Memorial Day Traditions | E-Neighborhood Advisor

 Happy Saturday! - Hope you have a great one!

Happy New Year! While the first commemorative Memorial Day events weren’t held in the United States until the late 19th century, the practice of honoring those who have fallen in battle dates back thousands of years, according to History.com. The ancient Greeks and Romans held annual days of remembrance for loved ones (including soldiers) each year, festooning their graves with flowers and holding public festivals and feasts in their honor. The holiday’s 'founder' had a long and distinguished career. In May 1868, General John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Union veterans’ group known as the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a decree that May 30 should become a nationwide day of commemoration for the more than 620,000 soldiers killed in the recently ended Civil War. On Decoration Day, as Logan dubbed it, Americans should lay flowers and decorate the graves of the war dead “whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” According to legend, Logan chose May 30 because it was a rare day that didn’t fall on the anniversary of a Civil War battle, though some historians believe the date was selected to ensure that flowers across the country would be in full bloom. After the war Logan, who had served as a U.S. congressman before resigning to rejoin the army, returned to his political career, eventually serving in both the House and Senate and was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for vice president in 1884. When he died two years later, Logan’s body laid in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, making him one of just 33 people to have received the honor. Today, Washington, D.C.’s Logan Circle and several townships across the country are named in honor of this champion of veterans and those killed in battle. It didn’t become a federal holiday until 1971. American’s embraced the notion of “Decoration Day” immediately. That first year, more than 27 states held some sort of ceremony, with more than 5,000 people in attendance at a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890, every former state of the Union had adopted it as an official holiday. But for more than 50 years, the holiday was used to commemorate those killed just in the Civil War, not in any other American conflict. It wasn’t until America’s entry into World War I that the tradition was expanded to include those killed in all wars, and Memorial Day was not officially recognized nationwide until the 1970s, with America deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War. It was a long road from Decoration Day to an official Memorial Day. Although the term Memorial Day was used beginning in the 1880s, the holiday was officially known as Decoration Day for more than a century, when it was changed by federal law. Four years later, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 finally went into effect, moving Memorial Day from its traditional observance on May 30 (regardless of the day of the week), to a set day—the last Monday in May. The move has not been without controversy, though. Veterans groups, concerned that more Americans associate the holiday with first long weekend of the summer and not its intended purpose to honor the nation’s war dead, continue to lobby for a return to the May 30 observances. For more than 20 years, their cause was championed by Hawaiian Senator—and decorated World War II veteran—Daniel Inouye, who until his 2012 death reintroduced legislation in support of the change at the start of every Congressional term. Wearing a red poppy on Memorial Day began with a World War I poem. In the spring of 1915, bright red flowers began poking through the battle-ravaged land across northern France and Flanders (northern Belgium). Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who served as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit, spotted a cluster of the poppies shortly after serving as a brigade surgeon during the bloody Second Battle of Ypres. The sight of the bright red flowers against the dreary backdrop of war inspired McCrae to pen the poem, "In Flanders Field," in which he gives voice to the soldiers who had been killed in battle and lay buried beneath the poppy-covered grounds. Later that year, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael read the poem in Ladies' Home Journal and wrote her own poem, "We Shall Keep the Faith" to begin a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to all who died in war. The poppy remains a symbol of remembrance to this day. Despite the increasing celebration of the holiday as a summer rite of passage, there are some formal rituals still on the books: The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to the top of the staff. And since 2000, when the U.S. Congress passed legislation, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. The federal government has also used the holiday to honor non-veterans—the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day 1922. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 P.S. Here's a joke for you! Did you hear about the popcorn that joined the army? They made him a kernel.

Things You Probably Didn't Know About Bonnie and Clyde | E-Neighborhood Advisor

 Happy Saturday! - Hope you have a great one!

