Does one know?
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October). Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads due to lice and bugs, therefore wearing wigs. Wealthy men could afford woolen wigs which could not be washed, so in order to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term “big wig.” Today, someone who appears to be or is powerful and wealthy is referred to as “the Big Wig.”
Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. Women and men developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee’s wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. Should a woman stare at another woman’s face, she was told to “mind her own bee’s wax.” When the woman would smile, the wax would crack, hence the term “crack a smile” came to be. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt, therefore, the expression “losing face” came into being.
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. The “head” of the house always sat in the chair while all the others ate sitting on the floor. Once in a while, a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant that one was important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the “chairman.” Today in business, the expression of title “chairman” or “chairman of the board” is used.
Indeed, the English language is a very interesting language. Now, the reader knows the source of these idiomatic expressions.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
1. Volunteering is priceless.
2. Working together makes a job much easier to do.
3. Reflect on one’s joys.
4. Avoid dangerous drugs.
5. Prioritize tasks.
The Treasure Mountain Festival is in the pages of history. One now looks forward to autumn which began its reign Sept. 22. One will be enjoying changing leaves, forest walks, cozy evenings, candlelight, pumpkins, and cool rainy days.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Show me a man that gets rich by being a politician, and I’ll show you a crook.” — Harry S. Truman
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” — William Shakespeare
“There are so many different ways in which to navigate this so-called life. Be open to experiencing more than one.” — Sterling K. Brown
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” — Babe Ruth
Sitting in the air conditioning to cool off is the best place to be to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Helen Nash is now at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community for rehab, following some time in the hospital. Her daughter, Rhonda, visits her every day.
Spending the weekend with his grandfather, Eugene Varner, was Bentley.
Weekend visitors for Evelyn Varner were Sonny Brooks and Judy Costello.
The Gordon and Lula Puffenbarger Smith reunion was held Sept. 5 at the VFW pavilion. Descendants attending the reunion were many; most notably Cleo Simmons (102 years of age) and Riley Leo Adamson (7 weeks of age), the oldest and youngest.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Older adults who volunteer 100 hours or more each year significantly lower their risk of chronic illnesses.
•A $1 United States bill lasts about 6.6 years.
•A group of bunnies is a “fluffle.”
•Forty-one countries recognize sign language as an official language.
•The United States is the only country in the world that doesn’t use the metric system.
Concerns are for Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, family and friends of Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Clinton Eye, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Chip Harper, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Tim L. Hoover, Mickey Huffman, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, family and friends of Stanley Kile, Keith Kimble, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Skip and Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Harold Michael, Dennis Mitchell, Dottie Mitchell, Helen Nash, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, family and friends of Sheldon Propst, Eldon Puffenbarger, family and friends of Everette Puffenbarger, Willard Rader, Jimmy Rexrode, Robbie Sites, Carolyn Smith, Kitty and Curtis Waggy, Jr., and Edwin Wimer.
