Went to Wal-Mart this morning for supplies. The first thing I noticed was that the parking lot was not as full as normal. I mentioned to the wife that maybe we should always come for supplies on Thursday mornings. We went in and started shopping. The wife headed for the garden section and after looking at everything, she finally decided on a few containers of flowers.
After that, we wondered through the store. My wife stopped at the yarn department and I went on to the electronics and camera departments and browsed there until she was through with her yarn shopping. Then we headed for the grocery department. It seemed that every third thing I wanted was missing. There were empty spots on the shelves all around. What the heck is going on? Is this the start of all the huge shortages that were predicted on the internet? I sure hope not, it is bad enough that they removed all the Blue Bell ice-cream, and yes, I did check today and there is not any there yet. Dang, it has been almost two weeks since I had my fix of Blue Bell. Not sure if I can handle another week or two, I might go into convulsions or hallucinations or something bad, but I hope you are able to purchase all the things you want. Now, have a great day, you hear?
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Update on Wife's Garden.
I figured it was about time to give you an update on my wife's garden. Remember my older post when I posted the raised beds' construction? Yep, my son made these gardens for his Mom, he is a good boy. He cut up an old electric pole, made the frames and filled them with good soil:
One more picture taken at the time of construction:
I put in stakes and wrapped it with some light weight fencing. Hopefully, it will keep all the wild rabbits and other critters out of the garden. Here is a picture that I took yesterday, garden sure did grow fast:
Here is a close up of the cucumber and tomato plants:
The crookneck squash already has some baby squash. Oooo, I am getting hungry, sure do like squash.
One more picture taken at the time of construction:
I put in stakes and wrapped it with some light weight fencing. Hopefully, it will keep all the wild rabbits and other critters out of the garden. Here is a picture that I took yesterday, garden sure did grow fast:
Here is a close up of the cucumber and tomato plants:
The crookneck squash already has some baby squash. Oooo, I am getting hungry, sure do like squash.
The largest and strangest plant in our garden is in full bloom right now. I would have to guess just what it is. Maybe it is a whirly gig watch-you-call-it? No? Then you tell me what to call it:
I sure hope if you have a garden that it is doing well, too. Now, eat your vegetables and have a healthy, happy day, you hear?
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
My Latest Favorite Song.
I love music and listen to a lot of it on radio and TV. Mostly, I listen to bluegrass, but I also like country, especially classic country. As I have told you before, my Sirius Radio is always tuned to the blue grass channel, Bluegrass Junction. Most nights when I go to bed, I listen to that channel for awhile and then turn it off. Last night, I fell asleep with it on and woke up this morning to the wonderful sounds of bluegrass music. Then this song came on and after it was done playing, I turned off the radio because I wanted it to stay in my mind and play over and over. It even left a tear in my eye.
What is this song? The Touch of Your Hand by the group Nothin' Fancy. Here is a YouTube link to them doing this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Tx84WKL_Y
Just in case you didn't catch all the words, here are the lyrics:
What is this song? The Touch of Your Hand by the group Nothin' Fancy. Here is a YouTube link to them doing this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Tx84WKL_Y
Just in case you didn't catch all the words, here are the lyrics:
The Touch of Your Hand
I
found your letters today
Well
I had tucked them away
With
a pair of white gloves and a fan
I
held them awhile
They
took me back and made me smile
As
I remembered the touch of your hand
It
was a mid summers night
The
village green was in light
Paper
lanterns surrounded the band
They
played waltzes till dawn
Till
all the couples were gone
And
I remembered the touch of your hand
Chorus:
Now
the face in the mirror is older
The
children worry, they don’t understand
Though
I don’t live for the past
But
in dreams I still dance
And
remember the touch of your hand
Chorus
Repeat:
And
now the face in the mirror is older
The
children worry, they don’t understand
I
don’t live for the past
But
in dreams I still dance
And
remember the touch of your hand
No
I don’t live for the past
But
in dreams I still dance
And remember the touch of
your hand
OK, so I am a sentimental guy, but this song really reaches out and touches me. Now, you all touch someone you love and have a great day, you hear?
Monday, April 27, 2015
Mother Nature Got Me Up
I am up and awake already this morning, which is not at all normal for me. So, why am I up and awake? Well, a line of nasty lightning and thunder storms swept across our area. They are all off to the east now, and we all (my wife and I and the pups) seemed to survive it but now I am wide awake. The leading edge of the storms hit us about 03:30 and it is now 05:20 and I can still hear the thunder off to the east. Hey Louisiana, I'm sending them your way.
If you have a computer, there are lots of weather sites that you can visit. Weather Underground (wunderground.com) is a good one for any area and have excellent weather radar maps and forecasts. Just type in your zip code and it will give you your local weather with radar, etc. It is really good at tracking hurricanes, too. Let's hope that last one will not be needed this year.
