Are you sitting down?  Because I’ve got news.  No, I’m not engaged – but it’s just about as exciting.  Okay, here it is:  Magpie and Muttonfly has a new home!  [squeal!!!] 

This means no more complaining about needing an account to post a comment.  When someone asks for my blog address, I’ll no longer have to say:  “It’s mapgie and muttonfly … something, something … live-dot-spaces … or maybe spaces-dot-live … I don’t really know, but if you Google it, it will totally come up … “

To Live Spaces, we bid a fond farewell.  Thanks for being our home the last few years.  Even when we did little more than take up space.  But alas, it’s time to move on …

www.magpieandmuttonfly.com

See you there!

I love hosting overnight guests.  Of course, this may stem from the fact that it doesn’t happen very often – and when it does, it’s always someone I love to pieces!  All the same, I love it; and I love finding ways to make them feel at home in my home. 

If the mere thought of having someone spend the night in your home leaves you at a loss, check out the collaborative piece (yes, it has my name on it, but Mandi helped out too!) over at The Complete Woman blog.  It will give you all the tools you’ll need to be the perfect hostess for overnight guests!

Here is a good example of why I will never be considered a Fashion Diva:

I do not look at the above sandal and think fashion.  I look at it and think, “What in the hell is it?!!!”  A medieval torture device?  Summer footwear for the Roman Legion?  The mere thought of putting that on my foot gives me the creeps.  I get claustrophobia just looking at it.  I mean really, isn’t the whole point of a sandal to give your foot some breathing room?  Why – oh why – would you want to shackle your foot in up to your knee?  It gives whole new meaning to the phrase, a slave to fashion …

We think we’re all cool with our texting abbreviations – like we made it all up or something.  Well, let me just tell ya, it’s KY … that’s know yuse to you – or, you know, no use. 

Comical abbreviations were a fad that began in Boston, 1838, and moved to New York and New Orleans the following year.  Some of the abbreviations were straight forward:  GT (gone to Texas) or SP (small potatoes).  Others took the lead of humorists of the day, using exaggerated misspellings:  OW (oll wright) or KG (know go).     

Of course, most of these abbreviations barely survived a generation.  All except for one, actually.  March 23, 1839 OK was first printed in Boston’s Morning Post.  Sure, we may have forgotten what the abbreviation stands for (oll korrect), but we understand the meaning all the same.     

I guess you could say the main difference between abbreviations of a century ago, and those of today, is that our texting abbreviations are an offshoot of laziness; the abbreviations of yesterday – an offshoot of wit.  

And with that, NS (“nuff said”). 

Note: There are many stories concerning the origins of “OK” – most can be refuted.  The information, above, was included in a series of articles by Columbia University professor, Allen Walker Read, published in the American Speech journal in 1963 and 1964.  Professor Read’s research seemed to have passed the test of time.  

They say St. Patrick composed a prayer – known as “St. Patrick’s breastplate” – for his victory over paganism.  So before we partake in the wearin’ o’ the green, dance an Irish gig or down an Irish pint, let us take the time to consider what the man behind the holiday was all about … 

Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man
who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Salvation is of the Lord.

One-hundred-fifty-nine years ago today, Hester Prynne was first introduced to the world at large  That’s right - The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, was first published March 16, 1850.  In honor of the occasion, a few tid-bits:

• Publisher James T. Fields paid a visit to Hawthorne’s home and offered to print 2,000 of anything he had; he left with a rough short titled The Scarlet Letter.
• February 3, 1850, Hawthorne finished the ending and read it to his wife.  He was most excited to report that “It broke her heart and sent her to bed with a grievous headache … a triumphant success!”
• Still, Hawthorne did not think much would come of it.  As a matter of fact, he once wrote: “The Scarlet Letter is powerfully written; but my writings do not, nor ever will, appeal to the broadest class of sympathies, and therefore will not obtain a very wide popularity.”
• All copies of the first edition were gone within a ten day period – two more editions were published that same year.
• The Scarlet Letter was one of the first mass-produced books in America. 
• From 1917 to present, over twenty songs and film, television, and theatrical adaptations have been based on The Scarlet Letter … not bad for something that could never be popular …  

I love my home office.  L-O-V-E --Love it!  I love the way it looks:  the dark wood is warm and inviting … the hutch is the perfect host to my glass pens, inks, and fleur de lis bookends.  Sigh.

But I also love the way it works.  Everything I need is close at hand.  I no longer have to search several different locations to come up with pens, paper, or reference books.  And since my printer now fits atop my desk, I no longer have to squat down to print.

