Deborah Sampson: Revolutionary War Heroine

Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a young man and enlisted in the United States Army near the end of the Revolutionary War.  She saw combat, was wounded, and eventually was found out and honorably discharged.  Her story is truly amazing!

Early Life

Deborah Sampson’s parents were descended from Mayflower passengers and Puritan luminaries, but they did not prosper like many of their ancestors. When Deborah was about five years old, her father vanished. The family believed that he was lost at sea during a fishing trip, but it later emerged that he had abandoned his wife and six young children to build a new life and family in Maine.

Deborah’s mother, unable to provide for her children, placed them with other relatives and families, as was common for destitute parents of the time. Deborah ended up with the widow of a former minister, Mary Prince Thatcher, who likely taught the child to read. From that point on, Deborah displayed a desire for education unusual in a girl of that era.

When Mrs. Thatcher died around 1770, 10-year-old Deborah became an indentured servant in the household of Jeremiah Thomas of Middleborough, Massachusetts. “Mr. Thomas, as an earnest patriot, did much towards shaping the political opinions of the young woman in his charge.” At the same time, Thomas did not believe in women’s education, so Deborah borrowed books from the Thomas sons.

After her indenture ended in 1778, Deborah supported herself by teaching school in the summers and working as a weaver in the winter. She also used her skills at light woodworking to peddle goods like spools, pie crimpers, milking stools, and other items door-to-door.

Enlisting in the Army

The Revolution was in its final months when Deborah decided to disguise herself and attempt to enlist sometime in late 1781. She purchased some cloth and made herself a suit of men’s clothing. At 22, Deborah had reached a height of around five feet, eight inches, tall even for men of the period. With a wide waist and a small chest, it was easy enough for her to pass as a young man.

She first enlisted under the pseudonym “Timothy Thayer” in Middleborough in early 1782, but her identity was discovered before she made it into service. On Sept. 3, 1782, the First Baptist Church of Middleborough expelled her, writing that she: “Last spring was accused of dressing in men’s clothes and enlisting as a Soldier in the Army […] and for some time before had behaved very loose and unchristian like, and at last left our parts in a suden maner, and it is not known where she has gone.”

She ended up walking from Middleborough to the port of New Bedford, where she considered signing on to an American cruiser, then passed through Boston and its suburbs, where she finally mustered in as “Robert Shurtliff” in Uxbridge in May 1782. Private Shurtliff was one of 50 new members of the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Infantry.

Identity Uncovered

Deborah soon saw combat. On July 3, 1782, just a few weeks into her service, she took part in a battle outside Tarrytown, New York. During the fight, she was struck by two musket balls in the leg and a gash to her forehead. Fearing exposure, “Shurtliff” begged comrades to leave her to die in the field, but they took her to the surgeon anyway. She quickly slipped out of the field hospital and removed the bullets with a penknife.

More or less permanently disabled, Private Shurtliff was reassigned as a waiter to General John Patterson. The war was essentially over, but American troops remained in the field. By June 1783, Deborah’s unit was sent to Philadelphia to put down a brewing mutiny among American soldiers over delays in back pay and discharge.

Fevers and illness were common in Philadelphia, and not long after she arrived, Deborah fell seriously ill. She was put under the care of Dr. Barnabas Binney, who discovered her true gender as she lay delirious in his hospital. Rather than alert her commander, he took her to his home and put her under the care of his wife and daughters.

After months in Binney’s care, it was time for her to rejoin General Patterson. As she prepared to leave, Binney gave her a note to give to the General, which she correctly assumed revealed her gender. Following her return, she was called to Patterson’s quarters. “She says, ‘A re-entrance was harder than facing a cannonade,” in her biography. She nearly fainted from the tension.

To her surprise, Patterson decided not to punish her. He and his staff seemed almost impressed she had carried off her ruse for so long. With no sign she had ever acted inappropriately with her male comrades, Private Shurtliff was given an honorable discharge on Oct. 25, 1783.   

Becoming Mrs. Gannett

Deborah returned to Massachusetts, where she married Benjamin Gannett and settled down on their small farm in Sharon. She was soon the mother of four: Earl, Mary, Patience, and an adopted daughter named Susanna. Like many families in the young Republic, the Gannetts struggled financially.

Starting in 1792, Deborah began what would become a decades-long battle to receive back pay and pension relief from her time in service. Unlike many of her male peers, Deborah didn’t rely just on petitions and letters to Congress. To raise her profile and strengthen her case, she also allowed a local writer named Herman Mann to write a romanticized version of her life story, and in 1802 embarked on a lengthy lecture tour of Massachusetts and New York.

National Tour

Reluctantly leaving her children in Sharon, Gannett was on the road from June 1802 to April 1803. Her tour covered over 1,000 miles and stopped in every major town in Massachusetts and the Hudson River Valley, ending in New York City. In most towns, she lectured simply on her wartime experiences.

In bigger venues like Boston, the “American Heroine” was a spectacle. Gannett would give her lecture in female dress, then exit the stage as a chorus sang patriotic tunes. Finally, she would reappear in her military uniform and perform a complex, 27-step military drill with her musket.

Her tour was met with widespread acclaim until she got to New York City, where she lasted only a single performance. “Her talents do not appear calculated for theatrical exhibitions,” one reviewer sniffed. She returned home to Sharon soon after. Because of the high cost of travel, she ended up making a profit of around $110.

Petition for Benefits

In her long fight for benefits, Gannett had the support of some powerful allies like Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere, Massachusetts Congressman William Eustis, and her old commander, General Patterson. All would press her claims with the Government, and Revere, in particular, would frequently lend her money. Revere wrote to Eustis after meeting Gannett in 1804, describing her as “much out of health,” in part because of her military service, and despite the Gannett’s obvious efforts, “they are really poor.” He added:

We commonly form our Idea of the person whom we hear spoken off, whom we have never seen; according as their actions are described, when I heard her spoken off as a Soldier, I formed the Idea of a tall, Masculine female, who had a small share of understandg, without education, & one of the meanest of her Sex-When I saw and discoursed with I was agreeably surprised to find a small, effeminate, and converseable Woman, whose education entitled her to a better situation in life.

In 1792, Gannett successfully petitioned the Massachusetts Legislature for back pay of £34, plus interest. Following her lecture tour in 1803, she began to petition the Congress for disability pay. In 1805, she received a lump sum of $104 plus $48 a year thereafter. In 1818, she gave up disability pay for a general pension of $96 a year. The fight for retroactive payments went on until the end of her life.

Death

Deborah died at the age of 68, after a long period of ill health. The family was too poor to pay for a headstone, so her gravesite in Sharon’s Rock Ridge Cemetery was unmarked until the 1850s or 1860s. At first, she was noted only as “Deborah, Wife of Benjamin Gannett.” It wasn’t until years after that someone memorialized her service by carving into the headstone, “Deborah Sampson Gannett/Robert Shurtliff/The Female Soldier.”

SOURCE: THOUGHTCO.COM

“I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together…”

Today is Tim Conway’s birthday (December 15, 1933 – May 14, 2019) and I thought I’d bring an article about The Carol Burnett Show.

Carol’s ear tug was a message to her grandma.

Burnett’s famous ear tug, which she used to sign off at the end of each show, was a way of telling her grandmother, “Hello, I love you.” Burnett’s grandmother passed away while the series was still on air but Burnett continued to tug her ear as a tribute to her.

Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence were the longest running cast members.

The two were the only series regulars to stay with the program throughout its 11 seasons.

A wardrobe malfunction caused Ms. Wiggins’s trademark walk.

Burnett has said that Ms. Wiggins’s signature waddle was because the skirt she was given was too big — Burnett walked that way to keep it from falling off.

Vicki Lawrence joined the cast at 18.

Lawrence, a high schooler at the time, wrote a fan letter to Burnett, prompting the sketch-comedy queen to attend a ‘Miss Fireball’ contest Lawrence was competing in. Lawrence won, Burnett was called up to crown her on stage, and eventually asked the teen to audition for the role of her kid sister. Lawrence became Burnett’s protégée, best known for the role of “mama” Thelma Harper.

Each show was taped twice before airing.

Each weekly episode was taped twice in front of different audiences. The best parts were edited together, but only two takes meant that even “flubbed” lines would sometimes make the cut.

Tim Conway was always trying to make Harvey Korman break character.

Tim Conway was known for improvising and deliberately trying to get other cast members to laugh during taping. Korman fell for Conway’s tactics nearly every time.

Lawrence was a one-hit wonder.

Lawrence had a hit single, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” that reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1973. A lot of people didn’t realize that the singer and the comedienne were one and the same.

The print dress Burnett always wore as Eunice was a thrift-store find.

The “family” sketch called for Eunice to wear a “Tennessee Williams”-type dress. Costume designer Bob Mackie found the perfect 1930s frock in a thrift shop.

Dick van Dyke was a flop.

Harvey Korman left after the 10th season and executives brought on Dick van Dyke as a replacement. But audiences didn’t love the chemistry (or lack thereof) between van Dyke and Burnett, Conway and Lawrence, so he left the show after three months.

Conway turned down a Mr. Tudball spin-off.

Conway was offered the starring role in a Mr. Tudball spin-off in the 1980s but declined because he didn’t see much storyline potential—and because Burnett wouldn’t be playing Ms. Wiggins.

The show’s musical numbers are hard to come by.

Most of the show’s musical skits have not aired since the original network broadcast because of licensing issues.

Carol Burnett’s husband wrote the show’s theme song.

Joe Hamilton, executive producer for the show and Carol Burnett’s husband at the time, wrote the theme song. The couple divorced in 1984 after 21 years together.

SOURCE: COUNTRYLIVING.COM

What Shall We Bake Today?

Today’s entry in the cookie parade is Oatmeal Raisin Cookies! I like my oatmeal raisin cookies soft and chewy and my tip below ensures they will be!

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour 

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats

1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350*. While the oven preheats, soak the raisins in very hot water (doesn’t have to be boiling).  Before you add them to the dough, strain the water off the raisins and use the back of a spoon to squeeze any excess water from the raisins.

Cream the butter with the sugars.  Add the egg and the vanilla. Mix the flour with the baking soda. Then add to first mixture.  Stir in the oatmeal and the raisins.  Bake for 8-9 minutes.

ENJOY!

Go Nuts!

In their many variations, nuts are a superfood praised as rich sources of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, and other bioactive compounds. Chestnuts are champions for vitamin C, for instance. Pistachios contain the most vitamin A and potassium. Both are high in folic acid. Cashews enrich us with magnesium. The level of vitamin B3 (niacin) is the highest in peanuts, and vitamin E (tocopherol) is found in almonds. Walnuts are especially high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a neuroprotective omega-3 fatty acid important for normal growth and development. It also has been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed death of cells) in breast cancer cells. Our bodies cannot produce ALA, hence, nutritional intake is a must, as is the case with many other key nutrients.

Research Supports the Benefits of Nuts

A 2023 review published in the journal Foods found mounting evidence that a nut-rich diet can potentially prevent numerous chronic illnesses. According to the report, “The ingestion of phytochemicals from nuts and their positive influence on several diseases (cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, birth defects, cataracts, diabetes, diverticulosis, and obesity) are established.” In addition to the improvement of cardiovascular disease, depression, and cognitive function, nut consumption is correlated with lower cancer incidence and cancer mortality, and decreased all-cause mortality, states a 2021 review.

The Nut–Cancer Health Connection

The World Health Organization predicts a considerable increase in cancer, with a potential of 32.6 million cases worldwide by 2045. Effective strategies, such as increasing dietary fiber, eating more fruits and vegetables, and physical activity, could potentially reduce cancer risk factors by approximately 42 percent. The journal Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine published a review in 2023 about the interrelation of nut consumption and different types of cancer, including women-related and gastrointestinal cancers.

Data suggests that eating nuts not only reduces “cancer-related risk and mortality,” but possibly prevents the occurrence of certain types of cancer and its advancement. Nuts contain active anticarcinogenic compounds such as “folate, phytosterols, saponins, phytic acid, isoflavones, ellagic acid, α-tocopherol, quercetin, and resveratrol,” according to the review. The research points to certain phytochemicals and their mechanisms as preventatives for cancer.

Accordingly, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and pine nuts contain polyphenols, which inhibit carcinogenesis that is chemically induced. Likewise, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts hold helpful properties, called isoflavonoids, to balance hormonal mechanisms. Most nuts are strong antioxidants that counteract oxidative stress and guard our DNA—the health benefits list of nuts is long.

Nuts at a Glance

Walnuts

A review published in the journal Nutrition outlines the cancer-preventative properties of walnuts, as researched in animal studies with mice. It summarizes the following points:

A diet enriched with walnuts prevented the increase of “human breast cancers implanted in nude mice by [approximately] 80%.”

Mammary gland tumors were reduced by approximately 60 percent through a diet containing walnuts in a mouse model.

“Walnuts slowed the growth of prostate, colon, and renal cancers by antiproliferative and antiangiogenic mechanisms.”

Another interesting fact was shared in the review. Comparing the intake of whole walnuts to a diet equally rich in n-3 fatty acids, the reduction of tumors in the mammary gland was greater when ingesting whole nuts. This reinforces the idea that active components in walnuts act synergistically to suppress cancer. Walnuts also proved their antitumorigenic qualities in an animal study in vivo in mice. Compared to the corn-oil-based control group, the walnut group featured two major improvements—the tumor growth rate was slowed by 27 percent, and the tumor weight was reduced by 33 percent. Reducing inflammation in the body benefits many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Walnuts have proven valuable in all.

A randomized tested a daily intake of 56 grams of walnuts (366 calories) in 46 overweight adults. Another trial analyzed the same amount on diabetic patients. Both results showed that the increased nut intake improved endothelial function significantly, which is key for healthy blood and lymph vessels. In turn, endothelial cells are needed to protect from vascular malfunctions—the hallmarks of several types of malignant disorders.

