Weekend Trivia ~ Saturday

10 years ago

Happy Saturday Morning, Cottagers! It is a mild +10C, sunny day here. I will be off shortly to get my mani/pedi!! A lovely little extravagance that I anticipate greatly.

Well, it feels like Spring right now, though I know the "Polar Vortex" is coming back tomorrow or Monday - hey, here's my prediction - watch for an SUV called a 'Vortex' coming to car dealers near you in the next couple of years!! I have picked up some seeds for asters and such, even grown cat grass for the girls. My friend the winemaker and I were discussing the seeds we like to grown and the catalogs we are perusing. So let's talk about starting seeds, then, shall we? We know, of course, that the older the seed, the less viable it becomes. When I have older seed I tend to 'double-up' my planting, just to be sure. I read great article in the paper this week about the oldest seed ever sprouted. Before this, it had been a 1200-year-old Lotus seed. This one is Biblical in its age. Any ideas, oh Cottage seed-starter? Hmmm...I will be back with clues!!

Nancy.

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Comments (28)

cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
10 years ago
Well, I am willing to bet the others will know this. I need to do some thinking about possible biblical plants.

Spent this morning at the vet. Annabel has been limping. It appears that she has a torn ACL. Ugh. Needs sedated x-rays and then probably surgery. No more plant catalogue perusing or buying for me! :(

Cynthia
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
10 years ago
So sorry to hear about Annabel Cyn, but if surgery is the way to go to fix the problem that's what we have to do for these treasured members of our families.

Nancy, talking about weather the last couple of days were really nice here, I was out pruning, digging and raking, had a list of things on the drawing board for today like the huge Hydrangea which has overgrown it's spot so thought I'd take a chance and cut it down to the ground, let it come again. Sigh, had to cancel the date I had with my pruning saw, put it on hold for a day or two it's snowing here. The powers that be say it's going to turn to rain so fingers crossed it's all washed away in a day or two.

I'm thinking the seed you're talking about produces something edible when mature, hot or cold?

