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Monday, March 14, 2022

Ides of March/Ancient Rome


"BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH" 
  -Act 1, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.

 
I honestly don't remember which year of high school we read Julius Ceasar, I just recall sitting on the floor as part of the audience while one of my classmates read Antony's speech from Act 3 Scene 2. If I recall correctly, I think everyone kind of wanted the chance to overdramatize the "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him" line. 

In Ancient Rome, March (or Martius) was an indicator of the new year, Celebrations for the new year lasted from the 1st of the month through the 15th (aka, the ides of March). Spring is the season of birth and renewal,  so it makes sense that the new year would begin then. Then came Julius Ceasar and his grand plans to put his mark on the world by changing the calendar to follow the earth's revolutions around the Sun.   The Julian Calendar came into play in 46 BC.  Two years later, the ides of March became synonymous with the assassination of Julius Ceasar.





Ambitious, ruthless, shrewd, cruel, and intelligent are a few of the words that have been used to describe this man who changed the course of civilization. Caesar's military conquests and political alliances altered Rome's decaying system of government, producing the greatest of all ancient empires. This richly illustrated graphic novel takes readers on a journey to the ancient world where political intrigue and military might give birth not only to the rise of Caesar but also to his bloody assassination.




From the bestselling author of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, the fascinating story of how images of Roman autocrats have influenced art, culture, and the representation of power for more than 2,000 years



How devastating viruses, pandemics, and other natural catastrophes swept through the far-flung Roman Empire and helped to bring down one of the mightiest civilizations of the ancient world




Ancient Rome was an imposing city even by modern standards, a sprawling imperial metropolis of more than a million inhabitants, a "mixture of luxury and filth, liberty and exploitation, civic pride and murderous civil war" that served as the seat of power for an empire that spanned from Spain to Syria. Yet how did all this emerge from what was once an insignificant village in central Italy? In S.P.Q.R., world-renowned classicist Mary Beard narrates the unprecedented rise of a civilization that even two thousand years later still shapes many of our most fundamental assumptions about power, citizenship, responsibility, political violence, empire, luxury, and beauty.



Ancient Rome is a magnificent volume that traces the dramatic history of the Roman Empire, paying particular attention to its rise and fall and its lasting social, cultural, military, and political influence. From great feats and everyday customs, to works of art and household objects, this comprehensive account offers a fascinating insight into the highly complex and sophisticated society that once ruled the world. Authoritative text by Anna Maria Liberati and Fabio.
Bourbon analyzes the development of the Roman Empire by examining all aspects of the Eternal City including the economic, legal, and military system of the conquered regions; the organization of the most powerful army in the ancient world; the town-planning problems and successes; the construction systems used to erect the great Roman public monuments; and even the smallest curiosities of everyday life.




Working as a private informer in Rome during the reign of Domitian, Flavia Albia is hired to investigate a fatal accident, an investigation that turns sinister when her client dies under suspicious circumstances that place Flavia's reputation at stake.




It is A.D. 79, and Flavia Gemina, daughter of a successful Roman sea captain, is about to celebrate her birthday. Then the dogs in her neighborhood start dying mysteriously, and there are rumors of burglary in the houses on Flavia's street. Set in the graveyards, houses, and alleyways of an ancient Roman city, here's the first in a series of fast-paced, informative, and satisfying mysteries.



It is spring in the year 118 C.E., and army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso has been stationed in the Roman-occupied province of Britannia for nearly a year. After his long and reluctant investigation of the murders of a handful of local prostitutes, Ruso needs to get away. With that in mind, he has volunteered for a posting with the army in Britannia's deepest recesses - a calmer place for a tired man. But the edge of the Roman Empire is a volatile place; the independent tribes of the north dwell near its borders. These hinterlands are the homeland of Ruso's slave, Tilla, who has scores of her own to settle there: her tribespeople, under the leadership of the mysterious Stag Man, are fomenting a rebellion against Roman control, and her former lover is implicated in the grisly murder of a soldier. Ruso, once again unwillingly pulled into the murder investigation, is appalled to find that Tilla is still spending time with the prime suspect. Worse, he is honor-bound to try to prove the man innocent - and the army wrong - by finding another culprit. Soon both Ruso's and Tilla's lives are in jeopardy, as is the future of their burgeoning romance.



