History

ON SKULLS: SO MUCH MORE THAN HALLOWEEN

Posted on by vlaw759

When I mentioned this topic to a friend, she said, “I’m very fond of mine. I use it every day!” So do we all, though usually unthinkingly. But there it is, containing and protecting our brains.

I dare to assert that this function—containing and protecting the brain—is the original and primary function of skulls. Of course this function isn’t absolute; think war wounds, football, and boxing, for example.

Skull Functions

The skull serves several important functions beyond protecting the brain.

The skull provides a framework for the face, holding eyes, nose, and mouth in place.

By fixing the distance between the eyes, the skull helps humans see in 3D (stereoscopic vision). It also helps ears work together to figure out where sounds are coming from.

The 22 skull bones include the only moveable bone in the body—the jawbone. This bone (the mandible) allows us to open and close our mouths to eat, speak, and express emotions.

Recent research has indicated that the skull is able to expand. It accommodates changes in this internal volume of brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Identifying Skulls

Skulls are useful to others besides the “wearer.”

A skull can identify many things about a person. Human skulls look different depending on whether they are male or female, what part of the world they come from (i.e., racial heritage), and age. A trained artist, anatomist, or anthropologist can tell the difference in a single glance.

Forensic scientists and archaeologists often use the skull to estimate a person’s age at the time of death. They examine the sutures, bone density, and other characteristics.

Differences in skull shapes and sizes can be attributed to genetics, ethnicity, and individual variations. Anthropologists study these differences to learn about human evolution and migration patterns.

Skull Symbolism

The most common symbolic use is as a representation of death. A skull can also serve as a warning of various threats or to contrast the vanity of earthly pleasures with mortality. In literature, skulls often symbolize despair and rough ironic humor (think Hamlet). They often represent strength and courage.

“Jeff Davis Reaping the Harvest”. US Civil War editorial cartoon shows Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate states, reaping stalks with skulls on them. ~Harper’s Weekly, 1861
  • A common visual motif is a serpent in a skull, making its way through an eye socket. This often symbolizes knowledge persisting after death or a serpent knowing secrets.
  • In Elizabethan England, the Death’s-Head Skull, usually without the lower jawbone, was symbolic of bawds, rakes, sexual adventurers and prostitutes. The term Death’s-Head was actually slang for such people, and they often wore half-skull rings to advertise, either professionally or otherwise.
  • In Mesoamerican architecture, stacks of skulls (real or sculpted) represented the result of human sacrifices.
  • The pirate death’s-head epitomizes the pirates’ ruthlessness and despair.
  • Depictions of some Hindu gods include skulls. For example, Shiva often carries a skull or wears a necklace of skulls. Hindu scripture describes the Goddess Chamunda wearing a garland of severed heads or skulls. Several Hindu temples include sculptures of skulls and Goddess Chamunda.
  • When tattooed on the forearm, its apotropaic power is thought to help an outlaw biker cheat death. Or that may simply be bikers in general.

Skulls for Victory and Revenge

  • The Lombardy king Alboin wore a skull as a trophy on his belt. It was a constant grim triumph over his old enemy.
  • In the same way, a skull is a warning when it decorates the palisade of a city, or deteriorates on a pike at a Traitor’s Gate.
  • After the Battle of Ćegar in 1809, the conquering Ottoman army built the Skull Tower. They used the skulls of Serbian rebels as building material.
  • FYI: there is no skull in a shrunken head. A shrunken head is a severed and specially prepared human head with the skull removed – many times smaller than its original size – that is used for trophy, ritual, trade, or other purposes.

Skull Vessels

For a variety of reasons, someone might make a cup or eating from an inverted human skull, after cutting it away from the rest of the skull. Careful observation of skulls serving as vessels can identify cut-marks from flesh removal and working to produce a regular lip.

Bulgarian Khan Krum the Fearsome feasts with his nobles as a servant (right) brings the skull of Nikephoros I, fashioned into a drinking cup, full of wine.

The use of a human skull as a drinking cup in ritual use or as a trophy is reported in numerous sources throughout history and among various peoples, both in Asia and Europe. What follows are just a few examples.

Portrait of Jnanatapa surrounded by lamas and mahasiddhas, drinking from a skull cup, Eastern Tibet
  • The oldest directly dated skull cup is from 12,750 BCE and comes from Gough’s Cave, Somerset, England.
  • Ammianus and Livy both mentioned the Scythian practice of drinking the blood of slain (sacrificial) enemies out of a skull.
  • The Lombard king Albion mentioned above drank from the skull of his old enemy that he wore on his belt.
  • People of the Magdalenian culture, spanning around 23,000–13,500 years ago, produced skull cups, associated with cannibalistic practices.
  • According to legend, after the Royal Navy killed and beheaded Blackbeard the pirate in 1718, they turned his skull into a drinking cup.
  • In 19th-century, the poet Lord Byron used a skull his gardener had found as a drinking vessel. According to Wikipedia, “Byron even wrote a darkly witty drinking poem as if inscribed upon it, ‘Lines Inscribed upon a Cup Formed from a Skull’. The cup, filled with claret, was passed around ‘in imitation of the Goths of old’, among the Order of the Skull that Byron founded at Newstead, ‘whilst many a grim joke was cut at its expense’, Byron recalled to Thomas Medwin.”
  • In 1510, Shah Ismail I defeated and slew Muhammad Shaybani in battle. He then had his enemy’s skull coated in gold and made into a jeweled drinking goblet.
  • In Japan, there is an anecdote that Oda Nobunaga, a famous feudal lord from the Sengoku period, drank sake from the skulls of defeated enemy warlords.
  • After killing Svyatoslav I of Kiev, Pecheneg Khan Kurya (in 972 BCE) had the skull made into a chalice. Various sources report that Kurya and his wife drank from the skull and prayed for a son as brave as the deceased Rus warlord. Maybe this was a compliment to Sviatoslav!

Musical Skulls

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, has a lyre from Central Africa, 19th century, made from a human skull, antelope horn, skin, gut, and hair.
  • Tibetan skull drums (damaru) were used in Tibet in connection with meditation traditions focused on the impermanence of life and material existence.
  • A double-headed drum fashioned from the tops of two human skulls joined at their apexes has been a part of the standard ritual paraphernalia for practitioners of the later forms of Tantric Buddhism since the time of their rise in India.
  • Skulls of warriors slain in battle were once hung on Ashanti (Asante) royal drums in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

Fashionable Skulls

Skulls are currently in fashion, especially since the first decade of the twenty-first century.

  • Skulls appear on bags and clothing.
  • Skull jewelry. I wear skull jewelry—earrings, pendants, rings, and bracelets—every day in October, and periodically throughout the year.
  • Various decorative items, such as carved mineral skulls.
  • For those so inclined, you can purchase any of dozens of styles of glasses, mugs, tankards, and goblets shaped like skulls—some of which actually look like skulls.
  • Into house plants? Dozens of flowerpots and planters are available.

Bottom Line: When you think skulls, think beyond October!

WITCHES

Posted on by vlaw759

Halloween is nearly upon us, and witches seem to be everywhere, from costumes for trick-or-treating and Halloween parties to yard displays. But why? Granted, popular society associates Halloween with all sorts of horrific, scary things: ghouls, ghosts, skeletons, death… Witches are lumped in with them. But really, what is a witch?

Witchy History

The English word witch—from the Old English wiċċe, rooted in European folklore and superstition—means a practitioner of witchcraft, magic or sorcery. Associated with malevolent magic, those accused of witchcraft were the target of witch-hunts. Consider the Salem witch trials.