Almonds

Contrary to common belief, regular almond intake does not lead to weight gain, although the nuts contain almost 50 percent fat. Instead, almonds “appear to promote weight loss,” affirms a research paper published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, which benefits obesity-related illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, almonds also contain the highly controversial and much-researched bioactive compound glycoside amygdalin. Its pharmaceutical development as an anti-cancer treatment continues to be a topic of discussion in the pharmaceutical world.

As a commercial drug, amygdalin is distributed under the name Laetrile but has since been shown to have serious side effects, such as damage to nerves and the liver, a lack of oxygen in the blood, and confusion. Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Laetrile and has said that the compound shows only little anti-cancer effect.

In contrast, a review in the Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics praises amygdalin’s few side effects, its low cost, and especially its excellent results in the battle against multidrug resistance. Furthermore, the compound can be easily naturally sourced as it occurs in the kernels of many fruits and is a compound in nuts.

A 2023 comprehensive review published in the International Journal of Molecular Science relates the same hopeful message: “Amygdalin seems to be a promising naturally occurring agent against cancer disease development and progression.” While Amygdalin has proven its anti-tumor qualities, it still is not recommended as an extensive remedy, as some challenges need to be overcome.

Its correct dosage heavily depends on the type of bacteria present in a person’s gut. Therefore, researchers have not been able to find an across-the-board therapy. “Unfortunately, there is currently no foolproof method for determining the microbial consortium and providing a safe oral dosage for every patient,” researchers stated in a 2022 review.

Scientists place their hope in modern nanotechnologies as they further explore the qualities of amygdalin in cancer treatment. “There are several pieces of evidence to support the idea that amygdalin can exert anticancer effects against lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical, and gastrointestinal cancers,” researchers stated in the 2023 review. The compound “has been reported to induce apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting cancer cells’ proliferation and slowing down tumor metastatic spread,” they added.

A 2019 article published in Cancer Medicine that dials in on amygdalin, primarily found in bitter almonds, not only highlights its “antioxidative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities,” but investigates the clinical value of the anti-cancer agent.

The compound introduces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in the body and balances the immune function, which affects especially “solid tumors” such as lung or bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Despite limiting factors, such as the “primary stage” of both clinical and experimental research and the lack of high-quality publications on the topic, researchers still believe these studies to be promising regarding cancer treatments. Many may not be surprised that walnuts and almonds provide us with these health benefits. However, the following nut, which botanically speaking, is a legume, often gets a “bad rap” as a common allergen. Nevertheless, research shows its valuable qualities in cancer therapy.

Peanuts

A human study published in the journal Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation showed that “high consumption of peanuts, walnuts, and almonds appears to be a protective factor for the development of breast cancer.” The study group included 97 female patients suffering from breast cancer and a control group of 104 healthy women. Researchers analyzed their seed consumption via the Mantel-Haenszel test method and found a correlation between dietary nut intake and the development of breast cancer.

Peanuts once again portrayed their qualities as functional food in a study that investigated phytosterols (PS), a natural compound that lowers cholesterol levels and prevents cardiovascular diseases. This research suggests that their sterol beta-sitosterol, in particular, holds protective anticancer effects against “colon, prostate, and breast cancer.”

With 207 milligrams PS per 100 grams, unrefined peanut oil has the highest concentration of valuable beta-sitosterol—even higher than olive oil. Peanut butter “contains 144-157 mg PS/100 g.” Further refinement of the product results in lower rates of the active compound. Another healthy property of peanuts is the polyphenol phytochemical resveratrol—the target of a review focused on anti-cancer agents. In addition to peanuts, sources of resveratrol include grapes, red wine, and other berries.

Researchers point out that people benefit from the consumption of this powerful antioxidant, as it displays “strong anti-tumor activities through inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis, promoting tumor cell differentiation, preventing tumor invasion and metastasis, and further moderating the host immune system to kill tumor cells.” In fact, the nickname “French Paradox” was given to resveratrol’s impact on the health of the French people, as it seems that the compound counteracts the French diet, which is often high in fats, and protects consumers from cardiovascular disease and more.

Pistachios

Another inconspicuous nut with plenty of healthy properties comes from the cashew family. In comparison with other nuts, the health profile of pistachios is even more advantageous. They are low-fat, a good source of vegetable protein, contain a remarkable amount of minerals (potassium) and vitamins (C and E), and are high in dietary fiber.

Both in vitro and in vivo models have indicated significant regulatory properties in pistachios on oxidative stress, according to a 2022 review. Consequently, eating pistachios also positively affected the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. Another 2022 review highlighted resveratrol in pistachios and its favorable role in breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the high cost of this nut often keeps people from regular intake, which would be beneficial for their health.

Diet, Inflammation, and Cancer

It has long been known that lifestyle and diet greatly impact our health. A 2010 review describes the multistage process of cancer as “initiation, promotion, and progression” and explains that oxidative stress plays a role in all three phases of tumorigenesis (the formation of cancer), as does chronic inflammation in the body—conditions fought by nuts. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports cancer survival, according to a review published in the Journal of Nutrition that examined several animal studies. In addition, it can lessen side effects that come with chemotherapy and increase the treatment’s efficacy. The review goes as far as to state that the “consumption of omega-3 fatty acids might slow or stop the growth of metastatic cancer cells” after appropriate cancer treatment. Walnuts contain the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

SOURCE: THEEPOCHTIMES.COM

DIY: Wooden Bead Ornaments

I found these wooden bead ornaments on the Better Homes & Gardens website.  They are super cute and easy—no mess!

Wreaths

Candy Canes

NOTE: for a more kid friendly version, use pipe cleaners instead of wire.

Stars

There were no directions on this site, but I have seen these stars made before.  String 6 beads on a thread.  Insert the thread through the first bead to make a tight circle and knot the thread but do not cut it. Add 6 beads and insert the thread into the second bead on the circle.  Continue adding 6 beads and threading through the bead around the circle. Knot the thread and weave the thread through the inner circle beads to secure.

SOURCE: BHG.COM

Minnesota State Flower: Lady Slipper

From: The Spruce

Lady Slipper orchids come in unusual shapes and color patterns, and some are rare, at risk or endangered. Belonging to the orchid genus Cypripedium, lady slipper orchids are the most primitive type found today. Most are terrestrial, growing in the ground in temperate zones around the globe.

The genus includes lady slipper orchids and moccasin flowers native to the northern hemisphere, characterized by a pouched lip that resembles the toe of a shoe or slipper. Certain states in the U.S. identify several species as endangered or at risk.1 This is due largely to over harvesting and habitat destruction. These rare orchids require very specific growing conditions and are slow to germinate and colonize.

Lady slipper orchids are sympodial, which means they have multiple growing points along a horizontal stem. This orchid genus does not often produce tall plants, although there are exceptions. In native areas, most reach only about 6 to 8 inches high with flower spikes around 15 inches. Different species identify as either warm or cool growing, so care differs slightly depending on your particular orchid. Ask your grower about its native origins, particularly the elevation, of your plant.

This is a low-light orchid that requires shade. Place it in an east-facing or a shaded south-facing window. Fluorescent lighting also works well. Suspend lights 6 to 12 inches above the foliage. Grown outdoors, some varieties of these terrestrial orchids prefer full sun in the morning with afternoon shade. Other varieties prefer only dappled sun throughout the day.

Soil

Most are terrestrial orchids that grow in very specific types of soil. Good choices for potting material include shredded osmunda bark, medium grade fir bark and crushed dried oak leaves. Avoid packing the mix too tightly.

Water

Like other sympodial orchids, lady slipper orchid stems have pseudobulbs for storing water and nutrients, so they can go a while between waterings without suffering. Depending on the growing environment, your orchid may need water twice a week. Avoid chemically treated water or allow it to sit out for several days before using. Potting medium should stay moist but never soggy, though some varieties that grow in boggy conditions may prefer a wetter medium. Others can grow indoors but need very specific temperatures, with a 10-15 degree temp drop at night.

Temperature

Mottled leaf types thrive in daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees F. and nighttime temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees F. Keep green leaf types between 75 and 80 degrees F. during the day and 50 to 60 degrees F. at night. These are recommended temperatures, but many growers are successful growing both types in the same temperature range.

Moderate humidity of 40 to 50 percent is adequate and can be maintained by setting the orchid pot on a tray of gravel partially filled with water. Water should not touch the bottom of the pot. If humidity is low avoid letting moisture sit on the leaves or crown of the plant. When humidity is high, air movement is essential which might require a fan or dehumidifier. For the varieties that prefer boggy conditions, humidity levels may need be higher. Those varieties will also require a temperature drop of 10 to 15 degrees overnight.

Types of Lady Slipper Orchids

Cypripedium acaule (pink lady slipper) produces deep pink flowers 3 inches long from late June into July. This is a fragrant type with a sweet floral scent.

Cypripedium calceolus (yellow lady slipper) sends up a buttery yellow flower in early spring and is found mostly in rich woodlands or along bog edges.

Cypripedium parviflorum pubescens (greater yellow lady slipper) can grow up to 2 feet tall, with flower petals up to 6 inches across.

Cypripedium reginae (showy lady’s slipper) is another large species, 1 to 2 feet tall with pink-streaked, white flowers appearing in late spring/early summer. It grows naturally in wetlands and damp meadows.

Cypripedium candidum (white lady’s slipper) is a small type from 6 to 12 inches tall. Considered endangered it may be available from reputable nurseries.

SOURCE: THESPRUCE.COM

Know-It-All Tuesdays: Christmas Carol Trivia

In ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, how many swans are swimming?

