antiques: 5/20/2020

A bed is the resting place for all mammals including humans and animals. The difference being that humans are capable and intelligent enough to make them more comfortable and design them as per their convenience and comfort or space requirements whereas the animals could not do these, for them a bed is place where they can sleep and be safe from danger. BED can be defined as the article or a piece of furniture which allows the user to lie down and rest. Bed is that piece of furniture where the person can straighten his legs and lay down, parallel to the ground level making blood circulation uniform and hence relaxing the whole body. Straight posture while sleeping relaxes the leg muscles, backbone, and head (skull) thus inducing sleep and relaxing the person as a whole. This is the reason that Beds have become a necessity for the man�s daily life. Man�s imagination and craving for more comfort has enabled this piece of furniture to undergo changes in designs and structure for a lot of time since ages. Every era, every century has a mark of its style on not only the architecture but also the furniture as well.

Lavish and ornate beds were designed for the royalty by the craftsman of the particular era. For craftsmen, it became the field of to show their superiority and creativity. Most lavish beds embedded with rubies, find mention in the antique beds of medieval times and even in this millennium as well which were proudly show cased, to a selected few. Theseantique beds have now become a part of the legacy of the museums world over which show case these piece of excellent craftsmanship to the new generation. Though some of the Antique beds are in bad conditions and tattered, after so many years. Humidity affects the upkeep of both wood and iron beds. The professionals render their service to put life into these fading legacies of history. These professionals try to re-instate these work of art, and sometimes even reproduce or re make these beds on the structure of the original bed. Even when these beds are sold in the auction or otherwise, the buyer at times, tries to re-instate them. The feeling of using the same bed or sleeping on the same bed which was once used by one of the historical figure or just to witness something from the era of our forefathers/ancestors makes the prices of these beds sky rocket. There are craftsmen these days who can design the beds as the ones like antique beds. These arty craftsmen copy or imitate the designs and put in their designs and mould the structure according to the tastes or need/convenience of the buyer. These crafted beds are made on specific designs or comforts of the buyer and customized to his convenience. The most expensive bed these days is a designer bed which floats in the air. It is designed by Japanese scientist and is estimated to be of worth 1.5 million dollars. It uses magnetic field and thus keeps it afloat, suspended in the air. A bed�s structure consists of three main parts namely, headboard, foot board, and frame rails.

These have to be joined together to give stability and strength to the bed. These parts consists of small parts which are arranged in accordance to the design, size or structure of the bed as per the buyer�s need. The antique beds stand out because of their quality not only are these superbly designed but also because of the material used and the time dedicated by the arty craftsmen on these beds, overlooking all the major details be it minor or intricate. The craze in the 1800s was of �Hand Made Beds� these were specially worked upon by the craftsmen himself with his team, at times many days were consumed to build one bed only. This trend is even popular now, and the cost of such type of beds is many times the ordinary beds. The size of the antique beds are also special, at times these were created or build inside the palaces or rooms as it would have been difficult to build and deliver in the room because of the sheer size of the bed.

The iron beds were used in the years preceding world war. Iron beds were made popular because of not only their variety and style but also because of their durability, and light weightiness in comparison to the wooden beds. The strained supply of iron during the world war prompted the extensive use of cold steel for making beds. There are incidents quoted in the history about the architecture and designs of furniture of different countries and cultures. The example of Romans� suggests that they had four kinds of beds. A bed used for only sleeping and relaxing was called Chamber bed. This was basically limited to the lower strata of the society. There was Table Bed mainly used by the Romans to lie down and eat and drink simultaneously. These were leisure beds which were large in size as well as they had the space for 3 people. A different type of bed was used to study or to go through the official work. A fourth kind of bed was the one used only for taking the deceased to the cremation ground before consigning to fire. The ancient or antique beds are rarely found and can only be witnessed either in auctions or at the museums. Though there are institutions who have procured these antique beds. These antique beds have a price tag which is decided by the prospective buyer. These being a part of history, are invaluable and to evaluate them monetarily is a difficult job and thus is decided by the active imagination or interest of the buyer, or the co-bidders. The term BED is also used in scientific terminology as well. This denotes the base or resting platform for the various components or machinery.
===================
Book is a collection of papers/pages which depict/denote words, sentences, photos, making a meaningful organized data or information. An antique book is the one which is very old like the original epics of RAMAYANA, GITA, or the BIBLE. These books have stood the test of time and still preserved as asset. These are mainly spiritual books or the compilation of scientific or philosophical brainstorming. These antiques books also have among themselves war stories and strategies employed by various kingdoms. In some we can find reflection of lifestyles and leisure of that particular era. An antique book is also referred to the book or guide/book containing information about antiques. Antique is/are the objects or articles/commodities or pieces of arts, which are more than a hundred years old. These articles are considered as old-fashioned. Antique is a Latin word that denotes old. The age of the object makes it unique and this uniqueness is thus termed as invaluable by the collectors of these historical objects. The commercial value and scope of these articles, is immense. The collection of these articles by a selected few people in the world, and even the government and states, have made this a unique industry, though it is not termed as formal industry but if the amount of money involved in transaction of procuring the antiques can be considerd, then it may even leave many industrial segments way behind.

The number of people, professionals and the companies involved in the trading and owning these antiques if taken into account, makes it worth a formidable industry segment. Antiques also provide employment to many people, including the professionals. The formal and disciplined structure of the working and operation in the antique market has made people aware and instilled curiosity among the masses as well. Since everybody carries in his heart the pride and love for the culture, and the ancestors; anything related to that culture that too from past is revered as a part of the legacy from the ancestors. Though they might not afford these articles but they surely have interest in tracking them and witnessing them. This is giving rise to a platform or area in market/economy, which will be the link between the demand and supply for the antique articles. The list of operators or sellers/auctioneers can be found in a compiled list of the places and professionals in this business. This antique guide/book helps the customer/client to channelize his effects and approach in the right places or people. These antique guide/books also furnish important information on the antique articles or objects. Online Platform such as online guide/books makes the work of searching, a lot more easier for the customer. These antique guide/books also act as the source of revenue generation for the sellers, who earlier had only a selected a few in the particular area, to whom these artifacts could be displayed to and sold. The compilation and introduction of these antique guide/books made the pitch global rather than regional. The printed version of the antique guide/books helps the regional and local people to know, where to seek the desired items, locally.

Modern cities have seen increase in the rise of such outlets offering antiques. These outlets offer small antiques at a price which is affordable to the common man .The auction houses also take the help of these antique guide/books to, publicize the particular auction or to invite the prospective bidders to the auction. These antiques guide/books also provide a meeting ground of professionals who serve this field of antique evaluation, maintenance and tracing .It is advised to consult with the professionals before buying any antique, as he can guide/book you to the various aspects of which one might not be aware of or might not have the in-sight into. Even the sellers of the antiques take the guidance and help from these professionals to reconstruct or maintain a dying piece of art/antique, before auctioning it. There is a time period given to the buyers/bidders, at the auction when they could watch these articles closely and make an evaluation by themselves. Hence, the buyer as well as the seller should have the entire information about the article on the block, to be sold. The lack of knowledge or disregard to any piece of information, can lead to undermining or less pricing of an article, which may mean loss to the seller. Simultaneously, a buyer might overbid for an antique, which might not be the worth of money being paid .In many states the auctioneer needs to be licensed person or a licensed firm to carry out the auction. These auctions are of different types some auctions have a minimum bid and if the bidding did not reach to the particular minimum bid, the item is not sold. In other auctions there may be a charge levied by the auction house or auctioneer on the seller for a percentage on the article when/if sold. Antiques are seen from the art lover�s point of view and hence can be valued by the buyer only. These historical article known as antiques, are timeless and invaluable but to put a tag on them in monetary terms, is one of the difficult part of the work.

Antique guide/books are the best places to track the related information for any aspects of antiques. A brief history of the antique is also attached to give the customer a peek into the facts and what to expect out of a bid. Additional information on the subject and the article can also be found in these guide/books. Antique guide/books work as excellent help to the novice and amateurs who might have discovered the taste and inkling for the antiques. The insight and first hand knowledge on where to look for the particular category of items; how to prepare for the bidding; the inside out of the auction process and handing over process; and most importantly the tips for healthy maintenance of the artifacts, after possessing the antique. The tips and useful Dos and Don�ts help the prospect or an art lover to get prepared for the responsibility of taking the timeless legacy forward. These historical artifacts instill a feeling of nostalgia and awe in the art lovers as by just being in the same frame and so close to an antique, one feels taken to an entirely different level. One feels himself to be a part of the history and through the antique, try to get close to it. The owner of these artifacts should also remember the responsibility of possessing such a gift of art by taking a good care of them and pass them to the next generation learn and experience the same things that we in our generation might have felt in witnessing the small but not insignificant part of history.
===================

Desk as the name suggests is a commodity or an article or a piece either wood/metal, which is generally used in human habitats for the purpose of rendering usefulness and a stable and flat platform for studying/writing. The Desk can be for decoration or a showpiece or even a utility object. Desk used to be a luxury accessory in the historic times, as the cost of procurement of such articles was high; hence could only be afforded by particular class or the royalty. Desk of those times could not generally sustain the lashing of time thus very few articles or Desk could be retrieved from those times. Antique Desk thus, is/are the ones from the last century or so. Antique Desk were designed and made by a selected craftsman of that time. Each era or age showed its own unique features and styles in designs of not only architecture but also of the furniture like Desk, and craftsmanship. The articles like Desk, retrieved were mainly made of wood and wrought iron. Metal was introduced in the recorded history at sometime around 2000BC.These antiques were designed and customized as per the convenience and usefulness of the prospective buyer. Care was taken by the craftsman to keep in mind the taste of the buyer and the utility, as briefed by the prospective owner of the furniture. Hence Desks were made either movable or fixed/stationary catering to the particular needs.

The traces of the Desk can be related to the Stone Age or the pre historic time when humans were nomads and used to roam from places to places in search of food. The inception of civilization considered to be starting near the water bodies like river, give an in depth peak into the earliest civilization such as harrapan civilization. Not only were their cities with modern amenities such as roads and community center, but these places boasted of a distinct style of craftsmanship in not only architecture but also in the lifestyle and objects used for their usefulness such as furniture. As in the case of many other trends like architecture, the Greeks and Egyptians introduced the best-known designs in Desks. These were then sold to Romans who took these designs and fused their own designs in Desk to give great examples of craftsmanship. The royalty was treated with lavishly designed Desks not only in their palaces but also in the community centers and the courts. Many of the antique articles have faded away in oblivion mainly due to poor keep up and maintenance of these legendry legacies by the heirs of the owners of these pieces of arts. Climatic condition like humidity, plays important role in the lifeline of the objects particularly made of wood and metal. The astonishing fact of the antique Desk is the durability; most of the articles retrieved can stand the termite attack, which clearly show the expertise in selecting the raw material and finishing done by the craftsmen. As the humans started settling down in civilization they created stable homes and decorated them with items of necessity, which turned into the so-called “furniture”. The archaeological excavations have discovered intact pieces of immaculate designs of furniture like desks, tables and chairs. Stones, marble, granite and even glass were used to give a different and unique style to the prevalent styles in desks. The royalty were furnished lavishly and ornated Desk with the expensive stones imbibed and embedded in the Desk itself. This became a field to showcase the creativity and imagination of the craftsmanship even in the modern history.

We find references in the 18th century when the metal was used in Desk but the cost of furniture, which was handmade or came in the direct supervision of a skilled craftsman, were priced high. Here the craftsman with his team is involved in each step of making a piece of Desk like designing, cutting, assembling and even polishing; such services were afforded only by the selected few to cater to the artistic taste of them or mostly to show off the specially designed work of art as a prized possession.

The antique furniture consists of beds, chairs, desks and most importantly the throne. The Arabs and the Mughals took their craftsmen with them wherever they went while conquering the countries. The Mughal designs in the architecture and furniture are still revered as awe-inspiring. The examples of such designs and still intact pieces of Desks can be seen at the museums and historical palaces in the south asian countries like India. These antiques are kept in the custody of the board or the government itself. The archeological excavations have uncovered and retrieved partial works of long forgotten civilization. These works like the Desks and the other articles give us the idea on the lifestyles and the philosophy and social structure of that time. The expensive articles such as Tables and desks were traded to different parts of the world and that is the reason why there were some distant work of arts found in entirely alien territories. These were also used in barter trade and it was a common practice in diplomacy and courtesy between the kingdoms to appease each other with gifts of unique work of craftsmanship.

The antique furniture, if procured or bought through auction or otherwise should be carefully taken care of. Professional help should be sought in rightly dating the antique and also to have guidance on the subject of up keeping and maintenance of the prized catch. Since these artifacts cost a fortune and carelessness in maintaining them can mean the loss of the whole amount and a major heartburn as, for an antique collector, there can be no loss greater than the loss of a historical legacy. The retouching or reinstatement of the Desks should also be carried in consultation and accordance to the guidance of experts and professional so that the sanctity of the antique Desk is kept intact and the structure is also lent strength to last more years. Artificial environment control is needed at times to keep them in the condition as they are now.
=====================
Peoples’ taste and inclination for something special and unique, especially on the rare and once in a life time occasions such as wedding, prompt them to make each moment memorable in their life. An Engagement ring holds an important place in the lives of everyone be it royalty or ordinary person. Earlier expensive and unique ornaments including the rings were only for the royalty and its ministers, but now days these have fallen in the range of buying capacity of an ordinary man as well.

An Antique Engagement ring is the one that is aged back to many centuries or even thousands of years old. These rings are made with precious stones which are at times very rare and even older. Diamond being one of the objects of craving for millions of people across the world finds its place even in history for its beauty and magnificence. Invaluable tags associated with them made these diamonds a priced possession. Diamonds are made of primarily – Carbon. Under huge pressure and enormous temperature, carbon and other rocks, turn into diamonds.

These diamonds can be in a very raw formation hence they are polished and enriched by various scientific processes and ultimately cut into required sizes. Diamonds are the hardest known material/substance on earth. The biggest diamond known in the history was KOHINOOR diamond which was discovered and presented to the king in India. The same Kohinoor diamond was taken away by the English during the British colonization. Kohinoor diamond is on display in United Kingdom as a part of nation treasure. There have been instances recorded in the history where the size of precious stones like Ruby, were found to be quite unimaginable but were worn by the royalty and rich people in necklaces, bangles, rings or bracelets etc.

The past Kings and Queen sported the most expensive of the precious stones. The rings were considered as the part of the royal heritage and were prided by the royalty. Rings found relevance in church where the POPE wears a big ring which has seal of the Vatican church and each POPE has his own distinct ring with precious stone studded in it, such as diamonds or rubies. This ring is considered as sacred. There is a fancy and enigma related to this ring as people find themselves revering for an opportunity to KISS the ring. An antique ring is slated as a special object and is priced very high. The weirdly priced rings are thus procured by high and mighty class of society. These antique engagement rings are chased by the celebrities to make their bonding or association memorable and give a piece of something to write about in the media. Engagement or wedding is not only between two individuals but it is a coming together of two families and a group of people which are bound by a common link. This whole new excitement is marked as a special occasion as it denotes the formalizing of the bond and start of a new life for two individuals. An engagement ring thus becomes an important piece of object with emotions attached with it. The rings are used not only for the purpose of engagement but also work as gifts of love. Jewelry being the most sought after thing by the ladies, it makes for a big market for the jewelers. The rings are and were used as accessory by both men and women. The stone studied jewelry was not only worn by the royalty to inspire awe in the masses but also had various medicinal and astrological implications attached to them. The reasons for war, since time known, have been waged for land and wealth. The most powerful kingdoms were those who had not only the military might but also the wealth like gold and precious stones like diamonds. These diamonds are dug up from the ground. Africa has many diamond mines which were dug up relentlessly by the men even disturbing the ecological balance of the nature. The man made crater or hole dug up in South Africa is the other man made structure which is visible from space, after the wall of China. This was a diamond mine which was exploited to the hilt to quench the thirst of the diamond crazy public. These diamonds once dug, are sent to Asian countries like India (which is a major hub and largest in its category of importing diamonds) to polish them and cut them into different sizes for use in different segments of jewelry. These are then exported to different parts of the world to be sold. The rings are generally made of Gold or silver but lately platinum has also made inroads in this category. The rings are also made of different materials such as Ashtdhatu which is a combination of eight different metals.

These rings are believed to carry medicinal and healing qualities. A ring when comes in contact with the skin round the finger, it is believed it emits healing vibes into the blood that cures various ailments of the person. The precious stones like ruby, diamonds etc similarly have astrological and medical benefits for the user (it is believed in many cultures). The idea behind it is that everyone is governed by the attraction or gravitation of heavenly bodies particularly the planets. The movement of these planets brings changes in the mental and physical state of men. The astrological birth chart of a person is calculated by taking into account the coordinates of the place of birth, the date & time of birth which is then coincided with the planetary positions at that particular time. Each planet shows or is governed by distinct qualities hence to alter those qualities these precious stones are advised to be worn in particular metal, next to skin. It is also advised to be worn in the particular finger; hence the ring is not only jewelry but something more, if these beliefs are to be believed. The rings are therefore most popular piece of ornament for the humans.
===================

Chair as the name suggests is a commodity or an article or a piece either wood/metal, which is generally used in human habitats for the purpose of rendering usefulness and relaxation to the person. The Chair can be for decoration or a showpiece or even a utility object. Chair used to be a luxury accessory in the historic times, as the cost of procurement of such articles was high; hence could only be afforded by particular class or the royalty. Chair of those times could not generally sustain the lashing of time thus very few articles or Chair could be retrieved from those times. Antique Chair thus, is/are the ones from the last century or so. Antique Chair were designed and made by a selected craftsman of that time. Each era or age showed its own unique features and styles in designs of not only architecture but also of the furniture like Chair, and craftsmanship. The articles like Chair, retrieved were mainly made of wood and wrought iron. Metal was introduced in the recorded history at sometime around 2000BC.These antiques were designed and customized as per the convenience and usefulness of the prospective buyer. Care was taken by the craftsman to keep in mind the taste of the buyer and the utility, as briefed by the prospective owner of the furniture. Hence Chairs were made either movable or fixed/stationary catering to the particular needs.