How do I do it?  Well, I’m a bit OCD for starters; but I also know a few tricks that apply to anyone.  Check ‘em out at The Complete Woman blog …  

March 2nd, 1904, on a little street called Howard, a baby boy was born.  He was named Theodor Seuss Geisel – but he’s Dr. Seuss to you.  So in honor of the day, a tid-bit or two:

• At the close of the day, his mother, Henrietta Seuss Geisel would “chant” nursery rhymes to lull her children to sleep.  Dr. Seuss credits her with his desire and ability to pen rhymes.
• Dr. Seuss was the editor-in-chief of the Jack-O-Lantern – Dartmouth’s humor magazine – until he and his friend were caught throwing a drinking party during prohibition. 
• He drew cartoons for The Saturday Evening Post, Life, Vanity Fair, Judge and other magazines – but for more than fifteen years, most of his work comprised of ad campaigns for Standard Oil. 
• During WWII, Dr. Seuss served with Frank Capra’s Signal Corps (U.S. Army), producing training films. 
• The first book of children’s sayings Dr. Seuss was asked to illustrate was titled Boners.  The book was not a success.  Go figure. 
• And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street – the first book both written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss – was rejected 27 times before being published by Vanguard Press.
• The Cat in the Hat was a specific assignment: as a children’s primer, Dr. Seuss was assigned to write and illustrate a book containing nothing but the 225 “new reader” vocabulary words. 
• By the end of his life – September 24, 1991 – Dr. Seuss had written 44 children’s books; he had received two Academy awards, two Emmys, a Peabody, and the Pulitzer Prize.  

And he continues to touch the hearts and imaginations of children – young and old – the whole world through… 

Spring’s on the way – a little less than a month my friends!  Less than a month!!

As the final days of winter trudge on, we might as well do something useful – like dream of warmer days ahead.  Days filled with hikes, and picnics, and BBQs, and an endless supply of pink wine. 

Now, if that last bit made you GASP! – aloud – you may want to take a look at my guest post over at The Complete Woman blog.  There I will extol the virtues of this underappreciated wine. 

Go ahead – read on.  I’m tellin’ ya, I know what I’m talking about!     

Watched the Academy Awards.  Yeah, okay, I didn’t really.  I use to be a faithful viewer, but it got to where it stressed me completely out!  Especially when a group is awarded the little guy.  Never fails …. one always grabs for the mic first and rambles on and on … the other fellows are back there with their notes … before anyone else has a chance the music comes on … while another might grab the mic as he’s being ushered out and yell, “Thanks mom,”  it’s just not the same. And what do you want to bet?  9 times out of 10 the spotlight hog probably did the least amount of work.  Not that we would ever be bitter mind you. 

See.  It’s more than I can bare. 

So now I content myself with looking up the red carpet pics.  And I’ve to say Kate Winslet is a winner all the way around.  Did you see that dress?!  Now THAT is the Hollywood glamour we know and love … sigh.   

Since I decided to socialize and do taxes yesterday – rather than slaving away on my manual – I have no time to write a blog post of any substance today.  Therefore, I’m sending you on your way.  You’ll still be able to hear me ramble about – just at a different address.  So head on over to The Complete Woman blog, and I’ll tell you a thing or two about white wines.  Ooooh – aaahhhh!

Until next time …

It’s funny the way some couples mesh so well, it’s hard to imagine them ever being single.  Take the Bumsteads, for instance.  I’d always imagined Blondie and Dagwood together.  Never crossed my mind that when Blondie was introduced in 1930 she was a foot-loose-and-fancy-free flapper and Dagwood was a good-for-nothing-playboy-son of a billionaire.  I never imagined that their whirlwind romance took place during the great depression; or that Dagwood’s family disowned him for marrying a bimbo.  February 13, 1933 the Bumsteads joined the rest of us – surviving on little more than love and tenacity.  Proving love does indeed conquer all …  

You see, those were meager years. People were tired of Blondie and Dagwood’s flighty ways.  So they stopped reading.  For all intents and purposes, The Blondie comic strip was doomed to failure.  But Chic Young refused to give in.  He thought outside the box.  He looked to see what people were looking for – what they could relate to.  He blazed a trail – and his comic strip not only survived, it rose to be translated into 35 languages in 55 countries, being read by an estimated 280 million people each day. 

So in honor Blondie and Dagwood’s 76th wedding anniversary, let us toast to love – and to an unswerving determination to rise from the ashes!

Two days.  Two days and it’s Valentine’s Day.  For some, the mere thought is enough to induce light headedness, cold sweats, dry heaves, and unexplained double vision.  If you happen to be one such person, brew yourself some java, have yourself a sit, and read on.  Who knows?  Who you may feel better when it’s all said and done.  If not, at least you can take comfort in the fact that you suspended your misery for a few minutes.     

