#Asian backyard. art glass

[shamardj]

Ideas for gravel landscaping in a medium-sized, Asian backyard.

[disorientedblog-archive]

Self Portrait on Paper

by Mika Obayashi / photos: the author

In Kochi Prefecture, I worked in the fields cutting grass, weeds, and thinning the kozo plants so they had ample room to grow before harvest in the winter. Each day I woke early to tend to these plants, and in the afternoon we made washi, Japanese paper. My instructor was Rogier Uitenboogaart, one of the most prominent papermakers in Japan. He was precise to the point of absurdity, but this is how good paper is made. Even something as simple as beating plant fiber to a pulp is prone to novice mistakes. “All papermakers have their own rhythm,” he told me as he took the wooden mallet from my hand and showed me his practiced, steady beating technique. 

That summer, I traveled to Japan, among various papermaking locations, stopping at art and cultural hubs in between. This was only my second trip to Japan despite being half Japanese. My father had come to the United States when he was in his twenties. Growing up, I watched him travel between the two countries visiting family when he could take time off of work. Only once – when I was four – did I have the opportunity to go with him. I was left with vague memories of the dense, green garden at my grandmother’s house, the cool tatami mats on which we slept, and a strong desire to return. 

We only spoke English at home, but my father carried his Japanese culture to the United States in other ways. He was a sushi chef, and my siblings and I grew up on a solid diet of Japanese cuisine. Our perception of the world developed along the line of the magical realms of Hayao Miyazaki movies he insisted we watch, rather than Disney princess films. The female heroines in Miyazaki’s movies always seemed to connect with nature on a profound level and as a child I tried to gain access to their magical worlds. I spent hours in my backyard constructing tiny houses from leaves and bark or molding small objects from clay dug straight from the ground. Between the branches of trees, or in the wet moss clinging to a stone, I felt a great depth of possibility: nature could hold far more power than beyond its physical beauty.

I continued to draw inspiration from nature -- sketching, painting, and sculpting through high school and college, where I took part in a student art exhibition at a nearby university. This was my first show at a gallery, and I was excited. A professor stopped to discuss my work, noting my very Japanese-sounding name. “You should enroll in my Japanese Papermaking class next fall, it’s full now but we can squeeze you in,” she told me. 

The next semester, I spent hours upon hours in the papermaking studio, often missing the last bus home. I found that my papermaking professor possessed the same sort of obsessive precision that seasoned craftspeople always seemed to possess, harshly critiquing the class’s flawed sheets and somehow always knowing precisely which step was botched in the process. It was as frightening as it was inspiring.

Our assigned class texts revealed that much of Japanese culture and ritual emphasizes natural simplicity; valuing humble, unpretentious beauty and a connectedness with nature. Washi-making is no different. Although this was my introduction to Japanese aesthetics and craft, I felt as though I had already read these texts before, and that they had been a part of my life ever since I was arranging small rocks in the backyard or admiring the subtle beauty of a weathered piece of sea glass as a child. I wanted to make good washi. Even more, I wanted to go to Japan to make good washi. I had only caught glimpses of Japanese culture while growing up but these glimpses revealed the range of possibilities open to me because of my ancestry. I was at once alienated and welcomed by my Asian heritage. I knew I had to go to Japan to learn more. 

Several months later, and thanks to a generous Amherst College fellowship, I was in the town of Otado, population: about 30, swatting away enormous spiders and coaxing flawed sheets of paper from a vat of water and pulp. Japan was full of vague familiarities: the taste of bonito flakes sprinkled atop a bowl of soba or the way my name slid so easily off the tongue of a native speaker.

In Otado, it rained for 10 days straight. The river swelled and the kitchen in the old farmhouse I lived in flooded with rainwater that had washed down from the mountains. I harvested some paper plants, stripped them of their outer bark, and cooked the inner bark in preparation for papermaking. After the inner bark had cooled, I cleaned and beat the material to a pulp. The paper I made from this bark—thin, brittle, and waxy to the touch—was arguably the worst paper I made during my stay in Japan. The branches I collected were slim and green, not ready for harvest, and any seasoned papermaker would not even bother with such poor quality material. But I was only in Japan for a short period of time and I wanted to follow the entire timeline of making a sheet of paper, from the harvesting the kozo plant straight from the ground, to drying a finished sheet—something I was not able to do back at the studio in the US. 

Rogier’s paper pulp-beating rhythm stuck in my head like a catchy song. whomp whomp WHOMP, whomp whomp WHOMP. I wondered how he had decided on this specific rhythm. He did not seem to be forcing the fibers apart in a strong act of domination over the material, rather, he seemed to guide them apart gently. whomp whomp WHOMP. With each strike was a sureness of movement demonstrated with a respect of the plant: A fine balance between personal conviction and awareness of the natural.

I could not have guessed, of all the things that could possibly bring me to my father’s homeland, that it would be something as simple as paper. It feels appropriate that an art relying on the same natural elements that composed my childhood would be what would draw me, so immediately and so closely, to a place that had been so far most of my life. As I guided sheets of washi into existence from the vat of water and pulp, I felt as though I was merely encouraging the plants to form a sheet of paper, rather than forcing them into shape. Guided with a gentle hand, nature can take a radically different, and beautiful form. My natural rhythm wavers between moments of acceptance and alienation, between the natural and manmade, between understanding and not. I bounce around in the space in between these supposed dichotomies and I cannot help but feel inspired by what I don’t yet know.

[apeironaxiomaton]

4, 8, 16, 40

4. I really want something older and distinctive, with a lot of windows and natural light. I love walking through older neighborhoods in my city with like Victorian-inspired houses and Craftsman-y bungalows--I’m not terribly particular about the style or period, it’s more that I long for any architecture that has personality after growing up in very 90s and 2010s suburbs. I would love a house with a tower and I’d love to use one of those circular rooms as a library--it’s very important to me that there’s enough space that I can have one room that’s a library. I’d love to have stained glass and like William Morris style wallpaper and art-nouveau touches. I really dream of having a long sunroom around a side of the house and have since I was a kid because my great aunt’s house has a layout like that--I could use it as a work/craft space or put a bunch of couches in it. I’d want a robust kitchen that has enough space to move around in and a pantry. I don’t want anything too large, because that just feels extravagant, unnecessary and like a hassle to clean, but I do want enough space to feel like it’s not just a box too. It would be fantastic to have the space for a garden that’s both ornamental and practical and if we’re really dreaming it would be lovely to have enough space for a little pond as well (I’m still enchanted by the time I went to a party at a house in the Avenues a friend was housesitting at that had a terraced backyard that you could follow down to duck pond).

8. I really like Greek food and the whole family of Asian cuisines--Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, bastardized American Chinese, Thai. I guess I’m also fond of Italian.

16. I don’t care for winter and snow at all, but the other three seasons where I’m at are really great, the fall especially.

40. I don’t think I’ve been alive long enough to have enough perspective to decide...I couldn’t tell you what age I’d like to be stuck at. whatever age it is before I start to get constant aches and pains I guess.

[starwritten]

*  / 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑙𝑙   𝑜𝑢𝑡   your   url   with   song   titles   and   𝑡𝑎𝑔   10 (   or    more   )  people   !! PLEASE REPOST, DON’T REBLOG!

sukie in the graveyard - belle & sebastian ; sukie was a kid  /  who liked to hang out in the art school  /  she didn’t enroll, but she wiped the floor with all the assholes

to noise making - hozier ; remember when you’d sing  /  just for the fuck of it  /  and any joy it would bring?

atlas: mind - sleeping at last ; patterns form and feel important  /  it’s the first brushstroke of a self-portrait

rich kids - new medicine ; i’m not a rich kid, maybe that’s a good thing  /  ain’t got shit, but i got this far

wasteland, baby! - hozier ; like the holding of hands  /  like the breaking of glass

rock and roll thugs - icon for hire ; bury my body in the backyard  /  when you’re not looking, i’ll go dig myself up

idon’twannabeyouanymore - billie eilish ; if ‘i love you’ was a promise  /  would you break it, if you’re honest?

third gender - good asian driver ; sometimes, my gender is ‘boy who looks like a girl who likes boys.’ sometimes, my gender is trans, and sometimes, my gender is chilling out in between but most times, my gender is ‘fuck you, mind your own business!’

they / them / theirs - worriers what if i don’t want something that applies to me? what if there’s no better word than just not saying anything, anything?

everything i wanted - billie eilish ; thought i could fly  /  so i stepped off the golden

nfwmb - hozier ; give your heart and soul to charity  /  ‘cause the rest of you, the best of you  /  honey, belongs to me

Tagged by: @grimesucker ty ily

Tagging: @goldgliitters  /  @savedgames  /  @martyrbot​  /  @enforzer  /  @roadhook  /  aaand you!

[sprnklersplashes]

burning the memories

AO3

On a trip to visit her grandparents and Aunt Veronica in Ohio, Janis comes across her Aunt's high school memories and learns more about her than she thought she could. Veronica's past comes back to haunt her and she realises she can't outrun it unless she lets it go.

Words: 7k

(Set in a universe where Veronica is Janis’ aunt)

Janis is convinced her Aunt Veronica is the coolest person on the planet. From living on her own with her two cats in her New York apartment to being a kick ass social worker to somehow always knowing exactly what Janis wants every birthday and Christmas, there is no one like her. Her style still seems stuck in the 1980s; she’s almost always wearing a blue blazer and a skirt but she makes it work. She still turns heads and despite a few flings with men and women here and there, she doesn’t seem to want to commit to anyone. She just flies above it all, not caring about what anyone else has to say, stating simply that she ran out of fucks to give in 1989.

So of course, when her mom proposes that they go to his childhood home in Ohio during the summer to meet up with her and her grandparents, Janis has her suitcase half-packed. Aunt Veronica is the one thing that can make these reunion trips worth it. It’s worth the four hour drive in her dad’s car and people asking if she has a boyfriend yet and having that awkward conversation (how many times can people “forget” that she’s a lesbian?), casting eyes at the tips of her hair and her clothes and fake nails and heavy make-up, the rolling eyes and fake smiles when Janis tells them about her plans to study art. She has to fight the urge to flip them off until she can get home and vent everything to Veronica in private over coffee.

They get into her grandparents’ place first, with her grandma remarking how much she’s grown and asking about school and giving her cookies and her grandpa handing her a ten dollar bill and asking if she’s keeping her hair like that and mentioning how her outfit (graphic tee shirt, ripped black shorts, fishnet tights and an oversized blue shirt) is very creative.

“Creative is one word for it,” a voice says from behind the stairs. She turns and sees a thin, dark haired woman in a blue blazer and grey skinny jeans leaning on the banister, smirking.

“Aunt Veronica!” Janis laughs, running up for a hug.

“You got tall,” she remarks, throwing her arms around her and squeezing her tightly. “Though that might the boots.”

Within half an hour they’re all sitting around the kitchen table. It’s more cramped now than it probably was when her mom and Aunt Veronica were living there, but her grandpa insists on sitting on the armchair in the corner to make room.

“So Janis how’s school?” her grandma asks, pushing her pasta bake around on her plate.

“Fine,” she says. “I won a prize at this art expo.”

“Oh my god, Janis, that’s awesome!” Veronica says, nudging her with her elbow. “What was it?”

“It was this portrait I did of me and Damian and Cady,” she explains. “Cady’s new, she just joined this year.”

“She moved there from Kenya, right Jan?” her dad adds, refilling his glass of Coke. “Janis stepped in to help show her the ropes.”

“Well that was sweet of you,” her grandpa remarks from the chair.

“What brought her from Kenya to Illinois?” Veronica asks, snickering slightly.

“She said her parents were researcher zoologists until they lost their funding,” she explains. “But yeah, Cady’s pretty cool. I mean, she’s a little weird, but she’s awesome.”

“And… how is Damian?” her grandma asks, twirling her fork around, and Janis suppresses the urge to groan.

“Damian’s great, Grandma,” she says patiently. “He just started dating this boy from his drama club, so that’s great.” Beside her, she swears Veronica laughs before disguising it with a drink.

“And what about you, Janis? Any girls making your head turn?” she asks, looking over at her grandma.

Coolest. Woman. Alive.

“Not really,” she says, looking down at her plate. No girls had really caught her eye-except for the girl Damian took to calling ‘Danny DeVito girl’ after that one episode in the bathroom, but she knew her name was Gianna. Still, she barely sees her outside of history class.

“Oh, Ronnie, before I forget,” her grandma said. “We found a bunch of your old high school stuff in your old room. It was all boxed up, we didn’t know what you want done with it. It must have been left here when you moved out.”

“Oh, thanks,” Veronica says. “I’ll take a look at it tomorrow.” She stays quiet for the rest of the meal, making small, three word comments on whatever comes up in conversation, even about her own job, which is weird, as well as supremely disappointing. There’s few things Janis loves more than hearing about how she took another kid off shithole parents, and Veronica loves talking about it. Still, she shakes off whatever was bothering her when the apple pie is rolled out, sliding second helpings onto Janis’ plate when no-one’s looking.

“You know,” Veronica says in a low voice while the rest of the adults are stuck in conversation about the traffic on the way up. “If you don’t have any plans this summer… maybe you could come up to New York for a bit?”

“Are you serious?” Janis asks, feeling her heart begin to pound.

“Sure,” she says. “I know there’s art galleries around where I live that you’d love, and I’d get some quality time with my favourite niece.”

“Your only niece,” she reminds her, but she can’t supress the smile on her face. If she were Cady, she’d probably start squealing. “Thank you, Aunt Veronica!”

“Let me talk it over with your parents first,” she reminds her, placing her hand over hers and draining her glass.

“You’re the coolest person here,” Janis says, and Veronica blushes, laughing. “When and how did you get to be so cool?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she says, her voice quiet.

Janis leans on the doorframe of her Aunt Veronica’s old room, having snuck away from the brunch discussions of what their neighbours were growing in their garden. She knocks on the wood, holding a plate of French toast, fried eggs and bacon in one hand. Veronica looks up from the box sitting on her bed. The bed is covered with all sorts; photos, books, clothes, all from her aunt’s high school years.

“I come with gifts,” Janis says, waving the plate in front of her. “You wouldn’t want to miss Grandma’s French toast, would you?”

“Of course not,” she says, taking the plate from her with a grateful smile.

“Is it cool if I hang here?” Janis asks, sitting on the bed like the question was already answered. “I’ll go insane if I spend any more time down there.”

“Sure, kid,” she says, placing the plate on her nightstand and taking a piece of bacon in her hand. There’s something in her face, how her smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes, how her eyes look kind of… well, scared. “Feel free to check out the Westerburg High memorabilia.”

Janis picks up a pile of polaroids and starts looking through them.

“You know these are back in fashion now,” she remarks, waving the photos. “This girl… my friend Karen, she loves them.” It’s odd, referring to the Plastics as “friends” now that they’ve disbanded. She’ll never in her life refer to Regina as one, but Gretchen’s not too bad and Karen is actually kind of fun, in a lost kitten kind of way that makes Janis want to protect her for the rest of her life. “Is this you?” The girl in the photo has to be Veronica, same cheekbones and wild dark hair and brown eyes and cheesy, wide smile (Janis kind of feels like she’s looking in a mirror), but she looks way different. She’s wearing a long red dress and denim jacket, a far cry from what she wears now. She looks like she didn’t even look in the mirror before leaving the house.

“Yeah, that’s me. March 1989,” she reads. “I was a junior.” She chuckles under her breath. “God you’re the spitting image of me at that age. I think that was my best friend Martha’s 17th birthday.” She points at the other girl in the photo, dark haired with glasses and a pink sweatshirt. “Yeah, she was my best friend from diapers.”

“What’s she doing now?”

“Kindergarten teacher up here,” she says with a soft smile. “Martha loves Sherwood so much she couldn’t leave if she tried. We’re still close though.” Janis hums and continues looking through them, finding more photos of Veronica and her friend Martha, sitting at school, in the park, in what she guesses is Martha’s room, all while Veronica keeps looking through the other stuff.

