tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15648523065677520312024-02-20T22:33:32.140-08:00NOCTURNE IN G MAJORNocturne: 1.(noun) nocturne, notturno, a pensive lyrical piece of music (especially for the piano) 2.(noun) nocturne, a night piece, or serenade. The name is now used for a certain graceful and expressive form of instrumental composition, as the nocturne for orchestra in Mendelsohn's "Midsummer-Night's Dream" music.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-42531327533165375812016-12-21T08:01:00.002-08:002016-12-21T18:20:21.395-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas...Victorian Style (Minus The Lovely Fireplace and Mulled Wine!)</span><br />
<br />
When most of us think of the term "Victorian Christmas", images of
Alastair Sim portraying Ebeneezer Scrooge spring to mind, replete with
the accompanying candlelight, tinkling bells, holly flourishes and top-hatted carolers. But, apparently, Victorians weren't all about
the holly, as the following (really weird) Victorian Christmas cards
show1 Enjoy...and, of course....have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh621C36pcK_rtO5UTzjx4xfnSm6kUx7ulPV9ubbct5c_e_12Dm_JZW7xZcv_5c1QwRYeuAFTteZwKnyhM8ZKgKVUZW9h10hkFU0QbewaOt6srdOF12Tko1X7ihwOFoazVen4Kk4JA7X6c/s1600/victorianxmas03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh621C36pcK_rtO5UTzjx4xfnSm6kUx7ulPV9ubbct5c_e_12Dm_JZW7xZcv_5c1QwRYeuAFTteZwKnyhM8ZKgKVUZW9h10hkFU0QbewaOt6srdOF12Tko1X7ihwOFoazVen4Kk4JA7X6c/s320/victorianxmas03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Nothing says "festive Christmas" like a frog and cockroach dancing in the moonlight...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90QQNvBCcTxTg4qEkQUGskEyfen8ckXlroaGveuerZx0YhfBeqlVvAmNYIgNsO-tGFniAZvvVxvzcxofbhyoL-87NbO7qPPBVdnbHmejs3oSNlZro7sxjIJl6AfGBad8CWVo8fduch9U/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90QQNvBCcTxTg4qEkQUGskEyfen8ckXlroaGveuerZx0YhfBeqlVvAmNYIgNsO-tGFniAZvvVxvzcxofbhyoL-87NbO7qPPBVdnbHmejs3oSNlZro7sxjIJl6AfGBad8CWVo8fduch9U/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rat (or mouse) carrying a Christmas list written in French while riding a boiled lobster! Yes! Christmas!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJiRrMqNXdBeW3QukoHP9bO4O0tL0EO8yXJ5Lun3XFJQPIvnC_8RogiZxgJtqVk9EpGx7NkCgMlF6yEzAYIPIUsNybFA_y9e2QxtPCK4bXKv5LZ8mBcVhKizfoBEProgpfqIuKK98i7s/s1600/victorianxmas19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJiRrMqNXdBeW3QukoHP9bO4O0tL0EO8yXJ5Lun3XFJQPIvnC_8RogiZxgJtqVk9EpGx7NkCgMlF6yEzAYIPIUsNybFA_y9e2QxtPCK4bXKv5LZ8mBcVhKizfoBEProgpfqIuKK98i7s/s320/victorianxmas19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frogicide! For the holidays! But for the paltry sum of $2,000? Well, it was Victorian times, after all. A pound went a lot farther back then!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyelNLKvEfRYsXQV0K906puQiZ02u9ggZbh8g4Tkj6bZOBMrs2sqfHxTqWEaJvhNGOuAFA7Ax9-1JjW_Jg3ouHzzymRhtivEn8sFKjOE9zf6r0GrusqMNEXrCiWwqf7utpK5vtpIGy6U/s1600/deadbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyelNLKvEfRYsXQV0K906puQiZ02u9ggZbh8g4Tkj6bZOBMrs2sqfHxTqWEaJvhNGOuAFA7Ax9-1JjW_Jg3ouHzzymRhtivEn8sFKjOE9zf6r0GrusqMNEXrCiWwqf7utpK5vtpIGy6U/s320/deadbird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSX7ZDL0FJQ/WFqkTR8fn4I/AAAAAAAASpc/JOnKypgU2gsXXpeoXl4SWYPLSwmzFp2WACEw/s1600/dead%2Bbird%2BVictorian%2Bcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSX7ZDL0FJQ/WFqkTR8fn4I/AAAAAAAASpc/JOnKypgU2gsXXpeoXl4SWYPLSwmzFp2WACEw/s320/dead%2Bbird%2BVictorian%2Bcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the thirteenth day of Christmas...for no discernible reason whatsoever...my true love left two dead birds in my front yard! Thank you, true love! Guess there weren't any live partridges in the pear tree this year!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW6YUImrdKMen_IfddwwrJNLdy_CxOni12M6jLgHLbJZU8aSZ5cMPvCQyhzSc0K_fv36E0qKaQw5jrFyrEwZ2v_1BH2eeTSJT8cXIjcNDZAnKedEdvYLcnGNddMZJsAfVj01w3zdfoKc/s1600/piegirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW6YUImrdKMen_IfddwwrJNLdy_CxOni12M6jLgHLbJZU8aSZ5cMPvCQyhzSc0K_fv36E0qKaQw5jrFyrEwZ2v_1BH2eeTSJT8cXIjcNDZAnKedEdvYLcnGNddMZJsAfVj01w3zdfoKc/s320/piegirl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, all I have to say about this one is...at least she's in a pie! Could be worse. Unless, of course, it's a kidney pie. Imagine the trauma! </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, anyway...that's it for our little tribute to Victorian Christmas cards. Check in with us again on on New Year's week. Those crazy Victorians had a dark side that you have to see to believe...!!!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-60783481193999155272016-05-16T14:00:00.001-07:002016-05-16T14:00:44.148-07:00THE SHALLOWS: FELIX VERSUS THE KIT CAT CLOCK<a href="http://greta-theshallows.blogspot.com/2013/03/felix-versus-kit-cat-clock.html?spref=bl">THE SHALLOWS: FELIX VERSUS THE KIT CAT CLOCK</a>: I don't know if you've ever had your uterus removed, either for fun or medical reasons, but let me tell you one thing about...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-20614310422786431492016-02-25T09:57:00.001-08:002016-02-25T09:57:48.896-08:00THE SHALLOWS: DON'T EAT ANOTHER PEEP UNTIL YOU READ THIS POST (...<a href="http://greta-theshallows.blogspot.com/2013/03/dont-eat-peepuntil-you-read-this-post.html?spref=bl">THE SHALLOWS: DON'T EAT ANOTHER PEEP UNTIL YOU READ THIS POST (...</a>: Marshmallow Peeps. You know 'em, and if you have any sense at all, you loathe them with every fiber of your being. What am I tal...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-29469752419843936922015-12-21T15:07:00.001-08:002015-12-21T15:07:41.545-08:00Homo History: Cary Grant and Randolph Scott: A Gay Hollywood Romance.<a href="http://www.homohistory.com/2013/07/cary-grant-and-randolph-scott-hollywood.html">Homo History: Cary Grant and Randolph Scott: A Gay Hollywood Romance.</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-3667046772729580462015-02-19T02:05:00.001-08:002015-02-19T02:05:47.266-08:00THE SHALLOWS: DON'T EAT ANOTHER PEEP UNTIL YOU READ THIS POST (...<a href="http://greta-theshallows.blogspot.com/2013/03/dont-eat-peepuntil-you-read-this-post.html?spref=bl">THE SHALLOWS: DON'T EAT ANOTHER PEEP UNTIL YOU READ THIS POST (...</a>: Marshmallow Peeps. You know 'em, and if you have any sense at all, you loathe them with every fiber of your being. What am I tal...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-39564485425673273202014-05-30T11:45:00.001-07:002014-05-30T11:45:30.165-07:00WE ARE EDGING TOWARD A COMEBACK....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJqh83De867X_gQgeAXylGpZGHzVLfwvUMzDAtu9-PvZ3bsl_2mB299wz1cCy2kbOTgF64OWuzubnKITKAJ0gvpvVT3RHXXqKzgNj4CqqCVm8woBGg8Kdeb7td4zYwaZJy0yFevWdtWA/s1600/angelic_anne_boleyn-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJqh83De867X_gQgeAXylGpZGHzVLfwvUMzDAtu9-PvZ3bsl_2mB299wz1cCy2kbOTgF64OWuzubnKITKAJ0gvpvVT3RHXXqKzgNj4CqqCVm8woBGg8Kdeb7td4zYwaZJy0yFevWdtWA/s1600/angelic_anne_boleyn-300x300.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yep, it's
been a while. A whole year, in fact. Heartbreak and the ensuing
depression have kept this formerly passionate blogger silent all this
time. But guess what? I'm getting ready to make a comeback. I'll be
taking it slowly at first, but just give me some time and I'll do my
best to make it worth your while. In the interim, I want to thank all
those who have continued to visit this blog and read my old posts. Thank
you! I'll be posting again soon. So, let's keep in touch, okay?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2cz2dlTSEV8bnhNEdFQkHz4xyDXJ-fPRKWVv0ZB8omjkFjHY9ApZqn464kw6eAsi_HhoSTGztP55vu_BQdzb6q_0TQ5wwn8P63TIWJWwsdQlt0f6q8GwCP4csiviSFNvGzP4rcun2Q0/s1600/roanoke+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2cz2dlTSEV8bnhNEdFQkHz4xyDXJ-fPRKWVv0ZB8omjkFjHY9ApZqn464kw6eAsi_HhoSTGztP55vu_BQdzb6q_0TQ5wwn8P63TIWJWwsdQlt0f6q8GwCP4csiviSFNvGzP4rcun2Q0/s1600/roanoke+3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-75516893233217559322013-04-06T16:50:00.001-07:002013-04-06T16:50:06.831-07:00GOOD BYE FROM A BROKEN HEART<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onizjATY_-c/UWC0Cv6k6jI/AAAAAAAAN0k/bQfUK-SXXfI/s1600/533943_10151373578306818_1388701790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onizjATY_-c/UWC0Cv6k6jI/AAAAAAAAN0k/bQfUK-SXXfI/s320/533943_10151373578306818_1388701790_n.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
This will be the last post I'll be making for a while. In the midst of recovering from cancer surgery, my heart has been unexpectedly broken and I just haven't the energy to continue with this blog at the moment. I apologize for not having made my "Happy Birthday, Aries!" post as promised, but this Aries is neither happy nor concerned with birthdays right now. Thanks for reading my posts. Continue visiting to read old ones if you like. But I will be taking time off from active posting for as long as it takes to feel like I have anything worth saying again.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBYQkUzfOUU/UWC0OfSvyYI/AAAAAAAAN0s/74akG2jxXb8/s1600/7923649400_21ce155cc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBYQkUzfOUU/UWC0OfSvyYI/AAAAAAAAN0s/74akG2jxXb8/s320/7923649400_21ce155cc4.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Good night.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-6107737182766179582013-03-28T17:11:00.003-07:002013-03-28T17:38:16.914-07:00VICTORIAN EASTER: BICYCLING BUNNIES AND BODACIOUS BONNETS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, it looks as though we're feeling up to doing a little Easter post after all. Just a brief one, mind you, but heartfelt nonetheless. And as our dual subject we have chosen...Victorian Easter cards and a few Easter bonnets that we stumbled across and felt it worthwhile to share.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6YgbmfSx-0_nk4g0g3CvSCDanZOe5lBxyZRPIE3nAQ8AlD8XCFhEqEfJoINanvNeEAuSP0LPrBhqHRgSXvl6gmZmga6nX5BhKfVEHBxxAPLko46LPaTt0-BQrgnJrN-EAFfCJBGpJ5k/s1600/chicks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6YgbmfSx-0_nk4g0g3CvSCDanZOe5lBxyZRPIE3nAQ8AlD8XCFhEqEfJoINanvNeEAuSP0LPrBhqHRgSXvl6gmZmga6nX5BhKfVEHBxxAPLko46LPaTt0-BQrgnJrN-EAFfCJBGpJ5k/s320/chicks.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
In Victorian times, as now, chicks and bunnies were a popular Easter theme....<i>preferably</i> chicks and bunnies engaging in human activities, such as riding bicycles, pulling carts, showing off the latest dance steps, and flying blimps (oh, how daring of them!). Take a gander at some more examples of Victorian Easter anthropomorphic animal behavior.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESKJ5zLtLEY/UVTQwCCmUaI/AAAAAAAANlM/cwyrcuABX3c/s1600/ro.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESKJ5zLtLEY/UVTQwCCmUaI/AAAAAAAANlM/cwyrcuABX3c/s320/ro.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpuBZwMoD7Y/UVTQ8tZpj3I/AAAAAAAANlU/07_Sas9f9K8/s1600/rabbits.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpuBZwMoD7Y/UVTQ8tZpj3I/AAAAAAAANlU/07_Sas9f9K8/s320/rabbits.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uUS3NVns94xYS5_VN-VsBJPJRsxNVcTQKad3BUGarFMbvJdOUOZzkRQxBaOeDB0TJK3YEV42h0EcwviC1i5EgDFNJorNHdppZTH1VVwXOwjZxDCS2a0vuAD9vEfuNSeNFVNqT_4BICA/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uUS3NVns94xYS5_VN-VsBJPJRsxNVcTQKad3BUGarFMbvJdOUOZzkRQxBaOeDB0TJK3YEV42h0EcwviC1i5EgDFNJorNHdppZTH1VVwXOwjZxDCS2a0vuAD9vEfuNSeNFVNqT_4BICA/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kV8g7mV4RVIFyhd2zZp2_MI7KNWIqWqP3Tw0cLBP4jawtmwTfSP8jQYzpBK6-JUFkMRxsJi4Rjlhulw4UrBMJLNJjof6yX3ByKpOzFt1cJ9wsHL-8eQv6t71Mj7UjSz3aB4_7V2ZrtI/s1600/ra8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kV8g7mV4RVIFyhd2zZp2_MI7KNWIqWqP3Tw0cLBP4jawtmwTfSP8jQYzpBK6-JUFkMRxsJi4Rjlhulw4UrBMJLNJjof6yX3ByKpOzFt1cJ9wsHL-8eQv6t71Mj7UjSz3aB4_7V2ZrtI/s320/ra8.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We have no problem at all with any of the cards shown above. But we are a <i>little</i> concerned about the one below.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFEsXcKzMroDFcN44lt-aUZ-yVdmCqsBn1E2CKfTe9K1QWIQttTXR8R7LjaJTaMdpwjHrZJa2_5DkpVgp0P9bskH3mNCHjpXATqO2tSy-jx8InJ_9PYo2UM4yxN5ra48_zjCW3zAE1Aw/s1600/boy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFEsXcKzMroDFcN44lt-aUZ-yVdmCqsBn1E2CKfTe9K1QWIQttTXR8R7LjaJTaMdpwjHrZJa2_5DkpVgp0P9bskH3mNCHjpXATqO2tSy-jx8InJ_9PYo2UM4yxN5ra48_zjCW3zAE1Aw/s320/boy.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Looking at it, we have two questions. First off, why is the little boy portrayed in traditional Dutch clothing? Was that an Easter "thing" back in the 19th century, or was the card aimed at consumers of Dutch heritage? And if so, why is the boy holding a paddle? Did he use it to crack that egg open, or does he mean to whack the poor chicks who just came out of it? Yes, we realize that we've totally exceeded our "two questions", but since we're still recovering from a hysterectomy, we hope that you'll forgive us. We are gaining physical strength every day, but our brain is still lagging somewhat behind. Perhaps the following "funny" Easter post card will make up for it.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHzzqqV6dn4/UVTS0RVzW5I/AAAAAAAANls/fie4qxma4Tg/s1600/PondsEggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHzzqqV6dn4/UVTS0RVzW5I/AAAAAAAANls/fie4qxma4Tg/s320/PondsEggs.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Did it absolve us? We certainly hope so. But, moving on to Easter bonnets, here are some that we assume were the absolute envy of all in their day.