Two Old Sayings & Where They Originated

Origins are clouded in antiquity for two colloquialisms still used today:  ‘Keep your nose to the grindstone’ and ‘Rule of thumb’.

William Sinclair—owner and master of Three Springs, a thriving plantation in the mid-1800s just outside Dalton, Georgia—would swear that those two terms refer to the workings of his grist mill. When milling seed into flour, if it is ground too long, it will burn. Consequently, that’s why a miller would ‘keep his nose to the grindstone’ to smell any hint of scorch.

On the other hand, period blacksmiths would wager that they were responsible for the cliché ‘keep your nose to the grindstone’.

And unlike the barristers in eighteenth century England would adhere to the rule that it was lawful for a man to beat his wife as long as the stick wasn’t bigger than his thumb,  William Sinclair’s rule of thumb would be referring to the granular quality of his flour when rolled between the index finger and opposing digit.

So while the different camps continue to argue the true origins of those two old time common sayings that made their way into the twenty-first century, I’ll just keep my nose to the grindstone pounding out more stories like THE BEDWARMER’S SON, remembering my rule of thumb is that I pray my story gives God glory!

I am blown away and humbled by the reviews coming in. Many say this story is my best yet. One Amazon ‘Top 50’ reviewer said “Characters and story are tantalizingly revealed, Southern slow, like brewin’ sweet tea in the sun. That makes this historical novel part mystery paralleled to antebellum romance plus plenty of period introspection. Caryl McAdoo’s colloquialism writing style places readers into the adventure, back in time, as close as kinfolk. “THE BEDWARMER’S SON” reaches my personal 6-star rating of delightful reading. Possibly McAdoo’s magnum opus to date, certainly a piece de resistance."   

I understand that this is God sending His favor and blessing me with wonderful stories…but that He choose to use me…is so amazing. The reviews bring glory bumps and tears over and again! 

Giveaway: The Bedwarmer' Son! To enter, comment below, and get one extra 'entry' for each friend you invite to "Stitches Thru Time" who also comments (be sure they say you invited them) and BOTH will win a copy!  See below for a free book for everyone! 

Bio : Caryl McAdoo is all about loving God! She currently writes four series: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. Known as the Singing Pray-er, she loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

Links :

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One Woman Who Made a Difference

Hi Lovely Readers, Elaine here, hoping you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week. I’ve been working on my website for my author’s platform, which is almost non-existent at the moment. Today I’m going to share a bit of my research into the great women of history. Since this is the season for helping the poor, this is the woman who epitomizes Christian charity—Mother Teresa.

How did this diminutive nun, born in Macedonia and living in the poor sections of Calcutta most of her life, become the icon of good works to both secular and Christian alike?

In 1946, Teresa experienced what she later described as “the call within the call” She was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. Sister Teresa became Mother Teresa and began tending to the needs of the destitute and starving. She had no income and had to resort to begging for food and supplies. Then her efforts caught the attention of Indian officials and funds to support the ministry grew.

Teresa received Vatican permission in 1950 to start the diocesan congregation that would become the Missionaries of Charity. Its mission was to care for, in her words, “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

In 1952, Mother Teresa opened the first Home for the Dying in Calcutta, a free hospice for the poor. Her goal was to provide a place “for people who lived like animals to die like angels—loved and wanted.”

Mother Teresa has won numerous honors, including the 1979 Novel Peace Prize. After her death in 1997, the Catholic Church began the process to elevate her to sainthood.

Matthew 25:32-46 tells of the great throne judgment where all are judged by the measure of their help to the needy. None of us may accomplish all that Mother Teresa did, but we will all face this same judgment.

With the holiday season coming, the opportunity to help the needy will increase as it always does. Each one of us can do something to make the season better for those in need. It’s good to remember, not all of the needy are poor. Some are starved for companionship. A kind word spoken at the right time can be as helpful as working in a soup kitchen.

What is your favorite charity? Comment to win in the Weekly Giveaway.

***Special Notice***

I'm offering an early Christmas present to all, Book 2 of my Annex Mail-Order Bride Novellas, will be free on Amazon.com through Nov 25. Just go into Amazon and pull it up by my name or the title. I tried to put in the link but my computer went wonky. Enjoy.

Ramee's Fugitive Cowboy: While attending the Harvard Annex, Ramee Abbott gains acclaim as a dress designer and foolishly accepts a New York textile tycoon's attentions. When he steals her designs and threatens to ruin her socially, she must leave town immediately. Josh Volker, a California cowboy offers her an escape--if she'll be his mail-order bride. Trouble is, Josh has a past, one that comes back to haunt them both.

One more thing. If you're in the mood for a good Christmas story, download The Perfect Gift, just released, also available on Amazon in eBook now. It will be available in print within a week or so.

It’s Christmas 1963, and Macy Lance has it all. She’ll soon graduate from a prestigious southern college, and a position in a top pharmaceutical firm waits for her. Best of all, Jonathan Tennent has proposed. Jon is not only the love of her life, he’s the son of Macon, Georgia’s wealthiest and most prominent family, and heir to Tennent Pharmaceuticals. 

All would be perfect except Macy isn’t the woman Jon thinks she is. No one suspects her persona of a wealthy, college co-ed is a charade meant to help her fit in with the in-crowd—and hide her past. She must confess by Christmas Eve. But before then, she searches for a gift to rival the engagement ring Jon is giving her, and convince his society-obsessed mother she is good enough for her only son.

Will a mistake from Macy's past threaten her perfect future?