Life on a WW1 U-Boat
What was life like aboard a WW1 U-boat? You have probably never pondered this question. Neither had I until I read a book which, as part of the narrative, explained what life was like aboard for the crew of a German sub in the First World War. And it sounds like a nightmare. Hellish, in fact. Of course, life in any submarine is, or was, likely to be claustrophobic. In the last century, it’s likely that fresh air was something...
Isadora Duncan
Who was Isadora Duncan? Although she was American, Isadora Duncan was virtually unknown in the States during her short and rather scandalous lifetime. A free-spirited dancer, she found her fame in Europe. When she first appeared on the stage in Victorian New York, the public was scandalised. One critic wrote: “This woman is an outrage, scandalous and a threat to all decent societies. She should be locked up at the earliest...
Did Ruth Ellis Really Shoot her Lover?
Did Ruth Ellis really shoot David Blakely? The world certainly thought so in 1955. It’s said that on Easter Sunday of that year, she had followed David Blakely – a racing driver – to outside a London pub. When she confronted him – their relationship had been stormy of late – she took a revolver from her handbag and shot him repeatedly. He died at once. Ruth did not run away or try to hide. She was...
Who was Sarah Winchester?
The mysterious Winchester House. When Sarah Winchester was widowed, she started to create one of the most bizarre homes ever seen in America. Why? It’s quite simple, it was to keep evil spirits away. Obviously really, isn’t it? No? Well, it was to Sarah. Sarah’s late husband was William Winchester, the man who made rage rifles ‘that won the West’. The distraught widow, who had discovered spiritualism some...
The Spirella Lady
History ramblings about, well, ladies’ undergarments. It’s a curious thing. When I was a child, grown-up women wore corsets. Today though, women seem to have an anything-goes policy. So what if you’ve got a huge bum? So what if your belly button shows through your t-shirt nestled in several rolls of fat? Well, in the 1950s and 1960s, women were more particular or, as my mother would have no doubt put it, they had...
Formatting print pages: Quick and easy
Formatting print pages: Quick and easy Transform boring print – fast If you’re a designer, you’ll be familiar with the client who sends you a Word document and a photograph and expects you to transform it – in no time. Can you please make this look better? No colour please, we can’t afford colour printing. Speaking of which, the printer has a huge workload – can it be ready within half an hour...
Unquiet Spirits: Bonnie MacBird
Unquiet Spirits: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure. On the cover of this book, right underneath the titles, are three words that give the potential reader a clue as to what they can expect: Whisky, Ghosts, Murder. Yes, it seems like a strange combination, doesn’t it? But author Bonnie MacBird has skillfully entwined these to create a new Sherlock Holmes novel that will truly be hard for you to put down. Are you a little wary of modern...
Salmon and spinach lasagna
Salmon and spinach lasagna recipe This special recipe comes from Belgian chef, Dirk De Cuyper. Now a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dirk was formerly a sought-after chef creating delicious meals aboard luxury yachts. This recipe features homemade lasagna (you’ll find the recipe here) but of course,you can use a fresh, high quality, commercial brand if you wish. The chef recommends this as a main course for lunch,...
Jerry Lewis saves Dean Martin from the Mob
When Jerry Lewis saved Dean Martin from an angry mobster. For ten years, ‘Italian-stallion’ Dean Martin and the rather less fortunate-looking Jerry Lewis worked as a double act. They worked together for ten years – from 1946 until 1956. They were popular on television but also toured the country performing in nightclubs. It was in one of these that Dean Martin was very nearly shot by a mobster – until Jerry...
Homemade Pasta
Making fresh pasta at home. If you’ve never made pasta at home you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Gourmet pastas can cost a fortune at speciality food stores and delis – so why not make your own? Using this recipe, from top chef Dirk Du Cuyper, you can make your own special pastas at home. Flavour your pasta, if you wish. Try basil, sun-dried tomatoes, olives or garlic for truly Mediterranean tastes. Add...
Pirate Hunters: The Search for the Golden Fleece
Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson. An exciting true adventure. This would be a totally absorbing book if it happened to be a novel, but the fact that this is a true story makes it completely amazing. It’s written in almost novel-form and if you’re like me, you’ll be hooked from the very first page. Pirates, sunken ships and modern day treasure hunters The combination of present day and the seventeenth century...
Vegetable Cooking Tips
Vegetable Cooking Tips. It’s nice knowing some vegetable cooking tips. Tips can save time, improve flavor, improve shelf lifetime, and more. Here you’ll find some tips on preparing, storing, and cooking vegetables. Carrots in cucumbers To cook carrots faster, provide a larger cooking surface – Carrots can cook a little faster by having a larger surface area. How to do this is to slice the carrot diagonally at a 45...
Are you ready to become a vegetarian?
Are you ready to become a vegetarian? Vegetarian Day is officially October 1, but you can become a vegetarian any day of the year. Some people also transition into becoming a vegetarian, perhaps giving up one type of food item at a time. Some transition more quickly; others take months and even a year or more to fully change their eating habits. October is also the first day of Vegetarian Awareness month. Vegetarians eat fruits,...
Alphabet Posters for Kids
Alphabet Posters for Kids. Kids like color, coloring, and fun. Keeping that in mind, I have selectively chosen the following alphabet posters – keeping your kids in mind. Any of these can be used as a stand-alone activity, with the parent/teacher reading the chart to the child; and they can also be used in coordination with reading a short story, and finding a particular letter or word on the chart that sounds like a word in the...
Barilla Gluten Free Pasta with Shrimp Recipe
My daughter Silver [her pen name] has had issues with her digestive system. She was having severe intestinal cramps and other symptoms. She was finally diagnosed with intolerance to gluten products. She had to forget about eating breads and pasta dishes. She heard about new products that are alternatives for pasta and other wheat substitutes. Finally, there is a solution for her with the new arrival from Barilla America company who...
Lasagne Recipes
Lasagna Recipes. As people what their favourite cuisine is and I imagine that a large number would tell you that Italian food is at the top of their list. Understandably, too. Here are some of our favourite lasagne recipes: Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna in Tomato Sauce Lasagna was a regular meal in our household, along with most every Italian dish you can think of. When my husband cooked, it always seems like we did it all....
Lasagne – an Authentic Italian Recipe
Lasagne is one of Italy’s most loved and famous dishes – it was one of my favourites when I was growing up, and I was very fortunate to have an Italian granny who taught my mum, who in turn taught me this recipe, so it is authentic. That means there are no sausages, chopped vegetables, cottage cheese, or anything else that people throw in – the result is an absolutely delicious dish that any Italian trattoria would be proud to serve....
Basil Pesto Recipe and Postcards
Basil Pesto Recipe and Postcards My family and I had already liked Pesto, especially made with basil. Then one year after I had gotten back into gardening, I decided to grow sweet basil and parsley in my garden. We were looking forward to having a fresh batch of homemade pesto with fresh ingredients. Wow, were we impressed. It certainly does make a big difference in flavor when you can use fresh ingredients from the garden. Sometimes...