Archive for August, 2009
My family and I just returned from a two-week vacation in Florida, and we couldn’t be more refreshed and invigorated. It’s funny to think that we almost called the whole thing off because of a cat. My 4-year-old daughter has a special attachment to Fuzzy, the tabby cat we got right around the time our daughter was born. The two of them grew up together, so it really wasn’t surprising that my daughter insisted on taking the cat with us on vacation.
But that just wasn’t an option. Thinking quickly, I found a plush cat online and gave it to my daughter along with the promise that Fuzzy would be well taken care of by the neighbors. The idea took some getting used to, but eventually the girl acquiesced and we set off on our cross-country trip without incident.
The majority of teddy bears manufactured are made from Mohair, or a fur that is shorn or combed from long haired goats and woven into cloth. Others are made from Alpaca and some teddy bears are made from recycled materials, such as old quilts, dresses and fur collars.
There are also bears that are crocheted. These bears do not use fabric; they make the fabric crocheting and at the same time make the bear. The yarn for these bears can be made of various materials.
President Theodore Roosevelt remains one of America’s most celebrated leaders. He set the wheels in motion for one of the most serious undertakings in the history of mankind: the Panama Canal project. He garnered legend as a member of the Rough Riders volunteer regiment during the Battle of San Juan Hill. And of course, his likeness has been chiseled into the Mount Rushmore, between the equally honorable visages of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Perhaps Roosevelt’s greatest work came from his wilderness conservation efforts. He championed the efficient use of outdoor resources and recognized the importance of passing them on to future generations. Teddy bears derived their name from the great president – and not just because of their chubby, loveable appearance. To this day, the stuffed bears offer a reminder of Theodore Roosevelt’s illustrious achievements.