Dona Nobis Pacem

For this is a time for courage and a time for challenge. Neither conformity nor complacency will do. Neither the fanatics nor the faint-hearted are needed. And our duty as a party is not to our party alone, but to the Nation, and, indeed., to all mankind. Our duty is not merely the preservation of political power but the preservation of peace and freedom.

So let us not be petty when our cause is so great. Let us not quarrel amongst ourselves when our Nation's future is at stake. Let us stand together with renewed confidence in our cause--united in our heritage of the past and our hopes for the future--and determined that this land we love shall lead all mankind into new frontiers of peace and abundance. - John F. Kennedy

Thursday Thirteen #780

1. I've been seeing commercials for products that I hadn't noticed in a long time, like Lipton Tea, Quaker Oats, and Nestle Crunch chocolate bar. I'm assuming these are products that people aren't buying because of price increases. (I've not a seen a Nestle Crunch bar on the store shelves in years; have they brought this one back because of the chocolate shortage?)

2. We are shopping with our budget in mind, too. We are sticking to the necessities. We do consider peanut butter and Ritz crackers to be necessities. I stopped drinking tea two years ago when I developed an ulcer and never returned to drinking it; I drink only water these days.

3. I priced frozen turkeys in the store the other day; a Butterball was $2.99 a pound, while a different brand was $1.99 a pound. The Butterball costs almost as much as a steak used to.

4. A good ribeye steak at the supermarket costs $11.99 a pound.

5. My father asked me how I liked paying Biden's prices; I responded that he doesn't have anything to do with it. He laughed at me and said it was all his fault.

6. However, inflation is worldwide. We're at an inflation rate of about 8.5%; the United Kingdom is at 10.1%. Canada is at 8.1%, Turkey's jumped 79%, and Australia's is at 6.1%. Goods from China don't have as far to travel, I guess.

7. Corporate profits are currently at all-time highs, so much of this "inflation" is being fueled by greed. "A study in April that found corporate profits accounted for more than half of the price growth between 2020 and 2021 in the non-finance corporate sector, which makes up about 75% of the private sector." - ABC News

8. "Despite rising inflation, major U.S. corporations are reporting record profits, as companies pass rising supply-chain costs onto consumers. . . .  concentrated market power is contributing to inflation. - PBS News

9. It really doesn't matter the reason; if people stop buying Lipton tea because it now costs $5.49 for 75 tea bags, then there eventually will be a drop in prices as the products sit on the shelf.

10. In the cattle market, a piece of beef has to go through many hands to reach the consumer. We, the little farmer, send our calves to market and we receive about $1.25 a pound, on average. From there it goes to a feed lot, which fattens our grass-fed cattle up with grains. They sell the fatter cattle to the meat processor, who sells it to the grocery store. Everyone has to get a share of the sale, with the consumer paying the end price that is ultimately passed down the line. If the farmer only receives $1.25 a pound for a ribeye steak on the hoof, I am not sure who is getting that other $10 plus that the grocery stores are selling the meat for. There's a profit margin or a greater expense (fuel, perhaps?) there somewhere that wasn't there for the last 10 years (our prices haven't increased much over the past decade), and it's not on our end, not after we pay for fertilizer for the pastures, required vaccinations for the cattle (yes, there are required vaccines), and the machinery it takes to make the hay to keep them well fed.

11. Many people have no idea how food goes from farm to table. I think some of them think the grocery store just spawns it out in the warehouse in back of the building.

12. My point is, the economy is much more complex than people realize, by the time one factors in supply and demand, costs of production, and shareholders' desire for increased profits. It's not something any one person, not even the president, can snap their fingers and change, not in this day and age. Maybe he could have made a difference before 1980, when we had regulations and large mergers were not allowed by the government. But not today.

13. The thing I remember, always, when dealing with prices and economics I cannot control, is that the experts don't know, either. In 1987, when we built our house, the interest rate was 13 percent on the loan we took out. Economists were shouting that was as low as the interest rates for a mortgage would ever go. We refinanced several times as the rates dropped; they reached a low of what, 3 percent? So, the talking heads don't know. They can't predict the future any better than I can.

