White House Jigsaw Puzzle



White House Jigsaw Puzzle Item #940



Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s puzzling tip is focused on helping you look brilliant to your kids.  I know, you are brilliant, but sometimes our little bundles of joy forget that and they need to be reminded. 

At this time of year many parents and guardians are helping the local schools plan and or fundraiser for  upcoming class trips.  Most trips are to historic sites and the number one destination for schools across the country is the White House, which also happens to be one of our newest puzzles.

So how can a puzzle help you look brilliant you may be wondering?  Well here is the plan.  I’m going to tell you a few interesting facts about the White House that you can pass along to the kids, perhaps while you assemble the puzzle in anticipation of the trip.  Viola!  The true genius that you are is finally revealed (again). 

Start by pointing to the large center image and say, WOW how creative, they used the back of the White House as the focal point in this puzzle.  Then move on to some basic White House trivia.

You could say  President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, were the first to live here or that this is the second White House, the first was destroyed by the British in 1814.  (I had to look this and everything else up too so don’t feel bad!)

Next, as you continue to assemble the puzzle, you’ll want to casually mention the following factoids:

Ø The White House has 6 levels, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators. 

Ø The White House has been known throughout history as the “Executive Mansion,” “President’s Palace,” and the “President’s House.” President Roosevelt officially gave the White House its name in 1901.

Ø There are two full sized replicas of the White House; One in France and the other one in Ireland, both serve as tourist attractions!

Ø The grandson of President Thomas Jefferson was the first child born in the White House. The second was a black child born to one of Jefferson’s two slaves.  Slaves and all children born to them were considered the property of the owner.

Ø Presidents and their families are charged for every meal and other incidentals, such as dry cleaning and toiletries. They also pay for Chef Services. 

Ø The Oval Office has never had a computer!  President Obama claimed in 2009 that he is going to bring the Oval Office “online” during his term, but I guess security had other plans.

Ø Each President, as is custom, is encouraged to redecorate the Oval Office to reflect his, and soon maybe her, personal taste.  Due to the poor economy President Obama elected to only do a mini-makeover.

Now be still and listen, you just might over hear the youngin’s in the kitchen say, OMG! How do they know all that stuff! They are like computers!

Happy Puzzling!

Grandma's Kitchen Jigsaw Puzzle

Hi Puzzlers,

Grandma's Kitchen Item #528

This week we are continuing with our nostalgia theme and looking at our Grandma’s Kitchen jigsaw puzzle. I think the photographer that took this picture must have broken into my family’s antique keepsakes collection and used them to design this picture.

Do you see the genuine feather dusters by the phone? They look just like my great grandmothers. She would wander around her house with one tucked into the string of her apron and could pull it out with the grace and elegance of a ninja warrior ready to attack any dust or cobweb that dare enter.

Next, did you notice the tin washtub and scrub-board under the phone? My Mémère would use this to clean my Pépère’s (Grandfather) dirty work clothes because she didn’t want to get the washing machine too dirty! She would sit on a stool next to the tub and scrub the garden dirt off in a rhythmic rocking motion, strangely it looked almost relaxing. When she finished she would hang the clothes on a square rotating clothes line and I would hand her the wooden clothes pins. Then as a reward for helping, she’d let me pick out a stick of rhubarb from the garden to snack on. Of course I would always pick the biggest one and when we got in the house she would give me a little cup of sugar for the dipping. I just couldn’t get enough of that sugary-tart stuff. Yummy!

Once the clothes were dry, which usually only took a few hours in the summer, we would remove them from the line and take them in to be ironed. (This must be were my family got its insatiable need to iron everything!) The ironing board was made of wood and extremely sturdy; nothing like the tin and metal ones of today. The board opened easily and quickly with no tugging, pulling or screaming required! This may sound dramatic but if you have ever used the ironing boards found in most hotels you know what I’m talking about. As my Mémère plugged in the iron she would tell me stories of how “back in her day” they used cast iron versions, and explained how much easier it was to iron with electric ones.

People around the globe have been ironing since antiquity using various methods, but it the Chinese who were first to use hot metal to iron. Typically a pan would be filled with hot stones or coals and pressed against the flattened material.

In Europe prior to metal irons, people used warmed stones, wood and glass to smooth cloth. Ironing in Korea and Japan during the 12th Century was done with pairs of ironing sticks which would be used for beating clothes smooth. The Japanese typically used only one stick and a stand called a kinuta to beat the clothes. Western travelers and missionaries described the sound made by the beating ironing sticks as musical, each having their own distinct sound and percussion.

A New York inventor named Henry W. Seeley is credited with inventing the first electric iron in 1882. This handy gadget weighed 15 pounds and took a half hour to heat up. It could do the work of three irons and didn’t carry ash and soot! By 1930 the electric iron had become a Grandma favorite found in almost every kitchen, second only to the radio.

Happy Puzzling!

Tapestry Cats

Hi Puzzlers,

It happened again! I must have hit the wrong button or icon on my computer and ended up at a site I didn’t intend on visiting. But to be honest, I do not think I hit the wrong key or button, I think my computer is possessed! In any case, this unintended site visit was a pleasant experience; I ended up at a tapestry web site. It was loaded with tapestries from all over the world and from every time period! It got me thinking about tapestries and how they are like snapshots of history, each portraying and capturing a moment in time and preserving it for future generations.

The art of tapestry weaving is centuries old and can be traced to many diverse cultures throughout the world. The Greek Empire covered the walls of Parthenon and other significant civic buildings with tapestries. Burial garments, woven with tapestry designs were used by the ancient Egyptians and Incas. But, it would be the Medieval French who would solidify the tapestries place in history.

