Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio … and the doorman
The story of Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio … and the doorman. Marilyn Monroe was known for so many aspects of her life (including her involvement with the Kennedys, of course) but a subject of speculation is how her husbands could have been such completely different characters. Her first husband, who she married when she was just sixteen, was a US Marine. The marriage ended quite quickly. Her second husband was almost as...
Fruit Filled Green Salad with Citrus Dressing
Fresh Fruit and Lots of Greens This may be the most refreshing salad I’ve ever made! Who says fruit and green salad should be separate dishes? Combined, they are perfect for a hot summer day, though it would taste good any time of year. It’s been unusually hot here in my little town on the Southern Oregon Coast. Seems like it has been an exceptionally hot season this year across the entire country. When temperatures soar,...
Detective Sergeant Stanley ‘Steve’ Moore
Great Train Robbery Detective, Steve Moore. Stanley Moore, always known as Steve, was one of the members of the Flying Squad team who were responsible for the capture of the men who had undertaken the Great Train Robbery of 1963. The robbers became famous – folk heroes – and many members of the British public secretly hoped that they’d get away with their haul of £2.6 million that they’d stolen from the Glasgow...
Make your own Hamburger Buns with a Bread Machine
Make your own Hamburger Buns with a Bread Machine Now that I have a bread machine I try to avoid buying bread at the store. The machine makes it so easy and inexpensive to prepare it at home, and the aroma of bread baking spreads through the house. My review of this fantastic invention is right here. At first I stuck with loaves of bread, not sure I would do well making rolls. But the first time I tried them I found they are so easy...
Is Hitler’s son alive and living in England?
Hitler and Unity Mitford. Did Adolf Hitler have a child with an English girl? And could that child still be alive? It sounds far-fetched, doesn’t it? But there are many historians who believe that this is the case and there is some evidence to show that the possibility exists. Unity Mitford was from an aristocratic English family. She and her sisters were the most colourful characters around in the pre-war era. They were fun...
In praise of sensational women – Siouxsie
Andy Royston continues his series of articles on the women in popular culture who made his world quake. “There is a fun, flippant side to me, of course. But I would much rather be known as the Ice Queen. Susan Ballion/Siouxsie I started to pay attention to Siouxie after a trip to London. There used to be an open air street market at the end of Gerard Street, on Newport Court not far from Leicester Square. There was a stall...
The Montrose Ghost
The Irish Apparition. On 27th May 1913 Irishman Desmond Arthur was killed when his plane was flying over Montrose in Scotland. Three years later, his spirit returned to the scene to haunt it. The ghost disappeared in January 1917 and was never seen again. But why? First, let’s look at the fatal accident. Arthur was an experience flier and on his last flight he had taken his BE2 biplane to a height of 2,500 feet. People on the...
Mom’s Cherry Cobbler
Mom’s Cherry Cobbler Today it was time to go back in time to when my mother used to make this basic, light cobbler for our family. It is so easy to stir up, takes little time to bake, and makes a wonderful, colorful dessert. There is barely any sugar in the mix, but it is just enough to add a slight sweetness to the Bisquick mix. Compared to some of the heavier, richer toppings, this is just right. I served it with whip...
World Atlas of Wine: Review
World Atlas of Wine: Review Enrich your wine drinking experience by learning more with this book I’ve been drinking wine since I was a child and I’ve loved it ever since 🙂 My parents believed – in a typically European way – that children should drink watered-down wine at dinner on special occasions. As I’ve grown older, it has become more than just a pleasure, it has become a way of life and a voyage of...
Jazz Standards : Take the ‘A’ Train
Jazz Standards : Take the ‘A’ Train. The story of how Duke Ellington’s signature tune, Take The ‘A’ Train was written is a classic. Billy Strayhorn, future Duke’s right hand man, was said to have written the piece after Ellington had offered him a job as a writer, arranger and piano man , sending money for him to travel from Pittsburgh to New York and then up to Ellington’s apartment in Sugar...
Sugar Knockout: By Cherie Calbom
Learn about sugar, your diet and your health: From Cherie Calbom, ‘The Juice Lady’. We know about sugar and other sweeteners and just how they affect our health, don’t we? According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) we don’t. There is a huge confusion in our minds about which sweeteners and sweetened products are good for us and which we should avoid. For example, try answering these...
Morrissey: Militant Vegetarian
I don’t eat meat. For various reasons. But my question is, does that give me the right to insist that others don’t eat meat too? My diet is my life choice and my own business, wouldn’t you say? After all, I wouldn’t want militant carnivores insisting that I eat meat. But Morrissey (pictured) doesn’t think that way. He believes he has the right to be as militant as he wants regarding vegetarianism....
Book Review : Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart
Book Review : Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart Anyone who has read or seen the movie My Sister’s Keeper, will remember the author Jodi Picoult. She has a way of making you look at things from a different perspective. Just when you thought all things that had two choices were simply Black and White choices, along come Jodi to shake you up. Just as she did with My Sister’s Keeper, she has done so again with Change of Heart! I started to...