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn46tvYokvOSxUoDjATEGhfIq1zYHWIZYbQG2DFmXWp0o8HaKIyPVx33Rlmj84svCZBvpC16579VfNvH-q6tRT7SwGgKJEqJYC8be344KXJk56hhBBby1uwmiMaTa6q10zww3zyv9nHGQ/s1600/44d527459224db96edd70f4c0870cd31.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn46tvYokvOSxUoDjATEGhfIq1zYHWIZYbQG2DFmXWp0o8HaKIyPVx33Rlmj84svCZBvpC16579VfNvH-q6tRT7SwGgKJEqJYC8be344KXJk56hhBBby1uwmiMaTa6q10zww3zyv9nHGQ/s320/44d527459224db96edd70f4c0870cd31.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJirbq04aQo/UVTUBEfR-gI/AAAAAAAANl8/b6U67Pnwmxo/s1600/hat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJirbq04aQo/UVTUBEfR-gI/AAAAAAAANl8/b6U67Pnwmxo/s320/hat.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciCaDhdYbRneIzP66dCYud_NUZnwfyN3mxur3uCMC1Hed9xqC_wrDHw3eY8rU4F68b7Lz7tdInEjIgYHGXGA4I-TvPlxV9QFVJs9g95ksMJ-d-q4NBxlGLzGA0m4dcpHLLZj4I8buuh0/s1600/hat3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciCaDhdYbRneIzP66dCYud_NUZnwfyN3mxur3uCMC1Hed9xqC_wrDHw3eY8rU4F68b7Lz7tdInEjIgYHGXGA4I-TvPlxV9QFVJs9g95ksMJ-d-q4NBxlGLzGA0m4dcpHLLZj4I8buuh0/s320/hat3.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BekYxcmEgiA/UVTURMSNuDI/AAAAAAAANmM/UXOuwSwfDww/s1600/hat2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BekYxcmEgiA/UVTURMSNuDI/AAAAAAAANmM/UXOuwSwfDww/s320/hat2.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Lovely, aren't they? However, we feel compelled to call your attention to the last photograph which features a lady who we think bears a remarkable resemblance to Lizzie Borden.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54oZYYu_eVYj1r4MZ6eZ6wTYFMVPVA_BYwhQJuIuPFNMNvUfGth1tInyyfxuHSfGhG4TcNu2ES0HdPhUqrp4MWzBoMECYV71FQgoMK5XMsmnD4b3FLVP4SV5RxdUlTp-zBo8A5DoPZg8/s1600/lizzie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54oZYYu_eVYj1r4MZ6eZ6wTYFMVPVA_BYwhQJuIuPFNMNvUfGth1tInyyfxuHSfGhG4TcNu2ES0HdPhUqrp4MWzBoMECYV71FQgoMK5XMsmnD4b3FLVP4SV5RxdUlTp-zBo8A5DoPZg8/s320/lizzie.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Are we crazy, or doe anyone else see the reemblance as well? From what we've read about Miss Borden, it seem that she <i>did</i> go in for fancy hats and dresses. And after her parents were murdered and she was acquitted of the crime, she could certainly afford as many as she liked. But enough of that. Putting together our first post-surgery post for this blog has completely worn us out, and it's time to make our excuses and depart. But before we go, we would like to leave you with one last Victorian Easter image.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MWOZlVSe0w/UVTYd6S0hNI/AAAAAAAANmc/rZZEWQTRldg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MWOZlVSe0w/UVTYd6S0hNI/AAAAAAAANmc/rZZEWQTRldg/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We can only hope that neither rabbit nor hen were harmed in the making of the photograph.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, that's it for this little post. We look forward to seeing you next time. Have a happy Easter...and remember...gorge yourself on lamb, ham, roast beef, and all of the creme eggs you see fit to devour, but do yourself a favor and refrain from the eating of <a href="http://greta-theshallows.blogspot.com/">Peeps</a>. They may <i>look</i> cute, but their eyes are <i>insoluble</i>.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyqDGcsU942PbvCG4LWVqdGsSje1aS7DtV5U-cYLXWKT4WIwkQOGYW-CTDr128OJKsz6OIfBoMyafjYIFzAZCmZZ9_cDsfpvMnhbxiYrE0ltN7u8d3Xfgwr3sOvEI7n9HEdm2ABNthaA/s1600/wo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyqDGcsU942PbvCG4LWVqdGsSje1aS7DtV5U-cYLXWKT4WIwkQOGYW-CTDr128OJKsz6OIfBoMyafjYIFzAZCmZZ9_cDsfpvMnhbxiYrE0ltN7u8d3Xfgwr3sOvEI7n9HEdm2ABNthaA/s320/wo.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
See you soon...if you're lucky.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-85503592916410578072013-03-22T13:08:00.003-07:002013-03-22T13:11:39.993-07:00WE'RE ON THE MEND<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We're just stopping by for a moment to announce that our surgery is behind us and we are on the mend. Another week or so, and we're sure to be as good as new....and ready to post again. Until then, we hope you won't forget about us. Because we certainly won't forget about you. And if we don't see you before....
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aaVpS87oV4Y/UUy5qMEC9bI/AAAAAAAANcA/ykSR1N9tDtg/s1600/lp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aaVpS87oV4Y/UUy5qMEC9bI/AAAAAAAANcA/ykSR1N9tDtg/s320/lp.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We hope that you have a happy Easter! And if you don't celebrate Easter, well, you can still enjoy the chocolate bunnies and creme eggs. It would be such a shame to let them go to waste, don't you think?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-2139574501273061432013-03-11T14:05:00.000-07:002013-03-11T14:05:43.216-07:00WE'RE GOING AWAY FOR A BIT....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-49a0RBgzrmI9GMP0n-y-vD-6MJxengzQqtMrx7zDFOxAtGSV-mQ0OfS_Wv6RWjKivkV-mxZ6aggPI9TwGUvGCL0XJv0v9wAgNRXtR4KIgnBRwE1SG5mw87k5lNDnsTuaKHLb_0ysDR8/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-49a0RBgzrmI9GMP0n-y-vD-6MJxengzQqtMrx7zDFOxAtGSV-mQ0OfS_Wv6RWjKivkV-mxZ6aggPI9TwGUvGCL0XJv0v9wAgNRXtR4KIgnBRwE1SG5mw87k5lNDnsTuaKHLb_0ysDR8/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
This will be our last post for a week or so. We will be in hospital on Wednesday undergoing surgery, and as may be expected, will need some time to recuperate afterward. But never fear, gentle readers. We will be back as soon as possible with more Victorian content. Until then, remember...we adore you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-4831710013359477552013-03-03T14:02:00.001-08:002013-03-04T13:41:24.081-08:00MYSTERIOUS OBJECTS IN VICTORIAN SKIES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULJReb9IUW0/UTOrbunPvAI/AAAAAAAANA4/tr5LZFJ6Z3I/s1600/flying_saucer.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULJReb9IUW0/UTOrbunPvAI/AAAAAAAANA4/tr5LZFJ6Z3I/s320/flying_saucer.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We don't know what you've been doing lately, but at least a portion of our time has been spent trying to keep up with all of the UFO sightings being reported from all over the world. We've always had a firm interest in ufology, as well as the paranormal, but the recent spate of reports involvings strange glowing objects in the sky has us in a bit of a dither. Perhaps we should stop listening to Coast to Coast AM on the radio when we're writing late at night. Then again, if the conspiracy theorists are right, and there really is something going on that the government knows about but isn't telling us, we prefer to be as informed as possible. Especially since UFO sightings are nothing new. We may be hearing about them more often now thanks to the wonders of modern technology, but accounts of luminescent objects traversing the night sky have been around for as long as humankind has wandered this planet. Bear witness to the following example...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2MzuZtr5rlrHmqzF6eTBr_FsJT6Nb0VTc5gdwOEQ7M_7v1E05vFPC2qjc1GxMow2SQ3A_9gMbgZeQMl04JKU4j_Z8AwQR6iolap1cvfttAx-vbhV7Jkm2nbm9w6wUEIk2p3vjsTXEmU/s1600/trollhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2MzuZtr5rlrHmqzF6eTBr_FsJT6Nb0VTc5gdwOEQ7M_7v1E05vFPC2qjc1GxMow2SQ3A_9gMbgZeQMl04JKU4j_Z8AwQR6iolap1cvfttAx-vbhV7Jkm2nbm9w6wUEIk2p3vjsTXEmU/s320/trollhill.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
On October 19, 1865, subscribers to the <i>St. Louis Democrat</i> were rivited by the report of a Montana fur trapped called James Lumley, who claimed to have seen a UFO fly over him and crash into the forest where it exploded in flames. The same story appeared in the <i>Cincinnati Commercial</i> two weeks later after which it ran in a number of other newspapers, sparking a flurry of national interest in the UFO phenomenon. But did Lumley actually see a UFO? According to the veteran fur trapper, he was about 175 miles above the Upper Missouri in Great Falls, Montana, on his way back to camp for the night, when he saw a "bright luminous body in the heavens" traveling in an easterly direction. Lumley estimated that the object remained visible for about five seconds before it burst into flames and crashed into the trees below. Lumley claimed that he heard an explosion after the object fell and that, following the explosion, a strong wind whipped through the forest like a tornado and left the air smelling of sulpher.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEOS0SKxeDc/UTOu-gJFOOI/AAAAAAAANBI/zQ9rgcc9lEc/s1600/westall.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEOS0SKxeDc/UTOu-gJFOOI/AAAAAAAANBI/zQ9rgcc9lEc/s320/westall.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
The next day, Lumley discovered a path in the forest that was about "two rods wide." Following the path, he came upon an object stuck in the side of the mountain. The object appeared to actually be a stone, but it contained glass and was inscribed with hieroglyphics. Lumley had the impression that the object had come from another object of "immense size" and that the hieroglyphics were made by human hands. But despite the interest that his account generated when it appeared in newspapers, no real effort seems to have been made to locate the strange object. It might even still be there, stuck in the side of the mountain, waiting to be found.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMMOa7yXdug/UTO6gm_H5VI/AAAAAAAANBQ/Kr-55vCMk8s/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMMOa7yXdug/UTO6gm_H5VI/AAAAAAAANBQ/Kr-55vCMk8s/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
An equally fascinating account of a 19th century UFO sighting occurred near Adamstown in Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1869. The following account is taken directly from the <i>Lancaster Express</i>.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
"About two hundred yards north of the village is an open lot, and at 12 0'clock, while the villagers were taking dinner, a luminous body was seen to settle near the centre {sic} of this lot. It is represented by four or five different parties, who witnessed it from several points, to have assumed a square shape and shooting up into a column about three or four feet in height and about two feet in thickness.
The sun was shining brightly at the time, and under its rays, the object glittered like a column of burnished silver. The presence, after reaching its full effulgence, gradually faded away, and in ten minutes time it had entirely disappeared. Those who saw it were unable to tell what it was. It seemed to inspire terror rather than admiration. After it had disappeared a number of persons visited the spot, but not a trace of anything unusual could be found. Similar objects have been seen in the neighborhood on several occasions during the night time, but none before in the day time, or so bright as this. The land in the immediate vicinity is dry, there being no swamp about, otherwise the phenomenon might be accounted for. We do not know whether the Jack o' Lantern assumes such large proportions or whether it appears in midday under a bright sun. Perhaps some of our friends versed in the sciences can solve the mystery."
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Obviously, the reporter's hope that the mystery would be solved by "friends versed in the sciences" was never realized since the case is one of thousands of similar cases that remain unsolved. As does our next example, which comes from the files of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) in which an unnamed woman recalls the day that her father encountered not only a UFO but its occupants.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1-t0z1kM-Y/UTO8y8IlajI/AAAAAAAANBc/MuuShPhJBg0/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1-t0z1kM-Y/UTO8y8IlajI/AAAAAAAANBc/MuuShPhJBg0/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
The alleged encounter took place sometime in the late 1800's in Logansport, Indiana, although the woman interviewed by MUFON was unable to provide the exact date or time. According to her account, she was ten years old when her father, a farmer in Logansport, came home one day after working in the fields three miles away with a strange story to tell. Normally, the woman explained, she was in the habit of taking lunch to her father and grandfather when they were working in the fields, but on that particular day, she was ill and not allowed to carry out her usual task. Instead, her father returned home for lunch with an excited air and told her that she had "really missed something", then began describing how he and the other workers had noticed a large "flying machine that didn't make any noise" hovering above the field. As her father and the other men continued to watch it, the machine landed and "little people" emerged from inside. Apparently oblivious or unconcerned that they were being observed, the strange beings helped themselves to some ears of corn and soil, then got back inside the craft and flew away. Terrified by what they had witnessed, the men hid in the woods for several hours before they finally found the courage to start for home. In the MUFON account, the woman claimed that her father had made her promise not to tell anyone else about the sighting for fear that he would become the target of public ridicule. After honoring his request for 80 years, she decided to tell her story in the hope that someone "could do something with it." Unfortunately, the area in which her father supposedly had his encounter is now a designated historical site called "France Park." And as the woman who gave the account passed away in the 1980s, it seems unlikely that anyone will "do something with it" at this point.
