Did You Know?
Has the First Lady always been the spouse of the President?
Read moreNov 20
If you are like millions of people, every time you go to the grocery store you are struck with the high prices of food. We all seem to have sticker shock for simplest of items, most especially fresh produce. No one wants to see a head of lettuce they paid a pretty penny for go limp or brown before they can finish using it. So today we have a great savvy secret to help you avoid wasting food…or more to the point…wasting money.
Read moreBefore we know it Thanksgiving will be here and pie baking will be in full swing. Other than the Thanksgiving classic pumpkin pie, apple pie runs a close second as many people’s favorite pie any time of year. Today we will share a new look for the ever popular two crust apple confection that just might be the star of you Thanksgiving dessert table next week.
Read moreWe came across a post on social media that was just too good, too profound, too wise not to share with you, our chums.
Read moreIt’s been said that money makes the world go round. It’s also been said that money is the root of all evil. Whichever theory you subscribe to, both of these contrasting views highlight the ubiquity of currency in modern society.
Read moreWhen you walk the aisles of the grocery store and see all the choices of cooking oils are you sometimes overwhelmed by all the choices and wonder what each might be good for? Are there just too many to choose from so you just default to buying the one or two you know because it is just easier? You might be missing out on elevating your cooking to the next level simply because you don’t know when or how to use a particular type of oil.
Read moreTraffic accidents were a problem long before motor vehicles dominated the road — pedestrians, horses, and carts all competed for the right of way, sometimes with fatal results. In fact, the first traffic signal in Britain predated cars.
Read moreToday, we remember the wonderful people, both men and women, who gave their lives for freedom. It is indeed a solemn day and begets our wholehearted thought, prayer and love.
But, we are left with a lot of good things from World War II.
Read moreWe came across this message sent to us by a dear chum from 1970. It is as pertinent to us today as it was 54 years ago. We think moving forward we can focus on all doing good for this country and for each other.
Read moreWhether the candidates you hoped would win yesterday were victorious or not, whether you are licking your wounds or celebrating a victory, we think we can all use a little comfort food.
Read moreIt seems like campaigning has been going on forever, but it has all come down to today…election day.
Millions have already cast their votes in early voting polling places, or mailed in their votes, or cast absentee ballots. But millions more will have the chance today to walk into that voting booth and cast their votes, to make their voices heard.
Tomorrow is election day. Two parties, the Republicans and the Democrats have put forth their candidates for local, state government positions and of course that of President of the United States. Elephants and Donkeys can be seen everywhere. But why you may well ask, are the donkey and the elephant the symbols of their respective parties? We wondered that too.
Read moreContinuing along on the “costume” theme, the ruff collar is one of the most recognizable symbols of Elizabethan fashion. Picture Queen Elizabeth I, her head surrounded by a crisp, fanlike collar, or William Shakespeare, the most famous author of the time, whose own likeness and theatrical productions depict the prominent garment. Though the collar began as a modest ruffle on a shirt, it went on to become an elaborate piece of its own. In 16th-century England, it would have been hard to miss the sight of these towering, fluted sculptures circling the faces of the English elite. But why did people wear these stiff, awkward garments?Like many sartorial choices of the time, ruff collars signified more than just taste; they were statements of status, wealth, and power. In the first half of the 1500s, English men exposed just a hint of a collar of their shirt, ruffled up from underneath their doublets. By the mid-1500s, however, Spanish fashion began to infiltrate England, and the exaggerated collar worn by Spain’s aristocracy was adopted by the English as well.
Elizabethan society was highly hierarchical, and fashion was a way for people to visibly demonstrate their rank. The larger and more elaborate the ruff, the more important and wealthy the wearer. One of the ruff’s most famous proponents was Queen Elizabeth I, who, after taking the throne in 1558, used her striking appearance to symbolize her authority. Her ornate, structured gowns and imposing ruff collars influenced the looks not only of her courtiers, but of the whole country: all classes and ages adopted versions of the ruff collar. The queen wanted to ensure that one’s look didn’t outrank their status, however, so she enforced the sumptuary laws previously put in place by her father, Henry VIII. These laws restricted the most luxurious clothing to the upper classes, making the truly showy ruffs the domain of the rich.