In the modern era, the term has taken on different meanings. (In current colloquial English, witch typically refers to women, with the male equivalent being warlock or wizard.) Contemporary dictionaries currently distinguish five meanings of the noun witch:

  • A person (especially a woman) credited with malignant supernatural powers
  • A practitioner of neo-pagan tradition or religion (such as Wicca)
    • In this instance, the word Witch is typically capitalized, much like Catholic or Buddhist would be capitalized.
  • A mean or ugly old woman
  • A hag or crone
  • A charming or alluring girl or woman
    • This figurative use—as in literature—began in the 18th century.

Wicca is the largest of the modern Pagan, or Neo-Pagan, religions. Its followers, who are called Wiccans, typically identify as witches and draw inspiration largely from the pre-Christian religions of Europe. Influenced by earlier forms of Western esotericism, Wicca publicly emerged in England during the 1950s. At that time most Wiccans were members of initiatory groups called covens, although by the early 21st century most followers were instead operating as individuals. Today, Wiccans are mostly in English-speaking Western countries. Followers often use the pentagram, or five-pointed star, as the main symbol of their religion. In neopagan religions such as Wicca the term Witch has been adopted as a label for adherents of all genders.

“Wicca’s rapid spread through the United States during the 1960s and ’70s was part of the broader countercultural zeitgeist, and many of those Americans joining Wicca were also influenced by the new social movements of the period. Informed by second-wave feminism, Dianic Wicca was formed in 1971 by Hungarian émigré Zsuzsanna Budapest as a women’s tradition placing central focus on the goddess. Drawing on the gay rights movement, the Minoan Brotherhood was established in 1977 by Eddie Buczynski as a Wiccan tradition for gay and bisexual men. Growing environmentalist sentiment also had an impact on Wicca, which by the 1970s was increasingly presenting itself as a “ nature religion.” Radical left-wing politics came to the fore in the work of Starhawk), an American practitioner who helped establish the Reclaiming tradition in San Francisco and wrote an influential book, The Spiral Dance (1979). Although many of Wicca’s early proponents espoused conservative and right-wing views, by the close of the 20th century the Wiccan community had more people with progressive and left-leaning opinions.” (Encyclopedia Britannica)

from Encyclopedia Britannica

It is estimated that there could be around 1.5 million witches in the U.S. (This according to Helen Berger, of Brandeis University, 2021 data.)

Witches Today

Wicca and Witchcraft are part of the larger contemporary pagan movement, which includes druids and heathens among others. All these spiritual paths, as pagans refer to them, base their practices on pre-Christian religions and cultures.

Berger points out that not all witches consider themselves Wiccans. Based on her most recent survey data, approximately 800,000 Americans are Wiccans. Increasing numbers have self-identified as Wiccan in surveys. The growth of such groups as those on TikTok, suggest that the religion is continuing to grow.

Wicca differs from more mainstream religions, such as Christianity, in multiple ways.

Today most Wiccans practice alone and are free to develop their own unique practice.

According to Berger, most Wiccans practice magic, to heal themselves and others or to find a new home or job, among other things, and emphasize that magic must not cause harm. “Magic is viewed as changing the practitioners as much as their circumstances, encouraging adherents to pursue self-growth and self-empowerment.”

Bottom Line: For hundreds of thousands of practitioners, Witch has been an identity that has nothing to do with Halloween.

HOW WE COOK

Posted on by vlaw759

Six editors (all men) passed on Peg Bracken’s manuscript, but ultimately, The I HATE TO COOK Book was published in 1960, and sold over 3 million copies. (For comparison: this was about the same as Craig Clayborne’s The New York Times Cookbook and twice as many as Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, both published in 1961.)

Clearly, Bracken’s humorous guide to spending less time on food prep struck a cord with home cooks.

My thesis is that the entire evolution of how we cook has trended in that direction: less time for food prep.

STOVES

My granny had a cast iron cook stove until the mid-1950s. She started by lighting wood in the fire box at one end of the stove body. Moving pots from burners closer to the firebox to those farther away adjusted the heat. She controlled oven temperature by determining how long she could hold her hand in the oven.

This was certainly old-fashioned, but she was poor, living on a hard-scrabble farm in the hills of eastern Kentucky. Saugus Ironworks manufactured the first cast-iron stove in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1642. By the 18th century, manufacturers were making cast iron stoves in quantity in the United States. Their use became widespread in the early 19th century.

The first gas stoves were developed in the 1820s, in a factory established in England in 1836. These stoves offered adjustable and convenient cooking compared to solid fuels. A cook could turn the gas flame to the desired heat level immediately. Turning off the flame also immediately extinguishes the heat. However, the exposed gas flame posed more of a fire hazard than other stoves. They may also leak carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde, even when turned off.

Introduced in the early 20th century, electric stoves provided a safer and more efficient alternative to gas. Later in her life, my granny had an electric stove. She enjoyed the precision of temperature, especially for baking.

Induction cooktops use electromagnetic fields to heat pots and pans directly. Among stove bells and whistles: timers, preheat signal, convection baking, and broiling. Today, a home cook can use a Frigidaire 30″ Electric Range with Air Fry, with a convection oven and five cooking elements. My granny wouldn’t have to use her hand to determine the temperature!

Perhaps the biggest time-saver is not having to build a cooking fire.

REFRIGERATORS

The first appliance that sort of looked like a refrigerator was an icebox. Before iceboxes, people used ice houses and evaporative cooling methods like zeer pots to preserve food. (A zeer pot is a low-cost, evaporative cooling device made of two nested unglazed clay pots with wet sand between them, used to preserve food in hot, dry climates without electricity.)

The only icebox I ever saw personally was wooden, with metal fittings. The top compartment held the ice on a metal tray. The cool air descended to cool the food in the box below. An ice man delivered huge blocks of ice on a set schedule, and “ice cubes” were had by chipping off the block with an ice pick.

Electric refrigerators became common in households starting in the late 1920s and early 1930s. While Fred W. Wolf Jr. invented the first electric refrigerator for home use in 1913, widespread adoption began after General Electric introduced the “Monitor-Top” refrigerator in 1927, which was more affordable and practical for average homes. By the mid-1930s, electric refrigerators had largely replaced iceboxes in many American and European households, becoming a standard appliance in middle-class homes by the 1940s. These refrigerators were smaller than today. The cooling unit was at the top, and it had enough freezing space for a couple of ice cube trays.

Today one can choose refrigerators with freezers top, bottom, or side-by-side. Owners can adjust freezer and refrigerator temperatures separately. They can dispense filtered water and ice in various forms.

The biggest time-saving factor from refrigerators comes from the handy location in the kitchen, serving iced drinks, and the availability of frozen foods.

Before refrigerators, preservation techniques included salt curing, smoking, and drying.

SMALL APPLIANCES

Early toasters had pull-down doors on each side of the heating unit. Two pieces of bread—one per side—were toasted on the side facing the heating element. When the user opened the doors, the bread would flip, exposing the untoasted side. Closing the doors again started the process to toast the second side. These required monitoring, for there was no timer or automatic turn off.

Then there were pop-up toasters, toasting both sides at once, with heat controls for darkness, sometimes with four slots.

Today, a home cook can use toaster ovens, which I assume need no description, or the toast function in air fryers. They toast faster, take many slices, and turn off automatically.

Mixing stuff up started with a fork or spoon, evolved to a whisk which, with patience, can actually whip cream or egg whites into soft peaks. Hand-held egg beaters (1850s) made that process much faster, and hand-held electric mixers were/are even faster. Counter-top mixers (such as KitchenAid) operate without the cook holding the mixing element, and can even knead bread.

