On 24 Mar 2007 10:47:12 -0700, "Babydoll"
wrote:

I need help identifying a tree. 35 or so years ago my uncle was a
cross country truck driver and often brought home gifts for my aunt
and grandparents. He brought home a small tree at one time and no one
remembers where he said he got it, not even what state. A few years
ago we lost my grandmother and soon after the tree was damaged so
badly it couldn't recover. I don't have any pictures but I'll do my
best to describe it. It grew to about 5 ft. tall. The trunk and limbs
were slightly twisty. Young limbs were covered with a soft velvety fur
and it had pods in the summer. The pods were 1 to 2 inches long and
looked a little like a pine cone. It reproduced like crazy with young
plants sprouting up all around it in the summer {unfortunately all cut
down by my stepfather}. I'm not sure how it reproduced although I
always suspected it was new shoots from the roots. If anyone can help
me I would appreciate it very much. Thanks.

Randy Newman has an old song called: "Sail Away." Here are the words.
It was one of my father's favorite songs and you reminded me of it:

In America you'll get food to eat
Won't have to run through the jungle
And scuff up your feet
You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day
It's great to be an American

Ain't no lions or tigers ain't no mamba snake
Just the sweet watermelon and the buckwheat cake
Ev'rybody is as happy as a man can be
Climb aboard little wog sail away with me

CHORUS
Sail away sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Sail away-sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay

In America every man is free
To take care of his home and his family
You'll be as happy as a monkey in a monkey tree
You're all gonna be an American

CHORUS
Sail away sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Sail away-sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay