In the Garden...Spiders
Current mood: enthralled

       With the advent of fall, one notices the influx of spiders lurking about the garden, the rafters of the house and every nook available. They are a most interesting invertebrate in both appearance and habit. All are predators which make them valuable to the gardener as they will eat flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, and aphids. The habits differ among species with some making intricate webs to trap their prey while some lie in wait on flowers and some simply travel about on the ground. Now is the time to see the intricate web of the amazing Orb Weaver whose wonderful web will catch almost any flying insect. Particularly interesting is the way in which she will repair the web, giving it an almost stitch-like appearance.

     Spiders are found in every corner of the planet, making them one of the most common invertebrates and they alone have eight legs. True spiders (thin-waisted arachnids) evolved about 400 million years ago, and were among the first species to live on land. There are many references to the spider in popular culture, folklore and symbolism. The spider symbolizes patience for its hunting with web traps, and mischief and malice for its poison and the slow death they cause their prey. Who could forget the pitiful death sequence in the movie 'The Fly'? Though not all spiders spin gossamer webs, spiders have been attributed by numerous cultures with the origin of basket-weaving, knotwork, weaving, spinning, and net making. Lovely pottery artifacts featuring spiders may be found in all ancient cultures, so respect for them is universal.

     In any talk of spiders the two most dangerous must be mentioned. All spiders have venom however the Black Widow and Brown Recluse are very dangerous species whose bite may have disastrous results to humans. The Brown Recluse likes living in quiet corners of the house while the Black Widow resides outdoors. The Black Widow makes an untidy web as she is a member of the Tangleweb spiders. She will aggressively guard her egg sac and it is about now that her babies will be born. Both of these spiders have thin legs and a fragile skeletal structure which makes squishing them easy; do not hesitate to kill them.

     The spiders which come to mind as favorites are the green jumpers, the garden and wolf spiders, and of course the gentle Tarantula. Many spiders die in one season (as in Charlotte's Web) so enjoyment of them is fleeting. Only the gentle Tarantula lives up to 20 years.

     There is an entire psychological phobia named after fear of spiders called Arachnophobia. So popular is this fear that Hollywood chose to make a movie using it as a theme. However, our favorite Hollywood spider, Spider-Man, remains an all time hero.   

Currently reading : Charlotte’s Web By E. B. White Release date: 2001-10-02

12:20 PM - 7 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Today’s Insane To-Do List

Okay so I got up at four thirty today...wide awake. I'm fading a bit now that it's 10:15 but I went to the den and made a to-do list while it was quiet in the house. For Michael's 40th birthday I hired a rock band and we had a heck of a party. Tomorrow he will be 58 and the impetus has slowed a bit so I'm having a cook out. Since I'm hosting the Rehearsal dinner for Dolan and Tara on September 26th I figured I need to get my act together and do some down and dirty cleaning. Now is the time, right?

Here is the insane list of what I planned to do TODAY:
Dust and lemon oil all the furniture, dust the lampshades with a wisk broom, clean both bird cages, polish the silver, vacuume the house and porch, wipe then lemon oil the venetian blinds in the den, put new sheets on Lize's (the guest) bed, clean out my closet, defrost the two old frigs, and fry some chicken.

What was I thinking? Apparently I 'lost it' in the wee morning hours and imagined the energy level of a three year old. As of now I've got the door open to one frig and the ice node is dripping, I have out the swifters (unused so far today), I found newspaper for the thus uncleaned birdcages that remain filthy, and I've trimmed three Four O'lClocks that had fallen over. That's all I've done... and I'm blogging! 

(Maybe the music will help inspire me.)

Currently listening : The Rocky Story: The Original Soundtrack Songs From The Rocky Movies (Soundtrack Anthology) By Various Artists Release date: 1991-07-01

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Thoughts on Turning Sixty... a repost
Current mood: pleased
Category: Blogging

Thoughts on Turning Sixty

Turning sixty is most certainly a milestone in any life. In recognizing my age I am also able to recollect the events I have been able to witness and I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have had.

               If I were not sixty, I would have missed:

The time when mothers were at home while fathers went to work. Childhood would not have included an extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins all gathering on Sunday to recount the week's events. Back then, neighborhoods were safe and watchful; people were polite and generous with a sense of purpose which involved caring for the young and the old with equal diligence. The term 'latch key' did not exist.

