Monday Reads (and now for something completely different)
Posted: December 9, 2013 Filed under: morning reads | Tags: Atchafalaya Houseboat, Breaking the Faith, Carolyn Jessop, Escape, FLDS, Gwen Roland, History of Sleep, photographer Iain McKell, The New Gypsies, Warren Jeffs 45 Comments
Good Morning!
My mother used to complain that I was born never needing a nap. My restlessness was an issue during kindergarten rug time and preschool rest time too. By the time I was reading and could find a flashlight, I was under the covers with said light and a book. Mother had to check me several times a night and many a night I lost one or both of the tools of my craft. I got stitches in my forehead one night because I was peaking around the corner watching Emma Peel on “The Avengers” rather than being snug in my bed. I also used to do this so I could see “The Prisoner”. I had a real thing for 1960s spy shows as a kid. I slit my forehead on the door hardware trying to rush back before getting caught. That was my second set of stitches that year. I also had them on my chin because I was proving that I really could fly with PF flyers on my feet. Yes, I could run on very little sleep and run I did. It must run in the family though since years later Dr. Daughter was known as the kid who spent nap time giving the other children backrubs at her Montessori Preschool.
Needing lots of sleep seems to be the revenge of old age on me. Not only do I love a luxurious nap in the afternoon, I’m a late riser. I love to lounge around in the morning in jammies with cups of coffee organizing my day. The good thing about being able to teach graduate school is that MBA classes are always in the evening and academic graduate classes are generally in the afternoon. So, it’s with great relief that I find out that I’m just a traditional kinda person when it comes to my fondness for two periods of sleep. I like siestas found in the southern cultures that nap away the heat of the day then rise and shine for the cooler night. But, there’s more in history to multiple sleep periods than just heat avoiding Latins. It’s seems our pre-electric age ancestors usually had two sleep periods a day. (Thanks to Delphyne for finding this!)
Wow !!! BB! We’re just sleep traditionalists! Take heart!!
The existence of our sleeping twice per night was first uncovered by Roger Ekirch, professor of History at Virginia Tech.
His research found that we didn’t always sleep in one eight hour chunk. We used to sleep in two shorter periods, over a longer range of night. This range was about 12 hours long, and began with a sleep of three to four hours, wakefulness of two to three hours, then sleep again until morning.
References are scattered throughout literature, court documents, personal papers, and the ephemera of the past. What is surprising is not that people slept in two sessions, but that the concept was so incredibly common. Two-piece sleeping was the standard, accepted way to sleep.
“It’s not just the number of references – it is the way they refer to it, as if it was common knowledge,” Ekirch says.
An English doctor wrote, for example, that the ideal time for study and contemplation was between “first sleep” and “second sleep.” Chaucer tells of a character in the Canterbury Tales that goes to bed following her “firste sleep.” And, explaining the reason why working class conceived more children, a doctor from the 1500s reported that they typically had sex after their first sleep.
Ekirch’s book At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past is replete with such examples.
But just what did people do with these extra twilight hours? Pretty much what you might expect.
Most stayed in their beds and bedrooms, sometimes reading, and often they would use the time to pray. Religious manuals included special prayers to be said in the mid-sleep hours.
Others might smoke, talk with co-sleepers, or have sex. Some were more active and would leave to visit with neighbours.
As we know, this practice eventually died out. Ekirch attributes the change to the advent of street lighting and eventually electric indoor light, as well as the popularity of coffee houses.
Many folks long for ways of doing things based more on the rhythms of humanity than the needs of the greed-driven. A few 
years ago, I became fascinated with the Irish Traveler culture in the UK based on a show that documented their outrageous and huge weddings. There are many young people adopting a similar life style but it’s more in a rebirth of hippie or bohemian culture than being an Irish Gypsy.
Photographer Iain McKell, who has followed a small group of travellers for over 10 years, has published a stunning new photo book called ‘The New Gypsies’, published by Prestel Publishing, charting the changes in their life-style.
Taking the traditional gypsy lifestyle as their template many have now ditched their motor vehicles in favour of horse drawn caravans.
Mr McKell told anothermag.com: ‘It began in 1986 with the New Age motor vehicle travellers called The Peace Convoy and then when I returned to Stonehenge Summer Solstice in 2001.
