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Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor

 

potus2036: thecivilwarparlor: Civil War Nurse Rebecca Usher (1821-1912) Born in Hollis, the daughter of Ellis B. and Hannah Lane Usher. She attended the Ursuline Convent at Three Rivers Quebec. During the civil War she served as a volunteer nurse in Pennsylvania and Virginia. During the American Civil War, Maine women made unique and invaluable contributions to the war effort. Some historians believe that somewhere between 3,000 and 8,000 women volunteered their services as nurses throughout the duration of the Civil War, the majority of them being from northern states. However, such an estimate is questionable due to the fact that several nurses, upon receiving appointments, refused to have their names recorded in the official books. Mrs. M. J. Boston once said to the surgeon she was working under, “I do not want any pay for my services. I only try to do all I can for the soldiers.” Other women who made similar decisions found it even more difficult to collect pensions later in their lives. Source: http://cwnurses.tripod.com/ http://www.mainememory.net/artifact/4170/enlarge Quincy this is for you.

potus2036:

thecivilwarparlor:

Civil War Nurse Rebecca Usher (1821-1912)

Born in Hollis, the daughter of Ellis B. and Hannah Lane Usher. She attended the Ursuline Convent at Three Rivers Quebec. During the civil War she served as a volunteer nurse in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

During the American Civil War, Maine women made unique and invaluable contributions to the war effort. Some historians believe that somewhere between 3,000 and 8,000 women volunteered their services as nurses throughout the duration of the Civil War, the majority of them being from northern states. However, such an estimate is questionable due to the fact that several nurses, upon receiving appointments, refused to have their names recorded in the official books. Mrs. M. J. Boston once said to the surgeon she was working under, “I do not want any pay for my services. I only try to do all I can for the soldiers.” Other women who made similar decisions found it even more difficult to collect pensions later in their lives. Source: http://cwnurses.tripod.com/

http://www.mainememory.net/artifact/4170/enlarge

Quincy this is for you.

quigonejinn:

nezua:

thismonkey:

likeafieldmouse:

Late Bloomers of the Arts

For all of you who’ve felt even for a second that it’s ever too late: 

1. Charles Bukowski had his first book published when he was 49

2. Leonard Cohen was 33 when his first album was released

3. Marina Abramovic’s career as an independent artist wasn’t solidified until she was 42

4. Julia Child’s career started when she was 36

5. Van Gogh started drawing when he was 27

6. Monet painted Sunrise when he was 33, but wasn’t producing his best work until his early 40s

7. Kazuo Ohno started dancing when he was 27

8. William S. Burroughs had his first novel published when he was 39

That at least takes care of some of that anxiety welled up inside me.

america is so weird with all its rush rush vacuous notions about being superstars by 22. how on earth can taking time to live and cultivate your mind and heart be anything but good for your development? if you put out your best work by 30, then you peaked way too early.

It ain’t just an American thing, and it ain’t just limited to artistic endeavors.  

For example, there’s a famous story about Gaius Julius Caesar being 30 years old or so and becoming super-emo on seeing a statue of Alexander, because he’d accomplished way less than Alexander the Great had at the same age.  On the other hand, according to various sources, by the time he was 30, Caesar had been the titular head of his family since he was 16, given a slow-roll middle finger to a dictator while only a teenager because fuck you, no, he wasn’t divorcing his wife, was saved only by intervention of his mother’s family and the Vestal Virgins, eventually left Rome for his safety, won an award for conspicuous bravery on the battlefield while in semi-exile, came back to Rome after said dictator died, became a famous lawyer, was captured by pirates who he called illiterate savages to their face and said he would crucify while they had him in custody, and was subsequently released by said pirates.  He then came back and crucified them, just like he promised.  

Among a bunch of other shit.

So, you know.  

