Skeese Greets

New Postcard Packs

2011-02-04T10:59:00.005-06:00

Now available at Skeese Greets - Postcard Packs of 25! Previously only available as packs of 5 online, now you can get 25 in a set for $12. Packs of 5 are $3.75. Choose from an assortment of Thank You and Birthday. What a great way to say thanks to your cycling coach, training buddies or to the people who sponsored you at the MS 150 or Ride for Aids.

See them all HERE!

2011 Date Set for Skeese Greets Women's Tri

2010-06-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

The Fifth Annual Skeese Greets Women's Triathlon is scheduled for Mother's Day, May 8th, 2011. The 300 meter swim, 11 mile bike and 2 mile run has taken place at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas every year, but the date has been moved around during the month of May. This will be the first time the triathlon takes place on Mother's Day.

"We think it's a good fit for that weekend," explains director Stacy Keese. "It's a women's event and most triatlete women don't want to sit around on Mother's Day with breakfast in bed. They want to be active and have fun. They can do that at this event with their family cheering them on. It will be a special day for them."

The Skeese Greets Women's Tri is currently part of the Jack and Adam's Texas Tri Series which includes five other triathlons. Skeese Greets along with Jack and Adam's/High Five Events has made this date change to maximize the schedule of events in and around Austin. With the inclusion and creation of new events for 2011, this was a necessary step to accommodate the growing list. The following are the tentative 2011 dates for the other Texas Tri Series events: The Rookie Tri (April 17, 2011), Couples Tri (July 10, 2011), Jack's Generic Tri (August 7, 2011) and The Austin Tri (Labor Day).

Skeese Greets Tri Goes Green

2010-04-22T16:48:00.002-05:00

It's Earth Day so thoughts turn to ways of reducing, reusing and recycling. The Skeese Greets Women's Tri has always tried to keep the environmental impact at a minimum. Here are some things we are doing this year:

*Recycling bins at the event.

*Goodie Bags are reusable and made from recycled materials by a local company. They can be reused as a fresh fruit/veggie bag or for wet workout clothes or for whatever else.

*Goodie bags do not contain flyers, but instead a comprehensive guide with sponsor ads and pertinent information printed on recycled paper here in Texas.

*No single-use disposable plastic bottles for water or sports drink distributed at the finish line. We'll provide reusable plastic bottles instead. They can be re-filled at the Water Monster.

*Green portable toilets that use non-toxic deodorizer.

*At least 80% of all marketing and participant communications facilitated through email or website updates instead of paper mail.

*We reuse at least 80% of all signage for the event.

*We plan to serve locally grown, fresh, organic fruit at the finish line.

*Clothing/shoe/bike recycling/reuse program available at packet pickup with Bicycle Re-Cycle.

*Carpooling option.

*VIP parking for carpoolers of 3 or more.

more to come...

Riding to Raise Dough

2010-04-15T18:53:00.001-05:00

It's Tax Day, yes, but it's also National High Five Day. I think high fives should go to all the people who have helped raise millions of dollars during the MS150 happening this weekend from Houston to Austin. The goal was to raise $18 million and they're almost there. So they definitely deserve high fives!

What about you? Have you ever raised money in such a way? Asking your friends, family, neighbors and strangers to chip in so that you can hit your quota? Or have you helped raise money through a group like the LAF Tri Team which will be participating in the Austin Tri again this year?

There are lots of ways triathletes and cyclists can help raise money. Besides joining Team In Training or the LAF (amongst others), there's a newer one here in Austin called SoleMates. You can join SoleMates to help raise money for Girls On the Run. How it differs from other organizations is that you can pick any event of your liking; there's no specific tri or ride designated by the organization. You can pick a 5k or 10k if you want or even the Skeese Greets Women's Tri (hint, hint!)

What are you riding for? (besides your own well-being?) Either way, I'm giving you a virtual high five!

St. Patrick's Day Cycling Rhyme

2010-03-17T17:54:00.003-05:00

A St. Patrick's Day rhyme for you:

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and great rides
For today and every day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Two For Tuesday: Bike Angel Boxed Set

2009-12-01T09:59:00.003-06:00

Today’s featured card is “Bike Angel.” This Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (December 1st, 2009) to receive the second boxed set for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on Etsy.com.

CYBER SALE!

2009-11-30T09:32:00.000-06:00

Trimming the Tree the Bike Lover's Way

2009-11-13T12:59:00.003-06:00

It might be a little early to be thinking about your Christmas Tree, but here's a little tip for its decorations.

Before the craziness of the holiday season finds you, how 'bout collecting some bike parts you no longer need and reuse them as ornaments. You can use cogs or pieces of chain. You can also use race medals and race numbers to make your tree look great and reflect your cycling lifestyle. So don't trash those things -Bicycle Re-Cycle them!

Two For Tuesday: Jolly Holly Boxed Set

2009-11-10T11:23:00.003-06:00

Today’s featured card is “Jolly Holly.” This Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (November 10th, 2009) to receive the second boxed set for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on Etsy.com.

Two For Tuesday: Warm Wishes Boxed Set

2009-11-03T11:47:00.003-06:00

Today’s featured card is “Warm Wishes.” This Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (November 3rd, 2009) to receive the second boxed set for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on Etsy.com.

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Two For Tuesday: Snowflake Boxed Set

2009-10-27T10:40:00.007-05:00

Today’s featured card is “Snowflake.” This Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (October 27th, 2009) to receive the second boxed set for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on Etsy.com.

Two For Tuesday: Spider Boxed Set

2009-10-20T13:26:00.003-05:00

Today’s featured card is “Spider” This Halloween Card Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (October 20th, 2009) to receive the second boxed set for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website.

Two For Tuesday: Poinsettia Boxed Set - Blank

2009-09-29T11:46:00.002-05:00

Today’s featured card is “Poinsettia - Blank Inside.” This Christmas Card Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (September 29th, 2009) to receive the second boxed set for free. This is for the Blank Inside version only. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

Two For Tuesday: JOY Boxed Set

2009-09-22T17:48:00.003-05:00

Today’s featured card is “JOY.” This Christmas Card Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (September 22nd, 2009) to receive the second one for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

This Two for Tuesday will last until Wednesday night at 11:59 CST.

Hotter N Hell 100 Expo

2009-09-21T13:16:00.000-05:00

For the past 28 years, Wichita Falls, TX has played host to one of the largest bike rides in the US - Hotter N Hell 100. Part of the festivities surrounding the ride is the biggest consumer bike trade show in the state. All near-by bike shops attend, as do many other vendors including Clif Bar, Bicycle-Gifts.com, SpiBelt, REI, Koobi Saddles, Pearl Izumi, and this year Skeese Greets!

Working an expo can be difficult and tiring, especially when you're there alone, but I still love doing it. Since I know many people in the industry, they offered me the chance to take a few short breaks over the three day period. One stranger even brought me BBQ because he knew I couldn't leave the booth (& it was probably the best BBQ I've ever had!) I had the opportunity to introduce many new people to the product and also talk to those who are familiar with and love the cards.

Will I make the 5 hour trek again for HH100 2010? I don't know. But I will be at two other expos coming up the weekend of October 23-25 - Longhorn Ironman 70.3 and at the LiveStrong Challenge. Stop by and say, "Hi!"

Diez y Seis!

2009-09-16T12:48:00.003-05:00

It's Mexican Independence Day and that can only mean one thing - margaritas! OK, not really but that's how I plan on celebrating. Today, September 16 is actually an important day in Mexican history; it commemorates the day in 1810 when Father Hidalgo called for the fight for liberty from Spanish rule. Eleven years later, the war ended with a victory for Mexico. As a Texan, Mexican culture has greatly influenced my life and I'm grateful for it.

I created a special "Viva Mexico" screen saver for the day, which like all other Skeese Greets designs, incorporates bike parts. It's only available as a full screen image at 1024x768. How to install: Click on it, then right click & "Set as Desktop Background."

The fine print: Skeese Greets™ makes this content available for personal, desktop use only . All copyrights remain the property of Skeese Greets™.

Two For Tuesday: Festive Boxed Set

2009-09-15T13:05:00.003-05:00

Today’s featured card is “Festive.” This Christmas Card Boxed Set of 10 must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (September 15th, 2009) to receive the second one for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

Etsy Bike Treasury

2009-09-04T13:15:00.003-05:00

If you're not an Esty.com shopper yet, then I'm thinking you should be. It's an awesome place to shop for anything from art to clothes to soap and jewelry and of course greeting cards. I'm constantly amazed by the unique and creative items that people sell on the site.

Because there are over 200,000 vendors, a "Treasury" is one way to expose a few of those vendors and their work. My cards have been listed in several treasuries, and I have failed to save all of them (they disappear after a few days.) Below is the most recent one in which a Skeese Greets card was listed. The Treasury is titled, "Bike Gallery: A Few of My Favorites" and consists of bike themed items from 12 Etsy.com shops. The creator of the Treasury chose the Skeese Greets "Poinsettia" bicycle chain Christmas card.