It is only 05:30 now and I am wide awake. It looks like this is going to be an extra long day, for sure. It will be a beautiful day since the storms swept over us and headed on out east. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
If you have a computer, there are lots of weather sites that you can visit. Weather Underground (wunderground.com) is a good one for any area and have excellent weather radar maps and forecasts. Just type in your zip code and it will give you your local weather with radar, etc. It is really good at tracking hurricanes, too. Let's hope that last one will not be needed this year.
It is only 05:30 now and I am wide awake. It looks like this is going to be an extra long day, for sure. It will be a beautiful day since the storms swept over us and headed on out east. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Remembering One of My Old Jobs.
I have done a lot of things in my working life, but my 17 plus years at Pullman-Standard was my first job other than a summer job cooking Kentucky Fried Chicken. Pullman-Standard was a railcar building company with its own diesel engines and rail system to move cars around. A lot of the raw material came in by rail and of course the just built finished railroad cars were shipped out by rail, so there was a need for their own railroad. Although I spent most of my time there working in the engineering department as a design draftsman, designing the dies, tools, jigs, and fixtures needed to make those cars, my first couple of years was spent in the labor gang and that meant I got to do a lot of different things. You could say that one of my duties was working as a "Gandy Dancer" and then later as a brakeman on their railroad. Today's post is about Gandy Dancers, well more so about their tools. Here is a picture of a team of Gandy Dancers doing their jobs:
Before the large machines, which can lay track and ties all at one time, it had to be done by hand, and when I did it way back in the early 60's, we did it by hand, too. So I know first hand how to do it.
Most important for any job is the tools, and so it was during my Gandy Dancer days. The first thing that needed to be done was get the rails and the ties into position. There were tongs that were designed to carry rails and others for ties. In the picture below, the big tongs on the left were for ties and the other for rails. Two men, one on each handle, were needed to handle those heavy items:
The most important item was the spike which held the rails to the ties. A team of Gandy Dancers would drive these into the ties with the lip of the spike over the bottom flange on the rail:
And of course we needed something to drive them in with, and we had specially designed hammers that could drive the spikes very close to the rails:
So, I bet you never guessed that I was once a Gandy Dancer, did you? Now tell us, what was oddest jobs that you or someone you know, had? Yes, it is fun to reminisce, but I don't think. . no, I know for sure that I don't ever want to be Gandy Dancer again. Now, you all dance a jig and have a great day, you hear?
Before the large machines, which can lay track and ties all at one time, it had to be done by hand, and when I did it way back in the early 60's, we did it by hand, too. So I know first hand how to do it.
Most important for any job is the tools, and so it was during my Gandy Dancer days. The first thing that needed to be done was get the rails and the ties into position. There were tongs that were designed to carry rails and others for ties. In the picture below, the big tongs on the left were for ties and the other for rails. Two men, one on each handle, were needed to handle those heavy items:
The most important item was the spike which held the rails to the ties. A team of Gandy Dancers would drive these into the ties with the lip of the spike over the bottom flange on the rail:
And of course we needed something to drive them in with, and we had specially designed hammers that could drive the spikes very close to the rails:
So, I bet you never guessed that I was once a Gandy Dancer, did you? Now tell us, what was oddest jobs that you or someone you know, had? Yes, it is fun to reminisce, but I don't think. . no, I know for sure that I don't ever want to be Gandy Dancer again. Now, you all dance a jig and have a great day, you hear?
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Facts That May Surprise You
First, let me tell you I got all of the following facts from this site:
http://www.funfactz.com/weird-facts/
These facts have no specific order, the locations in this blog are all random. I thought that they were all quite surprising to me. Since they wouldn't copy and paste in this posting the way I wanted them to, I just typed them all in by hand. Here is the first one:
"There is a poisonous plant that leaves the victim with a smile on their face at the time of death." . . . Well, if you got to go maybe that is the way to do it if it leaves a smile on your face. . .
"It would take about 1,200,000 mosquitoes to fully drain the average human body of blood." . . . I believe that there were times I had 999,999 mosquitoes attacking me at one time. Dang, I didn't know I was that close to death.
"Some Chinese soldiers learn their 'perfect posture' with pins in their collar" . . . Ouch!! I don't think I need that perfect of a posture.
"Wrap rage is an actual condition when you feel extreme levels of anger and frustration because you are unable to open product packaging." . . . My wife just asks me to open it, so that I have the pleasure of feeling the rage.
"Sniffologists have the job of sniffing armpits.". . . Wow!! I never knew there were such jobs available, but I would not ever apply for that job, would you?
In 2007, a Bosnian couple found out that they had been cheating on one another in online chatrooms... with each other!!. . . How embarrassing that would be!!
Now, this last one confirms what I have thought for years (grin).
In the US, people can be rejected from joining the police force if they are too intelligent. . . . Enough said.
