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donkey tail plant, elizabeth gessell, swanville historian, swanville minnesota, swanville turkeys
As part of work today, I attended a coffee party in Swanville, Minnesota. The Swanville town historian (by interest and informal title) invited us to see his house, which contains a fascinating arrangement of various items he and his mom have collected over the years.
Everything in the house seems to have a history, even the plants. One in particular, an unusual vine hanging over the kitchen sink, caught my attention because of its structure.
Cutting of a donkey tail plant, August 24, 2011.
The plant is called a donkey tail and these vines hang down like ropes. The Swanville historian told us that his mother got a cutting of donkey tail from Elizabeth Gessell, who had a very full donkey tail plant. The Gessell family is known for raising turkeys in Swanville and methinks it is one of those early town families, but I’d have to research that to be sure.
Before the Swanville historian’s mother passed away (a few years ago at the age of 95), she told him he needed to keep the plant alive and going. The historian is doing a great job of it, taking regular cuttings to replant and giving them away to those who are interested. I asked for a cutting, which is the one pictured above. Apparently the plant grows easily and I can split this cutting in order to grow additional plants.
How many house plants have histories like this, wherein cuttings are shared among friends and family and the plants continue on long after their original owners are gone?
☼ Many!:
“How many house plants have histories like this, wherein cuttings are shared among friends and family and the plants continue on long after their original owners are gone?”!
In the distant past, I did Hundreds!
But, couldn’t you also consider Thoughts, Ideas, & Concepts as a conglomeration of shared “Clippings”?
Mental Clip Art that: “continue on long after their original owners are gone?”?, that we Try to piece together as we continue Our Journey?
However, Mental Clippings have a natural tendency to Mutate, which is probably a Good thing?! ♫
Jerry – I thought about your idea along the lines of Mental Clip Art some time ago – way back in 2007 – but I couched the idea in terms of a genealogy of a work of art.
How do I know the exact year? Do I have a stunning ability to remember facts? Nope. I blogged about it on my Filter & Splice blog here: http://filterandsplice.blogspot.com/2007/06/its-not-heat.html
I do so love the date function on blogs.
☼ Hey, who knew? I joined after the bit about “Shinola”! {Which was probably historical as well?} Just so’s ya don’t take it Amiss {or Personal}, but I lose my internet connection in about 4 days{on/before sep 2}, my ISP is going out of business, and I haven’t decided what to do! I can’t sign up for a long term thing {because I’m leaving SFSD soon}, and $60 a month for mobile with a 5G max download seems excessive!
So, it may be libraries & hot spots ONLY! Aside from that, I’ve somewhat decided to cut down on my online “Presence” anyway! {I’m questioning it’s Validity & Importance!} So: “Happy Trails to You!” {ask Hubby!} ♫
Hi, Jerry – So kind of you to let me know you’ll be cutting down on your internet time. Sometimes I question the validity of being here, too. So many other things to experience. I’ve enjoyed reading your comments and will miss them. Wishing you well in your offline adventures!
– a smiley for you