Monthly Archives: January 2023

HOWEVER, this is a fascinating, incredibly well researched background story of three women who married into the Kennedy family.  It’s a look at the relationship shared among these three women and how they deal with infidelity, politics and promoting the family legacy: how they raised their children, confronted assassination, death and survival.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Ethel Skakel Kennedy and Joan Bennett Kennedy.

While this book does have many “private details”, the difference here is that the author painstakingly documented every item written about. Instead of simply referring to anonymous sources, most tidbits here were backed up by conversations with specific friends and family members. This made the reading much more honest rather than the idle gossip which many Kennedy biographers have depended on in the past. While a number of the very public “secrets” were discussed, there were many more less-known facts and details discovered in this book.

There is dirt, gossip, tragedy, and epic grief.  But it also bears proof to “You bought it, you own it” and You are accountable.

In many ways, the book confirms some of what you thought,   but does give perspective to the dynamics of power. It is thought provoking.  It doesn’t answer the question of does money make grief more manageable.  There are millions of stories in the naked city of family history that haven’t been told – but should be – because their stories are just as real – but the participants aren’t made famous.

Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot

J. Randy Taraborrelli

Rabbit (born in 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999)

2023 is the year of the Rabbit, and those entering their zodiac birth year must be prepared for adversity. Astrologers suggest making “extra efforts everywhere and face challenges” head on. Rabbit people, this year won’t be such a smooth one, but “a rainbow will come after the storm”.

Dragon (born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000)

Dragons’ fortune, according to Chinese astrology, will be affected, but experts say there is “no need to worry much” because the lucky stars will guide you. Career-wise, development will be smooth sailing, and love will be “relatively flat”. 

Snake (born in 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)

2023 will “develop smoothly in a good direction” and Snake’s luck “will be generally stable”. However, there are good and bad stars this year, so their influence of them will fluctuate the amont of luck available. 

Horse (born in 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990)

Those born with in the Chinese zodiac year of the Horse will “enter a year in conflict” with the age star, which “will have a great impact on your fortunes”. 2023 is going to be full of ups and downs, and greater care needs to be taken at work. 

Goat (born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991)

2023 is “relatively turbulent” for Goat, so it’s best to approach it with “optimism” and a view of taking advantage of the good times. Career prospects are said to be good as Goat is going to be influenced by the four ‘pillar Gods’. 

Monkey (born in 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)

Overall, 2023 includes “plenty of ups and downs”, that being said, Monkey will be “taken care of by lucky stars”. If attention to the horoscope’s advice is taken, the year will be smooth. 

Rooster (born in 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)

Roosters are said to “suffer from the opposition” in 2023, with luck being “particularly unfavourable”. To overcome various challenges, maintain an optimistic attitude and “put in more effort than last year”. Experts added: “Although your career and financial predictions are not so good, your love forecast is good.” 

Dog (born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)

Those born in the Chinese zodiac year of the Dog is set to experience more decline in health and wealth – so pay more attention to these areas over the next 12 months. In work and love, Dogs are advised to do their “own thing in a down-to-earth manner” so overall prospects gradually become smoother. 

Pig (born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)

Fortune for the Pig “continues to be good”, but attention should be paid to health and the risk of loss of property. It’s advisable to “work hard” to have “unexpected pleasant surprises and gains”,

Rat (born in 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996)

The Rat is the first sign among the 12 zodiacs, whereas the Rabbit is the fourth. The first and fourth branches tend to overcome each other, experts say. Therefore, Rat people “will encounter many difficult troubles” in the new year. 

Ox (born in 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997)

According to Chinese astrology, among the 12 animal signs, the Ox is second and the Rabbit is fourth. The second and fourth positions help each other, indicating good luck this year. But anyone with the sign Ox is encouraged to work hard and” seize every opportunity to make your year more successful”.

Tiger (born in 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2022)

Tiger’s overall fortune is on the rise compared to 2022, and they are said to be “destined to be very comfortable in life and work”. Overall, Tiger’s horoscope is good, but there are going to be “some twists and turns in the process”. Tiger people are encouraged to learn useful lessons from failures, and be the calm in difficult situations to avoid strife. 