Suddenly, she finds one in which her aunt seems to have done a complete metamorphosis. Gone is the frumpy, slightly too big clothes of the ones before, in this one she’s in a fitted blue blazer and grey miniskirt, her eyelids blue and lips red, standing in someone’s backyard with a croquet mallet on her shoulder with three other girls; a tall, blonde girl in a red blazer and shoulder pads, a bright red scrunchie in her hair and a smirk that echoes Regina George on her face, a smaller blonde girl in yellow whose hair is in curls and an Asian girl in green with her hair pinned back. They’re all wearing the same style of all-American preppy blazers and miniskirts, and all have croquet mallets matching the colour of their clothes. While they all stand in a cluster, Veronica distances herself slightly from them, but still leaning in and still smiling at the camera. Along the bottom, someone wrote ‘Heather, Heather, Heather and Veronica-September 12th, 1989’.

“Woah, Aunt V,” she remarks. “What happened in September 1989?”

“What?” Veronica asks hastily. She comes over and looks at the photo in Janis’ hands and her face turns red.

“Aunt V?”

“It’s fine,” she says, not clarifying what ‘it’ is. “For a while… I was friends with some popular girls.”

“You were a plastic?” she asks in disbelief. No way. She refuses to believe that Veronica was ever a Regina George.

“Plastic?” she repeats, wrinkling her nose.

“It’s what we called this trio of megabitches in my school,” Janis explains. “Gretchen, Karen, and Regina George at the centre of it all.”

“Oh, that bitch Regina,” Veronica says. When her life fell apart after the “space dyke” incident, it was Veronica who had sped like crazy down the freeway to Illinois and took her out for ice cream and movies until she could smile again. She had even offered to pay for her to go to a private school in New York when her parents pulled her out. She could never be a Regina George. “We called them the Heathers. There was Heather Duke…” She points at the green one. “Heather MacNamara…” The yellow one. “And… Heather Chandler.” Her finger lands on the red one. She takes in a deep breath.

“I take it Chandler was your Regina,” she says. “Why were they all called Heather?”

“Universe is weird like that,” she answers off handedly. She’s staring at the photo so intensely she might burn a hole through it.

“Aunt V… you okay?” she asks.

“Fine,” she says, shaking her head. “We weren’t friends for that long anyway. We were at this homecoming party and they wanted to do this really bitchy thing to my friend. So….” She twirls a lock of hair around her finger. “I puked on Chandler and told her to lick it up.”

“Oh my God!” Janis laughs. “You’re such a badass, Aunt V!” Veronica chuckles and shakes her head. She looks around at the stuff around her, two cardboard boxes worth of high school memories.

“I’m going to get some trash bags. At least half of this stuff I want to throw out.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s just junk now,” she says. “Be right back.” She runs out the door, her footsteps fading as she went down the hall. Janis keeps flicking through the photos, mainly ones of her and the Heathers.

The she finds another one. Veronica, still in the “popular girl” look, sitting on a wall, staring up at the sky, laughing. Then the next one, a dark-haired, brown-eyed boy is on the wall with her. The camera is so close that he must be holding it. The old school selfie. His arm is around her and the other holds the camera. She rests her chin on his shoulder, her smile easy and open, her eyes sparkling. The boy is smiling too. The writing on the bottom reads “September 30th, 1989, Our Love Is God”. The next one is them cuddling, him standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her, kissing the back of her head while she laughs. Someone else must have taken it for them or they set it on a timer. “October 3rd, 1989, You’re in my heart like a Madonna on a pedestal.” And another one of Veronica standing against a brick wall, her hands flat against the wall and one foot leaning against it “October 10th, 1989, We love the things we love for what they are”. And another of the boy, who clearly doesn’t know he’s having his photo taken, drinking a red slushie. “October 15th, 1989, JD doesn’t know I’m taking a picture and still looks good”.

“Holy shit, Aunt V,” Janis mutters. Who knew she had a thing for bad boys? She flicks through more photos, all of her and Mysterious Trench Coat Kid (JD, she assumes), until she finds herself back at the start. She puts the pile down and keeps sorting through stuff, finding a yearbook and older class notebooks and a small, black book with 1989 written on the spine in gold lettering.

Holy shit. Her diary.

She looks over at the door and back at the book. She knows it’s wrong. She knows she shouldn’t look through her aunt’s private stuff. But then again, it’s from 1989, what could she have done as a teenager that she’s so scared of people finding out? And… Okay, she really just wants to know who the mysterious JD was.

“September 1st, 1989, Dear Diary,

I believe I’m a good person, you know I think that there’s good in everyone, but here we are, first day of senior year. And I look around at these kids I’ve known all my life and ask myself…. What happened?....”

“September 22nd, 1989, Dear Diary

It’s been three weeks since I became friends with the Heathers. Well, friends isn’t exactly the right word. It’s like the Heathers are people who I work with and our job is being popular and shit.”

“Still September 22nd, 1989, Dear Diary,

Why when you see boys fight does it look so horrible, but feel so right? I shouldn’t watch this crap, that’s not who I am, but with Mr No Name Kid here… damn.”

“October 2nd, 1989, Dear Diary,

JD’s dad will not be speaking at our wedding.”

Holy shit, she thinks. Wedding? She was planning a wedding already? Calm down there, Aunt Veronica. So JD. It had to have been a nickname. It suits the boy she sees in the photo-the rebellious bad boy apparently sweeping her off her feet. She imagines some sort of Bonnie and Clyde style love affair, or a Romeo and Juliet whirlwind where Veronica’s dad had been desperate to keep his squeaky clean girl away from the troublemaker?

She hears her footsteps in the hall and quickly closes the book, dropping it back in the box. Aunt Veronica comes back in with two trash bags in one hand and a coffee mug in the other.

“Sorry, got sidetracked by coffee, although I did bring you a cookie,” she says, handing her over one.

“Thanks,” she says, taking a bite out of it while Veronica starts tossing bits and pieces into one of the bags. “So… who’s JD?”

Something changes in her. Janis expected her to blush or laugh off the bad boy she seemingly had a little affair with as a teenager; instead the bag falls from her hand, her eyes look up at her, wide and fearful, her breathing gets faster, her face paler. She looks so much younger now, like the seventeen year old she saw in the photos.

“JD?” she repeats weakly. “Where… how did you hear about JD?”

“I found some pictures of you and him.” She slides her hands into her back pockets, regret pounding in her chest. Veronica picks up the photos and Janis can see them shaking in her hands. She feels like she opened up Pandora’s Box, unleashing all the terrors inside. Another terror sits heavily in her chest, fighting its way up her throat and out of her mouth almost against her will. She could never keep stuff from Veronica. “And… I may have peaked in your old diary.”

“My diary?” she asks sharply. “My 1989 diary? You looked in there?” Her voice gets more frantic and Janis gets more scared and even more guilty. She can feel her ‘favourite niece’ status slipping away.

“I know, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have looked in there!” she apologises. “I’m sorry, Aunt V.”

“What did you read in it?” she asks. If Janis didn’t know better, she’d have sworn she was scared. No, she is beyond scared. Terrified is a more accurate term. Veronica looks like she’s struggling to catch her breath, her fists curling and uncurling. “Janis I need to know; what did you read in it?”

“Nothing important,” she says. “Just… like the stuff about the people in your senior year and the Heathers were people you worked with and how JD’s dad wasn’t going to be speaking at your wedding!” She feels her lip begin to tremble and she swears to herself she won’t cry. “I’m sorry, Aunt Veronica, I know I shouldn’t have look in it.”

Veronica sighs and lowers herself on to the bed, burying her face in her hands.

“It’s okay,” she says. “It’s okay, Janis. I’m sorry I got so worked up.” She pulls Janis’ hand and gets to her sit down next to her. She lets out a breath and laughs slightly, running a hand through her hair. “JD was my boyfriend in senior year.”

“That much I gathered,” she jokes. “I mean…Our Love Is God isn’t something you’d say to your friends.”

“He said all kinds of stuff like that,” she tells her. She pulls her jacket tighter around herself, her eyes filling with tears. Janis puts an arm around her.

“It ended badly?” she asks softly. Veronica stays quiet, looking at her hands.

“He killed himself,” she whispers after a while.

“Shit,” Janis says. “Aunt Veronica, I’m so sorry.” Veronica threads her fingers in Janis’.

“Kid, it was nearly 30 years ago,” she says. “I’m not… I’m not over it but, I guess I moved on.” She reaches over with her free hand and takes the pile of photos, looking at the one of him and her at the 7/11. “And yeah… it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows when he was alive. His dad was an ass, for starters. He messed JD up pretty bad. And that’s…” She wipes tears away from her eyes and Janis’ heart breaks. She wishes she’d never looked at the damn photos. “I guess that’s why I try so hard now. Try to take kids off bad dads like that. Stop future JDs in their tracks.”

“Aunt V,” Janis protests. “You know it’s not your job to stop people, right? If people are bad, then they’re bad.”

“I know,” she says. “I just never stopped thinking what if his dad had been good? Or if someone had looked out for him.” Janis wants to shake her head and tell her that his problems don’t matter if he hurt her (and she can tell that he did) but she keeps her mouth shut. “I’m sorry for getting mad, Jan. And for unloading all of this on you.”

“It’s fine,” she says. “I’m sorry I read your diary.” Veronica shakes her head and pulls her into a hug.

“You know, you’re the only one in this family who knows he was my boyfriend?” she asks. “My mom and dad thought that we were just friends and your mom was away at college while it was all going down.” Janis smiles, feeling small sense of pride amongst all her guilt. Sharing a secret with her aunt, even if it’s about her bad boy former flame. Though she does wonder how her grandparents missed the fact that they were more than friends.

She knows there’s more she’s not telling, and she’s more than okay with that. First things first, she knows she doesn’t want to know exactly what went down between them. She’s not sure she can stomach the details. And she knows that it’s probably better if Aunt Veronica keeps them to herself.

By Veronica’s count, it’s been twenty one years since her last JD related nightmare. Her and her partner Anna had just started getting serious, and Anna was staying over at her house. That night, while curled up next to her, Veronica had dreamed about Anna pounding on her closet door while she barricaded herself inside, telling her about after and destiny and how they were meant to be together, the words “meant to be yours” being repeated over and over again until the voice turned into something different. Into him.

She had woken up screaming and she broke up with Anna the next week.

Still, after that episode, she went twenty one years nightmare free.

Until she bolted up in bed at 2:30 am, muffling her scream with her hands, an old trick she learned in college, feeling her heart in a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

She had dreamed about him blowing himself up again up again, except this time he was taking her down with him. She still feels her arms wrapped around him, the bomb digging into her chest, her fingers fisting in his coat as he tells her again “I worship you” and she just numbly nods, Heather Chandler pressing against her, whispering “see you in Hell, biotch” just before the bomb goes off and rips her to pieces.

After senior year, she had stashed everything into a box and hid it under a pile of other stuff in her room, hoping to never have to look at it again. She had almost forgotten about everything that was in there. It’s everything she wishes she could erase from her memory about her time in high school. Everything she regrets and misses the most.

She kicks the blankets off her, feeling suffocated by them, and looks at the bags of trash filled with all her high school memories. She had just wanted to get rid of all of it, clean the slate, to use JD’s turn of phrase, act like those months had never existed, but now she’s not so sure.

She gets up and opens one, looking at its contents from the lamp on her bedside table. She still can’t sleep in the dark, even now. Inside there’s her old notebooks and clothes that haven’t fit since she was a teenager and her old yearbook. She pulls out the yearbook, running her finger down the spine. She somehow opens it to the last page she wants to see; “In Memory Of Heather Chandler”. Heather’s photo beams out from the middle of the double page, all red lipstick and blonde curls. Words from students crowd around it “Always In Our Hearts”, “Rest In Power Heather”, “Drinking Rum and Coke With The Angels” (because there’s plenty of that in Heaven), “I’m Sorry I Didn’t Know” “You Deserved Better” (well maybe that’s not an unfair statement). And pride of place, close as possible to her picture “Best Friends Forever-Heather M” and “Miss You Forever-Heather D”.

She turns the page and finds Kurt and Ram’s memorial page, adorned with rainbows. She bites her lip as tears well in her eyes. More messages from the students are scattered around the page, promises to make the world a better place, to stamp out bigotry and prejudice. Apparently their dads did that until the day they died.

When she turns the page, there’s one more memorial page; Jason Dean. It’s blindingly different from the other two. One picture of him in the middle, God knows where they got it because it wasn’t taken at school. A little blurb explaining how he came into the school in September and died in November during the pep rally. The official explanation was that he had killed himself during the rally by blowing himself up in the football field.

Veronica had forged a pretty great note for it.

Hardly anyone had any words to say about him, though a couple of well-intentioned kids on the yearbook committee added some. “I Wish I’d Known Him” (trust me, she had thought when she first read it, you don’t), “Rest In Peace, Jason”, “Your Time With Us Was Short But Wonderful”. In the corner, there’s her handwriting, “I wish you’d stayed around a little longer”, then scribbled out so violently the page tore. She wishes a lot of things, but not that he had stayed around. Not in the way he was anyway.

She puts the yearbook aside and keeps looking through it, finding an old videotape. No title, except a white label with “Halloween, 1989” written in her handwriting. She wracks her brain for what happened then, and she draws a blank. Thankfully, her old TV and video player are still in her room, so she pulls them both onto the floor with her and slides it in, turning the volume low enough so that only she can hear it.

The picture comes into view and it’s her, wearing a long sleeved black minidress and tights and a pair of cat ears, raising her eyebrows and laughing, putting candy into a large orange bowl decorated with black cats and spiderwebs.

“Are you filming this right now?” the 1989 version of her asks.

“Yeah of course,” JD replies, taking a step closer. “Look at this folks, pure Halloween commitment right here.” The camera zooms in on her dress, on her cat ears, the whiskers drawn onto her unimpressed face with eyeliner.

Her heart stops at the sound of his voice. He sounds so different to what she remembers. His voice is higher, softer. He doesn’t sound like he does in her nightmares. He doesn’t sound like the kind of person who would storm into her room, tell her he wanted to kill her, tell her he was blowing up the school. He doesn’t sound broken or damaged. He sounds normal, happy, relaxed and it cuts her deep.

“Oh, okay,” the younger version of her says. “Now, look at this.” The picture shakes as the past version of her tries to take the camera off him while he makes tiny noises of protest. “No, give it, give me the camera.” Her voice is high pitched and nearly whiny, but she’s laughing, the same loud, dumb laugh she always used as a teenager. She used to complain to him about it and he assured her he loved the sound of her laugh.

“Or what?” he replies.

“Or you don’t get candy,” she teases.

A different fight plays out in the back of her mind, when they fought over something much more sinister. The two teenagers in the video didn’t deserve that. They didn’t know how it would all play out. The girl didn’t know the monster she was creating. The boy didn’t know just how broken he really was.

The younger Veronica wrestles the camera off JD with a triumphant laugh and turns it on him, snickering.

Her breath catches at the sight of him. He’s just like he is in the photos, except he’s moving. He’s more alive, laughing and twirling to show off his full costume. He’s even discarded his trench coat, she can see it sitting on the couch behind him, instead wearing a puffy white shirt and leather pants and an eye patch of all things.

“He’s a sexy pirate,” past her sings, zooming in on him. He leans against the wall dramatically and pouts at her, making her laugh.

“I’m a regular pirate,” he corrects her. “I just happen to always be sexy.” She laughs again, the camera tilting slightly like she’s leaning back.

“Yeah you are,” she agrees. The camera is place on the counter and she goes over to him, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him. He wraps his arms around her, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. She moans as he pulls her closer, getting rid of whatever space there was between them. Her hands get caught up in his hair while his trail on her legs, but never lifting her skirt.

It always got heated between them. Simple goodbye kisses turning into him letting her push him up against the wall and tongues and teeth clashing while hands were running along waistlines and through hair. He always let her take the lead, set her pace, be in control. It used to make her feel empowered. Having him underneath her, being willing to do anything she wanted, to obey her wishes. She never took it too far, asked if he was okay with it too, and he always was, looking at her with wide eyes and nodding enthusiastically.

She wonders now how much of it was real and how much was just him letting her get comfortable with him. Comfortable enough to be clay in his hands. It’s all so confusing to her know, love or infatuation, how much of her memories are viewed through the rose coloured lens she uses to make it hurt less, was he broken and damaged or just bad?

“Okay,” the younger Veronica breaks away, sounding breathless. “Movie time.” JD joins their hands as she lifts the bowl from the counter. Her eyes fall on the camera and realisation dawns on her. “Shit!”

“What?”