The traces of the Chair can be related to the Stone Age or the pre historic time when humans were nomads and used to roam from places to places in search of food. The inception of civilization considered to be starting near the water bodies like river, give an in depth peak into the earliest civilization such as harrapan civilization. Not only were their cities with modern amenities such as roads and community center, but these places boasted of a distinct style of craftsmanship in not only architecture but also in the lifestyle and objects used for their usefulness such as furniture. As in the case of many other trends like architecture, the Greeks and Egyptians introduced the best-known designs in Chairs. These were then sold to Romans who took these designs and fused their own designs in Chair to give great examples of craftsmanship. The royalty was treated with lavishly designed Chairs not only in their palaces but also in the community centers and the courts. Many of the antique articles have faded away in oblivion mainly due to poor keep up and maintenance of these legendry legacies by the heirs of the owners of these pieces of arts. Climatic condition like humidity, plays important role in the lifeline of the objects particularly made of wood and metal. The astonishing fact of the antique Chair is the durability; most of the articles retrieved can stand the termite attack, which clearly show the expertise in selecting the raw material and finishing done by the craftsmen. As the humans started settling down in civilization they created chair homes and decorated them with items of necessity, which turned into the so-called “furniture”. The archaeological excavations have discovered intact pieces of immaculate designs of furniture like chairs and chairs. Stones, marble, granite and even glass were used to give a different and unique style to the prevalent styles in chairs. The royalty were furnished lavishly and ornated Chair with the expensive stones imbibed and embedded in the Chair itself. This became a field to showcase the creativity and imagination of the craftsmanship even in the modern history.

We find references in the 18th century when the metal was used in Chair but the cost of furniture, which was handmade or came in the direct supervision of a skilled craftsman, were priced high. Here the craftsman with his team is involved in each step of making a piece of Chair like designing, cutting, assembling and even polishing; such services were afforded only by the selected few to cater to the artistic taste of them or mostly to show off the specially designed work of art as a prized possession.

The antique furniture consists of beds, chairs, chairs and most importantly the throne. The Arabs and the Mughals took their craftsmen with them wherever they went while conquering the countries. The Mughal designs in the architecture and furniture are still revered as awe-inspiring. The examples of such designs and still intact pieces of Chairs can be seen at the museums and historical palaces in the south asian countries like India. These antiques are kept in the custody of the board or the government itself. The archeological excavations have uncovered and retrieved partial works of long forgotten civilization. These works like the Chairs and the other articles give us the idea on the lifestyles and the philosophy and social structure of that time. The expensive articles such as Chairs were traded to different parts of the world and that is the reason why there were some distant work of arts found in entirely alien territories. These were also used in barter trade and it was a common practice in diplomacy and courtesy between the kingdoms to appease each other with gifts of unique work of craftsmanship.

The antique furniture, if procured or bought through auction or otherwise should be carefully taken care of. Professional help should be sought in rightly dating the antique and also to have guidance on the subject of up keeping and maintenance of the prized catch. Since these artifacts cost a fortune and carelessness in maintaining them can mean the loss of the whole amount and a major heartburn as, for an antique collector, there can be no loss greater than the loss of a historical legacy. The retouching or reinstatement of the Chairs should also be carried in consultation and accordance to the guidance of experts and professional so that the sanctity of the antique Chair is kept intact and the structure is also lent strength to last more years. Artificial environment control is needed at times to keep them in the condition as they are now.
================

Antique collectors are the authorized or (at times) non licensed, brokers or dealers of antique articles or the individuals who belong to a niche class with taste and inclination to procure historic and unique items. Auction houses are also keen antique collectors, because they see major business potential in reselling them. The main lifelines of antique business are the segment of individuals who take pride and honour. in possessing the antiques. For some this is a hobby for others it might be a serious involvement with regards to art and history or the academic inclination. One thing binds them all is the curiosity, awe and respect for these historic legacy. These antique dealers operate from their shops or even garages where they have accumulated antiques from historic times. Antique auction are also the platform where these antique dealers converge, not only to procure antiques but also to interact with other dealers and antique collectors who might be prospective clients for them. The collection of these articles by a selected few people in the world, and even the government and states, have made this a unique industry, though it is not termed as formal industry but if the amount of money involved in transaction of procuring the antiques can be considerd, then it may even leave many industrial segments way behind.

The number of people, professionals and the companies involved in the trading and owning these antiques if taken into account, makes it worth a formidable industry segment. Antiques dealerships and collection, also provide employment to many people, including the professionals. The formal and disciplined structure of the working and operation in the antique market has made people aware and instilled curiosity among the masses as well. Since everybody carries in his heart the pride and love for the culture, and the ancestors; anything related to that culture, that too from past is revered as a part of the legacy from the ancestors. Though they might not afford these articles but they surely have interest in tracking them and witnessing them. This is giving rise to a platform or area in market/economy, which will be the link between the demand and supply for the antique articles. The list of operators or sellers/auctioneers can be found in a compiled list of the places and professionals in this business. This antique guide helps the customer/client to channelize his effects and approach in the right places or people. These antique guides also furnish important information on the antique articles or objects. Online Platform such as online guides makes the work of searching, a lot more easier for the customer. These antique guides also act as the source of revenue generation for the sellers, who earlier had only a selected a few in the particular area, to whom these artifacts could be displayed to and sold. The compilation and introduction of these antique guides made the pitch global rather than regional. The printed version of the antique guides helps the regional and local people to know, where to seek the desired items, locally. Modern cities have seen increase in the rise of such outlets offering antiques. These outlets offer small antiques at a price which is affordable to the common man .The auction houses also take the help of these antique guides to, publicize the particular auction or to invite the prospective bidders to the auction. These antiques guides also provide a meeting ground of professionals who serve this field of antique evaluation, maintenance and tracing .It is advised to consult with the professionals before buying any antique, as he can guide you to the various aspects of which one might not be aware of or might not have the in-sight into. Even the sellers of the antiques take the guidance and help from these professionals to reconstruct or maintain a dying piece of art/antique, before auctioning it. There is a time period given to the buyers/bidders, at the auction when they could watch these articles closely and make an evaluation by themselves. Hence, the buyer as well as the seller should have the entire information about the article on the block, to be sold. The lack of knowledge or disregard to any piece of information, can lead to undermining or less pricing of an article, which may mean loss to the seller. Simultaneously, a buyer might overbid for an antique, which might not be the worth of money being paid .In many states the auctioneer needs to be licensed person or a licensed firm to carry out the auction. These auctions are of different types some auctions have a minimum bid and if the bidding did not reach to the particular minimum bid, the item is not sold. In other auctions there may be a charge levied by the auction house or auctioneer on the seller for a percentage on the article when/if sold.

Antiques are seen from the art lover�s point of view and hence can be valued by the buyer only. These historical article known as antiques, are timeless and invaluable but to put a tag on them in monetary terms, is one of the difficult part of the work. Antique guides are the best places to track the related information for any aspects of antiques. A brief history of the antique is also attached to give the customer a peek into the facts and what to expect out of a bid. Additional information on the subject and the article can also be found in these guides. Antique guides work as excellent help to the novice and amateurs who might have discovered the taste and inkling for the antiques. The insight and first hand knowledge on where to look for the particular category of items; how to prepare for the bidding; the inside out of the auction process and handing over process; and most importantly the tips for healthy maintenance of the artifacts, after possessing the antique. The tips and useful Dos and Don�ts help the prospect or an art lover to get prepared for the responsibility of taking the timeless legacy forward. These historical artifacts instill a feeling of nostalgia and awe in the art lovers as by just being in the same frame and so close to an antique, one feels taken to an entirely different level. One feels himself to be a part of the history and through the antique, try to get close to it. The owner of these artifacts should also remember the responsibility of possessing such a gift of art by taking a good care of them and pass them to the next generation learn and experience the same things that we in our generation might have felt in witnessing the small but not insignificant part of history.
==============
Antique, as the name suggests, is a Latin word which means Old or aged. Antique is referred mainly to the articles or objects/commodities which are old and have some uniqueness attached to them, which make them not only special but invaluable as well. Antique is generally referred to the articles which are rare and not found easily. The antiques or old works are generally collected by a few (small group of people) or by a niche class who revere these as a possession which not only sets them apart from others, as they become the proud owners of piece of history, but also gives them a feeling of fulfillment as art collector. These pieces of art or objects are attained through auctions conducted by either the owner or the company that owns these artifacts. These antiques are also passed on to the generations as part of the legacy or at times are even donated to the governments of the country for the upkeep or donated to the museums to make them available for general public to view and witness the history associated with these. The first instances of antique fair can be traced back to almost 2500 years from now when the Greeks used to auction such artifacts, antiques and other objects taken after a war, from the conquered country/state. There are clear mentions in the history about the instances of Roman soldiers auctioning the loots of such antiques, some 1800 years ago.

A fair, as the term refers, to the gathering of people for an occasion such as auction or carnival. Here the value or price of the antique is decided by the buyer and not by the seller. There are different kinds of fair/auctions, one is, where there is a base level of price and the bid starts from this price and bids increase thereafter. An auction is closed when a particular bid is not challenged by any other bidder. The price of the antique is generally gauged through the perspective of the buyer in general. The other kind of auction is the one where there is no base pricing/ usually known as reserve price, put by the seller or auctioneer. Earlier an antique fair/auction formed a part of the social occasion and celebration. Most popular and unique bid in the history finds mention at the start of the last millennium, in the year 193 A.D. when the whole Roman Empire was put for auction by Praetorian Guard who killed the emperor and put the whole empire up for grabs for the highest bidder. Didius bid the most and hence claimed the empire, this eventually ended tragically when he was overthrown and beheaded by Septimus who conquered Rome.

Even these days there are weird and unique items and antiques, placed for auction/fair, like a 500 year old hooded skull. The concept has become popular even in countries like China where a painting called “The Rain Flower Terrace” was sold at a record price of US $ 5.8 million. These prove as an instant source of sale and revenue generation for the seller. These days the fair/auction is conducted online as well, that is on the internet, with websites like e-bay, which provide a convenient platform to the seller as well as buyer to converge and interact. This has raised the fair/auction to a new level. A prospective buyer can take part in the antique fair/auction conducted online, while sitting in the far corner of the world and even then be an active part of the whole process. There are big fair/auctioning houses which conduct such auctions across the world, like Sotheby’s, Christie’s. These companies not only conduct fair/auctions or sell but also evaluate the antiques and artifacts for the convenience of all. They are even owners of some antiques. The nostalgia and awe related to an antique makes it more valued, and so does the rarity or extinction of the similar objects from the world. Most avid buyers used to be the upper class or high class society people who procured the antiques to show them off in their social circle. This has changed after emergence of internet and diversification of the class of commodities added in the category. Antique collection is not limited to niche class of society these days. Stamp collection and coin collection have garnered more people into the list of proud owners of an antique.

The Auctioneers are the licensed professionals and the ones allowed to conduct an fair/auction. There are professionals from the different fields who are consulted in an antique fair/auction and at times, their presence is mandatory for an antique to be auctioned. These professionals are the experts in the field of the object to be auctioned. Usually the fair/auctioning company or the group of buyers asks for the services of historians, laboratories to estimate the age of the artifacts or for estimating the value of the commodity. In United States of America, the motors and vehicle category can identify an item older than twenty five years, to be an antique, though for other items the timeline is generally hundred years. Most serious and big auctions involve a lot of money to the volumes of millions of dollars and hence many authorities are involved in smooth completion of these antique fair/auctions.

There are specific guidelines and parameters wherein it is decided if the particular antique or artifact lies in the jurisdiction of a person or individual or the state/government. There are cases where the objects were discovered while digging a field. Though the field or land may be owned by an individual the discovered antiques are considered as the property of the state. The land is then researched for the possibility of more such artifacts, and if the possibility looks good, it is then bought by the government to undertake the archeological search. The government also, at times, organizes fair/auctions the antiques to generate revenue or when it feels the upkeep can be costly and the antique could be better cared by someone better equipped.
=================
Antique Box is referred to the ordinary boxes used for storing items. These antique boxes are special because they come with precious stones embedded in them. These boxes were used by the people of past generations to store their valuables. The antique boxes especially from the historic times are revered the most because they not only have precious stones embedded on them but have stylish carvings on them. These antique boxes are made of wood, but the ones belonging to the royalty or rich peasants, were made of precious metals like brass, silver and even gold. At antique auction, an antique box is generally referred to the old box which is sold with other items intact in it. Peoples’ taste and inclination for something special and unique, especially on the rare and once in a life time occasions such as wedding, prompt them to make each moment memorable in their life. An Engagement ring holds an important place in the lives of everyone be it royalty or ordinary person. Earlier expensive and unique ornaments including the rings were only for the royalty and its ministers, but now days these have fallen in the range of buying capacity of an ordinary man as well.

An antique box was generally used by the wives of the royalty and rich peasants for storing their assets like ornaments, necklace and rings. An Antique Engagement ring is the one that is aged back to many centuries or even thousands of years old. These rings are made with precious stones which are at times very rare and even older. Diamond being one of the objects of craving for millions of people across the world, finds its place even in the history for its beauty and magnificence. Invaluable tags associated with them made these diamonds a priced possession. Diamonds are made of primarily – Carbon. Under huge pressure and enormous temperature, carbon and other rocks, turn into diamonds.

These diamonds can be in a very raw formation hence they are polished and enriched by various scientific processes and ultimately cut into required sizes. Diamonds are the hardest known material/substance on earth. The biggest diamond known in the history was KOHINOOR diamond which was discovered and presented to the king in India. The same Kohinoor diamond was taken away by the English during the British colonization. Kohinoor diamond is on display in United Kingdom as a part of nation treasure. There have been instances recorded in the history where the size of precious stones like Ruby, were found to be quite unimaginable but were worn by the royalty and rich people in necklaces, bangles, rings or bracelets etc.

The past Kings and Queen sported the most expensive of the precious stones. The rings were considered as the part of the royal heritage and were prided by the royalty. Rings found relevance in church where the POPE wears a big ring which has seal of the Vatican church and each POPE has his own distinct ring with precious stone studded in it, such as diamonds or rubies. This ring is considered as sacred. There is a fancy and enigma related to this ring as people find themselves revering for an opportunity to KISS the ring. An antique ring is slated as a special object and is priced very high. The weirdly priced rings are thus procured by high and mighty class of society. These antique engagement rings are chased by the celebrities to make their bonding or association memorable and give a piece of something to write about in the media. Engagement or wedding is not only between two individuals but it is a coming together of two families and a group of people which are bound by a common link. This whole new excitement is marked as a special occasion as it denotes the formalizing of the bond and start of a new life for two individuals. An engagement ring thus becomes an important piece of object with emotions attached with it. The rings are used not only for the purpose of engagement but also work as gifts of love. Jewelry being the most sought after thing by the ladies, it makes for a big market for the jewelers. The rings are and were used as accessory by both men and women. The stone studied jewelry was not only worn by the royalty to inspire awe in the masses but also had various medicinal and astrological implications attached to them. The reasons for war, since time known, have been waged for land and wealth. The most powerful kingdoms were those who had not only the military might but also the wealth like gold and precious stones like diamonds.

These diamonds are dug up from the ground. Africa has many diamond mines which were dug up relentlessly by the men even disturbing the ecological balance of the nature. The man made crater or hole dug up in South Africa is the other man made structure which is visible from space, after the wall of China. This was a diamond mine which was exploited to the hilt to quench the thirst of the diamond crazy public. These diamonds once dug, are sent to Asian countries like India (which is a major hub and largest in its category of importing diamonds) to polish them and cut them into different sizes for use in different segments of jewelry. These are then exported to different parts of the world to be sold. The rings are generally made of Gold or silver but lately platinum has also made inroads in this category. The rings are also made of different materials such as Ashtdhatu which is a combination of eight different metals. These rings are believed to carry medicinal and healing qualities. A ring when comes in contact with the skin round the finger, it is believed it emits healing vibes into the blood that cures various ailments of the person. The precious stones like ruby, diamonds etc similarly have astrological and medical benefits for the user (it is believed in many cultures). The idea behind it is that everyone is governed by the attraction or gravitation of heavenly bodies particularly the planets. The movement of these planets brings changes in the mental and physical state of men.

The astrological birth chart of a person is calculated by taking into account the coordinates of the place of birth, the date & time of birth which is then coincided with the planetary positions at that particular time. Each planet shows or is governed by distinct qualities hence to alter those qualities these precious stones are advised to be worn in particular metal, next to skin. It is also advised to be worn in the particular finger; hence the ring is not only jewelry but something more, if these beliefs are to be believed. The rings are therefore most popular piece of ornament for the humans.
=====================
Antique China is the article made of clay and porcelain by the potters. These are basically pottery done through the usual process and decorated with paintings on the surface of the wares. Pottery is the art or moulding of clay and china into various distinct designs by the craftsman. These are the articles made by heating the clay into a pre decided mould. The clay is set into patterns when it is wet and soft. The clay is then put on the potter’s wheel where the wheel is moved at a speed so that the force (centrifugal force) forces the clay outwards there by forming the patterns. Craftsman rubs the surface smooth, thereby lending a particular shape to the clay.

