The Dandelion's Gossip!

drawing by ana traina

After a dandelion's woolly pip landed on Ms. Matilda Ayers' Monicle, she ventured
down the road to inquire why she was the seedy subject of their
scattering tittle-tattle, and to somehow put a stop to it.  However, it was to no avail.

O Yes, The Cabbage Flower!

photo by liam cohen,  china 2011

Cabbage - Brassica oleracea capitata.  The English name cabbage comes from the French caboche, meaning head, referring to its round form. Cabbage has been cultivated for more than 4,000 years and domesticated for over 2,500 years.

Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C.  It also contains significant amounts of glutamine an amino acid that has anti-inflammatory properties. Cabbage can also be included in dieting programs, as it is a low calorie food. It also has anti-cancer properties.

In European folk medicine, cabbage leaves are used to treat acute inflammation. A paste of raw cabbage may be placed in a cabbage leaf and wrapped around the affected area to reduce discomfort. Some claim it is effective in relieving painfully engorged breasts in breastfeeding women.

Fresh cabbage juice has been shown to promote rapid healing of peptic ulcers. 

 Boiling reduces anti-cancer properties.

Cabbages are extremely windy, whether you take them as meat or as medicine, as windy meat as can be eaten, unless you eat bag-pipes or bellows, and they are but seldom eaten in our days; and Colewort flowers  are something more tolerable, and the wholesomer food of the two."

~Nicholas Culpeper, A Complete Herbal, 1653

Bit of odds and ends: The largest cabbage dish ever made was on 19 December 2008 in the Macedonian  city of Prilep, with 80,191 sarmas (cabbage rolls) weighing 544 kg (1,221 lbs). The world's largest cabbage is credited to William Collingwood of County Durham, England, whose prized cabbage in 1865 weighed in at 123 pounds.

Warning: Cabbage may also increased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) due to low thyroid hormone levels. This increase in TSH may cause an enlargement of the thyroid gland. 

Picklely Cabbage, Carrots and Cucumber Recipe

• 1 head Asian cabbage, sliced thinly
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into 2″ long matchsticks
• 1 cucumber, partway peeled, seeded, and sliced into 2″ long matchsticks
• 3 spoonfuls of salt.
• Put the vegetables in the bowl. Sprinkle 1 spoonful of salt and then stir well. Sprinkle the second spoonful of salt and stir well again. Sprinkle the third spoonful of salt and, you guessed it, stir again!  Seal the jar  with plastic wrap and weigh down with a plate.   Let sit at least 10 hours. Take the vegetables out and rinse well to get rid of the excess salt, then squeeze dry. 

A Touch of Laybrinth Lore!

photo by ana traina

Labyrinths are an important part of many cultural heritages and mythologies. Unicursal labyrinths — a labyrinth which consists of a path which twists and turns, but which has no dead ends — can be found as rock paintings dating back thousands of years, while the earliest coin found in the world has on its face a labyrinth. Mazes also form a rich part of our history (mazes differ from labyrinths in that they do have dead ends; a person will get lost within a maze but never within a labyrinth), and both have influenced garden design and structure within western culture for at least a thousand years. 

The very idea of labyrinths and mazes offer the curious a means to become lost, and then find oneself again. They suggest danger lurking behind every twist and turn, and redemption for the true and brave of heart. They represent blindness and light, temptation and chaos, and satisfaction and serenity for those who brave the perils of the unknown, and who win though.

During the medieval period garden labyrinths became very much associated with love — they were, after all, the perfect place for secret dalliances. According to legend, Henry II built a labyrinth in his garden at Woodstock to hide his mistress Rosamund from his jealous wife, Eleanor of Acquitaine – the original 'summerhouse of sin'.

May-pole dances reflect the labyrinth and the unwinding into life and birth again — May dances being not only danced versions of the labyrinth, but also a spring rite.

photo by ana traina

A Bit of Odd and End ~ As a child you may have played hopscotch, or you may even have played, avoid the cracks in the pavement. Well, you were playing the ancient labyrinthine Game of Troy — without evening knowing it, you were avoiding the monster in the dark heart of the labyrinth! Both the game and the superstition date from thousands of years in our past — they are games of lines, of not crossing lines, and of avoiding the evil that lurks for the unwary.