Ruffs grew in size and complexity as the century progressed, aided by the use of starch starting around the mid-1560s. By about 1570, the ruff was its own accessory, an entirely separate and detachable collar that was secured to the wearer’s clothing primarily with pins. Though early collars were made of linen, by then, they were also made with lace and could feature embroidered or bejeweled detailing. The collars were often starched in a variety of colors, with blue, green, and yellow being favorites. (Queen Elizabeth did, however, ban blue ruffs in 1595.)
An average ruff, if there was such a thing, required anywhere from 15 feet to 20 feet of fabric to make. By the 1580s, the collars had become wide, sculptural pieces; some of the more extravagant pieces, such as cartwheel ruffs, extended dramatically horizontally from the neck and were so cumbersome that they needed wire frameworks to keep them in place — and in one piece. Despite their starched rigidity, ruffs were ultimately quite delicate and difficult to maintain. While working-class citizens also wore ruffs, they couldn’t always comfortably accommodate them in their day-to-day life, nor could they afford the time and materials needed to take proper care of them, further relegating the accessory to the upper class. By the early 1600s, women had started wearing open ruffs, displaying their décolletage. Their collars stood upright more than out, a face-framing take on the trend influenced by French Queen Marie de’ Medici — and one that came up against the growing Puritan movement in England. Prominent figures in the movement, such as Philip Stubbes, condemned ruffs as symbols of vanity and excess. Nonetheless, ruff collars persisted throughout the early 17th century, until the falling band collar — another French style — took its place. By the mid-1600s, the falling band collar, with its relaxed drape over the shoulders, marked the shift away from the excessive formality of the Elizabethan era.
We love sharing the modes of yesteryear!
The number 13 has long been considered unlucky in many Western cultures. Even today — in a world far less superstitious than it was in the past — a surprising amount of people have a genuine, deep-rooted fear of the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia. For this reason, many hotels don’t list the presence of a 13th floor (Otis Elevators reports85% of its elevator panels omit the number), and many airlines skip row 13.
And the more specific yet directly connected fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, results in financial losses in excess of $800 million annually in the United States as significant numbers of people avoid traveling, getting married, or even working on the unlucky day. But why is 13 considered such a harbinger of misfortune? What has led to this particular number being associated with bad luck? While historians and academics aren’t entirely sure of the exact origins of the superstition, there are a handful of historical, religious, and mythological matters that may have combined to create the very real fear surrounding the number 13.
The Code of Hammurabi was one of the earliest and most comprehensive legal codes to be proclaimed and written down. It dates back to the Babylonian King Hammurabi, who reigned from 1792 to 1750 BCE. Carved onto a massive stone pillar, the code set out some 282 rules, including fines and punishments for various misdeeds, but the 13th rule was notably missing. The artifact is often cited as one of the earliest recorded instances of 13 being perceived as unlucky and therefore omitted. Some scholars argue, however, that it was simply a clerical error. Either way, it may well have contributed to the long-standing negative associations surrounding the number 13.
The idea of 13 being unlucky may have originated with, or at least have been bolstered by, a story in Norse mythology involving the trickster god Loki. In this particular myth, 12 gods are having a dinner party at Valhalla when a 13th — and uninvited — guest arrives. It is the mischievous Loki, who sets about contriving a situation in which Hoder, the blind god of darkness, fatally shoots Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with an arrow. It’s possible that this ill-fated myth helped cement the number’s connection to chaos and misfortune in Nordic cultures, and in Western civilization more widely.
Christianity has also helped fuel the superstition surrounding the number 13. In the New Testament — as in Norse mythology — there is a fateful gathering centered around a meal, in this case the Last Supper. At the dinner, Jesus Christ gathers with his Twelve Apostles — making 13 attendees in total. Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, is often considered to have been the 13th guest to sit down at the Last Supper, which might have contributed to the number’s negative connotation. This, in turn, may have led to the notion of Friday the 13th being a day of misfortune or malevolence, as the Last Supper (with its 13 attendees) was on a Thursday, and the next day was Friday, the day of the crucifixion.