When there are millions of items from which to choose, it's pretty cool to be hand selected for Treasuries. I'm flattered and very appreciative each time.

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Quote of the Day: "There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation in this world than for bread." Mother Teresa

Halloween Boxed Set

2009-09-03T13:40:00.003-05:00

Inside reads:
Cleats on my feet,
Give me some gel &
a new carbon seat!

Happy Halloween!

Two For Tuesday: Wish Chain

2009-09-01T10:30:00.003-05:00

Today’s featured card is “Wish Chain.” This birthday card must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (September 1st, 2009) to receive the second one for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

Google Checkout at Skeese Greets

2009-08-31T17:17:00.004-05:00

To make shopping a little easier for some of you, I've added a Google Checkout option at Skeese.com. In addition to Google, the Skeese Greets secure online store also accepts PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

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Quote of the Day: "Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you." Satchel Paige

Two For Tuesday: "Thank You" Boxed Set

2009-08-24T16:13:00.003-05:00

Today’s featured card is the “Thank You” Boxed Set of 10. These thank you cards must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (August 25, 2009) to receive the second set of 10 for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

NEW & SALE Sections

2009-08-24T11:34:00.003-05:00

Two For Tuesday: Stars & Stripes Boxed Set

2009-08-18T11:44:00.005-05:00

Today’s featured card is the “Stars & Stripes” Boxed Set of 10. These thank you cards must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (August 11, 2009) to receive the second set of 10 for free. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

Quote of the Day: "Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." ~G.B. Stern

Two For Tuesday: You Rock

2009-08-11T12:14:00.004-05:00

Each Tuesday for the rest of the year, we’ll feature a “Two For Tuesday” sale. This means that here on the Skeese Greets Blog, whatever card you see featured for that Tuesday, you can purchase it online and get a second one of the same design for free.

Today’s featured card is “You Rock.” This popular card must be purchased online by 11:59PM CST today (August 11, 2009) to receive the free card. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

Quote of the Day: "Courage without conscience is a wild beast." Robert Green Ingersoll

Two For Tuesday: XOXO

2009-08-04T11:11:00.005-05:00

Each Tuesday for the rest of the year, we'll feature a "Two For Tuesday" sale. This means that here on the Skeese Greets Blog, whatever card you see featured for that Tuesday, you can purchase it online and get a second one of the same design for free.

Today's featured card is "XOXO." You must purchase it online by 11:59PM CST today (August 4, 2009) to receive the free card. It is available on the main Skeese Greets website and on the Skeese Etsy.com store.

Quote of the Day: “Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.” Ray Kroc

Obama White House Greetings

2009-07-20T16:24:00.006-05:00

After recently celebrating an anniversary, I remembered that we can ask the President of the United States to send signed greeting cards for special events and accomplishments. For instance, if you wanted Granny to get a b-day card from the Prez for her 80th birthday, then you'd just have to request one.

Under the Bush Administration there was an easy online form to submit the request. Now, however, it's a little more laborious. Although the Obama White House website is pretty cool and relevant (it has links for Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, YouTube, etc.) it lacks the easy request process. There's not even any information about the White House Greetings Office.

Until they update the "Greetings" portion of the website, this is what you'll need to do to request a card for:

- Birthday greetings to those 80 years and older.

- Anniversary greetings to couples celebrating 50, 60, 70 or more years of marriage.

- Weddings (after the event)

- Baby's birth or adoption (baby born or adopted during the Obama administration)

- Eagle Scout Award or Girl Scout Gold Award

- Bar or bat mitzvah or the equivalent, such as a confirmation

- Condolence

- Serious illness

- Retirement (30 years or more)

REQUIRED INFORMATION

- Name and home address of honoree(s); include form of address such as Mr., Miss, Dr., etc.

- Exact date of the occasion (month, day, year)

- Age (for birthdays)

- Number of years married (anniversaries)

- Number of years worked at retirement. Also include where the person is retiring from.

- Wedding (include couple's married name and address)

- Baby's birth or adoption (include baby's date of birth and full names and addresses of baby and parents)

- Your name and phone number

- Any specific mailing instructions, if other than to honoree's address

ADVANCED NOTICE

- Requests need to be received at the White House six weeks prior to the event.

- Greetings will be mailed from the White House about 10 days before the event. (Wedding and baby acknowledgments are sent after the event).

SUBMIT REQUESTS

- Online HERE (which is just a Contact page). Type "Greetings request" in the message box. Give the required details for the greeting.

- U.S. mail:

The White House

Attn: Greetings Office,

Washington, DC 20500

or you can fax it to: 1 (202) 456-2461

Birthday Postcards

2009-07-17T18:06:00.006-05:00

"Inspiration comes of working every day." Charles Baudelaire

Thank You Postcards

2009-07-16T16:36:00.005-05:00

Recently only available to bike shops and at expos - Skeese Greets bike chain postcards! You get 5 to a pack and here are the three Thank You styles currently available on Etsy.com. Soon they'll be listed at Skeese.com.

You Rock - Bicycle Chain Magnet

2009-07-13T18:41:00.007-05:00

The stock of the popular "You Rock" magnet has been depleted. But never fear! more will become available on June 22. The magnet, with the bike chain design, is a great gift idea or a cool way to spice up your cubicle or fridge. This magnet and two others are available on the Skeese Greets website or Etsy.com website.

Weekend Warrior: Couples Tri

2009-07-10T14:46:00.004-05:00

Five hundred "Couples" (1000 people total) will be toeing the line in Austin on Sunday for the annual Couples Triathlon. Skeese Greets has, in the past, donated cards for the race packets but failed to get it done this year. Packaging 1000 individual cards to be included in race packs is a VERY time consuming process. Instead we donated some graphic design, race day volunteering, and will also send out "Thank You" cards to sponsors and others.

If you're still interested in signing up for the 800 m swim, 11.2 mile bike and 3.1 mile run, you can do so at packet pickup today and tomorrow at Jack & Adam's Bicycles. You don't necessarily need a partner for the event, but it does make it more fun!

When you're out there this weekend, be sure to take some shade under the awesome Skeese hot pink tent! It's amazing the difference a little shade will do when temps soar into triple digits.

Featured Bike Art: PalePink

2009-07-09T10:42:00.009-05:00

PalePink, an artist out of Denmark, is creating some great items out of discarded bicycle inner tubes. The journals, jewelry, and wallets are all made of what otherwise would be destined for the landfill.

The small inner tube journal is 3.1 x 4.7 inches and the medium is 4.3 x 5.9 inches. Both have 360 blank pages, a felt inside lining and an elastic band to keep 'em closed. Many colors are available, as seen below.

Also available in the PalePink Etsy shop are really cool necklaces made of tubes, like the one shown here:

You can check out all the latest PalePink creations on the PalePink BlogSpot and Flickr accounts.

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“Imagination is more important than knowledge…” Albert Einstein

Skeese Screen Savers

2009-07-06T17:09:00.003-05:00

Now you can find a tab on the Skeese Greets main website for free screen savers! There are currently only 3 available, but look for at least 1 new one each month. All of the screen savers will be similar to the current bike chain designs.

Here's the new one from today:

Now Available at reCYCLED Bike Art

2009-07-02T15:07:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for a great bike themed gift to go with your Skeese Greets bike chain cards, now you can get both at reCYCLED Bike Art. Besides selling their cool clocks, belt buckles and awards made from bike parts, you can also purchase a Skeese Greets card directly from them! Gift shopping made easy!

New Skeese Water Bottle

2009-06-30T15:26:00.000-05:00

For the first time we're introducing something other than paper products! Similar to previous designs, this cool, bright pink water bottle has a bike chain and cog shaped into a flower. The black lid is tethered to the bottle, which means it won’t get lost! It holds 22 oz of your favorite drink and features ergonomic finger grips on the side. The heavy-wall construction is BPA Free, PETE plastic and carries recycle code #1. It doesn't like the dishwasher at all! It prefers to be washed by hand. It is designed with a twist off lid instead of a push-pull spout.

A great way to carry around some water on a hot summer day!

Etsy Treasury

2009-06-29T15:04:00.001-05:00

Etsy.com is a great website to buy directly from artists. There are thousands of individual shops on Etsy, including one for Skeese Greets. The cool thing about it is that you have one shopping cart even though you're buying from different people. That's one easy aspect of the site.

Another feature they have is called a "Treasury." Etsy members can put together items that they think go well together and post them for all to see. Skeese Greets cards have been featured in numerous treasuries, including one for today called, "Austin tatious - Set 2, Spotlight on Austin Sellers". They selected the bike chain card titled "XOXO" which works for many occasions year-round.