___________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 780th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Past Peak

 

This has been one of the prettier Autumns we've had in a long time. For a number of years, the leaves have had a bit of color, turned brown, and departed quickly, but this year has been quite lovely.

It's been an Autumn like the ones I remember from my childhood.

Dispelling a Myth

Occasionally, I see weird stuff cross my Facebook feed, generally from people who seem incredibly obsessed with sexual items, gender identity, and children, to the point where I think they may have a mental illness of some sort.

One of the weirder ones that some local folks continually insist is happening in our schools it something called "furries."

Allegedly, this involves young people dressing up as animals, speaking only as that animal would, and using litter boxes.

Reuters looked into this in July and found absolutely no instances of this taking place in public schools, yet there is a segment of the population that insists this happens. The New York Times refuted it in January.

There is not a single legitimate news site that pops up that corroborates anything about this. While some might consider The New York Times to lean left, Reuters is, as best I can tell, one of the most middle-ground news media groups out there.

I certainly do not think it is happening in my local public schools, even though I see posts that insist it is. There are never facts involved, just hearsay (my friend said her friend said she saw it happen) and I honestly find the people posting these things can trip out mentally over practically anything - they are incredibly sensitive and easily riled up over any perceived slight that doesn't meet their idea of a perfect world, whatever that is.

I do not believe this is happening at all, except maybe in some cosplay somewhere (like pretending to be a superhero), and in the minds of folks who apparently need better things to do with their time.

But let's pretend, just for a moment, that this allegation is true. That all over the United States, we have a percentage of children who are dressing up as dogs or cats.

Nobody asks why this would be happening. Why would children suddenly want to be animals?

Might it be because we take better care of our pets than our children?

Perhaps they see momma kissing on the pup while she screams at the kids?

Or they see dad idly stroking the purring cat while he's looking at his smart phone, and then yells at the kids for distracting him?

If this is a constant in their world, wouldn't the children, at some point, conclude that the parents love the animals more than they love their children? Wouldn't they do whatever they felt they had to obtain their parents' attention and love?

And if this is the case, then don't we have a parenting problem, not a school problem? Don't we have here a perfect (though fictional) example of horrid parenting gone wrong?

But these posts never blame the parents, never consider what might cause this kind of action on the part of a child. The posts just announce their horror that the school system might be taking this seriously and adding litter boxes to the bathrooms.

As I said earlier, I think this involves a sick mental illness on the part of the protesting posters, who want desperately to believe this kind of thing is actually happening for whatever reason.

It is part of the weirdness we have going on right now - we have a subset of the population who literally are making up stuff to upset other people. These folks who believe these types of lies and fairy tales are living in an alternate reality, some kind of fantasy that I cannot pretend to understand. Nor do I want to.

Instead of simply passing on stuff as truth and being outraged about it, whatever happened to asking questions, such as why would this be happening? Or doing a little fact checking to see if it's real or just some strange thing someone's put out there to rile up nervous people?

What will it take to shake some of these folks out of their bubble, and back into the real world?

Autumn Leaves

 

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. What did you do today?

A. So far, I've done laundry, mostly.

2. What are 5 facts about where you live?

A. The county has about 33,000 people. The budget is over $105 million. The county formed in 1770. The county seat is called Fincastle. At one time, this was the second-highest tomato producing county in the entire nation (about 1900).

3. What are the must-sees sights around you?

A. Natural Bridge, the Mill Mountain Star, Roaring Run falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, and me.

4. What’s your favorite restaurant meal?

A. A vegetable plate.

5. What was the last thing you cooked or ate?

A. A ham and cheese sandwich.

6. What is something you learned from your grandparents?

A. I learned that grandmas give good hugs, and grandpas give good advice. Grandmas give good advice, too. (Grandpa wasn't much of a hugger.)