Pleasures were as simple as a walk in the park, fishing for crawdads, ice skating on a frozen pond, dancing in a community pavilion at the beach, occasionally going to the drive-in theater or having simple Sunday night dinners on with TV trays while the whole family watched Disney. I would have missed 'cruising' when gasoline was a quarter a gallon and everybody could go out on Saturday night knowing they would not be shot.

                 I would have missed:

The times of turbulence of the 1970's. I was in college at that singular time and it was incredibly exciting to be involved in the push to end the war, give women equal rights, and bring politicians to accountability. I burned my bra in a crowd of 300, lit candles when the National Guard gunned down innocent students at Kent State, gathered with thousands to protest Viet Nam, heard Martin Luther's speech live, sat up late at night over marijuana and strong coffee discussing strategies, writing intellectual and emotional essays to address the ills of our society.  Entire intercity neighborhoods included hippie/students who put twinkle lights in the back yard and had cook outs while girls hand embroidered jeans, men hand tooled leather, and children danced about. Blue jeans became the universal uniform, sex was death free and rain wasn't acid. It was an outrageous and hopeful time full of unimagined collective energy. I am glad I was a young adult and not a child then; I would have missed it.

                 I am glad I didn't miss:

 The 'Back to Earth' movement even if we didn't know it was a movement. The cities became so angry by 1975. Watergate, the assassinations of men of peace, the winding down of equal rights, the drugs which made their appearance were dangers that could not be escaped so we simply left. Many of us returned to our roots; to the places where our grandparents raised a family amid the simple pleasures of our own youth. The gift of a small town where the doors are never locked at night, where the car keys need not be removed, where you can call the pharmacist at home to meet you if the children became ill during the night…all this was too important to miss. I'm glad I didn't.

               I am so happy I was able to experience:

Farm life before the disasters of the 1980's and closure of the family farm as a treasured institution. Family farming was over by the time John Cougar Mellencamp wrote the poignant song "The Auctioneer" and Willie Nelson began his battle to save them. Family farms were still on every section of land in 1975 so we became part of a close knit community of neighbors. I was able to go to quilting bees with little old ladies who had quilted together for forty years. My stitches are in their quilts and even though the ladies are all gone now, the quilts have been lovingly passed on.  They took me under their wing and I learned short cuts to canning, how to milk a cow, plant a garden and the joy of fresh eggs. We attend family and community berry picking parties followed by homemade pies, guitar music, tall tales and ageless laughter. I was able to push back time a little and give my children an antique life style that has all but disappeared. I am happy I didn't miss it.

                I am glad I was included:

In Native American cultures before casinos made their way there. In the 1990's the magic of the culture still existed. The elders were still living and tribal spirituality was an everyday way of life. The open generosity of Native Americans was to be envied. It included the belief that the measure of a person was not what you could amass personally, but rather what you could give to others. To admire a possession belonging to a Native American was for them to bestow it upon you. Condemnation is not in their vocabulary and laughter runs freely. I learned that Pow-Wow's were not a benefit where the promoters made money, but rather an event where they gave all that they could to each person attending asking only for collective prayers for the honoree. I would arrive at a camp with smoke drifting to the sky in the darkness above tepees, the drum beat as background music of another time, and my heart would leap. It called to me in an unimagined way and I felt at home there. To have been called to the grandstand to be honored and gifted by the Head Lady Dancer before a crowd of 3,000 Native Americans was truly one of the highlights of my life. The welcoming, the polite introductions, the respect and old fashioned manners reminded me of my childhood in its sense of propriety. It is gone now with the advent of drugs and the passing of the elders. I'm glad I didn't miss it.   

I must say I have experienced a multitude of exciting and memorable events that I might have missed…

               were I not sixty.

Currently listening : Magic Carpet Ride By Steppenwolf Release date: 1995-01-01

11:25 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...August Days and Nights
Current mood: relaxed
Category: Blogging

        Although many inexperienced gardeners insist that August is the final hurrah for the garden, it is actually the beginning of an entire growing season. Mother Nature, who is all knowing, sends to the observant gardener many signs of when to plant, and this week one can see the tiny spring-like emergence of self-sown seedlings. With a slight drop in evening temperatures as well, we are given strong indications that now is the time to plant the Fall garden. If planted now, the carrots will settle in and have a head start early next spring. The spinach will pop up and survive nicely, allowing for something green through the hardest freeze. The turnips, beets, and lettuce varieties, all of which detest the heat, will do well planted in a Fall setting.

