janpolk
Painter of the Great American Flower Collection. Fine art that reminds you to treat yourself with respect.
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09/03/10
Doing your part to strengthen the fabric of your local community.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 11:39 am

Become an active participant of your community.  The backbone of any community is all honorable, civilized, hard working,
law-abiding citizens working together for the good of all.

*Support the local schools.   If you are an adult, volunteer to teach something you are passionate about. 

*Have an opening night party for openings of local theatre or the symphony.

*Buy special gifts from local artists instead of the big box stores.  Support a local artisan by commissioning a special
piece for a special occasion.  Keep you money circulating in your home town.

*Choose local foods from local farmers markets.  The food is fresher and it helps support your local community.

The above tips were sponsored by www.Ocean Spray and www.CookingChannelTV.com on 9/4/10
I say bravo to Ocean Spray and the Cooking Channel for broadcasting information that actually helps
us to make this a better world.  I award them the GAFC Blue Iris Seal of Approval.

With the amount of TV programs, commercials,  and movies we are bombarded with, we could easily educate our
children on how to hold themselves to a higher standard and they would not even realize how much they are being
influenced by the various media sources.  The media is like anything else……you can use it for good…..or for bad.
It takes personal responsibility to make the choice to hold yourself to a higher standard.

Our book, “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95, provides 365 common, every
day courtesy tips written by Margery Sinclair along with the reasons to use each one.  It also features Jan Polk’s
Great American Flower Collection “respect series” floral images which are reminders to treat yourself and others
with respect.   By knowing this information, you automatically develop common sense and good self esteem.
We all want to be treated with respect.   The earlier you learn this information, the less stressful  life becomes.
These are the first tools of life to learn, not the last.  This information applies to family, school, social and business
situations.    Books may be purchased on line at www.janpolk.com and at www.margerysinclair.com

PS  ……..Supporting the local schools applies to children also……attend school…..make it a priority…..this is where you learn
the skills which will become the foundation of life in the civilized world.  It is called networking.  You will meet
lifelong friends and future co-workers.  These will be the people who will know you have been an honest person
from the beginning. Taking tests are all about having the right attitude.  Tests are so you can find out what areas you
need to work on so you can improve……not to find out how dumb you are.  No one is born knowing this information.
Our brains are our computers.  You must program the information in before you can get it out.  The first rule of
programming is……Garbage In…Garbage Out….which means know what information you are putting in.
Take pride in being an honorable, civilized, hard working, law abiding citizen.  Pretty fades and someone will always have more money than you. Base your self-esteem on something that will last you a lifetime….your good manners and the “likeability
factor.”

1 comment
08/16/10
“Likeability Factor” - Do your employees need it?
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 11:27 pm


Do you have employees who are not sociable?   Our studies

show that when people know how and why, it  then becomes

very easy to hold themselves to a higher standard.

 

You can hire career counselors, coaches, or professional
development

teams to train your employees but these are expensive
options. 

Our recommended solution is to provide copies of

“A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk,
$27.95

to each employee.  At
the very least, each office should have a copy

in their library for easy reference.

 

Honor, Respect and Manners are the core values of our
civilized society

and apply equally to men, women, and children.  These are the basic skills

needed for family, school, social and business
situations.  They are our

common bonds. 
Everyone wants to be treated with respect.

 

One of the first rules of etiquette is “Unfortunately, it is
bad manners to go

around correcting other people’s bad manners.  There is an exception

for parents, teachers, and managers.  More than an exception, correcting

children, students, and employees is an obligation.” says
Margery Sinclair.

 

“Never discount the “likeability factor.”  When people like you, partly

because of your good manners, they are more likely to give
you a break

in other areas.  A
likeable person can be charmingly eccentric; an

unlikeable person just seems weird.

 

“A Year of Good Manners” is a birthday/calendar book that
provides

365 common, every day courtesies and the reasons to use each
one. 

Margery Sinclair uses a very humorous style to provide very
valuable

information. For those short on social skills, not only will
your business

life improve, your home and social life will also improve.  Confidence

and good self-esteem are by-products of knowing respect and
manners.

If you find you already know the information in this book,
it will

reinforce that you are on the right track.  If you learn new skills,

you will find that good manners make you feel relaxed.

 

This tip alone will improve your “likeability factor:”
“Behave decently

to others, show consideration when there is conflict, and
maintain

composure when displeased.”

 

 Another of Margery’s
tips:   “If you are seated in the middle
seat of an

airplane, you get both armrests as compensation for being in
the middle.”

Everyone needs to know this whether you sit in the middle or
not.

