Did you know?

[Aggie]

Did You Know. People used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & Sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to piss in" & were the lowest of the low
The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.
Here are some facts about the 1500s:
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June.. However, since they were starting to smell . ...... . Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting Married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof... Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old. Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would Sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive... So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring?

[Aggie]

15 Genius Ways to Use Eggshells : They will change your home and Garden
Eggshells are often discarded without a second thought, but they are incredibly versatile and can be used in various clever ways. Here are 15 genius ways to use eggshells that might make you think twice before tossing them in the trash:
1. Garden Fertilizer: Crushed eggshells are a great addition to your garden soil. They provide calcium, which is essential for plant growth. Simply crush the shells and sprinkle them around the base of your plants.
2. Pest Control: Eggshells can deter pests like slugs, snails, and even cats. Scatter crushed shells around your garden to create a barrier that these pests won’t cross.
3. Compost Enhancer: Add eggshells to your compost pile. They break down and help balance the pH of the compost, enriching it with valuable nutrients.
4. Seed Starters: Use eggshells as small pots for starting seeds. They are biodegradable and can be planted directly into the soil when the seedlings are ready, providing an extra boost of calcium to the young plants.
5. Household Cleaner: Crushed eggshells can be used as a gentle abrasive cleaner. Mix them with a little soapy water to scrub pots, pans, and other surfaces without scratching.
6. Face Mask: Create a natural exfoliating face mask by grinding eggshells into a fine powder and mixing them with egg whites. Apply the mixture to your face and let it dry before rinsing off for smoother skin.
7. Laundry Whitener: Add a small mesh bag filled with crushed eggshells to your laundry. The shells help to remove stains and keep whites bright.
8. Natural Drain Cleaner: Ground eggshells can help keep your pipes clean. When mixed with warm water and dish soap, they can scrub away residue and prevent clogs.
9. Calcium Supplement for Pets: Crush eggshells into a fine powder and sprinkle a small amount over your pet’s food. It’s a great way to add extra calcium to their diet.
10. Coffee Grounds Enhancer: Add crushed eggshells to your coffee grounds before brewing. The shells help reduce the acidity of the coffee, resulting in a smoother taste.
11. Craft Projects: Use eggshells in various craft projects. They can be painted, used in mosaics, or as unique decorations for Easter eggs.
12. Calcium Supplement for Humans: Sterilize and grind eggshells into a fine powder to use as a natural calcium supplement. Add the powder to smoothies, baked goods, or sprinkle over food.
13. Soil Amendment for Tomatoes: Tomato plants benefit significantly from extra calcium. Add crushed eggshells to the planting hole or around the base of the plant to prevent blossom end rot.
14. Bird Feed: Birds need calcium for their eggshells. Sterilize and crush eggshells, then mix them with birdseed to provide a calcium boost for your feathered friends.
15. Household Deodorizer: Place dried eggshells in a bowl or container and put it in your refrigerator or cupboard to absorb odors naturally.
Conclusion
Eggshells are far more useful than most people realize. From gardening and pest control to beauty treatments and craft projects, they offer a multitude of benefits. So next time you crack an egg, think twice before throwing away the shell – it might come in handy!