Note: In the Inuit language, “igloo” can refer to any sort of house, not just a winter snow house. However, in English—and other languages—an igloo specifically means a snow house, particularly the type constructed by the Inuit peoples of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska; this is what I mean by “igloo” in this post.

In “Cold Welcome,” Cody discovers, in a most unlikely place, the elusive warmth that has evaded him for so long. The wintry igloo he builds with his long-forgotten nephew becomes a catalyst in rediscovering precious familial connections. Though an igloo is an ice-cold snow house on the outside, the interior can be significantly warmer—both physically and emotionally. Let’s take a look at this unique dwelling, which has withstood the test of time in some of the most forbidding places on the planet.

The interior of an igloo stays warmer than the outside thanks to three mechanisms: radiation, convection, and insulation. In the process of radiation, the people inside radiate heat from their bodies, acting as an internal heat source within the igloo. Next, this warm air, which is a fluid, gradually moves around the igloo by convection, circulating warmer air upward and cooler air downward, helping distribute the heat.

Then there’s insulation. Ice’s thermal conductivity, like that of air, is low; it stops heat from being transferred into the surroundings. The snow’s ice and still air trapped within are highly effective insulators, creating a barrier between the cold outside and the relatively warm interior.

Fresh snow is up to 95 percent trapped air. Ice, on the other hand, is very dense and is an excellent wind breaker. Since the super-dense ice is too heavy to lift to construct the igloo, the intrepid igloo builder uses snow that hits the sweet spot: dense, but not too dense. So the igloo blocks that are chosen have more air pockets (i.e., air trapped among tiny crystals) than a solid block of ice. Since the air cannot easily circulate inside this snow, heat gets trapped inside the igloo.

When snowflakes fall onto the roof of an igloo, they melt and refreeze, providing a replacement layer of insulation and transforming the snow blocks into an icy, well-fortified, domed refuge. This dome’s cross section is a catenary arch, which is a highly stable shape. Now the igloo will even withstand a feisty polar bear who fancies it as his trampoline!

The interior of an igloo is a quiet, calming environment; snow is a natural insulator of sound and heat. In my story, Cody and Logan are able to connect inside the igloo free of outside distractions. Though still cold, inside it is significantly warmer than it is outside. Hot cocoa and colorful stories help to keep them cozy. And, since they have carved the igloo in multiple layers, they can hang out on the upper sleeping platform, as warm air rises.

Inside the igloo, the snow does melt somewhat, but the water doesn’t drip because the dome’s roof is curved. Instead, it gradually soaks into the blocks. Later, once summertime brings warmer temperatures, the igloo will melt away.

But warm memories from that time in their igloo will remain with Cody and Logan long after the snow has melted.

In my story, “A Gift from James,” an astonishing discovery of a centuries-old treasure gives hope to a struggling young couple. In the process, they are introduced to their rich heritage and their connection with President James and Dolley Madison. Though the gift is bequeathed by James, it is protected for centuries by Dolley’s reticule. Let’s take a look at the extraordinary gift that is discovered, at Dolley’s outstanding legacy, and at the coins minted many decades later in her honor.

In “A Gift from James,” the 1822 Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle Coin is kept safe for nearly two centuries, sheltered in Dolley Madison’s soft cotton reticule. This rare coin was actually last bought for 8.4 million dollars, somewhat less than what my fictional characters earn from its sale. Nonetheless, its sale in March 2021 set a record as it became the most valuable coin ever made by the United States Mint. Though nearly 18,000 of these iconic coins were minted at the time, the vast majority were lost to posterity or melted for their gold content. They soon became so scarce that it became almost impossible to find any. Today, two of these coins are housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; only one is known to be in private hands, the celebrated coin of the March auction. The attraction of the coin has transcended period and generation, as has the allure of America’s fabled hostess and heroine, First Lady Dolley Madison.

Dolley was the wife of James Madison, the fourth US president, father of the Constitution and author of the Bill of Rights. This celebrated White House hostess, with her unifying personality, was known as the first presidential wife to be referred to as First Lady; President Zachary Taylor recognized her as such in his tribute at her 1849 funeral. Unlike her predecessors, who kept political rivals from meeting each other at the presidential residence, Dolley initiated a new approach. She invited everyone to the same dinners, encouraging rivaling politicians to get along with one another. The most popular of the early First Ladies, Dolley was widely regarded as witty, pretty, and a vivacious hostess. She was also esteemed as the heroine who saved the 1796 Gilbert Stuart portrait of General George Washington. During the War of 1812, just before the British set the White House on fire in the summer of 1814, Dolley had to quickly evacuate the White House. Yet she had the presence of mind to remember the Washington portrait. She reportedly ordered that the portrait be turned over to a pair of visitors from New York for safekeeping. Thanks to Dolley’s foresight, this famous portrait still graces the White House.

