Original Deed from England - Dated May 8, 1899

My Dad has, on occasion, traveled to England to engage in metal detecting.  On one of his trips, he acquired an original deed dated May 8, 1899.  Due to his knowledge of my interest in history, and my occupation as an attorney who works with these types of documents, he sent it to me.  I don't know much about it, but it will be an interesting research project as, I began to review the document, a number of questions were raised.  When I first saw it, my immediate thoughts were of the process of recording deeds in England and how it has evolved over time.   As of May 8th of this year, this document will be one hundred and fifteen years old, and I'm surprised how well it has stood the test of time.  I find it quite interesting and it has become one of my prized possessions. 

It appears the land that is subject to this deed was given to Mr. Thomas Gamble under the terms of a will executed by Mr. Thomas Walls.

Given the reference to "Pounds" and "Schillings," I have to reasonably conclude this was the fee to record a document such as this in England in 1899.  I could be wrong but, if that is indeed the case, it will be interesting to learn what the fee is now to record such a document.

 I have no idea the significance of these stamps, but I'm looking forward to learning of it.

I was surprised to see the notary stamps have remained intact.  For some reason, I was always of the impression they were made of wax, but they clearly aren't as, whatever substance was used is quite hard, unlike wax.  It makes sense, as wax wouldn't have likely held up over time.  Today, a simple stamp is used to notarize documents.  I wonder what type of instrument was used to create the stamp.  It would be interesting to see what it looks like.  And then there's the process itself or, more specifically, how one was granted the authority to notarize documents in England one-hundred and fifteen years ago.  In Arizona, the Secretary of State is the government entity that grants one the authority to notarize documents and, pursuant to statute, there are some fairly strict requirements one must follow.  So I can't help but wonder what government entity in England granted one with that authority one-hundred and fifteen years ago and is it the same one today?  Did the notaries charge a fee back then?  If so, how much?  What do notaries in England customarily charge today to notarize documents?  Were they required to adhere to, pursuant to law, strict requirements and, if so, how have those laws evolved over time? 

Who is the person depicted on the stamp?  More questions!

These are the signatures of the parties involved.  Whenever I come across a document such as this, I can't help but wonder about the people who lived so many years before me.  What were the relationships of those involved?  Did the devisee keep the land that was devised to them or did they immediately sell it?  Did the land hold sentimental value to the deceased person and the one to whom it was given and did that factor in to their decision to either hold onto it or, alternatively, sell it?  (I have two original books that were written after the sinking of the Titanic.  One of the books is inscribed with a signature written in pencil.  Was that the original owner of the book?  How did that person come to be in possession of it?)  And then there is the land that is the subject of this deed.  At the time of the conveyance, was there a dwelling on it?  What did it look like?  Does it still stand today and, if not, what stands on it now, if anything?  Where, exactly, is this land located?  

I've articulated only a few of the questions I have regarding this document, and I'm well aware that some of these questions will go unanswered.  But, as someone who is interested in historical documents, I can say that sometimes the speculation surrounding the issues related to such documents is part of the enjoyment of owning one.       

     

      

German Soup - Asparagus-Rice Soup (Spargel-Reis Suppe)

I got this recipe out of a book someone gave me a number of years ago titled “The New German Cookbook” by Jean Anderson and Hedy Wurz.  It contains more than 230 recipes, both contemporary and traditional.  Paired with some fresh pineapple, this very nutritious soup made a nice lunch yesterday. 

1 pound tender young asparagus (preferably white)

3 ¼ cups cold water

1/3 cup long-grain white rice

1 tablespoon unsalted butter or margarine

2 tablespoons minced fresh chervil, or 1 tablespoon each

   minced fresh tarragon and flat-leaf parsley

2 ½ cups rich chicken broth (preferably homemade)

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Wash the asparagus well, snap off the tough stem ends, and place in a heavy medium-size saucepan.  Cut the asparagus tips off, drop into a small bowl, and set aside.  Using a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler, peel the tender asparagus stalks over the saucepan, letting the parings fall in.  Cut the stalks into 1-inch lengths and add to the bowl with the tips.  Add 2 ½ cups of water to the pan, set uncovered over moderate heat, and bring to a boil.  Adjust the heat so the water bubbles gently, then simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring the remaining ¾ cup water to a boil in an uncovered small saucepan over moderate heat.  Add the rice, return to the boil, adjust the heat so the water simmers slowly, and cook, uncovered, for 12 to 15 minutes, until the rice is al dente and all water has been absorbed.  Rinse the rice under cool running water, drain well, and reserve.  Strain the asparagus cooking liquid, discarding all solids, and set aside.  Quickly rinse out the pan.  

