Cassie Woodard shared a special part of her wedding that her grandfather had cared for and kept safe for about 40 years. Cassie’s heartwarming video on TikTok had viewers in tears and touched many hearts

Cassie Woodard and her husband Tyler | Source: Instagram.com/cassiemwoodard

Cassie Woodard and her grandfather | Source: Instagram.com/cassiemwoodard

Cassie Woodard’s wedding decor | Source: Instagram.com/cassiemwoodard

Cassie Woodard and her grandfather | Source: Instagram.com/cassiemwoodard

Long before technology sent single socks into a spinning purgatory, people were more resourceful, creating tools to effectively complete the most daunting of household chores.

One of those tools is this wooden peg, which over the years evolved into a two-piece pin that secured items to a line. This was a significant improvement from the earlier model that fed socks and other garments to the wind, “a serious evil to washerwomen.”

Keep reading to learn more about this wooden tool!

Recently, an online user found little wooden dowels with two legs and went to social media looking for help in identifying the objects.

The Facebook post attracted a generation of nostalgic boomers, offering the answer: “Old school clothespins. [We] used them for hanging clean wet clothes outside on the [clothes] line to dry in the sun [and] fresh air!”

A wooden clothespin, also known simply as a clothes peg, is a traditional household tool used for hanging wet laundry on a clothesline to dry. Today, the pins typically consist of two wooden pieces hinged together at one end, with a spring mechanism that provides the necessary tension to grip onto the clothing.

ANCIENT TIMES

The history of wooden clothespins can be traced back to ancient times when people used various methods to secure their laundry while drying.

The earliest carved clothespins date back to ancient times and were quite different from the wooden clothespins we are familiar with today. These early clothespins were typically handcrafted from natural materials such as wood, bone, or even stone, and oftentimes featured ornate patterns or motifs.

The modern wooden clothespin, as we know it today, emerged in the 19^th century as a response to the growing need for a convenient and effective tool to hang laundry.

The earliest versions of the clothespins we know today, were handcrafted from solid wood, often maple or birch, and featured a simple design consisting of two pieces of wood hinged together with a small spring or metal wire.

‘EVIL TO WASHERWOMEN’ AND MEN

The modern design we know today, dates back an 1853 patent of a clothespin by Vermont’s David M. Smith.

According to his patent, dated October 25, 1853, the updated clothespins “are hinged together” by a wire “so that the two longer legs may be moved toward each other and at the same time move the shorter ones apart.”

The two wooden pieces are shaped in such a way that they form a clamp when squeezed together. This allows the clothespin to securely hold onto garments without causing damage. The spring mechanism ensures that the clothespin remains closed when in use, providing a reliable grip on the laundry even in windy conditions.

Smith details in the patent: “Another advantage and a very important one too, [what] my improved clothes pin possesses over the common pin is that it cannot be detached from the clothes by the wind as is the case with the common pin and which is a serious evil to washerwomen.”

EVOLVING PINS

As industrialization progressed in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, the manufacturing process for wooden clothespins became more mechanized. Wooden clothespin factories emerged, producing large quantities of standardized clothespins at a faster rate and lower cost. This made wooden clothespins more accessible to a broader range of households, contributing to their widespread use as a laundry tool.

Throughout the 20^th century, wooden clothespins remained a staple in households worldwide, despite the introduction of alternative materials such as plastic. Their simplicity, durability, and affordability made them a preferred choice for hanging laundry, particularly for those without access to modern drying technologies.

Today, wooden clothespins continue to be produced and used in households around the world, either for crafts or clothes drying, and are cherished for their nostalgic appeal and eco-friendly properties.

While plastic clothespins have become more prevalent in some regions due to their lower cost and mass production, wooden clothespins remain a symbol of traditional laundry practices and sustainable living.

What’s worse, losing socks to the wind or in a dryer? Please let us know what you think of this story and then share it with your friends so we can hear what others have to say!

An octogenarian died in Brazil following an operation to remove a dead fetus she had been carrying for 56 years.

Daniela Vera, 81, had complained of abdominal discomfort for the weeks leading up to her doctor’s visit, which is when medical professionals failed to discover the calcified fetus.