Book review: Eloise by Judy Finnegan
Book review: Eloise by Judy Finnegan. I have to tell you that I really didn’t want to read this book. I was so wrong and I recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s a fascinating book with twists and turns in the plot and features beautifully crafted characters. Not only that, it’s set in the wild and beautiful county of Cornwall, an area as mystical and threatening as it is picturesque. Cathy is a middle-aged married woman....
Tuesday Typo: The BBC
‘Separate’. I’m not going to say that there are no typos in the articles I write. But I’m just me. I’m not a huge and respected organisation such as the BBC. The British Broadcasting Corporation has been a symbol of getting things right and setting standards since 1927. So it’s been around a lot longer than I have. This is why I love to read their style guide and other guidelines for journalists and...
Indian Cauliflower Rice with Spinach
Fresh, vegetarian, and healthy! When I first saw a recipe on Food and Wine for Indian Cumin Rice, I knew I had to try with riced cauliflower instead. Cauliflower, either run thru a blender or grated into rice size bites with a grater, make an excellent substitute for regular rice. It’s lighter, healthier, and very adaptable in so many dishes. It works wonderfully in Fried Rice and in Spanish Rice, so why not with an Indian flair....
Little Stevie – That boy’s a wonder!
Little Stevie – That boy’s a wonder! How Stevie Wonder got his name. It started out with pots and pans. Lula Mae Morris Hardaway’s two year old son was driving everyone crazy banging out rhythms with a set of spoons. Tabletops. crockery, anythng to hand. She came home one day with a set of cardboard drums and little Stevie wore them out. A few years later an uncle had passed on a harmonica and he never went anywhere...
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett: Review. This is a wonderful fictional account of what happened when Queen Elizabeth II decided to take up reading.The queen reads – of course she does – but in this novella,her reading activities are confined to state papers,official documents and the more serious daily newspapers. She’s a busy lady. In Alan Bennett’s book though, she starts to read fiction.It’s all...
Eggplant rolls recipe
Eggplant rolls – quick and easy recipe. This is an easy dish to make and is a delicious meat-free meal. You could also serve these tasty rolls as a side dish or an appetizer. It’s a very flexible recipe too, as you can add leftovers, or flavourings of your choice, to the stuffing. The recipe uses a commercial pasta sauce but it’s even tastier if you make your own. I’ve also made this using a quick, simple sauce...
Kathryn Kelly: The Moll Behind Machine Gun Kelly
The amazing true story of Kathryn Kelly: By Barbara Casey. You’ll love this true-life story. Have you heard of Kathryn Kelly? I hadn’t until I read this book and yet she was one of the most fascinating characters I’ve read about. Destined to become a gangster’s moll, Kathryn is a far more fascinating character than her counterpart, Bonnie Parker. Bonnie and Clyde caught the imagination of the public in the...
The Simplest Asparagus Recipes are Always the Best
I can’t resist asparagus and although there are many delicious asparagus recipes the one I’m going to show you here is my favorite. My father loved it too and he was a professional chef. Luckily it is very easy and quick to prepare and it can be served as a delicious lunch or evening meal. Asparagus is so delicate and nutritious that you really don’t need to do much more than boil, roast or grill it for a few minutes to have a...
I Take You: By Eliza Kennedy
I Take You: A laugh-out-loud novel. This is the most wonderful, funny and crazy book. Lily is about to get married – but before I go any further I have to let you know that this is not one of those cutesy Father-Of-The-Bride type pre-wedding stories. Let me give you an example. She is enjoying her bachelorette party when she gets a message that there’s an emergency at work. Lily is a lawyer so has to respond. At the...
The Hindenburg Disaster
Hindenburg Airship Disaster. 1937 When the British R101 Airship crashed in 1930, the public began to lose confidence in this supposedly luxurious mode of travel. Passengers were transported in a ‘gondola’ – a capsule fitted out to be somewhat like luxury ocean liner. The R101 disaster sowed seeds of serious doubts about the safety of airships but the events of May 6th, 1937,confirmed them. The German Hindenburg...
Strawberry, Cream Cheese Pie
Sweet, Sweet Memories. As long as I can remember, my mother made the best pies! Everyone always loved them, and asked her to bake one kind or another. Naturally she made her own wonderful flaky crusts for each of them too. When we had our apple trees, she would make a bunch to freeze. Dad would always tease that he was the one always peeling apples so he should get credit for the pies. Apple, Banana Cream, Lemon Meringue, an...
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich: Style I have a now out-of-print book that studies the lives and style of five famous women. It could be called a history lesson through the eyes of a fashion designer. One of the five is the fabulous Marlene Dietrich. She was known for her special style and her fashion innovations – when in Germany in the early years of her career, she once attended an audition wearing a Napoleon hat with a huge feather, a...
Mobile Art is Worthless.
Photographer, artist and iPhoneography pioneer Andy Royston considers the wisdom of sharing his art online and the trials and tribulations of the mobile artist (those who create art and photography entirely on mobile and cellular devices). Today, I found a bricks-and-mortar business was using a familiar image to promote an art gallery exhibit. Three artists were featured in the show, yet there was something all too familiar about the...
