Monday, October 24, 2016

Pumpkin Food Lore




 

Looking for some pumpkin food lore?


Pumpkins have been around for a long time. The word pumpkin comes from the Greek pepõn which means a large melon. In the 16th century the English called it pumpion or pompion.

This hard-shelled round globe comes in many colors: from white to dark orange and was already a staple food in many Native American communities well before the Pilgrims landed. It was pounded into flat strips that were dried and then woven into mats that were traded. The dried pumpkin was also eaten.

Sweet, it was readily welcomed by the colonial immigrants who incorporated it into their Thanksgiving foods as a dessert, soup, and/or side dish. Some records suggest it was also used to make beer.

Today, the pumpkin (squash) is commonly known as one of the indigenous "Three Sisters." The other two sisters are corn and beans. This food trinity forms the core of the Native American diet today. Historically the pumpkin made their way north from Mexico, Central America and South America. 
Its s meat is very high in carotenoids which may help neutralize free radicals that can attack cell membranes. The meat also include antioxidants such as lutein and contain iron, zinc, and fiber.

Jack O' Lantern 

Its use as Jack O' Lantern dates back to the Celtic celebration of Samhain. This communal Autumnal gathering took place when the nights and days were about the same length. It was believed that this was when the 'two worlds' (light and dark) were connected to each other and spirits from the dark world would come visit those living in the light world. People were said to have left food out for the spirits that caused trouble and they lit candles to help light the way of the benevolent spirits. Over time the candles were placed in carved out squash and pumpkin.

Want to know more about the pumpkin?
== Pumpkin Carving
== Old Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies




Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Frankenstein Holidays



How Many Days 

Does Frankenstein Get?


There are at least two holidays dedicated to this well- known horror character Frankenstein. They are: Frankenstein Friday and  Frankenstein Day. 

Frankenstein Day is on August 30. This day honors author Mary Wollenstone Shelley who wrote the book "Frankenstein "in 1818. Frankenstein Day is held in honor of her birthday August 30, 1797. 


Frankenstein Friday is the last Friday in October (October 28 this year).  It celebrates the birth of Frankenstein who came into existence in 1818 at 21 Mary Wollenstonecraft Shelley wrote the story "Frankenstein". 


Who was Frankenstein?


He was a creature created by Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist over a two year period of very unorthodox scientific experiments. Adaptations of his folk story include references to whole parts of his body being grafted together from cadavers (illegally gotten from local cemeteries). 


The novel is also subtitled Modern Prometheus was originally published anonymously. 

According to Green mythology Prometheus, was the Titan who created mankind at the behest of Zeus. He made a being in the image of the gods and the being taught man to hunt, read, and heal their sick. Because he fooled Zeus into accepting lesser-quality offerings from humans, Zeus withheld fire from mankind. 

Prometheus stole the fire back and a result Zeus sentenced him to be eternally punished by fixing him to a rock of Caucasus. There each day an eagle would peck out his liver. But, the liver regrew each day because of his immortality. Doomed to suffer alone for eternity he was eventually released by Heracles (Hercules).

Some suggest that Frankenstein, a man made from clay and water, was a creation of the scientist who rebelled against the laws of nature. As a result his creation punished him.

 Related Information: