Let's Talk About the Blarney Stone

Most people who celebrate St Patrick's Day either know of, or have heard of, the Blarney Stone but few actually know anything about the stone itself or why so many people want to kiss the Blarney Stone. So let's answer all these questions now.

The Blarney Stone is a large block of blue limestone that currently sits in an outer wall of Blarney Castle not far from the city of Cork in Ireland. The Legend of the Blarney Stone started in the 12th Century; however it was never written down until 1584. My guess though, is the legend is about 95% accurate. So take a moment, sit back and read this informative article. Its fun trivia and you will learn something new. 

Scholars tell us the Blarney Stone originally came from the middle east - near the Holy Lands. It was brought to Europe by the knights returning from the crusaders. Now there are two theories regarding why the Blarney Stones was brought to Europe. Some say it is the “Stone of Ezel”; the stone described in the Hebrew Bible as the stone young David hid behind to escape from King Saul. Others say it was the stone Moses struck with his staff in the middle of the dessert to cause water to gush forth so the Israelites could quench their thirst during their exodus from Egypt.

Whichever theory is correct - we know the stone made its way to Scotland where the Scots called it their 'Stone of Destiny'. Then, in an offer of good will the Stone of Destiny was split in half. Half was sent to King Munster in Ireland. King Munster, ruled Ireland from Blarney Castle. King Munster hated the English so he sent five thousand men to Scotland to help the Scots defeat the English at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. 

Now this is really cool. Have you watched the Mel Gibson movie – Braveheart? Well the 5,000 men King Munster sent to Scotland were sent to reenforce the army of Sir Robert the Bruce - the man who betrayed Braveheart in the movie. Anyway with the help of Munster's men Robert the Bruce was able to defeat the English.

To show his gratitude Robert cut the 'Stone of Destiny' in half and sent half to King Munster. Robert then had the stone placed in the walls of Castle Blarney – and it is there in Ireland we can go kiss the Blarney Stone.

Now, legend has it – those who kiss the Blarney Stone are blessed / endowed / or given the gift of Eloquence. Unfortunately kissing the Blarney Stone is no easy task. First a person must climb up 125 irregularly shaped steps to reach the parapet of the castle wall – which is over 100 feet above the ground. Then, once on the parapet the person must lie on his or her back, then twist their spine and extend their neck so their lips can press against the stone. 

So what exactly is Blarney and why do people want it? The young Irish say Blarney is a form of flattery, however; old timer Irish say it is the art of speaking. Blarney they say is much more then flattery; it is flattery sweetened with humor and flavored with spicy wit. 

For almost three hundred years, millions of people have traveled to Castle Blarney in Ireland just to kiss the Blarney Stone. People - rich and poor, young and old, male and female, famous and not-so-famous all - people who want the gift of blarney so they can live their lives to the fullest. 

Unfortunately, thousands of would be kissers fell to their deaths while trying to kiss the Stone because of it location; so in 1928 iron railings were installed to prevent further tragedies. Trained assistants now sit atop the castle's parapet to help hopeful kissers contort their bodies and get in the proper position to kiss the Blarney Stone.

Every summer over a thousand people a day visit Castle Blarney. They stand in line, make the arduous trek up the narrow stairway, lay down on the stone walkway, contort their bodies, stretch their necks and then pucker up – just to kiss the mysterious blue slab of limestone known as the Blarney Stone. 

Amazingly those who have kissed the Blarney Stone say the trip to Ireland was well worth it; all would gladly go through this ordeal again. Each one swears their lives were incredibly transformed after they received the gift of Blarney. 

Brass Monkeys and Cold Weather - an important lesson from Ralph's Rabbit Ranch

Like most people you might think the old expression 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey' is an inappropriate term and somewhat of an color expression which should never be said in mixed company.  Well after reading this article you will learn this term can definitely be said anywhere - anytime - without offending anyone. This term really does have a significant historical meaning which is based on scientific principles.

It seems during the heydays of sailing ships, many vessels including freighters and trawlers had huge iron cannons mounted on their decks. 

The cannons were necessary to provide protection should a hostile or enemy vessel try to attack.  Remember Pirates also roamed the high seas back them.  Anyway those iron cannons fired 'large round' iron cannon balls and it was necessary for each ship to keep a good supply of cannon balls near each cannon.

