janpolk
Painter of the Great American Flower Collection. Fine art that reminds you to treat yourself with respect.
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04/30/10
A Short Neurological Test
Filed under: General, Interesting Info
Posted by: site admin @ 1:05 pm


Rather than clog up the mailboxes of my friends, I am posting this on my blog.

It is from the anonymous

internet, so you know how reliable this is.

 

1- Find the C below.. Please

do not use any cursor help.

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 


2- If you already found the C, now find
the 6 below.

 

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

69999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

 

3 - Now find the N below. It’s a little
more difficult.

 

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

This is NOT a joke. If you were able to
pass these 3 tests, you can

cancel your annual visit to your
neurologist. Your brain is great and

you’re far from having a close
relationship with Alzheimer.

 

Congratulations!

 

 

eonvrye that can raed this rsaie your hnad.

 

To my ’selected’ strange-minded friends:

 

If you can read the following paragraph,
forward it on to your friends

and the person that sent it to you with
‘yes’ in the subject line.

 

Only great minds can read

this

This is weird, but interesting!

 

If you can raed

this, you have a sgtrane mnid too

 

Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of
100 can.

 

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty
uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid,
aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde

Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what
oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the

olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit
and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can
still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This

is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed
ervey lteter by istlef, but the word

as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I
awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

If you can raed this forwrad it

 

Have your friends visit  janpolk.janpolk.com  (www. not necessary in the url)

and read the April 30, 2010  entry to take these tests..

comments (0)
04/27/10
The United States of America is based on our Constitution and the Rule of Law.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 3:02 pm


Here is a question to ask any candidate that is running for
office:

 

What five words describe our civic duties and common bond

among all people, regardless of  age, health, wealth, education, sex,

 nationality, skin
color, religious or political affiliations?

 

Answer:  Honorable,
civilized, law abiding citizens. 

 

If you have these qualities, you can overcome most other
obstacles.

 This is the least
that is expected of each of us.

 

It is certainly the least we should expect from our
politicians.

 

Honorable people do not lie, cheat, or steal even if the
opportunity

presents itself.

 

 Civilized people do
not have to like each other

but they certainly have 
treat  each other with
respect. 

 

Our country is founded on the rule of law. Without laws, we
would have

chaos.

 

 If one is not a
law-abiding citizen, one should expect consequences you

may not like..

 

The only choices for honorable people are to obey the laws
or

change the laws. 
Civilized citizens maintain composure when

displeased and show respect to self and others.

 

www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

 

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

This 180 page book will boost your common sense,
self-esteem,

and likeability factor. 
$27.95

www.janpolk.com

comments (0)
04/26/10
102 Year Old Dorthy Theis is still a role model for family and friends.
Filed under: General
Posted by: site admin @ 3:54 pm


My friend Dorothy Theis (age 102) is now in hospice (at home)
and weighs less than a hundred

 pounds.  I will forever have loving memories of her as
she taught me how to age gracefully merely

by observing how she lives her  life. 
She has family members around her constantly because they

want to be there, not because she demands it.

 

As long as she was able
(until the last two months) she got dressed every day, wore lipstick,

had her hair fixed every
Saturday at the salon, and never complained about anything or anyone..

 Once when she broke a tooth off (last year), I
asked doesn’t the sharp edge hurt?  Her
reply was,

“I’m not looking for
trouble.”    (By the way, she still has all her own teeth!)      

 

Dot’s eyesight has
been very bad for the last 5 years or more, yet one would never know it if

you didn’t know
her.  Her family members always tell her
who is approaching which enables

her to warmly greet
visitors by name and look you in the eye.      

 

Dot still has her
sense of humor.  She now is not able to
move herself at all.  It takes

two people (family
members)  to get her dressed and in a
chair everyday.

They were both
exhausted and exhaled loudly once the task was accomplished.  Dot exhaled loudly

too.  They asked   “Are you OK?  She said, “I still have a heart.” 

 

This morning, as
her granddaughter was going to help her out of bed for the day, she asked

her grandmother,
“Are you OK?”   Dot answered, “Why do you
ask?”