In 1999, as per an act of Congress, the United States Mint made the first coin to commemorate the spouse of a US president. This is the Dolley Madison Commemorative Silver Dollar, designed by Tiffany & Co., honoring her unique role in America’s national history. Dolley set the tone for America’s First Ladies, largely defining their special role in American life. Mrs. Madison’s grace, style, and wit were widely appreciated, as she served as White House hostess for sixteen years (including during the presidency of the widowed Thomas Jefferson). She presided over the first Inaugural Ball in 1809, and is believed to have inaugurated other White House traditions.

In addition to the commemorative silver dollar, the Dolley Madison First Spouse $10 Gold Coin was minted in 2007. First Lady Dolley Madison’s place in US history is a durable gift for ensuing generations.

In “A Gift from James,” Elizabeth brings a special gift of her own for the couple’s new daughter, an antique porcelain Dolley Madison doll. It is beautiful and valuable. Yet it is significantly more precious to the young family: They will forever appreciate Dolley as the distant relative whose foresight and affection kept their treasure safe, thus paving the way toward the safety of their own cherished daughter.

Sources:

1. “Numismatics”: Wikipedia
2. Ryan F. Warlick, “Dolley Madison and Anecdotes in Early Twentieth Century Textbooks”: Thesis presented at Clemson University, December, 2017
3. “The History of U.S. Circulating Coins”: United States Mint
4. “The Allure of the 1822 Capped Bust Half Eagle” by Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, in PCGS, April 22, 2021
5. “Dolley Madison Commemorative Silver Dollar”: United States Mint, 1999

In my story, “The Reunion,” Emily and her old friends enjoy the Tuscan cuisine at their golden high school reunion. Let’s take a look at some of these treats as we imagine tasting those sweet and savory morsels.

The four erstwhile pals begin to rekindle their connections by warming up with soup, the first course. As they catch up with one another, two of the women are served ribollita, which means “re-boiled.” The key ingredients in ribollita include leftover bread, cannellini beans, lacinato kale, cabbage, and inexpensive vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. This soup—like most Tuscan cuisine—hails from peasant origins. Centuries ago, Tuscan peasants would reheat the previous day’s soup with stale bread in an effort to stretch their meager means. Though this dish is of modest origins, the happy diners find it rich and satisfying. The savory flavor of the ribollita improves in the re-cooking; the women’s friendships take on a richer, deeper flavor as they are rekindled.

Zuppa di farro, Valerie’s choice, is a healthful soup, a type of minestrone with farro. It is a popular dish in Tuscany, particularly in the town of Lucca. Farro is an heirloom wheat with a distinctive nutty flavor. Farro wheat actually includes three species of grain: spelt, einkorn, and emmer. It is known as a nutritious food for its high fiber and protein content.

As the main course gets underway, the women are enjoying sweet, sour, and savory dishes including gnudi, crespelle, and tortelli di patate. Gnudi are light, pillowy dumplings made with ricotta cheese and semolina flour. Gnudi is the Tuscan term for “naked”; these pillowy balls of ricotta are “nude ravioli,” i.e., just the filling without the pasta shell. In Tuscany, gnudi are served with burnt butter and sage sauce, sprinkled with pecorino or parmigiana cheese.

Crespelle are often known by their French name, crepes. They are very thin pancakes, usually made with durum wheat. They may be prepared either sweet or savory. Crespelle can be found at tables in many regions of Italy. In some regions, the savory dish is filled with cheese, sometimes with salty anchovies, ricotta, and dried tomatoes. In other areas, the sweet variety is preferred. It is dusted with sugar and honey on the outside, and may be filled with ricotta cream or fennel seeds.

Tortel di patate is a wonderfully filling dish. These are potato pancakes, a staple food in the Italian peasant tradition. The original recipe calls for just three ingredients: potatoes, salt, and oil. This delightful dish is prepared by peeling and grating raw potatoes, which forms a paste that is then salted. Some farina may be added for consistency, if desired. The mixture is typically fried in olive oil. Similar patties can be found in other countries and traditions, including latkes, a traditional warm treat on the Jewish winter holiday of Chanukah. Fun fact: The similarly named tortelli di patate is a type of pasta with potato filling.

