What Goes With a Hamburger?

 By Cindy Regnier

Because I have a French sounding last name, someone once asked me if I had any good French recipes. All I could think of was French Fries. But who doesn’t like fries? One source says the average American eats around 40 pounds of French fries per year, and the golden arches claims to sling about nine million pounds of them per day. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that 25% of all potatoes consumed in the U.S. are eaten as fries. So – how did “French” fries come to America? From France, of course. You might be surprised. Let’s take a look.

The country that actually claims to have invented fries is Belgium. According to the story, the dish was born in Belgium in 1680. Apparently, the people here loved tiny fried fish, but had to find something else to cook in the wintertime when the rivers froze. They substituted potatoes cut in long segments to resemble their fish portions, fried them, and you know the rest. Admittedly, this is lore and not a proven fact, but Belgium natives will assure you that their country invented French fries.

But why call them “French” fries? Belgian researcher Pierre Leclercq discovered that a German-born and Paris-trained cook, Herr Krieger, was traveling from town to town in Belgium in the early 1800s, selling sliced, fried potatoes which he described as Paris-style fried potatoes that he had begun cutting in sticks to cook them faster. Born in Belgium, but with roots in France? Maybe.

 The story about the frozen river has been disputed by Leqlercq, who asserted that potatoes weren’t introduced there until the 1730s and so French fries could not have been discovered in 1680. Further, he claimed the majority of the population would not have had the means to deep fry potatoes in fat as that would have been much too expensive. Fat of any kind would not have been wasted on frying since it was difficult to obtain and was generally consumed by ordinary people on bread or in soups.

Anyway, calling them french fries is uniquely American. In France and Belgium, they are simply "pommes frites" or fried potatoes. Chunks of fried potatoes in Spain are patatas fritas, and the Brits know them simply as chips. Ironically enough, the Americans are actually believed to have popularized the fried potatoes by the name French fries from their interactions with Belgians and not the French. It seems that American soldiers arriving in Belgium during the war presumed that the dish was French since that was the language that the Belgian army spoke. Thus, they called the dish French Fries. True story or not, there are indications that it was called French fries in English even before the American soldiers arrived in Europe.

Who really invented French fries? That is a hotly disputed debate they may never be solved. Suffice it to say, French fries is the name associated with those delicious golden sides in America while the Belgian name is relegated to Brussels Sprouts. Hmmm. Sounds to me like France wins on that point.

What do you think? If you love fries like most Americans, does it matter where they originated? Would the American hamburger be the same without our favorite fast-food side?

 Rand isn't looking for true love. What he needs is a wife to help care for his orphan nieces. Desperate, he sends an advertisement and hopes for the best.
Fleeing her former employer who would use her to further his unlawful acts, an advertisement reads like the perfect refuge to Carly. Hiding herself on a Kansas cattle ranch is her best shot for freedom.
But its sanctuary comes with a price. While marrying a man she doesn't know or love means sacrificing her dreams, it's better than being caught by the law.
Or is it?

“Yes, sir, General President!”—Part 1—and a Giveaway!

By Jennifer Uhlarik

Have you ever thought about the men in American history who distinguished themselves as military generals before they went on to become United States Presidents? I’m sure most of us can name a few, but I was surprised to learn that there were, in fact, ten who served this nation in both capacities. How many can you name? This month, we’ll take a look at the first half of that list, and we’ll finish it during my post in May.

 

George Washington

This one was easy, right? Everyone remembers the United States’ first president. Born in Pope’s Creek, Virginia Colony, on February 22, 1732, Washington first rose to prominence as the surveyor of Culpepper County in 1749. He went on to lead the Virginia Regiment in the French and Indian War in the 1750s, served in the Continental Congress in the 1770s, and from there was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army from 1775-1783. During that time, he fearlessly led the fledgling American army through fierce battles with few supplies. He and his troops faced illness, starvation, and injury, but ultimately came out victorious.

 

Once the fighting was done, Washington returned to civilian life, only to see the need to replace the Articles of Confederation (America’s first Constitution) with a better version of the document. While he wished for this to be done, it wasn’t his desire to be part of the process, though many urged him to. He finally succumbed to the pressure and not only attended, but presided, over the convention in 1787. And once America’s new Constitution was ratified, Washington was elected the country’s first President. He served two terms from 1789 until 1797, then retired from public office. He lived for only a few years more and died on December 14, 1799, at the age of 67.

 

Andrew Jackson

This is a controversial one. Andrew Jackson was America’s seventh president, serving in that office from 1829 to 1837. But before he took the country’s most prestigious office, he made a name for himself as a frontier lawyer, planter, and a military man. He played some roles in the American Revolution as a young teen, but his military service began in earnest in 1801, when he was named a colonel over the Tennessee militia—and within a year, commander of the same force. He later went on to fight in the Creek War, starting in 1813, and he was the commanding general who defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. He continued his military service during the First Seminole Indian War of the 1820s and was eventually elected to the Presidency in 1828. But he is often remembered for his harsh treatment of the Native Americans, both in the Creek and Seminole Wars, and during his presidency when he signed the “Indian Removal Act of 1830.” 