 

She always brings a
smile to our face and to our hearts. 

 

My friend Margery
Sinclair is so right when she said “It is hard to be attractive when you are
complaining.” 

Apparently, the opposite
is  quite true
too.  “You are very attractive when you
are not complaining.”

 

I just hope I don’t
get Alzheimer’s and forget this.

www.janpolk.com        Original Oils, Note Cards, and Birthday Book

www.ayearofgoodmanners.com          $27.95 birthday book

www.margerysinclair.com     Etiquette Consultant from Milwaukee

comments (0)
2010 Cincy Flower Show ends 4/25/10
Filed under: General
Posted by: site admin @ 3:49 pm

We had a great time at the Cincy Flower show.  Unfortunately, it rained quite a bit which kept the crowds down.
Next year the Artists will be there all nine days.  The last day of the show is always a big sale day for plants.

One vendor that I met, had beautiful fused glass wall vases: Curley Mill Studio in McDonough, New York.
607-647-5133.  www.glasspocket.com  Check them out.

I will post pictures from the Flower Show soon.

www.janpolk.com

comments (0)
04/20/10
Thursday, April 22, Cincy Flower Show Secret Word Zinnia equals special $10 entry fee on this date.
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, Jan Polk Art Shows, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 10:20 pm



Big
news:  — The Cincy Flower Show is pleased to announce that they are

 hosting
a special $10 general admission event on THURSDAY, APRIL 22!

Come
to the MAIN GATE of the Show here at Symmes
Township Park
and

say
the super special password ZINNIA and save $10 off the price of gate

admission!                              

I
painted three paintings this past weekend at the 2010 Cincy Flower Show.

Following
is a link to the Cincy Flower Show  Facebook page which shows

one
of my paintings titled “Betwixt by Tamia” Artist Jan Polk, oil on panel,

 image10”h
x  8”w, $395.00

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4085783&id=200249183548

 

(in
the upper right hand corner is the word next, this will take you to other
paintings

that
were completed over the week end by the other artists.)

 

The
inspiration for this painting was found in the Dramatic Table Settings tent.

The
flower arrangement was created by Tamia Schumann of Adrian Durban

Florists,
a family owned local Cincinnati
florist since 1899. Voted Cincinnati’s

Favorite
Florist. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Local Specials. Same Day Delivery.

www.adriandurban.com-

 

Tamia’s
description of her work follows:

“Betwixt
represents a dreamlike state between the earth and sky.  A

creative
design of light and delicate flowers to display a balance

that
separates time.  The colors coordinate the greens of the earth

and
the ethereal blue of the sky.” Tamia Schumann

(Note: 
This arrangement won an award.)



Friday
night while I was painting this painting, we were in a  large tent

and
the weather was blowing and storming like crazy.  Not only was it

storming,
there was a cocktail party going on as I was finishing up the painting.

I
met some very interesting people and heard very favorable comments about

this
painting.  It was a good night even though it rained off and on.

 

I
will be back at the Cincy Flower Show, Thursday through Sunday,

April
22, 23, 24, and 25 in the Artists Tent.  We will have paintings,

note
cards and prints for sale.  I will also be signing copies of

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

$27.95.  
Please stop by and say hello.

 

www.janpolk.com

www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

comments (0)
04/16/10
Impressionists in the Garden at the Cincinnati Flower Show, April 17 and 18, 2010
Filed under: General, Interesting Info, Jan Polk Art Shows
Posted by: site admin @ 8:27 pm


Jan Polk and friends are en plein air painting.  We invite you to come watch us paint and enjoy purchasing unique
garden gifts at the Cincinnati Flower Show.  There are many, many activities scheduled and we are expecting
beautiful weather.