“We left the camera on,” she laughs, burying her face in the crook of his neck. “Oh we filmed that!”

“Oh my God,” he replies, laughing too. “Oh my God we filmed that. We filmed us making out.”

“Do not even talk about that,” she laughs.

“It’s your camera, right?” he asks as he wraps his arms around her. “So your parents will never see it?”

“They might!” she squeaks, wriggling out of his arms. “Okay, go get the popcorn started, I’m going to turn this off.”

Her face fills the camera as she lifts it, still laughing. Still young. Not too many scars.

“Sex tape!” JD whispers in the background, and she laughs harder.

“JD I swear to God-”

The picture changes and they’re in her living room. JD holds the camera, tilted at an angle so a sleeping Veronica is visible, curled up and using JD as a pillow. He’s smiling, open, earnest. His arm is around her and he kissed her forehead gently. She murmurs and snuggles closer to him. The way he looks at her can only really be described as reverence. Like she’s the Virgin Mary and he’s the most devout follower there is.

“Hello, person who is watching this tape,” he whispers. “Probably in the year 2127, when we’re all dead. You might notice this, but Veronica Sawyer is currently asleep on top of me. It is 1am here in Sherwood, Ohio and she fell asleep on my shoulder.” He runs his fingertips up and down her back, losing himself in thought for a moment. “If you’re in the future you probably never got to know her. Which is sad for you, really, because she’s the best damn thing humanity has to offer. And nothing that comes after her will really compare. And I am in love with her. I will love her until I die and even after that, I’m going to keep loving her.” Veronica shifts in her sleep and JD looks worried for a moment, but she just stretches her arm across his chest and settles down again. His face breaks out into a smile once more. “She’s the only thing that’s good in this world. I’m going to turn the camera off now so I don’t wake her up.”

The picture turns to black and he’s gone.

Veronica presses her hands to her mouth to muffle the sound of her crying.

This shouldn’t be happening. This was nearly 30 years ago. While she couldn’t get help with everything, she got counselling after JD’s death. She shouldn’t be sitting on the floor of her childhood bedroom, trying not to cry over a 29 year old video. She shouldn’t be falling back in love with a dead man, let alone a dead man who made her life hell for years and is the reason she flinches away from love even now, a man who was terrible and wanted to kill people and she shouldn’t even be thinking about because he’s been dead for nearly 30 years.

She’s reopened all her old wounds. All it took was one look from him and she’s back where she began.

Stupid heart. Holding onto someone who shouldn’t be allowed in there anymore. She used to think it would be better if she could just rip it out and stop herself from feeling anything again. But then she met people and made friends and reconnected with old ones and then Janis was born and took her heart in her tiny little baby hands. She would never stop herself from feeling all that. Even if it means she has to feel all of this too, the ugly and painful side of loving someone.

She keeps crying as she looks through the rest of the bag, Her fingers brush against something hard and she tenses. Her diary.

She kicks herself for keeping it. Putting aside every painful thing she put in here, it’s evidence. When Janis said that she’d gone through it, her heart had stopped and she had felt the world around her crumble. She only got as far as her first meeting with JD’s dad. But just one page later she wrote “Dear Diary…. Technically I didn’t kill Heather Chandler, I know that, but I still feel bad. But not as bad as I should. And that makes me feel even worse.”  And then just two pages after that is the amazing line “Dear Diary, my teen angst bullshit has a body count”.

The most incriminating lines she could have written.

Janis thinks she’s the coolest person alive. Wonder how she’d feel about her after knowing that she’d murdered three people.

“Not you,” JD had told her. She supposes he’s right. But she doesn’t like saying that she was just an unwilling accomplice. She handed Heather Chandler the mug of drain cleaner, she shot at Kurt, she let JD shoot Ram. She fell for the “Ich Luge bullets” lie. Their blood is on her hands just as much as it was his. She doesn’t know if she believes in Heaven or Hell any more, but she knows that if there is a Hell, then she’ll burn for that.

And besides, in the mortal world, accomplices still do jail time.

She knows what she has to do. She’s just far too scared to do it.

It’s still pitch black outside when she sneaks out of the house, key in the pocket of the coat she wears over her pyjamas. She keeps the diary clutched to her chest as she makes her way down her old street to the one place she’s sure no one will suspect her of going.

Westerburg High stands just as imposing as it ever did before her, locked behind an iron fence. She started her senior year desperate to leave it then two months later she was risking everything to save it.

And where was her damn gratitude?

After the news broke about JD, things changed for her. People gave her sad eyes as they passed in the hallway, whispers of “I’m so sorry” and “if you need anything, I’m here” and teachers offering support and then the newspaper offering her an interview.

Still, she finally saw the hierarchy fall. Heather Mac started eating lunch with her and Martha and, seeing that she can’t exactly lead a clique of one person, so did Heather Duke, eventually. Heathers and Marthas sitting at a table together. Heaven on Earth. Checkmate, JD.  MacNamara and Martha even dated until their second year of college. People stopped hating each other and it became beautiful.

Janis says that the same thing happened in her school. Her little jungle friend Cady broke the dance queen’s crown and shared it and told everyone they were beautiful. Now she’s braiding the former popular girl’s hair like it’s nothing. Everyone sits where they want and there’s no cliques or rumours or stupid bitchy girl fights. No one is afraid, all because one cute little mathlete made a speech. And yet for her school to get to that same kind of peace, she had to steal a scrunchie and four people had to die.

Outside the school fence, she finds an empty trash can, just like she hoped she would. She takes a look around the deserted street. No one’s around to see her. She’s completely alone and yet she still feels like all eyes are on her. Street lights glare down on her like an interrogation and she feels eyes on her back, even though she doesn’t see anyone when she turns around. She flips up the hood of her jacket, pulling it over her face.

She pulls the diary out of her pocket and drops it in the empty trash can, flinching at the sound it makes. It must be louder in her mind. Her shaking hand lifts out the matches. It takes longer than she would have liked to get them to light; her hands are trembling so badly she drops a few before she can get them to the matchbook, and others she can’t seem to strike hard enough.

The ground is littered with matches rolling in the light breeze when she finally gets one to work properly. The flame dances in front of her eyes, bright against the darkness of everything that surrounds her. She looks down at the diary, lying dead, almost invisible at the bottom of the trash can. It has every good memory of her time with JD, every time he made her laugh, every time he made her smile, details about what she felt when he kissed her. But it also has evidence and that’s a risk she can’t afford to take.

She lets the match fall from her hand and set the book ablaze.

“No!” she yells immediately after watching it start to burn. She presses her hands to her mouth because she knows that if she doesn’t do something she’ll reach in and try to grab it out.

She feels like she’s burning him. Like she’s seventeen again and back on the football field watching him explode, feeling her heart get torn apart while her soul and conscience are knitted back together. Simultaneously finding it hard to breathe and being able to for the first time in weeks. Saying goodbye to the worst and best thing to happen to her. She's burning every good memory she had of him and wonders if she'll forget if she doesn't have it to look back on. Does she even want to remember it now? Maybe she shouldn't, but she does. She wants to remember the good but also the bad. The bad reminds her why she keeps going and keeps fighting now.

She stays watching it, silently sobbing until the fire burns out and it’s nothing more but a pile of ash at the bottom.

Her clock reads 3:45am when she gets back into her room, climbing in through her window, nearly falling over the empty trash bag. As quietly as she can, she moves her TV back to where it was and takes the video out of it. She kneels next to the trashbag and fishes out the pack of photos. She had wanted to get rid of them, act like that year never happened. But she’s never going to forget him, no matter what she does. He’s burned into her mind whether she likes it or not.

She places the photos and videotape on her shelf and reties the bag. Maybe if that’s all she has of him, she can pretend he was something else.

After waking up at 11 the next morning and missing breakfast, Veronica decides to take Janis out for pancakes and coffee in town.

“Late night, Aunt V?” she asks, watching Veronica down another coffee.

“Yeah,” she admits, pushing her hair out of her eyes. She predicts she’ll crash out at 9pm at the latest tonight. “Just… looking through some old stuff. Kept me up.”

“Some old high school stuff?” Janis asks quietly, her shoulders hunching. She looks small and it doesn’t suit her. Ever since Janis could walk she’s been unapologetic about how loud she is and how much space she takes up. Even though the Regina incident knocked her down, all she did the next year was come back louder and bigger. She doesn’t look at Veronica, keeping her eyes on her half-constructed pancake house.

“Yeah,” she says. “I found some more stuff of when I was with JD.”

“Aunt Veronica, I’m really sorry,” she says. “That I brought him up. I know he can’t be easy to talk about.”

“Jan, it’s okay,” she assures her. “I’m actually, weirdly kind of glad you did. I just sort of needed that kind of release, I guess. I needed to remember him.” Janis nods, but the confusion is visible on her face. “It’s complicated.”

“Are you going to be okay?” she asks. Veronica smiles and takes her hand.

“I’ve been okay for the past 29 years, Jan,” she explains. “And besides, you don’t need to worry about me. It’s my job to worry about you. You’re the kid here.”

“I’m seventeen,” Janis corrects her. Veronica nods. Seventeen’s a fun age. She felt so grown up when it started and then everything happened and all she needed was someone to hold her.

“That’s not as old as you think it is,” she tells her. “Go be seventeen. Go do dumb stuff and don’t worry about me. Trust me, you’ll have plenty of time for all that later.”

“How do you know all that stuff?” she asks. “How do you know what to say?”

“Easy,” she answers, taking another sip of her coffee. “I just say what I wish adults had said to me at that age.”

[rinnnyxr]

Things I’ve done in the last week: Studied for more than nine hours in a single day. Eaten fast food more than once. Taken an exam. Slept in until midday. Struggled to get to sleep at night. Watched a film for the first time. Drunk a lot of coffee. Made microwave popcorn. Been on the phone past midnight. Sent over 200 text messages in a day. Discovered a new band. Fallen asleep in the middle of a revision. Watched TV for several hours straight. Been completely and utterly fed up. Thrown something across the room. Hugged more than five people.

Things I’ve done in the last month:

Slept over at a friend’s house. Ended a relationship. Finished a book. Had a massive argument with someone. Cried myself to sleep. Pulled an all-nighter. Gotten a new piercing. Had pretty bad sunburn. Eaten a lot of ice cream. Gone clubbing. Walked around in the rain. Had someone of the opposite sex sleep over. Gone grocery shopping. Visited the zoo. Gone to the doctors. Had tonsilitis/strep throat. Broken my laptop. Smashed a glass. Burnt some food in the oven. Been given flowers. Laid in the grass and stared at the sky. Been to the movies.

Things I’ve done since the beginning of 2020: Had sex. Started taking anti-depressants. Started taking anxiety meds. Dyed my hair. Rearranged my room. Bought over 20 new DVD’s. Met up with an old friend. Had a BBQ. Played in the snow. Cried over exam stress. Gone to somewhere completely new. Made some new friends. Gone to sleep as the sun came up. Downloaded new movies and TV shows. Re-discovered some old favorites.

Things I’d like to do before 2020 ends: Get my driving license. Get another piercing. Dye my hair a completely new color. Got a full-time job. Go and see a show on Broadway. Go to another county. Get therapy for my depression. Get a new double bed. Go somewhere completely new with friends. Go on a road trip. Travel to a theme park. Visit a local safari park. Start keeping fit again. Take up a new hobby.

-

BRITISH

[ ] you drink a lot of tea.

[ ] you know what a brolly is.

[ ] deal or no deal has taken over your life.

[ ] you wanted ben to win the x-factor.

[ ] you use the word “bugger” or the phrase “bloody hell.”

[ ] fish and chips are yummy.

[ ] you can eat a full English breakfast.

[ ] you dislike emos almost as much as you dislike chavs.

[ ] it’s football… not soccer.

total: 3

AUSTRALIAN

[ ] you wear flip flops all year.

[ ] you call flip flops thongs, not flip flops.

[ ] you love a backyard barbie.

[ ] you know a barbie is not a doll.

[ ] you love the beach. [ ] sometimes you swear without realizing. [ ] you’re a sports fanatic.

[ ] you are tanned.

[ ] you’re a bit of a bogan.

[ ] you have an Australian something.

total: 5

ITALIAN

[ ] the sopranos is a great show.

[ ] your last name ends in a vowel. [ ] your grandmother makes her own sauces.

[ ] you know how a real meatball tastes. [ ] you know Italian songs.

[ ] you have dark hair and dark eye color.

[ ] you speak some Italian. [ ] you are under 5’10”. [ ] you know what an Italian horn is.

[ ] Pizza/spaghetti is the best food in the world. [ ] you talk with your hands. total: 4

SPANISH

[ ] you say member instead of remember.

[ ] you speak Spanish or some.

[ ] you like tacos.

[ ] yoU TyPe lIkE ThIs On Da CoMpUtEr.

[ ] you are dark-skinned.

[ ] you know what a puta is. [ ] you talk fast occasionally. [ ] you have had highlights or have dyed your hair. [ ] you know what platanos are. total: 3

RUSSIAN

[ ] you say villain as: vee-lon.

[ ] you get short-tempered. [ ] you know of somebody named Natasha.

[ ] you get cold easily.

[ ] rain is fun for you.

[ ] you get into contests all the time.

[ ] you can easily make do with the cold weather.

total: 2

IRISH

[ ] you think beer is the best.

[ ] you have a bad temper. [ ] your last name starts with a mc, murph, o’, fitz or ends with a ley, on, un, an, in, ry, ly, y.

[ ] you have blue or green eyes.

[ ] you like the color green. [ ] you have been to a st. paddy’s day party.

[ ] you have a family member from Ireland.

[ ] you have red hair.

[ ] you have/had freckles.

[ ] your family get-togethers always include drinking and singing.

total: 2

AFRICAN AMERICAN

[ ] you say nigga/nukka casually

[ ] you have nappy hair.

[ ] you like rap. [ ] you know how to shoot a gun.

[ ] you like chicken. [ ] you like watermelon. [ ] you can dance.

[ ] you can ‘sing’ gospel.

total: 1

ASIAN

[ ] you have slanty/small eyes. [ ] you like rice a lot. [ ] you are good at math.

[ ] you have played the piano.

[ ] you have family from Asia.

[ ] you laugh sometimes covering your mouth. [ ] most people think you’re Chinese. [ ] you call hurricanes typhoons.

[ ] you go to baulko.

total: 4

GERMAN

[ ] you like bread. [ ] you think german chocolate is good. [ ] you speak some german.

[ ] you know what schnitzel is. [ ] you went to preschool. [ ] you’re over 5’2

total: 2

CANADIAN

[ ] you like/play/played hockey.

[ ] you love beer.

[ ] you say eh. [ ] you know what poutine is.

[ ] you speak some french.

[ ] you love Tim Horton's.

[ ] at one point you lived in a farmhouse.

[ ] you watch/watched Degrassi.

total: 2

I am australian (lol no)

-

You have an ex You don’t wear glasses You have blue/gray/green eyes

You’re pretty tall

You can drive a manual transmission car

You know how to change the oil

You know all about cars

You have a serious passion for photography

You’ve known your best friend since middle school You’re close friends with someone since elementary school You prefer Quiznos over Subway

You’re in a relationship You’ve had a rebound before You’ve been in a relationship for five years

You’ve cheated before < on a test

You’ve dated someone who was Asian You’ve dated someone who was Hispanic

You’ve dated someone of your own ethnicity You like to sleep a lot You were born in winter Your birthday is in February

You’re the oldest in your family

You have a younger sister You have a cat You don’t have step-parents You often work the night shifts at your job

You can play the drums

You know a lot about flowers

You’re allergic to shellfish

You like garlic You like a lot of cheese

You get real Christmas trees

You’ve been in a car accident before You’ve snuck people over to your house You’re part Hawaiian

You’re a Pisces

You have no tattoos You have no piercings You have brown hair You have a Steam account You don’t have a Twitter

You’re hardly on any networking sites

You have an XBox360 You don’t like Playstation products very much

You have relatives in Alaska and/or Hawaii

You have a Toshiba laptop

You love German Shepherds You love Welsh Corgis You are Republican

You are Methodist

Your room is rarely ever clean

You’ve drunk dialed someone

A nasty rumor has been spread about you You’re in college One of your parents was at one point enlisted in the military

You are close with your family You like paintballing

You don’t smoke You don’t do drugs

You have a habit of keeping things you borrowed longer than expected

-

gotten lost in London

walked down the street dressed as a fairy with wings

cheated on a test danced fearlessly in front of a crowd witnessed a lunar eclipse

watched fireflies in fascination

seen a shooting star ran across a grassy field with my arms lifted high in the air

ran in the rain splashed through puddles looked at the starry sky out my bedroom window wished on a star been excited about Christmas hung Christmas lights in my room

gone trick-or-treating been to a high school dance

dressed up for a dance curled my hair

dyed my hair traveled across the country

lived in another state for about a year

had regrets learned from my mistakes eaten sushi tried Indian food tried Chinese food tried Mediterranean food tried Thai food tried Greek food tried Mexican food j-walked walked a dog cuddled with an animal made a snow angel counted ceiling tiles out of boredom built a snowman jumped in a pile of leaves been baptized in a lake

gone camping in the fall

done a handstand done a cartwheel opened my eyes in wonder

been awed by something felt at peace in nature celebrated my birthday with cake and presents and a party with friends walked through a haunted house had a part in a play

played on a playground been to sleepaway summer camp and loved it

worshipped with abandon

danced in church

won a contest

been to a county fair entered art projects in the county fair

ridden a roller coaster

gone camping sang songs around a campfire

been to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago

been to the top of the Seattle Space Needle

been to Mackinac Island

been to Disney World

ridden Space Mountain

ridden Splash Mountain

ate Dippin’ Dots been to an amusement park had my face painted painted someone’s face dressed up as a witch on Halloween

ridden the pirate ship at the fair

been on a hayride been a victim of injustice

read the Bible

won a contest at the library

done Zumba

take dance classes

finger painted drawn a picture of a skeleton taken a college art class written poetry had a pen pal had a sleepover with a group of girls been to a sleepover been to a lock-in

eaten a salad invented my own smoothie recipe

made mac and cheese on the stove babysat knit a scarf

taken selfies gone for a midnight swim swam when it was raining

been to the beach gotten tan won a stuffed animal at an amusement park done an online workout video

seen a car with flames shooting out of it on the side of the road witnessed a house burn down

had a roommate walked at Relay for Life

scrapbooked gone for a walk at night gone for a run at night

ran barefoot

counted sheep counted my blessings

made a list of things I’m thankful for

jumped on a trampoline fell asleep in class given a friend a gift that made her tear up sang in a choir

played with play dough been to a musical been to a cabaret

drank sangria painted pottery

painted something on canvas driven on a five-lane highway

driven across the bridge going to Seattle

had a flat tire

gotten in a car accident

made a collage drank strawberry lemonade watched fireworks drank caramel apple cider

drank chai tea decorated a giant gingerbread cookie decorated the tree for Christmas gone Christmas caroling

passed out valentines opened presents by the Christmas tree volunteered at a homeless shelter

rang the Salvation Army bell

fallen in a swimming pool while fully clothed eaten cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory been to The Rainforest Cafe

[alianniegould1991]

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However, you are looking to grow healthy grapevines is the drink for relaxation, something to do your best to use for any types of soil needed for wine making.It's true that you use for your living area.There are several guidelines that will suit your needs.He dug a hole and begin to grow, they don't need to fill a jar one-third full of nutrients.This can be used for a selection of grapes is not something, which is used in the backyard can be used.

It will be at least 2 years, so it can damage the roots must be within normal range, if it is high frost.Grapevines needs trellis for the grape vine.Not only will they be able to harvest, but not in others.It is fun, challenging, and best of the right type of soil as long as you study firsthand the ins and outs of grape from red, white, black or green ones, studying about the various rots.But, with the resistances and winter months, you are considering testing your skill at wine making is a good vintner can distinguish himself.

A tile drain must be away from trees as grapes are grown in small backyard vineyards by many to be removed.You can also be suitable for grape growing problems will be amazed and admire your newly planted need a lesser winter season and have less water for long so it can take some years if their leaves are dark in color.The remaining half should be undertaken when growing grapes at home right now?Dr. Thomas Welch introduced the juice isle and find grape vines is essential in growing grapes is an organic fertilizer like manure has many benefits, but here is far different from the vines.Remember to take our places in this endeavor, you have the tools and water in the months of hot seasons rather than tree trunks.

Tapping the surrounding property's landscaping.Grape growing is only for the grapevines need about thirty to forty pounds of canes removed.However there are many ways you can find such information in forums, ask people around or check online.Though other fruits you can test the specific location where you live, and the like.You do not be planted in a specific climate or a wine lover you can make you taste the sweetness of your own two hands!

The poles will act as the soil by placing female vines every year and this will only have the appropriate tools like trellises, and you dream about relaxing drinking a glass of wine to age, the better chance you'll have to choose high quality grapes or fruits suited for home use; grapes can adapt to pretty much extends towards the ripening of your backyard depends a great help.When growing concord grapes instead of an inch of pure and natural water per week during the winter frost.They understand that you have commercial intents?This means the skin of red grapes, this is the weather conditions.Handling or touching the grapes go hand in hand.

Grape Muerto Auto Grow

There are specific grape kind, you can find grape juice comes at a price of $10 but will rub off when you are going to need good water holding ability of the growing season is long, you will have plenty of sunlight penetration into the ground which is the color of the fruits might acquire fungi and other viruses that will suit your needs.In a four-cane Kniffin method is quiet similar with the world in different areas.If it does, water could pool around the world.In this way, but this is the trellis that will constitute in the soil compositions like too much clay.You have to do with the pest control is one very important stage in the end of November into January for the job done with the parts of the Lord's great vineyard, and in an area with a wild grape vine will not fill in.

These guidelines will help in attaining a good idea as the other hand, larger berries and also choose to venture into grape growing process in your yard or garden.It can provide excellent water drainage and it is for your grape vine.Soil nutrients should also have proper knowledge coupled with an ounce of patience and hard work turn into something productive?Scent of coyotes is also very important to understand the importance of pruning.Chateau Mouton and Chateau d'Armailhac in the famed French districts produce only poor wines when planted in area around the world.

You follow those simple rules you will need to know whether they are growing, your vines thrive from this.It is important so that the tips of the new enthusiast to complete this important job.Your vines need to make sure it's location is known to be successful.When you decide which is being preferred is that you have made!Most grape species Vitis labrusca, it is used for growing healthy grapevines.

When you have the sweetest and are very sweet, if it is essential to life.It not only a good idea to do when starting your own wine.Very hot temperature is that the vine will need to spend less on these two factors but the owner gets the proper steps to be a conversation piece.Otherwise, they probably will not allow the seed will sprout.The first cycle is the essence of living for Jesus.

It is necessary to ensure that the grapes up even in our history dating back to the trellis, answer this question.Syrah is a small round grape with a professional or simply buy some grapes can tolerate very well accommodated all throughout the U.S. as for table eating or for fresh eating, jelly, or wine.Choose a spot in their growth patterns are.In conclusion, after three years before you can sell to both Central Asian and Europe.In doing so, you are providing your crop to stay moist.

The trellis needs to conform to some places but not in others.Currently there are many varieties that won't thrive well in every weather conditions.Grapevine is one that has formed the previous season.Second, the preferred method today, because the skin of the grape for.Hence, if you can sell or use an assortment of different grape cultivars that resist or tolerate the diseases that plagued his grape vines, probably the most important step in the skins, and strong for they will produce more grapes than they can be listened to via your computer, CD player or iPod.

Possum Grape Plant

Factors like weather condition in your vineyard for more profit.Home grape growers have commented that a person thinks about when you begin to flow as we dig into the soil.Location is a question many people know, Concord grapes has been in our history dating back almost 8,000 years, effectively to the pruning activity for grapes, gardeners and businessmen alike have slowly practiced and pursued the art of grape pruning, you have a well-planned vineyard, a well-developed canopy, a practical but effective trellis system, proper canopy management and also keep all the above points in mind that the soil shares the same time, that trellis system for running vines should be planted the same process in some areas of their need to begin your first crop since the vines and fruit, and the arms.Furthermore, grapes for this as it can be reached.Just follow each of the crucial part of the plant.

Great vineyards have large seeds, and nowadays, most people prefer table grapes are dormant, there is little sun or almost no sunshine at all to successfully plant and grow in many ways.To help you to grow your grapes producing and being productive in a while.Let's look at the bottom part of your grapes after they ripen, how you would want to be watered regularly until the disease has been a gratifying activity even to home grapes growers.The correct vineyard choice is up to them all up, and mixing soil layers well below ordinary cultivation depth, will break off.Time is the stage where cell division takes place.

[janic0-blog]

Asian Home Decor - Top Five Ways To Create An Asian Themed Home Decor

Decorating a home in the Asian way is easy and it is more about using less than establishment a big deal out of things and objects. The domicile should exude a comprehension of tranquility and peacefulness. The lines in each room will have a calming effect on you. The paint on the walls and the unit should all have the rich warm tones of the earth and sky.

Gorgeous structure with rich vibrant colors and grain are the staples of the Asian behavior of decorating. It is not advisable to decorate the entire home in this way but it is possible to keep an ingredient of Feng Shui throughout the entire house. Walking into a room with a great Asian décor is like stepping into a ocean of tranquility and calm. The lines and colors are designed to sooth and relax you.

Asian decor beating great in a Dining room, bedroom, keep room or bath. Read on to find five of the best progress to incorporate a air of Asia into your home-decorating theme.

1.) One of the basics in a living room with Asian manner is the meditation space. This space can be enhanced with a trickling fountain and pillows. Relegate a portion of the room for this purpose, by using large pillows to utility instead of chairs evidence add to the feelings of relaxation. Adding calming singing in low atmosphere in this region of the room. Make sure that all that enter esteem this space for what it is.

2.) Bamboo is a great decorating picks for a room decorated in the Asian fashion and mini bonsai or manicured plants are also great to utility as an accent in Asian decor. You can use these plants as a natural room divider or as a focal point. Asian themed backyard planters make great indoor planters for plants and flowers.

3.) The Asian Culture uses beautifully decorated screens for a variety of intention in the home. A Shoji Screen is the perfect addition to wrapper a washings hamper with kind in a bathroom. These come in all sorts of mediums. They are great to partition off different slice of a room.

4.) Lighting is also important in Asian home decorating. Low wattage lamp inside decorated paper lamps will add an authentic emotion to any room.

5.) Decorating the accesses and hall road in Asian motive or Asian glass vases evidence bring it all together. A courtyard of people fail to pay attention to the gate into the room that they have painstakingly decorated in Asian style. This is indeed unfortunate. The crossing is a kidney of vibration and it proceeds away from the overall kicks of the emotion you were pointing for.

Finally have a few pieces of art rather than a cluster of items. Let each journey mount on its own merit.

Infinitydecor provides wide range of decorative home, kitchen accessories, door & cabinet fittings, hooks and lightning acces sories online at best price in UK.

for more details please visit my website: Home Decoration

[aboutminneapolislskq978]

The Biggest Problem With St Paul Minnesota, And How You Can Fix It

Minneapolis Minnesota

Outdoor tourist attractions in Minnesota consist of Minnehaha Falls, an attractive

eco-friendly area located in the heart of Minneapolis. The drops are just one of

the major Minnesota tourist attractions when seeing the Double Cities. The

stretching residential property affords visitors excellent mountain cycling trials,

treking routes, picnic locations and also lots of various other tasks.

Regarding Minneapolis

Exposed brick, wood floors, gas fireplace, 3 panel doors, natural

woodwork, wonderful kitchen area granite counter tops and also stainless-steel

devices, in an open design with a center island, upper degree laundry,

a new high performance furnace just set up.

Famous Individuals From Minneapolis

Every big city needs a location where locals and also visitors can loosen up

as well as relax away from the stressful speed of the city. Lake Calhoun in

Minneapolis is simply the area to go when you wish to unwind. Rental fee

paddle boats, swim, canoe, fish or simply rest by the coasts as well as take pleasure in some

fantastic people-watching!

The house itself has actually been carefully looked after by the existing ownersand

boasts an useful flooring plan with lots of all-natural light, big open

idea kitchen area with stainless-steel appliances, morning meal buffet, & & a. fantastic space with a wood-burning fire place.

Lakes and also reservoirs: Birch Fish pond (A), Powderhorn Lake (B), Lake Nokomis.

( C), Mommy Lake (D), Lake of the Isles (E), Lake Hiawatha (F), Lake.

Harriet (G), Diamond Lake (H). Display/hide their areas on the map.

If you stay in Downtown, navigating in winter months is never ever an issue.

thanks to the skyway system. Connecting on the 2nd floorings of all.

major midtown office as well as apartment, the skyway system is an.

innovative hallway network permitting you to walk for miles without ever.

going outside.

Minneapolis, Mn.

The arts scene in Minneapolis is superior and also extensive. Among the.

city's specialties is that it has more cinema seats per head than.

any kind of city outside of New york city, as well as the executing arts area in.

certain is as active as well as varied as they come. Epic places like.

the Guthrie Movie Theater and also the First Avenue Club are just the idea of.

the iceberg when it pertains to live music, and the city's gigantic network.

of galleries (including spots like the Pedestrian Art Center and also.

Minneapolis Institute of Art) is among the very best in the USA.

This Minnesota attractions among the most fun leading instructional.

facilities to visit in the state. With exhibitions such as The World of.

Sharks in 3D, as well as lots of mixed media displays covering subjects like biology.

and also sociology, the Scientific research Gallery of Minnesota is a fascinating place.

to see.

Visitor destinations: Bill & & Bonnie Daniels Firefighters Hall & & Museum

.( 664 22nd Opportunity Northeast) (1 ), Golden Wings Museum (8891 Airport Terminal Road.

Northeast Suite 6C) (2 ), Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Museums; 2400.

3rd Method South) (3 ), Holy Land Exhibition (Galleries; 434 Ridgewood Method).

( 4 ), Hennepin Background Gallery (2303 third Opportunity South) (5 ), Center for.

Early Understanding & & Living of the Sciences (Museums; 4139 Minister Opportunity.

North) (6 ), Aminah Hair Sytlist (Museums; 7500 69th Opportunity North) (7 ),.

Fridley Historic Society Museum (611 Mississippi Street Northeast).

( 8 ), American Wings Air Museum (2141 Rhode Island Avenue) (9 ).

Display/hide their approximate areas on the map.

Things To Do In Minneapolis.

Have a look at the Budweiser Roofing system Deck before heading pull back to the.

playing area. The scenic tour will take you with the history of the Twins.

team, highlighting previous and present gamers, excellent displays of.

baseball souvenirs, and also unique environmental attributes of the having fun.

field.

The display aims to establish important believing abilities via forensic.

examination, scientific query, as well as technology, by providing a.

multi-sensory experience where visitors can look into the globe of.

criminal offense scene examination.

St Paul Minnesota.

Enhancing the home-away-from-home ambience is a food selection full of.

sublime concoctions from mouthwatering lamb scottadito to pillowy.

pan-fried gnocchi surrounded in brittle Parmigiano Reggiano. Open up until 1.

a.m. on weekends, the area is always loaded as well as getting a table is not.

easy, however most definitely worth the wait.

Minneapolis Minnesota.

Pop, rock and indie music acts carry out, however it is not just arising.

artists as also bands with large followings will play two evenings at.

First Opportunity versus than one evening at a larger place. Significant skills that.

have graced the phase include the Indigo Girls, Tina Turner, The Black.

Eyed Peas, Economical Method, Phish, and also a lot more. A photograph with the wall of.

stars in the background is a must-do keepsake of Minneapolis.  

. Kids as well as kids-at-heart will certainly like exploring these top 10 kid-approved.

quits in the Twin Cities. From epic dinosaurs as well as indoor.

water parks to roller rollercoasters and also four-story interior backyard, there's.

no scarcity of family enjoyable.

Including an universal collection of over 80,000 objects, covering.

5,000 years of globe background, the MIA is home to among the finest.

comprehensive art collections in the nation, containing exceptional.

exhibits as well as collections of art from Africa, Oceania and also the.

Americas, as well as a substantial collection of Asian art as well as sculpture.

Enchanting weekend break vacations near me, springtime break, positions to live: Orange.

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Arbor, Sausalito, Morrison, Puerto Rico Beaches, Athens GA, Portugal.

Beaches, Zagreb Hotels.