        It is time to begin collecting your own seeds for planting next Spring. If you collect the annuals which are blooming in your garden, not only will you save on purchasing them next year, but you will have seeds which have acclimated to our growing conditions. Wait until all the dew has evaporated and pick only the best, most perfect dried blossoms. Shake the seeds to a piece of paper and allow them further drying for a few days. Then transfer and store them in a plastic bag in a place where they will not get cold. Marigolds, Zinnias, Larkspur, Feverfew, and  Four O'clocks are a few of the seeds worth collecting.       

        The spectacular show of the lowly Four O'clock is reaching a zenith about now. For many years disregarded and considered a weed, this fabulous plant is often overlooked as a source of faithful color and scent in the garden. It will grow from seed and over time create a tuberous bulb making it a perennial that grows to the size of a small shrub. If you plant several colors, they will cross pollinate and create a myriad of colors that are outstanding. The standard yellow will cross with white and become a pastel kaleidoscope of swirling color. The deep red and fuchsia will cross creating a red petal with a fuchsia center. The white and pinks will transform into a lovely peppermint twirl. The combinations are endless. It is nice to have some scented plants which bloom in the evening, exactly when it is most pleasant to stroll through the garden. The Four O'clock is named for the time of day it opens and its sweet scent wafts through the garden each evening until the morning Sun puts it to sleep for the day. It is truly a remarkable joy to add to the garden.

The Combinations are so lovely.

Currently listening : Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Violin Concertos Release date: 2002-08-13

11:13 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...House Wrens
Current mood: excited

     Now is the time to venture out and look for the darling House Wren who has possibly made her nest in some odd place nearby. They come here in the spring with the male signaling his arrival with an almost incessant stream of burbles, warbles, buzzes and rattling churrs. Native Americans called this bird o-du-na-mis-sug-ud-da-we-shi, meaning 'making a big noise for its size'. They are considered a songbird even though their wonderful song is heard only during the nesting season and rarely afterwards. Since the diet of the House Wren consists almost entirely of insects, spiders, snails, flies, ticks, plant lice, gypsy moth larvae, ants, bees, beetles, and grasshoppers they are a valuable asset to the gardener for natural control of pests.

     As indicated by their common name, they are intensely interested in humans and often nest where they receive attention. They will make a cup sized nest of various materials including string and pieces of plastic and sit on three to seven creamy white eggs. They famously choose unusual sites for their nests, including door wreaths, lamp posts, garage shelving, and even old shoes. Both parents will raise their young and the family will leave here for winter quarters in Mexico by early October.

     Small and overly confident, the brown House Wren is extremely territorial and will make efforts to destroy the nest of competitive birds. It is said they will occasionally destroy the eggs of other birds by breaking the egg shell. They have also been known to vandalize the cavity of other bird nests by placing sharp sticks in them therefore rendering them unusable. To encourage this valuable little bird to nest in your garden, boxes with a hole small enough to prevent competitive cavity nesters is an option.

     When their sociable behavior is added to their abilities to control pests, it is no wonder this dear little bird is among the all time American favorites. The photo, taken by John Dougherty Monday evening, shows the little Wren nesting in Candie's porch plant! Adorable!

Currently reading : Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America By Ted Floyd Release date: 2008-05-27

7:41 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...Castor Beans, Moles and Gophers

                                      In the Garden

                                By Catherine Dougherty

      Apparently this is the year of the mole as they seem to be everywhere. Moles live almost their entire lives underground and are almost blind and although they have no external ears, they hear very well. They are natural digging machines with their pointed nose, wedge shaped head and scoop-like front legs used as powerful, tireless shovels. Their permanent home is located about a foot below ground and is lined with leaves but it is their burrowing habits which make any lawn a mind boggling tract of tunnels located just below ground level. They are searching for insects, worms and grubs and although they do not eat plants, they can uproot your favorites while burrowing.

      Chemicals which claim to remove moles are simply removing their food source so use of them will deny your garden the fine work of earthworms. Poison does not work and the fine print on the label even states that 'increased activity is possible prior to moles vacating the premises'. Use of bombs in their tracts does not work either. Possibly the only alternative which is not harmful to the well being of the garden is planting Castor Bean plants.