Smoothies from the Star Wars Cookbook
May the force of baking be with you in the kitchen! I was looking for an adventurous cookbook and stumbled across this Star Wars Cookbook. I was like I gotta have it. It looked so fun when I read the reviews about it. I thought my other half would get a kick out of it since he’s into Star Wars; even my boys! So I ordered it! It’s a hoot with all the silly pictures of the characters with food and drinks. It is a nice spiral...
Star Wars Quiz
[mlw_quizmaster quiz=5] Here are some real clothes on the theme of Star Wars. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Giovanna Sanguinetti has been a teacher for many years and loves teaching dyslexic children. She is a qualified and experienced teacher of drama and theatre arts too. Her big love is theatre directing. She lives in London and is currently embarking on a very exciting project home educating her son through his exams years of school....
Don’t be a Dropout – James Brown and Education
Andy Royston pays tribute to the hardest working man in show business. I first saw James Brown’s amazing live act in London in the early 1980s. He was around 50 years old, but the show was every bit as passionate and energetic as it as when he exploded onto the stage in the early 1960s. A recent biopic concentrated on his musical impact, but equally important was the energies Brown devoted to social causes, particularly the...
The Five Truths about Work-life Balance , by Jae Ellard
How to balance your roles and relationships. This book couldn’t have landed on the review desk at JAQUO HQ at a better time. Like so many of us, I have many roles and wear lots of different hats every day – and we all know how hard it can be to juggle these successfully. And few of us manage it. But this eminently down-to-earth approach will be invaluable in helping you to achieve it. Achieve what exactly? Well, as the...
Fort Lauderdale: Paddle Board Vacation
Paddle on the river from your own rental apartment! One of the wonderful aspects of a Fort Lauderdale waterfront apartment is sitting on the dock or balcony watching the water traffic as it goes by. So why not join in? It’s easy. You can make the most of this fun sport directly from our secluded dock. All you need to do is step out of your vacation apartment and everything you need will be right there for you. The paddle boards...
‘Stanza Stones’ (5): The ‘Rain Stone’
As I walked Blackstone Edge, above Ripponden, I could see the rain coming my way. It was falling on Manchester in the distance, but the wind was blowing it fast into Yorkshire. I was on my way to see the ‘Rain Stone’ – my fifth journey to find the six ‘Stanza Poems’, all carved on rock, and all bearing poetry written by Yorkshire poet, Simon Armitage, and chiselled by artist, Pip Hall and her apprentice, Wayne Hart. A mile or so along...
Garlic Shrimp and Spinach Sautéed in Coconut Oil
Garlic Shrimp and Spinach Sautéed in Coconut Oil. Large fresh shrimp sautéed two ways, one in butter, one in coconut oil. Both scrumptious. Since I had a pound of fresh, uncooked shrimp, it seemed a perfect time to experiment. I am happy to report it was a huge success! It seems over the years I had gotten into the habit of buying cooked shrimp, mostly to save the time and effort, but also to have it on hand in the freezer for a...
Samuel Morse
Dot, dot, dot, dash, dash, dash, dot, dot, dot. Who does not know what that stands for? Whether you are in the information gathering line of work or not, I’m sure that everyone knows that this is Morse Code for S.O.S. But did you know that April 27th is also the birth of the inventor of Morse Code, aptly named after him. Samuel Morse born in 1791, helped to develop this system of communication. Yes you read that right. 1791 a mere 225...
Zucchini Bread
One of my favorite bread recipes I look forward to making in the Fall is Zucchini Bread. My mom use to make this all the time but since she isn’t about to now I carry on the tradition of making it. I do, however, leave out one ingredient which is the nuts that she always put in it. I’m not too fond of nuts in my baked goods. This recipe calls for vegetable oil but since I didn’t have in my cupboard I decided to try...
Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Have you ever tried Spanish rice without any rice? Try this method using riced cauliflower instead! Ever since I first tried using riced cauliflower in fried rice , I’ve been experimenting with it in other rice dishes. It’s surprising how well it substitutes for regular rice, in texture and even taste. By the time you blend it with a sauce, the taste is very similar. Sometimes I will do half and half, like I did my the fried rice...
Sitting is the new Smoking
“Sitting is the new smoking,” is how Kyle Pearce launches into his blog topic in on DIY Genius. Nothing like a sensational opening right! Remember when all the hype for improved health included: losing weight, smoking cessation and far healthier eating habits? Well, they’ve added something else rather than giving the masses a break and letting us have one health contrary vice back. Well, they have allowed eggs back into the...
Is Shirley Temple Still Alive?
Is Shirley Temple Still Alive? Shirley Temple was a child star who sang and danced into the hearts of children and grownups alike, starring in movies in the 1930s. She grew up to become a wife, mom, and grandmother, a diplomat, and a breast cancer survivor. Shirley was born April 23, 1928. She died February 10, 2014, at age 85 from natural causes, at her home in California. Shirley Temple Facts at a Glance Did you know . . . Shirley...