It’s also possible that 13 gained a bad reputation because of the squeaky-clean nature of the number 12. In Christian numerology, 12 symbolizes God’s power and authority and carries a notion of completeness (a concept also found in pre-Christian societies). Its neighboring numeral may have suffered as a result, being seen as conflicting with this sense of goodness and perfection, further adding to the potent and enduring idea that the number 13 is unlucky.
So, dear Chums, you make your own minds up! True or false?
Oct 29
World Series and Dodger “Blue” history was made last Friday night in game 1 of this year’s World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. First baseman Freddie Freeman, came up to bat in the 10th inning with the Dodgers down with a score of 2-3, and with 2 outs and the bases loaded, he made history by hitting the first ever walk off grand slam home run to beat the Yankees with a final score of 6-3! For those who may not know, a “walk off home run” is a home run hit in the final inning of a game that scores enough runs to beat the opponent.
Read moreFood has always been central to human life, but our eating habits have evolved considerably over time.
Read moreOct 22
Usually the words “yummy” and “gluten free” aren’t necessary in the same description. While gluten free foods have made great strides in recent years, many gluten free breads in particular have tasted a lot like cardboard. If you’ve had any like that, you know what we mean.
Read moreOct 21
Bell-bottoms have long been synonymous with sailors in the U.S. Navy: just picture Sailor Jack, the patriotic mascot who first appeared on boxes of Cracker Jack in 1918, or Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly dancing and singing in the 1945 musical Anchors Aweigh. During World War II, songwriter Moe Jaffe even reworked the lyrics of a bawdy 19th-century English sea shanty into “Bell Bottom Trousers,” a song about a woman’s love for her sailor, who wore “bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue.”
Read moreOct 18
And to end our week, we want to share another wonderful dog story!
Judy, a purebred pointer, began her service as a ship’s mascot on board the gunboat HMS Gnat in 1936.
Read moreOct 17
Being a military homing pigeon during World War I was incredibly dangerous.
Read moreOct 16
When General Jack Seely left his home in 1914 to take command of the Canadian Cavalry Corps, his beloved thoroughbred stallion, Warrior, went with him to the Western Front. So began one of the most amazing animal stories of World War I.
Read moreOct 15
Humans and animals have fought side by side since prehistoric times.
Read moreOct 14
Oct 10
Well before the name Kellogg became synonymous with milk-infused breakfast fare and animated tigers, it was associated with health.
Read moreOct 4
People have always used trinkets to show their love, whether in the form of jewelry, locks of hair, or even fancy spoons. In the Victorian era, love tokens — ordinary coins that were engraved for a loved one — were a popular choice.
Read moreOct 3
James Joyce didn’t just write some of the most acclaimed novels of the 20th century — he did so using crayon.
Read moreOct 2
“Make my day” is a line synonymous with legendary actor Clint Eastwood in his iconic film role as Dirty Harry. It means something different to us here. He offers up some very profound “words of wisdom”.
Read moreSep 29
From hearty steaks to sugary snacks, the culinary preferences of U.S. presidents have always fascinated the American public. That’s perhaps no surprise, as the quirks of presidential palates offer a unique glimpse into the personalities behind the Oval Office. Here are the favorite foods of 14 U.S. presidents.
Read moreSep 27
Cotton candy consists of just two simple ingredients: air and sugar. The supersweet indulgence seems like the last thing a dental health professional would promote, but it was invented by a dentist from Tennessee in 1897.
Read moreSep 26
Sep 24
Today just happens to be National Horchata Day! What is horchata you ask? If you happen to be Mexican or live in a city where Mexican culture is prominent you likely already know the answer. If not, we are happy to tell you.
Read moreSep 23
Ferrets, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I have come to tell you about one of ancient Rome’s most surprising pets: ferrets, whose small size and playful nature belie their fierce hunting abilities. These wily weasels were primarily kept to hunt rabbits and keep pest populations under control, including by soldiers.