Wally's Engine!

a film by ana traina

Ingenuity, plus courage, plus work, equals miracles. ~Bob Richard~

Let them Splash Water!

photo by ana traina

The Queen of Hungary's water may have been used as a face and hand wash, as a rubbing alcohol for palsied or 'withered limbs' and/or even consumed. The  Household Cyclopedia, a nineteenth century source that claims to quote the original recipe, calls for a glassful a day, half to be drunk and half to be rubbed on the affected part. (Some who have made and tried making a Hungary Water cordial, say it tastes, as you would imagine, like perfume. However, many period and near-period mead recipes call for rosemary as one of the spicey ingredients.)

Certain post-period books, such as the Household Cyclopedia (circa 1880), give recipes for Hungary Water that are simple rosemary water, which the English distilling treatises do mention, but not by the name 'Hungary Water'.
Original Receipt for Hungary Water.

The original receipt for preparing this invaluable lotion is written in letters of gold in the hand-writing of Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary. Take of aqua vitae, four times distilled, 3 parts, the tops and flowers of rosemary, 2 parts. To be put together in a close-stopped vessel, And allowed to stand in a warm place during 50 hours, then to be distilled in an alembic, and of this, once every week, 1 dr. to be taken in the morning,either in the food or drink, and every morning the face and the diseased limb to be washed with it.

An excerpted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbs for Natural Beauty, by Rosemary Gladstar. Copyright (c) 1999 by Rosemary Gladstar.


I think in some ways it is one of the world’s finest cosmetic formulas. It combines gentle, common herbs in a masterful way; it’s easy and inexpensive to make,
and very versatile. The Gypsies claimed it was good as a hair rinse, mouthwash, headache remedy, aftershave, foot bath, and who knows what else! I have seen this same formula bottled in exotic little bottles and sold in expensive department stores for a fancy price. You can make it for the cost of a few herbs and a bottle of vinegar.

Queen of Hungary’s Water Recipe:

6 parts lemon balm 
4 parts chamomile 
1 part rosemary 
3 parts calendula 
4 parts roses 
1 part lemon peel 
1 part sage 
3 parts comfrey leaf 
vinegar to cover (apple cider or wine vinegar) rose or witch hazel extract 
essential oil of lavender or rose (optional)

1. Place all herbs in a widemouthed jar. Add enough vinegar to come about an inch or two above the herb mixture. Cover tightly and let sit in a warm spot for two to three weeks.

2. Strain. Reserve the liquid. To each cup of herbal vinegar add 1/2 – 1 cup of rose water or witch hazel. Add a drop or two of essential oil, if desired. Rebottle. This product does not need to be refrigerated and will stay preserved indefinitely.

Introducing Iggy Pepper, the Wanderer...

photo by ana traina

Who will co-star in the stop-motion animated film, "The Romantic Fiction of Maude Green," produced by a Funny Bunny Picture, written and directed by Ana Traina.  Iggy will play himself of course, a simple but wanderlustful man, from here and there, so he says.  He travels a never-ending road, leaving a string of broken hearts trailing behind him, to look for something...well, more.

“They miss the whisper that runs any day in your mind, "Who are you really, wanderer?" and the answer you have to give no matter how dark and cold the world around you is: "Maybe I'm a king.” ~William Stafford~

Always keep your eyes peeled for the Unusual!

photo by ana traina

Because...

You never know when your going to bump in to a troll, brownie, spunkie or even the few and far between, dragon-sprite. This little draconian imp that I was lucky enough to  catch on film was in Whole Foods, just hanging out with all of the ho-hum-drum-ordinar-ishy orchids. 

The Water Sprite. 

(By justinus Kerner.) 

It was in the balmy glow of May, 

The maidens of Tubingen danced so gay. 

They danced, and danced right merrily. 

In the verdant vale, round the linden tree. 

A youthful stranger, proudly arrayed. 

Soon bent his steps to the fairest maid. 

To the jocund dance the maid he led, 

A sea-green wreath he placed on her head : 

"Fair youth, O wherefore so cold thy arm ?" 