The indigenous woman, who resides in the city of Aral Moreira near the border with Paraguay, visited a primary cary unit on March 10 and received treatment for a urinary infection, according to Brazilian news outlet G1.

Vera, who had seven children and 40 grandchildren, relayed her concerns about having a mass in her abdomen, testing did not show the calcified fetus.

She received a referral for additional treatment the following day at Ponta Porä Regional Hospital, where 3D imaging diagnosed her with lithopedion, a rare side effect of ectopic pregnancy.

Because the fetus died during Vera’s pregnancy, her body did not reabsorb it. Instead, it was retained in the abdominal cavity and a calcium shell formed over it.

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Daniela Vera underwent surgery to remove a dead calcified fetus that was found in her abdomen at a hospital in Brazil on March 14 and died the following day from an infection

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Daniel Vera initially was afraid to seek treatment from doctors before she relented and visited several, all of whom were unable to detect that she was carrying a calcified fetus in her abdomen for 56 years. She was treated for a urinary infection on March 10 and the following day had X-rays, which revealed the dead fetus

Vera was given medicine to treat the urinary infection as her condition worsened and had surgery on March 14 to remove the fetus.

She was placed in intensive care and died on March 15.

Dr. Patrick Dezir, who oversees the Ponta Porä health department, said Vera’s death was caused by an infection.

‘When pregnancy occurs, it must be inside the uterus, but in some situations pregnancy can occur outside,’ Dezir said. ‘That baby was not clinical, the patient did not have acute pain and did not have major bleeding and this diagnosis goes unnoticed and time will take care of that foreign body that was left inside the woman’s abdomen.’

According to the National Institutes of Health, most patients are asymptomatic and the condition is detected by when X-rays are ordered.

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81-year-old Daniela Vera was a mother to seven children and had 40 grandchildren

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Daniela Vera experienced a ectopic pregnancy about 56 years ago. It caused the fetus to die and not be reabsorbed by her body.  It was retained in the abdominal cavity and a calcium shell formed over it

Vera’s family said that she at first shunned seeking attention from a physician because she was scared and opted for traditional medicine instead.

‘She was old and we are indigenous, she didn’t like going to the doctor, she was afraid of the equipment to take exams,’ her 21-year-old daughter Rosely Almeida said.

Almeida, the youngest of seven children, revealed that Vera had complained of the discomfort ever since her first pregnancy to another man when she was a teenager.

‘She said so it looked like a baby was moving inside her belly and sometimes she felt sick, but we never suspected that it was that,’ Almeida said. ‘It was from her first pregnancy, I don’t know how old she was.’

The 61-year-old actress took to Instagram on Tuesday, sharing two new snaps – one with her and Bruce having a chat and another with Bruce playing with his granddaughter Louetta, the first child of his daughter Rumer.

Demi also shared an undated throwback snap of Bruce with all three of his daughters – Rumer, 35, Tallulah, 30, and Scout, 32.

She also shared in the caption, ‘Happy Birthday, BW! We love you and are so grateful for you.’

The actress also took to her Instagram story, sharing a throwback video of Bruce and Demi that Rumer shared on her Instagram story.

The video – seemingly recorded by Rumer – showed Bruce counting down before starting a silly dance with Demi, as Rumer can be heard laughing in the background.

‘Come on! Pick it up! Take it down the hall,’ he said to Demi, as she danced down the hall as Rumer continued laughing.

She captioned the video, ‘This is you in all your silliness and your glory and I love it.’

Bruce’s wife Emma Heming Willis, 45, also celebrated his day of birth with a heartfelt post on Instagram.

She gushed that her husband is a ‘true gentle-man’ with a ‘pure’ and ‘good’ core as she sang his praises on Instagram on Tuesday.

‘Just like you, we simply adore him,’ she posted to Instagram. ‘What you might not know, but maybe you could imagine, that being wrapped in his arms is the safest place in this whole wide world.’

‘He’s a true gentle-man. With so much love to give and share. That’s what I get to see, his true core. I can tell you, it’s so pure and ever so good.Happy Birthday my love. You are the gift that keeps giving.’

