What would December be without a blooming amaryllis? In any of their gorgeous colors, they are the quintessential December flower. Did you know that according to Greek mythology, the first amaryllis grew from the droplets of blood of the nymph Amaryllis, who was smitten with a handsome but aloof shepherd named Alteo. That beautiful flower helped win his heart.  Well, now you know!

Here’s a tantilizer for you: How many “people” are you? Daughter – Child – Mother – Parent – Sister – Sibling – Wife – Spouse – Niece – Grandmother – Granddaughter – Aunt – Cousin – Great-grandmother – Mother-in-law – FRIEND …….. can you add something I missed?  Could do the same thing for gentlemen.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society announced that they’re offering a Genealogists Handbook for Portuguese Research. There will be some folks delighted with that bit of news.  (Click to www.AmericanAncestors.org) 

Here’s how to fool people and make a new document look old:  Create a sample on plain paper with black or dark brown pencil.  Make a dark, strong tea and let it cool. Then put your paper in the tea and leave them there for 3 days. Squeeze and crush the papers daily. Finally, remove the paper from the tea and air dry in a surface where the tea will not stain.  Why does this work? Tea contains tannin, a dark chemical that stains paper. 

A funny from Chuckleberries, from the Huckleberry Press:  A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.  After explaining the commandment to “honor thy father and mother,” she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat, one little boy answered: “Thou shalt not kill.” 

Want to expand your vocabulary? And impress your family and friends? Google this: “100 Totally Weird Words.”  There you’ll learn about words like “argle-bargle” which means “copious but meaningless talk or writing.”   Perhaps you would think this post was argle-bargle?