Russel's Blog

head_left_image

The origin of old sayings

This is just too educational, and too funny, to miss out on. Hope everyone enjoys it and that it adds a little humor -- and thankfulness -- to your Sunday.

Via Hannah Williams (Re/Max affiliates NE):

The 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:
  


 

 They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor  folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot............they "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low. 

  
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell . .. . 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 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 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 floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.


(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

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 leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes 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 death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, 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 the upper crust.


Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers 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 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...


 


 authors unknown

 

copy protected

Pictures are by Hannah Williams not to be duplicated without permission .HelpfulHannahs.com is a Real Estate website please visit it if you are interested in information about homes or any information about the Philadelphia or Bucks County Pennsylvania area or call me direct 215-992 3376 or by cell 820-3376 i will be glad to assist you.Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures,are the property of Hannah Williams. If you wish to use something you see here,( please ask for permission) Most likely I will oblige, with a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. Thank you to all my friends,neighbors and clients who allowed my to use their photos and videos maybe you will get to Hollywood!

twitter@helpfulhannah

To SEARCH for HOMES PLEASE VISIT HELPFULHANNAH,COM

For Local NEWS and ViEWS Helpfulhannahs.comblog site

8 commentsRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 27 2009 11:39AM

Excerpts from the diaries of a Dog and Cat

This is just too funny not to share with as many people as possible. Thanks Alan.

Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, North Shore Realtor (Evanston Real Estate, Evanston, IL):

Excerpts from the Dog's Diary...

8:00 am - Oh boy, Kibble... I love that!
9:30 am - Yay, a car ride... I love that!
9:40 am - Walk!  Walk! Walk!  We're going for a walk... I love that!!
10:30 am - Tummy Rub... ohhhhhhh.... I love that!
12:00 pm - Lunch! I love that!
1:00 pm - Out in the yard... sniffin' stuff... poopin... barking at the neighbor's cat... I love that!
3:00 pm - Chasing my tail, chasing my tail... I love that!
5:00 pm - Treats!!  Got any more!!?  Hmm... I love that!
7:00 pm - Chasing the ball, chasing the ball... I love that!
8:00 pm - Watching TV with my people... yawn... I love that!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! ahhhh.... I love that!


Excerpts from the Cat's Diary...

Day #1,749 being held in captivity. My captors continue to torture me by dangling little objects near around my head.  Feathers, bouncy things... I hate them all.

While they eat carefully prepared foods replete with fresh meats and cheese, I, and the other inmates are fed some kind of hash and dry nuggets. The hash could be made of anything, and the nuggets are barely edible. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. So tired... must sleep.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. I stare for hours each day, out the large picture window overlooking the street. As I feel a little stronger, I regurgitate the remains of the food, directly in the center of their bed. So tired... must sleep, they must be drugging me.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet in an effort to strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates how dangerous I can be. They merely made cooing noises, while removing the corpse of the mouse to a plastic container, and chanting the secret words "Good Hunter", "Good Hunter" to keep me in captivity.  Miserable Bastards.

Last night, as the tall one slept, I tried to claw his eyes out... He merely awakened and threw me off his sleeping platform.  I had forgotten, they've disarmed me, by removing my paw-mounted-shredders.  Damn them, I'll have to think of something else. But first, I'll sleep.

There was some sort of assembly of their tribe tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement and could not witness the rites. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of something called 'allergies'.  This sounds like powerful voodoo, and I must learn how to harness it's power.  Maybe I'll take a nap first.

Today I attempted to assassinate one of my captors by weaving around her feet as he was walking. She came close to falling, but then regained her equilibrium, and chanted some more silly voodoo poem "Silly Kitty, Silly Kitty"... while running her hand along my spine, clearly to obtain some of my fur for further rituals. I will attempt this again, quickly, maybe this time near the top of the stairs. So tired... must sleep.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The one that calls himself "dog" seems to receive special privileges. Each and every day he is released to the fenced yard.  He doesn't do much out there, other than bark for help, and then gives up helplessly, does some bodily functions - and then seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously brain damaged.  I'll sleep on it.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. Although I cannot understand what he's saying, I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe... for now.  But so tired... I must sleep... right now.

 

Excerpt from the Bird's Diary...

tweet.  tweet.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

 Evanston Real Estate, Evanston Realtor, Evanston Buyers, Evanston Sellers
North Shore Real Estate, North Shore Realtor, North Shore Buyers, North Shore Sellers

 
0 commentsRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 18 2009 05:36AM

(New Contest at Activerain) Bringing back Great "Memories at Activerain"

Who can resist another contest when points are involved? LOL

Via ROBERT A.SWETZ - Commercial Real Estate (Commercial Real Estate - www.VegasBuildingsForSale.com):

 (New Contest at Activerain) Bringing back Great "Memories at Activerain"
 
 This new contest is going to be quite simple and here is the theme and guidelines ..............
 