    Castor beans have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 4000 B.C. and the oil was used thousands of years ago in wick lamps for lighting. From this plant comes one of nature's finest oils famous as a laxative in Pioneer days. Today it is used in everything from paint to racing engine oil and is being developed as a bio-fuel in Brazil. The lovely beans have an irresistible appearance with each having a 'face' unlike any other however they are unquestionably among the most deadly seeds on earth. For this reason it is important that they not be grown where small children may come in contact with them. The very fact that the seeds are extremely dangerous makes them valuable to the gardener. 

     It is a lovely plant with a robust nature which allows for survival during drought and in extremely bad soil. The large palm-like lobed leaves may be over 20 inches across and resemble a tropical plant. There are several cultivated varieties with strikingly different foliage coloration, including black-purplish, dark red-metallic, bronze-green, maroon, bright green with white veins, and just plain green. The spiny seed pod or capsule which forms is composed of three sections which split apart at maturity. Each section (carpel) contains a single seed, and as the carpel dries and splits open, the seeds may be collected. These seeds may be dropped in the burrows of moles and gophers. They will leave not because they are poisoned but rather because they hate the smell of the beans.

     As with any poison either natural or chemical, caution and common sense are the rule. Keep out of reach of children and do not eat a bean!

8:06 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...Night Scents

                                 In the Garden

                           By Catherine Dougherty

     As I have mentioned before, often descriptions in a book stand out and become very real. The novel Love in the Time of Cholera, written by Gabriel José Márquez, a Colombian novelist, is among the best for descriptions of night blooming flowers. As one walks through the gates of his imaginary court yard, the busy odor filled town disappears and his garden is filled with delicious scent. Since gardens are created for enjoyment, one must not forget the pleasure of an evening stroll filled with the scent of night blooming flowers gently wafting through the moonlight. There is still time to plant a few scented evening bloomers to enjoy through out the remaining summer into fall.

     Many of the sweet evening bloomers are white to attract the night flying moths who feed on their nectar and pollen. Datura, or Moon flower as we call it locally, can still be planted to establish itself for next year. It will bloom a with few trumpet shaped, lemony smelling flowers by late August but the tuber will establish itself over the season. If started now, next year it will bloom by May and last through fall. Remember that it is poisonous so plant it where it may not be ingested by children or pets. Pick a place where it has room to grow to the size of a medium shrub with full sunlight.

    Sweet Autumn Clematis can still be planted and since it blooms in the fall, you will have it to enjoy then. The white starry flowers are intensely fragrant and beautiful. Four O'Clocks may be planted all season as well. They too become very large over time so planting a few new 'babies' now and again will give fragrant filler at a low level in a garden spot. Nicotiana may still be found at nurseries and although it looks rather tired and spindly in the two inch peat pot, it will fill out in your garden and bloom all summer, filling the evening with sweet scent.

     Still available as well is Garden Heliotrope. Growing up to give feet tall with blossoms that exude fragrance after dark, it is always a hit. Some say it smells like vanilla, others say apple pie. Regardless, it produces one of the sweetest fragrances and its tiny flowers, in a range of pink to deep purple, add a splash of color. It is a wonderful companion plant for tomatoes and attracts butterflies. It will self seed and it is said that it may become invasive so be careful where it is planted.

     Lastly is Evening Primrose with such a delicate sounding name for a rather weedy looking plant. Their large yellow flowers begin to exude an outstanding aroma by evening, making them an absolutely stunning addition regardless of their rag-tag appearance.

     Take an evening walk, listen to the winged night fliers, bask in the moonlight; it's the height of the summer of 2008 and it will be gone before we blink twice.

9:39 AM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...Summer evenings

                                      In the Garden

                                By Catherine Dougherty 

      Our days this month may have become exceptionally hot but we are allowed compensation by our nights, which are something marvelous to behold. Besides allowing us to move about without the overhead heat, the night emerges with a singular life unto itself. If we venture out after twilight, one may enjoy the sights, smells and sounds which belong only to the summer night. The melodic song of the Cicada, which sings when the temperature is about ninety, dies down as the evening cooling begins with dusk. Suddenly the fireflies appear, magically twinkling and lighting the darkness.