Read moreSep 20
Today we want to share the best beauty secret we know about, with you, our chums.
Read moreSep 19
Sep 18
If you like avocados then you’ve no doubt had the frustrating experience of getting ready to cook or make a meal and the only avocados you have on hand, or can find at the market, are unripe and rock hard. Conversely you’ve no doubt bought a bunch of avocados on sale and had them all become perfectly ripe at the same time when you only need one or two. Do we have some Avocado Savvy Secrets for you?!!!!
Read moreSep 17
A Lady asked an old street vendor: “How much do you sell your eggs for?” The old man replied “0.50¢ an egg, madam.” The Lady responded, “I’ll take 6 eggs for $2.00 or I’m leaving.” The old salesman replied, “Buy them at the price you want, Madam. This is a good start for me because I haven’t sold a single egg today and I need this to live.”
Read moreSep 16
Its power is in its simplicity. With only six notes, six words, and four lines — three of them the same — “Happy Birthday” is one of the most universal songs on the planet. Yet for something so straightforward, the celebratory tune has a surprisingly complicated history.
Read moreSep 13
It can seem as though everywhere we turn there is bad or difficult news both in our own families and communities, and across the world. With news of wars, earthquakes, fires, shootings, and tragic accidents or illness, we all can use some good news.
Read moreSep 10
What animal in our world exhibits activity more than the common squirrel? When children wiggle incessantly or move around frenetically we sometimes refer to them as being “squirrely”.
Read moreSep 9
For the most-visited tourist site in the U.S., New York City’s Times Square had humble beginnings.
Read moreSep 5
Everybody loves a quiz. It is the basis of many popular games, Trivial Pursuit for example. Today we have a fun quiz involving some quotes that are commonly repeated. You may well have used many of these yourself. But do you know who said them?
Read moreSep 4
There’s something about diamonds that catches our eyes and won’t let go.
Read moreSep 2
Today we celebrate the American worker…those who work for others, and those who have come along and created industries and opportunities that have created countless jobs for the working man and woman. We came across a quote from Albert Einstein that we thought exemplifies what thousands of men and women have done over the years to create those industries and job opportunities that allow the common man and woman to raise their families and enjoy their lives. We salute the workers, the grocery clerk, the postal worker, the man who works in the plumbing aisle at Home Depot who helps you find the “thingamajig” you needed, the server at the local diner, and the school crossing guard who sees to it that our kiddos get to school safely everyday, and countless others seen and unseen who play their parts in making the world go ’round. And we thank those who have taken a leap of faith to create the business that employed someone or many someones. We are oh so very grateful for each of them today!
Read moreAug 30
If you saw a Jeep with a rubber duck on its dashboard, you probably wouldn’t think anything of it — until you saw several other Jeeps with ducks on their dashboards, too.
Read moreAug 29
Aug 28
King Charles III has some new feathered friends joining him on royal grounds!
Read moreAug 27
I saw this article and could not help but copy it to you, our chums. My darling mother loved this film and watched it all the time. She loved everything about it ~ the love, the historical value, the beautiful scenes….and so, it could be seen and heard all of the time at our home in Pasadena.
Read moreAug 26
Aug 22
Cheese, glorious cheese. One of humanity’s oldest culinary creations, cheese has been around for nearly 4,000 years and comes in more than 1,800 varieties. Here’s a sampler platter of facts about everybody’s favorite dairy product.
Read moreAug 21
We came across a quote that was so profound we needed to share it with you our chums.
Read moreAug 19
Aug 16
It is so interesting how everything changes ~ including what we are asked to say when taking a photo!
Photographers have relied on the magic of “cheese” for decades –
Read moreAug 15
Every now and then, someone is truly inspired when called on to give a response to a tough question. Today we want to share just such a response in the hopes that someone will be inspired or take comfort from it.
