CATALPA, NOT JUST A SIDE STREET (04/19)
How often have you walked by a tree and wondered what type of a tree it was? Often, I presume. Such was the case with me and this tree:
Catalpa Tree
It is sometimes called the “Cigar Tree” because the pods visible in the picture above continue to brown. (thus looking like cigars)
The Catalpa tree is found in forests from southern Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and Arkansas. First cultivated in 1754, the wood was used for fence posts and railroad ties because of its resistance to rot coupled with the fast growth rate of the tree. In the south, Catalpa trees are traditional sources of fish bait. Catalpa worms, the larvae of Catalpa Sphinx Moths, are eagerly sought in early summer by anglers.
Catalpa Worms
And my Mom would be happy to know that hummingbirds visit these trees.
BOOK IT (04/20)
I learned a bit about book binding:
signature |’signə ch ər; – ch oŏr|
noun
3. Printing a letter or figure printed at the foot of one or more pages of each sheet of a book as a guide in binding.
• a printed sheet after being folded to form a group of pages.
LOOK UP! (but I don’t see anything!)* (04/21)
Perseids |’pərsēidz| Astronomy
an annual meteor shower radiating from a point in the constellation Perseus, reaching a peak about August 12.
Read more at BBC’s website.
*title in reference to an old Detroit Edison commercial featuring Isiah Thomas.
OH DEERE! (04/22)
While sitting in a concept meeting for a book about the John Deere company I learned the following:
The first John Deere tractor was not made until 1912. However, the company began in 1837 selling plows and parts
to read a full chronological history visit Deere.com
I have always love sand dollars. In fact, I remember learning about them in grade school (Catholic School) and something religious being taught about them. (which I found a poem explaining this here.)
Recently, sand dollars came up in a conversation and their genus was questioned. (My guess was there were related to a sponge, I was wrong.)
Sand dollars are of the Phylum Echinodermata, class Echinoidea. They, like the sea urchin, have no arms or legs but move around by tiny spines on their body. Sand dollars are usually found lying in a bed buried under a layer of sand. If a sand dollar is found alive it will appear to have a layer of very fine hair on its body. These are the spines. They are a slow moving grazer that feeds on disintegrating organic material found within their sand beds.
read more.
getting older & wiser... 