uncleblogsy

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”

Ranunculus to You: Solanum to Syringa

*SOLANUM “Prodigality” This word can mean either excessive spending or bountiful generosity. I suspect this floriographer had the second meaning in mind, as this is the plant family which gives us, among other things, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. No, I’m not sure why the other floriographers have ignored the tomato and the eggplant. NoContinue reading “Ranunculus to You: Solanum to Syringa”

Twin Peeks

Being funny on a regular basis is no joke. A man who worked behind the scenes during the Golden Age of radio comedy wrote a book about this, called “Funny Men Don’t Laugh”. Among the issues he discusses is the fact that he and his boss (whom, for legal reasons, he could not mentionContinue reading “Twin Peeks”

Getting a Handle On It

So why is the person in the street who asks you for money a “panhandler”? We were discussing, not so long ago, the difference between a hobo and a bum. Of course, a beggar is someone else entirely. A hobo may have an accustomed route for his travels, but a beggar is often toContinue reading “Getting a Handle On It”