Ole Worm

Image credit:  santiagocaruso.com

"Ole Worm" , born  Aarhus, Jutland, Denmark, 13 May 1588; and died in Copenhagen, Denmark, 7 September 1654, [source: encyclopedia.com] is also called Olaus Wormius, which is the Latin spelling of his name.   H.P. Lovecraft used his name, and referred to Olaus Wormius as one of the translators of necromancy in his fictional short stories.

Image credit: pinterest / jmhs.com

Ole Worm was a Danish physician, and antiquary, a linguist and a life long student of [natural] science. During the [end] period of "Black Death", he remained in Copenhagen to serve as King Christian IV of Denmark's personal physician, and administered care to those who had succumbed to the illness during this epidemic. 

Image credit: every-day-is-special.blogspot

Image credit:  library.wisc.edu

Worm is credited for his wonderful collection of illustrations (copper-plated engravings) of rare birds, which have attracted the attention from various historians around the world.   Worm's book "Museum Wormianum" (which is a 1655 account of these collected illustrations) are still examined for the study of extinct species. 

Image:  painted in 1636, by Frans Franken (detail)

Most significantly, Ole Worm was utterly and endlessly fascinated with curiosities.  He would take items from their natural habitat (collecting both natural and scientific objects), and put them on display in a room in his home.  He then invited the public to view his curiosities.  By this act, he is credited with becoming one of the first people who created what is known today, as a "museum".  His collections were/are referred to as "Cabinets of Curiosities", which contained fascinating items like taxidermied animals, bones, rocks, fossils, engravings, exotic objects, scientific devises and antiques.  Prior to his museum, some people of wealth collected strange items and privately displayed them in their homes, as a way to demonstrate their social status. 

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Today, there is a new surge of interest, as curiosity cabinets (in large or small scale) are still being produced, by artists and collectors, [for example] who enjoy exhibiting oddities and curiosities. 

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I feel the need to put into perspective that one must consider this particular time period, and you will realize that mysticism and science were frequently in conflict, yet paralleled one another, as various studies brought forth more logical explanations of what may have been previously thought of as magical or pagan in it's original essence.   Elements of the occult or the supernatural seemed to be simultaneous with science.

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For instance, Ole Worm debunked the unicorn's existence by demonstrating that what people had collected as unicorn horns were actually those of narwhal tusks.  He did this by showing the creatures bones attached to the tusk.  Yet, in a strange contention with his own philosophy of demystifying the existence of the unicorn, he had the unnatural notion that a unicorn's horn held some medicinal value. 

Image credit: worldwildlife.com

There was an existing belief that a unicorn's horn could be used to neutralize poison or cure diseases and even resurrect the dead.  Using small pets, he would experiment by grinding a narwhal horn and administering it to these creatures.  The result was that rodents survived and recovered.  Please note:  No other facts could be found to expound on this information.

Image credit: tumblr

Ole Worm also collected early literature in the form of Scandinavian rune stones, and texts written in runic language.  The King of Denmark, and Bishops from Denmark and Norway, deeply approved of his research, which resulted in his publication of "Fasti Danici", also known as the "Danish Chronology," which contained the results of his transcribed research of runic lore.  

Image credit: en.natmus.dk

In 2008, Glyn Daniel, of encyclopedia.com, wrote:

"In 1639 a gold horn was discovered in Jutland: and Worm, with his great knowledge of runes and antiquities, was asked to described and study it; he did so, publishing De aureo cornu in 1641. This gold horn, and another discovered a hundred years later, were stolen from the royal collections in 1802 and destroyed. Worm’s account of the horn, and the runes and designs on it, are therefore of great importance."

Image credit: santiagocaruso.com

In closing, I am saddened to read of the original golden horn's destruction, but joyous to report that I have discovered a new word, (below) as the result of completing this blog post, and want to share it with you:

....  Thank you, Ole Worm.

 "Wunderkammer" [noun].  A place where a collection of curiosities and rarities is exhibited.  