Annette
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Sorry I am late back to do the reveal, but you all had the answer!! German physicist Wilhelm RÃÂ¶ntgen is usually credited as the discoverer of X-rays in 1895, because he was the first to systematically study them, though he is not the first to have observed their effects. He is also the one who gave them the name "X-rays" (signifying an unknown quantity though many others referred to these as "RÃÂ¶ntgen rays" (and the associated X-ray radiograms as, "RÃÂ¶ntgenograms") for several decades after their discovery and even to this day in some languages, including RÃÂ¶ntgen's native German. Rontgen's discovery occurred accidentally in his Wurzburg, Germany, lab, where he was testing whether cathode rays could pass through glass when he noticed a glow coming from a nearby chemically coated screen. He dubbed the rays that caused this glow X-rays because of their unknown nature. Rontgen's discovery was labeled a medical miracle and X-rays soon became an important diagnostic tool in medicine, allowing doctors to see inside the human body for the first time without surgery. In 1897, X-rays were first used on a military battlefield, during the Balkan War, to find bullets and broken bones inside patients. Scientists were quick to realize the benefits of X-rays, but slower to comprehend the harmful effects of radiation. Initially, it was believed X-rays passed through flesh as harmlessly as light. However, within several years, researchers began to report cases of burns and skin damage after exposure to X-rays, and in 1904, Thomas Edison's assistant, Clarence Dally, who had worked extensively with X-rays, died of skin cancer. The rest, as they say, is history! So, for everyone: Thanks for playing. See you all next week. I am still pondering Cynthia's question, while it seems the rest of you have it !! Nancy.
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lol,well, as you have demonstrated the most common are not that hard to guess, or too terribly creative!! It is also noted where they ranked the year before. 1. 123456 (Unchanged from 2013) 2. password (Unchanged) 3. 12345 (Up 17) 4. 12345678 (Down 1) 5. qwerty (Down 1) I was told by a millenial that patterns were the new thing, and he set a password up for me - q1w2e3r4 - which as it turns out is not that original, or that easy to type into a tablet. I abandoned that for my own form of original. I don't have anything to hacked or data-mined for, so I seem safe. I believe everyone had a good idea of the top at the end, so for everyone: Hope you had fun with the guessing game. See you all next week. I am back on my diet for the next 2 weeks. The 12 lbs. I lost stayed off nicely over the holiday season, so I am keen to get more off for Spring!! Thanks for playing. Nancy. Here is a link that might be useful: Here's the article
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Well, by golly, looks like an early end!! The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen that produces the cashew nut and the cashew apple. It can grow as high as 14 metres (46 ft), but the dwarf cashew, growing up to 6 metres (20 ft), has proved more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields. The cashew nut is served as a snack or used in recipes, like other nuts, although it is actually a seed. The cashew apple is a fruit, whose pulp can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or distilled into liqueur. The shell of the cashew nut yields derivatives that can be used in many applications from lubricants to paints, and other parts of the tree have traditionally been used for snake-bites and other folk remedies. Originally native to northeastern Brazil, the tree is now widely grown in tropical regions, India and Nigeria being major producers, in addition to Vietnam, the Ivory Coast, and Indonesia. The true fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney or boxing-glove shaped drupe that grows at the end of the cashew apple. The drupe develops first on the tree, and then the pedicel expands to become the cashew apple. Within the true fruit is a single seed, the cashew nut. Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the nut of the cashew is a seed. The seed is surrounded by a double shell containing an allergenic phenolic resin, anacardic acid, a potent skin irritant chemically related to the better-known allergenic oil urushiol which is also a toxin found in the related poison ivy. Properly roasting cashews destroys the toxin, but it must be done outdoors as the smoke (not unlike that from burning poison ivy) contains urushiol droplets which can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening, reactions by irritating the lungs. People who are allergic to cashew urushiols may also react to mango or pistachio which are also in the Anacardiaceae family. Some people are allergic to cashew nuts, but cashews are a less frequent allergen than other nuts or peanuts. So, for everyone: And now, we will wait for Cynthia's trivia tomorrow. Sorry that was so easy, but I figured I'd give it a try. Nancy.
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Well, I should have been back more often with clues but everything is a struggle right now - I have strep and haven't been able to get in to see my Dr. yet - oh well, tomorrow hopefully. 1. El Nino The most dominant pattern responsible for interannual, or year-to-year, climate variability across the globe. During an El Niño event, warmer-than-normal sea-surface temperatures occur in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, while cooler-than-normal temperatures are observed in the western part of the tropical Pacific. El Niño (Spanish for "The Baby Boy" of the Christmas story) was named more than 100 years ago by Peruvian fishers who noticed the warming water off their shores around Christmas time. 2. La Nina During a La Niña event, cooler-than-normal sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) occur in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and warmer-than-normal SSTS are measured in the western part of the tropical Pacific. During La Niña, convection over the western Pacific tends to be farther west than the climatological average, bringing heavier-than-usual and more persistent rains to Indonesia and northern Australia, among other teleconnections. Like its brother, La Niña recurs at intervals ranging from about two to seven years, with events typically lasting from one to three years. Researchers believe La Niña behavior could change with global warming, although the exact nature of this change remains uncertain. 3. Montreal Express An informal term for the pattern that results when the polar jet stream arcs from northern Siberia across western Canada, then dips southward across central and eastern North America. Along the northeast coast of North America, a similar pattern in which the cold air originates over Canada is called the Montreal Express. 4. Trade Winds - yep, that's one!! The easterly surface winds prevailing across the tropics. The trade winds, part of the Hadley circulation, got their name at the dawn of the age of oceanic sailing, when cargo traders learned to rely upon them. 5. Vortex The circulation associated with a surface low-pressure area. Vortices can range in size from dust devils to tornadoes to hemispheric patterns. Some more localized weather may be referred to as: 6. Lake Effect Think Buffalo. Lake-effect snow is produced during cooler atmospheric conditions when cold winds move across long expanses of warmer lake water, providing energy and picking up water vapor, which freezes and is deposited on the leeward (downwind) shores. Did anyone see the pictures of the storm-front moving across Lake Ontario towards Buffalo? Truly awesome. 7. Alberta Clipper - An Alberta clipper (also known as a Canadian Clipper) is a fast moving low pressure area which generally affects the central provinces of Canada and parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Most clippers occur between December and February, but can also occur occasionally in November. 8. Panhandle Hook - A Panhandle hook is a relatively infrequent winter storm system whose cyclogenesis occurs in the South to southwestern United States from the late fall through winter and into the early spring months. They trek to the northeast on a path towards the Great Lakes region, as the southwesterly jet streams are most prevalent, usually affecting the Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada. Panhandle hooks account for some of the most memorable and deadly blizzards and snowstorms in North America, as well as tornado outbreaks in the Midwest on record. The name is derived from the region of surface cyclogenesis in the Texas and Oklahoma "panhandle" regions. In some winters, there are no panhandle hook storms; in others, there are several. 9. Nor'easter - The usage of the term in North America comes from the wind associated with many different types of storms, some of which can form in the North Atlantic Ocean and some of which form as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. The term is most often used in the coastal areas of New England. A nor’easter is a low pressure area that often passes just off the New England and southeast Canada Atlantic coastline. Winds in the left-forward quadrant rotate onto land from the northeast. The precipitation pattern is similar to that of other extratropical storms. Nor’easters can cause severe coastal flooding, coastal erosion, hurricane force winds or blizzard conditions; these conditions are usually accompanied with very heavy rain or snow, depending on when the storm occurs. 10. Colorado Low - You're right Cynthia, not a rock Mountain High - lol. A Colorado low is a low pressure that forms in southeastern Colorado or northeastern New Mexico, typically in the winter. After forming, the system moves across the Great Plains. Colorado lows produce heavy wintry precipitation, and have a general east to northeast movement, impacting regions as far north as Winnipeg and as far east as the Atlantic coast. If upper level conditions are right, the jet stream can push the low farther south, bringing wintry precipitation as far as Texas. When pushed this far south, the system is often referred to as a "blue norther". Well, thanks for playing!! May the peace of the Season be upon you and yours!! Merry Christmas - see you all next week. I'll leave you with a song. Nancy. Here is a link that might be useful: Southern Cross - CSN
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mnwsgal
10 years ago
I'm thinking it may be a grain.
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thinman
10 years ago
Big wind and snow here yesterday and last night. I was slogging through a couple of drifts over my knees on my way to my little barn where I store my tractor. I'm getting too old for that stuff - shoulda parked it by the house yesterday. An hour or so later our 800 ft driveway was passable again as were two neighbors'. But enough about snow.