'
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXGUYEn4wtIhSekJkAL0UZa179bK9bPAMFHSbmH0GfgOfL-RxPw_ZBzoRaM6886v82RydOgNK3SIyDC49fUCsUQ797y1ZG-JAWFTesPupF-SBQad01hpXCV9163LitEkBl12O_gn7WAQ/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXGUYEn4wtIhSekJkAL0UZa179bK9bPAMFHSbmH0GfgOfL-RxPw_ZBzoRaM6886v82RydOgNK3SIyDC49fUCsUQ797y1ZG-JAWFTesPupF-SBQad01hpXCV9163LitEkBl12O_gn7WAQ/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Our last account is probably one of the most famous in the history of ufology. It allegedly took place on May 6, 1897 in the Ouachita Mountains near Hot Springs, Arkanasa. On that night, Constable John J. Sumpter, Jr. and Deputy Sheriff John McLemore were on horseback, investigating reports of cattle rustling in the area when they saw a bright light in the sky which quickly disappeared behind the hilltops ahead of them. As they continued their ride, they encountered the light once more, about two miles from where they had first seen it, but this time it appeared to be descending before it disappeared once again. The two men rode on for another half mile or so when their horses suddenly stopped and refused to move forward. Looking around into the darkness, Sumpter and McLemore saw the shadowy figures of people moving around with lights. Dismounting and drawing their guns, they approached the figures, demanding to know who they were and what they were doing. At that point, according to the account, a tall, bearded man holding a lantern stepped forward and explained that he and his two companions were traveling across the country in an airship and invited them to come on board. Sumpter and McLemore declined the invitation, but returned to the site the following night where they were unable to find any trace of the craft or its mysterious occupants. Asked to describe the craft, Sumpter recalled that it was "cigar-shaped" and about 60 feet long. Interestingly, the description fits the powered blimps that became commonplace in the early part of the 20th century, but in 1897, blimps had not yet been invented. Even so, the two lawmen were not the only ones who claimed to have seen such objects. Reports of mysterious "airships" appeared frequently in newspapers throughout the country during that period, although the Ouachita sighting remains the most well-known.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
And so what did those 19th century witnesses really see? It would be easy to say "we'll never know", but, then again, perhaps we will. The glowing objects that lit up skies in the 1800s and in earlier centuries before may turn out to be the same ones currently making headlines. Some mysteries may never be solved, but when it comes to UFO's, it seems that we many be getting closer to resolving the mystery every day.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-39929637342226798162013-03-02T01:42:00.002-08:002013-03-03T00:25:47.079-08:00MORE RANDOM VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Because we love our readers, and want to give them exactly what they claim to want, we've rounded up yet another group of random photographs of Victorians we don't know doing things we don't understand. And so, with no further preamble, here they are.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>PRECURSOR OF THE SKULL AND BONES SOCIETY?</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD_9gU63v0Eb6xNxsQ_Ch0OpryuS0ebhOSa97oW9Zb-8TixYZuJdmJyUia8bN7xkH8LxIGHWvlpTxR9mA0vRK_hgIVXNTiFItaljzqYaRdlhPr-biHlsxdJozhofa9f3utPM3gCseYcU/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD_9gU63v0Eb6xNxsQ_Ch0OpryuS0ebhOSa97oW9Zb-8TixYZuJdmJyUia8bN7xkH8LxIGHWvlpTxR9mA0vRK_hgIVXNTiFItaljzqYaRdlhPr-biHlsxdJozhofa9f3utPM3gCseYcU/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
If these are medical students performing an autopsy, it seems that someone should have told them that it's a bit on the late side. Then, again, perhaps they were studying bones. Either way, we can't imagine displaying this particular photograph in <i>our</i> parlor.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>READING WAS TORTURE TO HIM</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WufroZeWAsc/UTHAIXScnWI/AAAAAAAAM-4/Zk_zhpMl36Q/s1600/man.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WufroZeWAsc/UTHAIXScnWI/AAAAAAAAM-4/Zk_zhpMl36Q/s320/man.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Some photographs just make you want to scream out "why?" And this is definitely one of them.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>SEPIA PRINT SPOOKS AND THE PEOPLE WHO POSED WITH THEM</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWYjWclBdsY34YynA9ITFwjGYBQhIKXGCIgm72uRcm1vk-DgvNRRVoC9NHsz0G_uC7dRSqfX4GhEy_YDb0gQ8ntVYw2oEqu4Du0KzkQM4NKYN2piAM6aT14REpEU4bCbclmiqj3diTCQ/s1600/o-CROPPED_3377402-570.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWYjWclBdsY34YynA9ITFwjGYBQhIKXGCIgm72uRcm1vk-DgvNRRVoC9NHsz0G_uC7dRSqfX4GhEy_YDb0gQ8ntVYw2oEqu4Du0KzkQM4NKYN2piAM6aT14REpEU4bCbclmiqj3diTCQ/s320/o-CROPPED_3377402-570.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ForjOytTV60/UTHA53y5rZI/AAAAAAAAM_I/bD3VbqOFEA8/s1600/imgname-victorian_occult_photography-50226711-images-thiebault.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ForjOytTV60/UTHA53y5rZI/AAAAAAAAM_I/bD3VbqOFEA8/s320/imgname-victorian_occult_photography-50226711-images-thiebault.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We know that the Victorians were big on spirit photography, but what we can't understand is why the people in these photographs look so frightened. We thought the point was to show the love that still existed between the dearly departed and their grieving loved ones. But what do we know? Less and less each day, apparently.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>SPOOKY LADIES AND SCREAMING WOMEN</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2EwVoSrh5QcxPCzRmDmZ-6HMk5gYyYouqPvUwtzqTUdJ8CnJW0HVFeIkdQAd26OMBsHS6ZYwqa9YqY5Bgadc7pmnAodf-O09NsyMN4xggthbn8HmYGhYW0P8COGcQt6gQcBErqUG1sI/s1600/woman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2EwVoSrh5QcxPCzRmDmZ-6HMk5gYyYouqPvUwtzqTUdJ8CnJW0HVFeIkdQAd26OMBsHS6ZYwqa9YqY5Bgadc7pmnAodf-O09NsyMN4xggthbn8HmYGhYW0P8COGcQt6gQcBErqUG1sI/s320/woman.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWCNlFdLRFs/UTHB2gJMlVI/AAAAAAAAM_Y/7IRkyrTSiyw/s1600/hawarden+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWCNlFdLRFs/UTHB2gJMlVI/AAAAAAAAM_Y/7IRkyrTSiyw/s320/hawarden+two.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Eerieness was apparently the theme when it came to photographing the women in these sepia print portraits. Not to mention a healthy dollop of ambiguity. Is that the Angel of Death in the second photograph, or just a dear friend with bad fashion sense? And all we can say about the woman in the first photograph is that we hope someone gave her a hug afterwards.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>SHE HAD HIS BACK</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u08H7MQYdsk/UTHDROnn7LI/AAAAAAAAM_k/6htBSPX-ok8/s1600/tumblr_m70ztg16RY1qf4tnoo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u08H7MQYdsk/UTHDROnn7LI/AAAAAAAAM_k/6htBSPX-ok8/s320/tumblr_m70ztg16RY1qf4tnoo1_500.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Did the photographer snap the camera lens at the wrong moment, or was the man on his knees merely camera shy? And those shades...well, all we can say is that if she wasn't blind, she made a very poor fashion choice.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>SOB SISTERS</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Gzb723GuM/UTHEFg4CPUI/AAAAAAAAM_w/nTWKodpbric/s1600/cry.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Gzb723GuM/UTHEFg4CPUI/AAAAAAAAM_w/nTWKodpbric/s320/cry.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We get the point. They're sad. But if we can't see their faces, why take the picture? At least their hankies photographed well. We, personally, think the one on the far right is definitely the most attractive.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, there you are once again. Yes, we know. You loved it. Your welcome. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-29025314031155934662013-02-20T10:50:00.002-08:002013-02-20T11:44:02.607-08:00THE GAMES VICTORIANS PLAYED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLHnZ5F4UxYxz4QNzKAiSmpJyo9BwP66DZnDKFdgdknZqDKZyo5h_DDjFbWnbJitW-7A3SpYAVTxnYweu6LuBZYecuH2yElOxajTq8Yb1rf196pt7rW9MzzWZJS-O1so1QL0F0TMDoeU/s1600/book-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLHnZ5F4UxYxz4QNzKAiSmpJyo9BwP66DZnDKFdgdknZqDKZyo5h_DDjFbWnbJitW-7A3SpYAVTxnYweu6LuBZYecuH2yElOxajTq8Yb1rf196pt7rW9MzzWZJS-O1so1QL0F0TMDoeU/s320/book-07.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
In our last post, we paid homage to the newest token on the Monopoly game board, i.e. "the cat", which voters chose as the replacement for "the iron" token, which was voted off following a month long competition on Hasbro's Facebook page. And it started us thinking (it doesn't take much, trust us) about what sort of games those fun-loving Victorians played back in the days before Monopoly, video games, and Words With Friends. Turns out they played some pretty interesting ones, some of which we can't imagine anyone playing now. Intrigued? We were hoping you would be. Well, don't just sit there, then. Start scrolling.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP7e8jr-g9iCc0FqQMvJjr2ptq7Nc4n6DNAu0N9NfHAGXOoeMgGdEfmxmYx0jfg4QK0hGs730aKPc7SwgkLAVqiZw8NI7_guClaXtyImTjpnZDm7stROhMkejlMQ_wpdmqHWJXIuC9Bo/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP7e8jr-g9iCc0FqQMvJjr2ptq7Nc4n6DNAu0N9NfHAGXOoeMgGdEfmxmYx0jfg4QK0hGs730aKPc7SwgkLAVqiZw8NI7_guClaXtyImTjpnZDm7stROhMkejlMQ_wpdmqHWJXIuC9Bo/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We don't know about you, but whenever the phrase "Victorian parlor games" comes up (which it does quite a bit..at least in the circles in which we travel), we immediately picture a group of well-appointed young ladies and gentlemen entertaining themselves with a round of charades or shadow buff. In other words, we imagine them playing adult versions of games that, today, we associate exclusively with children. But although the Victorian era was, in some ways, a more innocent time than the one in which we currently live, when it came to at-home entertainment, it wasn't always "Come on, everyone, let's start pantomiming!" Hard as it may be to believe, there were board games around long before the invention of Monopoly, some of which still exist in updated forms today, and others that could never have existed in any other period of history.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UhxL-v1AvUPAvD-Z88CjG4ddm6cIc8wM52CVC1SHQKIKW7hFbvM_T2ia5yNv9NnFRE270cdYFcFf7enlaJeFzY0VkfXLLKUZVtBYXmEZaAbDdUfKDY73B181m0sdbeZFb45qgzaZIwY/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UhxL-v1AvUPAvD-Z88CjG4ddm6cIc8wM52CVC1SHQKIKW7hFbvM_T2ia5yNv9NnFRE270cdYFcFf7enlaJeFzY0VkfXLLKUZVtBYXmEZaAbDdUfKDY73B181m0sdbeZFb45qgzaZIwY/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Tiddlywinks is quite possibly one of the most ridiculed in-door games in history. At one time considered primarily a children's game, it gained a degree of favor among adults in the Victorian era, including a family by the name of Fitzwilliams who used a 15th-century Donatello bronze called The Madonna and Child as the family Tiddlywinks bowl until it was appropriated by the Victoria and Albert Museum. In its original form, Tiddlywinks is a very simple game, involving the use of a "squidger" to flip flat discs (known as "winks") into a bowl and trying to prevent your opponents from taking (or "squopping" them) by covering them with more of your own winks. But as the game became more popular among adults, the rules were refined to make it more competetive (and interesting) for the players. And the game is still going strong today, with two national organizations (the ETwA and the NATwA) to its credit, both of which are overseen by the International Federation of Tiddlywinks Association (the FTwA). But of course you don't have to be a serious competitor to play Tiddlywinks. For those who want to squidge and squop without an international federation looking over their shoulder, there are still plenty of non-professional versions of the game on store shelves, just waiting for someone to buy them, take them home, and start the funfest.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WEVi9HB53aM/USUJHlhs7NI/AAAAAAAAMTc/5vy1JjctSC8/s1600/snakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WEVi9HB53aM/USUJHlhs7NI/AAAAAAAAMTc/5vy1JjctSC8/s320/snakes.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
You may remember "Chutes and Ladders" from your formative years, but the game that many of us know by that name is actually a modernized version of a Victorian-era game called "Snakes and Ladders." Unlike Tiddlywinks, "Snakes and Ladders" was always considered a children's game, but as with its current incarnation, it was a game that families often played together. Based on an ancient Indian board game (hence the "snakes" reference), it was introduced into Victorian England in the early 1890's and has remained popular despite the name change...or perhaps because of it.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdlyKBlWt7_wKlIdGjSu9rauYKz0QnPTTVQV1VhseHLntefhs_ojNTrKg4_NtibKkxVlLczNJD9cDkJRmzuW18Mze3UEXdxeJFyk1_gJ_uINuyvilGpdfOjLRKR2JcgtVeUXhpeQAYDo/s1600/14401396_1_x.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdlyKBlWt7_wKlIdGjSu9rauYKz0QnPTTVQV1VhseHLntefhs_ojNTrKg4_NtibKkxVlLczNJD9cDkJRmzuW18Mze3UEXdxeJFyk1_gJ_uINuyvilGpdfOjLRKR2JcgtVeUXhpeQAYDo/s320/14401396_1_x.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
It's hard (no, wait...<i>impossible</i>) to imagine a toy company producing a board game called "Seal Hunting" today, the object of which is to kill as many innocent, defenseless seals as possible. These days, we have video games for that, in which the object is to kill people or zombies, not seals. But while we moderns might frown on a game called "Seal Hunting", while ignoring ones involving virtual human bloodshed, the Victorians had no such qualms and were quite happy to let their children while away an hour or two honing their seal hunting skills by virtue of a simple board game.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkZZPrDJNqpC9gVJwWxmx6MzF0xqG861-2UENOA8VcQ7wTqHVtD8SBc_Pd3-S1ZgT-XQnDCk2rnLRPnVGzy9ntxvvO74B3aWe62KWrm5YbjpJEswGcj-XoRkfkdBZiK8fr0tE1l41D9I/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkZZPrDJNqpC9gVJwWxmx6MzF0xqG861-2UENOA8VcQ7wTqHVtD8SBc_Pd3-S1ZgT-XQnDCk2rnLRPnVGzy9ntxvvO74B3aWe62KWrm5YbjpJEswGcj-XoRkfkdBZiK8fr0tE1l41D9I/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Ooo, anyone up for a game of Pig-A-Back? Apparently, some people were back in the 1890s, which was when this odd little board game was first introduced in England. Like "Snakes and Ladders", it's based on an ancient Indian board game called...wait for it...Pachisi. Yes, that's right...<i>Pachisi</i>, another classic game played by the Victorians (who called it "Ludo") and which some people (who call it "Pachisi") still play today.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNj7MA3xhRx7jXMymivzSqEP2VzvnUYlYIr1Stp-6FwRlQ27V5_rSfw9dd3UKRsOrFts222TREre4bQMI7gWqB6HUoAbimn_FGarwYx_WkTUwkif9lfbKKBU08aSll7TO4zmUI8kBAwU/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNj7MA3xhRx7jXMymivzSqEP2VzvnUYlYIr1Stp-6FwRlQ27V5_rSfw9dd3UKRsOrFts222TREre4bQMI7gWqB6HUoAbimn_FGarwYx_WkTUwkif9lfbKKBU08aSll7TO4zmUI8kBAwU/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Considered the "National Game of India", Pachisi (or Ludo) was originally played on a cloth "board" with either two dice or six cowrie shells. No doubt some die-hard Victorians (especially those who had once been employed by the East India Company during the British Raj period) insisted on using the cloth for authenticity, but the game could be purchased with a conventional board as well, and no doubt was, by Victorians who hadn't been employed by the East India Company or who just liked the game and didn't give two hoots what they played it on.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3W1GkIpc-8I/USUTzk2gJVI/AAAAAAAAMYw/b_6y121NRAE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3W1GkIpc-8I/USUTzk2gJVI/AAAAAAAAMYw/b_6y121NRAE/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