My Favorite Album – Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life
Iggy Pop – Lust For Life Lust for Life, without question is the album that touches me the deepest. It’s by one of rock music’s most raw and outrageous singers and performers, Iggy Pop. As a kid I was a huge fan of David Bowie, and it was an article by him in an old music magazine (Music Scene) that changed my whole attitude and understanding of rock music. In the article Bowie talked of two musicians he idolized (and...
Electrophobia!
Andy Royston looks into the darker side of this newfangled electricity fad. I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak . . . and so soon as the dazzling light vanished the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump. . . . I eagerly inquired of my father the nature and origin of thunder and lightning. He replied, “Electricity.”- Victor Frankenstein 1880, New York City. The metropolis...
Book Review: The Demon Under the Microscope
Book Review: The Demon Under the Microscope. A Fascinating Story That’s True. A book about science that reads almost like a novel? That’s what I found in this excellent book by Thomas Hager. Demon under the Microscope is the story of the men behind the discovery of antibiotics. What a fascinating read it was. The story centers around Gerhard Domagk, a German scientist whose career was inspired by the deaths of nearly all...
Auschwitz: The Monster Within
Auschwitz: The Monster Within. And so, I’ve arrived. Polish bus PK97 gallops off into the distance. The old girl has delivered me to the location on my ticket – a place I’ve wanted to visit for quite a while. Like most people, I’ve got a wishlist: Elvis’ Graceland, The White House, The Grand Canyon, The Pyramids and possibly the Paris tunnel where Diana was killed. Half expectedly, a slow churning in the...
Pecan pie recipe from 1964
Pecan pie recipe from the White House This recipe was published in the Free Lance Star newspaper in 1964. It was said to be the favourite of Lady Bird Johnson. The recipe was devised by their chef, Zephyr Wright, who had at that time been working for the Johnson family for over twenty years. It’s said to be incredibly rich so small portions are recommended. Therefore I’m rather surprised that it is served with whipped...
Cars on Film – Charlie Croker’s Aston Martin DB4
Andy Royston follows the fate of one of England’s most famous cars. Garage Manager: You must have shot an awful lot of tigers, sir. Charlie Croker: Yes, I used a machine gun. Charlie had just done time in the slammer but wasn’t about to let the valet parking company know. He’d left his silver Aston Martin DB4 in the giant underground parking lot underneath Hyde Park in London. He didn’t go there directly....
If Jeremy Clarkson offends you, don’t watch him
If Jeremy Clarkson offends you, don’t watch him Have you heard about the current Top Gear malarkey? Just a quick explanation – Top Gear is a British television show which combines humour with information about cars.(Do not confuse this with the watered-down US version). It has been described as ‘edgy’. This is because its presenters, the foremost of which is Jeremy Clarkson, are normal blokes. Their so-called...
Evelyn Waugh & Diana Guinness
Evelyn Waugh & Diana Guinness. Words by Lyndsy Spence. Evelyn Waugh had made up his mind to dislike Diana Guinness, the third-born and most beautiful of the six Mitford girls. As the young wife of the brewing scion Bryan Guinness, Diana had already established herself as a dazzling society hostess. She was the epitome of what Evelyn (at that time) despised: rich, frivolous and, as he privately imagined, not very bright. During...
Don’t You Step on my Blue Suede Shoes
Don’t Step on my Blue Suede Shoes. A song’s got to start somewhere. This one started in Germany. A young guy called John Cash was assigned to the 12th Radio Mobile Radio Squadron of the US Air Force Security Service in Landsburg, Bavaria. A few years later John, now discharged and back in the USA, and a fellow rock n roller named Carl Perkins were sharing a car whilst touring the American mid-west. On the way to a date...
Headline of the week: Prince Charles on tits
Great tits no guarantee of success in the bedroom, says Prince Charles. The above headline was seen in the Daily Express on April 7th, 2015. Readers were surprised to see that the prince has extended his career to include that of sex expert. As the future sovereign, then it’s true to say that he should have the welfare of the people of Great Britain at heart. But isn’t becoming a sex counselor over stepping the mark a bit?...
Book Review: Term Limits, Vince Flynn’s First Novel
Book Review: Term Limits, Vince Flynn’s First Novel The late Vince Flynn was and is still a favorite author for me in the suspense thriller genre. Each of his books has kept me up late reading or listening, wide awake from all the suspense and action in every book. His series character, Mitch Rapp, sets the standard for a hero in political thrillers. Each book seems so plausible at what could happen–at home and...
Fort Lauderdale: Dog Friendly Vacation Rental
Vacation in Fort Lauderdale – with your dog. Did you know that a recent survey showed that 90% of dog-owning travellers consider their pet when booking accommodation? If you’re one of that huge number of people, then allow me to introduce to you our Fort Lauderdale vacation paradise – and yes, your dog is most welcome too. In fact, we have special treats and amenities that are especially for him or her. But first,...
Wildlife of Australia: An Animal Lover’s Delight
Wildlife of Australia: An Animal Lover’s Delight Animals are a favorite subject of mine, more technically known as the science of zoology. And of the many books I’ve looked through, and several that I own about animals, Wildlife of Australia is definitely one of the very best. The book is very comprehensive, and clearly identifies which animals are native to Australia, and have been there for tens of thousands or even millions of...
Romanesco Mozzarella Tart
Italian Romanesco, Mozzarella & Garlic Tart: Meat free recipe. Have you come across the wonderful Romanesco cauliflowers? You can make this lovely tart with a regular cauliflower and that’s super-tasty but for something really special, try the Romanesco. You can make your own pastry – here’s my favourite recipe – or use a ready-to-bake pastry if you’d prefer. This makes a lovely meat-free meal for two...
Did Lana Turner Murder Johnny Stompanato?
Eric Root claimed that Lana Turner murdered her lover. In a sensational and highly publicised case in 1958, it was claimed that small-time gangster, Johnny Stompanato, had been murdered my his mistress’ daughter. His mistress was the famous Hollywood actress Lana Turner. The court ruled that Lana’s daughter,Cheryl Crane – then fourteen years old – had been responsible for the fatal stabbing. It was ruled as...
A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine: The Last Diaries by Tony Benn
A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine: The Last Diaries by Tony Benn. Tony Benn’s father ended a BBC broadcast by saying ‘So you will understand that I live in a blaze of autumn sunshine.’ Remembering those words Tony said ‘although I may never publish another volume of diaries, if I ever did, I think the best possible title would be just that: ‘A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine.’ For those of you who don’t know Tony Benn he was...
Looking for Accommodation for the Monte Carlo or Monza Grand Prix?
Going to the Monte Carlo or Monza Grand Prix? Where to stay. Monte Carlo and Monza are words guaranteed to rev up every petrolhead’s heartbeat. They are places inextricably linked to the roar of the engine, and the thrill of the competition. Sure, Monte Carlo is also a playground for the rich and famous, and Monza is a beautiful, historic town perfect for the cultured tourist, but it’s motor racing that makes them special. From all...
Formula One Books You May Not Have Read
Now you may be an F1 fan yourself or perhaps you’re looking for a gift for someone you know who regularly talks about the ‘F1 season’, ‘winter testing’ or ‘this year’s championship’ and I bet it’s getting harder and harder to find something different. Well maybe I can help you out. I’ve been following formula one since I was little – and I mean little. At the age Lewis Hamilton started karting I’d been following the sport for at least...
How To Make A Whimsical Easter Bunny Cake
When I was younger my Mom made this really neat Easter Bunny Cake. I thought it would be fun to share with you how to make it. It’s really pretty simple and fun to make. It’s quite whimsical looking which is perfect for Easter. That’s me in the picture way back when. We made our cake a chocolate flavor then decorated it with white frosting. Topped it with coconut all over and made pink coconut and sprinkles to put on...
Easter Crafting with Your Kids
Can’t Wait to Start Easter Crafts You too? Crafting with children for occasions like Easter is so much fun. Having kids about to decorate eggs, go on Easter egg hunts, even shopping for pretty and special Easter outfits brings back so many sweet memories! It was always a time for family to gather, to celebrate the day, and enjoy each other’s company. The spring colors, especially the pastels somehow always make me smile....
How I Make Felt Flowers – FREE Pattern and Tutorial
Here are some cute flowers, ladybugs, bees, and butterflies made from felt. I found some cute pattern shapes online that were made for felt. The bugs were supposed to be painted on wood, but I used the patterns to make them out of felt. For the stems I used bamboo skewers that I painted green with craft paint. They had you use pencils. It was all very simple and did not take too long to make. Some of the flowers I used embroidery...
Vintage-look weather instruments
Stylish vintage weather instruments Weather instruments tend to fascinate us these days. When I want to know what the temperature is, or what I can expect from the weather a week on Tuesday. my iPhone will tell me almost immediately. For more indepth detail, the internet has so many sites that can give me the exact information I need. But in days gone by, people relied on weather instruments – barometers and so forth –...
The Real Junk Food Project
I hate to see good food dumped. This goes back to my 1950s childhood when rationing still affected Britain so there was very little food to waste. It was also bought on as-needed basis from local shops and cooked that day or the next. But today food waste is prolific – and shocking. One third of all the food in the world gets dumped, amounting to a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes a year. Yet nearly 8 million of the world’s population...
Felt Easter Projects – Eggs, Bunnies and Basket
Felt Easter Projects – Eggs, Bunnies and Basket – FREE Patterns and Tutorials. I saw some cute eggs and bunnies at Pinterest and decided to make my own pattern for the egg. I had a pattern book with the basket pattern. I just drew a freehand drawing of an egg shape for the eggs. The Bunnies were two different patterns that I used. Pattern One Pattern Two Pattern three Eggs I drew a few egg shapes and then pinned...