 

                                 William Henry Harrison

From an early age, it seemed William Henry Harrison was on track to enjoy life in the medical field—although both his distaste for that line of study and his father’s death derailed the plan. Instead, he opted for a life in the military, beginning in 1791. Starting out as an ensign in the First American Regiment of the Army, he was promoted to lieutenant within a year, and found himself on the frontier during the Northwest Indian War. He was made aide-de-camp (i.e. a personal assistant) to Major General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, and learned how to lead. After a stint as the territorial governor of Indiana, he returned to military life and was elevated to the rank of General during the War of 1812. He is best known for his victory during the Battle of the Thames in October 1813. He returned to civilian life for a time, but in 1836, ran for President. He lost that year but ran again in 1840 and won. Of all the American presidents, Harrison had the shortest presidency, lasting only thirty-one days. He fell ill after he took a walk to town, in which he got caught in a rainstorm without coat or hat and didn’t change to dry clothing after returning to the White House. He quickly came down with cold-like symptoms which deteriorated to a pneumonia-like illness. He died nine days after he fell ill and exactly one month after assuming the role of President.

 

Zachary Taylor

Another career military man, Zachary Taylor served in multiple wars. He was first commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1808 at the rank of First Lieutenant. He served in the War of 1812, receiving the first brevet (temporary) promotion in the American military—to the rank of Major. Later, he served in the Black Hawk War, the Second Seminole Indian War, and the Mexican-American War (where he earned the rank of major general). Because of his humane treatment of Mexican prisoners of war and giving last rights to both the American and Mexican dead, he became quite popular, and his defeat of Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista in July of 1847 cemented that popularity. Returning home to the United States in late 1847, his popularity carried him straight to a presidential victory in the 1848 election. However, his presidency lasted only sixteen months. Only July 4, 1850, he fell ill with stomach issues and died five days later.  

 

Andrew Johnson

Hailing from a poor family, Johnson originally learned the skills of a tailor, but eventually worked his way into politics. He was a town mayor, served brief terms in both sides of the Tennessee State legislature, then moved on to the National House of Representatives where he served ten years (five consecutive terms). He went on to become governor of Tennessee and returned to Congress as a Senator after that. During his time in the Senate, the Southern states began seceding from the Union. Johnson, a man firmly loyal to the Union, was the only Southern Senator who did not resign his position—and Abraham Lincoln rewarded him for his faithfulness. He was appointed by the sitting president as Military Governor of Tennessee—at the rank of General—in 1862. By 1864, Johnson was the natural choice to become Lincoln’s running mate, both for his loyalty and to show national unity during his second term. The pair won the 1864 election, but as we all know, Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, so Johnson became president in his place. He served until 1869, but his presidency was not without controversy. During all the upheaval after the Civil War, the arguing factions took some of their aggression out on Johnson, and he was impeached by the House of Representatives—though the Senate acquitted him, allowing him to remain in office.

 

It's Your Turn: Were you aware there were ten U.S. Presidents who had risen to the rank of General before attaining the nation’s highest office? Of the five listed above, which do you find most impressive, and why? Leave your response in order to be entered in the drawing for this adorable sign.

 

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband, son, and furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW

 

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

 

A Friendship From the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family

 

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. There, she finds a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek museum curator Brad Osgood’s help to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it another forgery?

 

Brad Osgood longs to provide his four-year-old niece, Brynn, the safe home she desperately deserves. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

 

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians reach St. Augustine, God changes their plans. However, when Sally Jo’s friendship with Broken Bow leads to false accusations, it could cost them their lives.

 

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

 

 

Canadian Heroines: Marie Marguerite Rose

by Terrie Todd

If you’ve ever held the notion that Canada’s history does not include slavery, it’s time to rethink that notion. Slavery was legal in Canada until 1834 when it was outlawed throughout the British Empire. While it’s true that many black slaves from the American south sought freedom in Canada in the years leading up to the Civil War, an estimated population of 1,375 Black slaves existed in Canada during the French Regime in the 1700s. Among them was Marie Marguerite Rose.

We don’t even know her original name. Captured by slave traders in Guinea at the age of 19, Marie was transported across the Atlantic to Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. Naval officer Jean Loppinot purchased her in 1736, selected her name, and had her baptized into the Catholic faith. It’s possible she was branded with a hot iron, in keeping with the custom.

Marie would have been expected to work every day except Sunday in the family home. She cooked all meals, washed clothes, and scrubbed floors. Since slave masters could use their slaves in any way they wished, it was not uncommon for the master to rape them, thereby siring more slaves. This may or may not have been the case for Marie. She gave birth to a son, Jean-Francois, who automatically became a slave in the household even though his paternity is unknown. Sadly, her son died at the age of 13.

