In 1847, a Maine ship captain invented the donut as we know it today – with a hole. On the day Lewis Hine took the photo of a waitress next to a plate of donuts (with holes), Capt. Hansen Gregory lived in the next town. He was telling his cronies how he’d gotten the great inspiration to cut a hole in a donut.
(Lewis Wickes Hine, by the way, took many photos of very young workers, which then influenced the passage of child labor laws. His caption read, “Exchange Luncheon. Delia Kane, 14 years old. 99 C Street, South Boston. A young waitress.” )
Captain Gregory, 85, lived at the Sailor’s Snug Harbor in Quincy, Mass. His fame as the inventor of the modern donut had spread, and theWashington Post interviewed him in a story published March 26, 1916
Sailor’s Snug Harbor
He told the reporter he discovered the donut hole when he worked as a 16-year-old crewman on a lime-trading schooner. “Now in them days we used to cut the doughnuts into diamond shapes, and also into long strips, bent in half, and then twisted,” he said.
“I don’t think we called them donuts then–they was just ‘fried cakes’ and ‘twisters.’ Well, sir, they used to fry all right around the edges, but when you had the edges done the insides was all raw dough. And the twisters used to sop up all the grease just where they bent, and they were tough on the digestion.”
Captain Hansen Gregory
First Donut
He asked himself if a space inside the dough would solve the difficulty – and then came the great inspiration. “I took the cover off the ship’s tin pepper box, and—I cut into the middle of that donut the first hole ever seen by mortal eyes!”
Gregory, born in 1832, would have had his insight around 1858. According to the New York Times, he rose to second mate at 19, mate at 21 and master mariner at 25. He sailed in all kinds of vessels from the lime coaster to a full-rigged ship. He modestly assessed the result. “Well, sir, them doughnuts was the finest I ever tasted. No more indigestion — no more greasy sinkers — but just well-done, fried-through doughnuts.”
But the donut made him famous. He had asked a tinsmith to fabricate a donut cutter for him, and soon, reported the Times, ‘cooks everywhere had adopted it.’ He returned to Camden, Maine, where he taught his mother the trick. She sent several plates to Rockland, Maine, where people gobbled them up. After that, the donut never looked back.
Primitive Soldered Doughnut Cutter
Antique Doughnut Cutter
A plaque in the town of Rockport, Maine, marks Captain Gregory’s birthplace, now the parsonage of the Nativity Lutheran Church. The National Baking Association nominated him for the Baking Hall of Fame, but it doesn’t appear he made the cut.
(A plaque at Nativity Lutheran Church pays homage to an iconic food. Google Maps)
More Donut History
The truth is that there were mentions of doughnuts in recipe books and even in Washington Irving’s Knickerbocker’s History of New York in 1809. But Gregory’s mother’s doughnuts became famed in her neighbour hood in Maine, particularly using the cinnamon and lemons that would have been brought in on her son’s trading ships.
There were numerous legends that sprang up about how the captain invented the doughnut, including one that he skewered his mother’s cakes on his ship’s wheel. Which is why he came forward in 1916 to give his account. By then the Maine version of the doughnut was popular across America. During World War I, the Salvation Army cooked them to raise money for the war effort and also set up canteens in town away from the front lines serving coffee and doughnuts to soldiers. The women who operated these cafes were known as “Doughnut Dollies.”
A cover of the Salvation Army publication “War Cry” from 1918 showing a “Doughnut Dolly”
Captain Gregory died in 1921 but by then Adolph Levitt, a Russian refugee in the US, had invented the automatic doughnut-making machine. This led to the creation of doughnut chain stores, which spread across the US and by the 1930s had begun to appear in Australia. Australians now eat more than 100 million doughnuts a year.
Springfield, IL
The Food History Timeline posts donut recipes before 1858, and they all advise cutting the doughouts into diamonds, squares or twists. Then in 1877 a doughnut recipe calls for cutting them into rings. The Food History Timeline also notes that after the Civil War, ‘inexpensive tin doughnut cutters with holes were manufactured commercially and sold widely.’
1950’s Aluminum Doughnut Maker
You can visit Capt. Hanson Gregory’s grave at the National Sailors’ Home Cemetery in Quincy MA.
Do you have dry hair, hands, scalp, or skin? If there’s one thing that we love, it’s making our own natural remedies and treatments. Check out these fantastic recipes that will restore and liven up your hair, face, and skin—and not break the bank.
Remedies for Dry Hair
Weekly Conditioner for Fly-Away Hair
Try a weekly deep-conditioning. For a rich conditioning treatment that you’d pay $30 to $100 for at a salon, mix a couple of tablespoons of olive, coconut, or castor oil with 1/2 cup of full-fat mayonnaise (alternatively: a ripe, mashed avocado), and massage into your hair and scalp. Then wrap your hair in a large plastic grocery bag and top it off with a warm, dry towel for about 30 minutes. Wash and rinse as usual (but sometimes twice is needed, to remove the oil).
Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner
Mix two parts water, one part witch hazel, two parts vegetable glycerin (a natural moisturizer available online or in health/natural food stores), and a tablespoon of olive or other cooking oil per cup of liquid in a spray bottle. If you have aloe vera gel on hand, add one part of that to the mixture. A few drops of essential oil will give you a scented product. Spritz on wet or dry hair before styling.