Many of the earliest tapestries were commissioned in the 13th and 14th century by the Catholic Church. They were used to depict Bible stories to the churches many illiterate parishioners. The Apocalypse of St John is the oldest existing set of church tapestries. It was woven in Paris from 1375 to 1379 and contains six hangings, each 18 feet high, totaling 471 feet in length!
Only church monarchs and the most affluent had tapestries during the Middle Ages, and as such, the tapestry became a status symbol for wealthy aristocrats. Kings and nobleman would often take their tapestries with them for comfort and prestige when traveling. Tapestries were used to insulate large rooms from the damp and cold weather, to cover formal walls of big castles and to provide privacy around a bed.

During the 15th century an estimated 15,000 people were employed in the tapestry craft. Weaving skills would be passed down from father to son. A skilled father and son team could weave just one square foot of tapestry in two months. Many of the most famous tapestries, including the “Lady with the Unicorn” series were woven in Loire Valley in the 15th century.

Tapestries are time machines of woven art that are meant to be shared with future generations.

Happy Puzzling!

The Three Stooges

Hi Puzzlers,

The new Three Stooges movie is scheduled to hit theaters Friday April 13th! I can’t wait! Like many of you I have been watching the Three Stooges my whole life and am very happy that their legacy is continuing on. The Three Stooges have been entertaining us for over 80 years! How many acts/shows can make that claim! N’yuk, N’yuk, N’yuk! So I thought it would be fun to take a quick look at how it all began.

The “Godfathers of Comedy” got their start in 1921with an act known as Ted Healy and the Southern Gentleman. In the beginning it only had two of the three stooges, Moe and Shemp. WOW! That factoid supersized me too, I always thought Curly came before Shemp. The shows premise was based around lead comedian Healy attempting to tell a joke or to sing, while his cohorts would keep interrupting him. Healy would counter these antics with verbal and physical assaults known as slapstick comedy. Violinist Larry Fine was added to the trio in 1925 and success was quick to follow.

After a few years Larry and Moe decided to take a two year hiatus from the group in order to be closer to their families, as luck would have it, they returned in the knick of time to join Healy and Shemp for the Broadway revue of A Night in Venice. This extremely popular act became a permanent show, and after 175 performances finally closed due to the Great Depression.

Immediately following the closing of the show a scout from Fox signed Healy, Moe, Larry, and Shemp to star in the movie Soup to Nuts. Healy and the trio parted ways in 1931 due to financial discrepancies but reconciled in 1932. Shemp fed up with all the drama decided to leave the trio to pursue a solo career. This is when Shemp and Moe’s brother Jerome Howard, AKA, Curly joined the group.

Healy and the new trio signed a movie contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1933. They would go on to appear in feature films, short subjects and musical comedy shorts, either together, individually, or with other actors. The contract with MGM ended in 1934 and so did the Stooge’s association with Ted Healy.

In 1934 Moe, Larry and Curly sign with Columbia Pictures to appear in two comedy shorts. This is when they officially became “The Three Stooges” and their popularity soared worldwide. The Stooges would remain with Columbia for 23 years and appear in 190 film shorts and feature films.

Shemp returned to the Stooges in 1947, after Curly suffers a stroke. He continued performing with Moe and Larry until his sudden death in 1955. Joe Besser joined the group in 1956 and remained until 1958 when Columbia Pictures cancels the comedy shorts.

The next Stooge to join Moe and Larry was Joe DeRita. DeRita played Curly Joe from 1958-1971. Along with Moe and Larry, Joe created Comedy III Productions, a company that still owns all the copyrights, trademarks and merchandising of the Three Stooges!

The Three Stooges were one of America’s greatest talents and I’m happy I got to witness part of their journey.

See you April 13th at the opening of the new Three Stooges movie!

Happy Puzzling!

National Parks

Hi Puzzlers,

With spring finally here many are turning their attention to summer and the family vacation. For many, that vacation includes a trip to one of our National Parks. I for one am grateful that our Nations leaders had the foresight to protect and preserve these areas for future generations. Can you image the planet without the great Sequoia trees? How sad it would have been to only have heard the tales of the enormous trees and not seen them.

The National Park concept derived from a quote from artist George Catlin. Catlin was a self-taught artist, whom had a keen interest in Native American life. He wanted to preserve its heritage before it was lost with the westward expansion. Catlin wrote, “They might be preserved, "by some great protecting policy of government . . . in a magnificent park . . . . A nation's park, containing man and beast, in all the wild and freshness of their nature's beauty!”

By 1864 Catlin’s idea had gained enough approval and Congress donated Yosemite Valley to California for preservation as a state park. In 1872 an act of Congress authorized the establishment of Yellowstone National Park; it was the first time our nation had set aside land "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." Ah! But wait! That little piece of history has been rewritten.

Our National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act which created the National Park Service. The NPS was in charge of protecting the 40 national parks and monuments already in existence.

The first recorded piece of land set aside by our government for the peoples use, was the Hot Springs Arkansas Reservation. It was established on April 20, 1832 and renamed Hot Springs National Park in 1921. Congressional documents from 1872 list Yellowstone as our Nations second national park, not our first. So why the re-write? Many speculate that someone in the park service in 1930 changed the listing to Yellowstone because it was a “better” personification of what a “park” should be.

Well it doesn’t matter to me if it was the first or last National Park. They are all amazing in their own unique way and I will remain forever grateful for their preservation.

Happy Puzzling!

Olive Oil "Olio"

Hi Puzzlers,

In keeping with the “pairing” theme from last week’s wine post I thought it would be fun to explore the topic of olive oil. Olive oil served with parmesan cheese and bread for dipping, is a wonderful appetizer by itself or served with a glass of wine. I love olive oil and use it on everything. But to be frank, I know nothing about it. Is there really a difference, between extra virgin oil olive and regular olive oil? Does cold pressed mean they squash olives in a freezer to make the oil? Why, are some olive oils golden in color and others are green? Below is a quick synopsis of my findings.