In the depths of the Neckar it is not warm. 

"Fair youth, O why is thy hand so white?" 

The wave is ne'er pierced by the sun's bright light. 

With the maiden he dances far from the tree. 

"O youth, let me go, my mother hails me ! " 

He danced with her to the Neckar' s shore, 

She tremblingly cried, " O youth, no more ! " 

He flung his arms round the maid, and cried, 

"Fair maiden, thou art the water-sprite's bride!" 

He danced with her down into the wave. 

"O save me, dear father; O mother, save!" 

To a crystal hall he conducted the maid, 

"Farewell, ye sisters, in the green glade !" 

The Lilac Thief!

photo by ana traina

When I was a little girl, I lived across the street from a spooky, paint-chipped, white clapboard house that was half hidden by great lilac bushes. An elderly, nameless lady lived there, and was rarely ever seen. Although, she had soft features, her hair was a wild, wiry, salt and pepper mess which somehow magically sat a top her head! To me this was a dead give away...yes, indeedie, I had made up my mind! She most definitely was a witch. I tell you all this so you will see just how much courage it took me when I tell you my sordid tale. I love lilacs! They were my favorite flower back then, and still are today. 

Well, on this one particularly warm spring day that I am remembering, the exotic scent of the nameless lady’s lilacs overtook me. I had to have one. I checked my road, I looked up it and I looked down it...there was not a soul in sight.  Dizzy with my plan, I stole across the street and tried to pick a lilac. Well, not such an easy task as lilac wood does not snap so easily, but I was almost there when a cold and boney hand touched my shoulder. “Why you little thief!” My shame rose like hot beets to my already rosy cheeks. “Get away from my lilacs! Don’t you know that you are killing them!” Full of shame and humiliation I slipped out of her grip and ran. Too guilt-ridden to go home, I headed for the little patch of woods just around the corner. There I sat on the fallen ‘moontree’ log, punishing myself for being such a naughty little girl till the sun was setting. It wasn’t until several weeks later that I mustered up the courage to go knock on the old crones door and ask for forgiveness. When she answered, I couldn’t utter a sound, I just handed her a note that I had written just in case I couldn’t speak. I stood there in all my scarlet shame as she read it. Then without a word she grabbed a shovel from the bucket that sat by her doorway and pushed by me. To my amazement she started to dig up a wayward sucker. When she was done she handed it to me, and instructed me in it’s care. I was so overjoyed that I hugged this strange and now, to me, beautiful woman, whether witch or not, and then scampered back to my 1 by 2 foot pet cemetery (where laid to rest was Charlie, my pet turtle, Tweetie my pet parakeet and Mimi, the pet guppy) and I planted it, watered it and loved it... I never got to see it bloom because soon after that we moved away...but somehow after all these years that little sucker of lilac has been growing.  My own spooky clapboard house is surrounded with lilac bushes and I can’t help but think that a seed from this woman, this good witch, I am now convinced, who lived across the street when I was so young, cast an enchanted spell that has traveled with me. I look forward to the day a little lilac thief, like I, comes to my door. For the lilac bush must always be shared.   

The Lilac Syringa vulgaris

The word Syringa is derived from the Greek “syrinx” referring to a tube or any long cylinder shaped object. The individual flower resembles a long tube. The word lilac is an old English word derived from the Arabic “laylak” and Persian “milak” meaning blue. In the language of flowers lilacs symbolizes memory and humility. White lilacs symbolize innocence.

photo by ana traina

A recipe for Lilac Crepes:

Ingredients:

4 eggs

1-1/2 cups milk

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

Softened butter


CREAM FILLING:

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups half-and-half cream

4 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash ground nutmeg

1 cup individual lilac blossoms, stems removed


SYRUP:

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 cup water

1-1/2 cup individual lilac blossoms, stems removed

1 to 2 tablespoons fresh or frozen blueberries


Directions:

In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar and salt. Add flour; beat until smooth. Melt 1 teaspoon butter in an 8-in. nonstick skillet. Pour 2 tablespoons bater into center of skillet; lift and turn pan to cover bottom. Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other side. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, adding butter to skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.