Antique China or the chinawares are the articles which fall in the most sought after. These Antique china find their origin in the 15th -16th century. The pottery is done by heating the china structure to a temperature of more than Five Hundred Degree Celsius 500 C. This heating gives the china a stable and strong structure. This allows the moulds and pottery from getting disintegrated or dissolving into the water. The pottery is believed to be the oldest art whose traces can be found in history. POTTERY is the articles which have been the first ones to be dug out during the archeological excavations. These provided knowledge and information about the period of that time. Pottery, in pre-historic times was done with earth and clay and though these were not so tough but solved the purpose for which these were built. The retrieved articles are only the partial or disintegrated parts of pottery.

The earliest civilization such as MOHANJODARO, had pottery at a high level of expertise on this aspect of art. POTTERY is still a big segment of art and craft. The modern POTTERY uses technology and devices as heater and moulds to make better and creative pieces of art which are sold in the exhibitions. There are art houses and designers who sell these articles to the art lovers. Pottery was done in pre-historic times for formulation of necessary jobs and to save or store water and other commodities. In ASIA it is still a popular way of living and is a part of rural industry which gives employment to many. The earthen pots are still used as in ancient times for storing drinking water. The porous surface of the clay allows the heat to escape, hence keeping the water cool. These pots were also used to transport water from source of water to the homes. Taps and pipelines are laid in modern times, before that these were used to fetch the water from ponds or wells. To make them look pretty, people designed these with various designs. They were also made in different sizes to facilitate and cater to different needs.

Different tools and methods are used in Pottery. To get a desired shape in the moulds, the mould is set on the potter’s wheel and rotated at a speed and a tool is placed near the mould so that it touches the mould slightly thereby giving it a certain desired shape. This method is known as JIGGERING. When the similar kind of method is applied from the inside of the mould it is termed as JOLLEYING. These methods are used by the potters and craftsmen to give the article the specific and unique shapes. To give a different and more colourful outlook, different coloured clay is added into the mould. Sand and baked clay are also added at times to give the mould a different view or different property or shape. A thin layer of cream, known as clay slip is applied on the mould before putting the mould in the fire; this layer helps in protecting the mould from extreme temperature and to give a definite shape to the mould. Designs are applied on the mould with the help of a method called Lithography; here the whole process is carried out in three major steps. One when the colour which is to be applied on the mould, is covered on the mould; second a protective layer is applied to protect the glass or the mould from disintegrating; the last layer is of the design which is either printed or otherwise, is applied over the last two layers. At the end when the mould is hardened the design or the image has been shifted and incorporated over the mould. Clay is made of small granules, these granules are basically silicate minerals, and clay is a hydrous substance. Clay is made of dust particles and mud which come from disintegration of the rocks. To protect the finished mould or article, a thin layer of glaze is applied on the surface article. This process of lining a thin layer is generally referred to as Glazing. Glazing is primarily done to protect the finished article or pot from water or dust. These are also done or applied to give the mould or rather the finished article, a colourful shining look, glazing also helps in reducing the dust particles settled on the surface of the article.

The whole process of molding is done with the help of Potter’s wheel; this is nothing but an ordinary platform which is turned at a definite speed, so that centrifugal force is applied from the centre of the article. The china or mould is put in the centre of the potter’s wheel. The Potter’s wheel is moved or rotated either with the help of stick, which was how it was done in pre-historic times; nowadays they can be moved or rotated with feet or more recently with electric motor. There are antique pottery and even potter’s wheel, discovered from the excavation of the historical sites. The most antique or oldest of them all is the potter’s wheel which is over 9000 nine thousand years old. It is believed to be from the 6000 six thousand Before Christ. These antique potteries has not only given us the age of the civilization but also provided valuable insights into the lifestyles, and way of living and the culture of that time. First recorded writings were also believed to be carried out on clay. Porcelain, clay and chinaware have thus been the canvas of human artistry since very long time.
================
Antique, as the name suggests, is a Latin word which means Old or aged. Antique is referred mainly to the articles or objects/commodities which are old and have some uniqueness attached to them, which make them not only special but invaluable as well. Antique is generally referred to the articles which are rare and not found easily. The antiques or old works are generally collected by a few (small group of people) or by a niche class who revere these as a possession which not only sets them apart from others, as they become the proud owners of piece of history, but also gives them a feeling of fulfillment as art collector. These pieces of art or objects are attained through auctions conducted by either the owner or the company that owns these artifacts. These antiques are also passed on to the generations as part of the legacy or at times are even donated to the governments of the country for the upkeep or donated to the museums to make them available for general public to view and witness the history associated with these. The first instances of antique auction can be traced back to almost 2500 years from now when the Greeks used to auction such artifacts, antiques and other objects taken after a war, from the conquered country/state. There are clear mentions in the history about the instances of Roman soldiers auctioning the loots of such antiques, some 1800 years ago.

An auction, as the term refers, to the process of selling an object after bidding. In other words the object is sold to the highest bidder after the fall of the hammer. Here the value or price of the antique is decided by the buyer and not by the seller. There are different kinds of auctions, one is, where there is a base level of price and the bid starts from this price and bids increase thereafter. An auction is closed when a particular bid is not challenged by any other bidder. The price of the antique is generally gauged through the perspective of the buyer in general. The other kind of auction is the one where there is no base pricing/ usually known as reserve price, put by the seller or auctioneer. Earlier an antique auction formed a part of the social occasion and celebration. Most popular and unique bid in the history finds mention at the start of the last millennium, in the year 193 A.D. when the whole Roman Empire was put for auction by Praetorian Guard who killed the emperor and put the whole empire up for grabs for the highest bidder. Didius bid the most and hence claimed the empire, this eventually ended tragically when he was overthrown and beheaded by Septimus who conquered Rome.

Even these days there are weird and unique items and antiques, placed for auction, like a 500 year old hooded skull. The concept has become popular even in countries like China where a painting called “The Rain Flower Terrace” was sold at a record price of US $ 5.8 million. These prove as an instant source of sale and revenue generation for the seller. These days the auction is conducted online as well, that is on the internet, with websites like e-bay, which provide a convenient platform to the seller as well as buyer to converge and interact. This has raised the auction to a new level. A prospective buyer can take part in the antique auction conducted online, while sitting in the far corner of the world and even then be an active part of the whole process. There are big auctioning houses which conduct such auctions across the world, like Sotheby’s, Christie’s. These companies not only conduct auctions or sell but also evaluate the antiques and artifacts for the convenience of all. They are even owners of some antiques. The nostalgia and awe related to an antique makes it more valued, and so does the rarity or extinction of the similar objects from the world. Most avid buyers used to be the upper class or high class society people who procured the antiques to show them off in their social circle. This has changed after emergence of internet and diversification of the class of commodities added in the category. Antique collection is not limited to niche class of society these days. Stamp collection and coin collection have garnered more people into the list of proud owners of an antique.

The Auctioneers are the licensed professionals and the ones allowed to conduct an auction. There are professionals from the different fields who are consulted in an antique auction and at times, their presence is mandatory for an antique to be auctioned. These professionals are the experts in the field of the object to be auctioned. Usually the auctioning company or the group of buyers asks for the services of historians, laboratories to estimate the age of the artifacts or for estimating the value of the commodity. In United States of America, the motors and vehicle category can identify an item older than twenty five years, to be an antique, though for other items the timeline is generally hundred years. Most serious and big auctions involve a lot of money to the volumes of millions of dollars and hence many authorities are involved in smooth completion of these antique auctions.

There are specific guidelines and parameters wherein it is decided if the particular antique or artifact lies in the jurisdiction of a person or individual or the state/government. There are cases where the objects were discovered while digging a field. Though the field or land may be owned by an individual the discovered antiques are considered as the property of the state. The land is then researched for the possibility of more such artifacts, and if the possibility looks good, it is then bought by the government to undertake the archeological search. The government also, at times, auctions the antiques to generate revenue or when it feels the upkeep can be costly and the antique could be better cared by someone better equipped.
===================

Antique dealers are the authorized or (at times) non licensed, brokers or sellers of antique articles. These antique dealers operate from their shops or even garages where they have accumulated antiques from historic times. Antique auction are also the platform where these antique dealers converge, not only to procure antiques but also to interact with other dealers and antique collectors who might be prospective clients for them. The collection of these articles by a selected few people in the world, and even the government and states, have made this a unique industry, though it is not termed as formal industry but if the amount of money involved in transaction of procuring the antiques can be considerd, then it may even leave many industrial segments way behind. The number of people, professionals and the companies involved in the trading and owning these antiques if taken into account, makes it worth a formidable industry segment. Antiques dealerships and collection, also provide employment to many people, including the professionals. The formal and disciplined structure of the working and operation in the antique market has made people aware and instilled curiosity among the masses as well. Since everybody carries in his heart the pride and love for the culture, and the ancestors; anything related to that culture, that too from past is revered as a part of the legacy from the ancestors.

Though they might not afford these articles but they surely have interest in tracking them and witnessing them. This is giving rise to a platform or area in market/economy, which will be the link between the demand and supply for the antique articles. The list of operators or sellers/auctioneers can be found in a compiled list of the places and professionals in this business. This antique guide helps the customer/client to channelize his effects and approach in the right places or people. These antique guides also furnish important information on the antique articles or objects. Online Platform such as online guides makes the work of searching, a lot more easier for the customer. These antique guides also act as the source of revenue generation for the sellers, who earlier had only a selected a few in the particular area, to whom these artifacts could be displayed to and sold. The compilation and introduction of these antique guides made the pitch global rather than regional. The printed version of the antique guides helps the regional and local people to know, where to seek the desired items, locally. Modern cities have seen increase in the rise of such outlets offering antiques.

These outlets offer small antiques at a price which is affordable to the common man .The auction houses also take the help of these antique guides to, publicize the particular auction or to invite the prospective bidders to the auction. These antiques guides also provide a meeting ground of professionals who serve this field of antique evaluation, maintenance and tracing .It is advised to consult with the professionals before buying any antique, as he can guide you to the various aspects of which one might not be aware of or might not have the in-sight into. Even the sellers of the antiques take the guidance and help from these professionals to reconstruct or maintain a dying piece of art/antique, before auctioning it. There is a time period given to the buyers/bidders, at the auction when they could watch these articles closely and make an evaluation by themselves. Hence, the buyer as well as the seller should have the entire information about the article on the block, to be sold. The lack of knowledge or disregard to any piece of information, can lead to undermining or less pricing of an article, which may mean loss to the seller. Simultaneously, a buyer might overbid for an antique, which might not be the worth of money being paid .In many states the auctioneer needs to be licensed person or a licensed firm to carry out the auction. These auctions are of different types some auctions have a minimum bid and if the bidding did not reach to the particular minimum bid, the item is not sold. In other auctions there may be a charge levied by the auction house or auctioneer on the seller for a percentage on the article when/if sold. Antiques are seen from the art lover�s point of view and hence can be valued by the buyer only. These historical article known as antiques, are timeless and invaluable but to put a tag on them in monetary terms, is one of the difficult part of the work. Antique guides are the best places to track the related information for any aspects of antiques. A brief history of the antique is also attached to give the customer a peek into the facts and what to expect out of a bid. Additional information on the subject and the article can also be found in these guides. Antique guides work as excellent help to the novice and amateurs who might have discovered the taste and inkling for the antiques.

The insight and first hand knowledge on where to look for the particular category of items; how to prepare for the bidding; the inside out of the auction process and handing over process; and most importantly the tips for healthy maintenance of the artifacts, after possessing the antique. The tips and useful Dos and Don�ts help the prospect or an art lover to get prepared for the responsibility of taking the timeless legacy forward. These historical artifacts instill a feeling of nostalgia and awe in the art lovers as by just being in the same frame and so close to an antique, one feels taken to an entirely different level. One feels himself to be a part of the history and through the antique, try to get close to it. The owner of these artifacts should also remember the responsibility of possessing such a gift of art by taking a good care of them and pass them to the next generation learn and experience the same things that we in our generation might have felt in witnessing the small but not insignificant part of history.
=====================
Clock, the name is derived from the Latin word cloca which in regional language means “bell”. It is a devise or a scientific object to measure time. Time is the basis and essence of everything, everywhere. Time is the only relative entity which has being constant since the inception of the universe. Hence it is natural that Man tried to measure it with different methods. Clock is an instrument, which was designed by man to measure time. Antique clocks are the ones which date back to many centuries or even millennium. Antique clocks are a collector’s dream because it relates to the time, thinking and progress of the historical events put in prospective in the present era. These antique clocks can be found in various museums, which show case historical articles for the general public to witness and to relate to them. There are museums worldwide which are especially dedicated to the antique clocks.

Previously the time was measured with the different techniques. Our ancestors have concluded that time is related to the rising and setting of sun daily. Hence it was infrenced that solar rays are the basis of measuring time. Sundial was thus invented and so was born the clock. These sundials when worked upon gave quite accurate time, it will be surprising to know that even now in modern times, clocks and there performances are compared with the sundial to detect any discrepancy in the clock. Chronometer is a term used for the clocks which are highly accurate. The clock and its invention can be termed as the foremost of human inventions. People used to measure time with different methods like the Egyptians who used even mercury and water to measure the unit of time.

Hour glass was also used especially in the Arabic world to measure the time. These hour glasses were customized to measure unit of time as one hour or couple of hours or even a day. Here the sand used to fall from a small hole from upper compartment to the lower compartment. Modern clock as we see with three arms denoting hours, minutes and seconds is supposed to be invented in the 13th (thirteenth) century. The antique clocks were made of a metal, wood or plastics. Clocks are covered with glass to minimize the impact of air and other resonance effects which might affect or distort the working of a clock and its accuracy.

Clocks find references in 12th century and 13th century because of the church’s daily record keeping. At the end of 13th century clock towers were build for the convenience of the people to relate there activities and daily routine in keeping with the time. The oldest mechanical clock is the one at Salisbury cathedral, which is believed to be built in the early years of 15 century. These mechanical clocks worked on the falling weight principle and were converted to coiled spring afterwards. It consisted of inter locking geyer.

Antique clocks, the ones which are small were designed and developed in 15th century in Europe. These clocks were used not only by the state administrations and royalty but also by the explorers, navigators, and sailors to keep track of accurate time. Thus clocks without pendulum were designed for explorers and sailors, as pendulum is rendered useless on ships. Eli is considered as the father of clock industry in America. Pendulum in the clocks worked on electro magnetic fields. These days the time keeping is done on two different scales namely 12 hour scale and 24-hour scale.

Scientific invention and technical advancement have made even a 30 years old clock to be an antique in this age when analogue and digital clocks are in use. Digital clocks do not have any traditional parts like dials or geyer wheels etc and provide high level of accuracy.

Addition of new features like alarms have popularized and diversified the roll of clocks. The solar clocks (sundials) were even popular in the Asian countries where huge structures were built not only to measure time but also to track the path of the planets and the positioning of the stars. The famous and marvelous structures like JANTAR MANTAR in New Delhi, India, helped the scholars of the era to closely study the planetary movements and measure not only time but also study the effects of various alignments of heavenly bodies. The solar eclipses and lunar eclipses were thus calculated to accurate timings. The effect of lunar movements on the water bodies were also understood precisely. The solar clocks gave the very accurate time and were adjusted as the winters came in to work in sync with the directional change or tilt of the earth. The time systems across the world are for the local substitutions and are synchronized with the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) which is taken as reference point for assigning the time worldwide. Time is calculated in accordance to the coordinates of that place. Longitude and latitudes when referred give the exact location of a place. Time keeping is done at micro level by the various scientific departments to while gauging the earth’s movement around the sun and around its axis. Time unit is disintegrated to the smallest level to give more precise variations (if any). There is a concept of time saving in the USA (United States of America) when the time or clocks are tuned to an hour late or an hour early as per the climate. This time saving is done twice a year. Antique clocks not only relate to the wall clocks but also the small one that were carried on person by the user. These were designed meticulously and styled accordingly, to suit the tastes of the person owning these. The watches sported chains and were hooked to the part of the clothing there by making them easy to carry and use. Wrist watches were introduced pretty recently. Wrist watches have become more of an accessory which could be used for time. Jewel studded watches have become the fancy piece of accessories for the rich and the famous. Clocks and time, have bound the imagination of generations, though we take them for granted but when looked closely, there’s a lot behind measuring time.

san antonio content II

Let’s talk about the weather in S.A. We are blessed with a temperate climate here in San Antonio. Most of the time, our weather forecasters have difficulty finding “storms” to talk about. We do have floods, tornados, hail, sleet, and heat waves, but lately significant weather events come around as often as the proverbial blue moon. I can’t remember when we last had a soaking rain, and we really need one!

The city of San Antonio is located in the south–central portion of Texas on the Balcones escarpment. Northwest of the city, the terrain slopes upward to the Edwards Plateau and to the southeast it slopes downward to the Gulf Coastal Plains. Soils are blackland clay and silty loam on the Plains and thin limestone soils on the Edwards Plateau. The location of San Antonio on the edge of the Gulf Coastal Plains is influenced by a modified subtropical climate, predominantly continental during the winter months and marine during the summer months. Temperatures range from 50 degrees in January to the middle 80s in July and August. While the summer is hot, with daily temperatures above 90 degrees over 80 percent of the time, extremely high temperatures are rare. Mild weather prevails during much of the winter months, with below–freezing temperatures occurring on an average of about 20 days each year.