"Keen and ambitious, fourteen-year-old Livia Drusilla finds herself suddenly thrust into the perilous world of Roman politics when she overhears the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar--and when she reluctantly agrees to marry a prominent military officer for her family's sake"--back cover.



"Set amongst the scandal, wealth, and upstairs-downstairs politics of a Roman family, Crystal King's seminal debut features the man who inspired the world's oldest cookbook and the ambition that led to his destruction. On a blistering day in the twenty-sixth year of Augustus Caesar's reign, a young chef, Thrasius, is acquired for the exorbitant price of twenty thousand denarii. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius, wealthy beyond measure, obsessed with a taste for fine meals from exotic places, and a singular ambition: to serve as culinary advisor to Caesar, an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome's leading epicure. Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success, and with Thrasius's help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals. Thrasius finds a family in Apicius's household, his daughter Apicata, his wife Aelia, and her handmaiden, Passia, whom Thrasius quickly falls in love with. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal, his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome"-- Provided by publisher.




"The fascinating science and history of the air we breathe: It's invisible. It's ever-present. Without it, you would die in minutes. And it has an epic story to tell. In Caesar's Last Breath, ... bestselling author Sam Kean takes us on a journey through the periodic table, around the globe, and across time to tell the story of the air we breathe, which, it turns out, is also the story of earth and our existence on it. With every breath, you literally inhale the history of the world. On the ides of March, 44 BC, Julius Caesar died of stab wounds on the Senate floor, but the story of his last breath is still unfolding; in fact, you're probably inhaling some of it now. Of the sextillions of molecules entering or leaving your lungs at this moment, some might well bear traces of Cleopatra's perfumes, German mustard gas, particles exhaled by dinosaurs or emitted by atomic bombs, even remnants of stardust from the universe's creation. Tracing the origins and ingredients of our atmosphere, Kean reveals how the alchemy of air reshaped our continents, steered human progress, powered revolutions, and continues to influence everything we do. Along the way, we'll swim with radioactive pigs, witness the most important chemical reactions humans have discovered, and join the crowd at the Moulin Rouge for some of the crudest performance art of all time. Lively, witty, and filled with the astounding science of ordinary life, Caesar's Last Breath illuminates the science stories swirling around us every second."--Jacket.



Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Alfred Hitchcock Day

March 12 is the day for Hitchcock, Alfred Hitchcock that is.  Why, well, we don't know and National ToDay says the origins of the day are a mystery, since he was born on August13, 1899, and died April 29th of 1980. 

 I forget the year that my dad introduced me to the legend of Alfred Hitchcock, but he did it with The Birds, and I was in love.  A favorite game of mine was been "Spot Alfred", basically a version of "Where's Waldo" except that I'm in search of Alfred's cameos, (he appears in 39 of his 54 films).  In junior high and into high school, a few of us would have a weekly gathering at the lunch table, to discuss the previous night's rerun of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

As brilliant as his films are, they can be problematic, because Alfred was problematic, (to say the least), misogyny, and obsessiveness are a horrible combination.  Tippi Hedren wrote in Tippi: a memoir that her mantra while filming The Birds, the bedroom scene, in particular, was "I won't let him break me; I won't let him break me."

A portrait of the filmmaker traces his career and numerous works, noting his role in the establishment of industry standards and the characteristics most associated with his persona while offering insight into his private, professional, and family life.


Eighteen of Alfred Hitchcock's early films (1926-1939), and two episodes of his television program (1955-1962). Includes 55 minutes of movie trailers spanning Hitchcock's legendary career.