The Ethical Coach Leader, by Dwight Johnson
The Ethical Coach: Developing Honor and Integrity. Many people today are concerned – and becoming increasingly concerned – with the lack of ethics in our society today. In leadership roles it particular it seems that other factors often take precedence over this issue. One of the people who has his own opinion about the decline of ethics, especially in American society, is the author of this book, Dwight Johnson. Mr...
Legoland, Carlsbad Opened 17 years ago today
Legoland, Carlsbad March 20th, 1999, was the grand opening of Legoland in Carlsbad, California. The first outside of Europe, it was an instant hit. What’s not to enjoy? Legos themselves have been a favorite building toy since 1949. Firmly established in that position by the 90’s, it’s no wonder a park was wanted and developed here in the states too. Twenty million legos went into the construction of the park, now featuring sixty...
Chicken and Turkey Recipes
Chicken & turkey recipes for Poultry Day Yes, there is an official Poultry Day. That’s hardly surprising when you consider that chicken and turkey recipes are popular throughout the world. Did you know that the United States produces 20% of the world’s poultry? And that there are sixteen billion birds produced as food every year? It’s hardly surprising that chicken and turkey recipes are so very popular –...
Songs For Cities : Dublin
Jackeens, Dubs and Liffysiders. Songs for the city of Dublin by Andy Royston I first arrived in Dublin late in the year, November. I remember it was chucking down, and the place I stayed was on the northside, a block from the river, right up beyond the old Jameson Distillery. The whole place is all gentrified now, and posh trams run right through the place, but back then the area was all run down and deserted, and after dark the...
A dark and Lonely Place: Edna Buchanan
A Dark and Lonely Place by Edna Buchanan: Review. This is a fabulous novel with a concept that could only succeed in the most capable hands of Ms Buchanan. For this novel is two mysteries stories in one. The writer has taken the true life story of John Ashley and Laura Upthegrove who were known as outlaws in the early twentieth century and entwined it with a murder mystery set in today’s Miami. Like many of us in Florida, Ms...
Who Was Maria Callas?
Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis. One of the richest men in the world, Aristotle Onassis, was married twice. His first wife was Tina Livros, the seventeen year old daughter of a shipping tycoon. (Onassis was forty when he married her). His second wife was one of the most famous women in America at that time — Jackie Kennedy, the widow of the assassinated president JFK. But one woman was with him for longer than either of his...
Newspaper Boys Always Deliver: Joseph Gulesserian
A personal history. Isn’t it always fascinating to see into other people’s lives? That’s especially the case when that time period spans fifty years. It may be that you have lived through the same period of time. But you’ll find this book equally fascinating if you’re a younger person who is interested in times gone by. If you’re from North America much of the detail that the author writes...
Asparagus and new potatoes in butter lemon sauce with fresh herbs
Asparagus and new potatoes in butter lemon sauce with fresh herbs. A quick and easy recipe. This is a wonderfully fresh and clean tasting recipe. It’s lovely to serve as a meat-free entree with crusty bread. It also makes a great dish for lunch.If you don’t eat dairy, it’s still delicious if you omit the butter and cheese (but I prefer the dairy version, I must admit). It’s such a versatile recipe because you...
Dream: By Marcia Wieder
Clarify and create what YOU want. Does the phrase above want to make you say ‘yeah, right’? Are you sceptical? So was I. I was wrong. Read on. When this book landed on my review desk at JAQUO HQ I was pretty sure that I’d enjoy reading it and reviewing it. But believe it? Nah, that’s not for me. But by page one hundred (yes, for some reason I noticed what page I was reading) I was sure that the advice Ms Wieder...
Marco Andretti
Marco Andretti: The third generation Marco is an Indycar driver and the latest in the line of the famous Andretti family. Marco, his father Michael and his grandfather Mario, despite their legendary name, are all modest, quite shy and truly delightful people. Their passion is racing. The family originates from Croatia, which at the time of Mario’s birth was part of Italy. Today, the entire family see themselves as American...
Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett and Alzheimer’s Author Terry Pratchett, who died on March 12th, 2015, wrote over forty books and it’s estimated that he sold 85 million worldwide. He was sixty six when he died. Eight years previously, he had been diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer’s Disease and had campaigned to increase funding to go towards finding a cure and preventative measures. This rare ailment did not affect his memory...
Why don’t more of us take lunch to work?
Why don’t more of us take lunch to work? A recent British study has shown that we could be saving £1,300 per year – that’s over $2000 at time of writing – if we took packed lunches to the office rather than buying our midday meals. That’s a huge saving. And we know that in most cases, the lunches we take to work ourselves will be healthier, especially if we’re now relying on fast foods to keep us...
Who was Mary Garden?
Who was Mary Garden? Her name is unknown today but had we been around in the earlier half of the last century, we’d definitely know it. She entertained kings and princes – indeed King George of Greece reportedly presented her with a necklace worth $100,000 Mary was born in Scotland in the 1870s – the exact year varies depending on the accounts you read. When she was just a girl, her parents emigrated to the United...
Henry Lie: The Norwegian Skater and his Meatball Recipe
Skating star Henry Lie and his meatballs It’s difficult to find out biographical details about Henry Lie. But we do know that he was a champion skater who was originally from Norway where he was the Men’s National Champion. He had previously been atop chef and his cooking talents remained in demand. He was well-known for his meatball recipe. You can see him in the photograph below, which dates from 1948. He liked...
Idina Sackville: A WW1 marriage
Idina Sackville & Euan Wallace. A First World War marriage. Although Idina and Euan were definitely from the top drawer of society, the sad story of their marriage must have happened to so many couples during the First World War. They were both quite young when they married. Idina was twenty and Euan less than a year older. They both enjoyed parties, dancing and having fun. They were madly in love. She was a sparkling socialite...
How to Make an Easy Felt Basket – Free Pattern and Tutorial
My Felt Basket. I saw a cute felt basket on line at https://www.freepatterns.com [You can join for free with your email address and download as many patterns as you like.] I liked it and decided to make one like it for Easter for my family. The basket from online was called Annika’s Basket designed by Molly Schaller copyright by DRG 2009. It does NOT have a pattern for the actual basket. It just has ideas about decorating them....
Atlas and Vulcana
Who was Vulcana? Vulcana was the stage name of a young woman from Wales. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, she performed in the music halls as a strong-woman. She was born with the more likely name of Kate Williams in 1875. She was interested in acrobatics and fitness and her father, a local preacher, encouraged her to become fit and strong. When she was in her early teens she started attending a gym. She soon...
Who was Catalina de Erauso?
Who was Catalina de Erauso? Catalina was born into a highly-ranked Basque family in 1585. Like many girls of her day,she was expected to live the cloistered life of a nun. She entered the convent when she was just child. She was desperately unhappy and determined to escape from the dreary future she saw before her. It was arranged that she should take her vows when she was fifteen. As the date approached, she became even more...
Experience Safari Holidays in South Africa
If you’re looking for adventure, then we strongly recommend South Africa. South Africa is nature’s home. It boasts incredible places that are not jam packed with tourists. It is a country where you can enjoy truly spectacular scenery and reconnect with nature, experiencing the freedom of miles of breathtaking landscape. There is traditional cuisine, a vibrant culture, dramatic wildlife, and you can even camp under stars on the...
The Accidental Empress: Elisabeth of Austria
Elisabeth of Austria: The Accidental Empress I received this book as a gift and – to be honest – set it aside for quite a while. The cover make me think that it was a somewhat junky historical novel of the ‘bodice-ripper’ type. I was wrong.This is a fictionalised version of real events that took place in the nineteenth century and as such, is fascinating. Yes,it’s a love story but so much more too. When...
The Most Amazing Pound Cake Ever!
The Most Amazing Pound Cake Ever! If you are looking for an easy, quick and versatile recipe for cake that can be made to look ordinary or extraordinary, this is for YOU! Not only is this recipe one of the easiest to follow, it also lets you add almost anything to it to make it different or special. My family has been baking a variety of this cake for the last 50 years or more and they always ask for it again and again. Maybe because...
Looking at Paintings (6): Self-portrait of William Shackleton
This is a self-portrait of the artist, William Shackleton, born in 1872 into a prosperous Yorkshire family. The oil painting, 54 x 40 cm in size, is part of the permanent collection at Cartwright Hall in Bradford. William Shackleton was the son of a prosperous Bradford paper manufacturer and merchant. He was educated at the local Grammar School, studied art at Bradford Technical College, and in 1893 won a scholarship to study at the...
Banana Fritters Recipe
Banana fritters with maple syrup – recipe from 1975 I admit that I’m fascinated by older recipes. 1975 doesn’t seem terribly long ago (to me anyway) but this recipe for banana fritters surprised me. This is mainly because, when I think about this dish, I imagine bananas dipped in batter and deep fried. These are different. Although the original author doesn’t specify, I like to serve these garnished with more...
Is it too Early for Spring? Never!
Is it too Early for Spring? Never! What do you do when there is two feet of snow in the yard and it’s February or March? It’s never too early to start thinking about the season that is coming up faster than the snow is melting. Spring with its longer days and slightly warmer temperatures will have most die hard gardeners just chomping at the bit. For some avid gardeners, the end of one season does not mean that the...
Japanese Rice with Mixed Vegetables
Japanese Rice with Mixed Vegetables The Easiest Vegetarian Dish Ever since I started working out of my home, I made it a point to cook my own meals as much as possible. There are times when things get too hectic that I succumb to the occasional take-out food, but if I can manage, I’d always rather make my own meals. This way I know exactly what goes into my body, especially important when I’m trying to stay healthy. But...
I Walk A Lonely Street – checking into Heartbreak Hotel
Andy Royston goes down to the end of lonely street in search of a rock and roll ghost. “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem” Edna Buchanan 42nd street, just off Collins Avenue in Miami Beach doesn’t look anyone’s idea of lonely street. These days it is home to a fancy condominium tower, and at the end is a beautiful beach boardwalk right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, beloved of morning...
