During the 13 years that she drove me to and from school, Mom was never late picking me up. Not once.
I saw other kids waiting for their mothers (this was the 70s, so it was always moms), but there was mine parked on a quiet side street beside my elementary school. Usually, she was reading a book.
She also was never late dropping me off for school or extracurriculars like band practice.
I always tell folks that I hit the baby jackpot with my parents. If I’d placed an order for “wonderful parents,” I couldn’t have dreamed up a mom and dad better than mine.
Fortunate is an understatement.
Today would have been Mom’s 82nd birthday.
Here are two photos of her and Dad, plus a pic of the flower bed I know she’d recognize.
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom. I love you.
Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026
Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026
Today, I’m working on a special project in memory of Mom. Regular posts resume tomorrow.
Source: http://www.Dreamstime.com (photo), “According to folklore, pansies will thrive if a group of them are planted in the shape of a heart,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Feb. 7, 2026.
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
Source: HiBid/ 2nd Cents Inc. (Cleveland, OH), Lot #597, Jo-han 1963 Cadillac model car
Those dancing bears? They’re on two Grateful Dead belts made by Bison Designs.
That Seattle Slew 8″×10″ framed photo? It’s autographed by 1977 Triple Crown winning jockey, Jean Cruguet. Added bonuses: the autograph is certified by Steiner, it’s a shot of Seattle Slew in the lead at the 1977 Kentucky Derby (first leg of the Triple Crown) and the high bid as of press time on Feb. 12 is $1.
The auction house at 2nd Cents Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of my faves. Their Valentine’s Day auction this Saturday offers 616 lots.
I like 2nd Cents not only for their eclectic offerings, but also because they have an easy-peasy shipping system. After the auction, they box up my stuff, charge me and ship it. No pesky follow-up emails, texts or calls to arrange shipping like I’ve encountered with some other auctioneers. (Hint: Read each auctioneer’s shipping info carefully before bidding. Some put the responsibility on buyers to hunt down a shipper local to the auctioneer and make independent arrangements.)
The 2nd Cents auction starts closing at 1:00 pm EST Feb. 14. Broker’s premium is 16%. (All photos in today’s post are from HiBid/ 2nd Cents Inc.)
Best wishes on bidding if you so choose!
Lot #35, dancing bears belts (2) by Bison Designs
The description doesn’t mention the Grateful Dead, but those look like the Dead’s dancing bears to me. High bid at press time is $1.
Lot #369, framed and autographed photo of Seattle Slew in the 1977 Kentucky Derby
Seattle Slew in the Derby…historic.
Lot #373, vintage Mallory fedora
Besides horses, what comes to mind when you think of the Kentucky Derby? Hats, naturally. This vintage fedora is oh-so stylish, and the current high bid is $2.
Lot #585, Edison record cylinders (4)
What would I do with these vintage record cylinders? Turn them into small flower vases or planters, depending on whether they can withstand having drainage holes punched in their bottoms. High bid $1 for all four.
Lot #352, glass flower ashtray
Smoking in the mid-century modern (MCM) era was such a thing it had groovy accessories like this ashtray. High bid $1.
And, last but not least, that snazzy yellow Cadillac is singing her siren call. High bid $3.
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
Source: http://www.ar.inspiredpencil.com, promotional material for a cookie sale by the Greater Cincinnati Girl Scout Council, Inc., ca. 1950. The mint cookies are described as “attractively mint coated.”
Source: HiBid/ Light in the Attic Estates (Brevard, NC)
Source: WorthPoint, empty box of Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies by Burry’s, ca. 1960s.
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
Source: Library of Congress, “Trademark registration by Spaulding & Merrick for Tom & Jerry brand smoking tobacco,” May 15, 1877, Chicago, Illinois.
Source: HiBid/ Jim Racine Auctions (Rising Sun, MD)
Source: HiBid/ Jim Racine Auctions (Rising Sun, MD)
Source: Alamy, Tom and Jerry stock photo, 1940.
Source: HiBid/ Witman Auctioneers (Manheim, PA)
Source: Etsy/ HandmadeByTranaLam
Source: Etsy/ HandmadeByTranaLam
Source: Etsy/ mfra5159sells
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
Source: Library of Congress, “Librarian shelflisting serials at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.,” ca. 1949.
Source: Etsy/ SnowmassVintage
Source: HiBid/ McGregor Auction Company (Conover, NC)
Source: http://www.ala.org, American Library Association’s promotional materials for National Library Week 2026 (April 19-25). This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy,” and the honorary chair is Mychal Threets (r), librarian, author and new host of “Reading Rainbow.”
Source: Etta’s Etceteras, February 2026
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
Source: http://www.EquusMagazine.com, still shot from Budweiser’s “Free Bird” Super Bowl LX commercial, 2026. The American bald eagle in the spot is Lincoln, who is cared for by the American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, Tennessee. Dolly’s Pigeon Forge theme park, Dollywood, features a sister site, Eagle Mountain Sanctuary.
Source: http://www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com, close-up of American bald eagle, Lincoln, who has flown at Eagles games since 2024. He took over the role after the retirement of Challenger, another eagle from the American Eagle Foundation.
Source: Alamy, vintage ad introducing Minute Maid Concentrated Banana-Orange Juice.
Source: Etsy/ BingusPingusPaper
Source: Etsy/ GetLuckyVintage
Source: HiBid/ Aeron House (Dillsburg, PA)
Source: HiBid/ Harry Lahr Auctions (Earlville, IA)
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
NOTE: Sellers/ businesses mentioned here are selected by me. They have something that interests me and, hopefully, interests my readers. Etta’s Etceteras does not accept requests to be featured and does not accept revenue from advertising, affiliate links, etc.
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