Wednesday 26 October 2022

Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 2- Science 23

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 1- Science 23



Image 1- Flock of Canadian geese at a corner of our neighborhood

The Canadian geese was believed to disappear in USA once, then they are surprisingly found in Minnesota in 1950.

Since then, they are introduced and conserved in many states, especially in Northern states across USA.

There are at least two species of Canadian geese which visit or stay in our city, they are:

- Branta canadensis, well known as Canadian geese
- Branta hutchinsii, also recognized as Cackling goose.



Image 2- A geese playing at nearby lake



Image 3- A geese tried to find food.

We mainly found giant Canadian geese in our city, Branta canadensis maxima, with wingspan could reach 7.3 feet (2.2 meter).

Some residents feel intimidating with growing population of Canadian geese in several parts of the city. Male Canadian geese is aggressive during breeding seasons.

Have you encountered Canadian geese during breeding seasons?

What do you think?

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Tuesday 25 October 2022

Paintings Show in Mini Maker Faire – Art 5

Maker Faire was held first time in San Mateo, California in 2006. More than 15 years ago.



Image 1- Painting in Maker Faire

Then, the festival spread all over cities across America. The first time Mini Maker Faire in our city was in 2014.

I just know this kind of festival recently. This annual event attracts many interests such as:

- computers
- robotics
- 3D printing
- arts, crafts and many more.



Image 2- One of corners in Mini Maker Faire

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Image 3- Paintings show

It seems that the faire was attended by all ages, from little kids to grandmothers and grandfathers.

I noticed there is painting section. Unfortunately, I saw just several paintings there. No artists seen in the section, paintings only.

In addition to American cities, the Maker Faire also held in Asia and European cities. Some cities are Shenzhen, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo (Asia), then Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Rome (Europe).

Have you known Maker Faire?

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Monday 24 October 2022

A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 1 – Healthy Life 25

Since pandemic Covid-19, we are very familiar with the word of “quarantine”. You know what the meaning is.



Image 1- A building at the corner site of Baton Rouge, illustration only.

I believe that some of you might be have experienced about this word, quarantine.

We also know or may suffer of its psychological effects, during and after quarantine period.

Carville is a very familiar place in our state, Louisiana, where over 5,000 people had been quarantined in the old days.



Image 2- Parking lots, just for illustration



Image 3- An abandoned Plantation House in Carville circa 1894
(From Hansen's Disease Museum).

In Carville, there is a Plantation House that turned to be a Museum, This place used to be a house for, some people pronounced, “Quarantined for Life”.

It is about 40 minutes by car (30 miles/48 km) from here, Baton Rouge, to Carville in South direction . But, for now the Museum is closed due to Covid-19.

# To be continued to Part 2

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Sunday 23 October 2022

What Critters are Consumed by Carnivorous Plants in Louisiana? - Science 25

We have talked about carnivorous plants in Louisiana, you may read the previous post: What is the Reason Specific Plants to Trap Animals? – Science 18



Image 1- Louisiana carnivorous plants

Actually, carnivorous plants, especially smaller ones, favor to consume trapped microorganisms like protozoa or bacteria.

Surprisingly, the plants may digest animals such as:

- reptiles
- small mammals
- small fish
- and crustaceans



Image 2- Bee is one of critters digested by carnivorous plants

# Other previous postings:



Image 3- Another insect consumed by carnivorous plants

However, the most common critters to be eaten by this carnivorous are variety of insects.



Image 4- Other carnivorous plants

The insects, off course small in term of size and coexist with carnivorous plants, they may include:

- bees
- beetles
- ants
- mosquitoes, and their larvae
- flies
- moths and gnats

Have you seen any animals trapped by carinivorous plants in nature?

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Saturday 22 October 2022

Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 1 - Food 27

Have you seen the cashew tree?

Do you use any part of this plant?



Image 1- Creamy cashew milk

If you answer yes, then what part and what is the purpose?

From some sources, we know that cashew plant originates from Brazil, then spreading to the countries along the equator line and the other tropical areas that have good:

- soil
- temperature
- and the length of sunlight for this plan to grow.



Image 2- Two kids to play game, Just for illustration

The plants can reach between 26 – 50 feet (or 8 to 15 m) in height. A quite tall plant.



Image 3- The cashew milk is thicker than dairy whole milk and soy milk

Cashew (from word Caju) belongs to Anacardiaceae family, and the species Anacardium occidentale is most commercial plant.

Interestingly, people in our state, Louisiana can use any part from the cashew plants for multiple purposes.

From a cashew tree, people use almost all its properties: leaves, barks, seeds, shell of seeds.

# To be continued to part 2

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Thursday 20 October 2022

Simple Decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving around Our Neighborhood

As you know we are in the USA, have Halloween day at the end of October, then followed by Thanksgiving Day in the third week of November.



Image 1- A girl with pumpkins

In respect to decorations of Halloween and Thanksgiving, there are several types of my neighbors:

- who doesn’t have decoration at all
- who have Halloween decoration only
- who have Thanksgiving decorations only
- who have combined of Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations.

Our house includes in the type of who doesn’t have decoration at all with some reasons. 



Image 2- Halloween decoration at yard



Image 3- A smiling woman



Image 4- A skeleton decoration.

However, we do celebrate both Halloween and Thanksgiving days like other people in the world.

In case of decoration at our neighborhood, I think less and less neighbors have decoration for Halloween.

It might be due to economic constraints. People thinks about other matters than just spending time and money. Actually, I don’t know the exact reasons.

How about celebration of Halloween and Thanksgiving days in your neighborhood?

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Wednesday 19 October 2022

Fruits with flavored chia in cups – Part 2 – Food 25

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Fruits with flavored chia in cups – Part 1 – Food 25



Image 1- Grab some goodness from 2 - 7 oz.cups.

What are in the delicious cups?

There are combination of pieces of delicate fruits and chia seeds sold in the markets:

- Apples in raspberry cherry flavored chia
- Mangos in pineapple flavored chia
- Pears in blackberry flavored chia
- Mixed fruits in tropical flavored chia
- Peaches in strawberry dragon fruit flavored chia



Image 2- Tangerine on the branch



Image 3- White flowers, illustration only



Image 4- Fresh grape

Sure, the package has nutritional values. Whole serving in the cups provide:

- 100% daily value of vitamin C,
- 800mg of omega-3 fatty acids,
- 4-5g dietary fiber

Note: Off course we should consume fresh one. In storms areas like our state, we need to store the packages of foods and drinks.

# To be continued to Part 3

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Happy mother day

Today, May 12, 2024, we are celebrating Mother Day in the USA. The celebration for mothers and motherhood.  Image 01 - Happy mother day Just...