Sure hope you got a chuckle out of the above and maybe learned something, too. But, most of all, I want all of you to have a great day, you hear?
http://www.funfactz.com/weird-facts/
These facts have no specific order, the locations in this blog are all random. I thought that they were all quite surprising to me. Since they wouldn't copy and paste in this posting the way I wanted them to, I just typed them all in by hand. Here is the first one:
"There is a poisonous plant that leaves the victim with a smile on their face at the time of death." . . . Well, if you got to go maybe that is the way to do it if it leaves a smile on your face. . .
"It would take about 1,200,000 mosquitoes to fully drain the average human body of blood." . . . I believe that there were times I had 999,999 mosquitoes attacking me at one time. Dang, I didn't know I was that close to death.
"Some Chinese soldiers learn their 'perfect posture' with pins in their collar" . . . Ouch!! I don't think I need that perfect of a posture.
"Wrap rage is an actual condition when you feel extreme levels of anger and frustration because you are unable to open product packaging." . . . My wife just asks me to open it, so that I have the pleasure of feeling the rage.
"Sniffologists have the job of sniffing armpits.". . . Wow!! I never knew there were such jobs available, but I would not ever apply for that job, would you?
In 2007, a Bosnian couple found out that they had been cheating on one another in online chatrooms... with each other!!. . . How embarrassing that would be!!
Now, this last one confirms what I have thought for years (grin).
In the US, people can be rejected from joining the police force if they are too intelligent. . . . Enough said.
Sure hope you got a chuckle out of the above and maybe learned something, too. But, most of all, I want all of you to have a great day, you hear?
Friday, April 24, 2015
Wondering About an A-Bomb Blast Suvivor - Twice.
What if I told you that there was a fellow who survived two atomic bomb blasts? Not just one, but two!! Back when I was only two years old (1945) the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan that caused Japan's surrender. The theory behind this was that if the war drug out a lot longer, there would be a huge loss of lives so the dropping of these two bomb was thought that it may possibly save lots of lives. Somehow, I believe that their math was wrong. The first bomb that hit Hiroshima caused between 90,000 to 166,000 deaths.
Mr. Tsutomu Yamguchi was on a business trip to Hiroshima when, on August 6th, the U.S. dropped that first atomic bomb on that city. He was within three kilometers of the blast and it ruptured his ear drums, temporarily blinded him, and cause serious burns on part of his body. It was his bad luck to be on that trip at that time. Oh, did I tell you where he lived? In case you didn't guess, he lived in Nagasaki. Here is picture of Mr. Yamaguchi:
After this, he returned to his home in Nagasaki the next day. Then on August 9th, the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, and he was a victim of the second bombing, too. What I thought was strange was at the time of the second bombing, he was describing the first bombing to a friend. This second time, he was again within three kilometers of the blast. This bombing didn't cause quite as many deaths, maybe up to about 80,000, which is a significant amount by any standards. Let's hope that weapons of this type will never be used again. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
Mr. Tsutomu Yamguchi was on a business trip to Hiroshima when, on August 6th, the U.S. dropped that first atomic bomb on that city. He was within three kilometers of the blast and it ruptured his ear drums, temporarily blinded him, and cause serious burns on part of his body. It was his bad luck to be on that trip at that time. Oh, did I tell you where he lived? In case you didn't guess, he lived in Nagasaki. Here is picture of Mr. Yamaguchi:
After this, he returned to his home in Nagasaki the next day. Then on August 9th, the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, and he was a victim of the second bombing, too. What I thought was strange was at the time of the second bombing, he was describing the first bombing to a friend. This second time, he was again within three kilometers of the blast. This bombing didn't cause quite as many deaths, maybe up to about 80,000, which is a significant amount by any standards. Let's hope that weapons of this type will never be used again. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Stages of our Lives
We all go through many stages over our life time. There is a lot more to it than the old saying that you started out in diapers and you will end up in diapers. BTW, so far, I have not needed to wear adult diapers and hope I will never need to. But we do go though different stages, that is for sure.
For those of preschool age, their mommies and daddies (and other close family members) are the most important people in their lives. After they start school, their world expands dramatically along with adding other important people to their lives. These could be teachers or other students or both. As they get a little older, boyfriends/girlfriends are added to their list of special people, then that list of girlfriends/boyfriends narrows down to only one special one. With some people, there are different "special ones" over time and with others, there was and is only one. I have been married to my "special one" for over 50 some years, and she is still my very special one.
Do you remember your first special one? Oh come now, I know you do but maybe you don't want to admit it in writing in case your current special one gets jealous. If you are brave enough, let's hear about your first or second or best special one, and have a great day, you hear?