More Body and Bounce
Mayonnaise, straight from the jar, will make hair soft and shiny. The egg nourishes brittle hair with protein, while the vinegar gives it body and bounce.
Try this mixture to regain supple hair: Mix one teaspoon powdered brewers’ yeast with four ounces of apple cider vinegar to create an after-wash rinse. Pour it over wet hair and let stand at least a minute before rinsing.
Oily Hair and Skin
Add one teaspoon baking soda to two ounces of your shampoo. This works as an alkali to absorb excess oil.
Baking soda works the same way with skin, it will absorb oil and also neutralize excess acid in your skin. Make a paste with baking soda and water.
Try lemon juice as an astringent facial cleanser.
Remedies for Dry Hands and Nails
Let’s start with some good tips and basics on keeping your hands from getting dry and cracked.
Add moisturizer right after you wash your hands. Apply when your skin is a little wet to help it hang on to some of the water.
Avoid any alcohol-based cleansers on your skin. Consider liquid soap that contains moisturizers.
Use the right moisturizer! Look for products which lists ceramides (oils), dimethicone (a type of silicone), and shea butter provide a good seal for your hands. The thicker the cream, the better.
If you polish your nails, find an acetone-free polish remover, as acetone is a serious drying agent.
It goes without saying that you need to wear gloves when using any harsh or chemical ingredient to clean the house.
Also make sure to wear gloves or mittens when you go outside to prevent the dry winter air from drawing moisture from your hands and nails.
If your hands get so dry that they crack, be careful of infection. Clean the area with hydrogen peroxide and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.
Some dermatologists suggest coating hands and nails with Vaseline or another strong barrier and wearing cotton gloves overnight to treat dry nails and cuticles.
To prevent brittle nails and ragged cuticles, try this handmade cuticle massage:
Cuticle Massage: 5 red seedless grapes 1 tablespoon sugar Wash the grapes, then slice them in half widthwise. Dip the cut side into the sugar. Using half a grape for each finger, massage the skin around each fingernail for about 30 seconds each. Wipe off the excess sugar with a soft towel, then rub hand cream onto hands and cuticles.
Remedies for Dry, Itchy Skin
Again, let’s start out with some basic tips on caring for your skin so that it doesn’t become dry and itchy.
Apply moisturize every day or even twice a day if you are over 40. Apply immediately after showering or bathing when your skin is still a little damp. Do not scrub skin dry.
Choose a lotion brand that has petroleum jelly or lanolin high on the ingredients list.
For super-dry skin, use olive oil. Rub it in prior to a bath or shower. You may substitute peanut, sesame or sunflower oil.
Avoid steaming hot water or lengthy immersions, which will strip your skin of its natural oils. Dermatologists suggest taking shorter baths or showers in warm (not hot) water. If you have severe dry skin problems, keep your showers to no longer than 5 minutes and use lukewarm water.
Use a mild, glycerin-based soap. And stay away from hair or skin-care products that contain any forms of alcohol, which are drying agents.
Wash gently. Vigorous scrubbing can further irritate sensitive skin. Gently clean around the “fold” areas of your skin—underarms, neck, and groin—and feet. Use very little, if any soap, on your trunk and limbs.
Don’t go outside in any season without using SPF of at least 15 on your face and hands.
To soften dry skin, add 1 cup powdered milk to your bath. (It worked for Cleopatra, supposedly.)
Try adding lemon juice or vinegar to your bathwater. Soap, being highly alkaline, may make your skin feel itchy.
Oatmeal Bath for Itchy Skin
If you have itchy skin, try a soothing oatmeal bath.
Blend one cup of oats in a food processor or blender. Run a lukewarm bath (NOT hot). Pour the oat into the warm water and stir. Soak in bath for 15 to 20 minutes and very gently rub into skin. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry. While skin is still moist, apply a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream.
A quart of milk in a hot bath is a luxury as well as a skin toner. It’s a trick nearly as old as time.
Homemade Oatmeal Scrub
For a homemade scrub, mix ground oats and honey. Rub all over your face—especially your nose. The abrasive mixture will remove dry, scaly skin while the honey seeps in as a moisturizer. Rinse completely off and pat dry, and your skin will be glowing and baby soft. Only use this remedy once a week.
Chickpea Facial
¼ cup chickpea flour
¼ cup tumeric. (Note: use Kasturi tumeric because regular turmeric can temporarily stain the skin)
Yogurt, as needed
In a small bowl, mix the chickpea flour and turmeric. Store the mixture in an airtight bottle. When ready to use, place a teaspoon of the mixture in a small bowl and add enough yogurt to make a paste. Apply the paste evenly to the face and leave on until it dries, about 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
Coffee Scrub
Coffee grounds work to help diminish cellulite and varicose veins, in addition to improving circulation and smoothing the skin’s texture.
2 cups used coffee grounds
½ cup sugar or sea salt
⅔ tablespoon unscented massage oil
Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Massage gently on the skin, then rinse with warm water.
Remedies for Dry, Tired Eyes
Used teabags make excellent eye cosmetics. After being dunked (and allowed to cool slightly), drain the tea bag and place it over your closed eye (one for each) and hold it there for a few minutes. Redness, soreness, swelling and irritation will disappear like magic.
If you suffer from dry, scratchy, itchy, eyes, try laying a warm, moist washcloth over your closed lids for a few minutes each day.
