The Official End Of The 12 Days...!

I guess we can officially call the holidays over and done now.

The end of the "12 Days of Christmas",known as the Epiphany, was yesterday...and that makes today "Distaff Day". For those of you that don't know what that is (like me) I have a brief explanation for ya!

Distaff Day

The day after Epiphany (January 6) was traditionally the one on which women went back to work after the 12-day Christmas celebration. A distaff is the wooden rod (staff) that holds the flax or wool on a spinning wheel. The term distaff came to refer to both women’s work and the female branch (distaff side) of the family. The women’s husbands did not go back to work until the following Monday (see below), so they would mischievously try to set fire to the flax on their wives’ distaffs, while the women, lying in wait, would douse them with buckets of water.

The English poet Robert Herrick wrote:

If the maids a-spinning goe
Burn their flax and fire their tow.
Bring the pails of water then
Let the maids bewash the men.

I'm not exactly sure just why the women had to go back to work, while the men got off until the next Monday. Guess that's one of those many mysteries I never found the answer to.

Seems to be a lot of those around.

Let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen as it's still too chilly to go on the patio and sit!

Happy Birthday, Little Sister...!

Today is my little sister's birthday, so please join me in telling her to have a happy one!

I'd sing her a birthday song, but we don't want her special day to forever be a bad memory so I'll pass on the singing!

She probably doesn't realize it, but she shares this date with a famous (or at least well known) person from our early history! Since Baby Sis is a little bit of a history buff, I'll share the information of this person with everyone.

On this date in history, Jedediah Strong Smith, one of America's greatest trapper-explorers, is born in Bainbridge, New York.

Smith explored a stunningly large area of the Far West during his short life. He began his western voyages in 1822, when he joined the pioneering fur trader William Ashley on a trip up the Missouri River. Unlike earlier fur traders, who depended on Native Americans to actually trap or hunt the furs, Ashley eliminated the Indians as middlemen and instead sent out independent Anglo trappers like Smith to do the job.

To escape dependence on Indians, though, Ashley needed to find his own sources of beaver and otter in the West, and Smith became one of his best explorers. A year after his first trip up the Missouri, Smith set out with a small band of mountain men to explore the Black Hills region of the Dakotas at Ashley's behest. Despite being mauled by a grizzly bear in the Black Hills, Smith continued westward to the site of modern-day Dubois, Wyoming, where he and his men camped for the winter.

During his long forced halt at Dubois, Smith learned from friendly Crow Indians of an easy pass through the Rocky Mountains. The following spring, Smith and his men followed the route outlined by the Crow and discovered that they could cross the mighty Rockies almost effortlessly. Later named the "South Pass," Smith's new route was a high plain that gradually rose like a shallow ramp to provide an easy crossing of the Continental Divide. Smith's discovery of South Pass was actually a "rediscovery," since employees of John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company crossed the pass in 1812 when returning to St. Louis from the Pacific. The Astorian discovery, though, remained unknown, so Smith is credited for alerting the nation to the existence of this easy route across the Rockies.

Smith's discovery of South Pass was monumentally important. Not only did his fellow fur trappers prefer South Pass to the far more difficult and dangerous Missouri River route blazed by Lewis and Clark in 1804, but the South Pass became an early 19th century "super-highway" for settlers bound for Oregon and California. Ideally suited for heavy wagon traffic, South Pass greatly facilitated the mass emigration of Americans to the Far West.

The blazing of the South Pass route alone would have secured Smith's claim as one of the great explorers of the American West, but during the following decade, Smith also explored the Great Salt Lake, the Colorado Plateau, and led the first expedition to cross the Southwest to California—all before he was 30 years old. Having lived through dozens of narrow escapes on his intrepid journeys, Smith decided to retire from his dangerous trade in 1830 and enter the mercantile business. Ironically, being a trader proved more deadly than exploring: while leading a trading caravan along the Santa Fe Trail in 1831, Smith was killed by Commanche Indians near the Cimarron River. He was 32 years old.

See, you just never know who may share your birth date! Always interesting to find these things out, don't ya think?

BTW, many thanks to all that wished Mom well yesterday! She seems to be better this morning, so let's just hope that the worse is over! I'm sorry if I didn't get a chance to answer all the comments, but I was really tired.

I don't do sickness very well, mine or anyone elses'. Wouldn't make a very good care-giver, I'm afraid!

Want some fresh coffee? We'll sit in the kitchen 'cause it's still a little chilly outside!

Need A Break Today....!

Mom has been sick since the day after Christmas...and it's been getting worse and worse!

Went to the doctor's office Monday and again on Tuesday! I was surprised they sent her back home Monday, as she was really sick! The reason? They said that they had no one in the office that could authorize putting her in the hospital!

Anyway, Tuesday we were at the doctor's at 11:30 in the morning. When we left there about 12:15 or so...we were told to go straight to the E.R., so that's what we did!

Got back home around 8:15 P.M. That's right! 8:15 at night and she was sent home with a suggestion to take some pain killers or aspirin!

I'm really tired, Mom is cross with me...because she was hearing voices and was upset that I couldn't hear them as well! One voice she heard was my sister that lives in North Carolina!

Needless to say, I'm tired...very tired! So, I'm gonna need to take a break for today and maybe tomorrow!

Hospitals really suck, BTW!

The Story Of "Cannibal Alfred Packer"...!

History is so full of interesting characters, it's hard to keep track of all of them.

I'm not sure that interesting is really the proper description for this guy, but short of saying he was a monster...it's the best I could do!

I'm almost positive there were more stories like this that we have never heard, but I'm not really sure that I want to! Do you?

Way back in 1901, the confessed Colorado cannibal Alfred Packer was released from prison on parole after serving 18 years.

One of the ragged legions of gold and silver prospectors who combed the Rocky Mountains searching for fortune in the 1860s, Alfred Packer also supplemented his meager income from mining by serving as a guide in the Utah and Colorado wilderness. In early November 1873, Packer left Bingham Canyon, Utah, to lead a party of 21 men bound for the gold fields near Breckenridge, Colorado.

The winter of 1873-74 was unusually harsh. After three months of difficult travel, the party staggered into the camp of the Ute Indian Chief Ouray, near present-day Montrose, Colorado. The Utes graciously provided the hungry and exhausted men with food and shelter. Chief Ouray advised the men to stay in the camp until a break came in the severe winter weather, but with their strength rekindled by food and rest, Packer and five other men decided to continue the journey.

Two months later, Packer arrived alone at the Los Pinos Indian Agency, looking surprisingly fit for a man who had just completed an arduous winter trek through the Rockies. Packer first claimed he had become separated from his five companions during a blizzard and survived on rabbits and rosebuds. Suspicions grew, though, when it was discovered that Packer had an unusual amount of money and many items belonging to the missing men. Under questioning, Packer confessed that the real story was far more gruesome: four of the men, he claimed, had died naturally from the extreme winter conditions and the starving survivors ate them. When only Packer and one other man, Shannon Bell, remained alive, Bell went insane and threatened to kill Packer. Packer said he shot Bell in self-defense and eventually ate his corpse.

Though shocking, Packer's grisly story would probably have been accepted as an unfortunate tragedy had not searchers later found the remains of the five men at a single campsite-not strung out along the trail as Packer had claimed. Packer was arrested and charged with murder, but he escaped from jail and remained at large for nine years.

Recaptured in 1883 near Fort Fetterman, Wyoming, Packer once again changed his story. He claimed that all six men had made camp alive, but lost and starving, they were too weak to go on. One day Packer went in search of the trail. Upon returning several hours later, he discovered to his horror that Bell had gone mad, killed the other four with a hatchet, and was boiling the flesh of one of them for his meal. When Bell spotted Packer, he charged with his hatchet raised, and Packer shot him twice in the belly. Lost and trapped alone in a camp of dead men, Packer said he only resorted to cannibalism after several more days, when it was his only means of survival.

Having twice changed his story, Packer's credibility was undermined, and a jury convicted him of manslaughter. He remained imprisoned in the Canon City penitentiary until 1901 when the Denver Post published a series of articles and editorials questioning his guilt. Eventually, the state freed Packer on parole. Packer went to work as a guard for the Post and lived quietly in and around Littleton, Colorado, maintaining his innocence until the day he died in 1907.