For those of preschool age, their mommies and daddies (and other close family members) are the most important people in their lives. After they start school, their world expands dramatically along with adding other important people to their lives. These could be teachers or other students or both. As they get a little older, boyfriends/girlfriends are added to their list of special people, then that list of girlfriends/boyfriends narrows down to only one special one. With some people, there are different "special ones" over time and with others, there was and is only one. I have been married to my "special one" for over 50 some years, and she is still my very special one.
Do you remember your first special one? Oh come now, I know you do but maybe you don't want to admit it in writing in case your current special one gets jealous. If you are brave enough, let's hear about your first or second or best special one, and have a great day, you hear?
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Wondering If Big is Better?
Is "BIG" better than "small"? Well, I guess that depends on what it is and the circumstances. Is a big diamond better than a small one? A small exquisitely cut diamond would be better than a big badly cut diamond. . unless the big one was really big.
What if humans were only about three inches tall and the rest of the flora and fauna were the same as it is now? Would mankind still be dominant? Because of man's superior brain power, it could be possible that a race of three inch tall people could survive but they would have a really, really hard time of it. Just think, a mouse would appear to be the size of bear and the cat chasing that mouse would be a monster!! So, there would only be slight chance of a three inch tall human race surviving, if they were lucky enough, but somehow, I doubt it. So, size does matter.
Now I prefer big plates of food, especially when I am having Louisiana boudin, and that is just what I did a day ago and hope to do it again real soon. I like big helpings of food and in this case, big was certainly better. Eating is high on my list of things I like to do.
There are lots of things that are better if they are big. For example:
a big paycheck
a big bonus
a big helping of boudin or whatever your favorite food is
a big strong cup of coffee
a big screen TV
a big orchestra
a big "little" black book, if you are single
a big set of tires if you are an off road mudder
and last but not least - a big heart full off love
Please add to this list, I know I have just scratched the surface.
I didn't post a blog yesterday, did anyone miss me? (grin) Now, you all have big day and enjoy yourselves, you hear?
What if humans were only about three inches tall and the rest of the flora and fauna were the same as it is now? Would mankind still be dominant? Because of man's superior brain power, it could be possible that a race of three inch tall people could survive but they would have a really, really hard time of it. Just think, a mouse would appear to be the size of bear and the cat chasing that mouse would be a monster!! So, there would only be slight chance of a three inch tall human race surviving, if they were lucky enough, but somehow, I doubt it. So, size does matter.
Now I prefer big plates of food, especially when I am having Louisiana boudin, and that is just what I did a day ago and hope to do it again real soon. I like big helpings of food and in this case, big was certainly better. Eating is high on my list of things I like to do.
There are lots of things that are better if they are big. For example:
a big paycheck
a big bonus
a big helping of boudin or whatever your favorite food is
a big strong cup of coffee
a big screen TV
a big orchestra
a big "little" black book, if you are single
a big set of tires if you are an off road mudder
and last but not least - a big heart full off love
Please add to this list, I know I have just scratched the surface.
I didn't post a blog yesterday, did anyone miss me? (grin) Now, you all have big day and enjoy yourselves, you hear?
Monday, April 20, 2015
Wondering About My First Blog
I have no special reason, no anniversary date, nothing to make me want to go back and look at my original blog posting, but for some reason that is exactly what I wanted to do this morning. I went back and noted who commented on my very first blog. Would any of you want to guess who was the very first to comment? Well stand up and take a bow Hermit Jim (http://hermitjim.blogspot.com/), you were the very first and to think, you still comment on my blog. Thanks for sticking with me all these years. You, my friend, write a fabulous blog.
Here is a link to my very first blog:
http://dizzydick.blogspot.com/2010/09/hermit-jims-redneck-rules.html
Do you remember why you started blogging? I suppose that there are as many different reasons as there are bloggers. Old Ben of the "Ben in Texas" blog got me started. Ben passed away a few years ago and I still miss him. We used to communicate both by phone and by internet through emails and blog postings. I even made a trip up to see him.
OK, back to the subject, here is a list of people who commented on my very first blog: HermitJim, Ben in Texas, Looking, Kathie, Sissy, and MsBelinda. I am not sure what happened to some of them. HermitJim and MsBelinda are still posting great blogs, I know Ben in Texas passed away, and am not sure what happened to the others.
I see that Billy Bob of "Billy Bob's Travels" posted a blog about old cars. Boy did that bring back memories of my younger days and my '57 Chevy Convertible. Hey Billy Bob, here is a picture for you, maybe it will bring back more memories. Dang, I am young looking in this picture:
Sure wish I had that car back. I had rear skirts on her and a rolled leather back seat out of Buick. I felt like a king driving that royal wagon. . . Now, you all tell us some of your memories and about your first blog and why you started blogging, but most of all, have a great day, you hear?
Here is a link to my very first blog:
http://dizzydick.blogspot.com/2010/09/hermit-jims-redneck-rules.html
Do you remember why you started blogging? I suppose that there are as many different reasons as there are bloggers. Old Ben of the "Ben in Texas" blog got me started. Ben passed away a few years ago and I still miss him. We used to communicate both by phone and by internet through emails and blog postings. I even made a trip up to see him.
