Editor's note:
I would like to apologize for not posting a story last week due to a bad cold.
REDUCING MY CARBON FOOTPRINT
STEP 2: Looking at My Cleaning Habits
STEP 2: Looking at My Cleaning Habits
This week, I changed dish soaps.
Although
there is some debate on this, it’s said that phosphates in dish soaps, a
chemical designed to make it easier to remove guck from dishes, also suffocates
algae in ponds and can do a number on wild wetlands. More than that, less
chemical-laden, more natural ingredient based, soaps just have to be healthier
for Mother Nature and me. The good news is, while environmentally friendly
household products used to be a luxury only for the wealthy and privileged, now
more and more companies are providing earth-friendly alternatives at reasonable
prices. Perhaps it would be worth a second look the next time you’re in the
cleaning product aisle.
A
beautiful young girl races through the deep, rugged forest in the heart of
ancient Greece. She is relentlessly pursued by a highly energetic and
determined man with a long beard. He’s in love with her for her great beauty
and won’t be turned away. She dashes down through hollows and across meadows.
She dives deep into the trees hoping to lose him in the shadows. But he is ever
one step behind her. She’s becoming frightened.
Finally,
desperate to escape her admirer, the girl summons all her magic and turns
herself into a tall, sweet and fragrant purple blossom. Her pursuer can’t tell
her from all the other flowers in the deep wood, and so she is free of him.
Or so
goes the ancient Greek myth of Syringa, the wood nymph and Pan, god of forest
and field. The ancient Greek tell us that
the wood nymph’s flower was the one we know today as the Lilac.
This
time of year, these beautiful flowers are thrilling people with their full and
fragrant blossoms in some parts of the country, and just starting to bloom in
others. And since this most beautiful flower of the blooming months is on
everyone’s mind, here are a few things you may not have known.
·
It’s the official flower of the 8th
wedding anniversary.
·
It’s the official flower of New Hampshire,
chosen to symbolize the citizens’ hardy character. And it’s a pretty good
choice considering the next two facts.
·
There’s some evidence that lilac trees can live
to be over a century old.
·
They been known to survive temperatures as low
as -60⁰F (-51⁰C).
·
The purple blooms represent first love, while
the white ones represent youthful innocence.
·
They are one of the most fragrant flowers known
to exist.
·
Including hybrids and cultivated ones, there
over 1000 varieties in existence.
·
They are native to Eastern Europe and Asia. It
is believed they were brought to North America in the 17th century.
·
They’re at their most fragrant on a warm, summer
day.
·
There are annual lilac festivals in such places
as Rochester, New York, Calgary, Alberta, Warkworth, Ontario and Spokane
Washington.
Here’s something about lilacs that
you may not have known.
Have you ever thought about
picking up a fork and grabbing a mouthful of them? Well, someone has. The lilac
is, as it turns out, quite edible! A quick spin around the internet reveals
recipes for cookies, cakes, cream cheeses, salads, cold drinks, sorbet (a
frozen dessert), wine, bread spread and tea – all with lilacs as a principle
ingredient! There’s even a way to make candied lilacs!
I miss the weathered old lilac
tree that stood outside our family home. It may our yard one of the most
beautiful and fragrant all spring long. One year, after the blooms were all
gone and the leaves had thinned out a bit, we could even see the remains of a
nest high up in the branches.
It would seem we weren’t the only
ones who appreciated a beautiful lilac tree.
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