For filling, combine sugar and flour in a heavy saucepan; stir in cream until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Stir 1/2 cup hot mixture into eggs; return all to pan. Cook and stir over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly (do not boil). Stir in butter, vanilla and nutmeg. Cool for 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate. Fold lilacs into filling just before assembling crepes.

For syrup, combine sugar, cornstarch and water in a saucepan until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Add lilacs and blueberries; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Strain syrup, discarding lilacs and blueberries (do not press flowers or fruit. Spoon syrup onto plates. Fill crepes with cream filling; roll up. Place crepes over syrup. Garnish with Candied Lilacs. Yield: 16 crepes.

Dreaming of Sweet Peas!

photo by ana traina

As the snow gently falls on this second day of spring, here in East Chatham, I find myself daydreaming about Sweet peas... Lathyrus odoratus - Family: Leguminosae - Common Names: Queen of Annuals - Sweet peas derive their name from the Greek word, lathyros for pea or pulse, and the Latin word odoratus means fragrant.

Its name has been used as a term of endearment, and not just by Popeye and Olive Oyl. These darling little blossoms are beloved by just about everyone. Sweet peas were an absolute crowd-pleaser in the late 1800s, they are considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England and are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. The sweet pea were originally grown in the fields of Sicily and southern Italy. Its ancestry can be traced back to the C17th when it's richly colored but relatively small flowers possessed a powerful and attractive fragrance.

The history of the sweet pea maintains that a Sicilian monk named Franciscus Cupani sent the sweet pea seeds to England in the 17th century. The current day sweet pea does not look like the original. A Scottish man named Harry Eckford, cross-bred and developed the sweet pea, turning it from a rather insignificant, if sweetly scented flower, into the floral sensation! 

The language of flowers associates the following meanings with sweet peas: blissful pleasure, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time.

BITS OF ODDS AND ENDS: According to superstition, seeds sown before sunrise on Saint Patrick's day will have larger and more fragrant blossoms. The name sweet pea is believed to have first been used by the poet Keats (1795-1821). Sweet pea flowers naturally self pollinate while still in bud. They are not edible and they come in a large range of colors, but not yellow. Although no genuine sweet pea oil exists, you can create your own by combining Neroli, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, and Benzoin...used for friendship, love, courage!

The Fine Art of Blade Making!

photo by ana traina

Just this Christmas past we received such a rare and priceless gift, a handcrafted kitchen knife with a beautiful applewood handle from Daniel Newsome. I thought that this would make a wonderful zingerlicious-tale...under the category of hus·bandry (huz′bən drē)-- a noun meaning --

1. ARCHAIC management of domestic affairs, resources, etc.

2. careful, thrifty management; thrift; frugality

3. the science or art of farming

Now, old crafts are haunted by superstition, and cutlery-making is no exception. Some of its customs are benign and enduring, some are not. Hear are just a few:

• A knife as a gift from a lover means that the love will soon end.

• A knife placed under the bed during childbirth will ease the pain of labor.

• If a friend gives you a knife, you should give him a coin, or your friendship will soon be broken.

• It will cause a quarrel if knives are crossed at the table.

• It is bad luck to close a pocketknife unless you were the one who opened it.

• Unless they are immediately straightened, crossed knives on a countertop or table indicate that an argument will ensue.

• In previous centuries a knife was a very personal possession, carried at all times by its owner and used for hunting and work as well as cutting food.

• A steel knife was regarded as being protection against fairies and curses.

• A house could be protected by a knife being thrust into the door.

• A baby protected by a knife stuck into the headboard of its cradle (certainly not a a good idea to practice now!)

• A knife could also be thrust into the mast of a boat for luck, although the word 'knife' was never spoken at sea.

• A knife falling to the ground means the arrival of a male visitor.

• A knife with a white handle could be used to divine whether the enquirer's future spouse would be fair or dark. The knife was spun round, and if it came to rest with the handle pointing towards the enquirer, the spouse would be fair; if the blade pointed at them, the spouse would be dark.

Now, I know that Daniel is a very positive gift-giver and didn't mean anything ill-will by giving us the knife as a gift... so, I will just counter any bad luck by following the old wive’s tale mentioned above and remembering to give Daniel a coin or two!!  This will make the gift a real bargain!  Daniel if you are reading this, I owe you.

BITS OF ODDS AND ENDS: The knife plays an important role in some initiation rites and many cultures perform rituals with a variety of knives, including the ceremonial sacrifices of animals. Samurai warriors, as part of bushido (the way of the warrior)  could perform ritual suicide, or seppuku, with a tanto, a common Japanese knife.  An athame, a ceremonial black-handled knife, is used in Wicca and derived forms of neopagan witchcraft.  In Greece, a black-handled knife placed under the pillow is used to keep away nightmares.  As early as 1646 reference is made to a superstition of laying a knife across another piece of cutlery being a sign of witchcraft. 

A Pictorial Manly Diary - Double Trouble- by Christopher Dinerman!

photo by Christopher Dinerman

It's double the giggles and double the grins, and double the trouble if you're blessed with twins.  ~Author Unknown ~

photo by Christopher Dinerman

Can it be, that the Greek grammarians invented their dual number for the particular benefit of twins?  ~Herman Melville, Redburn. His First Voyage, 1849

MayMay!

drawing by ana traina

Dearest MayMay spinning Spring,

See how she loves all the living things.

She spins the sky such a marvelous French blue,

Yes, I have heard it said, and I believe it’s true. 

With each spin that is spun, a fairy’s wish she hath done!

A Bit of Lost and Found Art!

photo by ana traina

I have always been inspired by great Street art!  Street Art is any art  developed in public spaces — that is, "in the streets" — though the term usually refers to unsanctioned art, as opposed to government sponsored initiatives. The term can include traditional  graffiti  artwork, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting, and street poster art, video projection,  guerrilla art, flash mobbing,  and street installations. Typically, the term street art or the more specific post-graffiti is used to distinguish contemporary public-space artwork from territorial graffiti, vandalism, and corporate art.

Artists have challenged art by situating it in non-art contexts. ‘Street’ artists do not aspire to change the definition of an artwork, but rather to question the existing environment with its own language. They attempt to have their work communicate with everyday people about socially relevant themes in ways that are informed by esthetic values without being imprisoned by them. Here are just a few examples that I have happened upon in my wanderings.

photo by ana traina

Why stop dreaming when you wake up? -R

Photo by ana traina

The Light Will Always Be On For You and Very Pink in the Dark -Author Unknown

photo by ana traina

And the song goes on...

Fear Not, the Ides of March!

photo by ana traina

"Beware the ides of March"

The ides of March... Today. Julius Caesar's unlucky day...

"Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: What man is that?

BRUTUS: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: Set him before me; let me see his face.

CASSIUS: Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.

CAESAR: What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.

Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass."

The soothsayer's warning to Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March," has forever imbued that date with a sense of trembles and shutters. However, in Roman times the expression "Ides of March" did not necessarily evoke a dark mood—it was simply the standard way of saying "March 15." Surely such a fanciful expression must signify something more than another day of the year? Not so. 

The term Ides comes from the earliest Roman calendar, which is said to have been devised by Romulus, the mythical founder of Rome. Whether it was Romulus or not, the inventor of this calendar had a penchant for complexity. The Roman calendar organized its months around three days, each of which served as a reference point for counting the other days:

• Kalends (1st day of the month)

• Nones (the 7th day in March, May, July, and October; the 5th in the other months)

• Ides (the 15th day in March, May, July, and October; the 13th in the other months)

The remaining, unnamed days of the month were identified by counting backwards from the Kalends, Nones, or the Ides. For example, March 3 would be V Nones—5 days before the Nones (the Roman method of counting days was inclusive; in other words, the Nones would be counted as one of the 5 days).

Herbal Bath Salts for Protection

The protective baths help keep the bather safe from negativity and evil. Combining the cleansing nature of bathing with the protective nature of herbs gives you the added boost of protection needed to avoid unnecessary tensions and negativity on this wary day.  The following is a list of herbs and such that you will need...

Mortar and pestle

bowl made from natural material (ie: wood)

1/8 cup sea salt

1/4 cup nettle

1/4 cup cinnamon

1/4 cup vervain

 1/4 cup Borage

glass jar with lid

Now, Use the mortar and pestle, grind the sea salts, nettle, cinnamon, borage and vervain individually. As you grind each place it in a wooden bowl. Once you have finished grinding each ingredient, and have placed it in the bowl, mix the herbs and salt together by hand. As you mix them together imbue them with protective and positive energies.  Envision a white, protective light that will encircle you. After you have mixed the herbs and salts, place them in the glass jar and affix the lid. 

Last bit of Odds and Ends: Wearing Rue fresh or dried in an amulet or on your lapel can protect you from illness. Also, hanging a bunch of Dill over a child’s bed can protect them from evil fairies.

Hooray for National Potatoe Day!

illustration by samuel armstrong

“The Potatoes’ Dance (A Poem Game)” by Vachel Lindsay and it was illustrated by Samuel Armstrong. He was one of the artists for Disney’s Fantasia and worked there as an illustrator but he is best known for his cover work on Sunset magazine. 

The Potatoes' Dance 

(A Poem Game)

Don't you want to dance to this poem? You should see Mr. Lindsay, who wrote it, dance as he recites. It is great fun. Can you make your arms and legs look stiff like matches?  

        I 

"DOWN cellar," said the cricket, 
"Down cellar," said the cricket, 
"Down cellar,'" said the cricket, 
"I saw a ball last night, 
In honor of a lady, 
In honor of a lady, 
In honor of a lady, 
Whose wings were pearly white. 
The breath of bitter weather, 
The breath of bitter weather, 
The breath of bitter weather, 
Had smashed the cellar pane. 
We entertained a drift of leaves, 
We entertained a drift of leaves, 
We entertained a drift of leaves, 
And then of snow and rain. 
But we were dressed for winter, 
But we were dressed for winter, 
But we were dressed for winter, 
And loved to hear it blow 
In honor of the lady, 
In honor of the lady, 
In honor of the lady, 
Who makes potatoes grow, 
Our guest the Irish lady, 
The tiny Irish lady, 
The airy Irish lady, 
Who makes potatoes grow. 
      II
 
"Potatoes were the waiters, 
Potatoes were the waiters, 
Potatoes were the waiters, 
Potatoes were the band, 
Potatoes were the dancers 
Kicking up the sand, 
Kicking up the sand, 
Kicking up the sand, 
Potatoes were the dancers 
Kicking up the sand. 
Their legs were old burnt matches, 
Their legs were old burnt matches, 
Their legs were old burnt matches, 
Their arms were just the same. 
They jigged and whirled and scrambled, 
Jigged and whirled and scrambled, 
Jigged and whirled and scrambled, 
In honor of the dame, 
The noble Irish lady 
Who makes potatoes dance; 
The witty Irish lady, 
The saucy Irish lady, 
The laughing Irish lady 
Who makes potatoes prance. 
       Ill 
"There was just one sweet potato. 
He was golden brown and slim. 
The lady loved his dancing, 
The lady loved his dancing, 
The lady loved his dancing, 
She danced all night with him, 
She danced all night with him. 
Alas, he wasn't Irish. 
So when she flew away, 
They threw him in the coal bin, 
And there he is to-day, 
Where they cannot hear his sighs 
And his weeping for the lady, 
The glorious Irish lady, 
The beauteous Irish lady, 
Who Gives Potatoes Eyes."  

Bits of Odds and Ends about Potatoes

• The potato is more universally grown than any other food crop.

• At one time, the Scots refused to eat potatoes. Why? Because potatoes weren't mentioned in the Bible!

• The Incas used the potato to treat injuries. They also thought it made childbirth easier.

• Potatoes were often eaten aboard ship to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.

• Louis XVI of France wore potato flowers in his buttonhole to stimulate interest in the plant.

• In the late 1500s, the Spanish thought potatoes were a kind of a truffle; they called them "tartuffo."

• Eighteenth-century agronomist Antoine-Auguste Parmentier used reverse psychology to convince the French to accept the potato as a safe food. He posted guards around potato fields during the day to prevent people from stealing them—but he left those same fields unguarded at night. Every night, thieves would sneak into the fields and leave with sacks of potatoes.

Manly Diary #378 The High Seas or A Marshmallow Memory!

thomas marin and liam cohen 

March.  A month that can lay you flat into the distant horizon or cuddle you with the hope of spring eternal.   Two mates of mine, here on the Nantucket Isle before setting sail onto the great ocean journey that will feel like it will have been most of their lives.  So young, so illustrious.  They sit here before a great fire, a last meal to their like graced their tender stomachs with the normal jitters we all feel right before leaving home.  Sure, the excitement of the journey fills our minds with such imaginings of what could come,  but along with that comes a heart sick with loneliness for the times lost already.  The people lost for what seems to be an eternity, the family... the searing eyes of the young (do I betray thee?), stoic tears of your love all staring at you as you walk the garden path down from the house to the street that takes us on.  One last look back as the dog comes running to ye.  Stopped and needing to turn once more, man's best friend jumps up and barks.  "Don't leave", he says.   "Who will walk with me tomorro' morn'.  And who will I awake from the bed when I need to go out in the middle of the night!  Please don't go!"  And so I pet him,  heartily, and send him along.  I look up, feeling the worst of it now.  For it is then that the picture becomes crystal clear.  I want to run back up the lane hold my love and tell her never again.  Never again.  But I know this can not be, and so I look and as a tear falls down my face I turn so no one sees and on I go.  March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  On sea, in search of the great Leviathan...  all is the lion.   Yet, as I look back on this moment in time with my two mates.  I am reminded of the beauty that is created at home.  Home.  I dream of the day I return so I can sit by a fire, like this, and roast a fine marshmallow and have that slowly melt in my mouth.   Home.  There really isn't anything like it.  

Master Marshmallow Roaster Seth Rosenfeld says...

Walk the Dog
Skin the Cat
Roll the Dice

All specific ways of Roasting the Marshmallow and if successful leads to the high ranking of 5th degree Black Belt in Marshmallow Lore.  Only the proud, the few and the most firey are capable.

Do not Try without supervision!

The Witch Hazel of Central Park!

photo by ana traina

American Witch Hazel posses some interesting lore and uses. The most interesting use as been the use of forked limbs as dowsing or divining rods. Early European settles observed Native Americans using American witch hazel to find underground sources of water. This activity is probably where the common name Witch Hazel came from. “Wicke” is the Middle English for “lively’ and “wych” is from the Anglo-Saxon word for “bend.” American Witch Hazel was probably called a Wicke Hazel by early white settlers because the dowsing end of the forked branch would bend when underground water when detected by the dowser. This practice had a widespread use by American settlers and then exported back to Europe. Dowsing became an established feature of well-digging into the 20th century.

Witch Hazel has many healing and practical uses. It has been used in hair tonics and aftershaves. It prevents wounds from becoming infected, works as an astringent to constrict tissues and stop bleeding, and soothes windburns and sunburns. It also chases away mosquitoes, relieves swelling and aching muscles, and works specifically to treat diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.

Belle Water Recipe
1 egg white
1 T honey
1 1/2 tsp witch hazel
2 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops thyme essential oil
Mix together all ingredients. Place in a clean container and keep in the refrigerator. At night before retiring, pour a tsp., on cotton ball and rub over face and neck, letting it dry. If desired, in the morning, an hour before bathing, repeat the operation, also letting the liquid dry. Regular use of this preparation for four weeks will give the skin an extraordinary beauty and freshness.

BITS OF ODDS AND ENDS: Witch Hazel also works wonders for tired eyes - soak cotton pads and place on eyes for 15 minutes and your tired red eyes will disappear and your sparkle will return... Salons do scalp treatments but if you can't afford one, try this... Thoroughly brush the hair and scalp from front to back. This loosens the dry skin that accumulates on the scalp. Then apply Witch Hazel all over the scalp and massage well for a few minutes. Leave on it for five minutes and shampoo and condition using cooler water than you usually use.

Modern witches consider Witch Hazel a magical herb and use it to guard against evil influences and to heal broken hearts. Its bark and leaves are also used as astringents in herbal healing baths. Dowsers or water witches use the forked branches of witch hazel to find subterranean water, lost items, or hidden treasures beneath the earth.