Read moreAug 13
Aug 12
If you’ve been around Two Chums for even a little while, you know how much we LOVE butter! So today we have some fun Savvy Secrets to help you use and enjoy butter as much as we do 🙂
Read moreAug 9
You may not recognize this man but by many respected accounts, he truly is the GOAT!
Read moreAug 8
1. The Paris Metro has several “ghost stations” that are no longer in use. One of the most famous is Arsenal, which was closed in 1939.
Read moreAug 7
Aug 6
As we all know, Henry VIII had many wives, six to be precise. He desperately wanted a son to take over the throne.
Read moreAug 5
We have seen some truly amazing performances in sports this past week in Paris. Anyone who has been watching can’t help but be impressed by the determination and diligence of the athletes at the Olympic games. Just qualifying to be there at all, let alone competing and winning a medal is quite an amazing feat of excellence. But we think there is something even more impressive than winning a medal.
Read moreAug 1
The French medals are, as one would imagine, unique to France! Each medalist will take home a small part of the Eiffel Tower!
Read moreJul 30
For most people who have visited Paris, it is a city like no other filled with deliciousness, both to eat and to look at!
Read moreJul 29
Well, we will suffice it to say that we imagine that most of you have been watching the Olympics, starting with the amazing Opening!
Read moreJul 26
Amazing Sculpture! David by Michelangelo which stands in Florence. We found some facts to add to those we already have posted.
Read moreJul 25
We talked about acting “normal” yesterday and today we are going to talk about “going way above” normal!
Read moreJul 24
Jul 23
We think if is safe to say that most everyone has a jar of some type of mayo in their refrigerator. Today we want to share an update of some simple ways to enhance this old friend to liven up your sandwiches or meals.
Read moreJul 22
The single thing that can change everything, is that one thing that is always within our control to exercise…GRATITUDE.
Read moreJul 19
Every year millions of people get braces or have their wisdom teeth pulled. That’s because there isn’t enough dental real estate in the average human mouth. Although a boon for the dental profession, humanity’s mass malocclusion (or misalignment of teeth) wasn’t always this way.
Read moreJul 18
We can all use a good chuckle from time to time. In that spirit we offer this to you today 🙂
Read moreJul 18
We all use toothpaste every day and don’t think much about it but it has been around a very long time!The ancient Egyptians are known for many firsts. Hieroglyphics, papyrus, the calendar, and even bowling all come from the minds of the ancient people along the Nile. Egyptians were also some of the first to pay particular attention to oral care. They invented the first breath mint, toothpicks have been found alongside mummies, and they created the oldest known formula for toothpaste. Holy smokes!
Read moreJul 16
Sandwiched along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, literally! Many of our readers, we feel sure, will have visited Niagara Falls, either on the Canadian or the American side, but this is way larger than that!
Read moreJul 15
The Mondays seem to roll around so very quickly and here we are at a new one! Remember to treat it as “new”!
Read moreJul 12
You can take a culinary trip to Greece this weekend without ever leaving home. It is a very tasty trip too!
Read moreJul 10
The “words to live by” we would offer to you today really have to do with kindness and empathy.
Read moreJul 9
Jul 8
Thanks to the 1975 blockbuster Jaws, a generation of people have grown up with the mistaken belief that sharks are man-eating monsters, intent on attacking anything that moves. Scientists have worked hard to dispel such myths about the ancient creatures which roam every ocean and vary widely in size, shape, diet, habitat, and attitude. Here are a few facts about these fascinating fish.
Read moreJul 5
We are often surprised by the things we learn about the foods we eat. Today we have some surprises and happy ones at that!
Read moreJul 4
In all her beauty we salute Old Glory today as we celebrate Independence Day. Long may she wave!
Read moreJul 3
This is a favorite dessert of ours and one of Jackie’s specialties as a whole strawberry meringue pie. But we can change it up and make individual pavlovas filled with sweet whipped cream and fresh strawberries and blue berries and you’ve got the perfect red, white and blue dessert for your 4th of july party! Here’s how….
