A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg

habitus  (HAB-i-tuhs)  noun   1.  The physical characteristics of a person, especially as relating to disease.  2. The way someone of a particular social group perceives and responds to the world.  From Latin habit (state, appearance), from habere (to have).  Ultimately from the Indo-European root ghabh- (to give or to receive), which also gave us give, gift, able, habit, prohibit, due, duty, habile, and adhibit.  Earliest documented use:  1886.

Habitat Ready:  Disaster preparedness for homeowners   The safest place during a tornado is a storm shelter or underground room, such as a basement or cellar.  If going underground is not an option and you do not have access to a storm shelter, the next safest place is a small interior room (such as a bathroom, hallway or closet) on the lowest floor, away from windows and exterior walls.  Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning:  Tornado watch:  A tornado is possible. Stay tuned to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or TV for more information and be prepared to seek shelter quickly if necessary.  Tornado warning:  A tornado is expected or occurring. Take shelter immediately.  https://www.habitat.org/our-work/disaster-response/disaster-preparedness-homeowners/tornadoes

 

Wild Mushroom-and-Red Wine Risotto by Grace Parisi  https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/wild-mushroom-and-red-wine-risotto  See also https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/red-wine-risotto-with-peas-recipe-1943940

 

Identical twins Francis and Freeland Stanley produced the most famous steam car in the world.  Their first project failed, but in 1897 they produced a steam car that could run at 27 miles an hour.  A Stanley race car that could go 128 miles an hour was advertised as the “Fastest Stock Car in the World.”  Car production continued through 1927, and a liquidation sale was held in 1929.  See picture at https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/recent_news/vintage-autos-stanley-brothers-made-their-mark-with-steam/article_37aae36c-f328-51bc-ab1d-514f939e1d83.html

 

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or strawberry pear, looks like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book:  On the outside, it’s a pink oval with green scales (hence the “dragon” name).  Inside, it has white flesh with tiny black seeds.  It’s indigenous to Mexico and South America.  If you can’t find dragon fruit in your local supermarket, try a specialty food store or Asian market.  Eat the flesh and discard the skin.  Dragon fruit may be grilled.  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/get-to-know-the-incredible-edible-dragon-fruit/

 

Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed literary human character in film and television history, having appeared on screen 254 times as of 2012.  Additionally, many actors have portrayed Sherlock Holmes in audio dramas and stage productions.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_who_have_played_Sherlock_Holmes  The Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Public Library explores literary universes including Holmes, Poe, Lovecraft, Dickens, Dracula and Burroughs.  https://abqlibrary.org/sherlock 

The Cinque Terre, five towns, is a string of five fishing villages perched high on the Italian Riviera in the region Liguria, which until recently were linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water.  An ancient system of footpaths is still the best way to visit the five villages:  Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.  Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces to cultivate grapes and olives on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean Sea.  The Cinque Terre, recognized in 1997 by the Unesco Mankind's World Heritage, are today a National Park and Protected Marine Area with the aim of protecting this great cultural heritage and natural environment.  https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/

 

Tuscan Shrimp with White Beans  four servings   recipe courtesy of Michael Chiarello   https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/tuscan-shrimp-with-white-beans-recipe-1945270

                                                    

Little Old New York is a 1923 American silent historical drama film starring Marion Davies was based on a play of the same name by Rida Johnson Young.  The film was produced by William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan production unit.   In her 17th film, Marion Davies stars in a dual role as Patricia and Patrick O'Day.  This was Davies' first teaming with silent actor Harrison Ford.  This lavish historical drama was filmed in New York City and directed by Sidney Olcott.  Hearst had an exact replica of Fulton's Clermont built and staged the famous river race on the Hudson in January.  On February 18, 1923, a fire swept through the Cosmopolitan Studio, basically destroying the studio and all its contents.  The film's negatives were saved (it was about two-thirds completed), and production began anew at several other local studios.  All of the sets and costumes had to be re-created.  The film premiered at the Cosmopolitan, a movie theatre owned by William Randolph Hearst, located at Columbus Circle in New York City. The film was a triumph for Marion Davies, and she was named "Queen of the Screen" and the #1 female box-office star of 1923 at the annual theater owners ball (Rudolph Valentino was named #1 male star).  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Old_New_York_(1923_film)

 

The high cost of wine in Ohio has become the subject of heated debate after a Cleveland newspaper reported that Buckeyes pay more for a bottle than anyone in the country.  Liquor laws in Ohio add at least 135 percent to the cost of wine, according to a study by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which means that consumers pay between one-quarter to one-half more for a bottle than wine drinkers in other states.  Tim Fish  https://www.winespectator.com/articles/irate-ohio-consumers-ask-state-to-lower-wine-prices-21215 

http://librariansmuse.blogspot.com  Issue 2485  January 21, 2022