The first episode of Trifles every month in Season 7 is all about monthly observances - National ___ Month, in which we tie that month's topic to something in the Sherlock Holmes stories.

Monthly Observances

“this insignificant-looking man inspired me”&nbsp;[GREE]&nbsp;  &nbsp; We all have examples of mentors in our lives. People who inspire us and coach us, helping us to grow. What examples do we see of this in the Sherlock Holmes stories? &nbsp; From excellent examples to counter-examples, there are a handful of instances of experience and knowledge being passed from one person to another. It's National Mentor Month, the first of our monthly observances in Season 7 and it's just a Trifle. &nbsp; If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;.   &nbsp;  &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp; Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free on&nbsp;&nbsp;and become eligible for our regular giveaways.  &nbsp; Sponsor  &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   &nbsp;

Mentors in the Canon

“over many nations and three separate continents” [SIGN]        

We all know about Mary Morstan from The Sign of Four, of her marriage to Watson, and of Watson's "sad bereavement" after Sherlock Holmes returned from his hiatus in "The Empty House."   

But there is evidence in a number of stories to show that Watson has been married more than once. Evidence from scholars such as Baring-Gould, Bell, Blakeney, Brend, Bristowe (and that's just the B's!), as well as Roberts, Sayers, Simpson, and others. 

But exactly how many marriages were there? You may be startled to hear how many we identify. It's just a Trifle.   

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies.   

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. Join our community of patrons today: https://patreon.com/trifles 

Links / Notes
This episode: https://ihose.co/trifles318
Other episodes mentioned:
  Episode 23 - Married Life with Dr. Watson https://ihose.co/trifles23
  Episode 61 - John Watson, Ladies Man https://ihose.co/trifles61

Find us on:
Facebook https://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock
Twitter https://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock
Instagram https://instragram.com/ihearofsherlock

Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com
Listen to us ad-free on Patreon and become eligible for our regular giveaways.
https://patreon.com/trifles

Music credits 
Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra 
Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band 
Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Dr. Watson's Marriages

“I found myself in dream-land” [SIGN]
 Regular sleep patterns seem to be a rarity in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Watson dozed off while Holmes remained vigilant or was prevented from sleeping by something he saw; various clients described something disturbing their sleep. 

Such instances of sleepless days and nights, rude awakenings, and other sleep-related issues give us plenty somnia interrupta examples to discuss in the Canon. It's just a Trifle.  

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles

Full show notes: https://ihose.co/trifles322

Sleepless in Baker Street

“one by one passed through into the little garden”&nbsp;[STUD]&nbsp;    &nbsp;  Whether we think of British gardens as landscaped acres of greenery or as the source for finer botanical specimens such as roses, the Sherlock Holmes stories are littered with these examples of outdoor offerings.&nbsp; &nbsp; April is National Garden Month, so we survey the Canon. From the plantings of John Ferrier to untended weeds of Josiah Amberley and everything in between, we talk about the importance of gardens in Victorian times. It's just a Trifle.  &nbsp; If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;.      &nbsp; Have you left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on&nbsp;&nbsp;yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp;     &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;  Inspired by&nbsp;The Botanical Holmes: A Monograph on Plants in the Time of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 6 in&nbsp;The Sherlock Holmes Natural History Series&nbsp;by Donald Girard Jewell.  Related Episodes:       Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free on&nbsp;&nbsp;and become eligible for our regular giveaways.  &nbsp; Sponsor  &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp; &nbsp;    &nbsp;   &nbsp;  &nbsp;

Gardens

“when I have exterminated that fourth egg” [VALL]

While we discussed breakfast in the last episode, we felt we paid more attention to the toast than the eggs. And there was one quote in particular that didn't make the cut. 

We recall that quote, search for an egg-seller in the Sherlock Holmes stories, and ponder the evolution of chickens and eggs in the history of human cuisine. Which came first? It's just a Trifle.  

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles   

Links/Notes: https://ihose.co/trifles331

Eggs

“I've learned not to cry over spilled milk” [SIGN]

Between recent episodes on Eggs and Breakfast, it seems like we've had our fill of comestibles. Well, this isn't a podcast to be trifled with, so we're headed to the dairy. 

We look at instances of milk and butter in the Sherlock Holmes stories while investigating the trouble with the dairy industry in Victorian England. It's just a Trifle. 

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles

Links / Notes
This episode: ihose.co/trifles336

Find us on:
Facebook facebook.com/ihearofsherlock
Twitter twitter.com/ihearofsherlock
Instagram instragram.com/ihearofsherlock

Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com
Listen to us ad-free on Patreon and become eligible for our regular giveaways.
patreon.com/trifles

Music credits
Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra
Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band
Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Dairy Go Round

Dining with Sherlock Holmes

“as his car swung round the village street” [LAST]

As you know, most of the Sherlock Holmes stories were set squarely in the Victorian era. Only a handful extended beyond 1900, and only one mentioned automobiles. 

However, that's not to say that Conan Doyle wasn't intensely interested in the newfangled machinery, In fact, he wrote two stories that featured cars and even had a few harrowing experiences of his own. It's just a Trifle. 

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles 

Full show notes: https://ihose.co/trifles344

Conan Doyle and Cars

“I only breathe it among ourselves—a suicide” [GOLD]    
LISTENER ADVISORY: This episode contains mentions of suicide, which some listeners may find disturbing. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and as part of our series on monthly observances, we take a look at suicides in the Canon. 

Sherlock Holmes was never called in to investigate a suicide, but he encountered a few, along with a number of instances when suicide was attempted, assumed, and ruled out.

Suicide is never a trifle, and if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please dial 988. 

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies.

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https:// patreon.com/trifles

Full show notes: ihose.co/trifles349

Suicides in the Sherlock Holmes Stories

“This terrible secret” [FIVE] 
Dr. Watson was a master of inconsistencies. Or perhaps sloppiness. Or, according to Christopher Morley, intentional obfuscation. With a little chronological detective work, he may have figured it out. 

Just what was Watson's secret, and why was he keeping it? He did it so well that not only did he keep it from his readers, but from Sherlock Holmes himself. It's the lastest Masters Class and it's just a Trifle.  

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles

Full show notes:

Dr. Watson's Secret

“washed their hands of the matter” [GREE] 
We like to think that the practice of hand washing is a universal occurrence. After a couple of years of a pandemic, it was certainly ingrained into the public's awareness (we hope). 

But when it comes to life in the Sherlock Holmes stories, where do we find instances of manual hygiene? And when were some individuals positively slovenly? It's just a Trifle.  

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles 

Full show notes: 
https://www.sherlockholmespodcast.com/2023/12/episode-362-hand-washing.html

Hand Washing

“a charming coquettish intimacy” [3GAB]  
The final installment in this season's Masters Class is another Christopher Morley essay, "Watson à la Mode," from Vol. 1 No. 1 of The Baker Street Journal (1946). 

We discuss Morley's keen analysis of Watson's eye for fashion and an extraordinary conclusion about his marriages. It's just a Trifle.  

Oh, and we've issued a challenge to Trifles Patreon supporters, due before the next issue drops. A prize awaits! 

If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles

Full show notes:
https://www.sherlockholmespodcast.com/2023/12/episode-364-watson-la-mode.html

Watson à la Mode

A weekly program about details in the Sherlock Holmes stories.

Monthly Observances

Sherlock Holmes: Trifles