On May 23, 1934, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow took their last ride in a stolen car and died in a hail of bullets. To mark the anniversary of the death of the notorious lovers-turned-robbers, Trivia Today shares five surprising things you didn't know about Bonnie and Clyde... Bonnie Died Wearing a Wedding Ring—But it Wasn’t Clyde’s Six days before turning 16, Bonnie married high school classmate Roy Thornton. The couple separated because of his infidelity, and Thornton went to prison for armed robbery in 1929. Soon after, Bonnie met Clyde, and although the pair fell in love, she never divorced Thornton. On the day Bonnie and Clyde were killed in 1934, she was still wearing Thornton’s wedding ring and had a tattoo on the inside of her right thigh with two interconnected hearts labeled “Bonnie” and “Roy.” Clyde Chopped Off Two of His Toes In Prison While serving a 14-year prison sentence in Texas for robbery and automobile theft in 1932, Clyde decided he could no longer endure the brutal conditions at the notoriously tough Eastham Prison Farm. In an effort to force a transfer to a less harsh facility, Clyde severed his left big toe and a portion of a second toe with an axe. The self-mutilation, which permanently crippled his walking stride and prevented him from wearing shoes while driving, ultimately proved unnecessary as he was released on parole six days later. Their Robberies Didn’t Make Them Wealthy  Although often depicted as Depression-era Robin Hoods who stole from rich and powerful financial institutions, Bonnie and Clyde staged far more robberies of gas stations and grocery stores than bank heists. They were even known to break open gumball machines to steal the change. Although they had a reputation as major criminals, oftentimes their take only amounted to $5 or $10. "Souvenir" Hunters Flocked to The Scene of Their Death On May 23, 1934, a six-man posse led by former Texas Ranger captain Frank Hamer ambushed Bonnie and Clyde and pumped more than 130 rounds of bullets into their stolen Ford V-8 outside Sailes, Louisiana. After dozens of robberies and 13 murders in their name, Bonnie and Clyde's crime spree had finally come to an end. News spread like wildfire when Bonnie and Clyde died in a hail of bullets, and locals arrived at the scene to scavenge souvenirs. According to Jeff Guinn’s book Go Down Together, one man tried to cut off Clyde’s ear with a pocketknife and another attempted to sever his trigger finger before the lawmen intervened. The Car They Died in Is Displayed at a Casino Following the shootout that took the lives of Bonnie and Clyde, the bullet riddled Ford V-8 they had been driving was returned to its former owner before it was stolen, a woman named Ruth Warren of Topeka, Kansas. Eventually, Warren sold the car to Charles Stanley, an anti-crime lecturer who used it as a sideshow attraction. It ended up in Primm, Nevada, about 40 miles from Las Vegas, where it is now an attraction in the lobby of Whiskey Pete’s Casino, along with other Bonnie and Clyde memorabilia. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 P.S. Here's a joke for you! "Is it a crime to throw sodium chloride into enemy's eyes?" "Yes, that's assault." "I know its a salt but, is it a crime?

Five Stretches You Should Do Every Day – Even If You Never Work Out | E-Neighborhood Advisor

 Happy Saturday! - Hope you have a great one!

Just because stretching is a core pillar of fitness doesn’t mean it comes naturally to everyone who works out. Even if you don’t work out, you should still be stretching. For people who don’t get much physical activity in—or just don’t pay much mind to stretching—hips are an important place to start limbering up. In fact, focusing on the back, hips, and shoulders can make a world of difference when it comes to decreasing everyday aches. What are the basic stretches everyone should try to do? Adding stretching to your day doesn’t have to mean squeezing an hour of advanced yoga flows in your schedule. Here are a few simple moves that anyone can fit into their daily routine: Neck and shoulder rolls: Slowly rolling your neck in one direction, then the other, is a simple but effective way to relax some of your stiffest muscles. When you’re done, move on to rolling your shoulders forward and backward. Forward folds: Even if you can’t touch your toes, folding your body forward is a great move for loosening up your back. There are a few ways you can go into a fold: You can stand up and dive with your upper body toward the ground, sit down with your legs in front of you and reach towards your heels, or even just bend forward in your office chair. Make sure you’re folding at the crease of your hip instead of hunching your back. Kneeling hip flexor stretches: Tight or injured hip flexors can cause pain in your back, your knees, and pretty much everywhere in between. After placing down a yoga mat or a folded towel to protect your knee, kneel on the side you want to stretch and step the other leg out in front of you. Keep your back neutral and your pelvis tucked in, then slowly lunge forward until you feel a nice stretch. You can either hold it for 30-60 seconds or pulse into and out of the stretch every few seconds for the same length of time. Repeat on the other side and stop if you feel any lower back pain or pinching. Butterfly poses: You might be intimidated by yoga practitioners who seem comfortable in an extreme version of this pose, but it’s great for beginners looking to stretch their hip flexors, inner thighs, and back. Sit on the floor with your feet together and knees apart. If the pose is new to you don’t worry about making the stretch very deep—you can move your feet further away from your body to make things easier and stay seated straight up. For more intensity, start to bring those feet closer and fold forward. Behind the back chest openers: This move releases tension in your shoulders and back. You can do it either seated or standing, all you need to do is bring your arms behind your back, interlace your fingers, and pull your shoulders back to stretch your arms backward. What if these stretches are too difficult? The poses outlined above are a good place to start for most, but everyone is different and your results may vary. The most important thing is to not force your body into shapes that hurt. “It’s okay to feel a little tingling when you stretch, but there should never be pain,” Watkins says. Ideally, stretching should be relaxing—and feel good. So if the poses outlined above sound out of your reach, take things slow and talk to a doctor if something hurts in more than an “oooh yeah, that’s the stuff” kind of way. “Take your time and do what feels good for your body,” Watkins says. “Only you know what’s right.” Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 P.S. Here's a joke for you! What do you call a bagel that has mastered yoga? A pretzel.