Though we will never know exactly what happened on the so-called "Cannibal Plateau" near present-day Lake City, Colorado, recent forensic studies of the remains of the men who died have tended to support the details of Packer's second confession.

Now, to me it doesn't matter what version of the story you buy into, the whole thing is pretty scary. I think the reason for that is the ingrained fear of cannibalism we all seem to have!

In fairness, I guess we never know just what we would do to stay alive under similar conditions! To tell you the truth, I hope I never have to find out!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a while. Still a little chilly outside, at least for me!

A Little Gun History...!

Many times we may overlook some of the important or interesting things in history, just because we don't realize just when they occurred!

In this case, I wanted to remind all the gun enthusiast out there of an important event in gun history! This story involves around a gentleman you may have heard of...going by the name of Samuel Colt!

Jan 4, 1847:
Colt sells his first revolvers to the U.S. government

Samuel Colt rescues the future of his faltering gun company by winning a contract to provide the U.S. government with 1,000 of his .44 caliber revolvers.

Before Colt began mass-producing his popular revolvers in 1847, handguns had not played a significant role in the history of either the American West or the nation as a whole. Expensive and inaccurate, short-barreled handguns were impractical for the majority of Americans, though a handful of elite still insisted on using dueling pistols to solve disputes in highly formalized combat. When choosing a practical weapon for self-defense and close-quarter fighting, most Americans preferred knives, and western pioneers especially favored the deadly and versatile Bowie knife.

That began to change when Samuel Colt patented his percussion-repeating revolver in 1836. The heart of Colt's invention was a mechanism that combined a single rifled barrel with a revolving chamber that held five or six shots. When the weapon was cocked for firing, the chamber revolved automatically to bring the next shot into line with the barrel.

Though still far less accurate than a well-made hunting rifle, the Colt revolver could be aimed with reasonable precision at a short distance (30 to 40 yards in the hands of an expert), because the interior bore was "rifled"--cut with a series of grooves spiraling down its length. The spiral grooves caused the slug to spin rapidly as it left the barrel, giving it gyroscopic stability. The five or six-shoot capacity also made accuracy less important, since a missed shot could quickly be followed with others.

Yet most cowboys, gamblers, and gunslingers could never have afforded such a revolver if not for the de facto subsidy the federal government provided to Colt by purchasing his revolvers in such great quantities. After the first batch of revolvers proved popular with soldiers, the federal government became one of Colt's biggest customers, providing him with the much-needed capital to improve his production facilities. With the help of Eli Whitney and other inventors, Colt developed a system of mass production and interchangeable parts for his pistols that greatly lowered their cost.

Though never cheap, by the early 1850s, Colt revolvers were inexpensive enough to be a favorite with Americans headed westward during the California Gold Rush. Between 1850 and 1860, Colt sold 170,000 of his "pocket" revolvers and 98,000 "belt" revolvers, mostly to civilians looking for a powerful and effective means of self-defense in the Wild West.

I think that most of us that are a little familiar with hand guns know what an important influence the Colt revolver had on the history of the American West. Because of it's enduring and substantial contribution to our history, I felt that the introduction of this gun should be remembered!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit! Too chilly to sit outside!

A Little Successful "Civil Disobedience"...!

Proving a point the old fashioned way, without violence, may not be as flashy as others...but it could prove to be just as effective!

To beat the establishment without having to open a big ol' can of "whup-ass" on 'em has got to be very satisfying indeed! Not that the first option wouldn't be fun, but the second option isn't as likely to get you arrested.

Public comment ban is lifted in Gilmer

Associated Press
Dec. 31, 2010, 11:26AM


GILMER — Officials in an East Texas county have lifted a three-month-old ban on public comment that led to a protest in which some residents covered their mouths with duct tape.

The Upshur County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 Thursday to overturn their September decision to stop hearing public comment. At least five people with tape on their mouths removed it after the vote was taken, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

The vote came a day after a grand jury indicted sheriff Anthony Betterton and two members of the commissioners court on misdemeanor charges of official oppression, the newspaper reported. The charges stemmed from the removal of a man from a meeting last month after he placed duct tape over his mouth.