Donation to Y Freedom Tri

2009-06-26T13:32:00.001-05:00

For the 2nd year in a row, we're donating cute mini cards to the Y Freedom Tri in Pearland, TX. The 300 meter pool swim, 12 mile bike and 3 mile run takes place this Sunday, June 28th.

The guitar, designed from chain and titled "You Rock" will be put in each of the 550 participant race bags. The mini cards, also known as Gift Enclosure Cards (about the size of a credit card), are not yet available to buy online. Look for the "You Rock" and three other designs at the beginning of July.

Pick 3 on Etsy

2009-06-25T15:01:00.000-05:00

If you're an Etsy.com shopper, be sure to check out the Skeese Greets Etsy Shop! For the first time today, we listed a "Pick Any 3" option. With this option you get to choose 3 single cards for $6.50. Regular price is $8.85. You'll save some $ and make more people happy with a card from Skeese Greets!

New Skeese Tent

2009-06-24T13:56:00.002-05:00

Skeese Greets has a new tent for events and expos! Stop by next time you see us!

Tent in Action at the Pure Austin Splash & Dash.

Toast To The Cyclists

2009-03-17T16:05:00.002-05:00

A St. Patrick's Day celebration just wouldn't be complete without raising your glass and making a toast to good health and good friends. And if you want to skip the beer calories, then raise your glass of green Gatorade & toast with my modified version of a popular Irish rhyme:

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and great rides
For today and every day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Your Lucky Day

2009-03-16T13:06:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow, March 17th is St. Patrick's Day! One of the most recognized symbols associated with the day is the four-leaf clover. But what's the deal with the clover & why is it considered lucky?

The superstition of the four-leaf clover is thought to originate with the Druids (2nd Century B.C.E.). They believed the shamrock helped them to see evil spirits, thereby allowing them time to find a safe hideout.

The four- leaf clover was also used to ward off evil as it provided a magical repellent that would turn away bad luck. The three-leaf clover is also associated with good luck as it is believed to be a symbol for the Holy Trinity. By wearing a three- or a four-leaf clover, good luck is supposedly brought to the bearer.

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Quote of the Day: "Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get." -Ray Kroc, McDonald's Founder

Happy Texas Independence Day!

2009-03-03T17:48:00.003-06:00

Happy Texas Independence Day, a day late! But whatever...we can still celebrate, right?!

Inside reads:
Deep in the Heart & Riding Free,
The Lone Star State, Where I like to be!

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Quote of the Day: “You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.” Davy Crockett

Love In The Fast Lane

2009-02-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

This month's Competitor Magazine featured 5 couples across the country who found each other through sports. Jack & Adam's Bicycles owner Jack Murray and Skeese Greets owner, Stacy Keese are one of the featured couples for this story.

Below is the section featuring this Austin couple. Click on the article for the larger version or pick up a Competitor Magazine at Jack & Adam's or a sporting goods store near you...it's FREE!

Click on the article for a larger version.

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Quote of the Day: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." As You Like It, Shakespeare

Featured Bike Art: Tight Rope Tee

2009-02-26T10:54:00.000-06:00

In celebration of Levi Strauss's birthday today, throw on your favorite pair of jeans and a cool t-shirt, then listen to "Baby's Got Her Bluejeans On" by Mel McDaniel or Neil Diamond's "Forever In Blue Jeans." This will really get you in the spirit to mark the birth of the man who revolutionized the way the western world dresses.

Need a new tee to go with those jeans? Then check Etsy.com for cool t-shirt designs specifically for cycling enthusiasts. A new T-Shirt maker, Tight Rope Tees, has created a beautiful design which incorporates a bike and floral pattern. The colorful and unique creation is featured on many colors in both a sleeveless and traditional style tee. It's screen printed on 100% pima cotton and no doubt will look hot with those Levi's!

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Quote of the Day: "I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes." Yves Saint Laurent

What's Your Vice?

2009-02-25T12:30:00.000-06:00

It's Ash Wednesday, which means it's the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. For 40 days, Catholics and many others will give up a vice. But come Easter Sunday, they can once again partake in chocolate, alcohol, sugar, or whatever else they gave up.

If you grew up in South Texas, as I did, you'll also be subjected to "Fish Fridays" in the school cafeteria - yuck! I always knew that the practice had something to do with Lent, but I didn't know the reasoning behind it until now. In ancient times, meat was considered a luxury food; only people who could afford to buy it in the market or have enough land to raise cattle were able to eat it. Fish, however, could be caught in the stream by anyone and vegetables could be grown or foraged by anyone. These foods did not require money. Therefore fish was considered a poor man's food and meat was a rich man's food. That's why the most common form of fasting is to give up meat and eat fish instead. I think I'll still pass on the fried fish fillets...I'll take any veggies in place of that!

If you're looking to substitute the meat products during this season of Lent, check out the new book by my friend Rip Esselstyn called the Engine 2 Diet. It's all vegan.

Or another great book is "Quick & Easy Recipes for Active People" by my friend Meredith Terranova. There's a great salmon recipe in there.

What's your vice? And are you giving it up for the next 40 days? If so, good luck!

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Quote of the Day: “Nothing is as certain as that the vices of leisure are gotten rid of by being busy.” Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD), Moral Letters to Lucilius, 64 A.D.

It's Mardi Gras!

2009-02-24T10:02:00.007-06:00

It's Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, the final day of the weeks-long Carnival season of feasting and celebration. It begins each year on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the date of which can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. On Ash Wednesday (the day after Fat Tuesday) Christian revelers must sober up for the pre-Easter fasting and the penitential season of Lent.

Although Carnival is celebrated in Christian countries worldwide, Mardi Gras in the US is most associated with New Orleans and began there in 1699. To celebrate, Krewes (organizations) hold balls and parades, wear masks and throw beads. The party ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday, the only time New Orleans closes.

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Quote of the Day: "Laissez les bons temps rouler." (Let the good times roll.)

Pure Austin Gym Fitness Expo

2009-02-23T11:34:00.003-06:00

The 4th Annual Pure Austin Gym Fitness Expo took place on Saturday at the north location at Quarry Lake. Anyone was welcome to attend this event which featured free food, drinks, a fitness challenge and many classes.

It started out as a rainy day with strong, cold winds. The sun eventually came out, and so too did the people. I was there with Jack & Adam's Bicycles to promote upcoming triathlons, including the Skeese Greeets Women's Tri.

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Quote of the Day: “Fitness - If it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body.” Cher (1946 - )

Day for Social Justice

2009-02-20T12:30:00.008-06:00

The famous quote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” by Martin Luther King, Jr. seems to be an appropriate one today.

Today, February 20th, is the first ever "World Day for Social Justice" following its unanimous adoption by the 192 member States of the United Nations during their November 2007 General Assembly. The observance has been created to promote poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

No websites with info on the observance give advice on what to do on this day. Why have an "observance" if there is nothing that can be done to observe or help out and promote it. If you have an idea, let's start a list.

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Quote of the Day: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)

Featured Bike Art: Circa Ceramics

2009-02-19T11:17:00.001-06:00

For all you bike lovin' & coffee drinkin' peeps out there, check out some cool ceramic designs from Circa Ceramics. Not only do they offer coffee cups with stylish bike designs, they also have bowls, espresso cups with saucers and cool little "tabs" that you can hang around your house or on the Christmas Tree.

Their bike designs consist of stingray and other cruiser silhouettes printed in black on very brightly colored, solid backgrounds. Just my style! I wish I could stock my whole kitchen with this stuff! Their other designs of birds, flowers, cameras and other retro images are also sleek and stylish. You can see the entire collection on Etsy!

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Quote of the Day: “Let each man exercise the art he knows.” Aristophanes (450 BC - 388 BC), Wasps, 422 B.C.

Skeese Greets Tri Teams With Non-Profit

2009-02-18T11:46:00.006-06:00

The Skeese Greets Women's Tri, to be held at the Texas Ski Ranch on May 3, has teamed with the new Austin Chapter of Girls on the Run. Not only will Skeese Greets donate some funds to this worthy cause, but entrants also have the option of tossing in a little extra $$$ themselves. Here's the scoop on this great non-profit, which by the way, is run by several local triathletes, including Shorey Russell, Maggie Caldwell, and KB Schatz:

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a life-changing character development program for elementary school girls, starting with 3rd grade (ages 8-12) that uses the power of running to teach every girl about her personal power and the importance of being healthy and active. GOTR combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) running event with healthy living education. Our programs instill self-esteem and strong values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training - all of which are accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff and the community.

The goal of the program is to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development. Furthermore, we encourage participants to talk with their family every day about what is going on with them. The 12-week curriculum attempts to help each girl find and stay true to her REAL self. As a celebration of achievement, all girls complete a local 5K race.