 

Use this 180 page book to collect autographs of family
members and

it becomes a treasured family heirloom which can be passed
on to

future generations.  Honorable,
civilized, likeable people make happy

families and happy employees.

 

“A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk,
$27.95

also features the “respect series’ artwork from Jan Polk’s
Great

American Flower Collection. 
These are images which are reminders

to treat yourself and others with respect.

 

Margery Sinclair is an etiquette consultant/coach from Milwaukee, WS

and offers business dining, travel, etc. workshops and
seminars for

corporate clients. Contact Margery at www.margerysinclair.com

 

Jan Polk is a professional artist from Kentucky and co-publisher of

 “A Year of Good
Manners.”  Purchase copies of the book as
well

as GAFC “respect series” 
prints and note cards on line at

www.janpolk.com

comments (0)
08/13/10
Tonight is Family Nurturing Center’s 16th Annual 2010 “An Art Affair To Remember”
Filed under: General, Interesting Info, Jan Polk Art Shows, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 3:26 pm



Prepare to go back in
time to 1957 for An Art Affair to Remember

 Family
Nurturing Center,
along with Co-Chairs Kathrine Nero Dilts

and Shawn Schwarz are proud to announce the 16th annual Art Affair

will take place on Friday,
August 13, at the beautiful

Triple Crown Country Club,
located in Richwood, KY.

 

* Live entertainment by
the 20-piece Swingtime
Big Band

*Bid on artwork in our
new Celebrity Canvas Collection

* Live art painting
demonstration by Kentucky
artist Tom Bluemlein

with painting to be sold
at auction.    

 

Jan Polk has donated her
oil painting “On the Way to Paradise” to be

auctioned at this
event.  (see painting on my website
www.janpolk.com)

 

Tickets are just $65 per guest and include a 2-hour OPEN BAR

 along with all night
heavy hors d’oeuvres!  Doors open at 7:00
pm

with the silent auction of incredible and unique items.  Only select,

hard to find art treasures and experiences will be available
at our

limited edition Live Auction

 

Family
Nurturing Center
is my favorite charity.  Please support
them

if you can.  Hope to
see you there.

 

Family
Nurturing Center’s
mission statement: ” Ending the cycle

of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and
healthy

 family
relationships.”

FNC offers parenting classes, facilitated visitation services,

prevention education programs,  HOPE (Helping Other
Parent

Effectively), child abuse treatment services, training
services,

 information on shaken
baby syndrome, and much more for the

Ohio, Kentucky,
Indiana area.

www.familynurture.org  

 

Additional details and 
tickets here:

https://www29.ssldomain.com/FamilyNurture/Calendar/artaffair.asp

comments (0)
08/12/10
Jeb Blue Steward Loses Composure due to rude passenger.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 7:46 pm


Everything in our capitalistic economy is based on

the assumption that our people are honorable,

civilized, law abiding citizens.

 

We depend on each other to be civil and respectful

to each other in private and in public.  It depends

not on whether you are having a stressful day or not.

One of the tenets of civilized behavior is to

“maintain composure when displeased.”

 

We cannot have mass gatherings of people in

public if they do not respect the rule of law and

the unspoken civic duty to behave in a civilized

manner.

 

This is what it means that all are equal in

America.  You have a right to live free of

tyranny from the government and each other.

Which in turns means we all have a civic

duty to treat each other with respect.

 

When civility breaks down, we have

incidents such as the Jet BlueAirline Steward

who broke down and quit his job in response

to rudeness and physical abuse  by a passenger.. 

Strangely, the other party that contributed to this

fiasco is not mentioned by the press. I think this

 is unfair.  And the fact that the Steward is facing

 possibly 7 years in
prison seems outrageous.

At least he did not physically strike the rude

passenger.

 

The civilized way to handle this is sincere apologies by

both parties involved.

 

“I’m sorry” is different from “I didn’t mean to.”

Accidents are unintentional by definition, but

after they happen you should express your

responsibility and regret.

 

A prompt, sincerely apology is an art.  It should

acknowledge the inappropriate behavior, accept

responsibility, and express regret.  Assure the

person that it won’t happen again.  Avoid a

conditional apology: 
“Sorry if anyone was

offended.” says Margery Sinclair.

 

For more tips on civilized behavior, which

in turns saves much money in court costs,

we recommend  “A Year
of Good Manners”

by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk  $27.95

You will find 365 common, everyday

courtesy tips and the reasons to use each one.

Purchase your copy on line at

www.janpolk.com    ……$27.95 plus 5 cents handling; no shipping or taxes

comments (0)
08/05/10
Change, Change, Change
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 9:48 am


Yes, we all want change….especially when talking about the
government.

