KIPPAGE: Fun Facts and Useless Information 5: Big Turkey

THANKSGIVING COBBLER, THAT’S RIGHT, COBBLER.

Before Cranberries were introduced into this country by the Pilgrims, berry cobbler of many sorts was a side dish instead of the bog fruit for Thanksgiving meals.

Turkeys are very stupid, when it rains, a lot of them will look up with their mouths open, and drown from getting their lungs filled with fluid. That’s why you see turkey farms with big outdoor sheds to keep them from committing suicide unknowingly.

The turkey was domesticated in Mexico, and brought to and brought to Europe in the 16th century. The pilgrims hunted wild turkeys here, many ingenious traps were shown to them by the local indians on how to catch them.

Wild turkeys can run up to speeds in excess of 25 mph.

The fleshy growth under a turkey’s throat is called a ‘wattle’.

Israelis eat the most turkey on the planet; it is estimated 30 pounds per person, per year.

Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.

Several polls have been taken over the years about what the most favorite holiday is to people. Thanksgiving came out first, Christmas second, and Halloween third.

SPACE THE NEW FRONTIER, NO FINALITIES HERE.

New stars are formed from nebulous gas, the nebulous gas is made up of particles and elements from stars that exploded long ago. Eventually, these particles and elements attract each other over millions of years and start reacting to make the nebulous cloud, which in turn forms new stars. To make a long story short, we have a self regenerating universe.

By exploring space, we will make life better for humanity. There are many riches to be gathered, and planets out there to colonize. Everyone would have a job, and a high standard of living. First we as a human race, have to get our shit together and make something of ourselves. Poverty, hunger, disease, would all be a thing of the past. Big words yes, we have the technology to do this now. If we can use our intelligence to make it so, we might stand a chance of surviving, and take our place in the society of the universe.

The big question almost always arises when space is discussed, “Is there life other than ours in the universe?” So far, no substantial proof has been offered one way, or the other. However given the immensity of space, it would be criminal in thought to believe that we are the only living creatures in the entire universe.

The next time you look into space, remember, that the term “Space”, is just a term we have given to that void which is above us, out there, for a reference point. Look out into ‘Space’, and ask yourself, “What is this, really?”

CRYSTAL KITTY.

Crystals are pretty, and fascinating, and have many uses. We would not have modern day radios or televisions were it not for the humble crystal. Watches would be a heavy cumbersome piece to wear on your arm. Clocks would take up a good sized space in your house. Now, however, with the advent of semi-conductors, and integrated circuits, crystals are not used as much in electronics as they used to be. But, they played a major role in the development of modern day gadgets.

Jewelry, made of precious crystalline forms, is much treasured by humans. Some precious crystals are thought to have healing properties. Amber beads for one, can be rubbed together and create what some naturopath’s consider a regenerating field to help the body recover from anything such as illnesses to broken bones. There are many lists of the different gems and crystals, and the healing properties, and powers they are purported to have. It is said that to look into a jewel, you see the reflection of your mind, and can use that reflection to cure, or kill yourself, it is your choice.

One of the more interesting, and beautiful forms of a crystal, is the ‘Bismuth crystal’. These can be grown at home, and look something like an oriental metal work of some sort. Crystal growing kits can be found on Google, along with recipes to grow different types of crystals. Lots of fun.

THAT DARN CAT.

Cats are probably one of the most treasured pets of human beings. Dogs coming in second, and Birds third. Though, this debate goes on and on.

Cats can smell with their ears, on the bottom of each hair that comes out of their ears, an olfactory nerve is present. One of the popular theories is that this was evolved by cat metabolism as a protective device in case the cat’s nose was damaged, or being used to smell out prey. The olfactory nerve in their ears would act like a second nose, and ‘Smell’ a predator that might get them while they were otherwise occupied.

A cat can jump up to seven times its height.

Cats are tribbles with razor blades built in.

When a cat looks at you and squints its eyes, that means it likes you. Squint your eyes back a couple of times, and don’t be surprised if the cat comes up to you, and wants to be held, or rubs against your leg. This is cat language for “Would you be my human? What’s to eat?”

LET’S GET SCHNOCKERED.

A drink a day, like an apple a day, will keep the doctor away, or he just might join you in a toast to your (and his) health. One drink of wine, liquor, or beer per day, cuts down the bad cholesterol in your body. One too many drinks a day cuts your life short, so drink responsibly, if you can’t do that, at least stay home and get lipped.

The human body produces its own alcohol on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, mainly from our intake of different sugars from all kinds of foods. So adding a bit extra alcohol by self medicating, is why you get that buzz on top of your natural alcohol. (I know, it sounds inane, but, that’s what it said in the book I read).

Moonshine that the people from the deep south make, legally, and rumored to be illegal in some states, originated in Scotland. Scottish immigrant's who had made their malted scotch whiskeys and other forms of alcohol brought this 'technology' over from there, and the local 'Good 'ol Boy's' picked up on it, and refined it even further into moonshine. It was usually made by the light of the moon in a shed near a creek at night, way out in the woods where the 'Revenoor's' couldn't find them, and then sold illegally to a thirsty public. This was income for a lot of families during the great depression, and the only way, outside of playing music for pay, to make money to put food on the table. Sometimes, the music and the moonshine were combined, and it is rumored that this is where Bluegrass music has some of its origins. While the still was cooking the moonshine, the people running it, would sample some of the goods, pull out the fiddles and dulcimers and play music, a lot of times with their hound dogs accompanying them on vocals. Whether the dogs were imbibing or not, is not known.

Thirty three gallons of beer per person per year is what is estimated that is drunk by the United States population.

Distilled spirits first appeared in the 12th century, by accident, when alchemist's were trying different mixtures of chemicals and solvents to try to turn lead into gold.

OUT ON THE TILES.

The number of drinks it takes to get one to pass out varies from person to person, depending on their weight, height, metabolism, and other personal factors. One thing we all have in common is that we all have our limit as to how much we can imbibe before doing a faceplant, or driving the porcelain bus. Drink and have fun, keep your buzz on one side, and your senses on the other.

As always, this is a disclaimer to any and all of the above written vignettes. I make no claim as to their origin, and / or validity. I am merely passing along such fun things for other people to enjoy. I make no claim to the titile "Fun facts and Useless Information". If someone else has this same title for their usage, this collection of different facts and whatevers was not intended as anything other than free entertainment. I'll be researching for more useless information in the future, how about sending Jazz some useless information about yourselves for his blog? LOL!

Have Fun.

KIP