Hobbies
The Hour is Late. . .
In Missouri, where I now live, our weather was as upside down as it was in the tri-states; the only difference was that there was no significant snow. Nonetheless, our temperatures reached record highs in the middle of winter and beyond, and in between, they plunged to a few below-zero nights. Many wondered if the cold temperatures would kill the swelling buds on trees and shrubs. My best response is to wait and see. Down here, the Dogwoods and Forsythia are blooming and seem undamaged.
Humanity controls very little; Nature has survived far longer than human beings, changing and often reinventing itself as needed. Regarding trees or shrubs that seem to be budding out too soon, yes, they may be damaged; they may even die. Nature has a backup plan; most trees and shrubs have secondary buds that will take over if frost kills the first buds; you must wait and see. Shrubs and perennials planted just last year may not fare well because their root systems have yet to acclimate fully to their new growing space. Such was the case for three new shrubs I planted, typically hardy in a zone colder than Missouri. The results may have differed if I protected the woody stem with mulch. I will work smarter in my garden this season and be in greater harmony with Nature as I observe how Nature adapts to the unexpected. Yes, Nature adapts, but not at the speed humans are destroying the bed in which they sleep. Walt Kelly, a political and social cartoonist, created an anti-pollution poster for Earth Day 1971. In the poster, the character "Pogo," looking at trash everywhere, says, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." More than fifty years later, little has changed; from the Industrial Age to the present, we have polluted everything we have touched. Climate change—genuine, deadly, and unlike anything the Neanderthals may have caused—is real. Like Nature, the wild card of climate change is unpredictable, but I do not believe it will create any long-term feelings of optimism; I think quite the opposite. So, I will leave you with this. Look at your chemical arsenal for the garden. Remove the toxic chemicals and take them to a site that properly disposes of them. Do you have a company that commercially applies weed and insect control products? Remember: toxic chemicals will kill insects, good or bad—they do not discriminate. We need to stop using toxic chemicals in our gardens and find safer ways to control weeds and insects. Natural insecticides and organic fertilizers are a good place to start. Should you feed the lawn? Most would say yes, and when used appropriately, fertilizer will not decimate the insect world. There are other ways to control weeds, with mowing being my first advice. Cut grass up to three inches, where many weeds cannot get a foothold to grow. If "bad bugs" arise, use insecticidal soap. If you believe you must use toxic chemicals, be sure you're not using them where bees and insects pollinate. There are many safe ways to engage with Nature without causing irreparable harm. Please look at the following web for the best natural insecticides https://smithspestmanagement.com/blog/post/natural-insecticides/ The survival of the earth depends on humanity waking up to the alarm bells Nature incessantly rings, and rings, and rings. Who will respond to her clarion call? Homemade Treats
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My new puppy’s training is going very well, and he responds very well to rewards of little treats. I worry about feeding him so many processed, store-bought snacks though. What are some natural or homemade alternatives for treats? — Maggie T., Nashua, N.H.
A: Many alternative recipes for homemade doggie treats are available on the internet and at the bookstore, but the healthiest ones share many common features. This means that you can find quite a few good recipes out there, or develop a few of your own. Common ingredients in dog treats are meat protein (either from fresh meats, broths or strained baby foods), whole-grain flours (like wheat, oats, corn or rice), eggs and powdered supplements (like brewer’s yeast or garlic). A variety of flavorings can be added, including peanut butter, sugar or molasses, vanilla, salt, and small amounts of cheese or milk. Dry or instant yeast can be added to biscuit-type recipes, to allow the dough to rise before baking. A popular training asset is liver treats, which can be made fairly easy and which last about four to five days if stored properly (in an airtight container and refrigerated). Chicken livers, eggs and sweetener are pureed, flour or cornmeal is mixed in (some owners add powdered supplements as well) and the mixture is baked, cooled and sliced into bite-size treats. Certain foods are never safe for dogs, so don’t use any recipe that contains these ingredients: chocolate, onions, raisins/grapes or macadamia nuts. They seem like fairly innocent foods, but can cause serious health problems in dogs. Baking and testing these snacks out on your puppy can be a lot of fun. Remember, you can also share recipes with other dog owners and perhaps find the perfect treat for your companion. |
Mocha Mugs
Kovels.com
Antique mocha ware caught collectors’ attention in the mid-20th century. Like many mocha pieces, this colorful mug is decorated with several patterns.
To a pottery collector, a “mocha mug” isn’t meant for a coffee drink. “Mocha” is a type of decorated earthenware pottery made in England and sold in America in the early 1800s. Mocha pottery, or mocha ware, is usually utilitarian; pieces were originally used in the kitchen or during meals. It has colorful decorations painted in a slip glaze made from clay thinned with water to a liquid consistency. The decorations are usually painted over white glaze.
Traditional patterns have descriptive names, like “banded,” “checked” and “marbled,” or repeated “tulip,” “fan,” “seaweed,” “dendrite” or “leaf” motifs. Others have less obvious names, like “cat’s-eye,” which consists of clusters of dots, and “earthworm,” or thick, mottled lines in waves or loops. This mug, which was made about 1800 and sold for $375 at Link Auction Galleries, has earthworm and cat’s-eye patterns in its center section, with a green and brown banded top border and brown banded lower border. The name “mocha” may come from some patterns’ resemblance to mocha stone, another name for moss agate, an opaque multicolor semiprecious stone. Mocha pottery may also be named for the coffee-colored glaze that appears in many designs. • • • Q: When my father was ill in 1939, he received a letter from Jack Dempsey wishing him “a speedy recovery.” The letter was typed on his restaurant’s stationery and signed in ink. What is it worth? A: Jack Dempsey (1895-1983) was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. He opened his restaurant near Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1938. It closed in 1974. The value of an autograph is determined by the importance of the signer, rarity, condition and proof of authenticity. Signatures on letters are worth more than an autograph by itself. A handwritten letter is worth more than a typed letter with a handwritten signature. The content of the letter also affects the value. The letter must be seen by an expert to authenticate it. Contact an auction house or gallery that holds sales of autographs to see what it is worth. • • • TIP: Never display bottles with labels in a sunny window. The labels will fade. • • • CURRENT PRICES Bank, still, figural, oil tanker, painted red, coin slot in back, pressed steel, wood wheels, Wyandotte, 1930s, 2 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches, $70. Iron doorstop, figural, owl, perched on stump, leaves, berries, green eyes, ear tufts, Hubley, 10 inches, $240. Wristwatch, Longine, automatic, gold filled, gold dial, bar indices, date window, black pebbled leather band, $320. Display, toy, Klik-Klak Blox, red, yellow and blue, toy sample attached to front, “For Girls For Boys For Fun” on sides, electric, 18 inches, $540. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Roast Pork Loin
|