The term cold pressed refers to the temperature at which the olive oil paste (ground olives and seeds) is heated to during the malaxation process. Malaxation is the process of adding water to the olive paste. Adding water to the paste forces the oil drops to stick together and consolidate; heating of the mixture accelerates this process. As long as the mixture remains 82 degrees or lower it is considered "cold pressed." That doesn’t sound cold to me! I’m a New England girl and I’d be heading for the nearest beach or lake with a temperature like that!

Now let’s look at oil types. There really is a difference between extra virgin oil (EVOO- thanks Rachael) and regular oil. Both oils are made from the same olives; the difference lies in how the oil is processed. All extra virgin olive oils and virgin oils come from the first press of the olives. That is it! Nothing else is done to the oil. But that doesn’t mean all EVOO’s will taste the same, other factors such as olive type, acidity and peroxide levels will affect the taste. Oil tasters look for those levels as well as the positive attributes of fruitiness, bitterness and pungency, when grading the oils. Those with the best flavors are awarded the Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil label, but, like the Rudd wine from our last post, are much more expensive.

Basic olive oil is made with the oil that did not meet EVOO and virgin oil standards. This oil may have had an unpalatable flavor, high acidity level or undesirable aroma; therefore it must be refined. Several different methods can be used in the refinement process including chemicals, heat and filtration. This process renders the oil odorless, flavorless and clear; perfect for foods packed in oil such as tuna. These oils can also be blended with other virgin oils which are great for cooking because they can tolerate heat well.

Next, what the color of the oil can tell you. Green colored oils come from unripe olives and have a sharp, pungent flavor. Those oils with an emerald tone boast fruity, peppery flavors and will steal the show, so pair these oils with neutral foods to showcase their grassy flavor. Golden colored olive oils are made from ripe olives which produce oils that are not bitter; they are smooth, mild and buttery. Their subtle flavors accentuate delicately flavored foods.

And, my final suggestion is to pair the Wine Country puzzle with our Olio puzzle to make the most of your puzzling experience.

Happy Puzzling!

The Taste For Wine

Hi Puzzlers,

Do you remember your first glass or taste of wine? Ah, what memories. The encouragement you got from your friends to just “TRY IT.” The thinking to yourself it looks good, and lots of people like it, why not give it a try. You gaze at the glass and the beautiful dark red liquid being poured into it by your server. With eager anticipation you bring the glass to your lips and let the liquid flow into your mouth. The flavor of tannins hits you first followed by the alcohol, then if you are like most young people you think, “This tastes AWFUL!” Oh God! What have I done, I’ve just wasted $3.75 and I have to swallow this stuff. You vow, “NEVER AGAIN!” But somehow ten years later your ordering it and you like it! What happened? Did growing older sever my taste buds? Was it osmosis from being married to a red wine loving Italian? How did I get here? I had to find out.

It turns out that most Americans go through what is called wine taste progression. Many believe this is due to our cultures natural inclination to serve our youngsters soda and juice and never exposing them to alcohol in their youth. Europeans on the other hand, serve small amounts of wine, sometime mixed with water, to their children. So, as adults most Americans who like wine, have gone through this wine taste progression to develop the taste for wine.

The progression starts with the sweet and chilled stuff. You remember that type of wine that was sweet, light and served cold. Often it came in beer sized bottles you could buy in a four pack. The really good stuff had a little spritz or carbonation in them. Some Blush and most Fruit wines fall into this category as well. But, soon these little buggers begin to taste too sweet and you are moving on to the next step; the semi-dry and chilled.

Semi-dry wines are served chilled and pair well with some food. These wines have a slight sweet taste, but are not as sweet as the first group, and are balanced by a higher acidity. Most German and several Blush wines come from this group. After enjoying wines from this group for awhile the palette shifts again and no longer prefers sweetness in wine and you are off to the next group: Dry white wine served chilled.

This group of wine includes Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and the most popular of the bunch, Chardonnay. These wines pair well with chicken and seafood. The palette can take several years to develop in this stage before it is ready to move to the next group, light reds.

This group includes wines such as Beaujolais and inexpensive Pinots Noirs. These wines have a stronger flavor than their white counterparts, and are served lightly chilled. Because of their higher acidity level, they are an excellent choice to serve with fish and chicken. Once the taste for tannins develops it is on to the next group; dry rich reds.

Dry, rich reds have higher levels of tannins and should be served at a cellar temperature of approximately 65 degree Fahrenheit. Allow this wine to warm in the glass. The most popular grapes in this group are the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The final group is the dry complex wines. They come from the same group as above but are at the peak of perfection, requiring decanting before being served and a bigger wallet for buying. I have a hard time spending that much money on wine, so we share a bottle and the cost, once a year, with our wine buddies. This habit led us to a wonderful bottle of 2005 Rudd. It was truly worth every penny, and because you only get one glass you are forced to savor it.

Caution, puzzling and wine consumption can result in missing pieces!

Happy Puzzling!

Vincent van Gogh

Hi Puzzlers,

Look what the warehouse just got in…don't worry your vision is not failing...it’s a Vincent van Gogh puzzle! I am so excited I feel like I won the lottery! Vincent van Gogh is one of my favorite artists. Whenever I look at one of his pieces I feel like the painting is alive with energy. Take for example his most famous piece, Starry Night, look at the sun, clouds and the night air; they all seem to be moving and vibrating. I never tire of looking at it. His art work is as inspiring and captivating as the story of his life.

