Time for some Pear History ~
Pears are one of the world’s oldest cultivated and beloved fruits. In 5,000 B.C., Feng Li, a Chinese diplomat, abandoned his responsibilities when he became consumed by grafting peaches, almonds, persimmons, pears and apples as a commercial venture.
In The Odyssey, the Greek poet laureate Homer lauds pears as a “gift of the gods.” Pomona, goddess of fruit, was a cherished member of the Roman Pantheon and Roman farmers documented extensive pear growing and grafting techniques.
Thanks to their versatility and long storage life, pears were a valuable and much-desired commodity among the trading routes of the ancient world.
Evident in the works of Renaissance Masters, pears have long been an elegant still-life muse for artists. In the 17th century, a great flourishing of modern pear variety cultivation began taking place in Europe.
In popular culture, the pear tree was immortalized alongside a partridge, in the 18th-century Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
And now for some pre-spring shenanigans …
Are you obsessed with Top 100, 50, 10, or Mount Rushmore lists? We are!
We will be sharing our Top 100 Songs List, (in no particular order – because that is almost impossible), during the next couple of months. We will do so in segments of ten each time. As always, feel free to agree, disagree, (even if you are wrong – it is OK), debunk, or totally disregard.
He Said (a.k.a. the supreme list and by far the most accurate) ~
(Remember, in NO particular order):
10. Sinnerman – Nina Simone
9. The River – Bruce Springsteen
8. My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles
7. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland
6. Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones
5. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
4. Everlong – Foo Fighters
3. Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder
2. Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads
1. Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
She Said (a.k.a. the better of the two) ~
10. Harvest Moon – Neil Young
9. Gravedigger – Dave Matthews
8. Devils and Dust – Bruce Springsteen
7. Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor
6. Michigan – Milk Carton Kids
5. Bridge over Troubled Waters – Simon & Garfunkel
4. Magic Man – Heart
3. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
2. Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan
1. Blackbird – The Beatles
The joy of lists like these are the endless debates which transpire as a result.
Rolling Stone Magazine’s latest compilation, (considered by many to be the most reputable), has Harry Styles’, ‘As It Was’ perched at numero quinientos, and Aretha Franklin’s ‘Respect’ in the number one slot.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) has Joe South’s ‘I Never Promised You a Rose Garden’ at number 99, and ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, penned by Barry Mann, Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil at numero uno.
Respectfully, we disagree with all of these selections, but it does not mean these aren’t great songs. Music connects us in ways nothing else can. The expression of pleasure, sadness, frenzy, faith, courage, vitality, and wonderment.
It is the truest of opiates and it is here to stay!
Did You Know? Billboard first published The Top 100 chart in its November 12, 1955 issue. The Top 100 was a composite chart that combined sales, airplay, and jukebox activity. ‘Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing’ by The Four Aces was the first number one song on the chart.