(Source: likeafieldmouse)

smithsonianmag: theweekmagazine: In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote to Abe Lincoln, suggesting he grow a beard. He not only responded, he obliged. “Hon A B Lincoln… Dear Sir My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York.  I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye Grace Bedell” Lincoln responded a few days later:  “Miss Grace Bedell My dear little Miss  Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received — I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters — I have three sons — one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age — They, with their mother, constitute my whole family — As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?  Your very sincere well wisher, A. Lincoln” While he made no promises about the beard to Bedell, he stopped shaving and allowed the beard to grow not long after their exchange and was elected as the 16th president of the United States a few weeks later. On his inaugural train ride from Illinois to Washington, D.C., the president-elect stopped in Bedell’s hometown of Westfield, N.Y., and asked to meet her.

smithsonianmag:

theweekmagazine:

In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote to Abe Lincoln, suggesting he grow a beard. He not only responded, he obliged.

“Hon A B Lincoln…

Dear Sir

My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York. 

I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye

Grace Bedell”

Lincoln responded a few days later: 

“Miss Grace Bedell

My dear little Miss 

Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received — I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters — I have three sons — one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age — They, with their mother, constitute my whole family — As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now? 

Your very sincere well wisher,

A. Lincoln”

While he made no promises about the beard to Bedell, he stopped shaving and allowed the beard to grow not long after their exchange and was elected as the 16th president of the United States a few weeks later. On his inaugural train ride from Illinois to Washington, D.C., the president-elect stopped in Bedell’s hometown of Westfield, N.Y., and asked to meet her.

(Source: theweek.com)

a conspiracy of cartographers: The Elizabeth I Quiz

beatonna:

About Elizabeth, For Elizabeth. Proceed:

1. Name some of Henry VIII’s wives:
- Catherine Sub-Par
- Plain Seymour
- Katherine Blowhard
- Her Royal Highness Anne Boleyn

2. What news has come under the oak tree?
- “For Gods sake, quit lying about under trees, you’re the Queen…

Stock/Stone: Bros of Sail Reading List

amiablydebauchedsloth:

Fiction:

  • Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian (and subsequent 20 books)
  • Horatio Hornblower Series by C.S. Forester.
  • Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
  • Ransom by Lee Rowan
  • Rites of Passage, Close Quarters, and Fire Down Below by William Golding
  • This Thing…

critink: Sailor Tattoos Sailors have traditionally favored tatooing of their bodies. What we think of as “old school” tattoos were common, for the most part, only among sailors in the early half of the 20th century. This tradition goes back to the 1700s when Captain James Cooke made his now-famous voyage to the South Pacific Tahitians and decided to get souvenirs of their “tatau” with his men. Over time, these men traveling between the Pacific and the United States was what helped introduce tattooing to our culture. While there were undoubtably variations in meaning depending on time/region, here are a few of the most classic tattoos and what they’re believed to mean: Dragon refers to a sailor that has served in China Golden Dragon means the sailor has crossed the International Date Line. Anchor refers to a sailor has been in the Atlantic or the sailor has been a part of the Merchant Marines. Harpoon refers to a member of the fishing fleet. Rope around the wrist refers to a sailor is or was a deckhand. Sparrow: for every 5000 nautical miles traveled. Swallow: because it always finds the way home. Rooster and pig: on the ankles are to prevent a sailor from drowning. The pig and the rooster: are tattooed on either the calves or the top of the feet, to prevent a sailor from drowning. These animals were originally carried on most ships in wooden crates. When a ship goes down these crates would float and then catch currents and wash ashore with the other debris from the ship, making the pigs and roosters often the only souls to survive a shipwreck. A tattoo of a pig on the left knee: it was a symbol for safety at sea; it was a symbol of protection for sailors. A rooster on the right foot: because it never loses a fight; it symbolizes the fights sailors went while at sea. They were the symbol of fertility; to make sure sailors would always have ham and eggs, and never go hungry. Turtle standing on its back legs (shellback): it meant that the sailor had crossed the equator and had been initiated into King Neptune’s Court. King Neptune: it was acquired after you crossed the Equator. Palm Trees: Royal Navy tattoos of palm trees were made to represent the Mediterranean cruises in WWII. Many US sailors would normally have a tattoo of a palm tree or hula girl from Hawaii. HOLD and FAST: were tattooed on and across the knuckles. It is believed that the tattoos would keep them from falling overboard or dropping a line. Anchor: tattoo made by a sailor that had sailed the Atlantic. Full rigged ship: tattoo made after sailing around Cape Horn. Two stars: a sailor who can perform celestial navigation . Guns or crossed cannon: tattoo normally acquired by military naval service. Crosses on the soles of one’s feet: tattoo acquired to ward off hungry sharks. Nautical star or Compass rose: tattoo that symbolize and was used to help sailors to always find their way home. Dagger through a Rose: symbolize a willingness to fight and kill even something as fragile as a rose. Many sailors also got pornographic images: so that they would always have them with them, and sometimes so they would not be drafted by the military service in their countries. Sources: [x] [x] [x]