And of course what sort of Victorian game board post would this be if we didn't mention the Holy Grail of Victorian board games, or as we refer to it today, the "Ouija Board"? Known to the Victorians as a "talking" or "spirit" board, the "game" that eventually became the "Ouija Board" was simply a manufactured version of what amateur and professional spirit seekers had been doing for years using a simple wooden planchette or glass over a handmade board or cloth inscribed with numerals and the letters of the alphabet. If there is one thing the Victorians are famous for, it's the interest that so many of them had in the supernatural and its accompanying rituals and artifacts. And while not every Victorian made a point of attending seances or inviting friends over for a table tipping session, there was probably always someone in the neighborhood who had a "talking board" and was willing to bring it to the party for some after-dinner parlor fun. How many Victorians does it take to screw in a light bulb? Well, it depends on whether there was electricity in the house or not, and whether they were playing with the "talking board" on that particular night. Because if they were, they probably would have wanted the parlor to stay dark anyway.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
There you have it. Our little visit to the Victorian parlors of yore for a quick perusal of the games that were played in them. We hope that you found it enjoyable and perhaps even somewhat edifying. We look forward to seeing you next time. And don't forget to leave your calling card on the way out.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-91860669752968418532013-02-15T20:19:00.003-08:002013-02-16T22:20:26.620-08:00IXNAY, IRON...HELLO, KITTY! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH0uosor2flFz8Y3v0JLakGZ7CtbfwvmPayJKR3cB6eecYI7PUtk0FbRs5rzmmPgoBvtDHmHAcntm_K6DBPk4o4WThjd_roH46aosV0u4Z4v0yJJ1bldLE4OcQmKcn_GQGOUWhxjFDco/s1600/WPTV-Monopoly-board-game_20130109110843_320_240.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH0uosor2flFz8Y3v0JLakGZ7CtbfwvmPayJKR3cB6eecYI7PUtk0FbRs5rzmmPgoBvtDHmHAcntm_K6DBPk4o4WThjd_roH46aosV0u4Z4v0yJJ1bldLE4OcQmKcn_GQGOUWhxjFDco/s320/WPTV-Monopoly-board-game_20130109110843_320_240.JPG" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, it's official. After a month of passionate debate and fierce competition among supporters of various factions, Monopoly enthusiasts have given the boot to the "iron" token and have chosen a "cat" token as its replacement. Hasbro's "Save Your Token" contest ended at midnight on February 6, leaving some voters jubiliant, some disappointed, and some...confused. In an interview with ABC News, Jonathan Berkowitz, vice president of marketing for Hasbro Gaming, said that, while the company was pleased by all of the excitement and interest in the contest (votes poured in from such disparate places as Liechtenstein, Dijibouti, and Guam), he and others at Hasbro were surprised by how close the "shoe" token came to being ousted.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
"The shoe was surprising to all of us because there's definitely a large fan base out there for shoes," he said.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG2I91k0PC0yqqNEBVcPbTFPZvYoPvx4rWUSfeDIg80P5NrKXpPPgMLSYY0EM26SL1uy0M2WQ0juQ1V-0Sg8Z_FVcboj3NOrgJhgmKI3ykniGgitmvrcJXS_l2OBZm9jTevkUcU-RYGQ/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG2I91k0PC0yqqNEBVcPbTFPZvYoPvx4rWUSfeDIg80P5NrKXpPPgMLSYY0EM26SL1uy0M2WQ0juQ1V-0Sg8Z_FVcboj3NOrgJhgmKI3ykniGgitmvrcJXS_l2OBZm9jTevkUcU-RYGQ/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
The shoe's inclusion in the "bottom three" may have been a surprise to Hasbro, but we doubt that anyone at the company so much as raised an eyebrow when the "wheelbarrow" token narrowly escaped passing "go" forever. Not that we have anything against wheelbarrows in general, or their use as game tokens, but, like the ultimately doomed iron token, the wheelbarrow has never really had the same "oomph" as its compatriots: the hat, the race car, the thimble, the battleship, and...of course...the Scottie dog. And while a Monopoly player's preference for one token over another is of course a completely subjective matter, we can't imagine anyone sitting down to play a game of Monopoly and declaring, "Dibs on either the iron or the wheelbarrow!" Even the thimble...that humble, unglamorous symbol of a mundane household task...has a certain aesthetic quality lacking in the iron and the wheelbarrow.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKg7ZZ-RWza4k0kKLKwJTPw3kTGSve_tZx1qTliaaQUR63mmcwz2rslCjrvaKamHXa4TM8tmPdgOIifRlfzoracIKXRg7M7ySZERuXFgLyBEKL6nZbyJJAHE3XQfdQVfpXvo1td9Tzc4/s1600/wp_monopoly698_8001.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKg7ZZ-RWza4k0kKLKwJTPw3kTGSve_tZx1qTliaaQUR63mmcwz2rslCjrvaKamHXa4TM8tmPdgOIifRlfzoracIKXRg7M7ySZERuXFgLyBEKL6nZbyJJAHE3XQfdQVfpXvo1td9Tzc4/s320/wp_monopoly698_8001.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Perhaps that's what it all comes down to in the end. Aesthetics. When playing a game which requires adults to spend an inordinate amount of time sitting around a table and pushing tiny tokens back and forth across a board, the process becomes infinitely more enjoyable if the tiny token has some substance to it. In a word, the iron and the wheelbarrow are simply too spindly. And no matter how much fake money you manage to amass during the game, or how many properties, houses, and hotels you can afford to buy, it's hard to feel like a real business tycoon when your presence in the game is represented by a dinky little iron or wheelbarrow.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_loTRIGLHo8/UR73vrjgaPI/AAAAAAAAL_0/aEEGKwvz53I/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_loTRIGLHo8/UR73vrjgaPI/AAAAAAAAL_0/aEEGKwvz53I/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Which brings us to the newest member of the Monopoly universe: the cat token. If there was uncertainty as to which of the original tokens would ultimately get the ax, there was never a moment's doubt regarding which of the new tokens would find its way onto Boardwalk. Of the four other contenders on Hasbro's "new token ballot"...a guitar, a diamond ring, a helicopter, and a robot...the only one that ever had even a ghost of a chance to shut out the cat was the robot. What makes us so all-fired sure about that? Well, as before, it's simply a matter of aesthetics.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9H2TiYiAaI/UR8Ak3n1GTI/AAAAAAAAMDc/wiEKR0-RSEs/s1600/479727_10151243016561759_183731177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9H2TiYiAaI/UR8Ak3n1GTI/AAAAAAAAMDc/wiEKR0-RSEs/s320/479727_10151243016561759_183731177_n.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
What does a guitar have to do with real estate? Or a helicopter? And while diamond rings might seem ritzy enough for a game like Monopoly, the token just looks awkward. Which leaves us with the cat and the robot. But the robot, while undeniably cute, just looks out of place in a game like Monopoly, which, for all of its enduring appeal, is essentially a game whose values are rooted in America's early 20th-century past. What does a robot have to do with any of that? But a cat...well, not only is the cat right up there with the Scottie dog when it comes to aesthetic appeal, voting it in as the newest member of the Monopoly token hiearchy must have felt like a personal vindication for all of the cat loving Monopoly enthusiasts who have had to listen to people go on and on about the Scottie dog all these years. The Scottie dog may still be the most popular token on the Monopoly game board...for now...but the advent of the cat may be just the shake up that the old pooch and its cardboard world need after resting so long on their collective laurels.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-CR-vX5NH8/UR8Ad_eKzTI/AAAAAAAAMDU/i_OMFhTTr3c/s1600/new-monopoly-pieces-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-CR-vX5NH8/UR8Ad_eKzTI/AAAAAAAAMDU/i_OMFhTTr3c/s320/new-monopoly-pieces-2012.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Of course, none of this will really affect the Monopoly universe in any real way. Iron's out, kitty's in, roll the dice, let the game begin! But it's not often that a game like Monopoly manages to make headlines. The fact that it has, simply because the company that manufactures it decided it was time to jettison an old token in favor of a new one, says something about what Monopoly represents. And what <i>does</i> it represent? Well, we would hazard a guess that it has something to do with the past, and our desire to preserve our connection to it, even as we make room for something new...something different...but something whose time has come.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95ecA866X-I/UR8ERCmXKgI/AAAAAAAAMFM/x7hW8xjOzgI/s1600/monopoly-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95ecA866X-I/UR8ERCmXKgI/AAAAAAAAMFM/x7hW8xjOzgI/s320/monopoly-man.jpg" /></a>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-43285799863400199012013-02-12T16:32:00.002-08:002013-02-12T16:55:00.021-08:00GALLERY OF RANDOM VICTORIANA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, here it is Fat Tuesday, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate the only holiday in February that we care to acknowledge than to share some random Victorian photographs of unknown people and animals doing things that make absolutely no sense to us. And yet, for some reason, we like them. Here's hoping that you will as well. Ready? Let's scroll!
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>GETTING AHEAD OF THEMSELVES</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
If you thought that the Victorians were a grim, stuffy lot, it's high time you re-thought that thought. Clearly, judging from the photographs below, there were quite a few denizens of the era who were quite capable of cutting loose...starting with their very own heads.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0V7HZq_wW4/URiBqB-3i4I/AAAAAAAALoo/1UuS8IZDNIs/s1600/article-2183793-145EB302000005DC-120_964x1551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0V7HZq_wW4/URiBqB-3i4I/AAAAAAAALoo/1UuS8IZDNIs/s320/article-2183793-145EB302000005DC-120_964x1551.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRoEPT27vzNW67VKfgdM37HPq4p_EvnL0D7QXpOIc_TXNPEYTL-iOHP3DpkXIvoBOQdAZqusufDQBubkyuOMITMJNhAxmH1Ccc3AH9C34obmDrd6D7L4g46mRlgRHnESuDLybU1FbMs8/s1600/headless.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="289" width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRoEPT27vzNW67VKfgdM37HPq4p_EvnL0D7QXpOIc_TXNPEYTL-iOHP3DpkXIvoBOQdAZqusufDQBubkyuOMITMJNhAxmH1Ccc3AH9C34obmDrd6D7L4g46mRlgRHnESuDLybU1FbMs8/s320/headless.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>CAMERA-READY CANINES</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Apparently, in Victorian times, dog owners loved to dress their dogs in human clothing and pretend that they were smoking pipes. And who are we to judge them? At least the dogs look happy.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE7ZCXYFaGsrCSI_7iaAhvzu9aiPPZOp41lK7MJSvReGshwAk-UH2GulVjupA1QcfLy8cpw4jW7dwyX3omYGVy2mNaiPa13nJFFu7zVE9I_ODRDFPzSqeWIv1mz1AG0I62W3Ol14gOEo/s1600/tumblr_mb2ra35aHU1qdwmy8o1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE7ZCXYFaGsrCSI_7iaAhvzu9aiPPZOp41lK7MJSvReGshwAk-UH2GulVjupA1QcfLy8cpw4jW7dwyX3omYGVy2mNaiPa13nJFFu7zVE9I_ODRDFPzSqeWIv1mz1AG0I62W3Ol14gOEo/s320/tumblr_mb2ra35aHU1qdwmy8o1_400.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYaAXawUxWc-3UtSg8y6n-UHAk7N4F47Ssn5lhOa4KSgfdd5d7APIZTXcuF4gTVk5_XHP8EGmSLmJjUZaUIVMgPE4LKGDkagK45GEENV0V_kupw-75c1Ma20HLFw2JTEnZBm5vtf9FwQ/s1600/dog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="241" width="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYaAXawUxWc-3UtSg8y6n-UHAk7N4F47Ssn5lhOa4KSgfdd5d7APIZTXcuF4gTVk5_XHP8EGmSLmJjUZaUIVMgPE4LKGDkagK45GEENV0V_kupw-75c1Ma20HLFw2JTEnZBm5vtf9FwQ/s320/dog.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>FECKLESS FELINES AND CAVORTING KITTIES</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
In those long-ago days before the advent of the internet, cat lovers still couldn't resist showing off their felines in ways that were enjoyable for them...if not for the felines. Some things never change.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCa8Hy0utxIAC5EDDadkYnq55l-j1UDvc2B6AnqQIP9mEtKNN7-xVL5Chm7omoqv6955EcOopKbPXbgaVA-OgDGWgdsC8PnZn-tYsPLnSJKAqCRB6h2zhFCbLlk2KiXdjZrnSsGPO2-w/s1600/cat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="287" width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCa8Hy0utxIAC5EDDadkYnq55l-j1UDvc2B6AnqQIP9mEtKNN7-xVL5Chm7omoqv6955EcOopKbPXbgaVA-OgDGWgdsC8PnZn-tYsPLnSJKAqCRB6h2zhFCbLlk2KiXdjZrnSsGPO2-w/s320/cat.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9P0vrBmJNSc/URiEBDCIlGI/AAAAAAAALrM/YwZglfagxLM/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9P0vrBmJNSc/URiEBDCIlGI/AAAAAAAALrM/YwZglfagxLM/s320/original.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6FsJWLLs8itIXKZjamWpvv8Bzd0qEGiAN5EociqkmVDE_8LhLQB5SHqyHwRksZju7Yox8jyK163OU9w5Ap72ghIambzppjh0rkT0CrBjDaYHfJ21q2RDMlOiqvy0twJ3b9PKpPK-t1M/s1600/skeleton.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="224" width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6FsJWLLs8itIXKZjamWpvv8Bzd0qEGiAN5EociqkmVDE_8LhLQB5SHqyHwRksZju7Yox8jyK163OU9w5Ap72ghIambzppjh0rkT0CrBjDaYHfJ21q2RDMlOiqvy0twJ3b9PKpPK-t1M/s320/skeleton.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>THEY HAD EACH OTHER'S BACKS</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Every family has its best feature. For this familial group, that "best feature" was apparently their backs.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSVw7aa6Xk/URiEuCWqdMI/AAAAAAAALtE/OZ7vCxL_JQE/s1600/backs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="262" width="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSVw7aa6Xk/URiEuCWqdMI/AAAAAAAALtE/OZ7vCxL_JQE/s320/backs.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>MY LITTLE PONY</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
What young girl doesn't dream of owning her very own horse? And, clearly, even in Victorian times, that predilection was strong enough to make some girls take it to the extreme. I wonder if she danced and sang as well.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6wk2J919ZXUtFcr0-Tcq7MiUm8ipgyv4VkXwg2H-6JtpqCVuK9vuzHcSAToVhX-j7qPzGEvZcawqIRpXtNwLfxcQAkPCQQnT9yARreQj7pjeyBTNe7GE9gtOGGGEKN-pV3ndr6msJYA/s1600/hoss.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="276" width="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6wk2J919ZXUtFcr0-Tcq7MiUm8ipgyv4VkXwg2H-6JtpqCVuK9vuzHcSAToVhX-j7qPzGEvZcawqIRpXtNwLfxcQAkPCQQnT9yARreQj7pjeyBTNe7GE9gtOGGGEKN-pV3ndr6msJYA/s320/hoss.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>HIDDEN MOMS AND CONFUSED CHILDREN</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
In the Victorian era, it was very trendy to take photographs of mothers and their children with the mother's head covered by a cloth so that she was, in essence, "not there." Yes, we know...seems a little ridiculous to us as well. But the resulting photographs make for very interesting viewing.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8emOkPq0qhQpnevvmHguyoAWb3JHe45v3MRxe9SsbvWrhZ_AOCQGzEhE_PSsVEBPQWxXLT5LfeLtLvxpxXPXhL9XTM3vlQXa1wm41mTln9w2ZBIzo1tQkzZ4p26RkNXVC2n86F794qX8/s1600/ghostmom1sdfsdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8emOkPq0qhQpnevvmHguyoAWb3JHe45v3MRxe9SsbvWrhZ_AOCQGzEhE_PSsVEBPQWxXLT5LfeLtLvxpxXPXhL9XTM3vlQXa1wm41mTln9w2ZBIzo1tQkzZ4p26RkNXVC2n86F794qX8/s320/ghostmom1sdfsdf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Props were big in Victorian photographs, but this one strikes as a bit on the morbid side. Then again, perhaps it was just this little girl's way of showing us how much she loved "Hamlet."