[Word Source:  OxfordDictionaries.com]

Vermont Deadline, is published by Denise Goodwin

September 17, 2016

Driving for Life

~An Open Letter to the "Other" Driver~

“The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.”   ― D. Barry

Dear Fellow Traveler,

Last week, when I was stepping into the shower, I noticed a big, ugly black spider in the bathtub.  I shrieked and jumped because it was unexpected.  I have a similar reaction when I am traveling and suddenly see a car coming at me, after crossing the line(s) from the opposite lane.

My job requires driving, and obviously, this means our lives on the line every time we get into our cars.  It is a serious matter! While I travel the highways and Bi-ways of our beautiful green state, (and beyond), I want to take this opportunity, dear friend, to remind you that you have your own side of the road. 

This means that while you drive, you should stay within the confines of your designated lines.  Keep out of my lane, because, yes, I have ownership of my lane in that moment, just as you do, respectfully.   I can't tell you how many times I encounter another car with its wheels left of center, and my heart momentarily stops, akin to seeing that ugly black spider.

When I am driving and suddenly I realize that you have crept so close to the hind end of my car, that I can see the color of your eyes from my rear-view mirror,  I feel the urge to remind you of the 3 second rule, while traveling? click the > play button for a 1 minute video.

Speaking of "seconds", don't text and drive.  Just don't do it.  It's called distracted driving for a reason.  It takes just a matter of a few seconds to take your eyes of the road, to look at your phone and have an accident...or worse.  

Texting while driving - Image credit - ueccenterprise.com

Texting While Driving makes you 23X more likely to crash, slows your brake reaction speed by 18% and leads to a 400% increase with eyes off the road.  The National Safety Council reports that using your cell phone while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.  And sadly, ALL of these statistics are 100% preventable. 

Eating while driving - Image credit - hybridcars.com

Shaving while driving - Image credit - emaze.com

Newspaper while driving - Image credit - autosvoice.com

What are the 3 types of distraction?

1. Visual: taking your eyes off the road;

2. Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and,

3. Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving

Distracted driving activities include talking on a cell phone, texting, reading the newspaper or a map, putting on make up, shaving, and eating. Using technology such as a GPS can also be a source of distraction. ANY of these distractions can endanger yourself or others.  Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction.  For your information, here is a link to Vermont DMV's texting and driving laws:
http://dmv.vermont.gov/safety/safety/texting

Blinker - Image credit - miaminewtimes.com

Blinker, please

The little handle which is located on the left side of your steering wheel, has a purpose.  That purpose is to inform other drivers of your intent to make a turn.  Just yesterday, I witnessed 3 separate incidents in which another driver failed to use their blinker, and all of which involved them making a left turn in front of another vehicle who occupied the lane in front of them.

Ye Olde Hissy Fit

If I am ahead of you and I am doing the "right thing", (traveling at the speed limit) you need to remember that it is not my fault if YOU are late.   From my rear-view mirror, I can see you pounding your steering wheel or throwing your hands in the air (which should be on the steering wheel).  Cut it out.  Stop it.  Chill out.  Breathe.   All I can say is that you should have planned better.  Vermont's DMV also addresses road rage and aggressive driving here:  http://dmv.vermont.gov/safety/RoadRage

*THINK  *THINK  *THINK

Think about the moment you are getting in your car.... and BE in the moment.

*What time of day is it?

*Is it morning, when are people rushing to get to work?

*Is it lunch time, and we are hungry trying to get to their food destination?

*Is it the end of the day, and we are thinking about getting home or the errands we need to run? Or having to pick up little Suzi or Bobby from day care?

*What is your mood, and will it affect your driving?  Are you tired?  Hungry?  Sad?  Elated?

*Is it raining?

*Is it snowing?

*Will there be leaves or other debris in the road?

Plan ahead and drive accordingly and drive defensively.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you

~The "Be Nice" RANT~  

Soon, our state will be in the height of foliage, and the "leaf-peepers" will be enjoying the natural wonder of our mountains and countryside.   I want to remind the public that Tourism is one of Vermont's biggest industries.  It is heart-breaking to hear native Vermonters complain about the buses and cars who are taking in the sights, and they should be ashamed of themselves!  