This simple, effective treatment helps to liquefy the lubricating oil in glands located along the eyelids. It may take a few days, but if you use the compresses faithfully, you should experience relief.
Remedies for Dry, Chapped Lips
To prevent cracked or chapped lips, use a lip balm and apply it often. See our post on how to make your own lip balm. If you make a big batch that’s a bit heavier on the olive oil, you can use your homemade balm for hands, fingernails, facial moisturizer, and (just a dab) hair conditioner, too.
Plain honey is an excellent remedy for chapped lips. Blend fully into lips.
General Advice for Beating Drys!
Forget the idea that drinking plenty of water is the only thing necessary for keeping your skin (eyes, nasal passages, nails) moist and your hair well behaved. Dermatologists say that while drinking water is important for overall health, as far as moisturizing skin, hair, and nails are concerned, you need to add moisture from the outside and prevent it from escaping into the drier surrounding air.
Use a humidifier. Indoor heating removes moisture from the air and your body. Humidifying dry indoor air helps to provide that indoor moisture. Try to maintain indoor air at 30 to 50 percent humidity. It’s especially important if you suffer bloody noses and lots of respiratory infections. You could run an electric humidifier, but passive solutions may do the trick for you. We maintain a lot of well-watered houseplants that transpire water into the indoor air. We keep steamers going on each of our stoves that pump moisture into the air whenever the stove is running.
Hanging your laundry on bars indoors is another great strategy. It doesn’t take much longer to dry near the wood stove than it would in an electric dryer, and while it dries, your laundry humidifies the air around it.
When Dry Skin is Severe
If your dry skin just gets to a point of inflammation, unbearable itchiness, or scabbing, you may need to see a doctor. They can prescribe thicker, richer emollients.
You also need to ensure that you don’t have psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions may also need prescription medication and treatment.
It’s going to be a long winter, but we can still have fun creating crafty things! I found some adorable and easy to make Snowman crafts!
Fabric Snowman
This fabric Snowman is made by making 3 fabric balls—similar to the fabric pumpkins detailed in October. Make three sizes and stack and glue together. The hat is made with cardboard and felt. The eyes and smile can either be buttons or felt. Add an orange carrot nose, branches for the arms and whatever you like for the scarf and hatband.
Light Bulb Snowman
This guy is super simple. Paint the light bulb white, with black details and an orange nose. Paint the top (hat) blue. The scarf and mittens are blue felt. Add a string to hang it, some glitter to add pizzazz and a cotton ball pompom for the hat and you’re done! (You will have to purchase the snowflake though.)
Mason Jar Snowman
You can use Mason jar for a lot of craft ideas! This is another super simple idea. Simply paint, add a small orange wood chip (felt would also work) nose and a scrap of fabric for the scarf. Some buttons finish this little guy!
This mason jar version has even less details and is all paint!
Log Snowman
The log snowman takes a little painting, but only AFTER you get someone to cut you the exact sized pieces you need. Glue the pieces together, paint, and add ribbon… super easy!
Whoops! Wrong Eagles! (But we’re in the playoffs this year! GO BIRDS!) Back to our regularly scheduled open…
Spotting an eagle is a rare moment for many people, but when the chance arises, how much do you actually know about these beautiful birds?
Here we’re going to look at the top 30 interesting facts about eagles.
There are over 60 different species of eagle, most of them from Africa, Asia and Europe.
Despite the bald eagle being an emblem of the United States, just two species can be found on the continent.
The eagle is known to be one of the strongest birds able to carry the heaviest loads, with one being recorded carrying 15 pounds.
Eagles vary in length, weight and other dimensions due to their environments in many cases. Eagles living in forested areas will likely have shorter wing spans, while those living in open areas will have longer wing spans.
A typical adult male eagle weights just nine pounds, despite its strength and large size.
With a height of 3.5 feet and a wing span of 7.5 feet, the average male bald eagle is one of the largest birds around.
The bald eagle takes its name from the fact it has a white head while the rest of its body is brown.
The eagle featured on U.S. currency was modeled on a real bald eagle named Peter who used to live on top of the U.S. Mint. After his death in 1836, Peter was stuffed and is still on display inside the very building upon which he once nested.
Eagles have been used in the police and the army several times, and in The Netherlands, eagles were trained to help control drones.
It is thought that larger eagles lived in New Zealand until the year 1400. Their wing spans may have reached up to 9.8 feet.
In Scandinavia, some eagles have built nests so heavy that they have broken the tree.
Bald eagles can mate while flying or free falling.
An eagle’s beak contains keratin, which means that it grows all the time just like human hair and fingernails.
During the first half of the 20th Century, bald eagles were considered a threat to the salmon fishing industry and over 100,000 eagles were killed.
The eagle has long been considered “The King of Birds”.
In many countries, the eagle is thought to bring good luck, which is one reason it has been featured on various national flags.
A mother eagle will generally lay two eggs, although in most cases, one of the baby eagles is stronger than its sibling and will kill the weaker one.
The eagle is built to be strong and powerful among other creatures. Its beak and talons enable it to be threatening and ruthless, and its amazing eyesight allows the eagle to see long distances for prey.
It takes a number of years for a baby eagle to grow its talons fully.
Although eagles can live up to 70 years, this isn’t always the case and they normally become weaker towards the end of their lives, unable to hunt as they used to.