Vincent was born on March 30, 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Holland to Anna Cornelia Carbentus and protestant Reverend Theodorus Van Gogh. The name Vincent was a family named handed down generation to generation. It was also the name of his still born brother who had had been born the year before. The reusing of a name was common practice at this time!!! The Van Gogh’s also continuously gravitated towards the occupations of art and religion. Vincent’s grandfather had a degree in theology and three of his uncles were art dealers. Vincent would soon follow both of these callings.

By the age of 20 Vincent had become a successful art dealer for Goupil & Cie located in London. According to his sister-in-law’s account this was the happiest of times for Vincent. He was earning more money than his father and had fallen in love with Eugénie Loyer, daughter of his landlord. But Eugénie was secretly engaged to a former renter and rejected Vincent. Soon afterwards Vincent started isolating himself and became devoutly religious. In 1876 Goupil & Cie terminates Vincent.

After a quick stint as an unpaid supply teacher for a boarding school and bookstore worker Van Gogh decides to devote his life, as his father did, to religion. Vincent believes this is his calling. With the support of his parents Vincent is sent to Amsterdam to study theology but fails the entrance exam. He then enrolls in a three-month course at a Protestant missionary school in Laeken, where he also fails. Not one to give up, Van Gogh moves onto Christianity and takes a missionary post in the village of Petit Wasmes. Vincent enjoyed preaching and chose to live like the villagers. Church authorities did not approve of his squalid living conditions and dismissed him from his post.

Finally after years of encouragement from his brother Theo, Vincent decides to take up art and enrolls in the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. He would remain in Brussels for nine months studying anatomy, perspective and standard rules of modeling, then return home to Etten to perfect his craft. Vincent would go onto study with many other famous artist of the time and create the masterpieces we have today. Vincent’s mental illness began to show at the end of 1888. He suffered from epilepsy, psychotic attacks, and delusions. After mutilating his ear in a psychotic attack Vincent commits himself to an asylum. It is here that he creates The Starry Night.

“On July 27, 1890 Van Gogh attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest. He survived, but died two days later from the wound. Theo, who had collected the majority of Vincent's work from Paris, died only six months later. His widow took the collection to Holland and dedicated herself to getting the now deceased Vincent the recognition he deserved. She published his work and Vincent became famous nearly instantly.”

His troubled life and artistic talent has been featured on Dr. Who, a British sci-fi series. Vincent played by actor Anthony "Tony" Curran captures what I have imagined Van Gogh to be like. He gave a truly inspirational performance and the story line incorporated some of Van Gogh’s greatest works of art into the plot. Not to mention Tony looked strikingly similar to Vincent.

Vincent worked and strived his entire life to make a difference and to leave a mark in the world, he said, “...to try to understand the real significance of what the great artists, the serious masters, tell us in their masterpieces, that leads to God; one man wrote or told it in a book; another in a picture.”

Happy Puzzling!

Postcard Collecting

Hi Puzzlers,

Take a look at our newest puzzle, Travel Dreams. It is loaded with postcards from across the globe. I just have two words to say about it, “LOVE IT”! Okay, you’re right, I always have tons to say so keeping things brief is hard. But the topic of postcards is so interesting I just have to share it with you. As a child, I was fortunate enough to receive postcards from friends who were on vacation. For me getting anything in the mail was exciting enough but holding that card with the picture of a fabulous location on the front and a hand written message, “just for me” on the back was mesmerizing. I even found the stamps and postmarks intriguing. Images of Yogi Bear hand stamping my Yellow Stone National Park postcard with the help of Ranger Smith and Boo-Boo Bear danced through my head. I stored all my cards in photo albums and would often look at them and imagine that I too was off exploring the world. I learned years later that collecting postcards ranks third among the most collectable items worldwide.

The study and collection of postcards is formally called deltiology. In 1869, Dr. Emanuel Herrmann introduced the postcard concept to the Hungarian government, which would approve his idea by the end of the year. Its approval paved the way for the first printing of the world first common postcard, in 1870. It featured a historical image of the Franco-German War.

Prior to 1893 postcards were meant to serve as advertiser only, not as a souvenir. The first intended souvenir postcard went on sale at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Because it was privately printed it required a two-cent, letter- rate postage, while government printed cards only required a one-cent postage rate. On May 19, 1898 Congress authorize an act which allowed card publishers to receive the same postal rate as the government. All cards printed with "Private Mailing Card Authorized by Act of Congress on May 19, 1898" would receive the special pricing.

This act significantly increases the popularity of the postcard. During this time you could only write on the front of the card. Yes, you had to write over the picture, how unthinkable! Luckily the U. S. Government in 1901 gave publishers the ability to remove the authorization inscription of the 1898 act and allowed them to print the words “Post Card” on the cards undivided back side, leaving the front for the design only. The divided back was formally approved in 1907. It allowed for personal messages to be written on the left side while the right side was reserved for the address.

Postcards are so much fun to collect and apparently they are a good investment as well. Some sites claim that postcards are the number one selling item on eBay, commanding hundreds even thousands of dollars per card! Click here to check out the Uncle Sam Hold to Light Santa Claus postcard selling for $1,100.

But I’m so attached to all of mine I couldn’t bear to part with any of them. I am strictly a collector. All this postcard-collecting banter gets me wondering what the White Mountains Puzzles postcards and puzzle postcards will be worth in 100 years…you never know!

Happy Puzzling!

The Flowers of February

Hi Puzzlers,

Did you know that each of our 12 months has a flower associated with it? I knew about the birthstones and that each of our states has a flower affiliated with it but not the months. Another interesting factoid is flowers have a language all their own. The Language of Flowers evolved during the Victorian Era.

Queen Victoria took the throne in 1837 and ruled the nation until her death in 1901. This span of time is therefore considered the Victorian Era. During her rein, rules of etiquette deemed it improper to convey feeling of love or affection. This strict moral decorum forced the evolution of the Language of Flowers. Each flower was assigned a meaning and could be sent without fear of breaking social proprieties. Several books were published describing the meaning of each flower; unfortunately, some books had conflicting views as to what the flower represented. This deviation left some well intentioned suitors heartbroken.