Sacrifice anyone?

Think Valentine’s Day is bad, we could still be celebrating Lupercalia – a fertility festival that included animal sacrifice, the slapping of women and fields with bloody strips of goat hide, and a lottery.  Now, lest you get all excited about free money, let me explain.  The “lottery” consisted of single women putting their names in a pot, single men pulling a name from said pot, and the two becoming one.  Something tells me “No thank you” would not suffice.  Eeh.   

Thankfully,Valentine’s Day took over sometime around 498 A.D. – when the whole lottery business was declared un-Christian (and they say nothing good ever came of Christianity). 

What’s so great about Saint Valentine?

Hard to say really.  He’s a man of mystery.  At least there’s not a whole lot we know for certain of Saint Valentine – though legends do abound.  Some say he went against the decree of Emperor Claudius II stating no single male should marry, performing marriages in secret.  Others say he helped Christians escape Roman prisons where they were frequently beaten and tortured.  Still others contend that the last words penned from his prison cell were to the young jailer’s daughter, who kept him company during his confinement.       

Chances are, if he were alive today he would leave the toilet seat up, make an inappropriate comment or two, and maybe even forget his own holiday now and then.  In other words, he was human.  What matters most is he tried.  And his attempts were impressive enough to be the stuff of legend.  Not bad for a little effort.   

Who do you love?

True, the date coincides with the bird mating season, but it’s oh-so-much more.  Just look at the legends surrounding St. Valentine – they are the story of lovers, but also of friends.  So this Valentine’s Day take a good hard look at all those you love.  And then find a way to make them smile.  It’s that simple.  

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games are now in full swing.  This year over 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries have convened in Boise, Idaho to compete in Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Speed Skating.    

I spent the afternoon at Qwest arena, cheering on the figure skaters in the singles division.  You know, athletes amaze me – figure skaters especially.   When I was five years old my mom relented to my endless pleas for ice skating lessons.  The first day I was so deathly afraid of falling and injuring myself, I spent the entire hour inching my way across rink.  I never went back.

Needless to say, I’m enthralled to watch those who aren’t afraid.  Those who persevere and give their all to their sport.  The athletes watched today were even more of a joy – for they are truly dedicated.  They were not competing for the fame or money associated with major endorsements.

Of course, there isn’t the money or opportunity for endorsement, now is there?  Probably the best for the athletes; the worse for us.  For without the hype, we miss out on a lot. 

While media correspondents from all over the world have arrived in Idaho to cover the games, the United States as the smallest presence.  Pity.  For all involved.  Americans could use a little inspiration.  We could use an example.      

Imagine how much better the world would be if we all joined with Special Olympic athletes – in sport, in business, in life – and proudly proclaimed, Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt …

Announcer:  “The Adventures of Superman – faster than a speeding bullet!
More powerful than a locomotive!
Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!”

Voices: "Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane!
It's Superman!"

Announcer: “Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from another
planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities
far beyond those of mortal men…”

The “Adventures of Superman” was first viewed by television audiences in LA, February 9th, 1953.  In honor of this particular date in history, a few interesting tid-bits:

• Superman and the Mole-Men was a 58-minute, black and white short that premiered in 1951, to gauge the reaction of the audience.  It made instant stars of the cast, including George Reeves (Superman/Clark Kent) and Phyllis Coates (Lois Lane).
• With the success of Superman and the Mole-Men, the entire first season was filmed in 1951; a year later, Kelloggs agreed to sponsor the show. 
• The first 52 episodes were filmed in black and white; to give the allusion of the red, blue, and yellow of Superman’s suit, the costume was actually made of brown, grey, and white.
• To adhere to budgetary constraints, the main characters wore the same costumes in similar sets throughout the show – and were filmed accordingly.  For example, all scenes that took place on the set of the "Perry White Office" were filmed back to back, to be placed in future episodes as needed.  This, of course, could be a little tricky for the actors/actresses. 
• In the first season, the establishing shot of the "Daily Planet Building" was a single piece of footage of the E. Clem Wilson Building (5225 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California); the Daily Planet staff entering or exiting the building was actually filmed two blocks east, at the Carnation Milk Company Building.
• Various techniques were employed to give the allusion of flying.  Some of his takeoffs, for example, were accomplished by suspending George Reeves midair via a cable.  However, after the wires suddenly broke – nearly causing a concussion – Mr. Reeves refused that particular mode of air travel.  From that moment on, a springboard was used - Reeves would run into frame, hit the springboard, catapult into the air, out of frame, and onto padding.  Much more safe and, let’s be serious, a whole lot more fun.
• The first 26 episodes are the most serious, many tackling social issues.  Superman and the Mole-Men, for instance, deals with a town intent on lynching the mole-men because they look different. 
• Many consider the first 26 episodes to be the best.  And you can catch ‘em all on Adventures of Superman: The Complete First Season – including “The Unknown People I & II” (the Mole Men series) – seldom seen after its initial release.    

Just so you know: Superman and all related items are copyright © by Warner Bros. and DC Comics. The information contained in this blog is not authorized by Warner Bros. or DC Comics.

Good morning dear readers – and Happy February!  One month down, eleven more to see our goals realized for the year! 

Being February, I had fully intended to write about this sweet little Popcorn Shop that gives a portion of their sales to charity.  I mean really, what could be better than knowing your sweet tooth – or that of a loved one – is helping children in Africa?  The only thing is, I cannot find anything on said charity.  That makes me a little leery.  So I’m resorting to rambling …

And speaking of popcorn (okay, closer to popcorn and movies) – what is with the change in matinee times?!  Went to the 4:20 showing last Saturday and it was $19.00 for two.  NINETEEN DOLLARS PEOPLE!!!!  There were no signs alerting people to this alarming new development.  I went home and pulled up the website, no notices.  Does anyone know the story?  Because I’ve got to say it ticked me off – even more so when I had to sit through five … count them, FIVE … trailers for ridiculous movies that idiots have spent good money making!!!!!!  See, I’m getting riled just thinking about it.  Sigh. 

Needless to say, my movie reviews may be really outdated by the time I have the money to see the films … pity. 

So, the girls over at The Complete Woman blog asked if I would be willing to write one feature a week. I responded with an enthusiastic YES!  Why, you ask?!  Well let tell you …

The Complete Woman understands that we have many looks.  We’re short, tall, skinny and, well, maybe we could stand to lose a few pounds.  We’re tomboys and girlie-girls.  We’re homemakers and business execs.  We’re single and married; we have human children and those of the animal variety.  We live within a block of where we grew up and halfway around the world.  We’re crafty and all thumbs.  We’re graceful and trip over our own two feet.  We go with the flow and blaze a trail.  We love to travel, stay-in, read, watch movies, play sports, cheer, spend days reflecting and hours laughing with our friends.  We’re every color of the rainbow.  But despite our difference we have this in common: we strive to be the best we can be.  Sometimes we win, sometimes we fail.  What matters is we keep trying.  And we have girls to cheer us along the way. 

Won’t you come join us?!

What better way to begin the week than with thankfulness?!  I can’t think of anything either.  So without further ado …

A big ol’ thank you to Gabrielle over at Shop Wise Bags for honoring me with the following award:

Anyone who knows me knows this blog was started as a friend’s way of keeping me writing, without endless rewrites and edits, in an attempt to propel me toward literary greatness – or, at the very least, finishing something.  I never imagined the faithful readers I would amass.  So really, this thank you is to you too!

And special thanks to Alpha Inventions for sending a ton of new readers my way even while I was out with a sick computer.  My blog would have been so lonely without you – so thank you, thank you!

The economy of today is often being compared to The Great Depression of the 1920’s and 30’s.  Well, that ain’t all bad.  After all, despite hard times, they still had such delectable treats as molasses crinkles - THE cookie from 1930 to 1935.  More than likely it’s popularity stemmed from the fact that the recipe takes but one egg – everything else most will have on hand.  And let’s not forget their uncanny ability to melt them troubles away …   

Molasses Crinkles

Ingredients

3/4 cup soft shortening

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

granulated sugar

Directions

1. Mix shortening, sugar egg, and molasses thoroughly. 

2. Measure flour by dipping or sifting; blend all dry ingredients. 

3. Stir dry ingredients with wet and chill. 

4. Once chilled, heat oven to 375 (F) and grease baking sheet. 

5. Roll dough in 1 1/4” balls; dip tops in sugar; place sugar side up, 3” apart, on greased baking sheet.

6. Sprinkle each with 2 or 3 drops of water.

7. Bake 10 to 12 min – or just until set, but not hard. 

Here we are, yet again, at the dawn of another year ...

There are parties to attend, grooves to get on, sparkly to sip, and loved ones to kiss... 

I'm still not exactly sure what my day/night will look like - but I do know it will entail an old friend (we've been friends for close to thirty years, how's that for old?), copious amounts of food (do you sense a theme?), and thousands of lights ... I'll fill in as I go.  Seeing how I've been invited to several parties, I don't imagine I'll be bored ...

So to you, dear reader, a grand celebration!  May you be surrounded by those you most love ... dance even if there's no music ... giggle like a little girl ... drink responsibly (I'm quite aware that I sound like your mother -thankyouverymuch -but it can't be helped) ... and have a bright and happy New Year!