      The firefly is a type of flying beetle that glows in the dark with tiny sparks of white fire. They appear in midsummer and only warm climates. Their abdomens contain five chemicals adenosine, triphosphate, luciferin, oxygen, magnesium, and luciferase which are bound by a chemical controller. As nerve stimulations release another chemical, inorganic pyrophosphate, the bond breaks and the reaction creates the light. Seconds later the light diminishes as another chemical destroys the pyrophosphate. Since fireflies are one of the few insects that use vision to find a mate, male fireflies find true love by following the flashing lights.

 Although they exist all over the world, many fireflies do not have wings. In Europe the female is called the glowworm because she simply sits in iridescent splendor. In Cuba, the beetle is rather large and has been used for centuries as a decoration. Women attach the beetle to their gowns or place one on a special golden chain as an ornament, which sounds utterly charming. In dense tropical forests it is customary to attach the glowing beetles to the tops of boots to light the path. In other places, the beetles are placed en mass in jars and give a continuous, though wavering light.   

 As we seriously battle grasshoppers, shield bugs, assassin bugs, and a host of other voracious insects, it is nice to remember our childhood when searching for cicada shells and catching fireflies added memorable and magical allure to our summer evenings.

2:12 PM - 8 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

Privet Hedges

     Sometimes Nature takes an unexpected turn and so it happened here. In Emerson's essay on Compensation he speaks of the 'sunny flower garden, with no room for its roots and too much sunshine for its head, by the falling of the walls and neglect of the gardener assumes new character'. He suggests that often a miraculous transformation may occur and thus it has happened in our garden. Almost thirty years ago I planted small privet hedges found nestled beneath their parents at my Grandmother's home. Each the size of a slim pencil back then, they grew and thrived. For well over two decades, our Privet hedges were trimmed, sculpted, and modeled to perfection. They become the perimeters of carefully proportioned outdoor rooms, each defined by a circumference of hedge. The swimming pool area, the badmitton court, and even the basketball court were carefully embraced into utter seclusion by the perfectly manicured hedges. Over the course of the years, as each of our children reached a certain age, they were assigned to trim and did so proficiently. As each grew up and beyond their duty, they were allowed to escape the effort of clipping. And still the hedges grew. As the last son left home and the hedges were left to us alone, they began to reach higher and higher still, instinctively knowing that being left alone with us would finally allow freedom. They grew seeking the sunlight beyond the tree tops, with first their depth and breadth doubling then tripling.  In what seemed a twinkling, they were beyond our grasp.

    They reached past the trimmers, further than the scope of the ladder, beyond all control. We lamented the passing of the orderly rows of hedge and then something wonderful happened. The hedges devolved into their true nature of being. They are thick and healthy, lush and verdant, and an absolutely stunning specimen of magnificent proportions. Covered with miniature spears of tiny white flowers of the most delicate nature, they are beauty beyond compare and seem as though waiting for the wedding party. Their fragrance reaches the perimeters of the lawn, and wafts sweetly through to the woodland and beyond. Were it not for our age and limitations, our Privet would have remained as they were…formal and yet formidable. Controlled and in the effort required to keep them perfect, controlling beyond measure. However as the garden and the gardener alike mature, some unexpected loveliness may appear… to your surprise and sheer delight.

11:37 AM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...Mosquitoes

     With the rains of late, there seems to be a rather large influx of mosquitoes. They are a voracious and healthy lot this year so finding a natural means of control is on the agenda. From 1948 to 1970 method of control was the DDT fogging machine. Mounted on the back of a truck, the 'Bugmobiles' were adapted from WWII smoke screen generators and blasted hot gas which exploded the DDT into a white fog. Touted as harmless, I can recall the weekly arrival of the fabulous machine which spewed the thick fog as it drove slowly through residential neighborhoods. The truck's arrival was always met with wild excitement and all of the neighborhood youth acted as though it was a smoke show at a rock concert and gleefully danced in and out of the mist. My overly vigilant parents, mint julep in hand, would caution from the safety of the porch about riding my bicycle 'too long in the fog'. Needless to say, this was before the existence of the Environmental Protection Agency and the universal banning of DDT as a carcinogen. Nowadays perhaps it is wise to err to the side of caution and simply invite the lovely Purple Martin to take up residence in your garden.         