 

I don’t want change that allows the government to take money
out of my pocket

(via higher taxes) just so they can decide where to spend my
money.   “They”

are adding extra waste by creating government jobs to
collect my money,

extra government jobs to decide how to spend my money,
and  more government jobs

to actually spend it with no accounting for where it
goes.    If they let me

keep it, I can spend more on where I want it to go,
especially if I want it to

stay in my community.

 

The change I would like to see is for each person to become
an honorable,

civilized law-abiding citizen who takes responsibility for
his/her own actions.

If more people behaved in a civilized manner, crimes of
violence would go down;

 multi-millions of
dollars could saved on domestic violence and health care alone.

More honorable, law abiding citizens could eliminate the use
of illegal drugs just

by following the existing laws and not using drugs; creating
billions of dollars

saved without one government mandate or extra tax.  Law enforcement departments

would shrink.  If
there is no demand for illegal drugs, the supply will dry up.

 

Honorable, civilized, law-abiding citizens can end the
violence of poverty

in their own homes. 
It takes all of us making the decision to hold ourselves

to a higher standard….it doesn’t take money to behave in
an honorable, civilized

manner and certainly not more taxes!     

 

You can easily learn how to hold yourself to a higher
standard by reading

“A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.

You will thank us for the information in this 180 page book.
This is the

best investment you could make.

 

Government can only come in and pick up the pieces.  Government is not meant

to be a babysitter. 
Beware of someone who changes the names of things and

claim a different result. 
For example:   “How many legs does
a dog have if you

call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make
it a leg.

Quote by: Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th US President

 

“If you need a helping hand, look at the end of your own
arm.” says Jean Abrahamson

 

Honorable, civilized, law abiding citizens will take care of
each other.  Our

hats are off to Bill Gates, the Microsoft
founder and Warren Buffet, the investment

guru. and other
Billionaires who are donating half of their fortunes  to charity and

not because the government said they had to.    I know one thing, if they just

give away the money without expecting something in return,
it will not be a

permanent solution to the meanness, violence, and incivility
of poverty.

 

www.janpolk.com  Securely purchase on line  “A Year of Good Manners”  $27.95

comments (0)
07/30/10
“Manners are Magic!” by Jean Abrahamson
Filed under: General, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 6:20 pm

I had lunch today with my friend Jean Abrahamson, Cincinnati’s “Miss Manners.”  She has written
a charming children’s book titled “Manners are Magic.”  Each page is a chapter and written to
appeal to children.  Jean has been a  teacher in the Cincinnati school system for over 40 years and
teaches 3 year olds up to seniors in high school. Her book is available at Barnes and Nobel and
Joseph Beth Bookstores.  Her book is $7.00. 

Jean has seen over the years how young children in today’s world are not receiving the training
they need to become charming, honorable, respectful people.  It is the parents job to
teach this information to their children. It is knowledge that  builds good self esteem.   Single parent
homes are prevalent and time is short; however there is still a need to teach this information
to your children.  Jean says the young children are very receptive to learning manners and are
always proud to show her the good manners she has taught them.   She recently met a  high
school graduate who told her he learned his manners from her in grade school and still uses them. 
He said he was going to college to become a lawyer.  She told him to be sure to take all those
earrings out of his ear and face before he applied. He said he would. Jean has a sincere helpful voice. 
From someone else, it could sound offensive. Even your voice should be charming.

The whole point of manners is to learn to be kind and helpful to others.  In a civilized society,
we must all be respectful to each other.   One of Jean’s sayings is “No one is better than
anyone else.” 

Another of Jean’s sayings is “If you are looking for a helping hand, look at the end of your arm.”
Jean always signs her books, “Keep the Magic in your Life.”

I hope you get a chance to meet Jean Abrahamson someday or at least read her book
“Manners are Magic.”

http://www.janpolk.com……… Original art, note cards, and “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk $27.95

comments (0)
07/23/10
Uncle Sam Has No Money! Never Did!
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 7:15 am

Uncle Sam, also known as the Government of  the United States of America has no money.
Uncle Sam’s unending source of income comes directly from each Law-Abiding Citizen’s pocket
in the form of taxes.  Uncle Sam may borrow money from a lot of other nations, but he still
has to pay it back WITH INTEREST using tax money  which comes directly  from our pockets.

Uncle Sam is now spending trillions of dollars; does anyone know if that even includes the interest
that must be paid on these loans? We know how some government officials cannot or do not even
read some of the bills that they vote for.  Income comes from many sources but for most of us it comes
from working at a job.  In 2010, job loss is at an all time high.   Uncle Sam’s answer is to spend
more money that  he does not have.  This is the first time in the history of America that Uncle Sam
now has his hand in the pocket of at least two generations of children who have not even been
born.  What kind of legacy is that?   We are not free when we are dependent on the government.

