For all the students preparing for History and English Lit finals in upcoming weeks, here is a seasonal interest piece just for you! In 1157, collection of writings by Thomas Tusser, “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry,” there is a poem. A familiar poem by today’s standards, but probably would not pass the grade in class due to its brief length. It goes as follows:... Read More
Well, you better find them because it is “National Knuckles Down Month!” This phrase was commonly used to describe the process of getting busy and doing something productive in the business world. Quite simply, the term is used in the game of Marbles. When getting ready to “shoot” the marble, you turn your hand palm up with all of your knuckles (except for your thumb)... Read More
It’s Spring Fever Time! Can you name the State to it’s Flower? Yes, there are repeats…and there is a pattern! STATE FLOWER STATE STATE FLOWER STATE STATE FLOWER STATE CAMELLIA FORGET ME NOT SAGUARO CACTUS APPLE BLOSSOM GOLDEN POPPY COLUMBINE CO MOUNTAIN LAUREL PEACH BLOSSOM ORANGE BLOSSOM CHEROKEE ROSE HIBISCUS SYRINGA VIOLET PEONY WILD ROSE SUNFLOWER GOLDENROD MAGNOLIA PINE CONE BLACK EYED SUSAN... Read More
It takes an average of twenty-five hours for a hen to form and lay an egg. Salt causes raw egg to congeal. This makes it an especially helpful agent in cleaning up any egg-decorating accidents. An old farmer’s saying holds that if you hear thunder on the first day of April, the corn and hay crops will be plentiful. April Fool’s day originated in France,... Read More
Helpful numbers when shopping for potting soil: 1 US dry quart = 0.033420139 cubic foot. 5 gallon bucket = 14 dry quarts = 0.54 ft³ How to calculate amount of potting soil needed for containers (*not included in Tables below) Convert all dimensions from inches into feet. ( 3” ÷ 12” = .25 feet) Multiply the three dimensions together (length x width x height)... Read More
“Swept and dusted sitting-room & kitchen 350 times. Filled lamps 362 times. Swept and dusted chamber & stairs 40 times.” Entry in an 1864 housewife’s diary Yes, it is that time of year again to take part in the age-old tradition of SPRING CLEANING! Not only is it linked to religious and cultural traditions, our biological system seems hard wired for tidying up, really. We... Read More
Wind speed affects weather forecasting, aircraft and maritime operations, construction projects, growth and metabolism rate of many plant species, and countless other implications. Wind has both speed and direction. Anemometers measure wind speed and wind vanes (weather vanes) measure wind direction. Wind speed, or wind flow velocity, is a fundamental atmospheric quantity. Wind speed is caused by air moving from high pressure to low pressure,... Read More
Have you noticed how much longer the days are getting? Finally, the sun is up early and setting later at a very rapid rate now. It is hard to believe that in just 3 weeks we will reach the Spring Equinox – equal hours of day and night, with the days continuing to get longer from here on out until June. Sure, feels good. That... Read More
Minestrone with Farro and Chia Pesto Recipe Both chia and farro add not only texture but also health to this veggie-packed soup. From “Superfood Soups” By Julie Morris Photo by LA Food Photography Cook Time: 50 min Yield: 10 servings Instead of using pasta in this minestrone, I like to use farro (whole, not pearled farro here) — it adds a whopping 21 grams of... Read More
“Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.” SAY WHAT? Translated from Old English, “Birds of the same kind and color flock and fly always together.” Since the mid-16th century this flighty proverb has been used literally and figuratively. Literally, birds of a single species often form flocks. For our feathered friends, this behavior is a survival instinct used to ward... Read More