     This charming little bird, the largest of the North American swallows, can eat over 10,000 mosquitoes a day. For over 100 years it has nested almost exclusively in backyard birdhouses, making it a very people friendly little bird. Besides being sociable, the Purple Martin is also a lovely little bird, with adults assuming a colorful steel-black sheen to their plumage. Native Americans knew the benefits of inviting the Purple Martin to take up residence and hung empty gourds for them long before the arrival of the first Europeans. 

    They migrate to Brazil for the winter and return each spring with the older Martins arriving first to places they have inhabited before. Several weeks later the younger birds arrive where several couples are happy to take up residence in houses resembling apartment complexes. The Purple Martin gets all of its food and water while in flight and skims the surface of a pond scooping up water in its lower bill.  For a natural and conservative method of mosquito control, they are simply the best alternative available.

7:15 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

My Corgi Puppy

After all these years of having Mastiffs, I have finally gotten a dog that I can lift! And he is amazing in how many ways he makes me laugh...from 'helping' in the garden to hiding his toys in closets. I finally found the car keys, lost for a week, carefully tucked into the toe of a boot. The origin of this little breed is a magical story...

A Tale from Wales about the origin of the Corgi

Queen Mab clapped her hands. "I am bored," she cried. "Let us take our steeds and go for a ride." Instantly before the fairy queen appeared a small red-white dog wearing a gold collar and bell. On his back was a tiny saddle made of the finest leather and chased in silver. Similar dogs appeared to the other members of the fairy court. They each mounted their enchanted dogs, and led by Queen Mab and her huntsman, Dark Edric, they rode out of the hollow hills. By the light of the moon, they flew through the forests of Wales.

Suddenly, one of the fairies gave a cry. His steed had brushed against a trap set by poachers. Made of iron, its touch was deadly to fairy folk, and both the courtier and his little dog were laid low by its power. The other fairies gathered round, yet keeping their distance lest they too be struck down by the cold bite of iron. "What shall we do?" said Queen Mab. "We cannot leave them here to die."

A small, hesitant voice broke the silence that followed her question. A human boy peered from behind a tree, his frightened sister at his side. "If you please, your majesty, I can move the trap away so that it won't be touching them anymore," he said. "And my sister knows herbs. She may be able to ease their pain."

"What are you doing out at this time of night, boy?" the queen demanded. "Do you not know that the night holds many dangers for mortals?"

"My father is a shepherd," the boy replied. "Our best ewe is lost, and without her we shall surely starve."

"Heal my friends," the queen said, "and I shall repay you many times over."

The boy and his sister tugged at the heavy trap until it was far enough away to do no harm. Then the girl gathered white oak bark and blackberry leaves. Wetting them in the stream, she made a soothing compress. With their rapid healing powers, the fairy and his dog steed were soon well again.

"I promised you a reward, boy." Queen Mab said. Twice she rang the golden bell that hung around her dog's neck. Two red-and-white puppies appeared. They were low-set, strong and sturdy, with dark eyes that gleamed with intelligence. "These are fairy dogs," Queen Mab said. "They are swift and clever and true, and they can herd cattle, as well as sheep. Treat them well, and you shall never lose your livestock again." Then she clapped her hands and the entire fairy court disappeared, leaving behind only the two pups.

The shepherd's family prospered, and the fairy dogs gave birth to puppies. The Corgis as they became known-from the Welsh words cor meaning "dwarf" and gi meaning "dog"-were highly prized throughout the land for their herding ability. As a mark of their fairy steed origin, they all bore saddle or harness marks behind their shoulders. And on Midsummer's Eve, the fairies returned to ride the Corgis so they would never forget where they came from.

5:02 AM - 13 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

A Reckoning... Food for Thought

Thank you Malcolm for your insight and expansion of thought...

Me:

I believe that the planet is in distress because all of the spiritual 'points' on it have been compromised. I always believed that there were special places that kept the planet in order. The meanings of the Eqyptian Pyramids, the Inca's Machu Picchu, and Stonehedge have been lost. Nepal and the Acoma Mesa have been compromised and gambling is set up in those locations. Could the source of the natural disasters we are seeing be that the healing, guiding 'points' of balance are gone? The Hopi believed that mankind's thoughts and actions balanced the planet, but I think it was possibly these points.