She posted a snap of her husband, smiling contentedly, as he held a child in his arms. The youngster could have been one of his daughters.

The post received countless comments from fans sending their birthday wishes to Bruce – including his daughter, Tallulah Willis.

‘I love you so much. I love him so much! Our Pisces king!’ she gushed.

Emma replied: ‘@buuski you know these vibes my sweet,’ she said with a heart eyes emoji and heart emoticon.

Emma has been married to Bruce since 2009 and shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine with him.

Pierce Brosnan‘s wife, Keely, caused quite a stir with her recent red-carpet appearance alongside her famous husband.

At 60, the former model looked remarkably different, sparking a flurry of reactions from fans who couldn’t help but notice her stunning transformation.

The iconic James Bond actor, now 70, and his wife, Keely, who have been married for 23 years, graced the 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards in Santa Monica with their timeless elegance. Dressed head-to-toe in sleek black ensembles, the couple radiated sophistication and style as they walked the red carpet.

Amidst the sea of compliments flooding the comments section, fans couldn’t help but marvel at Keely’s striking appearance.

After photos of the couple reached the internet, many praised them both for aging gracefully, with comments like: “They’re aging naturally, and they both look great, good for them.”

However, it was Keely’s apparent weight loss that caught the most attention. Observant fans were quick to point out the change, with one commenting: “Whatever she’s doing, she needs to keep doing. A really pretty face showing through now, and I bet she feels better too.”

Another expressed surprise, saying: “I thought she had a disease where she couldn’t lose weight? Anyway, they look great!”

Since meeting in 1994 and tying the knot in 2001, Pierce Brosnan and Keely have been the perfect example of enduring love in Hollywood. Their two-decade-long marriage and journey through parenthood with sons Dylan and Paris have cemented their status as one of Tinseltown’s most beloved couples.

Keely, once recognized for her work as a model and actress, has transitioned into advocacy, using her platform to champion environmentalism and animal rights.

Regardless of her body size, Keely Shaye has always exuded grace and beauty. Alongside her husband, they continue to capture hearts with their undeniable chemistry and unwavering bond.

It’s been 65 years since Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer was killed over a meager $50 debt, about $530 today.

Switzer, the scrawny freckle-faced boy who played Alfalfa in the series Our Gang through the 1930s, was only 31 when he was fatally shot by his former partner, in a slaying that was called a “justifiable homicide.”

Keep reading to learn more about the tragic ending to the former child star!

Carl Switzer, best known for his role as Alfalfa in the comedy series Our Gang – also The Little Rascals – was a child actor who gained fame during the 1930s and 1940s.

Born on August 7, 1927, in Paris, Illinois, Switzer’s career started when he and his older brother, Harold Switzer, scored roles in the Our Gang series, produced by Hal Roach

The comedy short films, that spanned about two decades, followed the adventures of neighborhood children, including Spanky, Buckwheat, Darla, Alfalfa, and Petey the dog.

Despite initial difficulties getting onto the studio grounds, the seven-year-old Switzer and his brother, 10, captured the attention of Roach with an impromptu performance in the studio’s public cafeteria, leading to the siblings’ debut in the 1935 short film Beginner’s Luck.

Harold, known for his light blue shirt and blue overalls, was given the name “Slim” while his brother became known as the lovable yet mischievous character Alfalfa.

As Alfalfa, the freckle-faced boy with the squeaky voice and signature cowlick became one of the most recognizable child stars of his time.

He appeared in numerous Our Gang shorts, thrilling audiences with his comedic timing and expressive performances.

Over the years, Harold’s Slim slipped into the background while Alfalfa stole the spotlight as the sidekick to George McFarland’s Spanky.

Forever Alfalfa

Despite his success as a child actor, Switzer faced challenges transitioning into adult roles due to typecasting.

Alfalfa’s post-Our Gang career included several small roles in films like 1948’s State of the Union and 1952’s Pat and Mike, both starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, as well as Gas House Kids, reuniting him with his former Our Gang co-star Tommy “Butch” Bond.

From 1952 to 1955, he also played various roles in the Roy Rogers Show.

