A Texas city girl in a small New England town …
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Darnell Lamont Walker
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The history of zoos dates back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The intent, of course, was different. Back then, many rulers kept exotic animals — to either gift other rulers or for vanity’s sake. There was little to no effort in caring for the animals. Humans still lacked the requisite knowledge or will.
Over millennia, our understanding of the animal kingdom has evolved. We saw animal trainers and zookeepers emerge. However, the general idea of animals as exotic entertainment persisted. Gradually, new knowledge and tools for caring for animals became widespread; zoos and aquariums were born. Around the same time, the idea of humans caring for wildlife first took root and stayed.
By the 19th century, zoology had become a popular field of science. Private animal collections were frowned upon, becoming less and less popular over time. The modern zoo, as we know it today, grew from this evolution of thought. Even so, not all of them are the same.
There are zoos open to the public, while others are purely for conservation purposes. Many private zoos run breeding programs to protect critically endangered species from extinction. Other programs take in rescued animals that can no longer survive in the wild for various reasons.
As conscientious citizens, we must critically examine the zoos in our areas. What is the intent? Are there programs that benefit the animals and conservation? Does the zoo educate the community on wildlife and ecosystems? Are the animal enclosures mimicking natural habitats? National Zoo Awareness Day hopes to instill fascination, love, and respect for animals, particularly when they are in human care.
With more than 48 acres of natural landscaping consisting of two playground areas, two basketball courts, a pavilion, an amphitheater, a pond, and a newly expanded disc golf course, Bill Allen Memorial Park is perfect for the whole family.
Richard James, a Navy mechanical engineer stationed at the time, discovered the Slinky by knocking a spring off a shelf by accident and watched as it stepped in a series of arcs to a stack of books, a tabletop, and finally to the floor, where it recoiled and stood upright. Over the next year, James experimented with several sorts of steel wire until he discovered a spring that could walk.
The Jameses had trouble selling Slinky to toy stores, but they were granted permission to show the toy in November 1945. Slinky was a smash hit, with the first 400 units selling out in under 90 minutes. Slinky was first shown at the U.S. Toy Fair in 1946. In 1952, the Slinky Dog debuted. In the 1950s, new Slinky toys were introduced. Some of these include Slinky Suzie and Slinky Crazy Eyes.
Richard James quit the company after his wife filed for divorce in 1960. Betty James ran the company, juggled creditors, and relocated it to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1964. Betty James insisted on keeping the original Slinky affordable, and a Slinky cost between $1.89 and $2.69 in 1996. Poof Products, Inc. of Plymouth, Michigan, a manufacturer of foam sports balls, purchased James Industries in 1998. Poof-Slinky, Inc. was formed in 2003 when James Industries and Poof Products, Inc. amalgamated. Slinky has been used as a teaching tool, a portable radio antenna, and in NASA physics experiments, in addition to being a toy.
The National Toasted Marshmallow Day was created by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The organization promotes the sweets businesses in the U.S.A. One may think that promoting sugary food items might make for an unhealthy nation, but NCA aims to bring to light the benefits of choosing healthy options, which would, in turn, lead to a “balanced lifestyle” for many. Another of NCA’s goals includes lobbying for better communication frameworks, industrial insights, and regulatory business laws. All these factors would help candy businesses in America to grow and remain maintained in both the local and global market spheres. The candy business alone creates some 54,000 job opportunities in over 1,3000 factories in the country.
The exact date when marshmallows were created has been lost to history, but many scholars cite ancient Egypt as somewhat of a starting point for the sweet treat. Ancient Egyptians made marshmallows by extracting the sap from the root of a plant called ‘Althaea officinalis.’ This plant is native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe, and it grows, as you may have guessed, in marshes. Apart from being used to make marshmallows, the plant was also used as an ornamental decoration worldwide. Coming back to the sweet treat, the marshmallow-making process was extremely tedious and laborious in nature. The special final product, mixed with honey and nuts, was only served to royalty and gods, making it off-limits for the public. Over the centuries, the marshmallow went through several changes. From being produced by French confectioners by hand in the 1800s to being produced using machines in the 1900s, marshmallows were being enjoyed by more and more people. The key ingredient, which was the root of the marshmallow plant, was also replaced with gelatin/corn starch as the latter made the process easier and faster. People eat marshmallows in a variety of ways. They have it in milkshakes with chocolate or crackers, or simply toasted.
:https://nationaltoday.com/national-toasted-marshmallow-day/
Whether we spend time on beaches oceanside, at a lake, or river, they provide recreation all summer long. Swimming, water sports, and sunbathing are just a few of the relaxing things that come to mind. We also enjoy playing Frisbee, volleyball, and long walks. Floating along in the surf on a hot summer day with friends creates memories that last for years to come.
Sometimes, just packing a few icy beverages and a good book is enough to make a beach day perfect. However, we are responsible for caring for the beach, too. Not only should we pack out what we pack in, but it’s also necessary to follow the beach rules, also. Safety and fun go hand in hand.
In 1929, the Knights of Columbus, out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, launched a National Beach Day as part of their convention plans. However, it never took root. Then, in 2014, Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, created National Beach Day to celebrate beaches and the importance of keeping them clean.
:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-beach-day
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The seedlings finally moved to the greenhouse. The nights weren’t too cold for the Spring/Summer sowings anymore. One night, I wasn’t sure if the seedlings would survive the cooler night. So, I covered them up with some sandwich backs. I wanted to be on the safe side. The next morning, the greenhouse was covered in dew. But no frost. I was lucky. 🍀
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Today is the first day of “Back To School”. Our youngest, Sara, is the only child left participating in regular school. It is also her first day as a Sophomore in High School. 📚🍎🦉
Designated as the State Flower by the General Assembly in 1907, the Mountain Laurel is perhaps the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Its fragrance and the massed richness of its white and pink blossoms so vividly contrast with the darker colors of the forests and the fields that they have continually attracted the attention of travelers since the earliest days of our colonization. First mentioned in John Smith’s “General History,” in 1624, specimens were sent to Linnaeus, the famous botanist, by the Swedish explorer Peter Kalm in 1750. Linnaeus gave it the name of Kalmia latifolia, honoring the name of his correspondent and at the same time describing the “wide-leafed” characteristic of the plant. In addition to being called the “Mountain Laurel,” the plant has also been spoken of as “Calico Bush” and “Spoonwood.”
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August is almost over; Sara is ready to go back to school. Summer is coming to an end, and it is time to get prepared for Autumn. The garden needs to be prepared for the Autumn/Winter season. A lot of crops love the cooler days, like cabbage and carrots. That’s also a good time for weeding the garden since the mornings are not so warm anymore. Soon, the migrating birds and insects will visit the yard. It will be good for them to have a welcoming place where they can rest before they have to move on to travel south. In the meantime, I’m sitting outside with a cool drink in my hand and enjoying the last days of Summer.
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Since it is my birthday and the weather is beautiful, I walked the loop at Veterans Memorial Park. Summer still has a good grip on Nature. But there are signs that Autumn is near. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 70s for the rest of August and into the first week of September.
When I visited the park, I also got a view of one of the six Seward Johnson statues, which are placed all over Watertown. The town is currently hosting an art exhibition of six life-size Seward Johnson sculptures from August to October 2025 as part of the Watertown Foundation’s centennial celebration.
Another new feature is Noodle, the rock snake. Everyone in town can participate by bringing a painted rock and adding it to the tail end. I’m curious how big Noodle will grow over the next years. Maybe I will capture photos every couple of months and see how far it has come.
