Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Mt Pisgah Mushroom Festival
Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival by the Cascade Mycological Society
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Martin Niemöller
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Martin Niemöller
Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he sympathized with many Nazi ideas and supported radically right-wing political movements. But after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, Niemöller became an outspoken critic of Hitler’s interference in the Protestant Church. He spent the last eight years of Nazi rule, from 1937 to 1945, in Nazi prisons and concentration camps.
There are different versions of the quotation because it originated from Martin Niemöller’s impromptu public speeches.
The quotation expresses Niemöller’s belief that Germans had been complicit through their silence in the Nazi imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of people. He felt this was especially true of the leaders of the Protestant churches, which were made up of Lutheran, Reformed, and United traditions.
Gardening
When to plant herbs will depend on whether they are annual, biennial or perennial, as well as whether you plan to grow them indoors or outdoors. It will also depend on your climate and the weather conditions in your area.
Annual and biennial herbs such as basil, dill, coriander and parsley can be planted from seed every year between March and August. These herbs are often used in large quantities, are short lived, and best picked young, so to ensure a fresh and plentiful supply make successive sowings from early spring until early fall at three to four-week intervals.
To give them a head-start these herbs can be sown in pots in a greenhouse in late winter and planted out in spring once the soil has warmed up.
If planting from seed, perennial herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme are best sown undercover with warmth in spring and grown on in pots before being hardened off and planted out. Some perennial herbs such as mint are often best grown from small plants or propagated by division – in this case the best time to plant them is in spring.
Mediterranean perennial herbs such as rosemary, sage lavender and thyme take well when planted from cuttings. You can either take softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or fall. These can then be overwintered indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse and planted outdoors the following spring once the risk of frost has passed.
These herbs grow best in full sun and prefer dry, poor stoney soils. They are best planted in gravel gardens, by paths and or between paving slabs. These herbs also work well together in herb planter ideas as they require similar growing conditions, plus Mediterranean aromatic herbs are brilliant for planting in containers on a patio placed near seating areas where their scent can be enjoyed.
When to plant herbs outside depends on the types of herb you are growing, but generally herbs are best planted outside in spring in a sunny spot with fertile, free-draining soil.
Annual and biennial herbs can be planted outdoors from March to August. To give them a head start they can be planted as early as January under cover and planted out in spring. However, there are some herbs such as dill and parsley that do not like being transplanted so are best sown directly outside if possible.
By sowing in seed trays 'you have more control over the environment, soil conditions and thinning seedlings as they sprout,' says Sandra Nanka, herb expert and owner of Mudbrick Herb Cottage. 'This can result in a faster germination and also allow you to start seeds earlier in the season.'
Perennial herbs raised from seed or cuttings are best planted out once the risk of frost has passed in late spring early summer.
Many herbs can be grown indoors in pots to give a fresh supply for all year round including thyme, parsley, mint, chives and French tarragon provided they have the right conditions and are placed in a sunny spot such as a greenhouse or sunny south-facing windowsill.
If you are planning on growing herbs indoors in a heated greenhouse then the seeds can be planted at any time of year. Sow in pots or trays onto the surface of moist peat-free seed compost, cover with a thin layer of compost and water. They should be placed in a propagator or covered with a polythene bag. For growing on windowsills or in an unheated greenhouse sow seeds in spring.
In winter, when sunlight decreases and temperatures drop, the growth rate of indoor herbs will slow, plus if placed on windowsills they may be exposed to fluctuating temperatures which can effect their growth. 'During the winter in northern climates, windowsills may be 15 to 30 degrees colder than the room’s temperature, which could slow growth and cause plants to struggle,' says Shannon Caringi of Trillium Living.
If you are planning to grow your herbs outside then many can be started off indoors in pots or trays from January for transplanting outdoors in spring.
Friday, January 20, 2023
Cleaning Electric Drumsets
Here’s a quick list of things that make cleaning your e-drums quick and easy, and will leave them in great-looking condition.
Essentials:
- Microfibre cloths. Don’t be tempted to go for cheap, yellow furniture dusters, old t-shirts or rags. Microfibres will lift the dirt better, and can be washed for use again.
- Furniture polish. Regular, domestic, multi-surface household furniture polish will leave your kit smelling clean and looking shiny. You can even purchase specialist furniture polishes that are ideal for home electrical items like TVs. Don’t use anything with oil or wax in it, such as ‘made for wood’ polishes.
- A soft bristled, one-inch paint brush. This will help you get into all those areas that are hard to reach, or where dust really settles in.
For that extra touch:
- General purpose liquid household cleaner or dishwashing liquid
- A soft-bristled, hand-sized scrubbing brush
- Glass spray, or cellphone/mobile phone screen cleaning spray and a specific screen cleaning soft cloth
- Automotive rubber and dash detailer, such as Meguiar’s Natural Shine Vinyl & Rubber Protectant, Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care, or Armorall Protectant for vinyl, rubber and dashboards