Q Dear Miss Abigail: I’m having a senior prom. The seniors are over sixty to ninety-eight. What should they wear, and what do we eat and drink? Signed, Carol A Dear Carol: Now this sounds like some fun. There’s no special food required for events such as yours, so it’s probably best to eat and […]
Tag: 1900s
Cosmetics and Cheerfulness
Oh, you don’t know how pleased I am to have found this week’s selection. In my many books on beauty and health, this is the first I’ve seen that has discussed the merits of NOT wearing makeup. As one who must have skipped the “how to apply cosmetics” lesson in junior high (and never figured […]
Wisdom and Beauty in Rest
I’ve been a tad bit sick this past week, so have done my share of lounging on the couch and bed with my sweet dog curled up next to me. Although I am back at work now, I’ve still got resting on my mind. Professor B. G. Jefferis seems quite the expert on this topic; […]
Bacteria in the Body
Can’t get disease and infection out of your mind these days? That’s what I thought. When looking through one of my books titled General Hygiene, I stumbled upon this little gem about the bacteria that naturally grows in our bodies. Like we didn’t have enough to worry about. 1913: Bacteria in the Body Many kinds of […]
Diet to Increase Flesh
No wonder I’ve haven’t been losing any weight! I think I’ve mistakenly been on this “increase flesh” diet from Mary Ries Melendy’s book titled Vivilore. Drat. 1904: Diet to Increase Flesh Thin, nervous people, and all who wish to increase in flesh, may like to know that a dessert spoonful of olive oil, taken before each […]
Tea and Coffee. Why Do We Drink It?
This is an interesting bit of information from Professor B. G. Jefferis and J. L. Nichols. It’s from their book titled The Household Guide, or Domestic Cyclopedia. Were it not for the use of the word “dyspepsia,” it could almost have been written for today. And “votaries.” No one uses that word anymore. Oh, heck, this […]
Colds and What to Do with Them
A bad cough and cold snuck up on me this week, so as I sat at home recovering for a few days I had plenty of time to read up on the subject. These interesting cures are from Professor B. G. Jefferis’s and J. L. Nichols’s Household Guide. Needless to say, I quickly decided to stick […]
Laughter, a Great Tonic
According to this worthwhile excerpt from The Household Guide, hearty laughs are where it’s at, folks. Stay away from those giggles. When you laugh, laugh with purpose! C’mon everyone, laugh with me! Ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha! Ba ha ha! Whew. That felt good. 1902: Laughter, a Great Tonic Keeps the Spirit […]
Be Good to Yourself
Seeing as I’m taking a vacation for a few weeks, I thought I’d leave you with some general happy thoughts about being good to yourself, brought to you by Prof. B. G. Jefferis and his amazing Household Guide. I certainly plan to be good to me, and I hope you’ll do the same for yourself. I […]
The Value of a Child
Happy birthday, baby Perez, happy birthday, baby Perez, happy birthday dear baby Perez… ok, you can come out now. Get it? Birth day? C’mon. We’re ready for you. I’m about to become an aunt, and I’m pretty darn excited, can you tell? I hope I’m up to the task. Even if I’m not, I know this […]