Shadow Void

Bouncing Bet / Soapwort

Bouncing Bet: Here the flowers look white but they can also be pink.

The second picture shows you the leaves

Now for the meat of this article.

Bouncing Bet ( Saponaria officinalis )

Bouncing bet is a perenial that grows throughout eastern and central United States. Oringinally, this plant was brought from Europe. I'm sure it was a part of their medicinal gardens. It's usage as a cleaning agent go all the way back to the Assyrians in the 8th century BC. It's also been used and is still being used to wash some fabrics. If you choose to use this as a cleaning agent you will need to crush the leaves and the root and then mix it with water. In North America, the leaves were made into a poultice which was used for the spleen and aslo for boils. In Europe, it was made into a leaf tea. It served as diuretic, a laxative, and an expectorant. It also serves an a poultice for acne, boils, and poison ivy rash. The root tea was used for lung disease, asthma, and jaundice.

** Usage of this plant for medicinal purposes can lead to muscular paralysis.

Exotic Pets; Our responsibility

If you're a responsible pet owner than this isn't meant for you. Sadly, not all of us are responsible pet owners. My mission in today's nature weekend post is to talk about what an exotic pet is and what exactly is our responsibility as an owner. The definition on wikipedia for an exotic pets is as follow:

An exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal pet or an animal kept as a pet which is not commonly thought of as a pet.

So that sounds pretty good to me. As you can imagine, there are a whole mess of animals that could be thrown into discussion. Most of my animals qualify as being exotic. On the other hand my brother's dogs hardly qualify at all. To whom do we have a responsibility to as an exotic pet owner?

Good question? I think first and for most, we are responsible for the animal itself. Second, we are responsible for knowing the laws in our communities. We are responsible for the safety of the ecosystems in which we live. Our neighbors are also to be considered as far as responsibilities go. Of course our safety and the safety of others also need to be considered. Sounds like there is a heap of responsibilities. It's pretty serious if you ask me.

Okay so we are responsible for the animal, right? Right! This means, that you had better think before you buy it. First thing to consider is can I afford this animal. Often, this really isn't the case but it could come down to that. You need to research this animal out. Things I take into consideration are 1.Size of the animal, 2.Venom, 3.Food, 4.Housing, 5.Habitat needs. 6.Safety. Okay so let's talk about size of the animal. I have several animals that will get to be 8 to 9 inches across. Small potatoes when you consider how large some constricting snakes can be. It important to know how large an animal is going to get. It doesn't make much sense to get an animal if you can't provide adequate housing for it. If you don't have room why have the animal. In my case, I look the venom of the animal. I don't want an animal that can kill me with one sting or one bite. Sure, they might be a pretty animal or give me bragging rights. My safety comes first as well as the safety of anyone around me. Food, it's important to consider the food that you're animal will eat. You need to consider where you're going to buy the food for your animal and how much is that food going to cost. My spiders get crickets and I know that I can get crickets at the local PetsMart. I also need to make sure that I'm giving fresh water to my animals. Depending upon the age of your animal when you bought it, you need to really look at your ability to house it. For my baby tarantulas, what they are in is fine but eventually, I have to take into account their adult size. It wouldn't be bad to plan for that adult size when it comes to housing that animal later. I might need a ten or fifteen gallon tank which means, I am going to need the space for that tank. Along with housing, it's important to know a little bit about their needs. Not all of my animals require the same kind of habitat. The amount of humidity needed for a Pink-Toe Tarantula is different from those needed for a Desert Hairy scorpion. I'm also not going to house them on the same exact substrate or even use the same kind of decorations. Safety, this one is important. I cannot stress this one enough.

Safety must be important to every single exotic pet owner out there. You have to consider your safety, your family's safety, and the safety of anyone who visits your house, not to mention the safety of your neighbors. To many people do not take this serious, I have one rule that I always follow. Unless you are an adult, you do not hold my tarantulas. For that matter only a small handful of people have held my tarantulas. I like that way. By having that rule, I protect myself as well as those around me. My tanks are always shut. I only open them when I want them open. A final rule that I have is that when I do a show with my animals, no one but me and my assistant are allowed to open or touch my tanks. It's as much for the animal's safety as it is for my safety. Safety should always be on the mind at all times. You should know what your animal is capable of and then plan for that. Better yet, plan for the worst case scenario.