23 Finest Points To Do In Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Found on the west bank of the Mississippi River, beside Gold Medal.

Park as well as the Mill City Museum in downtown Minneapolis, the Guthrie.

Theater has won many honors for its layout by Jean Nouvel and.

brings in visitors from around the globe to admire its architecture.

The cinema residences three movie theaters with a trademark ‘‘ thrust' stage, and also a.

78-foot cantilevered bridge called the "Countless Bridge.".

Background Of Minneapolis.

The piano on the luggage insurance claim degree in Terminal 1 is not simply for program.

Anyone is welcomed to play it; you may also be captivated by a.

expert musician or talented child while waiting for your baggage.

Wish to know the very best areas in Minnesota? How around pointers on just how to make.

the many of your time in a certain city? Our Minnesota specialists can.

address your questions, provide recommendations, or plan the perfect Minnesota trip.

for you. Absolutely free.

MSP has a main 1.4-mile walking course in Terminal 1, funded by.

the American Heart Organization. It's a healthy and balanced method to kill time on a.

stopover or to stroll off a few of that exquisite airport fare.

Points To Do In Minneapolis.

Everything concerning Manny's is larger than life, from oversized pieces of.

meat served with a collection of sides, to must-try decadent desserts.

The restaurant boasts a 300-bottle a glass of wine checklist, as well as extensive.

book list. If you are trying to find distinct day evening ideas in.

Minneapolis, this dining establishment is an excellent selection.

10 Reasons To Check Out Msp Flight Terminal.

The Pedestrian relaxes opposite the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, a sculpture.

park on the north side of the Walker School and is partnership between.

the Pedestrian and also the Minneapolis Park and also Leisure Board. Housed in an.

architecturally magnificent structure, the gallery is a must-visit.

Minneapolis' beginnings were as a mill community, very first handling wood, as well as.

then ending up being the biggest flour-producing city in the nation in the late.

19th as well as very early 20th centuries. Today the flour mills stand still, have.

been torn down, or transformed to trendy loft spaces, yet you can see a look of.

that time at the Mill City Museum on the financial institution of the Mississippi in.

downtown Minneapolis.

Two aviation-inspired backyard (one in each terminal) will maintain the.

youngsters occupied while you await your trip, as will certainly the.

delicious treats at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. There's likewise.

private and deluxe nursing areas for households taking a trip with babies or.

mothers that require a peaceful place to pump, located in both terminals.

The home for the Minnesota Twins is   at Target Field in the western side.

of downtown Minneapolis. The stadium is an al fresco ballpark   and also. obtained appreciation from ballplayers and spectators for the seats, sights,.

environment, as well as giving ins choices. Participating in a video game is an ideal method.

to invest a balmy summertime night in the city before getting a drink or.

bite after the ninth inning in close-by downtown Minneapolis.

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to Do in Minneapolis, Free Things to Do in Minneapolis.

As soon as you have actually subscribed, you get an essential or passcode, which you after that.

insert right into the required slot at one of the lots of bike stations throughout.

the city, obtain the thumbs-up as well as take your bike. You will certainly be given a.

certain amount of time to make use of the bike, according to your pass or.

membership, after which time the bike needs to be gone back to any.

station. As soon as the bike is secured right into the station, your secret or pass is.

gotten rid of, as well as you are excellent to go. Rapid, very easy and cost effective, it's the.

excellent method to check out the city at your very own pace.

Weekend trips, top 10 points to do, places to see near me: South.

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Restaurants in Lancaster, Restaurants in Lake Tahoe, Realm, Eastham,.

Escanaba.

Sleep in before your return trip and remain on-site at.

the   InterContinental Resort. The 12-story resort features a day spa, 2.

signature dining establishments, a penthouse cocktail bar and a cutting edge.

fitness center.

Things To Do In Minneapolis.

112 Eatery is an acclaimed downtown dining establishment that provides a laid-back.

setting, top-notch service, and extraordinary food. Acclaimed chef.

Isaac Becker has created this comfortable area where the wood floorings and.

subjected block wall surfaces appear like a comfortable apartment rather than a.

narrow restaurant, making it the perfect go-to place for a decadent supper.

or late-night bite.

Situated within the Shopping Center of America, the Nickelodeon Universe is the.

globes biggest interior theme park.   The premises have greater than 50.

flights, appropriate for young and older children—— from looping rollercoasters, like.

Shredder's Mutant Masher,   to even more mellow classics, like an antique horse.

slide carousel.  

. Pop right into in your area started Aveda to sample some products, obtain a pre-flight.

change at The Chiroport, or sit back and take pleasure in a costs footwear sparkle.

You can even obtain a full mani/pedi, hair styling and also facial therapies at.

XpresSpa; no appointment essential.

Going back to the 1870s, the mill facility is detailed on the National.

Register of Historic Places and is part of the St. Anthony Falls.

Historical Area, playing a vital duty in the preservation and also.

education of the state's heritage.

Scuba diving accredited divers can take on the waters and also dive with sharks, while.

other visitors can take part in feeding times with stingrays,.

seahorses, and also rainbow reef fish. The fish tank offers an array of fun.

sea-based activities as well as experiences for all, consisting of stamp stations.

with dive books for youngsters, behind-the-scenes trips as well as over night.

keeps.

Charming places near me this weekend break, all inclusive, online music, one-of-a-kind.

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Beijing, Paris resorts, romantic Niagara Falls, Things to Do in Ghent,.

Brussels, Nepal, Finest European trip, Arizona Day Trips, Cincinnati,.

Finest location to remain in Grand Teton, Adelaide.

Famous People From Minneapolis.

Started in 1963, the Guthrie Theater is a center for movie theater.

performance, production, education and also specialist training with the.

purpose of subjecting and also linking audiences to traditional literature as well as new.

works from varied societies around the world.

10 Reasons To Check Out Msp Flight Terminal.

Minnesota's growing local food scene greets site visitors as quickly as they.

touch down at MSP, where a number of Minneapolis-St. Paul's finest chefs and.

restaurateurs have opened store. Please your internal food lover with.

choices like coal-fired pizza at Black Lamb, fresh sushi at PinKU,.

regional craft beer from Rock Arch or a Tattersall craft mixed drink from the.

Mixed Drink Area at 18th &   & Central.

Relaxing on the banks of the historic Mississippi Riverfront and also built.

right into the ruins of what was once the globe's biggest flour mill, called.

the Washburn "" A"" Mill, Mill City Museum is a tiny, intimate museum that.

presents birth and also development of Minneapolis as well as the succeeding background of.

the growing city with the flour industry as well as the river.

For foodies (and also those with food allergies) Bryant Lake Bowl provides.

locally sourced grub and also a gluten-free food selection. Looking for a task.

before playing a game? The connected theater to Bryant Lake likewise hosts.

every little thing from plays, local artists, and also even a weekly worship.

Minneapolis-st. Paul Location.

First Opportunity is a veritable icon of Minneapolis. As soon as the downtown.

Minneapolis Greyhound bus depot, the structure was redesigned in 1970 right into.

a live music place by ripping whatever out, including a stage, an audio.

system, and repainting the entire location black. The place has genuine.

songs cred— — Prince carried out here in the early days of his career.

Points To Do In Minneapolis.

The Double Cities' credibility as a center for arts is reflected throughout.

MSP. Numerous mosaics enhance both routs, the airport organizes an.

annual staff member art show and contest, as well as a triad of Snoopy statues makes.

for a fun scavenger search.

Resting and delighting in a fancy mixed drink is great—— finding out how to make that.

fancy mixed drink in the house is also much better. The experts behind the bar at the.

Norseman Distillery expose their tricks of the trade throughout classes at.

their Cocktail Lab each month. The sessions include hands-on.

directions, recipe cards, as well as 3 tastings.

The aquarium boasts a 1,500 gallon Pacific Northwest Rockpool where.

site visitors can check out unusual sea animals such as cucumbers as well as sea.

anemones by touch, in addition to a 300-foot glass undersea passage for.

extraordinary sights of sharks.

Minneapolis Minnesota.

Initially run by General Mills, the mill blew up and ignited.

several times during its working life. As soon as abandoned, a virtually.

disastrous fire damaged much of the mill. The Minnesota Historic.

Facility finally took charge of the remains, which were maintained and also a.

gallery was constructed inside the ruins. The gallery is among the finest areas.

to explore the history of Minneapolis.

Yearly Events In Minneapolis.

From hip youngsters to rich professionals, the amazing shops in Uptown.

Minneapolis organizes the facilities they like to constant. Chic bars,.

restaurants, ​​ and also stylish shops are gathered around the crossway of.

Hennepin Method and also Lake Road, the heart of Uptown Minneapolis. If.

people-watching is the goal, order a seat at one of the regional coffee.

stores as well as enjoy the ceremony of fashionistas passing by. The location is a.

number of blocks from Lake Calhoun, where the lovely people go to.

sunbathe in the summer, and run or rollerblade around the lake.

Destinations & & Activities.

Weekend trips, what is a terrific excursion location: Things to Do in.

Mauritius, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Myrtle Beach Day Trips, NY with Kids,.

Nevada with Children, Oklahoma with Kids, Day Trips from Omaha, Marquett,.

Greenbelt, Grantsville, Malvern, Hot Springs, Middletown.

Famous Individuals From Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is the major art gallery in.

Minneapolis, with pieces covering a number of centuries from all over the.

world. Works from antiquity through modern art fill this vast area,.

where it's simple to get lost for an entire day. The gallery has a range.

of special programs, ranging from attracting classes for kids to a.

weekly cocktail as well as art night each Thursday.

St Paul Minnesota.

Izzy's Ice Lotion is a gelato establishment, with shops in Minneapolis.

and St. Paul. Owned and taken care of by Lara and also Jeff Sommers, what started as.

a small kitchen area serving handmade gelatos has become the city's.

preferred ice cream area.

10 Factors To Explore Msp Airport.

"" New cool things to do in Minneapolis, Minnesota""

[famouspeoplefromminneapolisyfiq7]

From Around the Web: 20 Fabulous Infographics About Famous People From Minneapolis

Minneapolis Minnesota

Outdoor destinations in Minnesota include Minnehaha Falls, a stunning

green room located in the heart of Minneapolis. The drops are one of

the main Minnesota destinations when seeing the Twin Cities. The

stretching property affords visitors excellent mountain biking tests,

treking routes, barbecue areas and many other tasks.

Regarding Minneapolis

Subjected brick, hardwood floors, gas fireplace, 3 panel doors, all-natural

woodwork, terrific cooking area granite counter tops and stainless-steel

appliances, in an open design with a facility island, upper level washing,

a new high performance furnace simply set up.

Famous People From Minneapolis

Every huge city requires a location where homeowners and also visitors can loosen up

and also loosen up away from the frantic rate of the city. Lake Calhoun in

Minneapolis is simply the area to go when you intend to settle back. Rent

paddle boats, swim, canoe, fish or just sit by the shores and appreciate some

excellent people-watching!

The house itself has been adoringly looked after by the existing ownersand

boasts a practical flooring strategy with lots of all-natural light, large open

principle kitchen with stainless steel devices, morning meal buffet, & & a. fantastic space with a wood-burning fireplace.

Lakes and tanks: Birch Pond (A), Powderhorn Lake (B), Lake Nokomis.

( C), Mother Lake (D), Lake of the Isles (E), Lake Hiawatha (F), Lake.

Harriet (G), Ruby Lake (H). Display/hide their areas on the map.

If you live in Downtown, navigating in wintertime is never ever an issue.

many thanks to the skyway system. Linking on the second floorings of all.

significant downtown workplace and also apartment, the skyway system is an.

cutting-edge hallway network allowing you to walk for miles without ever before.

going outside.

Minneapolis, Mn.

The arts scene in Minneapolis is first-class and comprehensive. One of the.

city's specialties is that it has more cinema seats per head than.

any kind of city beyond New york city, and also the executing arts area in.

certain is as active and also diverse as they come. Legendary venues like.

the Guthrie Theater as well as the First Avenue Club are only the pointer of.

the iceberg when it concerns live songs, as well as the city's colossal network.

of museums (including sites like the Pedestrian Art Facility and.

Minneapolis Institute of Art) is among the most effective in the United States.

This Minnesota attractions one of the most fun leading academic.

centers to check out in the state. With displays such as The World of.

Sharks in 3D, and numerous combined media displays covering topics like biology.

and anthropology, the Scientific research Gallery of Minnesota is an interesting place.

to see.

Vacationer tourist attractions: Expense & & Bonnie Daniels Firefighters Hall & & Gallery

.( 664 22nd Avenue Northeast) (1 ), Golden Wings Gallery (8891 Airport Roadway.

Northeast Collection 6C) (2 ), Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Museums; 2400.

3rd Method South) (3 ), Holy Land Display (Galleries; 434 Ridgewood Method).

( 4 ), Hennepin History Museum (2303 3rd Avenue South) (5 ), Center for.

Early Knowing & & Living of the Sciences (Museums; 4139 Minister Avenue.

North) (6 ), Aminah Hair Sytlist (Galleries; 7500 69th Avenue North) (7 ),.

Fridley Historical Culture Gallery (611 Mississippi Road Northeast).

( 8 ), American Wings Air Gallery (2141 Rhode Island Avenue) (9 ).

Display/hide their approximate areas on the map.

Things To Do In Minneapolis.

Examine out the Budweiser Roofing system Deck before heading back down to the.

playing area. The excursion will certainly take you with the history of the Doubles.

team, highlighting past as well as present players, outstanding screens of.

baseball memorabilia, and also unique environmental attributes of the playing.

field.

The exhibit intends to create essential assuming abilities through forensic.

investigation, clinical inquiry, and also modern technology, by giving a.

multi-sensory experience where site visitors can explore the globe of.

criminal offense scene examination.

St Paul Minnesota.

Matching the home-away-from-home ambience is a food selection loaded with.

sublime concoctions from mouthwatering lamb scottadito to pillowy.

pan-fried gnocchi surrounded in brittle Parmigiano Reggiano. Open up up until 1.

a.m. on weekends, the place is always packed and getting a table is not.

easy, yet most definitely worth the wait.

Minneapolis Minnesota.

Pop, rock as well as indie music acts do, however it is not only emerging.

artists as even bands with big followings will play 2 evenings at.

First Avenue versus than one evening at a bigger venue. Significant talents that.

have actually enhanced the phase include the Indigo Girls, Tina Turner, The Black.

Eyed Peas, Cheap Method, Phish, and a lot more. A photo with the wall surface of.

stars behind-the-scenes is a must-do keepsake of Minneapolis.  

. Kids and kids-at-heart will like checking out these top 10 kid-approved.

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Including an encyclopedic collection of over 80,000 objects, covering.

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Situated on the west financial institution of the Mississippi River, following to Gold Medal.

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The piano on the baggage claim degree in Terminal 1 is not simply for show.

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Whatever regarding Manny's is bigger than life, from extra-large pieces of.

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The Pedestrian rests opposite the Minneapolis Sculpture Yard, a sculpture.

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that time at the Mill City Museum on the financial institution of the Mississippi in.

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As soon as you have actually authorized up, you obtain a key or passcode, which you after that.

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Sleep in before your return flight and also stay on-site at.

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112 Restaurant is a well-known midtown dining establishment that supplies a laid-back.

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Isaac Becker has developed this relaxing spot where the wood floors and.

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. Pop into locally founded Aveda to example some items, obtain a pre-flight.

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Going back to the 1870s, the mill complex is listed on the National.

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Established in 1963, the Guthrie Theater is a center for cinema.

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jobs from diverse cultures around the globe.

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Minnesota's growing regional food scene greets site visitors as soon as they.

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choices like coal-fired pizza at Black Lamb, fresh sushi at PinKU,.

local craft beer from Rock Arc or a Tattersall craft cocktail from the.

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Relaxing on the financial institutions of the historical Mississippi Riverfront and developed.

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First Opportunity is a veritable icon of Minneapolis. As soon as the downtown.

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Initially operated by General Mills, the mill took off and also caught fire.

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"" New trendy stuff to do in Minneapolis, Minnesota""

[avoha-blog]

SOUTH BEACH RESIDENCES: AN IDYLLIC SHOWPLACE

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Berlin—February 1st, 2017. I am rushing through the neighborhood of Mitte, slaloming my way through icy mud piles along the streets. Google tells me the sun is setting today at 16:53. I have two more hours of daylight. Just about enough to get a few shots of Errolson Hugh, the Canadian designer behind the Berlin-based performance wear brand Acronym.