critink:

Sailor Tattoos

Sailors have traditionally favored tatooing of their bodies. What we think of as “old school” tattoos were common, for the most part, only among sailors in the early half of the 20th century. This tradition goes back to the 1700s when Captain James Cooke made his now-famous voyage to the South Pacific Tahitians and decided to get souvenirs of their “tatau” with his men.

Over time, these men traveling between the Pacific and the United States was what helped introduce tattooing to our culture.

While there were undoubtably variations in meaning depending on time/region, here are a few of the most classic tattoos and what they’re believed to mean:

  • Dragon refers to a sailor that has served in China
  • Golden Dragon means the sailor has crossed the International Date Line.
  • Anchor refers to a sailor has been in the Atlantic or the sailor has been a part of the Merchant Marines.
  • Harpoon refers to a member of the fishing fleet.
  • Rope around the wrist refers to a sailor is or was a deckhand.
  • Sparrow: for every 5000 nautical miles traveled.
  • Swallow: because it always finds the way home.
  • Rooster and pig: on the ankles are to prevent a sailor from drowning. The pig and the rooster: are tattooed on either the calves or the top of the feet, to prevent a sailor from drowning. These animals were originally carried on most ships in wooden crates. When a ship goes down these crates would float and then catch currents and wash ashore with the other debris from the ship, making the pigs and roosters often the only souls to survive a shipwreck. A tattoo of a pig on the left knee: it was a symbol for safety at sea; it was a symbol of protection for sailors. A rooster on the right foot: because it never loses a fight; it symbolizes the fights sailors went while at sea. They were the symbol of fertility; to make sure sailors would always have ham and eggs, and never go hungry.
  • Turtle standing on its back legs (shellback): it meant that the sailor had crossed the equator and had been initiated into King Neptune’s Court.
  • King Neptune: it was acquired after you crossed the Equator.
  • Palm Trees: Royal Navy tattoos of palm trees were made to represent the Mediterranean cruises in WWII. Many US sailors would normally have a tattoo of a palm tree or hula girl from Hawaii.
  • HOLD and FAST: were tattooed on and across the knuckles. It is believed that the tattoos would keep them from falling overboard or dropping a line.
  • Anchor: tattoo made by a sailor that had sailed the Atlantic.
  • Full rigged ship: tattoo made after sailing around Cape Horn.
  • Two stars: a sailor who can perform celestial navigation .
  • Guns or crossed cannon: tattoo normally acquired by military naval service.
  • Crosses on the soles of one’s feet: tattoo acquired to ward off hungry sharks.
  • Nautical star or Compass rose: tattoo that symbolize and was used to help sailors to always find their way home.
  • Dagger through a Rose: symbolize a willingness to fight and kill even something as fragile as a rose.
  • Many sailors also got pornographic images: so that they would always have them with them, and sometimes so they would not be drafted by the military service in their countries.

