May 21 2018

Dragon Thursday – Dragons – Creatures of Power – from the American Museum of Natural History

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Good morning,

I was wandering the internet looking for something interesting for Dragon Thursday.  I found the website of the American Museum of Natural History.

They have a section with their past exhibits.  From May 26, 2007 – January 6, 2008, they had an exhibit about Mythic Creatures.   Dragons were part of this exhibit and listed as Creatures of Power.

I will share this in parts over the next few weeks.

The European Dragon, which is one I often think of when thinking of dragons, is first on the list.

Grim Destroyer

The dragons that lurk in European stories are powerful, wicked and dangerous. In Christian tradition, they can symbolize Satan or sin. Some nest in caves and guard marvelous treasure. When hungry, they may snatch and devour sheep or cattle that wander too near. They may also eat humans–particularly young girls. Epic poems from the Middle Ages tell of warriors and knights who battle cruel and voracious dragons. In some stories, the hero slays his foe and wins fortune and honor. In others, he fails and is killed.

At a Glance: European Dragon

In European tales, dragons often live deep inside caves, or in marshes near places where farm animals graze. Some sleep during the day, and go on the rampage after night falls.

  • may have wings.
  • kills people with its fiery, poisonous breath.
  • can strangle large animals with its tail.
  • creeps on four legs, two legs or none.
So They Say

The dragon began to belch out flames
and burn bright homesteads; there was a hot glow
that scared everyone, for the vile sky-winger
would leave nothing alive in his wake.”
–Beowulf, AD 700-1000

To read the entire section on European Dragons click HERE

Coffee Monday – Coffee Fun Facts

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Good morning!

I found these coffee fun facts on a web site called gone-ta-pott.com

  • In Yugoslavia, small coffee places are known as kafano, where the owners takes your order, brew and serve you coffee. It is usually served in a long-handled open pot known as devza (that should be cezva, pronounced “keffa.” In Turkey it’s called an Ibrik), and the coffee is poured into tiny demitasse-type cups. This is like an espresso, but it has the full impart of caffeine. Done right, it rewards the drinker with a remarkable coffee experience.
 
  • Espresso has 1/3 of the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee.
 
  • One time in Germany, the government hired a special force known as Kaffee Schnufflers, to sniff out illicit coffee roasters and smugglers. It was an intense campaign brought about by King Frederick who did not believe that coffee-drinking soldiers can be depended upon. Fortunately he failed for he too loved coffee.
  • Turkish bridegrooms were once required to make a promise during their wedding ceremonies to always provide their new wives with coffee. If they failed to do so, it was grounds for divorce! (Ouch!)
 
  • The Italians drink their espresso with sugar, the Germans and Swiss – with equal parts of hot chocolate, the Mexicans – with cinnamon, the Belgians – with chocolate. Moroccans drink their coffee with peppercorns, the Ethiopians – with a pinch of salt. Coffee drinkers in the Middle East usually add cardamom and spices. Whipped cream is the favourite amongst Austrians. The Egyptians are extremely fond of pure and strong coffee. They seldom add sugar to it, nor milk nor cream. They serve unsweeteened coffee to mourners and sweetened coffee at weddings. The Italians are the unrivaled World Masters of Espresso.

For more fun coffee facts click on the link above.