OK, back to the subject, here is a list of people who commented on my very first blog: HermitJim, Ben in Texas, Looking, Kathie, Sissy, and MsBelinda. I am not sure what happened to some of them. HermitJim and MsBelinda are still posting great blogs, I know Ben in Texas passed away, and am not sure what happened to the others.
I see that Billy Bob of "Billy Bob's Travels" posted a blog about old cars. Boy did that bring back memories of my younger days and my '57 Chevy Convertible. Hey Billy Bob, here is a picture for you, maybe it will bring back more memories. Dang, I am young looking in this picture:
Sure wish I had that car back. I had rear skirts on her and a rolled leather back seat out of Buick. I felt like a king driving that royal wagon. . . Now, you all tell us some of your memories and about your first blog and why you started blogging, but most of all, have a great day, you hear?
Sunday, April 19, 2015
A Sequel to Yesterday's Blog
Today I am posting a sequel to yesterdays blog about privet. Not only do they look pretty and their strong aroma is all around, but they also leave their signs by dropping small white petals all over the place. Here is a picture of the privet next to wild grape vines and my steps down from the deck. See all the white petals on the steps. Almost looks like we had a light snow:
And a picture from another angle:
Oh heck, just one more:
As you can see, each little flower comes off all by its self. Since they were used to living in a tight group, I would think they would get lonely going out in the world on their own. They didn't get far, at least they haven't yet, but if we get some wind or rain they might get a little further. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
And a picture from another angle:
How about a closer picture:
Oh heck, just one more:
As you can see, each little flower comes off all by its self. Since they were used to living in a tight group, I would think they would get lonely going out in the world on their own. They didn't get far, at least they haven't yet, but if we get some wind or rain they might get a little further. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Privet, privet, everywhere. . .
Last year in April I posted a blog that included a picture of a wild privet bush and asked you readers what it was:
http://dizzydick.blogspot.com/2014/04/wondering-about-unknown-and-bush.html
Well, it turned out to be a privet bush. They have an extra strong, sickening sweet aroma that just seems to fill the air this morning. Yes, they are blooming in full force again but this year they seem to have attacked in legion size forces. They are everywhere, even mixed in with the wild grape vines at the corner of our deck:
And all along the driveways. As you can see in this next picture, there are two separate bushes, one on the left and one near the lower right corner:
This next picture shows them along the driveway that goes down to my son's home:
Even though I don't care too much about their aroma, I have to admit that the are pretty and do brighten up a cloudy day:
This last picture shows the blooms close up:
http://dizzydick.blogspot.com/2014/04/wondering-about-unknown-and-bush.html
Well, it turned out to be a privet bush. They have an extra strong, sickening sweet aroma that just seems to fill the air this morning. Yes, they are blooming in full force again but this year they seem to have attacked in legion size forces. They are everywhere, even mixed in with the wild grape vines at the corner of our deck:
And all along the driveways. As you can see in this next picture, there are two separate bushes, one on the left and one near the lower right corner:
This next picture shows them along the driveway that goes down to my son's home:
Even though I don't care too much about their aroma, I have to admit that the are pretty and do brighten up a cloudy day:
This last picture shows the blooms close up:
I hope you didn't mind that I repeated a blog about these bushes, but I thought that they were extra pretty this year, maybe because of all the rain we have had around here. Maybe I should take a walk around my property and see what else may be blooming. . . OK, this rocking recliner feels real good right now, so maybe I will put that walk off for awhile. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
Friday, April 17, 2015
Wondering About the B-26 Marauder.
There were a lot war planes manufactured before and during WW2. I found a picture on the Internet (see below) of one of them. I see it was named Ginger and that it had already completed 19 bombing runs (count the bombs painted on the fuselage). Then I noticed the 6 images below the bombs that look like ducks. Can anyone tell me what those symbols represent? I can only guess, like maybe it could have been missions at sea from an aircraft carrier? Then again, maybe those symbols are not ducks at all. I sure hope someone can tell me what they meant.
The Crew of 'Ginger' Discusses a Mission
This airplane is an American B-26 Marauder and the picture (Photo by Frank Scherschel/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) was taken when it was sitting on the tarmac of Andrewsfield Airport near Stebbing, Essex, England in 1944. Do you know that at first they received the reputation of "Widowmaker" because of the early models' high accident rate during takeoffs and landings. That problem was later fixed. The one in the picture must not have had takeoff and landing problems because of all the missions it flew and returned. At least it didn't before this picture was taken. Since I was born during WW2, I don't have too many memories of it, except for my Mom holding me up, pointing at a picture of my Dad, and telling me who he was so I would recognize him when he got home. Hey, make sure you all have a great day today, you hear?