The death of a pet, whether furry, feathered, or an uncommon variety, is felt deeply. They become family and a familiar part of our lives. Mourning their death is different for everyone, and the observance provides a way to help heal the ache of loss. The pain of loss is real. As each person travels through their grief, we remember the companionship and comfort they provided to us. Don’t forget that part of the relationship includes the care you provide. The empty space left by the loss of a beloved pet is sometimes a difficult void to overcome.
This Labor Day weather is so beautiful that Kevin used the opportunity to work on his shed a bit more. Kevin ran a little short of shingles this weekend. We’ve got some more, while it was raining yesterday. The shed roof is almost done. Soon, he can begin with the interior shelving. While he works on that, I can caulk and paint the shed. It’s something I can do while he’s at work. Everything looks great so far. It’s not perfect. However, it is sufficient for storage without needing to worry about critters or a storage tent collapsing due to a major storm. It turned out to be a cute building tucked away across the house.
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YEEHAW! The assembling of the shed is DONE! Once it’s caulked and painted, Kevin will finish the framework of the doors. But I want to paint the doors first before that happens. Yeah, the lawnmower and the snowblower are out of the garage. My tubs with the seasonal decorations found some space in the shed, too. Once we are done unpacking all our household goods, we can park two vehicles in the garage. The shed was so needed.
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The garden shed is one of the best investments and is worth every penny we spent on our new property. My seasonal decorations fit perfectly along one side of the shed wall. The camping gear is on the top shelf under the roof. Kevin’s tools can be stored in there. And our lawn/snow equipment fits perfectly on the shed floor. Everything is in its place and looks needed. Therefore, the garage doesn’t look cluttered. We can finally oversee our stuff. And don’t need to look around in every box to find it. It makes life easier, not harder.
~ THE END ~
(09/06/2021, 09/13/2021, 09/19/2021)
August 27 is National Peach Day on the National Day Calendar to celebrate one of summertime’s most scrumptious fruits, the peach! August is prime peach season in the U.S., and we want everyone to enjoy a few peaches. Plus, remember the hardworking peach growers who provide us with this delicious fruit.
Summertime brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fruits, especially a flavorful, juicy peach. Local farmers’ markets and orchards are picking peaches to deliver to anxious peach lovers. Whether you enjoy a peach by itself or use your peaches for canning and baking, National Peach Day is here to encourage you to celebrate this wonderful food.
The quintessential early bird, American Robins are common sights on lawns across North America, where you often see them tugging earthworms out of the ground. Robins are popular birds for their warm orange breast, cheery songs, and early appearance at the end of winter. Though they are familiar town and city birds, American Robins are at home in wilder areas, too, including mountain forests and Alaskan wilderness.
American Robins are industrious birds that bound across lawns or stand erect, beaks tilted upward, to survey their environs. When alighting, they habitually flick their tails downward several times. In Autumn and Winter, they form large flocks and gather in trees to roost or eat berries. These birds are common across the continent in gardens, parks, yards, golf courses, fields, pastures, and tundra, as well as deciduous woodlands, pine forests, shrublands, and forests regenerating after fires or logging.
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Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason, so why not celebrate them? These furry friends range in all different shapes, sizes, and breeds. There is a dog out there for everyone! Whether you like big dogs or small dogs, every pup should be celebrated on National Dog Day. This holiday was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate. She created this day so that all dogs can be celebrated and also to draw attention to the number of dogs in shelters and to encourage adoption for those who have yet to find a place to call home. August 26 is significant to Colleen because it is the day her family adopted her Sheltie when she was 10 years old.
Since the first celebration in 2004, National Dog Day has grown and is now celebrated across the world. In 2013, the holiday was written into New York legislation and can be seen on the New York State Senate’s website. To spread the word further, those who oversee the holiday have joined forces with many rescue partners, including The Humane Society of the United States and West Coast Labrador Retriever Rescue. Together, they draw attention to the number of dogs that are without a home and try to actively encourage people searching for a dog to visit an adoption shelter instead of a pet store.
Since the first day back in 2004, it is estimated that approximately one million dogs have been saved through adoption in the U.S. For dog owners who aren’t looking to add to their family, National Dog Day has become a day for treating their friends like the legends they are and enjoying the connection that we’ve built up with dogs over thousands of years. Colleen Paige, the founder of the holiday, also uses the day to draw attention to the multiple ways in which dogs contribute to our society. From putting their lives on the line to help law enforcement track down bombs or drug dealers to providing assistance for those who need it, dogs play an important role. Nowadays, dogs can even identify cancer in patients.
National Dog Day has also been using its platform to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure, and continuously pushes for all dogs to be allowed to live happy and abuse-free lives. National Dog Day is on an upward trajectory and continues to grow in popularity. It is widely covered in the media each year, and rescue homes are the all-important exposure they need to get their message across. Whether you choose to celebrate by volunteering at a rescue home, making a donation to a shelter, or giving your furry friend an extra big cuddle, make sure you spend this day acknowledging just how awesome dogs are.
The Kartoffelturm (Potato Tower) was built before WWII to provide a great view over the Main River. The tower is located in the vineyards of Randersacker, which produce some of the best wine in Lower Franconia. The whole area is worth a hike. You can start in Würzburg and then either go alongside the Main river or directly walk through the vineyards. Wherever you look, you will see a beautiful, idyllic coexistence of nature and human life. Trees, shrubbery, and meadows are omnipresent between the river and the mountains. Once you go uphill, you can enjoy the fantastic, clean air of this region. And when you arrive at the Sonnenstuhlturm, you will have a magnificent panoramic view. In 1972, the name was changed to Sonnenstuhlturm (Sun Lounger Tower, or Sun Deck Chair Tower). However, Kartoffelturm is still the more common name for the residents of Würzburg and Randersacker.
Randersacker is located in the south of Würzburg. This part of the Main is called Maindreieck. The term refers to the course of the river, it looks similar to a triangle. The city of Würzburg is about three miles away from the village center of Randersacker. There are two subdistricts: Lindelbach and the main part, Randersacker.
When I dropped Sara off for her cross-country practice, I spent some time at Black Rock Pond in Black Rock State Park today. A few people were at the beach and in the water to cool off. Meanwhile, I watched the dragonflies glide across the pond.
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While I walked along my raised bed garden, I noticed a caterpillar on a strawberry leaf this afternoon. First, I thought it was taken over by parasites. When I did some research, I found out that this is the caterpillar of the White-marked Tussock Moth. It is a foe for the garden. And under no circumstances should the caterpillar be touched with bare hands. It can cause rashes and is highly toxic. I decided to clip the whole strawberry branch and toss it.
Water is essential for human existence and life in general. This inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance is the main constituent of Earth’s hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms. The origin of water on Earth is the subject of a body of research in planetary science, astronomy, and astrobiology. Earth is unique among the rocky planets in the Solar System because it is the only planet with oceans of liquid water on its surface.
Water also plays an important role in the world economy. Approximately 70% of the freshwater used by humans goes to agriculture. Fishing is a major source of food for many parts of the world. Much of the long-distance trade of commodities is transported by boats through various bodies of water. Large quantities of water, ice, and steam are used for cooling and heating, in industry and homes. Water is an excellent solvent for a wide variety of substances, both mineral and organic; as such, it is widely used in industrial processes, and in cooking and washing
In reverence to practically the most important resource to human existence, World Water Week in Stockholm originally began as the Stockholm Water Symposium in 1991 and has been convened annually ever since. A different theme is selected each year, ultimately geared at tackling the world’s greatest challenges, such as the climate crisis, poverty, and the loss of biodiversity.
