It's only tuesday and I have already broken the taboo. I had a migraine this afternoon so I washed my excedrin down with a dr pepper. It was strictly for medicinal purposes. After my headache was gone I went out and did yard work for 2 hours so I think I burned off the calories. Now I will have to take a sleeping pill to go to sleep because the caffeine has such a strong effect on me.
Tonight I cut out pieces for a lap quilt to work on at a retreat next week. I cut out over 600 squares. 304 of them were 2 3/8" square. Those small ones also need to have a diagonal line drawn across them. Whew! I doubt the sewing will take as long as the prep.
Sorry I'm no help with the history stuff but it sounds like some good ideas are flying around here.