I left out something from my list. What happens when you no longer want that animal? Hopefully, when you buy you're animal your committed to it, and you won't choose to get rid of it. BUT in this day and age of job losses, it's important to know where to turn. Find out what your choices are and then make plans for the day when you might have to say goodbye. Just some food for thought.

Accidents are going to happen. They can happen to anyone but remember, it's the job of the owner to lessen those accidents.

Not Better Than Me

Growing up, I got picked on a lot because of my height and lack of muscles. I was an easy target for bullies. Even my brother and his friends got in on the act. When my sister married for the first time, I put up with crap from her boyfriend and then first husband. You want to know something?

It hurt like hell going through it. Sometimes, it was physical and other times it was verbal. At times the hits where easier to put up with even though they hurt. When your self esteem is already low, it doesn't take much for it to drop even more. How much verbal abuse does a person have to take from someone?

No one should have to know what it's like to be threatened or put down. I've heard it said that a person who bullies does it to make themselves feel better about themselves. All I know is that bullies in whatever form they come in need to be put in their place. I don't believe that violence or abuse should be met with more violence or abuse. I don't think anyone should have to tolerate being bullied or abused by anyone else. I don't know why people seem to think that they're better than anyone else.

No one on the planet is any more important than me or you. They are human and they are bleed. We all have the same basic needs. Your college degree doesn't make you any better than me. You may know more about a subject than me. Your job may pay more than me or your title may make you sound impressive, but you're not better than me. Your money, your car, or whatever you own don't make you any better off than me.

Point blank, there isn't anyone out in the world, that is any better than anyone else. If you think you're better than someone else, you are wrong. At any rate, I'm done.

Earthworm; Keeping Our Soil Healthy

Earthworms come in many sizes. Some earthworms range in size from 3/4 of an inch to 8 inches. Though there are many who range from 10 feet, 12 feet, and up to 22 feet. Why am I choosing to write up a piece on Earthworms? I think they are amazing animals. When one considering what they do. Earthworms are active at night. They feed on bits and pieces of dead organisms. Their castings help to fertilize the soil. Their burrows help air and water reach plant roots. These worms live in moist soil. Mucus along their body keeps them from drying out. Each segment on their body has it's muscles. Muscles that the worm uses to help pull itself along the soil. Each segment also has setae ( hairs ) that also helps move the worm along. These setae actually help the worm grip the soil. Some earthworms can live for 10 years. There are 700 earthworms in one square yard. One bucket of soil can contain 200 worms. Each worm contains male and female sex organs, however it takes to worms in order to mate. Mating takes place on the surface.

With so many invertebrates around us, it's no surprise that some are beneficial. Sure, I've just got done telling you about the earthworm and I've also told you about the honeybee, but there are still other invertebrates out there that help us out. Honeybees are not the only invertebrates that pollinate plants. There are multitude of other bees, beetles, and even moths that pollinate flowers. Invertebrates ability to help us out doesn't end there. There are still countless more that aid us. There are a hundreds that feed on other invertebrates that could harm us or our economy. In some countries, people eat invertebrates. They can serve as a source of inspiration for inventions. The chemical that allows mussels to hold fast to rocks led to the invention of super glue. The venom of invertebrates is being used to treat cancers. The venom of scorpions is being used to target certain brain tumors. Invertebrates also help us in the realm of criminal justice. Forensic scientist know how to tell the stages of fly maggots to determine how long a body has been dead. These examples are but just a few of the ways that invertebrates aid us. At any rate, I hope that maybe we have something to be thankful for.

Proud Of It

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, there are a few things that I am grateful for and proud of it at the same time. Basically, I'm grateful for the same things that I've been thankful for in years past. I am proud of my tarantulas and grateful that I've been able to have them in my life. I'm proud of my writing, well okay some of my writing. Which reminds me, I am thinking of ending "The Mirror" and maybe even "The Journey Begins". I just don't know where or how to end them. I'm proud of my job. Yeah, it can be hard at times but I love it. Which by the way, I nearly got choked and yet, I still love the kids and I still love the job. I am proud of my friends; my real friends. My college friends have stood beside me when I couldn't depend on my family. Thank you! I'm proud of my kids; my students. Every day is new and that makes each day fun. I am proud of my abilities with nature. It truly helps me relax and it lets me help you. I'm proud of my family. Each of my nieces and nephews are wonderful. I'm gone for now.