A simple bouquet of flowers could convey one’s friendship, hope, love, and admiration. The most popular arrangement of this period was the Tussie-Mussies. These lovely small bouquets were wrapped in doilies and tied with a ribbon.

One of February’s two flowers is the Violet. It symbolizes faithfulness, modesty, humility, virtue, watchfulness and chastity. Violets were a favorite of the Victorian Era since each color possessed a different meaning. A Blue Violet conveyed, “I’ll always be true.” White Violets represented modesty and the willingness to “take a chance on happiness.” And Yellow Violets depicted modest worth.

The Primrose is also included as a February Flower because it is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. The name primrose derives from the Latin term ‘Primus’ meaning first. The Primrose symbolizes first love, courage, renewal, love and the “I can’t live without you” sentiment. Ah shucks, that is so sweet!

Click here to discover your birth month flower!

Happy Puzzling!

The Coast Guard

Hi Puzzlers,

Since last week’s post on lighthouses I have been quizzing everyone to see if they know what ancient lighthouses were called, and no one knows. Look out Who Wants To Be A Millionaire; here we come with the answer to the million dollar question. “What were ancient lighthouses called? Pause, breath deep and answer slowly. “Ancient lighthouses were called Pharos.” Yahoo, we win! This post also brought to my attention another interesting fact, (which was discovered while researching lighthouses), the Lighthouse Act of 1789. This act would serve as a catalyst for the formation of our National Guard.

The Lighthouse Act of 1789 was passed to extend Federal control of lighthouses. Prior to this act, lighthouses were governed by the state. Under Federal guide a six-cent-per-ton duty was charged to all commerce vessels. This revenue would be used to maintain lighthouses, beacons and navigational equipment. It would also serve to support hospitals for disabled sailors and corresponding institutions.

A “Grand Committee” was formed to handle lighthouse maintenance, ship registration and duty collection. To dissuade smugglers looking for ways to avoid paying import tariffs, Alexander Hamilton devised a plan. He recommended to Congress that 10 Cutters (armed vessels) could be used to guide ships to ports of entry. In 1790 the office of the Revenue Marine was formed.

One of the primary components of the Cutters duties was to support and assist as necessary, “for the protection of lives and property at sea.” This life saving aspect continues to personify and define the present day Coast Guard. Hamilton advised all Revenue Marine Captains to “always keep in mind that [their] countrymen are freemen.” These words and their underlying message of honor, respect and devotion to duty, would serve to form the basis of the Coast Guard’s set of core values.

Through its history the Revenue Marine would be known by several different names including the Revenue Cutter Service, the Lighthouse Service, the Lifesaving Service and the Steamship Inspection Bureau before being incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard on July 1, 1939. Because of the Coast Guard’s lineage with the Revenue Marine, it is consider the oldest continuously serving armed service force in the United States.

Amazing! Don't you just love topics with rich and intriguing histories?

Happy Puzzling!

Lighthouses

Hi Puzzlers,

Recently while channel surfing I caught the tail end of a television program on lighthouses. Just a quick glimpse of one of these majestic beauties got me to stop clicking and lay down the remote, something that rarely happens! Usually I can’t find anything to watch and I have 799 channels to choose from. This leaves me endlessly roaming, channel to channel, in a zombie like state before frustration sets in and I turn off the television. But not this time, I was completely mesmerized! Childlike curiosity took over my brain and I began diligently researching the history of lighthouses on my computer. Here is a quick review of what I found.

A lighthouse has two primary functions. First they give sailors a fixed point of reference to help them navigate day and night when offshore hazards cannot be seen. Secondly, they guide ships into harbors or anchorages. Today lighthouses also serve as symbolic monuments of civilizations efforts to reduce the hazards of seafaring. Just one look at these magnificent structures makes me stop and admire them with all their grandeur. How about you?

The first recorded lighthouse was built in 290 B.C. on the island of Pharos, by the Roman Empire. Records indicate the lighthouse used fire at night and a sun-reflecting mirror during the day to protect and guide ships around the Mediterranean. The Pharos lighthouse measured approximately 384 feet tall and stood for about 1,500 years, before succumbing to a series of earthquakes in 1326 A.D. Prior to the 1600’s lighthouses were referred to as Pharos.

America’s first official lighthouse is the Boston Light. It was built on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor in 1715. Prior to its construction colonist used small fires on hilltops or placed lanterns in the windows of houses overlooking harbors. The Boston Light was the first site to use a foghorn. The foghorn was a great-gun cannon, which was installed in 1719. It would be fired to warn sailors of pending dangers when visibility was low. In 1776 the original lighthouse was destroyed by the British, however, it was rebuilt in 1783 and is still operational today. “Although the Boston Light is considered the nation’s oldest lighthouse, the tower itself is only the second oldest. The oldest tower in the United States is the Sandy Hook Light at the entrance to New York Harbor, built in 1764.”

In the early years most lighthouses were lit by wood fires which required enormous amounts of wood. Coal became popular for burning during the early 1500s; it burned brighter and slower than wood, but required more attention to keep it burning bright. Candles and reflectors were also popular during this time as they produced a steadier flame and less soot and ash.
The next step in improving the visibility of lights was the oil burning lamps. These lamps used several flat, solid and round wicks. Also available was the Spider Lamp. It had a single oil reserve and used multiple wicks. A Frenchman named Ami Argand invented a lamp that used a hollow, circular wick in 1781. It allowed air to flow in on both sides of the wick, which enhanced the brightness of the flame. A large (18- to 20-inch) parabolic reflector was commonly attached to the center of this lamp to increase the lamps visibility.

