Vesalius and the Human Body

Photo of human body systems courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic, anatomy, was requested by amanie from Toronto, who is @amislife on Twitter.  

Hippocrates is considered to be the first medical scientist who studied human anatomy.  The Ancient Greek physician, Galen, wrote the definitive books on the human anatomy for that time.  During the Medieval Era dissection of human bodies wasn't done, and knowledge of human anatomy was gained through the work of the Ancient Greek physician Galen.  Medical students read Galen's works and dissected only animals.

Belgian physician Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) is considered the father of modern anatomical study, because he began dissecting human corpses given to him by the criminal courts of people who had been hanged on the gallows.  He discovered and wrote about the inaccuracies in Galen's writings about the human body.  For more information click here and click here.

There is an exhibition in New York, Las Vegas, and Atlanta called Bodies: The Exhibition.  It is described as "A milestone achievement for anatomy education...a celebration of the beautiful and amazing intricacies of the human form."  For the fabulous and informative website click here.

Thanks to amanie, @amislife on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic!  What did you learn today?

What Is Fun?!?

Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic was requested by Jes Kay from Canada, who is @JesKay28 on Twitter, and Riddle Me This, who is from Charleston, South Carolina and is @EgoAenigma on Twitter.

The idea of fun is objective, of course, as what may be fun to one person may not be fun to another.  But most people believe that unless you are a delinquent, a psychopath, or a sociopath, then we can all agree that having fun is good for you because it makes you feel good and, for the most part, keeps you out of trouble.  There has been a lot of research done about fun, and the occasional newspaper article written about fun.  For a couple of examples click here and click here.

Then there are those who promote having fun as a way to change everyday behavior.  They also propose that having fun is an antidote to war, because those who enjoy themselves don't often want to have war.  This is embodied in "The Fun Theory".  For more information about The Fun Theory click here.

A couple of final thoughts follow, and they concern having fun that is legal.  Beginning with the premise that sex is fun, be aware if you are in Sweden that prostitution is legal, but it is illegal to use the services of a prostitute...hmm...  And don't forget that driving while blindfolded is illegal in Alabama, so you'll have to get your fun behind the wheel another way when you're driving there.

Thanks Jes Kay, @JesKay28 on Twitter, and Riddle Me This, @EgoAenigma of Twitter, for requesting today's post--that was fun!  What did you learn today?

Anything and (Nearly) Everything About...CHEESECAKE!

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Today's topic, Cheesecake, was requested by Professional Zombie Killer, who lists his address as "earth", and is @dvindsgyz on Twitter.

The earliest references to cheesecake go back 4,000 years ago.  The Greek physician, Aegimus, wrote a book just prior to the 5th century B.C. on the art of making cheesecakes.  Cheesecake was given to athletes for energy in the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C.

Different types of cheeses are used in making cheesecakes in different countries around the world.  For instance, cream cheese is used in the U.S., and ricotta is used in Italy.  For more information click here.

National Cheesecake Day in the U.S. is just around the corner:  July 30.  On this date many restaurants and cheesecake chains, such as The Cheesecake Factory, offer specials on all types of cheesecake, including the dense & rich New York style, and the light & creamy Philadelphia style.  For more information click here.

There is a Cheesecake of the Month Club, that will send to you, or anyone of your choosing, a cheesecake once a month or in other timely installments.  Professional Zombie Killer lists his address as "earth", so I must assume he will have access to the Cheesecake of the Month Club if he so desires it.  While the club won't specify what kind of cheesecake you will receive each month, they list a picture of a Strawberry Cheesecake, PZK's  favorite, so I assume he would receive one sometime in the year, and probably in June or July or August, which is when strawberries are in season.  By the way, chocolate cheesecake is the number one favorite cheesecake in the U.S., followed by strawberry in second place, and pumpkin cheesecake (?!) in third place.   For more information click here.

Thanks to Professional Zombie Killer, @dvindsgyz on Twitter, for requesting today's topic!  What did you learn today?

Quiche in Quebec

Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic, Quiche Lorraine in Quebec, was requested by French-Canadian Lorraine Hetu Manifold, who lives in Park Ridge, Illinois, and is @ManifoldMusic on Twitter.

Click here for a discussion about where to find the best Quiche Lorraine in Quebec restaurants.  If you're in Quebec but prefer to eat in, you can bring home the award winning Plats du Chef mini quiches (click here) from your grocer.  If you're in Quebec City in May and want to enjoy the company of other foodies who enjoy quiche and other French Quebec delights, you may want to attend the Food Camp (click here).

Finally, If you can't get to Quebec but want to sample the fabulous Quiche by Chef Maurice, click here and you can place an order, which will be sent anywhere in the world.

Click here for recommendations of special Quebec foods, and click here for best Quebec restaurants recommendations.

Thanks to Lorraine Hetu Manifold, @ManifoldMusic on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic!  What did you learn today?