What is the name of Justin Bieber’s 2011 Christmas album?

Who wrote ‘White Christmas’?

How many reindeer haul Santa’s sleigh in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”?

How many total gifts are received in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song?

In what year was “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” first recorded?

Which century does the traditional Welsh Christmas carol ‘Deck the Halls’ date back to?

Complete the lyrics: “Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is …”

Which Christmas Carol is the best-selling single in world history?

In which Christmas carol does ‘the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head’?

Complete the lyrics: “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane…”

What was the song Do You Hear What I Hear’ inspired by?

Complete the lyrics: “A beautiful sight…”

Who sings ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’?

In the song ‘Frosty the Snowman’, what made Frosty come to life?

In the song ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’, we’re told, “You better not cry, you better not…”

Who has a button nose?

In a ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ what should we have a cup of?

Which Christmas song was the first song ever played on the radio?

Which Christmas Carol is set to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’?

How did you do?

ANSWERS

Seven

Under the mistletoe

Irving Berlin

9

364

1963

19th century

Bright

White Christmas

Away in a Manger

Snow is glistening

The Cold War

We’re happy tonight

Mariah Carey

Top Hat

Pout

Frosty the Snowman

Cheer

O Holy Night

What Child is This?

Till next month…stay sharp!

Fun Facts About the Presidents” Part 2

The first White House bowling alley was a birthday present for Harry Truman

In 1947, 33rd U.S. president Harry Truman became responsible for having a bowling alley installed in the West Wing in celebration of his 63rd birthday. He became the first person to ever throw a bowling ball down the White House lane, and one of the seven pins he knocked down is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

Bill Clinton is a My Little Pony expert

During a segment on the NPR show “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” 42nd U.S. president Bill Clinton was quizzed about the animated movie My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. To the amazement of his hosts, he nailed all three questions and won a prize on behalf of the listener for whom he was playing.

Clint Eastwood was almost vice president under George H.W. Bush

While running for office in 1988, then-presidential nominee George Bush was not feeling lucky, so he considered bringing on Dirty Harry actor Clint Eastwood, who had been mayor of Carmel, California, to help breathe life into his struggling campaign. Bush famously chose Dan Quayle as his running mate instead.

James Garfield could write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other

The ambidextrous U.S. president, James Garfield, could write in two languages simultaneously: Latin and Greek. He taught both languages while attending the acclaimed Williams College in Massachusetts, where he was later named president before going on to be elected as the 20th president of the United States.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to name a woman to his cabinet

In 1933, our 32nd U.S. president hired Frances Perkins as the first woman cabinet member, specifically secretary of labor. She had previously worked for him when he was governor of New York.

Abraham Lincoln allowed seances in the White House

During Abraham Lincoln’s term, first lady Mary Todd Lincoln reportedly invited mediums to the White House to call on departed spirits through seances. While there’s no definitive evidence, the president was said to have attended some of the events. He was also thought to believe in the occult to an extent.

Three presidents are Grammy winners

It may sound odd, but Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter have each won a Grammy. No, they’re not singers or songwriters, but they did nab prizes for Best Spoken Word Album for the audio versions of their biographies.

George Washington’s teeth were made of something more disturbing than wood

It’s a popular misconception that our first U.S. president’s teeth were made of wood. In fact, they were made of something even worse: other people’s teeth—likely those of slaves or impoverished people. The dentures apparently also contained ivory.

Two rival presidents died on the exact same day

Although friendly in their personal lives, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were political competitors. On his deathbed, Adams is believed to have uttered “Thomas Jefferson still survives,” in a final act of rivalry. Little did he know that Jefferson had died hours earlier.

America’s eighth U.S. president was the first to be born stateside

Here’s a fact about one of the U.S. presidents you may not have learned in school: There were seven official U.S. presidents before Martin Van Buren, the first president to actually be born in the United States, took office. Van Buren was the eighth U.S. president. In fairness, the United States was not even founded until 1776, two years before George Washington took office, but facts are facts.

One of President Tyler’s grandchildren is still alive

How is it possible that a grandchild of our nation’s 10th president, John Tyler, who was born one year after George Washington took office and elected to office himself in 1841, is still alive, as of February 2024? The president was 75 when his last child was born in 1928, and the grandson is a descendant of that son.

No one could dance in the White House during James Polk’s tenure

The wife of 11th U.S. President James Polk was a strict Presbyterian and looked down upon dancing, so it was banned in the White House while her husband was in office, including at the Inaugural Ball. She also disapproved of horse racing and the theater.

Ulysses S. Grant’s middle initial stood for nothing

You might know who is buried in Grant’s tomb, but do you know what his middle initial stood for? Well, neither did he. Apparently, it came from a typo on his application to West Point.

SOURCE: READERSDIGEST

Happy Birthday GA/FL!!

