A few weeks ago, we went to New Mexico for a quick adventure at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. As we crossed into the Land of Enchantment, we changed time zones. Central time or Mountain time, knowing the correct time is sometimes necessary, even when you are on a tiny adventure. Time zones became a thing […]
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When I taught English, occasionally I would give my students a worksheet on usage. This “easy A” as I called it was a review of grammar rules and which word to use in the right context. I would give out the paper and then go over all the words used with quick tips on how
In the plant world, as well as the animal world, we must deal with parasites. Those pesky little organisms that live on a host and gain nutrients and life from it. One plant that has a reputation for being a nasty parasite is the Dodder plant. This vine has very thin winding stems that have
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Planning a trip to a foreign country anytime soon? If so, you will need to be familiar with the exchange rate – how much your dollar is worth in relation to the foreign currency you will need. Foreign exchange traders are the ones who agree on this rate for most currencies, and they have two
Hurricanes, tropical cyclones, or typhoons are large circular storms that begin over warm waters usually during July – September in the Northern Hemisphere and January – March in the Southern Hemisphere. In 1953, the World Meteorological Organization began using a system of 6 lists to name hurricanes in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere to better
A few weeks ago, we needed to do a little home maintenance – trimming our Live Oak trees. My handy husband and I ventured out into the landscape with chainsaw and safety glasses to lift up the trees. All went well until the last cut! As the last limb came down, I looked up to
A few weeks ago, we went up to the DFW area to visit family. Living up there for several decades, I am familiar with parts of the metroplex; however, it has grown and changed so much that sometimes I must rely on Google to help me get to where I am going. Such was the
I love singing Christmas songs this time of year. I sing them when I’m driving, when I’m baking, when I’m cleaning. Pretty much all day long. This morning, I heard, “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” The melody, the lyrics – they are beautiful and poignant. Curious about the background, I did a bit of research.
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When October rolls around, not only do I see Halloween costumes and candy, but I begin to see Christmas items creeping on the shelves. Around the 31st, turkeys, pilgrims, and cranberries are making an appearance, and Christmas stuff is sprinting to the shelves. Now, don’t get me wrong – I love this time of year.
My favorite houseplant is a Ming Aralia. The leaves are wispy light and remind me of a bonsai tree. In the late summer, it was screaming to be repotted: leaves yellow and drooping, no new shoots. In November, I knew it had to be done. I had put it off long enough. I found a
