Science
Related: About this forumSurprise as I took my wife to work as a sub teacher in rural South Texas
In Donna, Texas, deep, deep, in the southern tip o' Texas, to substitute in a special-ed class.
On the last quarter mile before reaching the school, passing by the most majestic paddle cactus trees I have ever seen in my life (I'm not kidding, these cacti were easily 30 feet tall), I went by a modest subdivision right before reaching the school, and noticed the names of the streets:
Lunar, Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins, Apollo...
I got a lump in my throat just reading the street signs.
MLAA
(17,375 posts)Can you think of any significant contribution weve made to mankind since then?
Xipe Totec
(43,892 posts)As depressed as we are with the current swine in the White House, let us not forget that the US has, until very recently, been a leader in the advancement of science and technology. I hope we will retake our place as a world leader soon.
https://www.nasa.gov/missions
CanonRay
(14,146 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,892 posts)Who knew that paddle cactus could get to rival eucalyptus in height.
Xipe Totec
(43,892 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,682 posts)OMG. Unbelievable.
So glad to know these cactus trees exist. It's a shock to see them! Can't imagine seeing one in person, not to mention its being 30 feet tall.
You must be living in a magical environment. Enjoy it all the more, you are lucky.
(I see more of the "paddles" are simply growing right up, by themselves, through the soil. So damned mysterious! What's going on under that dirt?)
BigmanPigman
(51,673 posts)When I took my students on field trips to the historic part of town I learned some cool facts from the docents. The paddles have white, tiny bumps on them sometimes, especially after a bit of rain. They are actually some sort of fungus or tiny insect. If you scoop it off of the paddle (use a small stick) and press it between fingers it turns bright, deep red like beet juice. The women in the 1800s would smear it on their lips and cheeks as make up. My students loved this part of the trip but their parents were less than thrilled since the kids went home covered in the red stain/dye.
Xipe Totec
(43,892 posts)Considerable, but still half the size of the monsters I saw a couple of days ago. I'll have to go back and take pictures.
NickB79
(19,301 posts)They harvest and eat the pads periodically.
Gothmog
(145,965 posts)My dad graduated from Donna High School