We have seen the housing market crash because people spent money they did not have and have
no money to pay for it.   The rules of common sense and math never change.   Uncle Sam
will go bankrupt if he keeps spending money we do not have.   When there are no jobs and
when taxes are so high that the wealthy people will just leave the country and take their money
with them, who does Uncle Sam tax then?  When does Uncle Sam stop spending? 

Common sense can predict the answer.  You can’t do everything even if you are Uncle Sam. 
One project must be eliminated in order to pay for something more pressing.  It is called
pay as you go.

This is the same situation as a parent spoiling his child.  A spoiled child is a handicapped child
because he never learns how to take care of himself.

Our government officials are elected from among ourselves.  We cannot expect more of them
than we expect of ourselves.  If we each hold our self to higher standards and expect
people in a civilized nation to behave in an honorable, civilized, law abiding manner,
America will return to the glory days for all her citizens.

“A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95 is a way to
give something back to your country by learning how to hold yourself to a
higher standard.  It takes no government mandate or higher taxes to make
America a better place;  It only takes honorable, civilized, law abiding people.

www.janpolk.com……….buy your copy of AGOGM  here 

comments (0)
07/18/10
How do we protect our children from the garbage on TV and movies?
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 10:12 pm


By age 5, a child’s morals and values have been formed.

Not only do children hear what you say, they watch what

you do.   All adults
are roll models for children whether

you like it or not. 
There is no opting out.  You are

either a good role model or a bad roll model.

 

Children by age 8 are expected to have the same table
manners

as their parents or better. 

 

By teaching your children honor, respect and good manners

early in their life, you give them a chance to develop

common sense and good self esteem.  These are tools

which will help them recognize and decide what is good

and what is bad for them.

 

“People with good manners have a lifetime advantage in

their personal and professional lives.” says

Margery Sinclair

 

We recommend everyone read “A Year of Good Manners”

by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk at least once.

This is a reference book that you will be delighted to

have in your  library.

 

The book may be purchased on line at www.janpolk.com for

$27.95.

You may also order the book at www.margerysinclair.com.

Margery also offers classes and corporate workshops.

comments (0)
07/17/10
Margery Sinclair live on Milwaukee’s “The Morning Blend” TV show July 15, 2010
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 10:33 am


See and hear Margery Sinclair in her own words tell you
about “A Year of Good Manners” by

Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.   Margery is being interviewed July 15, 2010, by
co-host Tiffany Ogle,

and sub co-host  Lisa
Manna filling in for regular co-host Molly Fay from the Milwaukee NBC affiliate

show “The Morning Blend.”   http://www.themorningblend.com/videos/98499189.html

 

The artwork in the book is Jan Polk’s Great American Flower
Collection “respect series”  fine art

watercolor images which are reminders to treat yourself and
others with respect.

 

The Morning Blend originates in Milwaukee
and airs weekdays from 9 - 10 a.m. on TODAY’S

TMJ4 in Milwaukee
and NBC26 in Green Bay.  The live program features local celebrities,

businesses, charities and events of interest to those living in southeastern Wisconsin.

 

About your hosts Tiffany and Molly:   http://www.themorningblend.com/hosts

Tiffany Ogle’s website:   
www.TiffanyOgle.web.officelive.com

Molly Fay’s Blog:  http://www.themorningblend.com/blogs/mollyfay

Margery Sinclair’s website:   www.margerysinclair.com  … Offers etiquette workshops and AYOGM

Jan Polk’s website:   www.janpolk.com  …..  Purchase your copy online here  $27.95

comments (0)
07/15/10
Home Invasions on the Rise!
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 10:45 am


All crimes are the result of poor manners.

When I am at book signings for “A Year

of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and

Jan Polk, I often hear the comments,

“They used to teach this information.” or

“My daughter in law needs to read this

book.”

 

Parents are the ones who should be teaching

this information and they should be modeling

this information for their children.   All adults

are role models  when
in public and at any

gathering of human beings.  
You may say you don’t

want to be a role model…..but you are!  It is only

a question of whether you are a good role model

or a poor role model….and that is your personal

choice.  You are free
to make your choice; however,

you have a civic duty to behave decently to others

at all times.

 

Respect, Good Manners and the Rule of

Law are the tools that make the United

States of America one of the greatest

nations on earth for all of us.  No matter

how bad it is for some of us, it is still

far worse somewhere else in the world.