Blenders were introduced in 1922 and food processors in 1946, though their use in home kitchens took time to catch on. Although meat grinders (1840s) streamlined the mincing process, food processors in particular relieved the home cook of clamping a meat grinder to the counter or tabletop and hand grinding.

Making coffee has gone from boiling grounds in a pot of water and waiting for the grounds to settle to using a percolator, with a basket holding grounds at the top where boiling water pours through them. Today coffee makers typically use filters for the grounds and collect the coffee in a carafe. Fancy options can keep it hot, turn off automatically, or even turn on or off at a pre-selected time.

Although some people prefer to grind their own coffee beans, pre-ground beans are readily available.

And now one can make a single cup of coffee in a device such as Keurig using individually chosen pods, which can be flavored. And let’s not forget instant coffee, just add water, though coffee lovers usually prefer not to.

It is possible to make tea the same way, but do keep a carafe dedicated to tea to avoid contamination by lingering coffee flavors. Modern tea aficionados can use a variety of automatic devices, with magnetic tea baskets, calibrated brewing temperatures, or warming surfaces. The quick and easy alternative: teabag and microwaved water.

The mighty microwave was invented in 1945 by Percy Spencer, an engineer with the Raytheon Company. Microwaves became common in households during the 1970s and 1980s as prices fell and their use spread globally. And as everybody must know, it cooks faster than stovetops or ovens.

COOKWARE

Cast iron cookware was first introduced around 220 CE in China during the Han Dynasty. During the Medieval period (500 – 1500 ) cast iron cookware first appeared in Europe, and became essential for slow-cooking stews and soups. It was popular from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, peaking in the first half of the 20th century before declining in the 1960s and 1970s.

I have cast iron skillets and a griddle from a great-grandmother, both grandmothers, and my mother! I have added a chicken fryer and stew pot to my inherited collection. Cast iron is great for heat retention, durability, ability to maintain high temperatures for long durations, and non-stick potential. But it is heavy!

Copper pots and pans became popular among European chefs for their even heat distribution. Copper cookware became popular as a status symbol among Europe’s wealthy elite in the 18th century and remained prominent through the 19th century.

The invention of Teflon-coated pans (1960s) made cooking and cleaning easier.

Pressure cookers were an early effort to shorten cooking times. The basic concept was invented in 1679! The modern pressure cooker, as we know it today, became widely popular in the mid-20th century with brands like Presto.

And then slow cookers were introduced. They gained popularity in the U.S. during the 1970s, with sales peaking around this time. This countertop electrical cooking appliance simmers food at a lower temperature than other cooking methods. Dishes like pot roasts and stews can cook for many hours without requiring attendance, unlike with a boiling method. Its primary advantage is allowing the cook to complete prep according to their own convenience and preference.

CONVENIENCE FOODS

I contend that the most basic convenience foods are frozen and canned products. Many canned foods are “heat and serve,” or even ready to eat. Grocery stores carry a gazillion (by actual count) prepared foods, from cupcakes and bread to quiche and potato salad, already peeled carrots, cut melon and pineapple, etc., etc., etc.

One can order prepared dishes—or meals—from restaurants and have them delivered to the door. And for those who want a fresh, homemade meal, there are services such as HelloFresh: the ordered meal ingredients come proportioned and ready to cook, with all seasonings, and recipes for the preparation.

And now one can use a service such as Tovala, a meal delivery service paired with a smart oven that cooks chef-crafted, fresh meals in under 20 minutes using QR code scanning or pre-programmed cycles.

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY

Before 3000 BCE, the earliest food prep method, using open flames to roast meat and vegetables on sticks or in pits, required constant attention.

People roasted large animals on spits turned by hand or animal tread mills, a common method in Medieval feasts.

Around 10,000 BCE, humans began using clay pots for boiling and stewing, marking a shift to more controlled heat and less constant attention.

Archaeological research dates the use of earthen ovens for underground cooking to approximately 10,000 years ago. Earth ovens (e.g., Polynesian umu or Native American pit baking) involved cooking food in underground pits with heated stones. The Egyptians used early ovens (around 2500 BCE) for baking bread, a staple of their diet.

The Romans created early versions of stoves. These stoves were brick or iron structures, knee-high, fired by wood or charcoal through a front hole, with pots placed over or hung into holes at the top.

The earliest fireplaces (as we think of them today) were flat to the floor, used for both heating and cooking. The Romans introduced raised hearths, making cooking more convenient (and heating less dirty).

Cast iron “arms” (chimney cranes) were built into fireplace walls, suspending cooking pots over flames, allowing for better heat control, and swinging out to fill or serve. Many included spits for roasting chunks of meat and small animals such as rabbits or chickens.

AND HERE WE ARE

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal (9/22/26) reported, “When 4:00 p.m. rolls around on any given day, about 80% of Americans still don’t know what they will have for dinner.” Many families turn to ready-to-cook food and meal delivery services, or grazing on things like cheese and crackers, nuts, etc.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. The I Hate to Housekeep Book (Peg Bracken, 1962) has a chapter titled “Dinner Will Be Ready As Soon As I Decide What We’re Having.” (It demonstrates a touching reliance on eggs.)

According to the US Labor Department, women spend an average of 55 minutes per day on food preparation AND cleanup; men, 31 minutes.

Bottom Line: Peg Bracken got it right: apparently, most people hate to cook.

ON FEATHERS: WRITING, WARMTH, SALES AND SEX

Posted on by vlaw759

I thought I knew feathers. Researching this blog revealed the vastness of my ignorance!

Feathers have a variety of uses across history, cultures, and industries. Here are some of the most common and notable uses:

Writing

Historically, writers used feathers (especially from geese or swans) to make quill pens before the invention of the metal nib pen.

Quill pens were used from around the 6th century until the 19th century, evolving as a primary writing tool during the Middle Ages and remaining dominant until mass-produced dip pens emerged around 1820.

Warmth

One princess enjoyed feather ticks so much that she slept on a pile of 40 of them—and still felt the pea on the bottom!

Today, people use down feathers from ducks or geese in jackets, sleeping bags, and blankets for their excellent insulation properties.

The use of feathers for bedding dates back centuries, providing insulation and comfort in featherbeds

As a child, I slept with feather ticks at my granny’s house. These were made primarily from chicken feathers, some duck, with the nibs cut off.

Feather ticks were common in historical bedding, often placed over a harder mattress to make it more comfortable. Also called a featherbed or tick, it’s a linen or cotton bag filled with feathery down and sewn shut, traditionally used as a mattress topper or blanket to add softness and warmth to a bed. Regarding the origin of the term “tick,” it refers to the fabric covering or bag that holds the feathers, not the insect.

Feather-filled pillows and comforters are popular for their softness and insulation.

Feather Market

There is money to be made in feathers! Recent market figures confirm that the global market in feather products is significant and expecting steady annual growth.

Down jackets: $28.49 billion in 2025

Sleeping bags: $2.67 billion in 2025

Down bedding: $3 billion in 2025

Decorative Use

Fashion designers often use feathers in hats, boas, and capes for fashion.

Emperor Pedro II of Brazil wearing a wide collar of orange toucan feathers

Costume designers use them for Carnival and performance costumes (e.g., burlesque, theater, and dance). Feathered fans are traditional and iconic in fan dancing (especially in styles like burlesque or Hawaiian hula).

Some designers add feathers to clothing, bags, and shoes for a unique, luxurious, or exotic aesthetic.