In 1822, the Fresnel lens was created by Augustin Fresnel. This much thinner lens captured and focused larger fractions of light then did the reflectors, resulting in a brighter light that could be seen for longer distances. One Frensel lens could do the work of thirty Argand lamps.
The electrification of lighthouses began in the 1920s and 1930s. Once a lighthouse was electrified it could be equipped with a timer switch. Because electricity burns cleaner than oil it also eliminated the need for daily lens cleaning and maintenance. This made the need for light-keepers obsolete.

The lighthouse story does not end here. On our next post we will learn how lighthouses gave the National Guard its start.

Happy Puzzling!

Cats

Hi Puzzlers,

This week we pay tribute to the cat. More than 100 million American homes have a cat, making them the most popular pet in the United States. WOW! What a surprise! I thought dogs would have come in first, being mans’ “best friend” and all. Interestingly, these independent creatures have only been domesticated for the last 4000 years, but their lineage has been on the planet for 50 million years.

Miacis were small “weasel- like” animals that roamed the earth 50 million years ago. Bears, dogs, cats, raccoons and many other mammals are thought to be descendants of this prehistoric cat-like creature.

Evidence suggests African wildcats were being domesticated as early as 3500 B.C., by the Egyptians. Quickly these cats became highly valued for their ability to hunt and kill undesirable rodents like mice, snakes and rats. By 1500 B.C. cats were considered sacred by the Egyptians and anyone who killed a cat would be put to death. Cats were so idolized that in times of catastrophe they would be rescued before humans. “The cat goddess Bastet (also known as Bast or Pasht) became one of the most revered figures of worship. She had the body of a woman and the head of a cat.”

During the Middle Ages wide spread hysteria of devil worshipping witches and warlocks filled the streets of Europe. Cats were now seen as harbingers of evil, who possessed the power of black magic. They were thought to be witches in disguise. For this reason hundreds of thousands of cats were killed. Black cats were hunted close to extinction.

Genocide of this scale would eventually upset the natural balance of the rodent population, thus, greatly contributing to the spread of the “Black Plague” which was spread to people by flea infested rats. One-fourth of the European population died from this disease. Quickly Europeans realized the cats’ importance in controlling the rodent population and they eventually regained their popularity.

Cats are no longer revered as Gods or feared as demons. They have found a comfortable spot right in the middle as America’s most popular pet!

Happy Puzzling!

Rock 'n' Roll

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s topic to ponder is Rock ‘n’ Roll. People across the globe have been listening to this music, in one form or another, for decades. Just hearing a few notes from one of your favorite songs can transport you back in time. Let’s take a look at some of the inventions that made it all possible.

Interestingly enough it has been stated that Rock ‘n’ Roll got its start when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. This makes sense, how would people have been able to play records and recordings otherwise. The creation of the phonograph paved for the way for the next major Rock ‘n’ Roll device, the juke box. It was created by the Chicago Automatic Machine & Tool Company in 1915.

Well that clears up the juke box mystery, but what about the term Rock ‘n’Roll? Have you ever wondered where that came from? The answer really surprised me! Note, reader discretion advised, some may find the following offensive. Now you are really curious aren’t you?

The term "rock" and "roll" originated from a black slang for sexual intercourse! Too funny! In 1922, Trixie Smith recorded "My Baby Rocks Me With One Steady Roll". This marked the first appearance of the phrased on a recording, and as they say the rest is history. I guess that also gives us a better understanding as to why some parents were so against this music.

The next great musical recording device was the 78 rpm record which was introduced in 1929. Seventy-Eight’s as they were called would play for four to five minutes per side on a 12 inch disc and three to five on a 10inch. The artist would sing into a horn and the power of their vibrating voice would cut the wax on a master disc. The sound was ultra acoustic.

In 1931 the electric guitar was invented by Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp. “It was a lap-steel guitar with an electromagnetic pickup in which a current passed through a coil of wire wrapped around a magnet. This created a field that amplified the strings' vibrations.”

Echo-delay, multi-track recording and many other techniques that expand recording possibilities are invented in 1945 by Les Paul. In 1948 Columbia Records introduces the vinyl 12-inch 33-1/3 rpm album. RCA Victor quickly follows suit with the introduction of the 45 rpm Record. The 45 rpm was easier to produce, smaller and cheaper than the fragile 78's. RCA Victor also created a small inexpensive record player to accommodate the new records size and speed.

While all these inventions were being developed, so too, was the sound that would be known as Rhythm and Blues. R & B changed rapidly in the formative years and thus giving birth to a new sound called Rock ‘n’Roll.

I can’t imagine a world without music and I am so happy that the inventions keep making it better and more portable.

Happy Puzzling!

Blue Plate Special

Hi Puzzlers,

Don’t you love lunch room conversations? The topics can range from mild to wild and leave you laughing so hard you’ve fallen on the floor! But every once in a while one conversation will start out funny then turn serious and it stirs your curiosity. This happened to me recently. It was the Blue Plate Special. Okay stop laughing! Think about it! A blue plate special? Funny yes, but most have heard of the term and know what it stands for. But where did it start and why blue? Ah, now you are curious too aren’t you?

The tale of the blue plate special begins in the late 19th century as mobile food wagons began swarming U.S. cities. These wagons were the first fast-food restaurants and because they were set up much like a train’s dining car they quickly became known as diners.

During the Depression the original blue plates were manufactured. These disposable plates were sectioned into three quarters-one for meat, one for vegetables and one for a starch. The interesting fact about these sectioned plates is they were only available in BLUE! Because the plates were disposable, which saved on dishwashing, many diners would use them to promote daily specials. Hence the “Blue Plate Special”.

