Martha A. Cheves's Blog, page 27

Prepare to be Amazed - Part 7

Beneath the pyramid, what does Novus Ordo Seclorum mean?

These Latin words mean "New order of the ages." Charles Thomson, a statesman involved in the design of The Great Seal of the United States, proposed the phrase to signify the beginning of what he called "the new American Era," which he said began in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Prepare to be Amazed - Part 6

What does Annuit Coeptis mean?

The first of three Latin phrases on the back of the bill is translated as "God has favored our undertakings." Many founders, Franklin and George Washington among them, believed that God's will was behind the successful creation of the United States.

Prepare to be Amazed - Part 5

The Great Seal of the United States

The green back of the dollar bill features the two sides of The Great Seal of the United States. The founding fathers approved its design in 1782. Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all had a hand in devising it. The seal provides great insight into the values of the newborn nation and, like the Constitution, provides a direct link to its formative days.

Prepare to be Amazed - Part 4

Can you find any tiny owls or spiders hidden on the front of the bill?

Many people believe they can see a tiny owl (some say it is a spider) next to the large "1" on the upper right of the bill. If you look at the shield shape that surrounds that "1," the tiny owl rests on the top left corner.

More than likely, the markings are nothing, just a point where the webbed design of the border varies. That won't stop some people from associating the peculiar detail with Masonic symbols, or with more practical things, like anti-counterfeit measures. What do you think?

Prepare to be Amazed - Part 3

On the face of a dollar, what does the letter inside the circular seal mean?

The black seal with the big letter in the middle signifies the Federal Reserve bank that placed the order for the bill.

A = Boston
B = New York City
C = Philadelphia
D = Cleveland
E = Richmond, Va.
F = Atlanta
G = Chicago
H = St. Louis
I = Minneapolis
J = Kansas City
K = Dallas
L = San Francisco.

The letter also corresponds to the black number that is repeated four times on the face of the bill. For example, if you have a bill from Dallas with the letter K, then the number on the bill will be 11 because K is the eleventh letter in the alphabet.

Prepare to be Amazed! - Part 2

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What kind of paper are the bills made from?
Bills are made from a blend of linen and cotton, which is why they don't fall apart in the wash the way paper does. If you look closely, you can see red and blue silk fibers woven throughout the bill. The threads are thought to be an anti-counterfeit measure.

Hint: Look in the white spaces on the face of the bill for little bits of the colored thread. They look like lint but you can't scratch them off!

Prepare to be Amazed - Part 1

More info from the Grandpartent.com site that I just had to share.
Did you know a dollar bill has hidden pictures, flecks of color, and mysterious symbols? And that’s just the beginning. What do all those seemingly random letters and Latin phrases mean, anyway? Now you can find out — and share the answers with your grandkids.
A dollar is worth far more than you realize — it’s a chance to teach your grandkids something really cool. Read on to find out just how valuable it really is.
The Basics: How much is a dollar worth?

The question seems simple, but the answer is quite complex. Since 1973, the dollar bill has had no value tied to it. You cannot trade in a dollar to the government for gold, silver, or any other commodity. The value of the nation's currency is related to the decree by the government that a dollar is legal tender for all debts. This means if someone attempts to pay a debt using dollars, the person being paid must accept the money or the law no longer recognizes the debt. This is important enough that the phrase is printed on every bill the government creates.

It is also vital for the nation's citizens to agree that the bills have value. If the members of a society decided that they did not believe in the currency, it would quickly be worth no more than the paper it is printed on. For the record, each bill costs the government 6.4 cents to print.

Spinach Dip Eggs

Boy is this a delicious change to the traditional deviled eggs!  Instead of mayo I used Tostitos Creamy Spinach Dip.  Simply add enough to make the yolks creamy as they would be with mayo.   This dip not only has spinach but also red bell peppers, water chestnuts and a touch of garlic.  This flavor is simply delicious!  And they are pretty too.

This dish is just another way that proves you should 'Think With Your Taste Buds'.  Try other dips and see what flavors you might like.  Onion Dip would be good and maybe even Cheese Dip.

Many Uses of Rubbing Alcohol Part 5 (End)

9. Nail polish removerThis works in a pinch if you don't have real nail polish remover in the house. Put some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and rub over the polish. It might take some rubbing, but the polish will come off.

10. Windshield washer fluid
"Combine one quart of rubbing alcohol, one cup water and two tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap or laundry detergent," says Cobb. "This solution should not freeze even at 30 degrees below zero."

Many Uses of Rubbing Alcohol Part 4

6. Sneaker deodorizerIf your running shoes smell funky, this can work to take away the smell, but the smelly areas needs to be saturated, says Cobb. Take rubbing alcohol, put some in a spray bottle and spray inside the shoes. Let dry overnight, and the odor should be gone.

7. Tick removerThis is a popular tip from around the web, which works sometimes, but not always, says Cobb. "The idea is to stun the tick with the rubbing alcohol so it lets go and is easy to remove," says Cobb. There's no harm in trying. If you've got a tick, put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and gently rub it on the area with the tick. Then use tweezers, as usual, to remove.


8. Remove garlic smell from hands
If you can't get the smell off your hands, pour rubbing alcohol onto hands and work in really well, then wash hands as usual with soap and water.