GOTR is best suited for prevention purposes for girls between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. This is a time when children are still receptive to what adults have to say, yet they are beginning to feel the pull of peer pressure. Studies show that around the time of 5th grade, girls tend to go to a place that we call "The Girl Box." The Girl Box is a place where girls feel as if they are valued more for their appearance, their friends and what kind of clothes they wear - as opposed to the strength of their character. It is the perfect time to address important personal and relationship issues to a girl - like learning how to manage her emotions, the dangers of gossiping, how and when to speak up for herself and more. This is the ideal age for girls to develop the skills for handling these issues so that each girl STAYS OUT OF THE BOX.

Studies show that a decline of self-esteem, poor academic performance, and diminished ambitions take place during adolescence. The skills taught through GOTR have shown to lead to fewer eating disorders, less depression and suicide attempts, fewer substance/alcohol abuse problems and fewer teen pregnancies. The result is a healthier way of life for a new generation of young women.

GOTR of Austin is an affiliate of Girls on the Run International, which operates in over 160 cities across the US and Canada. GOTR of Austin was founded in Feb. 2008 and served 6 girls at one school in the Fall 2008. For the Spring 2009 school semester, we are proud to announce we have over 30 girls enrolled in 3 schools around the Austin area.

For more information on Girls on the Run, visit www.gotraustin.org.

The Skeese Greets Women's Tri is an Official Jack & Adam's Event, Volunteer or Register today!

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Quote of the Day: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift." - Steve Prefontaine

Random Acts of Kindness for Cyclists

2009-02-17T09:53:00.006-06:00

February 17 is designated as "Random Acts of Kindness Day." I'm narrowing it down to "Random Acts of Kindness for & by Cyclists Day." These are just a few ideas to keep in the back of your head, not just for today, but for any day.

-Don't just run/ride/drive by - ask that stranded mountain biker if he needs help.

-Give your unwanted Triathlon or Marathon medals to Medals 4 Mettle which helps kids with cancer.

-Donate your unused cycling jerseys to a charity.

-Put some bucks into a cycling related charity like the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

-Finally give some $$$ to your bud who is riding in the MS150. He's been asking for a long time, so just do it.

-Put your old tubes, tires, spare bike parts into the bicycle re-cycle bins at Jack & Adam's Bicycles.

-Pick up someone else's trash that "accidentally" got left behind on the trail.

-Send a card or handwritten letter of thanks to your cycling partner. You draft off him; he deserves some thanks.

-Tell your dad he shouldn't wear his cycling jersey around like a t-shirt, no matter how convenient he thinks those back pockets are. Say it in your kindest voice.

What are some other kind acts related to cycling?

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Quote of the Day: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC)

President's Day

2009-02-16T11:09:00.006-06:00

Today is the 3rd Monday of February and that means it's President's Day. In 1971, President Nixon combined two previous federal public holidays honoring Lincoln's Birthday (Feb 12) and Washington's Birthday (Feb 22) into one day that honored all past presidents of the United States. On this federal public holiday, banks and post offices are closed in the US, but most employed people must still put their nose to the grind stone (& read a few blog posts along the way.)

In case you get a presidential pop quiz from your boss later on today, here is some info on past presidents. And if you really want to impress, quote some Lincoln. Here are some of my favorites from our 16th president:

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

I will prepare and some day my chance will come.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

What's your favorite presidential quote?

"They're funny things, Accidents"

2009-02-12T10:16:00.003-06:00

Suddenly, I was on the ground wrapped in a short, yet heavy fence. I think I woke the entire neighborhood with this little mishap last night. It reminded me of how quickly and unexpectedly things in life can happen.

As I galloped down the steps of the house and out to the car, darkness masked the gate which is usually open. The gate is about waist high, so as my toes and hands hit it, my momentum and weight made it collapse, carrying me with it. I landed on the gate and then the rest of it fell on top of me.

The metal hitting the cement and my eloquent use of cuss words surely got the neighbors' attention, but luckily they didn't come out to see what had just occurred in the quiet little 'hood.

I was not injured - no broken bones (I don't think), no gushing blood, just an all around soreness. I was just glad it did not happen to my mom who visits regularly. If this had happened to someone much older, it would have been really bad news.

As a cyclist, and even as a trail runner, I'm constantly aware that I could crash or take a tumble at any given moment. Maybe that awareness and my very cautious nature keeps me out of trouble in that respect. I haven't had a fall in many years, not on the bike & not on a run. The last time I ate it, in fact, was at home coming down steps and that was 5 years ago. The hazards of home.

As the mild pain subsides, so too will the reminder that things can happen in the blink of an eye.

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Quote of the day: “They're funny things, Accidents. You never have them till you're having them.” Eeyore, Pooh's Little Instruction Book

M.I.A.

2009-02-11T10:41:00.000-06:00

M.I.A. and no I'm not talking about the 9 month pregnant singer who performed at the Grammy's on Sunday. I'm talking about this MIA blogger who's been absent (& not quite absent minded) for the past three months.

Three months seems like a long time. So I back-tracked and this is what happens mid-November for a small greeting card business - in short: Christmas.

Although Christmas card orders come in all year (usually starting in February), the majority start to hit around mid-October and the avalanche is in mid-November through mid-December. During this time it's all about order fulfillment and pretty much nothing else. I fulfill individual online orders for cyclists around the world and I also fulfill special orders for bike shops. During that one very hectic time frame, thousands of Skeese Greets bike Christmas cards pass through my hands.

Afterwards, of course, I think I need a break. So in January I give myself a pretty good "vacation." I plan out the year: sponsorships, event schedule, the Skeese Greets Women's Tri, print runs and new designs. I also do card inventory and plan out the marketing year for our bike shop (Jack & Adam's Bicycles.) Then come February, the "real work" begins and the above planning goes into effect.

That leaves me here. Only this year, January brought an unexpected curve - a Skeese Greets HQ relocation. After 4 years in the same office building, I had to move. It's taking some time to adjust, but I think it will be for the better.

So that was mid-November to mid-February. Now, for the rest of the year...more frequent updates!

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Quote of the day: “In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.” Warren Buffett (1930 - )

A Tip for Sending Holiday Greetings

2008-11-19T18:12:00.000-06:00

Before I started Skeese Greets I either bought really cool holiday cards to send to family and friends, or made some of my own. Either way I would end up with extras that would hang around until the next year. I still liked the cards from the year before and still wanted to use the cards, but I asked myself, "Who got this one last year?"

You see, I would buy several boxes of different styles of cards. I'd have one set of 10 with a snowflake and one set of 10 with a dog wearing a Santa's hat. But I couldn't remember if my Aunt Patty got the one with the dog the year before and I wouldn't want her to get the same one again.

My solution - only buy one style of card per year. Yes, this might feel kind of boring and it might not agree with your shopping habits, but trust me - it makes the holiday season easier. Unless you're some kind of super star organizer, you're not going to remember which card you sent to each person. This way, the only thing you'll have to remember is what card you sent everyone the year before. (save one, mark the year and place it somewhere you'll remember next Nov/Dec.)

Have any tips of your own? I'd love to hear them!

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Quote of the day: “Our imagination is the only limit to what we can hope to have in the future.” Charles F. Kettering (1876 - 1958)

SOY - It's What's For...

2008-11-18T18:00:00.001-06:00

dinner and candles and clothing and...Skeese Greets!

My grandfather was a farmer almost his whole life. Each summer I'd go to that South Dakota farm and help with the chores, ride the tractor and pick the eggs. Besides the livestock, my grandfather also grew corn, alfalfa, sorghum, beans, and one year - SOY beans.

I remember when he grew the soybeans about 25 years ago. He only did it once but reaped the benefits of that stellar crop. He really seemed ahead of his time because now soy has become the go-to product in the green movement. Not only do we eat it in the form of tofu and edamame, but things like candles, fabric, and inks are also made from the beans.

From the Farm to the Cards:

For the last couple of years Skeese Greets bicycle cards have been printed with Soy Based Ink. But why does this matter?

As opposed to traditional petroleum-based ink, soy-based ink is more environmentally friendly, healthy, and a safe approach to printing that takes only a small amount of energy to make. In fact, cultivation of the soybeans uses only 0.5 percent of the total energy necessary to produce the ink. Much of that crop requires no irrigation, limited fixed nutrients, and leaves fewer agricultural residues than other crops. The main environmental advantage is that they release less than 1/5th of the mass of volatile organic chemicals compared to petroleum inks and this helps to reduce air pollution by minimizing toxic emissions.

And although you would never toss a Skeese Greets card into the recycle bin (because you'll keep it forever), paper printed with soy ink is much easier to recycle than the kind made with petroleum.

I'm proud to be using soy based ink on the cards. Not only does it create a brighter color, which is important on these colorful designs, but it's easier on the environment and it puts money into the hands of family farmers, as it did my grandfather many years ago.