Today is GA/FL’s 80th birthday and when I think of her, I think of a Steel Magnolia—Clairee to be specific.  Strong, Southern, gorgeous, with a quick wit—that’s Clairee AND GA/FL.

I found an article about the movie and wanted to share some interesting facts about it.

From: Southern Living

When playwright Robert Harling wrote Steel Magnolias back in 1987—his poignant tribute to his sister’s journey to motherhood and eventual death from diabetes complications—he undoubtedly had no idea that decades later, people would still be quoting it regularly. 

Harling’s witty play had a successful off-Broadway run. Then TriStar Pictures bought the movie rights and Harling edited the script, transforming the play into a movie. The 1989 film had an all-star cast that included Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts.

Since then, the Steel Magnolias play had a four-month run on Broadway in 2005, and the movie was remade by Lifetime in 2012, this time starring Queen Latifah. 

But Harling’s clever words like “I’m not crazy … I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years” and “If you can’t say anything nice about anybody, come sit by me” have become fodder for jokes with family around the table or friends in the salon. More so, the 1989 film’s powerful portrait of family, hope, loss, grief, and happiness, and strong Southern friendships has become a smash hit that has lasted through the ages. The film is a Southern staple with something for everyone who loves to laugh, cry, or eat armadillo cake. Here are 17 things you might not know about Steel Magnolias.

Steel Magnolias Was Based On A True Story

Actor and writer Robert Harling wrote the play based on the true story of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, who died from complications with diabetes. “She was the only person that had been with me for forever,” Harling told Southern Living. “When we lost her, when she died in 1985, I was really in a very bad state with her loss.” He began writing the play after learning his brother-in-law remarried months after his sister’s death.

The Movie Offered Healing For Harling’s Family

Harling wanted his mother to leave the set when they filmed Julia Roberts’ death scene, but his mother insisted on staying so she could see Julia get up and walk away after the director yelled cut. “I said, ‘I can’t believe you put yourself through that,'” Harling recalled saying to his mother in an interview with the Huffington Post. “But Julia had become so special to my parents. She took some peace with that.”

The Film Featured Real People

The nurses and other hospital staff seen in Julia Roberts’ life-support scenes were actual medical professionals who tended to Harling’s sister in her final days. Harling himself played the minister who presided over Shelby’s wedding and funeral.

It Took 10 Days To Write

“The events that inspired it were so powerful that, after I found the story arena, it just poured out into my typewriter in a 24/7 tsunami of Southernness,” Harling told Garden & Gun about the speedy writing process. “I had no idea what I’d written. I asked the first person I gave it to if it even looked like a play. I wasn’t really sure. All I knew was that I felt it portrayed my sister’s life and spirit accurately, and that was enough for me.”

It Was Originally A Short Story

Harling originally wanted to turn his sister’s life into a short story, but it quickly turned into a play because he wanted its Southernness to come out. “I was an actor, so I thought, well, I know what a script looks like, and I know what dialogue looks like,” Harling told Southern Living. “I’m just gonna try to write this as a play. So, I did.”

Harling’s Sister Inspired More Than Just Shelby

When Harling hit a patch of writer’s block while working on the play, he channeled his sister for one of its most famous scenes. “I said, ‘What would Susan do?’ And what Susan would do would be outrageous,” he told Today. “She would do something completely inappropriate and totally out of the box.” The result is that at Shelby’s funeral, when her mother M’Lynn is understandably distraught, Clairee cheekily suggests that M’Lynn take out her grief by hitting Ouiser. “Here, hit this!” Clairee says in one of the film’s memorable moments.

Other Actresses Were Considered To Play Shelby

Originally, Winona Ryder was considered for the part of Shelby, but producers decided she was too young. Instead, they settled on Meg Ryan, who committed to the role before dropping out for a little film called When Harry Met Sally. That’s when Julia Roberts stepped in.

“We brought her in, and she was Julia Roberts, so she was magic. She just walked into the room and lit it up, and I thought, that’s my sister,” Harling told Southern Living. (Coincidentally, Roberts later passed on the lead for You’ve Got Mail, which went to Ryan, Roberts told Andy Cohen in 2023.)

Another fun fact about the role of Shelby? When Nicole Kidman was starting out as an actress in Australia, one of her earliest roles was Shelby in the stage version of Steel Magnolias.

Hollywood Royalty Wanted In

Elizabeth Taylor went to see Steel Magnolias during its off-Broadway run, and thanks to her rave review, Hollywood legend Bette Davis called up Harling and started a push to be cast in the film as Ouiser. She also thought that Katharine Hepburn could make a fantastic Clairee and Elizabeth Taylor would be perfect as M’Lynn. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Harling said that Davis even invited him to tea to convince him that she was right for the role. The role, of course, went to Shirley MacLaine.

