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How many times have you heard that phrase over the years, when someone is asking you what kind of drink you'd like to have?
Well, apparently, back in the bootlegging days, drinking alcohol was akin to playing Russian Roulette. I had no idea that so many people died as a result of what they sipped at a speak-easy! Nasty, nasty stuff in more ways than one!
I had heard a glowing interview with the author, Deborah Blum, about her book while we were in Rochester, MN. The local B&N didn't have it in stock, but ordered it for me. It was waiting for me when I got home. I truly wish that I had it with me to read while waiting for appointments at the clinic, when I had more free time for reading, because it is hard to put down.
Murders by poison was the choice way to get rid of someone in the 1800's & early 1900's, until forensic scientists learned ways of tracing the various toxic elements and compounds, and were put in charge of determining how someone died. This book follows that journey, highlighting some of the more spectacular cases, while showing how widespread the use of poisons were.
Arsenic in your lipstick? It was common for manufacturer's to use, what we now know as toxic substances in many of the cosmetics, medicines and even foods. Remember that bottle of bluing that your Mother used on the laundry? So innocent and trusting that all was safe to use.
Heck, I can remember my parents putting over-the-counter available, paregoric on my gums when my teeth were growing in, to relieve the pain. .and this was in the 50's! The "active" ingredient in paregoric, is opium. .which may explain a lot about me today. .but never mind. . .I do remember REALLY liking the taste of it! No wonder!
I know that today, we are concerned with pesticides and other toxins contaminating our water and food sources, but in comparison to what the people had to deal with back in "the good old days", we are better off, in that we are much more knowledgeable, and know what we are fighting. Those poor people had no idea. Innocence isn't always bliss. It is a wonder that anyone survived that era.
This book is a true, factual book, that reads like a suspenseful mystery novel that transports you right back in time, causing you to ignore the clock, and obligations. I highly recommend it! And, I'd love to know your thoughts about what you learn!
Wishing you all a beautiful Thanksgiving! May all of your food be poison free!!
I found out late yesterday, that my Mom is being transferred from the hospital, to a long term care facility to continue her physical therapy, and I have to be there this morning, to oversee taking her clothing and personal items. .sooo, that means that I don't have time to print and cut out the names, tossing them all in the cracked cauldron to have them swirl and toss out the winning name, as usual.
Instead of delaying the drawing, so the winner could start baking asap, I took the cold, unfeeling quick route of the random generator, who picked Lulu Kellogg's name!
Congratulations, Lulu! Please send me your mailing address either here (and I won't post your comment), or send it to me at snowflakesrtumblin@yahoo.com.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE, for signing up for my little Give-Away! I love doing this, and will be having another one soon. .maybe next time, YOU will be the winner!
Wishing everyone a glorious Mabon, and breathtaking beauty throughout the whole Autumn season! It is by far, my most favorite time of the year! Let the fun begin!!
Although my Halloween celebrating is going to be trimmed down this year, nothing says "Treats!" like homemade goodies, so I'm offering some of the fun elements to make some of your own!
These Halloween cutters aren't the flat, two dimensional kind, but have co-ordinating parts that slide together, so that your cookies can stand! They are extra fun to decorate! And, you'll get the additional holiday sprinkles and glitter gel to help you on your way.
If you'd like a chance to win this little Give-Away, please follow this blog, and leave your name in the comments, (on this blog only. .I don't want to miss your name, if you sign up elsewhere!) and please make sure that I have a way of contacting you, should your name be drawn from the Magic Cauldron on September 23rd!
Good luck, everyone!
Hello everyone!
Out of necessity, and to cut down on redundancy, (since I know that some of you follow both of my blogs), if you haven' read my long post already, please head on over to my Cat In The Moon blog to find out what has been going on in my life lately.
Being that it is approaching my beloved Halloween, and we are entering my most favorite time of the year, I had a number of posts planned for this Halloween blog, but obviously haven't had the time to sit down at my computer for very long.
I do have some things for a Give Away, that I hope to get put up here soon, so stay tuned!
And thank you all for hanging in here with me. I appreciate it more than words can express!
If you missed Hallowe'en Party (it was on this past Sunday, on our PBS station), you can watch it on line until August 4th! Please click on the link to go to their website.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch/index.html
The other Poirot mysteries that have been shown this season are available, too.
Three Act Tragedy is available until July 19th, and The Clocks until July 26th.
Enjoy!
I've been enjoying watching this season's Masterpiece Mystery series on PBS for two weeks now, but am truly looking forward to the third Poirot installment, airing next Sunday evening, July 3rd.
They are airing "Hallowe'en Party", a perfect way to celebrate July! I may even bring out a Jack O'Lantern to light, to help set the mood! Click on the link to see the preview. .doesn't it look good? (turn off the music below, first, please)
http://video.pbs.org/video/1979166355
Check your own listings for the time in your area. This should be a good one!
BOO!! Happy Hallowe'en!
That I'm going to be able to post this. .I've been trying to do so, but Blogger hasn't been co-operating. Please cross your fingers for me. It is hard to type when I do. . .
I have a cauldron. .a quite large cauldron that has been in my family for who knows how many generations. .I'm the third one that I know of, and sadly, the two previous generations chose to ignore the heritage of my Great-Great Grandmother, and used it to plant petunias in it instead.
Leaving it out over winters didn't help it either, and now, Harry Potter has nothing over on me. .I've got a Leaky Cauldron, too. .only mine doesn't serve up Butter Beer. However, it does make a neat receptacle for holding names for my drawing!
There were 14 names, all neatly typed out and then folded in half.
If you notice, at the last minute, I had to hastily put a just emptied flower pot inside the cauldron. .seems the name drawer has an aversion to a little rust and spider webs! Good thing Hubs didn't mind a little potting soil!
He reached in and stirred the names around. .
And drew one out, (almost too quickly for me to get the shot!)
And the winner is. . .(this is always the hard part for me, because I'd love to have prizes for everyone!)
Judith!! Congratulations!! Please send me your mailing address, either by trying to leave a comment here (and I won't post it), or by sending it to my e-mail address. I'll try and contact you, too. We won't let Blogger stop us, any longer!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who entered! This has been fun for me, and I think that I'll come up with something else to offer, very soon, just for the fun of it!
Wishing everyone a beautiful evening!!