7. What’s the weather like as you are writing your postcard?

A. Today it is overcast and a bit cool. We are expecting rain for Halloween tomorrow.

8. Share an interesting fact that you’ve learned, and which most people are not aware of.

A. The Town of Fincastle was formed in 1772 and was originally called Miller's Mill.

8. Are there any local events or festivals in your area?

A. Not at the moment.

9. What was the last concert you attended?

A. Tommy Emanuel, a famous guitar player.

10. What is your favorite charitable organization?

A. I don't really have a favorite, but I donate to my alma mater, the local rescue mission, the American Heart Association, the Red Cross, and others, at various times throughout the year. I like to spread it out and not do it all at one time.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Haunted

Saturday 9: Haunted (2013)

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, Beyonce sings that she's sure if a man is haunting her thoughts, she must be haunting his. Who is on your mind this morning?

A. My late friend, Brenda. I've been thinking about her for a while now. I miss her calm advice and her tolerance of my whining.

2) The lyrics mention her "wicked tongue." Have you said anything recently that you wish you could take back?

A. Oh, I'm the queen of "I'm sorry." I called my brother earlier in the week to apologize for not minding my own business.

3) Beyonce says her lucky number is 4. Her birthday is 9/4, her mom's birthday is 1/4 and her husband's birthday is 12/4. She chose 4/4 for her wedding day. Do you have a lucky number?

A. Eight, although in numerology it's 6.

 

4) Beyonce told an interviewer that, while on the road, she loves to eat Popeye's fried chicken and the fast-food chain offered her free food for life. She admits she's been too embarrassed to take them up on it. If you could get free food for life from any restaurant, which restaurant would you choose?

A. A cafeteria. I actually like cafeteria food and they have nice healthy varieties of stuff, like salads and broccoli. I know I am weird.

These questions will help us get into the Halloween spirit . . . 

5) Candy corn is a trick-or-treat staple. Do you like it?

A. I cannot stand it.

6) In 2019, the most popular pet costume was a pumpkin outfit designed for dogs. Have you ever dressed your pet in a costume?

A. I have not. I wonder what I would dress a cow as. Hmm.

7) According to the Guinness Book of Records, the award for highest number of jack-o-lanterns in one place went to Keene, NH, where in 2013 there were 30,581. How many carved pumpkins will be at your home on Halloween?

A. None. We are too rural for trick-or-treaters, and it's too much trouble for just the two of us.

 

8) In years gone by, the Irish celebrated Halloween not with pumpkins but by carving turnips, potatoes and beets. Are any of those foods in your kitchen right now?

A. There's a can of beets in the pantry, and Bob Evans mashed potatoes in the refrigerator. 

 

9) Some Elvis fans believe they have seen his ghost hovering in the trees over Graceland. Have you ever seen a ghost?

A. I have been seeing ghosts since I was a child, though I haven't seen any recently. Of course, I haven't been anywhere recently, either.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.  

Poem

There's nothing left to do but surrender

When you know that you have reached the end.

Some cuts are too deep for the healing

And the scars that they leave are your friends.

It was written in the stars

that this is who you are.

Even with the pain, even with the strife

You know you live a beautiful life.

                            -- A. Firebaugh (c) 2022

Thursday Thirteen

The approach of winter can sometimes bring about a condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression. Here are some tips for handling it.

1. Get outside as much as possible. Morning light in particular seems helpful. Even sunlight on your hands helps create Vitamin D, which is something a lot of folks lack.

2. Stay active. Exercising is helpful not only for physical health, but mental health, too.

3. Try light therapy. They make lights that help people with SAD. Use it in the morning so it doesn't interfere with sleep.

4. Get enough rest. (If you're having a particularly bad day, sometimes taking a nap helps. You might wake up in a better mood.)

5. Practice good oral hygiene. Flossing and brushing your teeth helps by (1) being an activity anyone can quickly do and feel accomplished and (2) keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

6. Watch your diet. It's easy to overeat when you feel stressed and out of sorts. Put away the candy and snack on something healthy, like an apple or grapes.

7. Keep in touch with friends. Even reaching out with a little "hello" text to someone you don't speak to on a regular basis can help. Go back through the list of folks you've interacted with in the past. Is there someone you don't talk to now that might welcome you if you reach out?