In May 2007, Kevin graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Keller University. The ceremony was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. After the ceremony, I was able to capture a few photos of the Resort, which resembles the Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk.
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Finally, the two pieces I had to reorder were arriving. And I could finish building the greenhouse. Once the frame was up, I slid the panels on the bottom and installed the window, before I could slide the roof panels in place. The ground was already straightened when I put the base together. Kevin had to help me lift the greenhouse across the fence. The kit was light, so it was easy for us to get it from the porch to the garden, where I could fasten it to the base. The following morning, I built the door and installed it before a Spring storm came through. The greenhouse made it through the storm.
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On Tuesday, the Power Home Remodeling company came over to work on Part II. The basement windows and the sliding patio door were ready for installation. The team showed up an hour early. I liked that. They worked clean and efficiently. And three hours later, we had a new patio door and five new windows. Our cats are still confused that the patio door is open, but they can’t get out of the house as easily as they used to. They still have to figure out the screen door. Thank goodness, it’s made from material they can’t destroy with their claws either. So, they just sit there until someone lets them out. 😄
The White Oak (Quercus alba) is one of the preeminent hardwoods of eastern and central North America. It is a long-lived oak, native to eastern and central North America and found from Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and southern Maine south as far as northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been documented to be over 450 years old. Although called a white oak, it is very unusual to find an individual specimen with white bark; the usual color is light grey. The name comes from the color of the finished wood. In the forest, it can reach a magnificent height, and in the open, it develops into a massive broad-topped tree with large branches striking out at wide angles.
Quercus alba is fairly tolerant of a variety of habitats and may be found on ridges, in valleys, and in between, in dry and moist habitats, and in moderately acid and alkaline soils. It is mainly a lowland tree but reaches altitudes of 1,600 m (5,249 ft) in the Appalachian Mountains. It is often a component of the forest canopy in an oak-heath forest. Frequent fires in the Central Plains region of the United States prevented oak forests, including White Oak, from expanding into the Midwest. However, a decrease in the frequency of these natural fires after European settlement caused the rapid expansion of oak forests into the Great Plains, negatively affecting the natural prairie vegetation.
All the roof panels are up. The roof’s front is shingled. For the rest, we have to wait until “Fred” passes through New England. If that’s even the case. Currently, meteorologists are making their predictions about the potential path of the tropical storm. Nothing is set in stone.
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Kevin shingled the roof some more. It surprisingly made it through Tropical Depression “Ida”. The shed stayed inside. He also installed the windows and the door. Kevin noticed that the asphalt on our driveway was too high when the door was in place. Therefore, he couldn’t open the left door all the way. He had to cut about an inch and a half off the bottom to make it fit. Once there is a trim on it, the cut will barely be recognizable. Let’s hope he gets the shed done this weekend, latest by next weekend. We need some room back in the garage.
… to be continued …
(08/17/2021 & 09/03/2021)
The Texas Longhorn is an American breed of beef cattle, characterized by its long horns, which can span more than 8 ft (2.4 m) from tip to tip. It derives from cattle brought from the Iberian Peninsula to the Americas by Spanish conquistadores from the time of the Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus until about 1512. For hundreds of years, the cattle lived a semi-feral existence on the rangelands; they have a higher tolerance to heat and drought than most European breeds.[6] It can be of any color or mix of colors. In some 40% of the cattle, it is some shade of red, often a light red; the only shade of red not seen is the deep color typical of the Hereford. In the twenty-first century, it is considered part of the cultural heritage of Texas.
Louis Daguerre was born on November 18, 1787, in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France. His family was middle-class, and he grew up during a time of great political upheaval with the turmoil that was the French Revolution. The revolution involved the common people versus the bourgeoisie, brought on by King Louis XVI’s poor economic policies. The poor wanted to improve their standard of living, and the ruling class wanted to hold onto the feudal regime. These events often affect the arts, as they inspire artists to create work that encapsulates the era, and for young Daguerre, that was drawing.
In 1800, despite having a limited formal education, Daguerre was a natural artist, and at 13 he became apprenticed to an architect, where he learned hands-on the mechanics of the art and the science of designing structures. This created the foundation for his understanding of how objects were built. Just four years later, Daguerre moved to Paris to study and practice scene painting for the opera.
In the early 1820s, Daguerre made a breakthrough. He and his fellow collaborator invented giant, translucent paintings illuminated to simulate movement and other effects, and it was known as the diorama. Crowds would gather and watch these displays of landscapes and colors, but in the next decade, he fell on hard times and lapsed into bankruptcy because of the costliness of his invention.
Daguerre had known Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, who had produced the world’s first permanent photograph in 1825 to incorporate into his dioramas. Niépce died in 1833, and Daguerre continued experimenting with photography and his dioramas. After combining chemicals and silver plates, he came up with the daguerreotype process and patented it in 1839 as a “gift to the world”.
After this bold union, photography continued to evolve and capture moments of our lives. In 2010, professional photographer Korske Ara founded World Photo Day to inspire people to take photos that mean something to them.
National Aviation Day on August 19 should make us stop and think about the power of flight. Yet, some scientific and technological marvels become so commonplace that we seldom take the time to re-examine their revolutionary impact with an open and inquisitive mind. In just a handful of generations, aviation went from pure, pie-in-the-sky speculation to a mundane reality that inspires about as much wonder as a trip aboard a Greyhound bus.
It’s that ho-hum attitude to the miracle of flight that makes National Aviation Day such an excellent national observation. Plus, it takes place on Orville Wright’s birthday!
The exact year that International Orangutan Day was established is uncertain. The day is marked, however, to save species that are on the edge of extinction. The goal of International Orangutan Day is to raise awareness about the predicament of this species, which has progressed from endangered to critically endangered. Orangutans have been around for millions of years and are thought to be the ancestors of gorillas. They are large apes that spend the majority of their time in trees and are only found in the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra. The two species that live there were formerly thought to be the same.
Further research has shown that they are two distinct species that separated some 400,000 years ago. Orangutans have enormous arm lengths that reach about seven feet from tip to tip, which is impressive given that they only stand around five feet above the ground. When orangutans stand up straight, their hands are almost touching the ground. Their long arms complement their arboreal lifestyle, letting them move from tree to tree and construct shelters from the canopy’s massive leaves. Because orangutans spend 90 % of their time in the treetops looking for food, deforestation is highly damaging to them. Orangutans are mostly herbivores, but omnivorous orangutans will eat bark, insects, and even meat if available.
The tropical rainforest had been destroyed due to the farms’ improper management. Furthermore, the farmers consider the orangutans to be a nuisance and either kill them or burn the forest down. There have only been 20,000 survivors since 2006, but there should be more now. As a result, deforestation is the fundamental cause of such a tiny number of orangutans, and if it continues, the big apes will become extinct sooner. Raising awareness by commemorating International Orangutan Day can assist in increasing the possibility of this endangered species being rescued.
Unfortunately, humans are the greatest threat to the survival of orangutans. Deforestation, for example, encroaches on their habitat. In addition, illicit hunting claims the lives of 3,000 orangutans each year. Some wildlife specialists believe the orangutan will become extinct in the wild over the next 50 years. However, several organizations are working to conserve orangutans. The Centre for Orangutan Protection, the Sumatran Orangutan Society, The Orangutan Project, Orangutan Outreach, and the Humane Society are a few of these organizations.
When I was 11, my schoolmates and I went to a school camp in Schaippach an der Sinn with our teacher. In the mornings, we had regular school. But school started at 9 AM and ended at noon. And in the afternoon, we hiked several miles to learn more about regional history and geography. There was still plenty of time to hang around the building or sit in the story area and write a letter or postcard for the family at home. We also had responsibilities like taking care of the dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make our beds and go to bed on time. Sleeping was another story when being in a room with nine other girls. After five or six days, we rode the bus back home, where our parents, in my case, grandparents, were waiting in front of the school to pick us up. At home, we had a lot of stories to tell about that week at camp.