A common blue plate policy was "No Substitutions". This policy became a featured topic and spoof on several radio and television programs. “Our Man in Havana (1958) by Graham Greene has the following exchange regarding an "American blue-plate lunch": "Surely you know what a blue-plate is, man? They shove the whole meal at you under your nose, already dished up on your plate -roast turkey, cranberry sauce, sausages and carrots and French fried. I can't bear French fried but there's no pick and choose with a blue plate." "No pick and choose?" "You eat what you're given. That's democracy, man."

But wait; there is more on blue plates. Our lunch room blue plate special conversations veered off course when Matt mentioned the use of a blue plate as an appetite suppressant! That’s when I hit the floor laughing! It turns out he was right! Yes, Matt, I said you were right! The color blue reduces appetite because it stimulates beta waves which have a calming effect on the body, thus making you feel full and satisfied. This coupled with our primal nature to avoid foods that are poisonous makes eating anything blue, purple or black difficult. These colors do not activate our automatic appetite response. Weight loss plans suggest putting your food on a blue plate and a blue light in your refrigerator.

Curiosity does a body good! Here is to the blue plate special and its appetite suppressing ways!

Happy Puzzling!

Vermont

Hi Puzzlers,

Over the holidays I noticed a trend. I had either given or received a gift that came from Vermont. Now, how cool is that? I live in New England and absolutely love that state! Have you ever been to the Vermont? If you haven’t and are planning a trip to New England I would highly recommend visiting this gorgeous place. In addition to all its natural beauty, it is the second least populated state in the union. Ah let’s see, beautiful location, check; getting away from it all; check, getting away from people; check. Oh, come on, you know sometimes you just want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of a big city and go to a place that is less hectic and more relaxed. Vermont is this place!

Vermont’s first inhabitants were the Abenaki and Iroquios Indians. During colonial times Vermont was governed by France. Many believe it is the French who gave Vermont its name. The French would say les Verts Monts, which means "the Green Mountains ". After the French and Indian war of 1763Great Britain took over control, but the state remained plagued by territorial disputes with New Hampshire and New York. During this time Vermont was called the New Hampshire Grants, but thanks to the Green Mountain Boys militia, the independent sovereign state of the Vermont Republic was founded in 1777. While independent, Vermont abolished slavery, and in 1791 joined the United States, it was the 14th state to do so.

Did you know that Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States and it was the first state to establish a mandatory maple law? This law established purity and quality regulations. Vermont maple syrup100% pure & natural! Yum! Also, be sure to visit a sugar house so you can see for yourself how maple syrup is made and so you can pick up a few tasty treats.

Ah…what could be cozier then relaxing in front of a blazing fire in your flannel pajamas? That brings me to my next great Vermont product, flannel. I came across Vermont Flannel at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts. They have an outstanding product! High quality flannels made here in the USA! My daughter loves them so much she makes me promise to wash and dry them immediately so she continue to live in them! Note, buy several extra pairs to avoid this dilemma!
So, flannel and maple syrup aren’t your thing? How about the cheese? Not just any cheese, award winning Cabot Cheese. When they say the “World’s Best Cheddar”, that is no exaggeration! This wonderful creamery is a farm cooperative locate in Cabot, hence the name, Vermont. When you go, take the cheese tour. I happened across my first tour while camping in the 80’s. Let’s just say it wasn’t my first choice of “cool” things to do, but, once the tour got going I was hooked. Yup! I’m a Vermont cheese head! Relaxing in my flannels, shkoffing down pancakes with tons of maple syrup, far away from all the hustle and bustle of the city!

Happy Puzzling!

2012 Year Of The Dragon

Hi Puzzlers,

The New Year is right around the corner! 2012 is the year of the Dragon. The Chinese dedicate each year to a specific animal. The group of twelve animals includes the Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram. It is thought that each animal bestows certain characteristics onto people born in their year. The dragon year officially begins, according to the Chinese calendar, on January 23rd. The 2012 dragon will be a Black Dragon or Male Water Dragon.

The experts use a system called the Stem-Branch System to determine the years attributes. This system/calendar counts the days, months and years and works in conjunction with the Five Element theory. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element has a color associated with it and a male or female energy. The system is a tad bit complicated but very interesting.

Water is said to have a calming influence on the Dragon’s fiery nature. Therefore Water Dragons are more receptive and open to other people’s opinions. This means that even the most powerful will listen to others, and will try to see from their point of view, thus forging better alliances and decision making.

A Dragon year is a year marked by intensity, unpredictability, excitement and exhilaration. People respond to the Dragon spirit with vitality, energy and unbridled enthusiasm. But one must use prudence and resist the urge to throw all caution to the wind and take an unnecessary risk - or, this urge may have you starring in your own real life drama.

Those born under the Dragon sign are passionate, brave, self-assured, innovative, enterprising, conceited, and quick-tempered. Dragons are generous and blessed with good fortune. They are smart, and have a wonderful sense of humor. Dragons are free spirits, restrictions quell their creative spark. So, they must be free and uninhibited. Dragons are extroverted bundles of energy, colorful, flamboyant gifted and irrepressible - everything a Dragon does is on a grand scale. Remember, this behavior is natural and not meant for show. You can always count on a dragon for help. Dragons can be solitary people at heart. Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people.

Famous Dragon People include: Calista Flockhart, Colin Farrell, Courtney Cox, Courtney Love, Dinah Shore, Isabella Rossellini, Julia Ormond, Juliette Binoche, Reese Witherspoon, Roseanne Barr, Sandra Bullock, and Wynonna Judd.

Happy New Year and Happy Puzzling!

