Who Will Be First?

 

I'm guessing Dad.

Or Grampa if he's still around.

And I hope I die in my sleep, like my Grampa.

Not like the terrified passengers in his car!

Ba da boom!

I Guess Not

Walked by the gravesite of great Canadian teacher and composer Alexander Muir, who in 1867 to celebrate Canada's confederation, wrote the iconic song The Maple Leaf Forever.

Fittingly, his tombstone is bordered by a Black Maple tree and a Red Maple tree.

Until this week, that is. 

When somebody cut down the red maple. It's bad enough to cut down a maple tree but, this maple tree was meant to last.... forever....

Unbefrickin'lievable. 

Alexander Muir  1830 - 1906

The young dashing Scotsman at age 25

Laundry...?

 

You Get Me

 

How Long After Drowning Did He Die?

 

Easy - Don't Do It!!

 

David & Goliath

 

Couldn't be both more different, but both future Hall Of Famers.

Too Much Time On Your Hands?

 

This is why the line was so long outside this stall.

Of Course....

 

I'm Feeling Much Better - Part 2

 

A follow up an earlier post I'm Feeling Much Better - Part 1

When Ya Gotta Go....

 

Red Bull!

 

That was easy.

Hey! You're Missing A Letter

 

Lost In Translation

 

A Lot Of History

 

This is a picture of Yonge Street in Toronto from 1954.  Just south of Davisville Ave, which is south of Eglinton Ave.

What's interesting about this is

1) there is a train going over what is now a pedestrian bridge. but was then a main CNR bridge

2) some old cars

3) subway cars along the right belonging to Toronto new, but unopened subway system, and

4) and middle left, chugging up Yonge St, an Toronto streetcar from Toronto's old (circa 1890) streetcar system, obviously still in operation.

So, four different modes of transportation all together in one picture. 

71 Years Later.....

A lot more character 71 years ago.

Maybe this will help.....

What The....?

 

I Still Got It!

 

Now, since this fellow, Goliath, is reported to be 135 years old, how do they know this is his first...uhh...child?

But I wouldn't want to call him out on it, though.

You Wanna Go?

But turns out, maybe they do know this is his first.

According to Goliath’s official record, he hatched on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos on June 15, 1890.  He arrived at the Bronx Zoo in 1929 and moved to Zoo Miami in 1981. 

He has bred with several different females during his time at Zoo Miami, but he has never sired an offspring. 

Whoa!  How did that picture get in here!  Tortoise porn.

Anyway, I guess Goliath likes 'em young; the new hatchling’s mother, Sweet Pea, is estimated to be between 85 and 100 years old.

But I guess old friendships are the best friendships.....

Happy birthday and Father's Day, Goliath.

I Knew It!

 

"I'm Feeling Much Better"

 

This was actually quite common in the 1,800s. The fear of being buried alive peaked in the early 19th century during the cholera epidemics. 

A design for safety featured an above ground bell that could be rung from inside the coffin. 

I'm guessing after a while and if nobody noticed, you might get a little anxious and start really yanking on that bell. 

Of course the last thing you want is for that string to break. Then you're really done. 

Ever heard of the expression "Saved by the bell?

Apparently, that has nothing to do with being buried alive and everything to do with boxing.