Nuts of Pine Trees in the Park – Nature 42

We have seen a lot of pine’s nuts on the ground when we are jogging in the park during autumns.

Image 1- The pine’s nut

The nuts, actually cute looking, and we know that some people use its for decorations.

As you might know, there are around 105 to 124 species of Pines in the world, found mostly in Northern hemisphere.

The Pines are grown in many places for two purposes:

- source of timber
- ornamental trees in the parks

Image 2- Pine trees nearby walking path

Image 3- Pine nuts on the ground

Image 4- One of critters consumes Pine nuts

Image 5- A lot of Pine nuts fall down

Image 6- Pine trees in the park

Image 7- A squirrel playing on the ground

Of 105 to 124 species, there are 20 species of well-known pine trees that produce “edible nuts.”

However, 4 species are commercially harvested for their nuts:

- Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea)
- Mexican pinon (Pinus cembroides)
- Chinese nut pine (Pinus koraiensis)
- Colorado pinion (Pinus edulis)

Many groceries include Walmart sell Pine Nuts, have you tasted them?

# Previous postings:

- Measles Outbreak in a Recent year – Part 2 – Healthy Life 11
- Have You Tasted Matcha Latte with Soy Milk or Almond Milk? - Food 6
- Can Succulents Improve Room Humidity? - Science 6
- Do You Visit Car Service Center Every Year?

The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 10

You may read previous posting (Part 1):

- The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 10

Image 1- Learning a new language.

Healthy Lifestyle habit is a new finding that can prevent inflammation of the brain cells.

Healthy life is amazingly able to protect our brain. Dr call this brain protector is the “shield.”

We can reduce up to 60% risk of inflammation that can cause the Alzheimer's disease through healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Natalia Azar in an interview introduce acronym of the brain protector.

Image 2- Autumn trees, illustration

# Important postings:

- The signs of late stage of Alzheimer's Disease – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 1
- The signs of late stage of Alzheimer's Disease – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 1
- The Early Person who Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Diseases - Part 1 – Alzheimer's 2
- The Early Person who Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Diseases - Part 2 – Alzheimer's 2

Image 3- A little library, just for illustration

The Acronym is:

S H I E L D

Sleep

Handle stress

Interact

Exercise

Learn

Diet

What are the explanations for acronym?

# To be continued to Part 3

## Previous postings:

- The Best Steakhouse in my City, Louisiana – Food 5
- Measles Outbreak in a Recent year – Part 1 – Healthy Life 11
- Do You Know that Some Musical Instruments Made from Bamboo? - Art 2

A Young Red Tail Hawk Caught a Squirrel – Science – 24

I have posted A Red Tail Hawk in Our Neighborhood; you may read the previous post: A Red Tail Hawk in Our Neighborhood – Science – 20

Image 1 – Red tail hawk caught squirrels.

We could see hawk eat a squirrel on the ground at previous post. Now, you see the hawk hold the “victim” and fly to secure places (Images 1 and 2) somewhere on the branch of tree.

A Red Tail Hawk will perch in a tree, usually a big and old tree, waiting for the perfect opportunity to grab a squirrel and other small animals.

The predator will poke out the eyes so the victim can't run. I know it's nature but We may don't want to see the cruelty.

Image 2- Hawk flying with victim

My neighbors believe that Red Tail Hawk together with other predators are able to control rat population in our neighborhood.

Image 3- A predator sitting on the tree

Some other small critters consumed by Red Tail Hawk in our near by areas, just for examples are:

- reptiles, include snakes
- rabbits
- voles
- frogs and toads

Have you seen this predator in nature?

# Previous postings:

- Grass in Our Yard during Hot Summer
- Green Bean and Papaya Delight – Food 4
- Mental Awareness and Vaccination – Healthy Life 10
- A Bouquet from Combinations of Flowers and Vegetables

Using of Cordless Electrostatic Sprayer for Killing Virus - Part 2 – Science 21

You may read previous part (Part 1):

- Using of Cordless Electrostatic Sprayer for Killing Virus - Part 1 – Science 21

Image 1- Cordless sprayer, sold by Amazon 

Hotels have promised to sanitize their rooms and areas to make sure free from SARS-CoV-2.

Much more hotels sanitized their rooms nowadays. Since the pandemic, these hotels include:

- Westin
- Renaissance
- Sheraton
- the Ritz-Carlton

Image 2- Room at Westin Hotel, New Orlean, Pleasant Holidays

Price depends on brand, weight, size and easiness to use. I saw at Amazon price of Cordless sprayer are:

- the cheapest price was US$ 27.88
- medium price US$ 59.95
- the most expensive was US$ 149.98

Image 3- A cat, illustration only

In term of price, the medium price US$ 59.95 was favorite one for customers. It may due to its reasonable price and quality.