‘To my surprise I found this new renegade tribe that had evolved to horse-drawn wagon but had all the modern technology as well – solar power, mobiles phones, laptop computers and off course facebook.
‘I loved this idea of the old and the new working well together and the open road.
Check out some of the terrific pictures and get a taste for McKell’s book.
Another fascinating read that you may want to check out is Gwen Roland’s “Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp“. I came across Roland’s life in an NPTV program that followed Roland back to review her hippy life in the Atchafalaya basin that was partially documented in a National Geographic magazine in the 1970s . Both the Traveler wedding show and the Atachafalaya Houseboat show were part of my 2:00 am in the morning channel wanderings. I’ve grown a bit away from sneaking down to the rec room door in my footie pajamas to catch a glimpse of Patrick McGoohan. I don’t always head out to the local haunts!
Here’s some NPR excerpts from the book, the National Geographic spread, and the program.
The biggest inconvenience to living so far out is going in. The impending trip casts its gloomy shadow over our normally unstructured days. The list, an innocent-looking sheet of typing paper, appears on the kitchen table where it assumes temporary control over our lives. It is divided into categories such as mail, camera store, feed store, welding supply store, hardware store, garden supply store, supermarket, library, people to see, eggs to deliver.
For the next several days our activities revolve around that silent taskmaster. We hunt up the ice chest for transporting cold foods on the long journey home. A crate is readied for a sick chicken headed for LSU’s poultry science department. A broken pump part is placed on top of the list so it won’t be forgotten. Mail that was picked up during the last trip must be answered before we leave home. Despite our good intentions mail is always neglected until the night before the trip. By lamplight we struggle to write legible letters, and we search with candles for lost addresses.
The dreaded day creeps over the horizon in a drizzle. What a waste of a fine rainy day! We usually greet such a morning with a second pot of coffee and a stack of old National Geographic magazines.
My new late time weirdness is a TLC reality show called ‘Breaking the Faith’. We’ve talked about the horrible treatment of women, young girls, and young men at FLDS compounds. It’s an amazing thing to watch and hear the young women who escaped–some more successfully than others at this point in the series–to a safe house with Carolyn Jessop who testified in the conviction of child rapist Warren Jeffs. One of the amazing scenes is when Jessop explains to the young women that having sex with a 12 year old ‘wife’ and participating in the process is a crime.
The women may have wanted to leave the compound, but were they ready? For one thing, they were scared of Carolyn, having been taught that she was a bad woman for leaving the church. Further, they didn’t believe her when she told them why Jeffs was in prison.
“When Carolyn starts telling me about Warren Jeffs and everything, I want to slap her, because she doesn’t know him,” one of the women, Angie, says. “She left 10 years ago.” Another woman, Connie, was struggling as well. “Carolyn Jessop is one of the worst apostates that there are. She is against everything that they teach us,” she said. “I don’t know what to think.” Carolyn told the girls that if they doubted her words — which they did — they were probably destined to return to the FLDS. They still believed that Warren Jeffs is the prophet.
While the show appears to be at least somewhat staged, the Christian Post calls it “groundbreaking” — most FLDS members who flee the church choose to live in hidingto avoid retaliation.
TLC is usually one of those channels that only captures my attention in the manner of 12 fire engines screaming down the street. Although, the Gypsy wedding program from the UK took me in, I usually surf by it before I lose more faith in humanity. Sister wives and Honey Boo B00 seriously alarm me. But, I actually think this particular series lets people know more about religious cults and the process of watching the various girls deal with being outside the compound is fascinating. Children go through a similar–albeit more subtle–process of cultural brainwashing daily. It’s interesting to see the ones with the gumption to question it.
You can read more about the process because Carolyn Jessop is the author of two book on growing up in the FLDS. Her first book is titled “Escape”. It’s been out for about 6 years.
In a favorite children’s game, called Apocalypse, kids act out the FLDS vision of the end of the world. According to FLDS lore, Native Americans who were mistreated and killed in pioneer days will be resurrected in the end times, when God will allow them to wreak vengeance on those who wronged them (the presumably also-resurrected settlers). In return for this indulgence, “resurrected Indians” will also be “required to take on the job of protecting God’s chosen people”—FLDS members—by killing FLDS enemies with invisible tomahawks that can sever a person’s heart in half. Very cowboys and Indians!