Harling Wrote Truvy For Another Actress

While Dolly Parton was perfect in the role of beauty shop owner Truvy, the part was actually written for someone else entirely—Margo Martindale. Harling and Martindale were friends in real life, and he wrote the role for her to play. She originated the role of Truvy in the play’s off-Broadway debut.

It Was Filmed In The Author’s Hometown

Playwright Robert Harling grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and insisted on filming there. His decision had a huge impact on the town, which can still be felt today. “For everyone who has seen the movie outside of Natchitoches, it is synonymous with the movie,” Natchitoches Convention and Tourism Bureau former Executive Director Arlene Gould told The Shreveport Times. “It had a tremendous impact on the tourism trade and on our community.” You can even take a self-guided tour of the filming locations.

Steel Magnolias Led To Soapdish

After long days on set in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the cast would gather together to play games and chat. One night, according to the Huffington Post, Harling asked each actress to name the role she’d most like to play. Sally Field said she always played “really noble, earnest women that wear crummy clothes. For once I’d like to play a b—h that gets to wear nice clothes.” Harling loved the idea and started to think about a seeming sweetheart who was truly devilish. Soon after, Soapdish was born, and Field got to play the role of her dreams as an aging soap opera star who plots to ruin her co-star’s career in the 1991 film.

There Was A Steel Magnolias TV Show

CBS aired a pilot episode of a Steel Magnolias TV series in August 1990, but the show never made it to a full series. Perhaps CBS should try again, though. When Lifetime created its 2012 version of the film starring Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, and Condola Rashad, it was the channel’s third-most-watched telecast ever.

The Film Sparked A Real-Life Romance

The sparks you saw between Roberts and her on-screen beau, Dylan McDermott, were real. When filming began on Steel Magnolias, Roberts was dating actor Liam Neeson, her co-star in 1988’s Satisfaction. Then, she allegedly broke up with Neeson to date—and eventually become engaged to—McDermott. They never made it to the altar, though. Their relationship ended in 1990.

Visitors Can Stay At The Steel Magnolia House

The historic Natchitoches house where Steel Magnolias was filmed is now a bed-and-breakfast and has been renamed The Steel Magnolia House. Guests can stay in rooms named after characters like Clairee, Ouiser, and Annelle.

The Christmas Scenes Were Filmed In August

Southern summers can be scorchers, but that didn’t stop the cast and extras from donning their finest Christmas sweaters and winter hats to film the Natchitoches Christmas festival scenes. It might have been 100 degrees during filming, but it sure looked like December, thanks to the magic of the movies.

The Movie Has Inspired Others To Donate

Harling told Today that a fan reached out to tell him that watching the film inspired them to donate a kidney to a neighbor in need. While Oscar nominations and Tony Awards are undoubtedly exciting, inspiring someone to save a life sounds like a truly incredible reward for a playwright.

Shirley MacLaine Knew The Movie Was Special

It was while filming one of those blazing hot Christmas festival scenes that Shirley MacLaine turned to playwright Robert Harling and told him she thought the film was important.

“I think it revealed all the intricacies and the diversity of women’s friendships,” MacLaine later told Southern Living, reflecting on the movie’s long-lasting legacy during its 25th anniversary.

“And we experienced that on the set. We made very good friends that are still there for us,” she said. “I think that, especially now, I think it’s still resonating because we know we find comfort in each other and we can be honest and we can be cruel, and we can be funny. And we can be sarcastic and also know that we’re there for each other always. So I think that’s something we long for in this culture.”

Sally Field Wanted To Do The Movie Because Of One Scene

There’s a dramatic funeral scene in which Sally Field’s character M’Lynn “skates back and forth through the five stages of grief in roughly five minutes,” writes Jen Chaney for Vulture. In an interview with Chaney, Field says that “humdinger of a scene” was “the crux of the film” and one of the main reasons she chose to take on the role. “It is about loss and sadness and grief and rage, but ultimately it’s about friendship,” she says. “It’s about these women who hang with her. Every step of the journey she takes in that speech — she walks up and down the dirt road of the cemetery and they’re right there with her, feeling it with her, and ultimately they make her laugh. It’s about the very best of what women friends are.”

Director Herbert Ross Was Particularly Hard On One Cast Member

In her interview with Jen Chaney for Vulture, Sally Field remembers director Herbert “Herb” Ross giving her “the freedom to do whatever” but being “very, very, very hard on Julia.” Though she says the cast members “would all rally around Julia, because she was the baby,” Ross “just picked on her.” “It was awful,” she says. Field specifically remembers castmate Dolly Parton turning right back on Ross with “the most vulgar humor you ever heard.” To be a fly on that wall!

SOURCE: SOUTHERNLIVING.COM

GA/FL I hope you have a fantastic day!!