8. Listen to music - but not too loudly. Music can be soothing, but don't add hearing loss to your list of woes!

9. Try not to think about yourself too much. Maybe your bones creak and things are sagging in all the wrong places, but we all grow old. Obviously, if something is wrong you need to go to the doctor and have it sorted out, but there's little we can do about the strange changes bodies go through as they age.

10. Practice safe walking. Look for obstacles around your home that might cause a fall, and then remedy the situation. Not only will removing things like throw rugs or furniture that's sticking out in the wrong place keep you from falling, you'll also get a sense of accomplishment from making your home safer.

11. Try yoga or tai chi. Videos can be helpful here. Check out what's on youtube for free.

12. Meditate. (This is actually a little harder than you might think but give it a go.)

13. If all else fails, see your doctor. There are medications that can help.

___________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 779th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

End of the Hay Season

 

Who Has This Job?

Recently, we've been seeing a commercial for, um, body deodorant.

The advertisement specifically mentions it as a deodorant for your butt.

If you google this, you will find some people call this a scam, and perhaps it is. I've not made a purchase to find out and have no plans to do so.

What intrigued me were the statistics in the ad.

After a shower, butt odor is 0/10. But it's 6/10 by the end of the day. Unless, of course, you're using the deodorant. Then it's still 0/10 for odor.

Who determined this?

How did they determine this?

Is there a chief butt sniffer? A team of butt sniffers?

Whose butts are they sniffing? 

Are they paid by the hour or by the sniff?

Are there people who walk the streets with a sign offering payment for butt sniffing?

Do they offer couples free trials of the deodorant for morning and evening sniffs, along with a questionnaire for ratings?

Have they invented a smelling robot, or is there someone sticking their nose up people's butts to smell them at certain times of the day?

Inquiring minds want to know how this statistic is achieved.

(And then I ran across this . . .)

https://youtu.be/OnrICy3Bc2U

Walked It Back

A few weeks ago, I wrote about leaving the fellowship of a video game that I've been playing for over five years.

I am back in that fellowship.

Not only am I back, I am the fellowship leader.

I returned on my own, so this is no one's fault but mine. Playing this city-building game by yourself is a bit boring. But I wasn't stopping. I had hoped the boredom would lead me to quit playing. 

It didn't.

Maybe I needed to give it more than two weeks. I decided, though, that if I were still going to play, I may as well find a fellowship so that the rewards were better. Just until I finished up the current chapter I was in, mind you. It was taking a lot longer than I'd thought it would.

My old fellowship had not yet replaced me. Better the devil you know, right? I had friends there. I asked if I could return, but I said I didn't want to return to my old role of mage in charge behind the scenes.

But upon arriving back into the fellowship, I found it in disarray (fortunately mostly behind the scenes and not in front of the majority of the players). I had greatly underestimated my impact on this group. The leader was incapable of managing the thing alone. Another good player left shortly after I arrived because of something the leader said.

The next thing I knew, I was dragged into this, and then I was the archmage. I agreed to take it because everyone expected me to. 

Things settled down almost immediately.

I still think I need to drop this game. The problem is, I don't have faith in myself to replace it with something as satisfying, or time consuming, or whatever need a video game meets.

It doesn't help to call myself an idiot, but I shouldn't have gone back. I did not expect this turn of events.

If I accept a responsibility, I tend to it, so I will deal with this as best I can now. But I know I need to make changes somewhere. I know I should be using my time better.

I know this isn't permanent.

Motivation, it seems, eludes me. Or maybe it really is an addiction.

Eventually, I will figure this out.

Damn it.

More Autumn

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. What type of day are you having? 

A. I am answering this on a Saturday, and I am having an introspective day wherein I admit to myself that I have many character flaws, and apparently lack of motivation is chief among the many. I don't know how to fix this.

