The fourth finger on the left hand (counting from the thumb to the left) was believed to enclose a special vein that was connected directly to the heart. This ancient belief had its origin in ancient Egypt and then continued with the Greeks and Romans. The belief was denominated in the Latin phrase, ‘vena amoris’, translated to mean ‘vein of love’.
Archival evidence dated to 6,000 years ago, established the commonly held belief that the first examples of wedding rings were found in ancient Egypt. Relics, including papyrus scrolls, are evidence of the exchange of braided rings of hemp or reeds between the spouses.
Western customs of wearing wedding rings traced to ancient Rome and Greece, were transmitted to the present through Christendom in Europe, which adopted the pagan customs.
Historically, the wedding ring was connected to the exchange of valuables at the moment of the wedding rather than as a symbol of eternal love and devotion. It was a sign of “earnest money”. According to the 1549 edition of the ‘Book of Common Prayer, used by the Anglican Communion, as well as by other Christian churches, note: after the words “with this ring I thee wed” at which point the groom was supposed to hand a leather purse filled with gold and silver coins to the bride. It is a relic of a time when marriage was a contract between families, not individuals lovers.
There's a chill in the air; how about something warm and comforting for dinner? Our Hearty Chicken & Corn Soup is going to warm up your kitchen and the hearts of everyone gathered around the kitchen table. There's nothing better than a creamy soup studded with corn, spinach, potatoes, and tender chicken. This is hearty and comforting at its best.
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 5 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 (14-3/4-ounce) cans cream-style corn
- 1 (9-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- In a soup pot over medium heat, melt butter; sauté onion and carrots 5 to 6 minutes, or until tender. Add chicken broth and potatoes.
- Bring to a boil and cook 12 to 15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Add remaining ingredients and cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until heated through. Serve immediately.
1932 – Suzy Parker, American actress (d. 2003)
October 28th sets aside National First Responders Day to honor the men and women who act quickly when an emergency is at hand.
First responders dedicate their lives to save lives. They are the people who run toward a crisis while the rest of the world flees. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 4.6 million career and volunteer first responders support the communities where they live. They are firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians (EMT), and paramedics. In an emergency, they’re the first on the scene. These dedicated professionals answer the call when a crisis arises, often putting their own lives on the line.
Serving as a national day of gratitude, we pay tribute to their endless hours and around the clock service provided to their communities. As one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, the day also pays tribute to the fallen first responders. According to the CDC, 97 firefighters and 155 police officers die each year in the line of duty. Additionally, their rate of occupational injury is higher than the national average. Often, the very people saving lives are our neighbors, friends and family members. And their families know the price they pay for their dedication to the job.
And even though they are an integral part of our communities, their sacrifices go beyond the hours they work. They face high stress, often daily. The trauma they see wears on them both mentally and physically. Many experience Post Traumatic Stress. Long periods away from family add stress to their relationships, too.
National First Responders Day is also a call for action. First responders deserve our support. Through resources and awareness, first responders can live healthier more productive lives and pass their knowledge and skills on to the next generation of first responders, too.
Today is also........
How is chocolate made?
- Unsweetened baking chocolate – cocoa solids and cocoa butter in varying proportions.
- Sweet chocolate – cocoa solids, cocoa butter or other fat and sugar.
- Milk chocolate – sweet chocolate with milk powder or condensed milk.
- White chocolate – cocoa butter, sugar, and milk but no cocoa solids.