uncleblogsy

A Basic Joke

Well, Thanksgiving is past and we must now face the reality that Christmas is upon us. I have, myself, always stated that I DO love Christmas: I’m just not very good at it. So many things which used to be so simple have become difficult with the passage of time. For example, at myContinue reading “A Basic Joke”

Ranunculus to You, Ice Plant to Kudzu

I ICE PLANT “Your Looks Freeze Me” This is a plant which looks as if it has frost or ice on it, hence its name and meaning. Most books agree on this meaning, but Mme. De Latour had it with a slight difference. Both editions of her book which I have seen giveContinue reading “Ranunculus to You, Ice Plant to Kudzu”

The Bachelor and the Turkey

Now, this is not, not, not, not a food blog, as I have mentioned before. However, we are rolling at the greatest food holiday of our year (about the only one which is about the entree and not the dessert, or the snack) and I thought I would record my turkey cooking experiences. ThisContinue reading “The Bachelor and the Turkey”

Ranunculus to You: Hackmetack to Hyssop

H HACKMETACK “Single Blessedness” This is a kind of tamarack, and is sometimes spelled tacmehac. No, honest! HAND FLOWER TREE “Warning” HARBELL “Grief” *HARLEQUIN “Laugh at Trouble”HAWK WEED “Quicksightedness” It was believed, once upon a time, that hawks rubbed their eyes with this to give them, well, eyes like a hawk. IContinue reading “Ranunculus to You: Hackmetack to Hyssop”

Another Hit Parade

It has been some time since we last considered the popular song on the postcard. (Don’t start counting back through the blogs; just take my word for it.) The pop song and the postcard are of similar age: there were certainly songs which stuck in the ear and were heard at every concert andContinue reading “Another Hit Parade”

Classic Strippers

When I was a lad, the world went through another wave of Nostalgia. We as a society run from periods of “The past was evil; forget it!” to “The past was kind of funny” to “Some of the past was really cool” to “The past is kind of funny” to start again with “TheContinue reading “Classic Strippers”

Ranunculus to You, Gardenia to Grass

G GARDENIA “Transport of Joy” Sheer ecstasy is what they mean. The gardenia appears more often in flower language books as Cape Jasmine. See also JASMINE, CAPE. *GARLAND “Love’s Bondage” “Love for a garden has powerful influence in attracting men to their homes, and on this account, every encouragement given to increase aContinue reading “Ranunculus to You, Gardenia to Grass”

Menu Mischief

This is not a food blog. Nor is it a parenting blog, though I am eminently suited to writing one of those, having no children. HOWEVER, I thought I would pass along a few gimmicks for the impending holidays. These are not specifically holiday recipes. There was no particular rhyme or reason thatContinue reading “Menu Mischief”

Hallelujah, I’m a Bum

Once upon a time, there was a whole world of migrant vagrants. The lore of this world can be found in many nations, and members of the group served as heroes, villains, or comic relief in many a story. Some were men down on their luck, while others were princes in disguise. But byContinue reading “Hallelujah, I’m a Bum”

Ranunculus to You: Fair Maids to Furze

F FAIR MAIDS OF FRANCE “Lustre” FENNEL “Strength”* This was a wreath awarded at games in ancient days, generally for great strength. Gladiators ate it to give them strength and courage in the ring. And the Battle of Marathon was supposed to have been fought in a field of fennel. But its meaning couldContinue reading “Ranunculus to You: Fair Maids to Furze”