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Quote of the Day: “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.” Steve Jobs (1955 - )

Etsy: Holiday 2008 - Our Favorite Cards

2008-11-17T10:15:00.002-06:00

The Skeese Greets bicycle holiday card titled, "JOY" received enough votes for 6th place in the Etsy Holiday Cards 2008 Contest. Sixty cards were nominated out of over 150,000 cards on Etsy. As they say, "It was an honor just to be nominated." Thanks to everyone who voted; I really appreciate the support!

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Quote of the Day: “Be careful that victories do not carry the seed of future defeats.” Ralph W. Sockman

Holiday Card of the Year Nomination

2008-11-12T15:25:00.006-06:00

Out of over 150,000+ greeting cards on Etsy.com, 60 were nominated for Holiday Card of the Year. To my surprise, a new Skeese Greets card was chosen to be part of the select few. I received this email from one of the Esty.com administrators:

Your card was one of 60 cards chosen by Etsy admin to be voted upon for our blog's Best Holiday Cards 2008!

Please spread the word and encourage folks to vote. Details here: http://www.etsy.com/storque/article/2899/

So now I'm spreading the word and asking, like a politician, for your vote!

It's the JOY bicycle chain holiday card and it looks like this:
Yes, you have to register, but it only takes a minute and then you'll be able to easily shop on Esty.com in the future.

Voting ends on Friday, Nov 14 by 12:30 Eastern. So hurry and get out the vote!

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Quote of the Day: “Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing.” William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

Veteran's Day Thanks

2008-11-11T12:42:00.002-06:00

November 11 is Veteran's Day in the United States. Called Armistice Day until 1952, the name was then changed and the holiday was re-geared toward all military veterans, not just veterans of World War I. In France, Belgium and New Zealand today is called Armistice Day. And the Commonwealth of Nations including Australia and Canada know it as Remembrance Day.

So here's to the Veterans - Thank you!

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Quote of the Day: “When one is grateful for something too good for common thanks, writing is less unsatisfactory than speech-one does not, at least, hear how inadequate the words are.” George Eliot (1819 - 1880)

LUNA Fest Donation

2008-11-07T11:58:00.006-06:00

LUNAbar, the makers of nutritional bars for women, is hosting LUNA Fest in Austin, TX this weekend. In case you're not familiar, LUNA Fest is a national traveling festival of short films by, for and about women. But don't worry guys, you can still attend!

Here's the info:

Sunday, November 09, 2008 @ 5pm
Regal Arbor Cinema
Presented by: Austin Team LUNA Chix

Invite a Friend

There will be fun give-aways, including some boxed sets of 10 from Skeese Greets! In addition, this card will be in all the goodie bags for attendees:

Inside reads:
What a beautiful sight
to see new gear
'neath the tree tonight!
Happy Holidays!

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Quote of the Day: “Take hope from the heart of man, and you make him a beast of prey.” Quida

Featured Bike Art: Becky Tesch

2008-11-06T11:05:00.001-06:00

Most bike jewelry involving chain links are very similar in design, like one link hanging down in dangle fashion to form earrings. Now meet Becky Tesch. Her bike jewelry is far from ordinary. She incorporates wire, links and other bike chain pieces to form some really cool earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Upon first glance you might not even realize that these very stylish pieces are made from used bike parts.

I've been admiring the chandelier earrings below for quite some time. They'd be great for a night out on the town.

If you're looking for something a little more casual, these copper swirl earrings fit the bill - simple, classy & cool.

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Quote of the Day: “The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.” Stephen Ambrose (1936 - 2002)

November Observances

2008-11-05T13:15:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving isn't the only holiday in November. Put on your Party Hat for Mickey Mouse's B-Day, but then remember to recycle it because it's America Recycles Month. On Tuesday, Nov 11th we have Veteran's Day which means schools and post offices will be closed. Unfortunately school will not be closed for Children's Day on the 20th. Sorry kids.

Here's a list of what else will be observed and celebrated this month:

Nov. 1: All Saint's Day (Dia de los Muertos)
Nov. 2: All Soul's Day
Nov. 3: Sandwich Day
Nov. 4: Election Day
Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Nov. 11: Armistice Day
Nov. 15: America Recycles Day
Nov. 17: World Peace Day
Nov. 18: Mickey Mouse's Birthday
Nov. 20: Children's Day
Nov. 20: Great American SmokeOut
Nov. 22: National Stop the Violence Day
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day

*****
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
American Indian Heritage Month
Addiction Awareness Month
Alzheimer's Awareness Month
Child Safety & Prevention Month
Diabetes Awareness Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Great American Smokeout Month
Home Care Month
Hospice Month
Drum Month
Peanut Butter Lover's Month
Real Jewelry Month
Stamp Collecting Month
World Communication Month
National Novel Writing Month
America Recycles Month
Vegan Month
National Novel Writing Month
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month

What will you celebrate and/or observe? I think I'll roll three up into one by eating some vegan peanut butter off the spoon in observance of Gluten-Free, Vegan, Peanut Butter Lover's Month.

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Quote of the Day: “Hope is a waking dream.” Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

From Ballot Design to Card Design

2008-11-04T13:53:00.010-06:00

For some reason, though we don't get the day off work and the banks & post offices aren't closed, Presidential Election Day feels like a holiday. Like the build-up for Christmas there's excitement in the air, yet everyone is ready for it to be over. There are those, however, who have to endure a few more weeks of the madness, and I used to be one of those people.

Before I started designing greeting cards, I worked in elections - first with Voter Registration and then in ballot design. Yes, election ballot design. Bet you didn't know a job like that existed.

Ballot design is actually kind of complicated. In Texas there are 254 counties and within each county there are about a million precincts. OK, that's an exaggeration, but there are a lot. Nevertheless, each of those precincts has different election items and therefore needs its own ballot in English and 90% also need Spanish and Harris County needs Vietnamese. Each county orders its ballots for all of its precincts; the ballots get designed, then proofed and then finally printed or loaded onto a voting machine. Barring no typos or mistakes (talk about a crisis when that happens) we wait... until Run-Offs and it starts all over again.

It was kind of exciting during elections to be working in that field, but all-in-all I hated that job. Today I'm glad to be designing stuff that's much more fun.

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Quote of the Day: “It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs.” Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Halloween Sale!

2008-10-31T16:29:00.007-05:00

It's Halloween so we're having a sale! This weekend, starting today, (until Nov. 2 at 11:59PM) get 15% off all orders at Skeese.com. This goes for all cards, including boxed sets of 10. Now is a great time to stock up on all your Christmas and Hanukkah card needs. There are currently 12 Skeese Greets holiday cards that feature bicycle chain designs. Each of the holiday cards come individually packaged or in a boxed set of 10. Type in Halloween at checkout for the discount.

Have a happy & safe Halloween!

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Quote of the Day:
Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, "Tonight is Halloween!"
~Dexter Kozen

Featured Bike Art: SpokesPeople

2008-10-30T11:47:00.016-05:00

SpokesPeople, run by Sue Ellen Klein, is out to help a good cause. She's creating jewelry and accessories made with bicycle parts with profits benefiting Neighborhood Bike Works. NBW is a nonprofit educational organization in West Philadelphia that seeks to increase opportunities for urban youth through bicycling. SpokesPeople offers necklaces, bracelets, earrings and change purses all created primarily from used bike parts. I really like the green necklace below made from a used washer off a bike.

In addition to selling on Etsy, SpokesPeople has a "Bike Part Art Show" each year in which artists donate their work to raise money for NBW. Here are a couple of the pieces donated:

How cool is that stuff?

SpokesPeople is doing all kinds of good things in the City of Brotherly Love. Wouldn't it be great if all cities had SpokesPeople in it?

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Quote of the Day:
When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, ‘tis near Halloween. ~Author Unknown

Etsy Treasures

2008-10-29T12:07:00.000-05:00

If you're not an Esty.com shopper yet, then I'm thinking you should be. It's an awesome place to shop for anything from art to clothes to soap and jewelry and of course greeting cards. I'm constantly amazed by the unique and creative items that people sell on the site.

Because there are over 100,000 vendors, a "Treasury" is one way to expose a few of those vendors and their work. My cards have been listed in several treasuries, but until now I have failed to save them (they disappear after a few days.) Below is the most recent one in which a Skeese Greets card was listed. The Treasury is titled, "Be Happy" and consists of Happy Face items from 12 Etsy.com shops. The creator of the Treasury chose the "Happy Links" bicycle chain card.

Another way in which Etsy shops can gain exposure is through "The Storque." The Skeese Greets Etsy shop had only been open a couple of weeks when one card was featured in a Storque article and displayed on the front page of Etsy. To my surprise, the featured Stripes card received over 700 views in about 30 minutes. Unlike the Treasuries, Storque articles stay archived on the site and you can read the one about Skeese Greets HERE.

When there are millions of items from which to choose, it's pretty cool to be hand selected for Treasuries and Storque articles. I'm flattered and very appreciative each time.