Because of the Rule of Law and because of good

manners, each of us in civilized society

can feel safe in our homes because the majority

of us are respectful, honorable, civilized

law abiding people.

 

By the time you are age 5, your values have

been formed.  It is up
to parents to teach

our children to be respectful to themselves

and to others.   This
is not information

we are born with.  It
must be taught.  The

good news is one can overcome a poor home

environment just by learning these at any

age.  It is never too late to hold yourself

to a higher standard.

 

OK, in answer to your question,

“What does good manners have to

do with home invasions?”

 

Here a just a few good manners tips from

AYOGM:

“If you break it, fix it. 
If you can’t fix it, find

someone who can—and pay the bill.  If it

belongs to someone else and you want to

use it, ask permission.”  
Common sense

then develops and one can reason

that you do not go on private property

without being invited and you don’t take

anything unless you ask permission.  The laws

of the land also state it is illegal to

break into a home and take something

that is not yours.  
There are laws

to punish those who break the laws.

 

By teaching your children honor, respect

and manners you have taken the first

steps to empowering them so they know

what is expected of them in the civilized

world and  making this
a better world for

all of us.  There is
never any justification

to steal from others.

 

The police cannot be everywhere.  They

depend on the majority of us to be an honorable,

civilized, law abiding citizens  who work

with the police department when necessary.

If the police aren’t there, we must then

depend on ourselves.  
Thank goodness

for  Respect and
Manners and the Second

Amendment.

www.janpolk.com     Purchase “A Year of Good

Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk

here…….. $27.95 plus 5 cents handling fee.

comments (0)
07/13/10
Anger management problems? Save $$$ and valuable time. No classes needed.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 10:31 am


If you have anger management issues no matter your age,
gender, or

upbringing, you alone can correct this problem and not have

to spend long hours and hard earned money on anger
management

classes

 

The cause of your problem is poor manners. The solution to

your anger management problem is to use the following

tip from Etiquette Consultant Margery Sinclair and you will

be a much happier person. 

 

“Behave decently to
others, show consideration when there is

conflict, and
maintain composure when displeased. 
Knowing

etiquette makes you
feel relaxed and confident.”

 

All it takes is a little practice.   Try it. 
You will like it.  Remember,

actions taken in anger only makes things worse and it shows

you are out of control……which is making you mad in the
first

place.  When you blow
up, you might as well wear a sign that says

 I am out of control,
no one listens to me, you win, I don’t know how

 to handle this
situation, I don’t like myself, go ahead and snicker.”

 As long as you
maintain composure, you are in control and

you maintain respect for yourself and  others. 

 

Read other valuable tips like this in our book

“A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.

$27.95.    The best
investment you can make.

 

www.janpolk.com     Securely purchase on line, your copy of

 “A Year of Good
Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk,

$27.95

comments (0)
07/07/10
Saturday July 10, Jan Polk will be signing books at Waynesville, OH
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 7:25 am


Mark your calendar now!   Jan Polk  will be at the authors’ tent  along with a few others on ,

July 10,
2010  from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. for Second Saturday Artists &
Authors Stroll

in Waynesville, OH.  Jan will be signing copies of “A Year of Good Manners” by

Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.

Waynesville is known as the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest” and has many

things going on this weekend including a car show, an
antique show, our arts show,

& sidewalk sales at the shops. We are looking forward to
great weather (finally).

 

See you Saturday!


www.secondsaturdayartistsandauthors.com


www.janpolk.com

comments (0)
07/06/10
Our childhood is the foundation of our adulthood.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 9:56 pm


By the time one is five years old, our values and morals
have been shaped.

It is so important to teach children to value themselves
because of their honor

(we can trust what they say) and because they are respectful,
civilized, law

abiding citizens. . 
The goal of civilized society is to remain calm when displeased

and to show respect for life including your own.  You don’t have to like everyone

you meet, but you do have to be respectful to all human
beings.   When you install

values  in  your children solely on  how they look 
(pretty fades) or how much money

they  have or don’t
have  (there will always be someone who has
more)  they will never

 have good self esteem
and will always feel unsettled and may even develop unlikable

traits. When you destroy a child’s self esteem and try to
control their every move, you

have done a disservice to your child and to yourself.  Even when a person becomes

successful as an adult, if they have been damaged by parents
in their early years, they will

not be able to fully enjoy their success.  It takes years and years to get over a bad

childhood, but it can be done.   Knowing respect and manners is one way to
over

come a bad childhood.

