Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[cudgee]

My grandfather and my uncles all worked in deep shaft coal mines located in western Pennsylvania (Bituminous coal). They dug the coal out by hand on their hands an knees. Simply awful. The mine has been closed for many years but has been burning slowly underground. One town in Pennsylvania, Centralia, got so bad from the underground fire that the entire town had to be abandoned.

Simply disgraceful conditions those poor souls have to live through to eek out a meagre living, then they had to go through long term health conditions and shortened lifespans.

My next door neighbor had a very old oak that dropped a large limb on his shed and destroyed it. He called a tree service to cut down the rest and gave us a good number of the trunk sections to put around our fire pit as places to sit. I have a couple of large oaks in my front yard and recently trimmed the limbs that hang over our roof.

Over here that would NEVER happen, we can't cut down anything. You have to apply to cut down any tree over here, and good luck with that, they will dig out an antiquated report saying some caterpillar lives in it so it is protected, bad luck that YOUR house that THEY collect rates on is not protected. And, and the same rules apply if you own a farm.

 

[JJ Cahill]

Sunday Stag Lamb.

 

[cudgee]

Just finished my little remedial job that i did on a Lambsfoot, been a very interesting project and a great learning experience, will post some pics later. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

 

[Onebigbill]

Simply disgraceful conditions those poor souls have to live through to eek out a meagre living, then they had to go through long term health conditions and shortened lifespans.

Over here that would NEVER happen, we can't cut down anything. You have to apply to cut down any tree over here, and good luck with that, they will dig out an antiquated report saying some caterpillar lives in it so it is protected, bad luck that YOUR house that THEY collect rates on is not protected. And, and the same rules apply if you own a farm.

My father always reminded me that I was online generation removed from the mines. Just to keep me humble. Most of the old coal towns in western PA are just a shadow of their former glory. Many are gone. My grand parents never had an indoor toilet nor did they have hot and cold running water. Yet despite all that they were very loving and giving. Salt of the earth. I feel blessed to have had such parents and grand parents. My grandpa died early and had black lung.

 

[cudgee]

Yet despite all that they were very loving and giving. Salt of the earth. I feel blessed to have had such parents and grand parents. My grandpa died early and had black lung.

Good people who were genuine contributors to society and the human race, and yes my friend you were blessed.

 

[Jack Black]

My grandfather and my uncles all worked in deep shaft coal mines located in western Pennsylvania (Bituminous coal). They dug the coal out by hand on their hands an knees. Simply awful. The mine has been closed for many years but has been burning slowly underground. One town in Pennsylvania, Centralia, got so bad from the underground fire that the entire town had to be abandoned.

Good morning to all - starting off great here in NC. Going to carry my Ebony Lambsfoot today.
View attachment 1652748

Yorkshire was once absolutely littered with deep-shaft mines Bill, but by the time I grew up most of the pits were around Sheffield, rather than IN it. Most of my family were in the steel and cutlery industry, which dominated Sheffield, but one of my great grandfathers was a miner. When he was a teenager, my grandfather's brother had a job collapsing the worked-out seams in an older, smaller mine. His job was to pull out the pit-props, and RUN as the roof of the seam collapsed behind him! I have had many, many friends who were miners, but our coal industry is gone down, and the small pit-villages are little more than ghost-towns

When I started doing Lambsfoot SFOs, I had hoped to do one with covers made from old pit-props, but the spruce used for them is rather uninteresting. I also looked at some material, a bunch of ex-miners were using to produce various trinkets, mostly related to the mining industry. It was a hard black material, made from coal-dust and some kind of resin I think. I bought a few samples from them, in the form of some 'fairy doors', which I ended up gifting to other Guardians for their young children. Unfortunately, the small company were rather difficult to deal with, so nothing ever came of it.