I think I read about this some time ago. I thought I had completely forgotten about the type of seed, but a plant name just popped into my head as I was writing about snow. The plant I'm thinking of was useful back in the day, and I believe hobbyists still use it in the same way, though most of us don't need it anymore.

TM
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
10 years ago
Hmmmm, rereading Nancy's post I think I may be on the wrong track. I'm now thinking it may be a flower (trying to remember the details but not having much luck). I think it was found in Russia, the flower was white but can't remember the name.

Annette
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
Annette, I was going to say that you were warm - have you wandered off to smell the lotus blossoms?

Well, shall I tell you that the seeds were found in the palace of a new Testament King? That wouldn't help you much, probably. Our intrepid 'seed-starters' were given 3 to try to sprout - only 3. Then only one actually sprouted. And the plant is either a male or a female, so there wont' be any more pips - Gladys Knight wouldn't be happy about that!! lol.

Sorry I was gone so long. When I get loose it's hard to get me home!!

Nancy.
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
10 years ago
OK, I'll stick with my first thought :).

Annette
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
OK - now I've got the groceries and tchochkes put away. Time to cut and colour my hair - yes, I diy it. I know exactly how I like it, and am very cheap. Not really a clue, but this race and my Scottish ancestors are supposed to share this quality. Not for me to say if it is true.

One can imagine the soldiers eating these, and spitting the pips out, waiting for the Romans to attack.

Nancy.
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
TM, was the name you were thinking of a name, or a nick-name? Hmmm....so old!!!

Nancy.
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
10 years ago
I am trying to dig up details of the seed parable, but nothing is appearing in my mind. So, since I have nothing, I will go with apple-definitely biblical-ha.
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mnwsgal
10 years ago
I think I know the answer but can not think of a clue as I am coming down with a cold and am a bit feverish.

Earlier today I spent some time outside shoveling the 3-4 foot drifts from Wednesday's storm. Also removed some snow from the pine tree branches. Needed to shovel a path to and around the tree as the snow was too deep to walk. Slipped once and was down on one knee. Had to use the shovel for support to get out of the soft snow.
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh, not Genesis, but Tree of Life, for sure.

The Judean ____ is chronicled in the Bible, Quran and ancient literature for its diverse powers -- from an aphrodisiac to a contraceptive -- and as a cure for a wide range of diseases including cancer, malaria and toothache. Wow, imagine if they had two!!