 

“Teaching etiquette is the kindest thing you can do for a child.  It predates law and

everything else in getting along with other people.” says
Margery Sinclair.  These

are the first and the most important tools to learn as one
begins their

journey through life.   
One develops common sense and good self-esteem just by

knowing respect and manners.   Respect and manners are facts we must be
taught

and the earlier the better. 
Each of us determines what our own life will be.  We gather

information by observing and by trial and error.   Your children do watch what you

do as well as what you say.  
Teaching respect and manners to you child are more

important than leaving them a lot of money.    A
parent’s job is to prepare you child

 for life as an
honorable, civilized, law-abiding adult.  Children will have a wonderful

childhood if their parents are there for them and leading by
example. 

 

Our common bonds are we all want to be treated with respect
including children.

Once children know how to value themselves by civilized
society’s standards,

they develop a backbone and good self esteem.  If someone says something

derogatory or unkind to them, they will know better and will
not be devastated by

unkind and untrue comments. 
They will know the rude person is in the wrong and

 not themselves.  Bullies will have less power over children
with good self esteem.

 

As an adult, when your self-esteem is tied to honorable,
civilized values, a financial

set back will become an obstacle to overcome.  It will not destroy you as a person.

 

Our book “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and
Jan Polk, offers

365 common, every day, courtesies written by Margery
Sinclair.  Not only does

Margery use a humorous style to convey very important
information, she includes

a lot of  verbs with
specific words of what to do or say. 
Margery also includes the

reason to use each tip. 
When the reason changes, then it may be time for the rule to

change.     We do not include fancy terms and high brow
snooty information which

 leaves you wondering “What
does that mean?”. “A Year of Good Manners” also

features Jan Polk’s Great American Flower Collection
“respect series” beautiful fine

art floral images which are reminders to treat yourself with
respect as

well as others.

 

The whole goal of civilized society is to be respectful to
self and others at all times.

Even though technology evolves, it does not wipe out the
fact that civilized people

are expected to be civilized to each other whether you see
them face to face or not.

Two people texting to each other in a room full of other
people is disrespectful.  It is

equivalent to speaking a foreign language in front of
someone who does not speak

the language.  
Private conversations are to be held in private.  It is easy to hold

yourself to a higher standard when you know how and why.

 

We invite you to treat yourself to this birthday book by
purchasing it at

www.janpolk.com  “$27.95. 
The perfect gift for new mothers and fathers!

comments (0)
07/01/10
Happy July 4! Independence Day in the USA
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, Holidays, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 10:00 pm


July 4 is a day to remind us that we fought to be free of

a crushing, harsh government that does not respect

individual rights and the well being of all of our people.

 

America
is only as strong as her people. We elect our leaders

from among ourselves yet we can stand without leaders if

necessary.  We as
individuals decide how honorable and

self-reliant we will each be.    Although we have a civic duty to

behave in an honorable and civilized manner, we choose to do

this because we want to. 
Government cannot mandate or

enforce this aspect of our lives.

 

Proud Patriots and Legal Immigrants are the ones who

appreciate our country the most  and 
value our  rule of law

which makes civilized society available to all. They know

what it is like elsewhere and do not take our freedoms for

granted.  The bigger
the government, the more freedoms we

must give up.

 

We speak English to show respect to our country.  We

acknowledge God as our Creator.  We expect residents who

live here to speak English as a sign of appreciation and
respect

to be able to live 
here. We expect our leaders to defend our

Constitution, our laws, and our freedoms.  We expect our citizens

to do the same.  These
are our common bonds.

 

Keep vigilant America!  Watch what our leaders say versus what

they do. If America
falls it is because our people are no longer

honorable, civilized, law abiding citizens in all walks of
life, including

big business and government. When only monetary gains determine

our actions, and honor and respect for each other are no
longer valued,

we will no longer be able to recover. High interest rates on

multi-trillion dollars of debt will keep us from being free.

 

United We Stand – Divided We Fall

 

May God continue to Bless America

Happy July 4!

www.janpolk.com   ….    Quality products made in the USA.

comments (0)
06/20/10
Happy Fathers Day
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Holidays, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 8:00 am

Thank you to all the wonderful fathers.  It is not how much money you bestow on your children
that makes a wonderful father.  If they feel respected, safe and loved and you have taught
them to be an honorable person, you are a treasured Dad and we celebrate you today.

If you don’t receive a copy of “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk,
you will want to treat yourself to a copy.  This will become a valuable heirloom to help you
pass your values onto future generations along with the hand writings of family members.

www.janpolk.com
               Original Art, Limited Edition Prints, and Note Cards  
www.ayearofgoodmanners.com    $27.95  Securely purchase your copy on-line.

comments (0)
Happy Fathers Day
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Holidays, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 7:59 am

Thank you to all the wonderful fathers.  It is not how much money you bestow on your children
that makes a wonderful father.  If they feel respected, safe and loved and you have taught
them to be an honorable person, you are a treasured Dad and we celebrate you today.