By the close of “The Reunion,” we find Emily eagerly anticipating the sweet gelato, a delectable dessert. Gelato made its first known appearance during the Renaissance, when Cosimo Ruggieri created the first gelato flavor, the fior di latte, at the court of the Medici family in Florence. Traditional gelato flavors include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, custard, and hazelnut. In the modern era, new flavors have surfaced, such as tiramisu, mango, pineapple, banana, and amarena cherry.

Gelato is similar to ice cream, with some clear differences. Gelato is primarily made from milk and cream; only a small percentage of this recipe consists of egg yolks. Ice cream is composed of equal parts heavy cream, whole milk, and egg yolks. Ice cream is much heavier in butterfat than gelato. Ice cream’s butterfat content weighs in at roughly 14-25 percent; gelato’s fat content is only 4-9 percent. Gelato is denser than ice cream, which may contain over 50 percent air by volume; gelato contains roughly half as much air.

And that brain freeze you may have experienced digging into your ice cream? Gelato shouldn’t hit you that way, as it is served ten to fifteen degrees warmer than ice cream. This temperature is thought to enhance the gelato’s creamy texture, as well as its bold flavors, and allows the gelato to melt quickly in your mouth. And the sweet, creamy gelato will soon melt in the friends’ mouths as they cap off their reunion dinner, heralding myriad sweet shared memories ahead.

Sources:

1. Italian Wikipedia: “Tortello di Patate”: Translated to English by Google Translate
2. Zeldes, Leah A. “Eat this! Ribollita Ribsticking Winter ‘Soup’ from Tuscany”: Dec. 8, 2010
3. “Gelato vs. Ice Cream”: Sweetcycle: Retrieved July 6, 2022
4. Quirk, Mary Beth, “What’s the Difference Between Ice Cream, Frozen Custard, and Gelato?” Consumer Reports, July 14, 2017
5. Mullan, Michael, “Plotting Freezing Point Curves for Ice Cream and Gelato Mixes”: dairyscience.info: Retrieved July 6, 2022

In my story, “The Glass Slipper,” Ashleigh purchases silver spike heels, otherwise known as stilettos. They are uncomfortable, but she is determined to wear the shoes favored by her fiancé. Though stilettos didn’t enter the fashion scene until the twentieth century, they were part of the evolution of high heels harking back over a millenium. Let’s take a look at how such impractical shoes have made their mark as fashion icons and how this fascination evolved over time.

In the tenth century, Persian soldiers wore high heels as they rode their horses into battle. The extra height must have made them look formidable to their enemies, but it also served to keep their feet secure as they stood in their stirrups. These high heels were decidedly practical and worn only by men.

By the sixteenth century, a strong trade relationship between Persia and Europe led to the high-heeled shoe becoming a fashion icon for well-heeled gentlemen all over Europe. Initially, the shoes served as outer layers to protect the men’s inner shoes from becoming soiled. Though thought of up to this point as strictly for men, Italian courtesans began to wear the high shoes around this time. The shoes these women wore were called chopines and were worn primarily to attract the attention of men. There is only one other recorded example of high-heeled shoes on a woman during this period: Those worn by Catherine de Medici, the Italian noblewoman who became Queen of France.

Other than queens and courtesans, women were still far from having their own high heels. Male European aristocrats enjoyed the more powerful image they projected in their tall shoes. The higher the heel, the greater the status. So high heels, back then, were symbolic of wealth, status, and masculinity.

One of the most fascinating chapters in the history of high heels is associated with King Louis XIV of France in the seventeenth century. He was a short man, but in his fancy high heels, he projected power and glory. His shoes were made of velvet and satin in deep reds and royal blues. He required all men in his court to wear high heels. His unique fashion sense later inspired the likes of renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin.

Women began to wear fashionable high heels by the late seventeenth century, but with the advent of the French Revolution in the eighteenth century, both men and women set their high heels aside as they eschewed any connection with royalty.

By the nineteenth century, high heels made a comeback—but only for women. Elizabeth Semmelhack, senior curator of the Bata Shoe Museum, noted that “heels were becoming suspect for men as Enlightenment concepts of male ‘rationality’ posited that…‘irrational’ things such as high heels were better left to women.”

Technological advances in the twentieth century allowed for the debut of the stiletto, or spike heel, introduced in Christian Dior’s line in the 1930s. Actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn popularized this style in the 1950s, in what would later be regarded as the golden age of high heels. Health and safety concerns notwithstanding, this popularity is still a trend we see today: Stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, and Mariah Carey really seem to be reaching for the stars as they sport ever-higher high heels.

