Sunday, August 26, 2007

Glass: Everything it's cracked up to be!

Sand + Soda + Lime + A hot, hot fire = Glass



There are lots of stories of how glass got its toe-hold in human culture. Cave men used volcanic glass for many things, including knives, as well as adornment.

The first indication that humans were actually making glass is a clay tablet, dated around 3300 BCE, with instructions on how to build a glassmaking furnace. By the 13th Century, Egyptian glass was more famous than its Mesopotamian predecessor. Here's a picture of King Tutankhamun's death mask. Glass is inlaid to look like lapis lazuli (although lapis is also used), and this was not an uncommon use. The Egyptians emulated gem stones, made perfumeries, and fashioned decorative bottles all out of glass.

In the 1st Century BCE, the art of glass blowing came into practice. Now glass was malleable--it's versatility now evident. The Romans, of course, jumped all over this.


From Glass Act™
" . . .one clever Mesopotamian managed to form a glass tube and blow a bubble at the end, creating the first blowpipe and hence the art of glassblowing. The first metal blowpipe came into widespread use in the 1st or second century before Christ and glass production soared, particularly in the Roman world, where glass became available to the rich and the poor."

Windows of the Soul

Other than King Tut's eyes, the first glass windows were discovered in Pompeii. So let's head to Rome. This is from British Glass: "Around 100AD, the Romans discovered that adding manganese dioxide to their glass mixture created clear cast glass, hence the could use it for window glass . . . The glass composition used by the Romans is almost identical to that used in the modern world."


The Anglo-Saxons definitely like their glass. One always feels better with a bit of finery, and multi-colored glass beads were just the ticket. They also made cups, bowls, windows, jewelry, and tiles for board pieces. Apparently, they made buckets, too. Here's a 4th or 5th Century AD bucket, found in a tomb.





Frankly, I don't know what they'd use a glass bucket for, but someone obviously thought it was a good idea.


More Window Talk

The first known Anglo-Saxon stained glass (7th C.) was found in Yarrow. The Romans had used it in their villas several hundred years earlier. The Normans first started using windows in their buildings in 1180. As you can see, the technology ebbed and was re-discovered several times.

In 1266, a Franciscan monk named Roger Bacon wrote the uses of plano-convex glass
to magnify. Glass became even more useful--lenses were added to the glass hit parade, although I have to wonder if anyone used them for eyeglasses at that time.

Better, bigger windows were a sign of Tudor times (Hampton Court), as well as hourglasses used aboard ship, and timepieces--the height of elegance. Elizabeth I wore a pendant timepiece.

The next century (we're in the 1600s now) brought telescopes and microscopes. In 1674, George Ravenscroft substituted lead oxide for the clear lime in the glass mixture and voila! Lead crystal.

Today, we're capable of making flawless lenses--incredibly powerful microscopes and the Hubble telescope. We drink out of glass cups every day and think nothing of it. Glass is everywhere--our monitors, our cars, our oven doors. But while we've gotten better at making it it, glass is still basically the same as it was 2000 years ago.

And we still are in awe of the beauty of glass. Here's Dale Chihuly with some of his work at the Tacoma Art Museum
(Washington). He does awesome work--if you ever get a chance to see one of his displays, please don't hesitate!


Jacquie

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Jacquie Rogers
Faery Special Romances (May 2007)
Take a look at the book video
Royalties go to Children's Tumor Foundation,
ending Neurofibromatosis through Research

Saturday, August 25, 2007

You've Gotta Read This Book!

The Reincarnationist
by M.J. Rose

MIRA Books
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2420-1

For true entertainment--thrills, chills, and a wild ride--The Reincarnationist fills the bill and then some.

Since his near-death caused by a suicide bomber, photo-journalist Josh Ryder's life has become impossible. Gone are his job, his wife, and all he knew. Without warning, Josh becomes Julius, a Roman priest a Roman priest in 391AD, fighting for not only his life but that of his lover's, as well as the sacred rites they've held holy for thousands of years. Just as quickly, he returns to present day as Josh.

His world is even more confused when an archeologist who's excavating a tomb of a Vestal Virgin, is murdered. Josh describes the killer to Rome's police, but is held as a suspect. The beautiful archeologist Gabriella Chase gets him released from prison, but then he's caught up in a web of love, both past and present, murder, extortion, and deceit.

The pages fly by as Josh and Gabriella are tossed from one mystery to another, sometimes fighting for their very lives. I thoroughly enjoyed The Reincarnationist from cover to cover and I highly recommend this book. Take a comfy seat and let M.J. Rose unravel this mysterious adventure for you!




Jacquie

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Jacquie Rogers
Faery Special Romances (May 2007)
Take a look at the book video
Royalties go to Children's Tumor Foundation,
ending Neurofibromatosis through Research

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Booksignings--Idaho Style!

Homedale first,

then Boise



The ninth story of Faery Special Romances is Faery Hot Date. Judith Laik and I had a Faery Hot Date at Paul's Market in Homedale, Idaho. As a matter of fact, Paul's Market is one of the settings of Faery Hot Date! Here it is!


The best grocery store in Idaho carries the most delicious chorizos outside of the Pyrenees, bar none. Lots of old friends came to visit. Special thanks to Jo, Florence, Florence, Wanda, Linda Rae, Colleen, Roberta, Jim, and my other Homedale friends. (Yes, I have a terrible memory, but hey, I was having a great time!) Special thanks to the manager of the Homedale store, Kevin. Thanks also to Stan Zatica.

Tresa Hiatt and Mercedes Rice put together baskets for our giveaways. We drew two names from all those who stopped by our table. The baskets were beautiful and had lots of great stuff in them.




Here's a picture of Judith and me looking like important authors. Judith signed The Lady is Mine and The Lady in Question. I signed Faery Special Romances, and we both signed Blue Moon Enchantment, an anthology in which we both have stories. Judith also signed her children's books.


Okay, you caught me. This picture was taken at Hastings Books in Boise. Special thanks to Marge and Tim for visiting us. And no thanks to my cousin who just had to have his 35th wedding anniversary on the same night as my booksigning. LOL. Congrats Pete.

The next picture is of my helpers: Baby Mo, Mercedes, and Yana. They helped make Faery Good Bath Salts. In fact, the whole Faery Good Bath Salts concept is Mercedes's idea. What a wizard she is!



Royalties from FSR will be donated to Children's Tumor Foundation, ending Neurofibromatosis through Research.


And of course, where would I be without the sister-of-my-heart, Tresa? She's my research assistant, hostess, chauffeur, and life-long friend.



What a fun time we had!

Of course, there wouldn't have been a we without my critique buddy, traveling companion, and all-around nice person, Judith Laik. Thank you, Judy.



Jacquie

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Jacquie Rogers
Faery Special Romances (Available now!)
Take a look at the book video
Royalties go to Children's Tumor Foundation,
ending Neurofibromatosis through Research