Presents for Your Stress FREE Holiday

Hi Puzzlers,

Christmas is only four days away! Yikers!!! If you are like me you’ll be stressed out right to the last minute. So dear puzzlers, I’m giving you the best holiday presents ever; quick tips to reduce stress. I’m not talking about taking a nice long bubble bath or a half hour yoga class. No siree! I am giving you real quick tips. Stuff that will get you relaxed before you walk into the house or holiday party. Tips that get you primed to enjoy all the festivities.

Present #1: The gift of breath. When people get stressed they tend to take short shallow breaths. When you take a long conscious breath it tells your brain you want to relax and unwind. You begin this technique by taking a long slow breath from the belly, not the chest and then exhale just as slowly. Repeat this for a few minutes and you will feel more relaxed.

Present #2: The gift of massage. As we all know when we get stressed we tense our muscles, this includes the muscles on our head. So, a few minutes before you head off to the office party give yourself a mini scalp message. If you don’t want to mess up your hair run a pencil/pen through your hair slowly and feel the stress slowly evaporating away.

Present #3: The gift of progressive muscle relaxation. This great technique can be utilized anywhere. The process begins by tensing, then relaxing your entire body. (Try to keep your mind completely focused on the tensing and relaxing while you do this). Next, tense and relax only the top of your head. Continue tensing and relaxing (one at a time) the neck, shoulders, arms, hips, legs and feet. I taught my teen-aged daughter this technique when she was young and she still uses it and teaches it to her friends.

Present #4: The gift of scent. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to induce relaxation and no scent is more relaxing than lavender. Keep dried lavender in a sachet in your car, desk draw, and purse, anywhere. Then when you need to feel relaxed take it out and let the sniffing begin. Dried lavender not your style? Why not try dabbing a little lavender oil on your wrist and take a whiff every now and then. This wonder scent is very affordable and can be found in many forms. Just chose which is best for you.

Happy Holidays!

Eco-Friendly Present Wrapping Ideas

Hi Puzzlers,

I’m still on my wrapping paper jig. If your living room floor looks anything like mine at Christmas time it will be filled with crumpled paper and bows. According to the EPA the 25 percent hike in curbside trash between Thanksgiving and Christmas comes from wrapping paper! Yikes!!! And burning the paper in the fireplace is even worse as many foils and inks contain chemicals that are toxic when burned. Fear not! Listed below are several eco-friendly ideas.

Traditional Eco-Wraps: Use your old newspapers, magazine pages, wall paper (peel it off your wall if you have to) and greeting cards. Or try children’s drawings, coloring book pages or subway and topographical maps. Just layer them to add a creative textured look that doesn’t say cheap!

Give me shine: Why not use recycled aluminum foil or an empty potato-chip bag to dress up your gifts. Just take a peek inside a potato-chip bag; it is shiny white or silver inside! All you have to do is cut the edges with scissors then wash it with soap and water, and let it air dry. Next wrap the present and add some colorful twine or ribbon. Instant eco-bling!!!

It is not just a box: This is one of my favorites, just use a lovely container. Give that gardener in your family a bucket or watering can filled with gardening supplies. The next Iron Chef would love a mixing bowl or stockpot filled with their favorite spices and cookbooks. The container options are endless and they are part of the gift! It is a win-win in my book.

That’s a wrap: Why not try the ancient Japanese art of gift wrapping called furoshiki. Furoshiki uses scarves, towels, fabric scraps, blankets, any cloth will work. The cloth is then folded and tied to beautifully conceal the present. Click here for a few furoshiki tying techniques. The Hon-Tsutsumi will work great for wrapping two puzzles.

And that’s a wrap!

Happy Puzzling!

Wrapping Paper A Holiday Must

Hi Puzzlers,

Let the countdown begin! There are 25 days left till Christmas! Or, it might be 24 days if you celebrate the big day on Christmas Eve. In any case, how many of you have thought about wrapping your presents? Have you already purchased your paper or thought of a way to, “hide”…oh...I mean, showcase your present? It may seem like a trivial item, but, wrapping paper may be the most important thing you buy for the holiday season. Has wrapping paper ever saved you?

It is a sad, but true fact, that at some point during your lifetime you will need to purchase a present at the last minute. You know the present; the one you hoped would stay wrapped until you left. It is that last second present you had to buy for Aunt Ethel who just decide to join you for tonight’s Christmas gathering. Yeah, it’s starting to come back to you isn’t it. You remember running to the only store still open, 7-Eleven, and purchasing the dreaded fruit cake or whatever that was. You remember driving home like a mad hatter, dashing to the box of wrapping paper and creating a masterpiece of deception! “Oh my, this present is so beautiful, the paper, the bows and ribbons; simply stunning! I just can’t open it now!”

Diversion tactic number 2: The Yankee Swap. The invitation said up to twenty dollars, but your budget says up to seven dollars and twenty-eight cents. What are you going to do? You deploy the “Aunt Ethel.” Wrap your present in the finest most enticing paper you have. Ooh! Look at that gorgeous foil paper, and that satin ribbon makes it look extravagant! At the party that gorgeous presents gets picked first. Great!!! As all the other presents get unwrapped everyone has conveniently forgotten all about the chinchy can of mixed-nuts. Don’t you just love wrapping paper?

Our next tip is for the re-gifters. When resorting to the fine art of re-gifting it is imperative to not, I repeat NOT, make the present look enticing. You will want to use that cheap, almost see through paper you bought on clearance that looked like a good deal. Then, take a used bow, YES USED, and attach it to the center with tape, and make sure the tape shows. Next, have your youngest child, (if you don’t have one borrow a neighbors) address a sticky label. Allow the child to place it anywhere on the present they want. This way if the re-gift gets noticed, you can blame it on the kids or in some cases the neighbor’s kids. Viola! Re-gifted like a pro.

Puzzlers as you can see by these examples, wrapping papers are a must for all your holiday festivities.

Happy Puzzling!