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZHMV8UddTV3DoQviZvXk1Le_GtEIvB4EtmU-p-TkP2iSLfUWsaAtBKvzfujnCTEvySYO4inULJGTHgbwvdN9rJv9ffOS46KV_oDwRcNb6-6Sv-L6XWes3WZ-PquuTq0FFN4R-bO4iSE/s1600/tumblr_m63jpyIydq1r23x1do1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZHMV8UddTV3DoQviZvXk1Le_GtEIvB4EtmU-p-TkP2iSLfUWsaAtBKvzfujnCTEvySYO4inULJGTHgbwvdN9rJv9ffOS46KV_oDwRcNb6-6Sv-L6XWes3WZ-PquuTq0FFN4R-bO4iSE/s320/tumblr_m63jpyIydq1r23x1do1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>THE WINDOW TO HER SOUL?</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We could have touted this photograph as another example of a Victorian person showing off their back for reasons unknown, but we prefer to view it as an arty indulgence. And we really love the dress.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWu3QNlxZbw/URrcRuCMNjI/AAAAAAAALzo/nRFMEJcAUyk/s1600/woman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="262" width="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWu3QNlxZbw/URrcRuCMNjI/AAAAAAAALzo/nRFMEJcAUyk/s320/woman.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>ALL SIGNS POINT TO...YES</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Okay, we admit it. This photograph is from the 1920s, not the Victorian era. But we included it because...well...we saw the opportunity and we just decided to seize it. Sue us for not being able to resist a good photograph of a comely lady holding a crystal ball.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOAREakok2I/URrc2bcuw-I/AAAAAAAALz0/zeSowk8kK18/s1600/tumblr_m69bzvWRzk1qzjpcto1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="249" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOAREakok2I/URrc2bcuw-I/AAAAAAAALz0/zeSowk8kK18/s320/tumblr_m69bzvWRzk1qzjpcto1_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, there you have it...our little gallery of random photographs from the Victorian era (save that last one). We hope you enjoyed it. And we promise that, next time, we will write an actual post. Until then...keep your feet on the cobblestones and your eyes on the sepia print stars.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-91584127807100456712013-02-06T18:51:00.000-08:002013-02-06T18:51:47.727-08:00BEAUTY SECRETS OF THE VICTORIANS (AND OTHER STRANGE ENLIGHTENMENTS)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRGRk84KGMsLAmNbM-UajivHw_4atqDEfb0wkysQ9akx3CEZq2wMPzibhR3vGkMFhXw4xcdu9IURepyKd4Z4vR0_DgC-Tq0NMCA8LQeLdJEvllq1k9b-m35dzsqbLGVvNr-QnaW4YJlI/s1600/jgh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="176" width="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRGRk84KGMsLAmNbM-UajivHw_4atqDEfb0wkysQ9akx3CEZq2wMPzibhR3vGkMFhXw4xcdu9IURepyKd4Z4vR0_DgC-Tq0NMCA8LQeLdJEvllq1k9b-m35dzsqbLGVvNr-QnaW4YJlI/s320/jgh.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
What do bone marrow and lard have in common? The answer may not only surprise you, it might sicken you as well. But that's because you're not a Victorian (at least not in this life). In "Beauty: What It Is And How To Retain it", a book originally published in 1873, and recently re-released by the British Library, the beauty secrets of Victorian women are laid bare...and lard and bone marrow are merely the beginning.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnXzcAARNgSFm33fSquDl3qUUekp2YPlX_ZdqBw9KN-fAin-Spby4Cf8KQLkoIgdVdmW8cgNpxBcT3kMwGB6F0ehMnqhi4JUMBB_yVffoA5qxaIn_pnt8B20uh_MC444YU2Fp56LvKoM/s1600/lunagirl11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnXzcAARNgSFm33fSquDl3qUUekp2YPlX_ZdqBw9KN-fAin-Spby4Cf8KQLkoIgdVdmW8cgNpxBcT3kMwGB6F0ehMnqhi4JUMBB_yVffoA5qxaIn_pnt8B20uh_MC444YU2Fp56LvKoM/s320/lunagirl11.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
In an era in which make-up was associated mainly with prostitutes and actresses (wanton creatures!), women who wanted to enhance their natural beauty walked a fine line when it came to the use of cosmetics. In fact, women who dared to indulge in the use of such things as lipstick and rouge did so at the risk of their reputations, something that most Victorian women held as dear as their very own lives. Instead, in order to achieve their meximum beauty potential, women of that era focused on natural elements to achieve shiny hair and smooth skin. In the "Beauty" book (the authorship of which is simply credited to "A Lady"), women are encouraged to wash their hair with bone marrow to bring out its sheen, and to brush it 20 times in the morning, then repeat the process at night. Women who long for silky skin are given directions on how to create a facial mask using lard, and, to keep their hair healthy, to wash it with rain water, although the author cautions that if the rain water happens to come from London, it's best to filter it to get rid of "smuts." Dental hygiene is also addressed, with readers being advised to use a "soft badger-hair brush" to clean their teeth.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqDP8LOCYR8/URMOuGGfU8I/AAAAAAAALWg/1yQMDfp4TR0/s1600/Harrison%2BFisher4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqDP8LOCYR8/URMOuGGfU8I/AAAAAAAALWg/1yQMDfp4TR0/s320/Harrison%2BFisher4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Of course, it wasn't only Victorian women who were concerned about appearances. Men of the era were equally interested in looking their best when riding around leaving calling cards in fashionable neighborhoods and strolling through the park. "The Gentleman's Art Of Dressing, With Economy", a guide for men written by "A Lounger At The Clubs" in 1876 addresses such questions as how to deal with a wet top hat, and warns male readers that they should never wear the same pair of trousers two days in a row in order to avoid "a hackneyed" look. This comprehensive little guide even goes so far as to devote entire chapters to specific items of men's clothing, such as waistcoats, shoes, and shirts. Clearly, when it came to appearances in the Victorian era, both genders were committed to playing by the rules.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQm9eMONwB7Ce4wPNTfD4BkPq9dyOWrvmLmQTCYpTVYrscs6yQxZkJhKRU1MALv5i0ayU5D_4Ph3yjJn1Esz718fKFo0KcYkkcjIqzehUxPWKt4-WEFYdMYrQt1bkQoqVqaR2TCN34oA/s1600/victorian+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQm9eMONwB7Ce4wPNTfD4BkPq9dyOWrvmLmQTCYpTVYrscs6yQxZkJhKRU1MALv5i0ayU5D_4Ph3yjJn1Esz718fKFo0KcYkkcjIqzehUxPWKt4-WEFYdMYrQt1bkQoqVqaR2TCN34oA/s320/victorian+man.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
But that doesn't mean there weren't some who were willing to "buck the system" and take an alternate route to achieve their beauty ideals. Madame Rachel, a London cosmetician who had changed her name from Sarah Russell when she left the fried fish business to set up shop on Bond Street, was infamous for attracting wealthy female customers with the slogan "Beautiful Forever." To make good on her slogan, Madame Rachel subjected her clients to a process called "enamelling", which involved filling in facial wrinkiles with a concoction made of arsenic and white lead paste. Madame Rachel's questionable career came to an end when she was convicted of swindling a rich widow out of thousands of pounds after the woman went to her in the hope of having her face repaired following the damage that had been done to it by "the Indian sun." Madame Rachel's subsequent imprisonment for her crimes only served to bolster the firmly-held Victorian belief that cosmetics and those who used them were to be avoided at all costs. After all, why court physical and social disaster when you can just as easily rub lard on your face?
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnN5NPRBRLg/URMWlXyHAQI/AAAAAAAALYc/xxujSFtnUDM/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="260" width="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnN5NPRBRLg/URMWlXyHAQI/AAAAAAAALYc/xxujSFtnUDM/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-53100652863722477062013-01-29T20:46:00.000-08:002013-01-30T17:14:09.514-08:00THOSE HILARIOUS VICTORIANS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HXQy2yI1pw/UQikacTDmBI/AAAAAAAAK0w/55TbVQN8E7k/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="257" width="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HXQy2yI1pw/UQikacTDmBI/AAAAAAAAK0w/55TbVQN8E7k/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
What made the Victorians laugh? Lots of things, probably. After all, it's not as though Laurel and Hardy <i>invented</i> the banana peel, is it? On the other hand, humor, like just about everything else in western culture, has gone through a few changes since the days when corsets and waistcoats made the woman and her man. And because we are personally in the mood for a good laugh right now, we thought it might behoove us to examine some extant examples of the jokes, puns, and pithy anecdotes that evoked chuckles from audiences and readers in Victorian times. The following two examples come from Lee Jackson's collection, which can be found in its entirety on his "Dictionary of Victorian London" website. To wit:
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Man: See here, wait, there's a button in my salad.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Waiter: That's all right, sir. It's part of the dressing.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNU_NzTrND4/UQilZf2I65I/AAAAAAAAK1I/H4tdUY9LhHI/s1600/il_fullxfull.394537348_9ly7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNU_NzTrND4/UQilZf2I65I/AAAAAAAAK1I/H4tdUY9LhHI/s320/il_fullxfull.394537348_9ly7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Q: Who is the greatest chicken-killer in Shakespeare?
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
A: Macbeth, because he did murder most foul.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Not laughing yet? That's all right. We have more. A 19th century "joke book" once owned by Thomas Lawrence, who performed as a circus clown for Victorian audiences, was recently discovered and re-published by Ann Featherstone, a historian and expert on Victorian humor. According to Featherstone, in his role as a circus clown, Lawrence would have had to deliver his jokes at a rapid pace, either between acts or, sometimes, during them, in an effort to keep the audience's attention. And so what sort of jokes did a 19th century clown keep in his notebook? Well, the following for one.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Q: What's the difference between Joan of Arc and a canoe?
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
A: One is Maid of Orleans, and the other is made of wood.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1qDw4Uv6wTse-S1K2NrfgaM3Ln6NASq0HV94q-NgG1ymbl0PGf1-nO_bDPapX8_ou4blYwy-RZbMoXqC5BhrPPDo6skaY-IM3agBnI_tk3kR3ol0bogx7Xm7R4ISMk_AutqLi6RCR9A/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="287" width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1qDw4Uv6wTse-S1K2NrfgaM3Ln6NASq0HV94q-NgG1ymbl0PGf1-nO_bDPapX8_ou4blYwy-RZbMoXqC5BhrPPDo6skaY-IM3agBnI_tk3kR3ol0bogx7Xm7R4ISMk_AutqLi6RCR9A/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
It's worth a chuckle, at least, don't you think? Then again, these days, the average person (especially one attending a circus) might not actually know who Joan of Arc was, or, even if they did, might have no idea that she was also known as "the maid of Orleans." Fortunately for Thomas Lawrence and all the other 19th century clowns and comedians, Victorians were well versed in history. They apparently found much to laugh at in the institution of marriage as well, as evidenced by the following jokes from The Morticum Shop website.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
A lady speaking to her maid: "Bridget, where did you get that dreadful eye?"
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Bridget: "My brother gave it to me, mum, and what will the neighbors say? Me with an eye like that, and no husband."
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
And this...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
A miserable man was left outside a shop on Oxford Street by his wife. He waited for an hour, and then approached a policeman. "For the lord's sake," he said, "order me to move on, loudly and sternly."
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Yes...we know. Not exactly cutting-edge humor. But to the Victorians, who were used to a different, much slower cadence of speech and a more genteel manner of expression, jokes like those above might have been considered absolutely side-splitting. As hard as it is for some people to believe, there was actually a time when jokes didn't need to include profanity in order to be found funny. Not that the Victorians didn't have a more ribald side as well. There are a slew of websites on which you can sift through "smutty" Victorian songs and limericks which, while not considered appropriate for Victorian audiences of mixed gender, were probably big hits at the local pub or dance hall.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
But we'll leave you to make such forays on your own. For now, our work is done. And while we are quite certain we have not elicited what one might call an actual "guffaw" from anyone reading this post, we, personally, feel somewhat uplifted. Thank you for the opportunity. And please take care not to slip on the banana peel on your way out.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TouCZW4SIjM/UQikkpWjtuI/AAAAAAAAK08/3cliMohDWb8/s1600/victorian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TouCZW4SIjM/UQikkpWjtuI/AAAAAAAAK08/3cliMohDWb8/s320/victorian.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-55990600465203926042012-12-26T23:39:00.000-08:002012-12-26T23:49:34.118-08:00HISTORICAL BLOCKBUSTERS WE THINK THE WORLD SHOULD SEE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
With the recent onslaught of historically-based (if not always historically accurate) films that have been flickering across theater screens of late, we thought it was time to offer some of our own ideas for "historical blockbusters" that we wish someone would make. And so, with no further ado, here they are...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdbdJKkuq6PBZ8FgY1dzc_5MCJ1N1lMN6g-1IHtuZx4tRYLg9uWC11YdI6czggbI3lKWFQYgxJdhQO2jgppvkt7zy_I6lQg0pVHkSNtM0dq8XoF3S9A0rSnm-OtwD5Ob6Y77gmfTwf8g/s1600/Lizzie_borden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdbdJKkuq6PBZ8FgY1dzc_5MCJ1N1lMN6g-1IHtuZx4tRYLg9uWC11YdI6czggbI3lKWFQYgxJdhQO2jgppvkt7zy_I6lQg0pVHkSNtM0dq8XoF3S9A0rSnm-OtwD5Ob6Y77gmfTwf8g/s320/Lizzie_borden.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
DAY OF THE HATCHET: THE LIZZIE BORDEN STORY
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Aside from the critically-lauded, but extremely tame 1970s TV movie starring Elizabeth Montgomery as America's most famous alleged and ultimately acquitted murderess, we've never seen a film about Lizzie Borden. We find that strange, considering the wealth of untapped "Lizzie material" just waiting to be made into a movie, not to mention the interest that her story still generates among those who love a good unsolved 19th century double homicide case. The story of Lizzie Borden has all the components necessary for a historically-based blockbuster: a lonely old maid who yearns for a higher place on the local society ladder, a rich, but tight-fisted father who refuses to indulge her desires, a dowdy stepmother intent on advancing her own family's interests over that of her stepchildren, a meek sister whose true agenda is never clear, and an Irish maid who seems to know more than she's willing to tell. On top of all that, there's the town itself---quintessential New England, divided equally between the haves and have nots, and populated by more quirky characters than you can shake a stick at. And what about the pear that Lizzie claimed she was eating when the murders of her parents took place? We can see it now. The movie opens with a close-up of Lizzie's hand holding the pear, then, as the camera pans upward to her mouth as she takes the first bite, we hear a horrified scream from the next room and cut immediately to the image of the maid staring, frozen, at Andrew Borden's hatchet-chopped body lying on the sofa in the parlor. Did Lizzie do it, or was she really just munching on that pear with no idea that her father had been turned into beefsteak during his afternoon nap? Lizzie Borden may have been acquitted of the heinous act, but the truth is, we'll never know for certain. It remains an unsolved crime, with no other viable suspects. But that's what makes the case so tantalizing and such perfect fodder for a movie. The only thing the story doesn't have is a love interest for Lizzie, but who to say there couldn't be one? Maybe she had a thing for her lawyer, or the pharmacist who sold her the percussic acid she bought a few days before her parents met their grisly end. As long as the rest of the facts are right, there's always room for a little artistic license. We just wish that someone out there would take it.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHX4nM9Q8EuzfHa2ymlbSs1hI-DyTY73NRfB21QBTposXvndYNlqyNRtFwU_pcaPCbQMpK-Hm3AiliQTZdFtzEA8Lxq6pAFpbosW3-G4Ujkkd1l3lv6907ThJhy1vXHoN7jKbAIjlQ7U/s1600/ssssss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHX4nM9Q8EuzfHa2ymlbSs1hI-DyTY73NRfB21QBTposXvndYNlqyNRtFwU_pcaPCbQMpK-Hm3AiliQTZdFtzEA8Lxq6pAFpbosW3-G4Ujkkd1l3lv6907ThJhy1vXHoN7jKbAIjlQ7U/s320/ssssss.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
SUFFERAGETTE CITY: THE MOVIE
