New Exciting Product: Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamps & More

I have added a new and exciting product to my eBay Store AnuDirection. All natural, therapeutic Himalayan Salt Crystal lamps. The salt working with the heat of the light bulb give off negative ions that are a natural air purifier. Cleansing the air can help those that have allergies or other symptoms that are related to the air in you environment. The lamps are made for this all natural material color, weight and size may vary.

These lamps are an example of over 16 different lamps that I have to offer in the lamp category of my eBay Store AnuDirection.

Other products that I carry that are made from this all natural material is candle holders. You can find over 13 different and unique shapes of candle holders in my eBay Store AnuDirection under the "Whimsical and Unique Candle holder category.

I also carry some unique homeopathic all natural products that are made from Himalayan salt. You can find these products in my eBay Store AnuDirection under the "Bed and Bath category.

All natural Himalayan salt has curative and homeopathic qualities

All natural Himalayan salt can also be used in the kitchen. You might want to check out these useful products.

You can find these products and other useful items in my "Kitchen" category of my eBay Store AnuDirection.

Thanks for looking

Dale and Duane's Road Trip To Gallop New Mexico

"The First American Picker"

In previous posts I have mentioned that I met a new friend, Dale Gorder. The handsome young man is in the photo above. As you can see Dale is an antique "picker". No he did not take the name from the History Channels popular show" American Pickers". Dale began "picking" well before Mike and Frank ever came onto the scene. In fact Dale claims that Mike and Frank were still poopin' their pants when he first started picking antiques. Dale chose the name "First American Pickers" because he specializes in and has extensive knowledge of Native American jewelry, blankets, and pottery. I first met Dale at the Indoor Flea Market, here in Albuquerque, where he has a booth. Dale and I kinda hit it off when we first met. It may have been because we are of similar age, have similar interests, have hairy faces, have the same initials (DG) or perhaps we are just two old, fat, white men made of the same mold. When Dale called me the other day and asked if I wanted to go to Gallup, New Mexico with him I was rarin' to go.

Gallup, New Mexico is about a 2 1/2 to three hour drive west of Albuquerque on highway 40. This highway will eventually lead you into Phoenix, Arizona. The topography is volcanic desert covered with sage brush, prairie grass and juniper trees. There are high plateaus and red rock formations along the way.

This area of New Mexico has a large Native American population that includes many talented jewelry makers and artisans. This area provides Dale with a good source of turquoise jewelry, antique jewelry, other antiques, and vintage items that he sells on the Internet and in his booth.

Our first stop was in Milan, New Mexico to see Sharon and Richard owners and operators of Frontier Trading Post.

Sharon and Richard specialize in local Native American jewelry, blankets, crafts and craft related supplies. They have been doing business in Milan for over 20 years. Dale started buying from Frontier Pawn when Sharon's dad first opened the business. Sharon and Richard are easy goin', gracious, and lookin' to do some business. If you are swingin' through Milan stop by and tell 'em howdy. Sharon and Richard have been in the business for a long time and are looking to sell and move on to greener pastures. Any readers out there that are looking for a viable business and they want to live a simpler life contact them. I am sure that they would love to talk to you. Of course with any small business person "money talks and the bovine byproducts walk." Dale made some select purchases and we headed out the door on our way to Gallup. It was a pleasure meeting Sharon and Richard and I hope that I have the opportunity to meet them again. Happy Trails to Sharon and Richard.

Downtown Gallup

Dale and I arrive in Gallup about noon. Of course for two old fat white men noon means lunch. So we venture on over to Don Diego's. A well known traditional Mexican restaurant in downtown Gallup. If you ever are traveling through Gallup stop by Don Diego's and give it a try. Tell 'em I sent you, give them $10.00 and you can have most anything you want on their menu. One reason Dale wanted to go to Gallup is that he had an appointment with an individual that had some "stuff" that he wanted to sell. Gallup is also a good source of Native jewelry for Dale. While we were at the restaurant Dale gave his client a call and invited him to have a little lunch with us. One thing that I enjoy when I venture out from the confines of my abode is getting the chance to meet interesting people or if you wish "characters". I got that opportunity when I met Dale's client. Jack Tixer (pronounced Touche) was every bit the character that I am referring to. I don't have a problem creating conversation with strangers and since Jack was having lunch with us I took the opportunity to find out what his story was. Jack informed me that he is a "street lawyer". Now I have heard a lot of words preceding "lawyer" but it has never been "street".  Jack had knowledge of how the "system" works and helps those that can't help themselves maneuver through that system. At no charge of course. Jack made lunch conversation interesting and when we were though we all ventured out to Jack's place to look at the "stuff" that her had.

Jack

As we found out Jack had a lot of "stuff" but not a whole lot that Dale or I were interested in. If you are an old car buff or restorer Jack had a ton of old car parts. But Jack was an interesting guy. Come to find out Jack claims to have been "abducted" by aliens. Not the illegal aliens but UFO type aliens. This is New Mexico ya know. I asked Jack if he had been "probed" and he confirmed that he had.

Jacks 160 MPH bus.

I could not end my story about Jack Tixer (pronounced Touche) without telling you about his bus. I forgot to ask him what year the bus is but you can see he has altered the front end, added a big honkin' diesel engine and chopped ten inches from the top of the bus. Jack plans to take this bus to the Bonneville Salt Flats and set a speed record (for a bus) of 160 mph. Jack is a kind and  interesting gentleman. I hope that I have the opportunity to meet Jack again. Dale purchased a handful of items. We loaded up, scrapped the mud from our shoes and ventured on to our next adventure.

Our next stop was to visit Kathy at her recently opened "Hidden Treasures & More" store. Kathy and her crew were very friendly Gallup folk. Dale and I "rooted" around in that store for over an hour. Dale was buyin' up a storm. I found this really cool clock.

I have this clock listed in my eBay Store AnuDirection. The clock is from the 1960's and still works. From my research Westco was and still is a bakery products distributor. Westco is now a part of BakeMark Corp.

Another great item that I was able to snag before Dale found it was this great Canada Dry Spur Cola metal sign. This sign and many more interesting items are listed in my eBay Store AnuDirection. Spur cola, which I had never heard of, was distributed by Canada Dry back in the 1950's. The sign would make a fine addition to any one's soda sign collection.

We left Kathy and ventured on over to Northside New & Used "stuff" store. Dale was able to discover a few items of interest. We then left for greener pastures well in the case of Gallup other pastures because there is not a whole lot of green anywhere in this part of New Mexico.

Dale wanted to stop at some pawn shops that he had discovered in previous trips. Unfortunately the batteries in my camera had ran out so I can't provide you pictorial evidence of this portion of our trip. We stopped a a local feed store that had a pawn section. Yes, you read it right a farm feed and seed store with a pawn section. The current economic times that we live in today have forced small businesses to diversify in order to keep their doors open. We finished at the feed store and drove over to "Ted's Pawn and Chain Saw Repair" store (see what I mean about diversification).

We left Ted's and went to "Andy's Pawn>" This is where I was disappointed that my camera was not working. Andy's (Andy is no longer running the business but his son Bill is) is a well represented, professional, and intriguing pawn store. Dale and I were there for a couple of hours. Dale was able to find a treasure trove of the type of jewelry that he hunts for.

The interesting part was when it came to negotiating the final price. Between Bill and Dale if bull shit was worth anything they both would be billionaires. The rhetoric was flying , the bantering was intense, and dollar bills were flowing. It was the irresistible force against the immovable object for a time. But in the end Dale wanted a good deal and Bill wanted Dale's money. Like two sane businessmen they reached a price that everybody was happy with. Besides that we were well passed closing time and Bill's crew was ready to go home.

We left Andy's and started the three hour drive back to Albuquerque. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The one thing for me is getting out and meeting different and interesting people. Everybody has a story. Of course I like to find cool stuff also. I am looking forward to Dale and Duane's next adventure. Next time I will take additional batteries for my camera.

Until Next Time

Happy Trails

Duane



The Ol' Fart Is Gettin' His Edumacation At The University of Phoenix

I continue on at the University of Phoenix. We just finished up PSY/211. Like they say it is all "pissalogical". I am not much of a fan of therapy, psychoanalysis and trying to figure out why I am the way I am. Like Popeye says: I ams whos I ams". In my opinion Freud was a nut case fixated on sexual deviations. I bet the guy did it with his clothes on and called out for his mama when he got excited. Well that is my opinion but I am stickin' to it.

What I went away with from this class was increased knowledge of how to create power point presentations. I am gettin' pretty tricky with this medium. My power points now include animation, transitions, audio and soon to include video. Hey you say big deal. Well when you are 61 and have never been exposed to the creation of a power point it is a big deal. Besides my degree is in Internet Information, Multi Media and Visual Communications. So there. I don't know what the hell I going to do with my degree perhaps I will teach other ol' farts how to make power point presentations.

I and what is left of my classmates all got through the class. I am sure that I will continue with my 3.87 GPA average. This group of folk have been dwindling down. I think that we have lost four pupils here this last week for various reasons. With the University of Phoenix and their system you can only miss one class in a five week period.  If you miss more than that you are automatically dropped. I mean it is twenty hours out of a month so unless you are on your deathbed there are not to many valid excuses.

I have in past posts talked about my learning team. Learning Team E. The team was (the key word is was) comprised of four individuals. The team had to give one member the "boot" this last class. It was unfortunate but when the team depends on each other for a grade then all peoples must communicate and participate unless the rest of the team is notified so we can make adjustments. So that was a stressful situation but it had to be done. I will say that the team handled it in a very professional manner.

This class was enjoyable with a informed, engaging instructor. Ms. Lebens, is just a wisp of gal, from Scandahovian heritage, and a Minny Sota accent. Yah Hey. Kinda cute too. But at 61 (me not her) they all are kinda cute in their own way. 

I move on to a composition class where the final is going to be an essay. I think I might just give the teach a link to this blog and say "there ya go sweetie" (yes another female instructor). I don't call them sweetie in class.

Thanks for reading my rambliings........Solidarity to those workers in Wisconsin

Until We Meet Again

Happy Trails

Duane

The Ol' Farts Gettin' His Edumacation The Learning Team Experience Part 2

Well some of you have surmised that at 61 years of age I went back to college. I say went back or I should say started college because I never went to college in the first place. By the time that I had graduated from Coquille High (Coquille, Oregon) in 1967 I was a licensed journeyman meat cutter. Having entered into the Meat Cutters Union when I was a junior and completed the two year apprentice shortly after I had graduated. Back in 1967, in our country, you could leave high school and go to work making a fairly decent wage. If I remember correctly gasoline was 25 cents a gallon, a loaf of bread was 30 cents or less (can you believe how much bread costs today) and ground beef was 39 cents a pound. Things have certainly changed, and not necessarily for the better, in our country today. So I had no intention to go to college which in today's economy it may have not made much of a difference anyway. There are college graduates with Masters Degrees that are unemployed today.

So with that being said I am now enrolled at the University of Phoenix here in Albuquerque. If you are unaware of the UoP's format we attend class once a week for four hours and each course is for five weeks. Students at the UoP go all year round with a two week break during the holidays. With that format you can obtain your bachelor's degree in 3 1/2 years instead of the normal four years at a regular University. This requires you to do most all of your assignments and homework on-line. You are also assigned a "team" that you do team assignments with. The UoP is trying to get future corporate workers to be able to assimilate into the work force and the corporate team concept. At 61 years of age I really buy into that program.....not. This takes me to my team. Learning Team "E".

Learning Team E (the E is supposed to stand for Excellence) is comprised of an unemployed bank manager,  an Iraqi Vet struggling with severe PTSD,  a widowed mother of two grade school kids and me a crusty ol' fart that demands excellence. So three guys and a gal. All learning teams at the UoP are required to submit a team charter. Team E's charter is comprehensive including language that identifies the responsibilities of each member of the team to the other members. The UoP is attempting, here again, to assimilate future corporate employees into the realm of the corporate world by requiring them to come up with a charter. Well charters are all well and good but at this level of our academic careers as bought as worthless as "tits on a boar hog". You can encourage excellence, you can demand responsibility, and you can describe consequences if there is not compliance but if a team member does not want to follow the guidelines of the charter there really are not a lot of avenues to take to resolve any issues.

So with that being said I take you to last week (Jan. 26th - Feb 1st). The team was to make a team power point presentation on Tuesday evening on Feb. 1st. I guess I should tell you that the class is psychology/211. the presentation is to be based on Adult Social Development which I find interesting because of the events that transpired. My initial duties were to find an article in the UoP library (no books everything is PDF files on line) related to the subject that we were to present. The article I found was basically about the reciprocity of negative affects between parent and child and how that can affect the child's early adulthood (yawn). It is my opinion that Psychologists like to pin labels on individuals particularly children. We are extroverts, introverts, interpersonal, intrapersonal, popular, rejected......and all of the rest of the clinical terms that the so called experts like to pin on us. I guess it is a good thing otherwise the unemployment numbers would be higher. The team was going to use that information but illustrate how bad people can be raised in good families and how bad family situations can produce successful people. Everything is going well except that one team member has decided to go A.W.O.L. on us. There has been limited communication and input from this member and you must keep in mind that this is a "team effort" and graded accordingly. The class is on Tuesday evening and we finally get a email that the member in question will have her portion of the power point with her when she gets to class that evening. Just a little to late. So through an act of God we get a pass. The weather front that strangled a major portion of the United States hit New Mexico as well. In Albuquerque 3-4 inches of snow and some cold weather pretty much shuts the whole damn town down. So the Tuesday evening class was canceled and we did not have to make our presentation because of an act of God.

So I fast forward to Saturday February 5th, 2010 where we had a make-up class. Pretty cool of the University of Phoenix where those that did not attend the makeup class get the same credit as those that did. I wonder what brainyack thought that one up? In order to do this the proper way the three participating members of the team had a private conversation with our instructor. At this point, with the team, we are all pretty much done with this non-participating member. It is to bad that the situation had to come to this but there did not seem to be much choice in the matter.

So another saga in the on-going "Edumacation" of the ol' fart at the University of Phoenix. If there are any other "Phoenixers" out there that read this let me know what your experience's have been.

Until We Meet Again

Happy Trails

What Was Goin' On In New Mexico In The 1970's

Or
 "Put Your Clothes Back On Ethel"

As many of you know I sell "stuff" on eBay. Well sometimes you run across some pretty unusual stuff. Before I go any further I must warn you that the pictures are of naked women. This is not pornography but pictures of a nude contest put on by, at that time, a local nudist club. So if you find such material offensive ya better turn away now.

I normally don't sell this type of merchandise but when I came across it I couldn't resist the social and historical value of the history of what was going on in the early 1970's. some of you may remember 'Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll". I vaguely remember...parts of it....and after looking at these "nekked girls" I remember some of those parts also...I still have my memories.

Any way a little background of the event that was held in Corrales, New Mexico. Corrales is a town just north of Albuquerque. Gathering from some brochures and souvenir programs that I acquired this contest was sponsored by the Yucca Naturist Club who claimed that "nudists were everyday people". sure they are they just don't have any clothes on. The organization also promoted that the contest was the "only nude beauty pageant in New Mexico". 

According to a brochure that was part of this collection the Yucca Naturist Club had their own camp ground located at Lava Lakes which was located near Algodones, New Mexico which is about 15 minuted north of Albuquerque. There is no lake at Lava Lakes but the camp was a former commercial trout farm and had several canals for the members to enjoy. This organization was a member of the "American Health Alliance and promoted a family atmosphere. I found interesting when reading the brochure was that the camp was rudimentary with few facilities but had space for travel trailers and camping. Short order meals were available and most importantly "cold showers" I am sure that like many nudists clubs throughout the U.S that the Yucca Naturists Club was a fine organization. I tried to research the club but was unsuccessful  and am unaware if they still exist today. Well enough with this babbling and on with the show.......

Miss Sunbather '71 Contest Official Souvenir Program

My cheap little camera does not the natural beauty of the flora and fawna of New Mexico very well but you get the idea. All of the photos are black and white. The young ladies on stage are all displaying their "assets" for the sake of the good. If you think about it I am sure that today that the ladies are all still very attractive but are more than likely Grandma's. Unless they have discovered the miracles of modern cosmetic surgery things have probably gotten a little less firm and some parts are probably not where they use to be. Damn gravity anyway.

This lovely specimen of gods handiwork (note the big hair popular in the '70's) is Heidemarie Rathke who was the 1970 beauty pageant winner. I did a little research on Heidemarie and discovered that she was a semi-finalist in the 1969 Miss World-USA contest. The information provided in the program also states that Heidemarie was a contestant in The Miss Nude Cosmos pageant held in San Bernardino, California in 1971. so ol" Heidiemarie liked to strut her stuff all over the place.

Calenders, Photos, Souvenir Programs

I acquired these items from an estate. The estate was from the gentleman was a professional photographer and a member of the naturists club. I was able to acquire several copies of the programs, several calendars promoting the pageant and several proof photos of some of the individual contestants. You can go into my eBay store AnuDirection and find listings of these items under category Collectibles Nude Photos

You must be 18 years old to view or have the permission of a parent to view these items. If you are not 18 or you are taking viagra or have a heart condition complications may "arise" from viewing these photos. I am not responsible for any undo slobbering, smacking of lips, or repeating the phrase "will you look at that". consult your medical physician or take a cold shower what ever is the least expensive.

I will have more photos to share with you in a future post. I have on of the adult film star Candy Samples that will "peak" your interest.

Thanks for reading my post and go into my eBay store and buy something.

Remember Valentines Day is jut around the corner and I have a bunch of nice gifts available for you Valentine at very reasonable prices.

Until We Meet Again

Happy Trails





New Arrivals To My eBay Store AnuDirection

New Arrivals to My eBay Store

I have just added a new section to my eBay store "Art Glass Decor". Here are just a few of the many selections

Just Out Of Reach Cat & Birdhouse Spun Glass Figurine

Eloquent Swooping Patriotic American Eagle Glass Figure

Elegant Art Deco Inspired Frosted Glass Flamingo Figure

Fascinating Fairy-Tale Glass Dragon Collectible Figure

Those are just a few of these glass collectibles that are available.

Go to my "on Sale" Page

You will find over 80 different items on sale

Thanks for looking at AnuDirection

Hello: Back From My Break or I Have Been Slackin' Off

Hello. I have been remiss in posting on my blog. In fact I didn't post anything in December and here it is January and this is my first one. Me Bad. I do hope that all had a fine Christmas and a happy new year. My wish for 2011 is that it will be better than 2010 which was pretty bad in a lot of ways. I had a break from my "Edumacation", over the holidays, but returned on January 4th to resume my "learin'" ways. I and my classmates are ending COM/170 in which we will have spent five weeks reviewing sentence structure, adverbs, adjectives, superlatives and so and so forth. The teacher is excellent the subject matter is borrrrrrrrrrring. The next class will be some kind of psychology course. Perhaps that may be of interest. I will see and keep you posted of transpiring events.
  During my down time I have been working diligently on my eBay store AnuDirection. You may want to check it out since I have added many new and exciting projects. The weather in Albuquerque has been very chilly so I have not been able to do any upholstery projects since my work area is unheated and I am getting to the age where I appreciate the creature comforts in life such as heat and being warm when I work.
  Some of you may watch and are entertained by the History Channel's "American Picker" program. The other day I had the opportunity to meet the "First American Picker" who is located right here in Albuquerque. The gentleman's name is Dale Groder and he has been "picking" well before ol' "Mutt and Jeff" ever came along. Dale always has some interesting items and so I have purchased a few items from him that I would like to share with you.



Western Union Resonator With Double Pivot Arm

The hood is attached to a double pivot cast iron arm which was manufactured by the D.C. White Company of Worchester, Mass. There is a patented date of August 1, 1911, stamped on one of the arms. On the inside of the hood is a remnant of a label which states "Railroads are vital to National Defense...Do your part....Keep them rolling. This is an interesting find and the resonator is in remarkable condition. I am pretty sure that it still works if installed correctly.

Antique Western Electric 160AR Oak Box Telephone Ringer

 This antique Western Electric telephone ringer, model 160AR, is equipped to accommodate two incoming lines. I researched this ringer and was not successful in finding any other information about it. The ringer comes equipped with  a "spark killer" "for use on a "fone carrier ckt". This information is on the schematic inside the lid.

Antique Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Oil Dispencing Can

 I was able to determine, on the bottom of the can, stamped "ToSF" So from my research that would indicate Topeka & Santa Fe RR.

Antique Atcheson Topeka & Santa Fe Handlan Coal Oil Can

Made by Handland of St. Louis Mo. USA. The can is stamped AT & SF on the bottom. This black screw top can would make a fine addition to anyone's collection.

These are just a few of the antiques that I purchased from "The First America Picker" I have some more for another post but I need to get them cleaned up first.

That's it for now. My news years resolution is to be more diligent in my postings to my blog.

Until then

Happy Trails

Duane