Good to see your Black-As-Coal Ebony Lamb Bill, I hope you had a great day

The large oak trees around here often break from rot and storm damage and even topple over because the soil is so sandy and their roots tend to stretch wider rather than deeper. My next door neighbor had a very old oak that dropped a large limb on his shed and destroyed it. He called a tree service to cut down the rest and gave us a good number of the trunk sections to put around our fire pit as places to sit. I have a couple of large oaks in my front yard and recently trimmed the limbs that hang over our roof. They've stood strong through at least two hurricanes in the past twenty years and there are no signs of rot, so I think they'll keep going strong for many more year (maybe many more than I have left on this earth!).

A lot of my neighbours have wood-burning stoves, so if a tree comes down, or drops a limb, there are people racing up the road with axes and chain-saws trying to get to it first! My neighbour next door told me that my front garden originally had twelve trees in it, but they had been reduced to just one before I moved in 20 years ago

Yeah it's a good book, thank you again. It has an appendix referenced by county which made me aware of a few things I didn't know about.
That looks like an interesting book. I was watching some of these old newsreels again a couple of weeks ago.

Newsreels, video, archive, film, footage, stills - British Pathé

British Pathe, the world's leading multimedia resource with a history stretching back over a century. The finest and most comprehensive archive of fabulous footage and stunning stills.

www.britishpathe.com

Wishing you a speedy recovery. I've always thought the top of that stick looks resembles an old prosthetic hip.

Friday tea.

This mornings breakfast.

Hoping everyone is having a great weekend.

Thanks for that link David I'm having the same breakfast today!

Your Lamb has developed some beautiful character John

Thank you very much David . I guess the Top Of STICK does look like somewhat like the Hip Joint Bone but it actually is a small portion of a Working Horse Harness called the Hames . That ball end is now part of one of my Canes .
Edited photo out . Forgot where I was .
Harry

Thank you Harry, we've all done it

I don't think I have ever seen a stick like yours here, it's very interesting

Simply disgraceful conditions those poor souls have to live through to eek out a meagre living, then they had to go through long term health conditions and shortened lifespans.

Over here that would NEVER happen, we can't cut down anything. You have to apply to cut down any tree over here, and good luck with that, they will dig out an antiquated report saying some caterpillar lives in it so it is protected, bad luck that YOUR house that THEY collect rates on is not protected. And, and the same rules apply if you own a farm.

A terrible life for sure Leon I was glad I never had to go down the pit, in many of the towns and villages around Sheffield, there was no other choice for a young lad starting work. From what my friends told me, the job hadn't changed much since my great-grandfather's day, they were still lying flat or on their knees, hacking coal out with short picks, often stripped to their shorts, because of the heat.

For the past decade or so, the street where I live, has been part of a small historic conservation area, and you're supposed to apply for permission to cut down the large trees, but people cut them down all the time, without permission or re-planting. So many have gone over the past few years, as increasingly affluent people move onto an avenue, and then don't like leaves falling on their cultivated lawn!

Sunday Stag Lamb.

Excellent photo JJ, that's a nice-looking Lamb

Just finished my little remedial job that i did on a Lambsfoot, been a very interesting project and a great learning experience, will post some pics later. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Looking forward to a full report my friend

My father always reminded me that I was online generation removed from the mines. Just to keep me humble. Most of the old coal towns in western PA are just a shadow of their former glory. Many are gone. My grand parents never had an indoor toilet nor did they have hot and cold running water. Yet despite all that they were very loving and giving. Salt of the earth. I feel blessed to have had such parents and grand parents. My grandpa died early and had black lung.