Marie served as a slave for 19 years before her release. How this came about is not recorded. Perhaps she was purchased by the man who later married her—Jean Baptiste Laurent. This mixed marriage to Laurent, a Mi’kmaw, is part of what makes Marie’s story remarkable. Not only would the union have been nearly unheard of at the time, but the resulting business proved especially notable. Marie and Laurent rented a building where they lived and ran a tavern—right next door to her former owner. Most of their clientele lived in the Fortress of Louisbourg. 

Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Tourism

Before her fortieth birthday and after only two years of freedom, Marie died. She never bore any other children. It was noted that she left behind a thriving vegetable garden.

From a plaque at Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Tourism

Why did the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada select Marie as a national historic person in 2008? Because, as an illiterate slave, she achieved three things that were next to impossible: she managed to secure her freedom, she married an Indigenous man, and she owned and operated a business. I can’t help thinking she must have possessed uncommon fortitude and intelligence.

If you ever visit the Fortress of Louisbourg, the largest reconstructed eighteenth-century French fortified town in North America, you’ll see the gravestone of Marie Marguerite Rose.

A plaque at Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Tourism

 

Sources:

100 Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces, by Merna Forster, Dundurn Press, 2004

Wikipedia

The Canadian Encyclopedia

Bitter war might be raging overseas, but Rose Onishi is on track to fulfill her lifelong goal of becoming a dazzling concert pianist. When forced by her own government to leave her beloved home to work on a sugar beet farm, Rose’s dream fades to match the black soil working its way into her calloused hands.

When Rusty Thorne joins the Canadian Army, he never imagines becoming a Japanese prisoner of war. Only his rare letters from home sustain him—especially the brilliant notes from his mother’s charming helper, which the girl signs simply as “Rose.”

Rose Among Thornes received the 2022 Debra Fieguth Social Justice Award as well as Best Cover Award from The Word Guild.

Terrie Todd’s novels are set mostly in Manitoba, Canada where she lives with her husband, Jon, in Portage la Prairie. They have three adult children and five grandsons. Her next novel, Even If We Cry, releases in November, 2024.

Follow Terrie here:

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UNZIPPING HISTORY

 

By Mary Davis

National Zipper Day is April 29^th.

 

I don’t think about zippers on a daily basis even though I use them almost every day. They are so much a part of life, yet we hardly consider them even while zipping them up or down. Zippers are on everything from clothing, luggage, purses, camping gear, and a wide array of other items. I can’t imagine life without this marvelous modern device. Well, I can imagine it, but I don’t like it.

 

We have not one but three inventors to thank for the modern zipper.

 

It all started with Elias Howe, Jr., who invented the lockstitch sewing machine in 1846. A few years later, he invented the predecessor to the modern zipper, receiving a patent in 1851 for his “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure”. This device was a series of movable clasps connected with a drawstring. So, a zipper-ish. However, he didn’t pursue marketing it and doesn’t always get credit for inventing the “zipper.”

 

Elias Howe, Jr.

Forty-two years later, Whitcomb Judson developed the “clasp locker” similar to Howe’s description in his patent. Judson’s complicated hook-and-eye system debuted at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. He and businessman Colonel Lewis Walker formed the Universal Fastener Company to produce the device. However, it wasn’t a huge hit.

 

Whitcomb Judson

Swedish-born Gideon Sundbäck was hired by Judson and Walker’s Universal Fastener Company and added his stamp on the invention in 1913. He increased the number of teeth per inch from four to ten or eleven and received a patent for it in 1917. He also developed a machine to manufacture this new version of the separable fastener. Unfortunately, the clasp locker struggled to find favor in the clothing industry.

 

Gideon Sundbäck

So how did this modern marvel go from clasp locker or separable fastener to zipper? A name that perfectly fit it and so much easier to say. We have the B. F. Goodrich Company to thank for that in 1923. They used the device on a new style of rubber boots (a.k.a. galoshes). The fastener made a zip sound, so Goodrich called it a zipper. The name stuck. Even so, zippers still didn’t find success and were mainly relegated to boots and tobacco pouches.

 

In the 1930s, a campaign was launched to put zippers in children’s clothing to help them be independent and dress themselves. But it wasn’t until 1937 when a French fashion designer praised the zipper as perfect for men’s trousers and the “Battle of the Fly” that the zipper won out over buttons. Soon, these revolutionary fasteners zipped into clothing everywhere.

 

Now, thousands of miles of zippers are produced every day to meet our needs. Amen!

 

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

Sources

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-zipper-4066245

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipper

https://www.backthenhistory.com/articles/the-history-of-zippers

https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2021/04/29/a-brief-history-of-the-zipper

https://historycooperative.org/who-invented-the-zipper/

https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/hardware/zipper-history/

https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2010/05/03/the-up-an-down-history-of-the-zipper/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Howe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitcomb_L._Judson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_Sundback

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galoshes