An eagle’s brilliant eyesight is owed in part to its sizeable eyes, which can take up around 50% of the head.
A male and female eagle tend to stay together all their lives, building nests every year in the same place. It’s fair to say eagles are creatures of habit!
The female eagle will spend most of the 35 days keeping her eggs warm, while the male ensures food is brought to the nest.
Eagles do not all feed on the same food. Some eagles will feed on mainly fish, while others feed on other, smaller mammals.
When baby eagles are born, they are covered in gray feathers and don’t have the typical brown and white pattern until they are 4 years old.
The bald eagle was endangered in 1967 and there were less than 500 eagles left. Fifty years later in 2007, it was removed from the endangered list but is still protected.
A rare species of eagle is the smallest kind, the South Nicobar Serpent Eagle. It weighs just one pound but can fly faster than many other birds of this size.
A Martial Eagle once killed a deer weighing 82 pounds. This was despite the fact the eagle only weighed around 10-12 pounds itself.
Eagle feathers are in high demand across North America, but it is illegal to hunt or kill eagles and get them.
Apricots are delicious and widely popular fruits that belong to the genus Prunus (stone fruits).
The origin of the apricot is disputed and unsettled. It was known in Armenia during ancient times, and has been cultivated there for so long that it is often thought to have originated there.
Its scientific name Prunus armeniaca (Armenian plum) derives from that assumption.
Despite the great number of varieties of apricots that are grown in Armenia today (about 50), according to the Soviet botanist Nikolai Vavilov, its center of origin would be the Chinese region, where the domestication of the apricot would have taken place.
The apricot is now cultivated on every continent except Antarctica.
Apricots are cultivated throughout the temperate regions of the world, especially in the Mediterranean.
The average lifespan of an apricot tree is 15 to 20 years.
The apricot is a small tree, 26–39 feet tall, with a trunk up to 16 inches in diameter and a dense, spreading canopy.
The leaves are ovate, 2.0–3.5 inches long and 1.6–3.1 inches wide, with a rounded base, a pointed tip and a finely serrated margin.
The flowers are 0.8–1.8 inches in diameter, with five white to pinkish petals; they are produced singly or in pairs in early spring before the leaves.
The fruit is a drupe similar to a small peach, 0.6–1.0 inch diameter (larger in some modern cultivars), from yellow to orange, often tinged red on the side most exposed to the sun; its surface can be smooth or velvety with very short hairs. The flesh is usually firm and not very juicy. Its taste can range from sweet to tart.
The single seed is enclosed in a hard, stony shell, often called a “stone”, with a grainy, smooth texture except for three ridges running down one side.
In a 3.5 oz amount, raw apricots supply 48 calories and are composed of 11% carbohydrates, 1% protein, less than 1% fat and 86% water.
Apricots have many health benefits such as ability to treat indigestion, constipation, earaches, fevers, skin diseases, cancer and anemia. Furthermore, apricots have the ability to improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent the deterioration of vision, help you to lose weight, treat respiratory conditions, boost bone strength, and maintain electrolyte balance in the body. It is also believed that apricot is good for skin care, especially for women. This is why you find it added in various cosmetics.
The impressive health benefits of apricots are due to the content of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, and niacin in significant amounts, as well as a number of other essential vitamins in trace amounts (less than 5% of daily requirement), as well as their mineral content, which includes potassium, copper manganese, magnesium, and phosphorous. Apricots are also a very good source of dietary fiber, like most fruits.
Apricots are widely eaten fresh as a dessert fruit.
The fruit is also widely made into jam.
Apricots may also be used in desserts, in juices, and for flavoring.
Dried apricots are a type of traditional dried fruit. Dried apricots have an intense sweet-sour flavor. They are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin E, potassium, iron and are high in fiber. Dried apricots can be high in sulfur dioxide, which is commonly used in small quantities to prevent mold developing on the fruit. Many organic dried apricots are brown because they are sun-dried: sunlight oxidizes their flesh, which acts as a natural preservative.
Nutritionally, apricot seeds are similar to other nuts — they’re rich in healthful fats and provide some fiber and iron. Seeds or kernels of the apricot grown in central Asia and around the Mediterranean are so sweet that they’re sometimes substituted for almonds. The Italian liqueur amaretto, and amaretto biscotti, is flavored with extract of apricot seeds as well as almonds; plus, oil pressed from these cultivars has been used as cooking oil.
Apricot seeds contain a toxic chemical known as amygdalin, which is also referred to as laetrile. Some companies call this compound vitamin B17 in order to label and market the product as an essential substance. In the body, this chemical is converted to cyanide, which is poisonous and can cause serious harm. While your body can detoxify a small amount of cyanide, eating too many apricot seeds or kernels may be hazardous to your health.
During the 17th-century, apricot oil was used to treat tumors, ulcers, and swellings. In 2011, a systematic review deduced that claims that amygdalin and laetrile found in high concentration in apricots have a medicinal benefit to cancer patients were true.
In Europe, apricots were used as an aphrodisiac.
Egyptians usually dry apricots, add sweetener, and then use them to make a drink called amar al-dīn.
In the 17th century, English settlers brought the apricot to the English colonies in the New World. Most of modern American production of apricots comes from the seedlings carried to the west coast by Spanish missionaries. Almost all U.S. commercial production is in California, with some in Washington and Utah.