If you don’t receive a copy of “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk,
you will want to treat yourself to a copy.  This will become a valuable heirloom to help you
pass your values onto future generations along with the hand writings of family members.

www.janpolk.com
               Original Art, Limited Edition Prints, and Note Cards  
www.ayearofgoodmanners.com    $27.95  Securely purchase your copy on-line.

comments (0)
06/09/10
There is a hunger in America and it is not for food.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 11:52 am


People are not happy. 
They are trying to escape via illegal drugs,

alcohol, tattoos,  and
no telling what else.  They have an empty

feeling and don’t know why. 
Some don’t want to get old.  Some

are trying to escape what they consider “the mainstream”
because

they don’t  know how
to fit in or because they think they don’t

have enough money to fit in. 
The truth is we all have a common

bond whether we like it or not. 

 

Our nation is only a strong as our people.   A chain is only as

strong as its weakest link.  
You cannot push a chain into a

round circle…however you can easily pull it into a circle.

 

People are hungering for something but they don’t know what.

They think money will fix all of their problems.  The truth is

it will not.  A lot of
money comes with another set of problems

of its own. They don’t want to be told what to do or how to
do it.

They think this is what freedom is.  They think only of themselves. 

Some expect the government to come in and fix
everything…..

what ever it is.  The
truth is the government has no money until

 they take it from the
people.  The government cannot do
everything

and the things they can do, they cannot do in an instant.

 

One is never truly free if one is dependant on the
government or

someone else.  The
truth is we are all dependant on one another in

some way; therefore, we should stand united in our common
values

which still leaves room for individual expression.  Each of us is a

valued person  in our United States of America.   When you receive

something, you should give something back……it is the
American

Way…it is the civilized way of living the good life. These

core values (respect and manners) make the good life  available to all

who live in freedom in the United States of America.

 

We must be prepared to be able to live on our own and to
work with

our fellow citizens for the good of all.  We need leadership but we

need to be able to lead in our own homes and communities.

 

In 2010, some businesses try to solve these problems by
offering

workshops on human resource development and other fancy
names. 

Sports organizations are having to create “fan code of
conduct” rules.  

Shopping events have to have guards on the grounds to
control the

crowds and on it goes. The government has so many free hand
outs

yet poverty still exists. The only thing that is growing is
the entitlement

mentality that takes without giving back. New technology has
evolved

to where news spreads around the globe in minutes, yet some
people

seem to think there are no rules on this new horizon. 

 

 

It all boils down to civilized behavior when coming in
contact with

another human being regardless if you can see that person
face to face

or not. Etiquette makes you feel calm and confident..  Common sense

and a backbone are by products of knowing etiquette.   We all have

a civic duty to behave in a civilized manner.    Parents have an obligation

to train their children to be honorable people who can leave
the nest and

make it on their own when they come of age.  This is not information

we are born with.   It
must be taught to us.  If we are not
lucky enough

to have parents teach this information to us, we still have
an civic duty

to learn it by some other source.

 

It is easy to hold yourself to a higher standard when you
know how

and why. Our book, “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery
Sinclair and

Jan Polk has the tools you need to live the good life.   It is an easy read

and uses a humorous style to teach very valuable life long
skills.  There is

a reason to use each tip.  
When you know why, it is easier to accept the

information.   The
earlier you learn these in your life, the longer you will

have to be a happier person. 
You no longer have to be intimidated by

others.  Knowledge is
power.  You will stand taller after you
read our book.

Being an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen is a way
to give

something back to your family, your community, and your
country.

 

 

http://www.janpolk.com           
Original art, note cards, and A Year of Good Manners

http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com      purchase your copy here

comments (0)
06/07/10
Vodka Shots in the Eye?
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 11:50 pm


Today on the radio I just heard that the rage of college
students is “vodka shots in the eye”  and

black tar heroine which is so potent  it can kill you on the first try.   Are these people just stupid or do

they just have no common sense?.  They have no respect for their own bodies.  I don’t buy that

it is they are too young to know better….at age 18 or
older?  Life is hard enough when you have
a healthy

body and everything works. Believe it or not, old age is
actually a good time if you haven’t destroyed

your body before you get there. 

 

After the age of five, if your parents have not instilled in
you right from wrong, you have a civic duty to teach yourself how to become a
contributing member of society and make it a better place..  The world is not all about you.   Your job is to show respect to your own body
and then to those around you.  It is
called civilized society.   Freedom does not mean freedom from civic
duties.  It means freedom

from oppressive government. 
 