2. Was there anyone who "made your day"?

A. My husband made eggs.

3. Are you liking how you look today? 

A. No, although I have on a Tye-dye t-shirt, and I like that.

4. Have you ever eaten a bug? 

A. I would think so, yes.

5. Are you vegetarian? 

A. No.

6. When was your last paycheck? 

A. I have been self-employed since 1993. So sometime back then. I have been a part of the gig economy before it existed.

7. How many pets do you have? 

A. I have a herd of cows.

8. What kind of toothpaste do you use? 

A. Prescription sensitive toothpaste.

9. Are you closer to being rich or poor? 

A. Depends on how you define "rich" and "poor."

10. What was the last gift someone gave you? 

A. My cousins bought dinner.

11. Do you appreciate that person? 

A. I hadn't seen them in about 30 years, so I guess so.

12. Did you talk to anyone you didn't like today?

A. No, but I looked at some things on Facebook that I didn't like. 

13. Do you like picnics? 

A. I like the kind we have eating in the car. No ants.

14. What book are you currently reading? 

A. Something by Neil Gaiman, I forget the name. Something about the ocean.

15. What song did you last listen to?

A. Sweet Emotion, by Aerosmith.

16. How many tabs are open on your computer?

A. Two at the moment.

17. Are you a very stressed-out person?

A. Oh yes. My anxiety stays through the roof.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Things

Saturday 9: Things (1962)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Bobby Darin is sitting beside his window, looking out onto a crowded avenue. What's the view outside your nearest window?

A. I see oak trees that are yellowing (or browning) as we head toward the "peak" of the leaf-viewing season this Autumn. There is also a yellow tree of some kind, a fence post and wire, and an empty birdfeeder. Sage grass grows in the pasture field, too; it has turned brown.

Out the window.

Sometimes, though, I see something like this:

A doe suckling her twins in the early morning light.

 

2) He likes to remember the romantic things he and his girl used to do, like walking in the park. When did you most recently go for a leisurely stroll? Did you have a destination in mind, or were you just enjoying the walk for its own sake?

A. I don't recall when I last went for a stroll, really. I suppose wandering around The National D-Day Memorial and Poplar Forest last weekend might count. But that was a destination.

3) He notes a couple holding hands. Are you comfortable displaying affection in public?

A. Yes. I have no problem with it.

 

4) When Bobby recorded this song, he was married to screen sweetheart Sandra Dee. Today she is best known as the inspiration for the song, "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee." Can you name another song from Grease?

A. Greased Lightning, Hopelessly Devoted to You.

5) Bobby loved gadgets. He was enthusiastic about his suitcase telephone, which was one of the first mobile phones. Are you an early adapter, or do you wait for new technology to be around awhile and not so new before you try it?

A. I used to be an early adapter, but now I wait. I also keep it as long as it will work. My phone is an iPhone 5SE, if that tells you anything.

 

6) He was a chess fanatic and always kept a magnetic chess board in his briefcase, just in case he found someone who was willing to play him. Are you a good chess player?

A. Not really. I haven't played in a very long time.

 

7) He very much wanted to play Tony in West Side Story, but he didn't the part because the producers didn't think he looked like a romantic leading man. What actor or actress makes your heart skip a beat?

A. Viggo Mortenson as Aragon in Lord of the Rings.

I like the scruffy bad-boy look.

 

8) In 1962, when this song was popular, Jack Nicklaus launched his successful golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf, or watching it on TV?

A. I do not care for either.

9) Random question: Which would we find in your kitchen right now -- cookies or ice cream?

A. Neither, I'm afraid. No ice cream, no cookies. The closest thing we have to a cookie is a rice cake.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.  

Autumn

 

Thursday Thirteen

All About the Commonwealth

1. There is no difference, legally or constitutionally, between a Commonwealth and a State in the USA.

2. There are 4 commonwealths in the US: Virgina, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Massachusetts.

3. This means the full name is actually The Commonwealth of Virginia, not simply Virginia. Same with the other three states.

4. There is a Virginia State University and a Virginia Commonwealth University. Two different places.

5. In the 17th century, "commonwealth" meant an organized political community. Today, we call that a state.

6. The term "commonwealth" was preferred by a number of political writers in the years leading up to 1780, so states that still use this are old school.