In 2016, the top five producers of apricots were Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Algeria and Italy.
The apricot is a member of the rose family and is a close relative of almonds.
Apricot derives from praecocia (praecoquus) as “cooked or ripened beforehand” [in this case meaning early ripening], and from Greek πραικόκιον (praikókion) as “apricot”. The English name first appeared in the 16th century as abrecock from the Middle French aubercot or later abricot, from Catalan a(l)bercoc.
Seeds of the apricot have been discovered during archaelogic excavations of the Garni Temple and Shengavit settlement, having a history of 6,000 years.
Musician and actor Elvis Presley rose to fame in the mid-1950s—on the radio, TV and the silver screen — and is one of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll history.
Who Was Elvis Presley?
Elvis Presley came from very humble beginnings and grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll. By the mid-1950s, he appeared on the radio, television and the silver screen. On August 16, 1977, at age 42, he died of heart failure, which was related to his drug addiction. Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons.
Early Life
Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. (He later changed the spelling of his middle name to the biblical form of Aaron.) Presley was supposed to be a twin, but his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie) was stillborn. From very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll.
Raised by loving, working-class parents, Presley’s family had little money, and they moved from place to place frequently. He was deeply devoted to his parents, especially his mother, Gladys, and was raised to have a strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of God Church with his parents, where gospel music became an important influence for him.
Presley received his first guitar as a gift from his mother on his 11th birthday in 1946 and had his first taste of musical success a few years later when he won a talent show at Humes High School in Memphis. After graduating in 1953, he worked a number of jobs while pursuing his musical dream. He cut his first demo record at what later became known as Sun Studio that year, and before long, Sam Phillips, the record label owner, decided to take the young performer under his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying to catch his first big break. “That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954.
First No. 1 Hit: ‘Heartbreak Hotel’
In 1955, Presley began to develop a following with fans being drawn to his unusual musical style, provocative gyrating hips and good looks. That same year, he signed with RCA Records, a deal worked out by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, scoring his first No. 1 single with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as well as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and signing a movie contract with Paramount Pictures — all in 1956. Despite the uproar that his sexy dance moves caused, he also became a popular guest on a number of television variety shows.
Military Service
Soon, Presley was everywhere, working as a musician and actor. His first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit. Even a stint in the U.S. military couldn’t put a damper on Presley’s thriving career. He received his draft notice in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the following March. He eventually served in Germany for about a year and a half. Shortly before Presley left for Europe, his beloved mother, Gladys, died. He was granted a leave and returned to Memphis for the funeral. Deeply saddened by her death, Presley returned to duty. While in Germany, his spirits were lifted slightly when he met a young teenager named Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair fell in love and married on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Movies and Soundtracks
After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career and was soon back at the top of the charts with the soundtrack for his film GI Blues. He continued recording music and acting in such films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) and Viva Las Vegas (1964). Though his films were often hit or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought in a profit and the soundtracks usually sold well. By the late 1960s, however, the enigmatic performer appeared to be losing his box office appeal. Proving he was still the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” he recorded his first TV special in 1968, often referred to as the “’68 Comeback.” He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a singer and a guitarist.
Around this time, Presley’s personal life also seemed to be on an upswing. He and Priscilla wed in 1967 and had a daughter, Lisa Marie, the following year. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the early 1970s, Presley’s marriage was falling apart. The couple divorced in 1973, and Priscilla received custody of Lisa Marie. Presley was also wrestling with other personal problems, including a growing addiction to prescription drugs; the once-thin rock star was battling a weight problem, and his destructive lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health problems. Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw in Las Vegas and on tour. He performed at his last concert in June 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the concert, he returned home to his Memphis mansion, Graceland, to prepare for another tour.
Death and Legacy
On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of heart failure, at the age of 42. It was later ruled that his death was related to his prescription drug use. Presley was buried on the Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, Gladys, father Vernon and grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.
Throughout his amazing career, Presley helped popularize rock ‘n’ roll music in America. He also won three Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings. A major musical force, Presley had 18 No. 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Good Luck Charm” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as countless gold and platinum albums. He was one of the first performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986). But Presley has been recognized for his contributions to several musical genres, most notably rock, country and gospel. In 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame; three years later, he was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Graceland
Presley’s Memphis home, Graceland, is open to the public, and numerous fans from around the world visit the legendary residence annually, especially around Presley’s birthday and the anniversary of his death.
Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on August 16, 2012 — the 35th anniversary of Presley’s death — for a special vigil in honor of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. During the gathering, fans held lit candles and stood outside of Presley’s home. Though the Presley family holds a tribute event each year to mark the anniversary of Presley’s death, the 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s estranged wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for the first time at the annual event.
I thought it might be fun –seriously not recommending nor am I dissuading anyone from reading their horoscopes—this is just for fun—if we took a monthly look at zodiac signs and horoscopes.Capricorn is actually the 10th sign of the zodiac, so we’re not starting at the beginning obviously.The dates for a Capricorn are December 22- January 19 or 20 (depending on whom you consult).Their symbol is a goat (mythologically speaking the Sea-Goat to be specific); their element is Earth and their color is brown.
When I went looking for information—there are literally TONS of zodiac sites—I chose one randomly and here’s what it said…
Capricorn is the 10th sign of the zodiac and is represented by the Goat. Those born under this sign are generally pragmatic, ambitious, and disciplined, although they can also be somewhat stoic and pessimistic.