Many traditional cultural attires include feathery adornments, such as Native American headdresses, Hawaiian chieftain capes, and Siberian Sakha winter clothing.

Home Decor

Decorators use feathers in wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, and wall art.

I made this bouquet of feathers in crab tails!

DYI Crafts and Art

Jewelry (e.g., earrings, necklaces)
Scrapbooking and card-making
Dreamcatchers and other handmade decor
Used in paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media art projects

Spiritual and Healing Practices

In some Indigenous traditions, participants use feathers to waft smoke from burning herbs (like sage or cedar) during smudging ceremonies.

Some believe a feather can to help direct or cleanse energy during rituals.

Symbolism and Ceremonies

Feathers often represent honor, freedom, and spirituality in many cultures.

Eagle feathers are sacred and used in ceremonies, rituals, and as symbols of honor in many Native American traditions. The laws around possessing an eagle feather are complicated and vary from state to state.

In ancient Egypt, feathers symbolized truth and justice (e.g., the feather of Ma’at).

Feathers are sometimes used as symbols of achievement, such as in military or scout badges.

Military Uses

Historically, fletchers used feathers to stabilize arrows in flight, for battle, hunting, and archery demonstrations.

Feathers have adorned military uniforms in some historical periods (e.g., cavalry helmets or officer hats). Particularly on headgear, these feather adornments aid in battlefield identification.

Several Native America tribes present feathers to members for particularly courageous actions, such as military feats. These feather awards often form part of traditional regalia, including war bonnets and hair ornaments.

Musical Instruments

Artisans sometimes use feathers to decorate instruments like guitars, violins, ‘uli’uli, or drums for aesthetic purposes.

In some cultures, musicians have used feathers to create sounds or as part of musical instruments for millenia. Appalachian dulcimer players today sometimes use a feather quill to pluck the strings.

Sports

Fishermen use feathers to create artificial flies for fly fishing, mimicking the appearance of insects or baitfish.

The word “shuttlecock” comes from the projectile’s resemblance to a rooster’s tail. A traditional shuttlecock is composed of feathers secured in a cork wrapped in thin leather. Badminton is the most well-known sport that uses shuttlecocks. Players hit the shuttlecock back and forth over a net using rackets.

Battledore is an ancient game similar to badminton, where players use a small paddle (battledore) to keep a shuttlecock in the air for as long as possible. Less structured than badminton, battledore is often played casually or by children.

Hanetsuki is a traditional Japanese game similar to battledore and shuttlecock. Players use wooden
paddles to hit a shuttlecock and keep it airborne.

Home and Garden

Feather dusters are quite handy, traditionally used for cleaning delicate surfaces like lampshades, blinds, and furniture due to their softness and ability to trap dust.

Gardeners and farmers sometimes use feathers (especially owl feathers) in gardens or farms to deter pests like birds or rodents.

Environmental and Scientific Uses

Feathers are studied in biology and ecology to understand bird behavior, migration, and health.

Researchers use feathers in tracking and monitoring bird populations (e.g., banding feathers with identification tags).

Industrial Uses

Economists estimate that feathers yield a profit of about 50 cents per pound in industry, significantly higher than the profit from chicken meat—or so I read!

A byproduct of poultry processing, feather meal is used as a slow-release fertilizer in agriculture due to its high nitrogen content.

Research is ongoing into using feathers (keratin) to create sustainable materials like bioplastics or textiles.

Toys with attached feathers can stimulate playful cats or train hunting dogs.

Feathers provide extra comfort in pet nests or the filling of beds.

Ethical and Sustainable Considerations

Many feathers used today are byproducts of the food industry (e.g., from ducks or chickens raised for meat or eggs).

Feathers harvested specifically for use in fashion or crafts raise ethical concerns about animal welfare. Many people use synthetic feathers (made from polyester or other materials) as cruelty-free alternatives in fashion and decor.

And Because Sex Was Mentioned in the Title

Feathers have a long history of being used in sensual and sexual contexts, often for their tactile, visual, and psychological appeal, often used as part of foreplay, roleplay, or sensory exploration.

You can look it up!

Minneapolis hosts a city-wide pillow fight every year, perhaps the least erotic feathery orgy around!

Feathers can provide light, teasing touches to heighten sensitivity and arousal.

They are popular in sensory deprivation or tease-and-denial play. People might use feathers as part of bondage or restraint play, to enhance the experience of being controlled or immobilized. Partners may use feathers to explore each other’s bodies in new ways, adding variety to foreplay or massage.

Roleplay scenarios might feature feathers, such as feather dusters in domestic servant or maid fantasies.

Tantric or spiritual intimacy practices, where people use touch to deepen connection and mindfulness, may incorporate feathers.

In some cases, people use feathers in temperature play, either by chilling them or warming them.

Many people create homemade feather wands or ticklers by attaching feathers to handles or using them in combination with other tools like floggers or crops.

Issues to Consider

Ensure feathers are clean and free of allergens, especially if shared between partners or used in sensitive areas.

Always discuss boundaries and comfort levels beforehand, especially when introducing new sensations or tools.

Use soft, high-quality feathers to avoid irritation or discomfort.

Never use feathers in the eyes, ears, or throat, as they can cause injury.

Bottom Line: Feathers are useful as well as ornamental, valued for both profit and pleasure.

YOU’RE EATING WHAT?

Posted on by vlaw759

If you are considering eating cockroaches, don’t microwave them! They are so fatty that they explode in the microwave. You just don’t want the mess.

Which is not to say you shouldn’t eat them. According to the EntoMove Project, the cockroach nutritional profile, per mg/100g, (3.53 oz) is 19 g protein, 10 g fat, calcium 38, iron14, zinc 32, potassium 224, niacin 44, magnesium 50, B12 237 mcg.

You might be surprised to learn that the U.S. is listed among countries where cockroaches are either a common or semi-common ingredient in the country’s cuisine or they are offered in at least some restaurants, possibly as a novelty. Other countries include China, Mexico, Japan, and Thailand. (For the Love of Chocolate in Carytown, VA offers scorpion lollipops and ant candy!)

Current research on this topic is non-comprehensive. It is likely that insects are a regular part of the diet in countries not listed above particularly in South America, Africa, and southern Asia. Many traditional cuisines are often more accepting of the idea of insects as a protein source.

And it isn’t just cockroaches. In many cultures around the world, insects are a traditional and nutritious part of the diet. This practice, called entomophagy, is common in regions where insects are abundant, sustainable, and rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some cultures and regions where eating bugs is more common.

Latin America

chapulines insects
Chapulines in Mexico

Mexico: Insects like chapulines (grasshoppers), escamoles (ant larvae), and gusanos de maguey (maguey worm) are popular, especially in Oaxaca and central Mexico. Cooks often toast chapulines with chili and lime and serve them as snacks or added to tacos.

Colombia: Hormigas culonas (big-bottomed ants) are a delicacy, particularly in Santander. People often toast them to eat as a crunchy snack.

Brazil: In the Amazon, indigenous communities eat tucum (palm weevil larvae) and suri (palm beetle larvae).

Southeast Asia

Cambodian fried tarantula insects
Cambodian fried tarantulas

Thailand: In markets and street food stalls, you can find insects like crickets, silkworm pupae, water beetles, and bamboo worms. They are often fried or roasted and seasoned with spices.

Laos: Khao tom mat (ant egg soup) and deep-fried insects are common snacks.

Vietnam: Cricket and silkworm dishes are popular, often stir-fried or used in soups.

Cambodia: Fried tarantulas and water beetles often serve as snacks.

