March 14th

What harm could this small pretty

thing cause?

Simple....

widespread panic and a run

on everyday items.

Yes, its something to prepare for,

especially if you either self quarantine,

or a mandated one,

 but,

 how much toilet paper do you really need??

It's the "pack mentality" at its worst.

Pack mentality or "group think" is a phenomenon

in which people make decisions

based on the actions of others,

sometimes without even realizing it.

Back in '73 on the Tonight Show,

Johnny Carson's opening monologue 

was about shortages.

It was really about gas, but

he said, in a joke, that toilet paper

was in short supply.

This caused such a run on that item,

that people were hoarding it,

stores ran out

and he came on TV to say

it was nothing but a joke.

But...

inadvertently, he became

"Leader of the Pack".

My father-in-law (at the time),

had an entire closet crammed with

rolls of toilet paper.

It took years till they ran out.

It's was funny then, but now it's real again.

The simple acts of prudent infection control

that can be done daily are

washing hands,

sneeze into a tissue or crook of your elbow,

cleanse surfaces with a disinfectant

(if you can find any),

avoid large crowds,

and stay home if you experience symptoms.

Notify your doctor so he can make

appropriate decisions.

So, our new normal is all about 

flattening the curve and decreasing 

chances of infections by

cancelling schools, group activities and

reducing the burden on hospitals

and care givers. 

It will hopefully reduce the risk to

those who are susceptible.

Personally, I sing the "Jeopardy" song

while I'm washing my hands.

It makes me smile.

Stay well!

****************************

Broccoli

You can't tell scale, but it's almost

the size of a baby's head!

Culantro

This is different from cilantro.

It has a stronger flavor,

but almost the same taste - 

great in Mexican dishes 

and the leaves are long and saw-like.

Oddly, you can use this in a tea

for flu symptoms of fever and sore throat.

(Might come in handy...)

Rosemary

It was windy the other day and 

I was in the front yard weeding

around the irises when I 

smelled the wonderful fragrance of 

rosemary all around.

Love it!

Blueberries!

Yay!

We have 6 bushes, so

hopefully I'll have enough

to make jam this year.

Blueberry flowers....

More blueberry flowers...

*******************************

Our other flowers are blooming too.

These are some of our Amaryllis...

This Peppermint one is my favorite!

They make such a beautiful arrangement

in that big clay pot.

Louisiana Iris

9 simple petals, but so delicate.

More Irises blooming at the

base of the cypress trees

Gardenia buds are all over

our bushes.

Can't wait to see them bloom!

Aloe bloom stalk.

This isn't the same plant that has bloomed before.

This is a baby of the Mother Aloe.

Sedum,

or golden moss sedum.

It's a ground cover but we

have it growing in the Amaryllis

clay pot.

It's a beautiful contrast of lime green/yellow

and the deep scarlet red of the amaryllis.

*************************************

Chicken Girl Capers...

Here's the girls eating a broccoli leaf...

They are so spoiled that,

if he puts the leaf on the ground,

they'll walk away,

But,

if he holds the leaf,

they'll eat till all that's left

is the stalk.

Hazel likes to get high...

I mean that in the nicest way.

She'll jump up on higher things

to get a look around.

I found her on top of the BBQ and had to 

remove the little adventurer.

She wouldn't get down on her own.

BBQ sans Hazel

Our occasional fowl visitor,

a male Mallard, quacking

at the girls.

Don't know what that conversation

was about but

the girls kept their distance.

**********************************

My friend was sweet enough

to share a recipe

Easy Eggplant Casserole

Peel and chop 2 medium eggplants.

Place in a large pot on the stove and 

add 3/4 cup of water salt and pepper to taste.

Cover and cook on medium/low stirring

occasionally - add more water if needed

to keep it from sticking to the bottom.

In another pot, saute' 1/2lb of ground beef.

Drain, then add 1 chopped yellow onion,

cook till soft. Sprinkle garlic powder to taste.

Now, add the eggplant mixture and Italian 

flavored breadcrumbs about 1/2 cup,

and 1/2 cup grated parmesan-romano cheese.

Mix till well blended, then pour into a 

greased or sprayed casserole dish.

Top with a layer of breadcrumbs and small pats of butter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Can be a complete meal or

a side dish.

This is one that I'll try soon.

Thanks!

**************************

Think maybe this'll sell

on the Dark Web?

and I can supplement my SSI?

*************************

Again,

Stay well!