With little cash flow, Switzer supplemented his infrequent acting jobs by tending bar and leading big game hunting tours. He also bred and trained hunting dogs.

In addition to his professional troubles, his three-year marriage to Diantha Collingwood, a grain elevator heiress, ended in 1957. The two shared one son, Justin Lance, who was raised by Diantha’s next husband.

In 1958, his career started looking up with the drama film The Defiant Ones, where he played a supporting role alongside stars Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier.

But fate would not allow him to enjoy his success.

Financial burdens

On January 26, 1958, Switzer, known to imbibe, was seen outside of a Studio City bar, getting into his car when a bullet fired through the window, hitting him in the upper right arm.

The shooter was never found.

Then, in December of the same year, the Johnny Doughboy actor was arrested for cutting down pine trees from the Sequoia National Forest, that he planned to illegally sell as Christmas trees. He served one year’s probation and paid a $225 fine.

Less than one month since his arrest for the trees, Switzer lost a Treeing Walker Coonhound (a hunting dog), who belonged to his friend and former business partner, Moses Samuel “Bud” Stiltz.

Bud, unsympathetic to his friend’s financial burdens, insisted the 31-year-old Switzer return the dog or pay him $50, valued about $530 today.

Searching desperately for the animal, the struggling actor posted newspaper ads and signs, begging for the public’s help.

Fortunately, the dog was found and Switzer, paying the rescuer $50, expected that Stiltz would reimburse the funds.

‘He threw the knife at me’

On January 21, 1959, after a night of drinking, he and a friend went to collect the money from Stiltz.

But after a violent argument, the actor – a bartender at the Wolfe’s Den in Studio City – took a fatal shot in the abdomen.

According to police “there was a struggle for a pistol. It discharged, resulting in Mr. Switzer’s death.”

The fatal shooting, that happened in a San Fernando Valley home, was ruled a “justifiable homicide,” since it was alleged that Switzer pulled a knife.

“I took the gun away from Alfalfa and he threw the knife at me,” Stiltz told The Evening Bulletin on January 22, 1959. “That’s when I shot him.”

According to the outlet, “a knife was found beside Switzer’s body on the living room floor of the ranch-style home.”

Stiltz, who told police he had known knew Switzer for about a year and a half, added: “Alfalfa wanted me to pay him the reward money. Originally, he said it was $25 and at one time it was up to $75.”

It’s such a tragic ending to someone who brought so much laughter and joy to a generation.  

What are your memories of Alfalfa and Our Gang? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!

One day, as Ibrahim made his way to school, he encountered a pair of stray dogs on the street.

Instead of simply passing by, he paused and did something when he thought that no one was watching…

”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take….but the moments that take our breath away…”

In 2021, on a typical day in Grozny, Chechnya, Ibrahim set out for school. Then, he noticed two stray dogs basking in the morning sunlight. The boy could have just kept walking, not giving the dogs a second thought.

But instead, he stopped.

Ibrahim didn’t know he was being watched, but a stranger picked up his camera and recorded the whole thing. So, what did he do?

Check out the video below:

What a big heart this young lad has, so nice that he can bring a little warmth to the dogs he hugs!

The video of Ibrahim’s kind gesture quickly went viral.

Those acquainted with the young boy affirm that his actions are a genuine reflection of his character – he’s known for being a remarkably kind and compassionate individual.

“I saw the video. That’s Ibrahim,” Katerina, a friend of Ibrahim’s family, told The Dodo, and added:

“He goes to school with my daughter and helps her carry her bag. He’s a very kind boy.”

We can get so caught up in our own struggles, and the complications that color or daily lives, that we forget there are people out there who have it so much harder than ourselves.

Almost everyone you meet is fighting one battle or another. Some you might know about, others are more secret in nature. That’s why it’s so important to be considerate at all times and never treat anyone with anything less than the fullest amount of respect.

For me, that’s especially important when interacting with those people whose lives are made harder through disabilities. It’s not that they need any special treatment, and I’m certainly not suggesting they should be the subjects of pity. No, I mean simply that they so often serve as inspiring figures, and so should be treated as such.

Of course, one way of showing said respect is ensuring you’re educated as to the challenges faced by individuals who live with various disabilities. Take, for example, the visually impaired…

I can’t think of many impairments that would impact my life as much as the loss of my sight. Our eyes allow us to process the world around us; without them we lose a sense that the vast majority of us have been totally reliant on since birth.

And yet there are, of course, people who have severely impaired sight, not to mention those who are blind.

Needless to say, for anyone living with visual impairment, navigating the world becomes a lot harder. Which is why a recent invention by Australian company Tec-Innovation promises to make such a positive change.

As per reports, they’ve created a pair of shoes, called InnoMake, that use advanced sensor technology to help the wearer avoid obstacles they might not be able to see. The InnoMake shoes have built-in sensors that vibrate or make noise whenever an obstacle is detected, much like the sensors on cars that will beep to warn you of an imminent collision.

According to their YouTube, the shoes have special slots for the sensors, which last up to a week after taking three hours to fully charge.

Not only that, but the shoes can be coupled with a smartphone, allowing the user to customize certain settings, including adjusting the alert preferences or minimum distance for detection.

Have you ever seen anyone wearing shoes like this? Did you know what they mean? Let us know in the comments box.

Flying is not a pleasant experience for everyone. Some people make sure that before they set off on their trip, they take measures to ensure their comfort. But not everyone is mindful of the same thing.

This woman knew what she required when traveling and did exactly that. However, there were others who did not see it that way…

A woman found herself in a very uncomfortable position both literally and figuratively. She was torn between prioritizing her own comfort over societal expectations. She was faced with a decision; she could either be generous or stand up for her personal space.

She was headed across the country to spend Christmas with her family. She knew when she flew, she needed to be comfortable. Considering her size, she always books an extra seat on a flight. She makes sure to pay extra to ensure her comfort.

Everything went smoothly during the check-in, and she flew by through security and boarding. It was only when she was sitting in her seat that the unpleasant experience began. A woman with her 18-month-old child was sitting next to her. She saw that there was one seat empty and promptly requested that the woman squeeze herself onto one seat so that her toddler could occupy the other one. But seeing as the original occupant had paid for both seats, she refused.

The interaction was gaining attention, and a flight attendant noticed and came by to see what was going on. When the situation was explained to the flight attendant, she asked the woman on whether she could make room for the child, but she politely declined and asserted one again that she had paid in full for both seats.

The flight attendant thankfully understood and instructed the mother to hold her child in her lap as most children that age usually do. But, throughout the journey, the mother made sure to make the woman uncomfortable with dirty looks and passive-aggressive remarks.

Later, the woman wondered whether she had been unfair in this interaction and should have relented and given up her extra seat. She took to Reddit to ask the community on whether she had been wrong.

One person, who was a mother herself and had been in a similar situation wrote, “I’ve taken 9-hour flights with an infant in my arms and shorter flights with a toddler in my lap, who was capable of sitting in his own seat and very much did not want me to hold him. Did it suck? Yes. But it was my problem alone, and as long as my child was under 24 months and I didn’t have to pay for his seat, I chose to hold him. I swear, not all of us parents are this entitled!”

Another person added, “She’s wrong for not buying a seat for her son and assuming someone else would give up a seat they paid for. Odds are she was hoping there’d be extra seats on the flight so she didn’t have to pay and used the lap thing as a loophole.”

“I’d go so far as making a complaint to the airline about their employee supporting another passenger harassing you,” another outraged Redditor wrote.

Another annoyed user said, “You should always do what you can to be as healthy as you can, but being fat isn’t a character flaw or a moral failing. We all have our own challenges in life, and you deserve not to be ashamed of your body and yourself, even if you aren’t currently meeting your goals. If the mom wants an extra seat for her kids, she should have purchased one. She’s not entitled to a seat you purchased, and you don’t need to feel bad for her bad behavior.”

While, some people could also perhaps see the mother’s side in wanting to have a comfortable flight as well. However, had that been important for her, she would have made sure to prioritize getting a seat for her child.

Who do you think is right in this conversation? Let us know in the comments! Share this with others so they can also give their two cents on the topic.