Life-saving techniques give individuals the ability to survive and also save other people during life-threatening situations. Any life-saving skill becomes useful in these cases. When an individual’s life is at risk, people tend to panic and people die when attended to by unskilled persons. Life saving skills are easy to learn. These techniques don’t need you to be a health professional in order to learn. They are basic first aid techniques that could save your life and the lives of other people. In this article, we share more about the essential life saving skills you should learn!

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is one of the easy-to-learn life-saving techniques. It is a life-saving skill that can be used for cardiac arrest victims. CPR is able to increase the victim’s chances of survival by 50%.

The Use of AED

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are used for restoring the heart rhythm of cardiac arrest victims. Performing CPR, together with using the AED, is crucial in reviving cardiac arrest victims. You can find that training is provided along with CPR in various institutions. The equipment is easily available in many public facilities in the United States.

Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid technique that works to dislodge objects that are obstructing the airway of choking people. Choking occurs more often in children than adults. This technique will differ depending on the age of the victim.

Controlling Bleeding

When accidents take place, victims face a risk of bleeding to death. The first aid training provides you with the skills to prevent an excessive loss of blood. You can take a first aid course to learn how to control the bleeding of wounds.

Managing Burns

Burns are painful and can even lead to the loss of life in serious cases. The scars that are left behind can affect the life of the victim. The first assistance that is given to burn victims is to relieve pain. Providing first aid techniques will prevent the burn from worsening. Good handling of the burn injury speeds up the healing process. Fire is an essential part of life and electrical faults can result in disasters. That is why everyone should know how to attend to a burn.

Escaping a Building on Fire

Being trapped in a burning building is one of the scariest experiences. It is good to learn how to escape from such situations and carry out rescue operations to save lives.

Insect and Snake Bites

Certain snakes and insects are poisonous. If the victim suffers from a bite and it is not adequately managed, the victim could die. Knowing how to manage such situations can save a life.

ITALIAN WINE REGIONS

If you’re looking to explore Italian wine, you’ll want to get to know the country’s various regions. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most important Italian wine regions. Italian wine production is spread throughout the country. Northern Italy is home to some of the best Italian red wines such as Barolo, as well as some great white wines. The Veneto region is currently the leading wine producing area, with around one quarter of all wine produced in Italy being made here. Trentino-Alto Adige is a small region bordering Austria and Switzerland where Gewürztraminer white and sparkling wine is produced. The Piedmont region is home to some of Italy’s most celebrated red wines, including Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Dolcetto. The region’s hillside vineyards produce wines with intense flavors and firm tannins.Central Italy is another important Italian wine region, stretching from the Tyrrhenian Coast to the Adriatic sea. The regions of Tuscany, Lazio, Abruzzo, Marche and Umbria. Tuscany is one of the most famous wine regions in the world, and for good reason. The region’s wines, including Chianti and Super Tuscan wines, are renowned for their balance and complexity. Tuscan wines tend to have firm tannins and high acidity. Lazio is home to Frascati wine as well as Cesanese red wine, while the Marche region produces excellent  Verdicchio DOCGs. Abruzzo produces fine Montepulciano red wine as well as Cerasuolo rosé wine, and Umbria is known for its Orvieto DOC wine.
Southern Italy is not to be outdone, with robust red wines such as Primitivo and white wines like Vermentino. The island of Sicily is known for its rich, fruity red wines, made from the Nero d’Avola grape. The island’s white wines, including the fortified Marsala wine and the sweet Passito di Pantelleria, are also worth trying. Campania is home to some of Italy’s most iconic wine styles, such as Falanghina and Aglianico. Campanian wines are known for their intense flavors and high acidity. Puglia produces some interesting red wines, including Primitivo and Nero di Troia. Good Sardinian wines include Vermentino and Cannonau.

ITALIAN WINE CLASSIFICATIONS

Italian wine labels can be confusing, but we’re here to help. The three main types of Italian wine classifications are: Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)Here’s a breakdown of each:Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) wines are made in a specific Italian region and are usually higher quality than table wine (vino da tavola). However, they don’t have to follow as many production guidelines as DOC and DOCG wines. Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines are made in a specific region in Italy which must follow strict production guidelines. DOC wines must be aged for a minimum amount of time before they can be sold.Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) is the highest level of Italian wine classification. These wines must follow strict production guidelines and be aged for a minimum amount of time. DOCG wines are also subject to regular quality control checks.

