If you are trying to lose weight in 2020, take a look at this…
The Daily Beast recently published a great review of Rancho Santana. You can read the entire article – “Forget the Caribbean. Nicaragua Is Your Next Beach Getaway” – here.
The 2020 edition of Bob Bly’s daily desk calendar: “Words You Should Know to Sound Smart”
In a review of last year’s calendar, Amy F. says: “In the age of auto correct, I realized my language skills were becoming substandard. Now, through assiduous lucubration of my new vocabulary, my friends don’t want to speak with me, not even the phlegmatic ones. Overall, it’s fun to keep on the desk.”
For ordering information, click here.
January is named for Janus, the Roman god of gates and doorways. He is depicted with two faces – one looking backward and one looking forward.
“A Look At Paris In 1900” – This made me feel like I was there. Note how the passersby look at the camera, a novelty at the time.
If you want to be one of the very first people to celebrate New Year’s Day 2020, you’re going to have to position yourself somewhere along the International Date Line, which runs through the Pacific Ocean a little to the west of Hawaii. The easternmost island of Kiribati (Caroline Island) near French Polynesia might be a good choice. (Hawaii will be one of the last places to celebrate.)
Andre Rieu – “O Holy Night”
You know what eggnog is – the traditional Christmas/New Year’s drink consisting of milk or cream, sugar, and eggs beaten together and often mixed with rum or brandy. But why is it called “eggnog”? Egg, yes. But nog?
According to my dictionary, a nog is a small wooden block or peg. Doesn’t make sense to me, so I did a little research and found many theories. One suggests that it comes from the Middle English word “noggin,” which was a wooden mug for serving alcohol. Another claims that it’s derived from an Old English word for strong ale. A third attributes it to Colonial America, where it was referred to as egg-and-grog. (Rum was called grog.) And there are lots more.
So the only thing we really know about “nog” is that it maybe/probably has something to do with alcohol…
An exciting rendition of “Little Drummer Boy”…
When the Three Wise Men gave the Christ child frankincense and myrrh, they were doing much more than giving him something that smelled good. They were giving him a gift of good health. Because in those days, these two aromatics were widely used as medicine. (And they are still used by herbalists.)
Frankincense, a natural antiseptic, sedative, and immune stimulant, was used as a treatment for respiratory problems, depression, infection, and tumors. Myrrh, a natural anti-inflammatory and astringent, was used as a tonic and as a cure for cancer, leprosy, and syphilis. Mixed with coriander and honey, it was also used to treat herpes.