The problem most ships faced was that those sailing ships always pitched and yawed when across the waves.  They needed some way to prevent the supply of round cannon balls from rolling around the rocking decks? The solution sea captains devised was simple and effective. 

They would stack the round cannon balls in a square-based pyramid - with one ball on top of another.  The balls were placed sixteen on the bottom, followed by nine laid on top and then and four would rest on the nine.  With one final ball on top.

Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked and secured in a small area right there on the ship's deck next to each cannon.

There was however only one problem with this ingenious method of stacking cannon balls.  How could the ship's crew prevent the bottom layer of cannon balls from rolling about from under the other cannon balls during rough seas?

The solution that seemed to work was the invention of a flat metal plate called a 'Monkey'. The monkey - and it took four monkeys total - were screwed to the ship's wooden deck. Each monkey had round indentations hammered into them. These indentations in the metal where were the bottoms of 16 'round cannon balls' rested in.

Initially all Monkeys or metal plates were made of cheap iron. However it soon became obvious that the iron cannons balls resting on iron plates began to rust due to all that salt water spray and mist in the air. So to prevent the cannon balls and monkeys from rusting naval engineers began to develop Monkeys made of bass - as brass is one of the few inexpensive metals that does not rust.  Thus the term Brass Monkey was coined.

Unfortunately, brass itself is not a perfect metal; it tends to expand and contract with the weather. Consequently, when the wind temperatures on a ship sailing in the north Atlantic or Pacific dropped to around 32 degrees the indentations in the brass monkeys would shrink or pop up thus the iron cannonballs on the bottom tier had no secure resting place and they would often roll right off the brass monkeys causing a disaster of cannon balls rolling around the deck. 

Sailors quickly saw for themselves the limitations Brass Monkeys had and any sailor worth his salt knew that whenever the outside temperature began to fall to around freezing it was literally 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey'.  

Hope you enjoyed this brief and relevant history lesson.

Remember - here at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch - Home of Gabe's Gourmet Rabbits - we not only sell great tasting rabbit meat and quality fur products we also provide valuable information and knowledge you can use. 

Food for Thought

Public Safety Advisory

Just received this information from a friend and wanted to get it out ASAP. The US Homeland Security Agency has just issued its latest advisory notice which we we should all take heed. If your work involves serving the public or dealing with a lot of foreign customers this information could save your life.

According to homeland security the number one tactic terrorists and ‘disturbed US citizens’ are now using is - to conceal their weapons. 

Concealing or disguising their weapons from the public is necessary especially when they enter government buildings, large transportation centers, metropolitan business centers and outdoor public gathering places.

Please look closely at the picture provided. 

At first glance - to an untrained eye – this might look like a normal “Red Solo party cup”; however if you study the picture carefully you might be able to notice there is a fully loaded, automatic Glock 18 - C pistol carefully hidden inside the red cup.

Analyst and forecasters at Homeland Security believe terrorists and disturbed American citizens may soon be using this ‘Red Solo cup’ disguise trick to conceal their weapons.

During these troubling times is important we all stay vigilant. We urge you to share this information with your colleagues, co-workers and neighbors. Remember if you, your co-workers or neighbors, are not able to spot a weapon disguised like this you might just be the recipient of a cup of hot lead.

Haggis or Rabbit Which Do You Prefer?

The national dish of Scotland is commonly thought of as haggis. A quick definition of haggis is sheep's liver, onions, suet, salt and oatmeal. Traditionally all these ingredients were placed in a sheep's stomach and then simmered in water for a lengthy time to make sure everything is cooked.

Some people think haggis is a delicacy while other are downright repulsed at the thought of eating such a concoction based on it unique aroma. To maximize the acceptance of haggis modern receipts often recommend sausage casings be used rather than an actual sheep's stomach.

Rabbit Trivia # 8

Rabbit meat is a heart -patient's friend. It contains less calorie value and sodium than all other meats - plus it is almost entirely cholesterol free.

If you are worried about your heart eat more rabbit meat.

May 2013 Special *** Northwoods Jack-O-Lopes

With spring firmly here across most of the country it’s time once again to offer our classic Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch Jack-O-Lope mount.  Our Jack-O-Lope mounts are "authentic reproductions" of the legendary Jack-O-Lope (better known as Americanus Delicioso Conjo Carne). 

Just imagine the excitement you, your family and friends will have with your very own piece of handcrafted American art. 