Read moreJul 2
When we’re eating casually at home, most of us don’t have a large formally set dining table complete with multiple pieces of silverware and glassware. We can stick to a few basic rules that we learned as children, like not speaking with our mouths full of food. And we do know that the Fourth of July usually tends to be a more picnic-like setting. But at a fancy event, or when we’re trying to impress someone important, the rules may seem a little more complex and overwhelming. Here are six table etiquette guidelines that you might not know.
Read moreJul 1
This is the week! Let’s celebrate! The Fourth of July is a big day for fireworks, cookouts and parades. Need some help with that BBQ banter? Here are some Independence Day-themed facts to share.
Read moreJun 28
Do you recognize this gentleman? We would guess probably not. He likely doesn’t mean anything to you. But he did to two young Stanford students many years ago. And his story may touch and inspire you too.
Read moreJun 27
If you have been around Two Chums for long you must certainly know that we have great affection for the British royal family. So when we came across a wonderful photo that was published last week in honor of Prince William’s birthday, we wanted to share it immediately with you our chums.
Read moreJun 26
We’ve all done it. Made ourselves a promise that by this time next year something would be different. And then before you know it, this year rolls around and…
Read moreJun 25
There are an estimated 75,000 palm trees in Los Angeles, all of which have one thing in common: they are not native there. Despite being an L.A. icon on par with the Hollywood sign and Dodger Stadium, the tropical tree is no more a native Angeleno than, well, the Dodgers. Not unlike the Hollywood sign, palms were originally a marketing technique for developers hoping to attract newcomers to the area in the late 19th century.
They got the idea from the French Riviera — another area palms aren’t actually native to — where like-minded developers had successfully used them just a few decades before to cultivate an image of glitz and glamour.
In addition to being beautiful, palms are surprisingly easy to uproot and transport from their native tropical and subtropical environments in the Middle East, Mexico, and elsewhere, so tens of thousands of them were planted all across the California city that had once been desert scrubland.
It seems fitting that one of Los Angeles’ most enduring symbols was essentially a branding strategy chosen for its aesthetic appeal, doubly so because palm trees’ association with the city was (and is) further cemented by their ubiquity in the many films shot there. After all, most of the directors, actors, and studio executives who made Hollywood what it is today weren’t originally from the City of Angels either.
So, there you have it. Much like the movie industry whose main home is Los Angeles, California, palm trees were brought in to create an illusion.
Jun 21
Everyone loves spaghetti. Now we’ve come across a method that has you making homemade spaghetti in a jiffy! And with only one pot, clean up is easy peasy too.
Read moreJun 20
You know your Two Chums believe in laughter as being the best medicine…so today here’s a chance to at least chuckle and make everything look brighter.
Read moreJun 19
If you should see this flag flying today (or this week) on government or city buildings it is in celebration of Juneteenth. What is Juneteenth you might ask?
Read moreJun 19
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Napoleon complex” which refers to the idea that small creatures — whether people or Pomeranians — often act as if they’re much bigger than they really are, supposedly in an attempt to overcompensate for their lack of stature.
Read moreJun 18
Jun 17
Johnny Appleseed
On a family farm in Nova, Ohio, grows a very special apple tree; by some claims, the 175 year old tree is the last physical evidence of John Chapman, a prolific nurseryman who, throughout the early 1800s, planted acres upon acres of apple orchards along America’s western frontier, which at the time was anything on the other side of Pennsylvania. Today, Chapman is known by another name—Johnny Appleseed—and his story has been imbued with the saccharine tint of a fairytale.
Read moreJun 14
Yesterday we gave you some interesting info on apples. So today we will remind you some of our favorite ways to eat that popular fruit.
Read moreJun 13
Apples serve all sorts of useful purposes: They’re great for a snack, fun to pick, perfect for giving to a teacher, and ideal as a subject for a still life. They also offer an entire smorgasbord of interesting facts for those who enjoy nourishing their minds along with their bodies. Here are eight bite-sized tidbits to chew on regarding this wondrous fruit.
Read moreJun 12
It’s the middle of the week and most of us could use a good laugh right about now. Cartoonist Gary Larson always comes through…
Read more