Nancy.
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thinman
10 years ago
It's pretty clear that I'm on the wrong wavelength. I was thinking of papyrus, so I either mis-remembered or my brain just made it up on the spot. It sounded so right to me, too.

So we're looking for something edible that grows on trees and has miraculous powers. Aphrodisiac and contraceptive! Wouldn't that be handy?

TM
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh Bobbie - missed your post - ouch. That would have about done me in - I am so careful these days on the ice and the uneven snow. Had a blissful time getting my toes and nails done - I'm going to make this a regular date!! Too much fun.

And Cyn, I am so sorry about Annabelle. I used to dose Nici my tomcat with Glucosamine. I actually just started taking it myself again - I think it is helping with the joint pain.

Nancy.
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
10 years ago
How about sweet and sticky.

Annette
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
10 years ago
Oh, I know apple is wrong. I just can't come up with the answer. Thought of pomegranate, but don't think that fits all the clues. I surrender.

Cynthia
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
Sweet and sticky - good clue Annette. I wanted to buy some of the medajool variety, but they were too expensive for me!!

Nancy.
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mnwsgal
10 years ago
I didn't get hurt, just kept sinking deeper into the snow as under a thin crust it was dry and light.

Sticky and chewy, probably why I don't like these. Like a big raisin.
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
10 years ago
Down among the ?????????? ?????
Oh honey wait for me. Does this help?

Annette
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thinman
10 years ago
Oh, Medajool. I know what that is.

TM
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
Aaaahhhh.

Nancy.
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mnwsgal
10 years ago
Dates
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
10 years ago
Ha. I actually thought of figs-close.

Cynthia
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
lol. Sorry I have been a while getting back to post. Crazy day.
We were looking for a young sapling named Methuselah!! He is being grown on a kibbutz in Israel since 2005, and is about 4' tall now.

For Christians, the palm is a symbol of peace associated with the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The ancient Hebrews called the date palm the "tree of life" because of the protein in its fruit and the shade given by its long leafy branches. The Arabs said there were as many uses for the date palm as there were days in the year.

Greek architects modeled their Ionic columns on the tree's tall, thin trunk and curling, bushy top. The Romans called it Phoenix dactylifera -- "the date-bearing phoenix" -- because it never died and appeared to be reborn in the desert where all other plant life perished. And now, it is alive again. The ancient seeds were found 30 years ago during archeological excavations on Mount Masada, the mountaintop fortress on the shore of the Dead Sea where King Herod built a spectacular palace. When the Romans conquered Palestine and laid waste to the Temple in Jerusalem, Masada was the last stand of a small band of Jewish rebels who held out against three Roman legions for several years before committing mass suicide in A.D. 73.
Elaine Solowey, originally from San Joaquin (Fresno County and educated at UCLA), teaches at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies at Kibbutz Ketura, where she has nurtured more than 100 rare or near-extinct species back to life as part of a 10-year project to study plants and herbs used as ancient cures. It is the oldest seed ever known to produce a viable young tree. Its age has been confirmed by carbon dating. Scientists hope that the unique seedling will eventually yield vital clues to the medicinal properties of the fruit of the Judean date tree, which was long thought to be extinct. Now, if they could just find out what sex it is, and get some more seeds!!

So, for Annette, Bobbie and TM - Cynthia, did you disqualify yourself?

****
That's the best I can do, as I can't get photobucket to open
links. Sigh. thanks for playing - see you all next week!!

Nancy.
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thinman
10 years ago
So it was the date palm. I definitely had no clue until you mentioned medajool. I probably deserve only one star for that, but I'll yield to your spirit of generosity.

Thank you, Nancy.

TM
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
10 years ago
TM - How about one star and 2 dates?? - that would be rich!!

Nancy.
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mnwsgal
10 years ago
A few good clues in the postings led me to dates. We received a large package of dates for Christmas. Though DH and I both gave them another try neither of us would eat any more than two so out they went to the compost.

Thanks for the question and stars, Nancy.
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
10 years ago
That is so interesting, Nancy. Yes, I do not get any stars (sounds like yes, we have no bananas, doesn't it?).

Just amazing. Thanks for the fun. Now, off to think about how to work your wonderful information into a casual conversation yet again.

Cynthia
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Weekend Trivia ~ Saturday

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