Monday, June 16, 2014

Born 1928, Felled 2014

Remember that big ol' dead oak tree in the goat pen that was threatening to drop huge limbs and impale human, goat or chicken?

It is now future firewood.



It was sad to see it go.  It died last summer from some sort of fungus that is attacking the oaks in our area.  But I suppose it had a decent life.  By my count, there were at least eighty-six growth rings on it, and about thirty five years ago, someone drove a huge nail into it.  Which Paul's chainsaw eventually found (and we'll now probably have to buy a new chain).

I wondered what was happening at the time that lucky acorn sprouted so I did a bit of internet searching:

  • English bacteriologist Frederick Griffith indirectly proves the existence of DNA.
  • Soviet Union orders exile of Leon Trotsky
  • Scotch tape 1st marketed by 3-M Company
  • Charles Lindbergh is presented the Medal of Honor for his first Transatlantic flight.
  • 1st transatlantic TV image received, Hartsdale, NY
  • "Amos & Andy" debuts on radio
  • Buddy, a German Shepherd, becomes 1st guide dog for a US citizen Morris Frank
  • Mickey Mouse made his 1st appearance in "Plane Crazy"
  •  Velveeta Cheese created by Kraft
  •  Alfred Hitchcock's 1st film, "Case Of Jonathan Drew," is released
  • Amelia Earhart becomes 1st female to fly across Atlantic Ocean
  • 1st all-talking motion picture shown in NY
  • Sliced bread is sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri. It is described as the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped". 
  • Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
  • An iron lung respirator is used for the first time at Children's Hospital, Boston.
  • Herbert Hoover wins the US presidential election.
  • The first recliner, electric razor and clip-on tie was invented.

If you were going out on the town (and were a woman.....or a male cross-dresser) this is what you might be wearing:

And this was the new model John Deere tractor:
Somehow, I don't think the woman in the previous
picture would be modeling on this.  Sorry, PP.
And if you were really lucky, you'd be driving around town to show off your new Chevy pick up:
So, there's your little history lesson for today.  Don't you feel smarter now?

6 comments:

  1. Somehow I am betting cross dressers were just as rare as sporty female Tractor models. Just a guess though :)

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  2. Carolyn,

    I'm sorry to hear an old tree had to go because it was dying.
    The history in these tree's is just so amazing. This tree will help load up your stack of winter wood.
    I love that old John Deer tractor.

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  3. Neat history lesson. We have two Ash trees that need cut down, but time and money is a factor. We don't have the tools to knock either down, so we will have to hire a friend, then cut the wood up ourselves. Then we have to grind the stumps and replant too. Now I am wondering how old our trees are.

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  4. Your little history lesson today made me realize what absolutely fantastic changes in our lives and society have occurred in that relatively short amount of time. Wow.

    Using that old oak tree for firewood to warm your home and hearth is, I think, a fitting tribute to its "life."

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  5. I loved the history lesson! That is a nice BIG stack of future firewood you have there - Paul looks so official...

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  6. Sorry about your tree. We had to take out a nice old tree in our backyard, as someone planted it way to close to the huge maple. Great trivia!!!

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