The superstition was that disability of any sort was the mark of the devil. The phrases are in languages throughout read more

The superstition was that disability of any sort was the mark of the devil. The phrases are in languages throughout Europe: the devil's hoof, the devil's horn mark. It reaches back to early Christianity and the middle ages. Where a child was born out of wedlock, the church cooked up the impression that you'd done something sinful, and something dreadful would result. You will still find, particularly in Greece, people doing a little sign when they see a very badly disabled child – it needs warding off.

Winter is coming back in a very big way, and you need to be prepared for an extended period of read more

Winter is coming back in a very big way, and you need to be prepared for an extended period of very cold weather.

Most people today still believe, perhaps unconsciously, in the heliocentric universe every newspaper in the land has a section on read more

Most people today still believe, perhaps unconsciously, in the heliocentric universe every newspaper in the land has a section on astrology, yet few have anything at all on astronomy.

a lady who couldn't keep her legs together.

a lady who couldn't keep her legs together.

We had two major benefactors that really made sure the women and children ... got their wish.

We had two major benefactors that really made sure the women and children ... got their wish.

I threw him back. Then I held him on his back for a minute.

I threw him back. Then I held him on his back for a minute.

That's one of the largest betrayals. People have been led into this false sense of security.

That's one of the largest betrayals. People have been led into this false sense of security.

It is curiosity, quite right-a divine curiosity. A characteristic of the gods is curiosity.

It is curiosity, quite right-a divine curiosity. A characteristic of the gods is curiosity.

The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody read more

The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.