Comments on: Ads You’re Not Going to See Again Anytime Soon – Chapter 9

By: Eric Boysen

Eric Boysen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:00:40 +0000

Karo is the suit of diamonds in cards and is a trademark for the drink. I have seen it sold here as Pero with the same trademark.

By: Jim Cobabe

Jim Cobabe — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:58:18 +0000

Ardis,

There’s always Ovaltine.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:20:42 +0000

Coffee and tea are both stimulants, which I have little doubt is the chief reason for their continued popularity. It isn’t the only reason, though, judging by why I enjoy Postum. Drinking something warm in cold weather goes a long way toward warming you up, faster than putting on another sweater does; in the case of a non-stimulant like Postum, the warmth can help you settle down and get sleepy in the evening, too. There are also ritualistic elements to it which can be almost hypnotic: putting the kettle on to heat the water, getting out the cups and spoons (often china or silver that you don’t use otherwise, which is something a lot of women enjoy), spooning out the dry stuff — and doing everything in exactly the same way, the same order, and at a slow pace, because the water takes its time to heat so there’s no point in hurrying the rest of it. You really can’t drink hot liquids fast, so you’re forced to slow down for a few minutes and be calm. And there’s a social element, too, if you’re having a cup with your mother or a friend, either because you talk in between sips or just sit companionably together while enjoying something pleasurable. There aren’t a lot of moments in the day to do that.

Wow, I miss Postum.

By: Velska

Velska — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:52:59 +0000

Oh, and “nekto” is a Slavic word, which means “nobody” (at least in Russian and Slovak). The Sci-Fi writer knew some languages, I guess..

By: Velska

Velska — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:35:38 +0000

In Europe during and after WWII there was a thriving market for coffee substitutes. (“Thriving” here means people were very enterprising finding their own while spending as little as possible.) I remember my mom growing nostalgic about them, but never did see any until I joined the Church in 1979 and saw members using some.

I never got into the substitute stuff. I drink an occasional hot chocolate when it’s cold, but other than that, I’m fine without. I often wonder why coffee, tea and substitutes are so big? I mean, when coffee and tea were exotic and expensive, offering them to your guests was a sign of having arrived socially. But they have been affordable everyday fare for decades now, so how come coffee or tea is still so prevalent when there’s no “snob” effect in it? Is it because of the addictive properties or is it just a habit?

I hope I didn’t distract too much…

By: Jim Cobabe

Jim Cobabe — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:43:32 +0000

BTW, does anyone know what Nekto is or was?

By: Jim Cobabe

Jim Cobabe — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:21:50 +0000

Ardis,

Coffee-drinking was common even among the most faithful, in those days. My dad’s mother told everyone she had permission from her bishop. She kept a percolater in her kitchen and drank coffee ever day.

These days the alternates for banned drinks ranges far and wide. Tahitian noni juice is one of the ones in vogue in the Provo area. I think it tastes like turpentine.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:08:31 +0000

I’ll enlist that woman and her shoulders to bounce you outta here if you mock my tpyos again!

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:00:41 +0000

#4 – ’cause nothing else is even close to Posum.

I have a friend from West Virginia who also thinks nothing is better than posum – and he can’t spell possum, either.

Check out the shoulders on the woman in the second picture. Wow!

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:54:41 +0000

… in the dark …