ITALIAN RED WINE

Italian red wines are typically fruity and full-bodied, with strong tannins that give them a characteristic peppery flavor. Having said that, the taste of Italian reds varies depending on the specific grapes used and where they’re from. 

For example, reds from Tuscany tend to be fruitier, while those from Piedmont are known for being full-bodied. Now let’s look at some of the best Italian red wines. 

Barbera is a medium-bodied red wine that is known for its fruity flavors and aromas. Barbera wines are made with the grape of the same name.

Chianti is a light to medium-bodied red wine that is characterized by its tart cherry flavors and aromas. Chianti wines must be produced with at least 70% Sangiovese grapes, while Chianti Colli Senesi must contain 75% Sangiovese, and Chianti Classico must include 80% Sangiovese grapes or more. Other Italian grape varieties such as Canaiolo, Colorino and Ciliegiolo can be used as the secondary component.

Morellino di Scansano DOCG is a full-bodied red wine from the Maremma region of coastal Tuscany. Made from at least 85% Sangiovese grapes, this delicious wine has a stunning ruby-red color and pairs well with food such as pappardelle and beef. 

Brunello di Montalcino is a superior Tuscan red wine made exclusively from the Sangiovese grape variety. 

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is another great Tuscan wine, which contains a majority of Sangiovese grapes. 

Nero d’Avola is a Sicilian grape variety and full-bodied red wine that is known for its spicy flavors and aromas. Nero d’Avola wines pair well with steaks, meatloaf and beef stew.

Pinot Noir wines, known in Italy as Pinot Nero, can be found in Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. Although Pinot Noir is not native to Italy, it suits the terroir of some of the Northern Italian regions.

Amarone is a high quality Italian red wine that comes from the Valpolicella region of North East Italy. Made from partially dried grapes in a process known as appassimento, Amarone wines are full-bodied and vibrant.

Barolo is one of the most expensive Italian wines and also one of the most famous. This Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine comes from the Piedmont area of Italy and is made from the Nebbiolo grape.

Italian White Wine

Italian white wines are often made using just one type of grape. The most popular white Italian grapes are Trebbiano, Vermentino and Pinot Grigio, although there are many others to choose from. 

Other popular types of white Italian grapes include Gavi, Moscato, Soave and Friulano. In terms of types of white wine from Italy, it’s worth trying some of the following:

Chardonnay is Italy’s third most planted grape. It produces a medium- to full-bodied white wine that is known for its creamy flavors and aromas. 

Gewürztraminer is an aromatic white wine that flourishes in the cool climate of Northern Italy. It pairs well with spicy food and blue cheeses. 

Sauvignon Blanc is grown mainly in the north east of Italy, particularly in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto. This fresh, medium-bodied wine works well with seafood, fish and chicken dishes.

Verdicchio is a white grape variety found mostly in the Marche area of central Italy. One of the best types of Italian dry white wine, Verdicchio has a subtle flavor with complex citrus and floral aromas.

Italian Sparkling Wine

Italian sparkling wine is the third most popular type of Italian wine. There are many different types of sparkling Italian wine, each with their own unique flavor. Some of the most popular types of Italian sparkling wine include Prosecco, Franciacorta, and Asti Spumante.

Prosecco is a light to medium-bodied sparkling wine that is known for its crisp flavors and aromas. Prosecco wines are made from a blend of grapes, with at least 85% being the Glera grape variety. This bubbly wine is perfect for celebrations.

Franciacorta is a medium-bodied sparkling wine that is made in the heart of Lombardy. Franciacorta Franciacorta DOCG wines are made according to the méthode Champenoise from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco. 

Asti Spumante is a sweet, light-bodied sparkling wine that is known for its fruity flavors and aromas. Asti Spumante wines are produced in southeastern Piedmont, particularly in Alba and Asti. As Asti Spumante wine has D.O.C.G. status, it must be made only from Moscato Bianco grapes.