Juried Artists for Cincinnati Flower Show: The Cincinnati
Art Club, The Woman’s Art Club of
Cincinnati
and The Ohio Plein Air Society
have juried the following 18 member artists to
paint en plein air during the opening weekend of the 21st Annual Cincinnati
Flower Show April 16 to 18, 2010
. Artists will paint anywhere in the park
beginning the evening of the Flower Show’s Opening Night Gala on April 16. A
wet paint sale for finished, framed work, will begin on April 17 at 2:00 p.m.
and will continue through April 18
. The theme for this year’s event is
“Impressionists in the Garden.”

 

Monica Anne Achberger (CAC/OPAS), http://www.monicaachberger.com

 

Nancy Achberger (CAC/OPAS), http://www.nancyachbergerfineart.com

 

Martha O. Carmody (CAC/OPAS/WAC), www.marthacarmody.com

 

Barbara Chenault (CAC/OPAS). http://barbarachenault.com

 

Carol McClain Cosgrove (OPAS),
http://ohiopleinairsociety.com

 

Alla Dorn (CAC)

 

Dierdre Dyson (OPAS)

 

Amy Evans

 

Joy Kashdan Glaser (CAC/WAC), http://www.joykashdanglaser.com

 

Nancy & Bruce Neville (CAC), http://www.neville-arts.com and
www.nancynordloh.com

 

Jan Polk (CAC/OPAS), www.janpolk.com

 

Ruth Ann Sturgill (OPAS), http://www.ohiopleinairsociety.com

 

Bobbi Thies

 

Barbara Trauth (CAC)

 

Michelle Walker (OPAS)

 

Martha Weber (CAC/OPAS/WAC), www.marthaweber.com

 

Trish Weeks (CAC/OPAS), www.trishweeks.com

 

The Cincinnati Flower Show is the only North American flower
and garden show endorsed by theRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain,
producer of the world renowned Chelsea Flower Show. This year’s show, the 21st
Annual Cincy Flower Show will be held at
Symmes Township
beginning April 17 through April 25, 2010.

 

You may purchase tickets on-line at reduced rates by
visiting their website: http://www.cincyflowershow.com

comments (0)
04/14/10
Where are our leaders?
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, Holidays, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 2:11 pm


Instead of asking where are our leaders?

 

Ask:

 

Where is my Sacred Honor?

Where is my Self Respect?

Where is my respect for fellow Law Abiding Citizens?

What are my Civic Duties?

Why are civilized, law abiding people declining in number?

 

Think about it!  Respect
for Self and the Rule of Law, Sacred Honor, and

Civilized Manners are the backbone of our country.  These qualities are

disappearing from our nation.  When people scoff and laugh in the face of

 honorable, civilized,
law abiding citizens, government gets bigger, taxes

get higher, society becomes more violent.

 

People complain:  “ I
don’t have time to teach Sacred Honor, Respect and

Manners. “

Answer:

Make time.  These are
the most important qualities required to live as

free people.

 

We The People elect our government officials from among
ourselves.  We

cannot expect more of them than we expect of ourselves.
Elect only honorable people.  Sacred
Honor supersedes experience.  They won’t
look you in the eye   and lie to your
face.    

 

How disgusting is it to have Congressmen and Senators pass a
health care bill they did not read; one that expanded the government without
addressing the major problems to start with. 
They will look you in the eye and tell you it is good for the country
but you and your grandchildren two or three

generations unborn will have to pay for it starting
now.  It is very hard to

get ahead when you are starting out in a hole.

 

Government is too big. 
Taxes are too high.  What can We
The People do right now?

For starters, Honorable, civilized, law abiding people will
not lie, cheat or steal even

when the opportunity presents itself.   Somehow We The People have given ourselves

permission to be less than honorable people.  This is a personal decision that each of us
make.  Each of us decides to what
standard we will hold our self..

 

There is never, ever any honorable reason to lie, cheat or
steal.  We The People must willingly hold
ourselves to a higher standard. 

 

The illegal drug market would dry up in an instant

if people did not give themselves permission to break the
law and use illegal drugs.  

Just because you have money, it is still not acceptable to
use illegal drugs. 

Just because you have no money, does not mean you are
relieved of your

civic duty to be an honorable, civilized, law abiding
citizen.