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, why <i>not</i> a major motion picture about the 19th century suffragette movement? You have a ton of interesting characters to pick from: the strong and serious feminist prototype, Susan B. Anthony, the brilliant former abolitionist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and, on the other end of the <i>fin de sicle</i>, the notorious British suffragette leader, Mary "Slasher" Richardson. You have women marching in the streets, women in jail on hunger strikes, and even women throwing themselves in front of horses and carriages and being trampeled to death in the name of the cause. All against a backdrop of personal relationships, angry politicians, and a divided populace. It's great stuff. A human drama just begging to be transferred to celluloid. Not to mention that it would give at least one or two older actresses a chance to shine in a role that might result in an Academy Award. I can see Susan Sarandon as Susan B. Anthony right now. There's even room for a gratuitous sex scene or two. After all, just because a woman is willing to jump in the path of a speeding buggy for the sake of making a political point doesn't mean she's adverse to romance. The suffragette story has it all. All we need is someone to write a good screenplay.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APNnxNFJX9k/UNvttLwXMiI/AAAAAAAAKII/kUvzk7jf0NA/s1600/phenom-abandonship-main-631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="152" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APNnxNFJX9k/UNvttLwXMiI/AAAAAAAAKII/kUvzk7jf0NA/s320/phenom-abandonship-main-631.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
THE MYSTERY OF THE MARY CELESTE
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
On November 5, 1872, the Mary Celeste, a British-American merchant brigatine carrying a cargo of 1,701 gallons of commercial alcohol, left port in Staten Island, New York and headed for Genoa, Italy. On board were Captain Benjamin Briggs, a seasoned seven-man crew, and Briggs' wife and two-year-old daughter. There was no reason to think that anything would go wrong before the ship reached its destination across the Atlantic. But something did. A month later, the Mary Celeste was discovered abandoned, still seaworthy, its cargo intact, and seven months rations of food and water. However, there was no sign of Captain Briggs, his family, or the crew. Even more perplexing, there were no signs of a struggle and, except for water on the deck and in the hold and the fact that one of the ship's seven lifeboats was missing, there were no real clues as to what might have happened to those on board. Was it pirates? An alien abduction? The possibilities are endless and just waiting to be made into a speculative historical blockbuster. Haven't we seen enough movies about The Titanic? It's time for a new tragedy-at-sea movie, with its own overplayed, sappy theme song. It's time for the Mary Celeste.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i_sn09C3zsd7DovUolTAiYaRS2kNEcV9GwLCyXcp_4Baw1xFP0lo524PbjRXZwGRfAh9zYvZ3QMv3ATE64LDZ0806-c-TAYwm_r36Ys9m9JFzomw0ptoi-SR1lrxwwkuWMQJvYllHOs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i_sn09C3zsd7DovUolTAiYaRS2kNEcV9GwLCyXcp_4Baw1xFP0lo524PbjRXZwGRfAh9zYvZ3QMv3ATE64LDZ0806-c-TAYwm_r36Ys9m9JFzomw0ptoi-SR1lrxwwkuWMQJvYllHOs/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
BEHIND THE KING'S SPEECH
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
She was a beautiful social-climbing femme fatale. He was an overweight, self-indulgent, ill-tempered English monarch. But, after years of seducing wealthy noblemen and reaping the financial benefits, Alice Keppel found the sugardaddy of her dreams in Edward VII, whose reputation as a notorious womanizer equaled hers as a high-profile mistress. It was a match made in historical movie romance heaven. The future great grandmother of equally successful mistress Camilla Parker Bowles and the father of Edward VIII and George V (see "The King's Speech") fell madly in love and embarked on a relationship that lasted until Edward's death. In between there was enough romance, royal drama, and personal struggle to...well...fill two hours of screen time. Why did poor Bertie stutter and require speech lessons? The answer is probably right here, waiting for us, if only someone would make the historical blockbuster that this love story was meant to be.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, there you have it. Our humble offerings for the big screen, rooted in history and ready for review....by movie critics. All they need is for someone to make them into a movie.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-11112487530447328582012-12-20T18:59:00.001-08:002012-12-20T18:59:26.517-08:00THADDEUS STEVENS UPDATE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzz-yiuQE2U/UNPBzbs9FTI/AAAAAAAAKBY/EDZw7_sJrDE/s1600/400px-Thaddeus_Stevens_-_Brady-Handy-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzz-yiuQE2U/UNPBzbs9FTI/AAAAAAAAKBY/EDZw7_sJrDE/s320/400px-Thaddeus_Stevens_-_Brady-Handy-crop.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
THADDEUS STEVENS
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Yes, the title of this post is actually what is says...a Thaddeus Stevens update...and we take great pleasure in it since it's a safe bet that this is the only "Thaddeus Stevens Update" you'll be reading anytime soon. But we just want to be clear. In our last post, in which we waxed eloquent about "Lincoln", the new movie by Steven Speilberg, we spent a fair amount of time praising Tommy Lee Jones' portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens, the liberal politician whose commitment to the abolishment of slavery had a great deal to do with the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment, sometimes known as The Emancipation Proclamation, which occupied the last four months of Abraham Lincoln's life...and which is also the focus of the movie. But while praising Jones, we referred to a scene in the movie in which, as Thaddeus Stevens, we see him in bed with his housekeeper, a black woman called Lydia Hamilton Smith, played by S. Epatha Merkerson (Law And Order). We wrote that, since there is no historical evidence that Stevens and Smith were actually romantically involved, it appeared that the scene was included in the movie to bolster Stevens' image as a man not only committed to establishing equality between blacks and whites, but whose personal life also reflected his public stance. Well, there is <i>still</i> no historical evidence that Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith shared a bed, but we were so enamored of the character as portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones that we have done some additional research...and we want to tell you what we've learned.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3Z6b488s4o/UNPB90HUm4I/AAAAAAAAKBk/Fkeqb5EH5Tw/s1600/lydia.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="234" width="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3Z6b488s4o/UNPB90HUm4I/AAAAAAAAKBk/Fkeqb5EH5Tw/s320/lydia.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
LYDIA HAMILTON SMITH
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
As it turns out, Stevens and Smith enjoyed a long and multi-tiered partnership that began in 1847 when Stevens hired Smith, a widow with two sons, to manage his household and businesses in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Because Stevens never married, rumors regarding the nature of his relationship with Smith were always an issue for the pair, especially after she accompanied him to Washington D.C. where she not only continued overseeing the managment of his household, but assumed the role of hostess during social events as well. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Smith was the product of a union between a white Irish mother and a Black father, and, prior to her relationship with Stevens, had been married to a free black man. However, Smith and her husband separated after the birth of their sons, and she raised them alone, as members of Stevens' household, which also included his two orphaned nephews. Smith was keenly interested in business matters and had a natural aptitude for dealing with finances. This was apparently a strong connection between her and Stevens, who encouraged her to embark on a career of her own. Using the business contacts, as well as the business management skill she had acquired through her association with Stevens, Smith eventually became the owner of several properties in Lancaster and Washington D.C., as well as the proprietor of a well-known boarding house which frequently played host to powerful members of the U.S. legislature and even a number of foreign dignitaries.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-gozsQkoXF5YBKmvAyNU4qr-7GJtkqkhBnDKxsKhevPX12PQsePVpi6F7JuOnrO7iwj3Iq0Xhhwv5MDO6nBSaXgLZVjcaE-fW4TlCDEUcgTfDG_rcq985QL-_en1go2n62vd28oJt7g/s1600/300px-Thaddeus_Stevens_House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-gozsQkoXF5YBKmvAyNU4qr-7GJtkqkhBnDKxsKhevPX12PQsePVpi6F7JuOnrO7iwj3Iq0Xhhwv5MDO6nBSaXgLZVjcaE-fW4TlCDEUcgTfDG_rcq985QL-_en1go2n62vd28oJt7g/s320/300px-Thaddeus_Stevens_House.JPG" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
THADDEUS STEVENS HOUSE IN WASHINGTON D.C.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Although Stevens and Smith never responded to the rumors that they were more than just business partners and good friends, there is some historical evidence that both were involved in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves to escape to the North before and during the Civil War. Regardless of whether that was the case, it's at least clear that Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith were two extraordinary individuals who deserve to be rememembered for their joint role in altering the way that their contemporaries viewed relations between blacks and whites.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
And so there you have it...your one and only Thaddeus Stevens update for this and most likely any other day. If you want to know more, we encourage you to visit <a href="http://www.stevensandsmith.org/">http://www.stevensandsmith.org/</a> for more details and links.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-14833092991529843252012-12-16T20:31:00.000-08:002012-12-26T17:24:20.790-08:00OUR EVENING WITH MR. LINCOLN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWVTmC8eHJW-963Wn9VNe6k8MERXylRU4ZJrUstuR-7Gg2iKqbAnJSTnd-eyqMcnbY4ZNQl1FRB2DGI7RT-clbKAXuyJnkKH_JM2tnvZkHjIvTNKh42dJWA71Wk-jIYUKNtDARXDB8sE/s1600/lincolnssssss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWVTmC8eHJW-963Wn9VNe6k8MERXylRU4ZJrUstuR-7Gg2iKqbAnJSTnd-eyqMcnbY4ZNQl1FRB2DGI7RT-clbKAXuyJnkKH_JM2tnvZkHjIvTNKh42dJWA71Wk-jIYUKNtDARXDB8sE/s320/lincolnssssss.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, it's official. We are pleased to announce that we have finally seen "Lincoln", Steven Speilberg's much touted, and, as of last week, Golden-Globe nominated film about the hottest man to ever put on a stovepipe hat and waistcoat. And we are further pleased to announce that we loved every single sepia-drenched (at least figuratively) moment of it. After a month of devouring reviews, and listening jealously to the accounts of those friends and acquaintances who had the good fortune to see it without having to plough through the minefield of personal obstacles that for one reason or another kept us chafing on the sidelines all this time, we can at last add our own voice to those already singing its praises. In fact, we're still so heady with delight that we can't stop writing about it in psuedo-Victorian prose. But, for the sake of our readers, we'll try, because, like Lincoln, we have a strong sense of humanitarianism. And also because...well...we want you to keep reading this post.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNrxMSrPi4E/UM5DD63eDrI/AAAAAAAAJzM/aNqbFxTU1Aw/s1600/OB-VN128_lincol_E_20121129164524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNrxMSrPi4E/UM5DD63eDrI/AAAAAAAAJzM/aNqbFxTU1Aw/s320/OB-VN128_lincol_E_20121129164524.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
But where do we start? By now, everyone who's seen or read anything about "Lincoln" knows that one of its most powerful components is the excellent cast led by Daniel Day Lewis, whose performance as the great man is one of the best, if not <i>the</i> best, ever committed to celluloid (sorry Henry Fonda). From the first moment Day, as Lincoln, appears on the screen, we were totally and completely convinced that we were watching the man himself. Never mind that we have no recorded evidence of what Lincoln's voice actually sounded like. As he has done with all of his roles, Day did his homework and then some, immersing himself in accounts written by contemporaries who were privy to Lincoln's manner of speaking and interacting with his family and associates. Those things that we <i>do</i> know about Lincoln's personal demeanor and attributes...i.e. that he was known for his thin, "reedy" voice, that he often laughed at his own humorous stories, and that he was compassionate to a fault, even when the object of his compassion was undeserving of it...are all there in Day's protrayal. But of course there was much more to Lincoln than how he sounded wheh he spoke or the way he laughed when he told a funny story. If that was all that Day brought to the role, it would be little more than a caricature. But somehow, in a miraculous melding of beautifully nuanced acting and his own apparent affinity and insight into what made Abraham Lincoln tick, Day manages to make us believe that we are actually seeing the ill-fated 16th president of the United States on the screen. The make-up that imbues Day's face with that famous "weight of the world" look helps, of course, as does the incredible historical accuracy of the set design, from the clothes the characters wear to the furnishings inside the White House and Capital building in which much of the drama of the movie takes place. But final credit has to go to Day, an Irishman, who assumes the character of the former Kentucky-born lawyer cum president with the seeming ease of a man buttoning himself into a new shirt. He doesn't so much "play" Lincoln as he <i>becomes</i> him. And for those of us who not only admire Lincoln, but feel that peculiar sense of familiarity with a man who died over one hundred and fifty years ago, it's not only a treat, it's a gift that we never dared dream we would ever receive.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbzNJH6xuXTpvAXfPh4DtDJFLUQJ4ZMbvNKHVYRND_CWeY_lV2GCGruirNZ-yqtq1Af4LLkBZ4dRpGJiKlTqPKNSQJN2kw8zaWeXN68OnytAd3W2micqY1zzmEGBuUIuTmyiDlZLIdto/s1600/lincoln+whysoblu+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="173" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbzNJH6xuXTpvAXfPh4DtDJFLUQJ4ZMbvNKHVYRND_CWeY_lV2GCGruirNZ-yqtq1Af4LLkBZ4dRpGJiKlTqPKNSQJN2kw8zaWeXN68OnytAd3W2micqY1zzmEGBuUIuTmyiDlZLIdto/s320/lincoln+whysoblu+4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Of course, Daniel Day Lewis's performance isn't the only wonderful thing about "Lincoln." Veteran character actor Tommy Lee Jones, who plays liberal Republican Thaddeus Stevens, sprinkles his own brand of special magic throughout the movie as well. Well, perhaps "sprinkle" is the wrong word. As Stevens, Jones is a veritable powerhouse of abolitonist ferocity, decimating political opponents with acerbic put-downs and withering stares that belie the deeply humanitarian ideals to which the real Thaddeus Stevens devoted his political career. Wearing a horrible black wig (an affectation for which Thad Stevens was famous) to cover his baldness and limping from one angry interaction to the next with the help of a cane (Stevens was born with a club foot), Jones comes off as Lincoln's dark cousin, committed, like the president, to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment and the bandishment of slavery, but far less willing to make the political compromises necessary to ensure its success. In the end, of course, he does, just as the real Thaddeus Stevens did, but Jones' performance gives us a refreshing glimpse into a man who, despite his lifelong belief in equality of the races, swas still prone to bouts of bad temper and intolerance for those who held an opposing view. Jones's portrayal of Stevens is so good that we can forgive the historical license the movie takes with Stevens' personal life, when, in a scene that takes place shortly after Congress finally passes the amendment, we see him in bed with his black housekeeper, who is apparently also his mistress. Even though our research into the subject didn't turn up any evidence that Thaddeus Stevens actually had a black mistress, it seems entirely possible that he could have, or at the very least, would not have been adverse to the idea. In a movie in which the only real romance is the one between Lincoln and his feelings about the Thirteenth Amendment, it makes sense that Speilberg would include a scene that, though historically inaccurate, serves the purpose of reminding the audience that, even in an era in which blacks were considered by some to be less than human, pockets of true humanity not only existed, but characterized the everyday lives of men like Thaddeus Stevens.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKmJwZ-W-0I/UM5jkInjjgI/AAAAAAAAJ30/IErVW62vI-g/s1600/Lincoln3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="241" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKmJwZ-W-0I/UM5jkInjjgI/AAAAAAAAJ30/IErVW62vI-g/s320/Lincoln3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