Above is a pic from the flood of 2002 taken on Route 281 on July 3rd. That summer, it seemed like it rained for forty days and forty nights.

San Antonio is situated between a semi–arid area to the west and the coastal area of heavy precipitation to the east. The normal annual rainfall of nearly 28 inches is sufficient for the production of most crops. Precipitation is fairly well distributed throughout the year with the heaviest amounts occurring during May and September. The precipitation from April through September usually occurs from thunderstorms. Large amounts of precipitation may fall during short periods of time. Most of the winter precipitation occurs as light rain or drizzle. Thunderstorms and heavy rains have occurred in all months of the year. Hail of damaging intensity seldom occurs but light hail is frequent with the springtime thunderstorms. Measurable snow occurs only once in three or four years. Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches occurs about every ten years. Northerly winds prevail during most of the winter, and strong northerly winds occasionally occur during storms called northers. Southeasterly winds from the Gulf of Mexico also occur frequently during winter and are predominant in summer.

Since San Antonio is located only 140 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, tropical storms occasionally affect the city with strong winds and heavy rains. One of the fastest winds recorded, 74 mph, occurred as a tropical storm moved inland east of the city in August 1942. Relative humidity is above 80 percent during the early morning hours most of the year, dropping to near 50 percent in the late afternoon. San Antonio has about 50 percent of the possible amount of sunshine during the winter months and more than 70 percent during the summer months. Skies are clear to partly cloudy more than 60 percent of the time and cloudy less than 40 percent. Air carried over San Antonio by southeasterly winds is lifted orographically, causing low stratus clouds to develop frequently during the later part of the night. These clouds usually dissipate around noon, and clear skies prevail a high percentage of the time during the afternoon. The first occurrence of 32 degrees Fahrenheit is in late November and the average last occurrence is in early March. The highest temperature ever to be recorded was 111 °F (43.8 °C) on September 5, 2000. The lowest recorded temperature ever was 0 °F (-17.7 °C) on January 31, 1949. The most rain recorded on any calendar day occurred Saturday, Oct. 17th, 1998…when 11.26 inches of rain fell at the San Antonio International Airport.
===============
Yesterday I had to answer a summons to jury duty. Bexar County has taken away any excuse that you are unable to get there by giving jurors a free pass to the Via bus system to and from the courthouse. I did not use this service in the morning as I had to be there at eight am and had a pal drop me off downtown, affording me a few minutes extra sleep. However, I did choose to ride one of the new Primo busses back home to the Medical Center area later in the day.

On arrival, I had to get through the security screening at the door. I then made my way downstairs to the central jury room where I, and about two hundred prospective jurors, listened to a welcoming spiel from a court employee. After this, we were all released until 9:30 when we were all called back into the room via the paging system. The first panel of jurors was for a group of twenty-five called for at ten in the morning. I was not among those called for. The second call was for 75 jurors at 10:15 for the criminal court of Judge Melisa Skinner on the fourth floor. This time I was among those called and was assigned a number. We all trooped up to the fourth floor and lined up in numerical order in the hallway. After this, we all stood around waiting for a half hour until the bailiff finally ushered us into the courtroom.

The judge welcomed all of us, and thanked all of us for responding to the summons, adding that many people simply ignore the call to jury duty. Why is non compliance with a jury duty summons not punished by a monetary fine? We were then told that the case we would be hearing if selected for the jury involved a criminal charge regarding sexual contact with a child. The judge then asked if any of us would have a problem hearing a case of this nature. Fully eighty percent of the jurors hands immediately shot up in the air. I know this is a “hot button” topic, but I could not help but wonder how many of these people were simply trying to avoid serving. This was followed by voir dire by both the district attorney, and the lawyer for the accused. I was silently shaking my head in disbelief at some of the answers given in response to the lawyer’s queries. Guilty or innocent, how would this man ever get a fair trial when many in the room had already convicted him before ever hearing a shred of evidence in the case? I must confess that it was with a sigh of relief that we were told that a jury had been chosen at around 4:30, and that I was dismissed.

=====================
oyster Bake
It’s almost Fiesta time San Antonio, and that means that the Oyster Bake will be coming up this next weekend. While I’m sure that many San Antonio residents eagerly look forward to this event, I nust confess that I do not. In a nutshell, here’s why.

I’d heard lots about this Fiesta event from friends and co-workers, and I love oysters: baked, steamed, on the half, or any way that can be devised to enjoy them. I was primed to go. Bring on the bivalves!

Late Friday afternoon we parked our car at the Crossroads Mall, and got in line with hundreds of other people to take one of the Via shuttle buses for the short ride to St. Marys to avoid the traffic and parking mayhem at the Oyster Bake. So far, so good. The bus ride was an easy and inexpensive way to get there. On arrival, we got our bearings, purchased our tickets and coupons for food and drink, and set off to explore the grounds. So, this was an Oyster Bake, “Texas Style”, and whoa, there were lots of folks out to enjoy it. I mean LOTS of people! It was impossible to move, except in one direction, circling around to the right along with all the other patrons. We angled right and left through the crowds to get to the food and beverage vendors lining each side of the venue, exchanged coupons for a couple of beers, thought about turkey legs momentarily, but no way. I was primed for oysters. The crowds were getting thicker and thicker, and I was shuffling my feet to avoid tripping on the empty beer cans littering the ground. I was reminded of Thoreau’s comment about why he did not like cities and crowds: I have to take “big steps and little steps”. I’d seen lots of food and beer vendors, but nary an oyster did I see after two circuits around the grounds. It’s posssible we missed them in the crowds, but I don’t think so. We decided to “call it an evening” and head back home to La Fonda for margaritas. The adventure was not over yet! We boarded the bus to take us back to Crossroads (along with a bunch of intoxicated merrymakers). Not so very long into the bus ride, we heard the unmistakable sounds of retching from behind us, and turned around just in time to see a young lady barfing all over the center aisle, filling the bus with the odors of undigested beer and food. I’ll enjoy my oysters at the Dry Dock Oyster Bar at the corner of Fredericksburg and Wurzback!

Fiesta Oyster Bake

The first Oyster Bake was held in 1916 on the banks of the San Antonio River in conjunction with St. Mary University’s downtown campus when a small group of alumni gathered for their annual meeting and election of officers. Until the early 1940s, the only people in attendance were dues paying members of the then all-male ex-students association of the university.

When did the Fiesta Oyster Bake become an official Fiesta San Antonio event? In 1974, the Oyster Bake became an official Fiesta San Antonio event.

Who coordinates the Fiesta Oyster Bake? The Fiesta Oyster Bake is produced by San Antonio Special Events, LLC., held on the campus of St. Mary’s University and coordinated by a couple of staff members, an all-volunteer Executive Committee, a few hundred key volunteers and managers and 7,000 volunteers who contribute about 50,000 volunteer hours.

I don’t like oysters, what other types of food and beverages do you offer at the Fiesta Oyster Bake? Yes we do have oysters, but if you do not like the delectable shellfish, we offer more than 50 food and beverage items. Our orders include the following:

100,000 Oysters (baked, fried and raw)
25,000 Fried Chicken Breasts (Chicken on a Stick w/jalapeno)
3,000 lbs. Beef and Chicken Fajitas
6,000 Turkey Legs
6,000 Hamburgers

3,000 Slices of Cheesecake
7,500 Ears of Corn
2,500 lbs. Sausage
21,000 gal. Beverages (beer, soda, lemonade, tea, etc.)

How do I buy the food and beverage items?
All food and beverage items must be purchased with special Fiesta Oyster Bake coupons. We have five coupon booths available on Friday and ten coupon booths on Saturday. Our food and beverage prices are very affordable so that all of our patrons can enjoy all that the Fiesta Oyster Bake has to offer.
===================

This last Sunday, I did something that’s a bit “out of character” for me. I’ll be the first to admit, that aside from a few sorties, I’ve pretty much avoided the Fiesta celebrations in the past. I really don’t enjoy massive crowds, especially intoxicated ones (which seem to be the case at Fiesta venues after dark), and hate traffic jams and parking hassles. I did take an express bus with Via from Crossroads Mall to downtown on Sunday. Unlike my earlier experiences with the Via bus system, it left on time, and delivered me to Commerce Street very quickly. My only complaint, and it’s a big one, is when asked how to get the express bus back to Crossroads Mall, the driver told me to take any #92 bus. WRONG! Express service is #93 or #94 to that location. Also, Via’s website lists the fare at the time I was traveling as $1.15. It’s actually $2.00.

Enough about that! I had a great time strolling around the Farmer’s Market, and the Fiesta crowds weren’t all that bad. I had “sausage on a stick”, a beer or two, listened to some Mariachis, people watched. and then repaired to the Menger Hotel bar to “rest up” before the trek back to the Medical Center, and home. There, I met some very nice ladies from Iowa, who’d also had a similar inspiration. All in all, it was a very enjoyable afternoon!

Historic Market Square in San Antonio is rich in Mexican culture. The three-square block area is home to a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants, offering the wares and cuisine of Mexico. Market Square consists of Farmer’s Market, El Mercado and Produce Row.

Just across the way from the Farmer’s Market plaza of Market Square, you’ll find the original El Mercado – the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico. Merchants in this large indoor area sell clothing, jewelry, pottery, collectibles and everything in between.

San Antonio’s Market Square is boundaried by Dolorosa, Santa Rosa and Commerce streets and on the west side by I-35. The street address for Market Square is 514 W. Commerce.

Market Square plays an important role in this “uniqueness” of San Antonio. It is a favorite place for visitors and natives alike. Market Square truly reflects the flavor that has always been San Antonio. This most colorful area is located between Dolorosa, Santa Rosa, and Commerce Streets with IH-35 serving as its western boundary. A variety of shops and restaurants line the pedestrian plazas within the three-square block area.

Included in these shops was the Botica Gudalupana, until recently, the oldest continually operated pharmacy in San Antonio. Mi Tierra Café & Bakery anchors the excellent assortment of restaurants in the area. History surrounds both of these businesses. The building that houses Botica Guadalupana dates back to 1820. It was the first permanent structure on Produce Row. Prior to becoming a drug store in 1893, the building was used as a mercantile-dry goods store, a theater-entertainment house with liquor and cockfights, and as a house for ladies of questionable character. The first pharmacy on this site was Cowen Drug, which opened in 1893. Juan Leal bought the store in 1912 and changed its name to Botica Guadalupana. In 1921 Daniel San Miguel began working for Leal and in 1933 bought the store and retained the name. Daniel San Miguel was known as the grandfather of Market Square. His family operated the store until recently.

Mi Tierra Café and Bakery, which actually means “my land” in English, is also a family business. Pete Cortez first opened the doors of Mi Tierra in 1943 and it has never closed – it is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Spicy Mexican food an authentic Mexican bakery and peppy mariachi music have been the mainstays here ever since. The Cortez family tradition is now being carried out by Pete Cortez’s children and grandchildren.

In addition to shops and restaurants along the main pedestrian walkways, Market Square also features a large indoor area with 32 shops called El Mercado. Visitors to this historic square avail themselves to a myriad of activities. They sip margaritas in outdoor cafes, savor the finest Mexican foods including tasty fajitas, listen to the music of strolling musicians and visit shops filled to overflow with pinatas, Mexican dresses, curios, candies, jewelry, art, and an infinite variety of other items. There is also the Farmers Market where farmers brought fresh produce from the fields and offered it for sale. Due to the growth of Market Square as a tourist attraction, fresh produce became an item not in demand. Today, the new Farmers Market Plaza, renovated in January of 1994, contains small to large shops and a food court. A blend of merchandise that is representative of the cultural, artistic and ethnic influences of Texas and Mexico.

The Centro de Artes del Mercado, or Market Square Arts Center, was also a viable part of this beautiful area. Conferences, civic and social functions, dance and drama presentations, art exhibits and concerts were all part of the many gatherings in this magnificently restored two-story building. In 1998 the Centro Alameda and the Smithsonian Institute have combined to create a museum which will tell the story of the Latino experience in America with traveling exhibits, beginning in the fall of 2005. Market Square, just 10 blocks from the Alamo, is easily reached from any downtown location, including all major hotels. Two of the exciting ways to travel to the area are by streetcar and horse drawn carriage.

San Antonio’s Market Square is a perfect example of preserving the past for present and future generations to enjoy and appreciate. There is much history here. As early as 1805, San Antonio had a public market. It was in this year that Antonio Cordero y Bustamante, Governor of the Spanish Province of Texas, ordered the construction of a permanent market for the slaughtering and sale of livestock. The market was built, but was by no means permanent. As a matter of record, San Antonio has had numerous market areas, the last of which is the current Market Square.

The 1830’s brought with them an informal market on Plaza de Armas. This area was later simply called Military Plaza and is the current location of City Hall. In its day, the market served as the town square and meeting place for merchants, craftsmen, promoters, and musicians. San Antonio Chili was born here. This spicy combination of meat and beans was sold on the plaza in huge clay pots simmering on charcoal braziers. The actual dispensers of this legendary concoction were women known as “Chili Queens”. Their reputation spread far beyond the city. Many dignitaries of the era sampled San Antonio chili and loved it. This market area flourished until 1889.

Four years after the fall of the Alamo and the subsequent victory by Sam Houston and his men over Santa Ana and his Mexican troops at San Jacinto, San Antonio had still another official market. In 1840, the City Council passed an ordinance establishing the first City Market House. The decree mandated that a long, low building of stone on the north side of Plaza de Armas be utilized for this market. The building was believed to have been the last remaining portion of the original Spanish Presidio. Strict rules were written by the council on how the market was to be operated. It was a meat market providing a central place for the display and sale of beef, mutton, cabrito (young goat) and hog. A commissioner was appointed to enforce the rules which included a provision that beef on sale be “certified”, meaning the hide, with the brand, had to be displayed to guarantee that no rustlers were involved.

From 1840 to 1860 the Market House and the market on the Plaza de Armas operated side by side. It was a colorful time. The old plaza teemed with life. Ox carts and wagons shared space with anxious vendors and satisfied buyers. Fruits and vegetables were brought to the outdoor market each morning direct from countryside fields. Strolling housewives and chefs from the finest hotels and restaurants in the city purchased fresh goods for the day. German, Mexican, French, English, Chinese and Italian citizens came to the market place, or Mercado, to buy and sell.

In 1860, a new Market House was constructed at 511 W. Market Street, just north of Plaza de las Islas, or Main Plaza. Grecian architectural design was utilized in the construction of this building. Locals called it “The Greek Temple”. It was completed with classic Doric columns and served as the city’s main meat market until it was sold to private entrepreneurs in 1893. The building was converted into a hardware store, then eventually torn down in 1926 to make way for a flood channel cut-off in the San Antonio River. This new Market House continued to complement the Plaza de Armas outdoor market until 1889. It was in this year the outdoor market closed forever giving way to the city’s plan to build City Hall on the exact spot

The official founding of what we now call Market Square followed in 1892. On petition of the citizens of San Antonio, Presidio Square was designed as an open market and not as a park, which it had previously been. Later, the portion of Presidio Square which fronted on Commerce Street, where Centro de Artes del Mercado now stands, was designated as Paschal Square. This was done in 1894 in honor of Mayor George Paschal who died in office. On the west side of this area was a haymarket where fresh produce was sold from wagons. This new marketplace was further developed with the construction, in 1899, of a Victorian style new City Market House designed by Alfred Giles. It stood as the premier market for San Antonio until 1938 when it was replaced by the building that we now know as El Mercado. The present Mercado was built with federal funds and remodeled in an urban renewal sponsored project in 1976.

Since 1894, this area has been the public marketplace of San Antonio. Through the years, private businesses grew up around the market. Establishments on Produce Row flourished. In 1920 the building now housing Centro de Artes was constructed. The market, or El Mercado, thrived until 1950 when a more modern Terminal Market was established on the city’s west side. Most produce farmers and major fruit and vegetable establishments moved south, leaving El Mercado and surrounding merchants in an unenviable position. The years from 1950 to 1976 were not easy ones for the businessmen and women of the area. But, through the leadership of individuals like Pete Cortez and Daniel San Miguel, they found a way to survive. One of the remaining produce farmers sold a customer a bean pot for 25 cents. This small transaction led to the eventual selling of curios and souvenirs in El Mercado and it opened the way for increasing diversity as exemplified by today’s various shops selling products from all over the world.

Concerned area merchants from the private sector, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the City of San Antonio, and the Urban Renewal Agency joined efforts in the early 1970’s to bring new life to Market Square. They agreed upon a plan of action and saw it through to completion. The construction of the present Farmers Market, with roof top parking at the west extremity of Market Square, the renovation of the Market House, were all a part of the plan as was the development of pedestrian plazas on Produce Row and Concho Street. Centro de Artes del Mercado was also initiated as a part of this Urban Renewal project. This new Market Square was completed in 1976 with completion of the Centro de Artes renovation following in 1978. Millions of visitors come to Market Square each year. They come to see and feel history. They also come to celebrate during special occasions like Fiesta in April, Cinco de Mayo in May, a Forth of July celebration with a unique style in July, Diez y Seis in September, a Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead presentation in November, and Fiestas Navidenas in December. In addition, it seems there is a celebration every weekend. Market Square is a world of beauty, charm and historical elegance. It is yesterday revisiting today, with a future which remains bright. Market Square plays an important role in the uniqueness of San Antonio.
======================

mixed San antonio – Texas content

Great Content about Texas:

VISITING TEXAS

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States is Texas. There are several reasons for this but the biggest is that you can do almost anything that you could want to do on vacation in the state. As the largest state in the lower forty-eight, it offers a great deal of diversity allowing for a wide variety of activities. The great weather doesn’t hurt either.

