“Ain’t like the Old Days” Gee, I wish I lived in the “Roaring Twenties’! How many times have you heard a statement similar to that? You might even have said it yourself. I know I used it on occasion, but not anymore. As it starts out in “The Tale of Two Cities” - these are the worst of times and the best of times - and so it is true with any age. Now, Two hundred years or Two thousand years ago, Every time in history has it’s good points, it’s charm, it’s art and beauty it has passed on to mankind. It also has it’s bad points, it’s downers, it’s evils that we tend to lose sight of in our reveries and daydreams. As for me, I wouldn’t trade this spot in history for anything in the past. We tend to picture the past through cinematic interpretations of it and the times frame legacy - Art. Both of which tend to idealize only certain aspects of any given age. Even the wealthiest and most noble of men of years past did not live as well as the poorest of men now. Life might be very picturesque and enticing in the paintings and literature - but it was also very unsanitary, dangerous, and uncomfortable. The Egyptians wore wigs - men and women because they had to shave their heads, the only way to get rid of lice and parasites! Many a woman has died in the name of beauty. white lead was used by the ancient Greeks to lighten the skin. Even in the deaths it caused was used for hundreds of years more. it was said that Elizabeth I died with a 1/2” of white lead on her face, having eaten away the skin underneath. As for cleanliness - forget it. Royalty may bathe once a year - the common man even less. Though soap making goes back thousands of years, it was only used for linens, towels and cotton undershirts.Most clothes were never cleaned. The wealthy just had new ones made - the poor wore them until they were rags. Though dry cleaning became popular in the 19th Century, it was a dangerous proposition for the cleaner and the wearer because of the dangerous chemicals used. Many a handsome or winsome face was spoiled when it’s owner smiled and showed a toothless grin. Though dentistry and plastic surgery go back to ancient times, the stride made in the last 50 year far out surpasses the total knowledge known in the preceding ages. And imagine if you will Marie Antoinette being followed around by an attendant with a chamber pot. The Queen of the Court of Versailles - the most extravagant woman in history and she didn’t have a bathroom. I could go on forever but I think you get the picture. I will admit everything is a tradeoff, I know sometimes life seems much less colorful than days gone past, and it’s true. There is a lot of uniformity nowadays. But we also have a lot of things they didn’t - central heating, the FDA to make sure our makeup and medicine is safe, much better health care and toilet paper. Reams and reams of things our great grandparents couldn’t begin to image. Take from the past the good and charming things and add them to your everyday life style - you can have the best of both worlds! As you digest this bit of rhetoric dear reader, I will bid you Adieu. As for me - well, I’ve got to take a “Hot Shower”! Favorite Line of the Month. “it was a blonde. A blonde to make an archbishop kick a hole through a stained glass window.” Raymond Chandler   “Betty’s Ugly Bean Dip” A Terrific Dip 2 cans (10-1/2 oz. each) Jalapeno flavored bean dip 1 cup sour cream 2/3 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) Taco Seasoning Mix 2 cans (4 oz. each) chopped green chiles 4 Medium , ripe avocados 2 T. Lime Juice 1/4 t. garlic powder 1 T. salt 8 oz. (2 c.) sharps cheddar cheese grated (or monterey jack, or mix the 2 kinds) 2 c. chopped tomatoes 2 c. sliced green onions 6 oz. can pitted black olives, chopped tortilla chips On a 15 x 10 or Large shallow serving plate: Spread bean dip In a small bowl, mix together: sour cream, mayonnaise, taco seasoning Spread over bean dip Sprinkle with chiles Peel, pit and mash avocados. Combine with lime juice, garlic powder and salt Spread over chile Sprinkle with cheese, onions, tomatoes and olives Serve with tortilla chips YUM!!YUM!!  www.dandesantis.com will take you to my Websitehttp://www.dandesantis.comshapeimage_1_link_0
FASH Flash!!! What’s In....What’s Out......What’s Up....What’s Down... What’s All Around The Town!!!! “Pepper Anderson’s Salad (Un)Dressing” A Tasty Dish 4 Hard cooked Eggs - Separated 1/2 Cup Salad Oil 1/4 Cup Garlic flavored Wine Vinegar 2 Tbsp Dry Red wine 1 Tsp Onion Powder 1 Tsp Salt 1/1 Tsp Dry Mustard 2 Tsp Black Pepper 8 Slice of Bacon, Fried and Crumbled Mix everything but eggs and bacon. Put dressing in the refrigerator overnite for flavors to meld. When ready to use put dressing over salad greens (my preference or the greens is spinach but you can you whatever you like). Just before serving add the hard cooked eggs and crumbled
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