 The theme for the contest is to post a blog about your favorite moment at Activerain, it could be a post you wrote, read or
commented on, I want to try and bring back some Great Memories at Activerain!

 (Please take note photographs are not required)
 
 Now this is going to be very difficult for (Newbies) because the memories are very few, try and do the best you can.
 
 Your post has to be posted in these two group in order to qualify to win ........
  

HAPPY AT ACTIVERAIN

and

EXPRESS WITH WORDS AT ACTIVERAIN
 
 
 Your title must contain these words ....... "Memories at Activerain"


 Here is the points that will be awarded ........

 3000 for first
 2000 for second
 1000 for third

 200 for every entry (in addition to the points they get for posting the blog)

 For any posts with links, etc that are duplicated it will go to the first one.

 (Please take note photographs are not required)

In addition to the points that will be awarded to the winners starting with (fourth) place to (twenty fifth) place, these winners will be given a signed photograph print from Robert Swetz (11x14) in size and mailed directly to you.

 That is a total of 21 photo prints for winners!


 Your choice of photograph will have to be picked from this web site www.SearchMypics.com or any photograph that Robert has posted to the Activerain network. Robert Has posted hundreds of photographs and I am sure you will find one if you search.


 The contest will start 9-16-2009 right after this post is posted and will end at (Noon) 9-29-2009

 "Good Luck Members"


 Let's have fun everybody and bring back some great "Memories at Activerain"

 Robert Swetz
 
 

1 commentRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 16 2009 04:04PM

Zenfolio Photo Website Discount

This is for all of us budding photographers. Hmmm. Budding photographers. Maybe we need a "Budding Photographers" group here at ActiveRain.

Via Mike Hendren, Realtor® (Re/Max Professionals):

My Zenfolio screenshot

I've been looking for a good website to host my images.

I think I've found it in Zenfolio.

I wanted one that offered lots of storage of full sized images, reliable printing services, and a front end for selling prints.  I did a lot of research in magazines and on the web, reading forums, articles, and reviews and Zenfolio was one that seemed to almost always get favorable mention.  What tipped the balance for me though, was the fact they use Mpix for their primary print service.  Mpix is also used by well known photographer, author, and magazine editor, Scott Kelby.

I've had two prints made, a normal 8x12 print and a 16x24 gallery wrap canvas print.  Both were very well done, but the gallery wrap really impressed me.  The print was perfect and it was wrapped on a frame that was about 1.25' thick with a very nice black backing and attached hanger.

They offer so many great features, it's impossible to list them all but here are a few:

(Some depend on which account level you choose)

  • Unlimited storage with upgraded accounts
  • Easy upload using plugins with several popular software programs
  • Different themes to customize your pages
  • Use your own URL
  • Reasonably priced ($100 yr. for premium account, with two cheaper options)
  • and many more

I've only uploaded a few images, so far, so if you check out My Zenfolio, there isn't much to see yet. . . . . but there is more to come!

If you're interested, go take a look - they offer a 14 day free trial.

If you're REALLY interested and decide to sign up, you can use

my referral code  FYJ-712-84V and save us both $5.

1 commentRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 08 2009 08:53AM

Don't try to skip out on voting in the Nature & Marketing contest!

5 commentsRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 03 2009 10:01PM

Nature & Marketing contest - All Groups are up and voting is in progress

 

Via Russel Ray, San Diego Marketing & Business Consultant (Russel Ray):

All Groups are complete. Simply click on my tongue to see them all.

 

All ActiveRain members can vote, including new members!

All Nature & Marketing contest entries are now up and voting is in progress.

Click here to view all Groups. It will open in a new window. You want to vote by leaving a comment for each Group in that Group's blog post, so if you're behind, catch up now!

Here is how voting works:

  1. Group entries are in PDF files which will open in new windows.
  2. For each group, you may vote for three entries. You don't have to rank them, just your favorite three. The top two (yes, two, not three) vote getters from each Group will make it to the semifinals.
  3. You must be an ActiveRain member to vote.
  4. If you have an entry, you may vote for yourself.
  5. Vote only once for EACH group. If you vote more than once for any group, only your first vote for that group will count.
  6. Vote by leaving a comment in the blog post for each group.
  7. In order to provide each Group with about the same amount of time for voting, Group voting will end in the following order:

Group A voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/2/09

Group B voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/2/09

Group C voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/3/09

Group D voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/3/09

Group E voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/4/09

Group F voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/4/09

Group G voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/5/09

Group H voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/5/09

Group I voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/5/09

Group J voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/6/09

Group K voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/6/09

Group L voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/6/09

Group M voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/7/09

Group N voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9//709

Group O voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/7/09

Group P voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/8/09

Group Q voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/9/09

Group R voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/9/09

Group S voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/10/09

Group T voting ends at midnight Central Time on 9/10/09

  

Wake me up when the voting is over!

 

3 commentsRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 02 2009 04:36PM

How to Create a Blog Post for Customers and Search Engines

I've been working on getting some people to upgrade to Rainmaker, but some have said
they got frustrated trying to get to Brad's post because it never loads. Anytime a blog post
has a billion comments, all those pictures associated with the comments cause loading to take forever. Thus I'm bringing Brad's post over here to my blog to help matters for me.

Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):
How to Create a Blog Post for Customers and Search Engines. 

There are three important audiences to be writing for: 1. Other members and friends of your Social Networks. 2. Consumers, Subscribers, and a Target Audience of readers.  3. Search Engines.  I'm sure this is preaching to the choir, but this is important information to be shared if you want to get maximum exposure and results from your Blog posts with consumers, visitors, and with Google. Google Juice? I'll drink to that! :-)

Blogging for Customers and Search Engines correctly is a key component to a successful Blog.

Using these effective strategies and time tested methods when creating your post can make a huge difference.  The first thing when writing a post is to determine the audience you are writing for, the product or concept you're promoting, and the geographic market you are targeting.  In this scenario, we are creating a Blog post to drive readers, consumers, and search engines to your Blog which is All About Your Area.  Things like "Vacant Land", "Open Houses", "Loan Modifications", "Tax Credit", "Pest Control", "Relocation", "Market Statistics", "Short Sales", "Condos" etc.


1.  How to title a blog post: Use a title that a customer would type into Google. example: "Open Houses in Mesquite NevadaTargeting Neighborhoods and focusing on Communities are best, but you can also use City/State. Most searches by consumers always include a geographic area. example: "Vacant Land For Sale in Bend, Oregon" Don't just title your post "Vacant Land For Sale" as it probably won't get indexed to a specific location and will likely get lost in the Search Engine Abyss. (SEO abyss = page 24 of Google)


2.  Repeat the title in BOLD in the first sentence of your blog post. example: "Vacant Land For Sale in Bend, Oregon" and now priced better than ever! Build your dream home in Bend, Oregon!"  By creating the first sentence of your post to include the title and BOLD key search words, terms, or phrases, you'll increase the potential of being found and then read.  That first sentence is typically the first sentence that shows up under your TITLE within the Google search results.  It's an important part of getting the search engines to recognize your topic and see it's relative content.  It's also what will help a consumer decide if they want to click on your link or NOT!


3.  Write your blog posts to the title...then add in good content that a customer would want to know about.  It takes a bit more time to think this strategy through, but the results and rewards will be tremendous.  This in NOT the only way to gain SEO and more exposure, but it's a great place to start if you're new to Blogging and are wanting quicker results from your time and efforts here.


Creating posts and Understanding Long tail and Short tail search terms:  Short tail searches are just that, very short keyword searches. example: "Homes for sale" or "Homes For Sale Austin, Texas".  This is where most searches begin during the early stages of research by consumers.  The Long tail search comes into play the closer consumers get to making a final purchase decision. example: "Gated Community Homes For Sale With a Pool in Austin Texas"  Justin Smith explains more about Long tail/ Short tail searches in his post.  You can also find more details by searching Google for "Long tail and Short tail searches."  Here's a video that might help make heads or "tails" about this.


4.  Go through your blog post and make sure that the words of your title are repeated a minimum of at least three or four times.  At least one time every other paragraph or so.  You should also bold those keywords so they stand out to the reader and to the search engines.  You need to be somewhat creative in doing this and remember, don't over do it.


5.  Tag your blog posts with other keywords and phrases the customer may type into Google.  These should be topic related and relevant to your post. Do not try to game the search engines by packing in keywords that have nothing to do with the post, this will do more harm than good in most if not all cases.  Also make sure to include images and links to relative sites, this will create more stickiness and add value to your posts. 

Creating a Blog Post for Customers and Search engines is not that difficult once you understand some of these basic concepts and then practice and apply them on a regular basis.  This is not to say you shouldn't write about other topics both personal and business, even those can be tailored to get you better results with customers and search engines.  We tested this theory on the Fourth of July Weekend and you should see some of the results ActiveRain members experienced. It really does work.  

I hope you can use these tips on "How to Create a Blog Post for Customers and Search Engines."
VERY IMPORTANT:  If your post on ActiveRain is (MEMBERS ONLY) then none of the above applies.

  Bookmark and Share    Twitter   FriendFeed   Facebook   Flickr   RSS   LinkedIn   All Networks   RSS
10 commentsRussel Ray, San Diego home inspector • September 01 2009 04:52PM