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Free Advice Worth Every Penny

I have been getting a lot of advice lately. Fortunately, almost all of it is in the form of old postcards, so there is no need for me to make a personal decision on whether it’s good or not. Some genius whose name I have forgotten once wrote that all advice is bothContinue reading “Free Advice Worth Every Penny”

Ranunculus to You, Yarrow to Zucchini, plus Secret Code

YARROW “War”* No, this is not a joke about bows and yarrows. This plant is also known as Achillea, or Achillea millefolia, or, from that, Common Milfoil. The millefolia is a reference to a plant with many leaves. The other part of the name refers to the hero Achilles, who apparently always carried anContinue reading “Ranunculus to You, Yarrow to Zucchini, plus Secret Code”

Regional Joke Quiz

Not too long ago, we discussed the principle that the Scots are one of the few ethnic groups left which allowed, and sometimes encouraged, ethnic jokes about themselves. The Scottish joke may ot have the currency that once it did, but it is still out there, doing its work with a minimum of fuss.Continue reading “Regional Joke Quiz”

Volume of Memories

I own books I will never read. Part of this is just depressing statistical certainty. I have plans to get around to some, but as I am always being told I am not allowed to live forever, the moment will never. There are others which I keep around as reference volumes: you don’t readContinue reading “Volume of Memories”

Ranunculus to You: Vine to Xeranthemum

VINE “Intoxication”* The floriographers are obviously thinking of grape vines, and, hence, wine. They could have thought of grape jelly, but for some reason, did not think of thinking of it. *VINE, WILD “Poetry and Imagination” VIOLET “Modesty”* The violet is considered a hidden, humble flower. It was also the symbol of Napoleon. Continue reading “Ranunculus to You: Vine to Xeranthemum”

More Kids With Lids

In our last thrilling installment, we were discussing how boys, on postcards but also outside in the world, would pretend to be grown-ups by donning a grown-up hat, most usually a silk topper. Well, girls were liable to the same strategy. Little girls tended to wear bonnets, like the girl at the topContinue reading “More Kids With Lids”

Kids and Their Lids

If you recall from last week, we were beginning to discuss postcards which show children dressing up like their elders. (Yes, we actually spent that column talking about all the postcards we were NOT going to talk about. But work with me here.) A quick examination of the cards shows that one of theContinue reading “Kids and Their Lids”

Ranunculus to You, Tamarisk to Vetch

T TAMARISK “Crime” Ancient Egyptians believed that the corpse of the murdered god Osiris was tucked into a Tamarisk, to conceal the crime. Further, the Romans put wreaths of tamarisk on their criminals. (Do you think they had a wreath for everybody? A wreath of, oh, cauliflower for great dog breeders?) TANSY “IContinue reading “Ranunculus to You, Tamarisk to Vetch”

Clothes Make the Kid

WHAT is so cute as a small child dressing up in grown-up clothes? Once cameras were accessible to the everyday consumer, few collections of family pictures did not include at least one photo of Boopsy putting on Dad’s hat or Mom’s shoes. Swiping one’s parents attire was a great way to play grown-up, or,Continue reading “Clothes Make the Kid”

Titles and Names

Yes, Virginia, there WAS a B. Dalton. Sort of. I was discussing some icons of American kitchens the other day, and going over the fact that there WAS a Duncan Hines and a Chef Boyardee, while Betty Crocker was a marketing construct. As this is not a food blog, as mentioned hereintofore, IContinue reading “Titles and Names”