Capricorns belong to the element Earth (as do Taurus and Virgo), which makes sense considering how grounded they are in reality when it comes to making their dreams happen.
Indeed, Capricorns look at everything as a task to be completed, making them an incredibly independent, hardworking type. They can accomplish whatever they set their minds to, regardless of the energy it requires, so long as they have a clear goal and a path for getting there.
This also means, however, that Capricorns can hold other people to incredibly high standards. Because the Capricorn is connected to Saturn, a symbol of restraint and restriction, the Capricorn personality can at times seem distant, emotionless, and overly analytical; therefore, it’s important for Capricorns to occasionally relax and get in touch with their feelings through activities such as meditation.
Capricorns value tradition and are typically more conservative in terms of their personality and interests. This more traditional approach to the world is reflected in the classic style and character of the most common Capricorn birthstone, the garnet (January’s birthstone). (If you’re a December Capricorn, your birthstone is the blue topaz.)
What kinds of positive and negative traits does the Capricorn personality have? On the good side, Capricorn is hardworking, ambitious, and responsible. Meanwhile, on the bad side, the Capricorn sign is pessimistic, work-obsessed, and stubborn.
Some examples of suitable jobs for Capricorns include the following:
Accountant
Banker
Business analyst
Business executive
Economist
Financial planner
Human Resources manager
Politician
Principal or teacher
Real estate agent
Capricorn Astrology 2023 Predictions
The combo of Jupiter and Saturn will make your time good in areas like finance, engineering and language related areas.
You need pay more attention to your health. The dual transit of Jupiter and Saturn may cause you more stress.
Hence, you need to take enough sleep and should be healthier. The year 2023 may be slow in term of finance, but it will be steady later on.
The businessmen should be more careful throughout this year. Capricorn businessmen who are looking for long-term investment or huge investment business should think many times before go for it.
If you’re looking for marriage, then this year would be a good year. Starting from January 2023, the Capricorn star sign will get more proposals for marriage. The best part is, you will marry those who you know and love.
2023 Capricorn Love and Marriage Predictions
This year, Capricorn natives will have unspeakable freedom in their love life. But use it wisely and do not flirt or enter unwanted territory.
Especially those who are engaged, in love, or married can thrive if happiness is a priority. Individuals are advised to use time to build record-breaking lasting relationships, but not to withdraw their love in a one-time relationship.
As the year goes on, harmony comes into your love or marriage. There will be more romantic and erotic pleasure in the cards.
Some single Capricorn natives can tie the knot in the middle of the year. Occasionally there may be periods of misunderstanding with a spouse or partner, and it is up to you to sort this out accordingly.
Capricorn Horoscope 2023 Career Prediction
Career opportunities for Capricorn natives in 2023 are very beautiful. Major changes are coming, and there will be better coherent moves with bosses and colleagues in the workplace. But keep in mind that hard work and dedication will give you space, so don’t be self-satisfied and relax.
The planets wish you luck and fortune in your professional area throughout this year. However, beware of occasional setbacks. Set proud ambitions and work towards it. You will be motivated by new ideas that will help you come into your life during this period.
Some natives may find this period very demanding and stressful. Do not lose heart, keep fighting, and stay away from gossip and gossipers. Take the big hurdles as life lessons for now.
Capricorn Astrology 2023 Health Prediction
For Capricorn natives, both Jupiter and Saturn will have good health and well-being. Although Saturn occasionally brings periods of health worries and low immunity, Jupiter brings some balance and splendor.
The natives have to follow healthy habits to stay healthy throughout the year. Goats often have minor health issues here and there. Load fluids, stay hydrated and take a balanced diet. Health needs more attention throughout the year than in the past.
Stress and strain can ruin your health too, so be safe. However, some chronic diseases may disappear these days after some medical intervention. Play a game, have a good rest and the year will be very happy for you.
Capricorn Astrology 2023 Financial Prediction
The planets for 2023 are favorably disposed so that your financial position is safe and well. Good money will come from different areas.
You need to determine if you are going to invest or move forward for future purpose. Be careful in your moves. In particular, this year will bless you with abundant financial resources throughout the year. From time to time there will be luck and fortune.
Some of you may be able to write off your bad debts, some may come to the big legacy, and still others may get a pay raise.
Some Capricorn natives may have to change their budget in the middle of the year because they are not going anywhere. Make sure you stand on solid ground during these difficult times. Saturn may suddenly cause some misfortune. So be careful, do not succumb to temptations.
Advice for Capricorn Zodiac 2023
Capricorn folks should have a great time throughout the year. However, they should use the time to evaluate how they can sustain their lives and contribute to society on a large scale.
Be optimistic even when things get bad sometimes. Bring a sense of honesty in your work, which will help you find faults in life. Saturn will bring some challenges throughout the year. Be firm in your policies, and continue to act.
Dream big during this period and on a positive note the wind of the year blows and success will be yours.
The other afternoon, I saw a stink bug in the house and of course, I flushed it down the toilet. (The process is a quick one: locating said bug, nabbing it quickly in a napkin and dashing to flush it before the smell permeates everything.) I found an article about stink bugs written by Erin McCarthy in 2019 and I as I read it, I couldn’t help but notice their similarity to Congress. Stay with me here…
In her article on Mental Floss, she noted that The New Yorker called marmorated stink bugs “the most destructive, the most annoying, and possibly the ugliest” of all the stink bugs, an invasive species that’s taking North America by storm … and not in a good way. Here are her 12 facts to know about these stink bugs (and Congress).