Sources:

1. “The History of High Heels,” by Emmie Cosgrove, in London Runway, Sept. 11, 2019
2. “Stiletto Heel,” Wikipedia
3. “History of the High Heel: It Wasn’t Always a Woman’s Shoe,” by Emma Wynne, ABC Radio Perth, Nov. 12, 2017

In my story “Monique’s Melody,” Coral Jones reads a magazine article about music therapy as she awaits Jennifer’s return to the interview. In the background, Dr. James Whitaker, a victim of senile dementia, plays the ukulele. It is a means of connecting with his dear deceased wife, decreasing his agitation and stress. In different ways, music plays a significant role in the lives of all the key players in this story. For now, let’s focus on how music is used for therapeutic purposes in the treatment—and even prevention—of dementia.

Dementia symptoms often include repetitive questioning, agitation, wandering, sleep problems, and depression. Music therapists use music to address these issues as they work with dementia patients. Since musical perception is processed throughout the brain, remarkable results start happening. The music’s comforting sensory stimulation positively influences mood, as well as alertness, balance and coordination, sleep, appetite, communication, cognition, and socialization. Though music therapy is not thought to reverse the loss of mental function, it can enhance what does remain—and may mitigate further deterioration.

Most people have had sentimental experiences with music. Emotional connections, deeply embedded in the brain, are preserved throughout life. Music is better preserved and resilient than other stored information, as it allows more primitive emotional and cognitive parts of the brain to connect. So long-term memories of melodies remain accessible even in individuals with advanced dementia, when only a limited amount of brain tissue can still function normally.

Dr. Jennifer Whitaker, a highly regarded doctor in my story, is aware of the benefits of music therapy as she tries to help her father. And Coral, reading that caregiver stress is also reduced, has another reason to be pleased to accept this job. As Jennifer later observes, music appreciation is Coral’s forte. Coral appreciates how music has played such a rich role, on a deep level, in her own life, in the life of Dr. James Whitaker, and in the lives of those she loves.

Sources:

1. “Music Therapy and Dementia Care: Older Adults Living with Memory Disorders,” in American Music Therapy Association, Inc., copyright 2022, compiled by J. Geiger, et al.
2. “Music Therapy and Dementia Prevention/Mitigation” interview with Dr. Concetta Tamaino, as seen on “Being Patient Alzheimer’s”: YouTube, Feb. 24, 2022

In my story, “The Glass Slipper,” Ashleigh borrows a vintage ivory wedding dress from Alice Blair, owner of The Glass Slipper, the shop she goes to for all her trousseau needs. Alice tells Ashleigh something about the provenance of the dress; it was worn by her mother just days before the advent of World War II. 

Though all of the bridal gowns Alice shows Ashleigh (before she offers her own dress) are white or variations of white, wedding dresses historically (and geographically even today) were not always this color. Popularly viewed as symbolic of purity today, white has not always been recognized as such. White even symbolized mourning to medieval French royalty, and it is still associated with bereavement in many parts of Asia. A variety of colors were worn by brides in distant eras and diverse locales, depending on fashion, personal preference, and the financial standing of the bride’s family.

The first well known instance of a bride wearing white at her wedding, was at the wedding of Princess Philippa of England, who married Eric of Pomerania in 1406. The princess bride wore a tunic with a white silk cloak, bordered with squirrel and ermine. In 1559, Mary Queen of Scots celebrated her first wedding in a white wedding dress when she married Francis, Dauphin of France. But the white wedding dress didn’t gain widespread popularity until 1840, when Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Goth in her sumptuous white bridal gown. The queen cherished her lace flounce and veil so much that she frequently wore them to special celebrations throughout her lifetime. With some tailoring, she even donned it for her diamond jubilee in 1896. Two reasons are cited for her choice of the white wedding dress: She preferred to wear only material made in England, and she wanted to support the declining lace industry in Bevon. The queen regarded white, the color she saw as reflecting purity, also as the best color with which to display the artistry of the lace.

Well-to-do brides in Europe and America preferred finespun white silk or lace after Queen Victoria’s wedding. After World War II, with the wide availability of affordable synthetics (nylon and rayon), the white wedding dress became the gown of choice for the overwhelming majority of Western brides. Up to the present, white is still the bridal color of choice. As Vera Wang, a popular wedding dressmaker has said, “A white wedding gown represents far more than just a dress. It is also the embodiment of a dream.”

Though the particular styles vary greatly, the white wedding dress has captured the imaginations of brides for generations. But will Alice’s bridal heirloom find its way through her family for generations yet to come?

Sources:

1. “ A Brief History of the White Wedding Dress” by Yewande Ade, in History of Yesterday, August 28, 2021.
2. “Wedding Dress” in Wikipedia.
3. “Wedding Dress of Queen Victoria” in Wikipedia.