Nicely said Bill

 

[Jack Black]

Good morning Guardians, sorry I wasn't here yesterday, a rather stressful meeting took up much of my day. During it, my phone rang a couple of times, and I was surprised that it was my best mate's eldest lad, who I don't recall ever having rung me on his own phone before (though he's texted me a few times). After missing two of these calls, I thought it might be an emergency, so I excused myself, and went out of the meeting to ring him. It turned out that he was ringing to see if I was in the city centre, and if I wanted to 'hang out'! I was flattered, but also found it a little strange, as even though he is now in his early teens, I still think of him as a child. After my meeting, I gave him another call, and as he was still mooching around town, we met up, and I took him for coffee and cake, and talked about films and stuff. It was nice, but I still found it a bit funny. We have always spent a good deal of time together, but usually when I am with his dad, or when I am looking after him and his siblings. I rang his dad, and he said that his son really enjoys talking to me! He's always been a bright lad, and obviously he's growing up. Time flies, but maybe I'll have someone to take me to the pub in a few years (though, knowing how things work, as a father myself, I kind of doubt it)!

I hope everyone had a good weekend, and that your week gets off to a good start. I thought I'd start mine with my Big Bex. The miniature mining lamp bears the fleur-de-lys crest of a small old pit-village called Fitzwilliam, where I used to have a lot of friends. The village was dominated by the mine, but almost all evidence of it is gone now, along with the old miners cottages, and their 'club'. There is still a lot of mining memorabilia here in Yorkshire, but it is increasingly expensive, and the full-scale Davy lamps, which, long after they were used underground, were given as retirement gifts, and what have you, are very expensive. The genuine ones were highly prized, and often adorned mantle-pieces in the old cottages, handed down by grandfathers and great-grandfathers, who mostly died long before their time It's sad to see those old villages gone, along with a whole culture and way of life, but I'm glad no more boys have go down, deep into a ground, to earn a living anymore

Have a good week Guardians

 

[cudgee]

Good morning Guardians, sorry I wasn't here yesterday, a rather stressful meeting took up much of my day. During it, my phone rang a couple of times, and I was surprised that it was my best mate's eldest lad, who I don't recall ever having rung me on his own phone before (though he's texted me a few times). After missing two of these calls, I thought it might be an emergency, so I excused myself, and went out of the meeting to ring him. It turned out that he was ringing to see if I was in the city centre, and if I wanted to 'hang out'! I was flattered, but also found it a little strange, as even though he is now in his early teens, I still think of him as a child. After my meeting, I gave him another call, and as he was still mooching around town, we met up, and I took him for coffee and cake, and talked about films and stuff. It was nice, but I still found it a bit funny. We have always spent a good deal of time together, but usually when I am with his dad, or when I am looking after him and his siblings. I rang his dad, and he said that his son really enjoys talking to me! He's always been a bright lad, and obviously he's growing up. Time flies, but maybe I'll have someone to take me to the pub in a few years (though, knowing how things work, as a father myself, I kind of doubt it)!

I hope everyone had a good weekend, and that your week gets off to a good start. I thought I'd start mine with my Big Bex. The miniature mining lamp bears the fleur-de-lys crest of a small old pit-village called Fitzwilliam, where I used to have a lot of friends. The village was dominated by the mine, but almost all evidence of it is gone now, along with the old miners cottages, and their 'club'. There is still a lot of mining memorabilia here in Yorkshire, but it is increasingly expensive, and the full-scale Davy lamps, which, long after they were used underground, were given as retirement gifts, and what have you, are very expensive. The genuine ones were highly prized, and often adorned mantle-pieces in the old cottages, handed down by grandfathers and great-grandfathers, who mostly died long before their time It's sad to see those old villages gone, along with a whole culture and way of life, but I'm glad no more boys have go down, deep into a ground, to earn a living anymore

Have a good week Guardians

Coal Miners Daughter with Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones, great movie.

 

[Jack Black]

Coal Miners Daughter with Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones, great movie.

Absolutely mate, I can't even hear that song without thinking of it

I picked up this old miner's hammer some years back, don't really have anything to do with it, but thankfully, I didn't drop it on my foot this time I got it out! The pit checks are seen less and less here, and cost more. I only have this one left, having sent others to members here The broken watch-chain belonged to my great grandfather, I've had it since I was a kid, but I may add it to one of my own watch-chains

 

[Jack Black]

I missed out yesterday, so I'm having a Monday Sausage Sammich

 

[screened porch]

his son really enjoys talking to me! He's always been a bright lad,

Follows as the night the day.

glad no more boys have go down, deep into a ground, to earn a living anymore

I'd have been a footpad instead. More likely a sneak-thief, with my courage.