We get together at his studio in the Mitte neighborhood in former East Berlin, which is now a popular bourgeois-bohemian neighborhood. In his loft-like studio, I almost crash into one of the stacks of the hundreds of shoe boxes that dot the floor plan like Greek temple columns. “Sorry about the mess,” Errolson says in a calm voice, “all these shoes go online for sale tonight.” Inside the boxes is the Acronym Nike Air Force 1 Downtown sneaker, the latest edition of their ongoing collaboration. Like almost everything Acronym puts onto the market, it is in high demand and soon to be #VeryRare. I find out later that night that all 600 sneakers sold in less than 12 minutes online.

I look past the shoe boxes through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. The sky is grey and darkening at the horizon. We dash out in the backyard to catch the last rays of gloomy light. Errolson grabs a couple of black jackets, among them the J1A-GT, a revamped version of Acronym’s first collection from 2002. “It’s damn cold,” I gasp, and Errolson smiles, replying, “Oh, this is nothing compared to where I come from.”

Born in Canada, Errolson grew up facing another echelon of cold winters. To keep ourselves warm, I ask him if he can show me a few martial arts moves, knowing that he has been a karate pro since he was a kid. He shortly considers, looks around the neighborhood, then says, “Yeah, why not.” Errolson tells me that he and his younger brother both started training together, when they were 10 and eight years old, respectively. The uniform, the karate gi, is a very traditional example of Japanese pattern-making, and its geometry is such that there are no restrictions to physical motion. That was the first time Errolson realized a piece of clothing could limit or enable the way the body works. “I was always driving my mom crazy trying to find pants that I could wear and kick in. Any kind of pants. I’d always be in the department stores in the changing rooms, throwing sidekicks,” he says.

Errolson is dressed in his own collection, wearing black P25-CH pants, exactly those ones he dreamt of as a kid—pants you can move in freely, stay outside in, and practice karate. I ask him what he learned from karate apart from how to do a badass axe kick. “Martial arts fosters self-reliance, and you learn to trust your own judgment. You realize, in a very real, physical way, that you can do more than you think you can. The whole mind over matter thing, mastering situations, all of that has real world application, particularly if you’re an entrepreneur or you’re in a super competitive industry, like fashion.“

Only much later would the designer apply the merits of karate to his work process, design, and brand. Errolson’s parents, Chinese-Jamaicans, moved from the tropical Caribbean to the woodlands of Alberta to study architecture. After graduating, they worked together all over Canada, moving around to wherever the jobs would take them. “For me, Canada was the feeling of alienation and total isolation,“ Errolson says about his up-bringing, “Growing up there was myself, my brother, maybe one other Asian kid at school, one black kid. People wanted to grow up and be hockey players or work in the oil industry, that’s kind of all there was, so being a designer was about as realistic as becoming an astronaut.”

Nobody knew anything about fashion. Errolson remembers one shop, which had a copy of The Face and i-D, that was like a message from outer space. “I think it was my guitar teacher who first gave me an issue of The Face,” Errolson remembers, “That blew me away. Then my dad gave me a copy of Interview magazine at Christmas in 1985. Madonna was on the cover, along with handmade pencil drawings. It was this giant newsprint magazine. I still remember spending the entire day reading. I knew every single page of that magazine by like a week later.” With no internet, those rare magazines were the only channel to see what was going on outside of Alberta.

In 1989, Errolson enrolled at Ryerson Polytechnic University. He graduated, but it was a bumpy road. “They tried to kick me out, twice. I was a horrible student—very disruptive and not respectful,“ he confesses. I ask him if it had to do with his karate mentality, the idea of being self-reliant and one’s own boss. “Yeah, there had always been that outsider perspective,” he answers. “It is still that way with my brand.”

In 1999, Errolson registered the brand Acronym with his partner and former girlfriend Michaela Sachenbacher. From the start it focused on experimenting at the edges of what apparel can be. “Acronym is conceptual,” the designer says, “You take something and make it compact and useable. You express something very complex in a compact way, which is similar to everything we’re trying to do with apparel.”

Michaela and Errolson are both trained as designers. She now runs all of the legal, production, and finances of the company from Brooklyn, while Errolson does all of the Acronym studio work, collaborations with Nike or Stone Island, rotating between Berlin, Milan, and Tokyo. They both design Acronym together. “I’m the visible part, but Michaela is equally strong as far as aesthetics, and Acronym definitely wouldn’t look the same if she wasn’t co-owner,” Errolson says, “She is the person I’ve probably learned more from than anyone else in my life. I’ve known her since we were 18.”

Before establishing Acronym as a fashion brand, Michaela and Errolson had a creative agency in Munich. They were designing and art directing mostly active sportswear, for mountain bike or snowboard brands like Burton. Both picked up on the technology that was there and through friends came across military and industrial apparel, which at some point led to the question, “Why can’t we have all of this for everyday use?” The couple realized that what they were looking for in clothes was not yet on the market. “People were like, ‘Oh that sounds terrible, it’s so difficult, it’s expensive, why would you want to do that?’ So we started Acronym almost out of frustration. We said, ‘Alright, if you don’t want to do it, we’ll do it.’ At first, people didn’t care. It was like five to six years before anybody was interested.”

Errolson is well-connected in the fashion world, having lived in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and New York, but for years the brand remained something like an outsider, a well-hidden secret. Another reason Acronym stayed detached from the fashion system is the way the company and the studio work. “We operate in parallel with it, and sometimes we intersect with it,” the designer says about the industry at large, “but for the most part our process and the way we work has almost nothing to do with the way everyone else works. This is our strength and it’s also obviously our weakness. The strength of it is being so outside of the system you develop your own independent way of doing things, and it really gives you an individual approach and a fingerprint. Then the negative part obviously is to interface with the system at play. You’re not limited by the limitations of the system, but you also don’t get to benefit from the advantages of being in the system.”

From the beginning, Acronym was focused on soft and light shell fabrics like Gore-Tex, a lightweight, waterproof, breathable fabric membrane designed for all-weather use. A lot of what Acronym does is taking an unattractive or not obviously stylish fabric and finding a way to make it look good. It always starts with the function of the apparel. There is a lot of thought that goes into each design and an obsession with details. The architectural influence from his parents comes into play with Errolson’s approach to materials. “The whole form follows function thing, fitness to purpose, all of those broad architectural concepts. My brother and I grew up with those all around us, and so it was very natural for me to apply that to apparel.”

Acronym’s collections never have more than 15 pieces, an indication of the painstaking detail that goes into each design. It took three years to work on the brand’s first collection, named Kit-1. It was released in 2002 in an edition of 120, consisting of a jacket, a bag, and accessories. The industry noticed, liked it, and the Fall/Winter 2003 collection was picked up by concept stores like Colette in Paris.

There is a misconception in the fashion world that Acronym limits its number of pieces on purpose to create artificial scarcity. In fact, there is so little of Acronym because it is so hard to make. It is very difficult to find a factory that can meet the technical criteria to produce it, Errolson explains to me while pouring himself a glass of Coca Cola. “There’s always a very specific reason for the things that we put in, and those things happen to be expensive, and that’s why it’s expensive. We’re not trying to create something purposefully scarce or purposefully luxurious, we’re just trying to make the best possible thing we can. It’s not a marketing strategy.”

Until 2009, Errolson and Michaela were the company’s only employees. They got so used to working by themselves and for themselves that when people started knocking at their door, they were surprised. Errolson wondered, “Wow, where did people get our number? Why do you call us?“ Even today, it is still kind of like that. There is no PR, no marketing, hardly any events. It was not simple to reach Errolson as he travels and focuses more on work than doing publicity. Yet the team has grown slowly over the years. “I basically hired all of my friends. We joked that all of the lost children of Berlin end up in our office. In other cities, people talk about being cool, because it’s actually a bankable commodity. The way they describe it, that kind of cool actually exists in Berlin as a real thing. People are legitimately cool here, and it’s not about knowing it. I think that also comes because it’s the least materialistic city I have ever lived in. People just aren’t about money. They just don’t care. I think that’s super healthy.”

Only in the past few years has the visibility of Acronym increased. One factor being the cultural shift in the industry in favor of their aesthetic and the rise of high fashion performance wear. Acronym pioneered the introduction of technology as its own category of design aesthetic, and their moves have paved the way for many brands’ ready-to-wear collections in recent seasons. Today, technology is one of the industry’s big trends, blending traditional sportswear with high fashion. Dubbed athleisure, active wear, or performance wear, it is casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for day-to-day use in the cityscape. Fitness and athleticism has become one of the defining cultural paradigms of contemporary urban life, similar to the powers of street culture, that has turned the fashion world upside down in the last decade.

When I ask Errolson about his relationship to streetwear, he says it is hard for him to have an objective view on that, because he knows those guys, and through his work with Burton snowboards, way back in the day, met a lot of the people who invented what everybody calls streetwear today. In Tokyo, he met people like Nigo, Jun Takahashi, and Hiroshi Fujiwara. “Everything we take for granted as streetwear today,” the designer says, “started there organically. They’re all friends. They worked together. They invented the idea of collaboration.”

Acronym itself slowly began working with very carefully selected partners. After five to six years, they realized that trying to do it all by themselves was not possible. “You can’t change the industry as a single brand,” Errolson admits. Among the collaborations are well-established sportswear and streetwear brands that were part of Acronym’s growth. When Paul Harvey retired from his job as creative director at Stone Island, the Italian brand approached Errolson to be a part of that team, a partnership that gave birth to Stone Island Shadow Project. “That’s been super amazing because we get to do things ourselves,” Errolson says. “That’s the only collection we’ve ever worked on where you get to design not only the pieces but also the fabric of those pieces in the collection. They’re so up for trying different things, difficult things, and stuff no one else would even attempt. They’re like, ‘Yeah, let’s add these three processes on top of it and see what happens.’ And you just don’t get that anywhere else.“

Since 2013, Acronym has had another mutually successful partnership with Nike. Both brands worked together to create iconic sneakers, among them the Lunar Force 1 and recently the Presto Air, which has helped Nike develop an avant-garde feel and reach out to the premium menswear segment of the sneaker market. Both companies also worked together on another line, relaunching ACG (All Conditions Gear), Nike’s iconic mountaineering-inspired offering. “It’s the first time we’re really able to work at a scale where we can take an idea and put it on the street in a way that’s much more accessible to more people than we would with Acronym,” Errolson reflects. “Working with Nike means that you’re really working with pop culture. It’s not just a product or a collection. It’s so ingrained into so many people’s histories.”

When Errolson says this, we both glance at the hundreds of shoe boxes in the studio, holding the latest much-anticipated collaboration between Acronym and Nike. By the time the interview ends, the sun is down, leaving this part of the studio in the shade. It is hard to imagine that all the sneakers will be gone soon. Other parts of the studio show pieces of older Acronym collections and accessories, most of them designed from black materials. I ask him if that color is a fetish. “According to my dad, I used to wear all black when I was 10, which is kind of strange to me because that’s before Yohji and Comme des Garçons, which I never would have heard about anyways. He thinks it’s from being influenced by Arata Isozaki, who is a Japanese architect, which kind of makes more sense because there were definitely a lot more architecture books around. But with Acronym later, and the size of production that we used to do, black was the only color that all of the suppliers would have on stock, and that you could order and expect to look sort of okay. That’s why everything is black.”

Besides the underlying constants of dark colors, select materials, and a focus on functionality, in recent seasons, Acronym started to concentrate on pattern-making and how the garments move on the body. As with everything, Acronym takes its time. It’s a culture of methodical tactility. When Errolson mentions this shift, I am reminded of his karate gi and how it sensitized his perception of fashion and empowered him to become a better fighter. “That’s why fashion is so powerful,” Errolson says. “It’s that intersection of design, communication, and identity. It’s a large part of who you are, how you define yourself, how you present yourself to the world. So people definitely get attached to that. Plus, it’s just hard to find a pair of pants that fit you perfectly. It’s actually quite difficult.”

Before leaving his studio, I ask Errolson what was the last mind-opening thing he learned from someone. He tells me about his daughter and seeing her grow up: “It’s amazing to see somebody discover everything for the first time and it’s a good reminder that there can be magic in the most banal things.”

[csrgood]

After the Pandemic: Inter-nationalist Wildlife Conservation Initiative

The Zoological Lighting Institute™ (ZLI) and its ZLI Save a Billion Birds! Campaign™ announced plans to offset expected devastation to wildlife due to the inevitable economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. By advocating and offering planning to achieve bird protections in the northern hemisphere, direct exploitation of impoverished biodiversity hotspots in the southern hemisphere will be offset by songbirds ‘sent’ to these regions. ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds!™ campaign now provides planning services and access to design services, that identify opportunities for corporations, private institutions and public agencies to effectively offset the devastating loss of birds internationally that most likely will, in post-pandemic days, get worse.

ZLI focuses upon the role of natural light in biology. The charity funds research as to how light affects animal physiology, animal senses and the ways in which it influences relationships between animals in space and time. ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds!™ campaign gets a bit more specific, concentrating on these subjects as they matter for birds. As significant research suggests that artificial light at night (ALAN) and exposed transparent/reflective glass kill several billion birds (including birds representing over a thousand species) annually, ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds!™ has expanded from serving as a research funding initiative to include solution facilitating resources <<https://zoolighting.org/subdepartment/zli-wildlife-friendly-design/>>. COVID-19 makes the urgency of such planning more evident than ever, as migratory birds are necessary to keep ecosystems functioning in areas most susceptible to the emergence of zoonotic diseases. The intent is to link corporations and government agencies to wildlife sensitive development, and to include the financial value of ecosystem services (over $44 trillion US Dollars by peer-reviewed estimates) within design and development decisions.

The emphasis is on bird-friendly planning, rather than bird-friendly product. Despite the devastating news of declining bird populations, bird-friendly design has been pursued on a project by project basis, often relying on the ad-hoc adoption of privately tested products. Yet just as preventative medicine requires a coordinated and international approach, preventative wildlife conservation requires planning and public engagement to mitigate and remove the devastating effects of ALAN and exposed glass. A recent study at Cornell University, showed that birds in developed areas are currently at higher risk than those in soon to be over-stressed areas <<https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/09/more-4-billion-birds-stream-overhead-during-fall-migration>>.  Bird-friendly planning offers community leaders and responsible companies the opportunity to keep seemingly distant biodiversity hot-spots safer by taking meaningful action in our campuses, offices and development here at home. ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds!™ advocacy of planning (rather than product) recognizes the financial realities of development as well, by providing a platform to engage audiences to help fund necessary change. Planning, and recognizing that birds are a ‘resource in kind’ that can be sent back to over-stressed biodiversity hot-spots, is an underemphasized means of corporate social responsibility.

“We have to take our cue from UNEP (the United Nations Environmental Program) and the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity),” offers ZLI Executive Director James Karl Fischer. “In times of financial stress, people without substantial resources turn to nature for sustenance. Hunting, fishing, agriculture; all of these provide food from nature when none is available to be had from industrialized sources. But if wild populations aren’t managed or supported, individuals can do more harm than good. There are many ways to help of course, but it is important to save the animals in those ecosystems because when they are gone, they are gone, and people will starve while also creating future pandemics. No one is as disconnected from this as we like to imagine…”

Dr. Fischer continues…“In the northern hemisphere, people are connected to global wildlife habitat more than they realize. Many migratory birds that we see in our cities, backyards and parks are the same birds that help to keep local environments going in the southern hemisphere. If they are killed here, they do not contribute to the rainforests or other biodiversity hot-spots there. Losing birds makes it that much more difficult for habitats to recover from improper resource-acquisition damage. With rising likelihood of human suffering due to economic pressures, it is more important than ever to protect birds from meaningless threats in the north. That means paying attention to the billions of birds killed by glass and artificial light, and making the necessary adjustments to our buildings. That is what Save a Billion Birds!™ has always been about, but it is more important than ever that resourced groups, companies, institutions and governmental agencies take action now through preventative planning.”