Decluttering Strategies Minimalists Swear By | E-Neighborhood Advisor

 Happy Saturday! - Hope you have a great one!

If you asked someone to sum up their style in just a few words, “modern-bohemian” or “contemporary-organic” sound like suitable answers. But “minimalist”?  Like any other style, minimalism is a scale. On one end of the spectrum, you have your Marie Kondos of the world—sticking solely to the essentials that spark joy—and, on the other end, you have low-key neat freaks who like collecting but hate clutter. No matter where you land on that line, being more conscious and considerate about the items that we own is an admirable pursuit.  To learn how to keep a happier and cleaner environment, Domino magazine turned to self-professed minimalists and superbly tidy homeowners for their advice.  Commit to Timeless Materials Part of the trick to perfecting minimalism is getting it right the first time. While most of us already tend to think of our furniture as a monetary investment, it’s also important to view big-ticket items as an aesthetic investment.  “I’ve found that natural furnishings and materials are timeless,” says Gosia Piatek, New Zealand–based fashion designer and founder of sustainable clothing brand Kowtow. In her 700-square-foot family home, for instance, you’ll find a sofa made from local wool and a pine-and-steel dining table. “You’ll rarely have to update those pieces because they wear beautifully over time.”  Before You Buy More, Ask: “Does This Inspire Me?” If a once-a-year walk-through isn’t enough, catch yourself regularly while you’re shopping. “I think it is important to check in with your space often and make sure that there are not things that have accumulated that are not functional or bring you supreme inspiration,” says self-professed minimalist and clothing designer Jesse Kamm. Before you walk to the checkout line, ask yourself, Is this cheap Ikea coffee table really worth it? When I look at it, does it feel like me? If it’s not something you’d brag about to friends at a dinner party, wait for the real deal. Shop Vintage Not everything in your home has to be clean, crisp, and new. Incorporating aged pieces sourced from local vintage and antique shops is a great way to tell a story within your space. Without veering from her pared-down aesthetic, photographer Amy Harrity’s zen San Francisco home is the perfect blend of flea market finds and modern pieces. Her word of advice? “Wait to find the pieces you love!” shares Harrity. Fewer items with character will always beat out a ton of clutter that bores. “If there’s something I need, I look for it secondhand or I make it if it’s possible. For instance, if I need a new light in a corner of a room, I might look on Craigslist for three months before I find the right thing,” says Kamm. “This process is slow, but when I finally find the thing I am looking for, it often feels much more meaningful.” Schedule an Annual Purge On January 1, whip out your agenda and mark down a day (or an entire weekend) to dedicate to clutter. We’re not talking spring-cleaning or tossing a few throwaway items in a donation bin: We’re talking a thorough purge. “It’ll help you stay organized and [ensure] everything in your home has a home,” adds Harrity. Do a Nightly Sweep Through “It is easy to keep a neat space when there is very little to clutter it up,” suggests Kamm. Her hot tip? “Spend about 10 minutes each day putting things back in their place. When you do a bit each day, you’re more likely to stay on top of the organization. Plus, the OCD helps.” It’s easy to forget what you own when you don’t see or touch it on a daily basis. Going around to each room—even if you’re just looking—will help you out when it’s time for your annual purge and you’re trying to prioritize what needs to go and what can stay. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 P.S. Here's a joke for you! I’m really not into spring cleaning. Come to think of it, I’m not into summer, fall, or winter cleaning either.

Welcome to May 2022 | Capell Flooring and Interiors

   

Dear Friends,  May has arrived and has brought with it the sense of potential that summer always seems to bring. What will we do this summer? Where will we go? What adventures will we have? And while I might not get to take summers off anymore, luckily I do still get to enjoy the feeling of potential. One thing I love doing for our local families is making flooring and interior upgrades to their homes while they’re off enjoying their summer adventures.  Imagine coming home from your summer vacation to a beautiful upgrade to your home!  We can make that happen for you and your family.  Every new project we take on here at Capell Flooring brings me a touch of excitement. No matter how many times we’ve done it, it’s always amazing to see the transformation new flooring can bring to a home. And of course, getting to see the joy our clients feel when they see the finished product doesn’t hurt, either! Thank you for joining us for this month’s edition of the Neighborhood Advisor. And wherever else your adventures might take you this summer, I hope you’ll come on in to see us at Capell Flooring. Your friend, Matt Capell