Myanmar: Many cooks include beetle larvae and ants in salads or soups.

Africa

South Africa: The mopane worm (a caterpillar) is dried or canned and eaten as a protein-rich food.

Zimbabwe and Zambia: Madora (larvae of the mopane moth) are a traditional food source.

Congo: Roasted or boiled palm weevil larvae and termites are a popular ingredient and snack.

Palm weevil larva farmer, displaying their stock

Nigeria: In some regions, rising livestock feed prices are leading people to raise palm weevil larvae and grasshopper as alternatives to chickens and cattle.

Australia and Oceania

Indigenous Australians: Traditionally ate honey ants, witchetty grubs (larvae of cossid moths), and bardi grubs (larvae of palm weevils). People most often eat these raw or only lightly cooked.

Dora Napaljarri Kitson, hunting for Witchetty grubs (Ed Gold)

Papua New Guinea: Sago grubs (larvae of the sago palm weevil) are a delicacy, often eaten raw or roasted.

East Asia

Inago and hachinoko

China: In many provinces, including Yunnan and Guangxi, people eat insects like silkworm pupae, cricket, bee larvae, and water beetles. Cooks often stir-fry them or use them in soups.

Japan: Inago (grasshoppers) and hachinoko (bee larvae) are traditional foods, often boiled in soy sauce.

South Korea: Beondegi (silkworm pupae) is a popular street food, steamed or boiled and seasoned with spices.

Middle East

Oman and Yemen: During swarms, locusts and desert locusts make a very handy addition to many dishes, often roasted or fried.

Why Do These Cultures Eat Bugs?

Fried insect vendor in Thailand

Nutritional Benefits: Insects are high in protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins (like B12), and minerals (like iron and zinc).

Sustainability: Insects require far less land, water, and feed compared to traditional livestock, making them an eco-friendly protein source.

Cultural Tradition: In many regions, eating insects is a long-standing practice tied to local ecosystems and food security.

Availability: Insects are often abundant in tropical and subtropical regions, making them a reliable food source.

In many cultures, insects are recognized/consumed for their medicinal as well as nutritional properties.

Bottom Line: Are you open to exotic and beneficial foods?

UBIQUITOUS BLOOD

Posted on by vlaw759

Blood is so important that it has escaped the confines of the body and pops up everywhere, in symbolism, metaphors, and superstitions.

Fallacies About Blood

In many ancient cultures, where blood was seen as the essence of life—sacrificing blood (animal or human)—was believed to sustain the gods, the land, or the community. In ancient paganism, such sacrifices were offered to gods like Moloch, Aztec deities, or the Greek Fates to ensure fertility, harvests, or protection.

It was once believed that blood was the same as life, and as such, drinking blood was the equivalent of a transfusion today.

In other cultures, the heart was thought to be the blood-fountain and the core of personality, so this drinking of blood was regarded as soul transference.

Ma’at weighing the heart of the deceased against the Feather of Truth, determining a soul’s guilt or innocence in the Egyptian Book of the Dead

Cannibalism, as a tribal rite, was based on a similar belief, that the blood of another was his life and soul. The practice of drinking the blood of the bravest foes was to acquire their courage, cunning, and other distinctive traits.

Royalty and the super rich literally had blue blood. This was based on the fact that those who did not labor in the sun, and therefore weren’t tan, had veins that showed more prominently blue. (Indeed, some creatures have blue blood—e.g., horseshoe crabs—but humans aren’t among them.) Historically, Royal Blood meant that royalty were of divine or pure lineage, untouched by commoners. Bloodlines determined inheritance, legitimacy, and power.

Transfusion bag

People of different races have different blood, and transfusions across ethnic groups are dangerous if not deadly.

In Japan, many people use blood type as a personality predictor, similar to how some Americans ascribe to star signs or Vietnamese believe in a birth year cycle.

A baby gets blood from the mother. In fact, the fetus creates its own blood entirely, in utero.

Bloodletting

Bloodletting in the 1860s

As far back as the Ancient Egyptians, doctors have attempted to treat patients by adjusting fluids inside the body. In particular, medical theories held that sweating and bloodletting were effective treatments for everything from headaches to gout. Hippocrates believed menstruation was a spontaneous form of bloodletting. Talmudic, Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Islamic medical texts all contain detailed instructions of the practice.

Galen created very specific charts of the best locations to cut or place leeches to achieve specific health benefits, encouraging patients to take their “cure” into their own hands! Cutting the vein in the right hand might cure liver problems, while cutting the vein in the left hand could cure spleen trouble.

Diagram of where to bleed for specific health concerns

He also believed that the heart created blood and sent it to the organs and extremities, where it was used up. Having too much would cause it to stagnate, leading to illness. For centuries, doctors throughout Europe and the Middle East thought it purged toxins, balanced bodily chemistry, and boosted immunity.

Bloodletting remained a common medical practice through the 19th Century. Textbooks from 1923 still recommended treating patients with strategic bleeding.

It still shows up in our language. “Bloodletting” is now a euphemism for simmering tensions in a community erupting into violence.

Bloody Language

A subject so entwined with human history and sensibilities is bound to show up in our language.

Blood in Metaphors

Blood feud: People of one bloodline/clan are born enemies of another.

In cold blood: To do something cruel or violent deliberately and without emotion.

Hematohidrosis, a rare medical condition, causes a patient to sweat actual blood.

Blood, sweat, and tears: A lot of effort and hard work, often involving suffering.

Blood runs cold: To feel a sudden shock or horror.

Flesh and blood: Someone’s family or relatives; also used to describe human limitations or weaknesses.

Blood boils: To become extremely angry.

Bad blood: Strong feelings of hatred or anger between people.

New blood: New people joining a group or organization, bringing fresh ideas.

Roman gladiators from a Third Century mosaic

Blood sport: A sport involving the hunting or killing of animals, or a violent competition.

Blood money: Money earned through dishonest or violent means; also refers to money paid to a killer as compensation for a murder.

Bloodcurdling: Extremely frightening or shocking.

Blood brother: A very close friend; historically, mingling a few drops of blood from two people in a cup of wine and both drinking it sealed the bond. More recently, two people nick their thumbs or wrist veins and press them together to seal the bond. (“Brothers” could also be women, though this was much less common.)

Lady Macbeth by Gabriel von Max

Blood on one’s hands (e.g., Lady Macbeth’s famous line, “Out, damned spot!”) symbolizes moral stain or unresolved guilt.

Bloodstained: Covered or marked with blood, often implying violence or guilt.

In one’s blood: innate, as of a skill or quality. The same as “XXX runs in the family.”

Blood is thicker than water: Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.

In some initiation rites (e.g., fraternities, secret societies, or rites of passage), blood may symbolize commitment, loyalty, or rebirth into a new social or spiritual state.

Bloody Proverbs

  • Blood is inherited and virtue is acquired.
  • None so keen at the hunting of wolves as the dog with wolf blood.
  • Who grudges his blood to a blade had better earn his living behind the plow.
  • You cannot get blood from a stone/turnip
  • Good blood will never lie.
  • Men’s skins have many colors, but human blood is always red.
  • Like blood, like means, and like age, make the happiest marriage.
  • Marrying in the blood is never good.
  • Noble and common blood is of the same color.
  • If blood is spilt on you before breakfast, you will shed blood before nightfall.

The human body contains about 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of blood, which circulates through the body 3 times every minute on average! It transports oxygen, nutrients, and hormones, fights infections, regulates body temperature, and removes waste products.

Bottom Line: Blood is so important that it’s everywhere!