Jamaican Inn: An Irish orphan girl goes to live with an uncle who is discovered to be involved in a group of smuggling highwaymen ravaging the area.
Sabotage: An undercover Scotland yard detective infiltrates the home of a theatre operator who is suspected of sabotage.
The 39 steps: Character Richard Hanney stumbles into a conspiracy that involves him in a hectic chase across the Scottish moors.
Easy virtue: A woman goes through a divorce and attempts to overcome the tarnished reputation that accompanies it.




A man devises a plan to murder his wife, not only because he wants her money, but because she is in love with another man.

 


Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho 

Horror melodrama in which a woman disappears after spending the night in an isolated motel that adjoins an eerie Victorian mansion, inhabited by a disturbed young man and his mother.



Scottie Ferguson, a San Francisco police detective is forced to retire when a freak accident gives him a severe case of acrophobia. Ferguson is hired by a rich shipbuilder to follow his wife who is behaving suspiciously and might be planning suicide. He falls in love with her, she is later murdered and Ferguson becomes demonic in his desire to re-create her in another woman.



Roger Thornhill is a New York advertising executive who is kidnapped by a gang of spies led by Philip Vandamm, who believes Thornhill is CIA agent George Kaplan. Thornhill escapes but must find Kaplan in order to clear himself of a murder that Kaplan is accused of committing. Following Kaplan to Chicago as a fugitive from justice, Thornhill is helped by beautiful Eve Kendall. In Chicago, she delivers a message to Kaplan that almost costs Thornhill his life when he is chased across a cornfield by a crop-dusting plane.




Two strangers who accidentally meet and plan to trade murders. The screenplay of Patricia Highsmith's novel was adapted by Raymond Chandler.



Profiles the life and accomplishments of the British filmmaker known for his distinctive style of directing and his films that featured suspenseful and surprising plots.



"In this absorbing and surprising memoir, one of the biggest names of classic Hollywood; the star of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and Marnie tells her story, including never-before-revealed experiences on the set of some of the biggest cult films of all time,"--Amazon.com.

Monday, March 7, 2022

Women's History Month



As nurses, midwives, and herbalists, women have filled the role of healer throughout history. Unfortunately, women having knowledge was something (and sometimes still is) frowned upon. Knowing about herbal remedies, well that meant running the risk of being accused of witchcraft. Even goddesses in Ancient Greece.
begins with Hecate, patron of midwives and healers, and how her reputation was blackened by those who were uncomfortable with the concept of women having healing powers.
Agnodice, one of the featured "rebel ladies: in Brazen by Pénélope Bagieu, was rather
unhappy with Ancient Greece's laws against women learning or practicing medicine and ran off to Egypt to learn. When she came home to Greece, Agnodice, undeterred by the laws, disguised herself as a man, and quickly gained the reputation as the "go-to OB-GYN".
The 2022 Women's History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.  - https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/#:~:text=The%202022%20Women's%20History%20theme,healing%20and%20hope%20throughout%20history.
The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women--and Women to Medicine by Nimura, Janice P.
"The vivid biography of two pioneering sisters who, together, became America's first female doctors and transformed New York's medical establishment by creating a hospital by and for women. Elizabeth Blackwell believed from an early age that she was destined for greatness beyond the scope of "ordinary" womanhood. Though the world recoiled at the notion of a woman studying medicine, her intelligence and intensity won her the acceptance of the all-male medical establishment and in 1849 she became the first woman in America to receive a medical degree. But Elizabeth's story is incomplete without her often forgotten sister, Emily, the third woman in America to receive a medical degree. Exploring the sisters' allies, enemies and enduring partnership, Nimura presents a story of both trial and triumph: Together the sisters' founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, the first hospital staffed entirely by women. Both sisters were tenacious and visionary; they were also judgmental, uncompromising, and occasionally misogynistic--their convictions as 19th-century women often contradicted their ambitions. From Bristol, England, to the new cities of antebellum America, this work of rich history follows the sister doctors as they transform the nineteenth-century medical establishment and, in turn, our contemporary one"-- Provided by publisher.
WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN'T BE DOCTORS? : The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell. by Stone, Tanya Lee.                                                                  An introduction to the life and achievements of the first American female doctor describes the limited career prospects available to women in the early nineteenth-century, the opposition Blackwell faced while pursuing a medical education, and her pioneering medical career that opened doors for future generations of women
Documents the true stories of three pioneering women who defied Victorian-era boundaries to become the first women doctors, discussing how they banded together to support each other and advocate for women's health in a male-dominated field.


Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-- and the World by Swaby, Rachel "Covering Nobel Prize winners and major innovators, as well as lesser-known but hugely significant scientists who influence our every day, Rachel Swaby's ... profiles span centuries of courageous thinkers and illustrate how each one's ideas developed, from their first moment of scientific engagement through the research and discovery for which they're best known"--Page 4 of cover.

The Lady's Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness : A Memoir by Ramey, Sarah
"The funny, defiant memoir of Sarah Ramey's years-long battle with a mysterious illness that doctors thought was all in her head--but wasn't. A revelation and an inspiration for millions of women whose legitimate health complaints are ignored. In her darkly funny and courageous memoir, Sarah Ramey recounts the decade-long saga of how a seemingly minor illness in her senior year of college turned into a prolonged and elusive condition that destroyed her health but that doctors couldn't diagnose or treat. Worse, as they failed to cure her, they hinted that her problems were all in her head. The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness is a memoir with a mission: to help the millions of (mostly) women who suffer from unnamed or misunderstood conditions: autoimmune illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic Lyme disease, chronic pain, and many more. Sarah's pursuit of a diagnosis and cure for her own mysterious illness becomes a page-turning medical mystery that reveals a newly emerging understanding of modern illnesses as ecological in nature. Her book will open eyes, change lives, and ultimately change medicine"-- Provided by publisher.




"Smart women have always been able to achieve amazing things, even when the odds were stacked against them. In Wonder Women, author Sam Maggs tells the stories of the brilliant, brainy, and totally rad women in history who broke barriers as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, adventurers, and inventors. Plus, interviews with real-life women in STEM careers, an extensive bibliography, and a guide to women-centric science and technology organizations--all to show the many ways the geeky girls of today can help to build the future,"--Amazon.com.



Letter to a Young Female Physician: Notes from a Medical Life by Koven, Suzanne

"A poignant, funny, personal exploration of authenticity in work and life by a woman doctor. In 2017, Dr. Suzanne Koven published an essay describing the challenges faced by women doctors, including her own personal struggle with "imposter syndrome"-a long-held, secret belief that she was not smart enough or good enough to be a "real" doctor. Accessed nearly 300,000 times by readers around the world, Koven's "Letter to a Young Female Physician" has evolved into a work that reflects on her career in medicine, in which women still encounter sexism, pay inequity, and harassment. Koven tells engaging stories about her pregnancy during a grueling residency in the AIDS era; the illnesses of her son and parents during which her roles as a doctor, mother, and daughter converged; and the twilight of her career during the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter to a Young Female Physician offers an indelible eyewitness account from a doctor, mother, wife, daughter, teacher, and writer that will encourage readers to embrace their own imperfect selves"--. Provided by publisher.



"A fresh, fierce, and timely meditation on data, pain, time, and the limited capacity of literature to comprehend life and death in a sensate and vulnerable body." -- Provided by publisher.

Chronicles the coming of age of a surgeon in New York City and her experiences as one of the only female ringside doctors for the New York State Athletic Commission.





"As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered--brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!"--Inside book jacket.



"Maria grew up in Italy at a time when girls didn't receive an equal education to boys. But Maria's mother was supportive of her dreams, and Maria went on to study medicine. She later became an early years expert - founding schools with her revolutionary educational theories and changing the lives of many children. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the educator's life" -- Publisher.