They use this machine with standard disinfectants ruled by “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (CDC) and “the World Health Organization.” (WHO).

If you are planning to travel in the near future, hope, you will feel safe to stay in hotels.

# Previous Postings:

- Do You Know a Sign of Bipolar Disorder? - Healthy Life 8
- Oyster is One of Favorite Seafood in Louisiana – Food 2
- Is Strawberry Greek Yogurt Good For Health? - Healthy Life 9
- Do You Know about Golden Kiwis Fruit? - Food 3

Are Oak Trees Good for Firewood? - Nature 41

When electric blackout due to winter storms, I know some of my neighbors use woods for heating.

Image 1- Cut woods for free

However, I don’t know how many people use firewood in my neighborhood, city or state.

No state law to regulate cutting tree and using it for firewood as long as the trees belong to individual.

It is prohibited or at least need permission to cut down a tree in the state or federal conservation areas.

Sure, there are local ordinances to protect specific trees.

Image 2- A little tree in public area

Image 3- The commercial firewood

The specific trees to be protected may include:

- historic trees
- heritage trees

An Oak is not included as a protected tree in our state, hence, commonly used as firewood.

Some of our neighbors familiar with woods of red oak, it is because the woods are considered strong, hence, it is believed to produce the best heat.

Do you ever use firewood?

# Previous postings:

- When do Pine Trees of our Neighborhood Produce Nuts? - Nature 9
- Could Positive Thinking Lead to Live Longer? - Healthy Life 6
- Family Saga and Meaning to be a Good Person – Part 2 - Reading 1
- Summer, be aware with Traveler's Diarrhea – Healthy Life 7

Simple Homemade Coconut Oil glazed Beef Jerky – Part 2 - Food 24

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Simple Homemade Coconut Oil glazed Beef Jerky – Part 1- Food 24

Image 1- Homemade beef jerky

Then I pounded and cut the slices of beef, glazed the slices with the virgin coconut oil.

Next step, quick dehydrating. I heat them on the skillet until the side look brown then turned to another side.

Do it again and again, until both sides of beef slices look brown.

In a bigger bowl, I mixed sliced red onions, sliced jalapenos, and sliced green tomatoes, then I stirred them with virgin coconut oil.

Image 2- Tomatoes, illustration only

Image 3- Virgin coconut oil in the jar.

Afterwards, I added the sliced meat from the skillet into the bowl, mixed all together.

The final step, I took a photo (photo above, please see Imge 1) of my cooking before they're gone :)

What do you think about my quick and simple beef jerky?

I would like to say this is a special beef jerky because I like the taste of this virgin coconut oil.

# Previous postings:

- When do Pine Trees of our Neighborhood Produce Nuts? - Nature 9
- Could Positive Thinking Lead to Live Longer? - Healthy Life 6
- Family Saga and Meaning to be a Good Person – Part 2 - Reading 1
- Summer, be aware with Traveler's Diarrhea – Healthy Life 7

Sweet Tangerine at Backyard – Food 26

We have grown two Tangerine trees in our backyard. Luckily one grow well, and provides us with fresh fruit every year.

Image 1- Tangerine fruit on the branches

Another tree died at very young age, about 3 years old when it starts to produce “little” fruit. It died due to diseases; we guessed caused by fungi diseases several years ago.

Many of our neighbors have Tangerine, they grow the fruit either in front yards or backyards

Tangerine is seasonal fruit, start to ripe from October to early January in our neighborhood, and even in our state, Louisiana. 

Image 2- Some fruit on branches

In case of our Tangerine, we may pick the fruit about this time or second week of October.

Image 3- A fruit, ready to be picked.

Then, the fruit starts to fall down one by one in late November or early December when temperature dropping.

Image 4- Raccoon is one of critters consumes our fruit

Fruit may not reach January of next year. We are lucky enough if we found one or two fruit on branches in the cold month.

Unfortunately, we have at least two critters as competitors to consume our fruit, they are:

- raccoon
- and squirrels

Finally, have you tasted Tangerine?

# Previous postings:

- Wild Animals and Birds in my Backyard – Nature 8a
- Flash Flood at my Neighborhood - Nature 8b
- First Important Step to Know Mental Illness - Healthy Life 5
- Family Saga and Meaning to be a Good Person – Part 1 - Reading 1