Laboratory from Hell by Christie Seiler Boeke Written 2016 In the 70’s, after we moved from central Florida to a small rental house in the southern part of the state, we realized the cost of living in south Florida was much higher. In order for us to eventually purchase a new home, Bob and I […]
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DYK: Cut and Run – Sometimes it’s not cowardly but is the best action
Cut and run is a phrase used in the context of a cowardly defeat but actually the phrase ‘Cut and Run’ is a nautical term. In an emergency rather than haul up an anchor the sailors would cut the anchor cable then run with the wind. In nautical usage however the term does not necessarily […]
Income Tax Day was once on March 15 in 1930
Income Tax Day was once on March 15 in 1930 Though there had been income taxes collected for various reasons such as War before in the United States, the first official date for filing a federal income tax was March 1, 1913 and was changed to March 15, 1918. This date remained until 1955 when […]
When was the last time you flew a kite? This may inspire you to do it again
(Remember the joy of kite flying? This song and story by a contributing author will remind you.) Go Fly A Kite by Inez McCollum To tell a person to “go fly a kite” is a term of exasperation when one is fed up with that person. People have literally been flying kites since […]
DYK: Are you straight-laced?
The phrase Straight-laced was originally STRAIT laces. The old English word strait meant tight or narrow. In Tudor times buttons were mostly for decoration. Laces were used to hold clothes together. If a woman was STRAIT laced she was prim and proper. VINEGAR OF THE FOUR THIEVES: Recipes & curious tips from the past Check […]
An unconventional way to escape winter blues in the desert?
An unconventional way to escape winter blues by Jean Butterworth Nothing about the month of January is exciting. Now, December is filled with holidays including Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years’ Eve, and one of my grandson’s birthdays. But along comes January with its predicted cold, wet and rainy days. And then there is that […]
FOUND! Coronation of a King George VI and Queen + vintage films of the event
King George VI was the King who had the stutter depicted in the movie The King’s Speech and the father of Queen Elizabeth II who recently had her 90th birthday. News from May 12, 1937, King George VI and Elizabeth’s coronation. From The Tuscaloosa News in Alabama of May 12, 1937 Solemn Coronation Rites Followed By Heavy […]
The month of March means many things to different people
MANY FACETED MARCH BY INEZ MCCOLLUM We are coming up on March already. This is the last month of the first quarter of 2015. The word “March” has held many places in literature and every day conversation through out the ages. I suppose the one that dates back furtherest is “Beware of the Ides of […]
DYK: Today is Boxing Day – and was once more important than Christmas
Among the Anglicans in Colonial days, Twelfth Night ( January 6) or Epiphany also known as Boxing Day, was more important than Christmas. This was the traditional date of the arrival of the magi and was celebrated by giving presents, usually a new piece of clothing or money (in a box, hence the name) to […]
You don’t know anything about how many people are living in trailers, till you ‘hit’ Florida”
Many people traveled to California from all over the country in the 1930’s seeking work due to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. They traveled in many vehicles, by trains, trucks, cars and many were homemade trailers. Some even walked. Dorothea Lange, photograher captured many of these various modes of transportation. The song, A Traveler’s […]