Tulips have a particularly interesting history, especially in light of the Danish cartoon / Muslim outrage controversy. The tulip is no more Danish than are windmills. The tulip's very name is an abused form of the word turban from the Persian language. Persia is also known as Iran. The variety of colors found in tulips was first brought about by none other than the mosaic virus, a viral infection carried by peach aphids. I'm going out on a limb now, so hang on. The tulip is indigenous to the very region where image-less mosaics — intricate, and colorful designs and symbols set in tile - are the cornerstone of Islamic religious expression. Speaking of origins, can you guess where windmills came from?
Isn't it Iranic. Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.
Snort.
And finally, fans of Hallmark cards might enjoy this Valentine timeline from the 1910s to the present.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
This is wonderful, Diana. The stats are particularly interesting and ring true especially about the men to women ratio in the elderly. My Mom is currently in a nursing home that is also a rehab (after a hospital stay). I see predominantly older ladies all over the place there. When my father goes to visit Mom, their heads turn. Now I realize why.