Maybe the Republican party can talk to Warren Jeffs about how to talk to women!!! They seem to want us all brainwashed!
So, I know this wasn’t exactly what you usually get from me, but I just felt I needed to go beyond politics for awhile. Hopefully, you can let us know what’s on your reading and blogging list and make up for my odd little trip into other things!!!
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I like this post Dak, just can’t bear to look at the news…because of things like this: Obama Faces Backlash Over New Corporate Powers In Secret Trade Deal
I’ve read the thing once already last night, and when re-reading it now, it still paints a rotten picture. Am I just being manipulated by the article or what?/snark
I couldn’t bear to handle the news today either. I watched Newt Gingrich pearl clutch yesterday about all the horrible things people had written on his website about his role in freeing Mandala. He said he and Calista couldn’t believe it. Well, after spending recent years with all that race baiting he did, he doesn’t think that he’s pulled them way out of the closet and they are free to roam internet spewing hate towards the people of color in this country? Sheesh!
The United Corporations of America. Profits and monopolies over the health of the people. The only thing which heartens me is the “major resistance” from the other countries.
At least there is this: The Top 10 Comedic News Stories of 2013 by Will Durst
I think they are all funny, the last one is lame though…probably because it was kind of a Ted Rall cartoon weeks ago.
“….We have to move back in with Britain.”
And get national health care!
Luna, I have a question for you.
My mother has developed Stage 2 ulcers on her leg that has the broken femur. The nursing home is treating the ulcers with “Sure Prep” which is like Nu Skin. Does that sound like the right treatment? I am very concerned the ulcers will get worse. My mother is totally bed-ridden.
Beata, so sorry to hear this; just now saw your question. I’m not familiar with every product out there, but the info I found on Sure Prep indicates it is a thin film, in which case it is not appropriate. Stage 2 should receive gel-type dressings (DuoDerm is one brand example) or hydrocolloid-type dressing, so there is absorbancy, cushioning, moist environment (better healing with coverage) and protection. Many of the appropriate dressings can stay on for several days so fragile skin isn’t damaged by frequent adhesive changes. Critically important are positioning devices to get pressure off the area. These could be very low tech — pillows in the right place.
Thank you, Luna. Your information was very helpful.
Wonderful post, Dak. I was reading about that guy’s research on the history of sleep awhile back. I almost bought the book. I totally buy the idea of two sleep periods. I’ve usually had enough sleep after 4-5 hours, but then I do need a nap later. As I’ve aged, it has become harder for me to fall asleep at night, and besides I like staying up late. Since I don’t have to go to work at a certain time anymore, I always know I can go to sleep again in the afternoon. What a luxury–worth more than money!
Another interesting sleep tradition is that in the old days people used to sleep sitting up. When I went to see Gen. Custer’s fort in North Dakota, the guide pointed out how short the beds were, and explained that people in those days slept sitting up because they could breathe better. Thomas Jefferson also slept sitting up in a very short bed. Oddly, as I get older I now find myself dozing off sitting up!
Maybe when people get older, the natural body rhythms take over because your not so busy running around and doing things?
Do you remember when businesses were not open on Sunday at all and only on Saturday morning and most of them closed at 5 so you had to go home and relax?
Businesses here used to close on Wednesday afternoon. I think it was because a lot of churches had mid-week services but at least it gave people a half-day off.
In Banjoville, everything is closed on Weds…still.
The moronic media — example #2,568
CNN Confused: How Could Nelson Mandela Influence Barack Obama If They Only Met One Time?
CNN’s Jim Acosta actually asked this question at a daily briefing.
OMG, that’s completely moronic!
Some people who aren’t morons could even be influenced by Mandela now that he’s dead!
Seriously, how could someone that idiotic get to be a national journalist? It’s ridiculous!
I don’t know, but there appear to be a lot of morons like him who get jobs in the media. I don’t get it.
They can’t honestly be that stupid. They must have been told to look for any and every chance to take Obama down, no matter how silly, It must be a deliberate strategy and, just watch, they’ll start taking shots at Hillary for nothing as well.
So that explains it!