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Wondering About Life in the 1500's.
I found some interesting stuff when browsing the internet on this site: http://www.thatsweird.net/history9.shtml
It is about life in the 1500s. You know, after reading that site, I would have to say that those people were really tough but sure did come up with ways of getting past some of their problems and these ways became customs or sayings that still exist today. For instance:
Most people married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good in June. However, they were starting to smell so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the sons and other men, then the women, and finally the children - last of all the babies. By then, the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it; hence the saying, "don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
And, how about these:
The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh on the floor to help their footing. As the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until it would all start slipping outside when you opened the door. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway, a "thresh hold."
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which was quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man "could bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat.
OK, there are a lot more on the web-site I listed at the start of my blog. Go there and read some more of them if you like. You can't say that life in the 1500s was boring, that is for sure. Now be careful on slippery floors and lets fry some bacon and chew the fat so that we all can have a great day, you hear?
It is about life in the 1500s. You know, after reading that site, I would have to say that those people were really tough but sure did come up with ways of getting past some of their problems and these ways became customs or sayings that still exist today. For instance:
Most people married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good in June. However, they were starting to smell so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the sons and other men, then the women, and finally the children - last of all the babies. By then, the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it; hence the saying, "don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
And, how about these:
The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh on the floor to help their footing. As the winter wore on, they kept adding more thresh until it would all start slipping outside when you opened the door. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway, a "thresh hold."
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which was quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man "could bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat.
OK, there are a lot more on the web-site I listed at the start of my blog. Go there and read some more of them if you like. You can't say that life in the 1500s was boring, that is for sure. Now be careful on slippery floors and lets fry some bacon and chew the fat so that we all can have a great day, you hear?
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
A Sunken Ship and a Restaurant.
What does a sunken ship and a restaurant have in common? Well, nothing that I know of, except the date of April 15th. It was back in 1912 at 2:20 AM that the unsinkable ship, the Titanic, sinks. That was a terrible disaster and I just can't imagine the fear that went through the passenger's minds as the ship was slowly sinking and all the life boats were full and moving away. 1517 lives were lost.
On a happier note, Ray Kroc started his McDonald's fast food restaurants on this day in 1955. At the time, I was 12 years old and probably didn't know a thing about it. It didn't take too long for that chain of restaurants to spread across the county and now, when you get hungry, there is a McDonald's not too far away, except in west Texas where everything is really far away.
I bet every one of you have eaten something from McDonald's
sometime during your lives. And, I will go as far to say that you probably had a burger and fries, except for my wife, who does not eat red meat. I sure have.
That is about all I have to say today. I hope all of you have sent in your 1040 forms to the IRS, since today is the deadline for filing your taxes. Even though it is tax day, I hope you all have a great day, you hear?
On a happier note, Ray Kroc started his McDonald's fast food restaurants on this day in 1955. At the time, I was 12 years old and probably didn't know a thing about it. It didn't take too long for that chain of restaurants to spread across the county and now, when you get hungry, there is a McDonald's not too far away, except in west Texas where everything is really far away.
I bet every one of you have eaten something from McDonald's
sometime during your lives. And, I will go as far to say that you probably had a burger and fries, except for my wife, who does not eat red meat. I sure have.
That is about all I have to say today. I hope all of you have sent in your 1040 forms to the IRS, since today is the deadline for filing your taxes. Even though it is tax day, I hope you all have a great day, you hear?
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Time For a Fun Quiz.
We all think we know a lot of facts about the past, the past being anytime before now. We all have learned history in school, from the History TV show, and other means. So, this history test should be quite easy for you. Let us know in the comments how many you got right. I will post a list of questions next and then on down near the end of this blog, I will post the answers.
1. What two countries' air forces did The Red Baron apply?
2. What part of her body did Princess Diana have pierced for a 2.8 carat diamond stud?
3. When did number 2 above happen?
4. What species can change its sex at will by turning its entire body inside out?
5. People of what profession was Timothy Leary afraid of?
6. What happened concerning the original MGM lion and its trainers the day after the logo was filmed?
7. How much were sesame seeds worth during the Middle Ages?
8. Since Eskimoes have hundreds of words for "snow", how many words do they have for "hello"?
9. What color socks did Albert Einstein wear?
10. How long a tunnel can a mole dig in one night?
OK, that is enough for now, but I sure can come up with a lot more if you all like to take trivia tests like this. Just let me know.
Now, check below for the correct answers and see just how smart you all are. Don't forget, let us all know how well or how poorly you did on this fun test.
1. He applied to both the German Army Air Service and the British Royal Air Force.
2. Her navel.
3. Just a few hours before her fatal accident.
4. Surely no one knew this. It is the striped mittenfish that lives in the deep water of the Java Sea.
5. He was afraid of barbers and learned to cut his own hair at the age of nine.
6. The lion killed its trainer and two assistants.
7. They were worth their weight in gold!!!
8. None.
9. Albert Einstein never wore any socks.
10. I suppose that depends on the mole but they say up to 300 feet.
Now, you all have a great day no matter what your score was, you hear?
