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If you hang around here any length of time you realize that my Wordless entries are never entirely wordless......just more brief than normal. This is Countess Virginia Oldoini....more than likely the very first fashion/photography model.  She was also the mistress of Emperor Napoleon III and held the ear of many powerful people. I posted another picture of her earlier this week on my Facebook page.  Like it today! The Wordless Wednesday hub can be found here .

When I was growing up the words said at bed time included ‘good night’ and ‘I love you’ along with the phrase ‘Tie-Tie’ and ‘Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” ‘Tie-Tie’ came from me because as a little girl I couldn’t pronounce the words ‘night-night’…..all that came out was ‘Tie-Tie ‘and the phrase entered our family lexicon. If I said ‘Tie-Tie’ to my father or my sister they would know exactly what I meant. But what about that “sleep tight” thing? Where does that come from? Recently I posted a picture of a rope tightening key for Wordless Wednesday . The key was used to tighten rope mattresses common in colonial and post-colonial America. Here’s a video showing how the key was used to tighten the bed ropes. When you tour old colonial locations docents love to share with you the phrase “Sleep tight” came from the fact that you would want the ropes tight in order to get a good night’s sleep. It does make sense, doesn’t it? But upon closer study there is no definitive proof the ...

Yes, I know this is a piano, but look at the two china looking objects on top of the piano...... What are they????? What are they used for???? Here’s a hint….Something was placed in them as people walked by. Other bloggers post wordless images on Wednesday , too. Visit the main page HERE to find them.

Hmmmm….Why is that hunk of wood placed next to the bed? What is it for? Other bloggers post wordless images on Wednesday , too. Visit the main page HERE to find them. Last week's mystery explanation can be found here. Also YOU can become a fan of History Is Elementary on Facebook. Click the “like” button over in the right sidebar.

I’m not happy with Congress these days…..I don’t know many of my fellow Americans that are. My title says it all. They play using my tax dollars as their kick balls and monkey bars. However, before I go off on a rant that would cause my blood pressure to rise I want to go in a different direction with children….in particular “little boys.” The other day I posted a drawing as one of my mystery images for Wordless Wednesday .   I’ve reposted it below: The setting for the drawing is the United States Senate Chambers and the event being portrayed is the impeachment proceedings for President Andrew Johnson. The drawing was included in a book titled The Story of a Great Nation (1886) by   John Gilmary Shea a writer, historian, and editor. You can read my background article here regarding President Johnson’s impeachment over at American Presidents Blog . I included this drawing on my Facebook profile and the page I have there for History Is Elementary . One of my visitors there…..my...

I toured some old plantation buildings over the weekend and snapped this picture. I thought it might make a good puzzle picture. What is this????? What was it used for???? Here’s a hint….it was a very important box and even though it sat next to the fireplace it didn’t have anything to do with it. Other bloggers post wordless images on Wednesday , too. Visit the main page HERE to find them.

What historical event in going on here?   Other bloggers post wordless images on Wednesday , too. Visit the main page HERE to find them.

What is this? Other bloggers post wordless images on Wednesday , too. Visit the main page HERE to find them.

With some of the changes around here I’ve decided to bring back my little guessing game for Wednesdays. Here’s how it goes…..I post a picture and you need to guess regarding who or what it is and perhaps explain how the picture fits into history. Later, I’ll post the answer and identify the person who guesses correctly. Who is this man? Can you tell me something he did? Interesting face and mustache, huh? His daughter has been in the news lately. Other bloggers post wordless images on Wednesday , too. Visit the main page HERE to find them. ....and you can now follow History Is Elementary on Facebook . Click on the badge to the right to add me. :)