ISMS: THEY’RE EVERYWHERE

Posted on by vlaw759

We’re all aware, at some level, of racism and sexism. Everyone lucky enough to live to be old will probably become aware of ageism. Many fewer are attuned to ableism. The world wasn’t built for people with disabilities, and because of that, the world we live in is inherently “ableist.”

“Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and defines people by their disability. Like racism and sexism, ableism classifies entire groups of people as ‘less than,’ and includes harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and generalizations of people with disabilities.”

Ableism 101 by Ashley Eisenmenger

-Isms and Stereotyping

All -isms are based on stereotypes. Stereotyping is when, based on one characteristic, we assume a whole constellation of characteristics, traits, abilities, or behaviors. While it can sometimes feel like a mental shortcut to quickly understand the world, it often leads to inaccuracies, misunderstandings, and unfair judgments.

Effects of Stereotyping

THE American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides legal assistance for people seeking civil liberties protections.

Bias and Prejudice: Stereotypes can reinforce harmful biases, leading to discrimination or exclusion.
Overgeneralization: It ignoring individual differences.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: People may unconsciously act in ways that confirm a stereotype, perpetuating the cycle.
Loss of Individuality: It reduces people to a single label, ignoring their unique identities, experiences, and complexities.

Common Areas Where Stereotyping Occurs

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a legal advocacy organization promoting civil rights in the US.

Gender: Assuming women are “naturally” better at caregiving or men are “naturally” better at leadership.
Race/Ethnicity: Linking certain behaviors or traits to an entire racial or ethnic group.
Professions: Believing all engineers are socially awkward or all artists are “starving.”
Age: Assuming older adults are “out of touch” or teenagers are “irresponsible.”
Cultures: Assuming everyone from a specific country behaves the same way.

Ableism

Returning to focus on ableism, consider the following examples from the source cited above:

Presenting a disability as either tragic or inspirational in news stories, movies, and other popular forms of media

Choosing an inaccessible venue for a meeting or event, thus excluding some participants

Using someone else’s mobility device as a hand or foot rest

Casting a non-disabled actor to play a disabled character in a play, movie, TV show, or commercial

Making a movie that doesn’t have audio description or closed captioning

Using the accessible bathroom stall when you are able to use the non-accessible stall without pain or risk of injury

Wearing scented products in a scent-free environment

Talking to a person with a disability like they are a child, talking about them instead of directly to them, or speaking for them

Asking invasive questions about the medical history or personal life of someone with a disability

Assuming people have to have a visible disability to actually be disabled

Questioning if someone is ‘actually’ disabled, or ‘how much’ they are disabled

Asking, “How did you become disabled?”

All -Isms are Based on Stereotyping

—Isms take many blatant forms. Depending on the specific —ism, these can include:

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the US, lobbying for protecting and expanding rights.
  • Lack of compliance with laws like the ADA, non discrimination in housing, etc.
  • Segregating students into separate schools or classes
  • Not questioning existing discriminatory standards in medicine, banking, policing, etc.
  • The use of restraint or seclusion as a means of controlling students with disabilities
  • Institutionalizing adults and children with disabilities
  • Failing to incorporate accessibility into building design plans. This applies to disabilities but also such things as gender-neutral bathrooms.
  • Buildings without braille on signs, elevator buttons, etc.
  • Selectively enforcing dress codes
  • Restricting workplace benefits, such as family leave or health insurance, to opposite-sex couples
  • Creating inaccessible websites
  • Entrenching existing prejudices into computer algorithms and coding
  • The assumption that people with disabilities want or need to be ‘fixed’
  • Requiring hairstyles that are difficult or impossible to maintain with certain hair textures
  • Using disability as a punchline, or mocking people with disabilities
  • Conducting research without consideration of differences based on gender, race, abilities, etc. This is especially important in medical research and the creation of public policy.
  • The lynchings of Blacks in earlier decades and eugenics movement of the early 1900s
  • Disproportionate number of guilty verdicts and harsher sentences based on race or ethnicity.
  • The mass murder of disabled people in Nazi Germany
  • Hiring preferences based on the assumption that women will become pregnant and leave the workforce
  • Wage gaps based on sex, race, ethnicity
“Die-Ins” during Black Lives Matter protests drew attention to racialized police violence in the US.

Micro-Aggressions and “Isms”

Micro-aggressions are everyday verbal or behavioral expressions that communicate a negative slight or insult in relation to someone’s gender identity, race, sex, disability, etc. It seems to me that non-conscious put downs of -isms are more common—and more socially acceptable—than others these days.

  • “That’s so lame.”
  • Dumb blonde jokes.
  • “That’s so retarded.”
  • “That guy is crazy.”
  • “You’re so brave to wear that!”
  • “You’re acting so bi-polar today.”
  • Schools defaulting to communicate with a female parent, regardless of a family’s arrangements.
  • “Should you really be eating that?”
  • “Must be that time of the month.”
  • “You’re so gay.”
  • “Are you off your meds?”
  • “It’s like the blind leading the blind.”
  • “It’s fine to be gay, but why do they have to shove it in my face?”
  • “My ideas fell on deaf ears.”
  • Putting hands on someone to guide them to where you want them.
  • “You throw like a girl.”
  • “You look great for your age!”
  • “But which one of you is the woman?”
  • “That’s so psycho.”
  • “I’m super OCD about how I clean my apartment.”
  • Offering to help old people. Sometimes this is appreciated, putting a bag in the overhead bin, for example. But often it comes across as assuming incompetence.
  • “You’re so well-spoken!”
  • “A real man would…”
  • “I’ll pray for you?”
  • Addressing an elderly person as young man or young lady.
  • “Of course he’s paid more; he has a family to support!”
  • “I don’t even think of you as disabled/black/a woman.”
  • “I’m not saying she deserved it, but did you see what she was wearing?”
  • “I love old people; they’re so adorable!”
  • “This sort of thing comes naturally to your people, right?”
  • “Big boys don’t cry.”
  • Touching someone’s hair.
  • “You’re such a spaz.”
  • Witnessing or overhearing any of the above without speaking up.

How to Avoid Stereotyping

The Stonewall Riots kicked off the gay liberation movement in the US, eventually leading to major legal protections and growing social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.

Challenge Assumptions: Ask yourself why you hold a particular belief about a group.
Seek Diverse Perspectives: Engage with people from different backgrounds to broaden your understanding.
Focus on Individuality: Recognize that everyone is unique and shouldn’t be reduced to a stereotype.
Educate Yourself: Learn about the lived experiences of others rather than relying on stereotypes.
Practice Empathy: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand their perspective.

Bottom Line: -Isms and stereotyping can harm mental health, self-esteem, and social cohesion. Stereotyping can often leads to systemic -isms like racism, sexism, ageism, and other forms of discrimination. Breaking free from stereotypes is essential for creating a fairer, more inclusive world.

APRIL BRINGS SHOWERS; MAY BRINGS…

Posted on by vlaw759

Celebrations, holidays, and observances! Truly, no one could possibly honor all the special days in May.

Celebratory Days in May

First there are the dailies. Only 31 days in the month, yet there are 486 (!) daily holidays and observances. If you are reading this blog the day it is posted (May 12), 224 of these opportunities have already passed you by for 2026. You are probably aware of Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day, maybe even celebrated them. But (probably) missed opportunities include

Beltane Fire on Uisneach Hill in Ireland

Beltane (or Là Bealltainn or Boaltinn or Boaldyn)
Global Love Day
Tuba Day
World Beer Pong Day AND World Naked Gardening Day, both on May 2
Paranormal Day
National Orange Juice Day
National Silence the Shame Day
Great American Grump Out Day
World Asthma Day
National Deaf Interpreter Day
Make a Book Day (Thursday of National Family Reading Week)
World Donkey Day
Mother Ocean Day

And soooo many more. Of course, there’s always next year. It pays to plan ahead (perhaps plant something soft in anticipation of Naked Gardening Day 2027).