On one hike, we went from Schaippach to Gemünden. Our teacher was always talking about the merging of the rivers Sinn and Saale into the River Main (pronounced: mine). A river merging with another river into a larger river means “münden” in German. Therefore, the town at the three rivers is named Gemünden. So, we students wanted to see it and hiked to the exact place where the merging of the rivers can be viewed from that spot.
Gemünden is about 25 miles (40 km) NNE down the river from my hometown, Würzburg, and located in the region of Main-Spessart in Lower Franconia, Northern Bavaria, Germany.
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Have you ever feared a black cat crossing your path? This is from ancient superstitions where people thought this meant bad luck. For many cultures and historical settings, black cats were actually meant for positive things. So, to try and dispel these myths about black cats, National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created to be celebrated on August 17 every year.
Today, pop culture loves black cats. There’s the sarcastic Thackery Binx in “Hocus Pocus” and Salem, in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and we can’t forget the classic cartoon black cat, Luna, in “Sailor Moon.” Black cats are seen as loyal companions, and this is what they were seen as for a lot of cultures in history, too.
So, who’s to blame for this negative black cat spin? Superstition! But mostly because during the Middle Ages, people (mainly the Catholic Church) saw witches as shape-shifting black cats, and the damage was done. From then on, black cats were seen as evil entities for years and years to follow.
But not everyone sees black cats this way. In fact, black cats are actually welcomed by a lot of people. For some, a visit from a black cat means good luck, and for others, it means prosperity or romance. Hey — in some cultures, black cats are even worshipped. Basically, there’s no need to fear them. On this day, we celebrate our cuddly friends, no matter what color their coat is!
The Mayflower and the first Pilgrims to the Americas landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. After much strife and conflict with the local Wampanoag tribespeople, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded ten years later. Throughout the state’s history, there have been several moments when it played a key role in making the America we know today. Without Massachusetts and its intellectual elite’s support, taxation without representation may have remained an idea.
Also known as the Cradle of Liberty, Massachusetts was the venue for the establishment of the Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea Party, both pivotal events in the buildup to the American Revolution. In 1775, the war for America’s freedom and independence from the British Empire and King George III began in Lexington and Concord, both towns in Massachusetts. Citizens of Massachusetts were staunch patriots and advocated for freedom from the tyranny of colonial rule, but the state is known for so much more than its patriotic voice.
After the American Civil War in 1865, Massachusetts lost a lot of its production capacity and fell from grace, so to speak. The advent of the First and Second World Wars saw a return to some level of productivity. Still, well into the late ‘70s, Massachusetts was plagued by deindustrialization and high unemployment rates. In the ‘80s, what is now known as the Massachusetts Miracle took place. Harvard University and MIT made major developments that led to a surge in technology-focused companies opening shop in the state, boosting the local economy and reinstating Massachusetts as a pillar of the American economy.
Since I read a book about Native Americans when I lived in Germany, I wanted to visit the marker where the prehistoric site of Clovis-aged people fire hearths had been found in 1951 due to the excavation for the Lewisville Lake Dam, which contained Hackberry seeds, fish, birds, tortoises, rabbits, squirrels, mussels, and bigger animals like mammoth, bison. wolves. coyotes and several more. The first investigation took place between 1951 and 1957. The second investigation was between 1978 and 1980. Due to the severe drought in North Texas, the site was further investigated in the late 70s. In 2006, I found the marker. We had an extreme drought that year as well. But the site was still covered by water.
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The first World Honey Bee Day was observed in 2009, and it has since gained popularity. The holiday is intended to promote beekeeping, but it also exposes a lot about honey bees. Honey’s sweetness is often celebrated during the holiday season. It is used in some of the most delectable dishes found all around the world. Honey has a worldwide appeal and is frequently used as a metaphor for fruitfulness in literature.
Since the earliest civilizations, honey has been used as a sweetener for various foods. Though the method of collecting honey was sometimes painful, the people still happily took the risk.
The importance of honey was not limited to edibility alone. It has been used as a preservative and for treating certain ailments. The benefits of honey quickly sparked the desire for beekeeping since the Egyptian civilization. The method and upkeep improved as time went on. After a comb harvest, a man named Lorenzo Langstroth discovered a way to keep the hive going.
Bees were also discovered to have a significant role in pollination. Because pollination is so crucial to us, this has drawn a lot of attention to the role of bees. World Honey Bee Day is a holiday dedicated to raising awareness about the bees’ numerous advantages. It’s a day to celebrate beekeeping and encourages you to learn more about it. However, it is also a day that reminds us of the worldwide extinction of bee species. It’s a holiday that encourages us to think about our impact on the environment.
: https://nationaltoday.com/world-honey-bee-day/
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Rum’s early history runs parallel with that of the Americas and some would say few liquors have had a bigger impact on the new world. While some form of rum has been distilled since the third century BCE, it wasn’t until 17th-century colonizers began growing sugarcane in the Caribbean that rum’s popularity exploded. Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production, and rather than let this excess go to waste, they distilled it into booze (good call).
Initially called “kill devil” for its high alcohol content and less than savory taste, the process of fermenting and distilling molasses became steadily more sophisticated and the spirit significantly more enjoyable. The etymology of the word “rum” is still open for debate but among the most agreed upon theories is that it is derived from the terms rumbuillion or rumbustion — both meaning an upheaval — but eventually shortened to rum.
Rum production quickly spread throughout the Caribbean and beyond, to islands such as Bermuda, Nevis, and Jamaica, becoming one of the most popular spirits and even being used as currency. Rum became so popular in colonial America that it eventually contributed to 80% of the exports from New England, and a tax on sugar in the 1760s led directly to the American Revolution.
However, not all of rum’s history is so rosy. Like many of the labor-intensive industries of the early American economies, the sugarcane and thus the rum trade was based on slave labor, and the spirit’s popularity contributed to the slave trade that existed in America until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.
At any amusement park, it has the highest “wow” factor. On National Roller Coaster Day, take a ride on one and get a thrill a minute! If you’re an adult, relive a child’s anticipation of a slow, rickety climb way, way up the loopy-loop and dashing way, way down to the bottom. In this age of high-tech sophistication, roller coasters can still make us giddy over a ride that was popular back in the ‘1920s. Rediscover the latest cutting-edge coaster tech that will still give you goosebumps, and you don’t even have to stand in line!
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I started my garden in the early Spring of 2013 by sowing beans, bell peppers, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, tomatoes, and other goodies. I also worked on some herbs. At least, I had something ready to grow in the greenhouse, once the parts arrived and I could finish building it. Joshua made sure that I watered the seedlings every day. And Sara enjoyed the milder days on the back porch.
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National No SpongeBob Day is celebrated on August 15. This is the “day” when everyone in Bikini Bottom goes to a secret location to celebrate, leaving SpongeBob at home. This day is featured in the SpongeBob episode, “Gone.” It should only last one day. But in this episode, residents extended it to approximately two weeks because they love not having to deal with SpongeBob. They erect a SpongeBob statue, burn it, and then dance on the ashes on National No SpongeBob Day, a parody of the Burning Man celebration.
Like many odd holidays, the origins of World Lizard Day are unclear. Don’t let its murky beginnings dissuade you from celebrating this wholesome day, though. The species is dying out worldwide due to ignorance and lack of attention. The day may be about lizards, but we can’t pass up on the opportunity to tell you more about reptiles in general. It’s the spirit of the day after all!
All reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates covered in scales, plates of bone, or a combination of both. Species of this family include snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and tortoises. All of these shed their skin and depend on the environment to regulate their body temperatures. This dependence on outside factors when it comes to regulating their core body temperatures means that reptiles have to find sun and shade to warm up or cool down. In areas that have colder winters, reptiles generally experience a period of inactivity until the weather grows warmer again.
Lizards are no different, which is why you see them sunning themselves in your warm garden or on the bricks that soak up the sun throughout the day. For pet lizards, staying warm or cool is a different matter entirely. People who own lizards as pets need to heat their tanks with heating lamps or pads without overheating the space. In fact, preparing and maintaining a tank for a lizard or any reptile requires a great deal of initial and continuous effort. Each subspecies of reptile has specific needs and preferences. It’s recommended that aspiring and even current reptile owners do research on exactly what their pet needs to be happy and healthy. Doing research before you buy or adopt a pet lizard will help you figure out what kind of lizard would suit you and your budget constraints. This before-you-buy stage is crucial in ensuring that you make the right choice when it comes to being a pet owner.
Kevin got all four walls up. And he is ready to install the roof soon. It already looks like a building. If I didn’t know better, I’d say. The chipmunks were calculating how many acorns could fit in that shed. They keep checking it out when we are “not looking”. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a whole family in there when Winter is over and Spring arrives next year.
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With some help from our next-door neighbor, Kevin got more work done on the shed. Now, the roof sidings, the roof, and the vent frames are up. Because of the heat wave and the night breaking in sooner, Kevin couldn’t get as much done as he wanted to finish this week. But he installed more framework and got the lawn mowed before the relieving rain and the cooler front came in this afternoon. We are supposed to get temperatures in the upper 50s (about 14 – 15℃) tonight. It’s time to air out the house and eliminate this mugginess.
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Since it was much cooler, Kevin installed almost all the roof panels and some of the waterproof shields nailed to the roof. He could also put some of the pieces in the shed, so Katelynn can park on the driveway again. Now that the shed starts to look more like a building, I can’t wait to see it finished. I have that feeling, it might be constructed before the original arrival date. The shed is supposed to be delivered by the end of August. Yeah, I think Kevin gets it done before that.
… to be continued …
(08/09/2021, 08/14/2021, 08/15/2021)
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This afternoon, the sky rumbled for about three hours before it started to rain. We had some storms south and north of us. And finally, the storm came to us. The rain was needed. It hasn’t rained much in August. After the heavy rainfalls in Spring to mid-Summer, we still have some abnormally dry areas in Connecticut. No, the air is much cleaner and cooler again.
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It’s mid-August. And it’s beginning to look a bit like Autumn in our yard. Our Birch tree and the Virginia Creeper are always the first to show themselves in crimson and gold dresses. But as we all know, Summer is not over. The days are still warm, while the nights are cooling down enough to open the windows.
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Sara is a left-hander herself. We discovered this early, when she was still a baby, and she would try to reach everything with her left hand. We haven’t seen a lot of disadvantages. However, it was not easy for me to guide her to write a letter or word sometimes. I had to take her hand as a fist and guide it. Eventually, we figured it out together.
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names, depending on region, include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black-veined brown. It is amongst the most familiar of North American butterflies and an iconic pollinator, although it is not an especially effective pollinator of milkweed. Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm (3.5–4.0 in). A Müllerian mimic, the viceroy butterfly, is similar in color and pattern but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing.
The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn instinctive migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico. During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multigenerational return north in spring. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California, but individuals have been found in overwintering Mexican sites. In 2009, monarchs were reared on the International Space Station, successfully emerging from pupae located in the station’s Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus.
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Tonight I watched the waning gibbous Moon and planet Saturn rising in the eastern sky. While I waited for them to appear from behind the tree line, I saw the Big Dipper in the Northwest. Tonight also peaks the Perseid Meteor Shower. I doubt I will last that late into the early morning hours.
The Moon & Saturn:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132943299@N07/54717883030/in/album-72177720327893880/
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This afternoon I went to Echo Lake Park for a bit. I haven’t been to the lake since early Spring. It is hot today. The ducks and the geese loved to cool off and take naps in the shade. Now that it is Summer, there are plenty of wild blooms. The bees are all over the place. And the dragonflies darted across the water.
Elephants and humans have come a long way together throughout the history of civilization. Thanks to the sheer expanse of the African elephant’s natural environment, as well as its size and threatening posture, it has largely managed to resist captivity and domestication. The Asian elephant, on the other hand, which has lived alongside humans for over 4,000 years, enjoys great respect and is associated with various cultural and spiritual customs. In Thailand, for example, the elephants are a national icon with a national holiday dedicated entirely to them, and they can even receive a royal title from the king.
Despite all of the above, we still don’t know much about elephants. They have the biggest brains of any land animal, making them clever, conscious, social, and empathetic — qualities humans strive for in themselves. Humans and elephants share many characteristics, and they are possibly more like us than any other animal. But we are putting their future in jeopardy and threatening their essential biodiverse habitats throughout Asia and Africa.
Elephants are a keystone species in their environments, as they promote healthy ecosystems and encourage biodiversity. As the World Elephant Day website says, “To lose the elephant is to lose an environmental caretaker and an animal from which we have much to learn.”
We can save elephants by enforcing stronger local- and international protection policies and legislation for wild elephants against poaching and the illegal trade of ivory, promoting better management of their natural habitats, educating people on the vital role of the elephant in ecosystems, improving the way elephants in captivity are treated, and, if necessary, reintroducing captive elephants into wildlife reserves to allow a natural replenishing of endangered populations. These are just some of the aims of various elephant conservation organizations around the world.
Elephants are running out of space and time. We have to work together to prevent senseless poaching and the trafficking of ivory, and establish protected natural sanctuaries in which elephants and other wildlife can thrive — before it’s too late and they’re all gone.
When I began 5th grade, I had a teacher who loved to hike. So, a lot of times we had school outdoors by hiking to places from Würzburg to Randersacker, to Frankenwarte, and many other outdoor places. Rain or shine, we hiked instead of sitting in a stuffy classroom all year.
One place we went to was the Guttenberger Wald, which is an unincorporated forest near the Reichenberg/Höchberg area in the district of Würzburg, Germany. The Guttenberger Wald has an area of 18.05 km² (4480 acres) and is 362 meters (1188 feet) above sea level. It is a nice and quiet place away from the city.
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The first World Lion Day came into being in 2013. It was headed by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, a couple who are passionate about preservation and wild cats. After realizing that lion populations have drastically decreased worldwide, the Jouberts approached “National Geographic” for the brand’s help. Forming a partnership with them, the couple came up with the Big Cat Initiative (B.C.I.) in 2009. The B.C.I.’s main goal would be to protect and preserve the remaining lion species in the world. While aspects like deforestation, climate change, and human intervention may have impacted lion populations, studies have shown that their extremely low numbers may also have to do with ice ages and natural environmental disasters that have led them to become secluded in only a few countries of the world, namely India and South Africa. To date, the B.C.I. has made substantial leaps, from getting 150+ grant awards to reducing almost 3,000 threats to 3,000 wild cats to removing 13,000 life-threatening snares.
