From Planet Earth
Calendar
Living Compasses: Migration is a fascinating instinct used by
animals that cannot tolerate the climate in one location all year round. Each year...birds, fish and mammals seem to
follow a route guided by nothing more than their own instinct. How do they know
where to go?
An animal relies on various cues
to find its way. Fish like the Pacific
Salmon will use the direction of the ocean currents to push them along.
Birds use landmarks and mental maps.
Those that migrate during the day, use the sun as their
compass. Birds that migrate at night,
use the constellations to guide them.
Loggerhead Turtles must complete the 8,000 mile (13,000 km.) migration
from Florida to the North Atlantic which they do all on their own. The turtles are able to sense the earth's
magnetic field. And they find their way by following its path.
Did You Know?
(from the Canadian
Wildlife Federation Calendar).
The American Pica
(now an endangered species) is a small mammal with short limbs and round
ears. Picas thrive in cold climate,
where they remain active throughout the winter under the snow, frequently in
craggy areas. Nibbling on grasses and plant shoots, this furry creature with
long whiskers is quite adorable...(and would make a desirably cute pet!)
Gardening Advice
(by Kathy Renwald in
a colour supplement of the Hamilton Spectator)
Ten Tools You
Should Own... if you are a gardener just starting out.
(You may choose to
implement now, or retain for another season.)
Hand Pruners: The gold standard is the Felco line made in
Switzerland. They cut cleanly and
evenly and feel good in the hand. The most popular is the No. 8 model.
Hand Trowel: Buy a good one! It's essential for planting,
digging, working in containers and window boxes. Mine is almost 30 years old
made by Bulldog Garden Tools in the U.K.
Shovels and Spades: Shovels have a pointed end, used to dig
garden beds, move mulch and gravel; and spades have a straighter edge, useful
for edging borders and digging up perennials.
Rakes: Gardeners need two
kinds...a leaf rake and a garden or bow rake. The garden rake is heavier and is
used for leveling soil, gravel and sand.
Garden Hose: A cheap one will kink and drive you crazy,
but a quality hose is a pleasure to use.
I like the Super Hose from Rittenhouse...it's light...yet kink-and-crash
resistant.
Nozzles and Sprinklers: There are many good choices including
Gilmour's fireman nozzle and Dramm watering wands. An oscillating sprinkler, is a good
choice...and many from which to choose.
Containers: I love rubber garden tubs. Sold as a set of 3, they nest in each
other. I fill them with water and a weak
solution of fertilizer in the spring and
soak new plants in them before digging them in soil.
Bushel Baskets with metal
handles (seen at farmers' markets) are light and easy to carry. They can be set down in a garden bed without
crushing plants.
Pots: Buy clay pots...always in style and plants
like them because the growing environment is natural. Air and moisture can
penetrate the sides of the pot and they don't get hot like plastic pots do.
Gloves: Grippy, waterproof
gloves are available in garden centers and hardware stores.
Message from the
Canadian Red Cross
Disasters can strike anyone at
any time...and efficient disaster management depends on well-prepared
volunteers, planning and resources. From small house fires to? the Canadian Red
Cross is ready.
Madd Fact
An average drunk
driver has driven drunk 87 times before a first arrest!
Niagara Falls and
Great Gorge
A colour calendar view spans the
American Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. A panorama of the approaching
Niagara River creates a 3-D effect together with the turbulent white crested
rapids as the river begins its dash through the winding Gorge. Although Niagara
Falls is not one of the 7 Wonders of Natural Times, it is widely considered the
most spectacular “waterfalls in the world”
Special Event Days
August 4 (Monday) ~
Civic Holiday
August 10 (Sunday) ~
Full Moon
August 12 (Tuesday) ~
International Youth Day
August 13 (Wednesday)
~ International Lefthanders’ Day
August 15-September 1
~ Canadian National Exhibition*
August 29 (Saturday)
~ International Day of Disappearances.
*Did you know that
the CNE Grounds was a military camp
during World War One?
Flower and Garden Philosophy
Each flower possesses its own uniqueness
as does each friend. (Beth
Faycus)
August Musings
Our Life always
expresses the result of our dominate thoughts.
(Soren
Kierkegaard)
August with its
clouds of scented blooms;
August with its
great stacks of giant clouds;
August with corn
plants, standing like rows of soldiers;
August with
watermelons, full and heavy, dozing in the sun.
(Mary Naylor)
I went on inactive duty in August 1945 and since I had stayed in good
shape and had played ball on military teams, I was ready to start for the
Indians just 2 days later against the Tigers.
(Bob Feller)
August used to be a sad month
for me. As the days went on, the thought
of school starting, weighed heavily upon my young frame. That, coupled with the oppressive heat and
humidity of my native home in Washington D.C. only seemed to heighten the
misery. (Henry Rollins)
And so it was, with
my son, that following the closing of the CNE
on Labour Day...was the dreadful thought of
imminent SCHOOL!
Merle
Baird-Kerr...compiled July 5, 2014
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