OT (???) - I guess...well, it's wood. Maybe on topic. I dunno really.

[Red Green]

Beginnings of a giant sequoia.

to this

I find it captivating considering there are live sequoias around today that were around long before Jesus has said to walk the planet.

I don't really have a Bucket List but visit Sequoia National Park/Giant Forest and the like would probably top it. Hmmm, maybe I do have one. [note: I'm not a tree hugger]

"Some human reactions to natural experiences are universal. The smile elicited by seeing a new born child; the fear roused by suddenly confronting a large predatory animal; or the absolute amazement and wonder evoked when first seeing a Sierra redwood tree. It is the immense size of these plants that both initially summons those emotions and is most often the strongest memory. ..."

[HeyBub]

Lots of things have been around since before Jesus: Prostitution, taxes, and, um, olive oil.

[Higgs Boson]

I think that's really, really RUDE! I honestly couldn't come up with as good an analysis as you have below. That doesn't make ME "contemptuous" but you sure come on patronizing. Oh well, despite this unpleasantness, I have learned something, which this information sponge always values, so thanks... I guess...

HB