And then, of course, there is Mary Todd Lincoln, played by Sally Field, who does her best to disabuse movie goers of the notion that Mrs. Lincoln was little more than a frequently hysterical, self-promoting spendthrift. Whether she was or not, as portrayed by Field, it's hard not to feel compassion for a woman who, having already lost two sons, is overcome with distress over the couple's eldest son Robert's desire to join the Union Army. Still, because so many contemporary accounts of Mary Todd Lincoln focused on her penchant for hysterics (a 19th-century forerunner of bi-polar disorder?), Field is almost obligated to show us that side of Mary, but those scenes only add to the poignancy of Abe's struggle to pass the Thirteenth Amendment. Worn out by the responsibilities of leading a country embroiled in a civil war, locked in a political battle with the Democratic members of Congress, he is also the target of Mary's vitriol as she accuses him of everything from not loving Robert (it has long been allegd that Lincoln married Mary only because she became pregnant with their first son) to wanting to put her in a mental institution (in fact, it was Robert who had her committed to one following his father's murder; she was later released). Lincoln endures his wife's accusations with the same resigned fortitude with which he endures the pressures of his office. In the end, the audience is left with the sense that perhaps it was partly because Lincoln's marriage was such a tumultuous one that he worked so hard to serve those whose names he would never know. That it was, in a way, the discomfort and unhappiness that shadowed Lincoln's personal life (not only in his marriage, but in his youth) that made him so highly attuned to the needs of others.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNiDzqbLLG0/UM6SXRQIUCI/AAAAAAAAJ5c/PBPZD9xe_7w/s1600/Lincoln555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="205" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNiDzqbLLG0/UM6SXRQIUCI/AAAAAAAAJ5c/PBPZD9xe_7w/s320/Lincoln555.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
There is so much more that we could say about "Lincoln", and, perhaps, we will, in a future post. But for this one, we'll just end by saying that it is, without question, a movie that deserves to be seen, even by those who aren't particularly interested in Abraham Lincoln or his role in bringing about the abolishment of slavery. If nothing else, it's a movie that manages to do what very few movies about the Civil War have done. It leaves the violence and bloodshed of war in the background, and romance behind the closed doors of the bedroom, and, instead, leads audiences down the crooked corrider of the political wheeling and dealing that was every bit as dramatic as what was taking place on the battlefield. "Lincoln" may not be the first cerebral drama to win critical praise, but it's one of the best, and quite possibly the only one in recent memory that makes audiences forget that it's not an action movie.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-37934088314602911582012-12-14T18:36:00.000-08:002012-12-15T13:22:07.609-08:00OUR FAVORITE SCROOGES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIh1ZIYX3sc/UMu9peYrxFI/AAAAAAAAJmo/QYzEJ5zs6Sw/s1600/christmascarol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="182" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIh1ZIYX3sc/UMu9peYrxFI/AAAAAAAAJmo/QYzEJ5zs6Sw/s320/christmascarol.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
In case you haven't noticed, it's Christmas time again. For those who celebrate it, and even for many of those who don't, the holiday's imminent arrival means that for the next couple of weeks, it will be impossible to go anywhere, turn on the television, or read a newspaper without being reminded of the season and the many and varied ways in which one can spend money in its honor. Which brings us to the subject of this post. Of all the Christmas traditions that we, personally, have come to love or hate over the years, "A Christmas Carol", that classic cautionary tale by Charles Dickens, is one that still manages to wrest emotion from our partially calcified heart every time we watch it in movie form. That's not to say that some movie versions of Dickens' (arguably) best-loved work aren't better than others. And like everyone else, we have our personal favorites. Which brings us even more specifically to the subject of this post...i.e. our top three picks for the "best" movie version of "A Christmas Carol." All we ask is that, if you don't happen to agree with our picks, you refrain from throwing verbal brickbats our way. After all, if we have learned anything from the story, it's that Christmas is the one time of year in which we should put aside our more acerbic traits, cast aside our selfish notions, and join with the angels and the fake-beared Santas ringing bells on street corners in championing the higher concepts of joy and love throughout the land. So, then, with that in mind, we humbly offer our list of what we consider to be the top three best film depictions of that ol' rascal, Ebenezer Scrooge.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXhk6LT8iYM/UMu-fRneCFI/AAAAAAAAJm4/UJWG69m1UPo/s1600/christmas-carol-280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="185" width="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXhk6LT8iYM/UMu-fRneCFI/AAAAAAAAJm4/UJWG69m1UPo/s320/christmas-carol-280.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
1.) A CHRISTMAS CAROL (GEORGE C. SCOTT, TV MOVIE, 1984)
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
For our money (which, to be perfectly honest, we must admit is not all that much) this TV movie version of A Christmas Carol, filmed on location in England, and first broadcast in 1984, is by far the best adaptation of Dickens' 1843 novella we have ever seen. Why is that? Well, for starters, because it stars George C. Scott, who won an Academy Award (which he refused to accept) for his portrayal of General George Patten in the eponymous 1970 film. Taking on the role of perennial tightwad Ebenezer Scrooge, Scott brought a depth to the character that forever raised the bar on all future attempts of the same. As Scrooge, Scott wasn't just a grouchy, stingy old man, he was a bitter, self-destructive fossil who had willingly sacrificed his soul to the pursuit of making money and holding on to as much of it as possible. That is...until his unexpected encounter with the ghost of his late business partner Jacob Marley one Christmas Eve. Scott's reaction when Marley's ghost first enters his bedroom is an amazing bit of acting that resonates with viewers not just because Scott's such was such a good actor, but because it is at that precise moment that we see the humanity still simmering underneath the old man's crusty exterior. By turns terrified, sarcastic, and, by the scene's end, touchingly confused, Scott shows us a side of Scrooge that seems as though it might actually be worth salvaging after all. Scott's consummate acting, as well as the beautifully shot scenes (especially those involving the appearances of ghosts) and excellent supporting cast, propel this version of A Christmas Carol into a realm far beyond the usual paint-by-numbers adaptation that litter the air waves every Christmas season. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a Christmas favor and make a point of renting it. Our favorite Christmas ghost in this version? That's an easy one. It's without question The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Played by Michael Carter, this shrouded figure never so much as utters a word, but, my oh my, what the man does with a few (skeletal) hand gestures would put many other actors to shame. Don't wait for him to come visit you. See the movie now.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
2.) SCROOGE (ALISTAIR SIM, BRITISH FEATURE FILM, 1951)
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oQnhwEOAmPk/UMvYwkoawZI/AAAAAAAAJqA/J_gbHZyEmIQ/s1600/scroogeandghost2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oQnhwEOAmPk/UMvYwkoawZI/AAAAAAAAJqA/J_gbHZyEmIQ/s320/scroogeandghost2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Scottish actor Alastair Sim already had a string of successful British films under his (dressing gown) belt when he signed on to play Ebenezer Scrooge in this 1951 British adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Released orginally in black and white (it was colorized in 1989), it received mixed reviews and was considered a critical failure, although it was one of Great Britian's most popular movies of 1952. Despite the disdain of critics, it is still in wide circulation on TV screens today, largely because of the poignancy that Sim brings to the character. Starting off in the usual cantankerous manner we have come to expect from our movie Scrooges, Sim's version soon begins to show signs of humanity, which is, of course, the standard path all Scrooges takes sooner or later. But it's the final scene that makes this our second favorite version of the story. Having finally grasped the error of his ways, Sim's Scrooge visits the Cratchit family just in time to watch them carve the huge goose he has anonymously purchased on their behalf, then makes a quick dash to his nephew's house, whose annual Christmas dinner invitation he had scroffed at before meeting up with the tutoring ghosts. As the maid ushers him into the front hallway of his nephew's house, and then toward the parlor door behind which his nephew is hosting a high-spirited Christmas soiree, Sim turns back to look at the maid with the saddest hint of a smile on his craggy old face...a smile in which we see the regret he feels for having denied himself the pleasure of a happy family Christmas for so many years. It's a magical, wonderful scene. And if for no other reason than allowing yourself the pleasure of watching it, this version of Scrooge's story deserves to be part of your holiday viewing.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
3.) MISTER MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL (JIM BACKUS, ANIMATED TV SPECIAL, 1962)
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBkQ7F2MKHg/UMvdHSHH8II/AAAAAAAAJro/Nu68GLepiyA/s1600/mrmagoo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="194" width="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBkQ7F2MKHg/UMvdHSHH8II/AAAAAAAAJro/Nu68GLepiyA/s320/mrmagoo.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
First broadcast on NBC in 1962, this animated version of Dickens' beloved tale was voiced by a cast of well-known actors (Morey Amsterdam, Jack Cassidy) led by Jim Backus (Gilligan's Island) as Ebenezer Scrooge. It was the first animated holiday show ever produced specifically for television and features a musical score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, who went on (quite merrily) to compose the music for Funny Girl. As adaptations are concerned, it takes its share of license, but we can forgive that because of the creative manner in which the "movie" was presented to viewers...i.e. as a Broadway play, divided into separate acts with a curtain call at the end. The best part about it, at least in our opinion, is the fact that the major characters in the supporting cast are played by fictional American actors who are never seen directly and who speak with American accents. It's an ingenious, somewhat irreverant twist on a classic theme, and when we first saw it as a child back in the day, we were completely entranced (and a little scared since we were...well...a child). Other animated versions of A Christmas Carol have come and gone, leaving little or no impact in their wake, but this version still stands up, even after all these years, simply because it was (apparently) so much fun for those involved. We still love it...and if you watch it...we think that you will as well.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Well, there you have it. Our top three list of the best "A Christmas Carol" movie adaptations this side of the 1840s. We hope you agree with our choices, but if you don't, remember...no brickbats. It's all about love and peace and fellowship this time of year. So let us raise a glass of eggnog (mine has a dollop of whiskey in it, but it <i>is</i> Friday night) and join in a toast to the greatest of all Christmas stories. Except, of course, for the one that started it all. But that's an entirely different post. Well...if we're still sober come Sunday, that is.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Merry Christmas...and to all...a good...and safe...good night.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b98PmHlD154/UMvht9lZmPI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/1t2JHOrlTYQ/s1600/dickens_1954.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="232" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b98PmHlD154/UMvht9lZmPI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/1t2JHOrlTYQ/s320/dickens_1954.png" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-11057856204359109712012-11-18T16:14:00.001-08:002012-11-18T16:29:35.184-08:00HOT FOR LINCOLN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hDGAS0vXFCs/UJ7xNvRvrGI/AAAAAAAAJGs/CHMKCFMsInk/s1600/Abraham-Lincoln-1865-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hDGAS0vXFCs/UJ7xNvRvrGI/AAAAAAAAJGs/CHMKCFMsInk/s320/Abraham-Lincoln-1865-400.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
HISTORICAL HOTTIE: ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN A PENSIVE MOMENT...BUT WEREN'T THEY ALL?
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
There are simply no two ways about it. We are hot for Lincoln. Yes, we know he's been dead for over a century and a half, and that even when he was alive, he was hardly the Brad Pitt of mid-19th century American society. On the other hand, there's a reason the 16th president of the United States continues to inspire so much passion and interest all these many years after his tragic demise at the hands of angry Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. That reason is a combination of many things, of course. Lincoln was, without question, one of the most intelligent and complex men to ever hold the office of U.S. president. The mythology that surrounds his upbringing (humble origins, honesty at all costs, humanitarianism up the ying yang, etc) has become an axiomatic part of this nation's history. And, of course, the fact that his presidency was so intrinsicably intertwwined with the events of the Civil War lends a poignancy to his legacy which still resonates today. But, for our money (not that we have much of it), there is yet another component to the reason behind the contining and unabated interest in Abraham Lincoln as we wend our way slowly and surely through the second decade of the 21st century. In a word...Abraham Lincoln was freaking <i>hot</i>.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhDlCliuNHI/UJ73VfX7DWI/AAAAAAAAJIU/FwmRVbV4to8/s1600/lincoln_1857_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhDlCliuNHI/UJ73VfX7DWI/AAAAAAAAJIU/FwmRVbV4to8/s320/lincoln_1857_thumb.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
PRE-PUNK LINCOLN: BEFORE THE BEARD, THERE WAS CLEARLY SOME EXPERIMENTING GOING ON
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
From the moment this past summer when we first heard that Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" would be arriving in theaters on Nov. 8, we have been absolutely salivating to see what, according to most critics, is not only a riviting, impeccably crafted homage to the man behind the legend, but probably one of Daniel Day-Lewis' most compelling performances ever. Unlike most films about Lincoln, this latterday epic from the man who gave us "Saving Private Ryan" and "Schindler's List" purposely bypasses the fury and gore of battlefield scenes to focus on the final four months of Abraham Lincoln's life, which he spent simultaneously trying to pass the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery and bring the war between the states to an end. Although we haven't had a chance to see it yet, if the reviews are on target, we have complete faith that, once we do, we will leave the theater with a refurbished passion for Abe.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QESngBSTHLs/UKluJ7_z0eI/AAAAAAAAJQQ/C35cfAMjmx0/s1600/abraham-and-mary-lincoln-a-house-divided-L-QNoWGy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="194" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QESngBSTHLs/UKluJ7_z0eI/AAAAAAAAJQQ/C35cfAMjmx0/s320/abraham-and-mary-lincoln-a-house-divided-L-QNoWGy.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
ABE AND MARY: A MATCH MADE SOMEWHERE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF HEAVEN
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
But back to our long simmering love for the lanky 16th president of the United States. Despite the endless jibes our interest has garnered from friends and associates ("Lincoln? Really? Why?"), we maintain that the sexiest thing about a man...any man...is that ephemeral quality of uniqueness that he either has or he doesn't. Abraham Lincoln was, without question, unique. Brilliant, but folksy, he was not only a man of the people, he was a true humanitarian who seems to have been blessed...or cursed...with a sense of compassion that made it almost impossible for him to join the ranks of the career politicians who, in his day as well as ours, make a business out of politics. He was an admirer of women as well. His biographers have made it clear that Lincoln's "homely looks" didn't stop him from playing the field...or at least making a good attempt. His marriage to Mary Todd, who was, herself, not quite what one would call, a "beauty", endured mainly because the man knew how to accomodate a woman who was known forn her neediness and frequent temper tantrums, not to mention an out of control spending habit that her handlers had to work hard to keep under wraps from the American public. Yet, by all accounts, Lincoln went to great lengths to accomodate his wife's mood swings and crankiness, despite the fact that she once confided to a friend that had she not believed that her husband would become president one day, she would have never considered marrying him. Not that she was his first choice, either. Lincoln's first love, Ann Rutledge, died before he could marry her, and there is some evidence that he married Mary only after she became pregnant, having already broken their engagement once. Even after their marriage, Lincoln was a favorite among the ladies who came to the White House. No doubt that had a lot to do with his wit and gift for conversation, but the deep sadness that seemed to hang over him like an invisible shroud was surely a draw as well. There's just something about a smart, sweet, sad man that's simply irresistable to some women. Abraham Lincoln was the prototype.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc6wGkxoSOxhozZ6XKOdhLY83jSxLNaXeb7-YhNR4pdw60IVD2TQyvuFsNhCyez9np6tqiHGpmrYJJM3OspopL3WbH_Bd4OONU7OqGO3xRv0o6pE-QUnpRDgFE8Oug5XQ92V1GJAZa2U/s1600/HD_lincolnA1858c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc6wGkxoSOxhozZ6XKOdhLY83jSxLNaXeb7-YhNR4pdw60IVD2TQyvuFsNhCyez9np6tqiHGpmrYJJM3OspopL3WbH_Bd4OONU7OqGO3xRv0o6pE-QUnpRDgFE8Oug5XQ92V1GJAZa2U/s320/HD_lincolnA1858c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
