Morning Mirror 37 - 5th February 2003 |
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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 still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so 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 dogs, 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 really 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 the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway - 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 left overs in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes the 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 and death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years 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 "upper crust." Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock them 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 thought 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... (and whoever said that History was boring)?
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an extremely common and highly lethal condition that is a leading cause of death in all age groups. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is missed far more often than it is made, because PE often causes only vague and nonspecific symptoms. Patients who have undergone gynecologic surgery, those with major trauma, and those with indwelling venous catheters may have DVTs that start at any location. For other patients, lower extremity venous thrombosis nearly always starts in the calf veins, which are involved in virtually 100% of all cases of symptomatic spontaneous lower extremity DVT. Although DVT starts in the calf veins, it already has propagated above the knee in 87% of symptomatic patients before the diagnosis is made. Studies suggest that nearly every patient with thrombus in the upper leg or thigh will have a PE if a sensitive enough test is done to look for it. Current techniques allow us to demonstrate PE in 60-80% of these patients, even though about half have no clinical symptoms to suggest PE. Thrombus in the popliteal segment of the femoral vein (the segment behind the knee) is the cause of PE in more than 60% of cases. PE can arise from DVT anywhere in the body. Fatal PE often results from thrombus that originates in the axillary or subclavian veins (deep veins of the arm or shoulder) or in veins of the pelvis. Thrombus that forms around indwelling central venous catheters is a common cause of fatal PE. The belief that calf vein DVT is only a minor threat is outdated and inaccurate. DVT of the calf is a significant source of PE and often causes serious morbidity or death. In fact, one third of the cases of massive PE have their only identified source in the veins of the calf. One important autopsy study showed that more than 35% of patients who died from PE had isolated calf vein thrombosis. In the US: PE is the third most common cause of death in the US, with at least 650,000 cases occurring annually. It is the first or second most common cause of unexpected death in most age groups. The highest incidence of recognized PE occurs in hospitalized patients. Autopsy results show that as many as 60% of patients dying in the hospital have had a PE, but the diagnosis has been missed in about 70% of the cases. Surgical patients have long been recognized to be at special risk for DVT and PE, but the problem is not confined to surgical patients. Prospective studies show that acute DVT may be demonstrated in any of the following: for more information see the following web address http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic490.htm
A young man was at the end of his rope, The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its
weight, Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses; And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
You ask me every now and then, Of all things now un -avail-able! Then, mealie meal for our lad John And we need sugar, what a spree Salt milling, thing now of the past, Pork now is disappearing fast, No danger that our hearts will spoil, Oh dear! A dearth of things to eat! No needles, cloths, no hose or shoes A simple service for a car But what we've got spare in loads ZANU can teach how to destroy BUT . . . In spite of all that brings dismay, COOKING LESSONS Cooking Lessons for domestic workers, interested persons
and chefs who want to improve their skills. PS Am still looking for a maid, preferably over 30 with
recent traceable references. Your Bulawayo reminiscences were eye-moistening stuff
indeed. Pat Higgins SHOP ASSISTANTS NEEDED 'The Lavender Bay'. requires shop assistants = It's a mornings only position and available immediately. Having said that, I may need full day as the lady I have in the afternoons is still on probation. I need someone absolutely reliable and trustworthy, good with cash and very chatty with customers, someone who could do my ordering, decorate the shop, basically someone to manage and take care of the shop when I am away. All age groups welcome to apply. Applicants are welcome to contact me on 011 408 907 or 238272. Or pop into the shop at Ascot Shopping Centre and ask for Karen Dalton WANTED 30 Ton Tri-axle drop-side flatdeck trailer. Please contact Jono Armstrong on 011 605 496 (cell) or 246479 (home) jap@mweb.co.zw The Jubilee Dog Show The big one for Dogdom in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe - The Bulawayo Kennel Club. We are the oldest dog club in the country actually. Founded in 1909. The venue ZITF Hall 3 Five clubs will hold championship shows Times From 10oohrs on Saturday 8th Attractions Apart from seeing the best of the best in show dogs, one can view side stalls and have a cup of tea or a drink with us. We hope to put up a banner at the Gate 7 entrance a week before the show to attract attention to the show and the events to see. Local companies are supporting us, so we hope to have a fun weekend for the public too. For more information contact BOOKKEEPER AVAILABLE I can do a complete set of books, and would like to start working for myself. My E-Mail is martan@mweb.co.zw