All isn’t lost, though. There are 10 opportunities to celebrate just today (May 12) including National Nutty Fudge Day and Limerick Day. My long-time favorite limerick was composed at St Lawrence University during a graduation ceremony—every year there was some faculty challenge during that event—by a member of the Physics Department, Peter Oesper.

There was a young lady named Ruth
Who made love in a telephone booth.
Her father, dismayed,
Cried, “Ruth, you’ve been laid!”
“No, stood up if you must know the truth,”

Peter Oesper

Try your hand at a limerick and share?

Celebratory Weeks in May

Of curse weekly celebrations and observances abound in May—130, in fact. A couple of things to note about the weekly listings: 1) several of the earliest ones actually started in April; and 2) some are not a full week, just too long to be a daily.

Here are some examples of celebrations for people who don’t want to feel pushed by a one-day limit. Of course—for you, dear reader—some must await next year. These include the 27 weekly observances that are always the first full week in May. And among others

How could you not be kind to this smiling face?

Reading is Fun Week and National Children’s Book Week
Be Kind to Animals Week and National Pet Week
National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week
National Children’s Mental Health Week
International Clitoris Awareness Week (which should be every week?)
National Wildflower Week
National Raisin Week
Root Canal Appreciation Week (Really? Really.)

But if you jump on it today, you can still celebrate worthy observances: National Nurses Week, and UN Road Safety Week through today; National Hug Holiday Week and World Cocktail Week today and tomorrow (May 13).

Paramedic students in a disaster drill on LIRR
Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

Some might say the best is yet to come in May. You may find joy in one or more of the following in the days ahead:

The Biggest Week in American Birding (which is actually 9 days)
Reading is Fundamental Week (in case you hadn’t noticed my priorities)
National Sun Safety Week
National Polka Weekend (22-24)
Mudbug Madness Days (Shreveport, LA)
National Etiquette Week
Emergency Medical Services Week (preferably from a distance)
International Pickles Week (I celebrate dill, the others not so much)
Frog Jumping Jubilee Days (Calaveras County, CA)
National Bike to Work Week

Celebrate All Month Long

If even a week is too constraining—or just doesn’t have enough time to do it properly—go for one of the 118 Monthly Holidays and Observances. Trust me, there is something here for everyone! Just a few far-flung examples:

How good is your posture right now?

American Wetlands Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Be Kind to Animals Month (for when a single week isn’t enough!)
Correct Posture Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Gifts from the Garden Month
International Drum Month (though my drumming days are behind me)
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Smile Month
Women’s Health Care Month
National Vinegar Month (there are at least 15 different types.)
Personal History Awareness Month

This blog barely scratches the surface of the momentous options available for days, weeks, or all month long!

Bottom Line: All told, you have 734 opportunities to celebrate, observe and/or hone your awareness. If you don’t, it won’t be for lack of options.

DO WE REALLY NEED MORE THERAPISTS?

Posted on by vlaw759

My Ph.D. is in Experimental Social Psychology. Though I was not a clinician, an article in the print edition of a recent Wall Street Journal grabbed my attention: Where Have All the Male Therapists Gone? (Published online as What Will Happen When All the Male Therapists are Gone? [March 12, 2026]) “… in the mid-1960s, the ratio of men to women in the field was 80 to 20. Today, that ratio has flipped.” (Going forward, any citation from that article will be marked **.) This is a great article, and I suggest you read it if you can.

“The main consequence of the feminization of psychology is the topics that are worked on,” says [Martin] Seligman. “From the 1960s through the 1980s, it was aggression, conflict and trauma, but not love, meaning, friendship or cooperation.” **

Women In Psychological Research

One might see this switch in research focus as “natural” when more women are researchers. In the early 20th Century, mainstream psychological research largely excluded women. When women were included in the research population, their data were interpreted through male-centered perspectives. That is, researchers assumed the male results to be the standard. Early psychology often pathologized women.

The psychology of women emerged as a distinct field and gained momentum during the rise of the feminist movement. Feminists challenged these biases, leading to research focused on women’s experiences, gender roles, identity, and the social and cultural factors affecting women’s mental health.

In 1973 the American Psychological Association (APA) established Division 35, the Society for the Psychology of Women, formalizing the field’s recognition. Since then, the field has expanded to include intersectional perspectives, exploring how race, class, sexuality, and other factors intersect with gender.

Downside for Men

male therapists

Though this change to less violent and more humane research has much to recommend it, Seligman sees less research on therapy and issues for boys and men as a downside. ** While I applaud psychology for—finally—recognizing the distinct experiences and needs of women, the current imbalance is equally regrettable. The male psyche is becoming less the norm than an aberration. According to Mark Kiselica, “They are greatly influenced by models that look at how boys and men are flawed rather than about boys and men are different.” ** It truly is a a reversal of psychology researchers’ bias.

Issues of bias aside, there is strong evidence that men are struggling today. In 2023, suicide rates for men were approximately four times higher than for women. Overall, men account for about 77% of suicides, while women make up about 23%, showing a stark gender difference in suicide mortality.

Roughly 15% of U.S. men aged 21-25 reported a major depressive episode in 2024. “It’s estimated that roughly 1 in 5 men suffer from some form of mental illness—a share that has increased from 13.6% in 2008.” **

Men are significantly less likely than women to seek therapy due to societal expectations, stigma, and perceptions that mental health issues are not “manly.” This may be changing—albeit slowly. “In 2024, 17.3% of men sought some form of counseling up from 8.7% in 2002.” **

Gender Wage Gap

Unintended—though probably not surprising—side effects of women becoming the majority of clinicians include lower pay and less prestige.

When Katherine Johnson was a computer programmer at NASA, it was considered “women’s work” and not well-paid.

Jobs with higher female representation typically pay less, even when requiring similar skill levels. This phenomenon is linked to occupational segregation and undervaluation of “feminine” work. In 2024, women in management, professional, and related occupations earned about 74 cents for every dollar earned by men in similar roles.

Indeed, women earn less than men across occupations, including those dominated by women.

Women earn significantly less than men for the same job. Depending on the source, the average pay gap ranges from 15-24%. Case in point, the recent negotiations for equal pay in the WNBA!

But it’s all relative! Even if male therapists earn more than female therapists, they are less likely to pursue careers in lower-paying professional fields.

But, truly, how important is the dearth of male therapists?

True, men who work in male-dominated fields are more likely to prefer a male therapist who “speaks the same language.” Nevertheless, only 40% of men expressed a gender preference for their therapist, and of those half preferred a woman. **

Clinicians agree that a well-trained therapist can work effectively with both male and female clients. Furthermore, research has found no differences between male and female therapists in their effectiveness or client outcomes.**

Lack of Therapists

So perhaps the real problem is the dearth of therapists overall.

The United States currently faces a significant shortage of therapists and mental health professionals relative to the demand for mental health services. Several factors may be contributing to this need.

Growing Mental Health Awareness
Increasing awareness and reduced stigma around mental health have led more people to seek therapy and counseling.

High Demand vs. Supply Gap
Many regions, especially rural and underserved urban areas, have insufficient numbers of therapists, leading to long wait times and limited access.