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

ReUse RePurpose: Book Art


Books have a shelf life.   They just reach the point of where they become what we used to call at Once Upon A Child, "well-loved".  This is when the question arises as to what can possibly be done with the book, one answer to this is of course crafts.  Altered books, blackout poetry, and even my nemesis origami are all different things one can do with an old book.  Many, oh so many, books are mass-produced, so one really does not need to feel any fear that altering the book in any way is somehow committing a sacrilege.   If you have questions on whether one or more of your books may be a hidden gem, consider checking out Your Old Books for information on whether or not to get an appraisal.
Now, onto the crafts.  If you are more comfortable with using drills than I am, there are quite a few projects in  The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life by Occhipinti that look interesting.   I'm am highly tempted to make a music box, I may just involve my 16 year old as he seems more comfortable with power tools.   The Kindle Keeper and the Tool Bin seem to be more my speed.

For these projects, Lisa Occhipinti rescues and repurposes orphaned and outdated books from flea markets and library sales and turns them into new art objects and practical items for the home. Her creations range from artfully constructed mobiles to a Kindle "keeper" for those who want to replicate the sensation of holding a "real" book while reading from an e-reader.



Altered Books Workshop: 18 Creative Techniques for Self-Expression by Brazelton, Bev

Presents eighteen step-by-step projects, along with variation ideas, to create an array of altered books.




Bound: Over 20 Artful Handmade Books by Ekrem, Erica

"Bind a book beautifully, with these whimsical and stylish projects from bookbinder extraordinaire Erica Ekrem! With her novel approach to traditional techniques, and the use of repurposed materials, Ekrem has devised creative fun for book artists of all levels. Choose from three categories: Vintage, Nature, and Leather. Make books from mason jars and seashells, a classic leather-bound photo album, and other works of art"-- Provided by publisher.


The Altered Book Scrapbook by Ure, Susan

Combine two of the hottest trends in crafts—altered books and scrapbooking—and you get an exciting technique that’s sure to be a hit. Just take an existing volume and add embellishments until it’s transformed into your own personal scrapbook. Susan Ure—a frequent guest on The Christopher Lowell Show—shows exactly how it’s done, from choosing the right book to alter to creating a pleasing composition. Work from a variety of artists provides inspiration and ideas for materials and techniques—including metal, paper and cloth collage, lace, and beads. A sense of playfulness and creativity are all that’s needed to get great results.


Altered art is one of the hottest new crafts--but for the uninitiated, it can seem intimidating. Not anymore, with all the basics outlined in a simple question-and-answer format and shown in plenty of sparkling, detailed how-to photos. Find out the best type of books to alter, as well as the right adhesives and paints to use. As your skill develops, the alteration thrill will inevitably build, and so there are also projects for transforming more than just books--including making pendants out of matchboxes and gum tins, and revitalizing purses and luggage.


If you search "Altered Books" on YouTube the number of tutorials seems never-ending.   And when watching some on altered books I was amazed at all the little details involved.  The tool supply lists that the books and videos tend to offer are often of a higher calibre tools than I own.  What I do have is a lot of scrapbooks supplies that have been gathering dust for longer than I care to admit.

However, Here is my first attempt at altered book pages.







I also though I would give making things out of single book pages a try.


Book Page Flowers


Flowers from Book Pages

I only got as far as to when the petals were being cut and I opted to instead just to stick a brad in the middle.


And then my daughter declared it to be hers and ran off with it.  So, I made another one, and this time I folded up the petals.




Corner Book Mark

CORNER BOOKMARK out of paper (easy)

 



 Origami Butterfly Bookmark

I love corner bookmarks.  Origami, however, is a challenge for me so I was thrilled that I actually made this correctly.


Book Page Butterfly 


 The Butterfly Made From Book Pages was fun, however, as it was more cutting than folding.

Butterfly Template

I ended up making a few of these because my kids kept stealing them.





Links:

https://mixedmedia.club/a-crash-course-on-altered-books/

https://mywellnessme.com/reuse-old-books/ 

https://www.simplyfrugal.ca/10-uses-for-old-magazines/#_a5y_p=1006234

https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Uses-Old-Books-23418154?stream_view=1




November 2026

November is a month full of celebrations; not just Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. It is Native American Heritage Month and Men's Health ...