Ready, Set, Blow #2!

 

I played trombone, too... my poor parents.

Ready, Set, Blow!

 If you've heard me during a 'History of Handkerchiefs' lecture, you've heard me mention that 19th century bandannas and handkerchiefs were used for unusual purposes -- including illustrated guides for loading and cleaning guns. I've only seen these in pictures -- until now! 

Here's what the Ebay seller said:

"Mouchoir d'Instruction Militaire No. 1" is the first  in a series of ten instructional handkerchiefs meant for distribution to French troops in the late 19th century. This handkerchief provides instructions  for disassembly and reassembly of the Model 1873 Revolver

In 1872, following the introduction of general conscription for all French citizens (male), after the failure of the war of 1870, it was important that they could keep the training they had received.
Indeed, this training was often done orally, and few traces remained.
Solutions are therefore put in place to be able to train through the image, and the solution of the military instruction handkerchief is developed. The handkerchief, in the 19th century, is a very important accessory. It serves both for fashion, but also as a commemorative object of an event or a situation.
Finally, other uses in the field are also possible for these handkerchiefs: scarf, splint or even bandage for an injured limb. 
Printed in red and black on an off-white ground. The complete series consisted of: No. 1 Dismantling the 1873 model revolver No. 2 Dismantling the 1874 model revolver No. 3 Signals and basic instruction for cavalry No. 4 Instruction in packing for cavalry on parade or campaign No. 4a (second edition) Dismantling the 1890 model carbine No. 5 The use of the 80 and 90 mm cannon No. 6 Basic military lore for the reserve soldier No. 7 Health and safety on campaign No. 8 Preparing for inspection and review No. 9 Dismantling the 1886 model rifle No. 10 Methods for crossing streams
 


The former owner: Selma Ekrem ( 1902-1986) author, daughter of Turkish and former governor of Jerusalem Ali Ekram Bolayir ( 1867-1937), granddaughter of author and poet and social reformer, Ottoman Empire,  Namik Kemal ( 1840-1888). 
The textiles came with her as a child to the United States in 1924.  
Ms Ekrem lived in Plymouth MA until she died in 1986.  

Come to one of my lectures -- and you'll see this rare piece in person!

Made With Love... Or Not

I've wondered if that's how Cincinnati Chili got invented...

or Garbage Plates.

At least they taste good!

'Subway Car'

 Something about this painting by Mayumi Nakao... I just love. Maybe it's all the little details, from the white sandals to the lollipop clutched in a grimy hand. She clearly knows what kids are like.

If you're in the NYC area, there's an interesting art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring Borough artists. This painting will be there, too.

Happy Engineers Day!

 I'm a few days late... it was on September 15. But I want to commemorate MY favorite engineer:

The Brick.

Happy Engineer's Day!

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Fall Is Creeping In

 Lovely cooler temperatures -- and a lot of wind -- are wafting over our house. The Brick knows that very well; he's been uptop replacing and tightening down screws that hold our metal roof in place. He won't let me up there. (My balance has not always been very good lately.) But I made him promise to take his phone, and I listen VERY carefully for footsteps and thumps. 

What else can you do. 

Otherwise, life goes on. I'll make up the last of the peaches into pie, and keep working on more reports. Gradually starting to catch up, which is wonderful. 

Meanwhile:

Another assassination attempt on Trump -- thank God, this one was also a failure. (This is all I knew as of Sunday night.) NOW WHAT?!?

Seventeen of the most amazing metal detector finds, including the largest nugget found (so far, at least) in the U.S.:  the Mojave Nugget. 156 ounces!

Don't get discouraged... here's a list of valuable vintage and antique Christmas ornaments. Including this 19th century skater:

One year after surgery: the recipient of the world's first eye and partial face implant.

Dozens of interesting crochet projects. Including this one -- a dissected rat. (No, I am not making this up.)

Intriguing secondhand finds.

A wonderful visit to the Cotswolds; I needed this mental break!  (Thanks, Mavis at One Hundred Dollars A Month)

Very funny e-mails. 

'IQ' moments -- hundreds of them. These are very clever.

In the interest of fairness -- the fact-checks VP Harris should have had during the debate -- and didn't. Not including another 'oops' -- turns out the Goldman Sachs report she cited during the debate has slightly different conclusions than what she stated. Oops.

A hobby horseriding championship?  Only in Deutschland...

Oh, and Michigan (28-18 -- against Arkansas State) and the University of Colorado (28-9 -- against CSU!) both won their games. But both teams-- the Wolverines and the Buffs -- need some work. 

Have a great week.

Listen to the FULL INTERVIEW...

 J.D. Vance is interviewed by CNN's Dana Bash on State of the Union:

"My constituents tell me..." said at least three times. (I lost count after that.) 

   Remember: he's a senator from Ohio.

I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican -- Don't let ANY headlines tell you what to think.

Make up your own mind.