[or-roots] Aunt Charotte's book

[Kith-n-Kin]

Thanks for the excerpts of Aunt Charlotte's book. I always enjoy these stories.
 
Just last year I learned (or re-learned, in case my fourth grade teacher is looking down and reading this
<G>) something about oxen.
 
Somehow for years I had thought of oxen as being some special breed of cattle, which had longer horns,
were stocky, and strong for pulling wagons. (thank you, Hollywood). After all, my grandfather's cream cows
were Guernseys and holsteins, and our beef cattle here in Arizona tend to be a cross between Charolais,
Brahman, and Hereford -- so why wouldn't Babe, the Blue Ox, be different also!
 
Hmmm, I was at the Ardenwood Historic farm ( http://www.ebparks.org/parks/arden.htm ) in Fremont, CA, last
year and got to talking to the docents about draft animals. Seems that "oxen", as used by our rural
forebears, were "simply" any breed of adult castrated bulls who were trained to be draft animals, pulling
wagons, plows, etc.  "Steers" on the other hand, were more designed for meat. But, you can bet the old
oxen were eaten when they were no longer useful for drafting.
 
Now, my 2ggfather, John Henry Palmer, "drove a herd of cattle to Oregon, losing about half on the way",
but his wagons were pulled by oxen.  
 
Not that this is the biiig news of the day, but in light of Aunt Charlotte's book, I thought I'd add this,
just in case I am not the only one who "sees" the past through today's eyes, and misses important
information that way.
 
Pat (in Tucson)
Nosco vestri atavi est ingredior intellego vestri ego
(To become acquainted with your ancestors is to begin to comprehend your self) 
 
 
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