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Clip of the Week: April 6, 2022
On April 6, 2022 by ElyseSomebody never learned the Golden Rule: “Mark Twain insists [in his 1909 book Is Shakespeare Dead?] that [Sir Francis] Bacon wrote Shakespeare,” says the Youngstown Telegram. A hundred years or so from now somebody may be insisting that George Bernard Shaw wrote “Huckleberry Finn;” and we know Mark would not relish that idea. – The
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The Perfect Foot
On March 30, 2022 by ElyseFolks, put on your comically oversized nightcap—or pour yourself one—because this week, I have another Cinderella-esque fairy tale to read you. Since this blog is not yet available in podcast form, you’ll have to imagine my dulcet tones and/or high-pitched squeaks as you go along. Once upon a time, in the not-so-faraway land of Chicago,
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Clip of the Week: March 23, 2022
On March 23, 2022 by ElyseIt was worth a shot: F. M. Orchard’s home has been robbed many times. Published a “want ad:” “Mr. Burglar, please write. State what you want, and we will prepare it, but don’t muss up the house.” – The Day Book, January 18, 1913 Sounds like somebody could use one of these:
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Bearbnb
On March 16, 2022 by ElyseWhether it’s a thief running through the hallway in his underwear or a night spent inside a whale, everyone has a hotel horror story. For me, it was the giant, unidentified insect I found crawling around the bathtub in a rural South Dakota motel. I may or may not have screamed. However, with some hindsight,
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Clip of the Week: March 9, 2022
On March 9, 2022 by ElyseDear readers, it’s your lucky day: You get TWO bad puns for the price of one! You’re welcome. Governess, why should people always select the serpent as the symbol of evil and badness? Resourceful Governess: Well, you see, the poor thing hasn’t a leg to stand on. Does your daughter play on the piano? Old
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A Boring Page of the Gilded Age
On March 2, 2022 by ElyseOne who reads this book through will have as rough a mental journey as his physical nature would undergo in riding over a corduroy road in an old stage-coach. It makes no pretension to either scholarship or elegant diction. – Ward McAllister, Society as I Have Found It, 1890 No, dear readers, that is not
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Clip of the Week: February 23, 2022
On February 23, 2022 by ElyseWith friends like these. . . Maud: I didn’t see you at your friend Mr. Smith’s wedding. Frank: No; I don’t believe in gloating over my friends’ misfortunes. – The Ottumwa Courier, November 24, 1903 Mr. Smith: “I don’t know you from a bar of soap!”
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5 Times Love Didn’t Conquer All
On February 16, 2022 by ElyseHere at Second Glance History, it’s tradition at this time of year to share stories of love overcoming insurmountable obstacles, again and again. But in the immortal words of Patty Smyth and Don Henley, sometimes, love just ain’t enough. I’m not alone in having learned that the hard way. Patty and Don may not have
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Clip of the Week: February 9, 2022
On February 9, 2022 by ElyseGood news for all my fellow single ladies: When does a girl become an old maid? This interesting problem is being thrashed out by the Passionist Father Alexis, of New York, who says that ridiculous notions exist on the subject. Addressing his church congregation yesterday, he said that all women are young until they are