the good old days

In the 1930’s…

Skippy Peanut Butter
Improved by HYDROGENATION

Hydrogenation? What’s that? Sounds scientifickal!

Since partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are cheaper than animal source fats, are available in a wide range of consistencies, and have other desirable characteristics (e.g., increased oxidative stability (longer shelf life))…

Improved by making it cheaper, smoother, and longer-lasting, I guess, but also full of tasty trans fats.

Originally seen at Serious Eats

But the mortallest enemy unto Knowledge, and that which hath done the greatest execution upon truth, hath been a peremptory adhesion unto Authority, and more especially, the establishing of our belief upon the dictates of Antiquity. For (as every capacity may observe) most men of Ages present, so superstitiously do look on Ages past, that the Authorities of the one, exceed the reasons of the other: Whose persons indeed being far removed from our times, their works, which seldom with us pass [unquestioned] either by contemporaries, or immediate successors, are now become out of the distance of Envies; and the farther removed from present times, are conceived to approach the nearer unto truth it self. Now hereby methinks we manifestly delude our selves, and widely walk out of the track of Truth. — Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica (1672)

With that reflection, let’s look at one of the world’s oldest Authorities of Antiquity… astrology!

You’re still filled with great mental energy today and should be able to start just about any project on the right foot.

SO NOT. I am queasy and listless thanks to inadequate sleep/caffienation, the presence of in-laws in town, and a greasy breakfast sandwich.

You are in tune with the practical issues in the work place today. A firm sense of direction will help get you to your destination.

Uh, my work place is shutting down in three weeks. Not many practical issues to be in tune with, and who needs direction to know our destination is JOBLESS?

Family needs are important and there is no question about attending a family event this evening…. You are the cheerleader and the inspiration for your family and friends.

Actually my mother-in-law secretly hates me for being younger than she is, which is really creepy because I don’t think she would want a daughter-in-law who is OLDER than she is, or maybe she actually would, which is even creepier. My position isn’t so much “cheerleader” as it is “bearer of grandchildren that aren’t quite as fulfilling as Nana expected.”

I guess my parents lied about when I was born, because my Virgo horoscopes are always ironic, twisted versions of true reality.

I was skimming my just-posted post and thought I’d made a mistake.

I quoted Rick Kieffe’s statement as including (emphasis mine)

the current objection to religious sentiment (”Under God”, “In We Trust“) was not closely reviewed by our dealership

I thought I must have screwed something up, since it should be “In God We Trust”. But no, not my fault…

I don’t want to be too hard on Mr. Kieffe for the omission. Accidentally leaving out a word happens to anybody, seemingly most often in important documents.

But the particular word that was left out… it’s just hilariously ironic.