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Quote of the Day: "There is nothing that gives more assurance than a mask." ~Colette

Bizarro Du Donation

2008-10-28T10:44:00.005-05:00

The Austin Duathletes, a club that Skeese Greets sponsors, held it's Bizarro Duathlon on Saturday in Smithville, TX. This unique event was brought back to life after its inaugural debut in 2006. Participants raced the 10 mile bike, 3 mile run, 10 mile bike portions and were then treated to New Belgium beer, food and a costume contest. The president of the club told me that it was the best event the club has ever had. Each person also received a good race packet which included this bicycle Christmas card:

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Quote of the Day:
When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.
~Author Unknown

Halloween Cards

2008-10-27T11:14:00.004-05:00

Trick or Treat
Cleats on my feet.
Give me some gel
& a new carbon seat!

Happy Halloween!

That's the verse on the inside of this Halloween card from Skeese Greets. It's called "Spider" and it's from the first set of eight cards that I designed in 2005. Halloween cards are becoming more popular these days but they're still very low on the list compared to Christmas (#1), Valentine's Day (#2) and Mother's Day (#3). Every once in awhile I'll receive a Halloween card from a friend and it's actually a nice surprise. So maybe I'll mail out a few myself today. And maybe I'll create another design for Halloween '09. What should it be...a pitch fork, devil's horns, a pumpkin, bats? Any other ideas, let me know and I'll see what I can do!

Have a happy Halloween!

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Quote of the Day: "If a man harbors any sort of fear, it makes him landlord to a ghost." ~Lloyd Douglas

Featured Bike Art: Rat Trap Press

2008-10-23T10:43:00.007-05:00

Next time you want to show your passion, do it in fashion! Check out the designs from Rat Trap Press; the artist is a cyclist and screen printer out of Fort Worth. He has several different t-shirt designs featuring bikes and bike parts. I love this double bike design in blue on orange. Pair it with this bicycle birthday card for a great gift to your favorite cyclist.

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Quote of the Day: “I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)

Freedom of Speech Week

2008-10-20T09:55:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to have it and this week we're celebrating Freedom of Speech Week. This is a newly formed observance which takes place on the third week of October. We, of course, can't always say what we want unless we're willing to suffer the consequences. The consequences are, in the grand scheme, usually pretty minor especially as a child: mouth washed out with soap, detention, a paddling. As an adult, however, I can pretty much say whatever the hell I want, and I love it.

Here's a little history on this freedom:

The First Amendment is one of the 10 original amendments to the United States Constitution known as the "Bill of Rights." The first Congress presented these amendments to the legislatures of the colonial states on Sept. 25, 1789. Here's what it says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

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Quote of the Day: “The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is besides the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.” Justice Anthony Kennedy (1936 - )

Skeese For Motorcyclists?

2008-10-17T09:53:00.006-05:00

A few people have mentioned that I should sell the Skeese Greets bike chain cards to bikers. And by bikers they mean the people who prefer the roar of the engine to the sound of their own racing hearts. So for the first time I'm introducing the cards to some bikers down in Corpus Christi, TX.

The 2nd Annual Lions Charity Bike Run will have some donated boxed sets of Skeese Greets holiday cards and thank you cards for their silent auction. We'll see how it goes!

Here's the info on the event:
2nd Annual CHARITY Bike Run
Lake Corpus Chrisi Roadrunner M/C & Aransas Pass Lions Club 2nd Annual Charity Bike Run 12030 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 1st Bike out at 11:00 AM , last bike in at 5:00 PM Entry Fee: $15.00 per person (Includes BBQ Plate) For More information contact Aransas Pass Lions Club.

I, however, will most likely be volunteering at the Texas Tri at Canyon Lake. My friend, Nick Seidel directs the race and I've helped him out in previous years. Last year I assisted with timing. Old fashioned timing. I sat there and wrote bib numbers and times down as participants crossed the finish line. In fact, you can see the back of my head in all the finish line photos. I think I'll volunteer at a different position this year!

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Quote of the Day: “Strive for excellence, not perfection.” H. Jackson Brown Jr., O Magazine, December 2003

Featured Bike Art: Ya Betta' Supa Don't

2008-10-16T09:04:00.002-05:00

Bling for the bike from my college town of New Orleans. Maria Fomich at Ya Betta' Supa Don't offers decorative reflectors to keep you a little safer on your cruise around town. The reflectors are cut by hand from aluminum and riveted to the yellow reflector plastic. You can choose between a star, peace sign or flower. The backs on all of them have an adjustable steel pipe clamp and should attach to almost any bike. The reflector or similar ring would make a great Christmas or Hanukkah gift combined with this holiday bicycle card from Skeese Greets.

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Quote of the Day: “With regard to excellence, it is not enough to know, but we must try to have and use it.” Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

Love for the Grouch

2008-10-15T09:38:00.007-05:00

If you're a grouch and you know it say GRRRR. Today is National Grouch Day! So if you feel the need to put on your unhappy face, go ahead because today is your day.

This drawing is from cyberkisses.com.

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Quote of the Day: "The sad truth is that excellence makes people nervous.” Shana Alexander

Columbus Day Sale!

2008-10-13T10:49:00.008-05:00

It's Columbus Day so we're having a sale! From now until tomorrow (Oct 14 at 11:59PM) get 14.92% off all orders at Skeese.com. This goes for all cards, including boxed sets of 10. Now is a great time to stock up on all your Christmas and Hanukkah card needs. There are currently 12 Skeese Greets holiday cards that feature bicycle chain designs. Each of the holiday cards come individually packaged or in a boxed set of 10 like pictured below. Type in columbus at checkout for the discount.

*Can't be combined with other offers/discounts.
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Quote of the Day: “It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity.” Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Maxims

Kona vs. Austin

2008-10-10T11:45:00.007-05:00

This weekend while my hubby and all of our pro triathlete friends (Michael Lovato, Amanda Lovato, Desiree Ficker, James Bonney, Pat Evoe, and others) are in Hawaii at the Ironman World Championships, I'll be hanging out with SkirtSports founder and former Pro-Triathlete, Nicole DeBoom. She's created a super fun 5k here in Austin called the SkirtChaser. Last year it proved to be a hit, so this year I'm gonna check it out. I won't actually be racing, but I will be enjoying the happy hour style food, drinks, fashion show, and watching other people sweat it out for the $500 prize purse. Hope to see you there (that is if you're not in Kona relaxing on the beach!)

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Quote of the Day: “Don't worry about people stealing an idea. If it's original, you will have to ram it down their throats.” Howard Aiken (1900 - 1973)

Featured Bike Art: dstuck

2008-10-08T10:20:00.010-05:00

If you're like me, you probably have some empty space on the walls of your home or office. Why not spice them up with some original bike art? dstuck - Power to the Pedal People, can help you out with his cool and colorful 11x14 screen prints. He can even create one from your favorite bike. All of his designs are great, but if I had to choose, I would put these three together for a nice arrangement on the wall:

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Quote of the Day: “I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.” John Cage (1912 - 1992)

Longhorn 70.3 Donation

2008-10-06T10:40:00.011-05:00

The Longhorn 70.3 Triathlon took place in Austin on Sunday. Skeese Greets had a presence at the Jack and Adam's Race Expo and in the race packets. Each packet contained one of three Christmas card designs from Skeese Greets. The designs included "Snowflakes", "Poinsettia" and "Santa's Hat." The bicycle holiday cards, like all Skeese Greets cards are created from bike chain and parts. It took hours to individually package each card for all 2300 participants, but it's definitely worth it. Congrats to all and thanks to the volunteers and organizers! Here are the cards that went into the packets:

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Quote of the Day: “The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them.” Alfred North Whitehead (1861 - 1947)

Featured Bke Art: Tangerine Tree House

2008-10-02T09:44:00.005-05:00

Christmas is still 2.5 months away, but if you're looking for a really unique gift for a cyclist, then you should get a jump on it. Artists need some time to create their wares which means ordering in advance is a good idea. Check out these custom head badges from Tangerine Tree House. Artist Laura Crawford writes, "If you can draw it as a simple black & white line drawing, then I can make it into a head badge." So if you know a person who, after a wreck, asks about damage to their bike before worrying about themselves, then this is who would love a custom head badge. Pair it with this bicycle Christmas card for an awesome gift.

