Friday, 3 July 2026

The Pink African Violet Plant - Nature 179

We have quite light Pink African Violet Plants which live gently in the 4 inches pot in indoor garden.  


Image 01 - Two blooming flowers

From the name, you might guess where the flower come from. Yes, the come from Africa, brought to USA about 150 years ago.

The Original flower is the African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), then developed to many varieties,

In our city, Baton Rouge, we have several varieties which I think with two well known for traded:
- Cajun’s Lil Joy
- Cajun popcorn


Image 02 - Light pink flower

The flowers feel suitable to grow in our hot and humid climate, especially during summer months.


Image 03 - Plants grow in the pots


Image 04 - Growing well

Do you know about The Pink African Violet Plant?

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Tuesday, 9 June 2026

Recognizing Faces and Ramachandran Case – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 16



Image 01 - Amygdala related to limbic system in memory and emotion (Source: Neuroscience, Purves).

One of the interesting theory is from Ramachadran and Hirstein (1997). They proposed that Capgras delusion are more common in the ventral of occipitotemporal which is a pathway that connected with amygdala.

Based on this theory, the delusion is a result from the disconnection between face-processing area and the limbic system.


Related to the case of the case of a wife with pretending husband, another case about capgras delusion was illustrated by Ramachandran.


Image 02 - A little Grapefruit

The case about a young man (25 year old) who got a car accident and landed with his head. This young man has problem to recognize his loved ones.


Image 03 - A grapefruit, ready to be consumed

To be continued to Part 3

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Sunday, 24 May 2026

A Red Headed Skink - Nature 178

The first time I saw this critter, it scared me. We thought it was a dangerous snake that was ready to bite us. 



Image 01 - A scary critter

We believe this Red Headed Skink is one of native skinks of our state, Louisiana. They might eat:
- bugs
- insects
- lizards.

Based on my reading from several sources, the creature can change color and sex as it grows older.  

Interesting?


Image 02 - A Red Headed Skink

The skink is very skittish. Actually, the critter more scared of you than the other way around.  They are harmless. Good outdoor fun for a cat.


Image 03 - 
A Red Headed Skink runs away

Have you seen a Red Headed Skink in your areas?

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Sunday, 10 May 2026

The American Burweed in the Yard - Nature 177

We saw a plant around our house. We try to find out what plant is this? From the internet it is a kind of weed.


Image 01 - The American Burweed in the Yard

Based on the image provided, this plant appears to be American burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius).

Here are a few key details about this plant appearance: It is a fast-growing annual with robust, erect stems and serrated or lobed.

This weed is often considered a weedy native species that colonizes disturbed soil, such as gardens or cleared areas.

While considered a weed by some, it is a native species that provides nectar for pollinators and cover for wildlife.


Image 02 - Blooming of fireweed.

Interestingly, the young leaves could be consumed, but the taste might be not pleasant for some people.


Image 03 - Weed in the Yard.

Do you recognize this plant?

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Friday, 24 April 2026

The Peak of Bird Migration is being Seen in Our Areas - Science 41

As you might know, the bird migration takes place twice a year in American continent: Spring and Autumn migrations.


Image 01 - Bird migration, illustration

200 million of bird could fly through our city, Baton Rouge, LA. This peak season is around the third week of April:
- April 21, about 200 million bird doing migration
- After April 21, around million birds fly over our city

We love to observe this migration. Few species of migration birds are: 
- Hummingbirds
Mississippi Kite
- Bunting


Image 02 - Whistling ducks


Sunday, 8 February 2026

The Honey Melon from the Small Garden - Food 53

We have a Honey Melon by accident in our small garden. It is actually "a garbage garden" as a place to throw waste foods. 


Image 01 - A honey Melon.

We mainly tossed scraps (chop scraps) of fruit and vegetable into our small "garbage" garden.

After a while, surprisingly, we found a honey melon, also well known as honeydew. It then grows well.

As I know, there are two varieties of honey melon:
1) Yellow inside
2) Red inside.

We love the yellow one, it is because of its flavor is like honey sweet.


Image 02 - Yellow Honey melon.

Have you tasted Honey melon?

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Sunday, 1 February 2026

A Box Turtle Passig through our House - Nature 176

 The little tortoise (Box turtle) come to visit us a couple days ago. We offered some carrots and water.


Image 01 - A tortoise passing through.

She didn’t seem too interested. She enjoyed a bit of sunshine on the balcony and then wandered off.

The Box turtles are native to our state. In nature, they consume:
- insects (caterpillars, grasshoppers etc)
- mollusk (snails and slugs)
- earthworms.
- small animals.

Actually, the box turtles may consume vegetation and fruit as well.


Image 02 - Another box turtle.

Do you know about box turtle?

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The Pink African Violet Plant - Nature 179

We have quite light Pink African Violet Plants which live gently in the 4 inches pot in indoor garden.   Image 01 - Two blooming flowers Fro...