 

We should not have to have the Government make laws to tell
you not to text while driving.

Common sense says for your own safety and the safety of
others, you have a civic duty to

behave in a responsible manner.  A car is not a toy. It requires your full
attention when driving.

 Just because you are
drunk or high on something does not mean you are no longer responsible for your
own actions.  You may not know what you
are doing, but it is your responsibility to keep from getting in

that condition.  It is
not your friends responsibility to take care of you,,,,,it is your
responsibility

to take care of yourself and not harm anyone else.

 

To much I hear on TV and the radio people talking about what
they got away with.  When you

are breaking the law and not getting caught, you are not
getting away with anything.  You are

making our country less honorable, less strong and less
safe.  Our country was founded

by honorable people whose word meant something.  People were proud of the family name…

it meant something good and dependable.   It meant something to live in a family with
a

mother and a father. 
Family, honor, trust, love, security, faith, should mean more than any

amount of money. 
Citizens who are honorable, self-reliant and responsible for ones own
action

are the foundation of the USA. 

 

When honorable citizens become the minority instead of the
majority, the

USA
will no longer be a beacon to the world. 
Big Government means people have given

up their freedom to take care of themselves.  You may be lazy now, but when big government

rules completely, they know how to make you fall in
line……try getting away with something

then.   If you have no
idea what I am talking about, it is time for you to hit the history books.

 

The most powerful tools in life are respect and
manners.  Knowing etiquette

makes you feel confident and relaxed.  Common sense comes from knowing this

information.   These
are the core values of our free society. 
These are the first

tools you should learn in life, not the last things to
acquire.  We are not born

with this information. 
It must be taught.   It is the job
of parents to prepare their

children to live on their own in a civilized world.   Teaching manners to your

children is the kindest thing you can do for them.  

 

No matter how technology evolves, when dealing with another
human being

we have a civic duty to behave in a respectful,  civilized manner.  It is easy to hold yourself to a higher
standard when you know how.   

 

Our book, “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and
Jan Polk has

365 tips and the reasons to use each one.  It applies to all ages. We invite you to

buy it on line at

www.janpolk.com

comments (0)
06/05/10
“Never Do Nothing Anytime” Greg Albert
Filed under: General, Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 9:56 pm


I just met Artist Greg Albert at the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society meeting.  He has 2 degrees, 2 masters, he is a writer, teacher, publisher, artist,  a contributing editor for a Artists Magazine, and Editorial Director for North Light books.  Greg has recently published two art books. Talk about accomplishments.  Not only that, Greg was very humble,  humorous and has very good social skills in addition to excellent artistic and teaching skills..  He definitely has the “likeability factor.”  His motto is “Never do nothing anytime!”  These are words of wisdom I wish I had heard at an earlier age.  My favorite saying is “Don’t be your own

roadblock.”  Everything boils down to when you take responsibility for your own actions, you can accomplish wonderful things.


www.janpolk.com

original.paintings, note cards and “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk

comments (0)
06/03/10
Jan Polk’s New Webstore is Now Open!
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 4:17 pm

My webstore http://store.janpolk.com/cataloglist.html is now open!  Featuring Jan Polk Note Cards and
“A Year of Good Manners.”     Visa, Master Card and Discover Card are accepted.

You can now securely purchase our birthday book, “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk.     Confidence and common sense come from knowing what life expects of you.
Don’t be intimidated any more.   Knowing etiquette makes you feel relaxed and confident. 
Margery Sinclair  uses a humorous style to convey 365 common, everyday courtesy tips and the reasons
to use them.  Jan Polk’s Great American Flower Collection images are featured in the book.
GAFC images are reminders to treat yourself with respect.  It is easy to hold yourself to a higher
standard when you know how and why.  Treat yourself to this book.  You will be glad you did yourself
this favor.   $28.00/book

Also available are note cards which feature images from Jan Polk original art.  These beautiful
cards are packaged  in a crystal clear box wrapped with a gold stretch loop bow ready for gifting.
Each box includes 6 note cards (blank inside) and 6 translucent vellum envelopes.  Card size
is 5-3/4″ x 4-3/8″    When you mail these memorable cards, your recipient will know it is something
special before it is even opened! $14.00/box

As always, no shipping charges or taxes within the contiguous states in the USA.

I invite you to visit my website to see these quality items and then to shop in my webstore.
Thank you for your interest in living the good life.

www.janpolk.com         Note cards and “A Year Of Good Manners” available here.

comments (0)