One of the great things about visiting Texas is that there are so many different things that you can do. For starters, if you are looking to spend time in a large city Texas has two of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the United States. Both Dallas and Houston are large metro areas that are full of everything that you would expect to find in a large city. In addition, several of the smaller cities like San Antonio are well worth a visit since they have many of the attractions of a large city in a more laid back environment.

Texas Bluebonnets

Texas is also a great place to visit if you are into outdoor activities. There are lots of camping areas in the state and many areas of natural beauty to visit. There also lots of rivers and lakes which are great for both boating and fishing. One of the great things about outdoor activities in Texas is that they are easily accessible since you don’t have to go far from the cities to be in the wilderness.

For history buffs there are few states better to visit then Texas, it has probably the most interesting history of any part of the country. Much of that history is preserved with historical sites and monuments as well as history trails that you can follow. In addition, there are many excellent museums and several ghost towns that will allow you to experience the past.

Although it may not be the most obvious choice as a beach destination Texas is in fact a popular choice for people looking to lay in the sun. Texas has many excellent beaches and since the weather is almost always sunny it is a great option if your idea of good vacation is lounging on the beach. There really is something for everybody in Texas so it should definitely be a location you consider for your next vacation.

Traveling to Texas is fairly easy which is one of the reasons that it is so popular as a tourist destination. Located fairly centrally it is easy to reach by car from almost anywhere in the country. In addition, it is well served by airlines so flying is an excellent option. There is a very well developed tourist infrastructure in the state which means that there are lots of accommodation options whatever your price range is.
———————-

THE HISTORY OF TEXAS
Through most of its early history, Texas was settled by various native tribes. The first Europeans arrived in 1519 when Spanish conquistadors came to the area. However, the early Europeans saw little of value to keep them in Texas so the first settlement did not occur until 1682 when a small French Colony was established. This colony only lasted a couple of years but it was enough to encourage the Spanish to set up new colonies in the region. In large part, this was done to claim the area for Spain and to keep the French from expanding the Louisiana Territory into Texas.

The Spanish would rule Texas as part of its American colonies for the next hundred and forty years. Although only a very small number of people settled in the area. However in 1821 Mexico including Texas won its independence from Spain. The new Mexican government proved to be very unpopular in Texas and almost immediately there was a push for independence. In an attempt to gain independence Texas actively recruited settlers from the United States in the hopes that if there were enough Americans living in the region the US would support them in the fight.

The Texas revolution began in 1835 and would last for about a year. Because of the very small population of Texas, there was very little actual fighting, although the Alamo has become famous as a battle site from the war. In reality, Texas won its independence mostly by default. The Mexicans were largely unable to administer the region properly so they put up little real resistance to Texas becoming an independent country that occurred in 1836.

Although Texans take great pride in having once been an independent country the truth is the brief period that they were independent was a nightmare for the people who lived there. The Texans proved no more capable of administering the area than the Mexicans had been. The result was a great deal of internal conflict as well as many disputes with the native population. As a result in 1845 at the request of the Texas government, the area was annexed by the United States.

Texas would only remain a part of the union for a brief period before leaving again in 1861 at the start of the Civil war. As a member of the Confederacy, they fought against the union during the war although there were few actual battles in Texas. Following the war, Texas went through a period of reconstruction however as there had been few battles in the state and they had not had a large cotton producing industry any way they came through it better than the other confederate states. Over the course of twentieth-century Texas has become one of the wealthiest states in the US due largely to cattle and oil production.
——————–
THE CIVIL WAR
Texans proudly talk about the six flags that have flown over the state; one of those was the flag of the confederacy. During the Civil War Texas would fight on behalf of the Confederacy even though today few people think of it as being a southern state. There are various reasons that the Confederate legacy is less pronounced in Texas than in other states.

Texas would secede from the Union in 1861 and join with the confederacy however the decision to do this was somewhat controversial. Unlike most of the other southern states there was considerable support for remaining in the union. One of the leading members of the pro-union faction was the governor Sam Houston. Ultimately it became clear that the majority of the population did support joining the confederacy however this required removing Sam Houston from his position as governor since he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.

Once the war started Texas served mainly as a supply state as there was very little actual fighting in the area. At the time Texas was still fairly sparsely populated, it also didn’t have the large cotton plantations that the other southern states had. This meant that the state suffered less than the other states in the confederacy did during the war. Nevertheless there was a naval blockade of Galveston that made it impossible to Texas to export anything.

Over the course of the Civil War opposition to it increased in Texas in large part because of the attempt to conscript Texans as soldiers. Most Texans supported the war in principle as a way to assert states rights but they were not all that interested in going off to fight on behalf of the wealthy plantation owners in other states. A significant number of Texans would actually join the Union army which is an indication of just how divided the state was on the issue.

As it started to become clear that the Union were going to win the Civil War a large number of soldiers from Texas began to desert from the Confederate army. The state was soon occupied and reconstruction began. This went fairly quickly for Texas since there had been little fighting in the area. In addition, since cotton production had made up a relatively small part of the state’s economy, they were able to adapt to life without slaves better than most of the other southern states.

Ultimately Texas would be readmitted to the Union in 1870 although this was done despite the fact that they didn’t meet the requirements that had been set out. Mostly this was the result of the way that the freed slaves were treated. Most of Texas was actually settled after the war ended there are considerably fewer people who take pride in the states Confederate history than there are in the other southern states.

———————-
CLIMATE IN TEXAS
The climate in Texas is varied from one area to another; this is to be expected in such a large state. Part of the reason is the huge variety of geography that Texas has. There are coastal regions, mountains, deserts and wide open planes. In addition the state is located where several climate zones meet which also affects the weather. In large part the area that you are located in will determine what the climate will be like.

The coastal regions of Texas have the sort of weather that you would expect to find on any other area around the Gulf of Mexico. In general the weather is mild getting neither particularly hot in the summer nor particularly cold during the winter. There is however a considerable amount of rain in the coastal areas. In addition hurricanes are a not infrequent occurrence in the coastal regions; some of these have been very destructive.

The northern plains region of the panhandle will experience both the coldest and the hottest temperatures in the state. Being furthest away from the water it does not have the regulating effect that occurs in most of the rest of the state. Temperatures frequently fall below freezing during the winter and they can get very hot during the summer. Although there is not a lot of rain in this region thunderstorms are fairly common during the summer. These thunderstorms can produce a great deal of rain in a very short time, they also so times spawn tornados.

West Texas is mostly desert area with little rain and hot temperatures during the summer. It can however get quite cold in the winter. The area also has most of the states mountain areas. In the mountains the climate tends to be more temperate with temperatures being more stable and there being more rain produced. The mountain areas do however tend to be very windy.

Most of central Texas is hill country which has a climate that is similar to the one in the panhandle but not as extreme. The summer tends to be hot and winter quite cool. There are however more rivers and lakes in this area to help regulate the temperature. In addition there are large areas of forest which tends to inhibit the development of thunderstorms so they are not as frequent as in the panhandle, although they do still occur.

As a state Texas has some of the most extreme weather that you will find anywhere in the country. While certain regions have certain climate traits you can get almost any weather anywhere. This was shown in 2004 when a large snow storm fell on the coastal regions. Because of the extremes of weather it is important for the visitor to Texas to be prepared for all kinds of weather since they are likely to happen.
——————————
TRANSPORTATION IN TEXAS
Texas is a big state which has meant that they have had to develop an extensive transportation system. This is good news for the visitor in that there is a significant infrastructure so you should not have any trouble getting around. However you should keep in mind that most of the transportation options in Texas are very crowded so there may be delays.

Texas has one of the largest highway systems in the United States and indeed the world. The highways are heavily travelled which does tend to result in lengthy delays, especially on the highways around large urban areas. Most people in Texas get around by driving their own car so there is almost always a great deal of traffic on the roads. The problem is made worse by the fact that public transit in the state is not particularly good. Most of the roads in Texas were built in the fifties and are not really up to handling the amount of traffic that they currently get, which is a big part of why there are so many delays.

Between the fact that most Texans prefer to drive and the fact that the state is well known as one that has low taxes and provides few services it should not come as a surprise to learn that the public transit is considered to be substandard. The major cities for the most part have public transit, although somehow Arlington, right in the middle of the Dallas metropolitan area has no public transit at all. Light rail transit is particularly limited although Houston is currently working on a thirty mile extension to their system.

The state of Texas is well served by air travel. Currently the airport in Dallas is the second largest in the country with the airport in Houston not being far behind. Most cities in Texas have an airport and even a lot of small towns have them as well. Almost all airlines that fly to the United States have flights that go to Texas and there are several regional airlines that offer service within the state.

Most people are surprised to learn that Houston is the busiest port in the United States but that is in fact the case. Texas has several ports and it is one of the major shipping centers for the country. In large part this is to ship the oil and cattle that are produced in Texas.

For the visitor getting around should not be a major issue in Texas. The transportation infrastructure is well developed and except for issues with public transit you should not have a huge problem. Clearly it will be necessary to either drive your own car or to rent one in order to get around but both are easy options and should not present a problem.

=================================
TEXAS CULTURE AND WAY OF LIVING
Texans are extremely proud of the history of their state and of being Texans in general. Most people think of themselves as being Texans first and Americans second. That being said they do tend to be very patriotic citizens of the US. The state has a rather unique history which you will hear about frequently while you are there. You will often hear about the six flags that have flown over Texas and the fact that it was once an independent country. This does tend to gloss over some of the negative parts of the history however, The brief period when Texas was an independent country were amongst the worst in its history for example.

If Texans are proud and boastful they are also a very friendly people. They are well known for their hospitality and they will have no trouble starting a conversation with a stranger. Some visitors may find this to be a little bit worrying as Texans will often talk to you like you’re an old friend even if they have just met you. This is just the way that things are done in Texas and you will get used to it pretty quickly.

Over the years the culture of Texas has gone through a bit of a change mainly due to the massive numbers of Mexicans who have moved into the state. As a result a great deal of Mexican culture is now present. This is obviously most true amongst the immigrant community but even the people who have lived in Texas for generations are starting to pick up on some of this as well.

One thing to keep in mind is that the way that people in Texas live will be affected by where they live. For example the people in Houston or Dallas live a lifestyle that is similar to the way that anybody else who lives in a large city would live. However there are also still people who live and work on ranches or out in oilfields who live a very different lifestyle. Therefore you really can’t make any generalizations about the way that people in Texas live.

One other thing to keep in mind is that Texas also has one of the most uneven distributions of income in the US. There are many people in the state who are very wealthy but also a lot of people who are very poor. Most of the people in the lower income bracket tend to be immigrants, often illegal ones. Unfortunately in Texas there is little government assistance for people who are poor which makes the problem worse. Obviously the people with low incomes live a very different life from those who are very wealthy which again makes it hard to make any generalizations about the way that Texans live.
——————–

UNIVERSITIES IN TEXAS
Texas has an excellent and very extensive system of public universities. These are very popular amongst students in large part because students from Texas who meet the standards for acceptance are able to attend school tuition free. Clearly this has resulted in large numbers of students taking advantage of the opportunity which is why the state needs to have such an extensive system of schools. In addition to the public universities there are also a large number of private colleges.

Texas has a very extensive system of universities which makes it somewhat unique compared to how the system works in most other places. There are basically six state universities but each of these has several branches. The result is that there are actually dozens of campuses around the state. The biggest of these is the University of Texas system. They operate fourteen universities throughout the state and combined they have the largest student enrollment by far.

The next university system in Texas is the Texas A&M system. These schools got their name because they started out as the Texas agricultures and mechanical college. This system runs twelve campuses throughout the state making it the second largest system.

The Texas State University was original created in the early twentieth century to train teachers. Over the years however it has expanded to become a full university and it now runs four campuses around the state.

The University of North Texas was founded because of a need to accommodate more students in the Dallas area. There are two campuses that offer undergraduate studies as well as a medical school and a law school.

During the nineteen seventies it started to become clear that there was a need for a new university in Houston so the University of Houston opened in 1977. Today they have four campuses throughout the city and now have one of the largest student enrolments in the state.

Texas Tech was founded in the twenties in order to provide training for engineers however it has since grown to become a full-fledged university. There are now thirteen campuses as part of the system which is spread around the state.

In addition to the major university systems that run most of the state schools, there are also four independent state schools that operate with state funding but are outside of the systems that were created for the other systems. Texas is widely regarded to have one of the best public university systems in the country with several of its schools ranked near the top of most annual rankings.

Besides the public university system in Texas, there are also a large number of private institutions. This includes some of the finest schools in the country like Baylor and Rice universities. There are no shortage of schools in the state so there is plenty of opportunities to get an education in the state of Texas.

——————-

FAMOUS TEXANS
There are a lot of well-known people who have come from Texas. This will, of course, come as no surprise given that it is the second-most populous state in the union. The number of famous people is made even longer by the rather unique history that the state of Texas has compared to other states.

Given how proud Texans are of their history it will come as no surprise that many of the most famous Texans are the leaders of the revolution that made Texas independent in 1836. The most well known of these is Sam Houston. Admittedly he is best known for the city that was named after him but he was also the first president of the Republic of Texas as well as being the first governor when Texas became a state. Sam Houston is an important figure in the founding of Texas and is well remembered in the state.

Other famous Texans from the early days of the state are the ones who fought at the Alamo during the revolution. The best known of these were Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Neither of them actually lived in Texas for a particularly long time and both had actually become famous before they moved to Texas. However, since they both died at the Alamo they are largely associated with the state of Texas. Most of the others who died at the Alamo are also well known within the state although they are not as famous as Crockett and Bowie.

Texas has produced a number of presidents, although just how many is not clear. Nobody disputes that Lyndon Johnson was at Texan having been born and raised there. Also not really in dispute is George W. Bush who although born in Connecticut was raised largely in Texas and would serve as governor of the state before becoming president. Where there is debate about presidents who are from Texas is with the senior George Bush. He would not move to Texas until he was an adult but he did work in the oil business in Texas and represented the state in Congress. Even more debatable is Dwight Eisenhower who although born in Texas was largely raised in Kansas, although he did spend some time in Texas while he was in the military.

Texas, of course, is a huge state with a very large population so it has produced a great many people who have gone onto fame. Many actors, musicians, and athletes have come from the state as have successful people from other fields. There are lots of places that you can go online and find a comprehensive list of all the famous people from the state. It will take you a considerable amount of time to sort through these lists however as there are a lot of people on them.

———————-
TIPS FOR VISITING TEXAS
Texas is a very popular tourist destination and one of the reasons for that is such an easy place to visit. While there is not a lot that you need to know in order to visit Texas there are a few tips that will help to make your trip more enjoyable.

The biggest tip for visiting Texas is to keep in mind that the state is really big. People, of course, know that it is the biggest state in the lower forty-eight but most people underestimate just how big it truly is. This is something that you have to keep in mind when you are planning your travels, there are long distances between towns and cities. Realistically you are not going to see all of the states so you will be better off choosing a part of it that you would like to visit and sticking to that part.

Another important tip for visiting Texas is that you are going to have to have access to a car. That means you will either need to drive your own or rent one when you get there. In most places, you can get away without having one but Texas is not one of those places. Public transit is of very low quality and as mentioned above things are very spread out. Make sure that you plan to have access to a car while you are in Texas unless the plan is to stay in only one area. Also, make sure that you learn the local driving rules, some of them can be pretty interesting.

It is important to realize that the weather in Texas can be variable. In fact, you can experience almost any kind of weather imaginable in the state. That means that you are going to have to be prepared for anything. While Texas is generally warm there are parts that get very cold, especially at night. You also have to be prepared for the fact that it rains a lot in certain regions, of course, there is very little rain in other areas. The point is that because of the huge size of Texas you may encounter almost any conditions.

Most people who visit Texas tend to do so with a fairly minimal amount of planning. For the most part, this is easy to do as the state has a well-established infrastructure for tourists. However, you will find that if you put a little bit of thought into your trip you will have more fun. There is so much to do in Texas that you won’t be able to do anywhere near all of it. For this reason, the best thing to do is to decide on the things that you really want to do but also to leave enough flexibility in your schedule that you can take advantage of any interesting opportunities that come up.
————————
TRAFFIC INFORMATION FOR TEXAS
Traffic is an issue that you are going to have to face whenever you drive, however as a visitor to Texas there may be more of than you are used to. Because of that, you are going to want to make sure that you are able to find plenty of traffic information.

If you are going to drive in Texas, and if you are going to visit you will pretty much have to drive, you are going to want to make sure that you stay up to date on traffic information. There are a lot of people in the state and virtually all of them drive everywhere that they go. This is made even worse by the fact that most of the roads were built in the fifties and never intended to get anything close to the amount of traffic that they currently get. As a result traffic jams are commonplace and it can take a long time to get where you are going.

The biggest traffic problems in the state are around large cities especially Dallas and Houston. The Freeways are the worst areas but you can get traffic tie up on almost any major road. It is also important to be aware that this can happen at any time of the day. Certainly, it happens most frequently at rush hour but there will be plenty of times when there is a traffic jam in the middle of the day. The best way to avoid this is to pay attention to traffic reports.

The best way to get traffic information for Texas is online. The State has a website that will report on any traffic issues. However, most people feel that the sites that are offered by local radio and television stations are more useful since the information will be more up to date. These sites will allow you to enter your route so that you can see what the traffic is like before you set out. If the traffic is heavy on the route that you plan to take the site may offer you an alternative route if one exists.