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Quote of the Day: "Experience teaches slowly and at the cost of mistakes." James A. Froude (1818 - 1894)

October Observances

2008-10-01T14:25:00.007-05:00

As previously mentioned, October is my favorite month. And who wouldn't love a month that observes apples, caramel, dinosaurs, sausage, dessert, pretzels, seafood, books, magazines, vegetarians and many other things all in 31 days? Here's the rest of observances for the month of October. What will you celebrate and/or observe? And for which one should I design a card?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Chiropractic Month
Dental Hygiene Month
Disability Employment Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Halloween Safety Month
Healthy Lung Month
Let's Talk Month - Advocates for Youth
Medical Librarians Month
Physical Therapy Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Day
Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
Talk About Prescriptions Month
Apple Month
Auto Battery Safety Month
Book Month
National Book Foundation
Car Care Month (Fall) - Also observed in April
Caramel Month
Clergy Appreciation Month (Pastor Appreciation Month)
Computer Learning Month
Cosmetology Month
Country Music Month
Crime Prevention Month
Dessert Month
Dinosaur Month
Drum Month
Energy Awareness Month
Family History Month
Fire Prevention Month
German American Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
Kitchen & Bath Month
Magazine Month
Pasta Month
Pastor Appreciation Month
Pickled Pepper Month
Pizza Month
Polish-American Heritage Month
Popcorn Poppin' Month
Pretzel Month
Rollerskating Month
Sarcastic Awareness Month
Sausage Month
Seafood Month
Stamp Collecting Month
UNICEF Month
Vegetarian Month

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Quote of the Day: "Experience teaches only the teachable." Aldous Huxley (1894 - 1963)

Monday Musings - Already Autumn

2008-09-29T17:13:00.001-05:00

It's officially Fall and we're almost to my favorite month of the year - October! Why is it my favorite? The main reason is because I love Halloween. I can't fully participate anymore because it's a busy time in the greeting card world, but I love it nonetheless. The creative ideas that people have for costumes amazes me. Other reasons I love October are cooler temps, pumpkins, colorful leaves, Halloween candy, Oktoberfest, seasonal beer, football, fall fashion, and the ability to wear boots, long sleeves and jeans without sweating too much. What's your favorite time of the year?

Inside reads:
Cleats on my feet.
Give me some gel &
A new carbon seat!

Happy Halloween!

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Quote of the Day: "Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience." James Boswell (1740 - 1795)

Featured Bike Art: Urchin Bags

2008-09-18T10:18:00.005-05:00

It's hard to make an old bike tube look good, but Urchin Bags sure knows how to do it. The company combines fashion, passion and functionality to create some really great bags out of used inner tubes and scrap vinyl. Choose from several different styles ranging from gym and messenger bags to this one called the Peata Pocket. Combine it with this bicycle greeting card from Skeese Greets for a unique gift for your favorite female cyclist.

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Quote of the Day: "Not by age but by capacity is wisdom acquired." Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC)

NEW Bike Chain Magnets

2008-09-17T10:24:00.004-05:00

Get 'em while they're hot: new magnets from Skeese Greets! On the fridge in the office or on the locker at school, these magnets will get the job done in style. Each magnet is designed using old bicycle chains to form the shape of a guitar, flowers & LOVE. It's a 2.125" x 3.125" magnet with a flat, strong magnetic back, metal shell and Mylar/UV protecting cover.
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Quote of the Day: "A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top." Unknown

Viva Mexico!

2008-09-16T11:33:00.014-05:00

Monday Musings - Wedding Invitations

2008-09-15T10:29:00.005-05:00

Three weeks - three weddings. And here I thought wedding season was over. My desk is overflowing with wedding invitations and response cards. Each time I open one, I think about the time and cost involved with sending the announcement. In fact, the average cost of sending invitations is around $1000. This "tradition" is so ingrained in American culture that I assumed it had been around a long time. Turns out they're a relatively new addition to weddings.

The practice of sending written wedding invitations emerged among the nobility during the Middle Ages. Families of means would commission monks, skilled in the art of calligraphy, to handcraft their notices. Such invitations were rare and reserved for the elite, as most people were illiterate and too poor for such extravagances. Before the invention of the Printing Press in 1447, weddings in England were typically announced by a town crier: a person who walked through the streets announcing in a loud voice the news of the day. Traditionally, anyone within earshot became part of the celebration.

It wasn't until rapid industrial growth directly after World War II that wedding invitations became popular with the masses. New inventions, like thermography, allowed the common man the ability to mimic the lifestyles and materialism of society's elite. Thermography (a less expensive method of achieving raised type) allowed wedding invitations to become affordable for all.

Skeese Greets doesn't offer wedding invitations, but we do have a bicycle themed wedding/anniversary card. It's great for those couples who love bikes. The design is also available as a boxed set for "thank you" cards after the wedding.

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Quote of the Day: "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

Weekend Warrior: MS150 N. Cali

2008-09-13T13:25:00.001-05:00

Bike MS150 is hosted in many cities throughout the US during the entire year & this weekend it starts in San Francisco. It's called Waves to Wine Ride - a fully-supported, two-day bike event. There are rest stops approximately every 12-15 miles along the 150 miles, plus a lunch stop and post-ride dinner both days. If you know someone who finishes, be sure to congratulate them on this endeavor. Skeese Greets has two bicycle congratulation cards perfect for the occasion.

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Quote of the Day: “Our imagination is the only limit to what we can hope to have in the future.” Charles F. Kettering (1876 - 1958)

Free & Fun Fridays

2008-09-12T13:10:00.011-05:00

At a recent Danskin Tri expo I overheard a man say that he uses a Skeese Greets card image as his screen saver. I was kind of surprised by this, yet flattered at the same time. I wondered how he obtained the image so that it actually looked good on the screen. Nevertheless, it gave me the idea to create some free screen savers. This "Unchained Heart" design was the first bicycle chain greeting card I created. So here it is as the first of several soon-to-be released screen savers. Right now it's only available as a full screen image at 1024x768. How to install: Click on it, then right click & "Set as Desktop Background."

I hope it works for you & I really hope you like it!

The fine print: Skeese Greets™ makes this content available for personal, desktop use only . All copyrights remain the property of Skeese Greets™.

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Quote of the Day: “An idea is salvation by imagination.” Frank Lloyd Wright (1869 - 1959)

Featured Bike Art: CapsForSale

2008-09-11T12:48:00.002-05:00

I'm a sucker for hats and I definitely don't wear them enough, but that doesn't stop me from buying 'em. CapsForSale offers cool handmade cycling caps in a variety of fabrics. The designer writes in her shop profile, "i started making these hats because i often have the problem of helmet head since i bike everywhere, haven't owned a car since 2000. they're stylish, collect sweat and rain, and keep sun off your face to boot." Sounds good to me.

So if you're in the market for a cycling cap check out CapsForSale. These would also make great gifts...maybe you're in the doghouse with your significant other who happens to love bikes. Forget the flowers, instead pair one of these caps up with this bike card and you'll have 'em eating out of your hands in no time.

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Quote of the Day: “Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality.” Jules de Gaultier

It's Grand

2008-09-10T09:46:00.003-05:00

CK Sports, a new sporting goods store just north of Dallas is set to open this weekend. The store carries a good selection of Skeese Greets bicycle greeting cards. The owner sent an email with the following info about the Grand Opening:

I just wanted to drop you a quick line to remind you about our upcoming CK SPORTS Grand Opening scheduled for Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 (now postponed until Sept 20-21 due to Hurricane Ike). Outlined below is a rough draft of what we have planned for the weekend.

Saturday Morning will begin with a guided Bike Ride - approx. 25 to 30 miles pending RSVP's - We will start this ride at 7 am

Activities and store opening will begin at 9am on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday

We will have the following set up outside for customers.

In the parking lot and up around the awning at the store will be:

Snow Cone Machine
Pop Corn Machine
Bounce House

From 11 to 2 pm we will be grilling hot dogs

Throughout the weekend we will be drawing tickets for free give aways

Inside the store we will be having short seminars on the following topics:

How to get Started on a Fitness Program and Stick with it
Can I really do a Triathlon?
Why Swim?
Bra Fitting -- what you should know
Biking Apparel -- what you should know
Safety when Biking or Running - what you should know?
How to Care for Technical Apparel
Shoe Fitting - why can't I just buy the one with the silver stripes? Pronation/Supination - What does that mean to me?
Tri Apparel - what you should know
Nutrition - does it matter what I eat if I work out hard?
Hydration - why is it so important?
Socks - what's the big deal on socks?
GU, Shots, Bars, Chews - how do I know what to get and when to eat them?
Vitamins - Why should I take them?
Massage / Sports Therapy -
Injury Prevention
Volleyball Clinic (these will run about 20 minutes)
Soccer Clinic - (these will run about 20 minutes) (if you have any other topic ideas; please let me know!)

Sounds like fun! So if you're in that neck of the woods, check out the store. I'd be there if I could, but instead I sent some mini cards as give-aways, and they look like this (without the watermark):

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Quote of the Day: “You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Love For the Weirdos

2008-09-09T11:36:00.002-05:00

To all the weirdos out there, today is your special day - it's Wonderful Weirdos Day! And by "weirdo" we're talking about the good ones, not the psychopath, dangerous or vicious ones. This day was created by Tom & Ruth Roy of Lebanon, Pennsylvania of Wellcat Holidays to celebrate the people in our lives who remind us to think outside the box. If it weren't for the wonderful weirdos out there, we wouldn't have some of the music, art, books and movies that enrich our lives every day. We even have two races in Austin that celebrate weirdness: The Keep Austin Weird 5k and the Bizarro Du. So say "thanks" to these people on their special day, because our lives would be kinda boring without 'em.