 

 

Health care costs

would drop if people did not give themselves permission to
abuse drugs, alcohol,

tobacco, self, children, and each other.  Health care costs would drop if people

were honorable and did not think it is ok to rip off the
government …..or anyone

 for that matter.

 

 Domestic violence

would drop drastically if each of us would treat the other
with respect  

 One of the first tips
to civilized life is to “maintain composure” when displeased. 

You have given yourself permission to explode for any reason
and to be rude:  Unacceptable behavior.

 No reason justifies
uncivilized behavior.  It takes practice
to behave in an honorable, civilized manner.

 

Poverty does not have to be mean, violent, and uncivilized.

Only the people living in those circumstances can change
that by becoming honorable,

civilized, law-abiding citizens.  Behavior to hold yourself to a higher
standard is a

personal choice.  The
government cannot do this for you.

 

Our common bond is We ALL want to be treated with respect.

We ALL have a civic duty to behave in an honorable,
civilized, law abiding manner.

 

We The People can make drastic changes immediately without
government mandates or

higher taxes. We The People can give back to our families,
our communities, and our country

just by being honorable, civilized, law abiding
citizens.    We The People must take our
freedoms

and civic duties seriously, especially on election day.

 

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

“A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan
Polk  ($27.95) offers

365 common, everyday courtesies and the reasons to use them
written by Margery Sinclair.

.Jan Polk’s GAFC Floral images are reminders to treat
yourself with respect and expect others to treat you the same way.

This information would cost hundreds of dollars to learn it
from other sources.

 

A sincere Thank You to all honorable, civilized, law abiding
citizens.

 

http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com    $27.95  
The core values of our society.

 

http://www.lacday.com    L.A.C. Day – April 15 – Law Abiding Citizen
Day

 

www.janpolk.com       Original Art, Limited Edition Prints and
Note Cards

comments (0)
04/13/10
Celebrate L.A.C. Day - April 15 - Law Abiding Citizen Day
Filed under: General, "A Year of Good Manners", Interesting Info, Holidays, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 9:08 pm


On April 15, celebrate by thanking another person for

being a Law Abiding Citizen.   Honorable Law Abiding Citizens

are the backbone of the United States of America.  

 

We carry on the torch of our founding fathers who gave up
everything

for Sacred Honor and the Rule of Law by We The People.

Law Abiding Citizens

respect themselves and their fellow citizens.  They are honorable and  self-reliant,

they take personal responsible for their  own actions, work hard, and

give back to their families, communities, and country just
by being

honorable, civilized, law-abiding citizens.  They can function even if the government is
not there. 

 

We all have a civic duty to behave as honorable, civilized,

law-abiding people.

 

Everything boils down to personal choice.  It is a personal choice to be

the person you are.  
It is not always easy and sometimes it takes practice

to hold yourself to a higher standard.

 

L.A.C. Day is a day to celebrate how much we are alike and a
day to celebrate

our American Heritage, which we all have, if we are  citizens of the USA.

All heritages are to be respected and today we celebrate our
American Heritage.

Show your respect to our country by speaking English. when
in the United States of
America
.

 

None of us would be here without the aid of the other.  We are a nation of many

cultures, yet we stand United for the freedom of all.   The United States of

America
is not perfect but it is still the Greatest Nation on Earth and this is

because the majority of her people are Honorable, Civilized,

 Law Abiding Citizens.

 

Thank YOU for being an honorable, civilized, Law Abiding
Citizen!

On April 15, Send an email to a fellow L.A.C and thank them.

 

www.lacday.com

 

www.janpolk.com

 

www.ayearofgoodmanners.com    “A Year of Good Manners” by

Margery
Sinclair and Jan Polk holds the information you need to hold yourself to a
higher standard.  $27.95

comments (0)
04/05/10
21st Annual Cincinnati Flower Show features Plein Air Artists in the Garden
Filed under: General, Interesting Info, Jan Polk Art Shows, JanPolk.com
Posted by: site admin @ 3:45 pm


Cincinnati,
OH
……APRIL 16, 17, 18,
2010….21st Annual Cincy Flower Show
Friday 6:00 - 10:00 p.m………… Sat and Sun 10:00 - 7:00 p.m    

Jan Polk has been selected to participate in the Plein Air Event held the
first
three  days of the 21st Annual Cincy Flower Show. 
The theme for
this
year’s Opening Event is “Impressionists in the Garden.”  There
will be artists
 painting throughout the show.  Beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday,
our plein air paintings will be framed and ready for sale.