Rising Mental Health Challenges
The prevalence of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other disorders has increased, partly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and social stressors.

Workforce Shortages
The mental health workforce is aging, with many professionals nearing retirement and fewer new therapists entering the field than needed.

Insurance and Cost Barriers
Even where therapists exist, cost and insurance coverage can limit access, making the demand for affordable, accessible therapy even more pressing.

Bottom Line: Expanding the mental health workforce with more therapists can improve access, reduce wait times, and support better mental health outcomes.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Posted on by vlaw759

It’s everywhere! What was once outdated, a thing of the past, is experiencing a resurgence of popularity. Younger generations are exploring things familiar to their grandparents. The trend seems to be driven by nostalgia and/or a desire to “unplug.”

Food Goes Around and Comes Around

Why the comeback? This trend is rooted in a desire for comfort, authenticity, and sustainability. Many of these dishes are inherently plant-forward, use whole ingredients, and minimize food waste—aligning with modern values of mindful eating.

Nostalgic recipes draw chefs and home cooks with their versatility and affordability, making them perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to festive gatherings. The America We Remember channel on YouTube has many videos explaining nostalgic recipes.

The revival of old-fashioned foods often blends nostalgia with modern twists. Beloved classics are making a comeback, inspired by grandma’s kitchen and retro kitchens alike.

Comforting Casseroles & One-Pot Meals

Many people are reimagining these low-mess meals with healthier ingredients or gourmet touches. Once staples of mid-century dinner tables, these dishes are now celebrated for their simplicity and heartwarming appeal. Home cooks and chefs alike seek to recreate the cozy, soul-satisfying meals of yesteryear.

Other Nostalgic Foods Coming Back

Wedge salad: iceberg lettuce gets respectable again (here because I didn’t want it to stand alone!)

Salisbury steak

Cream-based soups (like Cream of Mushroom or Chicken) are also reappearing on menus

Chili dogs, often elevated with artisanal buns, house-made chili, or organic dairy

Fondue

Retro Desserts with a Modern Twist

Wacky Cake (a Depression-era wonder made without eggs or milk)

Jell-O molds are becoming popular again for their playful, creative potential, which people often feature in themed dinner parties

Chocolate-chip cookies baked from scratch, with bakers experimenting with heirloom recipes and high-quality ingredients

Classic Drinks & Snacks

  • Orange Julius, a mall staple from the ’80s and ’90s, with modern versions blending retro flavors and fresh ingredients
  • Jolt Cola, with “all the sugar and twice the caffeine!”
  • Old Fashioned
  • Negroni
  • Cosmopolitan
    • Bars are reporting increased demand from both older fans reliving their youth and younger generations eager to experience the retro drink.

Vodka-based drinks such as Appletinis and French Martinis are also making a comeback, embraced for their simplicity and versatility.

Food and Wine has named the “Guilty Pleasure” cocktail trend featuring drinks like Cosmos, Lemon Drops, and Lychee Martinis as the 2025 Drink Trend of the Year, reflecting a broader appetite for fun, indulgent, and nostalgic flavors.

Games Go Around and Come Around

Younger generations are re-discovering the excitement of playing games with someone IRL (in real life). A mix of nostalgia, accessibility, and innovation is driving the retro game revival.

Monopoly is the most popular board game, with over 275 million copies sold since 1935. Worldwide, there are over 500 million players. It also holds the Guinness World Record for having the most people playing at once (over 900!). Monopoly’s lowest popularity occurred during World War II when the war effort eliminated metal tokens and disrupted the game’s production in many countries. In 2025, 37% of U.S. consumers reporting playing it. The Pop Culture Hall of Fame inducted Monopoly as a Brand for 2025.

Mahjong is gaining popularity among young people, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, becoming a trendy social activity and a way to build community. Over the past year, interest has surged, partly driven by social media content and a desire to connect in person rather than online. Events like mahjong nights in cities such as San Francisco are drawing young crowds, blending tradition with modern socializing. Even interior designers are noticing the trend, with more requests for mahjong tables in home projects. The game’s nostalgic appeal, especially for young Asian Americans, has also contributed to its rising popularity.

Classic Games Reimagined

Many older games have been re-released with updated components, streamlined rules, or digital integrations, making them more appealing to today’s audiences. Additionally, the rise of board game cafes, streaming platforms, and social media has reintroduced these titles to new generations.

Chess, both as a game and a digital experience, is experiencing a renaissance in 2026, driven by the fusion of AI, esports, and the timeless appeal of strategy. The integration of AI into chess has not only enhanced how players learn and improve but also reignited global interest in the game as a digital sport. Magnus Carlsen, the world-renowned chess champion, has publicly stated that chess is “made for the digital age,” emphasizing its adaptability and relevance in today’s tech-driven world.

Catan (Settlers of Catan), Codenames, Dungeons and Dragons, Ticket to Ride, War of the Ring, Root, Dixit, and Azul are all seeing similar adaptations.

Card Games Going Digital

Card games are experiencing a resurgence, both in digital and physical formats.

Classic card games are benefiting from streamlined interfaces and the ability to play online, making them more appealing to both nostalgic players and younger audiences. Even retro and party-style card games are seeing a revival, blending nostalgia with modern accessibility.

The rise of digital card games is being driven by their convenience and accessibility, allowing players to enjoy quick matches that fit into busy schedules. This trend is reflected in the growing popularity of titles like Pokémon TCG and Hearthstone, which continue to attract new and returning players.

The physical trading card game (TCG) market is thriving, with a projected value of $11.8 billion by 2030, up from $7.8 billion in 2025, signaling robust growth and renewed interest.

This comeback isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about adaptability. Digital card games, in particular, align with the way people play today, offering bite-sized experiences that fit into modern lifestyles.

Puzzles

Puzzles of all sorts are attracting new fans as a preferred way to unwind and reconnect with tactile, screen-free activities.

Vintage and wooden jigsaw puzzles are making a comeback, especially among seniors, due to their emotional and mental benefits.

Round wooden puzzle designs and 3D puzzles are also gaining popularity in 2025.

Hobbies Go Around and Come Around

This retro movement is often referred to as Granny hobbies. According to an NBC video, as social media fatigue grows among Gen Z, many are turning to “old fashioned” hobbies as a way to disconnect from screens and spend more time offline doing traditional crafts. “Grandma hobby” lovers embrace the homemade: décor, meals, and vintage household items.

  • Fiber arts, from cross-stitch to needlework
  • Gardening
  • Baking from scratch
  • Calligraphy
  • Knitting
  • Gardening and plant care
  • Pottery
  • Canning and preserving

The appeal lies not just in nostalgia but in the tangible joy of creating something with your hands and the mental health benefits of slowing down. Young people are turning to old-school hobbies to get off their phones.

Fashion Goes Around and Comes Around

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According to my reading, fashion is embracing nostalgia in 2026, with vintage styles from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s leading the trends, but occasionally going back even farther.

Some of the most likely vintage trends include pillbox hats, shell jewelry, tassels, bold animal prints like leopard and tiger, plus vibrant colors such as cobalt blue.

The 1970s are particularly popular, with flared skirts and boho chic.

Trends from the 1980s are reappearing: bold patterns, layered accessories, and statement outerwear. Chocolate brown is a key color, reflecting a broader movement toward rich, earthy tones and expressive designs.

Fashion houses predict that corset tops, especially those from designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, are predicted to be big in 2026. Tassel necklaces and vintage-inspired handbags, such as those from Louis Vuitton, are also expected to be everywhere, offering a touch of retro glamour.

Bottom Line: What’s old is new again!