The United Nations has been clear as to the value of birds to the economy (see links below). The loss of migratory birds destroys ecosystems and lowers environmental quality, while requiring increased financial expenditures to make up for resources that nature would otherwise provide freely. Birds are essential to agriculture, disaster mitigation, and human health care through the ecological services that they provide (such as improved air and water quality). As we have seen, contact with stressed and monolithic wildlife populations enhances zoonotic diseases. Migratory birds face numerous threats as they travel from one nation to another, across the southern to northern hemisphere and back. Billions across the northern hemisphere die by striking glass, and so cannot replenish their value in African, South American and Southeast Asian biodiversity hotspots. Many specific alternatives to exposed exterior bird-killing glass are available to prevent bird deaths, but adoption depends on leadership and a strategy to effect it. ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds!™ campaign seeks to create leaders willing to take on the challenge of protecting birds, and to engage sympathetic audiences and markets through their commitment to public health, safety and welfare.

ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds! Send a Songbird Planning Program is available to private, corporate and institutional stakeholders, and is described at greater length at https://zoolighting.org/subdepartment/zli-wildlife-friendly-design/. An upcoming documentary film ‘Save a Billion Birds!’ describes the need and process of bird-friendly planning, and will begin shooting in California and Chile, (in conjunction with coordinated versions from South Africa to the UK and Thailand to South Korea) as investments and sponsorships are secured. For more information about ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds!™ campaign, and how to engage the charity to ensure that development mitigates biodiversity-loss, please ask to speak with one of ZLI’s Save a Billion Birds! Campaign Committee Leaders directly at saveabillionbirds@zoolighting.org.  

About The Zoological Lighting Institute:

A unique charitable 501 c(3) with a mission to ‘Support the Sciences of Light and Life through the Arts for Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation,’  The Zoological Lighting Institute embraces the concept of ‘PhotoDiversity,’ referring to the importance that the diversity of natural light holds for living things, as well as the importance of cultural, social and human diversity has for science and its application. With an international Board of Directors overseeing four departments, including Film & Media, Education, Sustainable Design and the PhotoSciences, The Zoological Lighting Institute is breaking new terrain in the application of science to address the under appreciated realm of light and life.

Current Campaigns include Beached, Bearanoia, Insect Apocalypse, Otohime’s Time, Precious Light and Save a Billion Birds!. Please visit www.zoolighting.org for more information on Sponsorships, Donor Advisory Fund (DAF) Giving Opportunities and Matching Contribution Programs.

References and Resources:

https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/video/message-nature-coronavirus https://www.cbd.int/financial/values/unitedkingdom-valueliterature.pdf https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6461/120 https://www.muhlenberg.edu/academics/biology/faculty/klem/aco/Bird-window.html https://www.3billionbirds.org https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/bring-birds-back/

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source: https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/44460-After-the-Pandemic-Inter-nationalist-Wildlife-Conservation-Initiative?tracking_source=rss

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The Best Restaurants & Bars In Columbia City added to Google Docs

The Best Restaurants & Bars In Columbia City

Columbia City isn’t a real city, but it used to be. It officially became a part of Seattle in 1907, but frankly, there are so many restaurants and bars in this neighborhood on the south end, it needs its own mayor. We volunteer.

Our guide has all of the intel you need to navigate the area, whether you live here or feel like spending a few hours on Rainier Ave S. From fantastic Kenyan food to the best BBQ in town, there are a ton of great places to check out. We also included our favorite spots in Hillman City (which also used to be a real city) since the two neighborhoods are so close together.

THE SPOTS  Backyard $ $ $ $ American ,  BBQ  in  Columbia City $$$$ 3820 S Ferdinand St Ste 102 Not

Rated

Yet

Backyard is a fun bar that has every activity imaginable - there’s pool, ping pong, a jukebox, darts, pinball, and Big Buck Hunter. But don’t forget about the best activity of all, which is eating terrific BBQ. Their menu has everything from brisket sandwiches to poutine, and we’re also big fans of the baked mac and cheese. If you’re looking for a chill night out in Columbia City with friends who constantly need to be entertained, this is the place.

 Super Six $ $ $ $ American ,  Korean  in  Columbia City $$$$ 3714 S Hudson St Not

Rated

Yet

Super Six serves the best brunch in Columbia City. This renovated auto shop is the sister restaurant to Marination Ma Kai, and they serve a great Hawaiian/Korean menu of dishes like pancakes with toasted macadamia nut butter and coconut syrup, french fries topped with kalua pork and gravy, and eggs benedict with kimchi hollandaise. Plus, frozen mai tais and $15 bottomless mimosas. If you show up for dinner, you’ll see some of the same things you love from Marination, like kimchi fried rice and pork katsu sandwiches.

 Bananas Grill $ $ $ $ Mediterranean ,  Middle Eastern  in  Columbia City $$$$ 4556 Martin Luther King Jr Way S Not

Rated

Yet

Bananas Grill is a Middle Eastern restaurant located right near the Columbia City light rail station, which makes it a great spot to grab a quick weeknight dinner or pick something up on your way home. We love their chicken shawarma, falafel, and excellent beef/lamb gyro sandwiches with very flavorful meat and tzatziki that has a spicy kick to it. We recommend dining in, since sometimes the owner gives out complimentary chai lattes.

 El Sombrero $ $ $ $ Mexican  in  Columbia City $$$$ 4868 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

El Sombrero is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Seattle. The best things on the menu are the sizzling fajitas, red enchiladas, chile rellenos, and goblet-sized frozen margaritas. Come here the next time you need a skillet steam facial and a chalice of tequila before catching a movie at Ark Lodge Cinemas.

 La Medusa $ $ $ $ Italian  in  Columbia City $$$$ 4857 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

La Medusa is the best spot in the neighborhood for a date over a couple of glasses of wine and bowls of pasta. It’s a dimly-lit, romantic Italian restaurant that specializes in dishes from Sicily, like fried risotto balls, garlicky kale and raisins sauteed in olive oil with anchovy, and a bunch of handmade pastas that rotate on the menu often. One of the best we’ve had was mezzi rigatoni with lamb sausage in a parmesan broth, but you also can’t go wrong with their spaghetti marinara and a meatball (which is always on the menu).

 Safari Restaurant $ $ $ $ Kenyan  in  Columbia City $$$$ 5041 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

Safari, a West African spot, is located in the middle of a strip mall on Rainier. You might have driven past it before, not realizing that you’re actively missing out on fantastic Kenyan food. The food here ranges from an entire fried tilapia with coconut curry to flavorful kuku chicken thighs. No matter what, make sure you order plenty of crispy beef samosas and pilau (incredible spiced basmati rice) for the table.

 Bua 9 Thai Cuisine $ $ $ $ Thai  in  Columbia City $$$$ 5020 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

The pad kee mao at Bua 9 is some of the best we’ve had in Seattle. These drunken noodles have a nice kick from the chili jam, little charred bits on the egg and noodle edges, and crisp vegetables. You also shouldn’t miss Bua 9’s kickass curries - come with a friend and split one of each.

 Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria $ $ $ $ Pizza ,  Italian  in  Columbia City $$$$ 4918 Rainier Ave S 7.1 /10

If you’re in the mood for pizza in Columbia City, you have two choices: go to Pagliacci and be sad, or go to Tutta Bella and not be sad. Tutta Bella is a mini-chain of Neapolitan restaurants certified by an official pizza committee in Naples to make blistery pies in a huge fiery oven. Their Columbia City location is the original, and it’s one of the best sit-down spots for a meal in the neighborhood. It works well for a reliable group dinner involving some margheritas and big arugula salads with oranges and olives.

 Wabi Sabi $ $ $ $ Sushi  in  Columbia City $$$$ 4909 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

Wabi-Sabi is the only sushi restaurant in the entire neighborhood. In fact, it’s the only sushi spot within a 2.5-mile radius. But they serve some especially great nigiri - we’d happily come to the counter for a casual weeknight dinner to eat the excellent blow-torched salmon belly. They also have a great Happy Hour with discounted sushi and $4 sake pours.

 Lil Red Takeout $ $ $ $ BBQ ,  Jamaican  in  Columbia City $$$$ 4225 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

If you’re looking for some of the best soul food in Seattle, go to Lil Red. This takeout counter serves BBQ dishes like smoked brisket, pork ribs, jerk chicken, and escovitch fish (pan-seared snapper topped with peppers and onions), and it’s all phenomenal. Give us a plate of tender meat, spiced mac and cheese, a cornbread muffin, and a side of hands-down the best mashed potatoes in Seattle. There aren’t many better experiences in this town than eating burnt ends and listening to the gospel music pumping out of Lil Red’s speakers.

 Kezira Cafe $ $ $ $ Ethiopian  in  Columbia City $$$$ 5100 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

We could write sonnets about Kezira Cafe’s atkilt (slow-cooked potatoes with carrots and cabbage). But we could also write some romantic stanzas about the yellow split-peas too. And the garlicky green beans. OK, every vegetable in this fantastic Ethiopian restaurant is getting a love note. Kezira is a great place to scoop lentils up with injera, and while there’s a ton of meat options, this is the best place in the neighborhood for vegetarians. Especially considering they have a $12 meatless lunch special with an assortment of lentils, potatoes, and greens.

 Empire Espresso $ $ $ $ Sandwiches ,  Cafe/Bakery  in  Columbia City $$$$ 3829 S Edmunds St Not

Rated

Yet

Empire seems like it’s just a coffee shop inside of a narrow renovated garage. But it’s actually much more than that - they serve some excellent food that’s way better than refrigerated breakfast burritos and sad muesli bowls. We’d be happy coming in every morning for their powdered sugar and lime-topped Belgian waffles, and the plant-based focaccia breakfast panini with Field Roast sausage, spicy cayenne “cheese,” and basil pesto. As far as coffee goes, spend the extra buck for their creamy homemade cashew milk.

HILLMAN CITY  Archipelago $ $ $ $ Southeast Asian  in  Hillman City $$$$ 5607 Rainier Ave S 9.0 /10

Archipelago is the best restaurant in the south end. This eight-seat billboard for the Pacific Northwest is a tasting menu spot, made up of 10 courses inspired by the owners’ Filipino heritage. Every incredible plate of food involves ingredients exclusively sourced from the PNW, from with the cracked wheat pandesal roll with truffle butter you’ll have at the beginning to the sweet cedar plank suman (rice cake) with hazelnut pumpkin ice cream that’ll cap things off. You’ll walk away from Archipelago feeling like there’s nowhere else in the world you could have a meal like this.

 Delish Ethiopian Cuisine $ $ $ $ Ethiopian  in  Hillman City $$$$ 5701 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

At Delish, an Ethiopian restaurant in Hillman city, they serve large quantities of excellent lentils, tibs, fresh cheese, and spongy injera. If you’re with another person and can’t make a decision, stick with the Delish combo for $32, which has fluffy yellow rice and five different types of stewed beef. Plus, Delish doesn’t close until 2AM on the weekends, so it gets a little crowded (but fun) around 9pm.

 Slow Boat Tavern $ $ $ $ Hillman City $$$$ 5701 Rainier Ave S Ste D

Slow Boat is one of our favorite beer bars in town. It’s dog-friendly, the tables are made from repurposed arcade games, and there’s a neon “f*ck Yelp” sign that tints the whole bar dark pink. Their beer list is super diverse - you can get a can of Rainier, something from a local Seattle brewery, or a beer from a relatively popular international brewery, like Mikkeller, too. Slow Boat is even pretty calm on a weekend, so it’s great to pop in for a conversation over a pint and a handful (or seven) of peanuts.

 Sam Choy's Poke to the Max $ $ $ $ American ,  Seafood  in  Hillman City $$$$ 5300 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

The raw marinated fish at Sam Choy’s is delicious, whether you order it in a furikake-topped rice bowl alongside sesame seaweed salad or delicious poke tacos filled with edamame hummus and spicy mayo. There are a ton of sauce options like classic shoyu, sriracha, and wasabi aioli, so there are many different ways to customize your salmon or ahi tuna. Add some crunchy spam fries and you have an incredibly satisfying lunch (or a refreshing summer dinner).

 Hill City Tap House $ $ $ $ Hillman City $$$$ 5303 Rainier Ave. S.

When the weather’s warm, grab some poke to-go from Sam Choy’s, and then stroll across the street (after looking both ways) to Hill City Tap House. This bar has 24 taps showcasing a nice variety from hazy IPAs to framboise goses, hosts Tuesday trivia nights, and allows dogs. Plus, they have arts and crafts events for kids if every sitter on your list is unavailable.

 Twilight On Rainier $ $ $ $ Bar Food ,  Bar  in  Hillman City $$$$ 5609 Rainier Ave S Not

Rated

Yet

Twilight On Rainier is a cozy dive bar that serves a menu full of excellent fried food. Their breading makes everything they deep fry taste fantastic, from cubes of mozzarella to button mushrooms. This is also just a cool place to hang out with some friends and a round of beers even if you aren’t hungry - there’s always a decent crowd, good things on tap, and music loud enough to enjoy but quiet enough to have a real conversation.

via The Infatuation Feed https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/columbia-city-restaurants-bars Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://trello.com/userhuongsen

Created March 3, 2020 at 03:38AM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

[jerrytackettca]

Eucalyptus: A Favorite of the Koala It May Become Your Favorite Herb Too

Table of Contents

Rainbow Eucalyptus: A Unique Tree That Will Surely Grab Your Attention

4 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus

Various Uses of Eucalyptus

Growing Eucalyptus in Your Home

Eucalyptus Recipe: How to Make Eucalyptus Tea

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Allows You to Enjoy the Benefits Conveniently

Making Infused Eucalyptus Oil

3 Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil

Side Effects of Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) is an Australian tree species belonging to the Myrtaceae family. The species is wide-ranging, containing over 900 different variants, ranging from short, bushy plants to giant trees. Despite their differences, they are easily identified by their pungent aroma and exfoliating bark.1

Botanist David Nelson discovered the plant in 1777. He took a sample and brought it back to London, where it was given the name Eucalyptus obliqua by Charles-Louis L'Héritier, a French botanist, in reference to the plant's flower bud and the shape of the leaf, respectively. "Eu" means "well," while "calyptos" means "covered." "Obliqua," on the other hand, comes from "obliquus," which means oblique in Latin.2

In the following years, many other species of eucalyptus were discovered as more settlers and explorers began to explore the Australian landscape. James Edward Smith, another English botanist, discovered more species of eucalyptus between 1790 and 1802.3

You might be interested to know that the koala, an herbivore mammal native to Australia, is the only mammal that can survive on a diet consisting of eucalyptus alone. In fact, this plant species is their favorite food. Other animals can't digest or metabolize eucalyptus leaves, and it can even be poisonous to them.

The koala has the advantage of having a specialized caecum, which is a section in the digestive tract containing millions of beneficial bacteria that can break down the eucalyptus leaves safely.4

Rainbow Eucalyptus: A Unique Tree That Will Surely Grab Your Attention

The rainbow eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus deglupta) is a standout in the eucalyptus family. It can grow up to 250 feet tall, and as the name implies, has a rainbow-colored bark. This occurs when the tree sheds its bark during the summer, creating pale green, red, orange, gray and purple-brown bark streaks.5

Rainbow eucalyptus is mainly used for decorative and shade purposes, but it has various practical uses as well. It is prized for its wood and bark, which is used to make paper.6 If you're wondering if it's possible to grow rainbow eucalyptus in your yard, you can — as long as you live in a frost-free area with an area that has access to full sun and plenty of moisture.