All of the mounts produced at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch are genuine Jack-O-Lope replicas. Each one is specifically designed so it can be displayed either on a table or hung from a wall. 

Our mounts are ideal for home, office or business use. Each mount has its own natural beauty that is guaranteed to captivate the interest of visitors, friends and colleagues alike. 

During this limited offer (our May 2013 special) every customer receives an added bonus when they place an order - A hard bound copy of Jack-O-Lopes - Friends or Foes. This provocative booklet chronicles the origins, history and ultimate fate of these celebrated creatures. Learn what really happened to the Jack-O-Lope from its initial introduction into North America up until present day.

For example, throughout Sweden and Finland legends abound that wild Scandinavian hares (Lepus europaeus) stowed-a-way on ancient Vikings longboats. Many believe Viking scouting parties during the late 13th century made unplanned visits to the east coast of North America while  sailing over the north Atlantic. Once these wild Scandinavian hares hopped off the Vikings' longboats they found themselves on a very, new and different continent.

Surrounded by an abundance of unfamiliar flora and fauna as well as a hostile landscape in eastern Canada it’s a miracle these creatures were able to survive. Perhaps because of their speed, agility or even their behemoth size these ferocious Scandinavian hares (not rabbits) were able to adapt to this new environment. 

With no known predators in the new world these animals were able quickly colonize their new homeland. As they began to adjust to the new vegetation their population began to flourish; within a few years they began to mate with several breeds of indigenous rabbits. The offspring of these Scandinavian hares and American rabbits eventually evolved into what we know today as the modern day Jack-O-Lope.  

Its amazing but every native tribe in North America has some ancient folklore which cites massive herds of Jack-O-Lope descending into their valleys from the far north. Because of their regal look and impressive size they were revered by most of the inhabitants they encountered. Many tribes believed the invading Jack-O-Lopes were responsible for transforming the dense wooded areas they came upon into  prairies and this in turn precipitated the emergence of great herds of nomadic buffalo that roamed the Great Plains.     

Most zoologists, paleontologists and cultural archaeologists believe Jack-O-Lopes are only indigenous to North America as the fossil remains of these creatures have been found in all the lower 48 states as well as throughout Alaska. Unfortunately, three unnatural events may have lead to the demise and possible extinction of the American Jack-O-Lope:

     1) A continued migration of thousands of Pilgrims and
         Puritans into the region we know as the original 13
         Colonies
     2) Numerous expeditions into the great south west and
         along the California coastline by thousands of Spanish
         Conquistadors
     3) The countless French Fur trappers entering into
          America's heartland; the areas we now call the
          Louisiana Purchase territory and the great Pacific
          Northwest

The encounters the herds of roaming Jack-O-Lopes had with these three groups of newly arrived Europeans made it possible for man, with his modern armaments to bring these beasts under control. Some herds were domesticated and breed with local breeds of rabbits to create the modern day American rabbits we often see frolicking in the woods and open fields. The more vicious and ferocious herds were slaughtered primary for their front feet - with legend says brought man good luck and their steel like canine teeth and  soft fur tails with high society European women treasured. 

Now you can enjoy all this wonderful history you order your very own Jack-O-Lope mount from Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch. Our spring Jack-O-Lope sale runs only from May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) to May 24th. During this time you will enjoy a 10% discount if you purchase two or more Jack-O-Lopes.

Plus as our way of saying thanks you will receive free shipping & handling on all orders of three or more Jack-O-Lopes. So don't delay - order your original Northwood’s Jack-O-Lope from Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch today.  

Remember once this sale ends on May 24th all Jack-O-Lope mounts will be gone until the spring of 2014. Creating a Ralph's Ranch authentic Jack-O-Lope mount is not easy. Every hide used to make a mount comes from the fall harvest when our rabbit fur is just starting to thicken for the onset of winter. Then every hide is carefully cured outdoors during the winter months for a minimum of 103 days to preserve its luster and integrity. After each pelt has been cured by Mother Nature it is then thoroughly inspected and assessed to see if it will quality and to be suitable for a Ralph's Rabbit Ranch Jack-O-Lope mount.

Don’t forget order your Jack-O-Lope mount today. Rear assured all our Jack-O-Lope mounts are made from pure 100% Gabe’s Gourmet Rabbits which have been raised exclusively here at Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch.

Rabbit Fact # 9

Rabbit meat is all white tender, juicy meat.  Its full of protein and it is an ideal meat to add to your diet.