I was talking to my Dad recently about trees. (Of course, I talk about trees, doesn't everyone?)
One of the trees that I really notice on our walks is a White Oak and I asked my Dad if he was familiar with it.
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There are lots of White Oaks on this walk...Stone Mountain Park, Georgia. |
(it amused my Dad because I didn't know what it was!)
The definition of a singletree is a bar between the pulling animal and the wagon or plow that balances the weight being pulled.
As Americans, we got this word from Britain, but somehow it was changed. It is called "swingletree" there! I find words very interesting. It's easier to say singletree, isn't it? When I told my Dad that this word really came from England, and that somehow we Americans changed it, he was tickled! "Is that right! Well, I'll be!"If any of you know anything about the origin of the word "swingletree/singletree", then let me know!
I only know how much I love the White Oak tree and I was happy to find out on a recent hike that it is one of the favorites of Ranger Robby Astrove from Arabia Mountain too! So, YAY! Park Rangers are my heroes!
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I will be quite busy for the next two weeks or so and will have limited time to visit all the blogs that I like to visit. I KNOW, I can just hear all of you sobbing.... and wondering how you will be able to make it without my wise and oh so insightful comments. Well, just hang in there, I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail! Yee-HAH! Sorry, I was channeling a Wild West cowgirl there...take care! Love y'all from Georgia Girl With An English Heart!
I sure do learn a lot when reading your blog. Another something new to me day! Hope the busy days ahead are good ones for you !
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love to learn new things, and when they go with something that my Dad has made it makes it even better.
DeleteHope it's something fun you'll be doing. Now I've learned something new today.
ReplyDeleteSomething fun, I hope to make it so! Thanks.
DeleteI knew what a singletree is! My Dad carved horses and wagons for a hobby and always explained the rigging in great detail to us. Do you know what spreadrings are? Another obscure but somewhat related item.
ReplyDeleteAnd what an interesting Dad you have too, another thing we have in common! I don't know what a spreadring is but I bet my Dad does! I will ask him.
DeleteI didn't know this! And when I looked it up I felt more confused to read that singletrees or swingletrees are kinds of whippletrees or whiffletrees! I think I do have something about this in remarkably well illustrated book about early American transportation. Alas I don't recall the author's name and am too lazy to go downstairs just for this. But I'll be down very soon and check it out.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to know that my Dad loves this tree too, not just for beauty of it, but also, for the strength of the wood which was very useful for farming! Tell me what you learn about this, it does interest me!
DeleteI zeroed in on the fact of liking trees. I am simply drawn to a unique tree. It can be the shape, the size, the color, or even the fact that it is no longer living. Maybe I was a tree nymph in another life.
ReplyDeleteI really love trees too! And even if I don't know the names of them, I still love them all the same!
DeleteHow dare you find better things to do than play here with us, Kay!! Hurry up and get everything done and return to us! We're not safe left alone to play! :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Ha! I sure I should watch out for some of you, I am certain that SOME of you, could get up to mischief! Wink, wink, sure that wouldn't be YOU!
DeleteI love learning new things and now I can say I've learned something new today and didn't have anything to do with anatomy, surgery, or hospital policy! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey! Did you see that I mentioned you in one of posts recently? I think I stole your sunflower award! Not to worry, I couldn't get it on my sidepost anyway! HA!
DeleteYou always have such fun and interesting things to share, and i will miss you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mimi!
DeleteHi Kay! I've been reading your recent posts. Do you know my favorite smell is lilacs too! WOOster saucy has been a staple in all my family's pantries all of my life. We pronounce it the same way as the English. I think it's wonderful that you still have your dad and can go on walks with him. My father died 30 years ago, and I miss him terribly. It sounds like you have a wonderful, loving relationship! I love the picture of Richard and Christopher on the right side. Take care!
ReplyDeleteHey! Thank you, fellow lilac lover! Very grateful for my Dad, and I cherish every minute. I thought I needed my husband and son on the side there, since they are so important to me! xx
DeleteThank you - thanks to your blog, Kay, I have once again learned something new, as is so often the case with your blog. Never heard the words singletree/swingletree before, and out of context I wouldn't have known what it is.
ReplyDeleteNot sure we have white oaks here. I know we have a few different species of oaks, but I can't really tell them apart - I can just tell you they are oaks (or not).
I was amazed because the Ranger at Arabia had just told me that the White Oak was one of his favourite trees and then, my Dad told me that he actually made this important tool from that same tree. Interesting when something like that just begs to be noticed!
DeleteHey, I actually use that word! And doubletree! And a whole lot more driving terms! (we used to drive Clydesdales, etc)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, of course, people who care for horses would know this!
DeleteThanks for your comment!
All I have to do now is try an find a use for the word. I looked up the oak trees of Britain and was astounded to see how many we have. I just thought we had one. Another lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the Rangers told me that just in Georgia we have over 60 species of oak! Quercus! Sorry, that might not be the exact number...I can't look it up just now, but it was either 40 or 60...you might feel sorry for any math teacher I ever had, or any teacher for that matter.
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