Malcolm:

The planet is a living being. Just like any entity, its health depends upon every part working in harmony. Disrupt that harmony and you have sickness. I believe the Ancients understood this and many of the astonishing works they created were placed at sensitive parts of the planet to channel the energy of the sun and moon for the benefit and well being of Mother Earth. Caring for the earth that gave of her bounty to sustain human life was the first and overriding duty of mankind.

And of course the earth was tangible. People could see and feel when the planet was out of harmony and made efforts to do something to correct this imbalance. But as the human race grew in intellect and complexity, they looked for something even more complex and inexplicable to worship and ceased to care for Mother Earth through the ancient sites.

And so they came up with God. God, an overarching, all embracing entity that encompasses all things, all worlds, all universes is not a singularity. Our planet is part of God. Standing in a church or mosque singing praises to an ultimate being is not the way to worship. First and foremost we should worship by caring for the planet on which we live.

Sadly, the world has lost sight of this in the dogma, bureaucracy and self interest of modern religions. Add to this the selfish, money orientated society in which we live and you have an impossible situation. Are we at the edge of apocalypse? Will Mother Earth no longer stand for the injuries inflicted on her…the taking of everything and giving nothing back? Possibly we are due a reckoning.

4:32 AM - 6 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden...Poison Tomatoes (Sleeping Beauty Revisited)

                           In the Garden

                     By Catherine Dougherty

     This week we have once again been warned about produce. Apparently the tomatoes are poison. As gardeners know, vegetables picked or pulled from the ground have been subject to the elements and the soil. What your plants utilize from the soil goes directly into what they produce. For this reason, producers of the past were careful of what they applied to their crops. With the spinach recall, the culprit was finally assigned to hogs and rightly so; the Bible is full of references to the uncleanliness of hogs. Hog manure is notoriously full of parasites that are easily transmissible to humans and the fact that Biblical sources warned of this before science is amazing. Further, the Bible cautions of bacterial cross contamination of dairy and animal products two thousand years ago and gives specific rules as guidelines for healthy cooking which are still timely today.

     Years ago a friend whose father had been a diplomat to Pakistan told me of the produce warning issued them by the State Department. They were told not to eat the fruit as it contained soil contaminates which traveled up the tree and were stored within the fruit itself. Today with international trade opened and much of our produce arriving from nations with few restrictions and open sewers, a refresher course in basic cleanliness is due.   

      Recently we have been warned not to use the same cutting board for meat and vegetables as though it is a new idea and not tradition in most kitchens. Although cooking kills much of the bacteria naturally occurring on meat it may still be transferred to raw produce. We are encouraged to wash our hands between preparation of raw meat and vegetables as well. Wash the counter often and women are encouraged not to place their purses on the counter as purses are notoriously filthy on the bottom.

     Dr. Spock removed 'Commonsense' from the title of his famous 1946 baby book in 1985, claiming that commonsense had died. Individuals who use fresh produce must use commonsense and assume it is dirty upon arrival in their home. Many imagine that produce collected from the supermarket has miraculously been washed and sanitized before shipment. This thought is a fallacy. While watching a television special on fresh produce I noted workers were packaging strawberries in the plastic containers that arrive in the market in the field. Meaning that the strawberries arrive at the supermarket with whatever the worker had on his hands at the moment, and hopefully he did not have an illness. Additionally as I watched the 'Cooking Diva' making a cake I noted she did not wash either the strawberries or the blueberries she put between luscious layers of whipped cream.

      Short of planting your own garden, I recommend buying locally. Additionally remember that all produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, squash and the like must be carefully washed. Onions must be peeled, celery and potatoes scrubbed with a vegetable brush, and so forth. With a little effort fresh garden produce may be confidently eaten and enjoyed for its wonderful health benefits.  

6:57 AM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

My gardening days...