Sources: [x] [x] [x]

snickerfig:

ornamentedbeing:

“The most intriguing duel fought between women, and the sole one that featured exposed breasts, took place in August 1892 in Verduz, the capitol of Liechtenstein, between Princess Pauline Metternich and the Countess Kielmannsegg. It has gone down in history as the first “emancipated duel” because all parties involved, including the principals and their seconds were female… Before the proceedings began, the baroness pointed out that many insignificant injuries in duels often became septic due to strips of clothing being driven into the wound by the point of a sword. To counter this danger she prudently suggested that both parties should fight stripped of any garments above the waist. Certainly, Baroness Lubinska was ahead of her time, taking an even more radical take on the (at the time) widely dismissed theories of British surgeon Joseph Lister, who in 1870 revolutionized surgical procedures with the introduction of antiseptic. 

With the precautions Baroness Lubinska recommended, the topless women duelists were less likely to suffer from an infection; indeed, it was a smart idea to fight semiclad. Given the practicality of the baroness’ suggestion and the “emancipated” nature of the duel, it was agreed that the women would disrobe—after all, there would be no men present to ogle them. For the women, the decision to unbutton the tops of their dresses was not sexual; it was simply a way of preventing a duel of first blood from becoming a duel to the death.

… 

It is humorous that most recounts of this historic event fail to mention two important things: the winner of the duel (Princess Metternich) and the reason why the women came to arms in the first place—they disagreed over the floral arrangements for an upcoming musical exhibition.”

otterbeans:

The first rule of topless victorian ladies swordfighting club is that topless victorian ladies swordfighting club is not to be mentioned in mixed company.

The second rule is naught but an emphatic repeating of the first.

liquidzoot: Sewers are some crazy shit (NPI). Article mainly promoting a book about London’s sewer, but there are more cool pics inside. In a chapter appropriately called “Heart of Darkness”—”this was the heart of darkness,” Ackroyd writes, “the lowest depth of a city that was already being described as a wilderness”—Ackroyd introduces us to several centuries’ worth of sewer work, including the “flushers” or hardy laborers hired to enter the tunnels physically and help push—or “flush”—the waste out from sites of stagnation. Reminds me of one of my favorite chapters in Melancholy of Anatomy. ::leaves off unpacking to go read for a few hours::

liquidzoot:

Sewers are some crazy shit (NPI). Article mainly promoting a book about London’s sewer, but there are more cool pics inside.

In a chapter appropriately called “Heart of Darkness”—”this was the heart of darkness,” Ackroyd writes, “the lowest depth of a city that was already being described as a wilderness”—Ackroyd introduces us to several centuries’ worth of sewer work, including the “flushers” or hardy laborers hired to enter the tunnels physically and help push—or “flush”—the waste out from sites of stagnation.

Reminds me of one of my favorite chapters in Melancholy of Anatomy. ::leaves off unpacking to go read for a few hours::

fuckyeahhistorycrushes: The woman who made your Wifi working. Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-born American actress. Max Reinhardt called her the “most beautiful woman in Europe” due to her “strikingly dark exotic looks”. Mathematically talented, Lamarr came up with an early technique for spread spectrum communications and frequency hopping, necessary for wireless communication from the pre-computer age to the present day.

fuckyeahhistorycrushes:

The woman who made your Wifi working.

Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-born American actress. Max Reinhardt called her the “most beautiful woman in Europe” due to her “strikingly dark exotic looks”.

Mathematically talented, Lamarr came up with an early technique for spread spectrum communications and frequency hopping, necessary for wireless communication from the pre-computer age to the present day.

Mediterranean Beach Scene — Members of the Women’s Army Corps stationed in North Africa. Recreational periods mean time off from the war., ca. 06/28/1944 

Mediterranean Beach Scene — Members of the Women’s Army Corps stationed in North Africa. Recreational periods mean time off from the war., ca. 06/28/1944