Place Stamp Here

June 13, 1920

I went to the post office the other day to ship off my latest eBay sale, and the sleepy postal worker behind the counter wanted to know if there was anything liquid, hazardous,  or perishable in the package to be mailed. No, it was just a pair of boots that I'd fit into a flat rate box that somehow ended up costing more than the "flat rate" by the time the questions were through. I have mailed (or had mailed to me) many things over the years. Brownies to my children at camp. My brother mailed a Foster's Lager to me for my sixteenth birthday (much to my parents' chagrin). Pike Place Market in Seattle has sent fresh salmon to me overnight. I have not (to this date) tried to ship my children anywhere, however; and I am not sure how they would qualify under the "liquid, hazardous, or perishable" stipulations.

Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!

June 12, 1987

As World War II ended, Germany was left with four different powers in charge. The United States, the UK, France, and the Soviet Union. The country itself was split by these occupations, as was the city of Berlin. Post-war plans included a path to self-sufficiency on the part of the Germans; however, the Soviets were not interested in complying with this agreement. Stalin's basic idea was to wait it out while the British and the Americans slowly left Germany, which would then leave nothing to stand in the way for communism to take over. 

Over the course of the late 40's and throughout the 50's, the grip on East Berlin tightened. The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was officially formed in 1949, a secret treaty was signed (not so secret once the Soviets gained full control over things) and East Germans began emigrating toward the west. Tens of thousands of East Germans left each year; by 1953 that number reached over 300,000; by 1953 that number reached over 300,000, and by 1961 the total was around 3.5 million.

The Future Presiden'ts Duel

May 30, 1806

Remember the scandal of Seamus, the Irish Setter, during the last presidential election? And Mitt Romney having to defend himself by declaring "My dog likes fresh air?" The whole incident (whether you were appalled at the dog riding on the roof or appalled that anyone was making an issue of it) gives cause to question whether or not some of our nation's early elected presidents would survive today's media.

Andrew Jackson, our nation's 7th president (and first Democratic president), is remembered for many reasons. He joined the local militia at age 13 and moved on from there. With little education, he became a country lawyer in Tennessee. He was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court while maintaining multiple careers. Jackson served as major general of the Tennessee militia and is well known for his service against the British in the War of 1812, particularly for his victory during the Battle of New Orleans.

The Chestertown Tea Party

May 23, 1774

During the mid-1700's, tensions were running high between the British and Americans. In London, Parliament had issued a whole new set of taxes (called the The Townshend Acts) on goods that were bound for American shores. Things like molasses, paper, paint, glass, and tea could not be unloaded from the ships without a significant amount of money in return. 

Three Cheers for an Adventure

May 21, 1804

Lewis and Clark set out from St. Charles, Missouri as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, sent by President Thomas Jefferson to establish an American presence in the newly acquired territory of the Louisiana Purchase. Captain Lewis and his crew were to find a route to the Pacific Ocean on their journey, and were tasked with creating maps of the country along the way.

Rockefeller and Trail Dog Chicken Curry

The first American worth more than one billion dollars would appreciate the "Best Soup of 2014." In fact, he'd probably sell it and increase his net worth.

The characteristics of an entrepreneur and those of a chef creating an eclectic, delectable new dish really are quite similar. If Mr. Rockefeller were here, he'd tell you. Never mind that his father was a con man who had extramarital affairs, nor that his father's idea of raising a son was to "cheat him every chance he got..that'll make 'em sharp."

In fact, the richest man in history probably became that way because of the way he was raised. He was a risk-taker, a man who understood how to put the right combinations together to create success, and the number one rule for entrepreneurs..."Do what you enjoy."