The lion comes from the ‘Felidae’ family of cats, and it is considered to be an apex predator. It is the second-largest cat, weighing around 300 to 600 pounds, with the first being its cousin, the tiger. An average lion’s body is muscular with a short, round head and ears, and a tufty tail. Its sex can be identified through its heavy and luscious mane, which is absent in lionesses. Lions also happen to be the only cats that roam around in large groups known as a pride. Scientists believe that lions do so because it is easier to catch prey in the wild. Their natural habitats are savannas and grasslands. You will most likely find a pride of lions near water bodies as they strategically wait for prey to come there for a drink and then pounce on them.
While the origins of National S’mores Day remain unknown, s’more, the great American camping treat, has a long, delicious history. The first mention of such a treat was in the 1920s in a book of recipes published by Campfire Marshmallows, home of the original marshmallow and still in business today. At that time, the recipe was called a ‘Graham Cracker Sandwich’ and suggested the treat had already been made popular by the Boy- and Girl Scouts. Later, in 1927, the Girl Scouts published a similar recipe in “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts,” but they called it ‘some more.’ Finally, in the late ’30s to late ’50s, various recipes gave the name as we know it today, s’mores.
The ingredients for the original s’mores are one marshmallow, milk chocolate squares, and two graham crackers. The traditional method for making s’mores is by a campfire, and it’s hard to beat that experience. Part of the fun is each person searching for their own long, sturdy stick capable of holding a mound of marshmallows over the fire for toasting. Then comes the toasting debate — how toasted do you prefer your marshmallows? Of course, this leads to a full-on psychological evaluation. Do you set your marshmallow on the fire and blow the flame out once it is burned? Do you allow your marshmallow to hover over the flame and toast to a less-than-charred yet caramelized state? Do you barely get the marshmallow tan? Whatever your preference for marshmallow toastiness, the end result is the same — huge smiles and full bellies. Enjoy your time today with family, friends, and the gooey goodness of s’mores!
National Connecticut Day is a special patriotic holiday that is celebrated annually in the United States on August 10. It is observed by people in the United States and others who have a fondness for it. ‘Connecticut’ came from the Algonquian word ‘Quinnehtukqut,’ which means’ land on the long tidal river.’ Connecticut is known to be the fifth state to join the United States of America. The most populated city in Connecticut is Bridgeport, even though it is not the capital. The capital city is actually Hartford.
Last Winter, Kevin mentioned he heard about the Hidden Valley Preserve at work. When it got warmer, he wanted to visit that place. I did some research and kept it on the back burner.
Today, I mentioned the Hidden Valley Preserve to Kevin. It’s warm. But the trails are shaded in the forest. After I packed some essentials, we drove to Washington Depot. When we arrived at the preserve, we walked to Henry David Thoreau Swinging Bridge. It’s a 134-foot-long footbridge that spans the Shepaug River. Kevin and I crossed the bridge to hike at the Bee Brook Loop Trail. From there, we got a nice view of the river. At some point, the trail inclined and led us to a wooden staircase. We walked down the steps to cross another footbridge.
On the other side of the Shepaug River, we walked back on the President’s Trail. The President’s Trail was much narrower. And we had to watch our footing closely in some areas. One wrong step could have sent us down a steep hill toward the river. But we made it back safe to the Thoreau Bridge.
On our hike, Kevin and I liked that the trails were easy to walk. The preserve is clean. We didn’t find any trash along the way, which was very refreshing. The air smelled fresh, mainly from the pine needles covering the trails. We definitely need to visit the Hidden Valley Preserve again. There are plenty of different trails to hike. And it must be gorgeous there during the leaf-peeping season.
Book Lovers Day appreciates the medium that has withstood and preserved its importance in time, literature. Our love for books knows no bounds — someday we’ll write a book on it.
The modern book is made by binding paper, but before the invention of paper, books came in the form of tablets, scrolls, and engravings. Every civilization had its own way of documenting events. Some time in 3500 B.C., the Mesopotamians would make markings on clay tablets using a pointed device, made from the stem of the reed plant, called the calamus. These writings on the moist clay were called ‘cuneiform.’ Approximately 20,000 of these tablets were discovered in modern-day Iraq.
Paper was invented in China in the 1st century A.D. By experimenting with various materials such as hemp, fishnets, and the mulberry plant, Ts’ai Lun invented the first paper. With time, printing on woodblocks also became the go-to way of reproducing books in China. The ancient scrolls dating back to the 4th century B.C. are considered the first ‘books.’ Still, today’s definition, the oldest surviving compiled book is “The Diamond Sutra,” published in China on May 11, 868.
Hardback books ruled the market at the start of the 20th century, with a certain prestige associated with the hard bindings of books. But from 1937 onwards, paperbacks rose in popularity, paving the way for digests, pulp fiction, and pocket-friendly books.
Computer and technology advancements led to the digitization of books, with the first book sold in CD format in the 1980s, “The New Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia.”
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My greenhouse arrived toward the end of February 2013. It was a Thursday. And on the following weekend, I began to build the greenhouse kit. To my dismay, I noticed two frame pieces were broken. I had to call the company the following Monday and wait for the pieces to arrive. UGH! That sucked.
In the meantime, Kevin fixed the chain-link fence and gate poles for the garden space. It’s an area to prevent the dogs from pooping in our garden. Katelynn and I cut a bush down and pulled its roots out as well as we could. Once she found a worm, she was too busy playing with it, so she was not much help to me dig roots out of the ground.
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August’s Full Moon appeared in the afternoon today, reaching peak illumination at 2:25 PM Eastern Time. This evening, look toward the southeast after sunset to glimpse the Sturgeon Moon rising.
You may have heard that there are four supermoons in a row this year; the August 1 supermoon is the second supermoon of this unusual sequence. “Supermoon” is a catchy term for what astronomers call “a perigean full Moon,” which is when the full Moon happens at (or very near) the exact time when the Moon is closest to us in its orbit.
A supermoon exceeds the disk size of an average-sized Moon by up to 8% and the brightness of an average-sized full Moon by some 16%. You may not perceive the difference in size, but a supermoon will appear brighter in the sky.
:https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-august
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Cats are carnivorous, small, furry mammals — for the most part — with four legs, a tail, and claws, that humans have domesticated as pets since ancient times. They have descended from the African Wildcat and were originally used to catch vermin.
The first historical human record of cats can be found in the culture of the ancient Egyptian civilization. We all seem to relate cats to Egyptians because of their adoration and consideration of cats as gods. Mafdet was the first known cat deity and was regarded as the protector against snakes, scorpions, and evil during the First Dynasty, so for them, cats were not just deities, but also protectors.
Later, after the Egyptian Dynasty collapsed, Cats became popular everywhere! Greeks and Romans used them as pest control, and in the East, cats were originally owned by the rich and wealthy people. But during the Middle Ages, in Europe, Cats became associated with superstition and were suspected of carrying the disease during the Black Death of 1348; that is the reason why too many cats were killed in that era, and it wasn’t until the 1600s that cats’ reputation started to recover.
In America, cats were part of the cargo on the colonization ships to minimize vermin and disease, so those cats went ashore and flourished. Nowadays, cats seem to be one of the pop icons in modern society – we have about half a billion among us. And, since 2002, thanks to the “International Fund for Animal Welfare,” cats have their own holiday!
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Observed annually on August 7, National Lighthouse Day honors the beacon of light that for hundreds of years symbolized safety and security for ships and boats at sea. At one time, the beacon of light could be found across almost all of America’s shorelines.
A lighthouse is described as a tower, building, or any other type of structure that is designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses. It is used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
A lighthouse serves multiple purposes such as marking dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, and reefs providing safe entry to harbors. They also provide aerial guidance. Once lit by open fire and candles, they’re now brightly lit by electric or oil-fueled lamps. However, the number of lighthouses is declining. Maintenance is expensive and modern electrical navigation systems are replacing them.
:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-lighthouse-day
Our garden shed arrived yesterday, one month earlier than we originally anticipated. It is supposed to arrive at the end of August. So, the plans for getting the master bathroom done have to wait for now. And since the weather was perfect. Kevin used this weekend to start assembling the shed. He made sure he had all the pieces and tools he needed for the building. Yesterday, he worked on the base frame. Today, he leveled and built the floor before he assembled the front entrance frame. After six hours working on the shed, Kevin had enough and needed some rest. His ankle is swollen and on ice, again. But he got something accomplished. It might go slow, but it will go steady. If he works on it for an hour or two every day (weather permitting), he will get it done in no time.
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The last few evenings, Kevin always worked on his project for about an hour. Monday and Tuesday, he could finish the front wall. That took the longest, because of the window and door spaces. So, he needed to make sure, the studs were exactly lined up with the siding. This evening, he worked on the back wall. The frame and the siding were done in no time. Tonight and tomorrow, it is supposed to rain. We have to wait until things have dried up a little bit.
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Kevin finished all the wall frames and installed two of them, today. The other two should be up in no time. Then the tricky part will be the roof frame. He’s getting there. One nail hammered in at the time. As of right now, the half-finished shed reminds me of the back walls of an oversized diorama box, my kids used to bring to school.
… to be continued …
(08/01/2021, 08/04/2021, 08/07/2021)
This Summer we will work on a new house project. We needed new soffits, fascias, and gutters. The soffits started to show signs of rotting, which was due to the overflowing gutters, especially during heavy rainstorms and winter storms. It eventually affected the roof rafters.
Yesterday, Power Home Remodeling came over and installed the soffits, fascia, and gutters. This is just Phase I. In Phase II, we will get new bottom windows and a sliding glass door.
In the colonial era, most farmworkers were indentured servants from Great Britain. They were white men and women, and even children, who exchanged four to seven years of hard labor for passage to the colonies. Some of these workers were recruited through force and were treated as property, with limited rights. They lived in miserable conditions of servitude and abuse.
By the 1600s, indentured servants weren’t plentiful enough, so plantation owners turned to an even crueler method of workforce recruitment: the forced capture of Africans to be converted into slaves. These slaves had almost no promise of eventual freedom, as no fixed period of enslavement was arranged. African slaves became the primary source of farm labor in the colonies over the next two centuries. By the end of the American Revolution, 20% of the population in the 13 colonies was of African descent, the majority of whom were slaves. In 1808, Congress banned the international slave trade, but not the practice of slavery itself.
California became a major agricultural center after the Civil War in the United States. In the aforementioned state, farm labor was mostly imported from Asia. The immigrant labor force had begun to shift to Mexico by the 1930s. During World War II, due to a labor shortage, the Bracero Program was initiated. This program allowed Mexicans to work temporarily on U.S. farms. It ended in 1964, although Latin American legal and illegal immigrants continue to make up the vast majority of the U.S. agricultural workforce.
Mockingbirds are one of the most commonly noticed birds in the state of Texas. They are either applauded for their audaciousness or cursed for their persistence in nocturnal singing or in the defense of their territory. Insects, fruit, crustaceans, and small vertebrates make up the mockingbird’s diet. The fact that they enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables hasn’t exactly made them gardeners’ friends either, although they do eat lots of insects.
Mockingbirds are found in just about every habitat type in the state. The males’ territoriality and constant singing and displaying during the breeding season make them the most noticeable birds in Texas. Often, this territoriality takes the form of early morning singing sessions or diving attacks on other animals or people!
Unmated male mockingbirds sing more than mated ones, and only unmated males sing at night. Both sexes sing in the fall to claim winter feeding territories. These areas are often different than their spring breeding territories. Mockingbirds mimic 50 other bird songs. They have also been known to imitate other sounds they hear, such as rusty hinges, whistling, cackling hens, and dogs barking so expertly that even an electronic analysis could not tell the difference between the mockingbird and the original. Scientists have found that female mockingbirds are attracted to males that can make the most different sounds.
The Easter weekend in 1984, my Mom and my stepfather got their RV ready to take a trip to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Füssen. But we changed our minds on the road and decided to go to Lake Constance instead. The first night we spent in Memmingen was in a parking lot. After breakfast, we went to our destination. And in the afternoon, we arrived in Lindau. Mom purchased a 35mm film for my first camera, which she handed down to me before our trip. It was a hand-me-down. Still being 10 years old, I didn’t need the newest, most expensive model to learn how to capture photos. So, a snap-and-shoot did the job.
Once we had everything we needed, we went to the Lindau Harbor and looked at boats coming in from Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, Austria, and Switzerland. The harbor is a Landmark with its southernmost lighthouse in Germany. Lake Constance borders two German states (Bavaria and Baden-Würtemberg) and three countries Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). In the evening, we had dinner on the island while the RV was parked on the mainland.
The following morning, we drove to Meersburg and took a boat to the Island of Mainau. Mainau is a Botanical Garden on the lake, not far from Constance (German: Konstanz). I was fascinated by all these tropical fruits inside the greenhouse. The banana plants were so high, and the fruits were hanging from them. That’s mainly what I can remember from Mainau.
After spending the night in Meersburg, we made a stop in Kempten and spent the night there before we drove home on Easter Monday. In Germany, Easter is on two days: Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. We had plenty of time to get back home. Mom was on vacation, and I was on Spring Break for the rest of the week. So, we could relax after this trip.
The origins of wine can be traced back as far as 7500 years ago, in what is now known as Iran. Experts are pretty sure that wine was being drunk long before this, but there’s no actual evidence for them to point towards at the moment. By 460 BC, it was being consumed in Europe, and the Greek physician Hippocrates was prescribing it as a remedy to some of his patients.
During the Roman era, wine played a prominent role at lavish banquets and was regarded as a symbol of prestige. It was the Romans who began to produce less sweet versions of white wine as they conquered new territories in the North and cultivated new land. It was also the Romans who introduced the concept of drinking cool wine in the summer and warm wine in the winter, a practice which many still follow today.
White wine eventually gained popularity throughout Europe, leading to the establishment of numerous vineyards across the continent. By the 16th century, that popularity had spread to the Americas, with vines being planted in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Champagne was created in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, it was the drink of choice for the elite. Champagne is only produced in the Champagne province of France, an area that has unique soil due to its sloping landscapes.
The 20th century has seen vines introduced to new places and technological developments that have changed the process of winemaking throughout the world. One thing, though, hasn’t changed, and that’s the people’s love for a glass of white wine. The origins of National White Wine Day are unclear, but we do know the best way to celebrate, and that’s with a glass of the good stuff.
Every year, August 4 is celebrated as the U.S. Coast Guard’s Birthday, commemorating the military organization for its valor and discipline. Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security.
The U.S. Coast Guard patrols our coasts for drug smugglers, human trafficking, and both domestic and international terrorism. As the bad guys (and girls) have gotten more savvy with technology, the Coast Guard has developed sophisticated, effective technology to combat crimes on the water and at our ports. It’s a 24/7 job. Today, let’s give the U.S. Coast Guard the love it deserves.
The U.S. Coast Guard is celebrating its 235th Birthday in 2025.
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A farmers’ market is essentially a place where food is sold directly from the farmer to the consumer. This means there are no middlemen, nor is the food kept in freezers for days and weeks before it reaches someone’s kitchen. And since the fruits, vegetables, and meats from a farmers’ market are completely organic and free of preservatives and pesticides, they are healthy and taste delicious. The produce is not genetically modified and is extremely nutritious. Seeing the benefits of organic produce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proclaimed the first National Farmers Market Week in 1999.