IT MADE ITS WESTERN HEMISPHERE DEBUT IN PENNSYLVANIA. Stink bugs were first discovered in Allentown, PA which is not far from Philadelphia, PA where freedom, legislature and liberty were born. (Okay, the first Congress was in NY…but that’s close enough.)
IT TOOK YEARS TO IDENTIFY IT. Just as the bugs were unknown, so were most of Congress. No one knew they were duplicitous dirtbags at first. Slowly, the mystery unfolded and we could see them for who they really are. And although there are many species (true of BOTH the bugs and Congress) there is one species most vile. With stink bugs it’s the marmorated stink bug and in Congress it’s the Uniparty.
IT’S NOT CUTE. This does not even require an argument.
THEIR SPRAY HAS SOMETHING IN COMMON WITH CILANTRO. Admittedly I’m at a loss here…not knowing what cilantro smells like, but the stink in Congress is unmistakable, so I’ll call this one a wash.
THEY EAT YOUR APPLES. The stink bugs tend to suck the fluid of out produce. To feed, the bugs pierce the skin of the plants with their mouthparts and drink the fluids, which renders the fruit unmarketable as a fresh product. Congress does the same with our economy.
THEY COULD INVADE YOUR HOME BY THE THOUSANDS. Once a stink bug has found a warm spot it likes, it will release an aggregation pheromone (which can linger for up to a year) that draws others to the same area, where they’ll gather in sometimes staggering numbers. Congress does the same—growing government by leaps and bounds—congregating in Washington DC—and then branching out to claim other areas.
ONCE INSIDE, THEY’RE HARD TO GET RID OF. Once a terrible Congressional candidate is elected, it is nearly impossible to vote them out of office!
THEY’RE PRETTY GREAT FLIERS. Congress loves to fly! They will take “fact-finding” trips all over the world on the taxpayer’s dime…the more the merrier!
THEY’RE GENERALLY NOT HARMFUL. This is a true difference. Congress is one of the most destructive forces on the planet. Curtailing freedoms, increasing spending, never solving any crises or issues…they push the problems down the road and somehow claim victory in the next election cycle.
THEY MIGHT BE MESSING WITH YOUR RED WINE. Researchers at Oregon State University placed live and dead stink bugs on wine grapes and measured the stress compounds the insects released as they and the grapes were squeezed during the winemaking process. The researchers found that more than three stink bugs per grape cluster resulted in contaminated wine. I hope Congress stays out of the wine, but they enjoy drinking it—heavily! But as a general rule, any time 3 or more congresspeople work on an issue, you can be guaranteed that the problem will get worse, they will get richer, and the American public will get screwed.
THEY LEAVE TRACES OF THEIR PRESENCE ON PLANTS. I’m going to say according to the recent Twitter File Releases, this is a no brainer. Not only did they leave traces (which were followed), they left their stink of censorship everywhere!
ONE OF ITS NATURAL PREDATORS IS A PARASITIC WASP THAT JUST MADE ITS WAY TO THE STATES. Samurai wasps are tiny, stinger-less parasites that lay their eggs in the stink bugs’ eggs, where its larvae eat the contents before emerging as wasps to continue the cycle. When I think of a parasitic predator, I think of China and our Congress has indeed been penetrated by them! Their souls are being eaten away in their attempts to become richer and richer and China emerges to reap the benefits.
Well, what do you think? Have I made my case? If we head to DC…I call shot gun!
Last month, I included a recipe GA/FL posted in an open about turtle cookies. I have since made the recipe and it has become a FAVORITE!!! It deserves its own open! The recipe was not clear on how big to make the cookie logs, and I was unsure if the cookies would expand in the oven. I made 4 smaller logs and got a ton of cookies! I also experimented with cutting the slices thinner and thicker to see if we would like them softer or crispier—we liked them EITHER WAY! This is just a delicious tasting cookie! Thank you GA/FL for bringing it!!!
Mama Smith’s Pecan Refrigerator Cookies
Beat together:
1-1/2 cups butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
Whisk together:
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt
Mix sugar/egg and flour mixtures together.
Add 2 cups chopped pecans.
Roll into logs, wrap with plastic wrap or waxed paper, refrigerate for a couple of hours or store in freezer until needed.
Slice and bake at 350* until lightly browned—mine took 7-10 minutes.
Continuing my etymology series, today I am focusing only on some common phrases. If you have any phrases you are curious about, hit me up and I’ll see what I can find for you. Enjoy!!!
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
This proverb, like many others, warns against taking risks. It suggests that you should keep what you have and not risk losing it by going after more. The allusion may be to falconry where a bird in the hand (the falcon) was a valuable asset and certainly worth more than two in the bush (the prey).
This proverbial saying is first found in English in John Capgrave’s “The Life of St Katharine of Alexandria, 1450”: “It is more sekyr [certain] a byrd in your fest, Than to haue three in the sky a‐boue.”