Fable Facts

Photo of Greek stamp depicting the Aesop's fable of the The Ass in The Lion's Skin and The Fox courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic was requested by Isobel Keogh of Perth Scotland, @scots_perth on Twitter.

Fables are short stories that teach a lesson using animals or mythical creatures as the characters in the stories.  Aesop's Fables are arguably the best known fables in the western world, and have been translated into nearly every language.  Fables are found in nearly every culture inside and outside the western world, including Africa, Asia, Sumaria, India, and other countries.

What I didn't know about Aesop, the Ancient Greek writer of the eponymous fables, is that he was born into slavery and later granted freedom, most likely was of African decent, was said to have a speech impediment that was miraculously healed by a deity, was written about by Plato and Aristotle, and many people deny that he was an actual person.

There are many wonderful websites about fables.  Click here for an Aesop's Fables website that includes over 650 fables that are indexed and cross-referenced.  Click here for a website geared toward children that also includes fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

Thanks to Isobel Keogh of Perth Scotland, @scots_perth on Twitter, for today's topic!  What did you learn today?

Gorillas With Guns!

Photo of Six-Gun Gorilla courtesy simongurr.wordpress.com

Today's topic was requested by Mark Feldthusen from Copenhagen, Denmark, @feldthusen on Twitter.

In the 1930's there was a comic book character called Six-Gun Gorilla.  According to The Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, this silverback gorilla escaped from a circus-train wreck, strapped on guns, and traversed the Old West seeking vengeance.  This character was featured in a British paper of that time, and has been a contemporary subject for artists who update or reinvent fictional characters in a British forum called Whitechapel.  For more information click here.

Thanks Mark Feldthusen from Copenhagen, @feldthusen on Twitter for today's topic!  What did you learn today?

ANP's Vegetation

Photo of the Roosevelt Arch at the north entrance to America's first national park, Yellowstone, courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic was requested by Peter Hitt from Oak Grove, Kentucky, @pahitt on Twitter:  vegetation.  Since tomorrow is the Fourth of July or Independence Day celebrations here in the U.S., we'll consider the vegetation in America's National Parks.

To find out about ANP's vegetation, many people go to one of the Frommer's Guides, which are some of the most popular guides in the U.S.  Started by Arthur Frommer in 1957, who, as a corporal serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, wrote a travel guide to Europe for G.I.s.  Click here for Frommer's information about the vegetation in Yellowstone National Park.

The National Park Service is involved in taking inventories of the vegetation in all the national parks.  For more information about the Vegetation Inventory Program click here.

Click here for more information about ANPs.  Click here for more information about Frommer's.  Thanks to Peter Hitt, @pahitt on Twitter, for today's topic.  What did you learn today?

John Philip Sousa: Patriotic Man, Patriotic Music, Patriotic Life

Photo of USMC Marine Forces Reserve Band courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic, music, was requested by Riddle Me This from Charleston, South Carolina, @EgoAenigma on Twitter.  Since Fourth of July celebrations will be on Wednesday, and a new book has been published about that great patriotic musician, John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), he will be the music topic for today.

At the turn of the 20th century John Philip Sousa was one of the most famous people in the United States and the world.  People who didn't know the name of their senator or even the president knew who John Philip Sousa was.  His patriotic marches were and still are well-known and well-loved.  He conducted over 14,000 concerts around the world in his lifetime, and they were consistent sell-outs averaging 60,000 people in attendance.  He also composed other music including songs and operettas.

As a boy, Sousa wanted to join a circus band and attempted to run away at age 13 to join one.  So his father assisted him in joining the marines as an apprentice, where his love for his country deepened.  After leaving the military, the first band he formed was named Sousa's New Marine Band.

To visit the fabulous website dedicated to Sousa click here.  Thanks Riddle Me This, @EgoAenigma on Twitter for today's topic!

What did you learn today?

Benjamin Britten, Pack-Rat!

Photos of orchestral instruments courtesy 123rf.com

Thanks to the English Chamber Orchestra from South Ealing, London, @ECOrchestra on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic:  Benjamin Britten.

One of my favorite childhood memories is discovering The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten.  Later I enjoyed the interactive computer program designed by a Mr. Winter in southern California that taught more about Britten and the Guide.  One of my most profound experiences as a young lady was seeing the Metropolitan Opera's production of Billy Budd in New York.  Then during my first semester in grad school I was assigned to read and report on the 744 page Benjamin Britten:  A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter.  So to say that Britten has been a thread throughout my life isn't an exageration.

What I didn't know is that Britten saved nearly everything he wrote, he rarely threw anything away, so that now the collection of his works, letters, and other writings is the most comprehensive collection by a composer of any other in the world.  This collection is kept in his home in England, The Red House, for all to see.  For more information click here.

Thanks again to the English Chamber Orchestra, @ECOrchestra on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic.  What did you learn today?