Happy Halloween

Toothache Tree

The Toothache Tree is growing under the Black Gum. You can see why it is called a Thorn Tree. It is also called Angelica Tree, Devil's Walking Stick, and Prickly Ash.

From the Internet

The natives of North America used the prickly ash to seek relief fromtoothaches and hence the prickly ash shrub is also known as the toothache tree. In order to get rid of toothaches, the natives of North America chewed the barks of the prickly ash shrub. Many of them even crushed the bark of the prickly ash and pasted it on their gums for relief. Although the native North Americans vouched the usefulness of the prickly ash in curing toothaches, Constantine Rafinesque, a European herbalist who was studying therapeutic herbs in America around 1830, claimed that the medication did not bring any relief to him. In his documentation, Constantine wrote that he experienced a burning sensation in the mouth when he used the bark of prickly ash. He further wrote that while there was a temporary relief from the toothache owing to the burning sensation, the pain returned as soon as the effect of the bark waned.

In addition to relieving toothache, the prickly ash tree had other benefits for the native North Americans. Gradually, they shared their experiences with the prickly ash with the new settlers in the continent. A poultice prepared with the prickly ash bark blended with bear grease was used to treat external pains. On the other hand, the liquid or infusion obtained by boiling the bark in water was used to treat a wide range of ailments including gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease), sore throat as well as rheumatism or stiffness in joints and muscles. The writer of the three-part American Medical Botany (published between 1817 and 1820) Dr Jacob Bigelow, as far as treating rheumatism is concerned, wrote that there are many medical practitioners who rely heavily on the therapeutic potential of the prickly ash. As a result of this tendency, the medicine finds place in many drug stores. Significantly, even today, numerous herbal medicine practitioners recommend the usage of prickly ash barks and berries as a medication for rheumatism.

Tulip Poplar

This middle tree is a Tulip Poplar. I have a tree called the Tooth Ache Tree that I forgot to take a picture of I call it a Thorn Tree, but a guy with a 'tree' degree who bought a pup from us said the Indians call the Thorn Tree a Tooth Ache Tree. When they had a tooth ache, they would chew the leaves as they had a natural pain killer in them.

Trees in Galla Meadow

Oak

Pin Oak

Black Gun

Pecan

Wild Cherry

Red Maple

Pecans on my Pecan Tree

This is Sumac, I think

Black Walnut

Apple--Fuji

Persimmon

Red Maple

Hickory

Sycamore

Ash

Mighty Oak

Another Red Maple

Another type of Maple

We call these Water Maples

Wild Cherry

Black Gum

Wild Cherry

Oak

I think this is a Bradford Pear

Black Gum

Larry's Mom

Another Family Photo Found

Ready To Go!

Powell Siblings.

Found these on our blogs, but I am sure we have more together!

Happy Birthday, Littlest Grand Girl!

Beautiful Tree

Home is the best place of all! Laura drove me up highway 7 today for Janet's funeral. All along the route I marveled at the beautiful trees...only to come home to find the best were right here in my Meadow!

Basket Full

You just can't have fun without making a little mess.

Happier Day

Barbara Powell and Barbara Poor--August 2009!

First Frost

We had our first frost this morning. Bet Fleta and Pat have already had the visit.

Good Book

Seventh Child--A Lucky Life by and about Freddie Mae Baxter.

I got this at the library today. I think I read it about 10 years ago but am enjoying it again. I also picked of two books by Rick Bragg. I have also read them but thought why not read them again. I read fast and I will probably have forgot part of the two.

Freddie Mae was born in South Carolina but now lives in Harlem. She was born in 1922. I love books about ordinary people best of all.

All Over But the Shoutin'

Here is another good book by Rick Bragg. This one is about his Momma. I liked it and also Ava's Man that Fleta spoke of. I have also read another one but it was not as good as these two.

Here is a little synopsis I found about this one. Fleta, maybe you can find it in the ebooks.

A haunting memoir about growing up dirt-poor in the Alabama hills--and about moving on but never really being able to leave. The extraordinary gifts for evocation and insight and the stunning talent for story- telling that earned Rick Bragg a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 1996 are here brought to bear on the wrenching story of his own family's life. It is the story of a war-haunted, hard-drinking father and a strong-willed, loving mother who struggled to protect her sons from the effects of poverty and ignorance that had constricted her own life. It is the story of the life Bragg was able to carve out for himself on the strength of his mother's encouragement and belief. And it is the story of his attempts to both atone for and avenge the mistakes and cruelties of his past. All Over but the Shoutin' is a gripping account of people struggling to make sense and solidity of life's capricious promises. A classic piece of Americana, it is made vividly, movingly particular by Rick Bragg's searching vision, generous humor, and richly nuanced voice.

Pound Cake

Plain pound cake is one of my family's favorites. Erin baked this one. So good with a cup of coffee.

Hunter's Moon

I took this at 3 A M yesterday. The full moon in September is called the Harvest moon. This moon is the Hunter's moon. Fleta needs a gun and should walk over to that grave yard by the light of the moon and be a hunter! The star you see is actually Jupiter. The moon makes the night so full of light the olden hunters could see their prey!