Of course, the traffic situation can change while you are driving so you will want to stay on top of this as well. The best way to do this would be to use a wireless device that allows you to look at the websites that show you how much traffic there is. However, this is dangerous if you are driving so you don’t want to do that. If there is somebody else in the car who can look at these things for you while you drive that would be a good option. Otherwise, you are going to have to rely on the radio to provide you with traffic information, they are pretty good about doing this because traffic is such an issue throughout the state.

=======================
Today’s “Big Event” is the annual “Cowboy Breakfast” tomorrow morning (1/25/08) at a new location.

The Cowboy Breakfast pays homage to trail riders and the Old West, but there will be plenty new this year. First, it will move from its old location at Crossroads of San Antonio mall farther out Interstate 10 West to the parking lot at Bass Pro Shops. The breakfast will run from 5 to 9 a.m. Friday.

And while new menu items will not include fish tacos, there will be 50 gallons of Menudo and 30,000 tamales added to staples such as 20,000 biscuits, 100 gallons of gravy, 1300 pounds of sausage, 800 pounds of chorizo for tacos served on 36,000 tortillas and 800 loaves of bread. The free feed, recognized in 2001 as the world’s largest cooked breakfast by the Guinness Book of Records, won’t quite end at 9 a.m., either. Kicking it up a bunch of notches this year, the official after-party will begin at 9 a.m. — and run almost continuously to midnight, with Gary P. Nunn as the headliner — at new sponsor Leon Springs Dance Hall just a little farther out I-10.

“It’s going to be a long day,” said breakfast vice-chairman Bert Mazac, who added that organizers will put a match to the first cooking fire 24 hours earlier. To make the 30th annual event even more special is the board of directors’ goal of doubling last year’s scholarship to $20,000 for the culinary program at St. Philip’s College. New nonprofit groups will come on board, too — the Humane Society of Bexar County will have a pet adoption booth, and breakfast-goers are asked to bring a donation to the San Antonio Food Bank. The San Antonio Blood & Tissue Center will return. “They tell us the Cowboy Breakfast is their biggest single event of the year,” Mazac said.

Live music will be provided by Caleb Haynes, Amy Hermes & the Takin’ Back Texas Band, The Lavens, and Ryan T. Briggs & the Redneck Hippies. At the after-party at Leon Springs Dance Hall, Bobby Baker & The Longnecks will take the stage at 9 a.m., Clint Taft & The Buck Wild Band at noon, the Bobby Flores Band at 6 p.m. and Nunn at 9:30 p.m. Organizers caught flak for the move to Bass Pro Shops, especially from people on the South Side, Mazac said. “But it’s only 8 miles farther out than it was,” he said. “I think we will end up with more people than when we were at Crossroads. The construction on Loop 410 and I-10 and the big walls with the new roads kept drivers from seeing us. “Plus, we have a lot more parking at Bass Pro Shops, including access to the Palladium and even Six Flags Fiesta Texas if it gets too crowded.”

Bass Pro Shops is helping in a number of ways, including providing caps for the first 200 volunteers who show up and hourly drawings for volunteers for $50 gift certificates. While hundreds already have volunteered, more can sign up the morning — make that the really early morning — of the event. “We have a sign-up desk, and if someone shows up and wants to help, we’ll put them to work,” Mazac said. Bass Pro Shops will open its doors at 6 a.m. and will chip in to the entertainment with the Country Boy’s Union, which plays country and Southern rock classics and originals. The outdoor retailer also is planning special giveaways and seminars. “We want to add to it, but we don’t want to steal the thunder from the Cowboy Breakfast,” promotions manager Lorraine Lawrence said.

A giant grill from sausage-maker Johnsonville, at the breakfast to serve 10,000 brats, will remain at Bass Pro through the weekend selling brats to help with the Cowboy Breakfast’s scholarship fund. “This is sort of an adventure,” Lawrence said. “The fellows have been doing it so long it’s just their regular trail ride, and for us it’s like riding a bronco. It’s all new for us, and we’re trying to come up with right ideas to help them out and make this an even bigger event.”

Other retailers at The Rim also will pitch in at the breakfast or have special events. The Cowboy Breakfast began with a handful of cooks and grills in the parking lot of Central Park Mall, its home for 23 years, as the kickoff for trail riders beginning the annual trek to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. It grew to feed upward of 50,000. Some 30,000 people attended last year.

=======================

Here in Texas, we drink lots of Tequila, perhaps more than any other state in the USA. I’m a bartender as well as a website designer. I can be found behind the bar several evenings each week at La Fonda Oak Hills, one of San Antonio’s oldest restaurants. My name is Jeff, and if you mention that you saw this posting, I will buy you one of the best margaritas you’ll find in the USA on any night I happen to be working. Folks, please do not order a “top shelf” margarita in any restaurant, unless you want to impress your date with how much money you are willing to spend. You are wasting your money! Have a “house margarita” instead (the only caveat here is that you may get a “sweet concoction” that is not a “real margarita”) Have one with me at La Fonda! Or order instead a premium tequila served in a “cabillito”, and sip it, don’t “shoot it”! Ordering a margarita made with a premium tequila (such as Patron Silver, Don Julio Plata or an even more expensive marque), or gulping it down with salt and a lime only reveals inexperience, and an ignorance of what savouring a great tequila is all about. Here’s a primer on tequila for your edification and enjoyment.

All About Tequila

Types of Tequila

Tequila can only be produced in Mexico and must comply with strict Mexican Government regulations. In order to satisfy an ever-growing demand and a multitude of consumer’s preferences and tastes, tequila is produced in two general categories and four different types in each category. The two categories are defined by the percentage of juices coming from the blue agave:

Tequila 100% Agave. Must be made with 100% blue agave juices and must be bottled at the distillery in Mexico.

Tequila (Ordinary Tequila). Must be made with at least 51% blue agave juices. This tequila may be exported in bulk to be bottled in other countries following the NOM standard.

The NOM standard defines four types of tequila: Blanco Clear, fresh from the still tequila is called Blanco (white or silver). It has the true bouquet and flavor of the blue agave. It is usually strong and is traditionally enjoyed in a “caballito” (2 oz small glass). This is the traditional tequila that started it all.

Joven or Abocado Joven or young is Tequila Blanco mellowed by the addition of colorings and flavorings, caramel being the most common. It is also known as Extra or Gold. It is the tequila of choice for Margaritas.

Reposado Reposado or rested is Tequila Blanco that has been kept in white oak casks or vats called “pipones” for more than two months and up to one year. The oak barrels give Reposado a mellowed taste, pleasing bouquet, and its pale color. Reposados keep the blue agave taste and are gentler to the palate. These tequilas have experienced exponential demand and high prices.

Añejo Añejo is Tequila Blanco aged in white oak casks for more than a year. Maximum capacity of the casks should not exceed 600 liters (159 gallons). The amber color and woody flavor are picked up from the oak, and the oxidation that takes place through the porous wood develops the unique bouquet and taste. Some Añejos are aged for several years and enter into the big leagues of liquor both in taste and in price.

Reprinted from Vive Tequila

Tequila is aged in casks.

GLOSSARY

Agave. Plant with long spiny leaves of the lily family. There are more than 400 species, all native to North America and mostly to Mexico. Tequila is made exclusively from the agave azul that grows in semiarid soils and takes from 8 to 12 years to mature. Pulque is made from the maguey that grows in the cooler highlands and has become a hallmark of the Mexican countryside. Other agave is used to produce henequen (sisal).

Agave azul (Blue Agave). The specific variety of agave from which tequila is made. It grows in the Tequila Region. The correct name is Agave Azul Tequilana Weber.

Aguamiel. The sugary sap from the maguey that ferments into pulque.

Añejo. Tequila Blanco aged in oak barrels for more than a year. It has a golden amber color with a soft, smooth, complex flavor.

Autoclave. A large steam pressure cooker used to cook the agave piñas.

Barrica. Barrel mostly made of oak that previously held bourbon or whiskey.

Blanco. Clear, fresh from the still tequila is called Blanco (white or silver). It has the true bouquet and flavor of the blue agave.

Caballito. A two to three ounce glass 3 to 4 inches tall used in Mexico for tequila. The glass is slightly tapered making the mouth wider than the bottom, although it may be a perfect cylinder.

Cabeza. The first portion of distillate (heads), highest in alcohol and aldehydes, which is usually discarded. See also Corazon and Colas. Cactus. Drought resistant spiny plants with succulent stems like the saguaro, peyote and nopal (opuntia). No liquor is produced with any cactus plant.

Coa. A machete type tool used by the Jimador for harvesting agave.

Colas. The final portion of distillate containing the lowest alcohol and soapy flavors, usually recycled into another distillation.

Corazon. The “heart” of distillation containing the best flavors and aromas for tequila.

CRT. Tequila Regulatory Council (Consejo Regulador del Tequila), a private non-profit organization responsible for the regulation, verification, and quality certification of tequila.

Distillation. The process of purifying a liquid by successive evaporation and condensation. Tequila is made with double distillation, and some brands go through a third one to enhance purity.

Fabrica. A tequila distillery.

Fermentation. The formation of alcohol from sugars by the action of enzymes. In the tequila process the sugars come from the roasted agave piñas, and the enzymes is the yeast added to the sap or “mosto”. The yeast acts upon the sugars of the agave plant converting them into alcohol.

Gran Reposado. 100% Blue Agave tequila made in small batches and rested in wood barrels for twice as long as most Resposado.

Hijuelos. Offsprings of the agave plant, which are replanted and develop into mature agave plants. It is the preferred form of propagation for most agave plants.

Horno. The traditional oven used to cook agave piñas.

Jimador. The laborer who harvests agave. The jimador’s task is a crucial one, since he decides when the plant is ready, usually 8 to 12 years after it is planted. He has to cut off all the spiny leaves to obtain an almost perfect core or piña.

Joven abocado. Joven or young is Tequila Blanco mellowed by the addition of colorings and flavorings, caramel being the most common. It is also known as Extra or Gold. Mostly used for Margaritas.

Los Altos. One of the major growing regions for Blue Agave, a mountainous area with rich red volcanic soil east of Guadalajara.

Madre. A mature or “Mother” agave plant from which hijuelos have been harvested.

Maguey. A Carib word encompassing agaves that are mostly used for pulque. It has become a hallmark of the Mexican countryside.

Mezcal (or mescal). All liquors distilled from any agave plant are mezcal, but only those made from the blue agave are branded as tequila. Tequila is mezcal produced in the Tequila Region.

Mosto. The unfermented juice extracted from the roasted agave piñas.

NOM. Norma Official Mexicana. The official Mexican standard or NOM defines tequila as the product of fermentation and distillation of the blue agave juices (mostos) obtained at the distillery from agave cores or piñas grown in the Tequila Region. It is assigned by the government to each tequila distillery, identifying which company made and bottled each brand of tequila.

Nopal. Native to Mexico it is a member of the cactus family, and is commonly referred to as “prickly pear”. Nopal is a great source of vitamin C and extremely nutritious. Its fruit, known as “tuna”, is served with lime juice for breakfast or lunch.

Ordinario. The first run distillate when making tequila.

Piña. The pineapple-shaped heart of the agave plant. The average weight is 40 to 70 pounds, and can reach up to 200 pounds. Roughly speaking, seven kilos (15 lb.) of raw agave piñas are needed to produce one liter (one quart U.S.) of tequila. Piloncillo. Unrefined sugar made from dried sugarcane juice, used in production of tequila joven or abocado.

Pipon. Tank, usually made of oak, used for storing tequila. Pulque. Fermented Mexican drink, made from the maguey or Century plant. The maguey is milked daily by a tlachiquero to obtain the aguamiel sap using a gourd or acocote. Pulque is slightly foamy and mildly alcoholic.

Quiote. A once-in-a-lifetime stem that springs from all agave plants to produce seeds. It may reach 25 to 40 feet high so that the seeds grown at the top of the stem can scatter with the wind.

Resposado. Reposado or rested is Tequila Blanco that has been kept in white oak casks or vats called pipones for more than two months and up to one year. The oak barrels give Reposado a mellowed taste, pleasing bouquet, and its pale color.

Sangrita. A spicy and refreshing non-alcoholic chaser made of fresh orange juice, grenadine and chile piquín. Sangrita is the Spanish diminutive for “blood” and is served in a “caballito”.

Tahona. The ancient traditional stone wheel used to crush and extract juice from cooked agave. It is still used to produce traditional tequila.

Tequila. Both the region and the town that gave the spirit of tequila its name.

Tepache. A Mexican drink made of the fermentation of pineapple juice. In some regions pulque is added.

Tequila Region. The “Denomination of Origin” law has defined the area in which the blue agave is grown. It includes the state of Jalisco and some regions in the states of Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas.

Tesgüino. Mild alcoholic beverage of Central and Northern Mexico produced by the fermentation of corn. It is similar to beer with bits of corn and it is the traditional drink of the Tarahumaras or Rarramuri Indians.

Tuna. The fruit of the nopal. It is served chilled with lime juice.

Yeast. Consists largely of cells of a tiny fungus. It causes fermentation in alcoholic beverages and is used as leaven in baking. It is added to the tequila mosto to induce fermentation. The yeast acts upon the sugars of the agave plant converting them into alcohol.

Reprinted from Vive Tequila

Pinas, heart of the agave

Myths About Tequila

Tequila comes from the distillation of «pulque». WRONG. Pulque comes from the fermentation of the sugary sap «aguamiel» obtained from the maguey or Century Plant (which is botanically related to the agave plant). Pulque is fine but it has nothing to do with tequila.

Tequila and mezcal are made from a cactus. WRONG. Cactus plants grow in the desert and are of a different genus than the agave. There is no known liquor obtained from the cactus.

Mezcal contains mescaline. WRONG. Neither tequila nor mezcal contains any mescaline or alkaloids at all. However, peyote (a variety of Cactus) contains mescaline, an alkaloid that produces hallucinations.

The worm is part of the tequila or mezcal process. This is a nice legend, but not true at all. The worm is placed in some mezcal bottles as a marketing gig. However the maguey grows worms that are a delicacy in Mexico fetching astronomical prices at luxury restaurants. The best known are “Gusanos de Maguey” and “Chinicuiles”.

Tequila has medicinal properties. There is no scientific evidence about any medicinal properties of the agave plant, mescal, or tequila. However if you drink a “caballito” every day, it will make you a happier person.

Reprinted from Vive Tequila
============================

====================

How to Move Easily with Pets
Moving can be stressful for anyone but it is also stressful for your pets too. The upheaval that happens while packing can upset them and pets like dogs, need to know that they too are moving with your family. So here are a few moving tips to make your pets feel more secure during the move. Pets have to be given a lot of care during packing and moving to make them feel secure.

Care – Pets are used to being given a lot of care and attention. However, during a move, you will have to give them more care and constantly see to it that they are ok.
Safety – Pets are like little children and they will not know a potential danger even if was right under their noses. For example, you cannot leave knives, blades and scissors lying around while packing. An inquisitive dog is sure to poke its nose into it and one of the most important moving tips for safety is to keep all sharp things out of sight.
Comfort –Even if the entire house is being packed, keep a small corner with the pet’s blanket, food and water. When pets see that their basic needs are there, they will be less stressed and more comfortable.
Reassurance – keep petting your dogs and cats do that they will feel comforted. The packing of the house will be a confusing event and they will require your constant reassurance that everything is going to turn out fine.
Surveillance – Of all the moving tips, this happens to be the most important one. During a move, it is easy to misplace a lot of things and amidst the chaos, one can also lose track of one’s pets. Small dogs may tend to swallow small items, so keep all such things on top shelves or on tables but never on the ground. Keep an eye on them the whole time so that they do not run out of the house when no one is looking. It is impossible to keep the door closed while the movers are working. So ask for a neighbor to take care of your pet till you lock up the house.
Feline Terror
Cats are more independent than dogs but they tend to be more attached to a place rather than to humans. So the move might upset cats a lot more than it does dogs. You might find your cat more withdrawn and quiet or becoming clingy to you which are unnatural behavioral patterns. Keep your cat’s carrier with you at all times and place it in a warm cozy place in the new house. Keep praising the cat as it keeps going around the new house so that it will start associating your words with the house.

Animal Relocation Companies
Most of the time, owners might not be able to take their pets along with them during the move and in such cases, an animal relocation company is the best bet. Keep your pet’s paperwork up-to-date so that there will be no hitches during the move. Make sure that you retrieve your pet as soon as possible and if you can, arrive at the destination ahead of the animal movers to receive them. One of the best moving tips for pets is to receive them with a welcome kit that contains their favorite food and toys.
===================
San Antonio Recreation

Laredo & Nuevo Laredo
A trip to Laredo is the closest thing to a Mexican vacation a San Antonian can take without actually leaving Texas. Bisected neatly by the mighty Rio Grande – the dividing line between Texas and Mexico – Laredo and its south of the border hermanita, Nuevo Laredo, are together known as Los Dos Laredos (the Two Laredos), and the two cities make up the most lively fiesta zone the hinterlands have to offer. And whether it’s the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution or George Washington’s birthday, the fun is shared by all.

Laredo holds the distinction of being the only Spanish settlement in the Lone Star State with its earliest roots neither in guns nor crosses. Of course, rural hamletdom didn’t last long, and today it has a bevy of antique churches, forts and museum pieces to show us why. Still, the town’s main attractions are its Texican traditions and its (literal) bridging of US/Mexican cultures. The border-spanning International Bridge No 1 across the Rio Grande (known to Mexicans as the Rio Bravo) is walkable in five minutes with minimal formalities, and there’s a great market just four blocks beyond. And monolingual gringos can relax as both languages are spoken by just about everyone on both sides of the border.

Laredo is 152mi (245km) and a bit over two hours drive southwest of San Antonio along I-35. Greyhound buses make the trip daily, as do flights from SAT into Laredo International Airport.