7. Each of the commonwealths in the US were once British colonies. Putting "commonwealth" in the state title meant the government was now ruled by a collection of its citizenry, not the English crown.

8. During the American Revolution, the colonies of Massachusetts, Virginia and Pennsylvania declared themselves commonwealths.

9. Kentucky was part of Virginia during the American Revolution. In 1790 when it separated from Virginia, Kentucky chose to retain the commonwealth moniker.

10. Today, "commonwealth" means a political unit having local autonomy, but voluntarily affiliated with the United States, i.e., Puerto Rico and the Northern Marina Islands.

11. Puerto Rico has no vote in the US Congress, just like Washington, D.C. They have representatives there, but those representatives have no vote.

12. They also do not vote for president of the US.

13.   The Commonwealth with a capital C is an association of sovereign states consisting of Britain and a number of countries that were formerly under its rule. Membership in the Commonwealth is voluntary, and not restricted to former colonies; both Mozambique and Rwanda—the two most recent members to join—are members despite having no historical tie to the British Empire.

Now, think about the word itself - or the two words that make it up. Common, meaning everyday (us poor folk), and wealth, meaning whatever goods/etc. one considers to be wealth. A commonwealth, then, is made up of all of the citizenry and their wealth.

___________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 777th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Poplar Forest

About 10 miles from The National D-Day Memorial is Poplar Forest. Poplar Forest is the name of an octagonal home built by Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president, for use as a retreat.

Jefferson inherited 4,819 acres of land and 11 enslaved men, women, and children at Poplar Forest through his father-in-law, John Wayles in 1773. The property’s name, which predates Jefferson’s ownership, reflects the forest that once grew there. Several stately poplars in the front of the home welcome visitors today.

In the early years of his ownership, Jefferson managed Poplar Forest from afar, hiring overseers to manage day-to-day duties, as he practiced law and served in a series of government offices. He and his family, however, did spend two months there in 1781 when they left Monticello to elude British capture at the end of the Revolutionary War. During this visit, Jefferson compiled much of the material for his only book, Notes on the State of Virginia.

In 1806, Jefferson traveled from Washington to supervise the laying of the foundation for the octagonal house that exists today. When his presidency ended in 1809, Jefferson visited the retreat three to four times a year, staying from two weeks to two months at a time. His visits often coincided with the seasonal responsibilities of the working plantation. He also oversaw the ornamentation of the house and grounds, and the planting of his vegetable garden. Family members, most often two granddaughters, Ellen and Cornelia Randolph, often traveled to Poplar Forest with him beginning in 1816.

Jefferson made his last trip to Poplar Forest in 1823 when he settled his grandson, Francis Eppes, on the property. Ill health prevented further visits. In 1828, two years after Jefferson’s death at age 83, Eppes sold Poplar Forest to a neighbor.

The design of Poplar Forest is highly idealistic in concept with only a few concessions to practicality—it was so perfectly suited to Jefferson alone that subsequent owners found it difficult to inhabit and altered it to suit their needs. In 1845 a fire led the family then living at Poplar Forest to convert Jefferson’s villa into a practical farmhouse. The property was privately owned until December 1983 when a nonprofit corporation began the rescue of the landmark for future generations. Visitors today see the house as reconstruction, restoration and preservation, are in progress.  -- Poplar Forest website

Here are photos I took during our visit:

The exterior octagon shape isn't as visible as one would think, but it's there.

The story of how Jefferson built the house.

A front shot.

Still trying to show the octagon sides. Note the structure attached. This was the kitchen and guest rooms.

Just another exterior shot.

From left: A privy, the overseer's house, and the enslaved persons quarters.

Enslaved persons quarters in the forefront.

A sign designating the two structures.

The overseer's house.

An interior room in that long side portion.

Jefferson had one of the better equipped kitchens for the time period. It's in the long portion, too, away from the main house.

He constructed an ingenious set of guttering within the rafters to keep water off the roof.

Interior of the house.

Information exhibits take up a lot of the space, but it's rather a small area by today's standards.

This was in the middle of the house proper.

The octagon shape does not lend itself to good use of space.