1. What two countries' air forces did The Red Baron apply?
2. What part of her body did Princess Diana have pierced for a 2.8 carat diamond stud?
3. When did number 2 above happen?
4. What species can change its sex at will by turning its entire body inside out?
5. People of what profession was Timothy Leary afraid of?
6. What happened concerning the original MGM lion and its trainers the day after the logo was filmed?
7. How much were sesame seeds worth during the Middle Ages?
8. Since Eskimoes have hundreds of words for "snow", how many words do they have for "hello"?
9. What color socks did Albert Einstein wear?
10. How long a tunnel can a mole dig in one night?
OK, that is enough for now, but I sure can come up with a lot more if you all like to take trivia tests like this. Just let me know.
Now, check below for the correct answers and see just how smart you all are. Don't forget, let us all know how well or how poorly you did on this fun test.
1. He applied to both the German Army Air Service and the British Royal Air Force.
2. Her navel.
3. Just a few hours before her fatal accident.
4. Surely no one knew this. It is the striped mittenfish that lives in the deep water of the Java Sea.
5. He was afraid of barbers and learned to cut his own hair at the age of nine.
6. The lion killed its trainer and two assistants.
7. They were worth their weight in gold!!!
8. None.
9. Albert Einstein never wore any socks.
10. I suppose that depends on the mole but they say up to 300 feet.
Now, you all have a great day no matter what your score was, you hear?
Monday, April 13, 2015
Quail, Pups, and Wildflowers.
I have some pictures for you today. The other night, my wife and I walked down to my son and daughter-in-law's house. They have over thirty Flemish Giant Rabbits but this trip was to see some new comers to the farm. Now they have their own covey of quail. The are really pretty birds and the pictures don't do them justice:
My son made them a new pen and they seem to be feeling right at home:
This is a picture of my two oldest pups, the female (Muffy) on the right and the male (Chang Le) on the left with his head on the pillow. Now tell me these dogs don't know how to relax!!
Today, when I was driving into my driveway after mailing off my income tax forms, I noticed these red flowers with the yellow stamens, so after I got parked, I went into the house and brought out my camera and snapped a couple of pictures:
Did you notice in the above picture that the wild flowers, which I believe are Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), are sharing their spot with some poison oak or poison ivy, which ever it is.
The picture below gives you a better idea of the size and it also shows the yellow parts a lot better. So, do you think my identification is correct?
My son made them a new pen and they seem to be feeling right at home:
This is a picture of my two oldest pups, the female (Muffy) on the right and the male (Chang Le) on the left with his head on the pillow. Now tell me these dogs don't know how to relax!!
Today, when I was driving into my driveway after mailing off my income tax forms, I noticed these red flowers with the yellow stamens, so after I got parked, I went into the house and brought out my camera and snapped a couple of pictures:
Did you notice in the above picture that the wild flowers, which I believe are Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), are sharing their spot with some poison oak or poison ivy, which ever it is.
The picture below gives you a better idea of the size and it also shows the yellow parts a lot better. So, do you think my identification is correct?
I love my place and all the unexpected surprises that I find, especially the pretty ones. These flowers brought some beauty and pleasure into my life and that is why am sharing them with you. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Wondering About The Tea Man
I heard my wife talking on the phone this morning and she mentioned the Jewel Tea Man. Dang, that brings back a lot of memories. My grandma always purchased a lot of stuff from them out of the truck that used to come around every couple of weeks:
Oh yes, they also had stores, too:
My mother must have bought some items, too, because I remember this "Autumn Leaf" pattern. No, she didn't have as many as shown in this next picture, but she did have all the shapes (I especially remember the pitcher), just not this quantity:
This next picture is a close-up that shows the design:
In 1899, a fellow by the name of Frank Skiff started a door-to-door coffee delivery service called Jewel. Why, because anything special is called a jewel. The Jewel Tea Company as we know it today, got its beginnings in July of 1903 and went on from there. The above design came from The Hall China Company in the 1920's and Jewel Tea sold them.
Isn't it amazing just how hearing a couple of words can trigger so many memories?!? Memories are wonderful and should be written out so not to be lost when the person passes on. I sure wish my grandparents had written a book of their lives. Now, I hope you all have great memories to make sure you have a great day, you hear?
Oh yes, they also had stores, too:
My mother must have bought some items, too, because I remember this "Autumn Leaf" pattern. No, she didn't have as many as shown in this next picture, but she did have all the shapes (I especially remember the pitcher), just not this quantity:
This next picture is a close-up that shows the design:
In 1899, a fellow by the name of Frank Skiff started a door-to-door coffee delivery service called Jewel. Why, because anything special is called a jewel. The Jewel Tea Company as we know it today, got its beginnings in July of 1903 and went on from there. The above design came from The Hall China Company in the 1920's and Jewel Tea sold them.
