They did have their own unique way. Loads of butter and not being too fussy about how pristine everything was. Just like real people versus the over friendly and sterile stuff on most cooking shows now.

What can two fat ladies do? In this world where women are valued when they are young and skinny – what possible interest could two fat ladies from the UK have and how could they have published cookbooks and star in their own popular cooking show (1996 to 1999)?

Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright were the Two Fat Ladies

I loved the Two Fat Ladies because there dared to do things I would like to do. But, they dared to do them on TV, with people watching and they laughed too.

You can paralyze yourself with fear, make it hard just to get out of bed each morning. Out of bed it’s time to start thinking about how you look and how other people will see you. People with bad teeth won’t smile. People with bad hair wear a hat or shave it off. People who are fat can’t hide so well. Instead we think about how fat we look and we don’t smile, or talk much to other people. In short, many people are so self-conscious they do all they can to escape notice, stay in the background and go about doing what they must, living their own lives like ghosts. Living faded, in the background.

The Two Fat Ladies stepped out of the background and laughed about it.

They cooked with cream, butter, red meat and booze and they were not worried about dipping their fingers in or cooking in pristine conditions. They were biker babes riding a Triumph Thunderbird motorbike driven by Jennifer with Clarissa in the sidecar. The Two Fat Ladies were themselves and they let the rest of us see them that way too. I was proud of them and happy for them.

RIP Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright - You are missed.

I'd add to Gracie's post (see below) and say the hormones for men and women are on opposing sides. For men sex is pretty simple, you're in and then your're done. For women sex isn't simple. Getting pregnant is just one thing.

Although I think it is changing for younger people, those just coming out of high school, women have been taught/ brain washed to dislike our bodies and think we should not have sex. That's a combination that doesn't work out so well for men who want simple, easy sex.

A typical woman does not go a day without seeing standards of female beauty, vitality and sexuality plastered all over her world. This does not make the typical woman feel desirable. No wonder she doesn't feel like having sex any and every time he asks. How many men could go through a day of being shown how inadequate they are and then perform upon request?

Also, being asked for sex in a "pass the salt" way is not romantic. Not that every sexual encounter should or must be romantic, but... It shouldn't be as commonplace as going to the bathroom either.

Could men put some effort into getting sex? Beyond just asking and expecting sex, could men make it seem like they care versus just taking care of a bodily function? If men need more sex then do what women have done since the dawn of time: masturbate. The orgasms are much better, fantasies are great, and there's less mess to clean up. What do men think all those rejected women do when they get home, alone?

Dudes, your hormones (primarily, anyway) cycle every 24 hours; that, and not your love for us, is why you get a woody every morning. On the other hand, our cycle of hormones is a bit more complicated and lengthy than that; the result is that we are on far less of a “daily horny schedule” than men. And that’s before we get into realities like the processes of pregnancy and menopause. We don’t just age and change to disrupt your fantasies and desires; we ride the wild wave of our biology because that’s fucking life. Literally.

In a civilized culture, where humanity & good citizenry is defined largely by our ability to override our animal nature, hormones still have their way with us. Even amidst our culture wars and culture lag, they play their role. But, romance aside, if culture is to override such base things as biology, then something desperately needs to be done in terms of equality and the messages being sent to and about women.

Source: Hetero Men Complain About Sexual Rejection From Women. Really? | Sex~Kitten.net

Should #ghost signs be restored? It gives me a funny feeling, as if something important is being lost, or faked or ruined in some way. I don't think a ghost sign can be restored perfectly. Even if it can be, should it be? Does it lose it's history when we try to restore it. Like patina on antiques, is a ghost sign something which keeps value once it gets updated or cleaned?

Eddy's Bread Ghost Sign Restoration Project

Salisbury, NC Ghost Sign Restoration Project

Sign Collectors on Facebook inspired me to write about collecting signs. I don't collect them myself but I will photograph old signs I see along the way.

I also found a Facebook page about fake signs. How would you know if an old sign was really old or just made to look old and weathered? I wouldn't even have thought about someone creating fake old signs.

A romance isn't really a romance unless the damsel is thoroughly and properly rescued. Every good romance movie has that moment where the guy stands up for the girl. He takes her side and stays there, having her back. It gives me that warm feeling every time. That one moment is what keeps a good romance from being just a sappy movie.

Dermot Mulroney shines in this movie, as the guy who sticks by his woman, takes her side and doesn't back down when she needs to be told she's wrong either. He is no wimp. He does have a sexy smile you won't soon forget either.

I've watched this movie three times: once in the movie theatre when it was new and twice since then when I noticed it on TV. I'd still watch it a fourth time if it were on tonight.

The end question is... who would you buy as a date for a wedding (or just a date of your choosing)?

Kat, hires a man she has never met before to be her date for a wedding. Nick, an escort for hire, turns out to be worth all she pays. He looks good, he speaks well and there is something very leading man about him even when he is just paid to be there - you feel he actually does want to be there. There is more to the story of course, Turns out Kat's ex boyfriend is at the wedding. She wants him back. But, there's a little secret Kat's friends have been keeping from her...

In the end it all works out and Nick (Dermot Mulroney) stands by his woman.

If you could hire a really great guy to be your date for a family function... would you?

• Of course not, I'm already married/ with a really great guy.
• No, I can barely ask a guy out on a regular date.
• No, he wouldn't be a "nice" guy if he can be paid for that way.
• Yes, I might.
• Yes, I'd be tempted to show off a great catch, just for once.
• Yes, it could be fun and only one day after all.