Melt the butter in the pan over moderate heat, add the chervil, and mellow 2 minutes to release the flavor.  Add the chicken broth, reserved asparagus liquid, and asparagus stalks and tips and bring to a boil.  Cook, uncovered, for 3 minutes.  Add the rice, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and bring just to a simmer.  Stir in the lemon juice, taste for salt and pepper, and adjust as needed.  Ladle into soup plates and serve at once.

 

 

 

 

The Sinking of the Titanic - 102nd Anniversary

I will give a moment of silence to not only those who perished on this day 102 years ago, but also to those who were forced to live with the impact of that awful night – the loss of a loved one and the unbearable grief, denial, and sadness that comes with it; a life turned upside down and the questions, confusion, and uncertainty that come with rebuilding one’s life when so much that is important has been lost; the survivor’s guilt; the anger; the loneliness; the inevitable questioning of what once was an unwavering faith in God; and the growing knowledge that they would have to somehow, someway, explain to their children why the one they looked up to, loved, and trusted would not be embarking from the Carpathia with them. 

On this day I would also like to thank the people who have come into my life as a result of my interest in the beautiful transatlantic liners of the early to mid 1900s.  I’ll be spending the evening as I do most years with them in an online chat.  Their honesty, integrity, and compassion are above reproach and I’m blessed to have them in my life.  As do interests and hobbies, people come and go in one’s life, but just as my interest in the transatlantic liners of the early to mid 1900s, my interest in their lives be it their accomplishments, disappointments, milestones, failings, or everyday life occurrences will never waver.  

There appears to be some debate as to whom to attribute this writing, but from what I’ve read, Henry Van Dyke, American clergyman, author, and educator appears to be the likely source.  Titled “A Parable of Immortality,” this piece is often read at funerals.  It seems appropriate given the circumstances.  A family member of a friend of mine who died many years ago sent it to me and it has remained with me ever since.  In this case, I’d like to think the “other voices” are the family and friends of those who perished in the sinking, and who have passed before them.   

A Parable of Immortality 

I am standing on the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.  Then someone at my side says:  “There, she’s gone.”  Gone where?  Gone from my sight, that is all.  She is just as large in mast and hull and spars as when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to their place of destination.  Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says:  “There, she’s gone,” there are other eyes that are watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “There she comes!” – and that is dying.  

 

Sephora Birthday Gift - 2014

For those who don’t know, one can receive a nice birthday gift from Sephora by signing up for their Beauty Insider program which you can do online here.  It’s very easy to sign up and it costs nothing.  You can pick up your gift anytime during your birthday month and since my birthday month is April I went to Sephora and picked up my gift.  This year’s gift is a two-piece kit from Make Up For Ever that includes “Smoky Extravagant Mascara” and “Rouge Artist Natural N9 Moisturizing Soft Shine Lipstick.”  The description on the back of the box reads “The artists at Make Up For Ever selected these products from their make up case especially for you . . . all you need to look truly extravagant on your special day.  Happy Birthday!” 

I haven’t dug into these yet, but I’m looking forward to trying these products.  Thanks Sephora!

Lowell Observatory - Flagstaff, Arizona

In the almost twelve years since I moved to this beautiful state of Arizona (has it really been that long?!!???!!!?!) I had yet to visit the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.  Recently, Dad was here for about 2 – 2 ½ weeks in February and we finally made it up there, a place we had both been meaning to visit for quite some time.  It seems whenever I’m in Flagstaff there was always something else I was doing or I was there with a group of friends.  


When I first moved here Dad was coming to Phoenix quite a lot which was one of the main reasons I moved here.  He came here so often that he had a little place in Mesa because it was more convenient than renting hotel rooms.  He came here quite often to ride motorcycles with people that he knew who lived both here in Arizona and North Dakota (snowbirds).  My aunt and uncle, who have now both passed away, also owned a home here at one time.  He doesn’t ride cycles here anymore but he still comes here fairly often to visit.

When he comes to visit I usually drag him all over Arizona but this time, in addition to spending time with me, he wanted to visit with some old friends that live here.  I remember some of them from when I was a child.  I was also just getting over a nasty cold/sore throat/earache and was busy with some work-related issues.  But we were still able to spend some time together.  We spent some time in Sedona and Flagstaff as well as Scottsdale when we went walking around Old Town Scottsdale before heading to downtown Phoenix so that Dad could see the new World War II Memorial at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

The day we went to the Lowell Observatory we had headed up to Sedona to just kind of wander around and go where the wind took us, so to say.  We had someone else with us who had not seen Chapel of the Holy Cross so we went there first. 

We then went to the Open Range Grill and Tavern for lunch followed by, of course, a trip to the gourmet ice cream shop.  While sitting there, Dad mentioned that he’d like to head up to the Lowell Observatory so we called to get the usual information and received a message informing us of the hours of the tours among other information.  Because of the time, we knew we had missed any of the tours but decided to head up there regardless.  We took the scenic route and ended up there around sunset.  One thing I was a bit disappointed about is that we missed the tour of the Pluto Telescope Dome which houses the telescope used to discover Pluto in 1930 as the Pluto Telescope Dome is open for daytime guided tours.  I plan to go back sometime to see this. 

Because I hadn’t researched the Lowell Observatory before I went, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  I guess I thought there would be one big, modern building with a number of telescopes through which one could observe the night sky.  It was anything but that, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It's a beautiful and interesting place and we ended up seeing the Moon, Jupiter (along with its four largest moons Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Orion Nebula.  Fascinating!  The staff and volunteers were also very knowledgeable and receptive to questions.  For anyone who is even remotely interested in astronomy, I would highly recommend a visit to the Lowell Observatory.

 

  

This is the first building we saw after parking.  When we first entered, we were told that they couldn't guarantee what we would see in the night sky and that it was dependent upon the weather/cloud cover.  Of course, given that we had taken the time to drive there, we took our chances and paid the small entrance fee.  The building you see in this picture is called the Steele Visitor Center.  From the brochure: 

"The Steele Visitor Center opened in 1994 and is the public's gateway to the Lowell Observatory campus, programs, telescopes, exhibits, and gift shop.  Here you can also learn about the Discovery Channel Telescope.  The Steele Visitor Center is open to the public 361 days and 248 nights per year."

While waiting for nightfall, we attended a program in the Rotunda Museum.  From the brochure:

"The Rotunda Museum originally contained the Observatory's science library and today features exhibits.  The Rotunda is open for daytime guided tours.  The rest of the building is closed to the public."

This is the main room inside the Rotunda Museum.  This is really an interesting building.  There is a warm, cozy, and comforting feeling about it.  In this picture, you can see a spiral staircase that leads up to a collection of old books.  There is another spiral staircase directly across from it on the other side of the room that leads up to another collection of old books.  Due to the curvature of the ceiling, the closer one gets to the center of the room the "stranger" their voice sounds.  I say strange because it isn't really an echo, but more of a "tinny" sound.   

The sign next to this reads: 

"THE ASTRONOMICAL REGULATOR

This precision clock, also known as an astronomical regulator, was used for accurately timing photographic exposures and measuring star positions and other astronomical phenomena.

This instrument was purchased in 1904 from the E. Howard Clock Company of Boston.  Originally set up in the library of Percival Lowell’s residence on Mars Hill, the 400-pound regulator was moved on January 1, 1917, into the new “main building,” today known as the Slipher Building.  It was used here for the next several decades. 

Each day at 10:00 a.m. local time (noon in Washington D.C.), a Lowell staff member would calibrate the regulator by calling Western Union in Washington to get the 12:00 p.m. tick.

A battery-powered switch was connected with wires strung from tree trunks to the 24-inch Clark Telescope.  This allowed astronomers an accurate means of keeping time at the telescope."

This is the Clark Dome Weather Station.  We took a peek inside and were able to see the massive telescope.  The sign outside reads: 

"CLARK DOME WEATHER STATION

Understanding and predicting local weather patterns helps astronomers plan successful observing runs.  Because of this, observatories such as Lowell typically maintain weather stations to monitor the conditions.  One such station was set up at the Clark Telescope dome when it was permanently placed at this site in 1897. 