                                  In the Garden

                             By Catherine Dougherty

    Sometimes it becomes too ridiculous and this is how my gardening days usually go lately… I can't find anything in the yard anymore. I spend all my time looking for lost tools. I'll prune something then drop the pruners while I carry off debris, planning to return momentarily. I see something else on the way back to the pruners and become distracted from the pruning job. A large clump of grasses or weeds lurking amongst the flowers catch my eye. I enthusiastically weed a bit then I begin to look for the rake to rake the weeds and grass I've pulled before they can rebound and reroot. As I am looking for the rake, I see a lily with a heavy head that needs to be staked. I remember a stake is on the spent Iris so I go to the top bed and begin looking for it among the poppies. I finally locate it return to the Lily, stake the plant and note with satisfaction her head is upright. Then I remember, as I see the wilting weeds, I am looking for the rake. I finally find it in some obscure place then rake the weeds into a pile. I need my gloves to pick up the pile so I go to the garden table to get them. They are not there, naturally. I remember I took them to the house so they would not get rain soaked so I go to get them and finally find them under a packet of seeds on the ledge of the porch. Bingo… gloves on I pick now up the weeds. As I am carrying them off I see a six pack of wilting Petunias that desperately need to be put in the ground. First water them but where's my watering can? Then I need my trowel. Hmmm? I find the can, fill it and water the Petunias which immediately perk up. I am still looking for one of my three trowels and finally find one in the herbs where I was digging grass days ago. I plant the Petunias then notice something that needs to be pruned. I can't remember where I left the pruners, it's getting hot, I've missed lunch, I'm beginning to sweat and need a drink of water. I've gone full circle. No wonder I'm tired at night. Now if only I could get an uninterrupted night's sleep….but that's impossible too. (See Below)

Sleep... expressed by my friend Katherine, who wrote me this morning. Ditto here!

For the love of GAWD! If I don't get a full, solid, uninterrupted, perfect night's sleep soon I'm going to kill someone.  It won't even have to be someone I know. I'll be satisfied killing for its own sake.  If it isn't the sneezing or coughing, it's the phone calls.  If it isn't the phone calls, it's thunderstorms and tornados. If it isn't thunderstorms, the dog has an emergency and needs to be let out. If it isn't the dog, I drank too much wine and waken for no apparent reason.  If it isn't the wine, I forgot my hormones and have hormone dreams.  Or anxiety dreams because the wine interfered with the anti-anxiety meds. Sheesh!

11:48 AM - 9 Comments - 13 Kudos - Add Comment

In the Garden..Pollen

                                    In the Garden

                              By Catherine Dougherty

     Last week a special was aired on television about the effects of Global Warming.  Since the jury is 'in' and all of the experts agree it is an indisputable fact, the special was of interest especially when it addressed the topic of pollen. According to the professors who study such matters, the pollen will increase to the status of 'super' in the coming years.

     The increased emissions of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by fuel propelled autos, airplanes, and large machinery are apparently the primary cause according to experts. Since plants and grasses utilize carbon dioxide in the production of their food, the theory is that plants and grasses are now receiving the equivalent of daily doses of fertilizer. Gardeners who supply fertilizer in regular intervals know their plant life is rejuvenated by such applications so the theory is not off base.

     Government research on Ragweed, the major culprit of allergens in the fall, indicate it produces more and larger pollen as the growing season lengthens and the carbon dioxide levels rise. According to the US Agriculture Research Service, Ragweed already produces 131% more pollen now as opposed to a hundred years ago. Their projection is that by 2050 the percentage number will rise to an alarming 320%. Research also indicates trees and grasses, the prime sources of allergy misery in the spring and summer, also are in the process of becoming super pollinators.

     As the allergy suffers know, this research provides no new information with exception of the possible cause of increased misery. Apparently the more beautiful the time of year, the more torment one may expect. However, there are a few rules set forth by the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology to relieve some symptoms and they suggest: 

*A through (and exhaustive) spring cleaning of the house, top to bottom.

*Postponing (early) morning coffee in the garden until after ten when overnight pollen count diminishes.

*Stay inside on hot, dry, windy days if at all possible. (Impossible unless one plans inside activities everyday)

*Do not hang laundry, especially sheets, on the line (even if you love the 'fresh' smell) as allergens collect on them.

*Shower and wash your hair after working outside before (falling into) bed.

 *Be aware of high mold spore counts after a heavy rain or in the evening. (Dizziness and double vision are clues.)

     Apparently these suggestions apply to almost all outside activity, so one can assume species adaptation to our environment is the best alternative to living in a bubble. It seems that gardeners need to adopt a universal motto…How about 'Sneeze on'?

BTW, everything in parenthesis are my own personal opinions and NOT those of the asthma folks...

6:06 AM - 9 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment