Potted Plants Going To Pot
UNITED STATES—It seems like such a waste that so many of the prettiest blooming plants are generally regarded as temporary. They are grown in the most synthetic of environments, forced into bloom, sold at their prime, and kept as potted plants just long enough to finish their bloom cycle. When their bloom deteriorates, they typically get discarded, or planted...
Nutty
UNITED STATES—"What are you doing?" Bridget asked Reed high in the mid-century moderne that offered stunning views of the city. The views and the minimalistic furniture showed you all you could get as a lawyer who investigates drilling rights, usually for the big boys and girls. They usually got what they wanted and there were a lot of tricky ways to...
Plant Physiology Can Be Deceiving
UNITED STATES—Many of us already understand that daisies, sunflowers, asters and all related flowers are composite flowers, which bloom as many tiny flowers clustered tightly together to form what appears to be significantly larger single flowers. Distended 'ray' florets around the edges imitate petals that other types of flowers are equipped with. It is like one stop shopping for...
Red Peppers Are The Best
UNITED STATES—I love all things spicy, but even I have my limits. I love the habanero pepper, but that is probably the hottest that I will ever go. On top of that, the ghost pepper which I have always been tempted to cook with scares me to the death. With that being said, most Americans are more familiar with...
Set In Our Nutty Ways
UNITED STATES—Reed Parker got hold of a mystery a few years ago on one of his trips. As a lawyer who ascertained the ownership of properties of interest to those who drilled for oil, or had already drilled for it eons ago and let the machinery rust, he retraced the same steps of many a childhood trip to Almond...
Exceptions To The Pruning Rules
UNITED STATES—Winter is the best time for major pruning of most plants. They do not mind it so much while they are dormant. However, there are exceptions. Winter pruning might be a bit too early for a few plants that are grown for their late winter or early spring bloom. It is best to wait until immediately after bloom...
Chicken, Pork, Beef, Fish Or Some Other Protein?
UNITED STATES—We’ve talked about the various elements when it comes to the Food Pyramid in previous weeks, except perhaps the one that salivates the taste buds for most Americas: meat or what many consider protein. I will admit the thought of being a vegetarian is something that I find quite tantalizing, however, the sacrifice to be a true vegan...
The Tangled Web Of Charity
UNITED STATES—It all seemed like a bad dream. Then his eyes blinked open and his phone was ringing. There was the voice of rather like Peter Lorre saying when will you be coming. Dallas girded his response with preternatural wakefulness and hearty cheer.
“Oh, I’m on my way.”
He had already been stolen from that pleasant cliff at the end of...
Pollarding And Coppicing Pruning Techniques
UNITED STATES—Just about any other arborist will say that pollarding and coppicing are wrong. These techniques ruin trees so that they can never develop into their natural form. Although restorative pruning after pollarding or coppicing is possible, it is usually more trouble than it is worth. However, no one can deny that properly pollarded and coppiced trees can live...
Deducting Cafe Society
UNITED STATES—Can the expenses incurred by a writer working at a café be written off on taxes? You bet if it qualifies as a business meeting, then it will qualify as a tax deductible expense.
This is the first year I’ve been getting receipts for my ritual morning expresso. Let me tell you evasion is the mother of tax evasion....