Instruments for the station were enclosed in an instrument shelter, which shielded thermometers, hygrometers (to monitor humidity), and other devices from the Sun, precipitation, and other sources of heat and light that could produce inaccurate readings.  This type of shelter features downward-pointing louvers that allow for air flow while shielding the instruments from heat and light. 

This weather station was removed in the latter part of the 20^th century, but a modern station is now mounted on top of the Clark Telescope dome.  Can you see it?  Look for the anemometer (for detecting wind speed), whose wind cups may be spinning." 

From the brochure: 

"Built in 1896, the Clark Refracting Telescope is the centerpiece of any visit to Mars Hill.  With this telescope in 1912, V.M. Slipher discovered the first evidence of the expanding universe.  The dome is the oldest standing building at the Observatory and was constructed by local bicycle repairmen Godfrey and Stanley Sykes.  Since the 1970s the Clark Telescope has been used exclusively for public education.  The dome is open for daytime guided tours and evening telescope viewing."  (Note - We were unable to go inside and, at the time of our visit, the telescope appeared to be taken apart.)  

This picture was a part of the sign outside the Clark Telescope Dome.  Pictured from left to right are the staff at the entrance of the Clark Telescope Dome: 

John Duncan, V.M. Slipher, Harry Hussey (partially hidden from view), Wrexie Leonard, Carl Lampland, and Percival Lowell.

On the way to the McAllister Telescope through which we would view the moon and, later, the Orion Nebula, we passed by Percival Lowell's Mausoleum.  From the brochure: 

"Constance Lowell designed the mausoleum after Percival's untimely death in 1916.  The base consists of New England granite and the dome of inset cobalt blue glass tiles.  Please feel free to walk down the steps and view the mausoleum from the small yard below." 

This sign reads:

"LOWELL ASH TREE

Fraxinus Lowellii Sarg.

Percival Lowell, founder of the Lowell Observatory, 

was a skilled amateur botanist who made significant 

contributions to the knowledge of the flora of 

Northern Arizona.

This tree to your right is a new variety of Ash 

which he found in Oak Creek Canyon and which 

was named for him in honor of his contributions 

to Botany.

This species is found only in Central Arizona, 

usually along streams and canyons at altitudes of 

3,200 feet to 6,500 feet above sea level.  You are 

standing at an altitude of 7,248 feet."

The Ash tree.

Overlooking Flagstaff, Arizona.

The sign on this building reads:

"Soda Acid Fire Extinguisher

For years, the only way to fight fire at the Observatory was with a soda acid fire extinguisher.  This was a 30-gallon extinguisher on wheels that mixed water, soda and sulfuric acid (for pressure).  It was once used to save V.M. Slipher's house from burning down, and also to fight forest fires.  To keep the extinguisher from freezing in the winter, the room was insulated with sawdust and warmed with a 200-300 watt bulb.  The thick door also helped hold in heat.  

To see the soda acid extinguisher, press the button to the right while looking through the window.

Stone Water Tank

When Lowell Observatory was founded in 1894, the only way to get water up the hill was to haul it in 55 gallon drums using horse and wagon.  Around 1901-1902, the Observatory built the circular water tank that is still located on the north side of this building.  Water was pumped up from Flagstaff, and the 12,000-gallon tank held the Observatory's water until 1964, when a new tank was built a few hundred yards north of here, near today's Pluto walk."

This is Dad looking at the Moon through the McAllister telescope.  We would return later on in the evening to view the Orion Nebula.  From the brochure:

"The McAllister Telescope is a reflecting telescope with a Cassegrain optical system featuring a 16-inch (0.41 meter) primary mirror.  The McAllister Telescope is used exclusively for public education.  The dome is open for evening telescope viewing."

The lighting is a little bit better in this photo.

I took this photo of the grounds while standing by the McAllister Telescope.

This is a photo of Dad looking at Jupiter and its four largest moons.  We were even able to see the bands on Jupiter.  There was another telescope not far from this one that was pointed toward the Andromeda Galaxy.  While it's true that the galaxy appeared only as a mass of cloudiness/fog, it was still fascinating to me as I was actually looking at another galaxy.  

This meteorite is a cool thing to see.  The sign on it reads: 

METEORITE

535 lbs   242.6 kg

Found in Canyon Diablo near Meteor Crater.  This is a small particle of the meteor which formed Meteor Crater, about 50,000 years ago.  92% iron, 8% nickel, traces of gold, silver, platinum, and diamond