Maybe you're the weird one; see how "normal" you are HERE.

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Quote of the Day: “Everything you can imagine is real.” Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)

White House Greetings

2008-09-08T17:15:00.002-05:00

Although most people would prefer to get a Skeese Greets bike birthday card, you can also have a b-day wish sent from the White House. They'll only send to newborns & to those over 80. Here's how to do it:

For newborns send the following information:
Baby's name, address, birth date & requestor's name and daytime phone number to:

The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, D.C. 20502-0039

Or Fax Your Request To:
202-395-1232
Or for the easy online way do it HERE.

The White House will also send a birthday greeting to any U.S. citizen 80 years or older.

You must submit your request 6 weeks in advance. Include the name, age, birth date and complete address of the recipient and the telephone number of the person making the request.

Mail Requests To:
The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, D.C. 20502-0039

Or Fax Your Request To:
202-395-1232
Or do it online HERE.

If I knew someone older than 80, I would definitely do this for them. Or if I was over 80, I would have one sent to myself every year. I'd better mark it in the Outlook Calendar now so I don't forget.

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Quote of the Day: “Imagination is more important than knowledge...” Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Share the Passion

2008-09-05T10:04:00.008-05:00

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, join Jack Murray, owner of Jack & Adam's Bicycles at the "Share the Passion" Calendar Gala. I'll be there & we hope you can be, too! Here's the scoop:

You Are Invited!
What: Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas - "Share the Passion" Calendar Gala

When: Sat., Sept. 6, 2008

Time: 5pm - 8pm

Where: ART on 5TH Gallery, Austin, TX

Why: Because Jack of Jack & Adam's is in the calendar!
Cost to Attend: FREE!

The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas invites you to be our guest in launching the celebration of the 2009 "Share the Passion" Calendar! We hope to educate the public about the talents and abilities of all individuals with Down syndrome. Come join us for this grand celebration and view the beautiful photos on display, and get your calendar before anyone else! Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Fleming's Steakhouse. No admission charge. The "Share the Passion" calendar highlights local and not-so-local celebrities doing fun activities that they have in common with individuals with Down syndrome. Past celebrities have included Gilbert Tuhabonye, Desiree Ficker, Gov. Rick Perry, and Marcia Ball. The 2009 calendar has the following people: Jack Murray, Brad Pitt, Nolan Ryan, Paul Corozza, Senator Kirk Watson, Andy Roddick, Los Lonely Boys, Fiona Shaw, Judy Maggio, Art Acevedo, Dr. Susan Culp, DVM, Brad Womack (ABCs, The Bachelor) Wes and Chad Womack and Jason Carrier. More info at: www.dsact.com

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Quote of the Day: “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)

Featured Bike Art: Chaingang Designs

2008-09-04T09:42:00.003-05:00

There's a lot of bike jewelry out there, but this is definitely one of my favorites. Chaingang Designs created this Innertube Lacelette from bicycle inner tubes, spray paint and a little hardware. The size can be adjusted with the buckle on the back and any color is available, you just have to ask. Couple it with this Skeese Greets bicycle chain birthday card, for a great gift.

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Quote of the Day: “While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity.” Publilius Syrus (~100 BC)

Bicycle Gifts at FlowerPedal.com

2008-09-03T08:52:00.004-05:00

It's always been a challenge to find cool cycling gifts. That's part of the reason I started Skeese Greets. But now with the new online cycling gift store, Flower Pedal the task has become easier. They've got everything from bike jewelry and clocks to pajamas and hand towels - all in one place. They even have harder to find stuff like this biker wine caddy. And soon they'll have a nice selection of Skeese Greets bicycle birthday cards, thank you cards and everyday cards packaged in sets of 10. They're adding new products and other fun stuff to the site every day, so check back often.

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Quote of the Day: “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.” Demosthenes (384 BC - 322 BC)

Bicycle Film Festival

2008-09-02T16:08:00.009-05:00

The Eighth Annual Bicycle Film Festival is coming to Austin, TX on September 19-20. This is the first year Austin will host the event. The other 17 cities in the World Tour include New York, London, LA, Tokyo and Paris. The organizers are looking for help in organizing the event or just spreading the word. If you'd rather just go watch, the screenings will be in the 150 person capacity theater at Studio 501 at 7 and 9pm on both nights.

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Quote of the Day: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

Weekend Warrior: The Austin Tri

2008-08-30T09:10:00.001-05:00

The featured event for this Weekend Warrior post is The Austin Triathlon.

The 2nd Annual Austin Triathlon takes place on Labor Day, Sept. 1st. Skeese Greets is a proud sponsor of this race held right in the heart of downtown Austin. The event includes a Sprint Distance Tri, Olympic Distance Tri and a multi-sport expo with a Bike Art Exhibit. The expo is on Sunday at the Hyatt downtown from 10-6; it's free and open to the public. If you're not doing the race, then come out to watch. It kicks off at 7:30 AM with Grammy Award Winner Shawn Colvin singing the National Anthem.

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Quote of the Day: “If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke.” Brendan Francis

Music For Spinning

2008-08-29T07:43:00.014-05:00

If you need some new tunes for your next indoor spin session (or for your next run), then check out UrbanOutfitters.com. The clothing store offers free music downloads from its website each month. This month you can get 21 new songs from up and coming bands. Most of the selection would be considered alt-rock (I think.)

I usually like their free collections and this time it's no exception. On the initial listen, I'd say there are at least 5 songs that are too slow for workouts, but there are several others that'd work great. If I ran with music, these would be the top five:

Lolita by Throw Me the Statue
Woodfriend by Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You by Black Kids
Like It or Not by Architecture In Helsinki
Taking the Farm War On Drugs

My favorite is Reservoir Park by The DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE, but I don't know if I'd run with it.

So check it out and you might also discover some songs that are great for workouts or for just listening to while you're at the desk. **********************************************************************************
Quote of the Day: “We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.” Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Featured Bike Art: GirlsCanTell

2008-08-28T09:50:00.006-05:00

If you like to ride bicycles and eat food, then this week's featured art is perfect for you. These placemats and cloth napkins designed by GirlsCanTell feature a handprinted diagram of a bike. Dinner guests who don't know the difference between the top tube and down tube can get a quick lesson on the anatomy of this fine form of transport. The napkins and placemats are washable and printed in black on white cotton for a classy look. Bon appetit!

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Quote of the Day: “Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.” Sophia Loren (1934 - )

David Byrne's Bike Racks

2008-08-27T11:26:00.005-05:00

David Byrne, one of my favorite musicians and an avid cyclist, is a judge in the NYC bike rack competition. This former "Talking Heads" frontman created some of his own designs which were recently installed in 9 NYC locations. They'll be in position from July '08 to July '09 and then sold. I'll take the Guitar; I think it would be a good fit for Austin, TX.

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Quote of the Day: “Natural ability without education has more often attained to glory and virtue than education without natural ability.” Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)

Bike Sharing at the DNC

2008-08-26T09:48:00.000-05:00

We already know who is getting nominated at the DNC, so there's no surprise there. What is a little surprising coming out of Denver this week is the nation's largest bike sharing initiative. The bike-sharing program from Humana and Bikes Belong called Freewheelin' recorded 1,429 rides, 2,937 miles ridden, 92,000 calories burned and a carbon-footprint reduction of just more than one metric ton at the convention so far. Bike-sharing works by situating bikes at designated stations throughout cities for individuals to use for a specified amount of time. Paris, France launched an initiative last year with close to 11,000 bikes. Soho in NYC has 20 total. Next week, the Republicans will also have the chance to ride around on these "free wheels" at their political convention.

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Quote of the Day: “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” Henry Van Dyke

History of Birthdays

2008-08-25T09:27:00.006-05:00

It's hard to imagine life without birthday celebrations, cakes, gifts, and cool birthday cards. But there was a time when no one paid much attention to the anniversary of important events, such as birthdays. It wasn't until ancient peoples noticed the moon's cycles and changing seasons that they started to keep track of the repetitious pattern. When the first calendars were created to mark these changes, it eventually lead to the ability to celebrate birthdays and other significant anniversaries on the same day each year.

Pagans were some of the first to "celebrate" birthdays. Their fear of evil spirits peaked on days when there was a change in daily life - like turning a year older. In order to protect the person of honor from evil, family and friends surrounded him with laughter and joy and brought positive thoughts and happy wishes for the upcoming year. Most well-wishers did not bring gifts, but if they did, it was considered an especially good influence for the birthday person.

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Quote of the Day: “Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?” Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)