Betterton declined comment to the newspaper.

Know what the best part of this whole story is? The fact that the sheriff and some of his cohorts were actually indicted of "official oppression" says a lot about the focus of the law being directed toward the right target!

Sort of gives you faith in the system! Well, maybe not the WHOLE system...! You have to admit it's a step in the right direction, though!

Let's get some coffee, sit in the kitchen, and think about what a development this could turn out to be! OK?

A Few Facts About New Year's...!

Once again, from the pages of the Almanac, I've found some interesting things about our celebration of the new year that you might find interesting!

Often we follow old fashioned traditions without knowing their origin. I wanted to find out the source of some, and here's what I found!

Make Some Noise

* In ancient Thailand, guns were fired to frighten off demons.

* In China, firecrackers routed the forces of darkness.

* In the early American colonies, the sounds of pistol shots rang through the air.

* Today, Italians let their church bells peal, the Swiss beat drums, and the North Americans sound sirens and party horns to bid the old year farewell.

Eat Lucky Food

Many New Year's traditions surround food. Here are a few:

* In the southern US, black-eyed peas and pork foretell good fortune. See our recipe for Good Luck Hoppin' John.

* Eating any ring-shaped treat (such as a donut) symbolize "coming full circle" and leads to good fortune. In Dutch homes, fritters called olie bollen are served.

* The Irish enjoy pastries called bannocks.

* The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight comes from Spain.

* In India and Pakistan, rice promises prosperity.

* Apples dipped in honey are a Rosh Hashanah tradition.

* In Swiss homes, dollops of whipped cream, symbolizing the richness of the year to come, are dropped on the floors (and allowed to remain there!)

Drink a Beverage

Although the pop of a champagne cork signals the arrival of the New Year around the world, some countries have their own traditions.

* Wassail, the Gaelic term for "good health" is served in some parts of England.

* Spiced "hot pot" is the Scottish version of Wassail. It's customary to drink a glass or two at home before sharing with neighbors.

* In Holland, toasts are made with hot, spiced wine.

Give a Gift

New Year's Day was once the time to swap presents.

* Gifts of gilded nuts or coins marked the start of the new year in Rome.

* Eggs, the symbol of fertility, were exchanged by the Persians.

* Early Egyptians traded earthenware flasks.

* In Scotland, coal, shortbread and silverware are exchanged for good luck.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

In Scotland, the custom of first-footing is an important part of the celebration of Hogmanay, or New Year's Eve Day.

This practice holds that the first foot to cross a threshold after midnight will predict the next year's fortune. Although the tradition varies, those deemed especially fortunate as "first footers" are new brides, new mothers, those who are tall and dark (and handsome?) or anyone born on January 1.

Turn Over a New Leaf

The dawn of a new year is an opportune time to take stock of your life.

* Jews who observe Rosh Hashanah make time for personal introspection and prayer, as well as visiting graves.

* Christian churches hold "watch-night" services, a custom that began in 1770 at Old St. Georges Methodist Church in Philadelphia.

* The practice of making New Year's resolutions, said to have begun with the Babylonians as early as 2600 B.C., is another way to reflect on the past and plan ahead.

New Year's Folklore

Some customs and beliefs are simply passed down through the ages. Here are some of our favorite age-old sayings and proverbs.

On New Year's Eve, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing.

If New Year's Eve night wind blow south, It betokeneth warmth and growth.

For abundance in the new year, fill your pockets and cupboards today.

If the old year goes out like a lion, the new year will come in like a lamb.

Begin the new year square with every man. (i.e., pay your debts!) –Robert B. Thomas, founder of The Old Farmer's Almanac

So, whether we resolve to return borrowed farm equipment (as did the Babylonians) or drop a few pounds, we're tapping into an ancient and powerful longing for a fresh start!

Anyway, I thought you might find these amusing. If nothing else, it gives you something new to talk about over coffee in the morning, right?

Speaking of which, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside this morning! Should be warm enough, at least for a while!

Happy New Year !