Aspire To Be…

Buzzwords and phrases like “Plant Native”, “Naturscaping”, and “Nativar” have been toss around as of late. So, what do they mean exactly?

Plant Native – A movement to introduce native plants and naturescaping into mainstream landscaping practices.

NatureScaping is a method of landscaping that allows people and nature to coexist. By incorporating certain plants, especially native ones, into your yard you can attract insects, birds, and other creatures, and help keep our rivers and streams healthy.

Nativar is a cultivar and/or hybrid of a native species and should rule the garden. (used by contributing Ranter Allan Armitage)

Going Native is just another way to do your part in saving our environment.

Armitage’s Native Plants for Northern American Gardens
Native Plants
Enature.com
Native Plant Database
WV Native Plant Society
WV Native Plant and Sources
WV Extension Services
WV State Plant Listings

If you haven’t ordered fruit trees, now is the time. Stark Bros is probably the most known mail-order catalog with an abundance of fruit trees to order. Check out the web to find your favorites. With your existing fruit trees you can go ahead and spray them with a dormant oil spray.

Break out those pruning shears! Prune blueberries, grapes, and deciduous trees and shrubs now.

If you have spring fever start some seeds indoors. It’s a good time to start cold season crops from seed indoors, so clean off those windowsills.  Head lettuce, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and cabbage are all excellent choices.  Herbs can be grown anytime indoors, so if you don’t have plans for an outdoor garden , then start one indoors with herbs.

March is just around the corner and the early planting season will begin.

Tips:  What to do with your used electronics

REFURBISH – Check all used electronics to see if it is in good working order, if it can be repaired take the steps to fix any problems, so that it can be donated.

REUSE –  Donate used electronics to local nonprofit organizations, lower-income families or schools.  (electronics in working order) This insures that others may have access to computers and electronics not currently available to them.

RECYCLE –  If electronics can not be repaired or reused then computers and other electronics can be recycled. Sites like Earth911 and Electronic Industries Alliance’s Consumer Education Initiative can be used to get information on local programs.

Links:

US Environmental Protection Agency

Earth911

TechSoup

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)

While shopping everyone at least once has glanced to see what other shoppers have in their shopping carts. Have you ever notice after going through the check out line, who has brought their own bags? The reusable kind. I’ve been doing it recently and I feel like my family is in the minority. All though in recent years they have become more popular to buy, I’m just not seeing them used as frequently.

Last week at the grocery store, I didn’t notice a single shopper that brought reusable bags to put their purchases in. One of my biggest pet peeves is those plastic bags, almost every retailer in my area uses. I have almost banished them completely from my house. We try always to have reusable bags on hand, for the big grocery-shopping day, the spur of the moment stop, or while on my lunch I decided to do little shopping

This is a good way to minimize your “Carbon Footprint”. Here are 5 excellent places to get reusable bags so everyone can start to do their part.

#1 – Local retailers are now offering reusable bags for sale, like Target,

Walmart, and even Macy’s.

#2 – Etsy.com is a perfect place to purchase reusable bags. Not only are

these handmade, but also can be customized to fit your needs. All

you have to do is contact the seller and specify what you want.

#3 – Reusablebags.com – This is an eco-friendly website that caters to your

reusable bag needs.

#4 – Ecobags.com is another eco-friendly website that has awesome

produce bags.

#5 – You don’t have to run out and buy a bag. Use what you got! I ‘m sure

you have at least one bag of some kind that you can use instead of

packing another plastic bag home.

Now that you know were to purchase them, REUSE them.

The Sweet Potato Queen’s first Big-Ass Novel (Stuff we didn’t actually do, but could have and may yet) by Jill Conner

Do you know how hard it is not to bust out laughing while riding in a full elevator and listening to this book on your mp3 player? Very hard. Not only did Jill Conner write this book, but she also is the

voice reading it on the audio. There is no mistaking the southern twang in her voice and it makes the book come alive. As a work of fiction the book borders on almost or could be true, as Jill Conner goes from invisible teen to becoming boss of the Sweet Potato Queens. The book centers around friendship development and knee slapping one-liners. Makes everyone want to dig out there green bridesmaid dresses and go down south for the annual St. Patty’s day parade.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

As a boy, Ender Wiggin is taken from his home and thrust in the world of Battle School. To prepare for his destiny, at a time were children are taught as early as six to live and breath the battle, he is sent on a psychological mind game trip in preparation for what he is to become.

I don’t “do” New Years Resolutions, I just don’t believe in them. Nor do I participate or partake in the yearly ritual of organizing and/or decluttering of ones life. However, I will put forth a modest effort to cleanse my soul. So to speak.

Every morning I creep around the corner in the parking garage on my way to my parking spot were I work., and cringe at the thought of were and how my “neighbor” has pulled into his space. Not only does this person go the wrong way in the parking garage to park his car, he doesn’t even pull in straight. He is going to one day plow into someone or another car, which would so make my day, but would put an end to the, the cleansing of the soul thing. Let’s just say he has a way of unleashing my inner “bitch”.

(Said “neighbors” parking spot.)

I’m usually easy, going, calm, and not easily excitable. Once I enter the parking garage it’s a whole different ball game. I happen to park in one of the few underground parking garages around town and it is tight. Driving a midsize SUV and having a parking space between said “neighbor” and a wall, you can only imagine my want to do unspeakable things. I have to back into my space and hope that my “neighbor” is not hugging up to it too close to my spot.

I thought about a nice note, suggesting that maybe he should park closer to the support column that way we would both would have room to get in and out of our cars. Then I thought, the hell with that all I want to do is spit on his car. Not very lady like I know, and if any thing I would only result in my spitting on myself, thus defeating the purpose intended. (I never got the whole spitting thing down)

My first Soul Cleansing Proclamation is to rid myself of such desires to spit, key, kick, dump sticky liquid beside and/or on windshield, throw trash on, write notes to put under windshield wiper, etc. of said “neighbor’s” car.

I have no idea as to how I shall accomplish this task. Since, said “neighbor” is a total moron and oblivious to the fact that he 1) can’t park 2) got his license from the back of a cereal box and 3) pissed off a complete bitch when provoked.

I’m going to hell, I’m sure of it. After all the nasty names flying from my mouth, and if my momma knew she would totally send me straight to the bathroom for some soap. (ok, I love my momma dearly however she has a fouler mouth then me and would totally beat me at the nasty name calling, then send me to the bathroom for some soap)

So, my plan is simple. Think happy thoughts, remind myself that said “neighbor” (AKA: window licker) is a productive member of society and it is not his fault that he is a complete retard and needs to have his license revoked. I’ll try my best to not to let it get to me, and promise not to think bad thoughts about said “neighbor’s” demise.

End of Vent