen , if you encounter a revolving door when you are walking with a lady , you should enter it first so that you may push the door. (Of course, you should not push it too fast, so that the lady has to leap like a gazelle to enter the revolving door you've set spinning out of control.)

* It is very nice for a gentleman to help a lady into her coat.   Just stand behind her and hold the coat by the shoulders while she puts her arms into it. There is no need, however, for you to button it up for her, or help her on with her mittens.

* In a bar, if there is no table service, it's nice for the gentleman to fetch the drinks.

*  When you are taking seats at a theater, concert hall, movie theater, church, lecture hall, etc., the lady precedes the gentleman into the row of seats.   In a restaurant, when the maitre d' is leading you to your table, the lady precedes the gentleman.

* Offer her your hand.    It is a gentlemanly gesture to help your lady make it successfully through rough terrain, or up and down steps or hills, especially if you notice her wearing stilettos. (How to Treat a Lady)

* Show her that you care.    Ask how she is doing, how work went, how she feels and what she is thinking about. Take her feelings into consideration. If she had a hard day at work, suggesting to go to the ice hockey game may not be in your best interest. Instead, offer to bring in take-out and watch a movie at home together.

*  Carry her bags.    At the airport, don't let her struggle with luggage that is twice her size. Instead, lend a helping hand and see her to her car or to the airport bag check area. Or, if you see a lady struggling with grocery bags in the parking lot, offer to carry them for her.

* Never expect anything in return for being chivalrous.    A true gentleman treats a lady properly out of his own generosity.

* A self-sufficient woman may offer to pay for you when you go out.    While some men find this startling, the modern day woman enjoys being able to treat guys from time to time. Accept her offer to pay once in a while if she insists.

Note of caution:   Some women might find it offensive for men to constantly display acts of chivalry, such as holding doors open. After a while, a woman may feel inclined to tell the man that she is perfectly capable of holding her own doors. Be careful that you do not overdo your social etiquette and border on the line of insulting. Gauge your gestures. If a women seems to appreciate your efforts, continue doing them. If she starts to appear impatient with them, hold back on opening the door for her every time.