This Past Week

As some of you may already know, the past two weeks have been pretty rough at work. Apart from the usual trials, I took a hit from a student to the chest. The hit came from one of the bigger students in the classroom. Keep in mind, that I am underweight and not very strong. It smarted for a couple hours and then the pain diminished. My co-workers were a little concerned so I followed procedure and filled out an accident report, called in the injury, and then went to the school nurse. There was no tenderness, no swelling, and just a little bit of redness. So yeah I am kind of questioning the job right now.

Did 5 to 7 mile hike on Saturday. Man, I love that. Wish I could get out and hike more often. Would love to actually be able to spend time taking pictures and really having a chance to enjoy nature. Sometimes when I am out with the church group there is a push to finish the hikes and get home. I like to pause every once in awhile and see what is around me. Talk to the kids about what certain plants are and of course look for animals. Kids nowadays don't seem all that interested. Some of the adults didn't seem to care either.

That has sort of been week. Only three days of work this week. YEAH!!!

Discretion

I think I am to change my middle name to just the letter "D". I'm so use to just hiding myself that it's become pretty easy to do. At first, I had to put some thought into it. Now it comes just as easy as breathing. Clearly, there is something wrong with this picture. Here are some examples of what I mean:

I only check my email on my computer. Never from work and never from my dad's computer.

My web surfing is done on only my computer. Rarely, do I use my dad's machine.

I do not store any passwords and are all changed once a month.

No one uses my computer without my permission.

I don't invite anyone to the house.

My two worlds never meet for the most part. I hope at some point that I can say goodbye to all of this but until that day comes, I have to be discrete.

No Good-Byes

It's hard enough to send them off knowing, that they may not return at all. I imagine their parents on bended knee praying for their child's safety. Each bit of news that comes across the screen has to bring a bit of fear. I don't know how you get through the day with your child off to war.

There have been too many flag covered boxes come back from overseas. I think that war will always mean death. Why must it come with such a price? Why must our mothers and fathers bury their sons and daughters? Why must we lose our brothers and sisters?

They don't get to say goodbye before their child joins the legions in heaven. Their blood consecrates the spot where they fell in battle. The Earth remembers them. It holds their blood for until Judgment comes to Earth.

You cry when you hear that your child is no more. A mother's tears are powerful and sacred. Mothers, you are not alone. Your nation cries with you. Someday, I know you'll be united and your beloved soldier will be made whole.

Not Blind

Dear Sir,

Tell me you can see the problems here at home amongst all the world's problems. People here are suffering and I wonder if you're aware of it. Criminals are preying on the elderly. While you're in Asia a child and her mother are hiding in a shelter because of the man who use to be dad and husband. In your talks with Iran, don't forget the kids that are left behind because no one wants to claim them. As you're flying overhead, remember those sick at home at home who don't have insurance or a job. As you feast on a White House Thanksgiving, think of those who won't be eating. As you watch your children at play, think of the couple who want to adopt but can't because there are laws that bind their hands. While you watch out your office window, remember the fathers and the mothers who are out of work and need a job. When your daughters are opening their presents please remember the kids who won't be seeing the presents that Santa Claus had for them. As you're safe at home with your family over the holidays, think of the families that this war has broken up. Remember the kids whose parents are serving overseas. When you cherish the marriage that you have, think of those who want to marry but can't. When you lay to bed at night, I hope you remember all of us.

Sincerely,

Me

Not Here

Our land is so grand so why do have all these problems on our streets? To many people on the streets, sleeping in boxes, pan handling on the corner to get the money for their food.

Children dying from bullets fired from the guns held by kids. It seems never ending all this blood in our streets to many kids buried in the earth; victims of violence.

Don't get me started on the animals who prey on our kids and our teens. They make me want to lose my lunch. These people are sick and disgusting. Something needs to be done.

I wonder at times if we don't still have slaves in the states. You may not agree but I can't stop wondering with all the people lost and not found. Am I paranoid? Maybe, I'm even crazy but who knows.