BEHIND BLUE EYES: SAD AND SWEET AND POISED FOR THE AGES
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Clearly, we could go on and on about Lincoln, but we'll leave it to the historians. Suffice it to say that we are hot for the man...and couldn't be happier that his legacy not only lives on, but is at present enjoying something of a restart. And as much as we love him, we don't even mind sharing him one bit. To paraphrase the man himself, you can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool yourself into thinking you're the only one hot for Lincoln.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-36975854601759945822012-10-02T03:06:00.001-07:002012-10-02T03:15:12.555-07:00HALLOWEEN "WHAT WE WISH WE COULD DO, BUT VERY LIKELY WON'T EVER EVEN BEGIN TO DO" LIST<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DIbnAa-M30/UGqu5D21VtI/AAAAAAAAIbk/yF94NxYO8a8/s1600/Halloween-Table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DIbnAa-M30/UGqu5D21VtI/AAAAAAAAIbk/yF94NxYO8a8/s320/Halloween-Table1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
The idea is becoming more and more daunting. What idea, you feel compelled to ask? Well..in a word...Halloween. It's only three and a half weeks away, after all, and it's all but impossible not to be reminded of that fact every time we step into a store crammed full of the latest in trendy Halloween merchandise or drive down streets where every other front lawn seems to be playing host to a grinning Jack o' Lantern or (shudder) inflatable smiling ghost. And to be perfectly frank, it's making us very upset. Why? Because, this was supposed to be the year...<i>the</i> Halloween...when we finally accomplished one of our minor sidebar dreams...i.e. "go all out" in support of our favorite holiday. We had plans. We even started collecting things that we need to make our cherished dream a reality. But as we slide into the first week of October, we are already beginning to see the writing on the wall, which, while not written in blood, is still making us edgy. The start of a new job, the recent unexpected death of a friend, among other things, has put a definite damper on our enthusiasm for proceeding with our holiday plans. In fact, if we manage to come up with a pumpkin to set on the front doorstep this year, we'll be doing fairly well, considering all of the obstacles that are currently looming before us. But don't throw a wake for our Halloween dream just yet. We have a hat and we may just be able to pull a rabbit out of it before the magical night arrives. And so, in tribute to what we hope will be our prevailing sense of Halloween spirit, we would like to share with you the three top things on our spooky holiday "still hope to do" list...even if, in the end, we don't...do them, that is. Herewith...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>DECORATE WITH VICTORIAN-INSPIRED HALLOWEEN TABLEAUS</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Yes, alright, we know...it's a huge goal, and it's probably insane to even think that we could do it. But somehow, when it was still summer and there wasn't as much chaos in our world, we honestly believed we could pull it off. See, we have this little white wooden pew...and we thought that if we could find a life size plastic skeleton and maybe a couple of faux ravens, we could dress the skeleton to look like Miss Haversham in Great Expectations, and then stick the ravens on the bench as a tribute to Edgar Allen Poe, and then, if we were somehow able to come up with a...oh, never mind. It's a lost cause. I'm reaching for the smelling salts, just thinking about it. But, still, just for the hell of it...take a gander at these dark depictions...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQcopLtdYxM/UGqyFT8dnkI/AAAAAAAAIdM/3YjCcG_9-ss/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="241" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQcopLtdYxM/UGqyFT8dnkI/AAAAAAAAIdM/3YjCcG_9-ss/s320/IMG_4358.JPG" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qDUTB_jSh6jjfmCn7Bso7rv2wgUVtpeZ-mYHkDf2bFh0oGiGeUX_LYQhcjFCnPrHLOB83xhsrZEQDTr5f_ABpBD4iZ7v5yBBf6W7YohjHriodMG9ixLA6Ef4PvktyvLiqIOB3jrJXBI/s1600/vicnewey024006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qDUTB_jSh6jjfmCn7Bso7rv2wgUVtpeZ-mYHkDf2bFh0oGiGeUX_LYQhcjFCnPrHLOB83xhsrZEQDTr5f_ABpBD4iZ7v5yBBf6W7YohjHriodMG9ixLA6Ef4PvktyvLiqIOB3jrJXBI/s320/vicnewey024006.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
We were striving for a plastic skeleton in a white dress on a bench. But an actual wedding cake and an entire room replete with classic Victorian decor? We're ashamed and humbled. But we still have hopes...less grand ones...that might materialize into something like this...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw3UVdZbvOpNAa76JIeFyYJlyf-_YoKkru0VP_Xr9CbHiTZym4K5e-rkRiHUphPpFB1vk5O79OzcDk_hYaIH4TLwksJo_0fDJ7AGFGE7scMa52IDR2l75kuClGaKTSGqK4bC-B3WBrvc/s1600/s_2955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw3UVdZbvOpNAa76JIeFyYJlyf-_YoKkru0VP_Xr9CbHiTZym4K5e-rkRiHUphPpFB1vk5O79OzcDk_hYaIH4TLwksJo_0fDJ7AGFGE7scMa52IDR2l75kuClGaKTSGqK4bC-B3WBrvc/s320/s_2955.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
A Victorian-inspired tableau, is surely ain't. But it's simple and straightforward, and we already have the roof. Oh, well, on with the list...such as it is...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>MAKE ABSINTHE CUPCAKES</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu7DSZEo91qv2NwSI5Q3MhmBO_b48un-mC_J0t0MN1BgEWhtu2nyUmW_jZBVFhM0eGfx88PEugzeQ4u7FOJH5UnKhyFLZ8-HguldyhTLodehw9EVUUAI1ZAAkUCHFaIFF6aC27Zbj9t4/s1600/absinthe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="212" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu7DSZEo91qv2NwSI5Q3MhmBO_b48un-mC_J0t0MN1BgEWhtu2nyUmW_jZBVFhM0eGfx88PEugzeQ4u7FOJH5UnKhyFLZ8-HguldyhTLodehw9EVUUAI1ZAAkUCHFaIFF6aC27Zbj9t4/s320/absinthe2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Yes, alright...again...we know it's a lot to take on, especially considering that absinthe...real absinthe....is expensive and hard to find. In fact, we would have to order it online, and then, most likely, skip buying regular groceries that week just to pay for it. But we love the idea of it, even more than we love the taste of absinthe, which, if truth be told, we don't even like all that much. The one time that we drank absinthe, in Copenhagen, three years ago, we thought it tasted like a stick of old licorice that we once found in our grandmother's pocket book, ate, and then really, really, really wished we hadn't. But we still want to make absinthe cupcakes. Here's the recipe...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
ABSINTHE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER CUPCAKES
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup absinthe*
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, at room temperature
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
green fairy frosting
sugar cube for garnish
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Line or grease and flour 6 wells in a cupcake pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg, mix thoroughly. Add flour, baking powder and salt to the butter mixture. Add the milk and absinthe to the rest of the batter and beat until well combined. Fill each well 2/3 of the way full. Bake 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted the center of a cupcake comes out clean or with just one or two dry crumbs. Cool briefly in the pan, then remove cupcakes to wire racks to cool completely before icing with green fairy frosting. Ice, then top with a sugar cube.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Can't you just picture sharing one of those delectable little cakes with the ghost of Edgar P. on All Hallowed Eve? Ah, well, the chances of that happening are about the same as the chance of us actually making them. But we still just might order that bottle of absinthe anyway. Why not? It's not as though we'll be involved in doing anything that requires our concentration...such as baking absinthe cupcakes...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FAgTIaO7_OzzO8xDm7eFpWDR7tap6cjAq-a2vJIc4cwi4lERSmO2tR890njNDl9UQXgAj-OpS8RfXT5iO8d4Fi72tHGN_i4aCBTXp0qWBtFXrW6KnHq9oMP9p2be5S9l3i5fMfQNE9E/s1600/61409_468733469814447_1768397574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FAgTIaO7_OzzO8xDm7eFpWDR7tap6cjAq-a2vJIc4cwi4lERSmO2tR890njNDl9UQXgAj-OpS8RfXT5iO8d4Fi72tHGN_i4aCBTXp0qWBtFXrW6KnHq9oMP9p2be5S9l3i5fMfQNE9E/s320/61409_468733469814447_1768397574_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Anyway...here we are...at the end of our Halloween "want to do but almost without question won't" list...and the final prize goes to...
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<b>WRITE AN INTERESTING, SOMEWHAT UNIQUE HALLOWEEN POST</b>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Yes, well, as we have already said...Wait. Hang on just a moment here. We DID that one. In fact, we're doing it at this very moment...even though it's not even six o'clock in the morning, and we have no absinthe, and there are serious indications that we will never share our dream of a Miss Haversham skeleton with the general public on this or any other Halloween. But, damn it all, we are writing this post..and even if it is a post about not doing things we wish we could do, it's still better than just thinking about writing a post on not doing things we wish we could do. As a matter of fact, we feel rejuvenated just at the thought of baring the truth of our Halloween inadequecies to the world. So rejuvenated that we're going to...no. Never mind. We won't. Whatever it was...which doesn't matter anyway...and so don't even wonder. We're not going to do it. But we <i>are</i> going to finish this post in a very few seconds..and to celebrate...we offer you this. Enjoy. (Or not...it's quite up to you.)
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN (NON-VICTORIAN, BUT POSSIBLY LATENTLY STEAMPUNK) READS "THE RAVEN"
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o_XyC5nKmTE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Love to all....xoxoxoxxoxoxooxo
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-15688460236431446832012-09-25T19:24:00.002-07:002012-10-01T21:28:01.859-07:00SAYING GOOD-BYE TO A FRIEND<d<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2zC_ltizBQTb9diTCDoyGUDmdHRjqVNdR0rd6OYRxosuKYC2qrgm6mQ5_K4-prkAwLv4XfhLMrM8T1OtjDeFFj_0X6NmbqhVXt8Y1_XbZxOlL0qDJq0Jm-u3OKPttVAZv6expHCY74s/s1600/FallingLeaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2zC_ltizBQTb9diTCDoyGUDmdHRjqVNdR0rd6OYRxosuKYC2qrgm6mQ5_K4-prkAwLv4XfhLMrM8T1OtjDeFFj_0X6NmbqhVXt8Y1_XbZxOlL0qDJq0Jm-u3OKPttVAZv6expHCY74s/s320/FallingLeaves.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
A good friend of mine died last week. There's no other way to say it, no way to make it sound less drastic or terrible or sad. She was the ex-sister-in-law of another good friend, but even though she had long since divorced that other friend's brother, the two of them were still so close that they referred to one another as "sister." I wish I could mention her name, but I know she wouldn't like that, being the private sort of person that she was. But I can tell you some things about her. She was fifty two, she was blonde and pretty and smart, she had a Cuban father whose DNA was no doubt responsible for her unique ability to be both charming and bawdy with equal flair, and she was a top notch hairdresser. She was a fan of Loverboy, Areosmith, and the B-52's. She was obsessively neat when it came to folding her clothes and organizing her jewelry, she had a strong liking for Vanilla Coke, and she loved cats. Adored them, really. Her house was filled with their likenesses, and even her jewelry and some of her clothing bore feline images.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Obviously, at fifty two, she was much too young to die...but everyone says that about the people they lose, whatever the manner of their death. Still, as deaths go, hers was particularly tragic. It happened as the result of a car crash, one which occurred less than a mile from her house, just after midnight, as she and her boyfriend were returning home from a bonfire gathering at a neighbor's house down the road. The last time I saw her was a little over a week before, when she and her boyfriend stopped by my house whilst running errands. It was a random, unexpected visit, and I was busy with something that seems very unimportant now, but on the day she stopped by, it seemed important enough to keep me distracted during most of her visit. Despite the desultory nature of our conversation, as she was leaving, she paused in the kitchen doorway and said, "Give me a hug good-bye." Which I did....not knowing, of course, that it would be the last time I would ever hug her, much less see her physically in this world.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Anyone who has ever lost another person they loved already knows, without me needing to remind them, that the hardest part comes not when that person dies, but afterwards, when the shock has finally started to wear off, and as it does, it becomes starkly apparent that life is...well...just going to go on. Charles de Galle, the late former president of France, once made the wry observation that "cemeteries are filled with indispensible people." I suppose that's true. At least in so much as people are only ever truly indispensible as long as they happen to be alive. After that, those who considered them indispensible somehow manage to find other people to replace them and other ways of accomplishing what the absent person can no longer accomplish for them. But, of course, with all due respect to the late Charles de Gaulle, when a loved one dies, it's not their indispensibility that we mourn, it's the fact that they have left a hole, however imperfectly shaped, or oddly formed, or inexplicably endearing. That...and the cold, frustrating discovery that people we love can die, and no matter how much we believe otherwise, our own lives will proceed without them. That's what I'm struggling with at the moment. The awareness that a beloved friend is no longer present in this world, but I am, and the sky is still blue, birds still chirp, the refrigerator is still keeping food cold, and the sadness I feel hasn't stopped me from thinking about how much I need to buy a new pair of boots for the winter. It doesn't seem fair, or right, and yet, that's the way it is, and always has been, and always will be. And the most I can do, in the face of such seeming unfairness, is write this post in which I can't even mention my friend's name. But I can tell you one more thing about her. I don't think she would mind. On that last day on which I saw her, she was feeling very proud because she was wearing a pair of denim overalls that she had owned since 1973...and she could still fit into them.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PWa3yNB7uvXuqxc32cGBb1Vm0O-7oALVfdes2Hqe_Wn36LOieIquddYyEMbINc5Zwp2_BtS_1uVz4AG1zbglyNBuF0p5C_F7sRiyfH5N7IFR8GeIMv1oJtvFsaYMFd8snhvc9CL5HsQ/s1600/Cat_Cozy_1_by_kaleesi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="297" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PWa3yNB7uvXuqxc32cGBb1Vm0O-7oALVfdes2Hqe_Wn36LOieIquddYyEMbINc5Zwp2_BtS_1uVz4AG1zbglyNBuF0p5C_F7sRiyfH5N7IFR8GeIMv1oJtvFsaYMFd8snhvc9CL5HsQ/s320/Cat_Cozy_1_by_kaleesi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564852306567752031.post-43995882463404769812012-09-05T21:38:00.001-07:002012-09-06T09:49:47.311-07:00WE APOLOGIZE FOR OUR TARDINESS...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Did you miss us? Well, no need to agonize our our absence any longer. (Although, on the other hand, we've heard that <i>absinthe</i> makes the heart grow fonder. If, that is, it's actually legal where you are.) At any rate, we're back...so be advised. And thank you for your patience.
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wfcJp3LzIg/UEgpoYBlyqI/AAAAAAAAHzY/N5kMlHkllxE/s1600/littleegypt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wfcJp3LzIg/UEgpoYBlyqI/AAAAAAAAHzY/N5kMlHkllxE/s320/littleegypt.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Look for something NEW very soon....and, with any luck, somewhat titillating! A hint: As above, so below. (Wink.)
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl8TWH2W05k/UEgonwIDW0I/AAAAAAAAHzM/xcOwkUIOLzI/s1600/absinthe-legal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="243" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl8TWH2W05k/UEgonwIDW0I/AAAAAAAAHzM/xcOwkUIOLzI/s320/absinthe-legal.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
ABSINTHE...AND ITS ACCOURTEMENTS. THEY CALL IT "THE GREEN FAIRY." THAT IS AKIN TO CALLING PETER PAN "THE LITTLE DARLING IN THE GREEN FROCK." JUST ASK EDGAR ALLEN POE.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13009438773953100294noreply@blogger.com0