I will be somewhere on the grounds plein air painting. There
will be about 24

plein air artists all around during the

the Friday  opening
night events and on the first Saturday and Sunday.

 

Although this is the best flower show of the year, I thought
you might be

 interested in what it
is like to be a plein air artist who paints outside of a studio…..

usually landscapes.  

Plein air  is a French
term which means “in the open air.” 
“Alla prima” is another

French term which means the

painting was painted on site and no additional work was done
to the painting

after it left the site. 
“Plein air” means

the painting was painted outside with no more than 10
percent touch up once

 back in the studio.

Plein air means we paint directly from life and not from
photo references. 

 

The development of the paint tube is what allowed artists to
leave their studios.

We call plein air painting “chasing the light.” 

There are many challenges to painting outside from bugs, to
changing weather

conditions from rain to hot sun, to the light

changing significantly every 15 minutes.  Not to mention other distractions such

as animals and unfavorable comments

by passer-bys such as “my uncle can paint better than
that.”   Restrooms are

another consideration (especially for women.)

 Very seldom do you
find plein air artists with a TWB (teensy, weeny bladder).

 

Painting outside, I find I like to make sure I am with other
artists due to safety factors.

When one is concentrating on painting, they say if a phone
was placed by your

hip and it rang, it would sound very

faint as if it is far off into the distance. That is how
deep our concentration is. 

Time flies.  When
painting for 15 minutes,

you look up and find it is an hour later.  Some people like to  sneak up on an

artist so they do not disturb

them.  Nice thought
but it would be more considerate to gently 
let the artist

know you are approaching.

One time while painting alone in my neighborhood, I stepped
back to see how

the painting was coming,

and almost stepped on three neighbors who had quietly snuck
up to see what

I was painting and didn’t want

to disturb me.    

 

Others will jump out of their cars and run up behind the
artist so they can see

what they are painting.

 How scary is
that?  You are hoping they are just
excited to see an artist and

 not knock you in the
head.  Please gently

let them know you  are
approaching.  Plein air painters are usually
very friendly

 and like to meet
people.  We are

under a time constraint due to the fast changing light
conditions and sometimes

must get back to the painting as much

as we would like to continue chatting. I have a friend, Ray
Hassard, an extraordinary

 artist
(www.rayhassard.com) who likes

to plein air paint in India for a month at a time.  He and his painting partner,

Debra Joyce Dawson ( www.debrajoycedawson.com)

always attract a crowd. 
Ray said one time the crowd was so close, one guy

rested his chin on Ray’s shoulder while he was

painting.   That’s a
little too close if you ask me.

 

Every artist is different and uses different
techniques.  I think you would enjoy

watching us paint. 
After a day of

painting as a group, plein air artists like to congregate to
visit  and critique each

others paintings.

Hope to see you at the Cincinnati Flower Show.

 

The Cincinnati Flower Show is the only North American flower and garden
show endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain,
producer of the world renowned Chelsea Flower Show
This year’s show, the 21st Annual Cincy Flower Show  will be held at
Symmes Township beginning April 17 through April 25, 2010. 

You may purchase tickets on-line at reduced rates by visiting their website:
http://www.cincyflowershow.com/asp/baz_category_products.asp?p_cat_id=1&p_cat_NAME=Flower+Show+General+Admission

 

 

www.janpolk.com     original oil paintings, limited edition
GAFC prints and  note cards available on
line

comments (0)
04/03/10
Happy Easter!
Filed under: General, Interesting Info, Holidays
Posted by: site admin @ 10:25 pm

comments (0)