Luckenbach
In 1977, Waylon Jennings told the world that in ‘Luckenbach, Texas, ain’t nobody feeling no pain,’ and this tiny Hill Country community has been a pilgrimage zone for zealous country music fans ever since. In reality, there aren’t too many other reasons to drop by, but if you’re in the neighborhood and ready for a break, that’s certainly reason enough.

The town is closed on Wednesday. That’s right. The town. Closed. When it is open, Luckenbach’s downtown area consists of its 120-year-old general store, which also serves as the local post office, dance hall, saloon and community center. Its walls are decorated with the hand-scrawled howdies of pilgrims and devotees, its floor with six generations of scuff marks. The dance hall periodically hosts weekend musical performances, but about the only times you can count on a crowd are during the Labor Day and 4th of July weekend concerts. Native Texans Waylon ‘n’ Willie (Nelson, that is) are the prime draws, but dozens of country music’s finest also fill out the bills.

To get to Luckenbach from San Antonio, take I-10 to FM 1376 north and follow it for about 25mi (40km) northwest toward Fredericksburg. From there take Hwy 29 east and turn south on FM 1376 for about 3mi (5km).

Padre Island National Seashore
If the charm of the big city is wearing thin, head out to the miles of sandy, surfy beaches along Texas’ Gulf of Mexico shores. The beaches of Padre Island, a 110mi (180km) long barrier island that protects Texas from the gulf’s foul temper, make a popular daytrip for landlocked San Antonians. All manner of wildlife is visible on or around the island, including several species of endangered turtle and three species of dolphin. Fisherfolk and birdwatchers are also well provided for. Swimmers should keep their eyes peeled for the stinging Portuguese man-of-wars that frequent these waters.

To reach Padre Island from San Antonio, head south on I-37 for 145mi (235km) to the grassy flatlands of Corpus Christi, and then take South Padre Island Drive/Hwy 358 to the JFK Causeway Bridge.

Home – Property Search – Search Homes – Search Condos – Search Rentals – Search Commercial – Search Land – Search Investments – Search Apartments – Loan PreQualify – Map – Golf – Government – Recreation – Weather – Referral Directory

If you are looking for a residential house, you have come to the right place. If you are looking for waterfront homes, San Antonio’s many golf course properties have excellent waterfront properties available. Allow us to help find the home in Texas that right for you. Our high-end clients can meet their Texas luxury real estate needs. Our agents can advise you in nearly every aspect of the homebuying process. Come experience San Antonio’s magnificient golf courses for yourself. If you are looking for luxury homes in San Antonio, Texas you have come to the right place We pride ourselves on exceeding every client’s expectations during the home buying/selling process. Our goal is to help you be an informed buyer or seller in San Antonio’s changing real estate market. Let our real estate professionals make your next move a truly wonderful and memorable experience!
====================
Golf Courses In San Antonio
San Antonio is an ideal place for golf. You can pretty much play year round. The city is constantly adding more courses and has become a very popular golf destination. Here are some of the more popular golf courses in the San Antonio area.

Canyon Springs
One of the newest courses in the San Antonio area opening in early 1998. It’s open to the public with green fees ranging from $75-$85 which includes the cart. The course is located on the far north side of the city in the Stone Oak area. Call 210-497-1770 for more info or click here.

Hyatt Hill Country Resort
One of the premiere courses in San Antonio. The resort and golf course is located in the northwest part of the city near Sea World. It’s open to the public with green fees ranging from $100-$110 which includes cart fees and use of their driving range. This is a must play when in San Antonio. Visit their web site at: www.hyatt.com/pages/s/sanhca.html

La Cantera Golf Club
Always rated high on top lists including Best New Public Course Of The Year Golf Digest, December 1995 and Top 20 Favorite Public Golf Courses In Texas Survey of Texas Pros & Gulf Coast Golfer, January 1997 (#1) – January 1998 (#1) . For regular play, they accept tee times up to 30 days in advance. Rates are $105 Monday – Thursday and $115 Friday – Sunday which includes tax and include: green fees, cart, practice balls, bag tag, divot tool, and yardage guide. Visit their web site: http://www.lacanteragolf.com/

The Quarry
Built around and through an old cement quarry, The Quarry golf course offers San Antonio’s most unique golfing experience. Their awards include: The best public golf course in the state of Texas” – ’96, ’97, ’99 (2nd in ’98) -Dallas Morning News- “Ranked Top 10 of America’s Greatest Courses in Texas” – ’98 & ’99 (Best in San Antonio) -Golf Digest- “Top 100 Women Friendly Courses in the United States” – ’98 & ’99. Green fees are in the $100 range. Visit their web site at: http://www.quarrygolf.com/

Silverhorn
Another beautiful new course located in northern San Antonio. Green fees are $75 and include a cart. Call them at 210-545-5300 for more information.

Tapito Springs
Tapito Springs is located in deeper in the Texas Hill Country. It’s west of San Antonio near the small town of Boerne. The resorts includes a 148 room hotel and is great for conferences and “get away” meetings. The golf course has 27 holes with 9 holes just added recently. Green fees range from $80-$95 ($75 for hotel guests). Golf packages and specials are available. Visit their web site at: http://www.tapatio.com/

San Antonio City Courses

Cedar Creek
This course is widely considered San Antonio’s best municipal course. Located in the northwestern part of the city near Fiesta Texas, it’s also one of the city’s busiest courses. Green fees range from $16 (with city card) to $27 for visitors. Call them at 210-695-5050 for more information.

Mission Del Lago
One of the newer city courses it’s a wide open and long course. It’s one of the better municipal courses in the area and located south of the city. Call 210-627-2522 for more information.

Brackenridge Park, Olmos Basin, Riverside and Willow Springs
The remaining municipal courses are usually well kept, challenging and inexpensive. For more information contact:
Brackenridge Park Golf Course 210-226-5612
Olmos Basin Golf Course 210-826-4041
Riverside Golf Course 210-533-8371
Willow Springs Golf Course 210-226-6721

Home – Property Search – Search Homes – Search Condos – Search Rentals – Search Commercial – Search Land – Search Investments – Search Apartments – Loan PreQualify – Map – Golf – Government – Recreation – Weather – Referral Directory

With the local culture, the social scene, and the surrounding atmosphere, San Antonio is a great place to live. Get your home here now, to sell or buy, in the San Antonio area! San AntonioTexas real estate is a fantastic investment. Buying and selling homes is our forte! Use this site to get all the San Antonio real estate information you need. Allow us to help find the home in Texas that right for you. The history, culture and booming economy of San Antonio make it an ideal city for real estate investments. If you are trying to find a house, look here first! Our high-end clients can meet their Texas luxury real estate needs. When looking for a home in San Antonio Texas, always look here first.
==================
We have the largest selection of floral arrangements in the San Antonio area, we offer an extensive variety of floral arrangments at a reasonable and affordable price. Look here

A colorful blue basket containing Tulips, Lilies, Solidago, Irises, and Daisies in a multitude of bright, spring hues. Amidst the clouds of soft white blooms, rainbows of Iris, Tulips, Carnations, Mini Carnations, Alstroemeria, and Asters bring brightness to any room. For any occasion, or as an accent piece, alamo this beautiful arrangement in a 7”””” glass vase parma heights florists online will be the center of attention. the perfect way to express your own special wish. our bouquet features polished delights florists such as spray roses, pom poms, larkspur, waxflower, and myrtle all in a clear glass vase. you can be sure your recipient will adore this lovely selection of heartfelt wishes. vase may vary bright bouquet of tulips, lilies, delphinium, daisies, alstroemeria, solidago, and other beautiful fresh cut flowers set in a wicker basket. roses in lavender and hot pink have been added online to lavender larkspur, mauve carnations, mini calla lilies, lisianthus, miniature carnations, and ivy in this delightful informal garden bouquet. display a delightful alamo mix of fresh-cut daisy poms, carnations, and alstroemeria–in vibrant shades of red, crimson, and ivory–in a ginger jar.

the roses, cut flowers, arrangements, plants and gifts that we offer come from the Garfield heights florists online finest shops around the country. because we treat each order individually, we can select from the best available to make sure your gift is exactly florists what you want and that it is delivered on time, with online your best wishes. if you have any questions about your selection, or which flowers or arrangements to choose for a specific occasion, go to “contact us” and we””ll be happy to help. red roses are the universal symbol of love and caring, and therefore make the perfect gift for anyone! send the classic perfection of one dozen long-stemmed red roses in an unforgettable bouquet, elegantly displayed in a crystal clear glass vase. speak the universal alamo and parma heights florists online language of love and happiness by sending a rainbow of joy with this truly beautiful arrangement of rainbow shaded roses with asters, lisianthus, dahlias and old-fashioned foxglove in a classic glass vase. we use only the freshest, most colorful roses available. vase style may vary clear glass bubble florists bowl online containing fresh tangerines, and beautiful flowers in coordinating hues– spray roses, asters, geranium, carnations, and more. approximately 30 stems.

Look here – We have the largest selection of floral arrangements in the San Antonio area, we offer an extensive variety of floral arrangments at a reasonable and affordable price.
==============

SAN ANTONIO ATTRACTIONS
Are there enough things to do in San Antonio
to keep you busy on your vacation?
Don’t worry – there are plenty of San Antonio attractions to keep your family from getting bored!

We have visited San Antonio many times in the past twenty-five years and every time we go back we are amazed at the number of attractions that the city has to offer.

So what we have decided to do is list some of our “must-see San Antonio attractions”.

We’ll start with some of our family’s favorites – these are places you just can’t miss on your San Antonio vacation:

THE SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK
First, stop – the Paseo del Rio or The Riverwalk – mainly because you are probably going to be staying fairly close to it. This is truly a unique San Antonio Texas attraction. Whether you are looking for restaurants, shopping, musicians, or just plain old’ people-watching, the Riverwalk is the place to be.

Although the Riverwalk extends further than the horseshoe area between the restaurant named Biga on the Banks on the south side to the Drury Inn and Suites Riverwalk on the north side, that is where all of the action is. That section of the Riverwalk was created in 1929 and today is considered a San Antonio city park. (So, it doesn’t cost a thing to go to this San Antonio attraction.)

There are a wide variety of San Antonio restaurants, shops, and other establishments that add to the San Antonio nightlife. There are places for weddings and even a boat ride on the Riverwalk.

THE ALAMO
We wouldn’t be true Texans if we didn’t encourage you to stop at the Cradle of Texas Liberty — The Alamo.

It is for us without a doubt the top of the San Antonio attractions. Others must agree with us because it is the most visited of all the Texas and San Antonio attractions in 2004.
For Texans, coming to San Antonio and visiting the Alamo is as close to a pilgrimage as we can get. Really, it is the essence of what Texas is all about.

For those that don’t know, the Alamo was the site of an old Spanish mission wherein 1836 a small band of Texans held out for thirteen days against the army of the Mexican President Santa Anna. Despite their defeat and deaths, these men are considered heroes of the Texas Revolution as they gave Sam Houston, general of the Texan armies, time to organize.

For these reasons, Texans believe the site to be almost sacred ground. After several years of neglect and deterioration following the battle, the State Texas took over the property and today the Daughters of the Republic of Texas maintain this San Antonio attraction as its custodian.

The shrine is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and opens at 10:00 a.m. Sundays. The Alamo is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They have later weekend hours during the summer. There is no charge. (Remember to remove your hats before entering the Alamo or Texas state troopers will ask you to do so!)

THE SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS
The San Antonio Mission Trail is another stop mainly for older visitors or anyone who can really appreciate history. The trail connects five different missions established by the Spaniards in the 1700s with the goal of converting the Native Americans in the area. Today, this San Antonio attraction is run by the National Park Service.

Mission Concepcion was completed in 1755 and served as the home of the leader of all the mission priests. It looks very much today like it did when it was finished.

Mission San Jose was the largest of the missions and was completed in 1782. (If you are Roman Catholic, they have a mariachi Mass on Sundays at noon that is very good!)

The Mission San Juan Capistrano was moved to San Antonio in 1731 and in 1736 the church was completed. This mission was important because its farms became a leading producer of food for the region.

Mission Espada came to San Antonio in 1731 and its church was completed in 1756. The aqueduct that was created near this mission was a marvel of the colonial period of Spanish engineering.

And the fifth mission — well, the Alamo, of course! The other missions have a visitor’s center which is open every day of the year from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

THE SAN ANTONIO ZOO
One of our first stops on our honeymoon in 1980 was the San Antonio Zoo.

Considered today to be one of the best zoos in the United States, the San Antonio Zoo now houses over 3,500 animals. This San Antonio attraction sits on 56 acres and hosts around 850,000 visitors each year. It has been around since 1914.
The zoo is open 365 days a year and costs $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 3-11. (One of the neatest parts of the zoo is the Lorry Landing where you can purchase nectar to feed these small birds. They fly right up to you and they are very cute!) Check out their online coupon for little savings.

THE TOWER OF THE AMERICAS
In downtown San Antonio, you will find the Tower of the Americas. You can’t miss it because it stands a whopping 750 feet from the ground to the top of the antenna.

Not to brag, but that makes this San Antonio attraction taller than the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, and the Great Pyramids! We have a saying that “everything’s bigger in Texas” and the Tower of the Americas fits.

It has a circular observation deck that is 550 feet up which gives a spectacular view of the city in all directions. Built for the 1968 HemisFair, it also has a rotating restaurant that matches the view from the observation deck.

Before New Year’s last year, we watched as the Oklahoma State University football team, their band, and their fans walked from the Marriott Rivercenter to the Alamodome on the day of the Alamo Bowl game. Covering a distance of about a mile, the streets were crowded with fans in orange. (It was quite a sight to see from 50 stories up!)

(Note: The Tower of the Americas is currently closed for renovation. It is expected to be reopened in the spring of 2006.)

NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS
AND WILDLIFE RANCH
If you like spelunking, Natural Bridge Caverns & Wildlife Ranch just north of San Antonio is a real treat. Discovered in 1960 by four San Antonio university students, these caverns are almost all completely active and growing.

This San Antonio attraction has over a half-mile of paved trails and extends well beyond 250 feet below the entrance. They have over 10,000 different formations and some are really something to see. (For instance, the “Fried Egg” formations look just like the name – tall, but with a yellow middle caused from acids in the soil above.)

It takes about an hour and a half to go through the regular tour, but if you want a little more of a challenge, try the Adventure Tour where you get to crawl, climb, and rappel through some of the parts of the cavern that have not been developed.

Its sister San Antonio attraction, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, is a unique experience as well. You drive in your car through their park to see endangered animals and wildlife of all kinds. It is the most visited park of its kind in Texas.

You will see buffalo, zebras, ostriches, white rhinos, and giraffes, and many other exotic animals in a natural 200 acre Texas ranch. (The drive through the ranch is over 3 miles long and you can drive through it as many times as you like.) They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

THE SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDENS
If you like to see how people can take 33 acres and create a masterpiece of beauty with their imagination, plants, and flowers, then we recommend that you make the San Antonio Botanical Garden a stop in your tour of San Antonio attractions.

The Botanical Gardens have several display gardens, including several that feature the use of a wide variety of colors, water pools, and decorative rocks. One recreates a Japanese garden comparable to one in Kyoto, Japan, San Antonio’s sister city. Another features the plants and vegetation of three geographical areas of the state of Texas.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden also has a high-tech conservatory that has a fern grotto, a palm house, and a room that looks like something out of a rain forest. The conservatory is quite tall and features buildings that are shaped like a pyramid and others that are more round-shaped.

(The Botanical Graden also has a unique “Garden for the Blind” which has a model of the way the garden is set up and offers plants with fragrant and differing smells.) The San Antonio Botanical Garden is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. We recommend going on a weekday if possible to avoid the crowds.

These are our family’s favorites of all the San Antonio attractions. If this doesn’t keep you busy enough, you can also check out the San Antonio theme parks, museums, and other entertainment options.

If you know of a San Antonio attraction that we haven’t covered that you feel should be mentioned, use this link to let us know about it.

To return from San Antonio attractions to the San-Antonio-vacation-planning.com home page, click here.
===================

sewing dictonary – gtg

The Sewing Dictionary
A dictionary of sewing terms to help you along your sewing journey.

A

Applique – Sewing a piece of fabric atop another after folding under a small bit of the fabric to create a clean edge. When done by machine, many use a satin stitch (tight zig zag) or a buttonhole stitch if your machine has the capability. By hand, blind stitching and hand buttonhole stitches are often used.