Isn't it amazing just how hearing a couple of words can trigger so many memories?!? Memories are wonderful and should be written out so not to be lost when the person passes on. I sure wish my grandparents had written a book of their lives. Now, I hope you all have great memories to make sure you have a great day, you hear?
Saturday, April 11, 2015
We learned how to Use Fire.
We take fire for granted. All we have to do is turn a knob, set a thermostat, strike a match, or flick a BIC.
Man has been in control of fire for a long time. Some scientists seem to think from the artifacts that man has been using fire for cooking, warmth, light, and fellowship since 1.9 million years ago. But, I bet they had a harder time starting fires back then since they didn't have any BICs or Zippos or even matches.
Probably the first fire that man made use of was started by lightning strikes. Once they had possession of fire, I am sure that they did their best to keep it going day and night so they wouldn't have to wait until the invention of the match to light another one. . . (grin).
I don't think that a fire for them was just for fun. It was a matter of life or death. Not only would they cook over it, they would use it to warm themselves, to give them light in the night, to deter wild creatures, and maybe to sit around and tell ghost stories. . . or maybe not. But I bet they told it over and over how they chased down and killed the animal that was feeding them at the moment.
Yes, I am sure that they ate a lot of their meat raw, but they were quick to learn the art of cooking. They didn't have a McDonalds close by to run to when they were hungry. Maybe it is a throw-back to those times, but I prefer my steaks rare to medium rare. Well, no matter how you like your steaks, or if you are a vegetarian like my wife, I want all of you to have a great day, you hear?
Man has been in control of fire for a long time. Some scientists seem to think from the artifacts that man has been using fire for cooking, warmth, light, and fellowship since 1.9 million years ago. But, I bet they had a harder time starting fires back then since they didn't have any BICs or Zippos or even matches.
Probably the first fire that man made use of was started by lightning strikes. Once they had possession of fire, I am sure that they did their best to keep it going day and night so they wouldn't have to wait until the invention of the match to light another one. . . (grin).
I don't think that a fire for them was just for fun. It was a matter of life or death. Not only would they cook over it, they would use it to warm themselves, to give them light in the night, to deter wild creatures, and maybe to sit around and tell ghost stories. . . or maybe not. But I bet they told it over and over how they chased down and killed the animal that was feeding them at the moment.
Yes, I am sure that they ate a lot of their meat raw, but they were quick to learn the art of cooking. They didn't have a McDonalds close by to run to when they were hungry. Maybe it is a throw-back to those times, but I prefer my steaks rare to medium rare. Well, no matter how you like your steaks, or if you are a vegetarian like my wife, I want all of you to have a great day, you hear?
Friday, April 10, 2015
Wondering About Albert Einstein.
Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein and I am going to give you a little history in pictures of him. He was born on March 14, 1879 and passed away at the age of 76 on April 18, 1955. He was married twice and had two sons and a daughter. I would guess that he is best remembered by his theory of general relativity. In this first picture he is a young man:
This next one is of him a little older. He seems happy and content in this picture:
He is older in this picture and looks burdened and slightly sad, don't you think?
Ah, but he could laugh! He was quick to see the humor in things.
Now here he seems to be deep in thought with brushed back hair:
But this must have been one of his wild hair days, he does seem quite happy:
I made the above picture a little bigger so you can see what it says in the lower right corner. Dang, I didn't know it got cut up into 240 chunks for further investigations. I would think that once it was cut up, it would be almost worthless for finding any new information, since the connections in the brain are really important and are what ties the brain together in thought. Of course I could be wrong, but even if I am, I want you to have a great day, you hear?
This next one is of him a little older. He seems happy and content in this picture:
He is older in this picture and looks burdened and slightly sad, don't you think?
Ah, but he could laugh! He was quick to see the humor in things.
Now here he seems to be deep in thought with brushed back hair:
But this must have been one of his wild hair days, he does seem quite happy:
After his death, according to Wikipedia.org, "Einstein's autopsy was conducted in a lab at Princeton Hospital by pathologist Thomas Stoltz Harvey shortly after his death in 1955. Harvey removed and weighed the brain and then brought it to a lab at the University of Pennsylvania where he dissected Einstein's brain into several pieces; some of the pieces he kept to himself while others were given to leading pathologists."
Below is a picture of Einstein's brain showing the top of it:
I made the above picture a little bigger so you can see what it says in the lower right corner. Dang, I didn't know it got cut up into 240 chunks for further investigations. I would think that once it was cut up, it would be almost worthless for finding any new information, since the connections in the brain are really important and are what ties the brain together in thought. Of course I could be wrong, but even if I am, I want you to have a great day, you hear?
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