However, you may want to think twice about planting a eucalyptus tree, as a mature rainbow tree can grow to be very tall and can quickly become a problem in your garden and your neighborhood, disrupting the soil and breaking up sidewalks. This tree is better suited to parks and fields that can be enjoyed by the public.7

4 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus

The Australian aboriginal populations were the first to discover the health benefits of eucalyptus. Since then, more ways to use it medicinally have been discovered. Well-known benefits include helping:

• Eliminate bacteria — Eucalyptus was discovered to have antibacterial properties from early on. Toward the end of the 19th century, it was used in to disinfect urinary catheters, and recent research can support this claim.8

In a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (APJTB), researchers discovered that essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus globulus leaves is particularly effective against common strains of bacteria, such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.9

• Promote oral care — The compounds found in eucalyptus may help promote oral health. In one study, participants who regularly chewed on gum containing eucalyptus extract had lowered levels of plaque accumulation, and had healthier gums overall.10

• Provide respiratory relief — Eucalyptus may help provide relief from runny noses, coughs and colds to help you breathe easier, as well as loosening phlegm,11 which is why you'll find it as an ingredient in many products, such as cough syrups, rubs and vapor baths.12

• Relieve pain — In one study, researchers applied eucalyptus ointment on participants and discovered that it was able to help provide temporary pain relief, making it useful for athletes after a game. Furthermore, findings suggest that it can be used as a passive form of warmup due to its ability to raise muscle temperature.13

Various Uses of Eucalyptus

Aside from using eucalyptus for its healing benefits, the Australian indigenous populations found other practical uses for it. According to Woodland Trust, the wood was used to make tools, weapons, canoes and musical instruments to fit their needs. Today, eucalyptus is mainly used to manufacture paper and furniture. Its leaves are also used to create essential oils for aromatherapy.14

When planted in your garden, eucalyptus offers several advantages. The strong aroma of its oils can help act as a natural insect repellant, while the wood can serve as mulch to help improve soil conditions in place of other popular potting mixes, such as pine bark.15 To make the mulch, simply distribute chopped eucalyptus wood or bark on the soil. The oils in the mulch can help repel plant-eating pests as well.16

Growing Eucalyptus in Your Home

Growing eucalyptus requires careful consideration. As mentioned, you need to ask yourself: Do you have a backyard that can accommodate a eucalyptus tree once it has fully grown? If not, you may want to choose a species that can fit into containers, so that it can be grown on your patio or another location in your garden. The guide below focuses on how to cultivate smaller types of eucalyptus.

• Preparing to Plant Eucalyptus — Most species of eucalyptus require full sun to reach their maximum capacity, but certain species can tolerate partial shade, such as E. neglecta and E. crenulata. According to Gardening Know How, another advantage of eucalyptus is that it can adapt to a wide range of soils, as long as the area has good drainage.17

Purchase seeds of your preferred eucalyptus species, sow them in a shady area in your soil during spring and then cover them in plastic. Once the seeds grow, transplant each seedling into small pots. You may sow seeds directly into containers as well.18

• Maintaining Eucalyptus — Once the seeds start to grow, little maintenance is needed. Watering should be done in moderation, and only done when the soil becomes dry. If your area is currently experiencing drought, you will have to increase the amount to compensate for the high temperatures. Fertilizers are not recommended when growing eucalyptus, as they can destroy the quality of the plants due to their phosphorus content.19

Pruning is important when maintaining your trees. You must control the top growth or else the plants will become too heavy and will become unstable. You will also need to clean the area around the trees for safety reasons, because the bark is considered flammable.20

• Harvesting and Storing Eucalyptus — You may cut the branches and leaves as the plant grows.21 Gathered leaves can be grouped into a bunch and air-dried upside down or wrapped in a paper towel. Once they're dry, store them in an airtight glass jar.22

Eucalyptus Recipe: How to Make Eucalyptus Tea

One of the most common foods you can create from eucalyptus is tea. It allows you to enjoy all the nutrients in an efficient manner and is very easy to make. Just follow the steps below:23

Ingredients

1 dried eucalyptus leaf (or 1 teaspoon), crushed

6 ounces filtered water

Raw honey (optional)

Procedure

Place the crushed eucalyptus leaf in an 8-ounce teacup.

Bring water to a boil. Turn off heat and let it set for a minute to reduce the temperature slightly.

Pour the water on the teacup and steep for 10 minutes.

Strain the tea into a new teacup before drinking.

Add a dash of raw honey if desired.

Note: Only drink eucalyptus in minute amounts. Drinking too much can lead to eucalyptus poisoning, which is marked by stomach pains, dizziness and muscle weakness.24 Do not drink eucalyptus if you have experienced an allergy reaction to the leaves or oils.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Allows You to Enjoy the Benefits Conveniently

Eucalyptus essential oil is well-loved in the field of aromatherapy. There are around 500 different species of eucalyptus essential oil produced around the world, but "The Healing Art of Essential Oils" says these four are some of the most commonly used:25

Eucalyptus globulus — This species is the top choice for creating eucalyptus essential oil, and is the ingredient used for various eucalyptus products as well.

Eucalyptus polybractea — Also known as "blue mallee," it is high in cineole, which is a colorless liquid terpene with an odor similar to camphor.

Eucalyptus radiata — Also known as "narrow-leaved peppermint," it is known for its refreshing aroma.

Eucalyptus citriodora — Nicknamed the "lemon-scented gum," it is primarily used in perfume and industrial purposes.

Making Infused Eucalyptus Oil

The great thing about eucalyptus oil is that you can make it in your own home, especially if you have leftovers from making tea. Below are a few things you need to make infused eucalyptus oil:26

Materials

Kitchen weighing scale

2 ounces eucalyptus leaves

Olive oil or a different carrier oil

Crock pot

Small-gauge mesh strainer

Airtight jar made of dark glass

Procedure

Gently crush the eucalyptus leaves with your fist to release the oil. You may use more or less depending on the size of your crock pot.

Place the eucalyptus leaves in the crock pot.

Add 1 cup of olive oil for every one-fourth ounce of leaves in the crock pot.

Place the lid on the crock pot and turn it on at low heat. Let the mixture steep for six hours.

Strain the eucalyptus oil through the mesh strainer and into the jar.

Seal the jar and date it.

Store the eucalyptus oil in a cool, dry spot, where it will remain viable for six months. If needed longer, store the oil in the vegetable crisper drawer in your refrigerator, where it will last for about a year.

3 Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has diverse benefits when used in different ways. However, make sure you dilute this essential oil in a safe carrier oil before using. Areas it can benefit include:

Skin care — Applying eucalyptus oil on your skin may help fight bacteria that can cause infection, including antibiotic-resistant strains.27

Lice removal — Eucalyptus contains compounds that may help eliminate head lice.28

Pain relief — Inhaling eucalyptus oil has been found to be helpful in managing pain and lowering blood pressure.29

Side Effects of Eucalyptus Oil

Before using eucalyptus oil (or any essential oil), it's important to be aware of the side effects. Eucalyptus oil has been known to cause:30

Burning sensation in the mouth and throat

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Disorientation

Giddiness

Seizures

Convulsions

Always make sure that your doses are controlled. Aside suffering from the above symptoms, some victims of eucalyptus oil poisoning have fallen into a coma, while others have unfortunately died.31 Always check with your physician before using or consuming eucalyptus or any essential oil.

from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/28/xdjm18-herbs-spices-18mcsa-eucalyptus.aspx

source http://niapurenaturecom.weebly.com/blog/eucalyptus-a-favorite-of-the-koala-it-may-become-your-favorite-herb-too

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Eucalyptus: A Favorite of the Koala, It May Become Your Favorite Herb, Too

Table of Contents

Rainbow Eucalyptus: A Unique Tree That Will Surely Grab Your Attention

4 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus

Various Uses of Eucalyptus

Growing Eucalyptus in Your Home

Eucalyptus Recipe: How to Make Eucalyptus Tea

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Allows You to Enjoy the Benefits Conveniently

Making Infused Eucalyptus Oil

3 Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil

Side Effects of Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) is an Australian tree species belonging to the Myrtaceae family. The species is wide-ranging, containing over 900 different variants, ranging from short, bushy plants to giant trees. Despite their differences, they are easily identified by their pungent aroma and exfoliating bark.1

Botanist David Nelson discovered the plant in 1777. He took a sample and brought it back to London, where it was given the name Eucalyptus obliqua by Charles-Louis L'Héritier, a French botanist, in reference to the plant’s flower bud and the shape of the leaf, respectively. “Eu” means “well,” while “calyptos” means “covered.” “Obliqua,” on the other hand, comes from “obliquus,” which means oblique in Latin.2

In the following years, many other species of eucalyptus were discovered as more settlers and explorers began to explore the Australian landscape. James Edward Smith, another English botanist, discovered more species of eucalyptus between 1790 and 1802.3

You might be interested to know that the koala, an herbivore mammal native to Australia, is the only mammal that can survive on a diet consisting of eucalyptus alone. In fact, this plant species is their favorite food. Other animals can’t digest or metabolize eucalyptus leaves, and it can even be poisonous to them.

The koala has the advantage of having a specialized caecum, which is a section in the digestive tract containing millions of beneficial bacteria that can break down the eucalyptus leaves safely.4

Rainbow Eucalyptus: A Unique Tree That Will Surely Grab Your Attention

The rainbow eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus deglupta) is a standout in the eucalyptus family. It can grow up to 250 feet tall, and as the name implies, has a rainbow-colored bark. This occurs when the tree sheds its bark during the summer, creating pale green, red, orange, gray and purple-brown bark streaks.5

Rainbow eucalyptus is mainly used for decorative and shade purposes, but it has various practical uses as well. It is prized for its wood and bark, which is used to make paper.6 If you’re wondering if it’s possible to grow rainbow eucalyptus in your yard, you can — as long as you live in a frost-free area with an area that has access to full sun and plenty of moisture.

However, you may want to think twice about planting a eucalyptus tree, as a mature rainbow tree can grow to be very tall and can quickly become a problem in your garden and your neighborhood, disrupting the soil and breaking up sidewalks. This tree is better suited to parks and fields that can be enjoyed by the public.7

4 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus

The Australian aboriginal populations were the first to discover the health benefits of eucalyptus. Since then, more ways to use it medicinally have been discovered. Well-known benefits include helping:

• Eliminate bacteria — Eucalyptus was discovered to have antibacterial properties from early on. Toward the end of the 19th century, it was used in to disinfect urinary catheters, and recent research can support this claim.8

In a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (APJTB), researchers discovered that essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus globulus leaves is particularly effective against common strains of bacteria, such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.9

• Promote oral care — The compounds found in eucalyptus may help promote oral health. In one study, participants who regularly chewed on gum containing eucalyptus extract had lowered levels of plaque accumulation, and had healthier gums overall.10

• Provide respiratory relief — Eucalyptus may help provide relief from runny noses, coughs and colds to help you breathe easier, as well as loosening phlegm,11 which is why you’ll find it as an ingredient in many products, such as cough syrups, rubs and vapor baths.12

• Relieve pain — In one study, researchers applied eucalyptus ointment on participants and discovered that it was able to help provide temporary pain relief, making it useful for athletes after a game. Furthermore, findings suggest that it can be used as a passive form of warmup due to its ability to raise muscle temperature.13

Various Uses of Eucalyptus

Aside from using eucalyptus for its healing benefits, the Australian indigenous populations found other practical uses for it. According to Woodland Trust, the wood was used to make tools, weapons, canoes and musical instruments to fit their needs. Today, eucalyptus is mainly used to manufacture paper and furniture. Its leaves are also used to create essential oils for aromatherapy.14

When planted in your garden, eucalyptus offers several advantages. The strong aroma of its oils can help act as a natural insect repellant, while the wood can serve as mulch to help improve soil conditions in place of other popular potting mixes, such as pine bark.15 To make the mulch, simply distribute chopped eucalyptus wood or bark on the soil. The oils in the mulch can help repel plant-eating pests as well.16

Growing Eucalyptus in Your Home

Growing eucalyptus requires careful consideration. As mentioned, you need to ask yourself: Do you have a backyard that can accommodate a eucalyptus tree once it has fully grown? If not, you may want to choose a species that can fit into containers, so that it can be grown on your patio or another location in your garden. The guide below focuses on how to cultivate smaller types of eucalyptus.

• Preparing to Plant Eucalyptus — Most species of eucalyptus require full sun to reach their maximum capacity, but certain species can tolerate partial shade, such as E. neglecta and E. crenulata. According to Gardening Know How, another advantage of eucalyptus is that it can adapt to a wide range of soils, as long as the area has good drainage.17

Purchase seeds of your preferred eucalyptus species, sow them in a shady area in your soil during spring and then cover them in plastic. Once the seeds grow, transplant each seedling into small pots. You may sow seeds directly into containers as well.18

• Maintaining Eucalyptus — Once the seeds start to grow, little maintenance is needed. Watering should be done in moderation, and only done when the soil becomes dry. If your area is currently experiencing drought, you will have to increase the amount to compensate for the high temperatures. Fertilizers are not recommended when growing eucalyptus, as they can destroy the quality of the plants due to their phosphorus content.19

Pruning is important when maintaining your trees. You must control the top growth or else the plants will become too heavy and will become unstable. You will also need to clean the area around the trees for safety reasons, because the bark is considered flammable.20

• Harvesting and Storing Eucalyptus — You may cut the branches and leaves as the plant grows.21 Gathered leaves can be grouped into a bunch and air-dried upside down or wrapped in a paper towel. Once they’re dry, store them in an airtight glass jar.22

Eucalyptus Recipe: How to Make Eucalyptus Tea

One of the most common foods you can create from eucalyptus is tea. It allows you to enjoy all the nutrients in an efficient manner and is very easy to make. Just follow the steps below:23

Ingredients

1 dried eucalyptus leaf (or 1 teaspoon), crushed

6 ounces filtered water

Raw honey (optional)

Procedure

Place the crushed eucalyptus leaf in an 8-ounce teacup.

Bring water to a boil. Turn off heat and let it set for a minute to reduce the temperature slightly.

Pour the water on the teacup and steep for 10 minutes.

Strain the tea into a new teacup before drinking.

Add a dash of raw honey if desired.

Note: Only drink eucalyptus in minute amounts. Drinking too much can lead to eucalyptus poisoning, which is marked by stomach pains, dizziness and muscle weakness.24 Do not drink eucalyptus if you have experienced an allergy reaction to the leaves or oils.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Allows You to Enjoy the Benefits Conveniently

Eucalyptus essential oil is well-loved in the field of aromatherapy. There are around 500 different species of eucalyptus essential oil produced around the world, but “The Healing Art of Essential Oils” says these four are some of the most commonly used:25

Eucalyptus globulus — This species is the top choice for creating eucalyptus essential oil, and is the ingredient used for various eucalyptus products as well.

Eucalyptus polybractea — Also known as “blue mallee,” it is high in cineole, which is a colorless liquid terpene with an odor similar to camphor.

Eucalyptus radiata — Also known as “narrow-leaved peppermint,” it is known for its refreshing aroma.

Eucalyptus citriodora — Nicknamed the “lemon-scented gum,” it is primarily used in perfume and industrial purposes.

Making Infused Eucalyptus Oil

The great thing about eucalyptus oil is that you can make it in your own home, especially if you have leftovers from making tea. Below are a few things you need to make infused eucalyptus oil:26

Materials

Kitchen weighing scale

2 ounces eucalyptus leaves

Olive oil or a different carrier oil

Crock pot

Small-gauge mesh strainer

Airtight jar made of dark glass

Procedure

Gently crush the eucalyptus leaves with your fist to release the oil. You may use more or less depending on the size of your crock pot.

Place the eucalyptus leaves in the crock pot.

Add 1 cup of olive oil for every one-fourth ounce of leaves in the crock pot.

Place the lid on the crock pot and turn it on at low heat. Let the mixture steep for six hours.

Strain the eucalyptus oil through the mesh strainer and into the jar.

Seal the jar and date it.

Store the eucalyptus oil in a cool, dry spot, where it will remain viable for six months. If needed longer, store the oil in the vegetable crisper drawer in your refrigerator, where it will last for about a year.

3 Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has diverse benefits when used in different ways. However, make sure you dilute this essential oil in a safe carrier oil before using. Areas it can benefit include:

Skin care — Applying eucalyptus oil on your skin may help fight bacteria that can cause infection, including antibiotic-resistant strains.27

Lice removal — Eucalyptus contains compounds that may help eliminate head lice.28

Pain relief — Inhaling eucalyptus oil has been found to be helpful in managing pain and lowering blood pressure.29

Side Effects of Eucalyptus Oil

Before using eucalyptus oil (or any essential oil), it’s important to be aware of the side effects. Eucalyptus oil has been known to cause:30

Burning sensation in the mouth and throat

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Disorientation

Giddiness

Seizures

Convulsions

Always make sure that your doses are controlled. Aside suffering from the above symptoms, some victims of eucalyptus oil poisoning have fallen into a coma, while others have unfortunately died.31 Always check with your physician before using or consuming eucalyptus or any essential oil.

from Articles http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/28/xdjm18-herbs-spices-18mcsa-eucalyptus.aspx source https://niapurenaturecom.tumblr.com/post/183763495261