B

Backstitch – Used at the beginning and end of a machine sewn seam to anchor the seam in place; it involves a couple of extra stitches back and forth.
Ballpoint needle – Ballpoint needles are designed to penetrate knit fabrics without nicking or damaging the fabric.
Bar tack – A group of closely sewn stitches (back and forth from side to side a la zig zag) that is used to tack a belt loop or similar item in place. This is not a basting stitch and should be repeated several times on the machine to make a very short run of satin stitching.
Baste/basting – Temporary stitching used to hold a sewing project in place and is removed when the permanent sewing is done.
Batting – Fiberfill, cotton, wool, or other material that is flattened and usually on a roll and purchased in precut lengths or by the yard. Uses of batting range from filling for placemats or vests to quilts.
Bias – Runs diagonally to the straight grain of the fabric. This is the stretchiest part on the fabric.
Bias tape – Strips of fabric cut on the bias, often turned under and pressed, and used for bindings, facings, or other application where there is a need for stretch or to accommodate curves.
Binding – (blanket, quilt, etc.) Encasing the raw edges of a blanket or quilt with another piece of fabric. Binding also refers to the fabric that is folded and used for the encasing of the raw edges.
Blanket stitch – Used to neaten the edge of a buttonhole, blanket, vest edge, or other seam line. A blanket stitch can be done by hand or machine.
Blind hem stitch – Sewing stitch that is not meant to be seen on the right side of the fabric, usually accomplished by picking up one thread of the fabric at a time rather than going through the full fabric or several threads before completing a hand stitch or machine stitch. Many sewing machines come with a blind hem attachment and the manual is the best guide for how to use it and produce virtually invisible hems.
Bobbin – The piece of your sewing machine that holds the bottom thread (the bobbin thread) and is placed in the bobbin case. It generally is under the area the needle penetrates and it loops with the needle thread to form a locked stitch.
Bodice – The part of a pattern or garment which runs from shoulder to waist.
Bolt – A large roll of fabric which can be on a tubular roll or a rectangular form. Fabric is usually folded right sides together lengthwise on a bolt.
Buckram – Strong, heavy woven fabric used for stiffening baseball cap brims and some drapery applications.
Butting – Bringing two edges together so they touch but do not overlap.
Buttonhole – A bound slit in the fabric to allow the passage of a button for closure. Buttonholes are mostly made by machine these days, but many people do still prefer to make them by hand, using a special buttonhole stitch.

C

Casing – Fabric envelope of sorts for encasing elastic, a drawstring, or similar material, usually along a waistline, cuff, hem. Elastic waist slacks have a casing into which the elastic is woven. Sweat pants have a turned up casing into through which elastic is encased (if there are not ribbed cuffs).
Clip (curve) – Methods vary from person to person, but to clip a curve keep in mind that an outside curve (shaped like an upside down U) needs to be clipped to within a breath of the seam line. An inside curve (shaped like a right side up U) can be either clipped or you can cut very small notches (V shape) out of the curve itself in order to have it lay flat and not make bunches when the project or garment is done. If you use a serger to finish your seams, clipping is not an issue.
Cording – A twisted or woven “rope” or “string” that is used primarily in piping and to act as a drawstring in a jacket hood, waistband, or as stabilizer for frog closures. Cording is covered with bias strips of fabric when used for most decorative applications (such as edging a pillow). Other decorative effects can be achieved by zig-zagging over cording on a fabric for a raised design.
Covered button – A button covered with coordinating or same fabric as the garment for which it is being made. Kits are available for this effect or creative and careful application of fabric, fabric glue and shank buttons can be used.
Cutting line On a pattern – The outermost dark line is the line upon which you cut. Traditions vary; some people cut through the center of this line, others cut just to the outside of this line.

D

Dart – A V shaped, tapered adjustment to a pattern to allow for more fullness in the bust area or less fullness in other areas (waist)
Duct Tape Double (DTD) – A body form made out of primarily duct tape and other materials that conforms exactly to one’s body because the tape is wound around the body and then removed as a whole.

E

Ease – A way of sewing a length of fabric into a bit of a smaller space without resulting in gathers or puckers.
Edgestitch – A stitch done a scant 1/8″ from the folded or seamed edge.
Embellish – Adding special stitching, appliques, charms, or other decorations to your sewing project.
Entredeux – French word meaning “between two”. Often it’s a piece of lightweight fabric joined to another piece of lightweight fabric with a delicate bit of lace. Another method is to join two ribbons with a piece of lace.

F

Facing – Fabric sewn on the raw edge of a garment piece that is turned under and serves as a finish for the edge as well.
Fat quarter – Prior a quilting term, but often used for wearable art, vests, smaller garments, a fat quarter is 1/4 yard of fabric, about 18″ x 22″ as opposed to a regular 1/4 yard, which is 9″ x 45″. Fat quarters allow quick and colorful stash building.
Feed dog – The “teeth” under the plate on the sewing machine that move fabric as it is sewn.
Finish (an edge) – Turn under 1/4″ and stitch, serge the edge, or other method of finishing the edge so it doesn’t ravel or cause a bulky problem.
Flat felled seam – A seam created by sewing fabric wrong sides together, trimming one of the seam allowances close to the seam, then turning the other seam allowance under and stitching it over the prior trimmed seam allowance. This is often used for reinforcing seams on pajamas or to reduce bulk in a seam.
Fold line – Many pattern pieces are placed on the fold of a piece of fabric. This is the actual fold of the fabric off the bolt or a fold of your own creation; the goal is to have a pattern piece that is cut out without a center seam.
Fusible (webbing, interfacing, etc.) – Has the characteristic of being able to be ironed on, usually permanently, with or without reinforcement by stitching, due to a heat-activated “glue” on one side.

G

Gather – Gathering allows for making a long piece of fabric to fit with a shorter piece of fabric and also is a method of easing a seam to allow insertion of sleeves and other rounded pattern pieces. When making an apron, there is a waistband that is the size of the person’s waist, plus some extra for tying the apron around the body. The apron itself usually is gathered, fluffy, almost pleated and has more fabric that flows from the waistband. The apron seam was gathered and then sewn to the waistline. To gather the seam, two parallel lines are sewn on the right side of the fabric, a scant 1/4″ apart. Long tails of thread are left for gathering. The bobbin threads (on the wrong side of the fabric) are held on either end of the seam and gently tugged, gathering the fabric evenly on the threads. Do not scrimp and only sew one thread of long length stitches; you will need both.
Grading (seams) – Trimming raw edges in graduate widths to reduce bulk. The narrowest seam edge should be closest to the body, as a general rule.
Grain – Direction of the fabric that runs parallel to the selvage (a stretchier grain is found running perpendicular to the selvage). Commercial patterns have an arrow on them <—–> indicating direction of the grain to assist in laying out the pattern pieces correctly.

H

Hem – Fabric that it turned up on the lower edge of a garment or sleeve to provide a finished edge. Often extra fabric is left in the hem with children’s clothing to allow for growth (especially skirts and slacks).
Hong Kong finish – Enclosing a seam with bias binding.
Hook & eye closure – A type of closure that employs a small hook on one side and a loop made of fabric or metal on the other. The hook and eye is used at the upper back of many dresses and often on lingerie.

I

Inseam Seam – inside the leg of pants that runs from the crotch to the hem.
Interfacing – Fabric used between layers of fabric to provide stabilization and form. Usually used in collars, cuffs, plackets, some waistbands and pockets, and facings.
Iron – An iron is a tool that is used to straighten or press fabric. The iron can be used with or without steam. It is a very important tool for the sewing room.
Ironing – Ironing is done by moving the iron back and forth over fabric. Ironing is generally not utilized when sewing. See “press”.

J

Jean jumper – A small piece of plastic made to ease sewing seams on denim by holding the presser foot up ever so slightly. Allows the presser foot to “jump” the seam as if it was level with the rest of the denim. Works well with all thick fabrics.

K

L

Lining – Used to finish the inside of a garment, to hide the seam construction, to allow for ease of putting a garment on or taking it off, and to provide decorative effect. A lining is cut of the same pattern pieces as the garment and often is made of “slippery” fabrics. It provides a minimal amount of warmth and usually extends the life of a garment. Linings should be washable if the garment is washable and should be pre-washed.

M

Machine embroidery – Decorative stitching created by using a regular sewing machine (zig zag, satin stitch, etc.) or a sewing machine specifically designed for machine embroidery. Combination machines are available as well.
Miter – Mitering a corner makes a smooth, tidy finish to a 90-degree corner, neatly squaring the corners while creating a diagonal seam from the point of the corner to the inside edge. Mitering is used for quilts corners, craft projects, some vests and jackets, and sometimes on collars.
Muslin – A generally inexpensive woven fabric used to make crafts, back quilts, or to make draft or trial garments.

N

Nap – Nap is the “fuzzy” part of a fabric that is usually directional in nature. Corduroy and velvet are good examples of fabric which has a nap or a pile. If smoothed with the hand in one direction, nap is typically shiny in one direction and not shiny in the other. When cutting out a pattern, care should be taken to keep fabric pieces going in the same direction nap-wise unless one is intentionally mixing naps and piles to produce a different kind of look. See “pile”.
Needle – Sewing machine needles come in a variety of sizes and types – ball point and sharps are the two major categories. Ball point is used for knits and regular sharp needles are used for non-stretch fabrics. There are also all purpose needles, but it is recommended that you use ball point or regular rather than all purpose. There are wing needles, wedge needles, needles of varying sizes and shapes, as well as twin needles for some fancier stitching.
Notch – Usually, the notch is shown on a pattern with a dark diamond. They are commonly cut outward and should be matched on seams when joining for sewing.
Notion – A term used for any item used for sewing other than the fabric and the machine.

O

Overlock – An overcast stitch to prevent raveling of fabric. There are sewing machines made to do overlock stitching. See “serger”.
Overcasting or overstiching – Stitching done over a seam to prevent raveling. This can be done by hand or machine.

P

Pattern weights – Weights used on paper patterns instead of pinning a pattern to the fabric.
Pile – See “nap”.
Pinking shears – Shears with a V shape along the cutting edge used to cut fabric and have it remain essentially ravel-free.
Pins – Pins are used for temporary basting of fabric. They are used to hold patterns in place while cutting and to hold fabrics together while stitching (it is not recommended to machine sew over pins as they have been known to break your sewing machine needle, jam the machine, or cause other problems). Often, large safety pins are used to baste quilt layers before the final quilting. Care should be taken to use a pin that will not leave a large hole and to not leave pins in fabric too long; they could cause stains or rust where they touch the fabric.
Pintuck- Narrow sewn rows of fabric that give a decorative raised look to a garment. Some bloused are made with pin tucking on the bodice for a more tailored look.
Piping – A cord covered with fabric, often used for decorative edging on garments or projects.
Pivot – To leave the needle in fabric, raise the presser foot and turn the fabric at a 45 degree angle. Then lower the presser foot and start sewing. Used to sew square seams.
Placket – A V-shaped opening at the end of a sleeve that is finished with a bias strip before the cuff is attached.
Pleat – A fold in fabric that is either inverted or folded outward, is not sewn except on the top edge (as in a skirt or slacks waistband), and provides decorative or functional fullness.
Press – Using an iron in a press/pick up/move/press/… pattern. Pressing is not moving back and forth on fabric with the iron. Pressing is done “as you go” while creating a garment.
Presser foot – The part of the sewing machine that holds the fabric in place as it is being sewn and fed through by the feed dogs. Specialty feet such as zig zag, buttonhole, cording, blind hem, and others are often included with a sewing machine upon purchase and are best learned by consulting the sewing machine manual.
Prick stitch – You use prick stitching on fabrics such as velvet where everything shows. Take a small backstitch sewn on the right side of the fabric and do the remaining backstitching on the wrong side.

Q

R

Raw (edge) – The edge of fabric that is not stitched or finished.
Right side – The right side of the fabric is the design side. There are instances of fabric with no right or wrong side visible, and the determination and appropriate markings are then made by the person doing the pattern cutting and sewing.
Rotary cutter – Early versions of the rotary cutter looked like pizza cutters. Today, the handles are often ergonomically designed and padded. The blade, though, remains a rounded razor, sometimes with pinked edging or other designs. These are great for cutting layers of fabric into straight strips. Many people are using them for curved lines and pattern cutting for garments as well.
Running stitch – A simple stitch made by running the thread over and under the fabric. This stitch is often used for basting or as the basis (marking) for another more decorative stitch.

S

Satin stitch – A very tight zig zag stitch that is available on most sewing machines. If it is not automatically available, the stitch length can be set to almost 0 to achieve a satin stitch with a plain zig zag machine.
Seam – The result when two pieces of fabric are sewn together along a line.
Seam allowance – The fabric between the edge of the fabric and the line of stitching, about 5/8″ for most patterns. (Craft patterns often allow 1/4″ seam allowance.)
Selvedge, selvage – Often marked with information from the manufacturer (color code, identifying data, etc.), this is the edge of the fabric which generally does not fray due to manufacturer’s finish. In most cases, this edge should not be included when you cut your fabric, as it may cause puckering of your seam later. on.
Separating zipper – A zipper that comes completely apart when unzipped. There is a special tab at the bottom of a separating zipper for bringing it together and starting the zip.
Serger – A type of sewing machine that stitches the seam, encases the seam with thread, and cuts off excess fabric at the same time. These are used for construction of garments with knit fabrics mostly, or to finish seams of any fabric.
Shank button – A button with space left between the button and fabric. A shank button is one made with a shank. Other buttons can be “shanked” by wrapping thread under the button to create a shank.
Sizing – Fabric finish that provides crispness without stiffness; a light starch finish.
Snips – Very small cutting tool resembling scissors used to snip threads. Usually used with hand sewing or portable projects.
Spool – The holder of thread. There are wooden spools, plastic spools, cardboard tube spools, and cone spools, as well as others.
Stash – Collection of fabric.
Stay stitch – A line of stitching just inside the intended permanent stitching line (seam line) on curved edges that stabilizes and keeps the curve from distorting. The direction of the stay stitching is shown on the pattern. If not, it generally goes from shoulder to center on necklines. There are other indications for stay stitching, but this is one of the more common.
Stitch in the ditch – Stitching in the ditch is used as a method of under stitching and also as a form of simple machine quilting for craft projects. It is a method of stitching close to a seam allowance or in the seam itself in order to hold it down.
Stitch length – In general, regular sewing is about 11-12 stitches per inch, basting/gathering/bunching/sleeve easing is about 6 stitches per inch (plus or minus 1 or 2 stitches for some applications). There are rare occasions when stitches need to exceed 12 per inch, but they are few.
Straight stitch – Stitching made with single forward stitches. This is the regular stitch that most sewing machines make and may or may not require a special presser foot.

T

Tack – A temporary stitch to hold pieces together, usually removed after final stitching. Tacking is also known as a term for starting off a seam with a few stitches back and forth for stabilizing.
Tailor’s tack – A tailor’s tack is essentially two threads in a needle, drawn through fabric layer/s and then snipped, leaving tails of thread on top and on the bottom of the fabric as a marking for later use. They can be used to mark pattern pieces for darts, buttonholes, etc. Go straight through all layers of pattern and fabric before snipping any threads. Leave a long enough tail of thread that you can find it later. Use a contrasting thread that stands out so you can see it later.
Tension- Tension is one of the least understood concepts of sewing machines. It refers to the pressure being placed on your needle and bobbin thread by your machine. There are two types of tension on your sewing machine – the thread and bobbin tensions. It is best to read your sewing machine manual for specifics. Rarely does one need to adjust bobbin tension. Your sewing machine manual will show you the appropriate settings and offer you examples of what the threads should look like on the right and wrong sides of your stitching.
Thread- A complementary or like thread is chosen for garment or project construction on a machine. The bobbin should be wound of the same type of thread or the exact same thread whenever possible, to prevent knotting, bunching, etc. The first step for most sewing machine trouble shooting is to change the thread and needle. When hand sewing with one thread, cut the end of the thread that is nearest to the spool before tying a knot in the same end. This will prevent raveling and knotting.
Top stitch – A sometimes decorative, sometimes functional stitch that is usually 1/4″ from the edge of a seam. For instance, once a vest is turned or a facing to a jacket is turned and pressed, one may stitch 1/4″ from the edge on the top of the garment to provide a bit of stabilization. This can be done in same or contrasting thread, depending on the decorative effect one wishes to achieve.
Tracing paper – A type of paper made especially to be used with a tracing wheel. It has an ink-type substance on one side for marking fabric with the wheel.
Tracing wheel A tracing wheel is used with tracing paper. The paper is placed upon the fabric with the “ink” side down, the pattern markings that need to be transferred placed upon the paper, and then the markings are traced with the wheel. The wheel itself looks a bit like a pizza cutter with spikes. Care needs to be taken not to press too hard and cut the pattern, tracing paper, or the fabric. Tracing ink from the tracing paper does not always wash out and this needs to be taken into consideration as well.
Trim – Trim is any decorative item, ribbon, lace that is put on a garment or craft item that is being sewn. Trim is also used to define the act of trimming excess seam allowances or fabric with scissors.
Tuck – See pin tuck. A method of sewing fabric together resulting in a raised seam, often seen in heirloom sewing, the bodice of a woman’s blouse or a man’s formal shirt.

U

Underlining – Lining used to add body to a garment.
Understitching – Keeps a facing or lining from rolling onto the right side of a garment. After pressing the seam allowance and facing away from the garment, stitch through both a scant 1/8″ from the seam. Some people grade the seam allowance and facing/lining prior to stitching to eliminate bulk.
Universal needle – A slightly rounded tip to use for woven or knit fabrics.

V

View – Most patterns show different variations on the pattern package. Each variation is called a “view”.

W

Warp – Threads running the length of a woven fabric, sometimes known as the lengthwise grain (little to no stretch) (see weft and grain)
Wearable art – Decorative, usually quilted, clothing made to be unique, beautiful, and functional.
Weft – Threads running at right angles to the length of a woven fabric, sometimes known as the cross grain (very little to some stretch) (see warp and grain)
Welt – A method of covering the raw edges of a pocket or other opening, can be single or double welt.
Wing needle – Needle with wide, wing shaped, flared sides used to create holes in tightly woven fabrics, such as creating entredeux. Available as single or doubles.
Wrong side – The wrong side of the fabric is the side upon which there is no design. There are instances of fabric with no wrong side visible, and the determination and appropriate markings are then made by the person doing the pattern cutting and sewing.

X, Y, Z

Zig zag – A stitch that goes one way (zig) and then the other (zag) and provides a nice finish to a seam to prevent raveling, can be a decorative addition to any garment, and can allow for give with knits. A very short to nonexistent stitch length with zig zag stitching is the same as a satin stitch.

=================== gtg