Reading this wonderful post as I rub my eyes, and pour another cup of hot coffee. I have noticed a big change since I’ve aged, and since the computer, when it comes to sleeping. Half of America seem to be deprived of sleep, and their is a large number of people using ambience, and they couldn’t imagine a night without it.
In order to get my zzzzzz’s, I had to have darkness, and quiet. Now I have the tv on all night long, and one in every bedroom. When I was little Mother had fans in every room, and to this day those sounds will put me to sleep. I do go through the two periods of sleep, so I can relate.
Going through menopause, hell I’d like to bust a window out, and stick my feet outside so I could sleep in comfort.
My favorite:
Heh. There are times when 23 degrees does feel just right. Too bad thermo-dysregulation can’t be fine-tuned; that would be useful!
Here’s some good news and actually all it is is more republican “Rebranding”
Marcus Bachmann’s Bachmann and Associates Clinic is no more — http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2013/12/marcus_bachmanns_bachmann_and_associates_clinic_is_no_more.php …
That’s actually funny. The Bachmann name is bad for business now. 😉
yup!!!
Talk about ego!
Crooks and Liars @crooksandliars 15s
Ted Cruz Releases New Children’s Coloring Book For Conservative Indoctrination And Hero Worship http://dlvr.it/4TM3WP
I believe his crazy ass Dad treated him like a little god, so I’m sure he’s an egomanaical sociopath to the bone.
One of the reasons why I didn’t want to look at the news yesterday. The NYT wastes more ink:
“the most substantial correlation is that the more egalitarian a household is, the less housework gets done altogether. ”
Huh? And why is it that most of the articles written about housework, by those who do the least, convey that housework is really no big deal, and that it’s really very amusing that they are writing an entire article about this trivial problem.
ROFLMAO…
TPM: Americans Discover They’re Trapped In GOP’s Medicaid Expansion Gap
http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2013/12/be_sensible_gov_jindal_take_th.html#incart_river#incart_m-rpt-1
The first comment on that post is a riot. The guy says Medicaid is no good because it won’t pay if you get sick in a foreign country. If you’re on Medicaid, it’s not likely you’re taking many European vacations, but if you did, most European countries would provide you free or very inexpensive treatment.
Very true.
That guy ignores that many private insurances will not cover treatment in a foreign country either. And that “out of network” coverage generally comes with huge co-pays.
Yep, and overseas is almost certainly way “out of network” 😉
Just got off the phone with my friend Jessica down in FLA, she is one of those people. I asked her what would be better, to send the kids presents or gift cards, and she said gift cards usually go to fuel or food…geez, it is breaking my heart. She could probably apply for disability, but when she tried and set an appointment, the don’t make appt…and drove down there, the wait was all day and they never called her name. Which wasted what little fuel she had…
I thought Florida was taking the medicaid money?
Your friend should keep trying to get disability if she qualifies, JJ. GOP-controlled states do whatever they can to make it as difficult as possible to apply and qualify, hoping that people will just give up. Tell her not to give up!!!
GOP states definitely try to get people who qualify to give up before getting any benefit. It’s one of the more despicable things they do.
JJ, tell her to try again and if she gets turned down, call a disability lawyer and appeal. There should be no retainer, the federal statute gives the lawyer 25% of the retroactive award. And after a person has been on disability for two years, they are eligible for medicare. So it is well worth persisting. I don’t know much about it, but the lawyers who do this full-time know exactly what kind of medical affidavits they need to get an appeal allowed.
http://progressivepopulist.org/2013/12/08/westboro-baptist-church-embarks-19-hour-flight-picket-nelson-mandelas-funeral-video/
Westboro Baptist Church Embarks on 19-Hour Flight to Picket Nelson Mandela’s Funeral
I hope they get some legal action, foreign land style…
There are places you could get killed doing that type of thing.
Nearly 20 LA sheriff’s deputies to be charged in corruption, inmate abuse probe – Investigations
I read the other day that the LA County Sheriff’s dept has been hiring sex offenders for years. Damndest thing I’ve ever heard of that way.
With the filing deadline today, we have our first statewide Democratic officeholder since 1998 in Texas.
A Republican judge sitting on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Judge Lawrence “Larry” Meyers, announced that he can no longer be a part of the Republican Party of Texas. He just filed to run for the Supreme Court in 2014 as a Texas Democrat.