Homemade Vegetarian Chili
I learned to make this recipe from my sister. She made this while we were visiting her. Everyone had gotten sick in the house so she wanted to make something that we all could just easily eat as we got better. Although this soup isn’t your get better kind, it does have healthy ingredients in it. Plus when it’s chilly out it will warm you up! As she made it the smell made me hungry! She is such a good cook. To my surprise when I tried...
Garden Tools for Women
Garden Tools for Women. Plant your flowers or veggies with tools that are stylish, vibrant and colorful just for women. Get them in colors such as pink, blue, yellow and more. Get them separately or all in a nice stylish set. Sets are handy for keeping all your tools in one place. I have garden tools that pink flowered. I use them to plant flowers in pots for my deck and front steps. I love that they are pink because that is my...
Design Classic : The American Fire Hydrant
When visiting a county for the first time, travelling around and feeling the essence of place what is it that remains in the memory. What stays with you as a signifier of that country. What brings back the essence of things. In places like London it can be easy; the red phone box, the black cabs and the double-decker buses. In France it’s safe to say that it is the food – the baguette, the fromage and the bottles of wine....
Bob Marley’s Family Legacy
Andy Royston marvels at the talent that continues to flow from the kids and grandkids of Robert Nesta Marley. “His work didn’t die with him; his legacy continues through his family. There is no end to Bob Marley’s reign. He will always be part of the existing world. Times change, generations change, but Bob Marley stays with the world. His work lives on.” Rita Marley – Interview, The Voice When Bob Marley married Alpharita...
Gluten Free Banana Bread
Save Print Gluten Free Banana Bread Rating 5 from 1 reviews Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 60 mins Total time: 1 hour 20 mins Serves: 1 loaf Ingredients 3 or 4 ripe bananas, mashed 1-1/4 cups white sugar ½ cup real butter 2 whole eggs ½ cup milk, any kind 2-1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Baking Flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon Salt 3 teaspoons Bob's Red Mill Xanthan...
My Sweet Lord: He’s So Fine
My Sweet Lord: He’s So Fine. George Harrison wrote My Sweet Lord in late 1969. Yet seven years later it was the cause of a huge court hearing. His fellow ex-Beatle, John Lennon, wanted peace for the world. Spiritual George wanted peace within the many different religions of the world. Hence the chorus includes both ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Hare Krishna’. The song was written when Harrison was touring with...
Mukhabarat Baby! By Eric Burkhart
Eric Burkhart: My Life as a Wartime Spy for the CIA. I loved every minute of this autobiographical book. It’s truly fascinating. The author tells us about the action-packed period of time he spent in the CIA, starting in 1999. There are some events in the book, as you can imagine, that involve incredible danger but it’s spiced throughout with the author’s humour and sense of fun. Even Mr Burkhart’s telling of...
Twenty Safety Tips for Outdoor Exploration
As someone who has loved exploring wilderness areas all my life, mostly in California, here are my safety tips. Also below are some links to articles I’ve created about how to deal with specific plants and animals that are potentially harmful. Twenty safety tips: Know how to identify and avoid harmful plants and animals in the area you are exploring. Wear sturdy boots that cover ankles, and long pants. This greatly helps...
The Greatest Prospector in the World: Ken Dunn
Fascinating story: Lessons for life. This is an unusual but definite can’t-put-it-down book. And I mean that. Once I started reading it I had to finish it in one sitting. It’s an enthralling story of a young girl who, in 1910, is orphaned. Her life and the way it is transformed is sure to captivate you. But the book is much more than that. As you are enjoying the story, you’ll also learn six vital secrets for...
Raspberry, White Chocolate Scones and More
Raspberry, White Chocolate Scones and More Basic Scones all Dressed Up Scones make a perfect brunch treat. Actually they are good for breakfast or a snack anytime. What’s so fun is that you can add such a variety of fruit to them as well. My favorite is raspberry, though blueberry comes in a close second. And adding white chocolate chips to any variety is always a taste sensation. Here’s my favorite basic recipe. They come...
Rescue and Adopt a Pet!
Rescue and Adopt a Pet! Want a pet cat or dog? Why not adopt one? There are many animals at your local shelters hoping to be rescued and adopted out to good homes. My Kitty Adoption Story: Back in September 2014 we took in a lost girl tabby kitty. It was friendly, adorable and cuddly. She wasn’t afraid of you at all. The day we took her in she was found near the shelter hanging out in a tree. The shelter was not open so...
Frosted Cherry Squares
Yum A Delicious Cherry Treat This is one of my favorite new recipes. It makes a bar like cookie, but with fruit filling it is moist, sweet, and so tasty. It reminds me of the Cherry Cobbler my mother used to make when we were growing up. I originally saw it in a Taste of Home magazine, but have made a few changes. It’s an easy recipe to assemble, and makes such a pretty, colorful presentation. It also freezes very well, if you...
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