Another silly purchase: I'm so tired of a debased Hallowe'en eclipsing Thanksgiving, I bought some Thanksgiving lights even though there was never any such thing.
Alternating acorn, maple leaf, and pumpkin. The maple leaf is a little inapt, since sap is harvested at the end of Winter.

 

[JohnDF]

Your Lamb has developed some beautiful character John

Thank you, my friend.

Monday Sausage Sammich

Very well done, Jack.

 

[Onebigbill]

Absolutely mate, I can't even hear that song without thinking of it

I picked up this old miner's hammer some years back, don't really have anything to do with it, but thankfully, I didn't drop it on my foot this time I got it out! The pit checks are seen less and less here, and cost more. I only have this one left, having sent others to members here The broken watch-chain belonged to my great grandfather, I've had it since I was a kid, but I may add it to one of my own watch-chains

I have some mining memorabilia (A miners carbide lamp seen below) from my grandfather but it is stored away somewhere and for the life of me I can't find it. Another memory I have is when I was very young and going to the "Company Store" with my younger brother for popsicles. Everything in the town was owned by "The Company" including the houses.

Hope everybody is doing well. Another sunny morning but clouds and rain moving into the area. Going into town for a haircut and then on to see the IRS about my taxes.
Got my Ebony with me today.

 

[Jack Black]

Follows as the night the day.

I'd have been a footpad instead. More likely a sneak-thief, with my courage.

Another silly purchase: I'm so tired of a debased Hallowe'en eclipsing Thanksgiving, I bought some Thanksgiving lights even though there was never any such thing.
Alternating acorn, maple leaf, and pumpkin. The maple leaf is a little inapt, since sap is harvested at the end of Winter.

You're very kind my friend
You could have been a highwayman Jer! Halloween is no where near as big here as in the US, but it gets bigger every year Cool photo

Very well done, Jack.

Thanks buddy, sausage sandwiches always make me think of Ron @halfstop

I have some mining memorabilia (A miners carbide lamp seen below) from my grandfather but it is stored away somewhere and for the life of me I can't find it. Another memory I have is when I was very young and going to the "Company Store" with my younger brother for popsicles. Everything in the town was owned by "The Company" including the houses.

Hope everybody is doing well. Another sunny morning but clouds and rain moving into the area. Going into town for a haircut and then on to see the IRS about my taxes.
Got my Ebony with me today.
View attachment 1653417

That's a cool old lamp Bill I don't know how old my great grandfather was when he started down the mine, but they certainly had kids working down there then. I visited a lead mine once, where young boys carried lead ore, hundreds of feet up rickety wooden ladders all day long. They carried the big lumps of lead in straw baskets on their backs. They had one there, and while I could lift it, it was pretty heavy. That is incredible that you have a memory of the Company Store, what a racket that was. The mine companies still owned the miner's houses here until recent times, but I don't know how much else they owned. Talking of rackets, good luck with the IRS Ebony seems appropriate for the conversation we're having

 

[bigfish64]

Lunch for today with the help of my Lambsfoot, nothing too tough!

 

[Jack Black]

Lunch for today with the help of my Lambsfoot, nothing too tough! View attachment 1653502

Lamb salad! Looks tasty Todd

 

[bigfish64]

Lamb salad! Looks tasty Todd

Thanks Jack…”lamb salad”… wish I’d of thought of that one!

 

[Onebigbill]

Lunch for today with the help of my Lambsfoot, nothing too tough! View attachment 1653502

I had cabbage soup with a tiny bit of ham mixed in. That salad looks very healthy.

 

[Pt-Luso]

 

[TheJon]

Used it to open a different knife...one that shall not be named in present company