There’ll be scary ghost storied and tales of glories of Christmases long, long ago ~Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams (1927-2012) (What’s the science behind being able to recover when looking at a tree?)
Waaaay back when I was in college, a friend and I visited his father’s business, a lab that produced toiletries for small companies to sell under their own labels.
He showed me containers of ground fish scales they used to create opalescence and add opacity to, not just lipstick, but all sorts of cosmetics and personal care products.
As far as I know, no synthetic has yet replaced them….
Even cleansing products, like liquid hand soap, shampoo, and dish detergent, if they look thick and pearly, are given that appearance by the addition of tiny flakes of sanitised fish scales.
In the book “The Bobbsey Twins’ Wonderful Winter Secret,” Mr. Bobbsey said, “Ghosts and Christmas don’t seem to go together.” My response was “Oh, yeah? What about ‘A Christmas Carol?’” And this was back in 1971, when I was just ten years old!
I’ve had two hospital stays, once when I broke my leg and once when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes; and I don’t remember looking at trees either time.
I would hear that line “scary ghost stories” and wondered where that came from… the ghosts in “A Christmas Carol” didn’t seem all that scary in the traditional sense, but now I know… :-)
Recover faster when they see trees? No kidding. Let’s see, what’s more pleasing; looking at cinder blocks or trees.? Petting a kitten or listening to 3 hours of C-Span? Eating a banana or being struck by a car while you’re out walking? Looking at roadkill or a beautiful sunset?….
My father was in the hospital for a month and a half. We could look east from his window and see a hill with a park and trees. But, the hospital had a construction project going on. A new wing was erected, blocking the the view.
The ghost stories thing actually makes sense to me, but in todays highly secularized and monetized celebrations it no doubt sounds weird. Traditionally, winter is a time of slowing down and turning inward. Along with the celebrations and staving off the effects of a cold and dreary time, it would be a time to reflect on the year and look at what went right and what went wrong, looking at ways to let go of what no longer serves and preparing yourself for the rebirth of spring, purging yourself of ghosts and skeletons and setting your resolve (new year resolutions) for the new year.
Visited a patient some time ago who had a room where she could see the helicopter landing area. Probably thought the copter was coming thru the window.
TURTLE over 5 years ago
We always played ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Christmas Eve. I wonder which one of my siblings has that record?
Templo S.U.D. over 5 years ago
There’ll be scary ghost storied and tales of glories of Christmases long, long ago ~Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams (1927-2012) (What’s the science behind being able to recover when looking at a tree?)
Aussie Down Under over 5 years ago
Is this the origin of “ghost of Christmas” ? it would make a Dickens of a story !
Breadboard over 5 years ago
The tree of life comes to mind ………. there are many other strange things put in lipstick other than fish scales
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 5 years ago
Waaaay back when I was in college, a friend and I visited his father’s business, a lab that produced toiletries for small companies to sell under their own labels.
He showed me containers of ground fish scales they used to create opalescence and add opacity to, not just lipstick, but all sorts of cosmetics and personal care products.
As far as I know, no synthetic has yet replaced them….
Even cleansing products, like liquid hand soap, shampoo, and dish detergent, if they look thick and pearly, are given that appearance by the addition of tiny flakes of sanitised fish scales.
It goes back at least 100 years!
therese_callahan2002 over 5 years ago
In the book “The Bobbsey Twins’ Wonderful Winter Secret,” Mr. Bobbsey said, “Ghosts and Christmas don’t seem to go together.” My response was “Oh, yeah? What about ‘A Christmas Carol?’” And this was back in 1971, when I was just ten years old!
jasonsnakelover over 5 years ago
I’m gonna pass on kissing fish.
I’ve had two hospital stays, once when I broke my leg and once when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes; and I don’t remember looking at trees either time.
Take care and may God bless.
sheilag over 5 years ago
I would hear that line “scary ghost stories” and wondered where that came from… the ghosts in “A Christmas Carol” didn’t seem all that scary in the traditional sense, but now I know… :-)
Huckleberry Hiroshima over 5 years ago
The trees as healing thing makes sense. But then, I’m just an old hippie. Drugless hippie. Diseaseless hippie. Okay, I’m not a real hippie.
joefearsnothing over 5 years ago
The pearlescent is also found in oyster shells and used in some eye shadows!
J Short over 5 years ago
Recover faster when they see trees? No kidding. Let’s see, what’s more pleasing; looking at cinder blocks or trees.? Petting a kitten or listening to 3 hours of C-Span? Eating a banana or being struck by a car while you’re out walking? Looking at roadkill or a beautiful sunset?….
wildman-al over 5 years ago
Fish scales on your lips and if you eat doughnuts human hair in your belly.
Jogger2 over 5 years ago
My father was in the hospital for a month and a half. We could look east from his window and see a hill with a park and trees. But, the hospital had a construction project going on. A new wing was erected, blocking the the view.
oakie817 over 5 years ago
https://youtu.be/WwdI-gbm5kE
6turtle9 over 5 years ago
The ghost stories thing actually makes sense to me, but in todays highly secularized and monetized celebrations it no doubt sounds weird. Traditionally, winter is a time of slowing down and turning inward. Along with the celebrations and staving off the effects of a cold and dreary time, it would be a time to reflect on the year and look at what went right and what went wrong, looking at ways to let go of what no longer serves and preparing yourself for the rebirth of spring, purging yourself of ghosts and skeletons and setting your resolve (new year resolutions) for the new year.
Bob. over 5 years ago
Visited a patient some time ago who had a room where she could see the helicopter landing area. Probably thought the copter was coming thru the window.
craigwestlake over 5 years ago
The tradition has NOT died out – that’s what the evening news is for…
marketfog over 5 years ago
So this is where Dickens got the inspiration for Scrooge.
dtegtmeier51 over 5 years ago
As soon as I saw the fish I thought it was going to be about “The Incredible Mr. Limpet”
JastMe over 5 years ago
So BION includes a ghost of an old Christmas tradition?