Image credit - pinterest

Remember, that we depend on the fellow explorers and visitors to purchase our products (maple syrup, apples, cheese, and chocolate - to name a few) and to support our small towns, and big cities by their very presence.   

Today, it seems that we are all in a hurry.  We all need to get somewhere, and get there fast.  I hope that if you have read this, that you will be reminded that common sense and courtesies do matter.  Be nice.

Hello, Beautiful Doll

A boudoir is a woman's private sitting room, sometimes referred to as a  salon.   The word is derived from the French verb bouder to sulk, and the room was originally designated as a place to which a woman could sulk or withdraw.  It can also refer to a woman's private dressing room or bedroom.  The word boudoir is somewhat archaic, and can have a negative connotation, as its inference today is frequently associated with photography of scantily clad women in suggestive poses intended to be romantic and most definitely to capture the most flattering aspect of an individual.  

Historically, the boudoir was a room designated from a private suite of rooms of a "Lady" or one who held an upper social class.  It was used for bathing and dressing and was located next to the bedchamber.  

Jean Harlow in her dressing room

During the Victorian era and early in the 20th century, more elaborate homes designated the boudoir as an evening sitting room for activities such as sewing or embroidery, or accepting gentleman callers.  

The more elaborate homes with social prestige would include a boudoir as a separate room, as she would also have a morning room, and a dressing room. 

The Boudoir Doll Craze

During the mid 1920's, commonly called the "Jazz Age", the U.S and European and American women were preoccupied with dolls, and this time of collecting, has been referred to as the "Doll Craze".   Boudoir dolls, also known as "Poupee" dolls were a "must have" for every fashionable woman.  These dolls were a decorative accessory to their dressing room and not to be used as a toy.

According to "The Jazz Age Club", The Poupee dolls ranged in size, any where from 14" to 32".   The website "Jazz Age Club" writes, "Generically the dolls were called by various names that to some extent still endure today : art, portrait, boudoir, art deco, flapper, vamp, bed, smoker, salon or parlor dolls. These new dolls were different to what had been produced before as they were characterized by ornate, long limbs. long thin bodies, little hands and less ‘doll’ like, or ‘child’ like features or expressions; they had a stylized rather than a realistic appearance."

"The dolls varied in size from 24″ – 32″ with smaller dolls averaging 14″ – 18″ and were made out of a variety of media. The heads were usually of composition (sawdust mixed with a staying agent such as sugar water or starch placed in a mould) or of cloth or felt and some hands, feet and bodies were of composition too. Most of the bodies were soft of cloth or felt and stuffed with cotton. The composition heads were beautifully painted with blush and eye shadow, ‘bee stung’ red lips and even beauty marks. Hair was human, camel, mohair or silk strands."  - Source: thejazzageclub.com

"There were hundreds of different styles and treatments that followed exotic, historical, theatrical, foreign, fantasy or mythological themes. More popular inspiration came from the Eighteenth century of the French court and Marie Antoinette, the Elizabethan or early Georgian period, the romantic styles of the 1840s, Napoleon’s first empire, Pier rot, Harlequin, and Commedia figures from the Italian theatre, contemporary flappers with cigarettes, harem girls and flamenco or Apache dancers." Source: thejazzageclub.com

"The trend of adopting these dolls appears to have started with the theatrical profession when dolls were created imitating great actresses and some actresses gave these portrait dolls to their co-workers. Later, they spread to society at large. As one contemporary commentator observed ‘we must have our little fads, otherwise life would jog along in too monotonous a fashion.’ Seemingly, most people ordered dolls for their own amusement. They were regarded as funny and their owners like to laugh at them and show them of to their friends. But equally they symbolized the rise of the new woman and epitomized a feminine dream of an adventurous, glamorous and more exciting new life." - Source: thejazzageclub.com

***All images were found on Pinterest.com 

under the key words search "boudoir dolls".***