Photographs and thoughts on photography and camera collecting
I’m not at all sure who organized this. I seem to recall that an Italian American organization was involved. I also note that from the event map that the Putnam County Veterans Services was located at this spot, so possibly they were involved too.
I’m not even sure if these are World War II or Korean War uniforms.
I love antique machinery. If it’s rusty, has all kinds of wheels and bands whirring around, and smoke belching out from time to time – then so much the better. I believe this collection came from the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association in Kent, CT. I have no idea what they all are/what they do so I can’t really say much more. I have, however, put the association on my places to visit list (it’s less then one hour away) and hopefully will be able to get there soon.
In my opinion sheep are among the least intelligent animals in the entire universe. We would often see whole flocks of them on the moors near where I lived. They’d sprawl across a busy road, completely blocking it – totally oblivious to all of the chaos they were causing. If there’s one good thing about sheep it’s that they’ve led to the existence of sheepdogs (or border collies if you prefer). Border collies are beautiful dogs, and highly intelligent too as anyone who has seen sheep dog trials can attest. I suppose the other thing I like about sheep is their meat: lamb (meat of a juvenile sheep) and mutton (meat of an adult sheep). I’m particularly fond of the stronger tasting mutton, but find it hard to find in NY, USA where I live.
Whenever, I see a sheep I think of the Monty Python sketch: “Flying Sheep“, which contains the immortal words: “He’s that most dangerous of animals, a clever sheep”.
In the previous post (Putnam County 46th Annual 4-H Fair – Goats) I mentioned that I didn’t know much about goats. However, I do know a bit about cows. Cheshire, the county where I grew up is largely rural. Agriculture is mostly based on the dairy trade, and cattle are the predominant livestock. My grandmother owned a farm and I’ve many times watching her milking (in some cases tying the rear legs of the cow so it wouldn’t kick). I’ve also assisted in birthing.
Cows are generally docile creatures. I once went for a walk outside Bath with my son-in-law. We’d walked for some time and then descended a a long, and steep hill. We didn’t discover until we got to the bottom that the only exit was blocked by about 30-40 cows. It was either go back up the hill and try to find a way around or shoo the cows away. We chose the latter and the cows obligingly moved aside.
Apparently cows are quite curious creatures too. A farmer once told me that if you went into a large field at one end with a group of cows at the other; lay down and fell asleep; when you woke up you’d be surrounded by cows – checking you out. I’ve never tried it out though, because cows are after all large animals and you wouldn’t want one stepping on you, or for that matter sitting on you.
For all their docility cows can be aggressive, particularly if they have calves with them. In fact a November, 2015 article in the Independent newspaper declared: Cows officially the most deadly large animals in Britain.
Although the title of this post refers to “Cows” I’m pretty sure that the animal above is an Ox. When I was young the town used to roast an ox in the town square every year. The roasted meat would then be put on sandwiches and sold to the public, the proceeds going to charity.
More cute, furry farm animals. Although I grew up in a rural part of the UK and my grandmother owned and operated a farm, I don’t know much about goats. They didn’t seem to be common where I lived.
