Random Facts

I don't want you to think I haven't been learning just because I haven't been posting. Here are just a few random facts I've picked up over the last few days:

Four days ago I learned: that Mother's Day was originally celebrated as Mother's Peace Day. Julia Ward Howe issued the Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870 in response to the impact of the Civil War. (It's a beautiful piece - brief - and I encourage you to read it) Lisse over at the Soccer Mom Vote points out - "Mother's Day was made official by Woodrow Wilson in 1912, but the "Peace" was left out of it. Two years later, World War I began." Chocolates and flowers are great, but as too often happens to women - even in 2007 - our aspirations and ideas are minimized. Mother's Day has gone the way of Christmas with its commercialization when what we could really use right now as wars continue to rage around the world are Howe's words and her inspiration to act.

Three days ago I learned: that bamboo is like, uber-wood, except that it's actually a grass than can be used in more than 5,000 ways! Used in everything from surfboards to furniture, fuel, textiles, food, medicine - even to build homes! - bamboo can be grown on every continent except at the Poles and at alarming rates. Giant bamboo can grow more than three feet in a DAY which means that 60 feet of bamboo can be replaced in 59 days while the same size oak tree would take more than 50 years! Bamboo is also great for the environment - releasing 35% more oxygen and absorbing four times as much carbon-dioxide than an entire forest of trees. (For more fun bamboo facts check out The Ecologist Online.

Two days ago I learned: that my older son is the sweetest four-year-old on the planet (although I previously had my suspicions.) He explained to me, on Mother's Day no less, that "No matter what I do; No matter where I go, I will still love you." Tissues anyone?

Yesterday I learned: dairy cows produce EIGHT gallons of milk per day! (Thank you, Buster Baxter for that fast fact.) It may not seem like all that much when you consider that the average American consumes about 6000 ounces of dairy products annually, but as a mother who breastfed both of her children - That's a lot of milk!!

Today I learned: Pink has a song I actually like. (Thanks, Cheryl!) Dear Mr. President is emotionally raw (although the live version was better) and political and real . . . and it puts my FAVORITE president in a not-so-flattering light :)

Mr. Golden Sun

It's been a few days - almost a week actually - but between the nasty spring cold that swept through my family and the beautiful spring/almost summer-like weather we've been having, well, I haven't been spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Yeah for me!!

But I took pictures yesterday of some of the flowers coming up in my garden and I wanted to share. It's a lot of fun really. Being in a new house with a foreign backyard and not knowing what will come up tomorrow or what my yard will look like in two weeks or three weeks or the middle of the summer . . .

I'm not only enjoying the elements of surprise, but the weeding and the watering, too. (Although, it can be a little overwhelming also because there's so much we want to do and we want to do it all at once, but of course we can't do that, so then we have to decide what needs to be done and what can wait . . . I know, I know. Welcome to the land of home ownership!)

The boys are into the gardening, too. We're planning on planting a small vegetable garden (soon) not because my children want to eat the vegetables, but just to grow them. They (as do I, I admit) have an aversion to most things green and leafy. They just want to plant and water the vegetables and then "Daddy can eat them."

Well, I'm being asked to go outside, but before I go I would like to share my bit of knowledge for the day.

Today I learned: I have Delphinium (which I think Shannon told me last week)

And Lilies growing in my backyard :)

Got Ants?

Nothing too exciting to report. The sun is finally making an extended appearance around these parts and the temperatures are forecast to rise into the high 70's (maybe even 80) by Monday or Tuesday. Personally, I don't need 80's weather yet; I like the moderate 70's, but I guess I shouldn't be complaining after suffering what felt like a monsoon less than two weeks ago and some very cold March temps.

Other than that I'm working, working, working . . . and trying to make what time I actually see my husband quality time. Spring and summer are busy for us because I work seasonally and to avoid throwing the money I make away into daycare my husband and I work opposite schedules. It's great for the kids and for my husband because they get to spend lots of time together, but as husband and wife our time together is often too short. But it works - it always does - and we find the time and sometimes it actually makes us pay more attention to each other instead of the computer or TV.

I'm kind of babbling tonight. It's kind of just the way my head is right now I guess. Kind of scattered. We've got a lot going on. Besides work, we're getting ready for my sister's wedding (YEAH!) in a couple of weeks in which both my boys will be donning tuxedos and my other sister will be here with my nephew and niece. We're all excited to see them and I can't wait to see my baby sister in her wedding dress telling the man she loves how she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. (Plus I've got a bachelorette party to attend and that should be lots of fun!)

And of course, the school year is winding down, we've got birthday parties to attend, I'm trying to find time to catch up with friends, let's not forget Mother's Day in a little over a week . . . Like I said I'm busy (as I'm sure you are) and a bit scattered.

But I'm happy :)


Today I learned: that cinnamon is a great ant repellent.

That's right. Cinnamon. One of my co-workers was telling me about an ant problem she was having and then she promptly showed me these little brown patches along the floor and near the window . . . Cinnamon.

I had no idea. She pointed out that it was a great alternative to poisons especially for people with children. (Read: Me) And I heard myself saying, "I learn something new everyday!" Simultaneously it occurred to me that I had my "something new" for tonight's entry :)

So if you have ants where you don't want them - say no to pesticides and YES to cinnamon!!!

China's Coal Mines

Today I learned: that China is the world's leading consumer of coal. According to NPR, 70% of China's energy comes from coal - "the dirtiest of all fuels to produce energy."

The biggest problem? Greenhouse gases. China is averaging about one new coal-fired power plant per week which will certainly lead to its surpassing the U.S. in greenhouse gas emissions - maybe even by the end of 2007.

There is certainly a need for this country's rush to produce more and more electricity; China is undergoing an industrial revolution and it's moving with incredible speed. (It is estimated that with such rapid growth and development by 2031 China will need more oil than the world can produce.) And yet, still 10 million people living in rural areas of the country live without the convenience of electricity. Coal happens to be the easiest and fastest way to generate the power this new era in China's history demands.

And it's not just the effects on the environment. Coal mining is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, and some accuse Chinese mining companies of overlooking safety hazards and putting their employees at risk in order to keep up with the demand - and profit - for such large quantities of coal. Thousands die annually in mine accidents or from mining related health problems.

But isn't China doing just what every other wealthy country has done for decades? Is it fair for the rest of the world to say, "Stop!" After all, the U.S. has a horrendous record when it comes to environmental issues - and as a matter of fact it's our consumption of and dependence upon vast quantities of oil - contributing to greenhouse gas emissions in its production and its use - which has helped make the rich richer over here in the West.

But whether it's fair or not, because of China's large population it's environmental impact on the world is greater and happens at a faster rate when care is not taken to use renewable, "clean" energy and limit greenhouse gas emissions. While it's easy to pick on China because of it's sudden impact, it's time we all take a step back and own up to our own contributions to the environmental mess we find ourselves in.

This is a worldwide problem and it will take the cooperation of all the world's citizens to make a change.

Something New

You must know the old saying, "You learn something new everyday." Well, I'm going to put this phrase to the test. During the month of May I'm going to share my daily something new with all of you. At most I'm hoping I might gain some new insights on human beings, religion, relationships, etc. . . . If not, I figure I should at least become a better trivial pursuit player by picking up all kinds of random information :)

So here's my first entry -

Today I learned: that the phrase "Good night, sleep tight," gets it's meaning from the days of Shakespeare. In the 16th century, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes, so when you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. (Taken from www.randomfacts.org)

See what I mean about my trivial pursuit game?