However, the history of organic farming is more complicated than we can imagine, since there was a time when the world only had organic food. The need to opt for chemically grown produce emerged much later. From around 1300 to 1400 B.C., mixed-crop cultivation and animal husbandry were the norm. The only problem experienced by farmers was the slow growth rate of fruits and vegetables, as well as the constant attacks of pests. To counter this issue, research during World War II led to the development of a new class of synthetic chemical pesticides in 1945. After this innovation, organic farming drastically decreased since it was hard to maintain and produced limited crops every season.
In the coming decades, researchers revealed the negative effects of consuming food grown using pesticides, and interest in healthier alternatives rose again. During this period, governments across the U.S. began providing funding to farmers’ markets to re-advertise organic produce.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/national-farmers-market-week/
National Sisters Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. Nothing can quite compare to the bond that sisters have, and this is a day to treasure the closeness that forms as you grow up together, sharing your secrets, your dreams, and all the fun times. Sisters have a deep connection that grows throughout childhood and remains strong throughout life. National Sisters Day is a chance for you to spend some quality time with your sister and to cherish the connection that you have.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/sisters-day/
On our way back home, Kevin and I drove through Meriden. We have never been all the way up at the Castle Craig Tower. The road is accessible by car from mid-May until the end of September, depending on the weather. After many speed bumps, we made it up to the tower.
On top of the Castle Craig tower, I needed a moment to gather my senses together. Once I adjusted to the height, I photographed the surrounding area of Greater Meriden. I can only imagine how beautiful this place looks with all the different colored leaves in Autumn.
The weather was perfect today. The temperatures were 77℉ (25℃). Kevin and I decided to drive to Wadsworth Falls in Middlefield for a walk. Unfortunately, the main parking lot was at its capacity. So, we couldn’t really hike on one of these park trails. It was okay. We still enjoyed the big falls.
Sunflowers are said to be a symbol of adoration, loyalty, and longevity. Their bright yellow color is a sign of happiness, friendship, and intelligence. Much like the sun, sunflowers mirror vibrancy and give off an energy of life. National Sunflower Day reminds us to show our inner sunshine while taking the opportunity to share one of the earth’s most beautiful flowers.
Historically, sunflowers have been around since about 1000 BC. Native Americans used sunflowers as a valuable food source, oil, paint, textile, and during ceremonies. Interestingly, some archaeologists believe sunflowers may have been cultivated before corn. Today, sunflowers are still being used as a source of food, oils, and beauty treatments.
The U.S. is a massive producer of sunflowers. In fact, this bright, beautiful flower is a major crop in both North Dakota and South Dakota. In 2022, North Dakota produced 762 billion pounds of sunflowers. With the average height of a sunflower being five to six feet tall, a sunflower head can grow bigger than a human head. As the weight of the sunflower head becomes heavy, it begins to fall forward, causing the petals to fall off. Shortly after the petals fall off, harvest begins on the sunflower. On average, one sunflower can produce up to 2,000 sunflower seeds per head!
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http://www.earthspiritpath.org
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In February 2013, I purchased an 8-foot-by-6-foot greenhouse kit. While I waited for the kit to arrive at our house, I started some seeds with Katelynn and Sara. We also prepared some avocado pits and let a pineapple grow roots in a water-filled jar. The girls had a miniature greenhouse with colorful salad tomatoes.
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:https://www.instagram.com/witchytips/
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Let peach be your theme, and may your days be just peachy as you gear up to celebrate National Peach Month this August. The tradition dates back to June 16, 1982, when President Ronald Reagan declared that August would officially be National Peach Month for health and nutritional reasons, no less, which we highly appreciate. Peaches are a rich source of Vitamin A and C and great for the gut too, so it makes perfect sense that President Reagan wanted them to be included in the American diet by promoting peaches through programs and activities all through the month; for there is much to celebrate in a month dedicated to peaches and all that is associated with them. Within this month itself, one can celebrate Eat a Peach Day on August 22 and National Peach Pie Day on August 24, and who doesn’t love a good food holiday? But before you reach for a slice of peach pie or sink your teeth into the fleshy goodness of the fruit itself, take a minute to learn something new about this mouth-watering fuzzy fruit.
The history of the peach can be traced all the way back to ancient China, in 6000 B.C., in the Zhejiang Province. Initially discovered in its wild form, the Chinese domesticated the fruit, and it became a luxury food, eaten by the emperors and served in royal circles only. Somehow, the Persians then got hold of it, and it spread to the Persian Empire, with the Romans terming it the Persian Apple. Thanks to Alexander the Great, Europe then got a taste of this fleshy fruit, and by the 1500s, so did America, as Spanish explorers like Christopher Columbus introduced the fruit on American shores.
Today, China is actually the biggest producer of peaches globally (58%), with Italy following a close second. As for America, peaches are actually the third most popular fruit grown in the nation, and the U.S. supplies about a quarter of the world’s total supply of fresh peaches.
If the “summer-ending-and-school-starting” ritual makes you anxious, then participate in Back to School Month this August — an event that helps parents, students, and teachers prepare for the new academic year. Celebrated since the 1960s, Back to School Month will motivate you to start your back-to-school shopping and get you excited overall. So put away the beach bag and pick up the backpack, because it’s time for Back to School Month events —and we want you to get an “A” for participation.
American Adventures Month was founded by its spokesperson, American adventurer Peter Kulkkula. He founded the month as a way of promoting vacationing in the Americas. Kulkkula hoped that the month would encourage explorers to visit the vast landscapes of not just the United States, but also North, South, and Central America. We often take for granted the numerous activities and adventures that can be pursued in the wonderful country, and American Adventures Month aims to rectify that.
Since we remain busy with work and family for most of the year, everyone needs a vacation once in a while to relieve themselves from the daily stress of life. Adventure and travel encourage creativity, endurance, fun, and play within yourself and your travel companion. August is the perfect month to plan your next vacation adventure. Take some time off, enjoy the outdoors, and see for yourself what America has to offer.
Travel isn’t only a way of having fun — it broadens your perspectives, challenges you to try something new, and also makes you appreciate your own culture and people. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money or travel to a new country to explore new territory. If you cannot get away to see a different part of America, you can still do something fun and adventurous in your own town. August marks the last chance to get away before the end of the summer, thus making it the perfect time to seek excitement, a quiet space, or simply learn something new.
The pecan is a member of the Juglandaceae family. Juglandaceae are represented worldwide by seven and ten extant genera and more than 60 species. Most of these species are concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere of the New World, but some can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The first fossil examples of the family appear during the Cretaceous. Differentiation between the subfamilies of Engelhardioideae and Juglandioideae occurred during the early Paleogene, about 64 million years ago. Extant examples of Engelhardioideae are generally tropical and evergreen, while those of Juglandioideae are deciduous and found in more temperate zones.
The second major step in the development of pecan was a change from wind-dispersed fruits to animal dispersion. This dispersal strategy coincides with developing a husk around the fruit and a drastic change in the relative concentrations of fatty acids. The ratio of oleic to linoleic acids is inverted between wind- and animal-dispersed seeds. Further differentiation from other species of Juglandaceae occurred about 44 million years ago during the Eocene. The fruits of the pecan genus Carya differ from those of the walnut genus Juglans only in the formation of the husk of the fruit. The husks of walnuts develop from the bracts, bracteoles, and sepals. The husks of pecans develop from the bracts and the bracteoles only.
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:http://www.earthspiritpath.org
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Author: Carl Sandburg 1878 – 1967
Under The Harvest Moon 