If you surf the net at all, you've probably seen that goofy picture of the ground squirrel who crashed a couple's vacation photo by popping up in the shot. Turns out the picture is real...not photoshopped as many have suggested. However, if you'd like make your own "squirrelized" photo, you can visit the Squirrelizer website and create your own nutty photo. 
Since I've already covered my thoughts on knitted/crocheted clothing, here's something I've only recently heard of: Amigurumi. If you're new to this Japanese art form, they're simply the most adorable knitted or crocheted dolls you've ever seen. Okay, you say, but that's old news. I've owned crocheted octopi and squashy monkeys knitted by Aunt Dora. These are a new take on an old toy. This super cute manatee is available on NeedleNoodles, an Etsy shop online. There are knitted foodstuffs like sushi and burgers, fantastical creatures, soft robots and tiny fingertip critters. Some are extremely detailed soft sculpture and not really intended for small children under age 3. Others are kind of creepy and goth (as a lot of Japanese pop culture is) and may be too edgy for the avera
ge kid. The little Grim Reaper is also available at NeedleNoodles. Still, they make interesting collector's items and teens, apparently love 'em. There are also books available with Amigurumi patterns to try at home. I don't knit or crochet but I think these would make very cute (and unusual) gifts. The websites listed in the module were also very interesting variants on typical knitted items. I love the idea of making hats for chemo patients, prayer blankets and afghans for soldiers returning from.... Afghanistan. I'm not sure how comfortable those helmet liners are (I'd think, HOT) but I'm sure short-cropped heads get chafed easily. Great ideas! Historically, women have always merged socializing with some sort of handiwork. Two women at our branch spend their lunch hours wrapped in yarn and needles so perhaps they'll start a club. Wonder why men have never made sanding or grouting into a social club? Possibly because it involves more communicating than, "Get over here and hold this light!" he he
Numismatist much? Not exactly but I do own a few of these coins. They're called Morgan Silver Dollars, named after its designer, George T. Morgan but it's also known as a Liberty Head dollar. I didn't find much help identifying this coin on the iHCPL module post - the links to the U.S. Mint just pointed me to currently circulating coins, commemorative coins and future designs. The other links led me to reserve a Red Book from my local library or purchase one from online dealers. The dealer search may come in handy if I decide to sell later. But what about MY coin? My oldest Morgan is like the one pictured left, minted 1885. When I Googled the date and type, I found that 1.5 million of these were minted in various states, indicated by a teeny tiny letter on the back above and between the "D" and "O" in the word "DOLLAR." Mine has an "S" which means that it was minted in San Francisco. Makes sense since I got it from my Chinese grandmother. If there had been an "O" it would have been more valuable, meaning that it had been minted in New Orleans, where less were made. Morgan dollars were unpopular when they first came out and many were not even made public until 1960 when the government traded these at face value for silver certificates. Now they're very collectible, in good condition, of course. All very interesting stuff but doesn't do a lot of people good when a good ol' greenback buys you only a few drops of gas. This reminds me of that scene in the movie, "Throw Mama From The Train" where Owen (played by Danny DeVito) asks his friend Larry (Billy Crystal), "Wanna see my coin collection? This one...is a quarter. This one here is another quarter..."
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