HOUSE WANTED I am looking for a 3 - 4 bedroomed house to rent for the 1st March, in the Suburbs/Malindela/Illande area, there abouts. Please call - 091 381 027 - 489188 w - 283194 h 488813 488225 Many thanks SEE THE RHODESIANS WORLDWIDE WEBSITE webmaster@rhodesia.com Rhodesians Worldwide TRAILER NEEDED I am desperately looking for a 30 ton tri-axle trailer, preferably with high sides. If you know of any for sale please contact me. NAME: JONO ARMSTRONG INCREASE IN NATIONAL PARKS FEES AT THE MATOPOS Just to let you know that we went to the Matopos today and the prices went up yesterday (1st Feb) ..no notice to advise the new charges. We were asked for $500 per adult and child over 12 years and our vehicle was going to be $1000. As this is a 500% increase, we went elsewhere!! ( Bambata!! ) So..be aware of this if you`re visiting the Matopos; you will need considerably more money than you originally thought! Have a good week! THANK YOU FROM SOAP To Brett Neilsen and Alan D'Aguiar thank you from all of us at SOAP Wish we had been at the party !! Does anyone have an old fashioned lacy corset HOME WANTED Our four year old male cross staffie - size of a medium lab is looking for a good home. He eats absolutely anything and loves everybody especially children. he is available immediately. He is overly affectionate, loves to be inside during the day, but sleeps out at night. he has a personality second to none!!!!! Please phone Tony or Sue Davies on business 64829 or home 281497. If we cannot find a home for him we will sadly have to put him down. thank you VALENTINE SPECIAL Camp Amalinda - Valentine Weekend Special Join us in the Hills for Valentines this year. Our special rate is inclusive of 3 meals daily and is for Friday 14th and Saturday 15th February; 2 nights for Z$20 000 per person per night. Arrive after work on Friday evening and have a sundowner by our romantic rock pool followed by a three course dinner. End off the evening with champagne in your suite or a night cap in the cave-bar. A full English breakfast will be served from 8 am at our massive rail-teak dining table. The morning can be spent roaming the beautiful Matobo hills or basking by the pool. Luncheon is served at 1 pm followed by an optional game drive to see some magnificent rhinos, alternately make an appointment with our masseuse for an afternoon massage. After a relaxing day, watch the animals come down to the waterhole whilst sipping sundowners at the pool gazebo at 6 pm. Venture up to dinner at 8. For the early birds on Sunday morning which will get your appetite going, book a sunrise elephant back ride. Relax on your own private deck with a pair of binoculars and a bird book. And finally, have Sunday lunch in our open air dinning room before you depart back to busy Bulawayo. Call Phil on 083 8268 after hours or Noe during office times on 09-243954 for reservations. Or email us on; amalinda@mweb.co.zw or wildebeast@gatorzw.com . Book early to reserve a suite at the same price. We look forward to welcoming you. HOUSE FOR SALE IN HILLSIDE CENTRAL Close to shops and schools, set on an acre an immaculate home with lounge (carpeted) with library area, second lounge, study and separate dinning room. Four carpeted bedrooms all with overhead fans, main with dressing room and en-suite. Two other bathrooms one with separated toilet all tiled. Large fitted kitchen. Other features include staff quarters, lock up garage and double carport. Sparkling pool amid a lush lawn and garden serviced by a good borehole. A tarred driveway leads to electric gate, fully walled and partial razor wire. Some furniture also available. For further information tel: 243003 / 011 219 798 / soullier@mweb.co.zw COTTAGE TO LET: MATURE COUPLE ONLY sought for lease of two bedroomed cottage in Suburbs. Cottage is modern and spacious with own entrance and small garden. No domestic quarters or domestic ablutions available. Owner lives on adjacent property and has a large, vicious dog so no dogs or cats permitted. Please, not suitable for the elderly or youngsters! Rent $40 000 per month plus lights and water. Any interested persons to please contact Lindy Neser on 011 201 116 for more information.
To Bill alias "Zorro" who single handedly disarmed two robbers with his trusty sabre and recovered his son's bicycle and his son's friend's bicycle !!
MAKE A NOISE FOR FREEDOM Many people from a variety of local communities in high-density areas have joined Zvakwana's noise campaign. Every night at 8pm supporters in these areas come out onto the streets to whistle and bang their pots protesting against the hunger they are suffering as a result of the repressive regime. By doing this at 8pm it also means that they are boycotting the ZBC's Propaganda News Hour. We will report further as this campaign gathers momentum. The youth militia cannot hope to stop the spread of this protest – why don't they join us instead of beating up respected parents and people of the community. BEWARE CELL PHONE THIEF Today a chap from a place called Sherwood, Sherfield something like that asking for sponsorship, I declined saying I had no money on me, he got a bit agro, leant back over my desk asking to read the letter again, and I chased him to reception, after he had left I realised he had stolen my cellphone - as if we have not got enough problems, to steal of my desk, makes you want to scream. I believe last week he tried it on another company, did this with the lady at the counter she turned for a second and he stole bearings off the counter. PLEASE pass this on, this guy is a pro and is looking for any weekness. I know I should have had my cellphone in the drawer but had been using it and was by my computer screen, this guy is very clever and very quick, PLEASE BE CAREFUL. My phone was a Nokia 6110. VIV FAREWELLS Farewell to a very special person known to so many in Bulawayo - Barbara Harrison. Barbara has left Bulawayo to make her home in Umhlanga Rocks. Barbara will be sorely missed in our little community, she was a wonderful Wife and Mother, the most gracious hostess, a very special friend and a tireless worker for many causes. God Speed Barbara, and thank you from the people of Bulawayo. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Yvonne Jones of "Etceteras" Yvonne was holed up at the Mater Dei until 3 February when she left for the UK for a much needed operation. Good luck and God Speed Yvonne.
The funeral of Mr Rod Tarr will be held on Wednesday 5 March at 10:00am in the Hillside Methodist Church. Our sincere sympathy to the families of the following :
My Wish for you Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and
expecting different results. Why do "fat chance" and "slim
chance" mean the same thing? PETROL? An old lady pulled into her local garage and asked the attendant to fill her car with petrol. The attendant replied that they had no petrol. The old ladies response was, "Look, I have been coming to this garage for the last thirty years and having my tank filled with petrol, fill it up please"!!! The attendant - in exasperation. "Madam, how many Fs are there in petrol"? The old lady. "There's no F in petrol"! The attendant. "Madam, that's what I have been trying to tell you"!!!!!! |