John Heywood’s 1546 glossary “A Dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the Prouerbes in the Englishe tongue” also includes a variant of the proverb: Better one byrde in hande than ten in the wood. The 7th century Aramaic “Story of Ahikar” has text that modern translations render as “Better is a sparrow held tight in the hand than a thousand birds flying about in the air.”
Cat got your tongue?
The origin of the phrase ‘has the cat got your tongue?’ isn’t known. What is certain is that it isn’t derived as a reference to the cat o’ nine tails or people’s tongues being fed to cats in ancient Egypt. Both of these have been suggested and there’s no shred of evidence to support either of them.
‘Cat got your tongue?’ is the shortened form of the query ‘Has the cat got your tongue?’ and it is the short form that is more often used. It is somewhat archaic now but was in common use until the 1960/70s. It was directed at anyone who was quiet when they were expected to speak, and often to children who were being suspiciously unobtrusive.
There’s no derivation that involves any actual cat or celebrated incident of feline theft. Like the blackbird that ‘pecked off his nose’, the phrase is just an example of the light-hearted imagery that is, or was, directed at children.
The expression sounds as though it might be old but isn’t especially so. There are no instances of it in print until the mid 19th century. The early examples of the expression in print all come from the USA, which reinforces the falsity of the Egyptian or Royal Navy origins.
Hell’s bells
The exclamation ‘Hell’s bells’ has been used in both the UK and the USA since at least the mid-19th century. The earliest example of it in print that can be found is from the weekly London sporting newspaper “The Era,” February 1840. The rather fanciful story concerned a character who had stolen his friend’s partridges and replaced them with pigeons, claiming them to be ptarmigan.
There’s no reason to look for any special meaning of Hell’s bells – it doesn’t refer to diabolical campanology – the ‘bells’ are added just for the rhyme. It is an uncommon phrase in that, as well as being an example of reduplication, it is also a minced oath. Adding ‘bells’ was simply a way of uttering the oath ‘Hell’ and making it sound acceptable in polite company.
The expression is often extended by other evocative but meaningless additions. In the UK this is often ‘Hell’s bells and buckets of blood’ and, in the USA, ‘Hells bells and little fishes’ or ‘Hells bells and a bunch of parsley’. There are many other variants, in fact almost anything can be added to ‘Hell’s bells…’ as there’s no requirement for the addition to make sense.
Hold a candle
The expression ‘can’t hold a candle to’ refers to someone who compares badly to an known authority – to be unfit even to hold a subordinate position. Apprentices used to be expected to hold the candle so that more experienced workmen were able to see what they were doing. Someone unable even to do that would be of low status indeed.
Sir Edward Dering used a similar phrase ‘to hold the candle’ in his “The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar,” 1641: “Though I be not worthy to hold the candle to Aristotle.”
‘To hold a candle’ is first recorded in 1883 in William Norris’s “No New Thing:” “Edith is pretty, very pretty; but she can’t hold a candle to Nellie.”
Raise Cain
Cain was the first murderer according to scriptural accounts in the Bible – Genesis 4 and in the Qur’an – 5:27-32.
The biblical account, from the King James’ Version, tells of how Cain and Abel, the two sons of Adam and Eve, bring offerings to God, but only Abel’s is accepted. Cain kills Abel in anger and is cursed by God.
The transitive verb ‘to raise’ has been used since at least the 14th century to mean ‘to conjure up; to cause a spirit to appear by means of incantations’. Geoffrey Chaucer made use of that meaning in “The Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale,” circa 1395:
I haue yow told ynowe To reyse a feend al looke he neuere so rowe.
In Modern English – [I have told you enough already to raise a fiend, look he never so savage.]
If you make trouble you are raising, that is, conjuring up, the accursed spirit of Cain. This is similar to several phrases that allude to calling-up or ‘raising’ the Devil. There’s ‘raise the Devil’ of course and also ‘raise hob’ and ‘raise hell’.
The phrase is American and is first found there in the late 19th century; for example, this little pun on the word ‘raised’ from the St. Louis’ “Daily Pennant,” May 1840: “Why have we every reason to believe that Adam and Eve were both rowdies? Because they both raised Cain.”
A picture is worth a thousand words
This phrase emerged in the USA in the early part of the 20th century. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who published a piece commending the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title “One look is worth a thousand words”, in “Printer’s Ink,” December 1921. Barnard claimed the phrase’s source to be oriental by adding “so said a famous Japanese philosopher, and he was right.”
Printer’s Ink printed another form of the phrase in March 1927, this time suggesting a Chinese origin: “Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words.”
The arbitrary escalation from ‘one thousand’ to ‘ten thousand’ and the switching from Japan to China as the source leads us to smell a rat with this derivation. In fact, Barnard didn’t introduce the phrase – his only contribution was the incorrect suggestion that the country of origin was Japan or China. This has led to another popular belief about the phrase that it was coined by Confucius. It might fit the Chinese-sounding ‘Confucius he say’ style, but the Chinese derivation was pure invention.
A similar idea was seen very widely in the USA from the early 20th century, in adverts for “Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills,” which included a picture of a man holding his back and the text “Every picture tells a story.”
Neither of the above led directly to ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. Who it was that married ‘worth ten thousand words’ with ‘picture’ isn’t known, but we do know that the phrase is American in origin. It began to be used quite frequently in the US press from around the 1920s onward. The earliest example found is from the text of an instructional talk given by the newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane to the “Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club,” in March 1911:
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Sew Colorful 